The Prince and I
Title: The Prince and I
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Jared/Jensen, Misha/Jeff
Warnings:Mpreg
Summary:Written for the abused_sammy challenge. Jared's having an awful year. He's been fired, evicted and he caught his boyfriend cheating on him. With not much to stand on, no family save for friends, Jared goes with his friends to the Mediterranean country of Biryal for a month-long vacation. While there, he meets Jensen Ross, who is unlike anyone Jared has ever met. What should have just been a summer romance is the start of something neither of the two men expected. For starters, Jensen is keeping one very large secret from Jared. Namely that he's the crown prince.
After three weeks, Jensen knew it was time he came clean. He and Jared had spent hours together - both awake and asleep - it was easier to keep track of the time they hadn't spent together and honestly, he knew he had to fess up before Jared went home. In truth, however, he didn't want Jared to go home. He wanted to have the man say here, in Biryal, with him. There weren't any laws against him marrying a commoner or a non-citizen. He had it planned perfectly in his mind. Today, Monday - he'd ask Jared if he'd consider staying in Biryal a little longer and he'd also ask Jared to come with him to Milaso, the old capital - the city he called home - and somehow, he'd tell Jensen in the process of asking him. They'd head to his home on Friday and if Jared said no to staying, they could have him back in Candara before his flight home. Then again, Jared might not want to stay with him once he knew the truth. It was a pretty big thing he was keeping from him.
*
“Go with you to Milaso?” Jared stared at Jensen in slight shock. Milaso was supposed to be a pretty impressive city, holding much of the old world charm that had been lost in Europe during World War Two. He would love to see it - his friends hadn't wanted to go so far inland, to the mountains and so forth. It was a three hour train ride from Candara to Milaso. “I - I'd have to think about it.”
“I understand.” Jensen took a drink from his water glass. “I know this might mess up your plans and all...”
Jared shook his head. “I'd love to go to Milaso,but staying here a little longer? I'd have to change my flight back, my job searching and what not. Sadie's staying with a friend now, and since Alona loves animals, that's not an issue, but - well, I'd at least need to think on staying longer. Does that make sense?”
“Perfect sense. It's not like I'm asking you to stay another month - maybe just another week or two.” Jensen knew he was in love with the man, but his mother would frown on him asking Jared to marry him after only knowing the man for a very short time. “And I understand about arrangements.” He took a deep breath and then caught sight of the time. “Dinner took longer than I thought it would - aren't Jeff and the others waiting for you?”
Jared glanced at his own watch and cursed. “Yeah - I'm sorry, but I can't miss this.”
“I understand and I wouldn't ask you to miss the opportunity to see a Biyralian Opera performed in the country where it originated.” Jensen nodded. “You have fun and I will see you at breakfast?”
“It's a date.” Jared grinned. “And I'll think about what you asked - although I may not have an answer until lunch. Uh - but Milaso - do we have to wait until Friday?”
“I'll check the train schedules - and answer on the second part is all I'm asking.” Jensen nodded as the younger man got up from the table. “Have fun.”
“I'll try. Wish you were coming along.”
He shrugged. “I saw it earlier in the year. It's all right.”
“See you at breakfast.” Jared smiled and walked away from the table.
Jensen let out a deep breath. He'd taken too long to tell Jared the truth. Tomorrow at breakfast - no more delaying. True, telling him who he really was might change his decision to stay or not, but it was risk he had to take.
*
Jensen had been back in his room long enough to hang up his dinner jacket when his cell phone went off. He looked at the screen and frowned. It was Matt -his mother's secretary - and panic seized him. There was very little reason for the man to call him. “Yes?”
“Your highness, if you are currently in public, I ask that you move somewhere private before I speak with you.” The no-nonsense of his tone just made his heart beat faster.
“I'm in my room, Matt. What is it?” He started to pace.
“Your father has had a heart attack. While he is stable, your mother needs you to return home at once.”
Jensen nodded - and he knew that tone all to well. The man was lying to him. “I understand. I can pack and be ready to go within the half-hour.”
“I will contact the concierge for the travel arrangements.” There was a muffled sound Jensen couldn't identify before the man spoke again. “Your mother has asked you to hurry.”
“Tell her I am on my way and to not panic.” Jensen replied and hung up his phone, going instantly to the closet where he'd put his suitcase and began to pack. He had just thrown all of his socks and ties haphazardly into one of them when he suddenly remembered: Jared.
He was supposed to meet Jared tomorrow for breakfast. They were supposed to to to Milaso together. He was supposed to be checking the train schedules. That was, of course out of the question. He cursed, stuffed a few more clothes haphazardly into a bag and sat down at the desk to write the man a quick letter. Jared would understand about a family emergency. Jensen pulled a piece of stationary out from the blotter, his hands shaking slightly with the need to get home before it was too late. But Jared had to know what was wrong - and Jensen needed to ask him something very, very important.
As soon as he was finished, he folded the thick paper over twice and stuck in an envelope before resuming packing. He was more than half finished when Leo let himself into the room and began assisting in the packing.
“I can finish the packing highness and bring them back with the car.” Leo stated as he folded a pair of pants and set them in the largest suitcase. There was a roar overhead. “I believe your ride is here.”
“You'll handle everything?” Jensen picked up his journal off the desk and the envelope for Jared.
“Of course.” He smiled reassuringly. “Your parents need you.”
“Yes.” He held out the envelope. “See that Jared Padalecki gets this. Deliver it personally.”
Leo understood at once. “Yes, highness.”
Jensen nodded, dropped the room key on the desk and hurried out of the room and headed up the corridor to the elevator that would take him to the roof and to the waiting helicopter. He nodded in acknowledgment to the small staff on the roof and a man helped him out to the landing pad and into the cabin. The roar was only slightly less muffled when he was inside and with a wave to the pilot that he was secure, the helicopter lifted off and Jensen watched the hotel sink beneath them and then vanish as they headed for the airport. He swallowed hard, fighting back tears.
Matt had told him that his father was stable - the exact same lie he'd been told when grandfather had suffered a stroke.
*
The air in the hotel was vastly different when Jared and his friends got back. They had noticed that the whole city seemed to have pulled in on itself - after all the revelry of the night life they had seen in the past few weeks, Candara seemed strangely subdued, like New Orleans on Ash Wednesday. Several of the people in the lobby were crying.
“This is.... seriously weird.” Jared remarked as they got into the elevator. “Did something happen?”
“I have no idea what could have.” Jeff shook his head. “I've been watching the news - there's practically nothing happening in the world, apart from some kind of bus strike in Canada.”
“We'll turn on the news.” Misha said sensibly. “I think something must have happened in Biryal itself.”
“Sounds good.” Chad shrugged out of his suit jacket and rested it over his hands as the elevator clinked to a stop and they headed for the suite. “So you ditching us for Milaso, huh, Jared?”
“It's just for a couple of days.” Jared said, with a slight grin. “I don't think I can stay in Biryal any more than originally planned.... I need to get back to work and get back to living my life.”
“I think Jensen's a really sweet guy.” Sophia offered as they went into the suite and Misha made a beeline for the TV. “Now, if you two can manage a long distance relationship, that has yet to be seen.”
Jared chuckled and was about to respond when Misha's voice cut through the conversation.
“Oh, shit!”
All four of them hurried over to where the man was standing, and all five stood transfixed as a reporter on the BBC - the only English station on the hotel's cable, sat solemn faced as she read a document in front of her.
“The country of Biryal has been plunged into mourning following the unexpected death of King Aaron the Fifth. The Royal Family's press secretary has not informed us on many details, choosing to keep matters private until things have been secured within the family itself. His majesty ruled Biryal since nineteen sixty-four, and that his marriage to Queen Alicia in nineteen seventy five was, until the marriage of Charles of England to the late Princess Diana, the highest rated special event on television. The couple has one child, the current but of course, uncrowned king, His Royal Highness, Prince Jensen.”
During all the time the reporter was speaking, there was a second video superimposed next to the British woman, a video that of course, kept changing - and it was the last clip - a single photograph of an astonishingly good looking green-eyed young man that made Jared go white. He had known that Jensen wasn't an entirely uncommon name in Biryal - but the Prince Jensen in question... was the exact
same Jensen he knew.
Jared didn't know what he was feeling - he was vaguely aware of his four friends staring at him. He just couldn't get his head around this. Jensen was the prince - hell, he was now the bloody king of Biryal and he hadn't told him. He'd kept it a secret. Why? Why would he lie to him? Why had he -
What the fuck are you thinking Jared Padalecki? The man just lost his father and you're pissed he never mentioned he was a prince?
“Jared...” Jeff's voice was as shaky as Jared felt.
“I... I need to go lie down.” He felt like he was floating at he crossed to the door and went into the hallway. He couldn't feel anything else - he shut the door of his room and sat down on the bed.
And that was the last thing he remembered doing before he woke up the next morning, sunlight streaming through the windows.
**
Jensen felt like he was living another life or watching a movie about that life. In the short course of two months, he had gone on vacation, fallen in love, rushed home to be with his father - watched his father die moments after he got there, buried the man and had been crowned king. On a wet August morning, he woke up and was suddenly himself again. He had woken from a particularly wonderful dream. Jared was here, with him - they were together, his father was alive and the two of them were discussing wedding plans and giving one another alternating shoulder rubs.
He laid there alone in his bed, listening to the faint patter of rain against the glass of his window, the sad truth came to him. Jared was gone - Jared was back in his own life in San Antonio, more than likely mad as hell at him. Jensen hated to think about that. He was still in love with Jared - he honestly wished he had the time to fly to Texas, try and explain things to him better than that letter had, and somehow work it out so that they could be together.
But somehow, Jensen didn't know if Jared could give up his life in America completely. It was a massive thing, asking someone who had no idea how to do all this royal shit to just jump right in. He remembered a particularly amusing dinner where he'd been sat next to the wife of King Edvard of Denmark, a commoner from America, like Jared. She'd been a little perplexed by a place setting of sixteen implements - and with her husband engaged in conversation with some dignitary from Norway, he'd done his best to sort her way through the five goblets in the setting.
“This is insane.” He sat up, rubbing his face as the door of his room clicked open and a maid wheeled in a cart with his breakfast. “Morning.” He said, automatically.
“Good morning, your majesty.” The woman bobbed a slight curtsey, setting the tray down on the table and began to unload a few dishes as Jensen pulled on a robe and crossed the room.
“Is it supposed to rain all day, do you know?”
“No, sir - the weather report said the rain should clear up this afternoon.” She set down a carafe of coffee before bobbing another curtsey and headed out of the room, taking the cart with her.
Jensen slid into his chair, picking up his fork and starting in on his eggs and bacon. He tapped on his I-Pad, which he'd left on the table last night and went through today's schedule. Several meetings, lunch with an ambassador from England and if he was lucky, he'd get to bed sometime before eleven tonight. He sighed, poured himself some coffee. He always knew that being king, despite the small amount of political power how now had, was a full time job. He supposed the busy schedule at least kept his mind off Jared - except at times like this. He absently nibbled at a piece of toast and glanced at the clock. It was six in the morning here - in Texas, it was eleven at night.
Shaking his head to clear it, Jensen turned his attention back to his I-Pad, brushing up on notes for his first meeting.
***
Jared hadn't read the letter Jensen had sent him. He didn't want to read it. It was probably full of bullshit and more lies. He hadn't thrown it away - he'd stuffed it in his luggage and when he got home, he'd shoved it in a drawer, determined to put the whole incident completely behind him. He spent days feeling heartsick and betrayed - then went on to being actually sick - and now, he here was, having his flimsy attempt at a wall between him and that wonderful month in Biryal fall down. He took a few deep calming breaths as he stared at the ceiling tiles above him, not sure if he wanted this to be a dream or not.
“Morning sickness all gone?” The doctor said absently as she worked on something behind him.
“Yeah, that cleared up about two weeks ago.” He smiled weakly.
“That's good.” The woman came into his line of sight. “Now this gel is going to feel cold.”
“I can handle...” He hissed as the feeling of something icy hit his stomach. “Damn.”
“You think they'd find a way for it not to be cold.” He could see the smile in her eyes, as her mouth was covered with a mask. “Today's the big day - you're sure you want to find out?”
“I think I've had enough surprises this this year, I'd like one thing to be certain before my friends start buying me gender specific clothing and having it be wrong.”
“All right.” She picked up a small scanner. “Let's just hope the baby's not going to be shy.”
Jared inwardly snorted. If baby had their father's quirk of keeping secrets, it was likely - but then again, Jensen had been mostly open - except about the biggest secret of all. When he first found out he was pregnant, Jared had been scared. Mostly of Jensen finding out and taking the baby away without so much as a hello. Then came the nightmare of Luke, that stupid bastard, showing up and taking the baby, claiming it was his when he knew full well it wasn't. He and Jared had never had baby-making sex. Come to think of it, he and Jensen hadn't really discussed birth-control - because Jared had been so sure the medication he was on was supposed to keep it from happening.
“Mr. Padalecki? Jared?” The doctor's voice cut through his musings.
“Sorry.” Jared let out another breath. “Nerves.”
“That's understandable.” She turned towards the screen. “Now, let's see baby - are you feeling like being a good kid today?”
Jared chuckled as he felt the wand travel over his slight belly and then stop, he shifted his eyes away from the doctor to the screen. “What's it look like?” He could see what he knew was the head, along with something that might be an arm.
“Well, now...” He felt her move the wand a little more. “Looks like you've got a baby girl.”
Jared felt the corners of his mouth lift, all thoughts of what an asshole Luke was and what a liar Jensen was were gone instantly. “Really?”
“Uh huh.” The woman tapped a spot on the monitor. “Absolutely a girl.” She glanced at him, that smile of hers had to be huge, the way her eyes were. “I take it you want a few pictures?”
“Are you kidding?” Jared didn't recognized his voice for how happy it sounded. “Of course I do!”
*
Jensen remained perfectly passive as he looked at the man sitting across the desk from him. When he decided that he just wanted to find a private detective to find Jared, he didn't think it would be such a rigorous process. Sure, you could find one easily - but finding one who'd take a high profile case and keep their mouths shut? Not easy at all. The man was British and for some reason, reminded Jensen of the fellow who used to play Dr. Who. “You come with excellent recommendations, Mr. Barrie.”
“Thank you, sir.” The man flushed slightly. “I am merely to locate Mr. Padalecki and keep track of his comings and goings?”
“I just want to make sure he's doing well. He has a particularly nasty ex-boyfriend whom I don't trust in the slightest. If a man's a big enough asshole to take a dog out of spite, I worry he could do something worse.” Jensen tapped his fingers together. “I do apologize for having to send you overseas for part of the holiday season.”
“It's fine, sir.” Mr. Barrie, whose first name was Johnathan, smiled faintly again. “I'm certain my brother can find someone else to dress up as St. Nick for his kids this year... although they are reaching the age where they really only play along for their grandmother's sake.”
Jensen nodded. “That is all, Mr. Barrie. I look forward to your report.”
“Yes, your majesty.” He stood as Jensen did and shook the man's hand.
**
It was the day before Christmas Eve and the Bun 'N Barrel was crowded. Misha Collins-Morgan had drug Jared out for what he joking called 'girl's lunch' - and to give Jeff a chance to spend time with their kids getting the house ready for the holidays. Jared was going to be staying in the Morgan's guest house for a few more months - the kid, as Misha liked to call him - kept insisting he'd be gone soon, but Jeff had made the terms plain: he had promised Jared's parents that he'd watch out for their only kid the best he could - and he was determined to keep up his part of the bargain. “How did your interview go?”
Jared finished chewing and took a drink from his water glass. “Good. Naturally, I walk in there and before the guy on the other side of the desk even asks about my credentials, he asks when I'm due. Like he had any thing to say about it, he was easily five months himself.”
“It's a normal thing.” Misha dabbed a fry in his ketchup. “You think they'll hire you?”
“I'm supposed to go in for another interview after New Year's. I think the fact that's got them sold is that I speak both Spanish and Italian fluently.” Jared finished off the last of his cheeseburger and then grimaced. “Oh shit.”
“What?” Misha turned to where Jared was looking and narrowed his eyes as Luke Dessler, Jared's ex started up the isle towards him, followed by someone else they knew - Eva Randolph, the girl Luke had left Jared for. “I thought something smelled bad in here.” He turned back to Jared. “Stay calm.”
“I am calm.” Jared said through gritted teeth. “But someone is currently playing soccer with one of my kidneys.”
“Well, well...” Luke stood over the table, sneering. “Look what crawled out of the sewers.”
“You'd know all about sewers.” Misha glared at the pair. “Considering you were raised in one.”
Luke ignored the man. “Mooching around your rich friends, I see Jared.” His eyes caught on Jared's rounded stomach. “And in trouble, too I see... well, don't come to me for any support in this...”
“She's not yours.” Jared snarled. “And I'm fucking glad she isn't. I can't even believe I ever slept with a snake like you.”
“Oooh... someone's all hormonal.” Eva spat. “And pigging out...”
“Why don't you leave?” Misha stood up slowly. He might not be as tall as Jared, but when he pulled out his 'lawyer' face, he could fake it. “Before you embarrass yourself and have to spend Christmas in jail.”
“You threatening me?” Luke spat.
“Come on Luke - let's just go and leave these two losers.” Eva tugged on the man's hand and they slowly left, Luke still glaring at Jared.
Misha sat back down and took a large drink from his water glass. “It is such a good thing you are rid of that bastard.”
“I think I'll have to move out of the city to be completely free.” Jared poked at his fries, his appetite almost completely gone. “I'll make sure I get all those gifts wrapped for you and Jeff before tonight. You were right get the kids to turn their lists in right after Halloween - got your shopping done early.”
“Yeah.” Misha wiped his fingers with a napkin. “I think we should go, I don't think I can stand to sit here much longer.”
“Agreed. I think I need a nap.” Jared got to his feet as did Misha. “The sleep thing is important.”
“Very true. The more of it you can get, the better.” He helped his friend down the isle towards the door.
Neither of them noticed the man in the booth who kept his focus on the pair as they left - and had been for almost the entire time they'd been there.
*
Jensen stared at the photographs, completely stunned. “You're positive?” He couldn't believe his eyes - there was Jared, his Jared, sitting at a diner somewhere in San Antonio, another of him walking out of a hotel with a black and white awning, several other candid ones showing him shopping, walking his dog, out with those friends of his, and one of him standing in a parking garage, looking to the side, away from the camera but unquestionably him. In every single picture it only made his heart ache more.
Jared was pregnant. Pregnant with his child.
“Do you know any details?” That was the only other thing he could think to ask.
“About the baby? No.” Johnathan pulled out another photograph. “I also located someone with a history with Jared. One Luke Dessler.”
Jensen took the picture and frowned. Luke looked like the sort of man who should be playing a DA on those procedural cop shows Americans were so damn fond of. “He looks like an asshole.”
“I think that's being generous.” Johnathan shrugged. “I can also tell you that Mr. Padalecki has secured employment with the Emily Morgan Hotel in San Antonio in the reservation department.”
Jensen was still having trouble taking his eyes off the photos of Jared. “What does that mean, exactly?”
“He makes arrangements for guests staying at the hotel throughout the city and for guests coming to stay at the establishment.” Johnathan sat back slightly in his chair.
Jensen set the photo he was holding down reluctantly and pushed an envelope across the desk towards the man. “I'm going to need your services a while longer.”
He reached across and set the tips of his fingers on the envelope, but made no motion to move it closer to him. “Am I wrong in assuming this may turn out to be an indefinite thing?”
“Possibly.” Jensen smiled. “We'll see how things go. I want to you report back to me shortly after the baby is born.”
“Yes, sir.” Johnathan smiled and pocketed his payment. “Thank you. The photos are, of course, yours.”
“I know.” Jensen smiled. “I trust you can see yourself to the door?”
“Yes.” The man knew a dismissal when he heard it.
*
Jensen knew full well that Jared had never read the letter that he sent the man. Now that there was a child on the way, duty was starting to get the better of him. But flying over to Texas and asking Jared to marry him was out of the question. He knew he would have to find away to bring Jared here, to somehow make things right. He smoothed down the lapel of his jacket and walked into the dinning room, smiling faintly. “Evening, mum.”
Jensen's mother Alicia raised her head. “Evening.” She frowned. “What's wrong?”
He sat down in his old spot at her right, smiling weakly. “It's nothing I want to talk about right now.”
“All right.” She gave him a very stern look as the first course was set in front of them and she waited for the butler to leave the room. “I keep expecting your father to come in here and join us. I still can't....”
Jensen set his hand on his mother's arm. “I know. I miss him too.”
She sniffled slightly and then picked up her soup spoon. “Well, tomorrow the parliament goes back into session. You packed for your trip to Candara?”
“Almost mother.” Jensen kept his gaze on his soup bowl. “I'll only be gone for a day.”
“I know, but humor your mother.” She smiled over her wine glass. “Now that nice young man you met last summer... you said you met him in Candara, correct?”
To his credit, Jensen didn't drop his spoon. “Jared is an American, mum. He's from Texas, remember?”
“Oh yes...” She took another sip of wine. “I do think that once the year of mourning is over - it might be a good idea to invite him to visit. The way you have gone on and on about him - I know he must be something special.”
“He is.” Jensen turned his attention to his food. “I - we'll see.”
“Now you're starting to sound like your father. He always used that phrase. Drove me crazy a time or two.”
“You and me both.” Jensen was glad that his mother already liked Jared, without even meeting him. Now the question of how to break the news that he'd gotten the man pregnant and now felt not only bound by his heart but by duty to take care of him and their child - that was another matter altogether.
**
Jared had spent many nights staring at the drawer where he'd stuffed Jensen's letter, still not sure if he should open it up and read it. He was certain it was full of lies, or something. But what else did he have to lie about? Jensen had failed to mention he was the prince - but then again, Jared used to not mention his grandfather had been that Governor of Texas, the one who had more or less made the Texas-Mexico border look like a second Berlin Wall. The trouble with that sort of admission was that you never knew if the someone in question was going to kick your ass or shake your hand and ask if he could meet him.
Jared hated people who kissed ass for power.
And couldn't you say Jensen might feel the same way?
He crossed over to the drawer where he'd stashed the letter and yanked it open, reaching past an assortment of other cards and letters he kept meaning to sort through until he found the thick cream envelope with his name scrawled on the front. “I'll just read it and be done with this.” He pulled back the tab and pulled out another one of those heavy pieces of paper, much like the one he had gotten the first letter from Jensen on, only it wasn't ripped in half.
There, on the top of the paper was some sort of coat of arms embossed in dark green - under which ran a header of - His Royal Highness Prince Jensen Ross Ackles of Biryal.
Jared sat down on the bed, setting his hand on his stomach as he felt a small twinge under his hand that was staring to be come an almost steady kick against his palm, grimacing slightly. “Guess you didn't like the marinara sauce as much as I did.” He let out a breath. “Either that or it's made you hyper.”
He unfolded the rest of the letter and began to read.
Jared,
A family emergency has demanded that I return home to Milaso and I won't be able to see you here in Candara again during your vacation. I did not wish for us to be parted in this fashion, indeed, I would rather we not have to go our separate ways at all.
I love you - please, do not doubt that. I meant what I said, I want you to stay with me here in Biryal - and I had been planning on telling you the truth about me before we went to Milaso, but I didn't know quite how to begin - and now it is too late, as you most likely learned who I am from another source.
This does not change how I feel about you - I have never met anyone quite as wonderful as you, Jared and so I will just say the question that I had been hoping to ask in Milaso -
Will you marry me?
I understand if you don't - we have had quite the whirlwind relationship - but here we are. I love you and I want to marry you.
Jared lowered the letter, staring at the signature and a phone number written at the bottom with a note saying that he would answer the call - or any message left with him. Now he had gone from frustrated to confused. Jensen wanted to marry him. He bit his lip, his eyes focused on the number. It had been seven months since he got the letter and he'd not read it until now. If he had called in the mess of all the funeral and coronation and all that crap, would Jensen have felt the same?
He groaned faintly as he pulled himself up to his feet and began to pace across the room, still rubbing the area that was aching. “I do hope you're being troublesome now and are planning on being an angel when you're born.” He sighed, setting the letter on the bed. “So what do you think, baby girl? Should we call your daddy?” Jared was honestly considering doing it - just to hear his voice again. He thought about how they had met and how Jensen had sent a note offering to start over and pretend things were fresh. Well, they certainly couldn't start completely over. Not now. He picked up his cell phone and glanced at the clock. It was nearly three in the morning in Biryal. “You know what, I think it's time your other daddy started getting woken up on your account.” He pressed the numbers quickly and sat down on the bed, rubbing his stomach in slow circles as he heard it ring once. Rang twice - and then, right after the third ring...
“Edvard, if this is about my country kicking your county's ass in football yesterday, can you please save it for breakfast?” Jensen sounded very, very groggy.
“Jen?” Jared swallowed. “Jen, it's me.”
There was a rustling noise and then... “Jared?”
“Yeah.” He coughed. “I know it's late but uh...”
“No, no... it's fine.” There was a clicking noise. “My alarm was going to go off in about thirty minutes anyway.”
“Really?” Jared checked his clock again. “It's what, two-thirty?”
“About that.” There was a pause. “I'm sorry - I know, I know I should have told you about...”
“No, I sort of understand why you did it.” Jared leaned back against the headboard, wincing. “I just - I just wish you could have told me outright.”
“Well, my reason for not doing that is every other time I've done that, I never can tell if a person is being nice to me because of who I am or what I am.” Jensen coughed. “How are you?”
“I'm... I'm good. How's Cat?”
“Cat's fine. She's sleeping on the foot of my bed right now.” He let out a breath. “How's Sadie?”
“Sadie's good...I think she's sleeping in the laundry room at the moment. That's where I last saw her.”
“Not a bed dog then?”
“No. Have you ever smelled a dog's breath?” Jared replied, laughing. “Not something you want to encounter at two in the morning.”
Jensen let out a soft chuckle. “I - I'm glad you called.”
“Yeah. I... well, I finally read your letter.” He rested his hand against his stomach, feeling the steady kick under his palm and smiled. “I - I don't have an answer for you. Quite frankly, I don't think I should say yes to a letter.”
Jensen made a funny sound halfway between a cough and a sneeze. “I see. I did mean what I wrote, Jared. But I do understand - in my defense, I can only say time was not our friend at the end of June.”
“No.” Jared sighed. “I uh...” He had no idea how to tell Jensen he was pregnant. “Why are you getting up at three in the morning anyway?”
“I'm scheduled to go to Argentina. Granted, the flight isn't for hours, but if I get up early enough, I'll sleep most of the way there.” Jensen sighed. “Flying isn't my favorite thing in the world.”
“You won't have uh... work on the way over?”
“Not really. It's.... it's not like I have a ton of political power, Jared. I can't even vote in an election.”
“Seriously?” Jared knew he sounded incredulous.
“Yeah. But on the plus side though, I'll never have political hopefuls kissing my ass for an endorsement.” There was another rustling noise and then a soft thump.
“What was that?” Jared bit back a gasp as the baby gave a sharp kick.
“Book fell off the table when I ran into it. It's late, you should get some sleep.”
“I know. I just... well, I just wanted to hear your voice.” Jared rubbed his stomach. “I - well, I can't really accept your proposal, Jen. I mean, we hardly know each other and...”
“I understand Jay. That still doesn't change the way I feel about you.” It sounded like Jensen was pacing. “I wish there was a way for this to work, but...”
“Well, I'm not completely dismissing it.” Jared took a deep breath. “Maybe - maybe we could get to know each other a little better first. I mean - we did have a whirlwind relationship and all.”
“I can understand that.” Another thump. Jen had probably sat down. “You know... I think it's only about a seven hour flight from Beunos Aries to San Antonio... would you mind if I came up and saw you?”
Panic hit almost the same time at the idea of how wonderful it would be to see Jen again. “Uh... I don't... I guess it would be good. But don't you have to work, or...”
“I can take a few days, Jared. Most of my work is charity related - the only state obligation I have any time soon is next month when I have to show up at the Carnivale Ball. Which, in case your wondering, is about as dull as it sounds.”
“I don't know, it actually sounds like fun.” He took a deep breath. “Uh, Jen... if you're going to come up here... there's something I should tell you.”
“Don't tell me you got back together with that douche who dog-napped Sadie.”
Jared laughed. “Please. Jeff would kidnap and set me up with a deprogrammer if I even thought about doing that.” He rested his hand on his stomach, steeling himself up. “I - I'm pregnant.”
Silence.
“Jen?” He feared the man had hung up or they had lost the connection. “You there?”
“I'm here.” A breath. “I... I'm not sure what to say.”
“I guess it's kind of - shocking.” Jared swallowed. “Now, please don't start on a duty thing, because I don't want to hear it.”
“All right, I won't.” Jen didn't entirely sound like he meant that. He figured that was part of the man's upbringing.
“So - I just wanted you to know... so it's not a total surprise when you see me.” He smiled faintly. “You... you're not mad, are you?”
“No. No I'm not mad. Just still taking it in.” There was the sound of a door opening, a few rattling clinks and a muted 'thank you.' “Sorry about that.”
“Sure.” He covered a yawn. “I think I'm the one who needs rest now.” He really wasn't that tired, but the steady feeling in his gut was starting to become a little worrisome - the baby had never been this active at night before.
“I understand. You take care of yourself. Good night.”
“Good night - and I will.” Jared took a deep breath. “You'll give me a call when you get to Texas?”
“Are you kidding? I might have to call you tomorrow night considering we'll only be a time-zone apart instead of seven of them.” There was genuine feeling in Jensen's voice.
“Looking forward to it.” And he meant it. “Good night.”
“Good night.” Came the reply before the call ended.
Jared looked at his phone for a moment, frowning at the low battery signal. “I think I spend more time charging this than I do using it.” He got up from the bed, heading over to his desk where the charger plug was when he felt something that didn't feel like a kick or a stomach problem. “Oh no...” He painfully sat down, another sharp pain lacing through him. “Oh sweetie, don't do that...” He swallowed hard. “It's not March yet, it's only the middle of January...” Jared took a deep breath and got to his feet again. “Just - please stay put honey, I didn't mean it about you being trouble...”
There was a creak of hinges as Sadie nosed her way into the room, took one look at Jared and barked.
“I'm coming.” He got to his feet and took a few steps across the room. “I think we need some help, girl.” The dog barked again and then took off. “Now you try to be helpful.” Jared said with a gasp. “Five years of trying to teach you to fetch the paper and now you think you know what to do?” With the racket that dog was making, the whole of the Morgan household would be down here in a minute. The room seemed to sway around him and he lowered himself to the floor, hand pressed against his stomach. “I need you to stay put baby girl. Please...”
“Jared?” Misha's voice suddenly called. When had his friend gotten here? “Jay, where are you?” Sadie was barking and then the door creaked again.
Jared looked up, blinking. “Sorry the dog woke you up...”
“Oh for...” Misha came over and helped him to his feet and got him to sit back on the bed. “You are going to stay right there while I call for an ambulance.”
“I - it's too early.” Jared squeezed his eyes shut, trying to will himself into believing this was a bad dream.
“Just relax Jay.” The older man took a calming breath before he pulled out his cell phone. He'd only come down here to check on his friend and was suddenly very glad he'd not brushed off the notion that nothing could be wrong. “Everything is going to be just fine.”
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Jared/Jensen, Misha/Jeff
Warnings:Mpreg
Summary:Written for the abused_sammy challenge. Jared's having an awful year. He's been fired, evicted and he caught his boyfriend cheating on him. With not much to stand on, no family save for friends, Jared goes with his friends to the Mediterranean country of Biryal for a month-long vacation. While there, he meets Jensen Ross, who is unlike anyone Jared has ever met. What should have just been a summer romance is the start of something neither of the two men expected. For starters, Jensen is keeping one very large secret from Jared. Namely that he's the crown prince.
After three weeks, Jensen knew it was time he came clean. He and Jared had spent hours together - both awake and asleep - it was easier to keep track of the time they hadn't spent together and honestly, he knew he had to fess up before Jared went home. In truth, however, he didn't want Jared to go home. He wanted to have the man say here, in Biryal, with him. There weren't any laws against him marrying a commoner or a non-citizen. He had it planned perfectly in his mind. Today, Monday - he'd ask Jared if he'd consider staying in Biryal a little longer and he'd also ask Jared to come with him to Milaso, the old capital - the city he called home - and somehow, he'd tell Jensen in the process of asking him. They'd head to his home on Friday and if Jared said no to staying, they could have him back in Candara before his flight home. Then again, Jared might not want to stay with him once he knew the truth. It was a pretty big thing he was keeping from him.
*
“Go with you to Milaso?” Jared stared at Jensen in slight shock. Milaso was supposed to be a pretty impressive city, holding much of the old world charm that had been lost in Europe during World War Two. He would love to see it - his friends hadn't wanted to go so far inland, to the mountains and so forth. It was a three hour train ride from Candara to Milaso. “I - I'd have to think about it.”
“I understand.” Jensen took a drink from his water glass. “I know this might mess up your plans and all...”
Jared shook his head. “I'd love to go to Milaso,but staying here a little longer? I'd have to change my flight back, my job searching and what not. Sadie's staying with a friend now, and since Alona loves animals, that's not an issue, but - well, I'd at least need to think on staying longer. Does that make sense?”
“Perfect sense. It's not like I'm asking you to stay another month - maybe just another week or two.” Jensen knew he was in love with the man, but his mother would frown on him asking Jared to marry him after only knowing the man for a very short time. “And I understand about arrangements.” He took a deep breath and then caught sight of the time. “Dinner took longer than I thought it would - aren't Jeff and the others waiting for you?”
Jared glanced at his own watch and cursed. “Yeah - I'm sorry, but I can't miss this.”
“I understand and I wouldn't ask you to miss the opportunity to see a Biyralian Opera performed in the country where it originated.” Jensen nodded. “You have fun and I will see you at breakfast?”
“It's a date.” Jared grinned. “And I'll think about what you asked - although I may not have an answer until lunch. Uh - but Milaso - do we have to wait until Friday?”
“I'll check the train schedules - and answer on the second part is all I'm asking.” Jensen nodded as the younger man got up from the table. “Have fun.”
“I'll try. Wish you were coming along.”
He shrugged. “I saw it earlier in the year. It's all right.”
“See you at breakfast.” Jared smiled and walked away from the table.
Jensen let out a deep breath. He'd taken too long to tell Jared the truth. Tomorrow at breakfast - no more delaying. True, telling him who he really was might change his decision to stay or not, but it was risk he had to take.
*
Jensen had been back in his room long enough to hang up his dinner jacket when his cell phone went off. He looked at the screen and frowned. It was Matt -his mother's secretary - and panic seized him. There was very little reason for the man to call him. “Yes?”
“Your highness, if you are currently in public, I ask that you move somewhere private before I speak with you.” The no-nonsense of his tone just made his heart beat faster.
“I'm in my room, Matt. What is it?” He started to pace.
“Your father has had a heart attack. While he is stable, your mother needs you to return home at once.”
Jensen nodded - and he knew that tone all to well. The man was lying to him. “I understand. I can pack and be ready to go within the half-hour.”
“I will contact the concierge for the travel arrangements.” There was a muffled sound Jensen couldn't identify before the man spoke again. “Your mother has asked you to hurry.”
“Tell her I am on my way and to not panic.” Jensen replied and hung up his phone, going instantly to the closet where he'd put his suitcase and began to pack. He had just thrown all of his socks and ties haphazardly into one of them when he suddenly remembered: Jared.
He was supposed to meet Jared tomorrow for breakfast. They were supposed to to to Milaso together. He was supposed to be checking the train schedules. That was, of course out of the question. He cursed, stuffed a few more clothes haphazardly into a bag and sat down at the desk to write the man a quick letter. Jared would understand about a family emergency. Jensen pulled a piece of stationary out from the blotter, his hands shaking slightly with the need to get home before it was too late. But Jared had to know what was wrong - and Jensen needed to ask him something very, very important.
As soon as he was finished, he folded the thick paper over twice and stuck in an envelope before resuming packing. He was more than half finished when Leo let himself into the room and began assisting in the packing.
“I can finish the packing highness and bring them back with the car.” Leo stated as he folded a pair of pants and set them in the largest suitcase. There was a roar overhead. “I believe your ride is here.”
“You'll handle everything?” Jensen picked up his journal off the desk and the envelope for Jared.
“Of course.” He smiled reassuringly. “Your parents need you.”
“Yes.” He held out the envelope. “See that Jared Padalecki gets this. Deliver it personally.”
Leo understood at once. “Yes, highness.”
Jensen nodded, dropped the room key on the desk and hurried out of the room and headed up the corridor to the elevator that would take him to the roof and to the waiting helicopter. He nodded in acknowledgment to the small staff on the roof and a man helped him out to the landing pad and into the cabin. The roar was only slightly less muffled when he was inside and with a wave to the pilot that he was secure, the helicopter lifted off and Jensen watched the hotel sink beneath them and then vanish as they headed for the airport. He swallowed hard, fighting back tears.
Matt had told him that his father was stable - the exact same lie he'd been told when grandfather had suffered a stroke.
*
The air in the hotel was vastly different when Jared and his friends got back. They had noticed that the whole city seemed to have pulled in on itself - after all the revelry of the night life they had seen in the past few weeks, Candara seemed strangely subdued, like New Orleans on Ash Wednesday. Several of the people in the lobby were crying.
“This is.... seriously weird.” Jared remarked as they got into the elevator. “Did something happen?”
“I have no idea what could have.” Jeff shook his head. “I've been watching the news - there's practically nothing happening in the world, apart from some kind of bus strike in Canada.”
“We'll turn on the news.” Misha said sensibly. “I think something must have happened in Biryal itself.”
“Sounds good.” Chad shrugged out of his suit jacket and rested it over his hands as the elevator clinked to a stop and they headed for the suite. “So you ditching us for Milaso, huh, Jared?”
“It's just for a couple of days.” Jared said, with a slight grin. “I don't think I can stay in Biryal any more than originally planned.... I need to get back to work and get back to living my life.”
“I think Jensen's a really sweet guy.” Sophia offered as they went into the suite and Misha made a beeline for the TV. “Now, if you two can manage a long distance relationship, that has yet to be seen.”
Jared chuckled and was about to respond when Misha's voice cut through the conversation.
“Oh, shit!”
All four of them hurried over to where the man was standing, and all five stood transfixed as a reporter on the BBC - the only English station on the hotel's cable, sat solemn faced as she read a document in front of her.
“The country of Biryal has been plunged into mourning following the unexpected death of King Aaron the Fifth. The Royal Family's press secretary has not informed us on many details, choosing to keep matters private until things have been secured within the family itself. His majesty ruled Biryal since nineteen sixty-four, and that his marriage to Queen Alicia in nineteen seventy five was, until the marriage of Charles of England to the late Princess Diana, the highest rated special event on television. The couple has one child, the current but of course, uncrowned king, His Royal Highness, Prince Jensen.”
During all the time the reporter was speaking, there was a second video superimposed next to the British woman, a video that of course, kept changing - and it was the last clip - a single photograph of an astonishingly good looking green-eyed young man that made Jared go white. He had known that Jensen wasn't an entirely uncommon name in Biryal - but the Prince Jensen in question... was the exact
same Jensen he knew.
Jared didn't know what he was feeling - he was vaguely aware of his four friends staring at him. He just couldn't get his head around this. Jensen was the prince - hell, he was now the bloody king of Biryal and he hadn't told him. He'd kept it a secret. Why? Why would he lie to him? Why had he -
What the fuck are you thinking Jared Padalecki? The man just lost his father and you're pissed he never mentioned he was a prince?
“Jared...” Jeff's voice was as shaky as Jared felt.
“I... I need to go lie down.” He felt like he was floating at he crossed to the door and went into the hallway. He couldn't feel anything else - he shut the door of his room and sat down on the bed.
And that was the last thing he remembered doing before he woke up the next morning, sunlight streaming through the windows.
**
Jensen felt like he was living another life or watching a movie about that life. In the short course of two months, he had gone on vacation, fallen in love, rushed home to be with his father - watched his father die moments after he got there, buried the man and had been crowned king. On a wet August morning, he woke up and was suddenly himself again. He had woken from a particularly wonderful dream. Jared was here, with him - they were together, his father was alive and the two of them were discussing wedding plans and giving one another alternating shoulder rubs.
He laid there alone in his bed, listening to the faint patter of rain against the glass of his window, the sad truth came to him. Jared was gone - Jared was back in his own life in San Antonio, more than likely mad as hell at him. Jensen hated to think about that. He was still in love with Jared - he honestly wished he had the time to fly to Texas, try and explain things to him better than that letter had, and somehow work it out so that they could be together.
But somehow, Jensen didn't know if Jared could give up his life in America completely. It was a massive thing, asking someone who had no idea how to do all this royal shit to just jump right in. He remembered a particularly amusing dinner where he'd been sat next to the wife of King Edvard of Denmark, a commoner from America, like Jared. She'd been a little perplexed by a place setting of sixteen implements - and with her husband engaged in conversation with some dignitary from Norway, he'd done his best to sort her way through the five goblets in the setting.
“This is insane.” He sat up, rubbing his face as the door of his room clicked open and a maid wheeled in a cart with his breakfast. “Morning.” He said, automatically.
“Good morning, your majesty.” The woman bobbed a slight curtsey, setting the tray down on the table and began to unload a few dishes as Jensen pulled on a robe and crossed the room.
“Is it supposed to rain all day, do you know?”
“No, sir - the weather report said the rain should clear up this afternoon.” She set down a carafe of coffee before bobbing another curtsey and headed out of the room, taking the cart with her.
Jensen slid into his chair, picking up his fork and starting in on his eggs and bacon. He tapped on his I-Pad, which he'd left on the table last night and went through today's schedule. Several meetings, lunch with an ambassador from England and if he was lucky, he'd get to bed sometime before eleven tonight. He sighed, poured himself some coffee. He always knew that being king, despite the small amount of political power how now had, was a full time job. He supposed the busy schedule at least kept his mind off Jared - except at times like this. He absently nibbled at a piece of toast and glanced at the clock. It was six in the morning here - in Texas, it was eleven at night.
Shaking his head to clear it, Jensen turned his attention back to his I-Pad, brushing up on notes for his first meeting.
***
Jared hadn't read the letter Jensen had sent him. He didn't want to read it. It was probably full of bullshit and more lies. He hadn't thrown it away - he'd stuffed it in his luggage and when he got home, he'd shoved it in a drawer, determined to put the whole incident completely behind him. He spent days feeling heartsick and betrayed - then went on to being actually sick - and now, he here was, having his flimsy attempt at a wall between him and that wonderful month in Biryal fall down. He took a few deep calming breaths as he stared at the ceiling tiles above him, not sure if he wanted this to be a dream or not.
“Morning sickness all gone?” The doctor said absently as she worked on something behind him.
“Yeah, that cleared up about two weeks ago.” He smiled weakly.
“That's good.” The woman came into his line of sight. “Now this gel is going to feel cold.”
“I can handle...” He hissed as the feeling of something icy hit his stomach. “Damn.”
“You think they'd find a way for it not to be cold.” He could see the smile in her eyes, as her mouth was covered with a mask. “Today's the big day - you're sure you want to find out?”
“I think I've had enough surprises this this year, I'd like one thing to be certain before my friends start buying me gender specific clothing and having it be wrong.”
“All right.” She picked up a small scanner. “Let's just hope the baby's not going to be shy.”
Jared inwardly snorted. If baby had their father's quirk of keeping secrets, it was likely - but then again, Jensen had been mostly open - except about the biggest secret of all. When he first found out he was pregnant, Jared had been scared. Mostly of Jensen finding out and taking the baby away without so much as a hello. Then came the nightmare of Luke, that stupid bastard, showing up and taking the baby, claiming it was his when he knew full well it wasn't. He and Jared had never had baby-making sex. Come to think of it, he and Jensen hadn't really discussed birth-control - because Jared had been so sure the medication he was on was supposed to keep it from happening.
“Mr. Padalecki? Jared?” The doctor's voice cut through his musings.
“Sorry.” Jared let out another breath. “Nerves.”
“That's understandable.” She turned towards the screen. “Now, let's see baby - are you feeling like being a good kid today?”
Jared chuckled as he felt the wand travel over his slight belly and then stop, he shifted his eyes away from the doctor to the screen. “What's it look like?” He could see what he knew was the head, along with something that might be an arm.
“Well, now...” He felt her move the wand a little more. “Looks like you've got a baby girl.”
Jared felt the corners of his mouth lift, all thoughts of what an asshole Luke was and what a liar Jensen was were gone instantly. “Really?”
“Uh huh.” The woman tapped a spot on the monitor. “Absolutely a girl.” She glanced at him, that smile of hers had to be huge, the way her eyes were. “I take it you want a few pictures?”
“Are you kidding?” Jared didn't recognized his voice for how happy it sounded. “Of course I do!”
*
Jensen remained perfectly passive as he looked at the man sitting across the desk from him. When he decided that he just wanted to find a private detective to find Jared, he didn't think it would be such a rigorous process. Sure, you could find one easily - but finding one who'd take a high profile case and keep their mouths shut? Not easy at all. The man was British and for some reason, reminded Jensen of the fellow who used to play Dr. Who. “You come with excellent recommendations, Mr. Barrie.”
“Thank you, sir.” The man flushed slightly. “I am merely to locate Mr. Padalecki and keep track of his comings and goings?”
“I just want to make sure he's doing well. He has a particularly nasty ex-boyfriend whom I don't trust in the slightest. If a man's a big enough asshole to take a dog out of spite, I worry he could do something worse.” Jensen tapped his fingers together. “I do apologize for having to send you overseas for part of the holiday season.”
“It's fine, sir.” Mr. Barrie, whose first name was Johnathan, smiled faintly again. “I'm certain my brother can find someone else to dress up as St. Nick for his kids this year... although they are reaching the age where they really only play along for their grandmother's sake.”
Jensen nodded. “That is all, Mr. Barrie. I look forward to your report.”
“Yes, your majesty.” He stood as Jensen did and shook the man's hand.
**
It was the day before Christmas Eve and the Bun 'N Barrel was crowded. Misha Collins-Morgan had drug Jared out for what he joking called 'girl's lunch' - and to give Jeff a chance to spend time with their kids getting the house ready for the holidays. Jared was going to be staying in the Morgan's guest house for a few more months - the kid, as Misha liked to call him - kept insisting he'd be gone soon, but Jeff had made the terms plain: he had promised Jared's parents that he'd watch out for their only kid the best he could - and he was determined to keep up his part of the bargain. “How did your interview go?”
Jared finished chewing and took a drink from his water glass. “Good. Naturally, I walk in there and before the guy on the other side of the desk even asks about my credentials, he asks when I'm due. Like he had any thing to say about it, he was easily five months himself.”
“It's a normal thing.” Misha dabbed a fry in his ketchup. “You think they'll hire you?”
“I'm supposed to go in for another interview after New Year's. I think the fact that's got them sold is that I speak both Spanish and Italian fluently.” Jared finished off the last of his cheeseburger and then grimaced. “Oh shit.”
“What?” Misha turned to where Jared was looking and narrowed his eyes as Luke Dessler, Jared's ex started up the isle towards him, followed by someone else they knew - Eva Randolph, the girl Luke had left Jared for. “I thought something smelled bad in here.” He turned back to Jared. “Stay calm.”
“I am calm.” Jared said through gritted teeth. “But someone is currently playing soccer with one of my kidneys.”
“Well, well...” Luke stood over the table, sneering. “Look what crawled out of the sewers.”
“You'd know all about sewers.” Misha glared at the pair. “Considering you were raised in one.”
Luke ignored the man. “Mooching around your rich friends, I see Jared.” His eyes caught on Jared's rounded stomach. “And in trouble, too I see... well, don't come to me for any support in this...”
“She's not yours.” Jared snarled. “And I'm fucking glad she isn't. I can't even believe I ever slept with a snake like you.”
“Oooh... someone's all hormonal.” Eva spat. “And pigging out...”
“Why don't you leave?” Misha stood up slowly. He might not be as tall as Jared, but when he pulled out his 'lawyer' face, he could fake it. “Before you embarrass yourself and have to spend Christmas in jail.”
“You threatening me?” Luke spat.
“Come on Luke - let's just go and leave these two losers.” Eva tugged on the man's hand and they slowly left, Luke still glaring at Jared.
Misha sat back down and took a large drink from his water glass. “It is such a good thing you are rid of that bastard.”
“I think I'll have to move out of the city to be completely free.” Jared poked at his fries, his appetite almost completely gone. “I'll make sure I get all those gifts wrapped for you and Jeff before tonight. You were right get the kids to turn their lists in right after Halloween - got your shopping done early.”
“Yeah.” Misha wiped his fingers with a napkin. “I think we should go, I don't think I can stand to sit here much longer.”
“Agreed. I think I need a nap.” Jared got to his feet as did Misha. “The sleep thing is important.”
“Very true. The more of it you can get, the better.” He helped his friend down the isle towards the door.
Neither of them noticed the man in the booth who kept his focus on the pair as they left - and had been for almost the entire time they'd been there.
*
Jensen stared at the photographs, completely stunned. “You're positive?” He couldn't believe his eyes - there was Jared, his Jared, sitting at a diner somewhere in San Antonio, another of him walking out of a hotel with a black and white awning, several other candid ones showing him shopping, walking his dog, out with those friends of his, and one of him standing in a parking garage, looking to the side, away from the camera but unquestionably him. In every single picture it only made his heart ache more.
Jared was pregnant. Pregnant with his child.
“Do you know any details?” That was the only other thing he could think to ask.
“About the baby? No.” Johnathan pulled out another photograph. “I also located someone with a history with Jared. One Luke Dessler.”
Jensen took the picture and frowned. Luke looked like the sort of man who should be playing a DA on those procedural cop shows Americans were so damn fond of. “He looks like an asshole.”
“I think that's being generous.” Johnathan shrugged. “I can also tell you that Mr. Padalecki has secured employment with the Emily Morgan Hotel in San Antonio in the reservation department.”
Jensen was still having trouble taking his eyes off the photos of Jared. “What does that mean, exactly?”
“He makes arrangements for guests staying at the hotel throughout the city and for guests coming to stay at the establishment.” Johnathan sat back slightly in his chair.
Jensen set the photo he was holding down reluctantly and pushed an envelope across the desk towards the man. “I'm going to need your services a while longer.”
He reached across and set the tips of his fingers on the envelope, but made no motion to move it closer to him. “Am I wrong in assuming this may turn out to be an indefinite thing?”
“Possibly.” Jensen smiled. “We'll see how things go. I want to you report back to me shortly after the baby is born.”
“Yes, sir.” Johnathan smiled and pocketed his payment. “Thank you. The photos are, of course, yours.”
“I know.” Jensen smiled. “I trust you can see yourself to the door?”
“Yes.” The man knew a dismissal when he heard it.
*
Jensen knew full well that Jared had never read the letter that he sent the man. Now that there was a child on the way, duty was starting to get the better of him. But flying over to Texas and asking Jared to marry him was out of the question. He knew he would have to find away to bring Jared here, to somehow make things right. He smoothed down the lapel of his jacket and walked into the dinning room, smiling faintly. “Evening, mum.”
Jensen's mother Alicia raised her head. “Evening.” She frowned. “What's wrong?”
He sat down in his old spot at her right, smiling weakly. “It's nothing I want to talk about right now.”
“All right.” She gave him a very stern look as the first course was set in front of them and she waited for the butler to leave the room. “I keep expecting your father to come in here and join us. I still can't....”
Jensen set his hand on his mother's arm. “I know. I miss him too.”
She sniffled slightly and then picked up her soup spoon. “Well, tomorrow the parliament goes back into session. You packed for your trip to Candara?”
“Almost mother.” Jensen kept his gaze on his soup bowl. “I'll only be gone for a day.”
“I know, but humor your mother.” She smiled over her wine glass. “Now that nice young man you met last summer... you said you met him in Candara, correct?”
To his credit, Jensen didn't drop his spoon. “Jared is an American, mum. He's from Texas, remember?”
“Oh yes...” She took another sip of wine. “I do think that once the year of mourning is over - it might be a good idea to invite him to visit. The way you have gone on and on about him - I know he must be something special.”
“He is.” Jensen turned his attention to his food. “I - we'll see.”
“Now you're starting to sound like your father. He always used that phrase. Drove me crazy a time or two.”
“You and me both.” Jensen was glad that his mother already liked Jared, without even meeting him. Now the question of how to break the news that he'd gotten the man pregnant and now felt not only bound by his heart but by duty to take care of him and their child - that was another matter altogether.
**
Jared had spent many nights staring at the drawer where he'd stuffed Jensen's letter, still not sure if he should open it up and read it. He was certain it was full of lies, or something. But what else did he have to lie about? Jensen had failed to mention he was the prince - but then again, Jared used to not mention his grandfather had been that Governor of Texas, the one who had more or less made the Texas-Mexico border look like a second Berlin Wall. The trouble with that sort of admission was that you never knew if the someone in question was going to kick your ass or shake your hand and ask if he could meet him.
Jared hated people who kissed ass for power.
And couldn't you say Jensen might feel the same way?
He crossed over to the drawer where he'd stashed the letter and yanked it open, reaching past an assortment of other cards and letters he kept meaning to sort through until he found the thick cream envelope with his name scrawled on the front. “I'll just read it and be done with this.” He pulled back the tab and pulled out another one of those heavy pieces of paper, much like the one he had gotten the first letter from Jensen on, only it wasn't ripped in half.
There, on the top of the paper was some sort of coat of arms embossed in dark green - under which ran a header of - His Royal Highness Prince Jensen Ross Ackles of Biryal.
Jared sat down on the bed, setting his hand on his stomach as he felt a small twinge under his hand that was staring to be come an almost steady kick against his palm, grimacing slightly. “Guess you didn't like the marinara sauce as much as I did.” He let out a breath. “Either that or it's made you hyper.”
He unfolded the rest of the letter and began to read.
Jared,
A family emergency has demanded that I return home to Milaso and I won't be able to see you here in Candara again during your vacation. I did not wish for us to be parted in this fashion, indeed, I would rather we not have to go our separate ways at all.
I love you - please, do not doubt that. I meant what I said, I want you to stay with me here in Biryal - and I had been planning on telling you the truth about me before we went to Milaso, but I didn't know quite how to begin - and now it is too late, as you most likely learned who I am from another source.
This does not change how I feel about you - I have never met anyone quite as wonderful as you, Jared and so I will just say the question that I had been hoping to ask in Milaso -
Will you marry me?
I understand if you don't - we have had quite the whirlwind relationship - but here we are. I love you and I want to marry you.
Jared lowered the letter, staring at the signature and a phone number written at the bottom with a note saying that he would answer the call - or any message left with him. Now he had gone from frustrated to confused. Jensen wanted to marry him. He bit his lip, his eyes focused on the number. It had been seven months since he got the letter and he'd not read it until now. If he had called in the mess of all the funeral and coronation and all that crap, would Jensen have felt the same?
He groaned faintly as he pulled himself up to his feet and began to pace across the room, still rubbing the area that was aching. “I do hope you're being troublesome now and are planning on being an angel when you're born.” He sighed, setting the letter on the bed. “So what do you think, baby girl? Should we call your daddy?” Jared was honestly considering doing it - just to hear his voice again. He thought about how they had met and how Jensen had sent a note offering to start over and pretend things were fresh. Well, they certainly couldn't start completely over. Not now. He picked up his cell phone and glanced at the clock. It was nearly three in the morning in Biryal. “You know what, I think it's time your other daddy started getting woken up on your account.” He pressed the numbers quickly and sat down on the bed, rubbing his stomach in slow circles as he heard it ring once. Rang twice - and then, right after the third ring...
“Edvard, if this is about my country kicking your county's ass in football yesterday, can you please save it for breakfast?” Jensen sounded very, very groggy.
“Jen?” Jared swallowed. “Jen, it's me.”
There was a rustling noise and then... “Jared?”
“Yeah.” He coughed. “I know it's late but uh...”
“No, no... it's fine.” There was a clicking noise. “My alarm was going to go off in about thirty minutes anyway.”
“Really?” Jared checked his clock again. “It's what, two-thirty?”
“About that.” There was a pause. “I'm sorry - I know, I know I should have told you about...”
“No, I sort of understand why you did it.” Jared leaned back against the headboard, wincing. “I just - I just wish you could have told me outright.”
“Well, my reason for not doing that is every other time I've done that, I never can tell if a person is being nice to me because of who I am or what I am.” Jensen coughed. “How are you?”
“I'm... I'm good. How's Cat?”
“Cat's fine. She's sleeping on the foot of my bed right now.” He let out a breath. “How's Sadie?”
“Sadie's good...I think she's sleeping in the laundry room at the moment. That's where I last saw her.”
“Not a bed dog then?”
“No. Have you ever smelled a dog's breath?” Jared replied, laughing. “Not something you want to encounter at two in the morning.”
Jensen let out a soft chuckle. “I - I'm glad you called.”
“Yeah. I... well, I finally read your letter.” He rested his hand against his stomach, feeling the steady kick under his palm and smiled. “I - I don't have an answer for you. Quite frankly, I don't think I should say yes to a letter.”
Jensen made a funny sound halfway between a cough and a sneeze. “I see. I did mean what I wrote, Jared. But I do understand - in my defense, I can only say time was not our friend at the end of June.”
“No.” Jared sighed. “I uh...” He had no idea how to tell Jensen he was pregnant. “Why are you getting up at three in the morning anyway?”
“I'm scheduled to go to Argentina. Granted, the flight isn't for hours, but if I get up early enough, I'll sleep most of the way there.” Jensen sighed. “Flying isn't my favorite thing in the world.”
“You won't have uh... work on the way over?”
“Not really. It's.... it's not like I have a ton of political power, Jared. I can't even vote in an election.”
“Seriously?” Jared knew he sounded incredulous.
“Yeah. But on the plus side though, I'll never have political hopefuls kissing my ass for an endorsement.” There was another rustling noise and then a soft thump.
“What was that?” Jared bit back a gasp as the baby gave a sharp kick.
“Book fell off the table when I ran into it. It's late, you should get some sleep.”
“I know. I just... well, I just wanted to hear your voice.” Jared rubbed his stomach. “I - well, I can't really accept your proposal, Jen. I mean, we hardly know each other and...”
“I understand Jay. That still doesn't change the way I feel about you.” It sounded like Jensen was pacing. “I wish there was a way for this to work, but...”
“Well, I'm not completely dismissing it.” Jared took a deep breath. “Maybe - maybe we could get to know each other a little better first. I mean - we did have a whirlwind relationship and all.”
“I can understand that.” Another thump. Jen had probably sat down. “You know... I think it's only about a seven hour flight from Beunos Aries to San Antonio... would you mind if I came up and saw you?”
Panic hit almost the same time at the idea of how wonderful it would be to see Jen again. “Uh... I don't... I guess it would be good. But don't you have to work, or...”
“I can take a few days, Jared. Most of my work is charity related - the only state obligation I have any time soon is next month when I have to show up at the Carnivale Ball. Which, in case your wondering, is about as dull as it sounds.”
“I don't know, it actually sounds like fun.” He took a deep breath. “Uh, Jen... if you're going to come up here... there's something I should tell you.”
“Don't tell me you got back together with that douche who dog-napped Sadie.”
Jared laughed. “Please. Jeff would kidnap and set me up with a deprogrammer if I even thought about doing that.” He rested his hand on his stomach, steeling himself up. “I - I'm pregnant.”
Silence.
“Jen?” He feared the man had hung up or they had lost the connection. “You there?”
“I'm here.” A breath. “I... I'm not sure what to say.”
“I guess it's kind of - shocking.” Jared swallowed. “Now, please don't start on a duty thing, because I don't want to hear it.”
“All right, I won't.” Jen didn't entirely sound like he meant that. He figured that was part of the man's upbringing.
“So - I just wanted you to know... so it's not a total surprise when you see me.” He smiled faintly. “You... you're not mad, are you?”
“No. No I'm not mad. Just still taking it in.” There was the sound of a door opening, a few rattling clinks and a muted 'thank you.' “Sorry about that.”
“Sure.” He covered a yawn. “I think I'm the one who needs rest now.” He really wasn't that tired, but the steady feeling in his gut was starting to become a little worrisome - the baby had never been this active at night before.
“I understand. You take care of yourself. Good night.”
“Good night - and I will.” Jared took a deep breath. “You'll give me a call when you get to Texas?”
“Are you kidding? I might have to call you tomorrow night considering we'll only be a time-zone apart instead of seven of them.” There was genuine feeling in Jensen's voice.
“Looking forward to it.” And he meant it. “Good night.”
“Good night.” Came the reply before the call ended.
Jared looked at his phone for a moment, frowning at the low battery signal. “I think I spend more time charging this than I do using it.” He got up from the bed, heading over to his desk where the charger plug was when he felt something that didn't feel like a kick or a stomach problem. “Oh no...” He painfully sat down, another sharp pain lacing through him. “Oh sweetie, don't do that...” He swallowed hard. “It's not March yet, it's only the middle of January...” Jared took a deep breath and got to his feet again. “Just - please stay put honey, I didn't mean it about you being trouble...”
There was a creak of hinges as Sadie nosed her way into the room, took one look at Jared and barked.
“I'm coming.” He got to his feet and took a few steps across the room. “I think we need some help, girl.” The dog barked again and then took off. “Now you try to be helpful.” Jared said with a gasp. “Five years of trying to teach you to fetch the paper and now you think you know what to do?” With the racket that dog was making, the whole of the Morgan household would be down here in a minute. The room seemed to sway around him and he lowered himself to the floor, hand pressed against his stomach. “I need you to stay put baby girl. Please...”
“Jared?” Misha's voice suddenly called. When had his friend gotten here? “Jay, where are you?” Sadie was barking and then the door creaked again.
Jared looked up, blinking. “Sorry the dog woke you up...”
“Oh for...” Misha came over and helped him to his feet and got him to sit back on the bed. “You are going to stay right there while I call for an ambulance.”
“I - it's too early.” Jared squeezed his eyes shut, trying to will himself into believing this was a bad dream.
“Just relax Jay.” The older man took a calming breath before he pulled out his cell phone. He'd only come down here to check on his friend and was suddenly very glad he'd not brushed off the notion that nothing could be wrong. “Everything is going to be just fine.”