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CHAPTER 24
Anya stood looking at herself in the full length mirror in the room she'd been given in the palace to get ready in. She frowned and looked down at the deep purple dress. The bodice had a square neck line and tiny crystals sewn into it. The skirt flowing down to the floor and covering the matching sandals on her feet.
She sighed and looked at herself again as Keira walked in "What's the matter honey?" she asked
"Do you think Rio will like it?" she asked
Keira smiled and walked up to her picking a hair pin up off the dressing table as she walked past it "If Rio doesn't think you look beautiful then he must be blind" she said pinning her fringe back
Lexa ran in from the bathroom in the pink lacy dress she'd been bought and jumped on the bed, her curls in her hair bouncing around "You look pretty Anya" she beamed.
Anya smiled "Thank you little sis...and you look very cute"
"I don't like pink" Lexa said pulling her face
Keira laughed "You picked that colour Lexa"
"I don't like it now" she sulked
Keira laughed again and wandered over to her picking her up "Well we'll get you a new one for the next party, okay honey?"
Lexa nodded and looked around as someone tapped on the door. It opened and Jak's head popped around it "You three ready?" he asked before entering the room fully.
Lexa jumped out her mothers arms and ran to her father who scooped her up. He smiled at his wife and eldest daughter checking themselves in the mirror "Well, well...look at my three beautiful girls" he grinned
Lexa pulled her bottom lip out "I don't like pink daddy"
"Well I think you look beautiful baby girl" he grinned kissing the top of her head before putting her down.
Keira turned round and Jak's eyes went wide, the dark blue dress hugging her figure and giving Jak just enough of a view that he felt the familiar throbbing begin "What do you think?" she asked
"I think I'm a very lucky man" he grinned
Keira winked and turned back around "Easy tiger" she giggled taking one last look at herself "Right just need to get my purse" she said heading for the bathroom.
"How you feeling angel?" Jak asked walking up behind Anya
Anya turned round and looked up at her father "I'm kind of scared...I mean all them important people"
Jak opened his arms and Anya snuggled into him "You'll be just fine angel...just remember their normal people and you are far more important than any of them"
"You'll be with me won't you daddy?" she asked looking up at him
Jak smiled and kissed her forehead "Of course, I'll always be with you angel"
Keira walked out the bathroom and frowned, Jak hugged Anya again before letting go "Why don't you take Lexa to find Taj and Damas in the gardens?" he smiled
Anya smiled "Of course...come on Lex" she said holding her hand out for Lexa.
Jak waited for the door to close before wrapping his arms around Keira's waist and pulling her to him, hugging her.
Keira hugged him back and smiled "Everything okay?" she asked
"She's just nervous" Jak whispered
Keira pulled back and looked up at Jak "She'll be fine...and she looks so beautiful"
"So do you baby" Jak grinned
Keira smiled and moved her arms up to hang over Jak's shoulders "You look pretty sexy yourself...I think the last time you wore a suit was when Daxter and Tess got married"
"I think it probably was" Jak smiled
Keira grinned "And I remember being stood there in the temple looking across at you and thinking how much I wanted you"
"And if I remember correctly you did have me as soon as we got back for the reception" Jak smirked
Keira laughed and kissed him gently "I don't remember hearing you complaining about it "
"Are you kidding...I'd been hard since you stepped on to that aisle...I was about to explode if I didn't have you pretty damn sharpish" Jak grinned
Keira tip toed and kissed Jak deeply, she pulled away and stroked his face "Once the party gets going we may have to sneak off up to the roof" she purred before stepping away from him.
Jak laughed and grabbed her wrist pulling her back to him and crashing his lips to hers once again.
Anya wandered out into the palace gardens with Lexa and saw Taj and Damas playing with the croco-dog "Mama will kill you if you get messed up" she giggled
Taj shrugged and stood up "Did Lucie get here yet?" he asked
"Is that all you think about these days" Anya smiled placing her hands on her hips
Taj nodded "Yup...where's dad and mama anyway?" he asked
"Where do you think...they needed a minute" she laughed taking Lexa's hand
Taj rolled his eyes "God its a wonder we haven't a million little brothers and sisters"
"Says's the dude who can't wait to see his girlfriend" Anya laughed
Taj smiled and nodded "We better get in" he said getting Damas and walking towards the doors.
"You will make sure I don't fall flat on my face won't you Taj?" Anya said hurrying to catch up with him
Taj laughed "I'll do my best".
Jak and Keira stood watching as their two eldest children greeted the members of the council and city officials. Jak squeezed Keira's hand and smiled down at her "You okay pretty girl?" he asked
She looked up and smiled "I really can't imagine us doing that...I mean you in full combat gear, covered in sand and crap from the desert and me all grubby and oily from the garage"
"You never look any sexier than when you're covered in oil and grease from the garage" Jak winked
Keira giggled and looked down as someone pulled on her hand "Hello Damas, you having fun?" she asked letting go of Jak's hand and crouching to his level.
"I'm bored and hungry mama" he moaned
Keira looked up at Jak "How much longer?" she asked
"Not long now I don't think" he answered "What's up?"
Keira stood back up picking Damas up with her "Damas is hungry and Lexa will be too, they haven't eaten since breakfast"
"There must be something around here" Jak said nodding and looking around
Keira nodded "I'll go get Lexa and see what we can find in the kitchen"
"You think they'll let you in?" Jak asked raising an eyebrow
Keira laughed "Please...I can have Damas and Lexa cry on cue...we've jumped ahead many queues with that little trick...can't you son?" she asked Damas
Damas nodded happily before sticking his bottom lip out "I'm hungry" he began to wail
Jak laughed "Okay okay...but be quick"
Keira rushed off with Damas just as Sig wandered up "Where's Keira going...everything alright?" he asked
"Damas and Lexa are hungry...they need feeding" Jak smiled watching as the twins carried on chatting away.
Sig nodded "I guess we didn't think about that" he looked over at the twins "Damas would have been so proud of them"
Jak smiled "Seems like only yesterday I sat in here with them explaining all about Damas and that they are prince and princess"
"I remember Anya demanding I finally let her up to the roof...what did she say 'I'm a princess and I want to go up to the roof' " he chuckled
Jak laughed "She really was a handful...I'm glad she grew out of it"
"Looks like Damas and Lexa aren't the only one's getting hungry and restless" Sig said nodding over to Daxter pulling at his bow tie while Tess slapped his hand away from it
Jak laughed "He's worse than the kids"
Sig nodded and the two went back to watching the twins.
"How much longer?" Taj whispered to Anya
Anya smiled and nodded at the small man in front of her "Just smile and nod" she whispered back, her smile widened as she saw the next two people walk in through the door "You'll be okay in a minute"
Taj looked up and saw Lucie swaying towards him, her knee-length cream dress blowing slightly with the breeze. She grinned and held her hand out to Taj, he took it and she bowed her head "Nice to see you Prince Taj" she giggled
"Very pleased you could make it " Taj smirked pulling her gently closer to him "You look amazing" he whispered
Lucie smirked back "Are we last?" she whispered
Taj nodded "Yeah looks like it...go get a drink and I'll be as quick as I can"
Lucie nodded and moved on to Anya as Rio stepped up to Taj "Well look at you all suited and booted" he grinned
"Yeah...if I'd known all this was involved I would have turned it all down" Taj laughed
Rio laughed "My guess is it's only going to get worse...and you love it...you do realise you could have anyone you want now"
"I have who I want" Taj grinned as he watched Anya and Lucie laugh about something
Rio smiled "I mean isn't it a kings right to have mistresses"
"Well I doubt my grandfather did and I'm pretty sure if my father had took the throne he would never have cheated on my mother" Taj frowned "And don't you go getting any idea's" he warned
Rio laughed "As if...she's all I want" he said moving across to Anya as Taj wandered off to join his father "Pleased to meet you Princess" Rio smirked.
Anya held her hand out for him to take and nodded "And you sir...glad you could make it" she said politely
"God have you had to say that loads of times today?" Rio laughed
Anya nodded and smiled "Well look how many people are here...that's how many times I've had to say it"
Rio looked around and then back at Anya taking in the dress hugging her curves "You look beautiful Anya" he said seriously
"Thanks" she said quietly blushing and looking down
Rio let go of her hand and lifted her chin with his finger "Why do you get so embarrassed when I say that to you...you must have been told that a thousand times already today"
"I have...but I don't really care what they say, so it doesn't matter what they say...I care what you say, it only matters when you say it" she smiled shyly
Rio smiled "I want to kiss you" he breathed
"I know, maybe later" she breathed back before taking his hand and wandering over to her father and brother.
Taj arrived next to his father and looked around "Where's mama?" he asked
"She went to get Damas and Lexa some food...how are you?" Jak asked looking down slightly at his son
Taj shrugged "Now you mention it I'm kind of hungry too...can I get something?" he asked
"You'll be presented to the city as soon as your mother gets back and then we can all eat" Jak chuckled
Taj nodded looking over to where Lucie stood chatting with Erol he frowned "I didn't know Lucie knew Erol"
"Her father's in the KG...she's probably known him as long as you have" Jak answered
Taj smiled as Lucie glanced over and smiled at him "She's gorgeous isn't she?!" he asked
"She's a beautiful girl yes Taj" Jak agreed
Taj smiled wider "She'll make a beautiful queen" he mused
"Don't go getting any idea's son...and if you are feeling ready then be carefull" Jak said firmly
He nodded "I was wondering if maybe I could show Lucie the view from the roof later?" he asked looking up at Jak
"If you want to show her the view of the desert then you can show her from our roof at home...I know what happens up on that roof" Jak chuckled
Taj frowned "What do you mean?" he asked
"I mean I have four kids and at least one of you could have been conceived up there" Jak laughed
Taj screwed his face up and looked away "Dad I really wish you wouldn't...now I don't think I ever want to go up there again" he stated
"Go up where again?" Anya asked as she arrived in front of them
Jak nodded upwards "The roof"
"Yeah dad's just told me we could have been conceived up there" Taj said pulling his face again
Anya rolled her eyes "Where's mama?"
"I right here...you two okay?" Keira asked stepping up to Jak and wrapping her arms around his waist as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
Taj nodded "I was until dad told me something to scar me for life"
"What was that?" Keira asked
Jak shook his head "I'll tell you later...come on I think it's time".
Taj and Anya stood on the steps in front of the throne in Spargus Palace. Seem the Monk stood in between them behind a small table that held two glittering crowns, with Jak, Keira, Damas and Lexa and Samos stood on one side while Sig and Ashelin stood on the other. The gathered guests stood in front of them waiting for the ceremony to begin. Rio and Lucie stood proudly on the front row.
Jak looked down at Lexa next to him and smiled as she popped her thumb in her mouth, he quickly scooped her up and she snuggled into his chest. Sig stepped forward and cleared his throat smiling at Taj and Anya stood nervously looking out at the crowd "Ladies and gentlemen...it is with great pleasure that I present to you the grandchildren of the late great King Damas, and children of our own great wastelander commander Jak...Prince Taj Mar...future king of Spargus City and Princess Anya Mar...future queen of Haven City" he paused as the crowd cheered and appaulded before Seem stepped forward.
Seem bowed to the crowd and gave a blessing before picking up first Taj's crown, which was silver metal with light, blue and green eco crystals in it. She blessed Taj before placing the crown on his head and then did the same with Anya's. She turned to the crowd and said "On behalf of the great precursors may I present to you Prince Taj Mar and Princess Anya Mar...may your lives be blessed with happiness and love" she said smiling slightly as the crowd erupted in to applause and cheers.
The crowd fell quiet again and Taj cleared his throat "Anya and I would just like to thank you all for coming today...for all the kind words you've said to us...to King Sig and governess Praxis of Haven City thank you for teaching us...to our Uncle Daxter and Aunt Tess...thank you for making us laugh...and of course our friends who have stuck by us though all the years" he grabbed Anya's hand and they looked towards their parents, brother sister and grandfather "But most importantly of all we would like to thank our family...our parent's who have loved and looked after us so well and so much and taught us so many things...our little brother and sister Prince Damas and Princess Lexa who never fail to cheer us up and make us laugh and last but not least our grandfather who has taught us how to use our gifts...we love you so much for everything you've given us" Ta said smiling towards his parents.
Jak grinned proudly as Keira wiped a tear away blowing them a kiss and Samos nodded to them. Lexa wriggled out of her fathers arms and ran towards Taj and Anya, Damas followed and Taj picked up Lexa and hugged her while Anya did the same with Damas.
Anya turned back to the crowd and smiled "Now as we are teenagers...and very hungry I say we get this party started" she grinned
The crowd laughed and cheered as Taj and Anya made their way over to their parents.
Taj put Lexa down and Keira pulled him into a tight hug "Thank you my baby boy" she sniffed
Taj laughed "I didn't say anything that wasn't true mama"
Anya hugged her father "Can we eat now daddy?"
Jak laughed and kissed her forehead "I think you can" he said nodding over to the waiters bringing to food out to the buffet table.
"Thank god" Taj grinned
Keira kissed his cheek "You two go have fun" she said moving over to Jak who wrapped his arm around her. When they'd gone with Damas and Lexa she looked up at Jak and smiled "Thank you for giving them to me...for being an amazing father"
Jak looked down and kissed her quickly before looking into her eyes "I couldn't have done it without you...I couldn't do anything without you...I love you so much"
"I love you too Jak" she kissed him gently before looking down at her father "And thank you daddy for helping to teach them"
Samos grinned "I'm proud to do it my girl...now if you'll excuse me I'm starving" he said before hobbling off.
Keira looked back up to Jak "Do you think we should have let Damas and Lexa run to them like that?"
"Why not...the crowd loved it" Jak smiled "Now let's go get something to eat".
Taj and Lucie sat on the beach looking out over the sea, Lucie sat in between Taj's legs as he held her close "It's really beautiful out here" she whispered
"It is...I was going to take you up to the roof of the palace to see the view of the desert but..." he chuckled
Lucie frowned and looked round at him "But what?" she asked
"But my dad told me what he and mama used to do up there so I changed my mind" he laughed
Lucie giggled and leaned back in to him "I think I'm ready...to you know...be with you" she said quietly
"What...like properly?" Taj asked turning her face to look at him
Lucie nodded and smiled reaching up to stroke his face "Yes...I love you...and I trust you"
Taj moved round and kissed Lucie pushing her back into the sand. He kissed her passionately and deeply before pulling away and looking down at her "I love you too Lucie...but we can't do it here"
"Why?" she asked confused
Taj moved off her "Because for a start I can see my back door from here" he laughed getting up and holding his hand out to her, she took it and he pulled her up in to his arms "And plus I don't want our first time to be remembered for getting sand in places we shouldn't" he laughed
Lucie laughed and hung her arms around his neck "Where then?" she asked
"I'll think of some thing...come on let's go home" Taj smiled kissing her before taking her hand and leading her back to the house.
Anya arrived at the back door in her pyjama's and sat next to Rio who was sat on the back steps looking out over the beach, he smiled and wrapped an arm around her "I think Taj and Lucie nearly forgot that we can see right along the beach" he chuckled
"Why what were they doing?" she asked
Rio laughed "Just kissing"
"Oh" she said yawning and leaning her head on Rio's chest "I'm tired"
Rio nodded "I know... I'm proud of you Anya" he smiled
Anya looked up into his eyes "Will you still be proud of me when I turn down the throne in Haven?"
"Of course...as long as you do whats in your heart I'll always be proud of you...I love you" Rio smiled
Anya smiled back "I love you" she said quietly before kissing him softly at first before becoming deeper.
Jak lay with his arms tightly around Keira in their bed "Do you think we did the right thing saying Lucie and Rio could stay?" he asked
"I don't think they'll be dumb enough to do anything other than sleep" Keira smiled
Jak yawned "I'm so proud of them...I never thought I could be so happy in my life"
"You deserve all the happiness you get Jak Mar" Keira smiled placing a small kiss on his lips before snuggling in to his chest and closing her eyes.
Jak smiled "I love you Keira Mar...more than you could ever know"
"I think I do know...and I love you Jak Mar" Keira sighed happily before they both fell asleep.
Right that bit done. Only a couple more chapters to come. Hope you like it and please review. X X X X