It's So Much More Than That (A Selection Story)

Chapter 36

Chapter 36:

It was mid-March when we finally had the baby shower. I hadn't planned it to be so late in my pregnancy; however, certain things kept pushing the date back further. First, Nicoletta told us that she could only fly out that specific weekend, while Aspen and Lucy could only be back around that time as well. Aspen had been sent on duty with some of the other higher-ranking guards around to a few of the provinces, and wanted to spend some time with Lucy and his family in Carolina before heading back to the palace.

Meanwhile, visitors were due to arrive in a few hours, and predictably, the palace was in a state of frenzy.

"Do you have the tables marked and ready?"

"Yes, your Majesty."

"And the woman's room?"

"It's all cleared, we just have to re-arrange the furniture and hang all of the decorations from the ceiling."

"And the gift baskets – are they all done?"

"Your sisters are working on it."

I sigh. "Okay, thank you Mary. I'm sorry for the whole rush. I'm sure there are probably a million things I'm forgetting. Thank you for checking up on all of them."

She laughs. "It's really not a problem. I wouldn't worry too much. Remember: you only have one job, and that's just to show up!" I stare at the tired circles under my eyes, while Mary starts combing through my gnarled hair. Sometimes, I feel like I'm much older than I really am, even though I've only been the Queen for a little over two years.

"Would you mind getting me some tea...and maybe some strawberry tarts? I think I need something to calm my nerves."

"Of course, I'll call someone to bring some up." She leans over and presses a small button in the wall next to a speaker in the wall and asks for some to be brought up. I'm thankful for the simple technology that we've installed in the palace. It sure is more convenient for all of us around here.

 "I'm afraid I've been a bit ravenous lately", I admit.

Mary waves it off, "oh, don't worry about it. You deserve a bit of pampering, don't you think?"

"I guess so."

"So...just have fun, that's all. Really, this is all for you and the little ones."

"You're right, I should just sit back and let everyone else do everything."

She winks, "that's what I'm talking about." We sit and chat for a while, eating strawberry tarts and drinking tea. I miss the days where it would just be Mary, Lucy, Anne and I. Even though I have many other maids at my disposal, it's mostly just Mary these days that attends me. Sometimes, she gets other maids to help her, but most of the time, she seems content just to do it all herself.

"Lucy's going to be here, isn't she?" Mary asks.

"I think so. Aspen should've come back yesterday."

"Oh good." Mary leans in and touches up my make-up, "I think we're just about done."

"Thank you Mary. May I ask what am I wearing today?"

"Oh certainty! I have it all right here, America. Just a sec." While she scampers over to my closet, I take a couple deep breaths and steal glances of myself in the mirror in front of me. Mary certainly has made my skin look better than it was; I just wish that I wasn't so exhausted all the time.

"Here you go." She unzips the garment bag in her hands to reveal a knee-length turquoise summer dress with a skirt that slightly flares out on the bottom. Little white swirls are embroidered along the hem, and the sleeves and bodice look short, but comfortable. A great dress for a pleasant spring day in Angeles. I let Mary help me into the dress. It perfectly settles over all of my curves, and is actually quite comfortable.