The Perfect Storm Teaser

March 28^th, 2022
Las Vegas, Nevada
Bellagio Hotel

“Will you calm your tits?” Angela laughed. She’d quickly become one Bella’s closest friends. She taught drama, introduction to public speaking and Brit Lit. “You’re going to sweat through your dress. You don’t have cold feet, do you?”

“Hell, no! My feet are toasty warm,” Bella retorted. “I just never imagined being here. I never thought I’d be married again.”

“You’re not married yet, bitch,” Angela smirked. “Dr. Heatwave is still single at this moment. Do you think he’d go for me?”

“I don’t think so, Ang. Besides, you’re married, woman! I love you and I love that you helped me come out of my shell,” Bella snickered. “I never realized how much I hid my personality. You know?”

“You were pretty quiet when I first met you. Then, I drew you into my world. Thank you for being my assistant director for the play. You were awesome. You’re doing it again, next year,” Angela proclaimed. “If you’re not knocked up.”

“I’m not pregnant, Angela,” Bella sighed.

“Then, why the rush to the altar?”

“Because, when you know, you know,” Bella shrugged. 

Happily Ever After Update

Happy New Year, everyone! One final update before the year is done. And, with that, I'm marking this as complete, as well! 

HEA Chapter 5 on FFn

HEA Chapter 5 on AO3

HEA Chapter 5 on Fanfiction.Online

HEA Chapter 5 on Stars

HEA Chapter 5 on Wattpad

I bounced my infant son in my arms, but to no avail. He was screaming his head off. He was missing his mother and I didn’t have the necessary materials to calm him. He needed to be fed and my stubborn second-born child, Anthony Carlisle Emmett, would not take the bottle.

“Cut Daddy some slack, little man,” I groaned, shifting my six-month old son in my arms as I tried to encourage him to take the bottle. “Maman will be back soon. She can’t be at your beckoned call all the time.”

My wife, she needed and deserved some self-care. So, Emmett and I arranged for our wives for a day of complete relaxation. They were getting massages, hair color and haircut, and anything else they wanted. They deserved a day away from dirty nappies, crying babies and feeling like a human milk dispensary. She was a zombie most of the time, even with a full-time nanny. Anthony was not an easy baby. He had colic and would only calm down for Bella or Charlotte. Rarely did he sleep through the night and when he did, we wouldn’t get any sleep for nearly three days after that.

Don’t get me wrong … I adore my son, more than words can describe. He was just so different compared to Charlotte, who was a dream baby.

“Try giving him a bath, Daddy,” Charlotte said, blinking up at me. “That’s not his hungry cry. That’s his dirty diaper cry.”

“The fact that you know his different cries says something,” I deadpanned.

“That’s because I wanted to help you and Maman,” Charlotte giggled. “Once you get him clean, he’ll take the bottle.”

“Do you want to help me, ma petite?” I asked. She nodded eagerly and we walked into the nursery, and into the bathroom. Charlotte gathered the shower gel and shampoo, along with a fresh outfit for Anthony. I removed his clothes and diaper, placing him in his bathtub. As soon as the warm water surrounded him, his screams stopped and he watched me with wide, bright eyes. “Better, mon fils?”

“Maman rubs his belly and it settles him,” Charlotte said, her fingers running through his light brown hair.

“You’re going to be a good maman,” I breathed, winking at my daughter.

“Not for a long time,” Charlotte snickered. “Didn’t you say I’m not allowed to get married until I’m fifty?”

“I would like to be a grandfather at some point,” I teased. “Perhaps we can adjust that age to thirty?”

“Whatever, Dad. I want to go to university and learn all I can before I get married,” Charlotte said. “That way, when I ascend to the throne, I’ll be a fair and just ruler, like you.”

“Charlotte, you have given me the greatest compliment,” I murmured, leaning over to kiss her forehead. “If you rule like you care for your little brother, you will be a better leader than me.”

“Thanks, Daddy,” Charlotte breathed. 

Happily Ever After Teaser

 I bounced my infant son in my arms, but to no avail. He was screaming his head off. He was missing his mother and I didn’t have the necessary materials to calm him. He needed to be fed and my stubborn second-born child, Anthony Carlisle Emmett, would not take the bottle.

“Cut Daddy some slack, little man,” I groaned, shifting my six-month old son in my arms as I tried to encourage him to take the bottle. “Maman will be back soon. She can’t be at your beckoned call all the time.”

My wife, she needed and deserved some self-care. So, Emmett and I arranged for our wives for a day of complete relaxation. They were getting massages, hair color and haircut, and anything else they wanted. They deserved a day away from dirty nappies, crying babies and feeling like a human milk dispensary. She was a zombie most of the time, even with a full-time nanny. Anthony was not an easy baby. He had colic and would only calm down for Bella or Charlotte. Rarely did he sleep through the night and when he did, we wouldn’t get any sleep for nearly three days after that.

Don’t get me wrong … I adore my son, more than words can describe. He was just so different compared to Charlotte, who was a dream baby.

“Try giving him a bath, Daddy,” Charlotte said, blinking up at me. “That’s not his hungry cry. That’s his dirty diaper cry.”

“The fact that you know his different cries says something,” I deadpanned.

“That’s because I wanted to help you and Maman,” Charlotte giggled. “Once you get him clean, he’ll take the bottle.”

“Do you want to help me, ma petite?” I asked. She nodded eagerly and we walked into the nursery, and into the bathroom. Charlotte gathered the shower gel and shampoo, along with a fresh outfit for Anthony. I removed his clothes and diaper, placing him in his bathtub. As soon as the warm water surrounded him, his screams stopped and he watched me with wide, bright eyes. “Better, mon fils?”

“Maman rubs his belly and it settles him,” Charlotte said, her fingers running through his light brown hair.

“You’re going to be a good maman,” I breathed, winking at my daughter.

“Not for a long time,” Charlotte snickered. “Didn’t you say I’m not allowed to get married until I’m fifty?”

“I would like to be a grandfather at some point,” I teased. “Perhaps we can adjust that age to thirty?”

“Whatever, Dad. I want to go to university and learn all I can before I get married,” Charlotte said. “That way, when I ascend to the throne, I’ll be a fair and just ruler, like you.”

“Charlotte, you have given me the greatest compliment,” I murmured, leaning over to kiss her forehead. “If you rule like you care for your little brother, you will be a better leader than me.”

“Thanks, Daddy,” Charlotte breathed.

 

Happily Ever After Update

I'm wishing all of you and yours the Merriest of Chritmases and Happiest of Holidays. I hope that everyone who reads this update is safe, happy and healthy. 

HEA Chapter 4 on FFn

HEA Chapter 4 on AO3

HEA Chapter 4 on Fanfiction.online

HEA Chapter 4 on Stars

HEA Chapter 4 on Wattpad

I was dragging my ass back to the consulate. The climate summit had finally come to a close with some great ideas in place for implementation after the first of the year. We would be able to fly back home knowing that we’d made a positive difference in our world.

I was, however, pissed off that we had to move our family to the Gevalian consulate. The tenant above our condo had flooded their bathroom and the bathtub fell through the ceiling into our master bath. It sounded like an explosion and woke Bella, Charlotte and me out of a dead sleep after we’d returned from Austin. I thought I was going to have a heart attack. Hell, Felix did have a heart attack.

Granted, it was mild, but the damage to our condo had scared him half to death.

So, Alec and Demetri flew out to take over for our security and Felix flew home to recuperate. We moved into the consulate, displacing the ambassador and his family. They willingly gave up their private residence when we were forced out of the condo. The Gevalian government were paying for their extended stay at The Peninsula New York until we left for home.

Trudging up the stairs to the ambassadorial apartment, I unlocked the door. The entire apartment smelled like vanilla, cinnamon and chocolate. I walked into the kitchen, laughing when I saw Bella and Charlotte dancing to some Christmas music. Charlie was sitting on a stool, snickering at his daughter and granddaughter’s antics. “It smells like the bakery in here,” I said.

“We’ve been making a lot of traditional Gevalian favorites,” Bella said, smiling at me brightly. “Getting ready for our Christmas celebration.”

“What’s your favorite treat, Charlotte?” Charlie asked.

“I have to pick one?” she grumped.

“One for your daddy to try,” Charlie smirked.

“Why can’t you try all of them, Daddy?” Charlotte asked, cocking her head adorably and looking so much like her mother.

“Because, we need to have treats for our family, ma petite fille,” I said, wiping some flour off her nose.

“You can have the chocolate éclairs,” Bella said, giving me a shitty grin.

Ugh, chocolate éclairs … no, thank you.

At the Annual Gevalian Chocolate Festival last year, Bella and I had a case of food poisoning because we had some bad éclairs. The custard had gone sour, causing anyone who ate them to spend three days worshipping the porcelain god. I thought I was going to die from vomit.

“I’m good with that, cherie,” I deadpanned, picking up a snickerdoodle. “How can you even make those?”

“I made them,” Charlie said. “Bella looked at the custard and turned green. So, I took over. However, they are a favorite of Linda’s and she begged for us to have them for Christmas.” His cell phone chirruped from his pocket. Shakily, he pulled it out. “Oh, Mike picked up Alice and Jasper from the airport. They’re settling in at his apartment.”

“We’re going to have a full house for Christmas,” Bella said. “Thank goodness this place is ginormous or else we wouldn’t be able to fit everyone.” She looked around and sighed. “We need to get the ambassador a huge thank you gift for giving up his home on Christmas. I cannot believe that …”

“I know, cherie,” I smiled, sliding my arm around her waist. “The family is staying in the presidential suite at the Peninsula and getting a hefty stipend for his displacement.”

“I thought it was cool to see that bath tub in your bathroom,” Charlotte giggled.

“It was something,” Bella grumbled.

    

 

Happily Ever After Update

HEA Ch. 3 on FFn

HEA Ch. 3. on AO3

HEA Ch. 3 on Fanfiction.online

HEA Ch. 3 on Stars

HEA Ch. 3 on Wattpad

“What do you say, Charlotte?” I asked. “Want to hang out with Daddy?”

“Okay,” she said, getting off my lap and skipping out of our bedroom. I followed her and chuckled when she turned toward the kitchen.

“Where are you going, Charlotte?”

“Daddy, it’s tradition. When you give me a bath and put me to bed, we always share a glass of chocolate milk,” she smirked, looking so much like her mother. “Are you coming?”

If this was my daughter at five, I fear when she becomes a teenager. Lord grant me strength. “You are going to be a force to reckon with when you get older, Charlotte,” I deadpanned.

She gave me a crooked grin, walking to the kitchen and moving to sit on the stool at the island.

I opened up the refrigerator and pulled out the milk along with a jar of homemade chocolate sauce that was made by our staff. I tried to learn how to do it, but I couldn’t get the knack of it despite being shown several times the steps to make it. With a flourish, I added the chocolate to the milk and mixed it for her. “Use two hands, Charlotte. I don’t want you to spill the best chocolate milk in all of Gevalia.”

She giggled, taking the glass and sipping her drink. She looked up at me with a milk mustache. “Daddy, do you know anything about my Aunt Alice?”

I looked at my child, arching a brow. Alice’s name hadn’t been muttered in the palace since Bella and I flew to Gevalia after her accident. “Where did you hear about Aunt Alice?”

“Grandpa,” she answered simply. “When we were on the computer, he showed me a picture of Aunt Alice. He sounded sad.”

“Charlotte, your Aunt Alice and your maman did not get along when they were younger,” I said. “She moved out of the house when she was really young and then got into trouble when she was visiting us here at the palace. Anyway, it’s been a long time since we’d talked to her.”

“Grandpa said he missed Aunt Alice,” she shrugged. “I was just wondering if she was nice.”

“Hmmm,” I said noncommittally. “Maybe, you can ask about your Aunt Alice when you see Grandpa?”

“When are we leaving again?” she asked.

“In a couple of days,” I answered. “Are you done with your milk?”

She slurped the rest of her milk and pushed the glass back to me. I ruffled her chocolate curls before I put the glass into the sink. She scowled at me but squealed when I flipped her over my shoulder, running to her suite. I tossed her onto her bed, tickling her sides. “Daddy!” She pleaded in French for me to stop through her giggles.

“D’accord, ma petite fille,” I chuckled. “Go get your pajamas. Do you want strawberry or lavender for your bath, Your Highness?”

“I want to smell like Maman,” Charlotte said. “Strawberry, please.”

Happily Ever After Teaser

 “It’s going to take me hours to pack, Masen,” she sighed, looking at the two open suitcases. “It’s not like it’s going to be just the two of us. We have to pack for every contingency. You remember the weather in New York, right? It’s freaking manic, especially during the late fall and early winter. Give our Charlotte her bath and read her bedtime story. It’s been a while since you two had some time together.”

“What do you say, Charlotte?” I asked. “Want to hang out with Daddy?”

“Okay,” she said, getting off my lap and skipping out of our bedroom. I followed her and chuckled when she turned toward the kitchen.

“Where are you going, Charlotte?”

“Daddy, it’s tradition. When you give me a bath and put me to bed, we always share a glass of chocolate milk,” she smirked, looking so much like her mother. “Are you coming?”

If this was my daughter at five, I fear when she becomes a teenager. Lord grant me strength. “You are going to be a force to reckon with when you get older, Charlotte,” I deadpanned.

She gave me a crooked grin, walking to the kitchen and moving to sit on the stool at the island.

I opened up the refrigerator and pulled out the milk along with a jar of homemade chocolate sauce that was made by our staff. I tried to learn how to do it, but I couldn’t get the knack of it despite being shown several times the steps to make it. With a flourish, I added the chocolate to the milk and mixed it for her. “Use two hands, Charlotte. I don’t want you to spill the best chocolate milk in all of Gevalia.”

She giggled, taking the glass and sipping her drink. She looked up at me with a milk mustache. “Daddy, do you know anything about my Aunt Alice?”

I looked at my child, arching a brow. Alice’s name hadn’t been muttered in the palace since Bella and I flew to Gevalia after her accident. “Where did you hear about Aunt Alice?”

“Grandpa,” she answered simply. “When we were on the computer, he showed me a picture of Aunt Alice. He sounded sad.”

“Charlotte, your Aunt Alice and your maman did not get along when they were younger,” I said. “She moved out of the house when she was really young and then got into trouble when she was visiting us here at the palace. Anyway, it’s been a long time since we’d talked to her.”

“Grandpa said he missed Aunt Alice,” she shrugged. “I was just wondering if she was nice.”

“Hmmm,” I said noncommittally. “Maybe, you can ask about your Aunt Alice when you see Grandpa?”

“When are we leaving again?” she asked.

“In a couple of days,” I answered. “Are you done with your milk?”

She slurped the rest of her milk and pushed the glass back to me. I ruffled her chocolate curls before I put the glass into the sink. She scowled at me but squealed when I flipped her over my shoulder, running to her suite. I tossed her onto her bed, tickling her sides. “Daddy!” She pleaded in French for me to stop through her giggles.

“D’accord, ma petite fille,” I chuckled. “Go get your pajamas. Do you want strawberry or lavender for your bath, Your Highness?”

“I want to smell like Maman,” Charlotte said. “Strawberry, please.”

Happily Ever After Update

HEA Chapter 2 on FFn

HEA Chapter 2 on AO3

HEA Chapter 2 on Fanfiction.online

HEA Chapter 2 on Stars

HEA Chapter 2 on Wattpad

One Year After Princess Charlotte’s Birth
Early June

Sitting in my office in the apartment, I was working on finalizing the details for the Annual Gevalian Chocolate Festival. It was the second biggest Gevalian holiday after the Gevalian Independence Day. It was a weekend celebrating all things chocolate. The opening ceremony was happening in two weeks. I was waiting for Esme to come. We were deciding on the activities for the opening ceremony. After that, we were going to spend the afternoon at the Gevalian Zoo with Charlotte.

“Your Highness, Your Majesty, Queen Esme has arrived,” Heidi said.

“Thank you, Heidi,” I smiled, picking up my tablet. “Can you show her to the family room?”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Heidi replied, curtseying before leaving.

I stood up, carrying my tablet out of the office. I poked my head in the nursery on my way to the family room. Charlotte was taking her morning nap. I caressed her pink cheek before plucking the baby monitor off its charger. When I walked into the family room, Esme was sipping some tea and nibbling on the appetizers that were left out for her. “Esme,” I said, gliding into the room. “I hope you weren’t waiting long.”

“Of course not, sweet girl,” Esme answered, standing up and hugging me. “Where’s Charlotte?”

“Morning nap. She’ll be up in an hour or so,” I grinned, putting the baby monitor on table. “You’ll get a chance to love up on your first grandchild.”

“Am I that transparent?” she quipped.

“No, you’re Grammy,” I snickered. “You’re entitled to snuggle your granddaughter, but we do have work we need to do, Esme. Things are almost in place for the festival. We just need to finalize the opening ceremonies.”

“Well, what are the festivities for the weekend?” Esme asked.

“We have the best chocolate makers in Gevalia that will set up in an open-air marketplace for the weekend. They’re providing samples, giving demonstrations and selling their best chocolates to the public. In addition to that, we have a competition for the best chocolate recipes, earning prizes for their businesses. We have ten different categories for the competition.”

“My favorite memories of the festival was tasting the different entries. But, ten categories?”

“Best Brownie, Best Cake, Best Candies, Best Cookies, Best Beverage, Best Use of Chocolate Not in a Dessert, Best Truffle, Best Fondue, Best Liqueur, and Best Wine Pairing,” I said, reading from my tablet.

“Ooh, I like the last one. I’m partial to dark chocolate with a pinot noir,” Esme cooed. “It’s delicious.” Her dreamy look faded and she giggled. “What else is happening?”

“We’ve set up a Chocolate Sensorium, an exhibit space devoted to hands-on sensory exploration of the cacao and chocolate-producing process,” I said. “There’s also going to be classes for culinary students for all ages during the day. After five, there will be classes for the over-eighteen set. That’s where the wine-pairing and liqueur aspect of the competition.”

“Now, I want all the chocolate,” Esme chuckled, sipping her tea with a wrinkled nose. “And coffee.”

“The doctor said …” I chided.

“The doctor said …” she grumped. “Why can’t I have decaf? I miss coffee.”

“Maybe, while we’re out, we can go out for some decaf coffee, Esme,” I bargained.

“I would love you forever,” Esme breathed.

“Back to the Chocolate Festival,” I said. “Opening ceremonies …”

Happily Ever After Teaser

One Year After Princess Charlotte’s Birth
Early June

Sitting in my office in the apartment, I was working on finalizing the details for the Annual Gevalian Chocolate Festival. It was the second biggest Gevalian holiday after the Gevalian Independence Day. It was a weekend celebrating all things chocolate. The opening ceremony was happening in two weeks. I was waiting for Esme to come. We were deciding on the activities for the opening ceremony. After that, we were going to spend the afternoon at the Gevalian Zoo with Charlotte.

“Your Highness, Your Majesty, Queen Esme has arrived,” Heidi said.

“Thank you, Heidi,” I smiled, picking up my tablet. “Can you show her to the family room?”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Heidi replied, curtseying before leaving.

I stood up, carrying my tablet out of the office. I poked my head in the nursery on my way to the family room. Charlotte was taking her morning nap. I caressed her pink cheek before plucking the baby monitor off its charger. When I walked into the family room, Esme was sipping some tea and nibbling on the appetizers that were left out for her. “Esme,” I said, gliding into the room. “I hope you weren’t waiting long.”

“Of course not, sweet girl,” Esme answered, standing up and hugging me. “Where’s Charlotte?”

“Morning nap. She’ll be up in an hour or so,” I grinned, putting the baby monitor on table. “You’ll get a chance to love up on your first grandchild.”

“Am I that transparent?” she quipped.

“No, you’re Grammy,” I snickered. “You’re entitled to snuggle your granddaughter, but we do have work we need to do, Esme. Things are almost in place for the festival. We just need to finalize the opening ceremonies.”

“Well, what are the festivities for the weekend?” Esme asked.

“We have the best chocolate makers in Gevalia that will set up in an open-air marketplace for the weekend. They’re providing samples, giving demonstrations and selling their best chocolates to the public. In addition to that, we have a competition for the best chocolate recipes, earning prizes for their businesses. We have ten different categories for the competition.”

“My favorite memories of the festival was tasting the different entries. But, ten categories?”

“Best Brownie, Best Cake, Best Candies, Best Cookies, Best Beverage, Best Use of Chocolate Not in a Dessert, Best Truffle, Best Fondue, Best Liqueur, and Best Wine Pairing,” I said, reading from my tablet.

“Ooh, I like the last one. I’m partial to dark chocolate with a pinot noir,” Esme cooed. “It’s delicious.” Her dreamy look faded and she giggled. “What else is happening?”

“We’ve set up a Chocolate Sensorium, an exhibit space devoted to hands-on sensory exploration of the cacao and chocolate-producing process,” I said. “There’s also going to be classes for culinary students for all ages during the day. After five, there will be classes for the over-eighteen set. That’s where the wine-pairing and liqueur aspect of the competition.”

“Now, I want all the chocolate,” Esme chuckled, sipping her tea with a wrinkled nose. “And coffee.”

“The doctor said …” I chided.

“The doctor said …” she grumped. “Why can’t I have decaf? I miss coffee.”

“Maybe, while we’re out, we can go out for some decaf coffee, Esme,” I bargained.

“I would love you forever,” Esme breathed.

“Back to the Chocolate Festival,” I said. “Opening ceremonies …”

 

Happily Ever After Update

HEA Chapter 1 on FFn

HEA Chapter 1 on AO3

HEA Chapter 1 on Fanfiction.online

HEA Chapter 1 on Stars

HEA Chapter 1 on Wattpad

HEA Chapter 1 on FicPad

I was sitting in the recently finished nursery. The renovations of the royal apartment were finally finished and we moved in. Now, that I had a place to settle for the baby, I was making up for lost time, nesting. I’d washed and rewashed the presents we’d received from our friends, family and various foreign dignitaries, celebrating the new royal baby.

Some of the stuff was completely over the top.

A platinum rattle? What kid uses that?

Silk baby sheets? Um, no. Baby shit stains everything.

I would rather be doing all of this with my husband, but he was too busy being the king. The only time I saw him was when I got up in the middle of the night to pee. My handsome husband was curled around me, sleeping fitfully. The poor man was being worked to the absolute bone.

I sighed, looking at the beautiful dress in my hand and my daughter kicked into my spleen. “I miss him, too, Charlotte,” I breathed. “But, Daddy’s ruling the country.”

“Not tonight, cherie,” he said.

I blinked up and saw my gorgeous, but exhausted husband standing in front of me. “You’re home, Masen. I’ve missed you so much,” I cried. Stupid, pregnancy hormones.

He walked to me, kneeling in front of me. His large hands were laying on belly and his green eyes were so sad. “Don’t cry, cherie,” he murmured. “I’m sorry. I knew it would be more work. I never expected it to be this. Being away from you has been awful.” He kissed my belly, whispering to our daughter and kissed me. “My brother told me to go home to spend time with you. We had words after my meeting with the parliament leadership.”

“What did he say?” I asked, brushing back his unruly bronze hair. “Do I need to kick his ass?”

“Bella, you’re all belly. You can barely walk, let alone kick ass,” Masen chided. I glowered at him. “Right, don’t tease the mother of my child.”

“Not if you don’t want to sleep on the couch, Majesty,” I said sarcastically. “What did Emmett say?”

“Come on, cherie,” he said, helping me to my feet.

I was all stomach. Everywhere else was tiny, but my belly had ballooned after the coronation. It was like my daughter knew I had an entire country staring at me before she had her growth spurt. We walked into the bedroom, where I sat down on the bed. Masen began removing his suit. I watched as he tossed his dress shirt into the hamper and revealed his muscled torso.

It’s been so long since I made love to my husband.

“Bella, you’re staring and biting your lip,” Masen snorted. “Did you hear anything I said?”

“Sorry, my brain is perving out on your sexiness,” I blushed. “How are you able to work out while working eighteen hours a day?”

“I’m not working out. I just don’t have time to eat. Most of my meals are nibbles on the run in between meetings,” Masen shrugged, pulling on a pair of dark-wash jeans. “I’m far from sexy, Bella. Overworked and exhausted, yes.”

“True. Just wait until we have a newborn, Masen,” I said, rubbing my belly. “Emmett … what words of wisdom did he impart?”

“Direct quote, ‘Go home to your wife, make love to her and do not come back to the city center until next week. You’re acting like a fucking tyrant.’ Felix agreed and Renata worked her magic, clearing my schedule for the rest of the week until Monday,” Masen said, sitting down next to me. He was still deliciously shirtless. I wanted to lick every inch of his tattoo. He laughed, cupping my chin and forcing my eyes to his. “I’m with you, cherie. I’ve missed fucking you.”

“There he is,” I purred, gliding my fingers along his forearm and to his nipple. “My dirty-talking royal.”

A Modern Day Fairy Tale: Happily Ever After Teaser

 I was sitting in the recently finished nursery. The renovations of the royal apartment were finally finished and we moved in. Now, that I had a place to settle for the baby, I was making up for lost time, nesting. I’d washed and rewashed the presents we’d received from our friends, family and various foreign dignitaries, celebrating the new royal baby.

Some of the stuff was completely over the top.

A platinum rattle? What kid uses that?

Silk baby sheets? Um, no. Baby shit stains everything.

I would rather be doing all of this with my husband, but he was too busy being the king. The only time I saw him was when I got up in the middle of the night to pee. My handsome husband was curled around me, sleeping fitfully. The poor man was being worked to the absolute bone.

I sighed, looking at the beautiful dress in my hand and my daughter kicked into my spleen. “I miss him, too, Charlotte,” I breathed. “But, Daddy’s ruling the country.”

“Not tonight, cherie,” he said.

I blinked up and saw my gorgeous, but exhausted husband standing in front of me. “You’re home, Masen. I’ve missed you so much,” I cried. Stupid, pregnancy hormones.

He walked to me, kneeling in front of me. His large hands were laying on belly and his green eyes were so sad. “Don’t cry, cherie,” he murmured. “I’m sorry. I knew it would be more work. I never expected it to be this. Being away from you has been awful.” He kissed my belly, whispering to our daughter and kissed me. “My brother told me to go home to spend time with you. We had words after my meeting with the parliament leadership.”

“What did he say?” I asked, brushing back his unruly bronze hair. “Do I need to kick his ass?”

“Bella, you’re all belly. You can barely walk, let alone kick ass,” Masen chided. I glowered at him. “Right, don’t tease the mother of my child.”

“Not if you don’t want to sleep on the couch, Majesty,” I said sarcastically. “What did Emmett say?”

“Come on, cherie,” he said, helping me to my feet.

I was all stomach. Everywhere else was tiny, but my belly had ballooned after the coronation. It was like my daughter knew I had an entire country staring at me before she had her growth spurt. We walked into the bedroom, where I sat down on the bed. Masen began removing his suit. I watched as he tossed his dress shirt into the hamper and revealed his muscled torso.

It’s been so long since I made love to my husband.

“Bella, you’re staring and biting your lip,” Masen snorted. “Did you hear anything I said?”

“Sorry, my brain is perving out on your sexiness,” I blushed. “How are you able to work out while working eighteen hours a day?”

“I’m not working out. I just don’t have time to eat. Most of my meals are nibbles on the run in between meetings,” Masen shrugged, pulling on a pair of dark-wash jeans. “I’m far from sexy, Bella. Overworked and exhausted, yes.”

“True. Just wait until we have a newborn, Masen,” I said, rubbing my belly. “Emmett … what words of wisdom did he impart?”

“Direct quote, ‘Go home to your wife, make love to her and do not come back to the city center until next week. You’re acting like a fucking tyrant.’ Felix agreed and Renata worked her magic, clearing my schedule for the rest of the week until Monday,” Masen said, sitting down next to me. He was still deliciously shirtless. I wanted to lick every inch of his tattoo. He laughed, cupping my chin and forcing my eyes to his. “I’m with you, cherie. I’ve missed fucking you.”

“There he is,” I purred, gliding my fingers along his forearm and to his nipple. “My dirty-talking royal.”

This is my Christmas gift to all of you. I’m posting several future-takes from A Modern Day Fairy Tale. It will be posted as a separate story entitled Happily Ever After. The first chapter will be a sneak pack into the birth of the Crown Princess Charlotte. The chapter itself will be posted on Friday once I’m done with school for the day. 

I’m working on chapter three, but it may be about five chapters long, wrapping up on December 31st, 2020.

A gift from me to you ... your very own glimpse into KingWard’s future.