"I found her"

Ch. 8

After Grace got all her stuff packed, she found a way to send it all to my home in England. While we waited for her stuff to be delivered to my house, we stayed in the hotel for a few more days. Grace slept on the other bed on the other side of the room. One day while we waited, Grace got the courage to go to the store with me. We were just getting some Oreos and Cokes for our movie night, but I was so proud of her. It had been her first time in public since her incident. Even though her eyes were running wild whenever she saw another shady man, she was so brave. It was such a simple task, but for her, it was a surprise and a wonder that she even left the hotel. When we walked out of the store, I threw my arm around her. "I'm so proud of you." I said with a smile before I kissed her temple. "If you weren't there, I'd have a full blown panic attack." Grace said. "I know." I whispered before kissing her cheek for a long moment. My phone dinged. I looked down at it. "Your stuff just arrived at my house." I said. Grade faced me and wrapped her arms around my core. "Great." She said softly. "Mhm." I mumbled as I leaned in and we kissed for a long moment. "Well, we'd better get on a plane." I said. I offered her my hand. "Shall we?" I asked. She took my hand. "We shall." She said with a smirk.
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We made it to the airport just in time for our flight. "It's my first time flying out of the country." Grace whispered to me with excitement once she sat next to me. "Really?" I asked. She nodded. "Well, you're gonna love England." I said. She smiled. "Are you excited to go back home?" She asked me. I smiled and chuckled. "I'm so excited. I get to go home with the girl of my dreams." I said as I took her hand. "The girl of your dreams?" Grace asked with a laugh. "Okay, don't ruin this moment for me please." I said with a laugh. "It's just such a cute cliché!" Grace exclaimed as she put her head on my shoulder and sighed with glee. "Try to sleep, this is gonna be a long flight, my darling." I whispered. She nodded as she snuggled and closed her eyes. I looked out the window and my imagination took off again. Good thing it did, because it was gonna be long flight.
            Grace was in that purple dress again and we were back on the rock balcony. We had somehow ended up on the ground, her head on mine. She had fallen asleep like she was back on the plane. The sun was starting to come up over the kingdom. I reached up and grabbed a white rose from a tree that was above my head. I looked at it for a moment, admiring the way the petals looked together and how it had no thorns. The sunlight hit it so perfectly. I tucked it behind Grace's ear. She stirred before she woke up. "Good morning, sir." She said. "Good morning, your majesty." I replied. I stood up and offered her my hand. She took it as she stood up and dusted off her dress. "Wow." She said, looking at the skyline. I nodded. "It's gorgeous, isn't it?" I said. "I've never been up this early to see it." Grace said. "I've seen it my whole life." I said. She turned to me. "Really?" She asked. I nodded. "Before I became like this, I was a sword crafter and I'd have to get up this early every day." I said. "I never knew." Grace said. I shrugged. "Some people aren't born into royalty. It just happened." I said. "How?" Grace asked, putting her elbows on the rock. "Well, my aunt was a maid for your mother when she was pregnant with you. She married someone in your father's courts. That was how I became royalty." "But you said you've seen this sunrise so many times." Grace said with a puzzled look. "I was five years old when you were born. I worked with my father making swords practically since I was born. I'd wake up early enough to see him work. I'd help him out, but nothing dangerous. Just handing him tools and such." I explained. She nodded slowly. "When your aunt married a man in the courts, was that when you moved into the castle?" Grace asked. I nodded. "I was always told it was one of my father's friends." Grace said. "Technically...that's true." I told her. She giggled as she shook her head. "Little did I know I'd fall for you as a young boy." I said. "Remember those nights when we were kids and we'd sneak into the kitchen at night?" Grace asked. "Well, I was almost a teenager. You were still eight." I said. She laughed and I smiled. "Andrew?" "Yes?" I asked. "I...I have to tell you something." Grace said. I turned to her and leaned on my elbow (which was placed on the rock). "I...I love you." She said. I put my thumb on her chin and pulled her in and-
       "We're here!" Grace said with excitement as she shook me out of my daydreaming. I blinked a few times before I realized where I was...back home. Back in England. I looked at Grace. "We're here." I echoed. She smiled and nodded excitedly.  I pulled her in for a kiss and then a hug. I put my hands on her cheeks. "You're gonna love it here." I said. "I hope so." She said. "Oh, you will." I reassured her. I stood up, grabbed my luggage and her hand and walked out into the airport. I sighed with happiness. I'm finally back home. I'm back where I belong.