Thank you for reading! Alcina and Beatrice's reunion comes to an end.
It had been a long night for Alcina. Finally finding sleep beside Beatrice in her quarters. She did not want to leave her alone. The doctor having checked her over and concluded it was a case of a panic attack. The stress of losing her mother the obvious reason behind it. She had been given medicine to help her sleep, and it would be this new morning Countess Bogdan would be removed from the abbey.
Despite Beatrice being lady of the house, Alcina decided to inform the staff of what had befallen their countess. She had them all gather together in the sitting room where she made the announcement.
"What of Lady Beatrice?" one young maid inquired. "Will she remain here to run the abbey?"
"Countess Beatrice will be here for a time," Alcina answered, not wanting to inform them that many would no doubt lose their jobs. "Continue with your duties, and thank you for your loyal service to the countess."
The servants dispersed back to their places, whispering amongst themselves in growing fear and confusion. Once she was alone, Alcina decided to go upstairs and check in with Beatrice. She was hoping she was awake so they could begin discussing funeral arrangements.
"Beatrice?" Alcina knocked on the door before entering inside to spot her still in bed. "Beatrice…" Alcina walked over to the bed and crawled onto it where she wrapped her arm around her love in comfort.
"Morning already?" she murmured with her eyes still closed.
"Yes, my darling," Alcina whispered, placing a kiss to her cheek.
"I was hoping this was all a dream."
Alcina held her tighter.
"We must begin discussion of your mother's funeral."
Beatrice buried her head further into her pillows.
"I will help you," Alcina said, remaining with Beatrice a short time to prompt her to get up and bathe. It took much patience and coaxing from Alcina, but eventually she was rewarded and managed to get Beatrice to rise. She did not bother to call a maid to help Beatrice and did it herself.
Beatrice said nothing, her eyes were distant. Her complexion pale. Alcina guided her back into her quarters to brush her hair and then get her into a dress. She would have to force her to eat even if it meant shoving the food down her throat.
"Come along, Beatrice," Alcina said, standing her up in order to get the dress on.
"I-I think I did it…"
"Did what?" Alcina asked, looking up at her to see she was staring out the window.
"I killed my mother…"
"What?" Alcina said.
"I-I think I killed her."
Alcina cupped her face in order to look directly into her eyes.
"Stop. You did nothing. Your mother died from whatever ailment had afflicted her."
"You do not understand," she said, stepping away from Alcina. "I have these memories that keep flashing before my eyes. I see myself smothering her with her own pillow, but then the memories just slip away and I cannot recall them."
Alcina reached out and grabbed her shoulders to steady her.
"You. Did. Not. Do. That." She said firmly. "You are experiencing a high stress situation that is causing your mind to play games with you. I understand what you are going through. Believe me." She placed a kiss to her forehead lovingly. "What I need you to do now is come join me to eat a little breakfast. After that we will discuss funeral arrangements."
Beatrice barely nodded to acknowledge she had heard her. Alcina keeping a firm hold on Beatrice as they walked down the hall, she could not help but observe how Beatrice was staring at her mother's room as if a great danger lurked within. Once they got into the dining room, Beatrice and Alcina took a seat and ate a little of what was served to them. The two did not speak to one another. Alcina once more thinking about the strange feather she had found on the pillow. After the coroners had taken the Countess away, she had called the manor to inform Phoebe of the news, and inquire how the girls were. All was in order at home, but that did not remove the fear in Alcina's heart.
There was something wrong. A darkness that seemed to always be with her.
When the two had finished eating, Alcina and Beatrice went into the sitting room to discuss funeral arrangements.
It was a long and hard discussion. Alcina doing most of the talking and planning while Beatrice sat and just nodded.
"I am going to go lay down," Beatrice said after two hours had passed. "I have a terrible headache."
"I will send someone up with tea and medicine for you."
"Thank you," Beatrice said, holding her head as she left the room.
Alcina watched her go before looking back down at the table where they had written down their ideas and budget.
"Just like Mother's…" Alcina murmured, sitting back against the couch and closing her eyes. Her mind wandering to her children. How much she wanted to hold them both in her arms. For the first time in her life, Alcina did not want to be at the abbey. Countess Bogdan lived now only in her memories… Her heart ached terribly for her. Wishing she could have said one last farewell to her before her departure, but that was life. Rarely did anyone get to say goodbye.
Another hour went by and Alcina ventured upstairs to find Beatrice asleep in bed. Clear tears were visible on her face and her eyes were puffy. Her breathing was calm, though. Alcina carefully crawled on the bed beside her, resting her arm around her midsection and pulling her in. She kissed her neck and then buried her face into her thick blonde mane.
Sleep overtook Alcina soon after. Her dreams taking her back into the distant past. When she and Beatrice were just young girls. Both the Countess and her mother seated in the gazebo on a bright summer day watching them play. It was all so perfect. A time that would never come back to them.
The hours continued to pass, Alcina awoken due to Beatrice shifting beside her.
"Alci?" she whispered, turning her head and looking at her.
"How are you feeling?" Alcina asked, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.
"Tired…"
"Sleep," Alcina said, kissing her cheek.
Beatrice smiled upon the contact, turning fully on her back and wrapping her arms around Alcina.
"We are orphans you and I," Beatrice said.
"We are not alone, though," Alcina said, stroking her face. "We still have one another and our children."
"I just wish this pain would go away."
"It will, my darling, it will," Alcina reassured her. "This was how it felt with my mother, which is why I want you to come home with me."
"I cannot do that, Alci," Beatrice said.
"I insist," Alcina said. "After my mother died I realized how much I needed the support from Fredric and Phoebe. I will support you in your time of need now."
Beatrice stared at her with an adoring gaze. A look that indicated to Alcina she would not be joining her back at the manor.
It was troubling to Alcina, but she knew once Beatrice had set her heart on something, there would be no swaying her.
"You have done enough for me…" she said, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss.
Alcina had to catch herself from falling on her back from the force of it. Beatrice kissing her so firmly; hungrily. Just like she had done to her before, the shift in her emotions so swift. Alcina at first did not reciprocate the kiss back. Knowing Beatrice was in a vulnerable state. She wanted comfort and would do anything to make herself forget about reality.
"Alcina…" Beatrice whispered. "My Alcina."
"Beatrice," Alcina said breathily, feeling something within her taking control. A yearning that she had shoved down and kept well away, but now she found she could not stop herself. "W-we should not be doing this."
"I want to. I have wanted to for so long," she said, placing a kiss to her neck. "I know what you are thinking. That I am in pain and looking for comfort, but I assure you that is not the case."
"Then what?" Alcina said, staring up at Beatrice who was now straddling her.
"I do not plan to return to the abbey after everything is concluded. This may be the last time I ever see you. I want us to at least leave on happy terms," Beatrice explained. "Unless this does not make you happy?"
Alcina answered her by grabbing the front of her dress and pulling her down to kiss her. How right it felt. How so very good. She did not want to think about losing her forever. No. For now all she wanted to do was be lost in their own little world. One they had always discussed back when they had been young. A secluded island that belonged to them and them alone.
Moans of pleasure escaped them once they had removed their dresses. A power struggle for dominance occurring between them, but it was Beatrice who remained on top. Girlish giggles erupting from Alcina as Beatrice kissed every inch of her body. Soon her giggles were replaced by moans of pleasure as Beatrice began to stroke her thighs, her nails gently raking closer and closer to her center.
"B-Beatrice!"
{…}
Journal Entry:
I have remained at the abbey for two extra days' than I had planned. We have set up a funeral date along with reading the will. Beatrice decided to leave the abbey as a historical site. A place where all can come and marvel at her mother's achievements. I truly think it is a marvelous idea. Beatrice and I have been inseparable during this ordeal. We have shared her room and continue to find ourselves tangled together. Both out of breath and soaked with sweat due to driving our feelings and wants down for so long, we have become almost animal-like in our frenzy to be as close as possible before we depart from each other.
This will be our secret for all time. Fredric can never know of this, which is why I intend to burn these pages once I am finished writing them. A waste of good ink, but I need to write my feelings out. I do not feel shame for our jaunt. We are both in understanding we can never speak of this. Not only would it destroy our family, but from society we would both be shunned. What a cruel and unfeeling world we live in. To think loving someone out of the social structure would lead to risk of harsh persecution. It truly sickens me our love is considered 'unclean'. Nevertheless, that is the way of our world, and we must continue to hide until a new era of acceptance emerges.
I plan to depart back home tomorrow. Beatrice and I will have a decent dinner and spend one last night together. The next time I see her will be at Countess Bogdan's funeral, which will be in less than a week. I have asked her once again if she would be all right alone. Again she expresses she will be just fine, though I still fear for her mental state. Her words of killing her mother still ring uncomfortably in my ears. And then there is the feather I found. I had burned it a few days' ago and observed a plume of purple smoke issue from it as it burnt away. I felt a cold shiver run rampant through my body at the sight. I continue to call the manor at least twice a day to ensure all was well with the girls. Never did they stray too far from me. Bringing me back to reality and my first duty: motherhood.
I love them with all my heart, and I swear this little distraction with Beatrice will be the last time. The very last time…
Alcina set the pen down, folding up the paper and walking over to the hearth. She stared at the paper for a moment before she threw it in and watched it burn away in seconds.
{…}
It was a bittersweet farewell for them both. Alcina and Beatrice holding each other tightly in front of the vehicle. It was Alcina who relinquished her hold first, placing a kiss to her cheek before she turned away. Aresian by the door and holding it open for his mistress. He gave Beatrice a bow before he climbed into the driver's seat.
"I will call you once I am home," Alcina said after rolling the window down. "You will be all right?"
"I will be just fine," Beatrice said, leaning closer into the car and placing a kiss to her cheek. "I love you."
"And I you," Alcina whispered back, squeezing her hand and holding it tight.
Beatrice keeping a firm hold on Alcina's hand and following along with the car as Aresian slowly drove down the path, she was forced to let go near the end of the drive, waving to Alcina who waved back.
A few tears trailed down her face, Alcina busily wiping them away with her black gloves, she found herself unable to keep up as more fell.
"Oh Aresian," she spoke up. "Why is life like this? Why does it take and take, but seems never to give you anything good back?"
The young man looked at her from the rearview mirror not saying anything for a moment as he thought.
"Why does it seem like I am always being tested?" she went on. "A test I continue to fail."
"We are all tested, my lady," Aresian said. "I believe God has a plan for all of us, but you are not so bad off. You have so many people who respect you and love you. You have a roof over your head, food on your table, a warm bed and a loving family. You have much more good than bad despite all that is happening around you."
Alcina could not help but smile at him.
"That sounds like something my husband would say."
Aresian gave her a little smile.
"Thank you, lad," she said.
"You are welcome, Lady Stanislav."
The drive home was not a long one and soon Alcina was seeing the familiar landscape. The manor just poking up into view and there standing outside waiting was Helena.
Aresian stopped the car in front of the steps and opened the door for her. As soon as Alcina was out of the car did Helena sprint straight to her. With arms wide open, Alcina scooped her girl up into her arms and placed several kisses to her face.
"Mama! Mama!" she cheered.
"How is everyone?" Alcina asked, continuing to hold her girl in her arms.
"Good," Helena said. "Though Josie cried more than normal. I think she really missed you."
"I missed you both very much," Alcina said, placing another kiss to her cheek.
"Do you know what was odd, though?" Helena said.
"What's that?" Alcina said, walking up the steps to go inside and see Josie.
"Everyone was referring to me as 'lady of the house'. What does that mean?"
Alcina smiled at her.
"What?"
"It means when I am away, you are in charge of this manor. The servants including Phoebe all defer to you."
"R-really?" Helena blanched, her mouth hanging open in shock.
"Really," Alcina said.
"How will that work when Josie gets older? Will they deter to her, too?"
"'Defer', my darling, and no. You are the eldest; therefore, you are first in command."
Helena started to smirk a very familiar smirk at her words.
'I am creating a little monster…' Alcina thought to herself. 'Phoebe is going to kill me.'
After greeting Phoebe once she entered into the manor, Alcina set Helena down and led her upstairs to see Josie. She had been asleep according to Phoebe, but as soon as Alcina walked in did she wake up. A big, bright smile spread across her pudgy face at the sight of her.
"Hello, pretty girl," Alcina said, picking her girl up into her arms and placing a kiss to her forehead. "Oh how I have missed you."
Helena took a seat on the edge of the bed, Alcina taking a seat beside her with Josie.
Home. She was finally home. Helena leaning against her and staring at Josie, who was still babbling at their mother incoherently.
"I have been trying to teach her words, but she does not seem to understand," Helena said.
"She will one day," Alcina said. "Just like you did."
"I am kind of excited for that," Helena said.
"So am I," Alcina said. "We will just keep teaching her and eventually she will understand."
"Father will be so surprised," Helena said. "I wish he would come home soon."
"He will, my love," Alcina said. "He will…"
Helena looked up at her mother and met her gaze.
"I love you," she said.
"I love you more."
"I love you most…"