One week after. A day like the others filled with constructed normalcy leading their lives, awe of being together like it was a new born.The afternoon sun streamed through the living room windows, casting warm shadows on the plush carpet of the mansion central living room. The family was gathered together, all was cozy and filled with love and laughter.
Lorelei and Katiandra sat side-by-side on the couch, their bodies entwined in a comfortable embrace. Alicia and Kayley, curled up on the floor, were engrossed in the latest blockbuster movie, their faces painted with a mixture of excitement and awe you could not tell many outsiders called them cold hearted for their lack of emotional display out there in the world.
For being born royalties they had learned that protection do not only come from bodyguards, by letting no room to deceit no one can deceive you. Katiandra's eyes darted on them for a moment proud of her life at that very moment, she recalled wondering a year ago what would happen to her children if she was retrieve from this life abruptly, that worry was proven true by how their father life was taken recently.
Alicia dependency of her had worried her, while Kayley fragility had terrified her, maybe because she had already tried to take her life once.
Those worries were just nuisance noice in the background of her life now, fading faster each day she was granted to have with them. They were grown women who learned to have each other's backs, that alone was a dream come true.
To celebrate she leaned her head placing a tender and soft kiss on her partner forehead. All of this she knew had started with her entry in their lives like a torch in the most darker place.
The leader of Fendrik's family felt exhilarated to say the least, happy and thankful for Lorelei's life by her side. For this day to happen all it had taken was for her to just say, "how about we scored some quality time with all the family?"
Thinking back Katiandra's hide her smile in her lover's head, she could remember the quizzical and "No! no! no!" face she had made at the thought of having to bear her in-laws an entire day, but it was short life for that was immediately rebuked by Lorelei's answer that was literally.
"No protests love. You will see, they will all come as soon as we will make the slightest sound down there. You know my parents love you." At that Katiandra could remembered the clear sound of a snort coming from her throat that had make her partner laugh diffusing her fear.
Yes, she had been a natural in her role of Queen of Porys and, yet here she was afraid in a way to be around the two people she knew was the most important for Lorelei.
Though she really did not need any consent from them because to marry their daughter even them knew at this stage was just a formality. Still she was sensitive of what could make the young woman happy.
Laughing at herself for protesting in anyway, the older woman smirked wandering her gaze all over the place feeling so overwhelmed with happiness, Lorelei's words had proven to be true, almost all the family was there. Like it was a normal occurrence to have 'HER' holding Lorelei like she was doing.
For the crystal green orbs it was, the best day she had ever had socially. Yes, she had had days like these with her soulmate, she had them whenever she wanted them back in Porys and here.
Some rare occurrence with her daughters but everytime in private. For her, being public, meaning a large circle mean puting a show for her people, giving them some times they could remember and cherish, from how her mother in-law reigned being the cold statuesque queen she had been, Katia
decided early to make a difference, gradually.
To be given that too, felt good, it felt normal, that was what she had always wanted to have for herself, normalcy amongst royalty. They said in the world she had led it was impossible, yet she believed now it was a lie and wish it to her sons, especially the king Lincoln. Love has the power to keep all things grounded firmly in the real and true.
"This is NOT right!" Kayley almost yelled pointing the TV with her perfectly manicured index, completely in disbelief.
The outburst had Katiandra's almost jumping out of her reverie making Lorelei laughed softly while holding her tight with soft caresses on her arm to calm her from her daughter fright.
They all smiled broadly at Kayley dismayed face, she looked relaxed though, princesses manners had long left to leave regular humans being around people they trusted to keep them safe from the world.
Reagan, who had warmed up with the situation throughout the entire time of the monarch amongst them, sat still. The Queen presence had changed the scenery of the mansion life, seated in a nearby armchair, he just was watching the scene with a fond smile.
Years ago he would had never believed it if someone had told him he could be seating with royalties like an equal. To be fair, the woman that was clearly decided to make her relationship with Lorelei's official had been treating him with utmost respect and attention, event if distancing herself from any unessential encounter. But by her actions taking all the predicament seriously.
Looking inside of his cup with the intention to take a sip, he was surprised, to find it empty. Looking around he understood he had to make a refill from the kitchen, not feeling it, he kept it on the arm of his chair to not have someone knowing and doing something about it.
Martha, Norman wife and her sister who was the Chef of the family, had taken the day off on Lorelei's orders, leaving the family to fend for themselves. Katiandra was in the center of all the preparation, an item with Benoit working like a team. It really came as a surprise to see she could cook all she did.
"I can't believe they killed off the main character!" Alicia exclaimed right after her sister, her voice filled with mock outrage.
Kayley nodded with vigour in agreement . "It was such a so, so... Exceptional!? A good plot, extraordinary characters! And it finish like this...! Why wasting people time watching a three hours movie for it to finish so bad? How... You know what? I can't wait to see what happens next, to say there is a part two is recipe for disaster. maybe there will be a bomb killing all the crew next?" She finished her statement meeting Lorelei's warm gaze, relaxing at the young woman wink directed at her.
The sarcasm made Lorelei chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I know, right? I'm more invested in your reaction than with all of this. You did chose the movie kay." At her response the princess huffed rolling her eyes at Alicia who was laughing her head off, in fact she was the one that pushed her to pick it, knowing her it was on purpose.
"To my defense, the cover was appealing, the ranking seems good."
Kayley playfully but weakly said.
"For a profiler you should know better..." Benoit tauntingly said looking at her right away making her gasped at his audacity.
While it reminded Katiandra's of Kayley relationship with her two brothers, who would never shy away to call her on something like that. Her reaction was completely the same. Headstrong and clear.
"Benoit you never miss one point right? " Looking at him pointedly but with a relaxed expression she asked the rhetoric in her question not lost. The young man winked at her in response not disarmed. "Even the highest of us have private lives or we will be no different than machines don't you think?"
Puffing the air out of his mouth his body falling on his seat, dismissively pushed what she had just said with his right hand, fingers crossed on his belly.
"Ah, right away I can tell you that I prefer sore loser Kay Kay ... than a machine. Keep up the good work."
Huffing in frustration at the young man she blatantly dismissing her, she threw a cushion sitting near by in his direction which he dodged artfully having it almost falling on Reagan empty cup of coffee. A good thing it was empty for it tangled a moment until he steady it.
Benoit, pulled up in a rush when a second cushion was thrown his way taking the empty cup with him, to run away in the kitchen.
Katia amused by the conversation reached over and squeezed Lorelei's hand. "I'm glad you're enjoying it," she murmured in her ear, her voice filled with love.
With a nod Lorelei's smiled " it is so normal, I love it. It makes a wonderful story to tell in the future. You know, the day kayley had a fit about the hideous program of the universe of movies!" That was said louder for everyone to hear making the older of Fendrik's playfully glare at her while the others started laughing including her mother.
Reagan cleared his throat after hearing that, a playful glint in his eyes. While the others kept laughing, he tried his best to cool it down. With no care of being picked at, the princesses played along too happy of the moment to care starting to laugh too.
"Speaking of stories, remember that time I accidentally set the kitchen on fire trying to make pancakes?" Trying to diverted their attention away from Kayley, he said shaking his head at that.
The room erupted in more laughter that seemed to not end. Lorelei and Katia shared a knowing glance, there were no secret between them, there were nothings like that they had not shared, sometimes katiandra felt like she was there throughout all of her lover's life. The way she entrusted her with her family story, her life alone made her feel loved in a complete way.
"Dad, you really are the worst cook," the young woman teased going on with what he started. She liked that he was also a sort of guardian for Katiandra's daughters like a mentor. That had been from him a natural occurrence from the beginning.
Reagan feigned offense. "Hey, I'm a man of many talents, cooking just isn't one of them."
Katiandra raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
" that is for sure.I've heard rumors about how good you are, Reagan," she said, her voice filled with playful jab as she could vividly see the files that was given to her about the man background, it was impressive all the thing he could do.
Reagan almost blushed, that was visible from how his neck became a bit redder than normal, 'like father like daughter' Katiandra thought while
his protests drowned out by the laughter of the others.
In fact he had worked with the royal family for many years, almost the best part of his career, he was just the best like that.
"No surprise there Mom." Alicia retorted matter of factly earning a nod from her mother.
"Woah! No wonder lorelei is so naturally good with her brain. But... she knows how to cook, that does not come from you Reagan" Benoit mused reentering the living room with paper bag of popcorn placed in a large tray. He passed them to everyone doing his best not to laugh at the head the man was doing.
"That is from Bertha, you are right son, the woman could have a panic attack if she find me near her pots. I can only so all that have coffee and tea the rest is just gibberish. "
They all started laughing at that again, even katiandra, who smiled inwardly knowing she had put her sons in a kitchen very early, at fourteenth they could already cook enough to not starve anywhere in the world if ever they were taken away from her or like in Lincoln case, military officers need to fend for themselves when they went to be forming the army with camp and all. She did not wanted him to have a special treatment because of his status of the crown heir.
A moment later, as they sat together in the living room, a comfortable silence settled between them. Lorelei broke the silence, her voice laced with a hint of uncertainty.
"Dad, where's Mom?" she asked, her eyes scanning the room.
Reagan smiled. "She went shopping with Martha and her sister. She's always been addicted to shopping."
Lorelei chuckled. "A good thing that trait doesn't runs in the family."
Hearing that katiandra laugher erupted in the room startling them all, though they all knew why lorelei made that comment, she bore a phobia on shopping all of them knew. All she wore was her partner choice, a task that please older woman to no end. She love to pick things she could see on her body.
" A good thing you have your personal shoppers Lady Boss, elsewhere you would have been a strange case to study." Benoit said his eyes all over place to enhance his words.
Agreeing with him Alicia high fives him putting a bunch of pop corn in her mouth with her left hand smilling widely. Who would not want a lover like Queen katiandra? She was like Lorelei's brain and heart, knowing and responding to all her feelings like she knew them beforehand.
The conversation turned to lighter topics afterwards, the laughter in the room a proof to the love and camaraderie that bound them together. Benoit, great storyteller, kept feeding them with tales of his childhood adventures in France, his voice filled with a mix of nostalgia and humor.
The afternoon passed in a blur of laughter, shared snacks, and heated discussions about all the possibilities of doing that horrible movie a remix, everyone imagining what it would take for it to be the best of what it had been. As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the room.
until 6 PM Benoit brought out of his pants a USB key he balanced infront of him playfully.
"Who is on for a good movie? When I said good, it really is. Not lik... Okay, okay, good, it is good." He firmly stated sitting right next to Reagan know Kayley would not attack him there fearing to touch the man she respected with what she may throw at him.
Instead of throwing things, she settled with showing him her tongue like a baby, while he laughed at it, he threw the USB to Alicia who arranged to set everything.
They watched the movie with emotions filling the room. Laughter, tears, and cheers erupted from them, their bonds deepening with each passing moment, Kayley even forgave Benoit behavior by sending him thumbs up afterwards. The movie ended on a heartwarming note, leaving everyone in a good mood.
After the movie, the night had already taken the lead of the time outside, Reagan who love the feeling of a real burning fireplace, it odor he said was unlike nothing else, so he handled it all himself artfully making the fire cracked .
They had eaten sandwiches, pizza and popcorn all indulging throughout the two hours and a half of the movie. Now, Katiandra and Lorelei snuggled up together on the couch, their heads resting on each other's shoulders.
The rest of the family had watched them all the day, for most clearly, their hearts filled with a warmth that only true love could bring. But Reagan found himself surprisingly feeling better about everything, his heart opened for it. Stoically he allowed it to settle in his being thankful for the day.
He and Benoit sat in the two armchairs on opposite sides, near the fire enjoying the warmth coming from it. While Alicia and Kayley had definitely taken their place on the big carpet.
"That was a fantastic movie," Alicia said, yawning. "I loved the ending. It was so bittersweet. But wonderful."
Kayley nodded, her eyes still sparkling with the afterglow of the film. "I know, right? It really touched my heart."
Lorelei agreed, her voice filled with emotion. "It was so moving. I couldn't believe how much I was invested in the characters."
Katiandra smiled, her eyes warm and content. "It's always nice to watch a good movie with family. This one was a beautiful story."
Benoit clapped his hand nodding "That was one of the best movies I've ever seen."
A small smile on Reagan stood saying"I agree. It was so well-made."
With a glance at the clock he added. "It's getting late. We should probably call it a night."
The others agreed, and soon they began to make their way to bed.
"Mom, goodnight, thank you for the day. I love you," Alicia said joyfully, hugging her mother and placing a kiss on her cheek. "You're the best!"
Turning her eyes toward Lorelei, the young woman winked. "Don't be jealous. She is all because of you."
Katiandra feigned offense, but Kayley stepped in to kiss her mother. "Mom, it is true, but that's okay. We love you even more."
"Okay good night lovebirds, " Benoit chirped doing the same process as the princesses not minding Katiandra's arched eyebrows he went with his heart hugging and kissing her good night which she was very pleased with, it wass like her heart knew no boundaries with him. " Okay young ladies, who love me follow me."
Hearing that the two princesses walked behind him making faces that only provoked Benoit's laughter that carried them all out, his good humor warming them all. As they drifted off to sleep later on, they were filled with a sense of contentment and love.
Lorelei and Katia exchanged a knowing glance.
"I think it's also time for our secret ritual," Lorelei whispered, her voice barely audible.
Katia nodded, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "A ritual, you say? I'm intrigued."
Rising to their feet, they excused themselves then left the room.
The night finally fell, enveloping the estate in a peaceful silence. In the heart of the mansion, Lorelei and Katia stood on the terrace, their bodies bathed in the soft glow of the shy moonlight, there was mostly starts up there. They were a picture of love, their hands clasped together, their eyes locked in a gaze that spoke volumes.
"This is perfect," Lorelei whispered, her voice barely audible.
Katia nodded, her heart overflowing with gratitude. "I'm so glad we found each other," she replied, her voice a soft caress against the night air. "Ecstatic even, that ...we can be together. Like this. God I love you so much, so, so much. Never leave me please." The plead came out of the older woman lips her face hidden in her lover hair.
This felt so much more than living, she could compared base of what she had already lived that this was an everyday dream. Like a parallel universe unfolding through her body, she really did not want to have it taken away from her.
Alarmed by the turn of events, Lorelei turned to face Katia, her eyes filled with a love that was as vast as the sky, as deep as the ocean. She leaned in, her lips brushing against Katia's in a kiss that was both tender and passionate.
In that moment, the world outside seemed to fade away. They were alone, lost in the magic of their love,
"Babe I am going nowhere, you will get tired of me because to make you happy like this is my everyday goal. So get used to it."
They gaze in each others eyes for a long moment until katiandra started peppering kisses on her lover's face with so much love Lorelei's started giggling soon it transformed into a wide smiled katiandra captured with her luscious lips drinking it from them, in a reversed walk they found each others near the entrance of their large bedroom, without breaking the bound, katiandra masterly pulled the glass door open, then had them entered to the comfort of their shared bedroom.
Right away on the mattress, humming to her lover everytime their lips disconnected knowing she liked it that way.
This was the meaning of love, to be continually happy of the other presence a love that had defied time and circumstance. a bond that defied societal norms yet been the incarnation of the soul perfect expression. They were drive to each other's in novelty everyday discovering something that was not there before.
They explored each other's bodies, their moans and whispers in a matter of seconds filled the silent room. A good thing the bedroom was sound proof to keep it all for their own ears.
The night deepened witnessing a mix of that dance of lovemaking, casting long shadows across the garden that was visible through the glass wall that allowed the best view from the bed. Lorelei and Katia satiated curled up on the bed, their bodies entwined, their hearts beating in unison.
"I'm so glad we're together, This feels like home." Lorelei whispered, her voice barely audible but filled with joy.
Katia kissed her forehead, squeezing her on her torso understanding what she was trying to say.
"Me too, my love. This is home, my love. Our home." she replied, her voice filled with profound deafening love.
Days turned into weeks, each filled with laughter, love, and the occasional challenges, Katiandra had decided this was a well due vacation for all of them, to just enjoy life for once. The mansion, far to be a symbol of royalty, now hummed with the warmth of a modern family.
Given how good the first experience worked, they started cooking meals together, arranged day to watch movies, and shared stories like a family. Katia, with her regal bearing and sharp wit, had become a beloved member of the family, her family. They all loved how normal she behaved around them.
Sometime though she set moments for her couple to not be disrupt by nothing or no one under no excuse.