by Alex Tryst

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Copyright © June, 2009 by Alex Tryst. All Rights Reserved.

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When the blondes returned to school to finish their last two semesters, they tried to carry on as usual, but it was a big adjustment for Layla to be followed everywhere she went. Nothing was sacred anymore, and she had no privacy except when locked alone in her dorm room. Being that she was a senior, she and Hannah had opted not to live together but live individually in adjacent rooms that shared a bathroom. Many times their doors remained open to be connected to each other but with a little more space than they had previously, so each could concentrate more on their studies. Campus was full of the royal security force, making sure the newest member of the family was protected. The media had to be restricted from accessing the school except for certain events, because it was deemed they were too much of a distraction to provide adequate protection in the academic surrounding, which only left the student and faculty population to contend with on a daily basis. Fortunately for Layla her school seemed to embrace her new public life and position within the Washington family, allowing her to have as much normalcy as they could provide.

For Anastasia’s part life seemed as it always had with the exception of being asked about her bride wherever she went in public. Her days were filled with the usual responsibilities of meetings and physical therapy. On the weekends she would often see Layla, but they kept to themselves during the week to fulfill their own respective duties, filling the gaps in between with long talks on the phone and wedding discussions.

However, with the arrival of the holiday season, Anastasia began to become aware of something that had gone unspoken since the time she had returned from war. Everyday she struggled through therapy for her legs, and while her right had made a full recovery, her left had not. Moreover, she hadn’t made any progress in her sessions in the months since she moved to using a cane. It appeared as if her injury was becoming permanent, which she had never truly considered would be a reality. It was a fleeting thought at the worst of times, but now it appeared as if her fears of not being able to walk as she once had might be coming true. It made her anxious that she might not be able to fulfill her own two wishes to walk down the aisle the day she married the woman she loved or dance with her on their wedding day.

Needing some reassurance that she would indeed be able to do so, she went into her therapy session that afternoon looking for hope that she was wrong in her assessment. After struggling through her routine, though, she knew she was correct. When it was over and she was simply sitting with her doctor and therapist, she shook her head a little. “This is never going to get any better from here, is it?” she questioned seriously. The two looked at each other for a moment, but she could see it in their exchange that neither wanted to be the bearer of such news. “I need to know. It has been long enough. Surely you both have an inclination of my prognosis at this point.”

The doctor nodded. “Stasia, we just did not want to dissuade you from your pursuit of a full recovery, but your leg has made no meaningful progress in some time.”

“We think you should continue to pursue therapy, but it may be time to think of it more as maintenance of the mobility that you do have versus trying to gain even further mobility with your left leg. The strength just isn’t there like it is with your right,” the therapist added.

“Surely there is something you can do to help me further. I cannot be bound to this cane for the rest of my life. I refuse to walk down the aisle at my wedding using a cane. There must be some sort of hands-free device that will give me support while allowing me more mobility.”

“There are currently no such braces or equipment currently available.”

“But could you build something?”

“It would have to be something strong enough to support your weight,” the therapist commented, looking at her counterpart.

“But pliant enough to move with you. It’s a possibility, but there are no guarantees it will make you walk normally.”

“I just need to walk on my wedding day and dance to a nice slow song with my wife. That is all I truly want. Certainly I am not the only person in the world that wants something like this.”

“We could try to develop something. There are of course no guarantees that it will work, but we can always try. We would need some resources to research, and we have a limited amount of time, only approximately six months.”

“I have all the resources you would need. It could be an amazing advance for those of us who are in such a position. To be able to walk without having to hold onto something, to walk upright, instead of bent over a cane or crutches, would be amazing. I never realized how much that little act meant.”

The doctor nodded. “We would be pleased to work on it together, but I must insist that you not raise the expectation too high. Let us see where we get first. We haven’t a moment to lose if you want this finished by your wedding day.”

“I am here to help you in anyway I can.”

For Thanksgiving that year the entire royal family traveled to their country castle in Virginia for the long weekend. Layla arrived by helicopter that night just as the family sat down to their meal. All of the family greeted her with hugs and kisses, telling her how much she was missed, even though it hadn’t been that long since she had seen them. She always felt so welcome by the Washingtons, which gave her some sense of peace. However, there was a part of her heart that ached for her own parents. She still hadn’t spoken to them since their ugly parting, which pained her, but she kept those feelings between Anastasia and herself.

Once dinner was complete and everyone had dispersed, Anastasia and Layla made their way to one of the libraries to relax. They watched the fire in the fireplace in silence as they cuddled on the sofa. However, each could tell the other was lost in her own thoughts. Deciding to take the initiative, the princess quietly asked, “Is there anything I can do to help you with whatever is bothering you tonight?”

The blonde shrugged as she snuggled closer. “I’m just thinking about my parents, wondering how they’re spending the holiday. This is the first time I haven’t been home for Thanksgiving, and I’ll be missing Christmas as well. It’s hard.”

The redhead nodded and kissed her fiancée on top of her head. “I am sure it is difficult. I wish I could take away your pain.”

“There’s nothing you can do. I knew I had a choice to make, and I made the only one I could live with, but that doesn’t make it any easier.”

“I know. I love you so much, Layla, and I know loving me comes with great personal sacrifice. I am always cognizant of that fact.”

“You’re totally worth it. I could never love anyone but you, Stasia,” she whispered, looking up into her eyes. They kissed softly. “I can tell something’s bothering you tonight, too.”

Anastasia nodded. “I recently received some bad news from my doctors. I knew it was coming, but I have not told anyone yet. I know I have to tell you, though.”

“What did they say? Is something wrong?” she asked in concern.

Meeting blue eyes Anastasia confessed, “They told me I would never walk again unassisted. My left leg will never be the same.”

“Oh, baby. I’m so sorry. I know you were hoping for a full recovery.”

She nodded. “I wanted to walk down the aisle on our wedding day without a cane,” she mumbled.

“That would have been a nice surprise.”

“But what it worse is that I cannot even dance with you at our reception.”

“Well, I’m not sure about that. We’ve never even tried to dance together. Maybe we can.”

The princess shook her head. “I cannot support my own weight without assistance.”

“Even so, let’s try it. Come on. No one is here,” she suggested rising from the sofa. She went to the stereo and found something soft and slow for them. Holding out her hand, she said, “Do it for me.”

Unable to resist, Anastasia allowed herself to be pulled from the sofa and into the arms of her beloved. “I cannot do anything other than stand here unless you hold my weight,” she said.

“All right. I’m not sure that I can, but I’m willing to try,” she replied, slipping arms around her girlfriend’s waist securely, so they were pressed body to body. The princess in turn slid her arms around her girlfriend’s back to hold her closely. “Here we go. Left foot first,” Layla instructed.

They shifted together, but Anastasia’s knee began to buckle a bit under her weight. Layla clutched her tightly to keep her upright. Together they tried a few steps, but it was obvious that is wasn’t working the way either wanted. “This is impossible,” Anastasia mumbled.

“You just need some support like a brace of some sort,” she answered. “Something that will lock into place if your knee starts to buckle. I have an idea. Hold your cane against your leg this time as we move,” she said, reaching for where it was leaning against the sofa. “Put your other arm around me.”

Once again they tried to move slowly to the music, but the princess sighed with discontent. “This is hardly dancing if I cannot use both arms.”

“Still you are doing better with some support. I think a brace would definitely do it.”

“I have asked the doctors to try to make one for me. There is nothing of its kind out there, but it could be an amazing advancement if it works. And it is all because I want to dance with the most beautiful woman in the world,” she whispered, pulling the blonde a little closer with the arm around her waist. She leaned to kiss her gently on the side of the neck.

Layla moaned a little as her hands gripped tighter to her lover’s waist. Anastasia’s attentions felt incredibly good just then. Trying to encourage her further, the blonde began to grind her frame against her sensually to the beat of the slow music. The princess whimpered at the feeling of the petite body brushing against her in erotic rhythm. Her hand right hand caressed Layla’s left hip before moving onto the small of her back and pressing them even closer. “Oh,” she moaned, feeling slim hips rocking against the pressure building between her thighs. “You certainly know how to take my mind off my problems,” she teased lightly, letting her mouth drift along the rim of Layla’s left ear.

The blonde chuckled softly. Looking up into blue eyes, she admitted, “Suddenly I don’t feel like dancing so much anymore.”

“What would you rather do?”

There was no verbal answer at first, but Anastasia received a response loudly and clearly as the blonde’s right hand slipped between their bodies. “I want you to touch me,” she seductively whispered. “Like this,” she quietly added, slowly unzipping her girlfriend’s trousers and slipping her hand between the folds.

“Oh, God,” the princess groaned. She could feel her legs giving way as they weakened at the touch. Slowly they sunk to the floor in front of the fireplace. Each of them forgot their problems as they focused on giving and receiving each other’s attention. Sweaters and shirts were shed as their intimacy began to grow more intense. Looking up at the woman hovered above her, Anastasia pushed back blonde hair from Layla’s face and smiled. “I love you so much, sweetheart. Thank you for loving me just as I am.”

She smiled as she leaned down to the heir’s mouth. Floating millimeters from her lips, she whispered, “I love you, too, Anastasia, and I love how your skin feels against mine. I cannot wait until we’re married. Sometimes it seems so far away.” Her hand drifted over the princess’s bare stomach.

“I know what you mean,” she replied, letting her fingers trace lightly over the blonde’s back. Her fingers nimbly flicked upon the clasp of her bra and then drew the straps down off her shoulders. Layla returned the courtesy, so their naked upper torsos could touch completely. Anastasia unzipped her girlfriend’s jeans and slipped into them, causing Layla to moan. They had never touched in that manner, but they still were reserved enough to feel each other over the top of the last thin article of clothing keeping them from their ultimate goal. Nevertheless, their bodies responded to the new stimulus with racing hearts and erratic breathing as their touches became even more passionate.

“Oh, Stasia,” Layla called out feeling her lover’s caress. She had never allowed anyone to touch her that way before, and her needs were racing out of control. She wanted the princess more than she ever had.

“God, you are beautiful,” the taller woman whispered, gazing up at the body rocking down into hers.

However, just as they kissed again the door leading from the hallway opened. Both women jumped at the sound and then sight of Anastasia’s mothers stepping into the room. The queens were obviously surprised as they quickly adverted their gaze. “We are so sorry, kids. We did not realize you were in here. We will go to the other library,” Alexa quickly apologized. “However, you might want to think about taking this up to your own room lest you have another intrusion,” she added with a smirk before closing the door behind her. Alexa chuckled with her wife out in the hallway for a moment. “Think they will make it until the wedding?” she joked. Lauren shook her head.

Inside the library the two younger women just looked at each other. “That was embarrassing,” Layla mumbled, having had her ardor impeded by the interruption.

Anastasia shook it off however. “It could have been worse,” she said with a smile as her hands trailed up over the blonde’s bare arms before finding their way onto her chest, which caused Layla to shiver, even in front of the warm fire.

“Oh? Your parents just caught us naked making out.”

“We are only half naked, and they did not even see anything except your beautiful back, which they have seen in formal gowns anyway, but enough about them.” Her mouth found the side of her neck again. “Maybe we should go upstairs to bed.”

Layla sat back on her heels and looked longingly down at the princess. She knew that was what she wanted and that her resolve was waning. However, she knew she wouldn’t be able to live with herself knowing she had gone against what she believed morally even if her body craved the attention. Taking a deep breath and then sighing, she quietly confessed, “I’m afraid that if I go upstairs with you right now I might not be able to resist you any longer.”

Anastasia grinned at the statement, but the seriousness in her girlfriend’s eyes told her that instead of feeling triumph at having won Layla’s physical affections, she should be more sensitive to the moral conflict her beloved was feeling. “I think that is a good thing, because it means you are truly ready to be married.”

“And yet the wedding seems so far away,” she moaned as she dismounted from across her girlfriend’s hips and took a position next to her on the floor.

They snuggled together as Anastasia nodded in agreement. “Waiting until the summer seems so torturous, but this is for you. There would be no way for you to finish college after we married. This is your dream, and so I embrace it as my own on your behalf. Even if it is incredibly painful to wait,” she teased a little.

“You really are so good to me,” Layla whispered.

“I want you to have everything in the world. While this time seems long, I know this is what is best for you, and that means more to me than anything.”

Another moment passed before Layla suggested, “Let’s try to put our long wait out of our minds and talk about something else.”

“Certainly. You name the topic.”

“Let’s go back to our original discussion before we were distracted about this leg of yours. Do the doctors think they can create some sort of brace for you to wear?”

“They are going to try. You know, this could be a real medical advancement if they succeeded. I am sure others feel the way I do. It would be a great improvement for our citizens and for our military personnel to have something like this. Walking on this cane only makes me realize how much more I would like to help the disabled. My back always hurts from being slouched over it. The idea of being able to walk erect and without using my arms to support my weight is such a simple one. Everyone deserves that chance in my opinion.”

“It would be nice to have you walking without assistance. Then we really could dance just like you want.”

“Well, we do not have a lot of time, but they have a team in place, and I am going to be their test case. We will be working diligently on it.”

“I’m glad you have a goal then. It’ll help you along.”

“I just do not want to raise anyone’s expectations, so it will have to remain between us for now.”

“Of course. If it works it will be a huge surprise for the people and your parents. Your whole family would love to see it.”

“I am sure they would.”

“I can’t wait until our wedding. I can just see it now, you standing there looking so sexy as I come down the aisle. What are you going to wear? A tuxedo or your dress uniform?”

“Dress uniform is customary, but I can wear whatever you would like. It is up to you.”

“Definitely your dressiest uniform then. Your medals make you look so distinguished.”

“I cannot wait to see your dress. I am sure it is going to be beautiful.”

“I hope so. The designer sends me updates every week on its progress. The sketches were absolutely stunning. I just hope it lives up to your expectations.”

“You are wearing it. That is all I need to fulfill my expectations,” she said with a kiss to Layla’s forehead.

“I just wish my parents would come.”

“We will still send them an invitation and anyone else you want to come as well. Whether they be friends or other family members, everyone is welcome if you want them. What is Hannah wearing?”

“Her dress is being designed as well. Is David going to wear his uniform, too?”

Anastasia nodded. “Absolutely. Have you given any more thought to who you want escorting you down the aisle since your father will not be there?”

“My first thought was David, but then that leaves Hannah walking alone, and I don’t like that. Then I thought about Hannah’s father. He’s been like a father to me since my parents disowned me.”

“That has possibilities.”

“Of course I could walk alone.”

“Do you not wish to be given away?”

She shrugged. “My parents gave me away a long time ago,” she mumbled. “There was one other thought I had, but it’s a bit unorthodox.”

“What is it?”

“What if your mothers walked me?”

“My mothers? That is unorthodox, but if that is what you really want, I am sure they would be honored to do it. They adore you and would absolutely do anything you asked of them. Of this I am sure.”

“Would you prefer one choice over another?”

“I want what makes you most comfortable. What are you thinking?”

“I was thinking I’d really like your mothers.”

“Then we should ask them tomorrow. I am sure it will be fine.”

“This wedding is going to be huge, isn’t it?”

“No way around it, I am afraid. It is a state ceremony. World leaders will be there. Family and friends will be there. Senior government officials will be there. The cathedral will be packed with people and television crews who will be broadcasting it live around the world.”

“Are all those people coming to the reception as well?”

Anastasia nodded. “The media is not invited, but all the guests are. We will be exhausted by the time it is all over. I am kind of glad we decided not to do anything too glamorous for the honeymoon. We will be so tired between your graduating and then getting married that a trip to our home in the Virgin Islands is the perfect secluded getaway. We will have the beach to ourselves and be completely alone to try and recover.”

“It does sound wonderful. I haven’t been to the beach in a long time.”

“You will love this. The sand is so incredibly soft and white, and the water is so amazingly clear. The weather will be great for us if we decide to venture outside, but who says we will want to?” she teased, letting her hand traverse the blonde’s bare side.

Layla chuckled. “You think the sex will be so good it will keep us indoors our whole trip?”

“Well, I know what sex is like with me,” she joked. “I have a feeling whatever you lack in knowledge is going to be more than made up in your passion. You strike me as a woman who is going to enjoy it tremendously once you allow yourself the opportunity to experience it.”

“I hope so,” Layla replied with a grin. “I’m so ready for you,” she whispered.

Anastasia moaned a little at the softly spoken words. “Not this again. I just started to calm down. I think a cold shower is going to be in order to make it through the night.”

Layla chuckled. “I suppose we both need one.”

“Shall we go douse ourselves with cold water?”

Layla nodded. “Probably a good idea.”

“What if we made it a joint cold shower?” Anastasia suggested, rolling partially atop her fiancée and kissing her on the neck.

The blonde chuckled and shook her head as she gently pushed her away. “The most freezing of water wouldn’t be able to stop you, wouldn’t be able to stop us if we were naked in such a confined space. We can’t both be naked at the same time or else we risk losing our moral fortitude.” She paused and gave a smile and sigh. “I really never thought I’d feel like this about anyone, Stasia, but I am still determined, even as much as painful this waiting is.”

“I know, and I respect you even if it is torture,” she playfully complained. “Come on. Let us get presentable before someone else in the family interrupts us.”

The following day Anastasia and Layla found the queens just after breakfast having some alone time reading the newspaper in the sitting room that overlooked one of the back gardens. Both older women smiled at them as they came into the room and gave them pleasant greetings. Anastasia and Layla took a seat together on one of the love seats and held hands. They exchanged a look between each other before the princess spoke.

“Mother, Mom, we were hoping we could discuss some wedding plans with you this morning.”

“Of course. We would love to hear anything you wish to share, sweetie,” Lauren replied, putting her paper aside. Both queens looked at them.

“Well, things are progressing as expected I suppose. As you know, it will be a state ceremony for the most part. However, we are having a dilemma with one particular item, and we were hoping you might be able to assist us with it.”

“Absolutely. What is your dilemma?” Alexa asked.

It was Layla’s turn to speak. “Well, we will be sending an invitation to my parents, but I know for a fact they won’t come. There is no one to give me away.”

Lauren gave a soft gaze as she reached over and took the blonde by the hand. “We know, dear. It pains us to think of you without your parents on such an important day in your life.”

“I don’t want to walk down that aisle alone. I know this is untraditional in this kind of ceremony, but I was hoping that you two might walk me down the aisle. You’ve quickly become the closest thing I have to parents in my life, and it would mean a lot to me.”

Both of them smiled. “We would be happy to escort you,” Lauren answered for them with a reassuring smile.

Looking at Alexa, Layla said, “Thank you. It means more to me than you could know to have the two of you there with me. Alexa, I was hoping that you would specifically be the one who gave me away.”

The queen smiled. “It would be a great honor, Layla, if that is what you would like. I am humbled that you think so highly of me as to allow me to fill the shoes of your father.”

“I think it’s only appropriate that if my father won’t stand beside me that my sovereign does to present me to the future ruler of this country.”

“It really would mean a great deal to both of us,” Anastasia added.

“You two can have anything you want. We are sparing no expense for this service, but sometimes the things that matter most are the sentimental ones that are without price. Both of us are here for you for anything you need,” Alexa softly said. “We will beside you both for as long as you wish always.”

Continued in Chapter 14

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