Chapter 32

Jimmy

Emma, Drake, Iris and I ran after Jake, through the gardens, and went up to Jake's room. We called the others immediately, and Tim picked up, telling us Ron was still checking the surveillance footage in Lythikos. 'When did you see Olivia last, Ron?' I asked, worried. 'The last footage of her was about an hour ago. She was being held by some assassins. They didn't seem like they were going to hurt her, only lock her away,' Tim said, translating for Ron. 'And Ron says that he heard Olivia yell something about marriage, but he couldn't hear what.' I started pacing, and shook my head. 'We have to infiltrate Lythikos now, right? We have to save her.' Iris, Emma and Drake nodded agreeingly, when I heard Maxwell on the other line. 'I wish we could, but somehow the press found out about your bachelor and bachelorette parties… and it's all over the news. You guys not showing up or doing something else may seem suspicious.'

'Damn it,' I cursed, and looked at Emma. Her eyes were big with worry as well. 'Maxwell's right, we can't drop it now it's known… we have to pretend we don't know about Olivia being taken,' she said, and she stood up as well. 'Ron, can you slow the footage down and listen back to what Olivia said about marriage?' It was silent for a few seconds. 'He says he can, but it'll take him until tomorrow. Until then, I'm thinking that we have some research to do about the link between Godfrey and Lucretia,' Tim said. 'Okay… you guys search at the Beaumont manor, we'll search here, and we'll meet the day after tomorrow, at Bellatio,' I said. 'We have to fly to Piloude tomorrow, to meet with doctor Ramirez,' Drake said, looking up at me. 'It's in the afternoon, and I'm thinking Iris and I will head to Bellatio right after that, to help Mark and Bree set up for the engagement diner.'

I nodded at Drake. 'Yes, good plan. You guys head to Bellatio, we'll be fine. You guys just think about seeing that little heartbeat,' Emma said, and lovingly stroke Iris' belly. The latter giggled and agreed. 'Okay guys, move out,' Drake said as he stood up, a slight sigh in his voice as he reached out his hand to Iris to help her up. 'What is it, honey?' She asked, cupping his cheek with her hand. 'We keep researching, and researching, and I'm just… we're running out of time,' he said, sounding tired. She wrapped him in a hug. 'We'll get there, Drake. Piece by piece, and we're going to win. Bad guys never win.' He snorted and raised his eyebrows at her. 'Where have you lived all these years, the hundred acre wood? Sesame street?' She rolled her eyes and smiled slightly. 'I've lived with Mark and Bree.' She paused and grinned. 'We always win.'

Later that night, after a lot of research, we'd found nothing more than one simple stupid reference between Godfrey and Lucretia. They'd been seen together in 2015, which was completely useless. 'I'm starting to think we have no other option than to call Madeleine,' I told Emma, when we were in bed, later that night. She rippled her nose. 'No, I don't like her.' I chuckled and stroke Emma's bare shoulder. 'I'm guessing we have to, my love. I trust Madeleine enough to do the right thing for the crown.' She sighed. 'You're right, maybe she can help us, or maybe she knows something.' I nodded. 'I'll call her tomorrow.'

We were silent for a little while, until she smiled up at me. 'We're getting married in one and a half week… are you ready?' I stroke her cheek with my finger, brushing a strand of brown hair out of her eyes. 'More than ready, Emma. I'd marry you right here and right now if I could.' I leaned in and pecked her lips. Her eyes started sparkling. 'Me too, even though I'd hate to miss out on getting revenge for my wedding dress.' I chuckled and shook my head. 'You really are something.' I smiled and took her features in. 'I still can't believe you came into my life like that. I really thought I was heading towards a loveless marriage, or a loveless life… and then there you were, this beautiful, radiating woman.' She bit her lip to hold back a squeak, making me smile. 'I'd asked Iris about you that same day… if she'd already any married any cute princes. I'd seen a picture of you, and I felt jealous of her, able to meet you. I wanted to meet you too, and I couldn't have been more nervous to meet you when I did, Jimmy,' she said, a loving smile on her face. 'It was better than I'd ever expected. We've been through a lot already, but I know that, even fifty years down the road, I'd do it all over again just to be with you.' I put my hand on the back of her head, and was about to kiss her, when she already pulled me in, and kissed me passionately. 'I'd beat a million assassins for you, as long as we get to be together in the end,' I said softly, and kissed her forehead before kissing her lips again.

Iris

Drake and I travelled to Piloude quite early the next day. We'd both been feeling slightly nervous since we'd woken up, and it didn't get better once we were sitting inside the royal plane. 'I can't divert my mind,' I moped, throwing my book onto the table. I'd started reading A Walk to Remember, by Nicholas Sparks, which was one of my favourite books… but I was dreading no book would ever distract me from thinking about the possible little miracle in my body. 'Me neither,' Drake sighed as he put down his book as well. He patted his lap, and reached out his hand to me. I smiled half-heartedly as I took his hand and sat down onto his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck. 'Worrying won't get us anywhere, Valentine,' he said, as he wrapped his arms around my waist. I shook my head and let out a soft sigh. 'You're right.' I smiled, feeling slightly embarrassed. 'Yet somehow I still need to think about it or something.

He smiled and put his head against my shoulder, 'I'm glad you said it, because I feel the same.' I let out a laugh and pulled his chin up so I could see his eyes. His wonderful, gorgeous and warm brown eyes. I loved how loving they were at a time like this, his eyes always told his true feelings in any situation. Which was why I noticed something else as well.

'Something else on your mind?' I asked. He raised his eyebrows. 'What makes you ask?' I smiled, 'your eyes.' He rolled them, making me laugh. 'I'm good, how are you?' I shook my head. 'Drake Walker, what's bothering you?' He frowned. 'Only if you swear to never tell.' I raised my eyebrows, a little confused. 'Cross my heart and hope to die.' 'If you didn't need any diverting, I would've never told you,' he warned. 'Why are you being so secretive, is this another birthday?!' I joked. He glared jokingly, took a deep breath and let it out. 'I'm… I don't… I.' He frowned. 'I hate flying.'

I stared at him, slightly surprised he'd ever admit to a fear. 'You?' I asked. He nodded. 'Nobody knows this, besides my mom, not even Jimmy and Savannah,' he said, a small smile on his lips. 'I'm not afraid of flying. I just… wished we could travel everywhere by car… basically.' He rubbed his neck, his cheeks a little rosy. I bit my lip to stop a smile. 'Poor kid of ours.' He raised his eyebrows, 'why?' I grinned big. 'I hate flying too.' His mouth fell open, 'you never said anything!' I giggled and shook my head. 'You'll have to find out about my fears yourself, maybe one day I'll find another one of yours.'

He huffed a sigh. 'As if, Valentine. I don't have any other fears.' I kept grinning at him. 'Fine, maybe one day you'll find another,' he grumbled. I chuckled and brushed my lips over his, which he gladly accepted. 'Maybe we could shorten time by asking each other questions?' I suggested. 'What kind of questions?' He asked, amused. I slapped his stomach softly and laughed. 'I didn't necessarily mean questions like those, Walker, but it could be any kind of question, really.' I held up my finger. 'One rule though.' I leaned into his lips. 'No questions about the shit we're going through right now…'

He nodded, somehow entranced by my closeness. 'Definitely.' I smiled. 'Good, I'll start with something simple.' I shifted on top of him, and sat down differently, so that I was straddling his lap. His eyes grew a little bigger, and I was enjoying this already. 'What's your favourite dish?' It didn't take him long to answer. 'Freshly caught fish, straight off the barbecue.' He smiled at me. 'What is your favourite colour?' 'Green,' I answered happily. After a little while of basic questions, I decided to be somewhat more bold.

I stood up from his lap, and turned my back towards him, looking over my shoulder. 'Which part of my body do you like the most?' At first, an incredulous look spread across his face, but then he turned perfectly calm, stood up slowly, and grabbed my hand to twirl me gently. 'That's not fair, Valentine… I can't choose.' He smiled slightly, his eyes were somewhat less dark, more loving. His eyes scanned my body slowly, and his hands slid over my waist. 'Everything about you is a damn turn on, from the moment I wake up to the moment I fall asleep, there's this incredibly sexy woman by my side.'

He pulled me closer, and pecked my lips softly, sending multiple jolts through my body. 'There's not just one thing about you I like most, when referring to something sexy. There, however, is a part I like most when it's not sexy related,' he said with a smile as he lifted my chin with his finger. 'What part?' I asked nosily. He chuckled. 'Your heart. It's the kindest, most loving, most special heart I've ever come across… and I still can't believe you've given it to me.'

My eyes widened slightly. 'Drake…' He held up his hand and shook his head. 'You are this remarkable woman. Sure you torture me sometimes, terribly, but I've never met anyone like you. You make me want to talk, you make me want to be vulnerable around you… hell, Valentine, I've told you when my birthday is.' He took my hands in his. 'I was almost counting the days until I could finally propose to you, hoping you'd say yes. Don't have a clue why, you could do a lot better than someone sarcastic and grumpy like me, someone who'd fit into court... But you chose me, and I will try and live up to it every day,' he said, holding my hand to his heart.

A lump had formed in my throat, and my stomach felt warm, all sorts of fuzzy feelings were spreading themselves. I shook my head softly, and wrapped my arms around his neck. 'I know you like to underestimate yourself… but a man like you? I dreamt about you from the moment I knew what relationships were. A man like you, gentle, kind, protective, romantic… so damn sweet.' I pecked his lips softly. 'Sarcastic, which I love… and your ruggedness. Honey, I don't say this very often, you know that… but you really are perfect.' I smiled up at him, and I saw his eyes sparkle with happiness as he wrapped his arms around my waist. 'I love you, Valentine.' I smiled big, 'I love you too, Drake Walker.'

He pulled me back over to the chair, back onto his lap and looked at me lovingly. 'I guess it's my turn. What kind of sounds or smells comfort you?' I raised my eyebrows. 'Wow, honey, it's as if you're quoting a website,' I giggled. He chuckled and poked my side, causing me to shriek. 'I love the sounds of rain and thunder, those always calm me down. I've never told you this, but I have tinnitus in my left ear. A high beep. I spent years fighting it, because it was completely unfair, but I've accepted it about a year ago.'

I bit my lip, a little embarrassed. 'About a five years ago, I yawned, a pretty large yawn. During the yawn, I suddenly heard something snapping, and I felt a pang in my ear. I reached out my hand, and felt something warm. My ear was bleeding, not much, but definitely more than it should. I went to the doctor the next morning, and he told me that my eardrum had snapped, and that there was a little cut in there. There wasn't anything anyone could do, though. I couldn't swim for a while and had to make sure it didn't get infected. I did everything I could to make it heal, and once I had to return to the doctor, a small and soft beep had occurred. The doctor told me that he hoped the beep would go away once the eardrum had healed completely. However, as the eardrum healed, the beep got worse. Long story short, I used to love silence, I don't anymore. I always try to cover the silence with rain and thunder noises, they soothe everything.'

His eyes were worried, so I quickly smiled and shook my head. 'Honey, it's fine. I'm used to it, so many people have this. Oh, and smells. There are a few.' I looked up and tangled my hand in his hair. 'Rain, obviously. The few hours after a heavy rainfall are my favourite, the smell of rain is amazing. And freshly mown grass… the smell of a forest… and I have two left,' I said, smiling up at him. 'My mother's perfume, I can't help it, when I smell that one… just amazing. And… your cologne. I love your smell.' He smiled big. 'I'm sorry you're dealing with that beep. Who knew something like a yawn could do that to someone?' I shook my head. 'No one, I guess.' He stroke my cheek. 'I love being one of your favourite smells.' I grinned playfully. 'Now don't change cologne, otherwise I'll have to look for a man wearing the same one…' He chuckled and wrapped his arms around my waist. 'No way, Valentine…' he brushed his lips over mine, causing my stomach to tingle. 'You're mine.'

I smiled big. 'That I am. My turn.' I looked up at the ceiling, and thought of a good question to ask. 'How long was your longest relationship?' He snorted. 'Which one, the kiss I had in middle school, or my first and only girlfriend, before you, who was trying to get close to Jimmy?' My mouth fell open. 'You're… no, you're kidding.' He shook his head. 'The last one lasted two months. I'm thinking that's the longest.' I frowned, and cupped his cheeks. 'I'm sorry that happened to you. Those girls were damn stupid.' I smiled slightly, as I pecked his lips. 'But you won't hear me complain.' He shook his head with a chuckle. 'I did date, but nothing really serious. Which was also the reason why I never got jealous before,' he said.

I smiled and let my lips brush over his. 'I'm glad you didn't get serious with someone, actually. I'm not the man-stealer kind of woman…' I leaned even closer, and tangled my hand in his hair. 'Which would've been such a shame to do.' His eyes darkened, but he let out a soft, sarcastic laugh. 'One look at you, and that girl would've been history.' I bit my lip and felt tingles shooting through my body. His lips were so close, and the scent of his cologne drove me slightly crazy. I leaned in, and put my lips on his. He pulled me close immediately, and kissed me longingly. I bit his lower lip softly, then continued to his neck, making him groan in pleasure.

I smiled, and pulled back slowly. 'It's your turn.' His eyes were dark, the kind of I want to tear off your clothes dark, and I loved teasing him like this. 'Valentine,' he said, his voice tortured. I shook my head, and pecked his lips once, before he could deepen it. I was struggling pulling back as well, god. I wanted to keep kissing him, and even more… but driving him insane was amazing. His rough side always came out, and damn… if his rough side wasn't something I loved immensely.

'I'll kiss you after every question you ask me,' I said, mischievously. He shook his head with an incredulous smile playing on his lips. 'You kill me, Valentine.' He looked up, and gripped my waist. 'What is the thing I could say that make you want me immediately?' He asked, a terribly teasing smile on his face as he waited for me to answer. I bit my lip and let my finger slide down his chest. 'I think that not saying anything would turn me on even worse, show me how much you want me, make me feel your want.' I smiled slightly. 'And if that isn't cutting it, which I highly doubt, you could always try admitting how badly you want me… like yesterday.' I leaned closer to his ear. 'Tell me you fucking want me.' His fingers dug into my skin and he groaned. 'Damn it Valentine, did you plan this game to be torturous or what?' I grinned. 'No, I didn't, you could've asked for my favourite colour, but you set yourself up there.' He let out a playful smirk. 'Fine, but I asked you a question, I get a reward.'

I leaned in, 'that you do.' I brushed my lips over his, and he didn't wait to deepen it. His hands grabbed my shirt all over my back, and pulled me closer onto his pelvis. I felt him growing hard beneath me, and I couldn't think straight anymore. His tongue found mine, causing my heartbeat to accelerate and my body to explode into a million butterflies. His hands trailed down to my butt, and went under my skirt, hooking his thumbs in my underwear. He didn't do anything else, but the skin beneath his fingers was burning. I pulled back slowly, and bit my lip as I looked into his darkened eyes. He looked wild, like he'd gone insane. 'Don't,' he whispered, as his hand tangled into my hair, pulling my head closer again.

I smiled and shook my head. 'It's my turn.' 'Valentine,' he growled, pressing me down onto his hard one. I bit his lower lip mischievously. 'Hm…' I tangled my hands into his hair. 'Do you like being told what to do, or do you prefer to call the shots yourself?' He smiled slightly and cocked an eyebrow. 'Depends on the situation.' He leaned me back gently, and let his lips travel down my neck. 'It's incredibly hot being dominated by you… but that also means that you torture the hell out of me, like right now…' I gasped slightly as his tongue slid up to my earlobe. 'So sometimes I like being in charge… so I can have you where I want you.' I bit my lip as his eyes caught mine again. 'And I'm guessing you almost have me where you want me,' I whispered and kissed him. My entire body was tingling, my heart pounding, waiting in anticipation as I wanted him to take the lead.

He seemed to catch on quickly, leaning back with a sexy smirk on his face. 'As previously stated, I think I've showed you how much I want you right now… but since we're not doing anything yet, I'll tell you.' He tangled his hand in my hair and pulled me close, until I was about an inch away from his lips. His hot breath on my skin almost made me tremble, and his words pushed me over the edge, immediately blanking on all my other thoughts.

'I'm going to strip you out of your clothes, kiss you, make you moan, make you scream… all once we're at Piloude,' he whispered, then kissed me roughly. 'Because I fucking want you, Valentine.' The minute we'd arrived at Piloude, he dropped our suitcases, lifted me into his arms, and smiled mischievously. 'I've never liked flying, but a trip like that… we may have to make it a tradition.' I giggled and kissed him. 'Sure, let's do that.' I pecked his lips once more. 'Now get me upstairs, Walker.'

Later that day, when we were due at Doctor Ramirez' office, our nerves had come back. 'We used a great diverting technique… but my jitters have returned,' I whispered to Drake, and grabbed his hand. My hands were cold and clammy. His face was slightly pale. 'I definitely liked the diversion better,' he admitted. I caught his eyes. 'We'll see if it's meant to be… and if it's not, we still have each other.' He smiled and pecked my lips. 'Yeah, you can't get rid of me, we're almost married.' I giggled. 'Like I'd want to. Iris Walker sounds pretty good. I could've done so much worse.' He let out a soft laugh and shook his head. 'Duchess Valentine?' Our heads shot up as we saw doctor Ramirez standing in the doorway, smiling at us. We stood up, took a deep breath and walked up to her. 'Thank you for seeing us, doctor Ramirez,' I said and shook her hand. 'Please call me Iris!'

Doctor Ramirez, a woman in her late fifties, shook my hand and smiled warmly. 'Iris it is, and this must be your fiancé?' She stuck her hand out at Drake, who nodded and smiled as he shook her hand. 'Drake.' Doctor Ramirez let us into her office and we sat down, immediately grabbing each other's hand again.

Drake

'So, this is your first pregnancy, right?' Doctor Ramirez asked, looking at Iris, who nodded. 'Unexpected, yet very welcome.' I smiled agreeingly. Doctor Ramirez smiled happily and looked at her computer. 'Okay, I have to insert some background information on the both of you, and we have to take a look at that belly of yours,' she said, and scanned our faces. 'We're going to do the sonogram first, and then I'll have you answer the questions, I can imagine you're dying to know!' Iris and I nodded in unison, and she bit her lip to contain her big smile. Doctor Ramirez laughed and pointed at the chair. 'Lie down, Iris, and raise your shirt if you please.' Iris lay down on the chair and raised her shirt, looking up at me, her eyes vulnerable. 'It's okay, Valentine, deep breaths.' She nodded and took a deep breath, taking my hand in hers. I kissed the back of her hand.

'I'm sorry, the gel is a little cold,' doctor Ramirez warned as she put some on Iris' belly. 'I'm too nervous, I don't feel it,' Iris said, her voice slightly raspy. Doctor Ramirez spread the gel with her… device, causing Iris to shriek. 'Okay, that I felt.' She giggled, making me smile. 'Okay, let's see…' Doctor Ramirez said, and moved the device around. I brought Iris' and my hand to my mouth, to keep her close. She pinched my hand softly, and looked into my eyes. 'I can't look,' she said, and kept looking into my eyes.

I felt the same way, so I was gladly looking into hers as well. 'Look at that!' Doctor Ramirez said happily. My head shot up and I looked at the monitor. My heart was pounding like crazy, and then finally I heard the words I wanted to hear most. 'I see a little heartbeat, Mr and Mrs Walker!' Doctor Ramirez said, smiling big as she pointed at the screen. 'Oh my goodness,' Iris sighed contented and looked at me again, her eyes sparkling happily. 'Drake… it's all good…' I smiled big and put my forehead against hers before kissing her. 'It's all good Valentine…' I said happily.

My heart felt full, as I looked at the monitor. We could hardly see anything yet, but that didn't matter. Our miracle was there, and its little heart was beating. I sighed relieved. Doctor Ramirez started measuring the little "blob" on the screen. 'You're about eight weeks along now, how are you feeling?' She asked. Iris was smiling so big that she had to scrape her throat first, making sure her voice wouldn't crack. 'I'm doing fine. Nauseated at times, but I'm definitely not complaining.' I couldn't stop looking at the screen. I still had no idea what the blob was supposed to be… but within a few months, it would grow to become our baby. Our baby girl or baby boy… Our Elena or Dax. I looked at Iris again, and felt a lump in my throat.

'Don't tell me steadfast, sarcastic Drake is trying not to cry,' she whispered, a loving look on her face as she cupped my cheek. 'I'm not denying feeling something in my throat,' I said, scraping my throat to keep a steady voice. As I looked at my beautiful fiancée, I couldn't possibly love her more. She was making all my wildest dreams come true, and she was more than I ever could have hoped for. We were smiling at each other, until doctor Ramirez handed Iris a few tissues to wipe away the gel.

Iris wiped away the gel, lowered her shirt, and we went back to our seats. This time, however, with massive smiles plastered onto our faces. 'I always love seeing those proud and loving smiles!' Doctor Ramirez said happily, and inserted some details into the computer. 'Okay. I have to get started with the background questions.' She scanned the screen. 'Date of birth?' Iris nodded at me to go first. 'Sixth of July, 1993,' I answered. 'Thirty-first of July, 1995,' Iris said. 'Ah, two birthdays coming up during the wedding madness!' Doctor Ramirez smiled, as she looked up. I nodded, and smiled at Iris. 'Not to be forgotten.' She chuckled and shook her head. 'Okay, Iris, I need to ask you some questions about your medical background first, and then, Drake, I'll ask you a few questions.' Doctor Ramirez asked a few questions, and I listened carefully, learning new things about my fiancée's background.

She'd told me about the scars I'd found on her body before, but this time, she had to tell the details behind them, and apparently a few she'd left out. 'I've had gallbladder problems, and the issues went too far. The gallbladder had been infected too badly, which caused my pancreas to infect as well. It took five months, six hospital admissions and a thrice infected pancreas before the gallbladder was removed, the gallstones stopped, and I could start healing,' Iris said, and caught my eyes, looking slightly embarrassed. 'This wasn't a first date story.' I stroke her hand with my thumb, smiling reassuringly.

Doctor Ramirez now looked at me and asked me the same questions. I, however, had little to tell. There weren't any diseases in my family, and I had my lucky stars to thank for not having been sick, ever. 'Good, now I have all the information, and you know that your little miracle is going to grow, are there any questions for me?'

Iris and I eyed each other. 'Eh, doctor Ramirez,' she started, then looked like she was at a loss for words. 'Were you Queen Eleanor's doctor during her last pregnancy as well?' I said, taking over. Doctor Ramirez' eyes widened. 'You know about that?' I nodded. 'People are looking into her death as we speak.' 'Did she ever share anything that might help us catch her killer?' Iris asked, and pinched my hand nervously.

'Well…' Doctor Ramirez started, and her eyes darkened slightly.