Where Dreams Have No End

Chapter 2: Change of Plans

"Tell him I'm still on my honeymoon and won't be able to take any calls—though I definitely still am..."

"Edward, dear, we both know how things will work if I agree to design their wedding gown. You know exactly the scenario I had in mind." 

Elizabeth was speaking with her assistant, Edward, when suddenly, Nick stepped out of the closet, freshly shaven and dressed in crisp new clothes.

"Hold on a moment," she said, holding her phone to her ear. Her gaze shifted to Nick, a smile tugging at her lips. "Going somewhere, darling?"

"Yup," Nick replied casually, as if it were just another ordinary morning.

Curios about his plain answer, Elizabeth continues. "Listen, Edward, let me give you a call later, alright?... Okay, bye."

Lizzie approaches Nick and idly straightens his unkempt hair. 

"What do you mean 'yup'?" she asked, trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy while the warmth from Nick's presence seemed to envelop her. "Where exactly are you going?"

She starts to smell his neck, liking the smell of the body wash she bought for him while on their honeymoon cruise for their second wedding. "Would you like me to go with you?"

Nick's expression softened while wrap in Elizabeth's arm. "Oh no! --- I promised the girls we'd spend the day together—just the three of us. We're headed to Kensington Gardens and then stopping by Harrods for a little shopping."

She raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eyes. "Okay, sounds like a busy day for the three of you. Well, then, make sure you're back in time for dinner, alright?" she added in a soft, loving tone.

At the main door, Nick kissed her gently, his affection warm but quick. As the girls rushed toward the door, clearly eager to leave, Elizabeth's motherly instinct kicked in.

"Girls, no asking for random things from your father and no sweets," she called after them, her voice carrying enough authority to make Nick chuckle. "You'll spoil your appetite for dinner if you ignore me."

"Sure, Mom!" Hal replied without missing a beat, attempting to wiggle free from Lizzie's hold. Annie kissed her mother on the cheek, a quick but tender gesture.

Nick and Annie hopped into the car, but before the twins could drive off, Hallie paused and turned back to her mother.

"Mom, we're going!" she said, almost puzzled at her mom's lingering presence.

Elizabeth gave them one last teasing smile. "Oh, lovely! I think they're leaving without you unless you give me a kiss goodbye." Hal reached to Lizzie, planting a warm but quick kiss on her cheek. "Bye, Mom!"

"See you for dinner, darling," Liz said, letting go of Hallie and watching them drive off.

****

Inside the car, Nick couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement bubbling inside him. It was time to share something important with the twins.

"Girls," he started, his voice low but serious, "I need you both to promise me you won't tell your Mother about this, no matter what. Okay? This plan won't work if she finds out now."

"Okay, Dad," Hal replied, a little confused but intrigued. "So what's going on?"

Annie's curiosity mirrored her sister's. "Dad, are we going to make it back in time for dinner if we go all the way to Sussex?"

"Hey! You said it was just an hour drive?" Hallie asked in shock. "It's just a quick drive for dad, of course, but Hallie, we can't just go home without bringing something. Mom knows we'll be coming from Harrods. She won't believe us if we get home plain-handed." Annie assures her sister what their mother will expect.