Je T'aime.

XXXVIII. Twice A Bride

"April showers bring May flowers, I suppose," Isabella said as we both looked out of the window together at the downpour that was currently filling the courtyard with puddles.

"Yeah, but now everyone's stuck inside," I complained. "We've been stuck inside since November. It's such a shame that you moved to a cloudy, rainy city. Northern Italy sounds so wonderful this time of year."

"Oh, it always was. But would you rather me move to England, where it's like this in July?"

"No, no. They're Protestants, and I'm convinced that's worse."

Isabella laughed "But have patience with the weather. Spring will come," Isabella said. She rested her chin on my shoulder and began to toy with the fabric on my sleeve. "You're birthday's in May. That's not too far away now, no?"

I couldn't help but smile. "You and the birthdays. I don't need a big bonanza, alright? I don't think I need too much of a present, either."

"Oh, but that's all the fun!" Isabella laughed. "You gave me a handmade portrait. You know you're getting a gift from me."

"Well, what it?"

"That's a secret," Isabella said with a smile.

"You don't know yet, do you?"

Isabella laughed. "No, not yet. But I'll come up with something. You know that I will."

"The thing about my birthday is that it's my mother's, too," I replied. "The focus will be on her. You know, being the Empress and all of that."

"Aw. I'll focus on you. How's that?" Isabella whispered into my ear as she traced circles onto my shoulder. "Just you and I, wouldn't that be sweet?"

"I'd like that," I pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. "It's hard to be alone in this court, both physically and emotionally."

Starving for something to do on this rainy afternoon, Isabella and I ventured out into the hallway. We passed the sparkling white marble and brilliant chandeliers, pausing to gaze at a nearly floor to ceiling painting on the wall in a baroque golden frame. It was a battle scene, with the figures in the foreground being nearly full-sized, including horses. It showed the Battle of Vienna, which took place less than a century prior. It showed the mountaintop cavalry charge that saved Vienna from invasion by the Ottomans. It was a grand peice, remembering the time when the world's grandest empires clashed.

Then from down the hallway came the pattering of feet. Following them were giggles, echoing against the ceiling. The two little archduchesses came to a sliding halt. Carolina and Antonia looked like the pinnacle of childhood bliss. Their smiles were wide, and their hair fell out in places. They wore awkwardly fitting play dresses which couldn't be mended faster than they grew. Around their waists were linen aprons, and they held their skirts up almost to the knee. Oh, if only to be a carefree child again.

"Hi, girls!" Isabella said, sweeping Antonia into a hug.

Carolina came to me, swishing her skirts dramatically. "Mimi, I'm bored," she complained.

"Nice to meet you, bored," I said, holding out my hand for a shake. "I'm Mimi."

Carolina sighed irritatedly, but a smile was coming through. Antonia giggled.

Isabella added, "So are we."

Antonia gasped. She looked to Isabella with a wide, shimmering beam. "Izzy, can you and Mimi play with us? Pretty please?" Antonia looked to Isabella with wide, beckoning eyes.

"Aw!" Isabella cooed, "How could I not? Come on, Mimi."

The girls looked to each other. "Yay!"