Princess & the Player

epilogue three: everything comes back to you

Steamy stuff ahead.

Marco's POV:

One thing I was grateful for: PW gave me exactly what I needed for my license. My mentor was responsive and quick to confirm my experience hours. By the beginning of June, I only had 960 left to complete before I could begin taking the exams. I was on track to my goal.

Our project had gone extremely well. I'd been shocked how fast we broke ground on the twin buildings - each 20 stories - on the 5-acre lot behind our original project. Connie and Asim and I pulled it together (at least they hadn't killed each other) and the client was very pleased. PW's regional director from Dubai flew in for the client dinner. 

Afterwards, he and I went for a walk on Nikki beach. 

He thanked me for sticking it out. 100+ hour weeks were legendary for new architects but getting parked in Qatar for almost a year without a real break had been unreasonable even in this industry. 

 "You've gone above and beyond," he acknowledged. "I saw the inset article about your container house back in the States and your touches to the final plan for these buildings. I think you know that what you lack in experience you more than make up for in talent. To be honest, though, it's your skill working with your management - handling the client and harnessing Asim and Connie - that made this happen. You have a knack for leadership. I think you'll be pleased with your year-end bonus."

"Thank you," I'd looked out at the stars. They seemed different than the ones Maggie loved in West Virginia. 

"I'd like you to work out of the Dubai office before transferring back for your exams."

"If it's all the same..."

"I figured that would be your answer. The New York office will be happy to have you back."

Maggie's POV:

It was funny that it happened at the beginning of June. 

I'd just been thinking that it had been a whole year since Marco had left and was feeling really conflicted my relationship with him and, maybe, about my life. The longer he'd been gone, the more I seemed to sink back into myself. I didn't know what it was about. 

Was it that Marco made me feel brave and loved so that when he was around, I got out of myself more? Or was it that when Marco was gone, I was a little depressed and became my old self? 

But the big news was that we got the call from the adoption lawyer handling our case for the state. She said, "your case has clearance to proceed. The court has an opening first thing Monday morning - do you want it?"

DID I WANT IT???

Hell, yes.

I bounced around the apartment like a bunny. I sent texts to Grandma and Marco and Queenie and JJ and Jacob and the social worker and even Nana Scott. Laurie and I spent hours that weekend coordinating our outfits. I thought the suit was appropriate but I ended up with the white lace because Laurie had one like it from a pageant and she really wanted us to match. We went to the craft store and picked ribbon that matched a dark green tie that Jeb had from middle school graduation and we made ourselves sashes.

The sun was bright in the deepest blue sky you'd ever seen. Laurie held Jeb's hand as we walked into the courthouse.

Our social worker was standing with the lawyer. She had flowers for me and Laurie.

We entered the courtroom and stood in front of the big wooden desk. The judge asked Jeb and Laurie if they wanted to be adopted and they both said yes. The judge asked me if I wanted to adopt them and I said yes.