Chapter 9

After making love to her for hours, they went to pick up Andrea and they took off for Las Vegas. They arrived and checked into their rooms Sadir had taken care. Room was definitely an exaggeration. Their suite was the largest she had ever seen. His advisor and secretary took their things into one bedroom then they left them alone.

"Sadir, I need to tell you something. I have been trying to find the words but every time I look into those eyes of yours I get scattered brained and can’t think straight," she said, rambling.

"You sound serious. Do you not want to marry me?"

"Yes, this has nothing to do with marrying you or not," she said, trying to not to lock her eyes on his.

"Then what is wrong? Tell me before I die of suspense," he said, laughing, hoping to calm her.

"It’s about how soon you want to start having children."

"Why do you want to know? Is there something wrong with you?"

"Why can’t men take a hint?" she wondered, smiling.

"What are you…? You’re pregnant!"

"We have a winner!" she said, putting her arms around him.

"Why didn’t you come right out with it?"

"I like to play games occasionally. Are you okay with it?"

"The child, yes I could never be happier. As for your little games, do not play too many on me," he said, kissing her. After they stood in each other’s arms for a while, he pulled away from here. "When did you find out about the pregnancy?"

"I’ve known for a week. When I found out, it complicated matters. I had trouble concentrating on business. I knew I needed to find an answer about us, and finding out I was pregnant sent me in a tailspin."

"It should have sent you to me, immediately!"

"You are angry. I knew you would be when the happiness wore off."

"The happiness will never wear off about our child. I am just wondering how much longer I would have had to wait if we had not talked last night. Can you give me an answer?"

"I honestly can’t," she said with tears running down her face.

"I should have been the first one you told about this, instead of the last!"

"You are the first! I never told anyone. Not even Sebastian. I didn’t want to tell anyone but you," she said, taking hold of his hands. "I was confused. I know it was wrong not to tell you when I first found out. I can’t change the fact I didn’t."

"You didn’t trust me."

"Trust had nothing to do with it. I told you I was confused. Please forgive me. I love you and I still want to marry you."

"I want to marry you as well, but we cannot keep secrets from each other no matter the circumstances. We have to be completely honest with each other. Do you agree?"

"Yes. I’m so sorry. I never wanted this to hurt you. I wanted it to be the happiest moment of our lives and I ruined it," she said, crying.

"I am disappointed, but I forgive you, my princess. How far along are we?" he said, hugging her.

"The first time we made love, you gave me our child."

"You have made me feel whole again," he said, kissing her.

"Same here. Aren’t we supposed to be getting ready for our wedding?"

"Yes. The limo is waiting to take you to the chapel. It will come back to pick me up after I get changed and taken care of a few lose ends."

"I will be waiting, my prince."

A few of his bodyguards went with Jaxon and Andrea to the small chapel where they were to be married. Jaxon chose a white silk, off the shoulder gown. It was form fitting to the waist then flowed down into a three-foot train. She pulled her hair back with combs and placed baby’s breath in it. For something old, she wore a pair of pearl earrings that had belonged to her grandmother. For something new, Sadir had given her a diamond and pearl teardrop necklace. The something old and blue, Andrea gave her a small handkerchief with powder blue lace trim.

Sebastian stayed with Sadir to help him at the hotel. He brought a steel gray Armani suit, a black shirt and a powder blue silk tie. When he tried to tie his tie, Sebastian had to step in and do it for him. They both joked about how nervous Sadir was which helped calm him for a while. He kept glancing at his watch wondering if Jaxon was doing the same. Sebastian placed a white rose in his lapel then patted him on the back, smiling.

"Shall we be going, sir?"

"Yes, I do not want to keep her waiting," Sadir said. They walked to the elevator together, with his entourage following them.

"I am happy the two of you wanted me to be here," Sebastian said, when they got in the elevator.

"Like she said; you are family," Sadir stated.

"I do feel a kinship to her after all these years."

"She feels the same, I assure you," Sadir said. "I want you to know you will always be a part of her life. We want you to stay on when we move into our new home."

"New home, sir?"

"Yes, we are going to have a home built on the property line. A compromise as to which home we should live in. Our homes would house our guests during extended stays," Sadir explained.

"A marvelous idea and shall I assume Madam is going to keep her horses separate from yours?"

"You assumed correctly. She still wants to compete against me," he said, laughing.

When they arrived at the lakeside chapel, Sadir met with the minister to discuss the ceremony. When he was through, he sat down with Sebastian and waited for word the ladies were ready. He saw one of the bodyguards approaching and he stood to meet him.

"Is everything all right?" he asked.

"They are ready, sir," a bodyguard said, coming in.

"Excellent!"

"Time to see your blushing bride," Sebastian said, smiling. He walked to the archway to meet with Jaxon so he could give her away.

They were not getting married in the chapel but outside near the lake. A path led down a garden path to a breath-taking view of it. There were vine-covered archways for the bride to walk under to get to her future husband. Lush, swaying, willow trees with a charming stone bridge in the background surrounded a beautiful lush garden.

Sadir adjusted his suit jacket a few times while waiting for Jaxon to come into view. He watched as Andrea and Asma walked down the path toward him. He was feeling like a proud father watching his niece as the flower girl. When Jaxon appeared with Sebastian by her side, Sadir’s heart soared. She was gorgeous in her gown and her smile melted away all the anxiety he was feeling. He had to admit, he was the luckiest man in the world at this moment.

Sadir and Jaxon held hands while the minister started the ceremony. The minister blessed the rings and then let them say their vows as they exchanged them with Sadir starting first.

"I am marrying you today not as a Prince of a far off land, but as a man forever in love with a beautiful, intelligent, and very independent woman," he said, smiling. "I will protect you with my life and I will respect and listen to your opinions. I will give you everything you wish for no matter what it is. Most of all, I will worship you for all of eternity."

Jaxon started crying while listening to his vows. She wasn’t sure if she could remember hers. Her hands were shaking as much as his was. "I come to you freely and without reservations. We have had a rough road to get to this moment in time," she said with tears rolling down her cheeks. "I feel lost without you, you have become a part of me, and I found it difficult to live without you in my life. Loving you for eternity is a blessing, I will always be grateful for receiving."

When the wedding was over there was someone applauding in the distance. When they all turned around, they saw Tariq standing with his bodyguards. He walked slowly up to them, smiling.

"I am sorry for being late. I have a present for the Princess," he said, with one of his men handing him a velvet bag. He walked up to Jaxon and opened the bag.

She gasped seeing a tiara in his hand. It was embellished in diamonds and emeralds. She looked at Sadir and then back to Tariq. "I don’t understand."

"Are you not Princess Jaxon Abal now or did I miss something?" Tariq asked.

"Yes, she is," Sadir said, taking the tiara from him. "You are Princess Abal." He placed the tiara on her head and then kissed her. "My brother seems to remember formalities more than I do."

"I don’t know what to say," Jaxon said, starting to cry again.

"You need to say nothing, your highness," Tariq said, bowing before her. "May you and the Prince live a long and flourishing life together." He kissed her hand then turned to leave.

"Brother Tariq!" Sadir called to him.

"Yes."

"You cannot leave yet. There is a reception in my suite and you must come," Sadir said. "After all, I may forget more formalities in my present state of mind. I’m too much in love to think of anything else."