The Royal Romance - The Valtoria Diaries

True Beaumonts

"Ahhh," said Maxwell as their car pulled up outside Beaumont Manor. "Home sweet.... No. Wait. Stop. I mean, former home sweet former home?"

Jen shook her head, and ruffled his hair. "Hey, this place will always be a home to you, and I don't have a problem with that."

"Phew," he said with a nervous laugh. "I actually thought you might kill me there. Right, come on. Let's see what Chance makes of the place."

She frowned. "You did tell Bertrand we were bringing Chance with us, didn't you?"

"Busted. Well, it's too late to take him home now. Come on, let's go!"

He burst out of the car and ran around to open Jen's door before their driver got there. "Your Grace. Welcome back to Ramsford."

"Why thank you, Your Grace." She took his hand and got out of the car as elegantly as she could, given the two hour drive. "Come on Chance." Chance, who had been curled up between them, hopped out after her.

At that, the door was opened, to reveal a beaming Savannah. "Hey, you two!"

"Hey," Jen said, greeting her future sister-in-law with a warm hug. "Thanks for having us this weekend."

"It's an honour," Savannah said. "Your first weekend as Mr and Mrs and you choose to spend it with us?"

Jen looked at Maxwell, an evil glint in her eye. "I'm just sick of seeing him in the same three outfits.."

He laughed. "Yeah. Living out of a bag for eight months has taken its toll on these shirts."

Savannah laughed. "Well, hopefully you'll get the chance to rediscover your wardrobe, and the contents of your room, while you're here. Bertrand is... keen to re-establish it as a nice guest room. You know, for when you both come and stay?"

Jen completely got that Bertrand would be impatient for Maxwell to clear out all his worldly goods. She was herself curious to see the contents of his bedroom, it had been forbidden territory to her thus far.

Maxwell nodded. "Ah, how brotherly of him. Where is he, anyway?"

A loud groan of disgust was heard from beyond Savannah.

Savannah looked at Maxwell in amusement. "He's in the drawing room, changing Bartie."

Maxwell strode past Savannah. "This, I need to see."

Savannah smiled widely at Jen. "So, how is married life?"

Jen couldn't lie. "It's the best."

Savannah raised an eyebrow. "Been enjoying getting to know each other better?"

"Well, yes and no," Jen said. "I feel that we already knew each other inside-out before the I dos..."

"Or the hell yeahs, even," Savannah commented.

Jen giggled. "Those too. But yeah. I know me and Maxwell were practically already living together, but there was always so much going on, so many other people around, that quality time was like gold dust. Now we've made those promises to each other, and we actually have a home together.. I really don't know how I could be happier right now."

At that they heard what sounded like Maxwell screeching from behind them, followed by Bertrand's raised tones. "Barthelemy Jackson Walker, please refrain from urinating in the direction of your uncle Maxwell."

Jen and Savannah looked at each other and laughed.

"Yeah. It's been special so far," Jen eventually continued, toying with her wedding ring. "I'm a lucky lady."

Savannah nodded. "I have to say, the last few weeks have been special for me too." She glanced at the ring on her finger. "I feel like I finally belong here now."

"So you should," said Jen as they walked into the manor, Chance trotting alongside them. She glanced around, noticing some subtle differences in the arrangement of furniture and décor. "I can see you're putting your mark on the place already.."

Savannah laughed. "Well, my mother might have helped me with that. She took one look at the place and said something along the lines of, hell, how long has it been since a woman lived here? She got straight to work."

Jen giggled. "I can just imagine Bertrand's reaction.."

Savannah smiled. "Yeah. I think by the end of her visit they'd just about learned how to tolerate each other's presence."

The two of them headed into the drawing room where they found Bertrand showering wet wipes in Maxwell's direction, and Maxwell frantically scrubbing his black shirt. Bartie was lying quite happily on the floor, kicking and giggling.

"Our nephew did not respect the Gucci," Maxwell groaned as he looked in Jen's direction.

Savannah giggled. "Aw, I'm guessing you learned the hard way the number one danger of changing a baby boy. Always put a wet wipe over the dinky when locating a fresh diaper..."

Bertrand was holding his hands out. "At least he didn't have to process the excrement that I discovered on removing the original one."

"I was only trying to help," Maxwell said in mock outrage. "And he fires his little pistol at my chest." He gestured to the damp patch on his shirt. "Point blank range!"

Jen and Savannah were by this point overcome with laughter, and Jen could only shake her head as Bertrand headed in the direction of the bathroom to wash his hands.

"Well," Savannah eventually said. "At least you know now, Maxwell. For future reference." She looked at Jen pointedly when she spoke, and Jen couldn't help but beam at the thought, but when she caught Maxwell's eye, she was met by a look of horror. Oh snap. Is he ever going to want kids? He wasn't keen on the idea the last time we spoke about it. Still, it's far too soon to bring the subject up again.

Perhaps noticing the tension, Savannah picked up Bartie. "Are you going to show Auntie Jen how you walk with your walker now?"

"He's walking?" Maxwell said, his smile returning.

"Well, nearly," Savannah explained. "He's still only nine months old. He's pulling himself up and kind of shuffling along though."

Bertrand came back into the room. "True Beaumonts walk before their first birthday, and Bartie will be no exception."

Savannah smiled. "He still won't technically be a Beaumont at that point.."

"Nonsense," Bertrand said, throwing his arms around Savannah and Bartie. "He's always been a Beaumont. As have we all here."

Jen smiled fondly at Bertrand. "So, have you two set a date?"

"April," said Savannah in excitement. "And, get this! We're getting married on Mom's ranch in Texas!"

Jen looked first at Maxwell in puzzlement, and they both turned to Bertrand, who was grimacing as he spoke. "Yes, it's going to be... marvellous."

At this, Chance trotted into the room, to Bartie's excited coos.

Bertrand sighed, and glared at Maxwell. "Did I give you permission to bring that mutt with you?"

Maxwell folded his arms. "Listen up. Your son just pissed all over me. I think a few dog hairs on the furniture is fair compensation."

Jen looked at her husband, impressed with his new-found assertiveness towards his brother. "I'll make sure Chance is on his best behaviour, Bertrand, don't worry. I can't speak for Maxwell, though."