Wedding Vows: Say I Do

He checked his watch. “It’s starting to get dark. Where do you think he could be?”

“I called some of his friends. They went swimming at the condo pool.”

“Why don’t we drive over in your car and find him. I’ll tell him I’m an old friend of his mother’s and we’ll go from there.”

Her heart raced too fast. “I don’t know, Alex. Maybe you’d better think about this for a while longer. Once the water spills over the dam…”

A shadow crossed his face. “Isn’t this why you came to Bris?”

“Yes. But when I found out you’re going to be married soon, I was glad I’d been prevented from meeting you.

“My grandmother died when Phillip was nine months old. She urged me to adopt him. She also told me not to go looking for you unless I was prepared to deal with the consequences. Until Phillip became so difficult, I’d made up my mind to follow her advice.

His eyes narrowed on her face. “I don’t know of another woman whose love for a child she didn’t give birth to would cause her to put everything on the line to make him happy.

“For you to sacrifice your own life for him tells me all I need to know about your character. My son has been more fortunate than he’ll ever know,” his voice grated. “I owe you a debt of gratitude I’ll never be able to repay for what you’ve done, Darrell.”

“It’s been no sacrifice—he was the most adorable baby on this earth. I fell in love with him on sight. He’s my life!”

“To know I have a son makes me feel the same way,” he asserted in a solemn tone. “So why don’t you make that phone call. After seeing his pictures, I’m eager to lay eyes on him in person.”

She felt that eagerness. It wasn’t an emotion he could feign. Nervous excitement welled up inside her. “All right. The phone’s in the other room.”

He followed her to the family room. As she picked up the wall phone receiver in the kitchen and started to press the digits, they both heard the front door open.

“Mom? What’s that black limo doing outside our house? Doug saw it on his way over to the pool and told me.”

Her anxious glance darted to Alex before she hung up the phone. In the next instant Phillip appeared in the family room. His hair was still damp from his swim. It looked darker when it was wet.

Melissa had been a beautiful girl with a ton of boyfriends. Darrell had always thought her son was the best looking boy out of all his friends. He seemed older than most of the seventh-graders and was growing more attractive all the time. Talk about the acorn falling close to the mighty oak—

But Darrell received an unexpected jolt when Phillip took one glance at Alex and went pale with fright. She recognized that look. What on earth?

His gaze switched to Darrell. “Is this that counselor you were talking about?”

Aghast, she said, “No, sweetheart. No—This man—” She struggled. “This man—”

“What your mother is trying to say is that I’m Phil.”

With those words, Darrell felt a strange charge in the atmosphere followed by a stillness that fell over Phillip.

He studied Alex for such a long time, Darrell wondered if he’d slipped into some kind of catatonic state.

“You’re my dad,” he finally muttered because he could see part of himself in the imposing stranger whose candor took Darrell’s breath.

“I’m sorry it has taken us so long to meet.”

Phillip’s body started to tremble in reaction. His eyes filled. “I hate you.”

“Phillip—” Darrel was horrified.

“I don’t blame you,” Alex responded with a calm she could only envy.

“I’d hate me, too, if I were in your shoes. But there’s something you need to know. My father’s brother was in a serious boating accident while I was on vacation in Colorado Springs thirteen years ago with my cousin Chaz. The doctors weren’t sure he was going to live.

“When we got the news, we flew straight home. Fortunately he pulled through. I would have come back to Colorado later, but my father had other plans for me. By the time I tried to reach your mother by phone, it was fall and she didn’t work at the dude ranch anymore. For security reasons no one would give me any information about her. I’m afraid time and circumstances separated us through no fault of our own.”

During Alex’s explanation, Phillip’s hands kept forming fists. Suddenly he dashed out of the room. Darrell heard him run up the stairs and slam his bedroom door.

She shook her head. “I can’t believe he said that to you.”

“After knowing what he’s been thinking all these years, I can. In fact I would have been surprised if he’d said anything else.”

“He’s changed so much from the darling, funny boy who used to play jokes and tease.”

She almost choked on her tears. “I—I’d better go up to him.”

“Let’s let him work this through on his own. He’s just sustained an enormous shock and will come around when he’s ready.”

Alex had a lot more confidence in the situation than she did. Maybe it took a man’s perspective in a crisis like this. Except that Alex wasn’t just any man.

Darrell eyed him covertly. Though he hid it well, she knew Phillip couldn’t be the only one shaken. Alex had just come face-to-face with a son he didn’t know he had until a few hours ago.

Her heart warmed to him because he’d given his son certain information to make him feel better about the circumstances surrounding his conception.

She’d seen Phillip’s eyes flare in surprise at the unexpected explanation. It remained to be seen if he would accept what his father had told him.

At the crucial moment Alex had known exactly what to say to disarm him. It was the master stroke of a man who put out fires every day in his role as king.

She was still unable to credit that he was willing to risk the fallout from the public scandal this would create in order to be united with his son.

Even if he tried to keep the news quiet, it would come out. His sterling reputation as the ruler of the canton would be tainted.

The woman he was betrothed to would suffer anguish.

He talked about his mother being thrilled with the news once she heard she was already a grandmother. But that wasn’t the way it was likely to work. His mother would not be thrilled or anything close to it!

Darrell was frightened for him.

Her anxiety must have shown on her face and in her body language because he said, “Relax, Darrell. I know what I’m doing. While we wait for him to reappear, how about feeding a starving man.”

He wanted food at a time like this? But then she remembered that Phillip could always eat in a crisis. It was one telling example of the ties that bound this father to this son.

“I have tacos left over from dinner. I’ll warm them up for you.”

“Sounds delicious. What can I do to help?”

“There’s instant coffee in that cupboard.”

“I’ll make it,” he offered. “It’s something I’m good at.”

The man was good at so many things, Darrell was in danger of losing her perspective altogether.

They worked in harmony, then sat down at the table like two ordinary people. But there was nothing ordinary about this situation or him!

Terrified of what was going on upstairs, she sipped her coffee without tasting it.

Alex on the other hand seemed to devour the six tacos with relish. After drinking several cups of the steaming brew, he made a sound of satisfaction.

“The Valleder Canton is renowned for its excellent cuisine, but I have to tell you they don’t serve anything this good.”

The secret to not falling apart right now was to keep making small talk.

“Yes, they do. I had a fondue bourguignonne dinner to die for at the Hotel Otter. But I must admit authentic Mexican food is hard to come by outside the western part of the U.S.”

When her cell phone rang, she jumped up from the table and hurried over to the counter to get it out of her purse. She checked the caller ID. It was Danice who no doubt was trying to make final plans for the Fourth.

Darrell couldn’t talk right now. Later on tonight she’d return her call.

Alex took the dishes over to the sink. “If you want privacy to talk to the man you’re involved with, I’ll be happy to go in the living room,”

“I’m not involved with anyone right now, but thank you anyway.”

He studied her briefly. “Being a good parent is a full-time job.”

“For Phillip to say what he did to you doesn’t make me sound like a good parent or anything close. I’ve never seen him that rude to anyone in my life.”

She was about to ask Alex how he knew about the trials of a parent when he said, “My cousin-in-law, Evelyn, is raising two boys on her own. They run her off her feet.”

The comment about something from his personal life made her hungry to hear more. “What happened to her husband?”

A bleak look entered his eyes. “Chaz was flying his light plane when he ran into bad weather over the Alps and crashed.”

“Oh how awful,” Darrell whispered, strangely moved by everything he said or did.

“It was one of the worst moments of my life,” he confessed.

She could hear the pain in his voice. “How old are his children?”

“Nine and ten.”

“Such vulnerable ages. My heart goes out to them and their mother.”

In the midst of the silence they heard Phillip say, “What are their names?”

They both turned in his direction.

Alex had been right to leave him be. His curiosity over his father had won out. No telling how long he’d been listening on the other side of the doorway. Darrell didn’t dare breathe while her son’s whole attention was focused on his fascinating father.

Alex glanced at him while he finished rinsing off the plates. “Jules and Vito.”

“One of the guys in my French class is named Jules. We all had to pick a name.”

Alex folded the dish towel. “What did you choose?”

“Philippe.”

“That’s your grandfather’s name.”

“I thought that was your name.”

“It’s one of them. But my mother and closest friends call me Alex so there’s no confusion.”

Phillip took another step closer. “Is he still alive?”

“No. He died six years ago. But your grandmother is very much alive. Her name is Katerina.”

“If you could never find my mother, how do you know about me?”

“Because I went searching for your father,” Darrell declared.

Phillip looked at her in disbelief. “But I thought you didn’t know anything about him.”

“I didn’t. But he gave your mom a very unique ring. I’d forgotten about it until a few weeks ago.”

That was a lie of course. The ring had haunted her for years, but it would still be in her old coat pocket if Phillip had let go of his pain.

“I decided to have it traced…and found your father.”

“When?” Phillip demanded.

“Yesterday.”

His astounded gaze switched back to his father. “You live in Chicago? I thought you were from New York.”

Darrell shook her head. “No, sweetheart. I never went to Chicago or New York.”

“I don’t get it.”

“Maybe this will help.” Alex pulled the ring from his pocket and handed it to Phillip who took it and began examining it with interest.

“This looks like a knight’s shield.”

“That’s exactly what it is,” Alex asserted. “My cousin, Chaz, gave it to me when I turned sixteen. He had it engraved. It says, ‘More than a cousin.’ The shield represents the coat of arms of our family.”

Finally Phillip raised his head. “Where do you live?”

“Switzerland.”

Surprise and wonder broke out on Phillip’s face. “That’s where they speak four different languages. I learned about that in my French class. Which one do you speak?”

“All of them,” Alex answered.

“Even that funny one called Romanish or something?”

Alex smiled broadly, causing Darrell’s heart to flip over. “Especially that one.”

“How come?”

“Because my home is in Bris, the heart of the Romanche-speaking Canton. It might interest you to know there are five forms of Romanche, a language dating back to Roman times.”

“Do you speak those, too?”

“Yes.”

It was too much for anyone to absorb, especially a young American teen who’d just been united with the father he’d always wanted to meet.

“When I had to leave Colorado, I gave that ring to your mother to remember me by. It’s a family heirloom. Now it’s yours, Phillip. No one else in the world is entitled to wear it unless they’re a Valleder.”

“A Valleder?”

“Yes. If your mother and I had married, your legal name would be Phillip Collier Valleder. If you’ve got some tape, I’ll fix it so you can wear it now.”

“There’s some in the drawer.” Phillip opened it and handed the dispenser to Alex. In a minute the ring slid on his finger and stayed put.

Her son’s eyes squinted up at him. Darrell could hear his mind working. “What’s your legal name?”

“Alexandre Rainier Juliani Phillip Vittorio Valleder.”

“Whoa.”

A deep laugh escaped Alex’s throat. It was so contagious Phillip smiled. Darrell hadn’t seen one like it in years…

But when the laughter died down, Phillip grew sober again. “Do you have a wife and kids?”

Alex’s eyes were hooded as he said, “You’re my only child.”

“But at the end of this month he’s getting married to a woman named Isabella,” Darrell informed her son to make certain he understood the situation in no uncertain terms.

After reflection Phillip said quietly, “Did you love my mom?”

CHAPTER THREE

THE question had been thrown out like a live wire.

Alex put his hands on Phillip’s shoulders. “We only knew each other for a few days. Not long enough to find out our deepest feelings. But we were obviously attracted enough to spend all our free time together. I wish I’d known about you.”

Darrell felt his thick-toned voice resonate to her bones.

“Whether you believe me or not, I’m thrilled to discover I have a son. This is the most exciting moment of my life. I couldn’t get here fast enough. I love you, Philippe.” The admission came out as naturally as the French version of Phillip’s name.

After a throbbing silence Phillip whispered, “I’m sorry for what I said to you earlier. I…love you, too.”

In the next breath both of them were hugging. They held on to each other for a long time.

The moment was so profoundly tender, Darrell pressed a hand against the strange pain in her chest.

“What would you like to do about our situation?” Alex asked once he’d finally let his son go.

Phillip stared up at him with a new light shining from his eyes. “Will you come and visit me sometimes?”

“Of course.”

“Can I come and visit you sometimes?”

“Whenever you want. It’s up to your mother.”

Phillip flicked her a glance she couldn’t decipher. Then he looked at Alex again. “How long are you going to stay in Denver?”

“I have to fly back to Switzerland tonight.” While Darrell’s heart plummeted for Phillip’s sake, Alex unexpectedly said, “How would you like to come with me and see where I live? That invitation includes your mother. You’re welcome to stay with me for as long as you want.”

“Mom—”

Phillip was ready to burst with joy.

Darrell knew what he was asking, but everything was happening way too fast.

“I’m afraid you can’t go right now, sweetheart. For one thing you don’t have a passport.”

Alex eyed her with a direct stare. “That’s no problem. Trust me.”

Of course it wasn’t a problem. He was the king. He could let anyone in his kingdom he wanted. It appeared he wanted his son.

“What’s the other thing?” Alex challenged her.

He knew exactly why she was holding back! The news about Phillip would be like a hundred megaton bomb exploding in his country.

How could he just get off his private jet with a son in tow no one had ever seen or heard of? Surely he would want to prepare his family first. His fiancée most of all…

Darrell tried to put herself in the other woman’s place. The shock of learning the king she was going to marry came complete with a twelve-year-old son would destroy her dreams of starting out marriage in the hope of raising a family of her own.

“Phillip? Remember that Danice asked us to spend the Fourth with her?”

“But I told you I don’t want to go.”

Alex flicked her a penetrating glance. “You have other plans made?”

She averted her eyes. “Not yet. That call in the kitchen was Danice phoning to finalize everything.” She could feel both of them looking at her, yet neither said a word. Already father and son were in lockstep.

The onus was on Darrell. If she said no to Phillip, he wouldn’t understand. Not when she’d gone all the way to Switzerland to find his father.

Now that she’d achieved her goal, a whole new range of problems loomed over the horizon. She was starting to get scared and Alex knew it.

“Tell you what, Phillip. I’ll go out to the limo so you and your mother can talk in private.” He was reading her mind.

“Come outside when you’re ready and let me know what you’ve decided.”

“Thank you, Alex,” she murmured.

“But, Mom—”

In a few swift strides his father left the house. Phillip turned to her ready to do battle.

“Before you say anything to me, young man, I want to ask you a question.” He blinked. “What else did your French teacher tell you about the Romanche-speaking canton?”

He blinked again and shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t remember.”

“It’s ruled by a king.”

“That’s cool.”

“Cool doesn’t begin to cover it. Your father has a very important job which is different from the jobs of any of your friends’ dads.”

“What is it?”

“Did your teacher happen to mention the name of that particular canton?”

“No.”

She drew in a deep breath. “It’s the Valleder Canton.”

He cocked his head. “That’s Dad’s last name.”

“That’s right. Your dad…is the king of Valleder.”

Phillip let out a bark of laughter. “No, he’s not.”

That had been Darrell’s reaction when she’d first read the information on the Internet.

“Your father’s waiting for us. We better hurry and get packed.”

She started up the stairs. He was close on her heels.

“Mom—come on. You’re joking, right?”

She kept on going.

“Mom?”

She pulled his suitcase out of the hall closet before hurrying into his room and opening drawers.

“Some dads drive buses, others are engineers, lots of them run businesses…and a select few on the planet rule over their own country. I thought I’d let you know that before you run outside and tell him we’re going with him.

“Once we reach the airport, I don’t want you to be surprised when you hear his staff and security people call him ‘Your Majesty.’”

Five minutes after Alex climbed in the limousine, Phillip came flying down the walkway toward him. The resemblance between them shouted his paternity. Alex suffered pain to realize he’d already lost twelve years with him. Only now could he appreciate Chaz’s joy when Vito was born.

“I can’t describe the feeling, Alex. You’ll have to have a child of your own to understand what it’s like!”

At last Alex knew exactly what it was like. He had his own wonderful child. Incredible. Phillip was his son! Realizing he was a father filled his world with possibilities he’d never considered before.

Phillip opened the door. “We’re coming with you! Mom said to give us about twenty more minutes.”

The excitement those words engendered caused Alex to shove every other concern to the back of his mind. “Take all the time you need.”

Phillip scrutinized him for a moment. “Mom told me something else, but I didn’t believe her.”

His son expressed himself exactly like young Jules. That was because they both had Valleder blood flowing through their veins.

“I didn’t believe it, either, when my father who was dying said, ‘Alex? Promise me you’ll look after your mother and be a good king.’”

There was another full minute of silence before a hint of devilry entered Phillip’s eyes. “Did it freak you out to be a king at first?”

Just then Phillip sounded so much like Chaz, Alex was dumbfounded. When they’d buried Chaz, Alex never expected to see traces of his cousin come to life in Alex’s own son.

“Don’t tell this to anybody, but it still freaks me out.”

“You have to worry about terrorism and stuff, huh.”

For a twelve-year-old, Phillip understood too much.

“It’s part of my job, but certainly not all.”

Phillip studied him. “Mom told me you’re getting married to a princess.” After a slight hesitation, “I wish my real mom hadn’t died.”

With that comment Alex was beginning to understand the burning issue Darrell had been forced to deal with over the years where Phillip was concerned. Having a son who had been deprived of his birth parents and suffered over it couldn’t have been easy for Darrell who’d devoted her life to raising him.

His brows knit together. “I’m sorry, too, but look at it this way. You’ve been lucky enough to have two real moms, Phillip. Your second mother loves you so much, she came looking for me and wouldn’t stop until she found me.” In fact she’d taken a dangerous risk. The analogy of the mother and the burning building was no joke.

“Think how happy her efforts have made you and me. She didn’t have to do anything at all. In fact another kind of mother might not have spent her time and hard-earned money to make your wish come true.”

Hoping Phillip would think long and hard on that he added, “Why don’t you go inside and see if she needs any help. After her long flights to Switzerland and back, she must be exhausted.”

She’d put her son’s welfare before anything else. What an amazing woman she was…

Phillip appeared more subdued before he nodded and hurried back to the condo.

The moment he disappeared inside, Alex pulled out his cell phone to alert his pilot, then tell his security staff he was ready to leave with Ms. Collier and her son.

Once that was taken care of, he phoned Carl. If there’d been anything urgent from his private secretary’s end, Alex would have heard from him by now.

“I’ll be home in the morning, Carl. Do me a favor and tell the staff to get the Saxony apartment ready by the time I arrive back in Bris.”

“I’ll see to it at once, Your Majesty. I understand Princess Isabella has a preference for daffodils. Shall I arrange for some?”

Alex’s hand gripped his cell phone tighter. “You’ve misunderstood me, Carl. I’ll be bringing my twelve-year-old son and his mother with me. Fill the drawing room with white roses, and make certain there are plenty of snack foods and fruit drinks on hand for Phillip.”

“Phillip?” Carl whispered in an unsteady voice.

Alex couldn’t help but smile. He’d always wondered if the secretary who’d worked for Alex’s father and was loyal to him could be shaken by anything.

Now he knew he’d given the sixty-year-old man a minor coronary. This was only the beginning, but no force could stop him now. Phillip needed his father. Alex found he didn’t like the idea of any other man taking over that role no matter the consequences of his actions.

“Until I tell my mother, I know I can count on your discretion, Carl.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

After the click, Alex made his last phone call for the night.

“Leo? Sorry to waken you, but I thought you’d like to know the crisis has been averted.”

“So she doesn’t pose a threat?”

“No,” he lied.

“Thank God.”

“As it turns out, she’s the mother of my son, but thirteen years ago she was a girl who has changed a great deal since then.”

“Sorry, Alex. We must have a bad connection and I heard you wrong. Say that again.”

The connection was perfect.

“Darrell Collier has been raising my son for the last twelve years. I’m afraid I parted with that ring one starry night in the Colorado mountains where she was working for the summer. But as I told you, the memory is vague due to too much alcohol on both our parts.