by Alex Tryst

Dedication & Author's Note: See Chapter 1.

Feedback: Drop me a line if you’d like at alextryst@e-scribblers.com.

Copyright © June, 2008 by Alex Tryst. All Rights Reserved.

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Over the next week, the Fulton girls spent a great deal of time with George and his family getting to know each other. Alexa was still stressed over what she was going to say to her people and worked diligently with Matthew on something appropriate. However, she was still worried. Finally the evening came in which she and her mother had agreed she would admit what she had done on television. As she stood with Matthew waiting for the press conference to begin, her heart was pounding. This was the most important speech of her life.

“Everything is going to be fine, Lex. You have Lauren and the girls. That is all that matters, right?”

She nodded. “I am just scared of the unknown,” she admitted. She knew she could tell Matthew anything.

“Everything will work out as it is supposed to. You just have to be honest with the people. They will respond accordingly. Now are you ready?”

“I do not think I will ever be ready for this. Let us just get this over with, so I can go home to Lauren.”

“All right. I will go out and introduce you. Then you will make your speech. We will not be taking any questions. As soon as you are finished, you thank the people, and I will escort you off. I will be right behind you the entire time.”

“Okay. Let us go.”

Matthew nodded his head before heading out to the podium. He greeted the press that had been invited to come before introducing Alexa. The princess squared her shoulders and calmly walked to the podium. She looked over the sea of press before turning her eyes to the cameras. Taking the speech she had prepared from her pocket, she placed it on the podium and then gripped it tightly in nervousness.

“My fellow Americans, thank you for allowing me to encroach upon your evening. I have come before you tonight a humble princess. In light of my recent announcement of an impending divorce from Princess Meredith, the queen has asked me to come before you and explain myself. I have not been faithful to you. In fact, I have deceived you all for quite some time. As you have all previously heard in the divorce announcement, Princess Meredith and I felt it best to end our marriage for several reasons. We decided to invoke the infertility clause in the law due to Princess Meredith’s endometriosis, but there were other reasons that played a part in this decision. For a long time we have been friends, and we thought we were doing what was best for our country by marrying. It was a mistake on both our parts, and I apologize for my share.” She paused and then continued. “However, the main reason we wish to be divorced is because we both are in love with other people. I share a profound love with a special woman. Her name is Lauren Fulton, and she has played a major part of my life for the past twelve years. During that time I have come to realize I could never love anyone else. She is the only woman who has ever touched my heart and my soul. Because of the deep love I have for her, I gave her my most cherished treasure. I have given her the children I have always wanted, the ones that have always been necessary to carry on the Washington line. I have come before you tonight to inform you all that I have four daughters that I have kept from the public eye, because I thought it was best for them. However, I know it is important that you know who they are. My eldest child, Princess Anastasia Elise, is five years old. Her next oldest sister, Princess Victoria Rose, is three. I also have a set of twins, Princess Camille Anne and Princess Caroline Hope, who are only a few months old.”

She continued earnestly, “I come before you tonight to declare to all of you that Princess Anastasia is in fact my child and second in line to the throne. Although I cannot apologize for following my heart, I feel I must apologize to all of the people for lying to you for the past five years. I feel poorly for allowing you all to think I did not have an heir. My mother, Queen Faith, and I feel it is only appropriate for you, the people, to know the truth. Because I have broken the law and conceived children with a non-royal, I stand here now to ask for your forgiveness. I have been selfish in my quest for happiness. I did not stop to ponder how my actions would affect you all. I have been blinded by an all-consuming love I never knew was possible. It is a love that consumes me even today. I love Lauren Fulton, and if I could marry her, I would. However, as the law stands now, that is not possible. It is not permissible for me to marry someone who is not of the ruling status. Nevertheless, I will continue to love her for the rest of my days and desire to carry on our relationship until I cease to be. Not only that, I fully intend to raise my daughters in conjunction with Lauren’s parental guidance. She is as much their mother as I am, and together we will raise the next generation of princesses. I have made up my mind on these matters, and I offer no excuses or apologies for still wanting to follow my heart, even though this goes directly against our laws.

Looking straight into the camera, she continued, “Because of this, I stand here tonight to do the queen’s bidding. Queen Faith and I have resolved to allow you, the people, to decide my fate in the royal family. I am the true heir and the next in line to be your queen. However, in light of what I have disclosed here tonight, some of you may wish me to be removed from my position. Queen Faith and I have both agreed that we will allow you, my people, to decide. In the fall Congressional election, I will be on the ballot in every state in our union. The question will be simple. It will give you the option of either reconfirming my position as next in line or abdicating my rights to the throne. My mother and I have agreed that we will abide by whatever majority decision you all make. If you determine to see me abdicate, my daughter, Princess Anastasia will replace me as the next queen of our country. If you wish to see me take my legitimate place as queen, I will serve you until the end of my days.

“My fellow Americans, this is a crucial decision we are placing upon you, and it should not be taken lightly. You hold my fate in your hands. I have spent my entire life preparing for my time as queen, but if you choose to pass over me, I will be faithful to your will. However, if you choose to see me take my place, I will keep America the strong nation it is in the world. Either way I will raise my daughters to be the next generation of our peace keepers and humanitarians, and I assure you that the house of Washington will be here to serve you for generations to come. For now, though, it is your choice if I am to be a part of that destiny. I only ask that you consider your options carefully, and I will be your humble servant, whether or not I wear the crown. I thank you all for your time this evening and look forward to a resolution once and for all on this issue in November. God Bless you all. Good night.”

With that Alexa ignored all the press who were immediately trying to gain her attention and walked with Matthew from the podium. Once in privacy, she sunk into a chair.

“You did well, Alexa. You remained strong. That was what was most important.”

“That was the worst speech I have ever given.”

“You said what you needed to. That was all that could be done.”

“At least it is over. Now I can go home to Lauren and my children.”

“Shall I have a driver take you?”

“If you would not mind. I am too worn out to drive myself.”

“Certainly. I will arrange to have your car pulled around. You stay here.”

Alexa did as she was told, just resting in the chair. However, her cell phone rang as she waited on Matthew’s return. “Alexa, I just watched your speech,” her mother stated.

“And?”

“Now that you have introduced your daughters to the world I was wondering if you would extend me the same courtesy. I have a right to meet my own grandchildren.”

“Mother, you did not treat Lauren with respect last time you saw her. I will not have you repeat your performance with her or my children.”

“Alexa, you have had children with this woman. She is now an integral part of the Washingtons whether or not I like it. I have made it clear that I do not. However, her daughters are your daughters, and they are princesses. As the queen I am demanding an audience with them.”

“Very well. I will ask Lauren if that is acceptable to her. Now you must excuse me. I would like to go home to my daughters, and my car is here.”

It was dark when she got back to the Fulton residence. Nevertheless, she admitted herself and headed to the master bedroom. She saw her lover lying in bed having fallen asleep while watching TV. Alexa turned it off and then got undressed in the dark. Slipping into the bed, she heard Lauren whisper her name. The redhead curled her body against her.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

“For what?” Alexa asked.

“For telling the world how much you loved me. I needed to hear that now more than ever.”

“I do love you, Lauren, and I always will. Nothing can change that.”

“Do you want to talk about your speech at all?”

“Not really. It was awful. Nothing could have prepared me for it. I do not even feel that I expressed myself well. I simply did not know what to say. I love you and the girls, and I was not about to apologize for that. However, I am not sure I conveyed the proper amount of remorse for my deception. I truly am not sorry for what I have done. Maybe that makes me the terrible person my mother thinks I am.”

“You are not a terrible person, Alexa. You show such a great love for the children and me. You protect us the best you can, and you try to protect George. You never chose your life, but you are trying to live as you see fit. It is unfortunate that your mother disagrees with your choices so immensely. I know your mother’s disapproval cannot be easy for you.”

“It does hurt sometimes,” she admitted. It was something she didn’t confess easily. “However, I find myself angry at her. She is the queen, and she could erase this pain simply by changing the law to accommodate my desire to be with you.”

“Maybe she thinks it unwise to cater to you. Maybe she thinks that shows weakness, and she does not want to be perceived as weak to the people.”

“I know she does not. She is seventy-two, and her health is beginning to fail her. We Washingtons are not known for our long lives, so I know she is probably only concerned with preserving our strength as the ruling family, but this is different. She could change the lives of all the future heirs with just a few strokes of a pen, but she will not. She will not concede that I am happiest with you, and nothing she can do will change that.”

“It hurts you, I know. It hurts me, too, but I have to believe she honestly thinks this is in your best interest.”

“Well, she is wrong, and if I ever become queen, the first thing I will do is change the law to assure our daughters do not share in my same fate.”

“You would be doing them a great service.”

Alexa nodded as she leaned to kiss her lover’s forehead. “Since we are on the subject of my mother, she told me tonight that she would like to meet the girls. I told her I would not agree to a meeting unless you consented. I know how you feel about her, and I told her that I would not stand for her treating you the way she did last time, nor would I allow her to treat our children that way. Nevertheless, the queen has demanded an audience with her granddaughters.”

“As much as I dislike the idea of such a meeting, I know we cannot deny her,” the librarian said.

“I will deny her if you ask me to, Lauren. She holds no power with me any longer. The people do. If you want me to refuse the request, I will.”

“It is not worth it. We both know that. She will only continue until she is granted access to them. I suppose we should allow her to see them now, but I want you to be with them the entire time. I do not want our children alone with the queen.”

“I would never allow that. I also want you in attendance.”

“Fine. She can see them but only if we are both there. I have no desires to be in the same room with her without you.”

“Then I will tell her as much. I will get her to agree to our demands.”

Lauren sighed. “I simply hate that our lives have come to this.”

“Me, too, but it will be over soon. The people will vote in November, and the decision is binding.”

The redhead said nothing in response. She knew it was far from over. Depending on the outcome of the election, she might or might not ever see her dream of marrying the woman she loved fulfilled. It was only if the people chose Alexa’s removal from power that she would be allowed to marry her lover. That alone distressed her. However, the fact that her children would never know the innocent life she and Alexa had tried to give them saddened her immensely. She did not want her girls to be subjected to the lifestyle the princess had as a child. Knowing there was nothing she could do about any of it, though, she was frustrated. She did not like having her world so out of her control, but it was a sacrifice she knew she would have to make now that the world knew the truth.

The following morning Alexa and Lauren followed their usual routine. However, Doug making his way into the kitchen interrupted them. “Forgive the intrusion, but there is a situation developing outside, Lex.”

“What situation might that be?”

“Media is congregating outside the gates of the house. As of now we are keeping them back, but the crowd is getting thick. I think they are trying to get pictures of the girls. I know Anastasia has to go to school soon.”

“And so it begins,” Lauren mumbled into her orange juice.

Alexa turned to her lover. “I do not foresee the benefit of delaying this. Perhaps we should just let them take their pictures now instead. To have the guards push them back would be a futile effort at best. They will follow us to school.”

“Can we not just submit a formal photograph to the media to quell their desires to see the girls?”

“They will not be satisfied until they have seen them for themselves.”

“If I may interject, they would probably be satisfied if you gave them an opportunity to photograph Anastasia. That is who they really want,” Doug said.

Lauren looked mortified at the suggestion at first, but the brunette nodded her head. “That is true. We could delay the other girls for a while if we gave them a shot at Anastasia. That is whom they came to see. They want to see Anastasia, probably with me. Perhaps I should be the one to take her to school alone today. The press will get the pictures they want, and the other three girls can be spared a little longer.”

“It will not buy much time,” Lauren mentioned.

“Still it gives us the chance to plan when and how the girls are introduced. If I take Anastasia to school today, I am willing to bet most of the press will follow us, giving you some space, at least for the morning. In the meantime, Matthew can come up with an appropriate solution.”

“He has already anticipated this response and sent a royal escort to take Anastasia to school this morning,” Doug reported. “It should be arriving shortly.”

The redhead looked at Doug. “Is this the best thing to do?”

He nodded. “It is, Lauren. Let them have their pictures of Lex and Anastasia. It will suffice them long enough for Matthew to make a plan. You cannot hide them any longer. I am sorry for that.”

“Fine. Lex, you take Anastasia to school, and I will stay here with the girls until the nanny arrives. I had planned to do errands today.”

“You will now need an escort for your activities as well,” Doug informed her.

“Excuse me?”

“Darling, he is only thinking about your safety. We do not know what the people’s reaction will be to my declaration last night. Until we do, you cannot go about your life without protection. I will not have anything happen to you because of a disappointed citizen. It happened to my grandmothers. I will not let it happen to you.”

“I do not need or wish to have an escort.”

“I do not care about your desires, darling. You must have one. Do you not understand that someone could attack you in the street? You could get hurt simply by walking outside right now. Whether or not you are officially a royal, you are the mother of these heirs and are a potential target. You will be required to have the same protection all other royals have.”

“You do not have protection around you whenever you are out in public,” she argued.

“To the contrary, I always do. You just do not always see them. They are not always visible, but they are always there. We can arrange the same for you, but it takes time. For now you must have a guard escort you on all your outings. Promise me that you will comply with this necessity.”

The librarian looked from her lover to Doug once again. He nodded at her. She knew they had valid reasons for wanting her protection. Furthermore, she knew she couldn’t allow herself to get hurt, because the girls needed her. Sighing, she reluctantly accepted her fate. “Fine. I will not go out without protection.”

“Good. Now I need to check on Anastasia and explain to her what is about to happen outside. Then I need to dress appropriately for this excursion. Doug, let us know when the royal car arrives,” Alexa said, rising from the table and excusing herself.

Half an hour later, Anastasia and Alexa were ready for their outing. Alexa couldn’t help but smile at her little girl as she pranced around the living room, excited about what was about to happen. The heir knew it was because of the novelty of the situation and that her daughter would learn to deal with the media for the rest of her life. However, just then, at the tender age of five, it was still a fantasy. When it was time to go, Doug opened the door and stepped out first. Alexa took her daughter’s hand and then stepped into the daylight. Immediately the camera flashes began. She gave a friendly wave to the crowd and told Anastasia to do the same. After just a brief moment, the princess led her daughter to their waiting ride and helped her into the seat before getting in as well. Slowly the caravan left the gated house and took a slow route to Anastasia’s school.

Matthew had arranged to bar the press from the school grounds, so once they were inside the gates, they had their privacy. Alexa escorted her daughter into the school and allowed Anastasia to lead her to her classroom. When they got to the door, other parents and children were already there. People fell silent though as Alexa stepped into the class. The adults automatically bowed in her direction. Alexa just gave a demure smile to the group and asked her daughter which one was her teacher. The little girl led the way over to her.

“Here she is, Mom,” she said, taking her own leave to go find her friends.

Alexa smiled at the teacher. “Miss Morris, I am Alexa Washington, Anastasia’s mother. I am sorry we were not able to meet until now,” she said, extending her hand.

“Your highness,” she answered, shaking hands and adding a bow. “I’m Diana Morris.”

“My apologies for causing chaos in your classroom this morning. It is an unusual day for Anastasia. She may be a little unsettled today, but she is still trying to get used to the responsibilities we just placed on her. I hope you will treat her as you always have. She has a great fondness for you.”

“Yes, your highness.”

“I am also sorry for springing this on you. It is important to me that Anastasia be allowed to be a child and learn just like the rest of the class. I do not want her to be treated differently in any way if it is possible. However, out of necessity, security is here in the building and will remain in your classroom to ensure her safety. I assume you understand the importance of these precautions. I want children to be children, but it is the guards’ sole responsibility to keep her safe at all times. I do hope you work with them to find an amiable solution that keeps your classroom under control while allowing them to watch over her.”

“Of course. I understand.”

“If you have any problems with the security team, Lauren and I will take corrective action. All you need to do is inform us.”

“I will.”

“Good. Now I just need to speak with Anastasia for a moment, and then I will allow you to do your job. Again, I am sorry for the unexpected intrusion.”

“You are always welcome in this classroom, your highness. I have told Lauren the same thing.”

“Thank you. Excuse me.” Calling to her daughter, she led her into the hallway. Kneeling down so they were on the same height, she smiled at her. “Now, Anastasia, I have to go. Doug is going to stay here with you for the day. Do not cause a distraction because you have Uncle Doug here. You are to pay attention to Miss Morris. Now it is important to remember that you are no different than any of your classmates simply because you are a princess. You are expected to pay attention and to listen.”

“Okay, Mom.”

“Good. Mommy and I love you. Doug will bring you home this afternoon instead of Mommy or me. If he tells you to do something, you need to follow his instructions. Give me a hug.” The two princesses hugged briefly. “Have a good day, sweetie.”

“You too, Mom.”

Heading back outside Alexa went back to the Fulton residence. The press was back in full force, having followed her there from the school. The nanny was there taking care of the three younger girls. Lauren was getting dressed. Alexa came and embraced her as she stood in the bathroom putting on her makeup. “You look beautiful, darling,” she whispered, kissing her temple.

“Well, I figured I would have to dress up now that I am going to have pictures taken of me wherever I go. I never really wanted this.”

“I know, but I appreciate the fact that you are doing this for me and for our girls.”

“Are you going to be staying here today or going to the palace?”

“I have work to do at the palace. I am going to get Matthew to schedule a time for a family portrait for the six of us. Maybe we can do it this afternoon or tomorrow. The sooner we get it to the press, the sooner you can get a little peace.”

“All right. Just let me know.”

“It will be at the palace, but I will have Matthew call you. Security is on strict orders to only have the girls in the backyard for the time being, so they can still play outside. You will have Roger as your escort for the day. I figured it would help to have a friendly face while you are out running errands. A car will take you wherever you need to go.”

“I guess this is destined to be our lives forever now.”

“You will get used to it. I will have Roger and Doug set up security for you like mine, so you have maximum security with minimum intrusion. It will just take time and scheduling.” Lauren just gave a nod of her head. Turning the redhead around so they were facing each other, Alexa kissed her sweetly on the lips. “I love you, darling, and I know you have sacrificed for our love. I am the luckiest woman in the world to have you, and I know it. I will spend the rest of my life making sure you know how grateful I am for the things you have done for our family and me.”

“I love you, too, Lex.”

That weekend Alexa and Lauren took the girls to the palace to meet their grandparents. Even as much as they dreaded it, they knew it couldn’t be avoided. The one small positive thing was the fact that Alexa’s father was going to be there. When Alexa and Lauren brought their daughters to the children’s library in the palace as they had agreed, the queen and her husband were already there. There was silence for a moment as Queen Faith stared at Lauren. The librarian gave the required bow to her but said nothing.

“Mother, Father, I would like for you to meet my daughters. This is Anastasia, Victoria, Camille, and Caroline. Girls, these are your grandparents.”

“Well, hello there,” Prince Thomas greeted warmly, taking the first step toward them. He knelt in front of Anastasia and Victoria. “How are you? My, are you not just the prettiest little girls. Lauren, Lex, your daughters are beautiful.”

“Thank you, your highness,” Lauren responded quietly. She could feel the queen’s eyes still silently perusing her.

Being the talkative girl that she was, Anastasia stepped toward him boldly and said, “Mom says you’re her dad. Does that make you a king?”

He laughed lightly. “No, sweetie, I am not a king. However, your grandmother is a queen. That is her right there.” He pointed to his wife.

The little redheaded girl looked at the queen before walking toward her. The queen made no move to kneel; she just stood in perfect posture looking down at Alexa’s eldest daughter, the heir to the throne. “Hello,” the five-year-old finally said.

“Good morning, Anastasia,” Queen Faith greeted. “How are you?”

“Good.”

The queen looked at her daughter. “Alexa, Lauren, please take a seat.”

The two women looked at each other before moving toward the couch. Lauren sat first, but Alexa took a seat on the floor and encouraged Victoria and Anastasia to sit with her. Her father gestured toward Caroline, whom she was holding and asked if he could hold her. Grateful for her father’s apparent acceptance, Alexa released her daughter into her father’s arms.

“Well now that you all are here, let us talk while the girls play,” the queen suggested.

Alexa nodded her head. Taking her oldest daughters to the small table, she settled them with the coloring books they had brought with them. “What do you wish to say to us, Mother?”

“You do understand that I whole-heartedly disapprove of what the two of you have done,” she stated. “And I especially object to you, Lauren, having snuck back into Alexa’s life after I thought I made it clear to you it would not be accepted.”

“Mother, I will not tolerate you saying things like that to Lauren and especially in front of our children. This is the woman I love, and she is the mother of the heirs of the throne. She deserves some respect,” Alexa said with quiet firmness.

The queen ignored her daughter. “There is no doubt that these girls belong to you, Alexa. The resemblance is obvious enough. For that reason alone, I have no choice but to embrace them as rightful heirs, but let me be clear that I do not like what you two have done. Each of you deliberately disobeyed me in your own way. If it were not for these girls, you would have to answer in a most unpleasant way for that, but these girls need you now. Now what has taken place cannot be reversed, but the people are deciding your fate, Alexa. No matter what happens, though, it is these girls who will carry on the Washington line. You must start training them to be the women they are expected to be. You have denied the people and the rest of the family, but that must stop now. These girls need to understand the life designed for them. You must adhere to the formal training passed down over generations.”

Alexa shook her head. “Lauren and I have decided against that at this time, Mother. These girls will be children first. There is plenty of time to teach them what they must know about being a leader. Right now it is important that they be children. I was denied that, and I refuse to deny that to my children.”

“Alexa, Anastasia is only a few years from being expected at functions.”

“She will not be at any formal functions until she is of age.”

“That is not protocol. I must insist,” Queen Faith stressed.

The princess shook her head. “Our daughters might be royals, but they are also part non-royal. They deserve to know each life and decide for themselves, unlike what you have done to me,” Alexa stated.

“You cannot be serious.”

“I am. These are our children, and we will raise them as we see fit. You asked that we bring them here for you to meet them, not argue over their fate. That is a discussion for another time. If you do not wish to be with them, then we will take our leave of you,” Alexa said.

There was silence for a moment as mother and daughter stared at each other. Finally the queen said, “I do hope you realize what you are doing. This is far beyond any tradition we have ever followed, and I do not like it. No heir has ever been raised outside these walls or without formal training. You are shaping the future of our nation with your decisions, and I fear it is not for the better, Alexa. Some day this country will be in the hands of these girls, and they need to be prepared. If you are removed from power this fall, that obligation might fall on Anastasia sooner than you expect. I am not going to live forever. There is the likelihood of her succeeding me before she is of age. I ask you to bear that thought in mind.”

Continued in Chapter 14

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