AN: Sorry for the long update time I didn't forget but I was really busy with school, I had one class I failed last year and I had to retake it but it's a really intense class, I just wrote the exam so we'll see. I should be able to update more frequently now. Coming up I think a Christmas chapter then disaster strikes.

A maid surprised her with the pants and a top that had already been made and Odette quickly changed into them before supper. She entered a few minutes late everyone was already seated and Derek was eating a roll. He gave her a once over, "You look nice,"

"Yes very nice dear. Maybe I should get some of those pants made for myself," Uberta said.

"Don't you dare," Rogers threated the Queen, "Although they look lovely on you Odette," He said smiling at her.

Uberta stuck her tongue out at Rogers and began to eat once Odette sat down.

Odette watched as Uberta wiggled in her chair she looked like a child at church. "Uberta was there something you wanted to say?"

"Oh no, don't engage her," Derek said rolling his eyes.

"CHRISTMAS!" She shouted like it explained everything.

Derek rolled his eyes again, "What's your idea this year mother?"

"A party a big one! Bigger than last year!" Uberta said throwing her arms around.

Odette giggled, but stopped when Uberta turned to glare her down.

"We can take traditions from your kingdom as well!" Uberta cried.

Odette often felt the next words were the biggest mistake she ever said, "I suppose,"

That was how she found herself in a freezing cold carriage a month before Christmas with Derek. He was pressed against her side and they both were wrapped in a blanket but it did little too keep off the chill.

"Derek, Stop it!" Odette yelled at him. He was pressing himself against her and he started kissing her neck. She punched him hitting him square in the chest. "Don't you ever do that!"

Derek looked sheepish, "Sorry, you'd been so nice the last month I forgot we were in a fake marriage,"

Odette felt the rage boil, he just had to get a jab in. "It's not my fault, you made me get married!" She spun and faced him breathing like a dragon.

"It's my fault for giving you a family that cares for you? Your father died three years ago, you think you'd be happy for the company!" He said fiercely but kept his voice low so they wouldn't be overheard.

She followed his tone, "I was fine! Besides all I am to you is income!"

Derek scooted back from her and balled his hands into fists. "We are income for your kingdom!" There was a silent 'do not forget that'. "We are keeping your people safe and warm and giving the kingdom money to- You know just forget it! I've tried being nice to you, we all have, and all you do is throw it back in my face. I'm done,"

Odette knew she should have turned away but it wasn't in her personality, "What makes you think that I would want to be in your bed, have your children, and be your good little future Queen! How dare you!"

"I tried to give you a family again, I thought it was the least we could do after all you had been though!"

"You thought wrong!"

"Honestly how long do you think it would have been until some other prince came to your castle and demanded you marry him because your kingdom needed the money," He whisper-yelled in her face.

"This was your idea? The whole marriage thing?"

"Mother said I should hold a ball and invite all the eligible woman. I did. You know what they all sucked. Then your father died and I didn't really have a choice now did I?"

"I can protect myself,"

"I know that but it's these other princes I don't trust. My mom and Rogers made me to keep you safe,"

They spent the rest of the day avoiding each other as much as possible but it was hard when they had to pretend to be the loving prince and princess. They first stopped off at her palace for a visit then made their way around the town on a tour.

"Come on," She said to Derek and she stepped out of the carriage.

"Where are we going?"

"The orphanage," She went to the trunk on the carriage and pulled out a box filled to the brim with toys and food.

Derek picked up a doll, "You should have told me I would have brought something,"

She gave him a small smile. He took the box from her. "Hey while we're here should we take one or two home?"

She stopped dead, "I don't think… I mean it would be nice for them,"

"But I guess they need parents who wouldn't kill each other first, right? We'll come back some other time and pick a couple out,"

"A couple?" Odette panicked.

"Well we are the prince and princess we certainly have room for more than one," Derek laughed then opened the door.

They spent the next several hours playing and helping the children. Derek had taken to lifting and spinning the children while Odette was decorating some baking with the other kids.

Odette felt weird as she looked around it was like she felt her father was with her. She smiled and finally pulled Derek out of the orphanage way past the usual bedtime. "Come on let's go home,"

Derek wouldn't let them go back to her palace for the night because he didn't think it was safe, so they boarded the royal boat close to midnight and got home at first light.

Derek watched as Odette collapsed into their bed, even though they had lit a roaring fire it was still cold and she slept a little closer to him, although he didn't expect it to last, tomorrow she would be trying to kill him again.

Derek woke up to his mom tapping at his door. "Well?!" She demanded standing there looking at him expectantly.

"Well what mother?" He sighed he was exhausted they had spent a full day without sleep.

"Where are my grandchildren? One of the guards told me you went to an orphanage. Did you pick any up?"

"No, we're still working out the kinks,"

His mother grumbled.

"Derek who is it?" Odette called she sounded half asleep.

"OHHHH did I interrupt something!" Uberta tried to scurry away.

"No mother we got in this morning, we've only had three hours sleep," Derek sighed. His mother was persistent with her want of grandchildren.

"Derek I want a baby before I'm dead!" Uberta screeched.

Derrek shut the door. His father had always loved Christmas and said that it and the coming New Year meant a new beginning. He went back to his bedroom and shook the lump that was Odette. "Can we call a truce? A fresh start?"

She turned away from him, "Go to hell,"