Lisa's perspective
I must have heard him wrong, but looking at his horrified face I know I heard him right and it's clear he didn't mean to ask it. The longer I take to answer him, the more his face falls. I know I love him but this isn't exactly the place I wanted to have this conversation.
"Yes."
"Yes?"
"Yes, I love you."
"Like a husband or a friend?"
I can see he is trying to remain calm while he is waiting for my answer, just as I opened my mouth to speak we were interrupted by Luke.
"Your majesty, the King would like a word with you."
"Can't it wait?"
"No Son, it can't."
We both turn to find the King standing behind Luke, "Lisa, this conversation isn't finish."
"Didn't think it was."
I watch as the three of them leave the room, I get up to take the plates back to the kitchen but realise in the process that I don't know what happened to Zane. I walk into the room towards the door, pulling it open I called Ian.
"Yes Princess?"
"Where's Zane?"
"Why?"
"Ian!"
"Custody."
"Police custody?"
"Yes, why?"
I can feel my whole-body relaxing, "Does that mean I can go to the kitchen?"
"My orders are still the same, stay with you except when you are in the room."
"Okay, give me a moment, then we'll head down."
"Yes Ma'am."
I close the door, before leaning against it, he's gone, that means I'm free. No more looking over my shoulder, no more having Ian with me every second, things are back to normal. Why doesn't that please me? I don't want normal, I want Wayne. Instead of dwelling on the thought of how amazing it would be to be his real wife, I got up and got the plates. Once I had them I walked out of the room, Ian took the tray from me.
"That's not necessary."
"I was raised to help a lady."
"Ian, one day you'll make a lady very happy by being her husband."
"I hope so Ma'am, but until she comes, I'm more than content here."
"Good to hear, would hate to lose you. On that note, thank you for everything Ian."
"Pleasure Ma'am, I'm just sorry I was sometimes a bit too late."
"Things happened this way for a reason, don't worry about it."
We walk down the steps towards the kitchen, after the steps we rounded the last corner, I walked into Wayne. He reached out to steady me, "Thanks."
I thought he would let go but he didn't, Ian noticed and said he was going to the kitchen. I was just about to ask why he would leave us alone when I noticed Luke behind Wayne at a safe distance.
"I was just about to head back up, something came up, so much for a relaxed day with you, promise me we will talk tonight."
"We have dinner with your parents tonight."
"I forgot about that..."
He doesn't look very eager to have dinner with them, "Can we at least have dessert alone?"
"I'm sure I can arrange that."
"Great, then it's settled, I'll see you tonight, enjoy your day beautiful."
"Thanks, I will. Good luck with whatever needs your attention."
I know I should just wiggle myself out of his arms but I don't want to, he doesn't look eager to let me go until Luke cleared his throat, it got us both moving. Wayne and Luke leaves, but not before Wayne looks back one last time, he looks unhappy to leave. I turned around and jogged to the kitchen, Ian was inside busy waiting for something.
"What are you waiting for?"
"Your morning coffee, Ma'am."
"Oh, listen, I have a plan and I need your help."
"Is this plan going to get us in trouble?"
"No, but it is going to change things."
"Change things how?"
"Things between Wayne and myself..."
"I'm in, what do you want me to do?"
Wayne's perspective
What a day, I can see from Dad's face that he also had a long day, Lisa and Mom are enjoying themselves while I just want this dinner to be over already. I just want to go to our room and be with Lisa, I'm sure just being alone with her would recharge my flat batteries. I look around to see how Luke is coping but he and Ian is nowhere to be seen, it's strange, one of them are always here. Paul is here, Fred isn't, since he was fired for failing to keep Lisa safe. Hopefully my dad will get a new body guard tomorrow. Today it was Luke's job to watch us both, I feel sorry for him, he had double the work and it was a long day, too long. I just wish Lisa would eat faster, she and my mom is still eating while my dad and I are already done. Luke and Ian walked back in, that brought life to Lisa, because she quickly finished her food. She then excused us, surprised I just said goodnight and followed. I thought we were heading to our room but instead Lisa walked out of the castle, to the gardens. The lights were on giving it a romantic feel.
"Where are we going Lisa?"
"We are going to have our dessert, since it's such a nice night."
Poor Ian and Luke, I hope they had ample warning. This whole time I was just following Lisa, but I caught up with her and took her hand.
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see."
She leads the way to a small piece of green grass, on the grass was a picnic blanket. It's clear she planned this ahead of time.
"What is it with us and picnic under the stars?"
She smiles at me, "There is just something about it..."
"I agree."
We sat down on the blanket, Ian brought our dessert.
"Thanks Ian."
"Anytime sir."
He and Luke retreats to a safe distance, I know they aren't the only ones out here. The rest are doing a great job of staying out of sight.
~
If I thought the first date was fun, I was wrong. This was amazing, we kept conversation light, but I realised one thing, any conversation with Lisa is fun.
"Ready?"
"For what?"
"Well, this morning you wanted to go for a walk, so I thought why not go now?"
"Is this cleared with Luke and Ian?"
"Yeah, they know all about it."
"In that case, let's go."
I get up, take her hand and pull her up. I know I should bring up this morning's conversation but I can't help but be afraid. I know from all of this, that she can't mean as a friend but that doesn't make it easier to ask, what if she does only love me as a friend? What then? We walk in silence, just enjoying ourselves when Lisa suddenly stopped.
"Everything okay?"
I can see she is struggling with something, almost like she is busy debating with herself.
"Lisa?"
Before I could continue, she kissed me.
Lisa's perspective
Kissing him was nothing like it was on our wedding day, that was forced, emotionless, but this... My emotions are going crazy not to mention my heart, kissing him feels right. At first he just stood there, but then he kissed me back with so much passion and eagerness. I love him, I love him with my whole being, I never thought I would ever be able to love him like this. When he stopped kissing me I pulled away, "I love you Wayne, I love you as my husband."
Are those tears in his eyes?
"I love you too Lisa, I can't imagine my life without you. At first I never thought it would be possible to love you but now, it's impossible not to love you."