Hello! This is my first shot at a fan fiction story. All relative disclaimers apply, I don't own any of these characters, I'm just having a little fun with them. I hope you enjoy it, R&R welcome. Thanks!
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"Don't worry, Keith, I think we can hold down the fort for three days." Lance sat back on the sofa in the rec room, his feet propped up on the coffee table.
"I know," Keith sighed, checking his watch for the third time. "I'll just feel better once Sven gets here."
"He wouldn't be Keith if he wasn't worrying," Allura smiled as she approached the two men.
"It has been a while since Lotor's last attack and word is he's been in a nasty mood since our engagement was announced. I am really not comfortable with leaving you right now." Keith slipped an arm around Allura's waist, drawing her to him.
She smiled down at the simple, heart shaped diamond she wore on her left hand. "We could always call off the engagement if that would make you feel better." The Princess teased.
"Not on your life." He whispered into her ear.
"I could go with you." She whispered back.
"No. We talked about this and it's safer for you to stay at the castle. With Sven here you'll have all five lions if something should happen. And besides," Keith smiled down at her. "You have bridesmaid dresses to discuss with Romelle."
"I hate to interrupt," Pidge said from the doorway. "But Sven and Romelle's ship just docked."
"Come on, let's go meet them." Allura grabbed Keith's hand and dragged him out of the rec room.
Lance crossed to where the youngest member of the team stood, "They're just too cute sometimes, aren't they?"
Pidge snorted, "Tell me about it."
"They're just happy," Hunk wandered up from the direction of the kitchen. "They deserve it. Don't be such a jerk, Lance."
"I'm happy for them," Lance said. "I just wish it didn't feel like we were living in a cheesy romantic comedy sometimes."
"He's jealous," Hunk whispered to Pidge.
"I heard that." Lance called back as they headed toward the landing area.
"And yet you don't deny it!" Hunk called back.
"Deny what?" Keith asked as the team approached.
"Nothing," Lance muttered.
"Romelle!" Allura shrieked and ran across the tarmac to hug her cousin. "I'm so glad you could come."
"So am I. We have so much to talk about."
The two women walked arm and arm back into the castle.
"Sven, good to see you again," Keith shook his friend's hand. "I can't tell you how happy I am you were able to help us out."
"No problem, I miss flying Blue Lion." Sven replied before greeting his three other friends.
Keith led the way off the tarmac and back into the castle. "Nanny made up a room for you and Romelle, once you guys are settled we'll have a quick meeting in the rec room."
"Vhen do you leave?" Sven asked.
"First thing in the morning, but I should be back within three days."
"He can't stand to be away from Allura." Pidge spoke up.
Sven grinned and companionably slapped Pidge on the shoulder, "Someday you'll know that feeling."
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Allura and Romelle sat in Allura's study looking at fabric swatches and sketches of dresses.
"I think this would really flatter you," Allura said handing her cousin a sketch. "And I'm leaning toward this pale green."
Romelle studied the drawing, "Yes, it's nice."
"You don't like it?"
"Oh no, I think it's beautiful. I just don't think this type of waist would work. See how it comes to a point?"
"Yes, I like that look," Allura said. "It's similar to the waist you had on your wedding dress. You looked so lovely and it accented your figure beautifully."
Romelle smiled at the memory of her wedding day almost seven months ago. "True, and it really is a lovely dress, but the problem is that my waist won't be as small when your wedding day comes."
Allura looked up, puzzled, and then the meaning of her cousin's words sank in, "Oh Romelle! That's wonderful! I'm so happy for you! How far along are you? When did you find out?"
Romelle laid a hand on her stomach, accentuating a slight swell, "I'm two months along. Sven and I were going to make an official announcement at dinner tonight, but I couldn't wait to tell you. There will be a royal announcement made next week, I didn't want you to find out that way. Bandor is the only other person who knows."
Their conversation quickly switched from bridesmaid dresses to baby names.
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"Vhat do you hear from Lotor's camp?" Sven asked.
The five men were seated throughout the rec room, discussing the upcoming days. Keith had been called to a meeting on Planet Wit'ach to talk to some Galaxy Garrison officials about interplanetary defense.
"That's the thing," Keith told him. "Since his last attack we haven't heard anything directly. However, we have received word that he heard about our engagement and has been rather upset."
"You think he'll try and attack vhile you're avay?"
"I don't know. This meeting isn't really common knowledge, but we aren't hiding anything, so it would be easy for him to find out that I was leaving. That's why I asked you to come rather than me taking Black with me. I will feel a lot better knowing that all five lions are at her disposal if anything should happen."
"You have nothing to fear, Captain, we'll protect the Princess with our lives." Pidge assured him.
Keith smiled at his teammate, "I know that and it means a lot to us."
"I don't envy you this trip," Lance said. "They're going to be some dull meetings. I heard General Bryant is in charge of this one."
"Ugh." Hunk scowled. "Not only does he drone on forever but his voice is the kind that puts you to sleep."
Keith laughed, "Luckily it's only one full day of meetings and Jeff will be there, I wanted to talk to him about coming to my wedding."
"De nerves kick in yet?" Sven asked with the wisdom of a man married for several months.
"Nah," Keith scoffed.
Lance snorted.
"You have something to say, Lieutenant?"
"Not at all, Keith, although I've noticed you walking the halls at night. But I guess that can't be attributed to nerves. Wetting the bed again, are you?"
While the others laughed, Keith raised an eyebrow. "Just wait until lion practice on Monday. We'll see who's laughing then."
"I vas fine a month before my vedding," Sven said. "However, a veek before I gave up sleeping and eating."
"You did look rather thin and pale at the ceremony." Hunk spoke up.
"Excuse me."
The five men looked up to see one of the maids standing in the doorway.
"Yes, Florna?" Keith asked
The young girl blushed slightly as she was addressed by the future king of Arus, "I was asked to fetch you for dinner."
"Thank you. Please tell Nanny we'll be right there." Keith rose.
They entered the dining room just steps ahead of the two princesses. After both women were seated, the five gentlemen, along with Koran and Nanny, sat around the table. Dinner that night was a joyous affair. There was laughter and jokes and after Sven and Romelle made their exciting announcement Koran had a maid bring out a bottle of champagne. They talked and carried on for several hours and after Sven and Romelle turned down Lance's suggestion of naming their child after him, regardless of its sex, Keith decided it was time to turn in for the night.
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Keith walked Allura to her room by way of the observation deck. They embraced in front of the window, Keith resting his chin on her head.
"I'll be back on Saturday, promise me you'll be careful. Don't take any chances." He said.
She smiled, "I should be saying that to you."
"I'm worried. We should have heard from Lotor by now. He's been too quiet too long."
Allura tilted her head back to look into his eyes, "Maybe he has finally accepted that I will never marry him."
"Or maybe he's sitting in wait until I'm not here. I can still call tonight and tell the General I can't meet him right now."
"Stop it. All of this is routine. It's better to get this meeting out of the way before the wedding, then you don't have to meet with a Garrison official for another six months. You'll be back soon and you're only half a day away. There are five very capable young men here to protect Arus. All you're doing is giving yourself an ulcer."
"What?" He asked with a laugh.
"Lance says you worry too much and you're going to end up with an ulcer. When I asked him what that is, he said it's a hole in your stomach. Is that true? That sounds fatal."
I have to have a word with Lance about keeping his mouth shut, Keith thought to himself. "Don't listen to Lance, he's being an idiot."
Allura studied him for a moment and then, giving into impulse, she stood on her toes and gave him a quick kiss.
He smiled down at her before cupping the back of her head and drawing her into a deeper kiss.
She sighed against his mouth when they parted, "We don't have to say good night just now."
"I'm leaving at five in the morning; I need to get some sleep."
"You could stay with me."
Keith looked down into her eyes. She was blushing at her own boldness, but he could tell she was definitely serious.
"I don't think that's a good idea."
"You don't?" She whispered, blushing an even darker red.
"Don't get me wrong, I would love to, but like I said, I need to get some sleep."
"Alright." Allura was obviously disappointed.
"And just think what would happen if Nanny or Koran would catch us." Keith said, lightening the mood.
She smiled, "You wouldn't make it to the wedding."
"Just one more month, my love." He kissed her forehead, her cheek, along her jaw, and finally her mouth.
"One month." She sighed.
"Come on, I'll walk you to your room." He took her hand and they left the observation deck.
At her door they kissed once more and went their separate ways.