Only child

"Alexander you and Jackson are my world. Have I not been there for you from your first breath to your coronation?" Turning to look at her younger son "And don't ever think I'm any less proud of you. One of the best days of my life was the day you were born and one of proudest days in my life was watching you graduate from the most prestigious colleges in the world ,with the highest honors . I beg the both of you please don't shut me out of your life . All I care about is your happiness, that's all I have ever wanted for the both of you is to be happy. And if you two think I have been hard on you ,it's because I wanted the world to see what I see in you. Alexander if Princess Alexis is your happiness I welcome her with open arms. And Princess Alexis, I dream of having grandchildren, I wish the two of you could fill this castle full of beautiful babies."

Lexi rises from her seat stalking over to her she wrapped her arms around Mother Sophia hugging her tight, speaking softly

"I will make sure Alex tells you everything from now own , please don't be upset."

Glancing up she scolded Alex harshly . "Alex apologize to your mother for not including her."

"Mother I love you and I apologize but you need to understand .Lexi's safety is my biggest concern , I can't take any risk . I don't know if you are aware of it but Lexi has no siblings . King Charles has put not just his daughter but the future of our country in my trust. When she was at Whitley Castle she had her body guards , but I didn't think they were strong enough to protect her. Mother we just couldn't tell anyone , We didn't even get to date like a normal couple.If I had brought her here or if we had been seen in public together she wouldn't have been able to finish school.

And now that she is here and every one knows about our engagement the only person I trust to protect her is Jackson . And if Jackson isn't available to help me she will need to attend court with me every day. Until I can eradicate the group's responsible for the crimes against the mixed couples. "

Concern and worried crept into her heart, the memory of the pain and anguish in her two young son's eyes setting beside her in front of their fathers grave invaded her mind, she closed her eyes for a moment and breathed "Alexander you do know the best way for you to protect Princess Alexis ,don't you?"

Alex raised a brow and Jackson slowly puts his cocktail back onto the table both of them patiently waiting for their ever so prime and proper mother to suggest premarital sex .

Alex couldn't wait any longer , blurting out in haste "What do you suggest mother?"

"Alexander don't even act like you don't know what I'm talking about. You know I would never suggest such a thing if it wasn't necessary."She rolled her eyes.

Still feigning not knowing what she was talking about he nonchalantly ask."mother are you suggesting that I drink Lexi's blood."

Aggravated by her son's pretense and being a little embarrassed she uttered the words under breath "yes Alexander, that's what I'm saying , this isn't a time for you to be ever so valiant and proper."

Taking Lexi's hands in her's , with a gentle and calm voice she explained about ancient matting ritual. " Princess Alexis this may seem unethical to you darling but it's the best way for Alexander to protect you. Don't think about it as something shameful it's not. It will bond the two of you in a way that is not possible with just a marriage ceremony. It's an act of total trust and commitment."

Jackson can't believe his ears ,his mother isn't just agreeing to Alex and Lexi's marriage she's even trying to get them to have sex before they get married .In his dazed and confused state, he snapped

" what the fucking hell is this a damm dream." Just to have his mother to turn around and scolded him "Jackson watch your mouth."

Alex burst into laughter, " mother Lexi has all ready agreed to let me drink her blood."

She turned her poisonous glare to her older son scolding him also" And there you go again not telling me anything."

Alex chuckled,"Mother I didn't think my sex life was important to you ."

Rolling her eyes at the audacity of her older son, she huffs " it's not Alexander but the protection of the mother to my future grandchildren is."

"Believe me mother we are doing everything possible and Jackson is investigating the man who attacked Lexi last the night at Ray's .We're not even sure what his motive was for attacking Lexi .If it wasn't a contract hit then there could be another danger out there."

"What other danger Alexander?" She demanded to know , not to be nosy but out of concern for her future grandchildren's mother.

"Jackson went to that guy's house and found a old bottle that had Royal blood written on it. Then he did a little research in the library here in the Castle and it seems back a long time ago a Princess was a high commodity for her blood . We really don't know the reason he attacked Lexi."

Glancing over towards his brother, he ask

"Jackson what did you find out this afternoon at that strip joint ?"

The Queen mother clutched her chest gasping for air stammering"s ..strip joint, oh lord ."

"Yes mother, strip joint ,the creep that attacked Lexi was a bouncer at a strip joint down town .And I sent Prince Charming down there to get information from those strippers ."

"Alex I talked to one of the strippers and she said that a woman in a black clock came to the club about four days ago and talked to Thompson and after the woman left Thompson took off work.But the next day he was driving a new sports car. No one at the club was surprised because ,it seems Thompson was a real ladies man . He frequently had a sugar momma .It seems he preferred the older woman. But he has also been known to entertain the married ones too. The stripper I talked to said the woman never took off her clock , she had on dark glasses and even kept the hood up, she just assumed it was another married woman he was entertaining ."

"Jackson see if you can pull a picture of him up on the internet. That explains why he likes hanging out with the old aristocrats, he was looking for his next girlfriend."

Jackson immediately pulled his phone from his pocket typing in the creeps name he scrolled through arrest records and such. Bringing his head up, he hums "Alex I found a mug shot, he was in jail about four months ago on a disorderly conduct charge, he payed the fine and was released."

"Show that picture to mother. He might have been acquainted with one of her friends."

Jackson pushed his phone over in front of his mother. Looking carefully at the picture her mouth flew open and her eyes widened, she stammered "Al ..Al..Alexander this is Lady Elizabeth Crawford's nephew he has escorted her on more than one occasion. Just last month he escorted her to Lady June Milton's birthday party."

"Mother where does Lady Elizabeth live?"

"She still lives in her family mansion out on Dogwood Lane "

"Jackson do you think tomorrow morning you could go charm an old rich woman ."

"I need to go to my office in the morning but I should be done by three .Then I will go talk to her. I'll be back here around five so we can leave to go camping."

Bewildered by the fact that they would go camping at a time like this the Queen mother pressed her hand to her forehead babbling uncontrollably "Alexander why are you going camping ?" You know those woods are not safe, danger could be lurking behind every tree and bush out there."

Before Alex could answer a few maid came in to clear the appetizers from the table and dinner was served. The smell of the delicious beef Wellington filled the room and the conversation became more light hearted.

And somewhere between, Jackson telling Lexi about him being friends with Ethan also and Lexi telling him how Ethan somehow still managed to go on ski trips with her and karmen .

Alex finally got around to answering his mother's question."We are going camping to relax mother . I can't keep Lexi locked up in the Castle all the time."

"Where are you going?"

"Down by Crystal Lake, I have done some improvements down there. And installed a security system. Jackson will be going with us it should be safe."

"Alex my friend Karmen will be coming with us too."

"That's right sweetheart I forgot about your friend coming. Has your friend ever been camping before?"

"I don't think so Alex, Karmen is a book worm she's only nineteen and already in Medical School she is going to be a pediatrician. If it's ok with you I would like her to stay here for a while before she goes back to school in the fall."

"That's fine sweetheart, I told you, this is your home now and your family and friends are always welcome."

"Princess Alexis who is this friend of yours?"Mother Sophia ask curiously

"Her name is Karmen and she has been my best friend all my life."

Mother Sophia smiled "Princess Alexis what is Karmen's parents names?"

"James and Monica Boyett "

"I believe I have been at a charity ball with them years ago .They set at the same table as your father and mother. That was years ago probably before you were ever born your father had just been crowned king a couple of months before that."

"I'm sure it was them , if they set with my mother and father. Uncle James and my dad grew up together."

"Is Mr. Boyett your uncle Princess Alexis?"

"No, Your Majesty I don't have any real uncles my mother was a only child and so was my father."

"Princess Alexis, I do hope you and Alexander plan to have more than one child."