This chapter is dedicated to winterprincess :) She did the metaphors game and I didn't think anyone would do it.


Matthew's POV

Tess is the morning person; therefore, usually up before I am.

But she's not.

In fact, she's sleeping soundly, her soft breath hitting my bare chest. I run my fingers through her soft messy hair, trying to untangle knots without waking her up.

Even after seven years, I keep falling in love, and everyday, she gets more beautiful.

Her eyelids begin to flutter open, and she inhales sharply. She smiles at me as she opens her eyes. "G'morning," she mumbles.

I kiss her forehead. "Good morning, love."

"I'm surprised they aren't here yet," she says, sitting up to look around our room, probably expecting them to jump out the closets or from under the desk.

"Don't jinx it," I whisper against her temple.

She smiles dimly, the traces of sleep still evident in her eyes. She kisses me softly, and the awaited knock presents itself, quick and doubled. Literally doubled. Two tiny hands are knocking, and I grin.

"Come in," I call.

The door opens and reveals two little figures.

"Morning, Mommy! Morning, Daddy!" the two voices chirp.

The boy runs to us, while his sister toddles over. He hops onto the bed, and I pick up our little girl.

"Hi, Daddy," Eva says. Her bright blue eyes are big and smiling.

"Well, good morning, Princess," I reply. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes" She starts hopping while still on top of my abdomen. She looks at my chest and pokes it with her tiny finger. "What's that, Daddy?" She always asks, and I always answer.

"It's a pacemaker, darling. It helps my heart beat."

"Because—because you're sick?"

I shake my head and smile. "I'm getting better everyday."

I hate telling the same lie, to my children and my wife. But I think it's better that they don't know. Not yet, not now.

"That's good, Daddy."

"Mama, do we have lessons today?" Michael asks Tess.

She ruffles his brown hair. "Not today. Today's Sunday, remember?"

At that, the children start to nod in excitement. "Where are we going?" Eva asks, continuing to bounce on my stomach.

"You probably know where we're going, love, but I suggest you and your brother dress up," I reply.

Eva jumps off me and holds out her hand for Michael. "Come on, Mikey, or we'll be late."

The boy, with eyes too dark to be called brown, jumps off the bed as well and takes his sister's hand as she leads him out.

Evelyn's certainly assertive. She's the youngest, yet Michael willingly follows her. He's a good brother that way, a better brother than I ever was. They don't fight often, and when they do, it's usually because one is hogging the piano and won't take turns.

Tess hops out of bed, and I laugh. "What?" she asks, smirking and raising her eyebrow. Seven years, and that face still remains.

"You're lucky they didn't see you out of bed," I say. She must have retrieved her shirt in the middle of the night, but it doesn't cover much of her bare legs. "They would have been really suspicious."

She rolls her eyes with a bashful smile, but it's because she has nothing more to say.

"Go get dressed, love," she says. "I don't think anyone would appreciate your naked self either."

"You do," I joke, laughing. "And I got cold, so I'm covered down there. I don't know if I can say the same for you."

"You are absolutely vulgar and inappropriate."

"Then why did you marry me?"

"I ask myself everyday."

We make these jokes everyday, and it's truly nothing out of the ordinary. These things are never said during a fight—we know better.

I begin to sit up, but a sudden pain hits my chest. It knocks some wind out of me, and I feign a yawn to cover it up. I go to the bathroom quickly and shut the door so I can bend over and attempt to breathe.

I have no idea how I'll be able to tell everyone a second time.


Tess's POV

We arrive at the yellow house, and Eva squeals. "Are we seeing grandma and grandpa?"

"Yeah, and your cousins too."

Eva gasps, putting her hands to her cheeks. "Really?! I thought they lived in France!"

"They do, but they visited for the holidays."

"Maybe I can teach Alfie how to play chess," Michael comments as he stares out the window. He's quite astute for a six-year-old child.

"Mikey, I want to learn how to play chess," Eva pipes. She's only a year younger, but she always wants to be either ahead of Michael or at the same level, whether it comes to a game or a new music piece. "But I wanna play with Addie too. I don't know what to do!"

I laugh. "Go do what you want. We have all the time in the world."

Matthew parks the car, and we get the kids from the back. I frown and point to another car across the street.

"Who's that?" I ask.

"We'll find out, I guess," Matt replies, hoisting Eva up.

Michael rings the bell, and the door opens. "Well, lookie here," Mom says, her eyes smiling. She reaches her arms out for Eva, and Matthew hands her over. "Miss Evelyn, how are you?"

"I'm good, Grandma."

Mom stoops down to meet Michael's eye. "And Michael, how are you?"

"I'm well, Grandmother. Thank you for asking."

Mom laughs, rising again. "Sometimes I wonder if he's a child or an old man."

"Grandma, why can't I have your hair?" Eva says, taking a red lock around her little finger.

"Because your black hair is much prettier."

"But red hair is so much prettier!"

Mom takes Eva inside as they continue to discuss hair color. Michael runs off to find his cousins, and Dad greets us. "We have a surprise for you two."

"Does it involve the car across the street?" I ask as we walk through picture-ridden hallways.

"Yes, actually."

We enter the living room, and a person I haven't seen since Rilane and Jerome's wedding sits on the couch, looking awkward and uncomfortable. I cover my mouth.

"Maria?"

Maria whips her eyes to meet me, and she stands...and curtsies. "King Matthew. Queen Teresa."

"Oh, stop it," I say, practically running to her. I engulf her in a hug, and she hugs me back tightly too.

"Hi, Tess. I've missed you."

"I missed you more!" I pull back. "Where have you been?"

"Everywhere," she says, pulling me down to sit with her. "I'm sorry I've been so MIA."

"You look so...different." She's a lot taller; as tall as I am, actually. She has high cheekbones, and her big eyes don't look as naive as they used to. Her long straight hair is puled up in a high ponytail, and the makeup she is wearing makes her look mature. I can't believe I missed so much.

After she left the palace—and Xander—for high school, she immediately went to college. Abroad. She attended the University of Oxford in England, and she finished a year ago. That much I knew from her letters. Last time I saw her, she was still a high school senior. Now she's a college graduate.

"After college, I worked a bit as an intern for this architect."

"What made you come back?"

"I figured it was time to go home." She smiles, taking my hand. "I really missed you guys." Then she gasps. "Where are my niece and nephew? The last time I saw them they were smaller than my hands!"

I grin. "Michael, Eva! I want you to meet someone."

The children come running in, and Maria beams.

"This is Aunt Maria," I say.

Michael straightens his back, levels his shoulders, and sticks out his hand. "Nice to meet you!"

Maria laughs. "Nice to meet you too, little man. And Evelyn, aren't you the prettiest girl I've ever seen?"

Eva giggles, but then covers her mouth with one hand, as if she is entrusting me with a secret. Except her hand is on the other side of her mouth, and Maria can perfectly see and hear what she's saying.

"Mommy," Eva whispers loudly. "Why does she know me? I dunno know her."

"Yes, you do. You just don't remember."

Two more children run into the living room, with their parents trailing behind them.

"Hi, Auntie Tess," Alfie says, giving me a hug.

Addie smiles daintily. "I love your dress. It's beautiful."

Addie's the oldest at eight years old, but she looks so much like Alexandra with her blonde hair. "Thank you, Adeline. Your dress is quite magnificent too."

She smiles. "Alfie, go say hi to Auntie Tess and Uncle Matt."

Alfie quietly gives us kisses on our cheeks, and the kids run outside to the garden. I stand to give Alexandra and Alexander a hug.

"I haven't seen you two in so long either."

The king and queen of France look at each other. "Who knew ruling a country would be so difficult?" Alex says.

"Agreed," Matt says from the couch as he plops a grape in his mouth.

The doorbell rings again, and I rush to open the door. I am immediately attacked by skinny arms, but something obstructs our hug. Rilane pulls back. "Tess, I haven't seen you in so long!"

"I've missed you too!" The thing that stood between us is actually a person—Riley is pregnant. "Oh, my gosh, Riley!" I say. "Congratulations! And Jer..."

Jerome gives me a quick but tight embrace as well. "Haven't seen you in a while, Princess. Or, should I say, Queen."

"And should I say King."

This house has just become the place most prone to a dangerous attack. Three rulers, four including the former king and queen of Illéa, of three different countries.

We all go back inside, and I find Xander inside as well. He hasn't been at the palace much either with all of the philanthropy projects he's been doing. And, to my surprise, he's talking to Maria. They look a bit uncomfortable together, but they seem to be speaking amicably.

It's funny how so many things can change gradually over time. It's also funny how things can change so quickly too.

What's not funny is when Matthew suddenly collapses, and it's a nightmare all over again.


It's almost over, you guys. Bear with me. So a bit of a time jump. A seven year time jump actually. So, uh, if you want to know ages...

Tess and Matthew - 26 years old
Michael and Eva (their kids) - 6 and 5, respectively
Rilane and Alexandra and their hubbies - 25 years old
Adeline and Alfred Pierre - 8 and 7, respectively
Maria and Xander - 22 and 21

I think that's it. So...yeah :)

QOTD: Who has a Tumblr? I'll go follow you if you tell me your username :) (Or you can just PM it if ya want).

Answer to previous QOTD: I don't have a crush...BECAUSE I'M IN LOVE! With Maxon Schreave and Ansel Elgort, duh.

Thank you so much for the reviews!

Joy- Alexander and Alexandra are married, and they are the king and queen of France with two kids :) So yeah. Thank you!

LittleMissTori- Awwww I'm so glad and so thankful you're still here, Tori! I love you so much! And 5sos :P My best friend loves that band. Thank you so much!

ReadLikeYouMeanIt- Awwww you are literally so sweet! This made my day! And aw those guys. Update me if there have been any relationship progress :) Thank you so much! Good lucK :D

Theoneforever- I'm so glad you're enjoying! I write for people like you :) Thank you so much!

PokemonLuver151- Haha aww secretly crying. You don't need boys :) And I'm so glad you liked this! Thank you so much!

Blondie115- Aw and you're sweeter! Thank you so much!

winterprincess- Lol I'm sorry if it was too graphic. I tried my best to make it vague but still some details. But thank you so much! Your review made overly happy :) P.S. You go, girl ;) I don't have much time for boys either. Then again, I go to an all-girls school :P And I totally agree! The standards are too high! P.P.S. I'm not too good at multitasking either. And aw you actually counted? Haha you are too sweet. You win at life! Thank you sooo much!

ivyvian- Aw I'm so glad you're still here! And I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter (even though it made me super uncomfortable). Thank you so much! And Gale is okay, but I totally agree with Jem Carstairs :)

lilythemermaid- Heeheehee. I miss yooooou and your fanfic. Let's write. We should go write something. Classy...Should I write more smut scenes? Juuuuust kidding. :) Love yooou. Thank you so much! LALOL- T

Guest- Hahaha the dashes :P And I'm so glad you loved it! I love you more though! :) Thank you so much!

Love ya!- AcademicGirl