Love Is Strength

Chapter 1: A new start

"Mom, please." A little girly voice said. "Tell me!".

Abby looked at her daughter. Her blonde hair was falling gently around her shoulders and her hazelnut colored eyes were looking at her with hope.

"I told you," Abby started, "You have to sleep now. It's late." She pushed the duvet further up around the tiny body that was laying in the way too big bed. The girl mumbled something Abby couldn't quite understand, but she saw how the girl teared up.

"Hope, please, sleep now." Abby tried again.

"I just don't get it." Hope started as the tears fell down her cheeks. "You never include me in anything. You treat me like om 3 years old, which I'm most certainly not!"

Abby sighed. Hope had definitely inherited her father's determination and willing to never give up. Up until now, Abby had found it nice, but at this exact moment, she wished her daughter would be more like herself.

"Fine. I'll tell you how we met. But no more. I'm really not in the mood to talk about your father." Abby said as she placed herself at the top of the bed. Hope moved aside with a big smile on her face. Her teeth were still tiny and adorable, and Abby suddenly realized how much she loved seeing her daughter smile. It had been a while since Abby had seen a smile on that face.

"But you have to promise me that you'll go to sleep right after the story," Abby said and looked commandingly at the little girl next to her. Hope had placed her hand in Abby's and started intertwining them.

"I promise, Mommy," Hope said with a content look on her face. She knew her mother would crack if she just played the sad-card. It was too easy, she thought but did not complain. She was really looking forward to hearing about her mother and father and their first meeting.

"Before I begin the story, an important part is that I didn't know, who your father was. I had no idea he was royal." Abby said.

"So, you didn't know that you were going to be a queen?" Hope said wonderingly. Everybody knew her father. And everybody loved him.

"No," Abby said with sadness in her voice. "Now I'll tell you about the story of how I met your father, the Crown Prince of England." Abby took a deep breath before continuing. It actually hurt to talk about him, but she knew how much it meant for her daughter. She would just have to pull herself together and get through the story.

"It all began 15 years ago in a country far away," Abby started. "Or actually at a college in the USA."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"OMG, look how many things we can do here, Abby!" Clarke, Abby's best friend, exclaimed.

"This is going to be legendary." The blond-haired girl continued, almost screaming now in excitement.

"You are embarrassing, Clarke. Keep your voice down." Abby said as they passed a bunch of boys, who looked at them with a big smile on their faces.

"Oh, come on, Abby. This is going to be the best years of our lives!" Clarke couldn't help it. This was everything she'd ever dreamt of. They walked towards a big red building with a big sign at the front, which said: "Welcome to Easton Academy". They had just gotten their books at the intro-stand and was now heading for their dormitories.

"Look at that!" Clarke yelled as she pointed her fingers to a stand, where football players were standing. Both Clarke and Abby played football. Not the American way, but the European kind of football. "I'll be right back!" And then she was gone. Abby found herself utterly embarrassed in the middle of the new college, which would soon be home to her. Abby walked slowly around gathering all the impression. She looked to her right, where a couple of, what she would assume was 4th grader, was walking. She was so deep in her own thoughts that she didn't realize the boy coming in front of her. And in no time, they both fell to the ground. Abby gathered herself and looked at the mystery man. He had a hand placed on the back of his head, which he had slammed towards the ground.

"I'm really sorry." Abby started, as she collected the books, which were now everywhere.

The person had real black hair, which was nicely combed backward. He had a big smile with white teeth perfectly placed in his mouth. Abby couldn't help it, but a sudden rush ran through her body, as he smiled.

"No. I was my fault, miss." He said. Abby was taken aback by his sweet voice. He was talking British, which she found very appealing. The young man collected some of Abby's books before standing up and offering her a hand. Nervously she took it and without any struggle, she was now on her feet.

"I see you also have a love for Freud." The young man said, whilst giving the book to Abby. "Are you also taking AP literature?"

"As a matter of fact, I am," Abby said while gently pulling the book towards her. She gave him a little smile.

"Then we'll probably meet again. Just not in the same way, I hope." He chuckled lightly, and Abby couldn't help but laugh too. He was really good looking. He had brown eyes and even though he was wearing clothes, Abby could easily tell that he was well-trained.

"I'm really sorry! It was my mistake. I was in my own world," she said and looked down. Suddenly she felt her cheeks burn and the embarrassment float over her.

"There are no mistakes, as Freud would say." The young man said. "I'm certain this was meant to be. May I ask what your name is, miss?" He smiled again.

"I'm Griffin. Abigail Griffin, but my friends just call me Abby," she answered nervously. Normally Abby was good at small talk, and she had no problem being around boys. But somehow, he was different. He had a whole other effect on her, which scared Abby a little.

"That is a very beautiful name. It suits such a beautiful young lady." He said without hesitation, and Abby felt her cheeks burn even more. He was flirting with her. They had known each other for less than two minutes. The man felt no remorse what so ever.

"Will I get yours?" Abby asked trying to sound steady and calm.

"You will." He said. "One day. You'll have to earn the right to know my name." He smiled again and then walked away from her. Abby was left in shock. This one was really different, and Abby couldn't help it but chuckle over the whole situation. She then heard panting and saw Clarke running towards her.

"Oh my, who on earth was that? He is gorgeous, Abby!"

"I don't know his name. But he seems nice." Abby said looking in the direction, where he left.

"He doesn't have to be nice, Abby. He is like a ten out of ten. If not a 12." Clarke said death seriously. Abby suddenly burst into laughter.

"You have nothing else in your head than pretty boys, Clarke." Abby puffed Clarke in the side to get her attention, but Clarke just starred at the young man, who was now a little dot in the horizon.

"We are so going to meet him again! Definitely." Clarke said before turning around headed for their quarters. Abby rolled her eyes and turned around to follow her friend.