Flint POVWe were startled when the phone in my hand rang.I swiped the screen to answer it immediately.“Storm told me what happened. Are you okay, bro?” It was Rowan on the other end.“We are fine. Storm and his men intercepted Logan Winston. Noah and Brie helped, too.”“How is Anna and Penelope?”I could not help feeling a little tense when he asked about my wife.I had to quell my wavering thoughts about my wife and brother. Anna already clarified their situa
Anna/Linda POVWhen the plane disembarked from the airport’s tarmac, nerves attacked me, and I gripped Flint’s hand.He misinterpreted.“Don’t worry, dear. I am here.” Flint squeezed my hand.I looked at Penelope strapped on her FAA-approved car seat, which Flint’s secretary sent.She was smiling at me. “Mommy! Fly!” The happiness on her face calmed me. I smiled. “Yes, we are flying, sweetie,” I told Penny and chucked her under the chin. She was using Flint’s tablet while watching a movie. When the plane took off, Flint pointed at the window beside her to show the view outside while he never let my hand go. When Penelope lost interest, she resumed watching the movie. Flint turned his attention back to me when I unclasped our hands. “You are not frightened anymore?” He asked. “I was not frightened during take-off, I was worried about what awaited us in Arkadia,” I admitted. When we reached cruising altitude, Flint hugged me close. “Let’s keep our fingers crossed.I could o
Flint POVAnna and I looked at each other without any words passing between us.We were both overwhelmed by the show of support from my family.Then, Anna nudged me because I felt like I was too frozen to move.“Thank you, Briana. Thank you everyone for coming.” Anna said.When we walked out of the airport, there was a lightness to my steps that was not there before.With my entire family to back me up, what could go wrong?I felt like I could tackle even the highest mountain just by having t
Flint POV“Wow!” Riley exclaimed when we unloaded from our respective vans to gather in the middle of a massive courtyard fronting what looked to be an old but elaborate building consisting of almost twelve floors. “Is this your house Aunt Anna?” Anna nodded. “Yes. This is my home.” “Cool. Almost as big as my Daddy’s hotel. Is there a revolving restaurant inside? Can we go see?” He asked eagerly.Briana nudged him, and he zipped his mouth shut. Anna smiled. “There is no revolving restaurant in the palace, but we have wonderful amenities inside.” She offered and started walking toward the main entrance.Riley stopped when we passed by a uniformed royal guard who stood to attention upon our approach. Riley, ever curious, poked the man’s side. “Why doesn’t he move? And what was that in his head?” Riley asked, pointing to the tall ceremonial military cap atop the royal guard’s head. “Shh! Riley!” This time, Briana sounded stern.No one spoke after that. Each one is taking in the
Anna/Linda POVAfter a few hours of rest, I sought out my father.“Are you sure you will be okay here?” I asked Flint, hesitation filling my voice.I was having second thoughts.I have half a mind to beg Flint to accompany me and be my support when I face my father for a heart-to-heart.My heart kept pounding in my chest in a blend of worry and fear.“Listen, dear. Your father might find it uncomfortable to talk to you if I am around. You won’t get the talk you wanted because I will be on the way if I come with you.”
Anna/Linda POVWhen our tears subsided, he gently tapped my head.“I want to talk to your husband. I wanted to get to know the man you married.” Daddy said, wiping his face with the paper towel.I did the same, feeling a chunk of load on my shoulder had been lifted.There had been an easing of the knot in my heart.I felt lighter, especially when his request was not that difficult to achieve.“Flint and his family primarily came here to support me. The Ford siblings are tight as a family. Penelope and I are lucky to have them.”
Anna/Linda POVMy father looked astounded.“I thought you don’t want it anymore?”I nodded. “I still do. But you needed me, Daddy. I will hold the fort until one of my siblings, Colter or Isabella, is ready to take over from me.”“Colter is…” My dad spreads his arms wide in helplessness, his mind groping for the right word to describe my brother.“Happy-go-lucky.” I supply for him.“Do you think it was because you put all your faith in me? Colter could be King. You only needed to believe in him.”
Anna/ Linda POVAfter my discussion with Flint, my father called an impromptu meeting.We had to leave the care of Penelope to Briana to be able to attend. Penelope squealed when she saw her cousins. She ran to them, ignoring us. “Take care of my daughter, sis.” Flint reminded her. Briana snorted. She turned a little to eye Penelope, running toward her cousins to make sure she did not trip on her way. “Of course. Penelope is our little Queen.” She kidded.“Good luck!” Briana called out before closing the door to their suite.“Let’s go?” I asked Flint, and we walked together to the meeting room, Of course, I am bringing Flint with me. Me, taking the crown would affect his life, too. I wanted to get his two cents worth on the table and see how we can work out our lives around this recent development. When the royal guard announced our arrival, I was surprised to see familiar faces. People who had been part of my father’s administration as he ran the country.My brother, Colter,
Anna/ Linda POVAfter my discussion with Flint, my father called an impromptu meeting.We had to leave the care of Penelope to Briana to be able to attend. Penelope squealed when she saw her cousins. She ran to them, ignoring us. “Take care of my daughter, sis.” Flint reminded her. Briana snorted. She turned a little to eye Penelope, running toward her cousins to make sure she did not trip on her way. “Of course. Penelope is our little Queen.” She kidded.“Good luck!” Briana called out before closing the door to their suite.“Let’s go?” I asked Flint, and we walked together to the meeting room, Of course, I am bringing Flint with me. Me, taking the crown would affect his life, too. I wanted to get his two cents worth on the table and see how we can work out our lives around this recent development. When the royal guard announced our arrival, I was surprised to see familiar faces. People who had been part of my father’s administration as he ran the country.My brother, Colter,
Anna/Linda POVMy father looked astounded.“I thought you don’t want it anymore?”I nodded. “I still do. But you needed me, Daddy. I will hold the fort until one of my siblings, Colter or Isabella, is ready to take over from me.”“Colter is…” My dad spreads his arms wide in helplessness, his mind groping for the right word to describe my brother.“Happy-go-lucky.” I supply for him.“Do you think it was because you put all your faith in me? Colter could be King. You only needed to believe in him.”
Anna/Linda POVWhen our tears subsided, he gently tapped my head.“I want to talk to your husband. I wanted to get to know the man you married.” Daddy said, wiping his face with the paper towel.I did the same, feeling a chunk of load on my shoulder had been lifted.There had been an easing of the knot in my heart.I felt lighter, especially when his request was not that difficult to achieve.“Flint and his family primarily came here to support me. The Ford siblings are tight as a family. Penelope and I are lucky to have them.”
Anna/Linda POVAfter a few hours of rest, I sought out my father.“Are you sure you will be okay here?” I asked Flint, hesitation filling my voice.I was having second thoughts.I have half a mind to beg Flint to accompany me and be my support when I face my father for a heart-to-heart.My heart kept pounding in my chest in a blend of worry and fear.“Listen, dear. Your father might find it uncomfortable to talk to you if I am around. You won’t get the talk you wanted because I will be on the way if I come with you.”
Flint POV“Wow!” Riley exclaimed when we unloaded from our respective vans to gather in the middle of a massive courtyard fronting what looked to be an old but elaborate building consisting of almost twelve floors. “Is this your house Aunt Anna?” Anna nodded. “Yes. This is my home.” “Cool. Almost as big as my Daddy’s hotel. Is there a revolving restaurant inside? Can we go see?” He asked eagerly.Briana nudged him, and he zipped his mouth shut. Anna smiled. “There is no revolving restaurant in the palace, but we have wonderful amenities inside.” She offered and started walking toward the main entrance.Riley stopped when we passed by a uniformed royal guard who stood to attention upon our approach. Riley, ever curious, poked the man’s side. “Why doesn’t he move? And what was that in his head?” Riley asked, pointing to the tall ceremonial military cap atop the royal guard’s head. “Shh! Riley!” This time, Briana sounded stern.No one spoke after that. Each one is taking in the
Flint POVAnna and I looked at each other without any words passing between us.We were both overwhelmed by the show of support from my family.Then, Anna nudged me because I felt like I was too frozen to move.“Thank you, Briana. Thank you everyone for coming.” Anna said.When we walked out of the airport, there was a lightness to my steps that was not there before.With my entire family to back me up, what could go wrong?I felt like I could tackle even the highest mountain just by having t
Anna/Linda POVWhen the plane disembarked from the airport’s tarmac, nerves attacked me, and I gripped Flint’s hand.He misinterpreted.“Don’t worry, dear. I am here.” Flint squeezed my hand.I looked at Penelope strapped on her FAA-approved car seat, which Flint’s secretary sent.She was smiling at me. “Mommy! Fly!” The happiness on her face calmed me. I smiled. “Yes, we are flying, sweetie,” I told Penny and chucked her under the chin. She was using Flint’s tablet while watching a movie. When the plane took off, Flint pointed at the window beside her to show the view outside while he never let my hand go. When Penelope lost interest, she resumed watching the movie. Flint turned his attention back to me when I unclasped our hands. “You are not frightened anymore?” He asked. “I was not frightened during take-off, I was worried about what awaited us in Arkadia,” I admitted. When we reached cruising altitude, Flint hugged me close. “Let’s keep our fingers crossed.I could o
Flint POVWe were startled when the phone in my hand rang.I swiped the screen to answer it immediately.“Storm told me what happened. Are you okay, bro?” It was Rowan on the other end.“We are fine. Storm and his men intercepted Logan Winston. Noah and Brie helped, too.”“How is Anna and Penelope?”I could not help feeling a little tense when he asked about my wife.I had to quell my wavering thoughts about my wife and brother. Anna already clarified their situa
Flint POVNoah came just as we were finishing our meal. “Got a minute?” He poked his head in,Briana beckoned him to come in, and he walked to the table where the three of us were eating. He placed his hands on the balls of Briana’s shoulder. Briana, on the other hand, took Noah's hands to squeeze them before she tipped her head to receive his kiss. The affectionate gesture made me smile inwardly. They had been married for more than ten years. They divorced, separated, and found each other again. Seeing them together like this, no one can deny the love that flows and connects the two. It was hard work, but they are making it happen. “So.” Noah sat beside Briana and munched the apple slice he snatched from her plate. “We already cleared the hotel. The paparazzi and the police are gone.” He informed us after swallowing. “We can leave?” I asked, feeling an easing in my heart at the news. “Yes.”“Were you able to keep Anna’s identity under wraps?” Briana asked, pulling Noah's a