Alex glanced at everyone in the physical room. “We’ll also need to completely redo the schedules for not only the next two weeks, but likely the next two months. Let’s get all our chiefs-of-staff together to sort it out. Corrado, Tavin, and Mara can take the lead.”
“We’ll also need to coordinate outfits and secure appropriate clothing for the funeral,” Rebecca piped in. “We’ll have the staff help with that too.”
Alex nodded, then glanced at his computer. “We’ll also need to talk about the weddings. I don’t think we’ll need to postpone, but…”
Sarah shook her head, and Alex knew she wasn’t upset that her wedding might change; she’d been very close to Nonna and was still in shock. She was also pregnant and he hoped the news and the funeral didn’t put too much stress on her, or on the other pregnant women in the family.
“I understand,” Alex’s younger twin Catharine said. “Of course, we’ll do whatever you need.”
“Thanks, Kitty Cat,” Alex replied, using her nickname to comfort her from afar; her wedding was scheduled a few months after Sarah’s.
“We all understand,” Lorenzo added; he and Lily were scheduled to marry a few months after Cat and Eddie.
After finalizing more details, everyone online logged off to make travel arrangements, while those in the room chatted a little longer. He agreed to let the extended family know so they could make their travel plans, then their mother left to be with their father, and soon only Rebecca remained with him.
She looked up at him, one hand on his chest, the other cupping his face. He leaned into her touch and closed his eyes. No relationship before her had prepared him for all the ways her presence would make his life better. Like now, with a simple touch, he was comforted in a way he hadn’t experienced before her.
She slipped her arms around him and settled her head against his chest. He wound his arms tight around her and rested his head against hers. They swayed gently for a while, just taking comfort in each other for the second time that day, but likely not the last.
Memories of his Nonna flipped through his head like pages in a book. Him as a young boy laughing at something she said, her scolding him for doing something naughty and unbecoming of his ‘station’, her look of relief when he got back from each of his deployments with the army, her look of joy and surprise the day he asked if he could use her ring to propose to Rebecca.
Rebecca had spent less time with her, but she adored her all the same. He’d caught Rebecca looking at her ring more than once after his mother’s announcement, and wondered if she’d always think of Nonna when she looked at it, since it had been Nonna’s ring once. He wanted to ask, but right now wasn’t the time. This moment was just for them before the hectic weeks that would follow.
At the knock on his door, they both took a deep breath and he opened his eyes again. Rebecca’s were still closed, but he tilted her face up to his and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.
She gave him a small smile and blinked, her eyes assessing him. “All right?”
He nodded. “Better. Thank you, darling. You always seem to know what I need.”
The knock came again, followed by Tavin’s voice. “Sir?”
“Just a minute, Tavin.” Alex spoke low to Rebecca. “Are you all right?”
“As good as can be, I suppose. I’d better go. You need to tell Tavin and I need to inform Mara.”
“I’m not sure when I’ll be finished today.”
“I know.” She leaned up and kissed him again. “But we should try to do a family dinner. You’ll all need it, and you can work in your home office afterwards.”
She was right, as she often was.
“I’ll letTavin know.”
“Good.” She gave him another kiss, longer and deeper this time. “I love you.”
“I love you, darling.”
Her hands slid away from him, and he felt the loss of their warmth. With another soft smile, she headed for the passageway and disappeared.
He took another deep breath, rubbed his hands over his face a few times, and fortified himself, putting his royal mask back in place. “Come in, Tavin.”
ALEXANDER
It wasevening when Alex made an exhausted trek back to the Royal Wing. He headed first to his father’s home office, then his parents’ apartments when his father wasn’t there. His mother answered the door and let him in.
He kissed his mother on each cheek, a traditional Vallerian greeting. He wouldn’t usually do that, but it had been a rough day and Alex thought she might need it. “How is he?”
“Resting but he’s not asleep. I think it will do him good to see you. See if you can get him to join dinner, even if he doesn’t want to eat. I tried but…”
