Chapter 211

"Where are you going this early?" Pearl asked. The room was dark, letting her know the sun hadn't yet risen. It was early.

"I have to be in France. My father sent word this morning, early. It's only for a couple of days. I'll be back Thursday morning." Erik said."Go back to sleep, my love."

"Why do you need to go to France? And so last minute?" Pearl asked, wiping her eyes. She was still half awake and barely processing it all.

"The French diplomat to Britain says it is to organize a meeting with them and their Russian ambassador. They say due to scheduling conflicts it can only happen today and tomorrow. It's all for diplomacy, darling. Boring, stuffy and good for all. Except me, having to leave you in this bed." He said, grabbing her and pulling her to him.

"I don't want you to go. I miss you already."

Pearl said.

He kissed her and pulled the covers up over her. "I will be back before you know it. Get some rest."

He got up and walked to the bedroom door.

"Erik." Pearl said.

He turned back and looked at her.

"I love you. Come back to me soon." She said.

"I will always come back to you. I love you, nightingale." He said and closed the door.

"Finally awake, I see." Jim said, closing his paper and pouring her tea.

"I slept in. Erik was up early, and I woke up with him."Pearl said.

"Yeah, he and Charles left around six this morning. Charles got a call and they left not long after." Jim said.

"Is this whole diplomacy and being a royal thing always like this?" Pearl asked.

"I'm sure there are always places to be pulled. Charles did give me the impression that this wasn't the usual thing, though. So that's good news." Jim said.

Pearl nodded and finished her tea. She had a couple of days to herself and she planned on spending them catching up on rest and having lunch with the guys before they left town.

**************************

"Pearl, you are going to be a princess. We understand." John said. He was the only one that seemed calm about the probability of her having to quit music after she is married.

"Isn't there a way to make it work? I mean, everyone knew going in that this was your life." Blake asked.

They were all gathered at a small pub in the country, away from press and people.

"Yes, I know. But after seeing how many ways Erik is pulled regularly, I can imagine how busy I will be. There is no way I can do it all. But, if I can turn Trigon into a non profit or have the crown take it over, I might be able to continue music. I don't know. Erik says we will need to discuss it all with his parents. We are supposed to go there for a visit next week to begin the wedding planning and talk about these things. I'm American and I had no idea how much of a whirlwind this would be and I still have no idea what I'm in for." Pearl explained. "It's going to take some time to figure out."

"I just can't believe we actually made it, really made it, and then just as quickly, it goes away." Tony said, looking down.

Dylan finally spoke up. "Pearl, this is YOUR life. And we will manage, regardless of what you decide. We have a number one album. We would have never gotten even a fraction of that far without you, so we are all thankful for it."

Dylan looked at the guys and made sure they knew exactly what he was saying.

"Thanks Dylan."'Pearl said.

They finished up lunch and Pearl said goodbye to them all. Their flights back to LA were leaving in a few hours.

"Don't worry about us. We will be fine. Live your life. We will be here for you, regardless." Dylan said, waking her out.

"Thank you. For everything."Pearl said hugging him. "What a journey this has been." She said.

"Truer words have never been spoken. Even though I didn't get through it unscathed, I'm glad to be a part of it. I'm glad for you." Dylan said. Pearl knew he had been hurt by her, by their remaining friends and nothing more. Everyone was aware of his sacrifice. It was the truest form of love, to accept someone in whatever capacity you could and respect it, just to have them in your life and to selflessly be there for them. She watched him get in the car and drive off. Of all the people she had ever met in her life, Dylan was the last person she thought she would ever be the most grateful for. And that she was.

She and Jim got back to Highgrove House and Pearl ran a bath. She checked her phone and saw nothing from Erik, but she assumed he was probably busy having to cram meetings in last minute.

She sat down in the giant tub full of bubbles and closed her eyes. Moments like this were few and far between.