As the sun rose over the mountains of Eraklyon, Bloom breathed in deep, taking in the air of her home. "Home," it was such a funny word. For so long she had called Gardenia home, then Alfea, and then she found her birth place, Domino, only to be staying at Alfea all the time. Now that the universe was safe, for now, and she was married to Sky, she was the future Queen of Eraklyon, and Princess of Domino. She wasn't sure, but should she really be able to hold both titles? Honestly, the only way she would take the throne of Domino was if her sister, Daphne, and her nephew (Daphne's son) couldn't. And, of course, no one was going to hurt her sister or her nephew.
She sighed, placing her hand on her swollen stomach. She couldn't believe it, but she was pregnant again. This would be their second child, but really, five years difference? Not that she could really complain, since she and Daphne had been born further apart than that.
She looked up again at the sun rising, slow and steady, when hands came around her and a warm body pressed against her back. "Good morning, Sky." She called to her husband behind her.
He curved around her and kissed her softly before pulling away and saying, "Good morning, my love. How are you feeling this morning? You are up very early."
Bloom turns in his arms and weaves her hands into his hair. "I'm fine. The baby just wouldn't let me sleep. I guess he or she just wanted to watch the sunrise." She smiled up at Sky.
"Well, now that the sun is up, we still have a few hours I think, so why don't you come back to bed?"
Bloom smirks and nods, only to be interrupted by a short sequence of knocking on the bedroom door. "Your highnesses, his majesty the King asks for your audience in the throne room."
Sky looks at the door, then at Bloom and puts his forefinger to his lips, telling her to be very quiet. As he pulls her to the bed quietly, he hopes that if they make no noise, the steward will go away.
Another short rap comes at the door a few minutes later, and Sky's mother's voice comes through the stick wood. "Sky, Bloom, Erendor would like to speak to you as soon as possible. I know it is early, but it truly is important."
Since Samara, Sky's own mother had come to their part of the palace to fetch them, Sky felt obligated to answer and finally get out of bed. "Yes, mother. We'll be to the throne room shortly." He can hear her shoes taking off down the corridor, taping lightly from the heel.
He looks to his beautiful wife, a smile he cannot hide, nor would want to, coming to his lips. He places his hand out and helps Bloom up. Nearly nine months have passes since they found out they were going to have another child, and while he could not be happier to have another little one running around, he was also scared. Their first child had nearly cost Bloom her life. Stella and the girls had come for the birth, and if it weren't for the fact that they had been there, Bloom may have died. For, you see, the pieces of the Dragon Fire which Bloom gave to her friends a long time ago, they had to be returned. It was a completely messy affair, mostly because magic is always messy. The short story is, Sky and Bloom's first child inherited a part of the Dragon Fire. Only thing was, it's not fire.
Princess Meadow of Eraklyon, born with a part of the Dragon Fire in her, it would be only three years before her powers would start to manifest. Her hair is the same color as her mother's – red – and her eyes are the same ocean blue of her father. Meadow was a blessing to the kingdom of Eraklyon as it meant that there was an heir to the throne, but now I'm just getting off topic. I really should have listened to my cousin Bartlebee and taken that class on short hand.
Now, where were we? Aw yes, Prince Sky and Princess Bloom making their way to the Eraklyon throne room. When they do finally reach the throne room, Erendor and Samara are seated on their thrones.
Sky helps Bloom take a seat near the front of the room and goes to stand near his father. "You said you wanted us father?"
"Yes," Erendor replies. "I have some troubling news. It promises to bring great change." Erendor looks up at his son and there is a slight smirk on his face. Sky is already crown King Sky of Eraklyon, however his father still reigns. Apparently, have the crown to the kingdom doesn't mean dad retires.
Frowning some at his father, Sky asks, "What is it father? And why do you look like you are trying to hold back a smile?"
Erendor finally smiles and laughs a little at his son. "As you know, you are the crown King of Eraklyon, though I have been ruling in your stead with all that has happened in the magic universe. It is time I step done, and that your mother take her seat beside me, away from the thrones." He takes Samara's hand and smiles at her. She smiles at her husband and son, then at her daughter in law.
Bloom can hear everything, and when she hears her father-in-law say that he will step done from the throne, well, even she knows what that means. "Really?" she calls from her chair. She strives to stand up, and Sky takes her hand and helps her up. "You mean to turn the kingdom over to us? Are you sure we are ready?" Sky looks expectantly to his father. Bloom, as always, had voiced his concerns too.
Erendor laughs again and smiles as them both. "Yes my dear, after all these years, you two are ready to take the throne of Eraklyon. I have already set in motion the plans for the ball and your coronation, of course Bloom. We will have to commission a new crown for you though, as you will be Queen Eraklyon and Princess of Domino, we need something that will show our two great worlds." Erendor continues to mumble on about plans with Samara after dismissing Sky and Bloom back to their chambers to talk and plan themselves.
"Sky, he wants me to be crowned queen. I don't know what I'm doing. I only recently figured out this princess thing. What am I supposed to do? And I haven't been helping your mother with many of the things that a Queen is supposed to do. I feel like all I do is take Meadow out to play and visit the girls. Do you think I'm ready for this? And what about the baby? I mean, I'm huge!" Bloom is freaking out, like normal, about everything. She has never really felt like she "belongs" in royal life, but she has a made a good go of it. She does sneak Meadow down to the kitchen every once and a while to grab a snack though.
"Bloom, you are going to be fine. I'm sure we can put it off until after the baby is born, okay? And my mother will always be here to help you figure things out. Besides, it's not like I'm going anywhere. I love you, sweet Bloom. Trust me when I say, we are ready to take over the reign of Eraklyon."
Bloom look at her husband and nods. As he comes close they hear a small choking sound, faked of course. Meadow is in the room. They both stop inches from each other. Sky looks at Bloom and winks. He kisses her, then follows the sound of the gagging until finally, he lifts one of Blooms dresses and there she is, the little red headed child in her favorite blue and pink dress, a gift from her Aunt Stella.
She squeals as her father reaches down and says, "I've got you now, you little monster you. Look my love, it's a spy! You are from Domino aren't you? Bloom, really, your father is always sending so many spies to make sure I'm doing you justice." He squints at the little girl wiggling in his hands. "This one is by far the smallest yet!"
"Daddy! Daddy, no it's me! It's Meadow! Put me down, daddy. Please?"
He pretends to squint really hard again. "Hmm, Meadow, you say? Now that you mention it, I'm pretty sure I have daughter by the name. Bloom, does this little spy look familiar to you?" Bloom giggles at her husband and their daughter and nods her head. Sky pulls the little girl into his embrace and whispers in her hair, "Good morning sunshine."