Even though change came slowly to Lauritania, the constitutional debate and vote seemed to be going later into the night than she’d expected. But she would never give up on this. Marie was destined to be Lauritania’s next Queen. And shewouldrule the country on her own terms, without the need to marry. Lise’s speech to support constitutional change had been a statement of fact and intent, of how luckyshehad been in love, for sure, but promoting a fervent desire to give their firstborn choices without limitation. Rafe’s campaign had been no less forceful, with all the passion of the protector he was.
‘Your people adore you. Adore our daughter,’ Rafe murmured. ‘When have we ever failed?’
There was only truth in his words. Success had mounted on success. The country’s economy turning around. After Hasselbeck had lost the support of Parliament, they had a new prime minister who worked with his Queen rather than against her. Lauritanians were ecstatic at the young, vibrant royal family leading the country to a grand renewal. Now, every day was filled with happiness and hope. Yet their work was not yet complete.
‘I wanteverythingfor our child.’
‘And she’ll have it because she has us. Does she need to be put down?’
Lise looked down at the baby’s peaceful, sleeping face once more. ‘Yes. But it’s hard to let her go.’
‘I know.’ Rafe held out his hands, raised an eyebrow. Lise smiled as she relinquished Marie to him. He gently took his swaddled babe into his arms, an unfailing cocoon of safety he provided to their child and to her. She stood and Rafe watched, his gaze turning molten as she stretched. He’d worshipped her through every phase of her pregnancy. The morning sickness, her rampant hormones with their crying jags, in the aftermath of her fast and furious labour. And now, the ample curves of new motherhood.
‘As beautiful as your mama,’ he whispered into their daughter’s dark shock of curls, just like his own.
‘More like her father.’
He grinned, and it lit a fire of joy inside her to see her two most beloved like this. ‘Heaven help us all.’
‘If she’s like her father her country should call itself lucky to have her.’ And they did. The people adored Rafe too, the man who was their King. Praised his brilliance at helping guide the economy into recovery. His love and care for the country and their Queen.
He gently placed Marie into her bassinet, then held out his arms. Lise walked into his embrace as he brushed his lips against hers once more and then deepened the kiss. She threaded her fingers into his hair. The emotion flowing between them, through them, like a bright and living flame.
A knock sounded at the door and her heart rate spiked. Rafe broke the kiss and rested his forehead on hers, his breath gusting over her lips. ‘It will all be well. How can’t it be when we have each other?’
She drifted her thumb across his lips, and he kissed its tip.
‘Come in,’ she said and turned as the door opened to Albert. Rafe squeezed her hip in support, and she swallowed but didn’t move away. Their physical affection as strong for each other in public as it was in private. A mark of their reign. They stood together as one on this as they did on everything. Albert beamed at them both.
‘The vote was unanimous. No dissenters. Congratulations, Your Majesties, and to Her Littlest Highness. The constitution is changed.’
Lise shut her eyes against the fresh sting of tears as Rafe gave his thanks for the news and Albert took his leave. She opened her eyes to flashes outside. Then the boom and crack as fireworks burst out all over the city. She and Rafe went to the window and flung it wide to the drifting sound of cheers rising across the capital.
All for them and the little girl who was Lauritania’s distant future.
‘I had no idea they’d be so happy,’ she said, wiping at the tears slipping down her cheeks.
‘They are because they love you. Though never as much as I do,’ he said, his voice rough and raw. ‘And for this moment, I have a gift.’
Rafe reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring.
‘What’s this?’ she whispered, as an oval yellow diamond twinkled in the low lights of the room.
‘You said you didn’t need anything for our engagement, but this is more. An eternity ring.’ He slipped it onto her finger, then took her trembling hands in his own sure grip. ‘You are the sunshine of my life. A source of endless happiness. I hope this ring will remind you that I love you more each passing day. That you were destined to be my for ever, from the moment I set eyes on you.’
Lise looked up at him, this man she adored beyond reason. Good and kind and honest...andhers.
‘I never need a reminder because that certainty is here.’ She placed her hand in the middle of her chest. ‘I hold your love in my heart, where it’s always with me. Always safe. No one can ever take that away.’
As the capital continued to celebrate, the sky lit in showers of rainbow sparks around them, Lise slid her arms round Rafe’s neck.
‘I look forward to my for ever with you,’ she whispered. ‘There’s nowhere I’d rather be.’
He smiled at her, soft and warm. Eyes alight and burning with adoration, mirroring what she carried for him, within herself. Then he dropped his head to hers and murmured against her lips, ‘Let me show you eternity, my love.’