443 Chapter 443

Pearl's phone rang as she got back to her room.

"Hey Pearl. How is everything going?" Dylan asked.

"How are things in Wyoming?" She answered, avoiding the topic all together. Dylan filled her in on the ranch and new staff. He told her he wanted to stay until fall and that she should fly out soon.

She was disappointed. She wanted to talk to him but not over the phone and didn't want to wait two months to do it.

"Possibly. I think the planning is happening sooner than later. I don't think they want to wait til spring." Pearl said.

"Can you throw it together that fast?" Dylan asked.

"You know anything is possible." She said. He chuckled and told her loved her and hung up.

She put down her phone and sighed. She thought her roller coaster of a life had finally settled but she couldn't have been more wrong. More change. More starting over again.

A knock at the door startled her. She smiled, thinking it might be Erik.

Opening the door, she saw Nora standing there instead.

"Your majesty." She said with a curtsy.

"Pearl, please." She said. "Something the matter?"

Nora seemed anxious. "Can we talk?"

"Yes, of course," Pearl said, "Come in."

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"How far is she along?" Erik asked, pacing in his bathrobe.

"Not even a month." Pearl said.

"Alright. So we have some time. Good. We need to get the wedding planned asap." Erik said. He pulled Pearl into his arms. "You're going to be a Nana." He smiled.

She smiled, too. "Yes. And I'm excited."

"When will she tell Christian?" Erik asked.

"I advised her to wait until week 12. Many miscarriages happen prior to that. But it's up to her, ultimately." Pearl said. Erik sat on the bed.

"What's wrong?" Pearl asked.

"Sometimes it hits me, you know? I'll never be a father. I experienced the joy of it for a fleeting moment and I am grateful for that. The bond between Christian and I never went away it seems. But I'll never have one of my own. I'm sorry to be down on your day of celebration. I'm happy for you, Pearl." He said with a sad smile.

"You will be a part of it all, too. I promise." She said, but she knew it was all bitter sweet for him. The years had caused damage. It all had.

"Well then, let's get this wedding planned, Nana."

Erik smiled and hugged her.

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A few weeks had passed and everything was falling into place. They had managed to keep it all a secret from Nora. Her father and brother were on board as well. It would be a late October wedding and Nora would be about three months along. There wouldn't be a public ceremony at all. They would announce their marriage after and remain as private as a couple as possible. Pearl knew her own love life would be stirring up enough press to distract them for quite sometime anyway. Another positive to the plan. She and Erik saw each other almost every night, and sometimes during the day. Whenever they could. No one suspected much and they weren't troubled much by it if they did.

Christian and Nora were in love as ever. They were settling into palace life but Pearl saw in Nora so much of herself, she knew she hated it.

"Nora," Pearl said at breakfast, "I want to take you away for the day. Would that be alright, Christian?" She asked her son.

"I'd love that!" Nora smiled.

"Yes, of course." Christian said.

Erik looked over at Pearl, puzzled.

He followed Pearl out into the lobby after.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"Highgrove." She said.

Erik looked down.

"Oh, I see."

The home was theirs at one time and held very little happy memories for them.

"I'm going to offer it to Nora for after the wedding. Christian can do business here but that can be their place. It's a family home." She looked at him. "It's a lovely place and it's not the house's fault we fucked it all up." She said. Erik smiled and nodded. "I guess you're right."

"I am. Now get to work, we pay you good money, Mister Solicitor."

Erik chuckled. "I can't wait to have my way with you when you return, boss lady." He sneered.