I updated this chapter to not include Daine...I'll add her later!

-MK

Alanna sat alone in her room.

"I'd heard you were back!" Cythera smiled, blonde hair swinging behind her.

Alanna laughed, giving her a hug.

"I'm back…"

"It's about time too. Gary and I were both worried you'd go mad."

"I'm already mad remember?"

Cythera laughed, ladylike and prim. She then smiled, "We've all missed you Alanna."

"I was gone for a couple of months, and everyone acts like I've been gone fore years…I've been away from the palace before." Alanna huffed.

"You missed a lot, the delegation from Carthak… Jon's been wandering about the palace waiting for the wedding. They still haven't set a date, but Thayet said she wouldn't get married until she had the baby…you knew about her…"

"…getting pregnant, I did."

Cythera's eyes were sympathetic, "Are you all right with that?"

Alanna smiled, "Of course I mean Jon had to marry her. He loves her, and I love George."

Cythera nodded absently, "Of course."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing." Cythera looked away.

"Spit it out Cythera…"

"Well we all assumed that you still…Jon…you know…"

"You assumed I like Jon."

"Yes."

"Cythera, I gave George my hand in marriage. I can't go back on that, so unless something drastic happens I'm not going back on my word."

Cythera nodded silently.

"You're right, you can't go back on it."

"Thank you." Alanna smiled from the support.

"Do you love George though?"

Alanna stopped for a moment, Cythera was quiet.

"I think I do, I hope I do. I mean I don't know what love is really." She let out her breath, "I think that what I have with George is as close as it gets to love."

"Then I wish you both a happy marriage." Cythera smiled.

Alanna looked at Cythera, "How did you know you loved Gary?"

Cythera shrugged, "I don't know…it wasn't something that happened overnight. Gary isn't that easy to get close to." She smiles slightly, "I mean after the king and queen dies the castle was so busy and everything went…out of control. I guess one day I just woke up and realized that I'm going to need to settle down one day, and Gary is a great guy. The feeling was mutual so…somehow it escalated into this…" Cythera gestured to her finger.

Alanna sighed, "It's not always so simple.."

"I know." Cythera laughed.

"What?"

"Everything about you is complicated, I guess…don't take this the wrong way, but it makes me feel good about my life."

"Thank you Cythera…" Alanna rolled her eyes.

"You're welcome…and don't forget it!"

Thayet sat by the window reading when she heard a rustling noise from near the door.

Slowly, she moved to get a dagger out of her boot, and waited for the person to come closer.

"Thayet?" Jonathan called.

"I'm in here."

Jonathan's smiled was large as he saw his wife in the window.

"Are you all right, how's the baby?"

Thayet laughed, "The baby is fine Jon, you should stop worrying."

Jon' smile didn't quite reach his eyes, which unnerved her.

"Jon?"

He sighed, sitting beside her.

"I'm worried Thayet. I'm not going to be a good father and I'll be a total mess…" He sighed.

Thayet put a gentle finger to his lips.

"Stop that, now unless you plan to dangle this child from a window and throw it around, you can't be a bad father. I know you'll be there for the first steps, the first words…everything." Jon's face relaxed.

Thayet leaned her head on his shoulder, and Jon draped his arm over her.

"Now, after you give birth we're going to have to work out the wedding plans…" Jon smiled.

"Imagine if we'd gotten married in this time, I'd be growing every week and the dress maker would be throwing fits!" Jon laughed.

"You know I think you're beautiful no matter what you're in."

Thayet raised an eyebrow, "I'm as big as a horse Jon…"

"But you're still as beautiful as a rose…"

Thayet swatted him lightly, "Don't you start with me now."

Jon gave his most charming smile, and an innocent look.

"Don't try that, I know that look…"

"You're beautiful."

Thayet smiled, "You are a liar Jonathan of Conte."

"Yes, but I'm a good liar, and your liar Thayet jian Wilma…" He then planted a firm kiss on Thayet's mouth.

"Lass?"

"George."

He had a wicked twinkle to his eyes, as he put his arm around her.

"What?"

"You're going to love the surprise that I cooked up…"

Alanna silently raised an eyebrow, but kept silent, "Did you get me a puppy?" She did, using her best imitation of Delia.

George laughed, "Ye're wit is not good for any of us lass, it's gonna get ye in major trouble one day."

"You forget it already has gotten me in a lot of trouble." Alanna grinned cheekily.

George smiled, and pecked her cheek, "Aye, ye've done me proud."

"So what is this surprise?"

He smiled, "I'm here aren't I?"

She whacked him, "C'mon, is that it?"

He feigned hurt, "Ye're not happy to see me?"

"I'd be as happy to see a pig." She teased.

"Are ye callin me a pig?" He asked stopping.

She continued to walk off, letting him run after her.

"Well?"

"No…pig's too good."

George's jaw dropped and he clutched his chest as he feel to the ground, "Why de ye'insist on breakin me heart lass?"

"Your fragile heart?"

"Aye…me fragile heart."

She laughed, "George Cooper get up…" She gave him a hand to lift him up, but he pulled down, so she toppled on top of him.

"This is cozy, I don't think I'll quite let ye go now…" He rumbled.

Alanna felt chills run down her spine, as George rolled on top of her.

"George…we're in public." Alanna muttered, as he started to kiss her.

"I know, do you care if they see us?" He asked.

She shook her head, and kissed him back this time.

"Ahem…" Someone cleared their throat.

Alanna was blushing furiously as she got up, George helping her.

"Hello Myles…" she looked down.

"You may want to get a room next time." The knight hid his amusement.

Alanna nodded, and kept her eyes on the ground. After Myles had left she soundly hit George.

"What?"

"You know you deserved that…" She huffed and walked away, beet red.

"Aye, that'd be my Lioness…"