Part 27

Barry smiled as he watched Caitlin walked down the stairs. She was dressed in an ice blue dress with a loose fitting skirt and sleeves that stopped just below her elbows. The scoop neckline let her show off the diamond snowflake pendant she was wearing that matched her earrings. He held out his hand to her which she took as she walked down the last couple of steps.

"You look beautiful, Cait."

"Thank you. You look really nice."

"Thanks. Is there anything I should know before we go into the dining room?"

"Well you will be seated across from me. My mother has this thing about men and women sitting opposite each other. My father will be at the head of the table of course. My mother at the other end. Charlie will be seated to my father's right with Erin across from him. Then it will be me next to Erin and you next to Charlie. Next to me will be my Aunt Victoria, my dad's younger sister. Across from her and next to you will be her husband Steven. Then any of my cousins that are staying here. It would be Crystal who is a year older than Charlie and her husband Nicholas, Sarah, she just turned seventeen and her escort who I am not sure who it is. Then David who is fifteen and might be seeing one of the young ladies of the court."

"Anything else I should know?"

"If my mother addresses you. She will not call you Barry no matter if that is what you prefer or not."

"You do know I hate my name. My mom named me after her grandfather."

"I understand. But my mother doesn't like nicknames. So suck it up Bartholomew."

"You are lucky you are so beautiful Cait."

Caitlin smiled and leaned in close to kiss him.

"Are my eyes playing tricks on me? Cause the Caitlin I know doesn't kiss men."

Caitlin turned and smiled at her cousin Crystal who was smiling. She also noticed that Crystal was pregnant.

"Hey cuz. I know I have been gone for a while. But no one told me you are pregnant." Said Caitlin hugging the other woman.

"I know I should have sent word to you. But your dad thought it best to keep communication with you limited for your safety."

"Yeah I know. So is Nicholas happy about the baby?"

"Very. He will be here shortly. So you must be the famous Prince Bartholomew. Who it seems has melted my dear sweet cousin's heart." Said Crystal

"Please call me Barry. I have to say that you are nearly as beautiful as Cait is." Said Barry

"Charming. Don't let him get away Caity." Said Crystal

"I don't plan to." Caitlin then held out her hand so her cousin could see.

"Caitlin! Barry really must have thawed your heart. Cause I know you well enough that you would not be this happy if you were only going to marry him out of duty."

"I love him."

"Did I just hear my baby sister say she loves someone?" Asked Charlie walking in with Erin on his arm.

Caitlin just rolled her eyes at her brother.

"Yes, I admit it. I am in love with Barry. You were right when you said I would like him." Said Caitlin

"Erin looks like your brother Sean owes me twenty bucks." Said Charlie

"Shut up dork. I am happy for you Caitlin. Now Barry, you know you hurt Caitlin and you won't just be dealing with her. But her Aunt and cousins, well the female ones anyway too." Said Erin

"Trust me I know." Said Barry

Just then one of the servers opened the door to the dining room and they made their way in. Caitlin smiled seeing her Aunt already seated at the table. She walked over and hugged her.

"It is good to see you, Aunt Vickie." Said Caitlin

"Welcome back Caity. I see the young Prince came back with you. So tell me will there be another wedding in the future?"

"I would say that is a safe bet. Are you ok?"

"I will be fine in time for the wedding. Just twisted my ankle."

"That is good to hear."

"Honey, don't let your mother get to you ok? I know that she is not the easiest to deal with."

"I will try. Though Barry does seem to have a calming effect on me."

"Good to hear. Now young man, let me get a better look at you."

Barry walked over to the older woman and smiled.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Princess Victoria." Said Barry

"It's Vickie. Unlike my overly formal sister in law I am not hung up on titles." Said Vickie

"Ok Vickie." Said Barry

Just then the rest of Caitlin's family came in. Thomas smiled at his daughter. Caitlin went over and hugged him.

"Hi daddy. I missed you." Said Caitlin

"Missed you sweetheart." Said Thomas

"We need to talk later. I have something to tell you."

"If that ring you are wearing means anything then I will see that the papers are drawn up before you leave after the wedding."

"Thank you daddy."

"Caitlin, I do wish that you would stop using that childish name for your father. You should be addressing him as father." Said Carla

"Hello mother." Said Caitlin coldly

"Why don't we sit down to dinner." Said Thomas

"Very well. Caitlin, it is good that you remember the dress code for dinner." Said Carla

"How could I forget? Until six months ago I never knew that not everyone had as strict rules about meals as you mother. I have to say I found it to be more enjoyable not to be so formal all the time."

"Yes, well Nora is from a lower nobility than myself. I would expect nothing less of her than to allow that to rub off on her family. I do hope that when you become Bartholomew's Queen you will put in place the same rules you were raised with." Said Carla

"Actually mother, I will not change anything from how they are now. Nathan, it is nice to see you again." Said Caitlin

"You too Caitlin." Said Nathan

"Caitlin, do you remember James? Lord Olson's son." Asked Sarah

"Of course. One of the few men in the court that doesn't have an ulterior motive for being around our family." Said Caitlin

James chuckled.

"If the others knew what I do about your family they wouldn't have them either." Said James

Caitlin just raised an eyebrow at her cousin. Sarah just smiled and winked.

"David will not be joining us until tomorrow. He can not get away from school until then." Said Steven

Caitlin nodded and everyone took their seats for dinner.