Chapter 6: Save a queen, marry a prince.
Graceland’s POV:
Mr. Christiansen gave his wife a puzzling look before smiling. Turning to me, he bowed slightly.
“Graceland, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Theodore Christiansen. Most people address me as Lord Christiansen, BUT, if you’re a friend of my love’s please…call me Theo.”
Theo looked at Marla with the most loving eyes. I found myself feeling slightly embarrassed for witnessing such an intimate moment. Finally, Marla turned back to me.
“Graceland-”
“Gracie, please call me Gracie.”
Marla smiled brightly.
“Gracie, I believe your clothing also got wet, please, allow us to provide you with some clean clothes. Afterwards, we’ll meet you in the dining hall.”
I nodded in compliance, as I made my way to the guest room, I was in complete amazement of how beautiful their home was. Two maids escorted me to what was supposed to be a walk in closet. I’ve seen boutiques smaller than this closet. After I settled in, the maids informed me they would return in 30 minutes. I pulled out me phone to check the time.
‘Shit, it was already after 8.’
The Rochesters didn’t care a great deal about me, but I knew if I strode in well after midnight there would be a barrage of questions and accusations. I decided to call my best friend Joellie. Whenever I visit my mother’s grave, if it got to late, I would have her cover for me by saying I stayed with her. She was one of the few people that knew the truth about my family.
“Hey, hey lady!”
“Hey. You busy?”
“Nope, just got back from dinner with the family. What’s up?”
“Can you cover for me?"
"Went to see your mom?”
“Yup.”
“Sure thing! I’ll tell me family too so we’re all on the same page! What time will you be home tomorrow?”
“Um, about 1pm, no later than 2pm.”
“Cool! That’s good too because we’re at our vacation house, so you can just say that you stayed the night with me there!”
Oh!! That was even better! The Martin’s vacation home was about an hour outside of Kingston, so it would make perfect sense if I stayed the night.
“Thank you Joe! I love you!”
“Love you too! Tell your mom hello for me and kiss her picture!”
“I will!”
I smiled brightly as I hung up with Joe. She was the best friend anyone could ask for. I met her when I first moved to Kingston. She was one of the few people NOT completely snowed by Olivia. We’ve been best friends ever since.
As I finished getting dressed, I settled on this pretty but simple violet sundress. After looking once more in the mirror, I decided I looked good enough. As I walked out of the mini shopping store, Marla was sitting on a chair, startled, I stepped backwards almost falling. Suddenly, a gentleman caught my fall. After helping me back to my feet, Marla stood up with an apologetic look on her face.
“I’m sorry Gracie, I didn’t mean to startle you. Are you alright?”
“Oh, no worries! I’m fine! Thank you.”
I didn’t want her to worry about me; I got the feeling her day had already been rough. Smiling, she asked her bodyguard to leave the room for a moment.
After closing the door, Marla asked for me to sit on the couch with her.
“I wanted to speak with you before dinner.”
“Oh, okay.”
For some reason, she looked at me as if she knew me. There was a softness in her eyes that almost looked relieved.
Weird.
“Your mother, she was Diana Teagues?”
My eyes widen. Shit!! Why did I say my real name! After I reunited with my biological family, Sharon ordered me never to tell anyone my adoptive name or about my adoptive mother. She was too embarrassed that her child had been taken.
Marla caught the panic in my eyes and held her hands up.
“Relax Gracie, I’m not here to judge.”
“I’m not sure why your mother did what she did, but it seems she loved you very much.”
I smiled slightly. I was glad she didn’t speak ill of my mother.
“Also, my condolences.”
I nodded my head, it was nice to hear someone else acknowledge my mom.
“Well, now that we’ve got the formalities out the way. You are aware of who I am, correct?”
I nodded my head. Everyone knew who the Christiansen Family was, even a country bumpkin like me. Marla smiled.
“Then you know about my son, Kai He’s in a coma?”
That much I didn’t know.
“I’m sorry ma’am, I just knew you and your husband had a son and daughter, but not the basics and certainly not that he was comatose. I’m so sorry to hear that!”
Marla’s brows furrowed. For her, that was interesting. Most families, especially families of high society, made sure their children learned everything possible about the Christiansens. If you had daughter it was so you could marry the son and if you has sons it was so you could be his best friend or marry his sister. The Rochesters weren’t exempt from that, I was.
“Hmm. I see. Yes, my son was in a bad car accident several months ago, it’s rendered him comatose. The doctors can’t say for sure when or even if he’ll ever wake up.”
I could see her eyes began to swell as they fill with tears. Without thinking, I gently grabbed her hand. I just wanted to give her some comfort. As she looked up at me, tears fell down her face as she smiled.
“Thank you my dear, I’m sorry.”
“Oh, no please don’t-”
“When you saw me earlier, I had contemplated just going into the ocean. But then, you started playing your violin and it made me think of my son. I thought about how sad he would be if he woke up and I was no longer here because I was too weak to be strong for him.”
I could feel my eyes starting to water, I could relate to this so well. The feeling of not wanting to go on because the most important person in your life is now gone.
“So, I want to thank you. Thank you for coming to rescue me by reminding me of my son.”
She said those last words with such resolve. Although I was confused, I accepted her thanks. As long as it saved her I didn’t care about the optics.
“So, I'd like to repay you for that.”
Confused.
“Um, Marla, I thought that’s what the dinner-”
“Oh no. The dinner was for that lovely piece you played. No, the gift I would like to provide you for saving my life…is my son’s hand in marriage.”
WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!