When you tell the world you're mine

Chapter 46, part II: My best friend's wedding

Carol woke up embraced in a warm body.

A body that she learned to recognize anywhere, anytime. She knew where a few scars would be, where he had freckles and where his muscles were the strongest. She knew every detail by heart and she loved it.

She yawned and smiled. Because she was home. Although away from home, she would be home whenever Harry was close.

She looked up and saw his sleeping face, his mouth slightly open and she took her time to just enjoy this moment, to listen to his breath and to feel her heart warm up in a feeling that she couldn't deny anymore. This was love. His love had proved itself strong enough to make her slowly but surely leave her fears behind and start this journey with him.

She caressed his beard and his chest with her fingertips and he stirred in his sleep.

"Morning, sleepyhead." she said when noticed he was awake.

"Morning?" he answered and his voice made her heart skip a beat. "Have we slept for that long?"

"Just a way of saying.... It's high noon. It will get dark soon, though." she said.

He kissed her forehead and tightened his embrace.

"I have missed you, Carol." he whispered.

"So have I, Harry." she answered back without even thinking about it.

She leaned in and pecked his lips. She longed there just a little bit more and he smiled.

"I think we should get dressed and go say hi to your family. We don't want to be the anti-social couple. Do we?" he smiled.

"I don't care if we stay in this bed... It's so comfortable and food is just a call away." she pouted. "We need to have our time together."

"I know, babe... But remember, we are here for your mum's wedding. We can't stay locked in the room for the whole trip. Even though I have some great ideas for you and me and this room..." he wiggled his eyebrows and she laughed.

"We are sharing then?" she said sitting up on the bed.

"Absolutely!" he jokingly bit her lips. "Shower with me?"

"Harry... you just said we have to mingle...." she answered suspiciously.

"Carol! What a dirty mind you got, yes... I invited you for a shower and not for a quickie."

"I know you well enough, Wales." she said "But if you're not up for it... OK."

They both laughed and made their way to the bathroom.

"Well... we are in paradise and missing each other. A quickie will do... for now."

Carol and Harry wandered around the hotel, to get to know the facilities and to solve last minutes errands for the rehearsal dinner. She and Hailey talked to the wedding planner about seats, security and other surprises they had prepared for their parents big day.

Tonight would be their welcome night, with a tropical dinner and lots of Brazilian music.

Maria, as always thoughtful, had arranged things in a way that Harry didn't feel misplaced. She introduced him, as her son, to the few relatives she had invited to the ceremony. Most of them did not speak English but Maria found a way to make everyone understand what he meant. Also, she made sure to have a few typical Brazilian foods for him to try and other safe options in case he didn't like them.

Carol watched her mom bond with Harry while catching up with her grandmother with a smile in her face. She made sure to talk with everyone, they all wanted to know how life in London was treating her and obviously how she ended up dating a prince. About their newly growing relationship, Carol gave evasive answers and changed the subject. It's not that she didn't trust them, she did. But she didn't feel comfortable sharing details about their relationship yet.