first I would like to apologize for the extremely late update. this past has just been crazy hectic madness. also, I didn't know what to do with this chapter. I got a teeny case of writers block. So I also apologize if this chapter is suckish. Sorry guys.

XX-Ray


"Shhh, it's ok. I'm here.", I hear Eugene say as he rubs my back.

I woke up this morning not expecting the wave of morning sickness that I wish I didn't recognize. I've been on the floor in the bathroom for five minutes. It's turned into a dry heave, but it was worse when it started.

"I hate this part Eugene." I cough against another dry heave and do my best to breathe.

"I know honey, I hate to see you like this. You know I would do it for you if I could."

I know he would. I remember when I first got morning sickness with Avia and he was so worried.

"Thank you, Eugene.", I smile and kiss his lips, "I think I'll try to get up."

He nods and offers me a hand to pull me from the cool tile.

"You ok?", he asks with a hand on my back.

"Yes, thank you."

I walk out of the bathroom and into the closet to change into a dress. We have a long day ahead of us. Eugene has to make another trip to St. Claire. He promised King Drews he would visit to check on their stock. King Drews also said he would love to meet the rest of Eugene's family and would like us to stay for a few days.

I agreed knowing it would be good for Eugene and I to get to know some of the kingdoms.

"Are you sure you are up for this trip dear? I don't want you to be feeling awful the entire time.", Eugene says while we take things from our closet to pack.

"Oh you are worrying yourself too much Eugene. I will be fine. It's just a little morning sickness. I can handle it."

"Alright. I think you and Queen Diane will get along. She is really nice.", he says.

"How long have they been ruling?"

"Two years now, he told me. They have two sons. A four year old and two year old."

"At least Avia will have some company.", I say.

"Where is Avia anyway?" , he asks turning to me.

"Mother and father have her. They agreed to watch her while we pack. I still have to pack her bag."

I take in a deep breathe and let it out. There's so much to do in the little time we have.

"You go pack her things, ok? Do you have everything out that you will need?" , Eugene asks.

"Yes, it's all on the bed."

"I will pack everything for you, go take care of Avia's things."

I walk down the hall and into her room. The bed still hasn't been made and her toys are strewn all over the floor in front of the mantle from playing last night.

I pack her dresses and pajamas, her tooth brush and hair brush, her favorite teddy bear and her blanket we gave her when she was born, and a few pairs of shoes, a coat even though it is the middle of July and it won't get cold. I guess I am being a bit of an overprotective mother.

Twenty minutes later, everything is packed and all that is left to do is eat breakfast, then we are off.

We meet mother and father and Avia down in the dining hall. They have already served themselves and started eating.

"Good morning you two! How was packing?", mother asks whipping her mouth with her napkin.

"Mother, it was packing, it was the most boring part of my morning.", I sit down in my usual chair and grab for whatever bowl is in front of me.

Eggs. Yum.

I scoop some up and let them slide of the spoon and onto my plate. Then I take the fresh fruit and a pancake before lathering it with syrup and butter.

"Well, we hope you enjoy St. Clair. It's so beautiful in the summer." My father says.

"And even more beautiful in the winter.", Eugene says.

I crinkle my nose. How in the world has Eugene been to St. Clair?

"When were you in St. Clair in the winter Eugene?", mother asks, reading my mind.

"Oh long before I met Rapunzel...", he trails off.

I know he's not proud of his past and he has done a lot to try and form a new image for himself. He has done an amazing job. No one really remembers Eugene as a thief and I can tell how bothered he gets when asked to talk about it.

"Oh I see.", is all she says with a small smile to ensure him.

"Have you ever been to St. Clair mother?", I ask, trying to avoid the awkward conversation of my husbands thieving past.

"Yes, I believe your father and I went a few months before you returned. Isn't that right Daniel?", she asks my father.

"Yes dear. They threw a ball for their sons nineteenth birthday."

"Oh yes! That was quite fun. How long are you planning on staying again?"

"Three to four days. We might leave late on the third day and be back early the next morning. King Drews seems to be wanting a friendship between the two kingdoms. At least, that's how it seems.", Eugene answers.

"King Drews seems like a nice man Eugene, I'm sure he is very grateful for what you did for his people. They would be in an awful situation without those ships." I say, feeding Avia a fork full of eggs.

"He is a wonderful man. I hope we can learn more about each other and become friends, it's just too bad St. Clair is so far located from Corona."

"Well, next time you will just have to invite him and his family here, won't you?", my mother says with a smile on her face.

We giggle and continue eating, enjoying each other company before we toss everything into the carriage and set out on our three hour journey.

This is the first trip Avia has ever taken. We never felt that she was old enough, so I usually stayed with her while Eugene went with my father into whichever kingdom they'd visit. Euegene and I discussed how difficult the trip their will be, but we agreed that if we can get her to fall asleep, we might be ok.

After breakfast, some of the servicemen take our things to the carriage so they can be loaded on. Eugene goes into Avia's room to make sure we aren't forgetting everything she might want or need. He grabs her blanket and we headed out to the carriage.

We exited the gates around noon, so we estimated we would arrive St. clair around three in the evening at the latest.

For the first twenty minutes, Avia and pascal sat at the carriage window next to me, pointing at cottages in the woods and small streams that flowed from trickling water falls. We watched the castle grow smaller and smaller as the minutes ticked by, until it couldn't be seen through all the green leaves on the summer trees.

"Mommy look!" She points to something in the distance. I look up from my book too late and miss what she got all excited about.

"What was it honey?", I ask.

"Butterfly.", Avia replies. She sits back in her seat next to me. Pascal crawls into her lap and and she strokes his head, which, along with the rest of his body, has turned burgundy like her dress.

Eugene is sitting back against his seat and watching us with a small smile on his face. I smile back at him. It's like the happiness is radiating off his skin.

Avia lays her head in my lap and closes her eyes. She would normally get put down for a nap about now anyway, so I don't have to fight her to get some rest.

After about five minutes of silence I ask Eugene if she is asleep.

"Out like a light.", he says.

"That was easy."

"Thankfully."

He closed his eyes and rested hi head against the cushioned seat.

I knew he wanted to relax but I had to ask him a question, so I interrupted his peace and quiet with, "What do you do in here when you go on trips all alone?"

His eyes open and the smile fades a bit.

"Well I've never taken the carriage when it's just me. I usually go on horseback with two boys. But I normally think about you and Avia. Some topics that are important in the kingdom. Why?"

"Just wondering. I think about you all the time when you're gone. I wonder what you are thinking. Where you are. If you are safe or not."

"Well now you don't have to worry.", he says. I lean over to kiss him.

"No I don't."

And I am glad I don't have to.


reviews! You know I love to read your comments. whenever I see I have emails I literally open it praying they will be new reviews. Sorry if this chapter wasn't the best.

XX-Ray