Chapter 202

"I love the house. It's so calm and clean and bright." Auggie said as they gave him the tour.

"There isn't a damn thing in town so it's good you like the house." Erik joked.

"Actually, I have a date tomorrow. At a winery in Hoquiam, about 30 miles from here." Auggie said, blushing.

"Oh really?" Erik asked. Pearl smiled. She knew it was with Maggie, she had called Pearl and told her how excited she was.

"Well you both are welcome to come back here after." Pearl said.

"I wonder how it's going? Pearl asked.

Erik looked up from his book. "Pearl, you've asked that three times now. I'm sure it's going well." He said.

They were sitting in the living room, in front of the fireplace, reading like an old married couple. It was so nice to just... be. To just be, with him. No demands. No press. No anything. Just them.

It was midnight and Erik was having a glass of wine, sitting with her on the massive couch Erik had ordered for them when she closed on the house. "I hope it's going well." Pearl said.

"Pearl! That's four now. They are getting on fine, I am sure. Let's go to bed, my love. I am exhausted from having to kick so much arse at your company yesterday." Erik said, kissing her head and smiling.

They turned down the bed and Pearl jumped in, snuggling up to him and taking off his reading glasses. She kissed his cheek and they both fell asleep soon after.

"Good morning, Nightingale." Erik said, rolling over and cuddling into Pearl's chest.

"Did he come home?" Pearl asked.

"Are you still on that? Pearl. He's a grown man." Erik said.

"I know. I just worry. What time do we leave for Los Angeles?" She asked.

"Whenever we want. Dylan and John, Blake and Iris will all be there whenever we get there." He said. "Now come here and kiss me, you gorgeous woman."

"Good morning, Charles." Erik said making tea. Charles was his usual chipper self.

"If it isn't you, it's your brother. He was walking around here last night with his meat and two veg out for all to see. Scared me senseless. Bloody shag brothers, is what you are." Charles said. Erik snorted and coughed on his tea.

"Well, darling. At least we now know that he came home." Erik said. Jim sat at the dining table and shook his head.

"You guys need some time off. When we go to LA, I'm giving you a night off. You need to get laid." Pearl said.

Charles ignored her completely and Jim rolled his eyes.

Auggie walked downstairs and into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes. His strawberry blonde, wavy hair all over the place.

"Good morning, brother!" Erik said. "Or should I say, shag brother. I'd ask how your night went but Charles already filled us in. Your hair is disastrous, by the way. Very proud."

Pearl giggled and sipped her tea and looked at the paper. She was still all over the news. The current USA Today had her and Erik on the cover in Seattle, walking into the restaurant with Maggie the night before last. "American hero, singer and executive seen in Seattle with Prince Erik after trying on wedding dresses at Nordstrom." Ugh. Pearl shook her head and put the paper down.

"Yes. I had a lovely time last night." Auggie said. "Too good to be true, lovely." He said under his breath. Erik looked at Pearl.

"So brother, coming to Los Angeles with us?" Erik asked.

"You know we can't fly together, Erik." Auggie said.

"What? You can't?" Pearl asked.

"Two heirs can't travel together in case of an accident." Erik said.

"Wow. Makes sense through."'Pearl said.

"We can take the jet and then we can send it back to pick you up." Erik said. "And Maggie." He said softly as he looked at the paper.

They were all quiet.

Maggie made her entrance and everyone tried to act normal. "Good morning, Maggie. Glad to see you. Breakfast?" Pearl asked.

"No, I think I am going to go, actually. I have some things to catch up on at the office." She said, motioning to the door. Auggie looked at her like he didn't want her to leave.

"Nonsense. We've given you the week off. Come to LA with us. We have plenty of room and are planning a hell of a Saturday night tonight. Pearl, wouldn't everyone love to meet Maggie?" Erik asked, not even looking up. He was good. He was real good, Pearl thought.

"Yes! Please come with us." Pearl said.

"Oh, I don't know. I mean, I don't have any clothes." Maggie said.

"The jet flies out of Seattle. Jim can drive you to your place and take you to get your things and fly to LA with you." Pearl said.

Maggie thought about it for a moment. She looked at Auggie. "It would be lovely to have you come along." He said.

"Ok. I haven't had any kind of a vacation in...I can't remember when, it sounds like fun. Thank you for inviting me." Maggie said. Pearl poured her a cup of coffee and smiled at Erik. He was absolutely perfect, Pearl thought.

"Come on, shag brother. Let's ruin Charles' afternoon, too." Pearl said, grabbing Erik's robe and leading him upstairs.

"Yes ma'am." He said, nearly spilling his tea.