Gabriel yawned, "Papa?", rubbing his eyes, "What happening?", and Tazio smiled, "We're almost home to my village, and eventually, the palace.".
Gabriel then widened his eyes, "Big sea?!", and Tazio chuckled, "That's right, by the sea. Here, let me help you.", picking him up, sitting him on his lap as he opened the drapes on one of the windows on his side.
Tazio heard Gabriel's gasps of awe and surprise, with a glance to see Mira doing the same with the other window, with Gabriel pointing, "That village?", and Tazio nodded, "Yes, it is, the village of Tirulia, my home...", with a fond smile.
"More of a small city.", Mira chuckled as Tazio nodded. "Yeah, but I guess to Gabriel, everywhere is a village where there's more than a few buildings.", Tazio said. "Listen, it might be better for me to go on ahead in the palace; sort of break the ice with the family?".
Mira raised an eyebrow, "I thought you sent news of your arrival.", and Tazio nodded, "Yes, I did, and I told them that I wasn't alone, but I only spared a few details in case if someone intercepted my message in case that I might be mugged or something on the way, and fortunately, it hadn't happened...".
"Ah, I see. Well, is there a sitting room or something where we can be comfortable? Even after that stop a few hours ago for a restroom and snack break, I am getting a bit sick of this carriage...", Mira asked with a sigh.
Tazio asked in concern, "Is the baby coming?", and Mira shook her head, "Not even close, just very achy, that's all, Tazio.", with a reassuring smile.
"Well, at least you'll have a much better time giving birth, good doctors here.", Tazio assured her as he squeezed her hand before the carriage went through town and reached the palace. "I wonder if Melody's made it back here...".
Mira smiled softly, "The New World is full of new wonders, I couldn't blame her if she wanted to explore as best as she could, and besides, the Atlantic is quite the long journey, if you said right about your parents.".
Tazio nodded, "True.", before he took a deep breath, "Shall we?", smiling as he held Gabriel who spoke excitedly, "We going in palace?".
"That's right, my little gift. Now behave, okay?", Mira asked warmly, and Gabriel nodded, "Yes, Mama!", and Mira chuckled softly before taking Tazio's hand as the door opened, carefully stepping down, with Tazio thanking the footmen, bowing his head at the few staff members with a smile, taking note of their surprised faces, and entered the palace.
Carlotta came around to greet him, "Prince Tazio, I am so happy to see you-", blinking in surprise as she then saw the others with him, "Oh...".
Tazio smiled sheepishly, "It's refreshing to see a familiar face, Carlotta. Could you help them to settle down in a comfortable sitting room or something? I need to talk with Father and the others.".
Carlotta nodded, "But of course! There's the sitting room near the second set of stairs on this floor, and your mother is currently with Princess Arcadia and Prince Guido in the nursery upstairs, and your father is doing some royal duties in his private office as well.", and Tazio smiled gratefully, "Thank you, Carlotta. Gabriel, I have to see to some people, you stay with your mama, okay?".
Gabriel blinked before smiling, "Okay, Papa!", as Tazio let him down with a kiss to his forehead, and he walked to take Mira's hand at her side, and Tazio kissed her on the lips, only a little peck as it's not proper yet to be passionate, "Carlotta will take care of you, Mira. She has been a second mother to me, next to Mom, of course. I love you.", as he stroked her belly momentarily, love in his eyes.
Mira smiled warmly with love in her eyes, "I love you too, Tazio. Go on, see your family. I'll be fine with Gabriel, and I trust you about Carlotta.", and Tazio nodded, and with Carlotta giving him a reassuring smile, having seen the obvious love between the family, Tazio left, heading up the first set of stairs, and headed to his father's private office, where he took a deep breath, knocking hard and firm.
"Come in.", Tazio heard Eric call out before he walked in. "Father... I'm back.", Tazio smiled as Eric looked up, having a warm look on his face.
"Good to see you making it safely home...", Eric said. Tazio nodded lightly, "The journey went well.", before taking a deep breath, "My King, I haven't come alone. I have found someone that I have fallen in love with, and I want to marry her, but there are complications I am worried about when the kingdom finds out..".
"Tazio, you know you never have to address me like that.", Eric quickly stopped him there. "Now then, who is the woman and what's your concerns?".
"She's... she's not royalty, and she's been married and has had one child and is pregnant with another from her former husband who died in an accident shortly before I met her.", Tazio explained. "And... she's a gypsy, Father.", Tazio sighed as he waited for Eric's response.
Eric looked at him in surprise, speechless for a moment before he exhaled, "I had half expected that you'd find love somewhere on your travels for gaining knowledge of the politics and such of Europe, but I hadn't expected this... Where did you meet her?".
Tazio replied firmly, "In Romania, in one of the small villages. Father, she loves me for who I am, and I love her for who she is.". Eric raised an eyebrow, "How old is she?".
"17, almost 18. She gave birth to Gabriel, her first child when she was barely 15 as she got married at 14.", Tazio said softly as he is 19 years old, and Eric spoke softly, "I see...And she's pregnant again?".
"Yes, sir. She's 8 months along. Her former husband was killed in a mining accident when she was only three months along. We have been courting for five months, shortly after she finished the proper time of mourning...", Tazio exhaled.
Eric stood up and walked away as he moved towards the window to look out to the sea, deep in thought. "Father, I can't leave her, not after all this that has happened between us... she knows the truth too. I had to tell her.", Tazio said firmly, and Eric glanced back.
"That serious then, huh?", Tazio nodded at the question. Eric glanced back at the sea, thinking deeply for a few moments as Tazio gulped, waiting patiently, and then he turned around, speaking, "And her parents?".
Tazio sighed deeply, "Her mother has died when she was a child. Her father, he was ill when he gave her to Alexander, her former husband, and perished that winter afterwards.".
Eric gave a hum, "It's true that the age of consent is 16, but with the fact that she is now a widowed mother, and almost 18, she doesn't need to have consent anymore...I will think deeply about it, and I will give you the answer within a week for I need to know her first, is that acceptable?".
"That's fine... I understand the hesitation, Father, this is very... unorthodox for sure.", Eric gave a small smile as Tazio said that. "Well, this family is anything but orthodox.", Eric pointed out.
Tazio chuckled wryly, "Very true.", and Eric smiled warmly, "By now, Carlotta probably had informed your mother, sister, and baby brother. Where is she waiting in?".
Tazio smiled, "She's downstairs in the sitting room next to the first set of stairs down the further hall.". Eric nodded, "Let's go, then.", walking on to join Tazio, and left the private office.
"Just... give her a chance, Father... I promise you; you'd like her if you got to know her.", Tazio said. "Tazio, I'm not that kind of father... other monarchs would have your head for who you were going for...", Eric replied.
"That's why I'm worried.", Tazio mentioned. Eric squeezed his shoulder gently and replied, "Tazio, relax.", and Tazio exhaled, relaxing a little, but he can't help himself...
The men made it downstairs, hearing happy chatter and laughter, and opened the sitting room door to find Arcadia and Ariel talking with Mira warmly with Guido and Gabriel playing gently as Gabriel is older than his new friend.
Ariel got up quickly, hugging Tazio, "Son, darling, look at you! Are you alright, Taz?", and Tazio laughed warmly, "I missed you so, Mom.", hugging her with a kiss to her cheek, before glancing over at Arcadia who gave him a wink.
"Where's Basi?", Tazio asked curiously, and Ariel chuckled warmly, "He's out walking Leo, but if we know him, he will be back shortly once he knows that you're home.", and Tazio blinked, "Leo?".
Arcadia chuckled, "The new family dog. Basi got him from Venice, and Dad sure was surprised.", and Eric laughed, "I sure was.", before noticing Mira who carefully got up, walked over to Tazio who smiled reassuringly at her.
Tazio warmly introduced her, "Father, this is Mira, the love of my life. Mira, this is King Eric, my dad.", with a fond smile, and Mira curtsied politely as best as she could, "It's a pleasure to meet you, your majesty.", smiling kindly.
"Pleased to meet you, Mira.", Eric said. "Tazio has told me quite a bit of you already.", with a warm smile. "I hope it was good.", Mira gave a sheepish smile.
Eric smiled reassuringly, "It was.", before Gabriel smiled happily, jumping up from the floor when he noticed from his gentle play with Guido, "Papa!", and Tazio laughed heartily, picking him up, smiling widely, "Hey, Gabe. Have you been behaving good?".
Gabriel nodded, "Yes! I made new friend, he is Guido!", and Tazio smiled, "That's good.", before glancing at Eric, "Gabriel, would you like to meet a king?".
"Yeah!", Gabriel smiled, and Tazio chuckled, "Well, here he is. Gabriel, this is my papa, King Eric. Father, say hello to Gabriel, Mira's son.".
"Pleased to meet you, young man.", Eric smiled as Gabriel sort of froze up, obviously suddenly much more nervous and not wanting to cause an issue since even he had heard of what happens to some folks who do the wrong thing amongst rulers. "Don't be worried, you're alright.", Eric assured him.
Gabriel blinked at him, glancing at Mira who gave him a reassuring smile, "It's okay.", and Gabriel then looked back at Eric, held out his hand, "Nice meeting you, Papa's King Eric.".
Eric laughed warmly, shaking his little hand, "Why, thank you. And just call me Eric, young man.", and Gabriel started to smile, "Name Gabriel, Papa calls me Gabe!".
"Gabriel, then.", Eric smiled warmly, and Gabriel's smile grows, and Tazio began to relax some more, realizing that Eric is liking Mira and Gabriel. Soon, Bascus returned home with Leo as Tazio was introduced to Guido who instantly liked him after hearing about him in baby language with Gabriel.
As it is proper behavior even amongst courting people, Mira was given a guest bedroom, and Gabriel switched rooms between Tazio and Mira for the next whole week, and the small family experienced wonderful things they never had before, with Gabriel seeing it as a whole new adventure, and Mira seeing it as an opportunity to get to know Tazio's family, even if Melody, the oldest isn't there.
The latest news was that she was currently traveling the Atlantic, and to everyone's surprise, she got married in the Caribbean. Eric was a bit upset as he didn't even give her away during the ceremony, but Ariel reassured him that Houde must have taken the place for him, and as Houde and his family has been visitors over the years, Eric reluctantly accepted it.
Finally, the end of the week came, and Eric called for Tazio to come up to his office, and Tazio realized that this is it...His father's blessing...Praying internally as he practically had an engagement ring burning a hole in his pocket.
"Father?", Tazio addressed him as Eric sighed. "Are you alright?". Tazio's concerned about his father. "Sorry, just... a bit... disappointed that Melody had gotten married without us.", Eric admitted. "I understand; it'll take so long to come back home... I just wished she would stay closer to home these days.".
"She's a grown woman, Father... she was always going to leave... she has too much of Mom in her.", Tazio chuckled.
Eric gave a little smile, "That she is, that she is...Well, she will be home sooner or later, eventually. After all, she will be homesick.", and Tazio nodded, "Indeed. You called for me, Father?".
Eric nodded, "Oh, yes. Tazio, I have come to know Mira fairly well, and I have seen how she is around all of us, and the others grew to come love her including the staff. And of course, how she is with you...I couldn't help but remember the young love I and your mother have for each other, and now it's still going strong, and I believe despite the situation being different, you and Mira are truly meant to be with each other.".
Tazio exhaled slowly, "You mean...?", and Eric smiled warmly, "You have my and your mother's blessing to marry her, Tazio, and she will be Queen Consort once you take over as King, with Gabriel and her unborn child to be royals, but I must warn you that they wouldn't inherit the throne.", with a soft sigh, knowing the rules of tradition.
"As I expected.", Tazio smiled. "I promise you, if we can, Mira and I will have a third child, my first, who will continue the line, boy or girl.". He then walked up to Eric and took him into a tight hug to thank him.
Eric hugged him back, smiling warmly as he's proud of his son, "I'm very proud of you, tyke. Someday, you'll be a great king, and I will be always watching over you.", and Tazio nodded silently, knowing that his father is getting there in years, and then spoke, "Thanks, Dad.".
"Of course, Tazio. Now, don't you have a bit of business to see to?", Eric spoke lightly, and Tazio pulled back, smiling brightly, "Yeah.", leaving the office, excited and happy and nervous. He has been waiting for this moment a long time.
Relaxing some, taking a deep breath, upon asking one of the staff, Tazio then found Mira in the gardens, sitting on a bench, taking in the fresh air, glad that Arcadia is distracting Gabriel with some game in the ballroom that is out of use at the moment.
Mira noticed him coming, smiling warmly, "Hello, Tazio. Has His Majesty finished with you?", and Tazio nodded, sitting down, "Yes, it was some important news he wanted to talk about.", stroking her belly warmly.
"Oh, what was it about?", Mira asked with a curious smile, and Tazio exhaled, "It was actually about you...He truly enjoyed your presence all this week, and he adores Gabriel as well. He gave me permission to do something I have been wanting to do for a long time.".
Mira asked in surprise, "What is it?", and Tazio took a deep breath, turning over to kneel before her, on the grass, bringing out a little box, "Mira of Romania, mother of Gabriel and your unborn child, would you marry a humble prince of Italy, and be my wife forever and ever?", revealing a beautiful yet simple diamond ring.
Mina froze up for a moment before she covered her mouth and started turning red. There were a few moments of silence as Tazio continued to wait for her response, and then she finally nodded. "Yes, yes! A thousand times yes!", Mira nearly squealed.
Tazio exhaled happily, putting the ring on her finger, getting up, and kissed her passionately for the first time as engaged lovers, and Mira took him close, returning the kiss as much as passionately as well, tears falling down her cheeks as her heart swelled up in joy and love, feeling kicks from her unborn child.
A few minutes later, Tazio pulled back, looking at her with loving eyes, "I love you so much, Mira.", and Mira smiled lovingly, stroking his cheeks, "I love you too, Tazio.", before realizing a moment later when water soaked her dress, and then of course, the first contraction came at last, announcing the arrival of the incoming baby.
"You're kidding...", Tazio whispered as Mira blushed. "I... I think we might have been off by a few weeks in our expectations...", she admitted as he grabbed her hand.
"Come on, we need to get you back to the palace!", Tazio urgently said. Mira nodded, getting up carefully with Tazio's help, taking deep breaths as they walked up the steps slowly into the palace from the gardens, with Tazio calling out for anyone, "Carlotta, Mom, Arcadia, somebody!", as Mira cried out in pain from the next contraction.
Carlotta gasped, running to them, "Oh, my! Let's get you to the birthing room!", helping Mira at the other side, assisting her as Tazio stayed, and they gingerly headed up the stairs to the birthing room a couple of doors down, and Mira cried out in pain again from another contraction, earning Ariel to look out of the nursery door, and gasped, "Already?!".
Tazio looked at her, "Go get the doctor, Mom!", and Ariel nodded, picking up Guido, and headed to grab the doctor, and inform Eric that Mira's baby is coming. Meanwhile, into the birthing room, Carlotta and Tazio laid Mira back gently.