Page 52 of Eliza's Cursed Dragon

And then we were in his arms. Laughing and crying and shouting.

“Father,” we exclaimed just as happily as he called each one of us by our names, as if having to assure himself we were all here.

“You have grown,” my father said, wiping a tear from the corner of his eyes. “I thought I would never see you again.”

“What happened?” William asked.

“Constancia left for an errand,” my father explained, “and then a green witch requested an audience, and just like that… I realized that I had been under a spell. The guards have been on extra duty, they are under strict orders not to let Constancia in or anywhere near me.”

“You don’t have to worry about her, she won’t be coming back,” Philip assured him.

“Unless she hops.” Harry snickered.

“Who are all these people?” It was as if my father was seeing the others for the first time.

“This”—I pulled Edward forward—“is my Edward. We want to get married here, tomorrow,” I filled my father in.

“It is an honor, sir… I mean Your Royal Highness,” Edward corrected himself. I had never seen him out of sorts, but now he truly was. “I would very much appreciate it if you would allow me the honor of your daughter’s hand in marriage.”

“You chose this man?” my father asked, openly discomforted.

"He is the father of my babies," I said proudly, while my brothers held Garret and Jasper out for my father to see.

His expression turned from surprise to outrage to questioning to utterly happy. "Twins?"

"They do run in the family," I replied with a small grin.

"That they do," my father responded as a wistful expression crossed his features.

He took Jaspar first, held him and kissed his forehead, "You look like your mother," his voice was soft as his eyes moved from Jasper to me.

"And me, I hope," Edward threw in.

"Young man, you should not bring yourself to my attention right now, having children out of wedlock, with my daugh—"

Before my father could fully chastise my poor Edward, I interfered, "It's not his fault. He wanted to marry me, but I asked him to wait."

"Whatever for?" My father traded Jasper for Garret to kiss him just as lovingly.

"It's a long story, but we will explain everything,” I promised.

“My son is a good man,” Gerald spoke up.

My father rubbed his white beard. “I see. Well, come on in, the servants will find accommodations for all these guests. We will feast tonight and”—he grinned from ear to ear—“have a wedding tomorrow!”

And so they lived happily ever after.

THE END