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“When we come back for Christmas, I was thinking, I could bring Camilla the tiara I got for my sixteenth birthday. Do you think that’s too much?”

“Babe, her head hasnotgrown since you gave her the first one.” Palmer laughed as they sat down next to each other.

“I know, but it’s a special one to me. It was actually one of Queen Victoria’s. My mother had it fitted for me for my birthday. It just seems silly to have it sitting in a locked cabinet.”

Palmer turned to her and said, “My sister is fine, and she doesn’t need another tiara. The first one is crazy enough. Besides,” she added as she took Elizabeth’s hand. “Don’t you think you might want to save it?”

“Save it? It’s just going into the museum.”

“Save it, babe,” Palmer repeated with an expression that told Elizabeth she should think about it for a moment.

“Oh,save it?” Elizabeth replied, smiling at her. “For someone?”

“Yes, for someone,” Palmer confirmed.

“Like a sixteen-year-old Princess?” Elizabeth asked, nodding along.

“Or a Prince. I don’t care if we have a son and he wants to rock a tiara one day.”

“We really are changing the face of the monarchy now, aren’t we?” Elizabeth laughed. “It’s still so strange to me,” she said as she sobered.

“What is?”

“My entire life, I never thought I’d have the things I’m about to have with you. I sometimes forget they’re possible now.”

“They’re not just possible; they’re happening, Lizzy,” Palmer reminded, taking her hand and moving it into her own lap.

Palmer’s phone buzzed in her pocket.

“You should get that before we take off. You always pass out pretty much right away and end up drooling on my shoulder. If only the people of St. Rais could see a picture ofthat,” Elizabeth said, teasing.

“Don’t you dare,” Palmer replied, laughing. She pulled out her phone and stared at the text message from her old boss. “Holy crap!”

“What? Is everything okay?” Elizabeth stiffened in her seat.

“I completely forgot he was going to message me.”

“What about?”

“The Pulitzers are announced in April for the previous year. So, next year, my piece about you, St. Rais, what happened, and us would be eligible.”

“Okay…”

“He has close contacts on the jury. He said he doesn’t want me to get ahead of myself, but he has it on good authority that I’m on a very short list.”

“Meaning?” Elizabeth leaned over the armrest to get a better look at Palmer’s phone.

“Meaning, he thinks I might win the Pulitzer for a distinguished example of reporting on international affairs.”

“Hedoes? Wait. Of course, he does. It was brilliant,” Elizabeth said, smiling at her girlfriend.

“I honestly forgot about it. What doesthatsay about me?”

“So, my future wife is going to be a Pulitzer award-winning writer?” Elizabeth asked.

Palmer turned to her, surprised, and said, “I don’t have a ring on my finger.” She winked at her.

“You will,” Elizabeth replied with a nonchalant shrug of a shoulder.