The private chambers of Bo and Lauren were a bustle of activity. The Seneschal were packing things up, making ready for Bo and Lauren's journey to France to visit Lauren's parents. Bo and Lauren conferred with their staffs on final details while their children ran about excited.

"What is going on with them today?" Lauren asked.

"They know we're about to go on a trip." Bo replied. "Did you call Mama?"

"Mary and Maddy will meet us in Paris first." Lauren replied.

"And Elder Luc Duchamps and his wife Nadeen know they are coming too?"

"Yep! Trick gave them a heads-up."

"Can they hold us all?" Bo asked.

"They have a gigantic home in Saint Germain. They'll be able to house us just fine for the couple of days we're there." Lauren replied. "So, how does Trick know them again?"

"Back when he lived in Paris in the 1900s." Bo replied. "I'm glad Trick and Eva are coming with us."

"I'm astonished Eva can spare the time." Lauren said.

"So am I."

"She must be curious."

"I cannot wait for her to see the Dal." Bo replied.

"And Trick bartending at that." Lauren added with a smile. "So, have you decided whether Mary will join us for the Installation Ceremony?"

"Not yet."

"Bo…"

"That would be a lot of Fae for her to handle. Not to mention a whole other Realm."

"She will have to come to know it all eventually."

"You're starting to sound like everyone else around here."

"That's because the more I acclimatize here the more it makes sense."

"Yeah, but you're different."

"How?"

"You've had practice. You've been around the Fae for years."

"Mary's had practice too."

"Not as much as you, and hers was gentler."

"That's true. But she's got to come to know all of the Fae eventually."

"I know." Bo acquiesced with slumped shoulders. "Still."

"Well, we have a month yet."

"Oh! Speaking of which, where and when are we celebrating the children's birthday?" Bo asked.

"I was thinking at the County." Lauren replied. That put a wide grin on Bo's face. "I knew that would make you happy. We could do it before we return for your big day."

"Some of the Fae here will want to join us." Bo informed.

"I spoke to The Queen Consort and she plans to rally the troops."

"I don't know if the Clubhouse will be big enough for everyone."

"Remember, Dyson bought up everything within five miles of the Clubhouse?" Lauren reminded.

"Oh yeah."

"We'll have five miles of ground to work with. Tamsin is handling that, and Ryan, Crystal, Aunt Bea and even Vex are planning to help out."

"Let's hope everyone remembers it's just a birthday party for two-year-olds."

"Correction. A birthday party for the Ruling Children of a future Sovereign." Lauren poked.

"Really?" Bo said exasperated. Lauren chuckled.

"Get used to it." Lauren replied.

"So, are we decided about everything?" Bo asked. Lauren inhaled then exchaled.

"Yes. Yes, we are." Lauren replied.


Usually, Bo and Lauren and their entourage would have just stepped out of a transvortex right at the front door of Lauren's parent's palatial estate in the country Vézelay, Burgundy, France. Instead, they went old school and traveled by motorcade so to look the part.

The Regnant Guard had arrived days beforehand and set up a security web around both Paris and Vézelay, and Agent Korvo, Head of European Agency Operations had sent Agents to infiltrate the town and make themselves part of the local daily movements.

When the plans for the motorcade were first presented to Bo and Lauren by the Regnant Guard and the Agency they saw that 50 vehicles made up the motorcade. Bo eyes went wide. Lauren chuckled.

"You guys really do nothing small do you?" Lauren said as she smiled.

Bo informed the Regnant Guard that a 50 - vehicle motorcade was too large even for Human heads of state. They could explain ten, but not 50. Of course, the Regnant Guard protested, arguing The Princess Royal's dignity required the appropriate customaries but followed direction.

Even though Bo had been at the Presidium for a while now she was still impressed by the Beattie Estate grounds. It sat on 10,000 acres of lush greenery, and herds of sheep, cows, and goats wandered about. It was the first time their children had seen such animals and eagerly pointed out each animal they saw as they drove another 20 miles past the main gate before they reached the Main Estate House. As they pulled up to the main entrance, the Household staff were already outside, positioned with refreshments.

"Wow! Downton Abbey. The French edition." Bo commented. "Are you sure your parents will understand having all these people here?"

"They've hosted wealthy dignitaries with large staffs before. It'll be fine."

The Seneschal stepped out from the lead car and then quickly went and stood next the doors of Bo and Lauren's car and waited until both Bas Kadine and Bas Cibor joined them before they opened the doors. The rest of the Bases emerged from the supporting cars and took up flanking positions next to the doors of their charges. Bas Kadine nodded at the Seneschal opened the doors to Bo and Lauren's and they emerged with the children firmly in hand. Mary and Maddy emerged from a car behind them soon followed by Trick and Eva in the car behind them. The remaining vehicles held the Principal Aides, support staff and luggage.

Suddenly, two people pushed out from the front door and past the past the Butler, Housekeeper and Household staff.

"Maman! Papa!" Lauren greeted with outstretched arms. Livia quickly covered her mouth, her suddenly flooded with tears and ran to Lauren, and they embraced.

"Ma fille chérie!" Livia greeted as she took Lauren's face into hands and kissed her all over her face.

"Maman. English, please." Lauren said.

"Of course. I'm sorry. I forgot." Livia replied. Gareton came up, took a long look at Lauren and then embraced her tightly, and then kissed her on her forehead.

"My sweet girl." Gareton greeted.

"Papa!" Lauren returned. After Gareton released his embrace, Lauren turned to Bo.

"Maman, Papa. This is my partner, Bo Dennis." Lauren introduced.

"Welcome, Bo to our home." Livia greeted.

"Thank you. It's so good to finally meet you in person." Bo returned.

"Maman, Papa. This is Ethan, Charlotte, Ryan and MaryAoife. Your grandchildren." Lauren introduced.

Lauren's mother looked at them and went to her knees, another burst of tears clouded her eyes. Gareton placed a gentle hand on her shoulder as Livia held open her arms. Char, Ryan and MaryAofie hesitated, but Ethan went right up to her and as soon as he did, the rest of the siblings followed. Livia was covered in both children and tears as she looked at Lauren whose face was full of tears. Gareton bent down and joined in the flurry of hugs.

"They tag team so be careful." Bo warned.

"They're absolutely precious!" Livia replied.

"This is Fitzpatrick McCorrigan, Bo's grandfather, but we call him Trick. He's been my…sponsor for the last 15 years. Keeping me safe." Lauren introduced. Gareton and Livia stood up. Trick stepped forward.

"Thank you, for protecting our daughter." Gareton said.

"You have no idea how many times she has protected us." Trick replied.

"Of that, I have no doubt." Gareton said.

"This Eva Sandalli. My companion." Trick introduced.

"Companion? That's a traditional way to describe a relationship." Livia noted.

"Fitzpatrick is a traditional man." Evan greeted with a smile.

"And this is Mary Dennis, Bo's mother." Lauren introduced.

"Lovely to meet you." Mary greeted. As soon as Mary stepped forward the children went and wrapped themselves around her legs. "I spoil them with sweets."

"Really?" Livia prompted.

"I bake a lot and they help me. They also help me in the garden."

"At two years old?" Livia asked.

"You know what they say. Idle hands are the devil's workshop." Mary replied.

"I quite agree." Livia said.

"This our support and protective staff." Lauren presented.

"I can see." Gareton noted looking straight up at Bas Cibor who stood behind Lauren.

"Our responsibilities require it." Bo replied with Bas Kadine who stood behind her.

"Ash Pharmaceuticals requires security of this degree?" Gareton asked. "The last two vehicles in your motorcade are the size of semi-trucks."

"Lots to carry." Trick said with humor.

"Karen…" Gareton asked.

"I will explain everything later, Papa. I promise." Lauren replied.

Gareton and Livia nodded then returned their focus to the children who by this time migrated to Maddy and Bas Gamba.

"And who are they?" Livia asked.

"That's Maddy, their Nanny. And that's Bas… Bahadur Gamba. He's their security." Bo replied.

"The children need security?" Gareton asked.

"It's a prudent measure." Lauren replied. Gareton looked skeptical. The children then split up as Ryan and Char headed for the grass while Ethan went to the Seneschal and MaryAoife to Trick and held her arms up. Trick picked her up and held her.

"They're just so beautiful." Livia said.

"Bo's got great genes." Lauren replied.

"What?" Livia queried.

"Her eggs, but I carried them." Lauren replied.

"Looks like there was some influence with MaryAoife there." Gareton noted.

"My only influence." Lauren replied.

"Don't let her fool you. She's evident in every one of them." Bo replied.

"So how long are you staying?" Livia asked.

"For the week. Thought you might enjoy that." Lauren replied.

"Absolutely! Let's get everyone settled then." Livia said.

Bo and Lauren called their children together and pointed towards the entrance of the house. All four quickly toddled ahead which caused Maddy and the Seneschal to start after them only to have Livia stop them.

"Let them run. It's so good to have grandchildren in the house." Livia said as she and Gareton followed them inside.

"They are going to be spoiled rotten for the next week for sure." Bo said as she took Lauren's hand and followed them inside.