Someone’s Someone

by Curious Girl

I've always been someone's someone. I will always be known as the sister of. The sister of the wonder child; the sister of the Nobel prize laureate; the sister of Princess Anastasia of Romanov; the sister of the next Queen of England; the sister of the Olympian... and the daughter of Troy and Gabriella Bolton. But I am so much more. I am Josephine Bolton.

54. Chapter 54

The Clarence's first interview: We asked a body language expert to read between the lines

The Duke and Duchess of Clarence have, for the first time since joining the Royal Family in January, held an interview. Set in the astonishing background of the pink rose garden in front of the historic red bricked walls of Hampton Court Palace, the royal couple sat down on a bench across a camera and an interviewer from BBC. What normally is the engagement interview, was this time around a whole new kind of introduction into the Royal Family.

Jennifer Mayers, a long time royal favourite, asked the questions that were run through the Clarence's team beforehand. It was clear that this interview was being held under their rules as they chose the time, the setting and the questions - they're controlling the narrative.

Mayers started the interview with a beaming smile on her lips and thanked the couple for agreeing to do this interview. Allegedly, this interview was something the Clarence's refused to do until the King put his foot down. However, it took until early April - and several scandals later - for the Clarence's to succumb as even His Majesty's anger is not something the Clarence's are afraid of.

The couple didn't held hands as they were trying to come off as professional royals. They were however beaming, which wasn't just the sunlight that was making them glow. The Duchess had just announced her pregnancy a few days ago and it was clear that there was a baby bump growing underneath her icy blue coloured Givenchy dress. Despite being priced at over 2.000, the dress got sold out just ten minutes after the interview aired. The Duke wore and crisp white Oxford shirt and beige linen slacks, without a tie or a jacket, but with brown leathered shoes. The outfit, with which he wanted to look approachable, backfired on him rather quickly. Social media comments used the hastag fakeroyals as a reference to the couple.

Mayers continued by congratulating the couple on their first pregnancy, which caused Josephine to show a shy smile after thanking Mayers - something the world has never seen of her. Duchess Josie isn't known for her shyness so it was clear that this topic is making her feel rather uncomfortable and nervous, whereas her husband looked like he just won the lottery. Which, make no mistake, he certainly did. Despite what the world might write or think of him, he and his wife have made it into the most famous family in the world! They are royalty, with the titles and the jobs.

When Mayers moved on to the hot topic of how they entered the royal family and what backlash they received, the roles within the couples switched. It was Oli, who got quite and uncomfortable, while his wife went into fighting mode. With a straight spine, eloquently chosen words and gesturing hands, it was almost like she wanted to convince the interviewer and the world that they have earned their position. They talked about how His Majesty made them the offer on the evening he celebrated his official birthday at Royal Albert Hall. They called it an 'amazing surprise', that 'hit them out of the blue' but they felt 'very honoured to be considered for these positions'. They did however ask for a period to 'think about the consequences this had on the monarchy, the Royal Family and our families'. It was a decision they didn't make lighthearted as they talked to everyone involved, including other senior members of the royal family, before meeting His Majesty again.

Mayers moved on to ask the couple how they met. Both looked at each other and smiled widely, seemingly remembering that day. It was something the fans of the Clarence's called the look of love and indeed it was a glimpse into their emotional bond. Josie allowed her husband to answer that question first. He revealed that they met in a cafe near Battersea park, where they actually stood in line after one another. That's when Josie chimed in to explain he was ahead of her and that she had just gone for a run. Licking his lips, Oli continued to say that he ordered a cappuccino at the cashier before realising he had forgotten his wallet. Enter Josie, who didn't think twice about helping him out. She ordered another cappuccino and a blueberry muffin before paying for both drinks and said muffin. Josephine painted herself as a saint without needing to flinch. Oliver then explained how he voiced his gratitude and promised to pay her back, but rich Josie wasn't having it. She politely explained it was unnecessary before parting ways with him.

Clearly, it wasn't love at first side with these two.

A week later, the couple met again at a soup kitchen in Parsons Green. It was there that Oliver had his first day of helping out and Josie was asked to show him around as a senior helper. With a grin on her lips the Duchess admitted it was his fire and fervour to help others that stood out to her. One evening the couple even shared a dance, a passionate salsa, in that very soup kitchen after Josie brought some Sohnos - her and his favourite Brazilian dessert - which were made by her Mum. It was then, when they both couldn't deny their chemistry and affection for another.

In a way, it was love at the first dance.

It took however a few more meetings arranged by fate (in Greenwich, at a church, at a charity gala) before the couple went on their first date. Over steak and a glass of white wine from the family's vineyards, Josie and Oli bonded over their shared passion to help others and make a difference. That date resulted in changing phone numbers, which followed by long phone calls after they came home from work. It wasn't long until the couple moved in together because it 'felt like a natural development of their relationship'.

This may not be a fairytale but they tried very hard to make it sound like it.

But what about Rothschild then? When the BBC interviewer asked Josephine about her ex-fiancé, the Duchess explained her ex is now 'a closed chapter' in her life on which she prefers 'to not look back at'. With very few words, Josie made the message clear: Rothschild is completely irrelevant now.

A closed chapter.

Mayers then asked another million dollar question: Why did she and Oli break up? How did they meet again? It's this gap in the timeline of their romance that doesn't make sense. If they were so in love with one another that they rushed into moving in together, why did they end it and why did Josie get engaged with Edward Rothschild so quickly?

Some of the presented lies didn't add up.

Duchess Josie looked visibly uncomfortable as she clenches her jaw and looked down before meeting her husband's gaze. Oliver was calm, radiating confidence more than his wife. Nevertheless, it was a question that could only be answered by Josephine. So after taking a deep breath, she started to explain, weaving that web of lies even tighter.

Josie said that the couple broke up because she felt they rushed into their relationship, being guided by their emotions - a code word for sex. That's when Oliver cleared his throat to explain that being with her was attached to lots of layers, some of them were unknown by him. By layers he means her family, which make no mistake is one of the most influential and richest in the world. It must have been Daddy Troy, who set his foot down and washed his daughter's head. Josie quickly realised that she should look for someone in her league, entering Rothschild. But in the end, love won and she married her Oliver instead of Rothschild.

However, Josie's not taking the blame, she is blaming her father for it!

Oliver explained that the couple met roughly a year and a half after their breakup in Rio, where he and his family lived. Josie stood at his doorstep one day and they talked things through. What fans call the most romantic gesture ever, more realistic people see it as convincing and begging Oliver to take Josie back. Some on social media even said that Rothschild must've been so bad in bed that Josie just couldn't handle being married to this man for the rest of their lives together.

The couple made up, moved to London with Oli's family and got married.

When asked about their roles in the Commonwealth, both seemed to blossom. With ease, Oliver started talking about the first Commonwealth Forum they held at Balmoral in December last year, before making the conscious choice to start their journey in East Africa. They aim to provide help to a variety of issues and offer solutions where needed. The couple said it has big plans for the Commonwealth and are excited for the future.

A future that's certainly within the royal family.

---

Josephine and Oliver WON'T give up to titles because of King - 'Not slightest chance'

There isn't "the slightest chance" of Josephine and Oliver relinquishing their titles as Duke and Duchess of Clarence despite calls from royal fans and commentators, a royal author said. Nigel Cawthorne, author of Prince Andrew, Epstein, Maxwell and the Palace, noted the titles were given Josephine and Oliver by the King as a present.

And, as with any other gift, it would be "very ungrateful" if the couple gave them away, the expert added. He told DailyNews: "I don't think there is the slightest chance that the Clarences will give up their titles. They were a welcome-to-the-family present by the King to the married couple and it would be a very ungrateful gesture to relinquish these titles as it would, in effect, be a snub to the King. The only way they had to give up their titles would be if they lost their jobs as president and vice-president of the Commonwealth Trust."

Out of 100,00 people polled, a huge 89 percent of respondents replied yes to the question "Should Josephine and Oliver Bolton be stripped of their Clarence royal title".

Just nine percent of those polled between January 14 and 18 said no and two percent responded they did not know.

The Clarences misunderstood!

With their first interview aired, Josephine and Oliver showed that they are redefining what it means to be a royal. They have written history by modernising the British Royal Family. However divisive they are as a couple, they are absolute magnets! Wherever they go, they draw you in. It's almost magical. There's a sense of tradition and hierarchy that this couple absolutely supports. They blend in seamlessly and take their duties very, very seriously. Yes, there have been controversies in the beginning. Yes, the couple is known for their luxury clothing and use of their own jets. But this is a couple who fully supports His Majesty and really wants to strengthen the Commonwealth by bringing a breath of fresh air.

They don't rebel against tradition, they value and cherish it. Have you read headlines about them breaking protocol? No. Because they don't. They work in the background, being very aware of the key players in the monarchy and their supporting role.

The scrutiny, the spotlight that's the royal goldfish bowl, is unlike anything they have ever experienced. Josephine being the daughter of Troy and Gabriella Bolton, the sister of the future Queen consort and the sister of the only Romanov princess, was used to cameras and paparazzi but not to this royal extent. Her husband Oliver however was completely new to the scene. If you were mean, you said he was a nobody, but for Josephine he was just a man. An average, Hard working man that she fell in love with.

Yes, he was a nobody but to Josephine Bolton he was her entire world.

---

Josephine

I sit down on the wooden bench next to my twin sister as her three beautiful daughters chase one another through the endless meadows of Home Park within the grounds of Hampton Court Palace. The three girls look adorable in their light blue dresses. The dresses contrast against their golden curls and match their light blue eyes. Their giggles and bare feet that are green from the grass make me smile.

Rory, Nate, Della, Ana and me were the same in the backyard of our home. We used to climb up old trees but that's nothing compared to the century old oak trees.

"I've got some news for you." My sister says as her bright blue eyes focus on her daughters.

"Regarding what?" I can't believe her girls will turn two in less than a month!

"The Easter Service."

I run my fingers through my curls. It's a beautiful sunny spring day. Boats are driving past us on the river Thames. We haven't seen any tourist boat but I'm sure it won't take long until we see the first one. "I'm listening."

"Camilla, Catherine and I will be wearing purple. Together with His Majesty, we have agreed on a new colour coordination. The future and current Queen will be wearing purple on all royal family engagements. Purple can but doesn't have to be worn on solo engagements or private engagements."

Purple is and always has been the colour of royalty. There's only one reason why this was agreed on. I look at my little sister, "You're getting ready for a takeover?"

She nods, "We're getting ready to test the waters. We will have this first stage for a few years and will continue with it until it becomes a tradition for future Queens to wear purple."

"Alexandria as well?"

"No, she's still too small. Maybe when she's eighteen she's going to start."

I nod Alexandria's childhood will be different to the one of her sisters but I hope they won't start treating her differently too soon. To me, she'll always be my niece.

Even if I have to curtsy to her one day.

"You know what that means, don't you? You can have my signature colour. You can wear pink."

"Pink is your colour. It always has been. If I wear that now the press will say it's an affront. I'm quite good with my icy blue."

"Well, you can alternate between the two. I will wear purple from now on, so pink is free."

"What about Char? Is she sticking to yellow?"

"I don't know. She might change her signature colour as well. Maybe to green or royal blue. You could wear royal blue as well. Catherine asked me to offer it to you. And you do look stunning in royal blue."

I really do look stunning in royal blue. I bite on my lower lip. "What about Char?"

"She doesn't like royal blue. She says it doesn't suit her skin colour."

"But it's her mother's and grandmother's colour." I remind my sister. Diana wore royal blue before Catherine wore it. Charlotte should be next. Not me.

"She doesn't like it."

I shake my head, "No. I'm sticking to my colour. Oliver and I are walking on thin ice as it is I don't want it to break and drown."

Rory nods, "Maybe for the Christmas card, then?"

"Maybe." I nod. "Maybe royal blue could be my winter signature colour."

"That would be a very nice compromise." My sister agrees with me. "George and I saw your interview last night."

"What do you think?"

"I liked it and so did George. You answered the most burning question and showed the course you want to take on."

"The press didn't rip us apart completely."

Rory embrace me with one arm, "We've got your back. George, Will and Catherine, His Majesty and the crown. You're safe. No matter how loud the cries for a stripe off titles is going to be. The people will see that your intention lies within the commonwealth and not making money off of the title. You've got a pure heart and the people will see it."

Our documentary already changed a few minds about us. Perhaps this interview did as well. "As long as the whole stripe them off their title thing is going to stop, I'm okay."

"Will your children get titles as well?"

"The King insists on it, so yes."

"But you don't want them two?"

I shrug, "I don't know. I want them to have a normal childhood but at the same time I know they won't have a normal childhood like every other kid. But we didn't have that either. We grew up with paparazzi and headlines about our every move. It was only at Le Rosey that we got time to breathe."

"And then we met George, Char and Louis and everything took another turn."

"Your kids will never live a normal life. Nate and Ana's as well. Even Della's kids won't live a normal life. So why would I desperately seek to change that for my kids? Not when their parents have royal titles with a HRH prefix, not when they grow up within the grounds of Hampton Court Palace, not when their cousins are the next Queens of United Kingdom... Not when their aunt is the next Queen of England, their other aunt the wife of the last Prince of Romanov and their other the a wonder child who healed Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Us Boltons are born to stand out and this will continue in the next generation and in the generations after that."

"So, yes to the titles then."

I shrug, "Unfortunately yes."

My sister nods, "I think it's the right choice."

I think I have no choice. "How's Oxford?" I change the subject. Rory and George have to hold lectures at Oxford University as part of their punishment. They're commuting between Hampton Court Palace and Oxford University during the week.

"It feels really good to come back." Suddenly she giggles, "But the students don't know how to address us. They've called us everything from Your Royal Professor Doctor to Your royally medical doctor Professor."

I smile, "What do you tell them?"

"That Your Royal Highness is just fine. No need for any doctor title or professor title."

"Not Dr. Oxford?"

My sister shakes her head, "No. We're there in our royal roles, not the medical one."

"Yet you're holding classes about neuroscience."

"Even then the correct term would be Prof. Dr. Mountbatten-Windsor."

Right, Oxford is not her last name. It's part of her title, that will soon change to Princess of Wales. Doctor Princess or Professor Princess would be even funnier. I smirk at my own thoughts.

"What?"

"Professor Princess." I say with a shrug, "I mean if you're taking the next step and become the Princess of Wales, just think about how much confusion this will mean for your students."

My sister giggles, "You're right. But I think the King is going to wait a few more years before we get that title. And by then we're out of Oxford University."

I nod and continue to watch my nieces running through the grass in front of us. I can't wait for my twins to join them.

Rather sooner than later.

"I'm thinking of becoming patron of RainbowBaby, a charity that supports women who have suffered a miscarriage. October is pregnancy and infant loss awareness month. October the 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day."

I tear my eyes off of my nieces and look at my sister. I grab her hand and squeeze it softly. "Do you think of the one you lost a lot?"

"I know you probably think I'm heartless, but no. I was just a few weeks along. I didn't know I was pregnant. I mean I was overdue but I wasn't worried since as you remember I had my period very irregularly during the time of my sports career."

"Yet you want to raise awareness of what happened to you."

"I'm playing with the thought of going public with the miscarriage I had. In October... I think it's time to bring the spotlight to this issue. It happens to every fifth women. It's not abnormal to experience a miscarriage with your second pregnancy."

"Do you want to say when it happened? Go all out? Are you ready for this? Is the nation ready for this? The crown? His Majesty? George? Catherine? William? You?!" I ask her as the possible headlines start filling my mind. It's a chaos of positive and negative headlines.

"It would take the press off of you."

My heart sinks at her words, "You don't have to do this for me. I am alright. Oliver and me will be fine. We knew it was going to be hard. We knew the press was going to be brutal. And we don't expect a radical change within our first decade in the firm. We'll be fine. Whatever you decide to do, do it for you. Don't do it for Oliver and me."

"I want to do it for the women who silently suffer every single day in this world. It needs to be talked about."

"You don't have to share your story for it to be talked about. Think wisely. Consider the outcome this may have. Perhaps wait for a few years and support the charity with your power as a royal, not as one of them. You can always do this later. Perhaps when you're The Princess of Wales. Or even Queen consort. What I'm saying is that your position within the firm needs to be higher for you to drop a bomb like that and still be praised for it by the nation. You're just a part of the firm for three years, you have all the time in the world to share this moment. But it needs to happen at the right time - and this year's not the one."

My sister stares at me for a moment. Her light blue eyes move from right to left as she sees what the nation will one day: I deserve this title and job; I will always put duty first; Oliver and me will change The Commonwealth and bring it back to its former glory. "They will learn to love you."

"Who?"

"The world. They will see through Rothschild's lies. They will see through all the negative headlines. And they will see your big hearts and your love for your jobs. They will love you, there's no doubt about it."

"I know there will be a light at the end of the tunnel." I answer her with a smile on my lips. "I'm on the right path."

"You are. You definitely are." She ensures me as the squeaking voices of Grace, Alex and Leni fill our ears. They look so fearless, so happy...

The thought of having three children of my own running around like this instead of the two I am growing right now makes my throat tight. Rory's not the only one who had suffered from a miscarriage in this family. "I suffered from a miscarriage as well." I whisper in a high pitched voice.

My sister's head swings from her girls to me. "What? When?"

I lick my lips. "The week after Oliver and me broke up. Before I got together with Rothschild. I didn't know I was pregnant. I didn't feel any pain like you did. Because I drank so much bourbon that I still have no memories of that week. The severe alcohol consumption and my broken heart caused this. Dr. Ross later told me that I had suffered a miscarriage."

"I'm so sorry, Jo!" Rory embraces me over the bump that's between us. "Was it Oliver's?"

Considering I was dancing on two weddings at that time her question holds value. "Yes. I was always extra careful with Rothschild. You know that I'm taking the shot and with every one-nightstand I had I always insisted on condoms. And with Rothschild I did the same because I was certain I didn't want children. I even asked him to remove the children clause from our prenup. I refused to sign the prenup with the children clause."

"Really? You did?"

I nod, "But with Oliver... Everything's different. With him I didn't feel the need to be extra careful. With him..." a smile stretches my lips, "I was so addicted to him and he was so addicted to me... we were so obsessed that we rarely left the penthouse. Only when he started asking for more and insisting on dates and softly pushing my boundaries... that's when we became a little more civilised."

My sister mirrors my grin, "You fell in love with him quicker than you realised."

"It took one and a half year to realise I was in love with him." I agree with a nod. "I searched through whole Rio just to find him... and when I did..."

"You never let him go."

"Yes, that too. But Rory, the poverty I saw was absolutely heartbreaking! It's one thing to see homeless people in Myanmar or Mexico but Rocinha was a whole different level. I never realised how different our lives were before I stood at his door. I was shocked but also so impressed and proud of Oliver and his relentless character. All he did in London was work for his family. He sent every penny he made to his Mum and two brothers so that they had something to eat and could afford clothes and books for school...He gave away so much that he used to starve just so his family had food on the table in Rio."

"Jo, that's..." my sister gulps. It's one thing to do charitable work, it's another to truly live in poverty. "Did you offer to help him?"

"More than once. But he was too stubborn to take it. It took me a lot of sacrifice to make him take my money."

"He's here now, isn't he?"

But somehow in my mind he is still in Rio. I can still see him standing across me with Johna sitting on his shoulders. He looked like a different man. He had long beach blond hair, his beard was long and untamed and his body was so ripped that he could easily be a competitor in a body building competition. Only his body didn't get this shape because he went to the gym 24/7. He lifted heavy banana plants and coffee bean sacks. His clothes were dirty and ripped. His feet were barefoot. On the face of it he was the dirties ever but on the inside... there was still the Oliver I knew. My Oliver.

My love.

"Because I asked him to marry me. And the hours he took to consider my proposal were some of the worst of my life."

"He actually let you struggle?"

"He had all the reasons for it. I don't blame him." I sigh, "You know I always thought sex was just sex. I used to enjoy rough sex only. No superfluously kisses or touches."

"You mean with toys and props?"

"No. That requires a level of trust I didn't have with any of the men prior and after Oliver." Her question's reminds me of our green room and the toys we have in there... I place my hands on the bump. "But with Oliver I enjoy love making. I enjoy the slow sex, the tender love making."

"I never used toys with George." My sister mumbles as her mind is still thinking of what I just told her. We don't have secrets but we don't talk about sexual preferences. We never did.

Until now.

"You should give it a try." I suggest.

"I don't even know what to try first and where to get it and what to do-"

"I could borrow you a beginner collection. Don't worry everything's cleaned and disinfected. If you like it you can keep it, if not just return it. No questions asked." I tell her. Oliver and I won't step into our green room any time soon anyway.

"But what if I have questions?"

"You ask me."

"Really? I mean, you're a domina in bed?" My sister asks me with lots of insecurity in her voice. "You can't be the submissive. You're an alpha type throughout."

I lick my lips to keep them from smiling, "I don't label myself and I don't label Oliver. We are just two people that enjoy using props and toys to maximise our sexual pleasure."

"Is that why you fell in love with him? Because he's just like you?"

"No! No, Oliver didn't want this when we met. But he's willing to try for me."

"Because you need this?"

"Because he's the only l want to do it with." I answer. "He isn't afraid of my fire. He's matching my character so well that he can only be my soulmate."

"So you introduce him to the scene... but who introduced you?"

"Laurent." I say with a shrug. She's the second person I told this. Only Oliver knew it.

"L-Laurent?" My sister asks me with wide navy eyes. "Your sailing teacher?"

I nod, "It happened in Monaco after we won the championship on his boat."

"You fucked your teacher?"

I chuckle, "Yeah, but it was just that. No student fell in love with her teacher sort of story. He was my crush and I seduced him. It went on for a couple of weeks."

"Is that why he left Le Rosey?"

I shrug, "I don't know."

"Wow that's... that's unexpected. Was Rothschild into BDSM?"

I laugh at the absurdity of her question, "No! Rothschild was as vanilla as it can be! There were weeks when we didn't have sex and I had no withdrawals. But with Oliver... My desire for him is insatiable. And he is willing to try this approach for me. In fact, he even built me a sex room!"

"He built you a sex room?!"

"Yeah, but don't tell him I told you. It's very classy but we haven't tried it out yet." Even though I would love to.

"Well, I would like to try a beginner package from you... I wouldn't mind spicing things up in the bedroom."

I nod. "I'll think of something basic. Eye masks, ropes, clamps... dildos?"

My little sister's eyes widen at my question. "I-I"

"Do you need instructions as well?"

This time she blushes, "No."

I nod, "I might even pack a flogger and whip." I tease her with a smirk on my lips.

My sister hits softly against my right bicep, "Don't joke with me!"

I grin at her before Rory's daughters' laughter catch our attention again. I can't wait for their cousins to join them pretty soon. They'll be growing up together in the safest place there is: a royal palace.

"You know, out of all of us you're like Mummy the most. You have her determination and strength. Your belief in whatever it may be is absolutely unshakeable." My little sister whispers to me before resting her head against my shoulder. "I'm so grateful to have you as my twin and more importantly to still be living next door to you. Our kids will not be cousins but the best friends."

"Charlotte's really something, huh? Without her all of this would have never happened."

My sister embraces me above the bump. "Charlotte has the fire that Nate lacks."

"You mean courage and brains."

"True, Nate allows his fears to stop him from acting. It's his weakness."

"But it's Char's strength. Which is why they're such a good match."

"Just like you and Oliver. He's your soft spot and you're his. You compliment each other not less than Mummy and Daddy do."

"Remember when I said I wasn't into this fairytale shit?"

My sister chuckles, "Yes, I do! It was way before Nate and Char were engaged."

"Yeah, but then I met Oliver... and suddenly, the fairytale didn't seem so shitty at all."

"I told you so."

She did indeed.

---

I slice through my lasagna and take a bite of Luigi's creation. The restaurant is rather full and I am completely aware of the countless pairs of eyes that are staring at my Mum and me but I choose to ignore them. I've heard some cameras clicking and I'm sure the photos are already all over the Internet. Her Royal Highness is having lunch with her Mum - that alone will make thousands of headlines.

My Mum and me are sitting a little further away from everyone. People around us are whispering and chatting but I choose to focus on the Italian music that's coming from the speakers.

"Have you thought about a birth plan yet?" My Mum asks me while she fills her fork with Gnocchis. We're doing our monthly lunches again, which I missed very much while Oliver and me were in Africa. I'm a family person through and through.

"I'm just 25 weeks along. I won't give birth tomorrow."

"Well, when's your next appointment with Dr. Ross?"

"In a week."

"She's going to ask you about it. Have you found a midwife yet?"

I stop eating and pinch the bridge of my nose. "Mum, please."

"It's important. I could-"

"I'm not ready to talk about anything related to a birth plan. I'll find someone when I'm ready." And if not, I have six royal midwives on call anyway.

"You know, it doesn't have to be Lindo Wing."

I brush through my hair, "I know. "

"You can give birth in a different hospital. Or a birth centre. Or have a home birth. Or have a birth in nature all together. It doesn't have to be in London as well. I just want you to know there are options and you always have a choice."

"I know."

"And you should consider all of them. Just because Rory and Lotte chose Lindo Wing and recreated the famous photos on the steps in front of the entrance, doesn't mean you have to do it as well. You can choose to do an entire different thing."

"I think I'm going to do some research and then decide." I tell her to make her stop talking. "But can we please continue with or lunch now and talk about something different?"

"I'm hosting brunch in a week. It's going to be a girls-only brunch."

I frown at her words. "Why?"

"I'll tell you in a week. No boys allowed."

"Are you okay?"

To my relief my Mummy nods, "Yes. I just thought it was time for a Sunday roast and Yorkshire pudding."

"I'm not really good with beef right now, so I'm going to go with chicken instead."

"Okay. I'll roast a chicken for you."

"Is it going to be some sort of birth plan intervention sort of thing?"

"No, I just haven't had my girls around me for so long... I missed you, that's all."

It must be weird to be living in such a big house all alone. They still have Zeus but a dog is not the same as eight children. "Maybe by then I'll have some rough idea." I promise her.

Oliver

I go through the plans for the Easter Service in three weeks as I can hear Lydia call me by my title. It's going to be Josephine and mine first Easter Sunday with the the other royals in public. We've met them before for private dinners, lunches and tea time but we haven't been seen with them in public yet. Much like on Christmas Day, many members of the royal family gather together to celebrate Easter. They travel to Windsor to spend the holiday with the King and attend church at St. George's Chapel as a group on Sunday morning. Photos of the royals walking in to the service are often published by the press. After church, the royals typically enjoy a lunch of roast lamb back at the castle Josephine told me. The kids go Easter egg hunting.

I went from extremely poor to filthy rich with a royal title in a blink of an eye.

Sometimes the speed makes me sick to my stomach as I can't believe this is my new reality.

I look up from my iPad to meet her gaze. "Yes?"

"I have His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Wales on the line for you." Lydia's standing in the doorway, dressed in a business dress and stilettos. We didn't ask of our team to dress very formal. Instead we wanted them to dress however they feel comfortable the most. I guess for Lydia it's a tight shaped vibrant red dress and sky high heels.

I frown at the information. Louis is calling me? "Put him through." I get up from the chair and walk over to my mahogany desk. I've left the remnants of my stuffed potato called Kumpir on the plate. Having lunch without my wife is not as enjoyable as I thought. Perhaps next time I'll ask George or Nate to join me.

Lydia closes the door, giving me the privacy I need for this conversation.

I pick up the phone and lean back in my antique emerald coloured leather chair, "Louis, what brings me the honour?"

"A certain interview you did because of some ridiculous rumours." Louis answers.

"You saw it?"

"Saw it and read the articles. I asked my writer to come up with a statement. Your assistant should hand it to you any moment now. It will be released in an hour."

"What happened to never complain, never explain?"

"I shit on that." Louis hisses. "It's one thing of the press to criticise your joining into our family but another to spread lies about the father of Jo's twins!"

"I appreciate the gesture, I really really do, but I don't know if that's so smart. Have you talked to your parents about it? Or senior courtiers? Perhaps even to His Majesty?"

"Mum and Dad understood, the couriers asked to review it once the writer is done with the statement."

"And your grandpa?"

"Grandpa is afraid this will turn into a never ending statement story."

"Well, he's not wrong. This is just the first out of many more lies to come."

"You don't sound very offended by it."

"Because I know it's not true and honestly, I think Rothschild could have started the rumours."

"Jo's ex is behind this?"

"I think so. But don't worry, I'm already working on him."

"So, you want me to stay quite?"

"If you really want to help us than the best way would be to join us when we walk down to St. George's Chapel for the Easter Service. We could send out our very own statement. Without driving the courtiers mad and giving His Majesty a heart attack."

"You want me to walk with you guys?"

"Yeah. All seven of us. It will create some nice group photos and show that we're a union. They will show that we have you guys behind us and that you support us."

"Okay, yeah that sounds good."

"Great, I'll you see then at Windsor Castle before we go, alright?"

"I'll see you in three weeks." He says before hanging up.

Suddenly, goosebumps start covering my arms and I know I'm no longer alone. The eyes of my wonderful wife are watching me. I can feel those sky blue eyes staring at me and I am sure she's standing behind me in the open door. "Tesoro,"

"You heard me?" The disappointment in her voice is undeniable as her footsteps fill my ears. A moment later, she's standing across me looking absolutely fabulous in her white sweater that has wide arms with floral lace, pink pleated skirt and ivory coloured heels with a stone on the toe area. The bump is proudly showing through her clothes. Her long chestnut hair is wavy and shiny but it's nothing compared to her wedding rings. The Welsh golden wedding band is polished and the three stoned engagement ring is sparkling like crazy.

I can't believe I'm married to this woman.

"I've always heard you even when you said no word." I whisper as she walks over to me.

She places her hands on my face and gives me one of those looks of love. The look is so intense that my heart skips several beats. "I love you to the moon and back, Oliver. You are my stars, my sun, my universe and the reason for my being." She breathes out before her eyes spot the leftovers of my potato. "Can I finish that?"

My heart almost explodes with love for my woman. "Yes, yes of course you can."

She picks up the fork and the plate before taking a bite. "Oh, this is good! I love the cheese base and the sauerkraut with the beetroot is just heavenly!"

"It had spring union and a poached egg on top." I inform her as she really digs into it.

"What? Really? And you didn't finish it? How can you leave such a masterpiece uneaten?"

"I can order you another one."

"Make that two." She says with a nod.

I chuckle as I pick up the phone and call the royal kitchen. The royal chefs make everything I want and today I asked for a recommendation from them. I guess they nailed it.

"Your Royal Highness, what can I do for you?"

"My wife's really into the Kumpir you made me. It was really delicious. She asks for another two if you can. I'd like to have one with cheddar and bacon please."

"Of course! I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. They'll be with you in ten minutes."

"Thank you very much." I end the call and look at my wife who has cleaned my plate. "I assume the lunch with your mother didn't involve any food then?"

"It did. I ate Luigi's lasagna. He sends his warmest wishes to you by the way. But I'm still hungry. Call it eating for three." She places her hands on the bump that holds our unborn babies.

I can't hide the grin on my lips, "I like it when you talk like that."

"It's the truth. I am always hungry."

"And still nauseous?"

"Not as for right now."

It's still a rollercoaster ride for her. It can change from one second to another. "That's good. How was lunch with your Mum?"

My wife sighs, "She bombarded me with questions about the birth."

"Questions you couldn't answer."

She nods, "Couldn't and didn't."

She'll think about them whenever she's ready. If there's one thing I learned about Josephine, it is that she needs time.

"Are you afraid of answering the questions?" I ask her after a moment

"I'm not afraid of being judged because I know I won't." She sighs, "Thinking about a birth plan, whether or not I want a doula, thinking about all these details...envisioning it makes it more real and then my brain starts thinking of everything that could go wrong and in my mind it very much can go wrong."

She's starting to worry and going down that spiral will create panic. I place my hands on hers to calm her down, "You don't have to think about all that at all. We can go through this without a plan at all. All we need is us and Dr. Ross."

This causes my wife to show me a small smile, "You and me... and Dr. Ross. Maybe that's not a bad idea. I don't need to have my whole family sitting on hot stones while I go through the most painful time of my life."

"You don't have to decide anything right now. Take your time, we can do research together, we can talk to anyone you want..." I pick up her hands and kiss her wedding rings. "We can take it as slow as you want, Tesoro. There's no pressure."

"That's your speciality. You used to push my boundaries without pressuring me. You have never pressured me. You have never asked for more than I was able to give you."

I bend forward until our foreheads rest against each other. "I pressured you to declare your love for me." I remind her. "It was my first and last time I ever did it."

"If you hadn't pressured me, I probably wouldn't have admitted it to myself. I wouldn't have admit it to you. I wouldn't have stood up to my feelings."

I notice how she doesn't mention Rothschild. "I won't pressure you with this. It's your body. Your decision. All I am here for is support."

She wraps her arms around my neck, "You're more than just support. You are my strength. You created them with me. They're half of you and half of me. You're with me on this journey from the beginning to the end. Do you know what I love about you the most? It's not your glossy hair or your ripped body. It's your eyes. These green eyes that remind me of the Amazon. Of the time when we saw Bengal cats and monkeys. When we heard the most beautiful parrots. Your eyes remind me of freedom because that's what you are. You are my freedom and that's why I love you."

"I love your smell. Because you smell of orchids, the Brazilian national flower."

Her lips curl into a smile again, "Must be my Brazilian heart."

I mirror her smile, "You're a British rose with a Brazilian heart."

She runs her fingers through my hair and tilts her head slightly to the side. "How was your lunch?"

"I spent it working through our Easter plans again before Louis called."

"Louis called you?" She asks with surprised.

"Yes. He saw the interview and read the articles about the rumours... he wanted to release a statement."

"I hope you talked him out of it because it's a very, very bad idea to do so."

I nod, "I did. He agreed to accompany us on our way to St. George's Chapel for the service there."

"Along with my siblings and their spouses?" She thinks out loud. "That could be a great way to fight the rumours. Better than our interview actually. It's much more subtle."

"I'm slowly getting the hang of this royal thing, aren't I?"

My wife smirks before kissing me softly. "You are and I knew you would."

---

Josephine

Brazilian London

Find out how Bayswater came to be known as Brazilwater and how this vibrant expanding community has in a short time been influential in shaping the lives of Londoners.

When we think of Brazil, images of carnival, football and coffee come to mind. Yet this youthful, vibrant and expanding community in our capital has, in a short time, been influential in shaping the lives of Londoners.

Many young Brazilians come to London to study, but once here some discover that the capital's ethnic and cultural diversity offers opportunities and a good quality of life. In part, this immigration of Brazilians to London is a consequence of the economic possibility of travel.

Brazilian Facts

An estimated 60,000 Brazilians live in London with over 200,00 living in the U.K.

Many Brazilians come to work or study in London

Professionals from the sciences and the arts have contributed to London's reputation for cultural innovation

However, within modern Brazilian culture there has always been a migratory instinct both internally and around the world.

Latin Americans began to arrive in London in significant numbers during the 1970s, driven by political and/or economic pressure. The Brazilian population here has increased steadily since the military coup of 1964. During the 1980s economic crisis, improved transport services and the easing of restrictions on foreign travel added to this growth in emigration.

Brazil's strongest European links are to Portugal - until 1822 it was a Portuguese colony and Portuguese is spoken by almost the whole population. But large numbers of Brazilians from all walks of life continue to arrive in the UK all the time.

An estimated 60,000 Brazilians live in London and many travel under other national passports. Bayswater was once so famous for its Brazilian residents, it was affectionately nicknamed 'Brazilwater', though today you're as likely to meet Brazilians in Brixton and Dollis Hill as you are in Notting Hill.

But what attracts people from the world's most multicultural nation to London? London's history as a centre of international commerce and finance, of high quality education and professional training has drawn many Brazilians to work or study here.

In Brazil, English has replaced French as the principal second language among educated people. Brazilian professionals from the sciences and the arts, who have made London their home, have contributed to its reputation for cultural innovation.

The Anglo-Brazilian Society has been promoting relations between Brazil and the UK since 1943 and regularly organises lectures, exhibitions and musical events to further knowledge of Brazil and its people and culture. Although the Anglo-Brazilian Society has played an important role in building bridges between the UK and Brazil, in the past, Brazilians often found that there was a lack of organisations and groups centred around their specific needs.

In recent years, artists and activists have brought a new cohesion to Brazilian culture in London, and a greater sense of community has begun to emerge.

"I think your first solo engagement should have to do something with your roots." I say as I finish reading the BBC article. Perhaps he can connect to people from his home country like that. My head's resting on my husband's lap as my eyes read on the iPad, which is resting against the massive bump quite comfortably. No need for an iPad stand when you have a bump of the size as mine. I have no idea how this bump is going to grow bigger but I know it will. It has to, I'm just in the middle of my second trimester. "Here's a list of Brazilian Community Groups and Associations in London. There's Canning House which is a cultural centre for the Latin American community in the UK running a range of exhibitions and events to help closen the relationship between the two countries. Then there's the Brazilian Educational and Cultural Centre. That's an educational organisation dedicated to promoting Brazil and Portugal." I read out loud. "Oh there's also the Latin American Film Festival! Seeing a Latin American film sounds like so much fun! We'll definitely do that without press coverage. Maybe you can become Patron of the Anglo-Brazilian Society. It runs a range of cultural events with money raised being provided to Brazilian charities. Lastly, there's ABRAS. A Brazilian association that is set up to help people when they relocate to London helping them set up bank accounts, find work, visa matters etc."

My husband looks up from the stack of paper that he was reading. The Commonwealth Health Care is our next project and it's one of a lifetime. "That's a lot to choose from."

"You don't have to choose. You can do all. You are the royal voice of Latin America. You're their Hispanic Royal in a way." I say with a smirk and hand him the iPad.

My husband lays the papers on the coffee table in front of our sofa. There's soft instrumental Latin music coming out of the surround system in our living room. It fits perfectly to the fire crackling in our white marble chimney. "I want to do something with animals." Oliver decides as his emerald eyes scan the list. "An animal shelter would be better. I don't just want to be known for my roots but rather for my work and interests. I've always loved animals but we could never afford to care for a pet properly, so we never had one... but now, with this house..." he shrugs before placing the iPad on the stack of paper that's laying on the coffee table, "Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that people should adopt animals rather than buy from a breeder."

"Zeus was from a breeder."

"That's different. You needed a special dog that could do all the crazy protection stuff you needed him to do. But most people just want a dog or a cat because it's cute. They see these picture perfect images online and want a pet looking exactly like the one on the photos. But there are so many imperfect pets living in shelters, that are waiting for a home!"

I gulp as my throat tightens. Somehow, my husband created this imagine in my head of sick, hurt, lost and lonely animals sitting in crates. "Oliver, please stop. You're making me cry."

He grabs my hand, "I'm sorry, but it's the truth."

I lick my lips. "Then you should do that. Pick an animal shelter or charity organisation that resonates with you and arrange a few meetings. A few without the press before you announce the patronage."

"Okay."

I smile, "But please don't come home with a zoo afterwards."

"No zoo, I promise."

I think that's the first promise he might not be able to keep.

"What about your first patronage?" Oliver asks me after a moment.

I bite on my lower lip, unsure if I want to voice my wish out loud. It's been boiling in my heart for a while now but I've never voiced it out loud.

"You can tell me. It won't become untrue just because you voice it."

"Alright. I... I want to fight modern slavery." I breathe out. "And I want to start with the fight against fast fashion."

My husband's green eyes widen, "You want to fight child labour, provide decent working conditions... You want to fight giants like Zara, Primark and H ?"

I lick my lips, "Not fight them but convince them to change their working conditions. Ethically sourced fibres, no more plastic and chemicals when dying the fabrics, use recycled materials, make sure the workers wear bloody masks, glasses and gloves... make sure the children go to school instead of work. I know it's a huge project and I know it's going to be hard but someone has to start." I brush through my hair, "I want to start with Great Britain and then see how it can be done within the Commonwealth."

Oliver smirks, "You want to connect your idea to your title, to your job... Smart. Very, very smart."

"But that doesn't mean I can touch the giants Mango, H and Zara as they're not based in a Commonwealth country."

"But you want to pressure them by changing everyone else's minds about fast fashion."

I nod, "I don't need to fight the opponent if I can make him give up in another way."

"Your Dad's saying?"

I nod again. He has taught me more than I will ever know. "British luxury designers will work with me first because of my title. Barbour, Mulberry, Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Karen Millen, Jenny Packham, Emilia Wickstead... I need big names to show their support in order for the high street brands to follow."

"And when do you want to start?"

I shrug, "I have to talk to Sarah about it and form a proper team before making a plan. It's going to be a lifetime project."

"It will be your legacy."

I blush and can't help but smirk, "That's the plan. But for now let's focus on the Commonwealth Health Care. That will be our royal legacy."

Oliver mirrors my smile and once again I pray that at least one of our babies will have his pine green eyes. They're just too beautiful to not be gifted to one of them. "I can't wait to start the work in the Caribbean."

"Me, too." I look at the stack of papers on our coffee table. It's going to be a lot of work with lots of all-nighters and times of frustration... but also with the knowledge that help will come to those who need it the most and can't afford it.

It's something I never dreamt of doing even with the Bolton Foundation. It's another dream that's coming true.

Another piece of the puzzle of life that's falling into place. It started with meeting my husband. He has started piecing my puzzle together and I am forever grateful for it.

"Sarah booked our plane for the day after the Easter service." Oliver rips me out of my thoughts.

I look back at him. "Do you feel uncomfortable spending the service in the St. George's Chapel?"

"I've got you by my side. I'll be fine."

"I didn't mean the royal element. I meant the religious element. You're catholic. I bet you went to countless catholic Easter service."

"I've always went to a small church near where we lived. It wasn't a glamorous event but Johna always did complain about the length of the service." He chuckles at the memory. "They'll be fine going to a catholic service with your parents and siblings. I think it's very nice of them to go to a service which doesn't necessarily agree with their religious beliefs."

"My parents see it the way I see it. We're all humans and we don't care about the individual religious beliefs. Some people believe in god, others in Buddha or the universe... we don't discriminate people of different beliefs."

"My Mama can't wait to cook the Easter dinner for us all." Oliver grins at me. "Especially with Gabriella, Della and Troy as her helpers."

"She will love Della's kitchen even more than ours." I foresee it. Della's kitchen is even larger than ours or my Mum's. It's almost too bad they don't have the amount of children to fill it with. Their house is absolutely massive and made for an eight headed family at least. Perhaps now that Della has finished her Alzheimer's research they're going to grow their family bigger.

My husband tilts his head to the side and gives me a look I can't interpret.

"What?" I ask him after a moment.

"I just realised this is going to be the second time I'll be at her home."

His words hit a bullseye within me. I gulp and take his hands. The first time he was there was after I got raped. Rothschild is hanging above our heads and everything we do like the sword of Damocles. "It's time to make some positive memories." I whisper and squeeze his hands softly.

"And Easter is the perfect way." My man agrees with me before kissing my wedding rings. "It's our first Easter as a married couple."

"And it will be our last as a family of two. Next year, it's going to be even louder and fuller at Della's home."

The grin on his lips stretches all the way to his mesmerising eyes. "I can't wait, Tesoro."

"I can't wait for that either, My Love."

---

Oliver

It's quite loud here in the dog wing of the animal shelter. All kinds of dogs start greeting me with a loud round of applause. There are Yorkshire terriers, golden retrievers..

"The gold retrievers usually find a home within a week. The Yorkshire terrier are a quite popular breed as well." Annabel explains to me as we walk past them cages. It hurts me to see all these animals, young or old, pushed into a cage. "And then we have the Dalmatians. These little three puppies have been found yesterday in a box next to mountain of rubbish near a supermarket."

I nod at Annabel's words as I still look at the terriers. Perhaps visiting a shelter, becoming a patron of this shelter was not a good idea after all. Because I want to bring them all home! They're so cute! I tear my eyes off of the terriers and look at where Annabel is looking.

And then I see them. Three perfectly Dalmatians are sitting in a dog bed. Johna made my wife and me watch 101 Dalmatians the other night. They're so tiny! So cute! They have barely developed their spots yet. "How old are they?"

"Eight weeks."

"Eight weeks?" I ask her shocked. "What monster leaves those perfect puppies like rubbish?!"

"The Dalmatians have gotten popular in 90s due the famous Disney movie Dalmatians 101. But it only lasted a couple of years and because people really had no idea what they have gotten themselves into, lots of them ended in a shelter."

I bend down and push my fingers through the grid. The three dogs come running over to me immediately. Their walk is still a little shaky. Their wet tongues start licking my fingers immediately. "Any idea who's their Mum?"

"No. We asked around but no one owns a Dalmatian in the neighbourhood."

They're so adorable! "Can you tell me more about Dalmatians?"

"Yes, of course. It's the dog that accompanies firemen up to this date. Originally they accompanied coaches and carriages. The Dalmatian is a very active breed. It needs a lot of energy and somewhere it can run and play and be as active as it can. Aside from taking it out for a walk three times a day, it needs an hour of exercise at least. Or a very large backyard to run around." Annabel explains.

I raise an eyebrow. We do have Home Park as our backyard... 304 hectares to be exact. Plus a 24 hectares big garden. We have Hampton Wick and Bushy Park across the Hampton Court Palace if we want to be seen in public. And then there's Richmond Park next to my wife's childhood home. If that's not enough space than I don't know what is.

"But these dogs can cause trouble. When you have a dog that is cooped up all day long for more hours than necessary while you are at work, out and about or whatever, it can become troublesome. The issue is that this active breed becomes bored when inactive, and it might look for something to do to keep it entertained. And sometimes dogs find things they find entertaining that you find anything but entertaining. They also might become fear-aggressive."

"What's that?"

"When the Dalmatian is scared, it might become aggressive. It's not aggressive by nature, but it is a breed that does have a little bit of an issue with fear aggression. What this means is that it can become terrified and scared and bite or react out of fear without considering the fact that it shouldn't in all situations. But they're very friendly. These are beautiful dogs, and they're very friendly. What this means for you is that you're going to garner a lot of attention with a dog like this on your side. Walks tend to become longer than you might expect because others want to stop and chat and hang out with you, and people will really slow you down. Even if they don't want to talk, the dog might want to check them out."

We could take them out for a walk with Zeus through Richmond Park. Caio and Johna will want to take them out for a walk as well. "Are they good with other animals?"

"Very. Especially when they grow up together."

I lick my lips. I just chose to adopt those two Norwegian kittens literally a few minutes ago. But how the hell can someone say no to them? "Tell me more."

"They need consistent training. As soon as you get a Dalmatian puppy home, you will need to begin the training process. This is a dog that needs to be trained right away. It has a big personality, and this means that it is a dog that might have some issues throughout the process. It likes to make its own decisions, it can be a bit stubborn, and the best issue for this is consistent, early training. They require a special diet. Not all Dalmatians will suffer from something called uric acid, but many do. What this means is that your dog might find that it has some issues thanks to having too much protein in its diet. Your vet might just recommend that you feed your Dalmatian a very special diet to ensure that this is as small a chance as possible in your dog's life. While this is a beautiful breed, it's not as gentle or good with small kids as it is with older kids. We discussed earlier the issue this dog has with fear aggression, which is something small kids with grabby hands can cause your dog to experience. Older kids make great companions for this breed, so you should keep that in mind before you bring one home to your new baby. This particular breed needs very early socialisation. It should be socialised with kids and adults and other animals to ensure that it gets along well with all of the above. Frequent trips to the park, play dates with other people, kids and dogs are going to do wonders for this dog and its personality, and that is what is going to make it more enjoyable and more easily adjusted as it grows up. They're often deaf in one ear. This is something very common for the Dalmatian breed. It's called unilateral hearing, and it affects many of these dogs. While this might scare some and make them wonder if this abnormality will affect its behaviour as a pet, it's not. It's a very common occurrence, and it does not affect the Dalmatian's ability to be a good pet, a good listener or a sweet companion."

"Are those three deaf?" I ask her.

"Luckily no."

I tear my gaze off of the three Dalmatians in front of me. "How long do they live?"

"13 to 16 years. If you're taking good care of them of course."

"What about the grooming needs?"

"I'd say at a medium level. Their coat may be short, but Dalmatians blow their coat biannually - and shed constantly. Brush it at least once a week, preferably more."

"Do they have names?"

"Fiona, Zeus and Amber. But you can still change their names, Your Royal Highness."

I look back at them. Josephine is going to kill me if I come back with three puppies and two kittens!

But how the hell am I suppose to say no to these three adorable faces?

Josephine

I flip the page of my romance novel just as the twins start kicking like crazy inside of me. 25 weeks and two days, but these two are already fighting like Nate, Rory and me were. I have no idea how Mum, Della and Char put up with this. Let alone Rory, who was carrying her triplet girls. This constant fighting is already giving me sleepless nights - and they aren't even born yet!

I lay my book down on the coffee table and get up from the couch. I've opened up the row of windows in the living room so I can hear the bird tweeting on this spring noon. I love the way the sun fills the patio and how the rays of sunshine cast a shadow against the transom windows of our home. The wind blows into my face and I can smell the sage, rosemary, mint and oregano that are growing in front of the kitchen windows. I love this home! I still can't believe it's the place Oliver and I are going to raise our twins in. This is where they will learn how to walk and talk, it's where they will have their first laughter and giggle. It'll be their home. It'll be our home.

I wince as I suddenly hear whimpers filling my ears. Many, many whimpers. Dog and cat whimpers.

I turn around and watch how my husband walks through the foyer with two wooden braided transportation boxes and two security officers behind him. The Sam and Wolfram are carrying in everything a pet could need: Bags of food, beds, collars, leads, crates, grooming tools, bowls for food and water, toys, dog shampoo, dog waste supplies, lots of cat litter, a litter box, a massive scratching post...

What the hell did my husband do now? He was suppose to visit that animal shelter, not bring them home!

"Where shall we put these, Your Royal Highness?" Sam, one of our security men asks my husband.

I can't believe what I'm seeing! This was suppose to be an hour long engagement but my husband turned into something totally different!

"Um..." my husband's green eyes meet mine and he gulps. "Just leave everything in the foyer. We'll take care of it."

Sam and Wolfram spot me standing in the living room. "Hello, Your Royal Highness. How are you?" They ask me in a choir after nodding towards me.

I put on a smile despite my emotional state. "Very well, thank you. I see your visit at the animal shelter was quite successful."

Wolfram and Sam chuckle, clearly in the knowledge that my husband has completely blindsided me.

"I'll call you if we need anything else." Oliver dismisses them in a calm voice. He knows he's walking on thin ice right now.

I wait until the security men have finished piling up our foyer with dog and cat stuff and the front door snapped in place before speaking to my husband. "Oliver,"

"I know, I know. This isn't exactly how my first royal engagement as their patron should have went but Tesoro, if you had only been there with me! It was so disheartening to see all these abandoned animals! How was I suppose to say no? You've always wanted cats." My husband says as he walks over to me with those wooden transportation boxes in his hands. "And I think dogs have enough space here as well."

I look into one and spot three Dalmatians puppies. They're tiny! They have just gotten their spots. "How old are these?" I ask with shock in my voice.

"Eight weeks. They were found next to rubbish. Rubbish! I was not going to let them there a minute longer. I couldn't risk them getting adopted separately. I mean, just think about it. If you were one of these puppies, how would you feel if someone ripped your family apart? They're a package."

"Oliver, I am carrying a package. These three are a handful. Three handfuls." I look into the second wooden braided transportation box and see two adorable grey Norwegian kittens. They must be about three months old. "Sorry, five handfuls."

"But aren't they cute?"

"Darling, I love you. But we're going to have newborns here quite soon and you want to add puppies and kittens to this mixture?" I ask as I look into the first transportation box again. Three puppies and two kittens. All adorable but also all a lot of work. "It's going to be a mad house!" I say and look at my husband.

"It's big enough." Oliver says with a shrug. "The dogs and cats can run around. They have the whole Home and Bushy Park to themselves."

I stare back at the pets in the boxes. They are really cute and my heart starts bleeding when I think about where they came from. "I don't think we can handle two newborns, three puppies and two kittens."

"That's why you have such a big family. My brothers will love taking care of them as well! And if for whatever reason we can't go out for a walk with them, we just open the door of the house and let them run free. Or ask you sisters, brothers or parents to go for a walk with them. Your parents can go for a walk with them through Richmond Park with Zeus. He's going to be their leader. He'll show them how it's done."

I pinch the bridge of my nose. This man is going to be the death of me. "Fine."

"Really?"

"Yes. But we need to find a place for them to sleep at first. They will not sleep in our bed. None of them. Never. No matter how much they beg."

"Yeah, sure." Oliver grins like a Cheshire Cat.

Gosh, now I know how my Mum felt when we asked her for Zeus. We asked for one dog. My husband came home with three - and two kittens. "But don't you dare ever bring a zoo home again after one of your royal engagements." I warn him.

My husband nods, "I promise."

"And if three dogs get too much, we're going to give one or two away. To one of my siblings, preferably Rory or Nate." I don't think my parents would have the time to deal with a puppy.

"They won't be too much."

"But if they will-"

"Nate and Rory, got it." Oliver says with a nod.

I grab one of the transportation box and walk back into the living space. I place it on the Portuguese green carpet and open it. The small grey Norwegian kittens stare at me before meowing. "It's okay, you can come out. You're home now." Home is a rather big estate that we named Chestnut House. A real estate agent would call it a mega mansion that's sitting on hectares of land that's Home and Bushy Park and it's very own castle. I think they'll be fine.

Carefully, they start sniffing on the edges of the transportation box before taking their first step on to the grounds of their new home. They look so adorable and fluffy! "Have you brought girls or boys?"

"The kittens are both females and the dogs are two females and one male." My husband answers as he mirrors my actions with the other box. Just like the kittens, the Dalmatians are a little hesitant at first. But once they're brave enough to step out, they start exploring our living room and their cat sisters.

Five pets! We're going to lose our minds! But boy, are they cute!

"Do they have names?"

"Yeah but I think we should rename them. After all, they're now part of the Clarence Family."

I smirk at my husband's comment. "Okay. What names do you suggest?"

"For the grey kittens... how about Pebbles and Silverbell?"

I pick up one grey kitten and strike through her long fur. She has beautiful icy blue coloured eyes. I hope she's not deaf. "I like them. That's Silverbell. Do you know if she's deaf?"

"No. They're all healthy. Got them checked by a vet before bringing them home." Oliver picks up the other kitten. She has emerald green eyes but otherwise looks like her sister. "And you're Pebbles."

"What about the Dalmatians?" I ask as I let down Silverbell. She starts exploring the room again with her sister behind her. The Dalmatians are sniffing every corner of the room as well. One starts even chewing on the wooden leg of the coffee table.

We definitely have to make the house puppy and kitten safe. I don't even know if we have any toxic plants here. I quickly rush over to the puppy and pick him up. The only male animal has lots of black dots on white fur, black ears and a black nose. "Let's call you Pongo."

"After the father of 101 Dalmatians?" My husband asks me.

"The movie inspired you to get them."

"Pongo's not very personal. Every Dalmatian is named Pongo. How about Potter?"

"Potter? As in Harry Potter?" I can't help but laugh, "Nate's going to love that name!"

"I like Potter. Or Parker. Or Porter."

I carefully fondle the only male puppy and have another close look at him. "Parker?" I ask him. "Porter?" I question again. "Or Potter?" This time the puppy barks.

"Okay, I think Potter it is!" My husband grins before he gets hold of the other two. Unlike their brother, the two female dogs have a little less dots but they share the same black ears. One even has a black nose that looks like a star. "What about his sisters?"

"Nala and Dottie?" I suggest. "After The Lion King."

"I like Nala. But Dottie?" My husband's question is full of dislike.

"Okay, no to Dottie then. Estrela?"

"Estrela?" Oliver asks me.

"Yeah, because of the nose." I point at the left dog whose nose is freckled so much that it looks like a giant star is sitting on the face. The nostrils are completely covered in black. I've never seen a Dalmatian with a star shaped spot. It reminds me of my own birthmark.

"Potter, Nala and Estrela. I like that combo."

"Great, now we have to decide where they're going to sleep and where we will put the litter box for the kittens. We also need to figure out where to store the toys, leads and everything else."

"Do we really need a litter box? They can go out and do their business outside."

"Do you want to wake up and step into cat poop?!" I ask him back instead. "The litter box can be in the laundry or mud room. But there has to be one."

"Okay. Where shall we put the beds and crates?"

"I suggest we put the crates here and the beds maybe in the library or in our studies? We have to find a place for all the food and water bowls as well." I think out loud.

"Shouldn't they all be in the kitchen?"

"Yeah, but where in the kitchen?" I pinch the bridge of my nose. "Oliver, this might be too much for us to handle."

"We'll be fine. I'll sleep downstairs with them tonight. They need comfort until they've adjusted."

"What? You're letting me sleep alone?"

"You're welcome to join me."

"I won't sleep on the couch! I'm 27 weeks pregnant!"

"Well then we'll use an airbed."

"We don't have one. All of our guest bedrooms are upstairs. We have no beds here."

"Then we'll take a few mattresses and build our own bed." Oliver suggests. "You can have the bed for yourself. I can sleep on the couch or the floor."

"Don't be ridiculous. You're sleeping with me on those mattresses. But we're only doing this for one night." I warn my husband.

He nods, "Just a night."

Why do I have the feeling we're going to sleep here longer?

Oliver

I close the lead on Estrela's harness just like Josephine showed me before I rise to my full height. We spent the last hours training sit, calm down and putting on the lead in two minutes intervals. I thought we should train with them for twenty minutes at least but Josephine suggested to train with them for two minutes and then take a ten minute long break because the puppies couldn't concentrate for longer.

And she was right. It definitely shows that she already has experience with Zeus. It's going to help us raise the puppies and kittens.

We spent the first hour in our patio garden because my wife warned me that the puppies were going to relieve themselves and she was so right! Silverbell and Pebbles explored the patio just as much as their puppy siblings. It was so fascinating to see them explore their new home. Josephine was not joking when she said it was going to be a lot of work. My wife is holding the lead for Nala and Potter. We're in the beautiful mud room, it's where the puppies and cats are going to enter and leave the house. I had no idea our stunning mud room with the Portuguese royal blue tiles would come so in handy.

I also never thought I'd bring three puppies and two kittens home from the animal shelter. But I've come to terms that sometimes life just happens and I have to go with the flow. Sometimes it just takes the right place and the right time to meet that one person and your life is going to change forever.

"My love,"

I snap out of my thoughts and look at my wife. My pregnant wife. The three loves of my life.

My life definitely changed forever when I met her. "Sorry."

"Ready for our first walk?" She asks me. The kittens are sleeping on the sofas in the living room. We showed them where their food and water bowls are as well as their litter box. I think they'll be fine for a while without us. I hope they won't scratch our sofas while we're gone.

I nod, "Are you sure you want to hold two leads?"

My wife opens the side door of the mud room. The puppies start pulling on the leads like crazy. Clearly, they're ready for a walk. I'm sure they're eager to explore their new home. Home park is definitely a place they can send hours running around in.

I've put on a backpack with water and a folding bowl in case they get thirsty. I also put a few treats in there.

Suddenly meows start filling our ears and we turn around. The Norwegian kittens are awake and clearly want to join us. They're so cute and fluffy with their long grey coat.

"Looks like they want to join us." I say and bend down to fondle Silverbell. She starts purring immediately. Pebbles walks over to my wife and starts rubbing on her left calf. She clearly wants some attention as well.

"No, they'll be house cats." Josephine disagrees with me before she walks out.

I put Silverbell down and stroke her. "Sorry, but combing out dirt, grass and insects out of your long fur is going to be too much work."

They protest but I quickly close the door of the mud room. The puppies start running in different directions but thanks to my wife's strong grip and the leads they don't come far. "We need to add puppy school to our list."

Just like her siblings Estrela starts pulling on the lead as she wants to explore her surroundings.

"We have to talk to the gardeners about our dogs. I'm sure they know which plants are toxic." My wife suggests as we start walking along the Long Walk, a beautiful square shaped pond. It's a beautiful spring day. Everything is blossoming. The birds are tweeting and flying around. There are even a variation of ducks in the Long Walk, the massive rectangular pond.

Josephine pulls on the leads of Potter and Nala while making a hissing sound. Both puppies start walking next to her immediately. She's got control of them and not the other way around.

My wife's a bloody dog whisperer!

"How did you do that?" I ask her as Estrela is still pulling on the lead.

"Years of experiences. Don't forget Zeus is very much our dog, although he loves my Daddy more than us now." She tells me. "Speaking of training, we should get them special trained as soon as possible. Maybe start in a week or so."

"We can start training them now."

"Yes, but they need special training as well. The same as Zeus in order to become protection dogs and not just very well trained family dogs. Which means they have to live there for a few weeks."

"What? No! I just got them out of the shelter! I won't give them away again."

"It's for their own good. And our protection. It's important they can protect us and don't just look cute on the lead."

"But they do look very cute on the lead." I point out with a smirk on my lips.

My wife returns my smirk. "Not the point. If you want to keep them than they have to get properly trained. We can visit them every weekend if that makes you feel better. We had Rob train Zeus and he was excellent. By the end of the training the dog's value went up to about 50.000 pounds." She says before getting her iPhone out of her pocket. "Dog Training is like an enormous puzzle that consists of many little puzzle pieces. It's very important to start training them as early as possible. I'll call them right now to see if they have any capacity available."

"How long will they be gone?" I ask my wife. I already miss them!

"Residential training is undoubtedly the most effective approach to training - that's what we used the last time with Zeus. It allows Rob and Kyle, the other owner of the boot camp, to work with our dogs over a longer period of time. The training is broken up over the day so that our dogs will absorb the commands and learn more quickly. This intensive training program lasts up to two weeks depending on our dogs' needs. Dogs stay with them during this time, are exercised daily, and trained daily and individually by Rob and Kyle using corrections and praise, enabling dogs to learn proper manners, respect and obedience. They especially provide all types of distractions to simulate real world situations. This time away from their families allows the trainers to remove the dogs from an environment that may have led to their bad behaviour and provides a new setting to focus on structure, discipline and teach proper obedience, using fair, consistent techniques. It's very important." She tells me and hands me the lead of Nala and Potter just before the caller on the other end picks up.

I look down at Estrela. I don't want to say goodbye to her and her siblings so soon. She just got here. I continue to walk with Estrela, Nala and Potter to give my wife some privacy for the call. We stop at a chestnut tree so Estrela can do her business. I wouldn't say she's bad behaving. She's just untrained and definitely unloved.

After a while, Josephine joins us again. "You're lucky."

"We don't have to bring them away?"

"We do but not in another three months. I booked two weeks of premium training for them in three months. It's in Leeds which means we might want to take the helicopter there. If they get trained properly, they'll be protection dogs which means less protection officers for us."

"So, they'd essentially be giving us some privacy back?"

My wife nods, "Exactly."

"Does that mean we keep them?"

"Let's see how the next two weeks go by and than revisit the conversation."

She's giving me a deadline in two weeks. I look down at Estrela, who is sniffing on the grass. We're going to make the best of it.

"To make sure they won't pee everywhere in their new home, we should designate a space..." My wife looks around before pointing at an old chestnut tree."like maybe this tree there and bring them there so they can do their businesses there every two hours."

"Every two hours?"

"Yes of course. Having puppies is a lot of work. It can take up to six months for a dog to be house trained."

I look at Estrela and Potter. "I thought these guys knew that already."

My wife giggles, "My love, these are puppies not fully grown dogs. They need to be taught a lot of things and we're going to start with house training."

"Do you want to show them Nate?"

Josephine grins in a way her older brother does. "Oh yes!"

I return her grin as we start walking into the direction where the tree castle is. I love her family dynamics. "Do you think Rory and George are home as well?"

"No, they're still holding classes at Oxford. They'll be home at eight the earliest."

"Have you talked to Rory about it? How do they like it?"

"Turns out the King's punishment is actually a blessing. They like it a lot."

"It's a miracle that nothing from these classes is being published in the tabloids."

"I think that's because the students and other teachers respect them too much. The students want to learn from them and the teachers want to engage in medical conversations. They're there as doctors and professors, not as royals."

We enjoy the thirty minute walk to the tree house, where Nate and Char live with their two daughters. There are lots of rabbits, pheasants, ducks and squirrels running around. I can even spot some deers far away from us.

This is a kind of nature that can only be found in England. It's nothing compared to Rio.

It's a beautiful spring afternoon and with the puppies walking on their leads, I feel a kind of peace and joy in my heart like never before.

When my wife reaches for my hand and our fingers intertwine, I am almost certain she's not going to give them away in two weeks.

---

"And Jo didn't threw you out?" Nate asks the question rhetorically before whistling. "You have her under your thumb."

"Well, to be fair I'm under hers as well." I admit with a shrug. We've decided to meet them outside, just because exploring another home today will be exhausting for them. They already had so many new and different impressions that I doubt they will sleep tonight.

"How could she say no to them?! They're so adorable!" Charlotte cuddles with Nala. Her daughters are so in love with Potter and Estrella that I seriously doubt Nate and Char will be able to stay a pet-free home for long. My wife is watching her nieces with the same careful look that their parents have.

"If they end up being too much, you will take Potter." Josephine says to Nate.

Her brother nods, "Nala and Estrella will go to Rory and George?"

"Just one of them. That way they'll still be growing up together without seeing each other all the time." Josephine thinks out loud.

"It's just an emergency plan, though." I remind Nate.

The blonde Duke of Windsor grins, "You're already head over heels in love with them, I get it. I really do." He leans forward. "And Jo will come around as well. No one can say no to puppies and kitten. Not even Josephine Bolton."

"I heard that!" My wife complains.

"I can't wait to meet Pebbles and Silverbell!" Char looks at her husband with puppy eyes.

"Right. We're coming over for dinner tonight."

"No." Josephine disagrees with her older brother. "They're already overexcited. Having you guys there tonight will be too much. Maybe in a couple of days."

Nate looks at me, hoping I'll back him up.

I shrug, "Sorry, man. The puppies' mum has spoken."

My wife rolls her sky blue eyes at the nickname, while Nate and Char grin at me.

Suddenly the sky starts darkening with black clouds.

"We should head home." I say to my wife. I thought our visit would take longer than ten minutes but nature has other plans.

"We'll borrow you some wellies and jackets." Char says more to her husband than to us.

Nate nods before sprinting up the bridge that leads to their home - their castle in the centuries old oak trees.

A loud thunder fills the air. Estrella and Nala start whining, while Potter stays cool. He walks over to his scared sisters to calm them down. They're a family.

There's no way I will rip them apart.

"We can drive you guys." Char offers.

"No. We'll be good with wellies and your guys' Barbours." Josephine ensures her. "We haven't sat in a car with them yet so we don't know how they'll handle it. They might throw up the entire drive."

I pick up Estrella and Nala while my wife picks up Potter. The female puppies are shivering a little in my arms. They better get used to thunder, lightning and rain. We're in England, not Brazil.

Josephine

Oliver places the ingredients of his famous Italian garlic soup into the jar of our Blendtec blender while I roast the fresh bread cubes in our pan. It has started raining shortly after we left my brother's tree home. The walk home was made with borrowed wellies and Barbour jackets. The puppies loved it and fell asleep immediately in their crates after we cleaned their tiny paws in the mud room.

A hot garlic soup with fresh crispy croutons and bacon stripes in front of the lit fireplace is just what I need right now.

The loud sound of the blender puréeing only fills the kitchen for a few seconds. I place the crispy bread cubes on a kitchen towel as my husband opens the lid of the blender. The smell is just so mouth watering. He fills two big bowls with the thick and creamy soup before I put the croutons on them along with some freshly cut chives. The dishes were a housewarming gift from my parents. They have a royal blue rim and our royal coat of arms in the middle. The dishes are stunning and will get a lot of use in our household.

"Let's eat in the media room." I suggest as I pick up the plate with the crispy bacon slices.

Oliver picks up the two big bowls with ease, "Sure."

We walk out of the kitchen, through the dining room and into the media room. Pebbles and Silverbell have decided to turn the teal sofa into their sleep spot. They both curled into balls. The fire is crackling in the white marbled chimney. I place the plate on the coffee table and let out a satisfied sigh as I stare out of the white transom windows. The rain is clashing against the glass quite heavily. The sound is music to my ears.

Oliver sits down on the teal sofa before placing the bowls on the glass coffee table in front of the fireplace.

I sit down next to him, amazed that Pebbles and Silverbell are still fast asleep. My hair is still damp as the rain was rather heavy when we walked home.

"Do you want to watch something?"

"No, I just want to eat this delicious soup and listen to the rain and fire." I place a spoon full of the soup into my mouth. It's on point! "This is exactly what I've been craving since we left Nate's home!"

"I'm glad you like it." Oliver's lips stretch into a proud smile before he picks up a slice of crispy bacon. "You did a great job with the bacon and the croutons as well."

I wave with my hand, "The star's the soup not the toppings."

Suddenly my ringing iPads fills the comfortable silence. I growl before picking up the iPad that I left on the white marble mantelpiece. It's a Group FaceTime call from our family. "Nate has informed everyone else in the family."

Oliver chuckles, "Word travels incredibly fast in our family."

It bloody does. I take the call and watch how the screen splits into six: Rory and George, Oliver's Mum and brothers, Ana and Sasha, Wlad and Della, and my parents.

"You adopted kittens?" Della asks.

"And puppies?" Maria asks.

"We're having dinner so I will send you some photos after we've eaten." I explain before holding up my bowl of hot soup.

"Can't you just tell us a little bit?" Rory asks.

"Well-"

"Later." I interrupt my husband before continuing eating my soup. It's too good to let it get cold.

"Do you have everything for them?" My father asks.

"Yes, I think so." Oliver answers.

"Good. We'll expect some photos in an hour." Daddy says before hanging up.

"Can we come over to see the puppies and kittens?" Johna asks us.

"Tomorrow." Oliver promises him. "But we will send you some photos beforehand, okay?"

Maria nods, "Good night." With that she hangs up.

"The Dalmatians will be very much loved by your children." Ana says with a smirk. Of course she knew we'd be having them before we knew we would. "Just like the kittens."

"Can you tells us how hard the first few weeks will be with them as well? I'm not looking forward to waking up every two hours to bring them out." I ask her with a sigh before I continue eating my soup.

"You'll be fine." She promises us as her son Valentine starts screaming in the background. "I have to go. See you in a week at Mum's!" She hangs up.

"How are you?" Della asks us, now that it's just the four of us on the screen.

"Hungry." I answer. I don't know if it's the hormones but right now I really don't want to talk to my family. I want to eat my bloody soup in peaceful silence and listen to the rain sounds!

"No morning sickness." Oliver explains.

Suddenly, Carrie and Bella start screaming for their parents.

"Enjoy your dinner." Wlad says before hanging up.

I stare at the black screen of the iPad. In just a few weeks we'll be just like them.

I can't wait!

We eat the rest of our dinner in the comfortable silence that I craved so badly.

"Happy?" My husband asks me after I finished my soup. He knows I was on the edge of exploding earlier.

"Yes."

"How about a warm bath to relax?" Oliver gets up from the sofa and picks up the empty bowls.

"You don't want to check on the puppies?" I ask him with scepticism.

"Well, I thought you could have the bath while I make sure the air mattress that I asked for is ready in the living room."

My chin falls down at his words. I don't know what's worse: the fact that he expects me to be in the bath tub alone or that he's really planning to sleep with the puppies and kittens in the living room tonight!

"How about you put the dishes into the dishwasher while I let in the water in the bath tub?" He hands me the bowls and is gone before I can blink.

Coward!

---

I roll over in the middle of the night and hear how the air mattress squeals under my weight again. That's it, I've had enough of this! I get up from the bed and walk through the dark living room. The water fountain in the patio is lit at night so that gives me some orientation. I walk over to the crates and look into them. Two of them are empty. The third is filled with all three Dalmatians. Nala, Estrela and Potter are sleeping peacefully in there. No whining. No stress. Just sleep.

Something I can't get on that mattress.

Silverbell and Pebbles are sleeping on one of the huge light grey L-shaped sofas in two balls. They seem fine in their new home as well.

I decide to shake Oliver awake, "Oliver, wake up."

He winces from my touch and is wide away in a millisecond, "Is everything okay? Have your contractions started?"

I'm 25 weeks - far, far away from any contractions. But his alertness warms my heart. "No. We're going to bed."

"What?"

"Upstairs."

"But-"

"The puppies are fine and so are the kittens. They don't need us to babysit them. And I need sleep. Proper sleep, not this shit. And you're coming with me."

My husband sighs.

"Now." I demand. I will not discuss this with him.

He climbs off the air mattress. "We should deflate it before the cats rip holes in them."

I wave with my hand, "They won't do anything." Besides it would wake them up and make it impossible for Oliver to leave them.

Oliver has another look at the crate and the kittens before grabbing my hand and walking down the left breezeway which leads to the staircase for our master's wing. The moon and starts are illuminating the glass breezeway. The darkness around our home doesn't look scary but safe.

"They'll be fine." I ensure him.

My husband nods. "I want them to feel homely."

"They do because it is their home."

"We won't tear them apart?"

I stop walking in front of the free floating wooden stairs that lead to the master wing. "Do you really think I'd do this?"

"No. But I want you to say it."

I roll my eyes at him. That's so typical of Oliver. He has done that since the day we met. He always pushed me to voice my feelings. He pushed me to confess things I was afraid to think or feel. He helped me become the woman I always wanted to be. "They're family."

The triumphal grin on his lips is indescribable. "That wasn't so hard, was it?"

I giggle before hitting his shoulder slightly, "Let's get to bed, Casanova."

"Casanova? No one ever called me that!"

"Well you brought four girls home today, I think you've earned yourself that nickname."

My husband's laugh rings through my ears and touches the deepest and darkest parts of my heart. He's the only one who has ever been able to do that.

I walk up the glass steps, knowing my husband will go wherever I go. Our hands fit perfectly together, the wedding rings feel destined to be there.

Just like the children I am carrying.

And perhaps those two kittens and three puppies in our living room.

---

Thank you for taking the time to read this chapter! I hope you enjoyed it

Happy Valentines Day!

I apologise for not updating this story earlier. Life has been very busy for me.

What do you think of the newest family members?

Please review and stay safe!

In gratitude,

Nicole