Christmas Plans

CHAPTER 4

POV : James

Jamie was sitting one of the many desks at the apothecary, when Clara burst through the doors. 
"Oh my Lord, Jamie, you would not believe it! I just met the hottest girl in the world!" He smiled as he listened to her ramble on and on about this librarian named Mel. "And then she sighed and asked my name! She watched Tamara while me and The Prince talked flowers." He lit up at the last part.
"Prince?" She slapped her forehead with her free hand. 
"I forgot to tell you, didn't I?" She sighed. "I am doing the flowers for The Prince's winter ball!" He shot up from his seat and gripped her shoulders.
"And you forgot to tell me!?" He shouted. She gave a light awkward laugh. 
"Maybe? But in my defense, I was worrying about what I was going to do with Tamara." He nodded. He knew she was always Clara's first priority. In her mind it was just her and Tamara against the world, and anybody could see that. He wished he would let him take care of them. Not as a husband, but as a friend. That one gay witch friend. Though he knew he was really a witch, he never saw himself as that. Just an apothecarian. The cat from two nights ago decided to hop through the window to pay a visit, at this time. He gasped when he saw it.
"Ah, hello kitty. You keep coming back, what should I name you?" Here dusty white fur with black and gray speckles reminded him of a Marrubium Vulgare. "I think I'll call you, Marrubiam," he looked up at Clara. "You know, like the plant. She has the same hue of the lighter plants!" Clara shook her head playfully. 
"You dork. Naming your cat after an herb." He shrugged, sheepishly. 
"It is a pretty name, even you must agree." She sighed merrily.
"Of course I can agree. It just strikes me as funny. I assume if you ever had children you would name them after plants as well." 
"So what? The names of the plants are beautiful." He turned to the shelves lining the wall. "Don't listen to the mean lady. She doesn't mean it." She laughed out loud and Tamara followed suit. Jamie beamed. "She sounds just like you." Clara smiled softly at her baby. 
"She does, doesn't she?" He nodded. She looked back up. "Well I better go and get her down for a nap. I assume Mel didn't do that. I mean, unless she slept in the sling, which I highly doubt. I feel she would have told me. Right? Am I judging this stranger I met today wrong? What if she is actually a serial killer and I just let her watch my baby? What if she put a target on our backs and we're next? What if she knows about Henry and is thinking of every possible way to avoid me?" He stopped her with a wave of his hand. 
"Honey, calm down. You are rambling about nothing. She probably knows about Henry because everyone in the Village knows. BUT, that probably won't change how she sees you. Besides, didn't you just meet her today? How much damage could you have possibly done?" 

POV : Amelia

"How do I avoid Clara if you are constantly bringing her to me?" Mel shouted at Adrian. He asked her to help pick out what kind of food there would be at the ball. He snickered.
"You don't. You suck it up and get to know her. You can't live out some fantasy in your head without trying it in real life." 
"Says the guy who doesn't even know his crush's name! I mean, come one! You're in love with the guy but can't even remember his name?" He blushed
"I never asked." He said, meekly. Making Mel almost regret all of what she just sat, almost. 
"Then go to him today and ask. You got me to watch Clara's baby for heaven's sake. I actually talked to her today! The least you could do is go talk to your crush." 
"What's this about Adrian having a crush on someone?" The King boomed from the top of the stairway.
"Nothing, Father. It's...nothing." He looked at the ground, which Mel noticed as she bowed. She knew exactly who his crush was and what his name was. James "Jamie" Kook. He ran the apothecary in town. He was Clara's best friend. And he just so happened to be gay. 
"If you have a crush you need to tell me, we could just call this whole thing off. After all, it is so you could find a wife. But, if you had someone in mind already, then this is a waste of time and money. So, who is this young lady?" Adrian kept his eyes on the ground. 
"He-ahem- She, is no one you would approve of. You said it had to be a noble lady."
"Ah, so she is a peasant then, hmmm? Well never mind then. Continue about your business." He stormed out of the room. He felt a pastry hit the back of his head and turned around. 
"That was your chance! You could have come out to him then!" He shook his head and Mel groaned. Why was he doing this. He has all he needs.
"And what? Get kicked out of the house like you did? Go live with some friend in some fancy castle? I don't have that, Mel. I only have you. And you are here. I will talk to him but that does not mean I will be coming out to my father anytime soon." She stood there aghast at how bold his words got. She was secretly proud of him. He stormed out and she watched him go. 
"He'll need me someday." She whispered under her breath. "Everyone does." 

POV : Adrian

He opened the door to the apothecary. He scanned the room and found who he was looking for. Sitting at a small dark oak desk sat the apothecarian. He was sorting herbs, as he usually was he found. He cleared his throat and the boy startled. When he saw who it was he scrambled to his feet and gave a clumsy bow. 
"A-ah, your highness. To what do I owe the pleasure of dealing with you today?" Adrian gulped up his fear. 
"I-I-I... um... came here for you. I-um- wanted to know your name?" He blushed at this and Adrian thought he had made a mistake coming here. Maybe he wasn't even gay. Or bi for that matter. 
"My name is James. Most people call me Jamie, though." Jamie, thought Adrian. 
"Erm... I am Adrian." Jamie nodded. "Would you like to go for a ride sometime? I have some of the best horses for riding in the country." Jamie seemed to perk right up.
"I would love to go for a ride. Actually me and my friend were just talking about how she has a job at the palace now. You know her actually. Clara?" He jolted when he realized that this was the friend she was talking about earlier. The one who had a crush on him. At least he hoped so. For his own sake. 
"Yeah, I do know her. And...um... the ride, would tomorrow work for you? I know you are probably super busy..." 
"No! Er, I mean, yes I would love to go. And no I'm not busy." Adrian perked right up.
"I'll pick you up around lunchtime?" Jamie nodded and Adrian was off, back to the prison he called home.

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed! I am trying to build as much tension as I can but I don't think it's working that well! :DD: Oh well. I hope you will continue reading and have a great day/night/evening/morning/noontime!