What the Heart wants It Gets

Chap 4

Note: This has been my favorite chapter to write, so far! This one is just between Hetty, Granger and Callen.

Nate stood outside Hetty and Granger's bedroom nervous about what to say. Then Hetty opened the door.

'Nate? Is everything okay?' She asked.

'Not really. Is His Majesty up?' Nate replied.

'Depends. He's having the same grand kids dream again, wakes me up everytime. I was going to get some air. What's the news on Mr. Callen?'

'Well, the good news is, he appears to really like the princess he danced with. The bad news, she ran off and left a shoe behind. And we have no idea where she came from, only that her name is Anna.'

'Oh dear. Owen is not going to like hearing this.'

Sure enough, when Granger was awake enough and heard the news, he was angry.

'How can this even be?! Every guest was supposed to fill their name and kingdom in the guest book and we just let this person slip by?! Just, how?!' He demanded.

'Calm down, I'm sure there's a logistical explanation for this.' Hetty replied, calmly.

'Who was working that guest book? He needs to be fired!'

'No one is firing anyone! Now please go cool off somewhere before you say or do something you'll regret!'

Then Granger stormed off somewhere.

After a few hours, Hetty went looking for Granger. And found him in the library, sitting by himself with a bottle of sparkling water.

'You been here the whole time?' She asked.

'Yeah. Believe it or not, I wasn't angry enough to order beer because getting drunk would just make the problem worse. So, I've just been here, drinking sparkling water, mourning the fact that we'll never have grand kids, our son will either rule this kingdom by himself or end up marrying some loser.' He replied, sadly.

'You don't really know that. And Nate did say that Callen seemed to really like this Princess Anna.'

'Except he doesn't know where she came from, or where she is! All he has is a shoe that she left behind.'

'And where has that stopped him before? If he really loves her, he'll find her! I believe in him.' Hetty said.

'You might think I've just been trying to force him to get married against his will, but I'm not. I just want to know that someone will be taking care of him after we're gone.' Granger replied.

'And someone will! He's not alone in this castle. For a year after my father died, my mother ruled this kingdom just fine until she passed on.'

'But didn't her team of advisors do most of the work because her health was failing?'

'Yes, but she still had a say in things. Whether or not he marries is not up to us, but up to him! Why can't you see that?' Hetty asked.

'I'll tell you why, but it involves an uncomfortable confession.'

'I'm listening.'

'When you were about to give birth to Callen, you got sick. And it got to a point where it looked like you might die giving birth to him. I got desperate, so I made a plea to the heavens begging for you to live instead of the baby. Then when I heard that you gave birth and was doing okay, I felt so guilty about my plea, I almost didn't want to see our son. But then I walked in and saw you and baby Callen, and I loved him instantly. And I vowed to be the best father to him.' Granger said.

Uncomfortable silence

'I need to go.' Hetty said, and rushed off.

'I didn't want to lose you!' Granger called out.

Callen was sitting by the fountain, looking at Anna's shoe and being miserable. Then Hetty walked by.

'Thinking that if you look at that show long enough, it'll tell you where she is?' She asked.

'Maybe. Did Dad send you out here for yet another talk?' Callen replied.

'No. He's moping in the library, I came out here myself to see how you're doing. I'm hearing she was quite the girl.'

'Yeah. Just wish she told me where she came from so I can find her.'

'And I believe you will, if you love her enough.' Hetty finished.

'You think I might love her?'

'Well, do you have that feeling?'

'Maybe. But, does it matter? I have no idea if she loved me back, and I have no idea if I want to do what Dad wants me to do!' Callen said.

'Dear, whether or not you get married is up to you, your father and I will love you regardless of your decision! Ruling this kingdom by yourself is possible! And, I believe that you will find this girl, if you look hard enough.' Hetty replied.

'Really?'

'Really.'

Callen went over and hugged her. 'Thanks Mom.'

'Ohhh. You're welcome, honey!'

It was almost dinner time, and Hetty found Granger in their bedroom looking miserable.

'I've thought about what you said, and here's what I remember: When I was told that I might die giving birth to Callen, I told the doctor and nurses that if it came down to either my life or our son's, I told them to save his life instead of mine. And I said that because if we both died, you would be all alone, and that thought really hurt! And, hearing you say that you would rather our son die at birth instead of me, hurt.' Hetty said.

'I couldn't stand the thought of losing you. I know that makes me a terrible father, but it's what I felt at the time. You've always been stronger and tougher then me, it's part of why I love you, and I couldn't stand possibly ruling this kingdom without you.' Granger replied.

'And I understand. And you're not a terrible father. You just wanted our son to be happy with someone because you thought that's what he wanted. Well, the reason why I decided to get married when my mom died, is because I promised her I would marry. Up until then, she never pressured me into getting married, and I didn't understand it until later on, she made me promise that, because she knew I loved you, and she didn't want me to be alone.'

'What's the point here? Even if he finds that woman, there's no telling what will happen next.' Granger chimed in.

'The point here, is that you've been doing what my mother wanted me to do. And well, after all these years, he might have just found the love of his life! We may have had different opinions over the years over how to raise him, but you've been a great father to him. And I'm telling all of this to you because you're probably feeling like a failure, and you're not!'

'How, are you so wise at this, or anything?'

Patting his shoulder. 'You agreed to a jousting competition between a stupid, grumpy duke all to prove your worthiness to me. I didn't marry an idiot, and I'm not dumb.' Hetty replied.

'I love you.'

'And I love you.' Hetty finished.

And they kissed for 2 minutes until Nate came in to announce dinner was ready.