Hello all! This chapter is focused on Alcina's birthday. Josie, Helena and Fredric are plotting an elaborate scheme. There is also a small portion of sexual content in this chapter as well. Thanks as always for reading!

Chapter 8:

Fredric eased himself back into the wheelchair, exhausted. The physical therapy was becoming more rigorous due to his 'remarkable healing', as the doctor described it, and was optimistic he would be up and using the cane in three weeks or so.

Once he left, Fredric wheeled himself out of the bedroom to find Josie and Helena. In two days' it would be Alcina's birthday. He was already hatching a scheme and would need their help.

"Papa!" Josie sprang from her chair, running over to him and wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Hello, sweetheart," he said, smiling at the resemblance between Alcina and Josie for a split second. "What are you doing in here all quiet and serious?"

Josie rolled her eyes, dramatically.

"Studying. Mother says I have been very lazy and inattentive with my work. She told me she was creating a schedule for me every day, with the exception of Saturdays and Sundays, that my full focus will be on studying." She crossed her arms, pouting.

Fredric kept his face impassive, though inside he was bursting with laughter. That look! Once again he could see Alcina, who made that same face on a daily basis.

"Is she angry with me? Did I do something wrong?" she vented. "Is this a punishment?"

"No, Josie, you are getting older is all, and having an education is very important to both your mother and I. Helena went through the same thing, too, and has taken quite a liking to the schedule."

"That's because Helena is a workaholic like Mother."

Fredric snorted, quickly clearing his throat to hide the slip up.

"How would you like a bit of a break from your work to help me with something?"

Her eyes lit right up.

"What is it?"

"Well, your mother's birthday is in a few days' and I want to do something special for her, but before I go into further detail, we must find Helena."

"I think she is in the music room. Piano practice," Josie said, making a face.

"All right," he said. "You go upstairs and collect her for me."

"Yes, Papa," she said.

"And try not to get caught by your mother!" he called after her as she zoomed out of the parlor room.

Fifteen minutes later and Josie accompanied by an annoyed Helena returned to the bedroom.

"Close the door," Fredric said. "We do not want this getting out into the open."

It was Helena who took charge of the plans for this birthday celebration. Ensuring the kitchen staff knew precisely what the menu would look like, and a schedule of events for the remainder of the day.

"Mother loves the musical arts, as we all know," Helena said. "And there is to be a full orchestra and an opera singer performing in town."

Fredric agreeing that was a jovial idea, focused their attention now on what sorts of gifts Alcina would like; that was not too difficult of a task for Fredric, especially with Josie and Helena telling him the yays and nays.

"We'll have fireworks, too," Fredric said. "That's how we'll end the celebration. Your mother always loved fireworks. On our first tryst, I took her to the most lavishing restaurant, and just outside our window were the most spectacular fireworks I had ever seen; your mother was mesmerized. Of course she had seen fireworks as a little girl, but nothing like that night."

"That's very romantic," Helena said.

Josie made a face at her sister, imagining what her mother was like as a little girl. What's sorts of adventures she had. The mischievous things she did to her parents.

"Josie! Helena!"

The two jumped about ten feet in the air at the sound of their mother.

"Where are you?"

She was getting closer to the door.

"Coming, Mother!" Helena called, whispering to Josie. "Stay here until I get her out of the Main Hall. Go straight to your room and act like you are doing something productive."

Josie nodded her head.

"I am here, Mother, what is it?"

Josie and Fredric listened to the conversation between mother and daughter.

"Why were you in there?"

"I was looking for you in hopes you would listen to me perform the new song on the piano," Helena quickly said.

There was a long pause before Alcina could be heard.

"Very well, darling…"

Their footsteps and voices receded until all was silent.

"You best be off, Josie."

"Yes, Papa," she said, kissing his cheek before dashing out of the room in the direction of her chamber.

{…}

Alcina had not been unawares of the hustle and bustle around the manor. There was a cheerfulness in the air the estate had been lacking, but the reason for it made her suspect it was because of her birthday.

Yes.

Her birthday. That made the most sense. The way Fredric would dodge her questions, ("If you are planning a party, I will be in charge of it! Fredric, are you listening to me?!") No. He certainly was not!

And then there was Josie who looked like a bubble about to burst with whatever secret she was harboring, would then turn and run away.

"Josie! Get back here this instant."

The child was long gone. Hiding somewhere until Alcina eventually gave up searching for her, she would turn her sights on Helena. Her sweet; loyal Helena who would share everything with her.

Not quite.

No matter how she buttered her eldest up. Helena kept to herself and remained silent.

"Did you all take an oath of silence?" Alcina said exasperated.

"No, Mother," Helena said, amused by the fact her mother had no control over any of this and it was making her erratic.

"I cannot believe this!"

"Mother let it go. Would you rather not be surprised? Can you just put your faith in us? I can assure you we will not let you down."

Alcina slowly conceded after that, though it didn't stop her from eavesdropping on the three as much as she could.

{-}

The next morning Alcina was awoken by Fredric kissing her. She had the urge to smack him over the head for waking her so early, but found herself sucked in to his warmth. The feel of him so very close. Damn him! And with his increasing mobility, he was able to change his position on the bed.

Well almost.

With ninja-like reflexes, Alcina pinned his wrists and was now straddling him. Staring down at him with a triumphant smile.

"Not quite," she said, holding her head high.

Fredric grinned up at her.

"Look at you. A true queen seated on her throne."

"Correct, and what tribute do you have to offer me on this fine morning?" She arched a brow.

"What I present to you, Lady Alcina, is something that has always satisfied you. Satiated your deepest hunger."

"Oh?" Alcina rocked her hips playfully against him. "If you mean /that/, I would have to disagree with your declaration."

"Is that so? Or perhaps my dear has forgotten after so long apart."

"Ha! Oh, you poor man. If only your sword was as large as your ego, perhaps then I would indeed completely agree with you on how you 'satiate my hunger'."

Alcina began to remove herself off him, but Fredric was far from finished with her. It was his turn to move with inhuman reflexes and pin her down to the bed.

Her smile never wavered, enjoying the weight of him on her. The way his now long hair tickled her face; the animal-like look in his eyes. His thick digits traveling along her hips and up to her breasts. She could not fight a quiver running rampant throughout her body. The heat rising in her blood.

"You are going to hurt yourself," Alcina commented, teasingly parting and then closing her legs. "Is remedying your broken ego truly worth this?"

His response was slamming his lips against hers. The kiss heating with passion. Alcina and Fredric both fighting to dominate the other. When Fredric would begin to pull away, Alcina buried her fingers into his thick mane to pull his head back down. Night attire discarded to the floor. Moans of pleasure passing from their lips, and it was then did Alcina open her legs to allow him access.

Fredric did not hesitate and mounted her, pumping into her vigorously. More cries of pleasure escaping both. Alcina quickly reaching her climax, but Fredric continued to thrust faster and faster into her. No signs of him slowing or tiring.

Alcina's mouth fell partially open, moaning out in ecstasy as Fredric turned her to another position and pounded her over and over. She closed her eyes and smiled. At the moment not caring about anything else but the fireworks going off all over her body. The feel of his lips grazing over her neck and down over her breasts. Sucking at her nipples. Rocking her hips in sync with his pumping. His warmth sending wave after wave of desire through her.

"Yes!" she purred, wrapping her arms firmly around his neck "Do not stop. Don't you dare stop…"

The two lay tangled together, fingers laced through the others as they caught their breath.

"I did not think you were going to last in that position much longer," Alcina whispered, stroking her fingers through his matted hair. "I can tell you are feeling some pain, aren't you?"

Fredric remained on top of her, placing a kiss between her breasts.

"This pain is nothing," he said, grunting as he shifted himself on his back and stared straight at his wife with a growing smile. "Happy birthday."

"Let's hope it is," she said, getting off the bed to retrieve her nightgown and slip it back on, when there came a knock at their door. "One moment." Once she had donned her nightgown, she walked back over to Fredric to hand him his own attire, when he grabbed her wrists and pulled her forward. Placing another firm kiss to her lips.

"Mother!" She could hear Josie knocking relentlessly on the door. "Can we come in?!

"Fredric!" she pulled away from him, but he still had hold of her wrists. "You idiot. Let go of me this instant!"

He was now laughing.

"Mother!" The girls were calling.

"Keep this up and I will no longer share this room with you," she warned him. "Is that what you really want?"

"Trying to cut a deal with me, eh?" he said, pulling her closer and closer to him.

Alcina yanking and yanking was finally able to get herself free from his grip, turned her back on him and received a firm slap to her bottom.

"You are going to pay for that. Now cover yourself."

"Yes, my lady," he grinned.

"Enter."

"Good morning, Mother," Helena said, carrying in a platter of food.

"Happy birthday, Mother!" Josie came bounding in right behind her sister with a second platter.

"Well, well," Alcina said. "This is unexpected. Josie! Watch where you are going."

Josie nearly dropping the platter in her haste, Alcina managed to grab hold of it before the contents spilled to the carpet.

"Get back into bed, Mother," Helena said, setting the tray down on her father's lap, gave him a curt nod. Indicating all the plans had been accomplished and were ready.

Alcina not noticing this small interaction, got back into the bed and set the platter down on her lap with Josie close in toe.

"Thank you, pretty girl," she said, giving her a quick peck on the cheek. "It all looks and smells divine."