Twenty-Five

Alright guys, prepare yourselves for the last chapter!! I tried my best (hopefully) and I would really love some comments/votes. Annalisa's mourning dress is up there.

Annalisa stood in her black dress facing the mirror as Bridget laced her up.

She felt silky fabric suffocating her, just as she wanted. If she was suffocating on the inside, why not be suffocating on the outside.

She heard Bridget sigh as she finished the tie on her dress, "Annalisa, I know that you'd be hurtin' but it does get better."

Annalisa turned stiffly and started towards the door, "Does it, Bridget? Because I feel like my heart has rotted away with him and the pain is eating me whole. I wake up and roll over in bed thinking he is right there next to me and he's not. He died in my arms, Bridget. And I couldn't save him."

She slammed the door behind her and stormed down towards the sitting room. She felt bad for snapping at her trusted maid and closest friend but Edward's death was truly eating her up. After he left her, she felt like part of her soul had left with him. Part of her felt like an Evil Queen had crushed her heart.

And truly, there was no way to describe the pain.

Edward was her first love. The man who had claimed her heart and left her in a fiery passion.

And death had stolen him away.

She took in a deep breath as she stood in the doorway of the sitting room before waltzing in. She was the Queen, after all, she wasn't going to let anyone see her pain.

"Lady Eleanor, what a pleasure!" She greeted, as she hugged her dearest, non-Bridget friend.

Lady Eleanor squeezed back lightly, but it felt like she was just being polite. Eleanor had been detached ever since the war just as Annalisa had been and it felt almost comforting to know that someone felt some of the pain she did.

Annalisa whispered gently, "How are you?"

Eleanor simply smiled, "It gets better."

Annalisa sighed and nodded but at the same time, she did not believe her. Could the pain really decrease? Could it simply evaporate into thin air? Could Edward really fade into a mere memory?

"Come along, darling." Eleanor urged, hooking her arm in Annalisa's and lead her towards the throne room.

"How have you been, Annalisa?" Eleanor asked once they entered the hall.

"Better." She lied, trying a smile out for size.

"It really does get better, Annalisa. No matter how much the pain hurts, it really stops hurting. With time, the pain goes with it. All you need to do is put the pain into something good, such as raising a child." Eleanor reprimanded, as she stopped at the throne room's door.

"How does it get better, Eleanor? The pain is horrible- I feel like I have been shattered into so many pieces. When my parents died, I was split in two, and it was tolerable. But when Edward died, I was in so many pieces that no amount of love could ever put me back together again and I feel like I am an uncontrollable fire raging over the town and- now I'm just rambling." She sobbed, pressing her nails into her palms.

Eleanor gave her a sympathetic smile, "I know, darling. He is in a better place, Annalisa. He is looking down at you with a big smile and just waiting for you to join him." She hugged Annalisa tightly, letting Annalisa calm herself down and gather what little pride she had.

Annalisa nodded and gave her best smile, "I suppose you're right. Thank you, by the way, for trying to make me better and walking me to the..." She breathed in deeply.

She had to face it now. This was it. There was no more maybes or living on probabilities.

Edward was dead. And this was her last goodbye.

Eleanor gave her one last squeeze before she said, "Go on, now."

Annalisa walked towards the door and looked up at the stationed guard, "I am ready."

The doors opened and she stepped inside before the door closed behind her.

The throne room was light and airy. The marble floors reflected the massive golden chandelier above her. The large throne sat practically at the back standing proud and tall but empty. But she wasn't focused on the beautiful room.

She was focused on her husband in front of her.

He laid peacefully on the raised bench that they would use when carrying him to his grave. He wore the same clothing he wore when they got married and he looked just as handsome as he did that same day.

She sniffed and stepped closer to him, smiling softly at him.

He still had an unshaven face from the war and had a content face plastered to his face. He was definitely the man she loved. He was the happy man that gave her the world.

She crouched down and placed a hand on his cheek, "Hey, darling."

She didn't expect him to reply but she waited a few moments before continuing, "It has not even been more than a day and I already miss you, my darling. And I know that you are in a better place but I wish you could come back. Our Edward asked for you today. I did not have to heart to tell him that... that you died." Her voice cracked as she said the last part.

She laid her head down on the arm of her late husband and tried to stop the tears.

"Edward, I do not know if I can continue without you. And I know you want me to be happy but how can I without you? I need you back in my life. I need you to come back so you can be a father and a husband. Edward needs you, I need you."

She sniffed and wiped a tear away, "I know you can not hear me but Edward there is something I need to tell you. I did not know until just this morning though I wish I knew the night you died or even before that."

She took in one more deep breath and grabbed his hand, "Edward," Her voice wavered as she continued, "You are going to be a father. Again."

She broke into tears, burying her face between his arm and the side of his body. The sobs racked her body violently as she treasured the last moment with her husband.

She stood and smoothed her skirt, "Edward, this is goodbye, I guess. Who knew that a fixed marriage could turn into such... such a mess. Edward Parks, I love you with all my heart and whatever I do later in my life, I am sorry and you are the only man I will ever truly love. And our children will hear all the great stories about the great King Edward, their father."

She leaned over him and kissed his lips once more before she stood capturing the last look of her husband.

She walked up to the door, straightened her skirt and cleaned her face before knocking once on the door and walking out of the throne room.

~~~~

Two Years Later

Edward's small feet ran to Annalisa's side, obeying her words as quickly as he could, "Mother, what if I do not wish to go to the ceremony."

Annalisa looked him in his piercing eyes, "What would your father say?" She asked, straightening out his attire, "Now hold still, you have made yourself crooked."

"Mother, perhaps instead I could go out and play?" Edward tried again, wiggling as she fixed his outfit.

Annalisa frowned at her son, "And miss this big day? Edward, you can handle a few mere moments in the cathedral and then you and Mary can run off into oblivion like always."

He grumbled something under his breath and ran off as soon as she released him.

A small hand tugged at the bottom of her gown and she looked down at her son, Henry with a smile, "Hello to you, my darling."

Annalisa scooped up Henry in one arm and carried him towards the awaiting maid. His twin sister, Roseanne, babbled and reached for Annalisa.

It had been two years since Edward's death and everyone had been right. It did get better. She did not feel suffocated anymore but she still felt the sharp pain in her chest when she thought of him. She still felt empty.

She had given birth to two beautiful children- Roseanne and Henry not less than a year later. Edward, now four years old, looked almost exactly like his father. With the soft golden crown of hair and the piercing blue eyes. He had his father's bravery too.

Annalisa smiled at the maid as a silent thank you before she stepped out of the nursery. She walked down the hall and linked arms with Eleanor, who smiled brightly.

"Today is your big day! Excited?" Eleanor asked, taking her arm.

Annalisa laughed, "It is nothing more than an arranged marriage, Eleanor. Just so that the children will not have to grow up without a fatherly figure."

"But still, Annalisa, I never thought I see you marry again after Edward. I am so happy for you!"

Annalisa smiled and thanked her friend but on the inside, she was dreading her wedding.

Her new husband was a sweet man and they both knew they would never love each other but she was worried that he would expect a child, something she was not ready for. She had willingly given everything to her late husband but this new man was different. She did not even find him attractive.

Bridget, now a lady-in-waiting, ran up to her and hugged her tight, "You look so beautiful, Annalisa. I can't believe I get to see you on your wedding day once more."

Annalisa grinned, "Bridget, do not tell me you are getting tears in those eyes of yours."

Her dearest friend dabbed at her eyes and shook her head, "I cannot help it. I am a soft-hearted soul!"

Annalisa continued with her three friends towards the throne room, dressed in her royal attire.

"This is it, Annalisa. You have done what you promised you, people- Becoming the perfect Queen." Bridget whispered, winking as she straightened her dress out.

"Do not mess this up, girl." Eleanor whispered, grinning as Annalisa stepped towards the throne room entrance.

She was no longer the unwanted Foreign bride to the King, now dead King. She was the powerful Queen that had everyone bow at her feet.

And as she walked down the long aisle, she kept her head high because she knew this was the right thing to do for her country and for her family.

And she stood, right next to her new husband and the next King, Drake, the same Drake she had known for so long.

And she knew, that at that moment, Edward was smiling down at her. Even though she was marrying his best friend, that it would always be just her running his kingdom and no one could ever change that.

She was the sole Queen of England.

But who knows, that could always make another story.

A/N that's it, guys. The end. No more. Hows that ending? Did it surprise you enough? Comment your thoughts!!

Remember to vote and comment!!

Also, I have finished the Chosen Bride and the Promised Bride if you would please check it out! The Chosen Bride is the story of Drake and Lady Katherine. The Promised Bride is a continuation of this story, focusing on her daughter Roseanne. Annalisa does make a couple of important appearances, though.

~ Jess Sanders