Thank you for tuning in! In this chapter Beatrice and Alcina enjoy a day out together with Beatrice confessing she has always loved Alcina.
Alcina covered her mouth as a little yawn escaped her.
"Tired?" Beatrice asked her, the two seated together in the back of the car and driving in the direction of Brasov.
"I woke up early due to Helena crying," Alcina said, not wanting to say it was from a nightmare. She would never hear the end of that.
"I figured we could go to the museum and then eat lunch."
"I will follow your lead," Alcina said.
"I was hoping you would say that," Beatrice said.
"I know that look," Alcina teased.
The drive into town was a beautiful one. Both women staring out the windows the majority of the time at the white landscape. How gorgeous it was despite how much Alcina did not fancy the cold weather.
"It feels like ages since I have seen this town," Beatrice commented once they drove down the familiar streets.
"It has been a few months since I have been here myself," Alcina said.
"It has not changed, well, except the few additions they have added."
"How did you learn of this museum?"
"My mother mentioned it," she said. "I kept asking her if she wanted to go, but she kept refusing."
"Perhaps when the weather warms up," Alcina suggested.
Beatrice gave her a little nod.
The car finally stopped and the driver opened the door to let the two out. The wind was a bit chilly and making Alcina shiver.
"This way," Beatrice said, loping her arm around Alcina's and guiding her along. The sidewalks were clear of snow and not as slippery as Alcina thought they would be. "Here we are!" Beatrice said, handing the money to the man at the front and receiving two tickets. "Do not lose this or they will throw you out."
Alcina rolled her eyes, stuffing the ticket into her coat pocket and following Beatrice further into the first room. How magnificent the sculptures and paintings were. Highlighting not just the hardships of everyday life back then, but also the beauty.
"They have everything don't they," Beatrice said, admiring a stunning painting of a woman feeding a baby a large bowl of soup.
"It shows the significant art movements," Alcina explained, following the paintings and pointing each one out. "Impressionism, realism, symbolism, surrealism and expressionism." She stopped in front of a photograph of two women seated on a beach front. One woman crocheting while the other woman stared out at the vast ocean. The sky clear and unblemished by clouds; the water blue and calm.
The two continued on where they came upon a room filled with different weapons ranging all the way back to the 1600s. Next were vehicles and carriages.
"I am certain my mother has a photograph of herself as a baby in one of those," Beatrice commented. "How primitive it all seems now with our gas powered machines." She started to chuckle. "What are they going to think of next? Electric vehicles, perhaps?"
"You never know," Alcina said.
Next they stepped into an area that depicted war images and weapons.
"This is a bit unnerving," Beatrice said, looking closely at photographs of devastated landscapes.
"That is war…" Alcina said. "My father was part of it and he came back changed. According to my mother anyway. I cannot even imagine living minute by minute wondering if you would be the next to die."
Beatrice could not look at the photographs anymore, looping her arm around Alcina's again and guiding her out of the room.
"Let us find something less dark," she said.
Alcina did not object.
"Oh look!" Beatrice pointed towards a large space containing scientific looking objects.
"It looks like something out of Mary Shelley's novella, 'Frankenstein'."
"Or torture devises," Beatrice said, staring at a chair that had large nails sticking up from the leg and armrests.
"A lovely gift for Fredric's mother," Alcina said, making Beatrice burst out laughing.
"Look at all these things," Beatrice said, continuing to eye over the different crude objects. "How barbaric people were back then."
Alcina looked down at each item in silence.
"Imagine inflicting such cruelty on another human being with these tools."
"Horrific…" Alcina murmured.
"Come on, Alci," Beatrice said. "Let's go and find some paintings."
Alcina took one last look at the tools before she followed behind Beatrice. The two walking for almost two hours before they found a little diner within the museum. They took a seat and ordered some refreshments.
"What do you think so far?" Beatrice asked, sipping at her coffee.
"It is wonderful. Your mother will enjoy seeing it."
"I think your mother would have enjoyed this, too. She always loved artwork and history."
"Yes she did," Alcina said, taking a sip from her cup of tea. "When Helena is older I will bring her."
"What about Fredric? Do you think he would enjoy this?"
"I do," Alcina said. "He has quite an eye for artwork."
"Does he really?" Beatrice said. "I wish my husband did. His tastes are bizarre and quite honestly unpopular. I should have him speak with your Fredric on what real art is."
Alcina chuckled.
"He would enjoy that conversation." Staring straight at Beatrice as she continued: "Thank you for inviting me to join you. I have not had this much fun in a long time."
Beatrice smiled, reaching out and squeezing her hand.
"I have missed you. You know I… I never forgot what you said to me. "
Alcina could feel her cheeks flush with color.
"Beatrice… I should not have said that to you. I know it was inappropriate and improper of me to say it…"
"Alcina," Beatrice's tone firm. "Allow me to finish."
Alcina fell silence.
"It took me a long time to understand my own feelings. I suppose I felt anger about it, but in truth my anger was not to you; it was due to me being afraid. I recognized the fact that I did love you, too, but the truth was we could never be in that way. We both were destined to live two separate lives. Married to gentlemen, raise children and be proper ladies. That is why I returned here. To escape from that life that I have come to find I despise so much. Do not misunderstand me. I love my daughter just as you love your Helena, but I wanted to return home. I wanted to submerge myself back into the life we had. Where we had little responsibility and could do as we pleased. I feel it now. When I am with you, I feel like I am my old self." She placed a kiss to Alcina's hand.
"Beatrice," Alcina whispered, wanting to take her in her arms and hold her. To kiss her. The words, 'I love you', on her tongue, but she would not express them. Not with so many people now congregating into the room. 'She did, no, /does/ feel the same. My heart is soaring so high. I am growing dizzy from it all.' She wanted to giggle. To jump up and dance. 'My Beatrice. My beloved…' the feeling started to shift; however, upon Fredric's face flashing before her eyes, the sudden arrow of guilt pierced her heart. A confliction that sprang upon her so quickly. She loved them both just as her mother had loved Magnus and her father. A curse as her mother had said. 'I understand now… Oh Mother. I understand…'
The two spent another hour in the museum once they had finished eating. Beatrice acting so gay while Alcina felt more and more like a deflated balloon. Her heart being torn in two ways. It ached. Never did she imagine wanting to run away from her beloved, but here she was in want to just run. She could not understand this feeling. Anger beginning to bubble through her.
"Bundle up, Alci, it is starting to spit snow again," Beatrice said when they reached the exit.
Alcina gave her a weak smile, buttoning up her coat and pulling on her gloves and hat.
"I am glad we had Samuel park close," she continued.
Samuel exited the car as soon as the two appeared and opened the door for them. Beatrice entered first and then Alcina. The car ride home seeming to take longer than the journey to the town. Alcina kept her gaze fixed out the window until she felt Beatrice rest her head on her shoulder. She looked down at her, once more the urge to kiss her was almost too much to resist, but resist she did.
{…}
When they had arrived at the abbey, Alcina had to wake Beatrice. The sky was already showing signs of evening.
"You two were gone longer than I thought," the Countess said when they entered into the Main Hall.
"Sorry," Beatrice said. "There was so much to see. You must join us when the weather improves, Mother."
"I will take you up on that, but only if you bring my granddaughter here."
"You will meet your granddaughter, Mother, I assure you."
The Countess snorted, not quite believing her daughter's words.
"Alcina, Helena did so very well. She is upstairs in the crib sound asleep. I gave her a piano lesson today. I must say she is certainly a prodigy."
"Thank you, Countess," Alcina said. "I will go up and check on her."
Alcina ascended the stairs listening to Beatrice continue to argue with her mother. How wonderful it was to see her daughter. A sense of normality returning to her.
"My good girl," she whispered, raking her fingers carefully through her dark hair. "The Countess was most pleased with your behavior today."
Helena blinked her eyes open, a loud giggle erupting from her as soon as she realized it was her mother.
Alcina picked her up and placed a kiss to her forehead.
"We will return home tomorrow," she said, taking a seat to allow her to suckle. "Let us hope your father has not destroyed the manor in our absence."
Helena continued to suckle rigorously. Clearly Helena had been feeling some stress due to her absence.
"There, there," Alcina hummed. "I am here. I am here…"
{…}
Night:
Alcina was donned in her nightgown and situated in the bed reading. The Countess had come in and wished her goodnight, Alcina was anticipating Beatrice to arrive, but she never showed her face. After ten more minutes of reading, Alcina set the book down and clicked the lamp off.
An hour passed and Alcina had fallen into a deep, dreamless sleep. She did not hear her door creak open and then click close. The bed shifting slightly as the weight of the person climbed on. A heaviness rested down on her and then the feel of wandering hands sliding up her belly.
Alcina moaned lightly, feeling digits now on her breasts, lips grazing over her own and then applying pressure.
Slowly she blinked her eyes open upon more kisses placed to her face and then her neck. At first she thought it was Fredric. Momentarily forgetting where she was; however, it was her blonde hair tickling her face did she realize who this was.
"Beatrice?" she gasped.
Beatrice sat slightly back, still straddling Alcina and staring down at her with lust in her eyes.
"Alcina…"
Alcina opened her mouth to speak, only for Beatrice to slam her lips against hers in a passionate kiss. Alcina's brows shot up and for a few minutes gave into her. Her arms wrapped about her thin frame and pulling Beatrice back down on her. She moaned as Beatrice squeezed her breasts and nipped at her flesh. It was when Beatrice started to raise her nightgown and rake her nails up and down her thighs did Alcina push her away.
She cursed inwardly, gasping for breath as she swung her legs over the bed and got out.
Beatrice stared after her in confusion.
"Alci? What is wrong?"
"I-I do not think I can do this."
"Why?" Beatrice asked. "Did I do something wrong?"
"No," Alcina said, keeping her back to Beatrice and hugging herself around her stomach.
"Then what is it?"
"I-I," Alcina clenched her teeth together, the anger she felt at the diner in the museum returning. "I waited so long for you. I bled my heart out to you, but you made me wait. I never received an answer from you. Why, Beatrice?" she then turned a glimmer of tears in her eyes. "Why did you not express yourself to me like you did earlier? Why now after so much has happened?"
"Because I needed time, Alci."
Alcina scoffed.
"Neither of us had time. You left me and I spent that time recovering my heart, and then I met Fredric. How much you both are so alike. The reason why I fell in love with him, and now you both occupy my heart! When I am with you, I feel guilty. When I am with Fredric, my heart aches for you."
"I am sorry, Alcina," Beatrice said, starting to rise off the bed. "I am sorry you have felt this pain. I never wanted you to carry such guilt."
"I have done this to myself. It is all my fault," Alcina whispered. "I felt such joy receiving your letter. To finally see you again, but the more time I spent with you, the more my heart was being torn."
"I have felt the same. I thought I could push my feelings aside, but I have been miserable in America. I am alone and the more I spent alone, the more I thought of you and home. I want to be here. I want my daughter to be here, but I cannot talk him into returning to Romania."
"May I be honest with you?" Alcina said.
"Of course."
"You must stay in America. I understand your homesickness; your loneliness, but I fear being here would make you even more miserable."
"I do not understand," Beatrice said.
"We are not children anymore, my darling, we are women; mothers. We have responsibilities. Duties to our men and children. You will find what we had in the past is now changed. We would both look at one another with a longing that will destroy us. Destroy our families. I love you. I will always love you, but we cannot maintain this course."
How hard it was for Alcina to say. To steel herself of emotion. How much she wanted to just allow herself to be with Beatrice. To accept what she had felt for so long… still felt, but every time she saw Helena, she was brought back to reality. She was a Stanislav. She had a duty to hold as the lady of the house. No longer could she be a child.
"I understand, Alci, thank you. I am sorry for disturbing your sleep," Beatrice said, starting to turn away.
"Beatrice."
She looked back at her.
"Sleep in here tonight."
"Where will you sleep?" Beatrice asked.
"I will be right here." She motioned with her fingers for Beatrice to approach her.
"Goodnight, my darling," Alcina said, placing a kiss to her wet cheek.
"Goodnight," Beatrice whispered, placing a kiss to her forehead before she walked over to the bed.
{…}
"I wish you could stay longer," Countess Bogdan said, placing a kiss to both Alcina's cheeks.
"As do I," Alcina said.
"Goodbye, Miss Helena," the Countess said, dabbing her little nose. "You are welcome here anytime."
Helena smiled at her and then up at her mother gleefully.
"We will return soon, won't we?" Alcina said, placing a light kiss to her daughter's head.
"Good," the Countess said satisfied. "Now where is Beatrice? She is always late…"
"I am right here, Mother," Beatrice said indignantly, shooting Alcina a wink.
Alcina sucked in her lips to prevent a laugh from escaping. The two embracing and placing a kiss upon one another's face.
"I will write to you," Beatrice said.
"As will I," Alcina said, feeling her chest tighten with emotion.
"You take good care of her for me," Beatrice spoke directly to Helena. "Do you promise?"
Helena stared directly at Beatrice, babbling.
"I think that was a yes," Beatrice said.
"I do, too," the Countess said.
"Thank you again, Countess," Alcina said, carefully walking down the steps to the car.
"Farewell, Daughter."
Beatrice walked right beside Alcina, taking hold of Helena so Alcina could get in before setting the baby down into her arms.
"Take care of yourself," Beatrice said.
"I will, and please return here soon with Dorothy, I wish for our girls to meet."
Beatrice nodded with a pained smile. This farewell clearly breaking her own heart in two.
Alcina blinked back her own tears, placing another firm kiss to her cheek before pulling back.
Beatrice closing the door and backing away from the car as it started up and slowly drove away.
Once Beatrice was out of sight, a few tears rolled down her cheeks. She quickly brushing them away before they could hit Helena.
'You must give her your all,' she recalled what the Countess had told her. 'Just as your mother gave you her all, you must now do the same for Helena.'
'Beatrice will always be in my heart,' Alcina thought to herself. 'And with Helena and the business, it will be a good distraction to keep my mind off my broken heart…'
Alcina averted her gaze out the window, watching the scenery change from open fields to forest. They would be home soon. How happy Fredric would be to see his girls. How happy Helena would be to see her father.
After almost an hour, the manor came into sight. Aresian pulling the car up to the front doors, he opened the door for Alcina and helped her out.
"Alcina!" Fredric nearly slipping on the wet step, sprinted right over to her and embraced her.
"Fredric," Alcina said, pecking him on the lips.
"How was it?"
"Fun," Alcina said, handing their daughter off to him.
"And how was our princess?"
"She behaved like a lady," Alcina said.
"That's my girl," he said, placing a kiss to her forehead.
Helena babbled happily upon receiving the kisses.
Alcina followed him in happy to be back in the manor.
"Phoebe," Alcina said, smiling as the maid came down the stairs to greet her.
"It is wonderful to see you," Phoebe said.
"How was he?" Alcina asked, leaning closer to her.
Phoebe gave her a look, which made her burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?" Fredric asked from the stairwell.
"Nothing, Fredric," Alcina said. "Nothing at all."
Fredric quirked a brow not quite trusting her.
"I have something to show you upstairs," he said.
"Oh?" Alcina said. "And what would that be?"
"It is a secret," he said. "Phoebe, will you take care of Helena for a moment."
"Of course," she said.
"Come on," Fredric said, offering out his hand to her.
"What are you up to?" Alcina started to smirk, taking his warm hand and instantly feeling a spark in her belly. An unexpected yearning to feel his hands on her.
"You will see," he said, guiding her upstairs and down the hallway.
"Fredric?" she said as he led them into their bedroom and closed the door. He then cupped her face and placed a passionate kiss to her lips. Once more Alcina felt sparks in her belly that traveled to every part of her body. He released a moan, which she answered with one of her own.
Quickly they removed their clothes, Fredric desperately unbuttoning the back of her dress.
"You clumsy idiot," Alcina giggled.
"I cannot get the last one," he growled, already naked behind her.
"Then pull it off," she said breathily.
Fredric did as he was told and with that the dress fell to the floor in a heap.
Alcina groaned in pleasure, crawling on the bed and laying on her back with Fredric right behind her. As soon as he entered her did she moan out in ecstasy. His thrusting so firm and strong. How much he had obviously missed her. How much he had wanted her back home.
She smiled as he pumped vigorously. His wandering hands playing with her breasts. Alcina closed her eyes, her mind wandering back to Beatrice. Her touch just the same as his. Her lips pressed against his. Nipping and biting at her flesh. Alcina raised her legs up to give Fredric more access, her eyes still closed, giggling at the feel of his face buried in the crook of her neck.
"My love," Alcina whispered, raking her nails up and down his back. Her back. "My darling…"