He’d arranged for Agnes and Baby Bird to receive Lt. Mitchell “Bird” O’Connell’s death benefits and set up an education fund for the five-year-old, as well as for the children of the other men who died that day.
Even Asif’s.
One weekend a month he ferried down to Hessenberg to spend a night and day with Archbishop Caldwell, learning what he should’ve learned in Sunday school catechism but had not.
His heart nearly brimmed with the growing reality of a loving King as his Savior.
When he’d injured his ankle on the pitch that spring day seven months ago, he’d have never believed what kind of life awaited him. He was unworthy. On his own. Jesus made him worthy and that was a sacrifice he could accept.
Stephen pressed his hand to his chest, to the swirling rise of emotions.
God, I praise you.
In the past three months he’d made an open book of his life, confessing to the press about his secret marriage, annulment, and now re-engagement. If that was a word. How he’d gone dark after events in Afghanistan and how God had wooed his wounded heart to him through the love of Corina.
At one time, Stephen clung to rugby and life on the pitch as his only salvation, afraid to wander away lest he crumble. What he counted as freedom was his prison.
But now that he knew true salvation, and true freedom, his possibilities were endless. He was free to be Prince Stephen again. And since their engagement, he’d been sleeping like a baby. The night terrors had ended. Such a good, good God.
The stage manager passed by. “Sixty seconds.”
The show crew quickly changed the set from bright lights with tall director’s chairs to a living room aura with plush cream-colored love seats facing one another and a faux fireplace.
Stephen squeezed Corina’s hand. “Ready?”
“Ready.”
Madeline and Hyacinth took their positions, standing before the cameras as they came out of the commercial break.
“Madeline, we’ve had some amazing shows this year,” Hyacinth said, starting things off. “But this afternoon we have probably one of the best shows we’ve ever done, or will do.”
“I’m so excited about our next guests,” Madeline said, reading the cue card. “We surprised you with him before, so we’re surprising you withhimagain, along with his fabulous fiancée. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the Prince of Brighton, Prince Stephen, and his fiancée, Corina Del Rey.”
Stephen led Corina into the wall of applause, their strides together and even. The former beauty queen was perfect for him. The limelight neither frightened nor fascinated her.
After a round of cordial hugs with the show’s hostesses, Stephen and Corina sat together on one couch, Madeline and Hyacinth on the other. As if friends sharing tea.
“Let me start off by saying congratulations,” Madeline said. “We are so grateful to have you on the show.”
“We’re pleased to be here,” Stephen said with a glance at Corina, who glowed.
“We have a lot to talk about, but first things first. Corina, we’ve heard a lot about your Diamatia gown these past few months, but nothing on your wedding dress.” Hyacinth wrinkled her nose at the future princess. “Can you tell us anything? Just a hint.”
Corina’s laugh was classic and musical. “I can tell you it’s being designed by Melinda House. I really love her work, and she’s been a big support to me during this season.”
“Well, we cannot wait to see it.” Hyacinth smiled like Corina’s answer was enough, but Stephen knew she ached for more.
“We hear estimates of five hundred million viewers around the world for the wedding,” Madeline said. “Corina, do you think of that at all?”
“So far, I’m in the throes of planning a wedding like every other normal engaged woman.” She peeked at Stephen and he loved her confidence. “I’m not focused on the watching world.”
Indeed, she was going to make a lovely royal.
Madeline and Hyacinth prattled on with more wedding questions and observations, announcing again to the viewing audience that the big day would be held at Cathedral of David, October 19 at noon, with an afternoon reception at the palace and a private one that evening.
“Why the Braithwaite for your private reception?”
Corina fielded that one. “The Braithwaite has a history and meaning with us, so we wanted to go back to that place to celebrate where we are now and the start of our lives together.”
