''Flying''

''No! Absolutely Not!''

-"No! Absolutely not!" - Bella firmly says, shock in her eyes as she looks back at Josh.

-"Why not?"

-"Why not? Are you serious? Do you really want me to marry someone with his reputation?"

-"Look, despite his reputation, deep down, Henry is a good man and a fair ruler. Not to mention that he could become a powerful ally."

-"Josh, the last thing I want is to be put in the same situation you were in with my sister, having to marry someone I don't even know, or, and more important, that I don't love, all for the sake of an alliance."

-"You know I would never force you to do something like that." - He gives her a pointed look. -"But you need to think about, not only your future but Alexis' as well. Even though she is my niece, she doesn't have a direct claim to the throne, but if you marry Henry, Alexis will have her future secured, even if she's not Henry's biological daughter."

-"What are you talking about?"

-"Henry and I, we talked about it, and Henry told me he is willing to give Alexis his name, making her his rightful heir."

-"What?" - To say Bella is surprised is an understatement. -"And you're okay with that? What about Mackenzie? And Donna? Are you all okay with Alexis taking his name?"

-"Alexis, and you, will always be a part of this family and nothing will ever change that, Bella." - He smiles softly at her. -"Ultimately, the decision is yours. And if your decision is still no, then I understand and respect it."

-"Can I have some time to think about this and talk to Alexis?" - She sighs, feeling a bit defeated.

-"Of course."

-"When do you have to give him an answer?"

-"Henry will be back in a week or so, and he will be staying for a while, since we need to discuss the terms of a possible alliance."

-"I'll try and have an answer by then."

Josh nods at her and looks out to the lake, thinking that this is the best way to secure Alexis' future without having to compromise his niece's happiness. If Bella agrees to Henry's offer, then Alexis will have a place in Henry's succession line and won't need to marry some Lord to secure her future.

Bella looks out to the lake, the wind forcing the water to make small waves, wondering what the hell is she supposed to do here. She knows that Josh would never force her to marry King Henry, and as much as she wants to refuse this right here and now, she also knows she needs to think this through, for Alexis' sake.