***Please be advised of mature content in this chapter***
Hana looked to her best friend “Um of course, you know we would love to have you!” and as she smiled to Jade and walked her inside shutting the door right behind them they all conjoined in a circle on the floor as Hana got back up and started to get drinks “I want a sex on the beach” and as Jade looked to Drake who was sitting just to her left her face blushed as she remembered that night that they had on the beach not too long ago. “Drake what would you like, or should I even ask” and as Hana laughed Drake did too “You already know Hana” and before he could say anymore she handed Maxwell his and then Drake his “Jade what would you like?” she asked started to smile “Oh give me a whiskey” and as she smiled to Hana, Hana gave a wink as she fetched Jade’s whiskey and then her own of a sex on the beach to match Maxwell. “Alright so since it’s the Beaumont house, Maxwell you should be able to ask first” and as he smiled and started to look around to the others he looked right to Jade “Alright fellow Beaumont…Truth or Dare?” he asked giving a little smirk. Jade looked to Hana who giggled and then to Drake who just shook his head taking a swig of his drink “Dare” and as she looked back to Maxwell he explained that she had to call Madeleine and act like Trend Magazine, and without hesitation Jade accepted and dialed Madeleines room. She did pick up and Jade followed through perfectly finding out things about Penelope and Kiara from Madeleine herself. Jade couldn’t hold the laughter back as she hung up the phone “She really doesn’t like anyone does she?” she laughed as she took a swig of her whiskey. Drake laughed “Could Madeleine even have a caring bone in her body, I mean she is like the Devil wears Prada, she has to be perfect at everything” and as he looked to the others and then to Jade he smiled to her “She doesn’t have the heart like some I know” and as he gave her a little wink Jade could feel her cheeks get a little warm.
As Jade was looking to Drake her thoughts were interrupted when Maxwell asked her who she was going to ask and her eyes immediately landed on Hana “Alright miss Hana…Truth or Dare” and as Hana looked a little nervous she said “Truth” and as Jade seemed to debate what question to ask she felt Drake’s hand touch hers lightly as she smiled “Tell us about your first kiss” and as she looked to Hana, Hana looked back and her cheeks instantly became red. “Jade really you want to know how big of a disaster it was, well needless to say it was with my ex fiancé. We had never met before that moment when my parents thought that it would be a good idea to do engagement photos. Needless to say it was a nightmare. They wanted us to do a kissing one and when I leaned in he did to but then the photographer said something and I turned my head and he ended up puncturing his lip on my diamond earing” and as Hana hid her face Drake and Jade sat there with their jaw open in shock and Maxwell started to laugh as he grabbed his side from laughing so hard “Serves the bastard right he didn’t deserve you anyways” and as Jade looked to Drake hearing what he said even Hana looked over shocked and that is when Jade got an idea to push them even more together. Although she knew that they were already, basically together she knew that every moment was something that they should have and as she looked to Hana she suggested “Well I mean I know that you have had kisses since then, but why not share one with Maxwell or Drake, you know just for an add to the story that you got your good kiss after exposing your bad memory” and as she looked to Hana, Maxwell immediately pulled Hana into his lap facing him and leaned in kissing her. The kiss lasted and lasted until they both broke away breathless. “So how long have you too been kissing now,” Jade laughed as she already knew it has been for some time now. Hana looked to her blushing “Well you know that we wouldn’t have found each other if it wasn’t for you Jade” and as she looked to her and smiled she started to turn in Maxwell’s lap “Jade what was your best kiss” and as Jade looked to Hana she said “I thought that this was Truth or Dare” and as she chuckled taking a drink as Hana responded “Hey my room, my rules, spill” and as she looked to Jade she could see the red on Jade’s cheeks a little bit.
Jade sat there thinking for a moment and as she smiled she couldn’t help but blush too as one kiss in particular came to mind. “Well I would have to say, my best kiss was back in New York. You see there was a guy that I had met and when we started talking I had no idea that it was going to be the way that it ended. That night after we had talked for hours and hours, he walked with me to relax for a little bit and right before he took me home we shared a passionate kiss. You know the kind that you feel from your head to your toes, the one where love starts, even if you don’t know it right away. The kiss was everything in my mind and heart for days to come. His lips were so soft and they were so passionate with mine that I just melted into his lips. The kiss made my knees weak and made me want to hold onto him forever. That kiss will forever live in my memory, and it will not go away anytime soon” and as she looked to them and then to Drake, Drake could see it in her eyes and he knew that she was talking about their first kiss in New York. Although she kept out a lot of detail and even changed a few things he knew that it was the one between them. “Sounds like he was a lucky man Morgan” and as she looked to him she smiled “Or maybe I was the lucky one” and as she smiled she started to look down to her lap trying to hide the obvious blush on her cheeks.
As they all sat there in quiet for a moment Maxwell then popped up “Alright we have to spice this up a little bit…how about a dare Drake?” and as Drake looked to him he knew that he wouldn’t let up until he said yes, so Drake just nodded his head “What do you got for me Maxwell?” he asked starting to stroke Jade’s hand a little bit kind of hoping it was going to be a dare to kiss knowing that he has been itching to kiss Jade all night. Maxwell started to run his hands together and chuckle a little bit as he stated “I dare you to run through the ballroom in just your boxer briefs” and as he looked to Drake, Drake immediately shook his head “No way, I am not drunk enough for that” and as Jade looked to him she felt like she could get him to do it knowing that she wouldn’t mind the view one bit “I will do it with you” and as he took a swig of his Whiskey coughed out a little bit hearing that Jade said that she would join him “You…you don’t have to do that. It’s my dare after all” and as he started to stand he started to head to the door looking back to all of them getting up and they all started to head down to the ballroom. Once down there Drake stripped down and even though he told her not too Jade did the same thing, and she looked to Hana “Come on goody good, strip it down” and as she laughed a little bit Hana looked to her in shock but instead of fighting it to be proper this one time she stripped down too. Once the girls were out of their dresses and Drake out of his clothing they all stood there, Maxwell as a lookout told them to “GO!” and they all took off down through the ballroom running around and laughing. After a few laps they all headed back to Maxwell and though as they did that didn’t stop Drake as he wrapped his arms around Jade and spun her in his arms. She laughed out loud and both Maxwell and Hana smiled as they could see that there was something there, though both knowing inside they could already tell for a while now, especially since Jade had opened up to both of them about how she was feeling “Look at them, I don’t think I have seen them smile so big when they are not like that together” Maxwell whispered as he helped Hana back into her dress and soon Drake and Jade joined them.
As they headed back to the room, Hana and Maxwell slid into the room but before Jade could, Drake’s arms were around her waist and pulling her back to him and as he got her closer to him and turned her to have her back against the wall he pins her there “Best kiss huh” and as he leans in just centimeters from her lips, she gasps feeling his body that close to hers and feels her body shiver in response to his. “Drake all of the kisses from you are the best kisses that I have ever had” and as she looks to him and then to his lips she knows how bad she wants to kiss him again as she thinks about their past kisses. As he leans in a little bit more she can smell the whiskey on his breath “You have no idea just how bad I want to take you to my room and have my way with you. Just like that night that I made you explode with pleasure even with your clothes on” and as he pressed to her more pinning her even more against the wall he reached his hands down grabbing the back of her thighs and started to settle between her legs pressing right to her core. “Mmm Drake” she moaned out knowing that she wants him too but knowing that she can’t just yet but that didn’t stop her from touching him and wishing as her hands ran up and into his hair as he finally kissed her.
The passion of fire just shooting through him as he held her there and her mind started to race as her hands traveled up and down his back as she pulled at his shirt “I wish you could take me to your room but don’t you think…” though just as she went to continue and she held to him with her legs, they heard a loud bang coming from the room and they parted rather quickly. Knowing that as much as they both wanted each other they couldn’t let anyone else know that until she was for sure ready to choose. Though as they waited to see Maxwell or Hana walk out of the room they never did but instead Drake started to open the door a little bit and as they both walked in they came face to face with Hana and Maxwell on her bed. He was shirtless and kissing her like there was no tomorrow, and as Jade got red in the face she turned and started to giggle as Drake shut the door again “Well at least they get to enjoy it” and as she looked to him he started to smile to her “Come with me tonight…”she said and as he started to pull her closer to him he started to lean in kissing her neck and then to her collar bone “You have no idea how long I have wanted you to say that” and as he started to lean in to kiss her again his phone went off. Though at first he ignored it but they called again and it turned out to be Bastien calling for Drake to talk to him about the things leading up to coronation knowing that Drake was going to help watch over things at the event. “Yeah I will be right there” and as he looked to his phone he said “Leave it to Bastien to want to talk at 1 AM” and as he started to look at her he said “This is not over” and as he leaned in he pressed his lips to her before walking away.
Jade stood there for a moment and as she looked down the hall after Drake seeing him head down to meet Bastien she started to walk the halls a little bit and soon she came to another light on and as she started to enter she found the spa bathroom to have its light on. She poked her head in and looked around starting to see that no one was there and as she started to stand there just a little bit more she then felt arms around her waist and as she turned her head she found Liam standing there behind her. “Well hello there” and as she started to turn in his arms to look at him she found herself smiling. Being with him was much more of a relief than it was to face him with his parents around and as he leaned in kissing the top of her head she smiled a little bit more “I am glad to see that you made it, I had almost headed to bed but thought that I would check here one more time” Liam stated as he started to bring her closer to him. “Well I am glad that I was able to come over too” and as she looked to him he leaned in kissing her tenderly starting to feel his heart starting to race and hers did as well. Though she still didn’t feel that spark she knew that it could be because of the nerves of the events earlier that evening and she knew that she was going to make the best of it. She started to run her hands up his chest over his dress shirt and into his blazer starting to push it up and off his shoulders letting it fall to the ground and soon her hands were busy unbuttoning his shirt as her lips connected with his. He was a good kisser she did know that and he was very attractive especially when he moaned against her lips and wrapped his strong arms around her as her arms went around his neck to bring him in closer “I see that someone seems to be a little over dressed” he joked with her as he started to reach down to the bottom hem of her dress and starting to bring it up over her head leaving her in her underwear he looked over her and smiled “Perfect” and as he leaned in kissing her again her hands started to run up and down his chest feeling the way that his abs seemed to be etched from stone.
As Liam got her dress off her completely and started to bring her back to his arms he started to walk her towards the hot tub that was in the corner of the spa room though his lips never left hers as he started to smile against her lips. Once to the hot tub he helped her in gently and the moment that he was in he slid her over to him and started to turn her a little bit bringing her legs over his lap starting to run his hand up and down her legs massaging a little bit as he went. “How are you doing? I know earlier you weren’t feeling to well, I hope that things have calmed down a little bit” and as he started to look at her she could see the concern in his eyes and as she looked to him she answered “Yeah I am fine now it was just a little bit of dizzy spell again and just kind of a lot going on that I just let it all build up and just needed a moment” and as she looked to him she wanted him to know she meant it as she leaned in and kissed his cheek starting to lean in and rest her head on his shoulder as she sat there with him.
“I know that the coronation has been looming on your mind and I want you to know that everything is going to be alright. I know that it can be crazy and this right here is the calm before the storm but I know that we can pull through this. The preparations are getting me to feel exhausted too so I can only imagine how you and the other ladies are coping. Though right now I only care about the one in my arms” and as he said that he started to run his hand again massaging up and down her calf gently. As he tended to her tight calf muscles she let out a little moan knowing that it felt so good to be taken care of like that. “I think that it’s my turn” and as she smiled to him she started to get up and be behind him a little bit starting to sit on the ledge and with her being so short it didn’t really make a difference at all in how she was able to start to massage his shoulders. “You know that they say that a good massager is like a good lover, always willing to give when the other needs to relax” and as she heard him say that she started to feel her heart starting to beat faster and faster in his chest. “I..I did not know that” and as she started to massage a little bit more she started to run her hands up and down his back as he talked about how he was feeling a little bit more. Though her mind did travel to and from Drake she didn’t really let those thoughts consume her as she knew she wanted to be fair.
Though as she continued to massage his shoulders, she felt it relaxing that she was able to soothe him a little bit, knowing that it’s been mainly him, that’s been helping her when they get time together. After a few more moments Liam started to get out of the hot tub and getting a towel around his waist, and then helping her get out and getting her a towel as well. He walked her over to the massage table and helped her get onto it having her lay face down. He slowly removed the towel that was around her leaving her in her bra and panties as he started down by her feet, starting to massage up her legs taking time to massage them pretty firmly but still so gentle. Once he got to her thighs she let out a low moan as her eyes closed in pure bliss of his hands massaging her skin. He reached her sides and she laughed a little bit feeling the tickle from his fingertips but then as she started to relax again that is when she felt them, his soft lips on her back starting to kiss up and down her spine slowly and teasingly. She could feel his breath on her back and it caused a shiver up and down her spine. Feeling the way that his lips were causing her all sorts of feelings she bit her lip as she let out another small moan. Before he could continue with the massage Jade found herself sitting up and perching on her side a little bit to face him more as she brought her hand around his neck and pulled him into a deep passionate kiss. His arms immediately went around her to hold her closer to him and as he kissed her he could taste whiskey on her lips but he didn’t pay much attention to it as he was wrapped up in her arms and her kisses.
His lips started to travel down her neck as he started to use his strength to turn her completely to be facing him and as he got to her neck he playfully nibbled there a little bit. “I have been holding back all day” and as he looked to her eyes searching for an answer she nodded her head a little bit as he started to move her a little bit more to where he was sitting on the table now and she was straddling his lap facing him feeling the way that he was growing beneath her she couldn’t help but respond pressing her hips to his lap as he moaned to her ear as he then leaned in kissing her deeply. She arched to his touch and his kisses feeling a flame that was igniting for him deep inside her belly feeling it shooting bursts here and there with each touch that he placed on her body. She started to rotate her hips onto his as he claimed her lips over and over again his hands traveling to her backside bringing her closer to him and she could feel just how turned on he was. Though as soon as it all started it stopped just as suddenly as Liam broke the kiss though his breathing was still heavy and staggered a little bit “Are…are you alright, did I…I do something wrong” she asked starting to feel her head spinning a little bit more and her body shying away a little bit as she started to reach over for the towel to cover herself. Feeling her heart racing a little bit she looked to him and right there in that look as he said “We shouldn’t do this Jade” and for a moment her heart seemed to stop as she thought for a moment that he might know about her and Drake but as a smile crept to his lips and he brought the towel around her more leaning in and kissing her forehead he said “If I am lucky enough to ever have a first time with you, I want it to be special. Not filled with questions, logistics, hidden, and other women and a press to worry about. I would want it to just be you and me, nothing more. When that time comes and we decide to take it to the next step I want it to be in a bed and I want to please you over and over again and not have to think of it as an in and out night. I would want to take my time with you, and to just have you in my arms all night, not just holding you here on a massage bed” and as he smirked a little bit he continued “As bad as I do want you right now I am not going to let it happen. Not yet” and as he leaned in he kissed her again gently “Please don’t be upset with me” and as he leaned in kissing the nape of her neck she brought her hand up to the back of his neck holding him there “I could never be upset with you Liam” and as he looked back to her she leaned in kissing him to show him that she wasn’t upset.
As the time passed, they both just sat there holding each other she didn’t want the night to end but she knew that he would have to get going soon. He could tell it too so he got her off the table and started to help her get her dress back on now that she was dry and then got dressed himself. He then lifted her into his arms and started to carry her back to her room as her head rested on his shoulder. She was so relaxed that she was actually dozing off as he walked her back and once to the door he was able to get the door open still holding her and as the door opened he did a quick scan with her in his arms to make sure that no one was in there. He walked her to the bed and started to lay her down leaning in and kissing her forehead. Though as he started to turn she reached up and took his hand “Lay with me just until I fall back to sleep” and as she looked to him she could see even in the dim light that he was smiling “Of course I will for a little bit” and as he started to get his coat jacket off and started to get in the bed with her he immediately pulled her right to him as soon as he was comfortable. “Thank you Liam for tonight” and as she looked to him she started to close her eyes “You’re welcome Jade, get some sleep, these next days are going to be a blur” and soon he looked down to his shoulder where her head was resting and she was already asleep. He watched her for a few moments just seeing how sound she looked and how deeply at peace she looked to be. “Don’t worry Jade, it’s almost over” and as he leaned in pressing his kiss to her forehead he smiled knowing that soon it would be done and over with and soon they could be together, for real. After about another hour or so Liam got up from the bed and got her covered up again and as he walked out of the room he made sure that it was completely locked before walking from her room. On the way to his room he couldn’t stop thinking about the moments that he has had with her and that he has known for a while now about how he wanted to pick her. He walked to his room and upon getting to his bed he found it hard to sleep but soon drifted off as well dreading about what was going to be coming soon.
After sleeping through the night and not really moving an inch at all Jade woke up and stretched as she looked to the clock that read 11:45 AM. “Shit they are going to kill me” and as she started to get up she felt a piece of paper fall onto her hand from next to her and as she sat to read it she couldn’t help but smile. ‘Jade – I am so glad that we got some time together before the storm comes crashing in. Having that time with you just made me realize even more just how ready I am for this social season to be done and over with. I hope that you have a great day today and I can’t wait to see you again. – Liam’ and as she read the last line she smiled knowing that maybe today was going to be a good day after all. As she got up and got dressed she headed out to the ballroom hearing Maxwell and Bertrand talking and when she entered the room both looked up to her “Morning Jade! Sorry I didn’t wake you up this morning I figured you were still tired after last night” Maxwell said walking over to her “Yeah you could say that I was, you all want any help cleaning up at all?” she asked starting to walk over to the garbage that was started “No, no that won’t be necessary Lady Jade why don’t you take some time and just relax a little bit” Bertrand said starting to smile “These next few days are going to be rather exhausting and it’s all leading up to your moment” and as he said this she started to feel her mind wonder a little bit feeling more nervous. “Alright I will just head out to the patio and relax” and as she started to turn she headed right to the kitchen and made herself a cup of tea but splashing a little bit of whiskey in it knowing that she needed something right now to take her nerves down.
As she started to head out to the patio she stepped out and almost right into Drake and she jumped a little bit almost dropping her tea “Well morning Morgan” and as he started to smile to her she looked at him, he was outside in just his beater and his jeans “Morning to you too. What are you doing out here I thought you would have been gone by now” and as she started to head to the chairs to sit down she decided to go over to the railing to look out over the back fields of the Beaumont Estate. “No not yet I asked them if they would need some help starting to clean up and they told me that they didn’t so I just decided to wait a little bit” and as he looked to her he started to see that she didn’t seem to be too happy about something “So are you getting ready for that coronation? Are you ready to be queen?” and as he looked to her from the side he could see a tear starting to fall from her eyes “You already know that answer, you know that I don’t know what I want. You know that I fear what is going to happen, but I can’t just walk away not when I know that there are feelings there. But I just…I can’t walk away from you either...you know that I can’t” and as she started to look at him the tears started to come down and right as he saw the tears he brought her into his arms and started to hold her close trying to comfort her. “Morgan, you need to do what your heart tells you. If it’s me, then tell me, if it’s Liam tell me too” and as he started to look at her he knew that she was so confused and she didn’t want to hurt anyone but he knew that she had to make a choice soon and that soon it could be the very end of what they have. “Jade there is something that I…” and as he went to continue they heard Maxwell and Bertrand yell out that they were ready to head out.
Jade looked to Drake “You flying with us” and as she looked to him the tears still staining her cheeks he reached up and started to wipe at her eyes “Yeah I will be flying out with you, Maxwell and Bertrand” and as she nodded she knew that this was it that they would soon be heading to the coronation and that soon this was all going to be over “I don’t know if I can do this Drake” and as she looked at him she asked “If we get to the coronation and I find that I can’t do this you will take me away from here, just like you promised?” and as she looked to him he nodded “Of course sweetie I will but you have to be fair and realize what you really want before I will. It will suck losing you for some time but I know that we would find each other again” and as he smiled to her he started to lean in kissing the corner of her lips tenderly as he then turned her back to head in to get her things.
Once on the plane it was soon enough that Bertrand and Maxwell were dozing off and as Jade sat there she looked over and saw Drake sitting alone and as she looked to make sure that Maxwell and Bertrand were for sure not able to question her she headed back to where Drake was sitting “Hey…can we talk?” and as she looked to him he nodded “Of course” and as he started to pat the seat next to him she said “Not out here…back there” and as she pointed back to the kitchen area on the plane towards the back she didn’t even wait for him as she headed back there. As she waited to see if he actually followed she was pacing a little bit thinking about the way that she knew that this could be the last moment that she could possibly get with Drake before everything came crashing down. “Hey you alright?” and as he started to walk to her she turned right to him and without even saying a word she leaned up on her tip toes pressing her lips to his in a deep, wanting, solid kiss as her arms went up and around his neck it didn’t take him long to bring his arms around her waist holding her to him as he kissed her back immediately though after a moment Drake broke away “What…what was that for” and as she looked at him she started to feel the tears wanting to fall “I…I just wanted to kiss you one more time because I don’t know if we will get another moment alone” and as she looked to him and then put her head right to his chest he held her there for a moment “ Listen to me Morgan, you are not going to lose me I don’t know how I can show you that. But if you choose Liam you are still going to have me, I let you go once before it’s not going to happen again. Even if you decide to leave here, I know that we would find each other again” he said starting to lean in and resting his forehead to hers gently. “I just know that I may not make my decision until last minute and I just couldn’t pass this chance up to get another moment with you” she said looking up to him right in the eyes as he leaned down kissing her again tenderly and deeply pressing her body against the little counter that was back there. After a moment of kissing he started to lift her up onto the counter settling between her legs as she immediately wrapped her legs around his waist holding him there. His kisses made her body shiver and ignited that flame that she knew only he could ignite. Even though last night with Liam was amazing she knew that Drake brought her out of her shell more than anyone she ever knew.
As her hands traveled up his back and then down his chest she started to run her hands up his shirt running over his perfect abs as their kisses grew deeper and more wanting was being felt on both ends “God Drake I can’t get enough of you” and as she leaned in kissing him again he started to lean in kissing and sucking at her neck a little bit staring to rest his hands on her thighs starting to run them up her hips and then up under her shirt. The skin contact from him drove her insane as she dug her nails into his lower back pulling him more to her. He leaned in resting his forehead to hers “You can’t leave, I don’t care who you choose, but you can’t leave. I don’t know what I would do if I could never hold you again or if I could never kiss you again, I wouldn’t be…” and as he went to continue they heard Bertrand starting to wake up and as they quickly parted and Drake got her down to the floor of the plane again standing there starting to look as though they were getting some snacks they soon saw Bertrand right there “What are you two doing back here” and as he stood there Jade smiled and said “Getting some snacks, I was hungry and Drake wanted some too. Do you want anything?” and as she smiled to him holding up the crackers that she luckily found just before he walked in. Bertrand looked to her “That would be lovely with some cheese if there is any. Thank you” and as he turned away both Jade and Drake let out a breath that they were both holding “That was close” and as he smiled to her she looked to him “I promise I won’t leave but I just know I have a little bit of time left to decide…but I know that I am closer than ever” and as she looked to him he reached up stroking her cheek leaning in and kissing her tenderly “I can wait for you” he said whispering against her lips. Though soon they both exited the kitchen area bringing out snacks for all of them and nothing more was said or done as they knew that they were going to be landing soon.
As the plane landed and Drake left them to be alone to “regroup” as Bertrand called it Jade was starting to think about what Drake had said about that he wouldn’t care who she chose that he just didn’t want her to leave him. “Can you believe that its tonight? Earth to Jade” and as Jade snapped out of it she looked to Maxwell “You will need to look more alive than that come tonight Lady Jade, after all this is the night that we have been waiting for” and as she started to look down she apologized “I am sorry there is just a lot going on in my head and I just…” and as she began Bertrand held up his hand to stop her “Right now is not the time to be having insecurities, or second thoughts. You need to keep your head high and in the run for this. That is what we have been doing all along is it not?” he asked as he looked to her. Jade started to look down to the ground again right there on the platform “Jade look if you weren’t going to be good enough you wouldn’t have made it this far. You are strong and I know that you can do this” Maxwell said placing a hand on her shoulder and as she looked up he could see the sadness that was in her eyes. As Bertrand walked away Jade sat down on the little bench that was right there and rested her head in her hands knowing that this was it there was no turning back and as she felt a hand run up and down her back comforting her she looked up to Maxwell “Thank you Maxwell for being here for me” and as he smiled to her he said “Always…I am the little brother that never goes away remember” and as she chuckled he mentioned “Look I know now is not a good time but did you remember the gift for Liam” and as she looked to him her eyes wide “Gift! Maxwell what gift” and as she felt her mind starting to race he reached in tilting her head to look at him “I took care of it don’t worry. I know that the last few days have been a little bit of a crazy train for you” and as he reached into his pocket he pulled out a Statue of Liberty key chain “Oh Maxwell he will love it, seriously what would I do without you” and as she hugged him he laughed and stated “Probably crash and burn” and as they both laughed they headed towards the limo that was going to take them to the boutique to get ready for what could be the biggest moment of Jade’s life.
Once at the boutique Bertrand took the luggage back to the palace leaving Maxwell and Jade to get things going. Jade walked in and immediately ran into Hana and Olivia getting dressed. Hana ran over to Jade hugging her immediately “Glad that you got here safely. I know that the brothers sent us all home early though I would have loved to stay and helped clean up Maxwell wouldn’t let me” and as she smiled hugging her she could feel that Jade was holding on a little bit more than she should be so Hana hugged her even more. Soon after they parted and the sad look in Jade’s eyes was showing and Hana saw it she started to know that there was something going on in her best friends eyes. Hana looked to Jade “You want to go talk for a little bit?” and as she asked Jade knew that she couldn’t “Sadly I have to get ready” and as she looked to Olivia who stated that no one is to wear red but her and as they all agreed that they wouldn’t Jade started to head to the racks and starting to look over the dresses. Jade knew that Olivia was not happy with her, she knew that Liam could be picking her over Olivia and it was known in the cold way that she was treating her which wasn’t new but today the looks that she was giving was something that Jade knew she was treading in shallow water. As Jade finally found a dress that she wanted to wear she looked in the mirror and as she did she started to close her eyes thinking about everything that has happened in the last few days, everything from Liam to Drake, to the party to now the coronation. Though as she opened her eyes for a moment in her mind she saw Drake standing next to her and whispering ‘You look great’ and as she admired the white dress with the gold trimmings on it that flowed in a flowery pattern. The top was perfectly shaped to her chest and the way that her figure was supported by the dress made it a perfect fit.
“You look great Jade” and as she turned she saw Hana standing there, “You look like a real life princess, there is no way that Liam could look over you tonight. But just please be sure to look out for yourself I know a lot of the other gals are realizing that the top three are you, Madeleine and Olivia, and that is not a reason to envy you. They both play how they want and they are used to getting their way” and as Hana placed a hand on Jade’s shoulder she smiled “I will Hana, thank you for telling me and being there for me” and as she looked to Hana and soon after Hana invited her to join her on her horse drawn carriage which Jade accepted. As they headed out Jade’s mind was thinking about everything again and as she started to think about what she was going to do she walked right past Bertrand and Maxwell out to Hana’s carriage and soon both ladies were snuggled inside. As the carriage carried on Hana could tell that there was still something bothering her best friend “What’s going on Jade? I know that look and there is something that is on your mind. I know that there are things with Drake but I know you have been seeing Liam too…is it about them?” and as she looked to Jade who then looked up and was crying “Hana I don’t think I can marry Liam if he asks me” and as she looked to Hana, Hana’s eyes went wide “Jade what do you mean?” and Jade looked to her, and explained “I have been fighting this feeling for so long, I have a deep love for Liam but when anyone ever talks about marriage, I can’t see myself marrying him right away and that is what he needs to be a King. I am just getting over the fact that he is going to be a King and that I could become a Queen, but to know that we would have to get married in just a few months-time, it scares me so badly. It’s my heart that is making it so hard, cause it doesn’t just love Liam” and as the tears started Hana looked to her “Drake, right?” and as Jade nodded Hana joined her friend on her side of the carriage. “Jade you taught me something and now it’s my turn to give the same advice to you. You can only do what your heart says and if it says one over the other you have to go with it. Not making this choice is just tearing you apart. You pushed me to be someone that I thought I could never be and for that I know that I can never repay you. You told me to follow my heart, if I wanted to continue a charade to try for Liam’s hand or try and see if something was there with Maxwell. I will never ever regret my choice of choosing my heart. You showed me that Jade, now you need to listen to yours. They are both amazing guys and they both will understand but only you can make the choice” her words echoed through to Jade and Jade knew that Hana was right “Thank you Hana I know what I have to do but I, I want to see them both one more time before anything is made up. I have too” and as she started to hug Hana the carriage soon came to a stop. “Well you will get your chance soon” Hana said as then the footman opened the doors for them to arrive at the palace.
Once they were out of the carriage the press including Ana De Luca was right at the carriage starting to snap photos and asking questions. Jade looked over seeing Olivia and Madeleine looking angry at the fact that they had come over to her and as Jade seemed to get nervous Hana leaned in and said “You got this” and soon they were asking questions about how she was feeling and how this could be the end of the line or a new beginning and Jade did amazing with poise and sophistication in her answers. As they started to walk away, Hana started to hide a note from her parents that Jade did see her hide but didn’t question it at all knowing that if it was something big, Hana would tell her. As all the ladies headed to the receiving line for Queen Regina and King Constantine Jade started to try and take deep breaths and just began to hope that they were not going to mention marriage to her knowing that it gets her to close up when her heart is so torn. Jade started to walk up to Queen Regina first who complimented her grace and poise and being a real fixture here at court and as Jade bowed her head King Contantine mentioned that he would “Never keep you away as you are sure to become a more permanent resident here in Cordonia in one way or another” and as she bowed and thanked them for having her they both smiled to her and that is when she started to feel a little bit dizzy again. Did they know something that she didn’t? Did they know who Liam was going to be choosing? But as she headed into the dining room she went right to the table with the other ladies.
As Jade sat there trying to think through everything that she was feeling and everything that was going to be happening soon she soon heard Madeleine say to Penelope and Kiara “You two are so delusional thinking that Liam will pick either one of you.” Sadly Jade heard Olivia agree and she couldn’t hold her tongue “To be honest, every woman at this table and even those we may not know has a chance. It isn’t until Liam chooses for himself that anyone will be left out. So just enjoy it while you can Countess Madeleine because you don’t know what he is going to do. Please excuse me” and as Jade got up to walk away Olivia looked on with her mouth dropped a little bit and Madeleine fumed watching her walk away. Angrily, Jade started to head out towards the hall leading her right to where Hana was in the corner of the room crying. As she headed over and Hana took notice she immediately tried to dry her eyes “Hana what is it?” she asked starting to see the pain all over Hana’s face “My parents are sending for me at dawn. Tonight is my last night in court I will be leaving you, Maxwell, everyone” and as she started to cry and explain a little bit more Jade tried to comfort her “You know that I am not going to let that happen. Let me try and talk to Liam we can figure something out I promise” and as Hana went to thank her she then opened up about how it would be sad not to be here for the engagement tour “What do you mean engagement tour” and Hana explained that after Liam chooses tonight in a few days would start the engagement tour where all the ladies would join in with who he picked and travel with the couple to celebrate, leading up to the wedding. Jade instantly felt sick, could she really sit back and watch someone else parade around with Liam and watch him get married to someone else? But before she could respond the trumpets sounded meaning that the ball was beginning. “We will figure something out I promise you Hana” and as they headed back in together Jade knew that this was it, tonight she would choose to be Queen or choose to be with the man that walked away and then back into her heart. Jade looked to Hana and Hana knew what Jade was going through and knew about her hard choice and as they entered the room Hana smiled and said “You ready?” and Jade looked to her “We will see won’t we?” as the doors to the ballroom opened and then shut behind them.
As all the ladies were lining up to present their gift to Liam Jade continued to look around knowing that she would be seeing Liam again soon but has not yet seen Drake and as the other ladies gave their gifts but not really getting a reaction from Liam. Though as Madeleine was giving the diamond cuff links to Liam Olivia stormed right over to Jade “How dare you? You think that you can intimidate me through a letter to leave court immediately over something that is probably a lie? Do you think that I would give up that easily for you?” and as Jade looked to Olivia with everything going on and the frustration that she was going through she shot back “Olivia if I wanted to intimidate you or tell you to leave, I’d say it right to your face. I don’t have a care in the world besides what tonight could bring and my focus has been on Liam. When would I have been able to even care about getting rid of you?” and as they stared at each other Olivia finally broke “We will see that your true colors are going to come out, and no one is going to get in my way of being with him” she said as she cut in line right in front of Liam. Jade just shook her head knowing that it was going to be all over soon and she could get through this little bit at least she hoped that she could. As Jade stood there waiting for her turn she finally saw a small smile on Liam’s face when Olivia presented a cactus that was a reminder to a past memory that they had but as she finally stepped in front of him his smile grew even more. “Good evening Lady Jade. I hope that you are doing well” he said with the biggest smile that she had seen all night and as she bowed to him she spoke “I have a gift for you your majesty” as Liam leaned in he stated “Seeing you is good enough treasure you didn’t have to get me anything” and when she holds out the keychain his eyes lit up like a Christmas tree “Ja…Lady Jade this is amazing. How did you get this?” he asked starting to look over it and as she smiled “I have my ways” and she chuckled lightly. “You know something, you know me better than anyone else in this line, you have in such little time come to know the real me. I love the keychain and someday maybe we can go back to New York together” and as she smiled to him he leaned in taking her hand and kissing the top of it. He bowed to her and said with a whisper “Jade after tonight everything is going to be different. I can’t wait if I am being honest with myself, I am ready for all this to be over finally” and as he kissed her hand again he soon had to spend time with Hana and as Jade walked away she could feel her head starting to spin a little bit more but brushing it to the side she knew that soon everything was going to fall into place, or be scattered all over the ballroom.
Once the ladies got through the line the dancing began and Liam immediately dashed to Jade, asking her to dance. The other ladies looked on and Madeleine even stormed off but Jade accepted and as they started to dance the traditional waltz Liam commented on her improvement and Jade made it a point to thank him for being a great teacher. As the song continued and they were smiling and laughing soon Liam came to a stop and took her hands “I hope that you never regret coming here Jade” and as she looked to him she could see the longing in his eyes “Why would I regret coming here” and as she looked to him he looked down to the floor and then back to her “So much has changed since you came into my life, and I know that there is more to come, we have to talk soon” and as he looked her in the eyes the feeling in her stomach starting to return, she wanted to kiss him but knew that she couldn’t but just as she went to respond Olivia came up interrupting them and asking Liam to dance. Jade, being the nice one that she is, bowed to Liam and took leave though she could feel Liam watching her as she exited the dance floor.
As she hurried off the floor knowing that she had to get some air knowing that she already knew what Liam wanted to talk to her about she knew that she had to calm her nerves before that happened. Her mind was racing and her feet were walking too fast for it to register that she was about to crash right into Drake but when she did it startled her “Drake, I…I didn’t know you were going to be here” and as his hands steadied her as they stood there he said “Liam insisted that I be here” and as he caught the way that she looked he shook his head “I guess I should be congratulating you huh? You’re finally one of them now huh? I mean this time tomorrow you very well might be Queen and our lives are going to go a very different way right?” he started to look at her as she stared to feel the pain in her chest as she was starting to feel warm “Drake I am still me, I will always be me, no matter what happens tonight and what I decide. I am still Jade Morgan” and as she went to continue he cut in “That’s where you’re wrong, and I have told you this before. This place has a way to turn the most amazing woman into someone that she is not and I fear that is going to happen to you” and as she started to look at him she felt the heat in her body starting to rise and the dizzy spell starting to take a hit again but as she tried to remain still she said “I promise Drake, I…I will still…” and she couldn’t finish as she started to close her eyes and starting to lose her footing a little bit “Morgan you alright?” Drake started to look at her and when he did he could see that her eyes looked glazed over and her body seemed to be getting weak “Drake, why…why are there two of you” and before she can even continue her eyes snapped shut and her body collapsed into his arms. “MORGAN!” Drake exclaimed as he started to get her into his arms a little bit. Darkness cascaded over her as she was now limp in Drake’s arms. “Come on Jade wake up! Hey, hey, come on wake up Morgan” and as Drake tried to wake her up Hana ran over “What happened?” and the fear was in her eyes “We were just talking and she fainted” and as he felt her arms he could feel that she was warm and then holding her he was able to feel her forehead as she was burning up “I’ll get Liam” and as Drake started to get her in his arms even more he said “Get Liam, get anyone. I am taking her to the side room over here” and as he started to get into the room and sitting wither her in his lap he continued to try and wake her “Come on Jade wake up for me” and as he started to look down seeing her not responding at all he started to feel his heart racing and his mind trying to focus “Come on baby please, wake up” and as he held her there all he could do was wait.
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