Chapter 10

The cool and humid air of Scotland would've annoyed anyone who wasn't used to it but to Mary Stuart, it was amazing. After being in France for almost three weeks, just the scent of the air in her homeland was freeing – even though if that included gasoline and must.

"Does it always smell like mold here?" Bash asked as he stepped out of the taxi cab. By some miracle, Francis convinced Bash to join him in his travels and by an even bigger miracle, their father agreed. Mary scolded at the turn of events. This wasn't what she wanted.

"Must you insult my home?" Mary said, annoyed.

As the three of them stood outside of the Stuart mansion, Mary tried to hide her jitters. The two hour long flight from France to Scotland was long enough for Mary to decide that whatever she felt for Bash during her short stay in France was just a fleeting touch of stress and Bash just so happened to be the only person at that time she didn't want to slap.

"I'm not insulting your home; I'm insulting the smell of it." Bash explained with a smirk. "It's a very lovely home."

"Bash." Francis warned. He kept mostly silent on the flight and car ride to the Stuarts. Mary wasn't sure if she liked it or not. Not hearing Francis made it easier for her to ignore him but just knowing he was next to her, made her heart skip a few beats.

"I still don't understand why you brought him along," She whispered to Francis.

"Why? Would you like it better for us to be alone together, instead?" Francis asked. It was a brave move but he needed to testify against his words.

"I –" Mary didn't continue but just opened the door to their house.

The moment Mary crossed the threshold; she was greeted by a tight hug by her mother.

"Mary, I've missed you so," Marie said.

"Mother," Mary breathed. This was something new – her mother never displayed affection before.

"Oh, Francis!" She said letting go of Mary and walking over to Francis, "How you've grown. I haven't laid my sights on you for ages!"

"Mrs. Stuart, you look beautiful." Francis complimented.

"Aw, just as sweet as ever," She beamed, she turned and saw Bash. "Sebastian! You look dashing."

"Not as you look amazing." Bash replied.

Mary found herself getting bored with these introductions; she wanted to see her friends.

xxx

"There's Mary!" Aylee declared and Lola, Greer and Kenna all looked towards Mary as she approached them in the café.

All of them stood and hugged her tightly.

"I've missed you all." Mary breathed as she looked at her friends. This was her life.

She looked at Aylee, "Are you alright?" Aylee looked paler and thinner as ever.

"Mary, I'm fine." Aylee rolled her eyes and laughed.

"So, how was France?" Lola asked as they settled on their chairs.

"It was fine," Mary said, even though she didn't get to see France that much except for a few trips to the city for business and a little bit of shopping.

"How was Francis?" Kenna asked, scandalously.

Mary tried to hide the cringe at the mention of him but she knew this was coming.

"He's fine," She answered, "He is actually here in Scotland. Also with Sebastian."

"Wait, what?" Greer asked, "Francis is here? In Scotland?"

"And Sebastian too?" Aylee added.

"It was the only way for my brother to allow me to come home," Mary explained. She wanted this to be amicable meeting but it seemed like the others only wanted to hear about her misadventures in France and with Francis. "Francis invited Sebastian."

"So, are they coming to the party later?" Kenna asked. Lola's party was tonight and they only had a few hours for final preparations.

"Kenna –" Lola looked at her friend. Even with the countless protest, Kenna was still determine to throw the best party for Lola.

"Yes," Mary replied after giving a sympathetic look, "It's perfect publicity for the public to see Francis and me before we announce our engagement."

"Engagement?" Greer repeated, "So, you're really going to marry him?"

"Yes." Mary answered; it felt unearthly hearing it from others.

"Do you love him?" Aylee asked. It was a question she has been asked a thousand times but every time, her answers keep changing. She was so uncertain that it hurt.

"Love isn't always the answer," Mary said simply. She just smiled and held Aylee's hand.

"I've miss you all so much," She said, looking at them. "I've brought presents I bought in France."

She continued to give the bags, clothes, jewelry she bought for them while in France.

"Mary, you didn't have to," Lola commented as she admired her new necklace. The smile on her face said otherwise, though.

"What do you mean? Of course I had to," Mary replied, "It's your birthday, plus I have another one for you tonight."

"Mary – "

"Lola, hush!" Kenna interrupted. "Mary's your friend, it's your birthday. Of course she's going to buy you gifts. It's only normal. Greer, Aylee and I have presents for you too."

As the two continued to bicker and Greer and Aylee watched, Mary couldn't help but feel that everything was back to normal.

xxx

"Why am I here, brother?" Bash asked Francis as they roamed around the streets of Edinburgh.

"Mary's out with her friends, so I thought we could see the sights." Francis answered, "I haven't been to Scotland since high school."

"Francis, you know what I mean," Bash gave him a pointed look, which Francis tried to dismiss. "Why am I in Scotland?"

Francis heaved a sigh, "I don't want to be alone with Mary."

"Why?"

"Because, I do the stupidest things when I'm around her," He replied.

"Like declare your undying love for her, even though you know she still has mixed feelings for you?"

Francis gave Bash a scornful glare but was dismissed by his laugh.

"It's not funny." Francis said.

"You have to admit, it is." Bash stated, "Francis Valois, the smooth talker and ladies' man has his tongue all twisted because of Mary Stuart. It's a humorous sight to behold."

"Bastard," Francis whispered but by the glint in Bash's eyes and smile, he knew he heard it and just took light of it.

xxx

Kenna had booked a pavilion to hold the party in, with lights and music to fill the room's atmosphere. Even with the amount of protesting and complaints, Lola looked like she was enjoying herself. She was surrounded by her friends, some of her family and was dressed in one of the most beautiful dresses she has ever since. And it was a present from Mary.

"Do you like it?" Kenna asked over the raging music.

"It's wonderful, Kenna." Lola replied with a huge smile. "But I think the music's too loud, can you change it to something more… slower?"

"I'm on it!" Greer volunteered.

"Where's Mary?" Lola asked, looking around for her friend.

"She texted and said she would be a bit late." Kenna explained, "She's coming with Francis and Sebastian."

"Sebastian?" Aylee repeated with a dreamy look in her eyes, "Isn't he just gorgeous?"

Lola and Kenna laughed at their friend's declaration – it wasn't usual for Aylee to fond over boys.

It was a sight that made them smile.

xxx

"Mary, before you leave tonight, I need a word with you," Her father said as he sat behind his desk and Mary in front of him. She wore a dark coat over her evening dress. "I heard from your brother that you've agreed to marry Francis, is this true?"

"Yes," She answered.

"Good," He beamed, "Francis is the perfect choice for you."

Mary wasn't sure what it was – maybe it was the word 'perfect' – but something inside of her, finally snapped.

"Perfect? Perfect?" She repeated and with every time she let go of that word, she could feel venom in her throat. "No one is perfect!"

"Keep your tone down!" James yelled, "I am still your father."

"Why?" She asked, "You don't want anyone to hear that you can't control your own daughter?"

"Mary Stuart! You will respect me."

"Why? You don't respect me!" She was yelling now. "You're making me marry someone I don't –"

She didn't know how to finish the sentence but it was a good thing her father was already speaking again.

"Mary, all I want is what's best for you." He tried to sound caring but Mary was so good at telling when he was lying. "He's the perfect choice."

There it was again, that word that made Mary want to scream.

"I'm tired of trying to be perfect. I'm going to make mistakes!" She screamed with sadness "And I am not perfect. Why can't you just accept that?"

Her father looked as if he was either going to scream at her or slap her, but before he could make up his mind, she dismissed herself and turned to exit the room.

"Mary," He called to her and without looking back, she heard him say, "Have fun tonight."

xxx

Francis sat down on one of the sofas in the living room with Bash and Marie; they heard every word that was being yelled from down the hall.

"Well…" Marie began, trying to break the silence.

"You cooked a lovely dinner earlier, Mrs. Stuart." Bash said, the awkwardness that was wrapping around them was something he didn't like.

"Thank you, Bash." She replied with a smile.

Francis sat and watched as Mary emerged from the hall and entered the living room.

"Let's go," She said to the boys.

"But, my dear, don't you want to fix you makeup first?" Marie suggested, "And your hair is a bit of a mess."

"It's fine, mother." She said through gritted teeth. "I'll fix it when I get there."

Her hostile tone was enough for her mother to keep her lips lock and for Bash and Francis to stand and head for the door.

The drive to the pavilion was laced with awkward silence.

xxx

"Mary, you look beautiful!" Lola complimented on her ivory colored dress that was embellished with beads and lace.

"So do you," Mary replied.

"Where's Francis?" Greer asked.

"And Bash?" Aylee added with a smile.

"They're out there somewhere," She replied, her smile becoming a bit more force than it was just moments ago. "I want to dance!"

"What's going on?" Kenna asked as she walked over to her friends.

"Come on!" Mary grabbed all of them and led them to the dance floor, the people around them made a circle for the five of them to dance in.

It was a scene out of a movie, where they were twirling and spinning to the sounds of the music – their laughter mixing with the song.

As Mary twirled, she caught Francis on the sideline watching her, and near him was Bash, also watching her.

The thoughts of them were dismissed by one of her friends grabbed her hand and drew her away from the middle of the room. She didn't even notice that the music had changed.

"Where are we going?" She asked as they climbed several steps of stairs.

"Just wait for it!" Kenna said.

They entered a room at the top of the stairs and it was a balcony overlooking the whole room. From there they could see everyone at the party.

"Look at them, they look like they're all having fun," Greer said.

"But the most important thing though, is Lola having fun?" Aylee asked. "Are you?"

Lola beamed, "Of course I am!"

"I knew it!" Kenna said proudly.

"Fine, I admit it," Lola said, "This is the best party ever!"

"Hey, remember when we were twelve and you –"

"Greer!" Lola interrupted. She didn't have the best luck when they were twelve.

"Oh, I remember that." Mary said, laughing.

It was Lola's twelfth birthday and her mother made her dress in a weird puffy dress with so much lace, that it was painful to look at.

"You were wearing that awful dress." Kenna added with a laugh.

"I thought she looked pretty." Aylee mentioned admits the insults. "She looked like a little porcelain doll, but significantly less creepy."

All of them laughed.

xxx

As the five of them were caught in their own little bubble, Francis watched from below and he realized that if this was what Mary's life was like, he understood why she didn't want it taken away from her. He understood why she didn't want to marry him.

And he wasn't going to take away her friends from her; he wasn't going to take her happiness from her. He wasn't going to marry her.

xxx


AN/ HELLO.

Late update, I know but can you blame me?

College is killing me.

Anyways, how'd you like the new chapter?

Sneak Peek: "Mary is very special to me and to a lot of other people." Francis said, he tried to hold himself from punching him.

Oh my my my.

REVIEW!