The Royal Contract

"What are you doing?" Dani admonished her husband as he kissed her neck from behind. "You are going to wake up, Ares."

She carefully moved toward his crib and gently lay her son down on the soft mattress, cautious not to wake him up.

The last thing she wanted was for their son to open his eyes, grumpy and in a terrible mood because they interrupted his sleep.

"I am just going to kiss him goodnight." He reasoned, trying to get away with his shenanigans.

Alex bent on the crib, touching his child's hand before gently placing them on his lips. Then, he returned it to its position, not making any more sound.

"You see." He winked at her, making his point, but still, she saw the mischief in his eyes and his devilish smile.

She could only shake her head, knowing she would not win. But she would get back at him as soon as they were far from bothering their son.

"Fine. Why don't you wait for me outside while I finish here." She suggested, picking up some toys that her son played with earlier in the play area.

She had a few things to put in order before she could relax. Although they had a nanny, she still preferred to do most things related to their son's care if she was around.

Moreover, she wanted time to be alone, to think about her family's situation. And she believed Alex understood it as he reluctantly left the room.

"Why don't I meet you in our room instead?" He proposed before moving to the door, exiting without making much noise.

She did not contradict the idea, thinking it was better. She was tired anyway from the day she had. She could feel the crampiness of her muscles.

However, she doubted that sleep would come by effortlessly to her. With the way her thoughts swirled inside her head, she might not sleep a wink.

"What do you think of your Dad? Isn't he the greatest?" She believed so as she whispered while watching her sleeping child.

Suddenly, she remembered her father, thinking about how he would love to see his grandson. But unfortunately, he never had the chance. He left this world too soon.

"He would have adored you." She told her child, thinking of her father, Ethan, as one of the best fathers who lived and walked this earth.

Then, her thoughts shifted to her half-brother. The supposed to be a thorn in her side and the black sheep of her family.

A part of her cautioned her from taking his word for it. But something inside her also nagged at her to give him a chance.

"What do you think?" She asked while staring into her son's handsome face that slightly had traces of her father's features.

She wanted to believe that her father still watched over her. She needed to hear his opinion, knowing he always had great advice.

However, hearing his voice again was impossible, making her miss him even more. She would love to see and hug her father again. But she could only do that in her dreams.

"You think so." She responded when she saw her son smile, but his eyes remained closed.

She did not know if that was the answer from her father, a sign of some sort. But it could also be an involuntary movement of his son's lips muscles. Babies tended to do those things.

Still, she loved seeing him smile. It somehow reminded her of her father. Ethan's smile had always been comforting, and his laugh was infectious.

"What should I do with Gerald?" She finally let the question slip her lips. Maybe hearing it out loud would clear her mind and give her answers.

But this time, Ares only slept peacefully. There was nothing to indicate a hint of a sign. She had no answer to her question.

Nevertheless, she could guess what her father and mother would say to her. They would want her to help him because he was family.

"Good night, my darling Prince." She touched two fingers on her lips before she damped them on his plump cheeks.

She did not want to wake her up by kissing and hugging him. But she still would like to express her overwhelming love for him.

She walked out of the room with mild footsteps, slightly leaving the door ajar. She wanted easy access to his room in case of emergency.

"Alex?" She called once she entered their room and did not find him inside.

But she quickly realized he was in the bathroom, hearing a slight commotion inside. She moved toward a chair and sat down, waiting for Alex to return to the room.

She stared at the window, looking at the darkness covering the horizon. But she still saw a lot of lights, brightening the city. They were, after all, in the middle of the buzzing city.

"Come with me." His voice felt like silk, caressing her skin. It was soothing and relaxing her troubled mind.

She felt his hands massaging her shoulders, unwinding the tight muscles between her arms and neck. She felt like she was floating in heaven.

"What do you have in mind?" She asked, knowing too well that her husband loved his simple surprises.

She loved it.

Alex smiled but did not say anything, pulling her gently out of her seat toward the bathroom. She could only conclude that his surprise involved something enjoyable.

"Relax," Alex finally whispered in her ears as they stopped on the marble floors.

She had the whiff of the delicious scent of lavender even before she saw his surprise. Further inside the room, she saw the tub full of bubbles and slight steam oozing from the water.

"Wow, that is perfect." She uttered, grateful for her husband's thoughtfulness.

He knew what she needed even before she realized she needed it. As she said, she was a great father and an excellent husband.

He slowly pulled her closer to the tub but stopped before they reached the edge. "Let me take care of you this time." Alex touched her forehead with his lips before putting a small distance between them.

He removed her clothes, leaving her bare like the day she was born. Then, he lifted her in his arms, gradually setting her comfortably under the bubbly, deliciously scented water.

"Aren't you joining me?" She asked, looking up at the fully clothed man standing before her.

"In a minute." He said, sitting on the edge of the wide tub while continuing the massage he had started earlier. She could not help but close her eyes as she felt her body surrender to his control.

He let his fingers spread across her shoulder blades.

Eventually, they traveled to her neck and stopped at her temples.
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His touch was as gentle as a feather for a man with big, bulky hands. On the other hand, his fingers were miracle workers, soothing every strained muscle they grazed.

"What is troubling you?" She heard his soothing voice settling into her consciousness. "Is it about Gerald?"

Of course, he knew she would be thinking about her brother. He had learned to read her like a book. She could not hide anything from him, not that she was trying.

"Yes," She honestly answered him, knowing denying it would not help.

She also needed his opinion. She could not decide on something without considering his view. Although, she knew he would respect whatever she chose to do.

"Do you think he is telling us the truth?" Alex asked her, sounding still skeptical.

She knew Alex was a good judge of character. He could read people, whether they were worthy of his trust.

However, Gerald was also good at hiding his true intention. Therefore, they could only rely on their gut feeling in his case.

"I don't know." She could not guarantee since she barely knew her brother. "But for Haley and their child's sake..." She paused, thinking of her friend. "I would like to try."

She could feel his fingers halted for a second, probably thinking of what she said. But was that enough to convince him about Gerald's change of heart?

Besides, Alex's judgment was inaccurate since his bias against her brother clouded his ability to weigh and assess the situation.

After all, her brother was instrumental in their kidnapping and torture. Her husband still held a grudge against Gerald.

"So, if we decide to help him, what is in your mind?" Alex finally asked, standing up and taking his clothes off.

Soon, she felt his warm body against hers, making her believe her body had gone to heaven while angels sang.

She guessed it was the only thing she had been waiting for all day. She felt all the weight of her problems disappears, clearing her mind of her troubles.

"I think I might have an idea." She said, entwining her arms around his shoulder while her fingers played with the hair in his nape. "But can we discuss that later?"

She got her answer when his lips descended on hers, pulling her body against his. Seconds later, nothing separated them except for a few water droplets on their bodies.

"I love you so much, Mrs. Daniella Hamilton Blackstone." He huskily muttered in between his kisses.

Suddenly, she wondered if anything would ever change in their relationship. She had seen many couples divorcing after a few years into the marriage.

"I love you too, more than my life, my Prince Alexander Princeton Blackstone." She uttered back as pleasure sheathed her entire body.

Would that happen to them? Or would they end up like their parents, happily married, that not even death could tear them apart?