Two weeks after the memorial service for Justine's grandmother and aunt were over, plans for the wedding began. The current discussion was centered on the guest list.
"This is supposed to be a small, intimate affair." Justine said wearily. "It's beginning to look like a circus."
"I understand." Violet said, "But I did tell you that there were some things that couldn't be helped and a public wedding is one of them."
"Why can't we have two weddings?" Justine asked determined to have the private ceremony that she, Quinn, David and her mother wanted.
"You could do that." Violet replied. "I assume that you would want to have the private ceremony before the big wedding?"
"Yes." Justine replied speaking for all involved. She understood that the big, formal wedding had to happen; but she had hoped that it could be avoided. "How many people are we talking about?" she asked certain that she really didn't want to know the answer.
"Quite a few." Violet replied. "All of the dignitaries and their mates as well as everyone that you appointed as heads of state and their mates."
"So... oh shit Violet, forget that I asked. Let's concentrate on the private wedding first. We can have the big one a month or so later."
"As you wish." Violet said with a smile. "When would you like to have the first ceremony?"
"What month is this?" Justine asked.
"April." Violet replied.
"Okay, the first ceremony will be June 9th. That's my mother's birthday. The big ceremony will be on September 14 which puts it between Quinn and David's birthdays. I don't want the date for that one announced until several weeks after the private ceremony. I don't want to be flooded with letters and phone calls about a date and details."
"I'll take care of it." Violet said, "There's one more thing...."
"Don't say it." Justine interrupted. "I know that I'll have to wear a formal wedding gown."
Violet smiled and left the room leaving Justine alone for a few minutes.
"Damn!" she swore.
She had only wanted a private ceremony, but now she was going to have to contend with a circus. She was tempted to say the hell with it, but Violet was right. She had to make nice with the dignitaries and their mates. This was a part of her new role that she didn't like.
"Suck it up girlie." She chided herself.
On a bright note, the indoor garden where the first wedding would be held was completed. The only thing left was for the flowers to bloom. The dresses were being altered; the menu for the reception was planned and the guest list which included the entire household was complete.
There was only one thing left to do. It was the one thing that Justine had been putting off since the memorial service. She had to talk to David. To his credit, Quinn hadn't mentioned it again. He trusted her to do the right thing not only for herself, but for the reign. Josephine however, had to say her piece.
"I know that you're still angry at David." She said, "But Justine, when does the anger end? He was wrong and he admits it as do I, but there comes a time for forgiveness. You can't continue to treat him as you have been."
"What are you talking about?" Justine asked. "I've accepted him as your mate haven't I? I've accepted him as a part of this reign haven't I?"
"On the face of it, yes it appears that you've accepted him, but I maintain that deep down you haven't." Josephine countered. "I see the dirty looks that you give him when you think no one is watching or when he says something. The fact is you're barely tolerating him."
"Mom...."
"Don't you mom me!" Josephine snapped. "Would you like it if I treated Quinn the way that you're treating David? Even if I didn't like Quinn he would be treated with respect simply because he is your mate. What I don't understand is why you invited us to share your wedding day and reign feeling as you do."
"I understand what you're saying, but it isn't that simple." Justine replied.
"Why not?" Josephine shot back. "From what I can see, you're the one who's making things difficult. David has been waiting for a chance to talk with you and you won't give him the time of day. I'm not expecting you to call him dad or anything like that, but I am asking that you try to get to know him. I am expecting you to start treating him with respect if only because he's my mate."
"Mom..."
"And I'll tell you something else young lady..."
"Mom..."
"I don't care if you're the queen or not..."
"MOM!"
"What?!" Josephine yelled back.
"You're right and so is Quinn. He told me that an eternity is a long time to be angry with someone. He also told me that if this reign fell apart, it would be because there are unresolved issues between two of us meaning me and David. You're right in that I've been rude to David, and I wouldn't like for Quinn to be treated that way. I'll talk to David, where is he?"
*******
David went from plant to plant checking on their progress. He was especially pleased with the daffodils which were Josephine's favorite flower. After making his rounds, he went to the work station to mix a gallon of plant food from a recipe that Thomas had given him. He enjoyed his time in the garden; it gave him time to think about things.
One of the things that were weighing on his mind was Justine. He was tired of walking around on eggshells. It was to the point where he was thinking about talking to her in spite of what Quinn suggested.
He knew that Justine was still angry with him and rightfully so, but they needed to talk. They had to come to some kind of understanding if only for Josephine's sake.
"The garden looks nice." Justine said from behind him.
"Thank you." David replied. "I think we can get the flowers to bloom in time for the wedding."
"That would be great...David, we need to talk."
"Yes we do." David replied. "In fact, I was just thinking of coming to find you. We can't continue as we have been."
"I agree." Justine said as she sat down. She waited until David was sitting before she continued. "I know that you're sorry and that you feel guilty for what you did; but I'm still angry about it. I won't sit here and pretend otherwise. I know that you saved my mother's life and you will always have my gratitude, but..."
"We've been round and around about this." David interrupted. "I can't change anything that happened in the past. I was wrong. I admit it and I still feel as guilty as hell about it. I think that I always will, but the question is; how do we get past this?"
Justine was quiet for several minutes.
"Maybe we've just started." She said. "I will never forget what happened and it would be unrealistic and unreasonable for you to expect me to. However, both Quinn and my mother made valid points.
In accepting you as part of our reign and my mother's mate, I have to get to know you. Quinn was right when he said that if anything happened to destroy this reign, it would be my fault.
I've been rude to you and I apologize for that. It was and is uncalled for but I want you to understand something. I know that you love my mother but I can't accept you as a father. You lost that right with the choices that you made. I know that it sounds harsh; but that's how I feel.
I do accept you as my mother's mate and an important part of this reign. I don't have a word for what we are, but we aren't friends."
"But that could change." David replied. "I don't expect you to see me as a father figure. As you just pointed out, I lost that right years ago. I understand your anger and I don't expect you to forget anything. If I were in your position, I would feel the same way. I only hope that one day you'll forgive me and that we can be friends.
