𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 «« Matthew Gray Gubler.

2.0

Anagnorisis II.
Bluebells.

"Hello, darling. I see you've chosen a different location. Thank god, the other one was getting rather boring."

Coraline hesitantly opened her eyes as she shook her head, the blinding rays of sun forcing her to wince as she attempted to make out her surroundings. "Where are we?"

Diana chuckled, looping her arm through her daughter's. "Oxford street."

She finally opened her eyes, narrowing them at the empty street. "This is what Oxford street looks like empty? Wow."

"Beautiful, isn't it? Just like you." The older woman tapped her nose, eliciting a small giggle from her. "So tell me about this boy of yours, Matthew. How's it going?"

A sheer blush dusted itself on Coraline's cheeks as she ever so slightly cowered into herself, embracing the swarm of butterflies that had magically appeared in her belly like they always did at the mention of his name. "Absolutely amazing. I'm spending Easter with his family this year."

"And how are the family? They treat you nicely?"

"Oh, mummy, they're just wonderful! His father's all cool and all. He's got such a good relationship with his step-mother. Same goes for his mother and her husband. His siblings are so much fun, too!"

Diana laughed, soaking in the warmth of her daughter's happiness. "Everything is going well, then. That's splendid, Cori. I'm very proud of you."

Coraline smiled sheepishly. "Thank you. I'm, uh, taking Matthew to William's wedding."

The princess gasped, lips managing to tug upwards through the 'o' shape of her mouth. "He's going to meet the family? That's very, very good progress."

"I just figured, it's been 10 months together. I don't want it to be a one way street. I just hope they like him."

She quirked a mischievous eyebrow. "Thinking of marriage?" She joked, smirking.

"Mummy!" They shared a short laugh. "I don't know, I think so? I see a future with him. I want a future with him, it's just that you weren't so happy. How can I guarantee he will be?"

On a more serious note, she pursed her lips, nodding. "Well, he'll have a better protector than I did. One that loves him more than anything in the world."

"You think I'd be a good protector?"

Diana tucked a piece of the young royal's blonde hair behind her ear, smiling fondly down at her despite their mere 3 inch height difference. "Think of all the people you've protected so far. I think Matthew would be more than lucky to have you."

Coraline couldn't help herself as she embraced her mother, face buried in her shoulder as she inhaled the flowery scent of her perfume, her signature scent. Once they pulled away, they continued their walk, arms looped. "David's engaged."

"And?"

She shrugged, a small pout on her lips. "I thought I'd be happier for him."

"Well, you were going to marry him and you did truly love him, I'm not surprised you feel this way."

"But I shouldn't. I have Matthew."

She gave the young girl a playful glare. "Unless you're falling madly in love with David Tennant once again I think you're completely find. It's normal to feel this way."

She rolled her eyes at the rare bluntness she'd received. "I'm not falling in love with David. We're actually friends now." Coraline sucked in a deep breath. "What if Matthew meeting the family doesn't go well?"

"What do you mean?"

Now it was her turn to give a playful glare. "What do you think I mean? What if he doesn't like them, or they don't like him, or both?"

"Well, I'm sure everyone will like each other from what you've told me. But, if you're really that worried, express how you feel to him. I'm sure he'll come up with some romantic way to make you feel better. Just don't stress, darling, you do that too much for it to corrupt your relationship."