Page 52 of Complete Me

“She’s only in the hallway,” Edward reassured him. Sometimes he thought his brother might fade into nothing without the presence of his wife, and yet, their love was a comforting reminder that the real thing still existed.

“I came to give you a pep talk since Dad isn’t here,” Alexander said. “But then I remembered how uplifting his pep talk was when I got married.”

“I thought he threatened you.” Edward recollected that he’d been asked to leave the room that morning. It was the last time he had spoken to his father until the church. A shiver ran down his spine at the memory. Today would be different. That’s precisely why Edward had wanted it this way.

“He did, mostly.” Alexander smiled sadly. “But he also told me about marriage. I didn’t pay much attention to him, to be honest. I wish I had now.” He paused for a long moment as if paying a silent tribute to him. “What I do know is that you and David will be fine.”

“Is that it?” Edward couldn’t help but laugh.

“I thought about giving you advice about your wedding night duties, but I didn’t think I was the expert there.” Alexander gave him a meaningful look, and they both laughed. “If you are willing to fight for each other, you’ll make it through. All you need is love and a lot of stubbornness.”

The Cambridge men had that in spades.

Alexander pulled an envelope out of his pocket. “Your official documentation. I’ve signed and stamped and decreed.”

Edward pulled the papers out and stared at them. This was actually happening.

“I couldn’t decide if I could make you both the Duke of York,” Alexander explained, “so I thought I’d ask you.”

Edward grinned at the thought of the two Dukes of York. It was certainly a new precedent that he was about to set. “I’ll ask David.”

There was no pressing need to decide right now. For a few blissful days they would be able to keep their marriage private. Eventually, the world would weigh in but tonight was about love. Everything else could wait. He’d struggled a lifetime to get to this place, and soon, with his friends and family, at his side, he would finally be home.

25

Belle didn’t like being apart from Smith, especially on their anniversary, but today it couldn’t be avoided. Edward had insisted she keep an eye on David, but she had other concerns preoccupying her. That’s how the two had wound up in the village only a few hours prior to the wedding.

“I’m glad you don’t need your hair or make-up done,” she confessed to David as they parked their borrowed Range Rover in front of a row of shops.

“It’s my complexion,” he teased.

She couldn’t disagree. The rich hue of his skin accented his cheekbones and jawline. “It’s actually a shame that you and Edward can’t have babies biologically. They would be gorgeous.”

“Don’t I know it?” David said with a blinding grin. He was in a friendly mood today. Although the two had spent time together before, they never had a chance to bond outside the presence of their other friends. When she’d called upon him for help, he had jumped at the chance. Maybe he was as eager to get to know her as she was to get to know him. Of course, it could also have something to do with their secret mission.

“Speaking of…” Belle squared her shoulders and turned to study the shop windows.

“It’s over there.” David pointed to a small store at the corner. Grabbing her hand, he dragged her toward it.

It was hard to say which of the two of them was more excited.

“You know,” Belle said breathlessly as they stepped into the pharmacy, “by next week, you’ll be all over the tabloids if you get caught dragging a blonde into a pharmacy.”

“Imagine if they caught a snap of this!” He tossed her a long, blue box from the shelf. If the thought of being hounded by the paparazzi bothered him, he didn’t show it. Edward had done a fair job keeping the press away from him, but once they were married all bets were off. “Should you do it here or back there?”

“I think I better pay for it,” she said with a laugh.

The cashier rang them up, glancing in confusion at the two of them. Belle realized she was wearing a wedding band and David wasn’t. Rather than explain herself, she simply crossed her fingers for dramatic effect and dashed out of the shop with the bag.

David followed her, almost doubled over. “She’s still scratching her head.”

“I don’t see why it was so strange.” Belle felt inexplicably indignant over the whole thing.

“I’ve been holding hands with Edward in there all month,” he reminded her.

“Well, then, we’re just one big, happy family, aren’t we?” Belle planted her hands on her hips and tossed her hair.

“I couldn’t agree more.”