A garbled chorus of "Grandma!" and extended arms greeted Mary after she opened her front door. She bent down on her knees and hugged and kissed each one of her grandchildren as they piled on her.
"Go ahead into the kitchen." Mary pointed. "I have pies waiting." Her four grandchildren ran in the direction she pointed followed closely by Maddy, and the Seneschal. Mary then turned and greeted Lauren with a hug and kiss then Bas Gamba and Bas Cibor came into view. Their presence quickly blotted out any sunlight that permeated through the doorway.
"Hello Bahadur, Aeson!" Mary greeted. Lauren realized Mary was the only one she ever heard call Bas Gamba and Cibor by their first names. They both bowed their heads slightly.
"Blessings and Felicitations, Your Serene Highness!" Bas Gamba and Cibor said in unison.
"Oh dear! I thought we settled all that!" Mary replied.
"It would be rude not to address you properly." Bas Gamba said.
"Well, when it's just us can you at least call me Mrs. Dennis?" Mary asked. Bas Gamba and Cibor looked at one another then at Lauren.
"Like mother, like daughter." Lauren added.
"By your will, Mrs. Dennis." Bas Gamba and Cibor replied in unison.
"That's better! Now I know you have your jobs to do, but please take a moment to enjoy some pie. Not only did I make the children's favorites but I made yours as well. Banoffee and Saskatoonberry pie for Aeson and there's ice cream to go with it, and Steak and Kidney and Pecan Pie for Bahadur." Mary said.
"Thank you, Mrs. Dennis." Bas Gamba and Bas Cibor said in unison, and then walked off to tend to security.
"Banoffee and Saskatoonberry? Steak and Kidney, Pecan?" Lauren queried.
"Aeson has such a sweet tooth! And Bahadur likes pies with meat in them but he took to Pecan. Ate it in one sitting. He really likes eating them mashed together." Mary replied then looked around. "Where's Bo?"
"Working. They have a very big conference called the Convocation coming up so Bo has a lot to do. She's disappointed she couldn't make it, but I am to call her later so we can all talk together." Lauren replied.
"Good. let's get you all settled. And I need to talk to Bas Gamba about the Guards down the road." Mary said.
"Are they not doing their jobs?" Lauren asked.
"Oh no! It's not that. They just keep building stuff. Big stuff. And it's rather conspicuous for these parts. It's making the locals talk." Mary replied. Lauren chuckled.
"What's so funny?" Mary asked.
"There's running joke about the Presidium and no sense of scale." Lauren replied.
"You should see what they're building down the road here." Mary said. Lauren chuckled again harder.
"Well, I'm here overnight so we can go down and take a look before we call Bo." Lauren replied.
"What are your plans?" Mary asked.
"I planned to leave the children here so you can enjoy your time with them while I take care of some business back at the County, and then I'll come back." Lauren replied.
"That would be wonderful. I can show them how to make and roll dough. Oh, and I have their garden spaces ready for them to plant fruits and vegetables." Mary said.
"Not too many sweets though. They hardly eat any back at the Presidium." Lauren advised.
"No sweets?"
"Not a lot of them. Both the Queen and Queen Consort believe if sweets are to be had they are organic to the food being consumed." Lauren replied.
"What is life without a little sweet?"
"Well, Bo speaks about your pies quite often. I'm supposed to bring back several of them for The Ruling Family to try. And Bo wants her favorite of course."
"Well then, the children and I will have a lot to do."
"I knew you would enjoy the time with them. There is one more thing?" Lauren prompted.
"What's that?" Mary asked.
"The Seneschal I came with? They are now assigned to you." Lauren replied.
"No, no, no! I don't need that kind of help." Mary protested.
"You are The Princess Mother. The entire Presidium order of things find it unforgiving that you are not supported." Lauren replied.
"But I don't need them!"
"If we're weening you off the medication it would make both Bo and I happy if they were here."
"I have the Guards! A whole army of them!"
"True, but the Seneschal can serve as an inner ring of support."
"Lauren!"
"I know, but we all have to bear with the changes."
"But!"
"Mary, I wish I could make the decision here, but Their Majesties insist."
"Well, when I finally meet Their Majesties I will let them know my mind!" Mary replied. Lauren smiled.
After Lauren settled the children, she and Mary, accompanied by Bas Cibor traveled to the Regnant Guard compound located a few miles down the road. After Bo's Recognition, one of the first steps the Presidium took was to secure her Human family. After all, Mary was now the Princess Mother. The DRM had acquired all the land within five miles in all directions that surrounded Mary's property, a net that also encompassed her sister Bea's house. When Bostanji Leonhard introduced Bo and Lauren to the The Regnant Guard contingent assigned to Mary before it departed the Presidium they were in shock: it was the size of a battalion. Bas Dima, the Bas initially assigned to Kenzi was re-assigned to Mary as head of her Regnant Guard contingent now that Kenzi was part of the Agency.
The security protocols The Regnant Guard had emplaced were impressive. Not only were they there to protect The Princess Royal's Family, but also to infiltrate every aspect of local life. The road that led to Mary's house was a side road, and now with The Regnant Guard in place no aberrant traffic was ever allowed to travel down that road again. In addition, The Regnant Guard monitored each and every person that ever visited Mary, and not only was the net around Mary static, but fluidic for it moved with her wherever she went.
As they approached The Regnant Guard Compound Lauren's eyes grew wide at what she saw. As they approached Lauren could see the long, dark rock wall that served as the fence line, a very tall fence line at that. Lauren figured the walls flanking the main gate were about 20 feet and the adjoining walls around 15 feet. The smooth walls had dark brown tones rather than the beige, marble tones that existed at the Presidium. And instead of having one main entrance it looked like it had one large entrance and then flanking side entrances. Lauren thought to herself: at least the Guard had the good sense to design the architecture with dark tones so it would blend with the landscape. When they entered through the main gate Lauren could see the height of the Compound itself. It was three storeys tall, and its design reminded Lauren of something from Franklin Lloyd Wright with the same even lines and dark tones. It was its length that opened Lauren's eyes even wider.
"Oh my! That's expansive, even for a small city." Lauren said.
"I told you." Mary replied. Lauren gauged its length to be at least a mile. As they exited their transport Bas Dima approached and bowed quickly.
"Blessing and Felicitations, Your Serene Highness, Dr. Lewis, Bas Cibor." Bas Dima greeted.
"Thank you, Bas Dima! Good to see you again." Lauren replied.
"You as well, Dr. Lewis. We were not expecting a visit." Bas Dima said.
"Nor did we plan on one, but Mary informed me of your developments here so I wanted to take a look." Lauren replied.
"We can give you a tour if you'd like, so you can see what we have here." Bas Dima said.
"Thank you. We'd appreciate that." Lauren replied. Bas Dima motioned them all inside.
"Generally speaking, is this normally the size of a Guard Compound?" Lauren asked.
"Yes, Dr. Lewis, this is the standard set up for a small encampment designed to meet the security mission." Bas Dima replied.
"This is considered a small encampment?" Lauren asked.
"Yes, Dr. Lewis. This building serves as the main compound, but we do have surrounding compounds that encircle the Her Serene Highness's home." Bas Dima replied.
"I beg your pardon?" Lauren asked like she didn't hear him right.
"I told you." Mary said again.
"To ensure we have maximum coverage in all directions." Bas Dima replied.
"Are those surrounding compounds constructed the same way? As big?" Lauren asked.
"Oh no, they're smaller." Bas Dima replied.
"Considerably smaller?" Lauren asked. Bas Dima smiled.
"Sufficiently sized to serve our needs as supporting compounds." Bas Dima replied.
"How many are there?" Lauren asked.
"In addition to this main one there are four others." Bas Dima replied.
"So all the land that surrounds Mary's home within five miles has been purchased, cordoned off and security ring established, thus making her home and everything in it an enclosed enclave in it of itself?" Lauren said.
"Effectively speaking, Dr. Lewis." Bas Dima replied.
"You don't think these Compounds may be a bit large for such a small town?" Lauren asked.
"As I said, this is the standard set up to ensure security and protection of The Princess Royal's Family." Bas Dima replied.
"Understand, but we are concerned about their largess, their transparency. Is there a way you could make all this a bit less transparent? Like camouflaging it, perhaps?" Lauren asked.
"I can make any changes you like so long as it guarantees the security of your family. But the security measures were personally directed by the Bostanji himself." Bas Dima replied.
"I see. Well, let's see the rest of it and then we can decide." Lauren replied.
"This way then." Bas Dima directed.
After touring the Compound for over an hour they approached a set of double doors and Lauren could see a long corridor through them then a door sign caught Lauren's eye.
"What's this?" Lauren asked.
"This corridor leads to the medical facilities." Bas Dima replied.
"Medical facilities?" Lauren repeated.
"Yes, Dr. Lewis. We have fully equipped medical facilities here." Bas Dima replied.
"With a laboratory?" Lauren asked.
"Yes." Bas Dima replied.
"Is that part of the standard set up?" Lauren asked.
"Yes, Dr. Lewis. We plan for contingencies to include medical emergencies. We can handle the medical needs of the entire town, if necessary." Bas Dima replied.
"May we go in there?" Lauren asked.
"This entire Compound is yours to command." Bas Dima replied.
"Thank you." Lauren replied as she and Mary went through the double doors, and walked down the long corridor and came upon another set of double doors, and their eyes went wide when they peered through them.
"Is this a hospital?" Mary asked. "Looks like the gardens we saw at Versailles."
"Presidium Medical has an atrium filled with botanicals. It's like traveling through a very beautiful, enclosed forest. You would actually love it." Lauren replied then turned to Bas Dima. "Is this also standard procedure?"
"Popawi thought this added touch would be welcoming for residents of the hospital." Bas Dima replied.
"Who is Popawi?" Mary asked.
"The Head Gardner at Presidium Medical." Lauren replied.
"Well, he has such lovely tastes." Mary said. They walked through the forest garden and came upon another set of double doors which opened when they approached.
"Oh my word! Is this a hospital?" Mary asked stunned at its opulence.
"In Presidium terms." Lauren replied. It was a mini-version of Presidium Medical with state of the art equipment, waiting rooms, surgical facilities, recovery rooms, and a large laboratory and offices.
"This is like for rich people. Like super rich people. Like royalty rich." Mary said.
"Your Serene Highness, this is a standard encampment hospital." Bas Dima replied.
"Stop calling me that!" Mary insisted.
"Your Serene…." Bas Dima started.
"Bas Dima, we have agreed that, in excepted company, we are to call her Mrs. Dennis." Bas Cibor chimed in.
"Then we shall." Bas Dima replied.
"How did you plan on staffing this all?" Lauren asked.
"When His Serene Highness Julian was here he worked with Deputy Grand Ducal Alesandese, Ash Thornwood, and Dr. Danna to set up a staffing schedule." Bas Dima replied.
"Why was I not told?" Lauren asked.
"I'm not sure." Bas Dima replied.
"Secrets, everywhere!" Lauren said.
"Dr. Lewis?" Bas Dima replied.
"I'm not reacting to you, Bas Dima, so much as other things… and Fae." Lauren said.
"Reacting? Secrets? Other Fae? Is Trick doing something again?" Mary asked.
"It's nothing." Lauren dismissed quickly.
"Since you are here Dr. Lewis we would appreciate it if you could inspect the facilities to ensure it meets all of your needs." Bas Dima prompted.
"Of course she would. This is a candy store for her." Mary said with a smile in Lauren's direction then she turned to Bas Dima. "Does this sit empty until it's needed?"
"Yes, Mrs. Dennis." Bas Dima replied.
"And it has staff?" Mary asked.
"Yes, Mrs. Dennis." Bas Dima replied.
"Well, wouldn't you consider that a bit of a waste?" Mary asked.
"It is not for me to consider." Bas Dima replied.
"What are you thinking Mary?" Lauren asked.
"Dr. Ellorby has been looking for a new building to house his doctor's office. This would serve nicely. I have been volunteering more and more at his office to help out." Mary replied.
"Dr. Ellorby hasn't retired yet?" Lauren asked.
"Nope. Still going strong at 80 years of age." Mary replied.
"This is not exactly a small town clinic, Mary. This is a full scale hospital." Lauren replied.
"And a fully staffed one that could serve not only the needs of the town buy also the surrounding towns too." Mary said.
"There's the Fae aspect too, Mary." Lauren said.
"Well, aren't the Fae about to show themselves?" Mary reminded.
"Yes, but they plan to do it on a timetable." Lauren replied.
"No time like the present." Mary said.
"You mean to expose them all, here, now?" Lauren asked.
"I mean when the time comes the blow will be softened by the fact they have been around them the entire time." Mary replied.
"That's not a bad approach. I mean we could explain off the opulence saying this building is research facility, and executives like their comforts but I am concerned about access control to the Fae. Bas Dima, can this section be cordoned off from the rest of the Fae facilities here?" Lauren asked.
"We can make it work." Bas Dima replied.
"When I visit the County I'll discuss Mary's idea with the JFM." Lauren said.
"Shall we continue with the tour?" Bas Dima asked.
"Please." Lauren replied.
"Hi Mama!" Bo greeted when she shimmered into view. After dinner, Lauren and Mary called Bo. Lauren saw Bo had taken the call from one of their smaller rooms. Smart, Lauren thought to herself. When the children saw Bo they all waved, smiled and tried to go to her, but figured out they couldn't touch her and became quickly confused. MaryAoife let out a cry so Mary picked her up.
"See, you can wave at Mommy." MaryAoife looked for a moment then reached out for Bo again. Bo waved.
"Mummy is on the phone so I can only see you." Bo said. MaryAoife just looked at her. Bo turned to Lauren.
"We need to work on that more with them." Bo said.
"I agree." Lauren replied.
"Hard on the kids not being able to understand you are really far away." Mary commented.
"We keep trying to get them use to the communications system. Most times it works." Bo replied. Ryan toddled up with his new dough roller and showed it to Bo. Bo smiled large.
"Yes, I see it. Did you make dough?" Bo asked. Ryan nodded. Then Char came up behind him.
"We made nuts!" Char declared.
"Oh really?" Bo replied.
"They picked some pecans off the pecan tree and smashed them open today." Maddy clarified.
"Really? You all had fun then?" Bo said.
"Char almost hit me!" Ethan said.
"Oh, she did huh?" Bo replied.
"She did this!" Ethan said as he made swinging motions.
"So MaryAofie, did you smash nuts too?" Bo asked. MaryAofie nodded as she fell into Mary's chest then tried to reach out for Bo again, and when she couldn't touch Bo she cried out again. Maddy came over and took MaryAoife from Mary and led the rest of the children out of the room with the help of the Seneschal and then they shut the door behind them.
"So, how do you feel, Mama?" Bo asked after the door closed.
"Very well. I stopped taking the last regime of medication about week before Lauren arrived. The Guards keep a good lookout for me." Mary replied.
"By the way, we need to speak with the Bostanji about the Guard Compound they set up here." Lauren said.
"Why? Is there something wrong?" Bo asked.
"No sense of scale." Lauren replied. Bo chuckled.
"Did they build the Taj Mahal?" Bo said.
"Well..." Lauren replied. Bo's laughter quickly dissipated.
"Are you kidding?" Bo asked again. Lauren did her classic lean-nod.
"That's a small town. They are going to notice something big like that." Bo said somewhat alarmed.
"I tried to explain that to them, but they said it was for security." Mary replied.
"I tried saying something too, but they told me the same thing. They were under direction from the Bostanji himself." Lauren added.
"Is it really that bad?" Bo asked as she looked between them. Lauren raised her eyebrows.
"Oh dear." Bo said in response.
"Yeah." Lauren confirmed.
"Can't they camouflage whatever they've built. Make it less conspicuous?" Bo asked.
"They're not use to it being any other way." Lauren replied.
"I'll talk to Bostanji Leonhard first thing in the morning." Bo assured.
"They also included state of the art medical facilities." Mary said.
"Oh, wow!" Bo replied.
"Yeah, but they stand empty until needed." Mary said.
"Mary suggested that Dr. Ellorby move into them and use them for the town. I plan to explore that with the JFM." Lauren added.
"Good grief! Dr. Ellorby is still around?" Bo said.
"Still around." Mary said.
"Well, sounds like you all have a plan." Bo replied.
"Lauren says you are trying to come home for Christmas?" Mark queried.
"We are, but if we can't then we'll do a call like this and share together over the comms." Bo replied.
"Lauren says you are working on some large conference?" Mary asked.
"Yeah, it's called the Convocation. Bunch of dignitaries are coming in for it. Bo replied.
"You have a lot of responsibility." Mary said.
"Lots!" Bo replied.
"Are you doing okay? Trick keeping a lookout on you?" Mary asked.
"Yes, Mama." Bo replied.
"So when will I get to see this Presidium?" Mary asked.
"In time. I want to wait a bit until a lot of the activities are over. Less chaotic." Bo replied.
"That's fine." Mary said. "So I'm going to leave you to speak with Lauren then. Wish you were here, but I know I'll see you soon. Love you, Bo."
"Love you, Mama!" Bo replied. Then Mary left the room and closed the door behind her.
"How's she doing? Really?" Bo asked.
"Fine. Seems perfectly lucid. No signs of lost thoughts. If anything, the regime has made her mind sharper." Lauren replied.
"In what way?" Bo asked.
"She seems to be catching details more and more." Lauren replied.
"So what's you plan now that you are there?" Bo asked.
"I plan to leave the children here with Mary and then head to the County tomorrow. I've already contacted Dyson and Tamsin that I'll be staying at the Clubhouse. Then I plan to stop at the JFM, and then check in with Evony." Lauren replied.
"Does she know you're there already?" Bo asked,
"Yes, but she thinks I'm coming because the JFM is entering the next phases of their clinical trials. Life must still go on. Transition or not." Lauren replied.
"Do you plan to confront her directly about the purges?" Bo asked.
"Not right away. I need to see what's going on first." Lauren replied.
"That is why I wanted Kenzi to handle it so you needn't worry." Bo said.
"Bo, we've talked about this." Lauren reminded.
"Yeah, I know. So are the children having fun?" Bo asked.
"Yes, but as you can see, they would have loved to have you here. Mary has little garden plots set up for each of them, and plans to show them how to plant things." Lauren replied.
"Well, Ethan will love that for sure." Bo said.
"I can see the dirt being thrown already." Lauren replied. Bo chuckled again.
"So will you call me later tonight? After the children are asleep?" Bo asked with intent.
"To say goodnight, I presume?" Lauren replied.
"Of a sort." Bo said as hiked her eyebrows up a couple of times.
"I'm at your mother's!" Lauren said in a forceful whisper.
"She's not in our room there." Bo replied.
"Not the point!" Lauren admonished.
"Maybe we should build a guest home next door so I can chase you around without worrying about waking Mama." Bo said.
"Yeah, right. Then your mother would complain her grandchildren were not under the same roof as she was. Nope, we have to lead the celibate life whenever we are under your mother's roof." Lauren replied.
"With the occasional tickle here and there." Bo said. Lauren shook head.
"Call me in the morning before you start your day?" Lauren asked.
"I will. Can I at least have an image before we hang up?" Bo asked.
"Bo!" Lauren replied. Bo laughed.
"Teasing. Talk with you in the morning. Love you." Bo said.
"Love you." Lauren replied and the call ended.
Lauren went downstairs to find Mary and Maddy out on the porch as they watched the children point to the evening sky while trying to count.
"Playing counting the stars, I take it?" Lauren prompted as she took a seat.
"Yes, is this something new?" Mary asked.
"It is something Bo likes to do with the children, and now it has become a game of sorts." Lauren replied.
"They came right out here and started pointing." Mary said.
"It's helps to settle them down for bed, and it's our together time as a family. With all the activities at the Presidium it's nice for us to wind down together."
"Sounds like that Presidium is working you all hard. Do they even value their families or their time?"
"You would be astonished at how close the Ruling Family are. They are closer than most of the closest families I know. It's amazing how they can balance so much responsibility and yet still remain so very close, even with the extended family. It's like its inculcated into their very existence." Lauren replied.
"Sounds like you admire it." Mary commented.
"Bo and I both do." Lauren replied. Then the Seneschal entered with a large tray of pie slices on plates, and all the four children rushed at them like raptors.
"This late Mary? They are going to be up half the night!" Lauren asked.
"And I plan to enjoy every minute of it." Mary replied as she Lauren and Maddy settled them all around the small table they had set up for them, put their bibs on, and then passed out slices of pie for each of them with a dollop of ice cream which they all quickly dug into. Then the Seneschal served Lauren, Mary, and Maddy their slices.
"Thank you!" Mary said to the Seneschal to wit they responded with a nod.
"The Seneschal pick up things quickly. They were already rolling pie crusts for this weekend's gathering at Bea's house with the neighbors." Mary added.
"Yes, they do. It'll be a bit unnerving for a while, as it was for me, but you'll get use to them, and then they'll prove an indispensable support system as I have come to find them." Lauren said as she looked at the Seneschal who bowed and then left.
"What did you say earlier about secrets and Fae?" Mary asked as she ate a piece of her pie.
"I think I'll join the children. Looks like Ethan and MaryAoife are about to start a food fight." Maddy said as she went and joined the children's table.
"It's nothing. Bo trying to be protective that's all." Lauren replied.
"Bo keeping secrets?" Mary queried.
"She only meant to protect me from worry." Lauren said as she ate some of her pie.
"What's to worry?" Mary asked.
"It's all…political." Lauren replied.
"Can I offer some advice?" Mary queried.
"Sure." Lauren replied as she focused on eating her pie.
"You and Bo have been through a lot in the past ten or so years. I have watched you two grow as a couple and now as a family. There have been and will continue to be challenges along the way." Mary said.
"Bo and I are very aware of that." Lauren replied.
"With others, yes. But you cannot allow those challenges to impact what exists between you two." Mary said. Lauren said nothing. Mary put down her pie plate.
"Sam was always trying to be protective of me. Bo gets a lot of that from her father, but what I had to tell Sam is whatever trials we faced, we faced them together. No secrets. You need to say the same thing to Bo." Mary continued.
"I think Bo understands that." Lauren replied.
"If she did she would not keep secrets from you." Mary said. Lauren said nothing.
"If you and Bo are going to succeed you must do it together. No secrets." Lauren still said nothing.
"Lauren, you are just as much a daughter to me as Bo is."
"Thank you, Mary. That means a lot." Lauren replied. Mary rose from her chair, went over and bent down in front of Lauren and took her face into her palms.
"I hope it means love because that is what I feel for you and the love you give to Bo and to these children." Mary said. Lauren eyes welled up.
"Thank you, Mary." Lauren replied.
"Remember, if you love one another, no secrets. Ever." Mary said. Lauren wiped a tear that fell down her face. Then suddenly the moment was interrupted by arguing children.
"Stop!" Char yelled at Ethan who only laughed. Mary and Lauren turned to find Maddy and the Seneschal trying to stop pie-throwing war between the four children.
"On second thought, sure you want me to leave them here?" Lauren asked.
"I wouldn't trade this for the world." Mary said as she and Lauren stood up and went off to referee.
