Danny hummed ‘Jingle bells’ happily as he drove over to his sister’s house on his lunch break, to drop off his brother in law’s Christmas present that he’d been hiding for her. Ricky would still be at the high school finishing up his end of term duties as principal, Daniella was on duty at the police department, and Gwen would be with Josephine getting manicures, with Oliver grumpily tagging along. Just thinking about the fact that she was now part of his life had Danny grinning from ear to ear. Adoring her from afar didn’t even compare to finally being able to actually be with her. They’d seen each other every day since the Christmas party and each time he’d found himself falling harder for her. And he wasn’t the only one. Gwen was practically Josephine’s shadow, following her everywhere, attempting to copy the way she did her hair and mimicking her mannerisms. The best part for Danny though was how Josephine seemed to bloom when her mini me was near.
In the weeks that they’d known each other, Josephine had thoroughly spoiled Gwen with lavish gifts and rapt adoration. She’d told him the other night, as they cuddled in bed that his niece was like the baby sister she’d always wanted only better. It wasn’t a surprise to him that Josephine had become almost a staple in Daniella’s home while he was at work. His sister was more than happy for the free babysitting and even Oliver begrudgingly enjoyed Ricky’s company since it mostly involved watching the news and grumbling at the state of the world.
To Danny this was his idea of heaven and better than any gift he could receive on Christmas day.
––––––––
After parking his car in the driveway, he unlocked the front door and stepped into the foyer with the large already wrapped package in his arms. Danny had carefully hid it in the hall closet, behind the coats like Daniella instructed when he heard female voices coming from the living room. At first, he thought it was his sister but then he heard the cultured European accent and knew it was Josephine. A grin the size of Kansas appeared on his face as he tiptoed closer to the sounds when something she said stopped him in his tracks.
“I've mislead you, Daniel. I've mislead you and now I'm madly in love with you and there's nothing to be done about it.” She loved him back! She was in love with him! Danny's heart swelled to bursting with elation.
“What do you mean, my love?” His niece's faux baritone voice made him snort with silent laughter. Gwen's impression of her uncle was nowhere near accurate but after bursting out in a peal of laughter, Josephine resumed her serious speech.
“I don't want to tell you because it will hurt you that we cannot be together.” Danny frowned, the joyful light dimming within his eyes.
“Auntie Josie, I don't like this game anymore. I know I said I would help you but now it’s getting too sad.” He listened to Josephine's footsteps as she crossed the carpeted floor to where Gwen sat. He moved into the doorway and watched as she consoled the little girl, her back facing him as they embraced.
“Oh sweet girl, I'm sorry. You're right, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have involved you with this. Thank you for being so lovely and trying to help this confused soul of mine.”
“If you tell me what's wrong, maybe I could help you?” Danny said as he stepped into the room. They turned to stare at him, one tear filled pair of baby blue eyes, who now knew too much of grown-up affairs, and the other a tormented honey brown.
“Uncle Danny! Don't be mad at her, I begged and begged her to tell me what was wrong. She was really sad so I told her to rehearse what she wanted to say and it'll come easier. Just like Mommy showed me that time I had to talk in front of the whole school. Remember, Uncle Danny?” Gwen pleaded, tears spilling down her round, young face.
“Yeah, I remember, sweetie. I'm not mad so you don't need to worry. Why don't you go up to your room and watch some TV or something? I think Josephine needs to talk to me about some things.”
She turned a concerned look at Josephine, who simply smiled sweetly at her and nodded.
“I didn't mean to upset her, Daniel. I would never do that on purpose.” Josephine said as soon as they heard the sound of Gwen's bedroom door close.
“I know. Tell me what's wrong?” Danny suddenly felt tired. He didn't really want to hear the ending of the conversation that he heard start before, but he knew he had to.
Josephine crossed the space between them and took his large hand in hers. He felt her smooth, cool palms against his as she put their joined hands to her lips. She looked at him with large eyes brimming with sorrow. He reached out and gently caressed her face, offering her an encouraging smile.
“I love you.” Josephine said softly.
“I love you, too. You know that. Since the first time I laid eyes on you.”
“Yes.” Her eyes fluttered shut briefly before opening again with a renewed look of determination.
“But we cannot be together.”
Danny pulled her to him as he leaned on the arm of the couch.
“So I heard. Now, tell me why?”
Josephine tried to step away but he wrapped his arm around her waist, drawing her back in. He pressed his forehead to her chest, just above her heart.
“You know you can tell me anything, Josephine. Whatever it is, we'll work through it together.”
She sighed deeply, running a tentative hand through his silken hair.
“How much did you overhear?”
“Doesn't matter. Just start from the beginning.”
“Alright, I have not been entirely honest with you. I have omitted huge truths from my story.”
“Okay then, tell me now. All of it.”
Danny heard her heartbeat speed up as she inhaled and exhaled a shaky breath. Her body tensed in his arms but he did not release his hold on her.
“I've been in this country for the past few months, not as a vacation or a year abroad, but as a forced sabbatical on orders from my father, King Constantin. I have disgraced the family name and he sent me here with Oliver as my only companion and bodyguard. For these past few months, I have lived as an outcast because of that I have done.”
“Well, that's okay. It doesn't matter if you're an outcast here. You don't have to be alone any longer. My family will be your family. Just marry me.”
Josephine finally broke away at his words. She could see the sincerity and it only broke her heart further.
“No. No matter how wonderful that sounds, it still cannot be. Please let me finish.”
Danny nodded, studying her face but she turned away from him to look out of the window.
“My father has sent word that he is willing to forgive me and accept me back into the family. All I have to do is marry the man he has arranged for me to wed and I would be able to save face.”
Danny's heart stopped in his chest but he willed it to carry on with sheer willpower. He took a deep, steadying breath before trusting himself to speak.
“When did you find this out?”
“The day of Gwen's ballet recital when you were all having dinner together. That was what Oliver and I were discussing on the sidewalk.” She admitted, shame coloring her face.
“You should have told me then. You should have told me any time after that, Josephine.”
“I know. I’m so sorry. I just...I didn't have the heart to tell you. To be honest, I didn’t even expect to see you again after. But then you were there and I was so happy to be with you. Being with you was so easy, Daniel. I’m so sorry. Oliver tried to warn me, but I was stubborn.”
Danny breathed a sigh of relief.
“Okay, that's not so bad. Just call him and tell him that you found someone else. Tell him that you're going to marry me instead.”
“He refuses to speak to me. I’ve been trying to get in touch with him from that day. And since being part of your world, I’ve doubled my efforts but he has not returned any of my calls, choosing only to relay messages to me via Oliver. I don’t know what else to do.”
“Okay, don’t worry. How about we talk to the guy you're supposed to be marrying. Who is he? Maybe you can talk him out of the arrangement?”
“My father hasn’t disclosed who it is. Oliver has been trying to use some contacts to find out but nothing has come up, no one will disclose any information. Besides, it will probably be a powerful ally or someone just as important so that if I refused, it will only ruin my reputation further.” Josephine replied, bitterness seeping into her voice.
“He can’t make you marry someone you’ve never even met!” Danny muttered, angrily stalking back and forth. Josephine stilled him with a touch of her hand on his bicep. She gazed up at him, lovingly. He spared her a tender ghost of a smile, placing his hand over hers.
“Oh, Daniel, I hate that I’ve dragged you into this. I was so selfish. You made me so happy. All of you do. Even Oliver has grown accustomed to your family and that’s unheard of really.”
“Then stay. We’ll work it out somehow. Your Dad will realize you mean business when you don’t go back.” Danny said, imploringly. She closed her eyes at his words, and turned back to face the window.