Not pregnant

"All of the news reporters know who they are .They even know Tina is my chaperone. The only people I have ever been alone with outside of my fathers castle is Alex and you." She explained

"Alex the only thing mother can say is Lexi is associated with Ethan Boyett ."Jackson chuckled, Knowing his mother can't fuss to much about that he also hangs out with Ethan.

Lexi takes out her phone showing Jackson and Alex pictures of her, karmen and Ethan from the time they were babies until Alex picked her up at Whitley Castle on her birthday.

In all the photos they looked like two sisters with their brother. It was pictures of them opening Christmas gifts, playing in the pool , celebrating birthdays together, riding horses together in a pasture, eating baroque on a patio at Whitley Castle.

In all the photos all four of their parents are watching them play and have fun together like one big happy family.

"If someone in your family was a little on the wild side would you stop talking to them? Love for your family is unconditional, I hope your mother understands unconditional love." She ask Jackson in a way to make sure he understands that Ethan is dear to her. He has been part of her life since the day she was born.

"Lexi you have a very kind heart, and everyone should have unconditional love for their family. "Jackson replied sincerely knowing his mother will totally understand because she loves him dearly even though he's as wild as a buck deer.

As Jackson and Lexi were talking about families and her relationship with karmen and Ethan a maid came into the dining room and announced the arrival of the Queen mother.

Alex chuckled,"Are you going to escort mother or am I ."

Jackson smirked ,"its your castle Alex "

Alex stood up straightening his shoulders and elegantly strutted towards the door to the luxurious receiving room . His shoes making a clicking sound on the marble floor echoing through the empty hallway. The sound of his foot steps bouncing off the walls made an aching sadness creep into his heart reminding him of the reason for his mother's reluctance to let another human into their life. His mind drifted back to his childhood remembering the sound of his father's footsteps coming into his bedroom every night just to wish him a good night and tell him he loved him

A wistful half smile pulled at the corner of his lips as he pushed the door open and reached his hand out for his mother's.

She stood and placed her hand into his a worried frown on her lips. Alex kissed the back of her hand greeting her with a soft voice "Good evening mother, you look lovely."

The Queen mother glared at her oldest son venomously immediately lashing out at him"stop the bullshit Alexander, I'm not here for you to blow smoke up my ass .I want you to tell me what you are up to."

He almost burst out in laughter,this was so not like his mother. The last time he had seen his mother lose her cool was when he and Jackson were little boys.When they had dug up all the flowers in garden in front of the castle.

"Marrying the most beautiful and caring woman I have ever met ." He nonchalantly replied.

Mother Queen Sophia rolled her eyes and shot back with a clipped tone "Alexander I have eyes, I can see she is a beautiful young girl. But do you really know the Princess?"

Not wanting his mother to stroke out and cause a scene in front of Lexi , he grabbed her hand and pulled her to the small soft. "set " he ordered, causing his mother to glared at him.

Sophia huffed, "Alexander don't use that tone with me, have you forgotten who I am."

"No Mother I haven't, but you seem to have forgotten I'm a grown man. I'm not your little boy anymore and to answer your questions. Yes, I know her very well and you need to come to the dining room and get better acquainted with her, because we are getting married in three weeks." Alex spat out leaving no room for arguing.

"Alexander what are you talking about ?You just ask her to marry you last night. And in that horrible photo of you and Princess Alexis coming out of the hotel she didn't look very happy." Sophia ask worriedly

"Mother Lexi got sick on the trip so we had to stop she just didn't feel well." He explained.

"Just how long have you been seeing Princess Alexis?" Mother Sophia ask, her heart sinking feeling abandoned and left out of his life.

"Mother I have known Lexi for two years. I ask her to marry me over a year ago. The only reason we aren't married already is because she was still in school."

As her heart pounded in her chest and her eyes began to sting , she closed her eyes hoping to keep the tears from falling down .Her heart shattered she couldn't believe her oldest son that she loved so dearly had clearly shut her out of his life. She had no idea that he had been dating Princess Alexis and for two whole years this had been going on and he didn't even once mention it to her.

"Alexander you know all I want is for you and Jackson to be happy." She breathed chocking back the pain,that stabbed her heart as she dabbed at the corner of her eye where a tear was threatening to fall.

"Mother Lexi makes me happy, you really need to get to know her once you do I know you will love Lexi too.This morning she was worried that you wouldn't even be able to love your on grandchildren."

Sophia's mind went into overdrive and her heart swelled. Just perhaps her son hasn't shut her out of his life. Perhaps he and the Princess were just casual lovers is the reason he hasn't introduced them before now. And now they had a little mishap and they needed to have a quick wedding to save their reputation. She closed her eyes taking a deep breath nervously asking ,"Alexander is Princess Alexis pregnant?"

" No,No mother, I don't need an excuse to marry Lexi . I'm marring Lexi because I love her." Alex quickly explained wondering where the hell that came from.

"What do you expect me to think Alexander ? You just told me Princess Alexis got sick on the trip, your in a rush to get married and now you're talking about my grandchildren ."Mother Sophia explained exasperated

Alex chuckled,"Rest assured mother , Lexi is not pregnant."

"Alexander have you thought about the heart ache you could suffer with a human wife? She will grow old and frail and wither away."

"Mother you know I can change that."

"Alexander yes you can, but what if her body can't handle giving birth to a vampire baby ? I can't bare the thought of you or Jackson going through the heart ache of losing someone you love in the prime of your life."

Taking her hands in his, he rubbed her fingers with his thumbs trying to comfort her ."Mother Lexi competes in all types of sports.She is like Jackson ,she doesn't have a lot of body mass but she's lean and muscular . Mother I'm not walking into any thing without all the facts. I talked to Dr Burnhart yesterday the Dr. who delivered Brooklyn . He has developed a supplement to prevent the baby from depleting the red blood cells of the human mother .It provides extra nutrients for the baby and can be mixed with any food or drink. All I'm asking mother is for you to have an open mind." He explained rising from his seat, he nodded towards the door .

"Now come to the dining room with me .You can ask Lexi anything ,she is an open book." He said putting his arms around her as he pulled her in for a gentle hug then pulled away offering his arm for her to take. He smiled " Now come with me mother and meet your new daughter in law.

When Alex pushed the dining room door open Jackson and Lexi both stood up as Alex and Mother Sophia approached them Lexi bowed her head with a curtsied greeting the Mother Queen her respectively "Good evening Your Majesty ."

" Good evening Princess Alexis "Mother Sophia greeted back with a smile.

Jackson took his mother's hand ,kissing it respectably also greeted his mother "you look lovely tonight mother" he then pulled a chair out for his mother to set next to him across from Lexi .

Jackson had already taken the liberty of ordering her a glass of dry red wine. The maids came in with more cocktails and some delicious appetizers.Everyone sit silently sipping their cocktails and nibbling on the appetizers occasionally glancing around the table.

To break the stifling silence Jackson started a conversation . "How was your day mother ,did you play bridge as usual?"

The Queen mother peered over her wineglass at her younger son answering curtly . "Yes we played at lady Catherine's mansion today."

Jackson chuckled "I assume the topic of the conversation was Alex and Lexi's engagement."

Alex smirked glancing over at his mother waiting to hear her answer. His mother's gaze traveled towards him and met his eyes, casually answering her younger son. "It was briefly mentioned."

Jackson being his usual mischievous self really wanting to see some action tonight , he continued poking at his mother. "Are all your friends happy to hear the news?"

Looking up at Lexi the Queen mother uttered "I think they are curious to know more about Princess Alexis and wonder why I never mentioned that Alexander and Princess Alexis were dating."

Alex reached over and took Lexi hand rubbing her palm with the tips of his fingers asking his mother "What do you think they would like to know about Lexi , her whole life story has been followed by the media from the time she was born. And privacy is the reason we couldn't tell anyone . Lexi wasn't but nineteen years old so of course King Charles and Queen Victoria knew ."

Feeling a stabbing pain in her chest the Queen mother stammered badly "A..A..And why was I never told ? I'm your mother."

He lifted his brows, meeting his mother's tear filled eyes " mother you have been upset every since you found out ."

She just couldn't hold back anymore , the pain she felt in her chest was suffocating her heart was shattered a tear slipped down her cheek .All the hurt and rejection she was feeling came pouring out in her words they just kept tumbling out of her mouth uncontrollably.

"Of course I'm upset Alexander." She said flatly and continued venting out frustrated and hurt "First I hear you have kidnapped Princess Alexis and then I saw that awful picture. That picture looked like you were dragging Princess Alexis by her arm and forcing her into the car. She surely wasn't smiling like a young woman in love . I cried all that day Alexander, I knew there had to be a misunderstanding . I was so afraid my hurt and my pain for what happened to your father had swayed your judgment .And when I walked into the restaurant and seen Princess Alexis I was so relieved. I thought she had came here to clear your name . And then I get another shock when you were on your knee asking her to marry you. I didn't even know you were acquainted with Princess Alexis. Now how did you expect me to react Alexander."