Chapter Twenty-Six
I know that I am remiss w3ith taking so long to write this epilogue, but the important part of the story has already been told and I was more interested more invested in newer stories. However, this one does need a proper finish.
Richard Rodgers was reminiscing Ten years as Marshal of Caledonia. He'd enjoyed that post for the most part. Under his stewardship, the armed forces had become the most modern and powerful in the world. He had reorganized them.
The Coast guard was now a separate service as was the Marine Corps. The air arm had remained under control of the army, as the Army Air Force. He hadn't forgotten how, for a long time the U.S. Air Force had wanted to control all armed aircraft, not paying much attention to ground support. He had simplified the support structure, in that Legal, medical and pay services came under the Armed Forces Support Service, rather than being separate for each service. The rank structure had been standardized with nine enlisted ranks, four warrant officer ranks and ten commissioned officer ranks with one special commissioned officer rank, Marshal of Caledonia.
. The navy now consisted of the first and second fleets. Atlantic and Pacific, respectively.
Each fleet consisted four fleet aircraft carriers, four battleships, four battle cruisers six heavy and eight light cruisers, eight frigates, twelve destroyers, twelve corvettes and twelve patrol torpedo boats. The submarine service had six fleet submarines. Of course, those were the combat vessels there were also the various support ships. The Coast Guard had around one hundred twenty cutters and patrol boats.
The Regular Army ground forces consisted of approximately two hundred seventy-five thousand personnel organized into two field armies of three corps each. Each corps hade an infantry division, an armor division and an artillery division. It was not a large standing army as most major nation had, but it didn't have to be. Caledonia had three strong allies with contiguous borders Two of the three united by marriage. Also, every family was required to keep military class firearms in their home as every able- bodied adult between ages eighteen and fifty were part of the militia had basic and training drilled one day a month. In addition to the militia there was the Provincial Guard. Each province had at least one infantry regiment the larger or wealthier provinces often had an artillery battalion and an armor or armored cavalry battalion as well. They trained one weekend a month and one month of annual training in the summer.
The technological level of all forces being equivalent to that of earths circa 1950 with the exception of no nuclear weapons. The Army Air Force consisted of ten fighter-interceptor squadrons, six fighter-bomber squadrons, six dedicated ground attack squadrons, two heavy bomber squadrons, two transport squadrons and a long-range reconnaissance squadron.
He sighed and returned his thoughts to the present. His Royal Majesty, Richard Rodgers, King of Caledonia. He'd borne that title for the last fifteen years. It was a heavy burden and he wished he could leave it and go back to being Marshal of Caledonia and crown prince. There had been some level of politics and diplomacy at that level but nothing like now. At least, then all the politics had been internal and international diplomatic duties few. Now international politics and diplomacy were weekly, often daily occurrences.
Between James' and Richard's policies they had managed to keep Caledonia mostly out of the international arena. Caledonia had no extra-continental possessions or territories and wanted none. Europe and Asia continued with their rivalries and conflicts and it was obvious that major wars were in the offing. James and Rick were determined to keep Caledonia out of them if he possibly could. It hadn't completely worked. The great Pacific war dragged Caledonia in. (But that may be a story for another time. Depending on interest)
He had been Crown Prince Richard for ten years, when James decided to abdicate the throne and retire. The burdens of state were becoming too much for him. He wanted to enjoy his grandchildren while he was still healthy enough to do so.
Rick got up from his desk, dismissed his secretary and headed for the royal apartments. He was looking forward to a long, luxurious bath and a little private time with his queen. Tonight, there would be a grand ball, celebrating their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.
The grand ball was actually being held one day after the actual anniversary. The real thing had been a private family celebration. They didn't exchange elaborate gifts. Each considered the other a gift. Rick did have one tradition.
On their first anniversary he had given Kate one perfect red rose and a box of chocolates. On the second, two roses, on the third, three and so on. This year, it was a bouquet of twenty-five red roses and one special crystal rose, with a sterling silver stem, in a sliver vase, engraved with the words: Katherine, my eternal love.
Kate, at fifty, was still one of Caledonia's great beauties. After bearing four children, her breasts and hips were just a little larger than they had been, but she was still slender, trim and fit. She wasn't about to let herself go. There were far too many women who would like a shot at her husband. Not just because he was the king. A handsome man, he'd maintained a military-level fitness. At fifty-two, he was in better shape than many men half his age.
He grinned as he entered their bedroom. Kate had anticipated his wishes and was nude under a very sheer robe. Her smile was salacious and her welcome home kiss almost wanton.
"Get out of those clothes, now, my Darling, the bath water is nice and hot. Then she whispered, So, am I. She kept up her teasing. Be sure not to slip getting into the tub, but be sure to slip into something, in the tub." Even after all the years together, they never tired of re-enacting their first night together, the night she'd eagerly given her virginity to him. Making love, in the warm water was her favorite way. Often, when she was pregnant, she'd enjoyed letting the water help support her swollen abdomen as he took her from behind.
As they got out of the tub, Kate said;
"Oh my God, look at the time! Take a quick, cool shower and then I'll follow. I'm still perspiring."
They were finally dressed for the evening. Kate in a long white gown, similar to, but not her wedding dress. The wedding dress was kept but Kate felt that a wedding dress was just that and should never be worn for any other occasion. Rick wore the white evening mess uniform. The only differences between it and the uniform of any other general officer was the large golden crown insignia on his epaulettes and two rows of tiny golden stars above the broad golden band on each cuff of his jacket, each star representing a province.
Rick grimaced as Kate adjusted the silk sash around his waist. He then buckled his sword belt over it and attached the rapier. Some customs did not change. Even though king, he was still an officer and must always be armed outside of his apartments, except in church.
The family assembled in the living room before walking to the grand ballroom. Crown Prince James was an inch taller, but other than that, was the spitting image of his father. Also, in evening mess uniform, he was a first lieutenant in the Royal Rangers. Prince Alexander was as tall as is brother but a slender, green-eyed blonde. He wore the uniform of a senior cadet at the military academy. Twins ran in Kate's family and she was no exception. Elizabeth and Marian were identical twins who had just turned eighteen. All the Beckett and Rodgers women seemed cast from a very similar mold. All were tall, slender and beautiful with similar features. The girls, like, Alex, were green-eyed, but brunettes. Their dresses were the same style as their mother's. Elizabeth's dark blue, Marian's crimson. Both princes had cut a wide swath through the girls in high school, but James now had a fiancée, Lady Julia Balfour. She stood with the family. Julia, too, was tall and slender, darkly beautiful with olive skin, raven-black hair and brown eyes.
Rick looked around and said;
"Is everyone ready?"
"Yeah, Dad. James said. We've been ready for the last ten minutes."
"Well, you know how your mother is, every hair must be in place."
"Me? Kate said, in mock outrage. It's your father, pinning all those medals in place." This routine wasn't new, it was a long- standing family joke. Both of them were perfectionists when it came to public appearances. The family exited the apartments, to be met with the rest of the royal family and their closest friends. Esposito was now Marshal of Caledonia, Kevin a lieutenant general. Hugs and kisses were exchanged and Lanie, as mischievous as ever, whispered in Kate's ear;
"Girl, you're the queen. You can't go out in public with That look on your face."
"What look?"
Lanie grinned. "I just got laid look." Kate blushed but just as sassy whispered back;
"Well I did."
They stopped at the entrance of the ballroom as a fanfare was sounded. The royal chamberlain said;
"Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for His Royal Majesty, King Richard and Her Royal Majesty Queen Katherine, His Royal Highness, Grand Duke of New Aberdeen James Beckett Her Royal Highness, Grand duchess Johana, the Queen Mother" Each person in the royal party was announced and they went to the head tables. The protocol officer said;
"Your Majesty before the banquet, we must hold the receiving line." Rick turned to James.
"Father I know that your knees must be aching, please go to your place at the table. Mother, please make sure he does." James' arthritis had become painful enough that standing or walking for any length of time was more than he could bear. James smiled.
"Thank you, Son, I shall do that." Johana took James' arm and helped him to the table. In her early seventies, Johana was still beautiful, slender and active. She was looking forward to the dancing, fully intending to dance with her sons and sons in law as much as she could.
The ball functioned as a fund raiser for the local hospitals as well as a celebration. The bids were highly sought after, as the hall could only accommodate so many people. It was a headache for the organizers, as not only Caledonian's were interested. A number of foreign dignitaries had to be invited. A bid price was set, the bids serialized and the purchaser's name recorded. Nobody was going to resell bids for a profit.
The receiving line was a trial for Rick's patience, it took almost an hour to complete. The banquet that followed was, of course, superb, coming from the top caterers in New Aberdeen.
The banquet ended, Prince Alden stood and called for attention. The room quieted.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I ask you to take a moment to charge your glasses. He waited, then said, "I've had the pleasure of knowing Her Majesty all her life and His Majesty for more than a quarter of a century. I have never seen two people more in love with each other. So, on this, their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, I propose a toast. To Richard and Katherine, happy anniversary and many more." The answers to the toast reverberated around the hall.
Rick stood. "Ladies and gentlemen, twenty-five years ago, I was given the greatest gift of my life, the greatest gift any man can receive. King James placed Katherine's hand in mine at the altar. Raise your glasses to Katherine, queen of Caledonia, queen of my heart. Let the dancing begin." He led Kate out on the floor. At one of the breaks, Kate was talking with Deidre when Deidre began laughing. Kate raised an eyebrow.
"What's so funny, Dee?"
"Look over to your left."
Kate did and quietly laughed, covering her mouth with her hand. Her old rival, Claire Collins, now Claire LaMotte, was talking to a heavily bemedaled French diplomat. Claire, once quite pretty, had not aged well. She was heavily made up, her hair was obviously dyed, and she was about fifteen pounds too heavy for the dress she was wearing. She looked rather like a bright orange sausage. Actually, that was rather appropriate. Her husband was a wholesale meat broker.
Kate almost choked stifling her laughter.
The evening passed much too slowly for the royal couple. They both wanted to be home, in bed. Not necessarily asleep.
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