by P. G. Van
“The pipeline blowout was an accident, and my family adopted the region to rebuild, and you held every person in the bloodline responsible for what happened?”
“It was your fucking grandfather’s idea to run the pipeline through the region,” he spat.
“Yes, for the betterment of the region, to create jobs, and improve the lifestyle of everyone,” she retorted.
“Your fucking family is the sole reason for the accident, and just because you made a promise to spend the money, it doesn’t make anything go away.” His voice shook with the grudge that was pent up for decades. “My pregnant mother was burned alive in the accident.”
“Greg, I’m sorry for your loss and nothing you do will take the pain away from you and will not bring back your loved ones, but if you don’t stop right now, there will be no end to it. Your child who I’m sure reminds you of your mother, is not immune to the never-ending cycle of revenge.”
“You’re not sorry. You have no idea how it feels,” he grumbled.
Amy took a deep breath and looked at the woman holding the child who was looking around the room taking in her surroundings as her mother spoke to Sid. She could tell from the child’s expression that Sid and Rachel were having a normal conversation. “Look at your daughter, do you think she gives a shit about how you or I feel about what happened to us?”
When he didn’t respond and stared at her, she took the opportunity to tell him when she had walked into the room. “There is only one option for you to give her a normal life. You surrender your army to the government of Edenridge, and your daughter will lead a normal life… the life you have taken away from thousands of families because of your personal grudge.”
“Lies, a bunch of lies.”
“This offer is valid until Commander Sidney walks into this room. You have less than two minutes,” she warned.
“The people of Barkha do not need a queen.”
“As my father said in the past, it is not up to you or me to decide. We should let the people decide, and if your family had let the people vote twenty years ago, you and I would have had a different life, Greg!” she declared.
He seemed unfazed as he continued to stare at her.
She turned to look through the glass and spoke authoritatively. “Commander Sidney is about to walk in, the so-called team you were hoping to rescue you is going to be ambushed in the next ten minutes by his men, and once I hand you over to the Commander, the deal is off. Your army is no good when you are held captive. What is it going to be, Greg? A life with your daughter as Timothy, or as Greg in a dungeon in Edenridge, and since Rachel is guilty of treason, your child will be an orphan.”
The door opened behind her, and from the expression on the man’s face sitting across from her, she knew it was Sid. She turned smiling and was delighted to see him walk in with the little girl who seemed fascinated by the equipment in the room. From where she stood with Sid, Amy hoped she couldn’t see her father’s restricted state.
“Hello there, who is this?” Amy smiled getting up from the chair looking at the little girl who was looking at the man at the table but was exercising a lot of restraint.
“You can say hi to him,” Amy encouraged the little girl and squatted next to her. The girl smiled at Amy but did not say anything.
“Guess what, I have a surprise for you.” Amy smiled when the little girl showed a streak of interest and nodded at Sid.
“Can you tell me your name while we wait for your surprise?” Amy probed the little girl.
“Sabrina,” the little girl lisped.
“Beautiful name, Sabrina. Did you know you were named after your grandmother?” Amy asked turning around to look at Sabrina’s father whose face had turned paper white. Amy was glad she and Sid had spent the time to research the family before walking into the interrogation room.
“Your dad’s mom had the same name,” Amy added turning back to look at the little girl who was looking at her father. She looked away from him when she heard the door opening, and her face lit up when she saw the big dog they had brought with them from the park walk to her.
“Crumpet,” Sabrina called out hugging the happy dog.
“Commander Sidney, give us one more minute. Please.” Amy turned away to look at Greg, his face, a cold mask.
“Absolutely, Your Highness.” Sid led Sabrina and the dog out of the room leaving Amy alone with the man who reminded him of the guy she had taken to the hospital, vulnerable and in pain.
“I value life too much, and I am going to ask one more time.”
“I do not want to go back to Edenridge.” The voice that reeked revenge only a few minutes ago was soft.
“You can stay here, and you will work in the Embassy with your wife. Your every move, every communication will be tracked so your child can have the freedom she deserves.”
“Yes.”
“Yes, what Greg Gwyn,” she commanded.
“I agree to your terms, Princess Amyra.” He looked up at her, his eyes pools of weakness.
“Thank you, Greg. Commander Sidney will get you in touch with your army. I look forward to working with you in the future.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Chapter 21
One Year Later…
“Where are we going?” Amy laughed feeling the warm evening breeze through her hair as Sid led her down the hill toward the beach.
“My special spot,” he called out over the breeze.
“Finally, I get to see the favorite spot I only heard of all this while?” she teased pushing the hair off her face. It had been almost a year since she moved to Edenridge. She moved to the Barkha region with Sid and enrolled in the University of Edenridge and graduated a few weeks back.
Sid continued as the Commander as she chose not to be crowned as the queen until the people of the nation voted for the royal family to be in the position they have been in for centuries. He operated as the Commander and moved his operations’ base to Barkha as he rebuilt the infrastructure in that region.
It was a proud moment when the President declared to the entire nation that the country was no longer divided.
“Yes, it’s your graduation gift.”
“My graduation gift? Really?”
“Yeah, and you will be the only other person to see this place.” He turned to wink at her.
“Why did we have to sneak away from security?”
“Because I don't want anyone else to babysit us. We need security just as a protocol.”
“I have the best bodyguard, I don’t need security,” she teased enjoying the feel of the breeze in her hair.
“Boyfriend, sweetness, not your bodyguard,” he retorted playfully.
“So, what is this place anyway?”
“You’ll see when we get there. No more questions.”
She laughed. “Why can't I ask questions?”
He stopped abruptly making her crash into his chest. His palms cupped her cheeks as his lips came hard down on hers, sucking the air out of her lungs. She gasped at the hunger as his tongue dove into her mouth threatening to take over. Her knees felt weak like every time he kissed her.
He pulled back, a smirk playing on his face. “Any more questions?”
She smiled shaking her head. He knew the effect his kiss had on her.
“Good. Now keep moving that tight ass along.”
“I’m going to take over your secret spot once I become queen,” she teased.
“It’s yours, baby, you don’t need to claim it.” He stopped in front of an alcove.
“Is this where you spent your alone time when you lived here as a kid?”
“Yes, are you ready to go in?”
“I can’t wait.”
He led her into the dark alcove toward the rock wall at the back and just when she thought it was the end of the alcove, he guided her through a gap in the rock wall that was hidden.
They walked through a small opening in the wall of rock into what seemed like an oasis surrounded by high rock walls with
the open sky above. In the middle of the sandy area was a canopy set up with the most inviting mattress layered with a sheet of flowers.
“Sid… this is beautiful.”
He took her into his arms kissing her cheek. “Are you ready to hang out with your boyfriend?”
“I can’t wait.” She giggled.
“You have to wait for one minute.” He stepped back toward the opening and pushed a block of wood into the opening.
“I love it.” She took his hand and walked to the area in the middle.”
“This is very sweet. I didn’t realize you had this streak in you.”
“Sometimes.” He grinned turning to face her.
“I love you, Sid.”
He didn’t respond and instead pulled away gently to go down on one knee and pulled out a small velvet box out of his pocket. She watched in awe like everything was happening in slow motion as he pulled out a beautiful ring from the small case.
“Princess Amyra Jane Charles, will you marry me? Will you be my roommate forever?”
“Sid… Oh my God, yes!” she shrieked as he slipped the ring on her finger.
Sid could not contain his happiness as he took her into his arms. “Baby, I will love you to eternity.”
It was her turn to lead the engagement as she ran her fingers through his hair pulling his lips to hers. She felt his excitement against her belly making her drip at the apex of her thighs.
“I have one more fantasy other than sleeping with my bodyguard,” she murmured against his lips.
“I’m listening, sweetness.”
“Sex on the beach,” she purred and felt the sweet pain from his fingertips denting the globes of her back as he carried her to the inviting setup under the canopy.
*****
“I’m so proud of you, sweetheart.” Her father placed the crown over her head as she sat on the throne with her heart beating a million times a minute. She looked up at him smiling through a thin sheet of moisture that had gathered in her eyes.
“Thank you, Daddy… for everything.”
Her father stepped to the side as she stood up to address the couple of hundred Parliament members and media gathered along with the entire nation of thirty million people. Her eyes went straight to Sid as he stood in his uniform looking untouchable and stunningly irresistible.
Their eyes met, and she smiled at him, but his eyes were riveted on her face, and there was no flicker in his eyes. Sid’s duty was his obsession, and he took his job so seriously nothing would get in his way and justice, not even her, the Queen.
Amy approached the podium and spoke into the microphone and talked about the progress they were able to make in the Barkha region and how she plans to work with the Eagle to build on the progress. She discussed her plan to strengthen the allies and channel the revenue to the right areas of growth for the country.
The media prepped to talk to her as she wrapped up her speech. She looked at one of the reporters and gestured them to start the session.
“Regina Amyra, congratulations. We are glad to have our Queen back,” the reporter cheered and Amy smiled back. “We appreciate you sharing your plan for the country, but I am going to ask you the question that is burning in everyone’s head. Is that an engagement ring on your finger, and it seemed to have appeared in the last few days.”
Amy smiled at the reporter feeling the warm glow sweep over her skin. “This is an engagement ring, and yes, I was asked by a wonderful man to be his wife, and I have accepted.”
The crowd broke into a cheer, and she turned to catch the surprise and happiness in her parents’ eyes. They had a last minute delay and had not reached Edenridge until that morning. She didn’t get a chance to tell them, and they were too excited about her crowning ceremony to notice the princess-cut diamond on her finger.
Another reporter jumped in as if unable to bear the suspense. “You have been busy with finishing college and the improvements in Barkha. When did you meet the person, and who is the prince?”
“Love makes its way to your heart no matter what you are doing and where you are. That said, the man I am in love with is not a prince… he is the king. He is the king of my heart and my hero.”
“Who is your future husband?”
“I’m pleased to announce that the man who swept me off my feet is Commander Sidney Bose.”
A sudden hush fell over the crowd, and then the clamoring started echoing in the large cathedral. The crowd applauded chanting their names and calling out to Sid to join Amy on the podium.
Sid marched to where she stood and saluted before taking off his cap to stand next to her.
She leaned closer to him. “Kiss me, baby. They are expecting it.”
Sid smiled looking into her eyes. “You are in so much trouble for telling the whole world about our secret affair.”
“All those women drooling over you in your uniform, they better know you are mine… mine forever.” She whispered as she kissed one cheek after another.
Epilogue
Five years later…
Amy stood on the center stage in the middle of a stadium ready to kick off a European League sports event. It was her father’s dream that took her five years to fulfill. It was customary for the President to be part of the opening ceremony, but he was held up and was on his way.
Amy and the President had made unexpected progress over the last few years and had inspired surrounding nations to model the programs that were implemented in Edenridge.
“The President is a few minutes away and should be here momentarily from the…” her voice trailed off when she heard a chopper overhead. The President was supposed to land on a nearby helipad and drive, but it seemed like the helicopter was going to land in the middle of the soccer stadium.
The crowd clamored as the presidential vehicle gracefully landed on the green. The door opened, and her eyes watched longingly for the man she loved most, and she smiled when their eyes met through a slight gap and felt the pulsation deep in her womb.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my honor to welcome President Sidney Bose to the opening ceremony,” she announced with tears of pride gathering in her eyes.
Sid took over the presidency after winning the elections by a landslide over his opponent who was also supporting Sid. Sid’s father retired three years ago, and Sid took on the reins like he was born to rule. It didn’t take a lot of convincing to get Sid to submit the nomination for the presidency.
Sid came up the steps and bowed to Amy as the Queen before placing an arm around her to kiss her on the cheek.
“How dare you show up late?” she snarled under her breath.
“Sorry, sweetheart, I’ll make it up to you tonight.” He smiled before gesturing the start of a sports tradition.
*****
Amy was in the bathroom rubbing moisturizer into her hands when Sid finally showed up after disappearing for a meeting after the sports event.
“Look whose home… my workaholic husband,” Amy teased as he came up from behind to hug her.
“A man’s got to work to feed his wife,” he teased nipping her ear.
“You’ve been away for almost a week, and you couldn’t have moved tonight’s meeting to a later date?”
“I had to get it done, the Queen can’t be waiting for the details she asked for,” he teased meeting her gaze through the mirror.
“She can wait. I’m more important than her.”
“Yes, my queen.”
Sid turned her around to face him before brushing his lips over hers. “I missed you, baby. Next time I travel for more than a few days, you are going with me.”
“I don’t know about that… at least for now.” She smiled sheepishly.
“You don’t have a choice, you are going with me,” he grunted as he bent to scoop her into his arms to carry her to the bedroom.
She squeaked in surprise and held onto him tightly. “Still not going.”
“Really?” he murmured into her ear, breathing warmth on her cheek
.
He dropped her onto mattress before sliding in next to her. “You have no idea how much I missed you.”
“I missed you, too, especially the last couple of days.” She cupped her palm on his cheek as they lay on their side facing each other.
“Why the last couple of days only?” He pulled her to him to leave a trail of kisses along her jawline.
She held her breath in anticipation of his reaction. “Sid, it’s not just you and me, we have another person be part of our life soon.”
He looked at her, a flicker of confusion for a moment, and then his face lit up. “Sweetheart… a baby, and you didn’t tell me as soon as you saw me?”
“I wasn’t going to tell the President before telling my husband,” she teased.
“Amy, this is so wonderful. How long have you known?”
“A couple of days, and I couldn’t tell you this over the phone… too many people listening to our conversations.”
“I’m so happy I want to tell the entire nation. You need to tell the people they have a king or a queen on the way. It would be a wild night.” He laughed, his eyes glistening with happy tears.
“As I said, I need to let the father of my child know first before I tell anyone else.” She sucked his lower lip between her teeth making him groan.
He ran his palm over her belly before hungrily cupping her breast. She pushed aside his suit that clung to his shoulders before tugging on the buttons of his shirt.
“Make love to me, Sid, I can’t wait anymore,” she pleaded when he continued to set her body on fire just from touching her.
“With pleasure, baby.” He dove deep into her making her shudder with thrills. She took in the sensations remembering the day he walked into her life only to become her perpetual roommate.
*** The end ***
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading the story of Sid and Amy. I strongly believe love can prevent war and this is an attempt to show the strength of love over hatred.