Lauren was on her back playing with wet, dark locks. Bo was sound asleep on the Doctor's stomach, and lightly snoring. She looked at the woman with wonder. She wondered where Bo had snuck off to in such a hurry the previous night. They are long past keeping secrets. But she trusts Bo's intentions were good. Or they will be. She gently sighed trying not to wake the woman. The house is so clean and silent, there's no need for the Doctor to be awake either. But she is. Awake and warm.
The Ash office.
Hale took a sip of his coffee and noted the time. An emergency meeting was about to be underway. He sent his guards home in preparation for it. He cleared off his desk and walked to his office doors. "Please, come in."
"Shouldn't you bow first? Aife stood behind Keldon.
"My apologies. Please, come in." Hale bowed as he backed up.
"That's better." Aife walked ahead of the old king.
Keldon walked in and looked around. It is a nice office. Something, he wouldn't necessarily need once he takes his throne. He walked a little further and found a chair to sit in.
Aife smiled at the sight. He is almost King and has already gotten back into sitting where he wants, when he wants.
"I won't mince words or take up too much of your time, Hale. I called this secret meeting because as of tomorrow, I will be King again." Keldon spoke softly.
Aife smiled as she turned her head towards Hale.
Hale coughed. "That soon, sir?
"That soon, young man. Now, I have already scouted where my castle will be. Here are the coordinates. I won't say address because I am not entirely sure that this office has not been bugged." Keldon looked around.
"It has not been bugged, sir." Hale looked at the note.
"Get people down there to scrub the place clean. If I so much as smell rat shit, it will be your ass." Keldon nodded at Aife and stood.
"What about your throne? Hale asked.
"It's being built as we speak. Once it is ready, it will be delivered there. If it is damaged before I sit on it, you will be in charge of making it by hand. You're a good man, Hale. I don't mean to come off as a hard ass. But after what Trick has done to this colony, someone has to clean it up for my heirs." Keldon walked towards the doors and Aife followed him.
Hale watched them leave and ran to his desk to make some phone calls. "Get in here, now."
"That was impressive. How did you find your castle so soon? Aife asked.
"I found it when I was out with Bo yesterday. It's time to move things along. She is too young to be worried about protecting Fae and humans. That's my job." Keldon put his hat back on and walked towards his stretch Hummer.
"Kenzi is a human." Aife spoke as she took a seat next to him.
"She will remain Hale's responsibility. He's the only one she seems to listen to." Keldon took a drink of whiskey as his motor cade pulled off.
"Do you trust these people? Aife waved around.
"They are heirs to my last royal guard. They know better than to try and overthrow me. One of them is the last remaining from my original royal guards." Keldon replied.
Aife smiled. She's going to love this life. Isabeau was almost like her father, but not nasty enough for the young Succubus taste. She still adores her mother though. She sees her in Bo, at times, too.
"Do you want a title? Keldon asked.
"Hell no. I'm just Aife." Aife smiled.
"I know you despise being called Princess, so I thought I would offer you a title of your choosing." Keldon turned to her.
"Grandfather, I'm fine. Just being your granddaughter is wonderful enough. I don't need a title. But I do expect to be bowed to." Aife smiled.
"And you will. That will be my first order of business. You, Bo, and Lauren will be bowed to. From this moment on." Keldon set his glass down and they both sat in silence the rest of the ride.
The Ash office.
"You called?" Selena asked as she walked in.
"I don't know what your plans are for the rest of the day but drop them. We have urgent business, and it can't wait." Hale showed her the note Keldon had given him.
"What are these?" Selena asked.
"The coordinates to King Keldon's new castle. It is to be scrubbed clean. Nothing in it now is to be left there. New furniture will be immediately brought in, only after I've inspected it myself. Tell no one of this Selena. Not even Kenzi." Hale wiped his face with his hands.
"Then who's going to clean it?." Selena took a seat.
"For security reasons, it can't be her. But with your skill sets, you can literally light a fire under people to get this done, quickly." Hale looked at her.
Selena stood and walked out. She didn't have much time to gather a crew, so she was going to have to gather whomever she trusts and finds. The building is not so old that they can't get this done. But it's almost noon as it is, and they need to be started within half an hour.
Bo and Lauren's.
Bo smiled as she entered the kitchen. Lauren is cooking and is smells delicious. "Lauren, you really didn't need to give Cedric the day off. I hired him to keep you from having to do this."
"I'm going to work a few hours today. I have time to cook us a late breakfast." Lauren smiled over her shoulder.
"You're finally going to work? Bo cooed as she grabbed Lauren from behind.
"For a few hours. I need to make sure the place is still standing and to make sure I still have a full staff." Lauren leaned into Bo's touch.
"Okay, then I better help you cook so you can eat and go." Bo smiled as she backed away.
"I'm almost done if you want to set the table." Lauren nodded.
"Done." Bo grabbed some plates and glasses. She walked over to the table and set them down. She returned for the silverware and napkins. Lauren smiled listening to Bo work quietly. She knows the succubus is not very domestic. So, it's cute to see her do these things.
"Is there anything else? Bo asked as she studied the table. Cedric usually has everything they need and more. She just can't remember what the more is.
"If you carry this plate over there, I will take these." Lauren pointed and watched Bo pick up the plates that she meant to carry over. "Okay." She smiled.
"As usual doctor, this looks delicious." Bo licked her lips. She couldn't wait to taste the eggs. It looks like Lauren went all out.
"Thank you." Lauren winked across the table.
Bo nodded with a mouth full of food. When she wasn't eating she was catching a glimpse of Lauren to make sure she was eating. The woman can eat like a bird sometimes. She jumped when their doorbell rang. "I'll get it."
Lauren continued eating and when Bo took longer than expected, she called out to her. "Bo? What is it?
"Umm, I'm not quite sure." Bo called back as followed one of Keldon's men in. He was carrying a heavy package.
"From the King." The guard bowed and walked out.
"Huh? Bo asked as she watched the man walk out.
"Bo? Lauren called softly.
"Yes? Bo turned back to the blonde. "Lauren!."
"I know. Which one do you want? Lauren smiled.
"I'll take the gold one. Maroon is more your color." Bo smiled.
"I wonder what they are for?." Lauren asked as she looked at her maroon gown.
Bo laid hers on the couch and dug inside the box.
"I will tell you." Keldon stepped forward with Aife behind him.
"Hi! Bo and Lauren smiled in unison.
"Normally, I'd call first. But I wanted you both to hear this from me. I have just informed the Ash that I will be taking my throne tomorrow. There's no longer a need to wait. This will take a lot off of Bo's shoulders and I know you young ones need not worry about the Fae." Keldon took a seat at Lauren's request.
"Thank you for knowing you should call first. But it's really not necessary." Bo walked and stood beside Aife.
"I should probably hire more staff, immediately." Lauren's eyes went wide.
"Easy sweetie. There will be no blood shed here. Nobody will attack anyone. Rest your mind about that, Lauren." Keldon gently raised a hand.
"Is that what the evening gowns are for? Bo asked.
"They are. I thought you would like something new for the occasion." Aife replied.
"They are beautiful." Lauren smiled.
"I love how they match." Bo smiled.
"I'm glad you like them, ladies. I won't keep you, but I just wanted you to know of my intentions tomorrow. I do not intend to give Aife a title, as she does not want one. But I would like the four of us to stand united as a royal family. That's why I've instructed Aife to pick out gowns for all of you. There will also be robes, should you all choose to wear them. But come as you are, or as you are most comfortable with. Bo, I know you usually prefer black, so if that's what you want, that's fine too." Keldon stood.
Bo frowned and looked towards the ground.
"Bo? Keldon looked at her.
Bo looked up. She turned to Lauren and put her head back down again.
"What is it? Keldon walked towards her.
"I've been secretly preparing for this day. I was going to surprise Lauren with our own attire, but since you want us to wear these, we can." Bo backed away shyly.
"Help me, Aife." Keldon grabbed the gold dress and Aife grabbed the maroon one.
"Grandfather, I'm sorry. We can wear those. It's okay." Bo stepped to him.
"I overstepped. That won't happen again. I never thought you had that idea, sweetie. We can drop these off and donate them somewhere." Keldon hung both dresses over his arm.
"This is your day. We can wear those. I just didn't want to show up not wearing them and upset you." Bo explained.
"Isabeau, it's fine. We will donate these to someone. No worries." Keldon smiled.
"I'll take them. They can be for our daughters. We can put them up and keep them preserved for years from now." Lauren stepped forward and gently took Bo's hand.
"I didn't think of that." Bo whispered and squeezed Lauren's hand back.
"I'll hang them in this closet, and you can put them wherever you want." Aife gently took the gowns and walked towards a small closet.
Bo put her hand on her forehead. This was bad and embarrassing.
"It's okay, Bo." Lauren wrapped her arm around Bo's waist.
"I have just dreamed of this day when he would take his throne again. When I wouldn't have to worry about solving Fae conflicts. When I wouldn't have to worry about being away from Lauren because of it. We're still starting out." Bo sighed.
"That's why I'm doing this. So, you won't have to worry about them. I've done this before. I will do it again. The Fae won't touch your life, but you will always be able to touch theirs should there be reason to. I've got this Bo. Relax. Breathe. Enjoy your mate. Especially for those of us that don't have ours anymore." Keldon hugged his granddaughter. They stood silently until Bo gently backed away.
"I'm proud to be yours, yours and yours." Bo addressed all three in the room, respectively.
"Come Aife, we've wasted enough of these kids time." Keldon suddenly turned and walked out without ever looking back.
"He loves you baby, he really does." Aife hugged Bo and Lauren before turning to catch up to the impending King.
"I screw up everything." Bo watched the door close behind Aife. She rocked backwards when Lauren kissed her, deep. When they finally broke apart, Bo bent forward to catch her breath. "What was the for?."
"I love you too, Bo. I love you so much. That was very thoughtful of you to want to pick my dress for the coronation." Lauren held the Succubus in her arms.
"You deserve it, Lauren. You deserve so much." Bo rubbed blonde locks down Lauren's back.
"We deserve each other. So, you can put those thoughts out of your head too." Lauren rubbed Bo's chin.
"Years of it, I guess. I will try to be better about it. No, I will be better about it." Bo smiled.
"Bo, all I need is you. You're enough. You don't have to try and spoil me with expensive gifts and deeds." Lauren bit her lip. Bo is so adorable like this.
"What expense? It belonged to my grandmother, I think." Bo rubbed the top of her head.
"Okay. Let's go look at it." Lauren waited for Bo. She followed the succubus down the hall, and they stopped at a secret closet. It was secret because Lauren never noticed it before.
Bo opened the door and pulled out a long, flowy white gown.
"Bo." Lauren gasped.
"I know. I know. I'm not asking that yet, Lauren. I just thought you might like it. You wear a lot of white." Bo blushed. It looks like a wedding gown.
"It's beautiful. I would be honored to wear it, when that time comes." Lauren grabbed Bo tightly.
"Are you sure. I know you will look beautiful in that dress." Bo spoke into Lauren's shirt.
"I look beautiful right here, in your arms." Lauren rested her head on Bo's shoulder. They rocked in each other's arms.
Bo sighed gently and closed her eyes. She always loves moments like this. Warm and safe in the blonde's arms. If she could die, this is where and how she would want to go. She has never been as happy or felt as healthy as she does at this moment. She always thought terrible things, but Lauren has shown and taught her so many good things that she can finally start to relax. She has a real home, and her heart does too.
"So, we're wearing these? Lauren smiled.
Bo was startled out of her thoughts. Lauren was on the other side of the room, and she still felt the warmth of her arms. "Yes, let's try those on."
"No. I want to see you in it for the first time tomorrow." Lauren gently pushed Bo back.
"Alright." Bo smiled and bit her lip. She was hoping she would get to strip Lauren naked.
"Come on, we can watch a movie." Lauren gently pulled the woman to the couch. She grabbed the remote and pulled Bo on her lap.
"Pick anything." Bo sighed gently.
"I plan to." Lauren smiled as she flipped through channels. She finally found an action movie and they settled on the couch.
"Oh! You said you were going into the office today". Bo perked up.
"Right." Lauren grabbed her phone and dialed. Once she spoke to her top nurse, found the building was still standing and she still had a full staff, she hung up and leaned into her Succubus.
Aife and Keldon.
The duo walked into Keldon's house and headed for the living room. Aife grabbed some cold beers and handed one to her grandfather.
"I overstepped." Keldon spoke.
"Well, you can drop that line, sir." Aife laughed.
Keldon smiled. "I did in a way though. You and I both know that."
Aife sat smiling. The man is sneaky but a good sneaky. His intentions are far good than Trick's ever were.
"I can't wait to see you wearing your crown. It is something I saw daddy do, but not with as much pride as I feel right now." Aife watched the old man write something down.
"Is everything ready? Keldon asked.
Aife pulled her phone out and read her text messages. "The finishing touches are being added now."
"I still feel like shit what I did to Bo and Lauren. I know it's nothing they will be angry with me over. I just thought a gentle push would help them. A suggestion of sorts." Keldon set his pen down and picked his beer up.
"You cautiously put that royal gown in a spot only Bo would find it. We had to present the other downs as a decoy to see if she did. She doesn't know it's for her marriage. She doesn't know there's a duplicate here. You want them to marry. There's nothing treacherous about that." Aife leaned forward.
"I promised my Queen that I would find a way to keep her legacy alive. We had a daughter. You have a daughter. You never mated with anyone. The next closest in line is Bo. I know they are still young and healthy. But I'm an old man. I want to be a grandfather again. So, I can play with them. I missed out on that with you and Bo." Keldon eased back in his seat. Aife can't help it if she never fell in love. It's rare for a Succubus to do so. He'd only seen that in Queen Aife, their daughter Isabeau and now Bo.
"It's not like I haven't tried. Hell, Dyson thought he had a shot. But eww. Sleeping with an animal? Hell no." Aife laughed.
"Aife I didn't mean anything by that. I'm proud of the lady and mother you have become. In spite of everything you've been through, you are a good woman. When you want to show it to people." Keldon smiled.
"Don't let that get out my king." Aife laughed in embarrassment.
"Oh, I won't. Now, what are we going to do about this now? Keldon sat back in his chair.
"We let them grow. We watched Bo grow a little bit today. She could have worn the maroon dress we gave her. But she wanted you to know the truth. She spoiled a private moment between them to tell us the truth. She doesn't want to hurt us. So, we'll let them get there on their own. But there's no reason we can't keep preparing for the moment. I so want to give my daughter away and there's not a better fit for her than Dr. Lewis." Aife smiled as she picked up Keldon's royal wardrobe book.
"That's really girl stuff. I will leave it up to you, again." Keldon laughed and turned to the tv set.
"Nothing leather, I promise." Aife smiled as she flipped through the pages. If Bo and Lauren only knew how much they mean to the King, they would probably blush day and night. Especially Lauren. Her pull on Bo's Succubus makes this all possible.
TBC