Chapter 17: Parent's Visit
1627 Words
Mary
I was excited to go and visit Clarke, my husband had just put the suitcases in the car and I hugged Polly before we started to head out. I know Joe was skeptical because of how things with Barron and Clarke turned out but I wanted them to fix things and if we could help in any way, it would be valuable to the family. I watched all the new architecture as we approached Lubartown, everyone was staring at the car because we were strangers. We stopped at the dinner to get some coffee and it was a cute little dinner, everyone was friendly. After a few minutes, we were on our way to Clarke's ranch, his guards were by the gate, they smiled and let us in because they still respected us. It was late evening and his house was huge and quiet, I saw the dimmed lights on the porch and I composed myself and opened the door, I was surprised it wasn't locked but then, Clarke never locked his house back home.
The house wasn't dirty but it could be cleaner, I went straight to the kitchen where there were dishes still in the sink and a half-eaten meal on the island when I heard the moans coming from upstairs and knew what my son was up to. Joe smiled and we started to wash the dishes waiting to talk to Clarke before we settled in, I was nervous, I hoped he didn't throw us out because I missed my baby so much. I wondered if the woman was his mate because so far he hadn't had any luck, Barbie was a snake and tried to turn him against us, and looking back, her plan worked because he hates Barron. Joe was looking for alcohol and I reminded him that Clarke doesn't drink anymore so he settled for juice like I did and we started to make sandwiches when Clarke came down after whatever activities he was up to when we got here.
I was so happy to see him when I said, "Hi Clarke," I had my fingers crossed behind my back, my heart rate sped up and he ran to me, hugging me saying, "Mama, I missed you." I hugged him back, he wasn't going to kick us out, he missed us as he went over to his father and hugged him too. He looked at us so happy, I could have sworn I saw his eyes water, he said, "So, my former king let you visit me," I knew that hurt and said, "He doesn't hate you, Clarke." He changed the subject and joined us to eat, his lady came down asking, "Clarke, where are you?" She was in his shirt, I smiled as she was shocked to see us when Clarke said, "These are my parents, Drea." She was shocked and said, "Omg, I should have put something more on," I smiled asking her to join us, eventually, we were shown the guest room where we spent our first night with, Clarke.
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Two Days Later
I was enjoying the farm, Clarke had horses and I loved riding them, I had messaged, Polly, explaining how great Clarke was doing, she was happy for him. I wanted to tell Barron but I liked this moment for just us and maybe, ease in trying to get thim to at least call, Barron. Clarke showed his father around town today and will spend time at the office, Clarke was genuinely happy that we visited and Joe was so proud of him for getting his s**t together and doing something positive with his life. After everything that went down, Clarke deserves a second chance to be somebody, he may have been stripped of all titles but he was still my little handsome Prince. Drea had told me about her flower shop and I was doing some shopping today so I got a car to take me into town after spending the morning with the horses.
I wanted to discover more about their relationship and how serious it was, I couldn't have asked Clarke because he wouldn't tell me and I wanted to make sure we didn't have another Barbie on our hands. I told the driver, "Pick me back up in about three hours," I walked around downtown, I came to the shop and saw Drea talking to a man and she slapped him. So, I walked towards her and asked, "What is going on here?" She said, "He was just leaving," he looked at me and said, "This is not over, Drea, you are coming home with me," he left and I looked at her saying, "Explain," because no one was hurting my son again. She closed the shop and we went for coffee, we sat in our little cubicle and she said, "He is my husband."
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Clarke
I had my father with me and I was showing him how the town had progressed so far and the expectations I had for it, it was an alternative to Rogueland. Lubartown was for those who lived like me, who were banished and did not want to live in Rogueland, especially with a family, I made sure no criminals were hidden, we vet our newcomers carefully but you can never know. Jared helps with our security systems because the Elves are top-tier when it comes to vetting people. I showed him that I had repaired the old bridge that led into the northern side of Bearmore and was having an opening ceremony. I said, "No one from Bearmore will be there but you can come on behalf of the King because he won't come here." He said, "Barron won't come but I will be glad to represent our people," we hugged it out before I got a message from my mother saying, "We needed to talk."
We headed back to the ranch, I knew she was in town today but when we got there, she was holding a sit-down with Drea, I kissed her lips and she said, "We need to talk, Clarke." I knew this was going to be something I didn't want to hear but I let her talk, Drea looked at me and said, "Davis, is in town, he found me." I looked at her confused because I didn't know who Davis was and she said, "My husband," I froze in shock before smiling and saying, "Wow." She told me he cheated on her and she left, he wasn't violent just a big cheater, he cheated on her with her best friend and she just left. They had been mated a long time but she hid her mark with magic suppressing the bond so he couldn't find her but he did eventually, and although my stomach churned at the revelation, I let her go.
She talked to my mother earlier and decided to leave the shop for me and go home to Ironside with her husband to fix things. She still loved him and was willing to give their mating and marriage another shot, I knew it wouldn't work because once a cheater always a cheater but we weren't exclusive. That was the end of that, I liked her, perhaps, we could have grown into something but her husband would always hang over our heads so it was best she left. Later that evening, I hired a maid and chef at my mother's request, they should be starting tomorrow. My parents were only here for another two days and I was going to make the best of it, I looked at the moonlight from my balcony with a cup of green tea in my hand and wondered if I made the right choice in letting Drea go.
******
Larkina
I was on a date with Malcolm, he had pursued me long enough and I was willing to give him a chance, after leaving Bearmore, I wanted to start over so I returned to Ironside. I loved it here and became a high-profile model, I didn't want to face anyone in Bearmore for a while, especially my ex, Barron. Sometimes, I also think about Clarke, my former mate, and wonder how he lived now and if he made something of himself and overcame his demons. However, I heard the rumors that he no longer lives in Bearmore but I never followed up on it and hoped he would find love again. I was never a good match for him, I chose duty over love, and in the end, duty was the wrong choice. I was taken out of my thoughts when Malcolm proposed to me, he wanted my hand in marriage, I was skeptical and asked him to let me think about it because this was our first date.
He did not mind but made a valid point, I waited in vain for years to be mated, I never had Barron's heart and Clarke hated me. If I could put up with that for more than ten years, why not marry someone who wants me? He was rich and had a good job and I would be taken care of, so I said, "Yes," we left there that night on his private jet, went to Elvira, and eloped. We had a great time and the honeymoon was two weeks of fun and traveling, he made sure I lacked for nothing and when I got back to his mansion, everyone respected me. He also had business in Dragomare and Faeora, so he was well known, I almost went to inquire about Clarke but I let it go because he had moved on and so did I, I was finally ready to start a family and live my life away from the Royals.
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