Chapter Forty

Emery

''I'm sorry, Cole. I really am,'' I say, patting onto his shoulder; wanting to make sure that I show my sincere sympathy—I have never wanted any of us to turn out this way because I've always wanted the best.

He smiles, ''It's fine. Don't worry about me,''

''I should be the one apologising to you. She's my sister and I should've known better. This is just too fucked up, man and I think I'm going to go insane,'' He mutters, slowly but clearly. Of course, anyone would go insane if any of this happens, we'd be ape crazy.

Cole turns to look at Daniel, who's currently standing all by himself near the entrance of the palace. He seems to be spending time on his own and zone out, he would just do that. He has been doing that for the past hour.

''Talk to him. He needs it,'' He says, about Daniel.

I make my way towards Daniel, seeing that he has been zoning out lately kind of worries me. Once I'm standing beside him, I can't help but follow his gaze; seeing him eyeing Evelyn and Andrea which confuses me.

To my surprise, he starts to laugh, shaking his head.

''Isn't that against the bro code?'' He raises an eyebrow, ''But no, man. I wish I had a thing for your sister so I can just take her out of this place—I mean, London's great but being royal? I don't think that's her forte.'' He adds, smiling as he looks down at the ground.

''Eh, I guess the Van Allans are born to spread our wings because you've described me perfectly.'' I reply, making him chuckle in respond, ''What's in your head?'' I ask.

Daniel keeps quiet for a few seconds before responding but I know that he's just trying to tell me that he's fine. Yet, I can tell that he's bad at lying; he's always bad at doing bad things—trust me, I know.

''It's just that, I can't stop thinking about Hannah,'' He replies, ''You know that the child is mine and I feel so hopeless that I'm actually letting her face death,'' The way he speaks, I know that he likes her or probably more because he wants what's best for his child.

''You love her? Do you love Hannah?'' I ask, slowly.

He furrows his eyebrows, ''I can't help but admit I do. She just doesn't let herself see how much I've been there for her especially when you weren't around, no offence. Hannah's just fucked up now because she's never like this, believe me, man. You know that too,'' He says.

''None taken,'' I reply, clearing my throat.

He begins to sigh deeply; somehow, letting all of his sorrows and worries away just by that single breath. The judge has sentenced her death after giving birth to her child and I know that it's not even going to be long.

''When is her due?'' I ask, wanting to know.

''Probably in eight months. She might have a whole month left to spend with our child—but that's just like a possibility. I can't believe it,'' He answers, frowning.

''You're becoming a father. Congratulations,'' I smile; trying to cheer him up slightly, making sure that he would still feel himself full of hope. Even if Hannah won't be there for him or their child, at least he'll be there to support and care for their own.

''I'm sorry about what happened to Emma,''

''No worries. She's healing and I'm trying to accept the whole thing. It's just a slow process,'' I mutter under my breath but loud enough for him to hear me properly. I'm sure that what happened with Emma and I, there has got to be a reason why. Maybe we weren't ready to become parents; maybe, maybe.

''You can always try again. You're both still young; I mean, have a child when you're ready to have a child. Don't just spend your life for a child, try to spend it with your wife; that kind of married life,'' He states, a little bit surprising me by his words because well, Daniel has never given me an advice that's worthy.

I smile, agreeing with him as there are no words.

Within seconds, I am already turning around to see Emma walking down the stairs as her eyes wander to find me—once her eyes meet mine, my lips instantly curve up into a smile; leaving her smiling back.

''All I can say is that you're a damn lucky man,'' He mutters from beside me, pointing towards Emma with his words as I keep on staring at my wife. The way her lips are curved up into a smile that would instantly make me swoon endlessly, for sure, I am lucky.

''You guys make yourselves at home, okay?'' I say as I make my way towards her but before I can reach her, she has already exited down the hall; out of my sight. There has got to be something in her mind that she would want to say because well, I just guess.

Once I've walked down the hall, I enter the room that has both of the doors open; revealing Emma, standing in the middle before turning to look at me, gesturing for me to close the door behind me. I do as asked.

''What's wrong? Are you hurting?'' I ask, gently.

She smiles, ''No. Of course not. There's just something that I want to say and ask. It's something that has been bothering me since yesterday but I couldn't find the right time to say it,'' She says, her eyes focusing deeply into mine—making me look back at her.

''Tell me. Anything just let me know,'' I touch the side of her face before caressing her cheek with my thumb. The way her skin feels utterly smooth; it's almost insane. She makes me want to be close to her, every single day.

''I've been thinking that maybe we've been going on too fast; this marriage, this relationship, it has been one hell of a ride, hasn't it? So, I thought, we could at least slow it down a little bit. Take things slow and just go on with the flow—not rushing anything,'' She starts to talk, ''Like, Emery, I don't even know your favourite food and it's just crazy how we've been together this far, almost having a child of our own that we barely know ourselves. Do you think I'm acting strange? Do tell,''

From the sound of her voice and the way that she speaks, it shows how she's determined to make me accept her suggestion. Truthfully, she made a good point about out marriage, relationship. We've been too far, almost having a child of our own but we barely know one another, so, yes, it's insane.

Both of her brown eyes are just staring at me.

''Don't get me wrong. I love you and I really do. I swear to god, you're the only man I've ever come to love this much other than my father; of course but,'' She stops for awhile, leaving me chuckle at her point, ''I want to get to know you better, Emery. I want to be the wife that knows everything about her husband, his favourite food, his favourite colour, his favourite tie and—''

I cut her off by pressing my index finger on her lips.

''I understand, Emma. You don't need to explain,''

''I definitely get your point. You love me and I love you more than you can ever think of. Whatever it is, your idea or plan to make our relationship stronger then yes, I'd be glad to agree. It's not just you that doesn't know anything about me because I barely know anything about you too—it's almost crazy to think of,'' I add.

''I'd like to get to know my own wife,'' I smile.

''Really?'' She raises an eyebrow, her eyes widening as she tries to control her smile; not wanting to make her seem like she's overjoy with happiness.

I try to lean in, being able to kiss her lips but before I can even brush my lips against hers, she has already pulled away which causes me to look into her eyes; questioning why, as she has never denied before.

''There are certain rules that I think we should work on. I mean, in order for us to get to know each other better, we should probably start as strangers. Like, we pretend that we don't know each other and—'' I cut her off.

''You mean, we go through the stages that we didn't got the chance to go through? From strangers, to friends, lovers, partners, to husband and wife?'' It would make a lot of sense; due to the fact that, she wants us to go through each stage, ''And let me guess, we're strangers now which means I can't kiss you,'' I mutter.

To my surprise, she starts to chuckle, ''Well, you don't really just end up kissing strangers on the street,'' She replies, causing both of us to smile at each other.

''Unless, I'm too drunk to remember,'' I joke.

''Of course, I'd find you on the streets, kissing strangers to your heart's content because you're just a sick loner.'' She smirks, showing how she enjoys this little joke.

We stare at each other for the next few seconds, only taking in the reality. We need this, maybe because this is the reason why; we just have to realise.