Ari's New Life

A Rose Called Miracle

Book #4, Part 9

Author's Note: This is the fourth and final Book of 'A Rose Called Miracle'. This is fiction. All characters in intimate situations are over 18. Any resemblance to real people, organizations, or businesses is simply coincidence. As with the first three books, it is made much more interesting by people of different races, religions, and sexual preferences. And I still believe the world would be a better place if Douravia really existed.

KARI'S NEW LIFE

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"The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience." -- Eleanor Roosevelt

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Book 4, Part 9

The DNPs each grabbed a door and pulled them open. The older DNP announced our arrival and we marched into the room. The first order of business was introductions. I discovered that these dinner meetings between the king and his council of ministers took place every two weeks. We all waited for the king and queen to sit, then all the guests sat. One by one, over the next 45 minutes each of the ministers briefed the king and the rest of the ministers on the activities of their particular department. Finally, after the last briefing by the Minister of Education, Frau Gebhart, King Rupert thanked everyone and joked that he thought Douravia was going to survive for at least another two weeks and asked rhetorically if anyone was hungry.

The atmosphere in the room immediately changed from all business to congenial. The noise ebbed and flowed as conversations were interrupted by the food service. We dined on a crispy green salad, a delicious marinated and roasted lamb, accompanied by something called Briam, a traditional Greek roasted vegetable dish made with seasoned tomatoes, potatoes, and zucchini. The dinner ended with a delicious-smelling chocolate dessert and coffee; I declined both.

The King, Queen, Crown Prince, and I all stood and said goodnight to the ministers. I linked my arm through Robert's; I planned to entice him into my bedroom. As we reached the door of the dining room the queen called out, "Robert, once you've escorted Ms. Noonan to her suite, I need to see you in my design room." With my plan ruined, I wondered if the queen had ESP or something.

We took the long way back; and we walked slowly. Half-way up the stairs I stopped and turned, "Robert? Your mother seems to hate me; have I done something wrong? Is it because I might be pregnant?"

"No. No. And NO!" He took both my hands and kissed each one. "My mother thinks you are terrific. Your presence has been like a shot of adrenaline given to the entire chateau. Finally, and this may seem odd, but my mother is thrilled that you might be pregnant; but she is horrified that you and I share a bedroom before we're married. She is old-fashioned like that." He hugged me tightly. "Plus, it's only 11 more days until our wedding. What's that, really, compared to spending the rest of our lives together?"

"True. What's that old saying? "Your House; Your Rules."

"More like "Queen's House; Queen's rules." Robert laughed. "What do you have planned for tomorrow?" He asked as we resumed our slow walk to my suite.

"I'm going hat and shoe shopping for David's wedding. Mrs. Watkins and Agatha will join me. I'll probably get up very early and go visit Nick and Nora and the horses. So far, the stable hands seem to be the only people willing to let me work." We were in the middle of a very nice kiss when a messenger from the queen arrived and advised Prince Edwin he was needed...immediately. I sighed and stole one last kiss before I said goodnight and retreated to my suite.

Five Days Later:

Like I had every day since arriving in Douravia, I woke before sunrise and got dressed. First thing, I opened my e-mail. Every person I'd invited to the wedding, except Brenda Swanson, had responded that they would happily attend. Spencer Int'l Security demanded either she or Solo be present every day, and Solo had won the coin toss. I forwarded all the replies to the chateau's protocol office so they could begin coordinating travel and lodging. After that I made my way to the stables. As had become our routine, Rafe met me at the small door with a bag of carrots and a cup of hot tea. I was excited...and nervous. My period should have started the day before--but hadn't. I planned to wait 24 more hours before I did a re-test. I strolled over to Nio's stall. As usual Nick and Nora were on the door. Nora was rubbing her back on Nio's chin. I absentmindedly bit into a carrot and offered Nio my cup of tea.

Rafe laughed hysterically at my gaffe; said he'd give anything to have had a picture of Nio looking at the teacup. As I stood there, switching hands and getting the carrot to Nio, Nick and Nora sat up straight, came alert, and then raced off.

"Some mouse is in big trouble." Rafe commented as I sipped on the tea. "How much time can you spend today?"

"Well, David's wedding is a 1600. I have to be back in the chateau to get ready by 1200."

"Excellent, we can get a lot done in that time. Would you take Nio to the grooming area and give him a good brushing and combing while I muck out his stall?"

"Sure." I went to the tack room and got the lead. I decided against riding. By the time I had to leave to get ready for the wedding, I'd combed and brushed Nio, Racer, and Anja. "Sorry I can't finish all the horses; I have to go." I told the stable master Marcus who'd relieved Rafe at 1000.

I hurried back to the chateau and found Mr. Johnston at the main door...checking his watch. I guiltily checked my own watch, "Good morning Mr. Johnston, I'm still 10 minutes early." I announced with a wide grin.

He shook his head sadly. "Miss Kari, within the royal family, when one is only 10 minutes early, one is already 20 minutes late." Then he grinned, "Off you go. David is finally getting married. The chateau will never be the same. Thank God!" He was still laughing as I hurried away.

Agatha was in the suite waiting for me. She had her hair and makeup essentials ready, along with my dress, hat, and everything else I'd need for the event. The Ernestina Tiara sat gleaming on the bedside table. I must have been getting accustomed to being around her because I stripped and dropped my dirty clothes on the floor; and after that I removed all my piercings and put them to soak in the cleaning solution. I walked naked to the shower where I washed off the horsey smell.

Satisfied that I smelled good enough, I dried myself, put on body lotion, and wrapped up in a towel. I walked out to the living area and sat, without even thinking about it, in Agatha's new salon chair. Perhaps I was beginning to appreciate the pampering?

Agatha was patting my hair into place when I realized I had a problem...okay, maybe not a problem, but a question I couldn't answer. "Hey Agatha?"

"Yes Miss?"

"We've got the Tiara and the hat sitting out. Which one am I supposed to wear?"

"Oh, definitely the hat. I only had the tiara out to polish it. You won't wear it--in public--until your wedding ceremony."

"Okay. Good. That stupid hat took longer to choose than the dress. Vincente said that it is multi-purpose; I can wear it to a wedding, to attend church, or to a fancy lawn party. He even mentioned I could wear it to someplace called 'Royal Ascot'...whatever the hell that is." I took a deep breath, "Am I ready?"

Agatha grinned, "Yes Miss. Your clutch bag is beside the door. I've put in a small lipstick, mascara, and extra handkerchiefs if you get teary. There are also a couple of tampons, which I hope you won't need for quite some time." She blushed, "Sorry."

"Don't be. I'm hoping the same thing." I stood and checked myself in the large mirror. The only thing I didn't like was that the hat covered the lovely hair style Agatha had created. What a pity.

Someone tapped on the door. Agatha went to open it. "Good afternoon, Your Highness." Agatha greeted Robert. She curtsied.

"Are you ready to go, my love?" He walked over, gently rested his hand on my shoulder, and met my eyes in the mirror. "You look lovely. How are you?"

"I'm good; maybe a little nervous about going to church."

"Me too. But that's not what I meant; How ARE you?"

"Oh. No evidence yet that I'm not knocked up."

"Perfect."

"I should know tomorrow morning...one way or the other. I've never in my life been off by more than two days."

Robert nodded. For the first time since I met him, he looked as though he didn't know what to say. Finally, he cleared his throat, "I think we'd better get going."

I took Robert's hand. Before we left the room I stopped and thanked Agatha again for her efforts. We took the elevator to the first floor and met King Rupert, Queen Sophia, Stephen, and Valerie in the grand entryway. Two doormen held the large doors open as we stepped outside. I was glad Robert had insisted I wear my heavy coat and practical winter gloves. We all got into the large Douravian-flagged limo and headed off to the National Cathedral--followed by a black SUV loaded with DNP officers.

We'd been riding in companionable silence for perhaps 15 minutes when Queen Sophia spoke, "So, Kari, is there any...news?"

"Nothing certain; I'll know more by tomorrow morning."

"You must be excited." She suggested.

"Nervous. Terrified. But yeah, okay, excited too."

Our arrival caused a bit of a stir. The limo pulled up to the main entrance and we disembarked. A good-sized crowd was lined up waiting to enter the cathedral; but when they saw the king and queen, they began moving aside to let us pass. The king would have none of that, "We'll wait just like everyone else." He said as he gestured to those in front of us to resume their places in line. When we got to the front of the line, a tuxedoed usher recognized the king and prince and directed us to the 'Groom's Family' pew at the very front. Actually, with all the Devereaux siblings, their spouses, and their children, it took three pews to hold everyone.

We'd been sitting and chatting for, maybe, 10 minutes when the cathedral's organist began playing the traditional wedding march. Like everyone else I stood and turned. A beautiful little girl led the procession. She was beaming and tossing flower petals in every direction. "That's Clarissa, my brother Geoffrey's youngest." Robert whispered.

I glanced to the front and watched as David and his best man, followed by a priest came out of a side door and move to the front to await Giselle and her entourage. The bridesmaid's dresses were simple, delicate pink sheaths with short sleeves. Giselle's dress was a combination of lace and silk and ribbons and bows. Two girls helped manage the dress' long train.

I turned to the front just in time to see David smile; his eyes lit up as Giselle's father kissed her cheek and presented her to David. The priest began the service, and I let my mind wander. I followed Robert's lead and stood when he stood, sat or kneeled alongside him, said 'amen' when everyone else did.

I heard the priest say "...kiss the bride." The entire Devereaux clan clapped and whistled as David lifted Giselle's veil before he leaned her back in a deep dip and kissed her. After several seconds, Giselle tapped him on the back, and he helped her stand straight. They turned and faced the cheering crowd.

As the new couple began walking back down the aisle, Robert stepped out of our pew and shook his brother's hand before pulling him into a hug. Robert quickly released him, nodded to his mother and father, and patted the youngest Devereaux son on the back. Robert returned to the pew and stood beside me.

"What was that all about?" I whispered.

"I was just ensuring that David and his twin Matteo didn't switch places to try and have a little fun."

"They wouldn't dare! Would they?"

"Don't worry you two," The queen spoke up. "Last week I told Giselle the secret to identifying which twin is which." That dear, dainty, girl grabbed David by the ear and led him off to a corner. She did all the talking. Basically, she warned David if he EVER tried to switch with Matteo...for any reason...his death would be slow and painful...and his body would never be found." By the time the queen finished the story Robert was laughing so hard I had to lend him a hanky to wipe his eyes.

After that, Robert and I stayed out of the way as a photographer posed David and Giselle, and their parents and next posed the couple with their bridesmaids and groomsmen. When the photographer finished their 'official' work, King Rupert shanghaied them and insisted on a group photo of the entire Devereaux clan. Chaos reigned as we tried to wrangle all the children into a manageable herd in front of the adults. I intended to stay out of the way; I wasn't part of the clan yet. That was short-lived. Queen Sophia ordered me into the middle of the group beside Robert. "Besides," She whispered, "If you are pregnant, this will be the first photo of my next grandchild. How exciting is that? Now, smile for the camera Dear."

We paused long enough for Katherine and Gustav to separate two squabbling cousins. King Rupert's bark at the rest of the group to settle down ended any other disagreements and the photographer finished their work.

After that the Devereaux clan, the Guenther family, and all the invited guests left the cathedral en-masse and walked across the city center's Memorial Square to the nearby Devereaux Rostrom Hotel, where David and Giselle had hired the main banquet room for their reception. The king, queen, Robert, and I, stayed toward the back of the room as the festivities went on into the night, until, at midnight the crowd counted "5...4...3...2...1...Merry Christmas!" Followed by lots of hugging and kissing. After that, the party ended quickly. The new bride and groom soon disappeared upstairs to their suite, while everyone else found their cars or other transportation and returned home.

Despite our attempts to escape, the king and queen insisted Robert and I share their limo back to the chateau. The queen was grinning happily; she seemed super-happy to finally have David married...or she'd had a few too many glasses of champagne.

"Will David and Giselle live in the chateau?" I asked.

"Not permanently. They've bought a small house just outside Vidor. It will take about a month for the renovation to be finished. After their honeymoon, they'll stay in one of the Chateau's visitor suites until the house is ready."

"Your Majesty," I addressed the queen, "I'm curious...what does David do for work? I've heard whispers that he and his twin were...umm...rambunctious...when they were younger?"

The three Devereaux' burst out laughing, "Those two!" Snorted the queen, "You know Rupert and I had decided that eight children were enough. Then I had that damn extra glass of wine on Rupert's birthday! Before you knew it I was pregnant with twins." She sighed. "Those two!" She repeated herself, "Every gray hair on my head is a reminder of one of their escapades."

She looked at me and gasped, "I'm sorry about the gray hair remark. I didn't mean..."

It was my turn to laugh, "It's fine Your Majesty. My hair is silver by choice, and I love it like this; and so does your brilliant son. I think the world would be a better place if women would embrace and enhance their silver rather than trying to cover it up."

"So, your gorgeous silver is natural?"

"Umm...it's kind of hard to explain." I knew I had to edit the story carefully, "I started out a mousy brunette. I went to a stylist for a haircut, and she suggested I try auburn. My husband liked it so I kept it until the marriage ended. Once I'd moved away and resettled, as I walked back to my apartment one evening after work, I stopped outside a salon to look at the pictures. A stylist came out and invited me in. I told her I wanted to change my look completely; cut off all but a couple inches. She did; then suggested the silver. I balked at first but relented when she promised she'd take me back to auburn for free if I hated the silver. Anyway, I absolutely adored it, so it was a moot point."

"Yes. You are striking. Are you letting it grow out? How often do you touch up your roots."

"I am and that's where my story gets a little weird. I have never had a root touch up. Never. For whatever reason; my hair has grown out in this beautiful silver."

"You're a very lucky woman." The queen said softly.

I felt Robert squeeze my hand, "Yes. I've been blessed."

"So, Robert," The queen turned slightly, "How do you like Kari's silver hair."

"I think it's remarkably, stunningly, beautiful; although I've hinted that I wouldn't mind seeing her hair a little longer; but..." He squeezed my hand again as he leaned over and kissed me.

"Sophie, Dearest." King Rupert smiled wickedly, "If you insist on keeping Robert and Kari apart, you'd better place guards on their rooms this evening." The limo shook as he laughed at his own joke. I swear I heard his laughter echoing as we passed under the stone arch leading to the chateau.

I got to my suite a little after 0200. I stripped, showered, and donned clean panties in slightly less than 15 minutes. I pulled the heavy down comforter off the bed and lay in flat on the floor, followed by the top sheet and two pillows. I folded everything like a sleeping bag and crawled in. I was asleep in seconds; even before I had time to fantasize about the naughty things I'd do with Robert when I finally got him alone.

I woke up early; my period was nowhere to be seen. I knew now was the time, so I dug out the 2nd test kit from my lingerie drawer. As before I sat and collected my sample and set the test unit into it while I showered. As I dried myself, I heard a tentative knock on my door. I stuck my head out of the bathroom and yelled "Come in!"

I turned back to check the test, "Miss Kari! Merry Christmas!" I turned again and stared at Agatha.

"Christmas? Oh my God. I've done no gift shopping. I've got nothing for anyone; well except for Valerie--but those are all still back in the US. I left them in the apartment we abandoned."

"You've been so busy, no one will care. Also, when you selected me as your attendant, that was a wonderful gift."

"I still feel bad about forgetting."

"Miss Kari, would it be rude of me to ask about your period. The entire chateau is buzzing."

"Oh shoot! Right! Come on." I led her to the bathroom and pulled the test out of the cup. My hand shook so badly I couldn't read it until Agatha reached out and steadied me. "Well..." I didn't know what to say.

"Congratulations Miss."

"Thanks. Please don't tell anyone yet. I want to tell Prince Edwin first. I..." I had a sudden thought. "Agatha, can you find me a small box and some wrapping paper or ribbon?"

"Right away Miss." She hurried from the room...and was back in less than five minutes carrying an old-fashioned school child's pencil box and a roll of red ribbon. "This should do Miss Kari." She handed me the items.

"This box is cute." I wrapped my test in tissue and slipped it into the little box before I tied a bow around it.

Once I had the box wrapped, Agatha helped me select casual clothing for the day. I used a little lipstick and mascara. Agatha simply combed back my hair. She assured me that Christmas Day was reserved for family only; breakfast would be the king, queen, Robert, and I. After that, at 1000 or so, the rest of the Devereaux children and grandchildren would arrive for a gift exchange and lunch.

I was slipping on my favorite wool sweater when Robert arrived. "Merry Christmas Sweetheart!" He wrapped me in his arms. I thought, briefly, about returning his greeting; but his kiss was so searingly hot I decided not to interrupt. The kiss lasted about three hours before I...okay, it was more like 30 seconds...before I had to take a breath.