Acting Royal #Wattys2017

Chapter 57

JENNY

Jenny stood outside watching Zayn read a book to Abi as she lay in her crib.

"And the kitty went meow, and the bunny went hop-hop, and the duck went quack-quack all the way home."

She tried to stifle a giggle when she heard those words coming out of Zayns mouth. She'd arranged for Abi to sleep over at Anton and Emma's that night, and the two girl were sleeping in the same crib so Maddie and Abi were currently both staring up at this strange man who was making his hand hop up and down like a bunny.

Jenny smiled and walked off to give them some privacy. Emma and Anton were seated in their lounge still looking awkward as hell, since they had a prince walking around their house. Jenny joined them and Emma leaned forward.

"Can I hire him to read stories every night?" Anton said

"I don't think you can afford him?" Jenny quipped.

"He's not what I imaged at all." Emma said in a hushed tone.

"No. He's surprising in that way."

"So what now? Are you guys back together?" Emma's whisper was getting louder.

Jenny shrugged, "Honestly, I'm not sure yet. I still have no idea how we would manage it."

"If you guys love each other, you need to find a way to make it work. Seriously, and for Abi's sake too. You don't want her growing up without a dad, do you?" Emma cut straight to the chase.

"No. I don't want that for her."

"And all those balls and million dollar jewels can't be that bad either." Emma smiled at her. "God, a prince. An actual prince!" she looked over at Anton and she shook his head.

"I know. It's hard to believe." He said. "But I guess that if anyone around here deserves a prince, it's you and Abi."

Jenny automatically raised her hand to her heart, his words had touched her so deeply. "That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me." She gazed over at Anton, the man she used to love and was so grateful they hadn't worked out. He was meant to be with Emma- they loved each other with every single breath that they had. They were also meant to have had Maddie, and she had been meant for someone else entirely this whole time. Zayn. Life had worked out exactly like it was supposed to, she just hadn't realized that.

After a few more minutes Zayn came walking into the lounge. He looked so out of his depth here in this small farm house. Probably like she had looked the first time she came into the palace.

"That was fun." Zayn smiled at them all. "I think they're both asleep."

"Thank you." Emma said. The three fell into a semi-awkward silence for a while until Jenny broke it when she stood up and walked towards Zayn.

"So... shall we?" She linked her arm through Zayn's and started heading towards the door, "I'll see you in the morning," she called over her shoulder.

"Don't rush. Take your time." Emma said in a little sing-song voice and Zayn and Jenny exited. "At least one of us is getting some tonight..." She joked and shot her husband a look.

"I owe you guys." Jenny said as she walked out.

They walked out into the street again. It was evening and the light was dim and the air was alive with the sounds of crickets. Zayne stopped walking and looked around.

"Are they always this loud?"

Jenny nodded. "Wait until the frogs and owls join in, it's a regular zoo out here."