Thank you for all of the kind reviews. I wrote and rewrote this chapter, hopefully you enjoy it.
He sat up and gently tried to slide her over enough that he could turn comfortably without waking her. She grunted in response, as her eyes slowly opened.
Simon gave her a big smile as he said, "Good morning, love. Now could you please move over just a bit, please, I'm about to fall out."
Helena obliged just enough that Simon was able to turn comfortably to face her as he lay back on his pillow. "How'd you sleep?" he asked.
Giving a big yawn, Helena looked at him. He knew it took her a few minutes to get going in the morning so he was content to wait her out. Finally, she spoke, "I'm going to have to get used to this new bed, I'm a little stiff. But other than that I slept good."
Simon laughed, "It was either you get used to a new bed or a new life as a divorced and exiled queen."
Helena responded with an elbow to his ribs. "That's really not funny." She watched him for a second before adding, "This Is nice. Us, talking and joking like this. I've missed it."
"Me too. And as much as I'm enjoying laying here, I need to get ready. I have a meeting after breakfast." Simon leaned over and gave her a quick kiss before getting out of their bed to get ready.
Helena sat putting on her makeup when the picture occupying the right corner of her vanity caught her attention. It was of her and Eleanor as a baby, right before her first birthday. Her mind drifted back to the day as the memory became more vivid.
"Eleanor, come on darling, you can do it. Walk to me." Said a young Helena as she coaxed her on. Her daughter was a few weeks' shy of her first birthday, and had been pulling herself into a standing position for the last week. She had watched countless attempts as Eleanor would hesitantly take a step before falling back down onto her bottom.
This time, Helena felt certain that her daughter was going to get it. She had pulled herself up beside the couch in the main sitting area and completely let go as she smiled proudly at her mother. So confident that she was going to walk, Helena had sent Rachel, her new assistant to bring Simon immediately. For a King with a country to run, he was completely enamored by anything that his children did, and tried to be as present as possible.
"You've got it, sweetheart, come on." Helena said, as she knelt down a few feet in front of her daughter.
"Did I make it in time?!" Simon questioned as he walked into the room, camera in hand. "I ran as soon as I realized what Rachel wanted."
"You haven't missed anything yet, but she's ready, look at the determination in her eyes." Helena replied.
As if sensing that her parents were both waiting on her to do something spectacular, Eleanor slowly began to place one chubby leg in front of the other, moving ever so hesitantly in the direction of her mother. Eleanor took one last shaky step, before reaching her mother with a giggle.
Helena scooped her daughter up, wrapping her arms around her in a hug, before turning to Simon. "Did you see that? Did you see her?!" She beamed with pride. It was that moment he had caught on film, a young queen filled with pride in her daughter's accomplishment and a smiling baby girl.
"Helena, did you hear me?" Simon asked walking out of his closet.
Helena turned to look at him, "I'm sorry, what were you saying?"
"I was telling you that I have a meeting with the Prime Minister in an hour and that I'll be out of reach." Simon furrowed his brow, "Where were you just now?"
Smiling, Helena pointed at the photo, "I was thinking about the day you took that picture. That was such along time ago, another life it seems. And now I've got so much ground to make up with Eleanor. If you'd have told me that day things would turn out like they have, I wouldn't have believed you."
Simon walked over to his wife and knelt down, "Helena, I told you last night, it's doable. You're her mother, no matter what has happened up until now that fact hasn't changed. That girl wants nothing more than for you to love her and be a presence in her life. Trust me on this."
Helena reached out, cupping the side of Simon's face. "Thank you for saying that. And thank you for not giving up on me. I don't think I told you that last night, but I want you to know how much this second chance means to me."
"I believe you, my love." Simon took her hand from his face and kissed her palm before standing up. "What are your plans for today?"
Helena answered, "I have a few calls to make, but then I was going to see if Eleanor would like to get out for a little mother daughter time."
"Might I make a suggestion? Spend the whole day with Eleanor, forget the calls. Get out of the palace, maybe go to the stable?" Simon offered before turning serious. "Helena, we do need to talk about Cyrus. I'd prefer you not talk to him without me present."
"Simon." Helena started, "I understand starting fresh, and the need for trust. I also understand that Cyrus is sore subject for you and I respect that, but you can't limit who I can and cannot talk to. That's a bit much."
"On this I can, my dear." The King said with all seriousness. "Helena, you're my wife, and I'm making a conscious effort to move past everything. But Cyrus is my brother, and sadly he is nothing more than a cancer on this family. I wasn't just threating to strip his title yesterday, I meant it. Even if the people choose to let us remain the ruling monarchs, Cyrus will be gone. I plan on stripping him of all titles and monetary support. Not only will I be discussing moving forward with the referendum in our meeting, but this issue is going to be addressed as well."
Helena's eyes widened with surprise, "Are you sure about this? Once it's done and becomes official you can't just undo it. Simon, I really think you need to think this through. He is your brother after-all. Don't do anything to hastily."
Simon held up his hand to stop her, "I've given this a lot of thought, Helena. Even before I made up my mind about us, I had made up my mind about Cyrus. He has made it his life's work to undermine me, and some of it he has done with your help. Enough is enough. I want you to stay because I love you, but my brother, Helena he would kill me in a heartbeat if he thought it would put him on the thrown. He is nothing more than a morally bankrupt drug addict and he will no longer represent this family."
Helena was stunned, "I don't even know what to say. If you're going to talk to the Prime Minister about it today, when are you going to tell Cyrus? He needs to hear this from you before he gets wind of it some other way and makes even more of a scene."
"He's going to here it from me today. It's time I clean house, Helena. When I get back from my meeting and can find Cyrus, I'm going to break the news to him. It might be best if you weren't here." Simon answered.
"No, Simon." Helena said shaking her head, "Last night, I told you I may not agree with you, but I would stand by you. That goes for this as well. From now on, I plan on being the supportive wife I should have been from the very beginning. If I disagree with you, I'll let you know but I'll be there beside you every step of the way. So I'm going to spend the day with our daughter if she'll let me, but when you feel it's time to go speak with Cyrus, I'll be there with you for support. And if it means that much to you, if I run into him today, I'll make an excuse and blow him off."
Simon stood in awe of the woman before him, for far too long they were simply two people leading separate lives that happened to share children and a sporadic happy moment. But in less than a 24-hour period they were evolving into what he had always hoped they would be, a solid partnership based on trust, loyalty, and love. It wasn't perfect yet, but they were making solid strides.
"Thank you, Helena, now go enjoy your day. I've got a meeting to get to." Simon gave her a small peck on the cheek before turning to go. When he reached the door he stopped, "I'll wait and speak to Cyrus tonight when we can both be here. You have no idea how much it means that you're willing to do this with me."
Helena gave him a small smile.
"Oh and Helena, have fun with Eleanor."
