Chapter 12

"We need to return to France today," Baldwin said the next morning as they cuddled in bed together. "Do we?" Alice asked kissing along his clavicle. "Yes," Baldwin replied as he flipped her on her back and held her hands above her head. He then gently kissed her on the lips before moving off of her and the bed. "As much as I would love to have you to myself a little bit longer there are things that need to be taken care of now that you are officially my mate, " he said as he started getting dressed, "and I need to sort of present you to the family as Madame de Clermont." "I will definitely have to get use to that. Being called Madame de Clermont," Alice said. "It did become your title the second you mated with me and I'm sure you will be magnificent at it," he said as he put on his watch. He then came over and sat on the bed next to her,"Don't worry there will be plenty of time for a proper honeymoon after the official wedding. Meet me downstairs in ten minutes?" Alice nodded and Baldwin gave her another quick kiss before heading downstairs. It still took another minute for Alice to move from the bed to get dressed. Despite her husband's confidence in her, Alice was not sure how she felt about being Madame de Clermont. She had been completely aware of what it meant to be mated to Baldwin and was no stranger to the expectations of being part of the de Clermont family, but for the first time she felt the weight of it all. As agreed ten minutes later Alice met Baldwin on the ground floor. Both of their bags were packed and sitting on the floor next to the door. Alice chuckled to herself and shook her head. "What?" Baldwin asked with a raised eyebrow. "Nothing just you and your usual efficiency," her tone light and teasing as she exited out the door.

During the entire plane ride Baldwin could feel Alice's increasing anxiety as they got closer to France. At the airport, just as Alice was opening the door to the car Baldwin was there firmly reclosing the door. "Look at me," he commanded and Alice turned her head, her cool blue eyes meeting his warm brown ones. He cupped her face with his hand and stroked her cheek with his thumb, " I'm not entirely sure what has you all in knots but there is no reason for you to worry." Alice opened her mouth to say something but Baldwin cut her off as he continued, "When we arrive at Sept Tours I will be right there by your side. As I always should have been." He kissed her and then walked around to the driver's side. Alice watched him and he gave her a reassuring smile before getting into the car.

Their arrival at Sept Tours had been uneventful with only Alain and Marthe waiting to greet them. Everyone else was absent as if to give them some space to settle in before the attack of questions Alice knew was coming. After leading her to his rooms Baldwin had departed for his office to work on some paperwork. Alice had observed that all her belongings from her room had been moved to Baldwin's probably by Alain. Now she was riding Rakasa across the hills surrounding Sept Tours enjoying the feel of the wind blowing across her face and through her hair. As Alice returned to the stables she saw Baldwin leaning against the doorframe waiting for her, the worry on his face evaporating as she approached. "Have you been waiting long?" she asked as he helped her down. "No," he shook his head, "but it was a little unsettling to not sense you within the chateau," he admitted. "Oh," Alice said, understanding he would have waited all night for her and would still not consider that waiting long. The realization exhilarated her and scared her. "I was feeling a little claustrophobic inside," she said, gesturing towards the stables and the horses, feeling that her explanation was inadequate. Baldwin ran his hand through his hair, "You don't feel as comfortable here as I do and I'm not sure how to fix that." "Maybe it's not something that needs to be fixed this minute," Alice said, giving Baldwin a soft kiss on the cheek, "it will take time, it's only the first day." "Maybe you are right." "Maybe I'm right?" she said in mock offense which earned her a smile. "Now did you come out to find me for some other reason besides my safety?" Alice asked as they headed back to the chateau. "Yes, I have some papers I need you to sign."

Alice was surprised when they turned not towards the office but to his rooms…no wait…their rooms. She really needed to get use to the fact everything was now theirs together. Baldwin had a stack of papers with a pen waiting on the coffee table of the sitting room. There was also a tea tray waiting with a fresh pot of tea. "The tea was all Alain," Baldwin said as he sat down on one of the sofas. "That man always knows what you need before you do," said Alice as she poured herself a cup and then gestured to the second cup but Baldwin shook his head. When she was settled down on the opposite sofa, Baldwin handed her the first paper. "What is this?" Alice asked as she started to read. "The first of many papers to add your name on all of my properties," Baldwin replied as he pushed several other papers towards her, "you need to sign for each property." Noticing a slight pause in her perusal of the form he asked, "Anything wrong?" "No was just testing out my married name in my head…Alice Montclair. Might have to practice writing that out before I sign these important documents." "You have not ever practiced writing it out in some notebook?" he teased. "What am I a love sick teenager?" she laughed as she took the pen and started signing each of the papers in front of her. "You don't need to carefully read each document?" he asked. "No, I trust you. Besides I already agreed to sign my life away when I completed that blood vow with you." Baldwin chuckled and then added "I thought it might be best to make the name change now so we do not have to redo all this later when we actually 'legally' marry." Alice shrugged "A small technicality. We'll have to change my name on everything eventually. We will also have to add your name to all of my properties, since what is mine is now yours." "Properties?" "Yes, don't be so shocked that I own multiple pieces of real estate. I might not own as much as you but there are the properties in California…" "I don't understand why you own so many in that one state," he interrupted. "To enjoy all the different regions of that beautiful state," ignoring him she continued, "then there's the flat in New York, the house in London, and the flat in Paris as well as the flat in Berlin." Baldwin nodded, adding more things to the list in his mind. "You know, I do not know your full name," he stated. Alice paused mid signature to look up at him, "You don't?" "I don't think I've ever asked or felt like I needed to know." "Not even after you.." "Took over the family?" he shook his head. " We'll have to remedy that because I know yours, Lucius Sigeric Benoit Christophe Baldwin de Clermont." Hearing Alice say each of his names was like music to his ears and his soul. It filled him with love instead of feeling like a slap in the face like it did whenever Yseabeau used his full name.

"I'm," she paused before continuing " Alice Lavinia Rose Azrael Lucia de Clemont." Baldwin stared at her in wonder upon hearing the feminine version of his own name. "Did Matthew give you these names?" She shook her head, "No, Phillipe did." Baldwin smiled to himself, "As if he knew we were meant for each other from the beginning." "Of course he did," Alice was going to say more but stopped. Even though only a hint of sadness had touched Baldwin's eyes for just a second, Alice could feel immense sorrow and pain through the mating bond and decided it was best to leave him with his thoughts for now. As she finished signing the last document in front of her she gestured toward the other documents still sitting in front of Baldwin, "What are those for?" Baldwin picked up the stack and held it out towards her. "Why don't you read to find out," was all he said. He watched her intently as she read. "You want to also put your company in my name?" she asked skimming through the pages of the document a second time to make sure she was reading it right. "I'm not just putting your name on the company, I'm listing you as co-CEO. You will have all the same power to make decisions as I do." He moved to sit next to her. "Baldwin, I don't know what to say," she finally said. "Then don't say anything. We're equal partners in this relationship and in the running of the family. I've just made us equal partners in business as well. I trust you to make decisions without me and to run the company yourself if needed. As you said earlier, what is mine is now yours. Now will you sign so I can kiss you?" Once the last line was signed Baldwin took her hand kissed it and then started to kiss up her arm. "Mrs. Montclair, Madame de Clermont. It has a nice ring to it," he said in between kisses. "Mmmmm…It does but I prefer Alice to either of those titles." Baldwin nodded as he continued to kiss up to her shoulder, "You know I enjoyed hearing you say Lucius." "Did you?" "Very much, but only in private." "I can do that, Lucius," she seductively whispered his name in his ear. Baldwin grinned and then kissed her deeply as they settled further into the sofa.