[R18]
That night her bed was full. Gabriel held her all night and their son slept restlessly in his area of the bed.
Her second pregnancy was a bit different from the first. She was always tired and moody, and it seemed like every inch of her body ached. She was now six and a half months pregnant and she was miserable.
And on a day she was more miserable than usual her husband, the king, came to her.
"A friend of mine is at war to the east of us. He has asked me for help and I have decided to go myself and help. Don't look at me like that Grace. He is a wonderful musician and you take care of the kingdom more than I do."
He shrugged and left it at that. Grace's usual calm wavered ever so slightly but, in the end she did maintain her composure.
"But I am pregnant and I will deliver in a few months."
"My mother and sisters can return and help you. I will call them back. Once they return I will leave."
He picked their son up from the floor where he played at her feet and left without another word and without allowing her to comment. She sat in stunned silence for a long time. She knew life would not be perfect but this husband of hers was too unreasonable. She shook her head and decided to take a nap instead of argue with a brick wall.
There was no convincing him. Even his mother and siblings took turns talking to him, once they arrived, but he was determined to go.
"I know that you are king my son but you can not do whatever you want. Even you have to obey some rules."
Gabriel did not listen to his mother. He felt he didn't need to. He never had in the past. His oldest sister spoke up next.
"And what about your beautiful pregnant wife? What will she do? Is she to have your children and raise them herself? Will you treat your children the same way our beloved father treated us?"
That caused him to pause. If he were honest with himself Gabriel would admit that he loved Grace ever since she compromised and learned how to please him.
It showed him that she was willing to change just for him. But he knew she could never love him. Their marriage was a marriage of convenience and social elevation. She was with him because she was told to be. She was making their marriage work because that was what she was trained to do.
It never crossed his mind that she could ever change.
Still he knew he wanted to be a father to his children and he wanted them to know him but shouldn't he also want to teach them. Have them grow up with strong, stable values?
"I have to go. All of you please take care of my wife and children. Make sure the children know who I am."
That was that. His mind was made up. He slept in her bed that night and it would be a night she would never forget. He held her close, his sweet peppermint breath hot against her ear. He whispered to her and each puff of air caused shivers to run up and down her body. She had become used to her bodies reactions now and had come to expect them
"I am sorry to leave you like this." He kissed her ear. "I know I seem like a petulant child but I truly want our children to learn that if they believe in something…" His hand trailed down her thigh. The tips of his fingers barely grazing the skin and causing ripples of pleasure to run through her.
She forgot to be annoyed. She forgot to be disappointed. She forgot her body aches. All she knew was his touch as it inched ever closer to her soft, wet, honey pot. His fingers dipped inside her and then moved back out to tickle her clit. She softly gasped into his chest and she knew he was smiling.
"… they should be able to sacrifice all to achieve it."
"Are we sacrifices?" Her voice quivered with pleasure but he could still hear the hurt and annoyance within it.
He kissed her neck softer than she imagined possible.
"No you are not. I said that wrong."
But his words became lost as his fingers dipped deeper into her this time. She gripped them as her body seemed to spasm from pleasure. She was so wet that he became more and more excited and then he smiled as her soft hand wrapped around his ever stiffening cock.
Her hand ran up and down his shaft and he almost lost himself to its softness and its firm grip. His mouth found a breast and he was surprised by milk as he began sucking on a firm nipple. For a moment he had forgotten she was pregnant.
With the realization his hand gently ran over her firm round belly and down her soft thighs.
He gently turned her to her side, her back facing him and he entered her. He drove in deep and was rewarded with a small whimper of pleasure. He smiled into her neck and then softly kissed it.
He lost himself for a moment and knew, once more, that this was truly the only woman he loved. He thrust inside her again and again as he climbed to his climax, as he felt her body quiver and tighten around him.
Why couldn't she love him? He felt a sharp sense of anguish ignite in his soul as he pressed her closer to him. He felt the wet heat of her climax spread over him as her body trembled more. She softly moaned and he released all of his frustration, doubt, and longing into her.
They laid next to each other panting, their legs trembling, and their minds still buzzing with pleasure.
"I will wait for you My King."
"I know." He kissed the back of her head. "It is your duty to your kingdom."
Grace smiled at this but if she had truly understood the words she would have corrected him because in that moment she understood love. That abstract emotion her father said did not exist and that her mother ran from.
She understood that she had actually grown to love her husband and suddenly her heart ached, thinking of him about to leave her.
The king was seen off with great fanfare. The very pregnant queen looked worried but she still smiled for her husband. Many did not know why the king was going off to fight another land's battles but they saw their precious beloved queen suffering. And they hurt for her and prayed that both she and her children always stayed safe.
Gabriel's middle sister turned, mumbling, "As usual he listens to no one but himself. I am not sure how you manage Grace."
Time passed and Grace delivered on time and she received her spare and her extra in a set of twins. She had a daughter and a second son and they were born healthy.
She did not need to be convinced to have all of her children with her this time. She even breastfed them for the experience. She enjoyed her children immensely. In some ways this surprised her greatly in other ways it was just something incredibly natural.
She was quite surprised at this. And with this enjoyment she thought about their father and so to honor him she made sure they were taught how to be royals but she also made sure they knew music, art, and theater. Because of this her oldest son, Albert II, began painting and sculpting beautiful pieces. Her daughter, Sabrina, sang sweetly and loved acting, and her youngest son, Devon could play the piano, violin, and the flute.
It had been a little more than four years and Albert was five and the twins were four. They were prospering and Grace was very proud of each of them.
Not only were her children thriving but the kingdom was as well. She had introduced tier farming and forestry. She sponsored the search for new and sustainable foodstuffs and she had several new fruits, vegetables, and other products found such as a new variety of coffee, two new tree saps, and a new grain.
She also began cleaning cities and villages and keeping roads safe for travel. Finally she ensured no one invaded the kingdom. The money they were making from exports went directly into the military and when a neighboring country attacked they were easily repelled and their kingdom remained safe.
After those long years word finally reached them that Gabriel was on his way. He had returned to the kingdom. He would be home in five days. Grace rushed preparations. She had her mother in law and sisters in law and their families brought to the castle.
She made sure the menu consisted of his favorite foods and she quickly added pictures of the children to his room as a surprise for him.
The day came and Gabriel's deep purple carriage rolled quietly down the streets. The people stood outside and they quietly cheered for their king. The carriage rolled through the gates and then stopped at the end of the line of servants.
Grace her children and his mother and sisters and their families waited for him.
He exited the carriage and smiled up at his family. He had aged but he was still as handsome as ever. Grace returned his smile and she felt that he was smiling right at her. She felt his smile was only for her.
Then he turned and helped a young petite pretty black haired girl from the carriage followed by a second even younger representation of the first. Grace's heart tightened in her chest.
Then Sabrina spoke. "Who are those pretty girls momma?"
Grace stood speechless.