҉ A PrinceSSly CoNNectioN ҉

Chapter's song: Nothing without you by Ollie Murs

ChaPtEr TWENTY-THREE _________________________

Hope...

The house was quiet when I came back from my exhausting visit on the hospital. I'd also stopped on the mall and I might have taken most day picking clothes and a few books for Tom's children. I needed the distraction. He'd been quite shy but grateful. That had been the highlight of my day. Other than that, I couldn't but feel bad about the way I spoke to a ninety-year old woman sitting on the hospital. Not to forget the heavy sadness that I seem to be carrying everywhere.

The table was set on the best china. My fingers traced the delicate embroidered tablecloth that Mom had set. I was excited to see Uncle Hugh. Still, it wasn't enough.

I felt empty.

As if a part of me had been ripped away. All I wanted to do was cuddle on my bed and ty to sleep to see Jason's grey eyes one more time.

"Everyone went to the airport to greet Hugh. I thought you'd left with them, too." Dad's dark voice made me skip a beat. His brown eyes were loving and caring as they set on me.

Clutching my racing heart, I shook my head. "I went to the mall to get a few presents for Tom's new baby and his daughter."

"That's nice," he smiled. "So, how are you feeling?"

I looked at him. Had Mom said anything to him? He did look suspiciously aware that I might or not be somewhat depressed. Awesome, Mom. "I'm tired. Still struggling with the time change and all that."

He nodded, "Did you went to visit your great-grandmother?" I grimaced. He raised an eyebrow as he asked, "that bad, huh?"

I took a deep breath. "Well, let's just say that I'm not her favorite person at the moment. And she'll probably disinherit me given the chance."

Dad chuckled, "The worst part is that she might be running out of heirs."

A small smile drew on my face. "I do feel guilty for the harsh comebacks I gave to her. I mean," I sighed, "she's sick and well...old." My shoulders slumped, "but she was talking nonsense about Mom and Ashley and she would probably start talking about me or you if I'd given her time."

He nodded understandingly. If it was hard for me I could imagine that it might be harder for him. He patted me on the back. "If that's how you feel, you should apologize to her." I grimaced again. "Eventually." He smiled mischievously, "let her sweat a little for a few days." He looked away, "she deserves it."

"I'm sorry Dad, it must be hard for you."

He shrugged. "Like you said, she's old and age has made her more stubborn and downright mean. But she's still my grandmother..." he trailed annoyed.

I was sure that Mom was talking to him to try to be patient with her. If only Grandma Isobel knew. She gave no credit to Mom.

"I'm really tired," I said rubbing the back of my neck. It did hurt. "I'm going to go lay down for a while. Could you let me know when they arrive?"

Dad's eyes looked apprehensive. "Sure." Nodding, I took a step towards the stairs when he added, "Marianne. If there's anything I can do to help you out, just let me know, ok?" He looked worried. In that your-mother-told-me-all-about-it-and-it-sucks way.

A shaky smile played on my lips as I swallowed hard. "Thank you."

"I mean it."

"I know, Dad." My eyes were tearing up. I practically ran upstairs to my room but I could see the sad and concern glint that flickered on my father's eyes as I turned away.

Cuddled on my coziest blanket, I laid in bed trying really hard not to cry and pathetically beating myself over everything that had happened over the last two days.

Was Jason thinking about me too?

I tried not to dwell on that thought because a part of me bitterly felt that he was probably enwrapped in his girlfriend's arms. That made me feel worse.

Ashley's yells brought me back from a restless sleep. I rubbed my eyes as she barged in utter excitement, "Uncle Hugh is here! Uncle Hugh is here!"

Rubbing my eyes, I glared at her. "I'll be right down."

She eyed me warily for a moment before shrugging, "Don't take long!"

Stretching my arms, I got up and reapplied concealer and blush before walking downstairs. As I strolled down, the sound of laughter reached me. I smiled. Uncle Hugh was the best.

As soon as I walked through the threshold, strong arms encased me. It was hard to breath. I patted him awkwardly as Uncle Hugh exclaimed how much he'd miss everyone.

"You're suffocating my daughter, Hugh," Mom's stern voice made him let go of me.

"Sorry," he beamed at me. He looked great. It had been almost a year since we'd seen each other. I had to say that aging suited him well. He'd always been good looking but the few grey hairs above his ears gave him a sort of sexy mature man look.

A natural, easy smile played in my lips. "It's great to see you!" I said sincerely. No matter what, Uncle Hugh always radiated happiness and joy.

"Alright!" Mom's grin faltered as she added, "let's go eat dinner..." she trailed obviously dreading whatever dinner meant.

Turned out that it was great. She'd asked the chef to serve everyone the same dish as Uncle Hugh. And even as Dad stared blankly at his food for a good minute, the food tasted good. We had a carrot-ginger soup, Portobello mushroom steaks with steamed asparagus and a chocolate fudge cake that was amazing. And to be honest I needed to eat healthier. My jeans felt tight.

Uncle Hugh entertained us all dinner with funny stories about Chris and him. He talked about managing the vegan restaurant and different anecdotes of their new living style in Madrid. He invited us for Christmas there and by the end of the night I heard Dad agreeing to it.

Since we took forever to finish dinner, the Chef took off before cleaning the dessert plates. I volunteered for the task. Going back to my room for another session of self-pity was out of the question. Ashley gladly agreed to me cleaning up the kitchen before running away to her room.

As I finished washing the last plate, Uncle Hugh walked in to make some company. "So, how are you doing Marianne, your Mom told me about the little escapade you had over the summer..."

Great. Just how much had Mom told him?

"It was ok." Even to my ears you could hear how ok couldn't start to cover it.

"Huh," he sounded as incredulously as I felt. "What part was ok, though? The one where you had amazingly hot-wild sex all night or the part where you fell madly in love with a hot-stud?"

I flushed embarrassed. Spluttering and wide-eyed, I feigned innocence, "w-what did she tell you exactly?"

Uncle Hugh was now leaned against the kitchen counter staring intently at his perfectly manicured nails. "She did say how incredible handsome this navy guy was."

My eyes turned towards the kitchen door completely shocked. "Did she actually told you that I had wild sex all night?" Oh God, had she told Dad?!

He burst out laughing, "No honey, I figured that part myself," he patted my shoulder, "don't sweat it."

I exhaled relieved, "You just scared the shit out of me."

"It was that good, huh?" he raised an eyebrow smirking slightly.

Returning to my almost forgotten plate on the sink, I rinsed it before placing it on the dish rack. "It doesn't matter now."

"Tsk," he shook his head, "you're too young to sound so bitter, Marianne."

I stared at the distance for a moment. Was I? Bitter, I meant.

Would I turn out to be as bitter as my great-grandmother?

"What did she tell you?"

He smiled lopsidedly. "Just that you fell in love with the most handsome navy officer. And that you were depressed as hell."

"Do you know who else she told?"

He chucked, "probably Kate. Definitely Scott."

"Awesome." Now everyone knew how stupid and heartbroken I feel. "She should just announce it on the Mirror, then."

"Don't be like that," his voice was stern and quite fatherly-like. "She's worried about you, you know?"

Sighing, I finished drying the plate and leaned against the sink next to him. Rolling my eyes, I muttered annoyed, "I know."

"So, is he as charming and handsome as your mother pictured him for?" his hazel eyes glinted mischievously and curiously at the same time as he leaned on to me.

A dreamily smile played in my lips. "Not a chance. I think he's perfect." Perfect for me.

If only...

A heavy knot formed in my throat as my eyes teared up. "Hey," Uncle Hugh shoved me playfully, "why is he not here, then?"

"Didn't Mom tell you? He's got a girlfriend."

He raised an eyebrow. "So?" I blinked at him. What the hell was that supposed to mean? I was about to state the obvious and tell him he had other commitments when his hand grabbed mine. "Nothing is scribbled on stone, dear. If he made you feel like you were in heaven, I'm pretty sure that's how he felt too."

"But you know how Mom felt when-"

He snorted, "She was better off! She just didn't knew it at the time."

My eyes were glued to the floor as my right foot traced the light ceramic pattern. "Still..."

Uncle Hugh squeezed my hand making me look at him. His eyes shone confidently as he added, "People can make mistakes. Sometimes you're stuck with the wrong person and you don't realize it until you meet the right one. It takes bravery to see and act on what feels right. Because at the end of the day, honey, you have to do whatever feels right in your heart."

My heart clenched at his words. "I don't see him knocking on the door looking for me," I mumbled sadly.

"What are you waiting for? Haven't you realized that in all the latest Disney movies the princesses are the heroes?"

A ray of hope formed in my heart.

Could he be right?

Would I make a fool of myself believing this?

He let go of my hand and playfully knocked his hip against mine. "What have you got to lose? At least you'll know that you were brave and gave it a go," he added shrugging and crossing his arms.

"Is the mighty all wise Hugh giving my daughter love advise?" Mom raised an eyebrow with a knowing smile as she entered the kitchen.

Uncle Hugh chuckled, "I can't help it if drama runs in the family, Em!"

She rolled her eyes. "So are you going up to share your wisdom with my youngest daughter, too?" she asked sarcastically.

He nodded. "Hell yeah! That girl needs to hear my advice!" He pulled away as Mom burst out laughing, "She is dating a bloody rock star." He turned to Mom, "How come neither you nor your daughters can date someone normal like all the other girls out there?"

Mom snorted. "It runs in the family, Hugh."

He shook his head and walked out of the kitchen muttering that our life was more complicated than a freaking soap opera. Mom was still laughing at him.

When she sobered up, I placed both hands in my hips and asked, "Mom, is there anyone out there that you haven't shared all my heart issues with?"

She smiled sheepishly before passing an arm across my shoulders, "you know I love you, hon."

I rolled my eyes and huffed somewhat disgruntled.

Uncle Hugh had opened up a door for my heart, though. After everyone went to sleep, I hung around the hall towards my father's office. I knew he was the only one up since the room's light seeped through the door.

Swallowing hard, I knocked once.

"Come in." He looked up from the papers he was reading and grinned at me. "Can't sleep?" Shyly, I shook my head biting my lip. Dad left the papers on the desk frowning. "Is anything bothering you?"

I took a deep breath. "Actually, yes."

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I wish I could somehow help you..." he trailed discouraged.

My heart started to race as I heard myself saying, "You can." His eyes lit up as I hesitantly added, "Could you help me get someone's address?"

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Do not worry girls! Jason will appear soon :) (Not saying that he will appear on next chapter, though. Maybe. Maybe not. HEHEHE).

I was a bit worried for bringing back Hugh. All the excitement you showed felt awesome but I did not want to dissapoint you all :)

Next update will be on Take out chef. So I guess this is it for the week. Have an awesome rest of the week and if you haven't checked it out, read Take out chef. I'm taking forever to update it, but it's worth it. It's funny!

Also, I don't know why I can't seem to paste the video's link. Sorry for that. I'll manage eventually...

Love you all!

Gabs