LX

(A/N: I made a huge mistake, there is no two more chapters. This will be the last chapter because I put everything here. Okay? Epilogue will be next which will be posted tomorrow! Thank you! Enjoy the last chapter *crying right now*)

LX

I checked my wristwatch for the third time after nine o'clock in the morning had passed five minutes ago. Damn, he was late and it infuriated me.

It was not my too much desperation to see him after we had our precious moments together last evening in his suite before I went home. The reason was he had a meeting at eleven and our time together would cut short if he wasted more minutes.

I did not care if the roads were too busy because the coffee shop we were going to meet was three establishments away from the hotel. He had a clear schedule this morning. Hence, he had no excuse to come late.

For the past three days since we reunited, all I wanted were to be with him if our time permitted us. We needed to make up the three years gone by. Though we both confident that we would be together for the rest our lives.

Anyway, he still had no idea about our children. He had the idea, but he did not know they were actually from his own cell. I was still enjoying his covetousness to the father of the twins. If only he knew that he envied himself, he would surely roll on the ground and laugh.

I sipped my dark coffee when someone stood beside me. In my peripheral view, the person was a girl. I did not mind her. She might be looking for a vacant table. As if I would give this table to her. The morning talks of the people became whispers and they turned their heads to my direction.

Or, maybe, to the direction of the lady standing near me.

As I joined the out lookers, the woman–who wore a pair of big sunglasses, a classy Sunday dress and an unusual size of bag on her shoulder–walked around my table to sit across me. I followed her thru my gaze. I was more than shocked.

I knew who she was. From the beautiful glowing red hair like a fire to the way she walked, I could recognize the friend I had before. It felt like a dream to see her again.

"My brother will be late so I came here first," she removed her sunglasses to reveal her stunning green eyes just like her brother had. She put her bag on the vacant chair beside her. "It's been a while, Shirley, how are you?"

Her smile was so natural that what happened that night was only an imagination. If only it was an imagination.

I returned the beam, but my eyes watered, "Your Highness."

She crossed her arms on her chest and mockingly glared at me, "We didn't see each other for three years and you already forget how you call me."

I felt my tears rolled on my cheeks and bowed my head. "I'm sorry," this was the phrase I should have told her that night, but we were both out of our mind in different ways. "I'm sorry," I repeated, "I'm really sorry."

She reached my hand and squeezed it. Her expression softened as our stares met. "I also apologize for being wretched. I should shut up that moment and think carefully, but I let my anger lead me." She sighed and remorse was visible on her face, "Although Alex did not tell me, I knew I was one of the reasons you left him."

I did not say anything because that was true. I did not want to offend her now when my old friend finally forgave me. I just smiled at her and let my tears fell wildly. It was good if someone was crying for her happiness.

The diamond ring on her finger suddenly caught my attention. Guilt flooded in my system thinking how sweet Ben and her before the incident. But now, she would marry someone who was not the tan-skin boy she loved more than anyone.

Looking at her hand, I asked her weakly, "Are you...getting married?"

She questioned, "Why the face, Shirley?" She pulled her hand from me and boasted the luxurious circular object. Princess Victoria proudly smiled, "Ben proposed to me last Christmas."

My eyes got bigger and rounder, "Ben?"

She laughed, amusement grew on her face, "Are you thinking I'll marry someone else? I can't imagine having intimate moments with other men besides Ben."

"I thought..."

She explained my unspoken statement, "We broke up for three years because of you know, but Alex and Nicholas spoke to Ben last year. Well, they did not talk about it anymore with me so I have no idea about the topics of their conversation," she put her chin above her palms, daydreaming the past events again, "Then, tada, Ben asked me to have dinner with him and we apologized to each other. He knelt to the ground and pulled out a box of ring and I don't think you still want to listen to what happened next."

She was right. I did not own good ears to listen to her private scenarios with her boyfriend-fiancé. "But, you still don't go in public?"

She shrugged, "I want to but Ben chose to keep us in private until he become a successful owner of their business." She gritted her teeth and the excitement on her features transformed into irritation, "He wants to show to my family and everyone that he deserves me."

I smiled like a satisfied mother, "That's so nice and sweet. Why are you reacting like that?"

The princess protested, "Because we're meant to be no matter what happen. He doesn't need to work hard to get me. I am his even the world will end later."

I giggled, "He just loves you."

She covered her face like a grade school girl who confessed her puppy love to someone. When she recovered herself, she drank first her coffee before saying, "You know it's so refreshing to talk with a friend again. Ella is too busy as a mother of her two-year old baby so we don't have girls' night out anymore."

It was nice to hear that Isaac and Ella's love produced a fruit. I should congratulate Isaac later. Now, I knew why Prince Alexander was more pressure to have a child. If he learned about his real relation to Jared and Cassandra, he would surely shout to the world his beautiful twins.

It was good to listen to all the stories happened during those three years. It was better to talk again with Victoria though.

"Speaking of baby," her green eyes shone curiously, "I heard from Alex that you already have children with your ex."

I leaned forward and whispered, "I want to punch your brother for saying that."

She also got closer and lower her voice, "Why?"

"He accused me to have children with another man while the truth is they are his children," I looked around to see if someone was eavesdropping.

She covered her mouth because of shocked, "Really?"

I nodded, "To annoy him, I made him believe that my twins and he are not blood-related. I think, I should confess to him now."

She instantly disagreed and pleaded, "No, let me join you for at least a few hours, please. I held a lot of grudges against my brother so let me play your game for a while."

She was thrilled that I agreed with her idea. She imagined the things she would say to her brother to irritate him. I just added some suggestions that made her bounced on her seat. I could not believe I was plotting against my beloved man with his sister–a friend who I thought I had lost before.

We talked about different matters like how happy she was to be with Ben again. She also asked me about her nephew and niece and she could not wait for another day to see them especially when I told her that Jared was the little prince Alexander and Cassandra was too pretty to be my daughter.

"I almost forgot," she interrupted the comfortable silence we had during the minute we were enjoying our coffees. She took out a rectangular velvet box, which was a foot long, a half-foot wide and high, from her shoulder bag while muttering under her breathe.

"What's that?" I touched the lid of the box, trying to feel what kind of glamorous thing rested inside. It might be an ocean of jewelries, gold or whatever. The thought of seeing too many shining stones bubbled my feminine being.

Victoria casted her gaze behind me, and it was the only time I realized there were men in black suits and shades surrounding us in unnoticeable manner. There was one sitting next to our table, drinking his frappe. Another stood near the counter and talked to someone on his small microphone. The other hid behind a plant just near the entrance. I could see five or six of their alike in different corners of the coffee shop.

"You know me, I don't like them to mill around me," the princess looked frustrated in three seconds, then positive statics attached to her, "Anyway, I don't regret to have them with me right now." She touched the opener of the box and lifted it a little. She whispered, "This thing is valuable and anyone who sees it might kill us and take it away."

She unclosed the box, revealing a dazzling tiara slumbering on a golden cushion. Hundreds of pieces of precious gems like diamond, alexandrite, beryl and others I could not recall the name anymore beautified the small silver crown. It might be worth a million of dollars or even more. My estimation ability was drowning by just observing every adhered rock on the royal object.

I had no idea why the princess was giving me a live view of this thing. Probably, she would wear this on her wedding day. She would be perfect, just picturing this tiara suited her red hair very well while she was wearing a white gown designed by a world-known fashion designer. I wished I could be that beautiful on my simple wedding ceremony.

"Shirley," I transferred my eyes to her highness, "My parents are sincerely apologizing of what they did to you and your family."

What was she saying? Was the king and queen bribe to forgive them by giving this tiara to me? Oh my, that was a good offer, but I did not think I could accept it. It might be leave-Alexander-alone in exchange with this worth-my-living-tiara. I would rather live poor than to leave my Prince Alexander again.

"I know what my mother did and also how my father set you up, and how Alex found out all of it. Their second son stopped being a prince under their order, and all they can do is to regret sincerely," she apologetically smiled, "The only thing their son will return to them is to allow his marriage with you." She looked at the tiara and squealed, "You'll wear this as you walk down the aisle and Alex is waiting for you at the end."

Her words were shock and, yet, the most exhilarating statements I heard from someone else besides Alexander. Marriage. A royal marriage in England, in that church, where Prince Nicholas and Princess Emily got married, and other royal couple, and soon, Alexander and I. Who would think I, a simple girl from United States of America, would marry him, a gorgeous prince of England, someday in the traditional way of British Monarchy?

I bit my bottom lip to stop the grin from forming, "Is this own by the queen?"

She shook her head, "Emily wore my mother's tiara when that woman got married. My mother said that you won't accept the tiara if it is from her. So, my parents decided to let you wear the tiara of my grandmother, Queen Eva." she handed me the three pictures resting next to the small crown.

I suddenly remembered how sad Alexander was when he talked about his grandmother in our vacation in Brazil long time ago. It was still a question to the whole world and me the real cause of the queen's death. It was surely not suicide.

She continued, "My great grandparents have no child, but Queen Eva came to their lives when they were already in their forties. My great grandfather made this tiara for his only daughter. He did not care if he would lose all his money for the stones of this small crown. He promised that he would mold his daughter to be the queen of England. And, it happened when my grandfather married her. She wore this tiara on her wedding day to give respect to her deceased father."

A pang of sadness hit my chest. I always felt our connection even at the time Katherine, when she was still a friend, told me the tale of the queen's death. Maybe, the reason was Alexander. The moment he opened himself to me, it started my deeper care for him even his past affected me. He loved his grandmother so much because she was his only ally. This time I was here to fill the space.

I stared at the pictures in my hand. The first one was the day of the queen's wedding. I saw a bigger copy of this picture in one of the walls of the palace. The other picture was black and white and surely taken when she was younger, probably in her early teenage life. She wore the tiara while her blond hair–which was almost white in a colored picture–freely waved on the side of her face.

However, the last picture halted me from thinking or saying anything. Undoubtedly, I was gaping at the baby Queen Eva, but I saw another being. I was certain.

"Something wrong, Shirley?" The princess might notice my opened mouth and disbelieving looks.

I turned the picture to her, "The baby...the baby in the picture is Queen Eva?"

She nodded without thinking, and frowned. She was possibly thinking how idiot I was to not know. Queen Eva's baby form was all over the internet and even some history books. But, how come they both look alike?

"She looks like Cassandra," I said without knowing I already did.

The princess put down her cup, "Cassandra as in your daughter?"

I dug my IPhone in my bag and went to the gallery. It was full of my twins' pictures. I found a solo photo of Cassandra where she wore her Christmas gift dress from Lola and sitting on the couch in Cricket's mansion. It was almost same with the queen's photo because Queen Eva was also sitting on the couch and her smile was angelic. Just like Cassandra's.

I put my IPhone in front of Princess Victoria. She put her gaze on the screen and said, "Oh my goodness, Cassandra resembled my grandmother."

That was why my daughter's face was familiar. Her blue eyes were not mine it was Queen Eva. Her blond hair was a light shade, unlike her father. Her small round face, pretty nose and even small lips were seriously similar with the queen.

"I don't think we can implement our plan anymore, Shirley, once Alex sees your children," she uttered, disappointed, "No second thought, he will recognize Jared as his because your son is a miniature of my brother. Then, Cassandra, oh my goodness, even me can see my beloved grandmother on her in just a nanosecond of staring."

I sighed, "Prince Alexander and you should meet the lost prince and princess of England today."

-----

Before we departed our ways, Victoria and I agreed to have a lunch in the mansion where my family, twins and I were staying. I called Lola first if it was okay to have a lunch in their house with the royal siblings. She said it was okay to them as long as I was happy. I laughed and thanked her not only today, but also to all things her and Cricket made for me and my family.

I told Victoria the address of the mansion. "Our driver will work with GPS, don't worry," she had said with a wink. She also promised that she would not reveal the secret to her brother. She also told me that the tiara and I would meet again in London. The palace would keep it first before the wedding. I was in opened arms to accept it because I did not want to take care of a very sentimental and high value thing.

Even though she would say to Alexander about our sudden plan of lunch, I still texted him to make sure.

'Since you're late, move your meetings and let's have lunch in our place with your sister, my family and my twins.'

A minute later, he replied, 'Sorry, babe. That's also my plan. I wanted to finish all of these this morning, but got a problem in one event. I'll finish this soon. See you. I love you so much.'

I was on the verge of saying I loved him too, but stopped before I could type the whole phrase. I loved him although I would not say it to him. He could feel it in our every touch.

When I went home, mom and dad were already there with my twins. I told them the plan. They were glad that I finally decided to let them meet the prince, who was also my boyfriend, husband or whatever he was to me right now.

Mom cooked while I cleaned up the twins and put them on cute clothes. A pink dress for Cassandra. A white shirt and child-size jeans for Jared. I also changed my jeans and jacket to a red strappy dress that created a stunning and hot woman in the mirror when I stood in front of it.

Once everything finished, even the delicious food mom prepared, the doorbell rang. I was sitting in the living area with my twins while they watched cartoons. I turned my body to see the door when Dad opened it and my heart hit my ribcage once the magnificent prince showed up with his also beautiful sister.

He shook my father's hand and the latter greeted the prince like his own son. Oh dad, you should punch him for what he did to me. I was just kidding. I was happy that was dad's reaction. Mom was also there to greet the royal siblings.

"We're glad to have you today, Your Highness," mom curtsied.

Victoria enthusiastically responded, "We'll be a family soon so Your Highness is not appropriate anymore."

I did not hear the answer of my parents because I caught by the stares of the man I loved most. I could identify the regret from envy all over his expression. Seeing the woman he loved with the children of her ex was a horror. His belief would change in a few minutes.

I heard mom said to dad, "Help me to prepare the table so we can eat already."

Victoria's voice was excited, "Let me help you."

My parents politely refused. Since the princess insisted with all her will, they let her in the kitchen.

"Hey," Prince Alexander's first word as the others left us alone in the living room.

"I'm glad your meetings are done," I said while watched him walked toward us. I did not expect the meeting of my twins and their father would be like a suspense movie. The nervousness and excitement scattered all over the place.

He watched my children who still found Tom and Jerry more interesting than the events happened around them. I played Cassandra's ponytail and she turned her head to me when she felt funny on her neck. All of a sudden, she moved her body more behind us and her eyes almost popped out from her small skull.

She jumped down from me and stood on the couch. She put her hands on the air and joyfully shouted, "Daddy!"

In the corner of my eye, I saw Alexander halted his steps and 'believe' could not find on his face. My twins knew him longer than he knew them. I expected this would happen.

Jared heard his twin sister and left Tom to chase for Jerry to see what was happening in the real world. He also stood beside Cassandra and that got the sanity of my beloved prince.

"Daddy?" Jared questioned Cassandra while pointing a finger to their father. He became shy when Alexander transferred the attention to my son.

"Why are they calling me like that, Shirley?" He asked, uncertain of what was this all about.

I stood and faced him totally. His green eyes roamed from my head to toes and landed on spots he liked. The pervert was still a pervert even he was meeting his children.

"Why don't you find out?" I grinned evilly and teasingly.

"Seriously, Shirley," his loud voice boomed the entire mansion, but shut up when Cassandra cried.

"Daddy!" She also yelled.

The prince snuggled his daughter, and he softened once she was on his arms and stopped crying. He might feel their blood connection.

"They don't look like your ex," he spat, "I was expecting jet black or brown hair children. But, he is a small me," pertaining to Jared, "and this girl resembled my relatives on my father's side."

"You're the only one who insisted that I have children with my ex," I looked away, acted as if I was hurt.

"You didn't deny," I did not response to his statement. I kept my silence until he roared, "So, it's my entire fault?"

I faced him again, "Yes, of course."

He lowered his voice and sincerely said, "Then, I'm sorry. I'm behind wounded when I saw you with your ex and children. I'm always thinking that should be me and you're mine only." He closed our gap and asked again, "Are they my children?"

I smiled, "You want me to deny it?" I enlightened him, "I was pregnant when I left you that night and I was one hundred one percent sure that you were my only co-creator."

He moved his head sideways and put down Cassandra on the couch. His soft lips met mine for a few moments. He pulled away and caressed my cheek, "Thank you for giving me beautiful children."

He got our children, carrying them in his both arms. Jared and Cassandra kissed the either cheeks of their father. The prince could not hide his warm fuzzies while the twins explore their father's face. Even our children could not believe that they were no longer facing the television or laptop.

"Shirley, you haven't told me their name yet," he contended.

"Cassandra and Jared," I answered while turning off the TV.

"Jared," he smirked, "You got the name from me?"

"No, I got it from my ex," I giggled and put my face near him, between our twins, "Can I have a kiss again?"

Before he could bring down his lips to me, Victoria emerged from the dining area and teased, "Hey, lunch is ready! You should go here before another baby come in your way nine months from now. I also want to meet my nephew and niece."

"Don't mind her, just kiss me," he huskily commented and I gave it to him.

Three years of being away from each other was not a hindrance of our love. We still found the piece of our hearts. We still came back to be the perfect pair of one another. Three years was a torture and full of nightmares, but even though I had not broken our relationship before, the ending remained the same.

It was still my life with the prince forever.