Chapter 1

This was it; the most amazing summer that she had ever experienced in her life. It was 1979 and for the first time, things were going her way. Aunt and Uncle were preoccupied with finding the right woman to marry her cousin Stavros. Being a royal family meant that cousin needed to produce an heir before he could be considered in line for the thrown that Uncle was ready to bestow upon him. Parish the thought, that Stavros could run a country. The only thing that Stavros was ever good at was making life miserable for her and Stefan, mostly her. But with Aunt Helena, Uncle Mikkos, and Cousin Stavros away in America that summer became heaven.

Her summer days were filled with longs walks on the beach and reading by the garden. Stefan was enjoying his summer freedom as well. Each day, after his morning ride on Belle, his prized Appaloosa, he would go into town leaving Natasha to her own recognizance. She didn't like to leave the Island. There was nothing in town that warranted risking Helena's wrath.

"Natasha…" Stefan called out walking through the garden. "Natasha, where are you cousin?" He bellowed again before finally seeing her sitting under a tree near the beach.

"Wuthering Heights, Cousin?" He asked approaching her slowly "I would think that you have Emily Brontë's only work memorized by now."

"It is part of the reading list for the upcoming semester. I would like to complete the list before summer's end. I can't afford to fall behind."

"There is no chance of that Natasha; your nose is always in a book. Why don't you take break and come with me to town this morning. I'm meeting a few friends for lunch and it would be good for you to get away from this Island for a day."

"I don't know, Stefan. Aunt would not be happy to hear of my fraternization with your friends while she is on holiday."

"Why does she have to know? Mitchell is only in town for a few weeks, and he has been asking about you…"

"Mitchell?" Her ears perked at the sound of his name. Mitchell Kenyan was a prince. Quite literally, the Prince of Kovloave. Stefan and Mitchell had been friends since they were toddlers. Mitchell had quite the soft spot for Natasha and the feeling was definitely mutual. "I supposed having lunch with you and Mitchell would be acceptable, cook is on holiday today."

Stefan smiled, he knew that Natasha could not resist spending time with Mitchell, "Launch leaves in 30 minutes…" he called out to Natasha as she sprinted from the beach to the house.

The next two weeks were nothing short of magic for Natasha and Mitchell. They spent the warm August days in the cove. Natasha had a picnic lunch made everyday for them and After lunch they would spend the afternoon in each others arms making love or walking on the beach. Life could not get anymore perfect for either of them.

"Natasha…" Mitchell started holding her close as if to never let her go, "I'm going back to school tomorrow. I would be honored if you would write to me. It is going to be hard to be away from the most perfect girl in the world."
"Of course I will write, but only if you promise to write in return…" she smiled kissing the nape of his neck.

"What kind of boyfriend would I be if I did not return your letters?" she blushed at the thought. They were most definitely betrothed. Their royal lines were perfect for each other.

My Dearest Natasha,

Words can not explain how much I miss you. I find my mind wondering to you every minute of the day. I think about how beautiful you look sitting on the beach watching the waves crash into the shore.

I have your picture sitting prominently on my desk. I must say my roommate is quite jealous. I must hear, once a week, how lucky I am to have such beautiful girlfriend.

I can not wait for fall break so that I may hold you in my arms again, if just for a day.

I love you.

Forever yours,

Mitchell

She held the letter close to her heart briefly before sitting down to scribe a letter in return. Oh how she missed him.

"Natasha, are you okay?" Her roommate asked her once again.

"I'm fine, I'm just nervous about my class this morning," she replied.

"You've said that every day, Natasha. Every morning you get up and you are sick to your stomach. I think you need to visit the infirmary."

"I am fine Rosemary, I am just afraid that I am behind. I did not get the semester reading list finished during the summer and…"

"Oh Natasha, that reading list is for the semester, not the summer. I am sure that far ahead of any other girl in the class," she paused. "Natasha promise me that you will go to the infirmary, please? I you need to make sure that everything is okay."

Natasha put her head down, giving in to her roommate. "Fine, I will go this morning."

"You wanted to see me, sir?" she asked shyly as she entered the doctor's office.

"Ah Natasha, are you feeling better?" he asked offering her a seat in front of his desk.

"Yes, sir, I am feeling a little better today."

"That is good, but what about the mornings, are still getting ill shortly after you arise for the day."

Natasha put her head down, then nodded. "I was afraid of that. Natasha, we received the results of your lab work. You're pregnant, Natasha."

She looked up at the doctor with a look of panic and fear. "Pregnant, h…how can that be?"

"I was hoping that you could answer that question for me. I need to call your Aunt and Uncle. You are a minor, and by law I have to let them know."

"Please, no…" she cried. "Please let me tell them. Can the labs be redone. I can't be pregnant. Please redo the labs, if it comes back the same, I will tell them immediately. Please, I am begging you…"

"Natasha, the labs are accurate, I am positive that if we run them again, the results will be the same. The headmaster will need to have a meeting with your Aunt and Uncle within 2 weeks, it is school policy. I will schedule the meeting, I will tell them that it is school policy to meet with a new student's parents with the first month of school. You have until that meeting to tell your Aunt and Uncle; otherwise, it will be made known in that meeting. In the meantime," he continued handing her a small bag, "in this bag are some pamphlets for you to read, they will help when talking to your Aunt and Uncle. Also your prenatal vitamins are in the bag. Take one each morning with breakfast. No skipping meals, exercise everyday. Natasha, take it one day at a time. Things tend to work out when you least expect it."

She gazed into his eyes, he was being so kind. He gave her the worst news that she could ever fear.