Thank you for tuning in! In this next chapter Alcina continues to deal with Fredric's next departure along with the sudden illness that has befallen Countess Bogdan, and her next more intimate reunion with Beatrice.
Later that night:
Alcina and Fredric had made it back up to their bedroom. The fool fast asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow, but Alcina could not get any sleep. Her body was still tingling. So she took a little walk to check in with Helena. Her eldest fast asleep with her thumb tucked into her mouth. Alcina smiled, placing a kiss to her cheek and then tucked her in before she went to the nursery to see Josie.
It was no surprise to Alcina to find Phoebe with Josie. The older woman rested in a chair and snoring lightly. Alcina did not disturb her as she approached the crib. Her eyes fixed down on Josie. Instinctively she wanted to pick her up and hold her, but paused. Worried Josie would awaken and begin to cry. So, Alcina contentedly started to walk away from the crib when a faint whimper escaped Josie.
"Jos?" Motherly instinct took over promptly and Alcina approached the crib again to find her awake. Mother and Daughter locked eyes. Those big green eyes that resembled her father's. She cooed softly at her mother and did something Alcina had never expected. She raised her little arms up. Kicking her small legs in want to be held.
Alcina could not believe her eyes. Feeling herself on the verge of tears as she picked her up.
"Jos."
Josie did not fuss in her arms.
Alcina was completely enraptured, taking a seat on the bed and then lowering her robe so one breast was exposed. Josie quickly clamped her mouth over her nipple and suckled. Alcina stared down at her with no words. Only a smile. A wide, pure smile of absolute bliss.
Alcina remained with Josie the remainder of the night, awakening the next morning to fine Phoebe gone. Slowly Alcina got up off the bed and went back over to her child. She was wide awake. Giggling happily at the sight of her mother.
Alcina could not understand it. What could have changed her? It would not be until Fredric's departure a week later did she receive her answer.
They all stood together. Helena in her father's arms and placing a kiss to his face. She was desperately fighting back tears. Her little face buried in the crook of his neck.
"I will see you soon," he placed a kiss to her cheek. "I love you, sweetheart."
"I love you, Papa," she squeaked.
Fredric gave her one final hug before setting her down. Helena rubbing at her eyes as she walked to her mother's side and hugged her leg. He approached his wife, kissing her on the lips and then placing a kiss to Josie's forehead.
She smiled up at him, making him chuckle at her look. Despite how much his mother had crowed about Josie looking like a Stanislav during their visit; Fredric could clearly see Alcina. The Dimitrescu bloodline flowing strongly through both his girls.
"Remember our promise, you," he said, dabbing Josie on her little nose.
"What promise?" Alcina asked him.
A glint of mischief twinkled in his eyes. That boyish grin returned.
"I have given her a great task and made her promise me something…"
"Oh? And what is that?"
He placed a kiss to her cheek and then whispered into her ear.
"To always protect you in my absence, which means to treat you with kindness and love wherever I am…"
{…}
My dear Beatrice,
Forgive my long silence. I have been unable to write to you due to the arrival of my second child. I was confined to my bed for a month due to birthing complications. She is a beautiful healthy girl I have named Johanna Frederica Stanislav. She is so full of mischief. I would suspect if you watch her in action, you would proclaim she acted like me when I was little.
Fredric has once again left for the frontlines no more than a week ago. I worry for him day and night. If I did not have my daughters and the business, I truly think I would go mad.
I have stopped by to check in with your mother. She is as plucky and energetic as ever. She has fallen completely in love with Josie. I do hope you will be coming to visit soon, my darling. I would like for you to meet Josie, and to see Helena who has grown so big. She has just turned four. I cannot believe how the time has flown by. I hope you are well. Truly. I miss you and our conversations. Please come home to visit soon with Dorothy if you can.
All my love to you, Beatrice.
Love,
Alcina
Alcina placed the mail in an envelope and sealed it with wax that had her insignia on it. She delivered it to Phoebe who would give it to the mailman when he arrived at twelve.
Spring had finally arrived over the land and with it a warm front. Alcina bringing her children out as much as she could to enjoy the weather.
"Mama where are we going?" Helena asked one afternoon, getting into the car with her mother and sister.
"Thank you, Aresian," Alcina said, placing Josie into the car seat and then buckling Helena in. "We are going to visit someone very special."
"Grandmama?" Helena asked, referring to Countess Bogdan.
"No not her."
"Grandmama Stanislav?" Helena started to look depressed now.
"Not her either…" Alcina said. 'Hopefully not for a very long time…' she thought to herself. "We are going to meet my mother."
"Where does she live?" Helena asked, scooting closer to her mother who was seated in between her children.
Alcina smiled down at her.
"You will see."
"Okay," Helena conceded, resting her head against her mother.
Alcina placed a kiss to the top of her head, turning her attention down to Josie who was busily wiggling her feet. She was mesmerized by her little red shoes Alcina had bought for her a few days' ago.
The trip would be a short one, but always a beautiful; scenic route. Helena transfixed out the window at the sight of horses grazing in a field. It was a checkpoint that told Alcina they were drawing nearer to the cemetery. Today would mark her mother's forty-ninth birthday.
"More horseys!" Helena exclaimed.
"Your father owned a few horses," Alcina said.
"Really?" Helena said. "Can we get some?"
"One day, perhaps," Alcina said.
They drove passed the fields and turned onto a dirt road. It was then did the cemetery come into sight. Aresian driving straight in and following the road, Alcina told him to stop once they were close enough to the spot.
Aresian opening the door for them, and helping Helena unbuckle, Alcina took Josie in her arms and led them down the stone path.
"Where are we going?" Helena asked.
"We are going to visit my mother's resting place. Your Grandmama Daciana."
"That is my middle name!" Helena said.
"That is correct," Alcina said. "You were named after her."
"But Mama, how come she is here?"
Alcina gave her a sad smile.
"Because she is in heaven, my love…"
Helena did not ask any more questions, clearly sensing this was one of those 'serious' times her mother would often tell her about. Even Josie stopped her babbling and remained quiet. The three standing before a mausoleum that had the name Dimitrescu written on it. It had both Daciana and Quentin's full names and their birth and death dates on it. The design was the Dimitrescu insignia: a flower and twin swords.
"Happy birthday, Mother," Alcina said. "I have brought Josie and Helena with me. I decided this would be a better birthday gift than the usual wine and flowers."
"I am four years old!" Helena spoke up, holding up four fingers. "Mama has been teaing me math."
Alcina smiled down at her, not correcting her speech error.
Helena stared from the mausoleum and then up at her mother with some concern.
"Can she hear us?"
"Yes," Alcina said. "I know she can."
"How do you know?" Helena asked.
"It is hard to explain," Alcina said. "I just know…" A gentle breeze kicked up just as she said those words. The trees swaying back and forth, rustling the green leaves on the branches. Josie began to babble and reach out her hand. "I know, pretty girl, we will go home shortly."
Alcina deciding to go for a little walk to show the girls other mausoleums that belonged to ancestors and relatives. Twenty minutes passed and Helena was starting to ask when they would go home.
"We will go back now, my darling," Alcina said, catching sight of something dark flying off a nearby tree. A strange shiver ran up her spine at the sight of the bird. Its black feathers that shone purple. She had seen that bird before, but where?
It landed somewhere in the thicket of the trees where Alcina sensed it was watching them. The feeling of unease grew stronger within her and made her walk a bit faster to the car. She kept looking backwards to ensure the creature was not flying overhead and following them. Thankfully there was no sight of it.
Aresian helping his mistress back into the car, he drove them out of the cemetery and back in the direction of home.
"Do you have any photoglaphs of Grandmama Daciana?"
"'Photographs' Helena, and yes I do. I will show them to you when we arrive back home," she said, resting her hand on Josie's belly to comfort her as she started to whimper.
"Oh no she is going to start again," Helena said, covering her ears in preparation for Josie's shrieking.
"She will be just fine," Alcina reassured her. "See, she has already calmed down."
"I think she is hungry."
Alcina smiled at her.
"I think you are correct…"
"Will you play with me when we get home?"
"Yes, Helena," Alcina answered, narrowing her eyes as she caught a flash of black pass by the window.
{…}
Journal Entry:
Weeks have turned into months with no word from Fredric. I found I cannot continue to think about him. I will drive myself insane. Of course my children and the business have kept my mind occupied and it is enough.
It would be near the end of this month and I would receive terrible news.
Countess Bogdan has fallen ill. I have gone over to see her a couple of times, and I can see the change in her. She is frail. Unable to rise out of her bed due to how weak she has become.
The sight of her brings back so many difficult memories. She looks just like my mother in her final days'. I only hope Beatrice arrives soon; I fear the Countess will not be with us much longer…
Alcina sighed, setting her pen down and looking to Helena who had fallen asleep on the floor in front of the desk. She had her stuffed animals scattered all around her with a smile on her face.
Alcina shook her head with a growing smile. It was remarkable how children could sleep anywhere and wake up fine. She continued to stare at Helena as a sadness washed over her. Bringing back further memories of her mother. Alcina stood up from her chair, scooping her child up into her arms and hugging her tightly.
Helena made a little groan, wrapping her arms around her mother's neck and resting her cheek against her shoulder.
"Sleepy, my darling?"
"Mm-hm," she yawned.
"I will put you into bed, then," Alcina said.
Helena did not answer. Already fallen back to sleep.
Alcina could not help but smile. Rubbing at her daughter's back while she walked down the quiet hallway and into her room. She placed her in the bed, took off her little shoes and then tucked her in. Once she knew Helena was taken care of, Alcina walked to the nursery to check in on Josie. The baby being watched over by her nanny, the young woman stood up and bowed when Alcina entered.
Alcina's smile widened at the sight of Josie, sucking on her thumb as she slept. Either she sensed her mother was in the room, or perhaps she recognized her mother's perfume, but she opened her eyes and presented her mother with a happy giggle.
"Hello my pretty girl," she said, picking her up into her arms. "I did not mean to wake you."
Josie smacked her lips, staring up into her mother's eyes.
"I understand," Alcina said, taking a seat on the bed and using one hand to unbutton her dress to allow Josie to suckle. "You are a hungry girl…"
"My lady?" Phoebe knocked on the door, waiting for Alcina to permit her entry. "Apologizes." She bowed her head.
"No need to apologize," she said. "What is the matter?"
"There is a phone call from Bogdan Abbey for you."
Alcina blanched.
"Is it Beatrice?"
Phoebe gave a faint nod, her eyes lowering in sadness.
Alcina stood up with Josie still attached to her, and she was not too pleased when Alcina handed her over to Phoebe to be burped. She was fussing. Protesting against Phoebe's attempts to burp her in want to be with her mother.
Alcina walked down the hallway, shivering. When she reached her study, Alcina went straight to her desk and reached for the phone.
"Beatrice?"
"Alci," her voice sounded so small. A frightened girl.
"It is good to hear you, my darling," she said. "How is your mother?"
"She is fading, Alci," Beatrice said, her voice cracking. "Would you do me a favor and come here when you can? Mother has been asking for you."
"Of course," Alcina said. "I can get my things ready and leave tomorrow morning."
"Thank you," Beatrice said. "How have the children been?"
"They are well," Alcina said, hearing Beatrice sniffling on the other end of the phone. "If at any time you need to call me today or tonight please do not hesitate."
"Thank you," she said again. "I do not know what happened, Alci. She was doing so well. She just had a checkup with the doctor and now this. I mean her memory has begun to fade, and according to the servants she had been wandering off a few months ago, I just do not know what to do…"
"Would you like for me to come today?"
"No, no Alcina. Forgive me. I will see you tomorrow."
"No need to apologize, my darling. Stay strong; I will see you tomorrow…"