Paulo finally focused on surfing and it took a little longer for a good wave to come around because the water was a lot calmer today. He took the first good one and he was able to ride it all the way across to the end.

They took turns and Eva tried several runs with no success but he gave her tips on what she did wrong and finally a wave came and she paddled out to it, jumping to her feet at just the right time. She remembered everything he had told her and she rode the wave all the way across this time before diving headfirst into the ocean at the end.

When she stood up she heard him cheering for her and clapping loudly and when she got back over to him he gave her a high five. Seeing him so excited for how well she did made her smile proudly.

"See you're getting the hang of it," he told her.

She smiled and said, "Thank you."

They stayed out there surfing for two hours and Eva was able to ride a few more waves all the way across because she was starting to figure out the timing of when to jump up and how to stand. They finally decided they were done for the day and headed back for the shore, holding hands and carrying their surfboards under their arms.

When they got to the beach she laid her surfboard down in the sand and unhooked the tether from her ankle, collapsing down onto her beach towel, exhausted and catching her breath. Surfing was a lot more of a workout than she expected.

Paulo dug the end of his surfboard into the sand making it stand up before laying down on the large beach towel next to her, laying on his side and propping his head up on his arm.

"You did great out there. By the time we leave here I think you'll be a really good surfer," he said with a smile, looking down at her as she laid on her back in front of him.

She was very aware of the fact that his shirtless body was next to hers and her bikini didn't cover very much. It made her start thinking about their conversation earlier.

"So, we're done surfing. Now you can take me to the house and do anything you want," she said seductively.

"Who says we have to go to the house? We could do it right here on the beach," he said softly, leaning in with his hand on her stomach and giving her a kiss.

"Hhhhhmmmmhhhmmmm" they heard someone clear their throat loudly behind them and they both jumped and Eva scrambled to sit up in shock.

They were surprised to see the boat captain standing there that had dropped them off on the island.

"I'm so sorry to interrupt you on your honeymoon. We've been trying to reach you but you weren't answering your cell phones and we called the emergency line that's set up in the house for an hour but no one answered. I have an urgent message for you from your family."

"My family or her family?" Paulo asked.

"Your family sir," the captain said. "I'd rather not tell you out here on the beach. Can we go inside so you can both sit down?"

"Ok," Paulo said, looking concerned and they both stood up and gathered their belongings and followed the boat Captain down the trail and back to the house. They used the outside shower to clean the sand off before wrapping up in towels and sitting down on the living room couch. The captain sat on the couch across from them and leaned forward wringing his hands nervously.

"Go ahead. What do you need to tell us?" Paulo asked.

"There's no easy way to tell you this your highness, so I'm just going to come right out with it. It's your father sir. He suffered a massive heart attack last night and passed away in his sleep. Your mother noticed this morning and called emergency services but it was too late. He was already gone."

"My Dad?" Paulo asked in shock. "Is dead?"

"Yes. I'm so sorry for your loss your highness. Your mother requested that I come here and bring you both back immediately. I'm going to be outside waiting at the boat when you're ready. Take all the time you need."

He got up and walked out, leaving her and Paulo alone. Paulo sat there looking down at the ground stunned, like he was in a trance trying to process it and she wasn't sure what to say so she just laid her hand on his. She saw his eyes getting red and watery and he leaned forward and covered his face with his hands and started to cry into them. Eva put her arm around him and started rubbing his back to comfort him. She hated seeing him in so much pain and she wished she could take it away. She was a very empathetic person so seeing him cry made her eyes water and she started to cry too, pulling him into a hug.

She held him in the hug for a minute before he pulled back and looked at her with a red face and a tear rolling down his cheek. "I can't believe he's actually gone. We may have fought but I've always looked up to that man my whole life. He's the one I've always wanted to be like one day and tried to make proud of me," he said, exhaling deeply.

He looked down at his hands. "And the last thing I did was fight with him," he said sadly. "We were so much alike. We were both stubborn and opinionated and we both wanted control of my life," he said, hanging his head. "But I loved him. I always loved him."

He covered his face with his hands again and sat there in silence.

"I'm so sorry Paulo," she said softly, rubbing his back.

He dropped his hands and sat there for a minute stunned and in a daze, staring off into the distance at nothing in particular.

He finally spoke up and said, "I never got the chance to tell him he was right about you. He said you were beautiful and smart and kind and would be a perfect Queen for Spain. He was so right. Rosalie would've been a horrible Queen and all I did was fight him on it," he said, letting out an exhale.

She rubbed on his back and gave him a look of empathy. She could tell how much he was hurting and how much regret he had over how he had left things with his father.

They walked around the house and gathered up all their belongings and packed them away in their suitcases and pretty soon they were on the boat heading back. Eva turned around and watched the island fade away in the distance and she was so sad that their time there had been cut short. They were so perfect and happy there in paradise together and she wondered if it would be the same when they got back to the real world. Eva looked over at Paulo and he was sitting there slumped down, staring at the floor of the boat with a blank expression on his face. She wrapped her arm around his shoulder and started running her fingers through his hair. He turned to look at her and she could see the pain behind his eyes.

"I'm so sorry Paulo. I know you're hurting right now but I want you to know you're not in this alone," she told him softly. "I'm going to be right here by your side and I'll help you get through this. If you want to talk about it or just need a hug I'm here."

He leaned over and gave her a soft kiss before scooting away and laying his head down in her lap. She started running her fingers through his hair, massaging his scalp and humming softly.

He whispered, "Thank you," before closing his eyes.

The boat ride seemed to take forever and eventually they made it back to the mainland where the Jeep picked them up and took them to the airport where they boarded a private jet. Paulo was quiet except for a couple words here and there when he was asked a direct question. Eva was really worried because she had never seen him like this. He was always so strong and confident and full of life.

When they pulled into the drive and started heading towards the Spanish castle, Eva was in awe of how beautiful it was. She had never been here before and it looked like something straight out of a fairytale. The castle was built right on top of a rocky mountain surrounded by forest and the castle itself was beautiful with its high walls and many pointed spires atop the tall towers. It was crazy to think that this was her home now and the place where she would spend the rest of her life with Paulo and where they would raise their children.

When they pulled up at the gate there was a security guard that scanned them through and the large iron gates slid open as the car pulled into the circle drive by the front door. When they got out and went inside Queen Victoria was there along with her daughters Isadora and Bella and their friend Rosalie. Isadora and Bella were hugging Rosalie and sobbing. Eva was really surprised to see Rosalie there but his Mom had mentioned she was like a second daughter to them and like a sister to Bella, so that must be why they invited her over after their Dad's death. She was probably grieving with them. She just wondered how Paulo would react to seeing her.