Chapter 11

THE SUN HAD GONE DOWN BY THE TIME THEIR PLANE LANDED IN IJOMO. Kezia took in a quick breath as they step out of the private plane, crossing to where the two black Lexus cars were parked, waiting for them. It’s just a three minutes’ drive to the main entrance of the palace. The plane had landed in the private area in the estate, reserved for landing and taking off, of the family private plane. The chauffeurs quickly open the car doors for them. Lola and her Son in one, while Henry and Kezia occupies the second car.

This is going to be her new life now, Kezia thought to herself. It's just too much for her to wrap her mind around, a life of glitz and glamour. She may have grown up around the palace but this is different. She wonders how her parents are going to take it. They won't want her to get married for any reason lesser than love. She sighs, deep in thought.

"Are you okay?" Henry asked, worry lacing his words.

"Not really, I'm just a bit worried about how my family will react" she mutters on her breath, making sure the driver did not hear their conversation, deciding to go with the truth.

"It's alright. Just relax and let me take care of it. In the meantime try to look happy, not like you are being sentenced to a life of pain. Try not to flinch when I touch you as well"

"But I didn't realize I'm doing that, it was not intentional" she defended.

"Just saying. I will have a meeting with my father, and then I will meet up with your family. Leave everything to me" He told her authoritatively.

The Cars pulled to a stop in front of the magnificent building. She could see the look of surprise on the two maids that came to help with their luggage face. Kezia gave them a weak smile, following alongside Henry into the Palace. William run ahead of them, screaming grandpa along, causing all of them to chuckle with delight.

The King laughed boisterously at the sight of his grandson. The little boy raced into his arms, not caring about any protocol. "Oh my! See how grown you've become. Only God knows what that daughter of mine is feeding you." He chuckled; old age looks good on him. His eyes light up when the rest of the party came in to the lavishly furnished big sitting room. A place he now loves to relax, away from the throne room to receive dignitaries.

"Father" Henry said in a way of greeting. Bowing low, before lowering himself to the cream colored sofa beside the King.

"Son, it's so good to see you." Smiling warmly at him, before facing Kezia and Lola. He smiled with delight when he noticed Lola bump. "You two come here and give me a hug" stretching right hand towards them, while the left hand held William close to his bosom. The two women knelt before him as a sign of respect. He gently Pat them on the back. "I'm so happy to see you. I don't know the last time we were all together like this, it’s been long. Please rise, freshen up, we have a lot of things to catch up on."

One of the waiting guards’ ushers them out. Leaving the two men to discuss. Henry waited for the women and his nephew to leave before addressing his father. But the King beats him to it.

"Son, it's good to see you. But I know you, what's going on?"

"What, can't I visit you again?" Trying to appear hurt.

"That's not what I'm saying and you know it. You know how you are always claiming to be busy any time I ask you to come. Now you showed up without any pressure from me, the only thing you told me two days ago is to expect you, and now you didn't only come but with your brother’s family. I'm worried"

"Fine, but there's nothing to be worried about old man" he said solemnly. "So you know Leonard and Liam too will arrive on Friday."

"Now I'm very worried. Sons are you okay? I know Liam said something about coming, but not Leo. Now you are saying the whole family will be together come this Friday, that's in two days. Are you feeling well son?" Worry marred his face.

"It's for a good cause. I'm going to give you what you've always wanted." Henry paused. "I'm getting married father"

"What! You are serious? To whom"

"I'm serious. It's Kezia" waiting for his father's reaction.

"Kez, Kezia?" He tries to hold his excitement in check but he failed miserably. "Wow I didn't expect it"

"Father lying does not suit you."

"I don't know what you mean?" Appearing innocent.

"We both know that in a way, you secretly wants this. Anyway you now have your wish, but there's something else. She's pregnant."

"Oh my God Henry! This just kept getting better. I remember how you adamantly refuse to give her a job few months back. Now you are marrying her and she's even pregnant. I'm speechless."

"I have not told her parents. I will need to see them because I don't want to delay things. Time is of the essence, before she starts showing"

"It's a good idea, but let me ask you this, did you love her? Or you are just marrying her because of the baby?" His wise gaze seeking out Henry's.

"Does it matter father? I'm getting married like you always wanted and I'm not going to run away from my responsibility" Henry gave his father a resolute look.

The King sighs, "Son I'm glad don't get me wrong, but that young girl deserves happiness. Let the past go and give happiness and love a chance in your marriage. That being said, let's start planning. Ask her parents to see me once you've spoken to them. Go and freshen up as well, we have a lot of things ahead of us."

"Yes father." Rising from his seat. His father called out to him as he crossed to the door.

"It's good to have you home son. I'm proud of you" smiling with warmth.

"Thank you, Father, I need the royal physician to check Kezia just to be sure everything is as it should be, will see you later father.” He said, bowing as he saunters out of his father’s presence.

The King's face spread into a full blown smile as Henry left. He could not believe his ears, Henry is getting married. He wished it with all his heart, but he didn't know it will happen this fast. He should have known that dangling a carrot in front of Henry will result into this. Two grandchildren on the way. "How did I get so lucky" he mutters to himself. Everything is falling into place like he wanted, and he didn't have to do much. He chuckles, "May be I will be able to give Leonard too, a gentle push in the right direction when he comes home." He whispers to the hanging picture of his late wife. "Don't give me that look Pearl; you know that boy plays around too much."

*****

KEZIA HUGGED HER MOTHER TIGHTLY, she misses her. "It's good to see you mother, I miss you" drawing back to gaze at her.

"Same here darling, I was surprised when one of the maids said you arrived with the Prince and Princess Lola. How are you darling?" Eunice ask drawing her to one of the chairs in the spacious kitchen.

"I'm fine. Have not seen Dad."

"He must be around the Palace, busy I suppose. You know how your father is, he will be so happy to see you. Have you seen your Sister?"

"Yes, I have, I left her in my room. Going through my stuffs as usual." Kezia chuckles.

"She misses her sister. Are you sure you are, okay? You look a bit pale darling" Eunice ask, clasping her hands around Kezia's.

"Mother" she sighs, "Your eyes never misses anything, but don't worry you will soon find out" Kezia told her gently.

"Now I'm curious. What's going on darling?"

"I promise you everything is fine. I will tell you everything tonight. Let me clean up, and I will join you."

"Alright then, hurry back" Eunice call out as Kezia left.

Kezia almost open up to her mother about everything, but Henry has asked her to let him handle things. She will have to wait for him to do things his way. She sighs, trudging to her room. She just need to show her parents that she is happy. Kezia cradle her tummy gently as if she can feel the tiny life inside of her, it's too early though, but she is still very much conscious of the life growing inside of her.

She is even thankful that she is not suffering from any form of morning sickness. It would have given everything away earlier than expected. Her phone vibrates in the back pocket of her jeans, where she kept it. She dug her hands into her pocket and reach for it. It was Henry calling her.

"Hello" she answered a bit hesitant.

"Hello Kez, I just want to let you know that have spoken to the King about us, and also I will be meeting with your father in the next twenty minutes or so." He told her.

"Oh. Alright"

"Are you okay? You sound off" picking up on her weariness.

"Yea I'm fine. Just a bit nervous. Thank you for telling me"

"Alright then. See you soon"

"Okay"

Kezia slid the phone back into her pocket, pushing the door of her room open. Her family has their own quarters in the Estate, not far away from the Palace. She smiled broadly at her sister, who is still busy rummaging through her stuffs. "Eliza what are you still searching for? Just rearrange my stuffs when you are done" flopping down on the bed besides her.

"Hey big Sis, I was hoping to find a dress I can take off your hands" she replied with a chuckle. “but you seem to have just pack few clothes" she pointed out.

"Hmm yes. I will get new ones here" she answered back, not meeting her gaze. Eliza will soon find out, and Kezia is sure she will be overly excited about it.

"Seriously! We are going shopping! When are we going?"

"Hold your horse. I will let you know when, now rearrange my cloth. I need to freshen up." Leaving Eliza in the bedroom before crossing the room to the bathroom, discarding clothes as she goes.