Chapter Twenty

ANNALEE

I walked into the house and saw Mrs. Boyko sweeping up. As I watched, she kicked open a small vent near the floor and pushed against a knot in the wooden paneling on the wall. A soft humming noise sounded through the house as all the dirt she had swept got sucked away into the vent.

"If I had known technology would make my life this easy, I would have joined the Underground a long time ago." she said.

I grinned, shifting the little girl resting against my hip to my other side so I wouldn't have to put her down. She was getting heavy.

"And how is my little angel?" said Mrs. Boyko, jiggling Charlotte's foot until she smiled and pressed her face shyly into my shoulder.

"She's much better now, thanks to you." "She doesn't have a fever anymore. It's a relief."

"I didn't do much," she said. "Just applied some herbs, the same as my Granny used to give me. We don't need science for everything."

"You're right, of course." I kissed my daughter on the cheek. "In fact, that's why I came to see you.

"Oh?" She looked surprised and curious.

"I wondered if you could teach me what you know about herbs and plants. I'm interested in learning how to cure my children naturally."

"You only have one child." The woman looked at me accusingly.

"Damn. Jesse's going to be upset. I wasn't supposed to tell anyone yet."

"I would have guessed, dear. I won't say anything if you don't want me to."

I blushed. "Thank you. We'd like to tell people ourselves after I'm in my second trimester."

"Of course. Have you told your mother already?"

I stared down at the brilliantly clean floor while my daughter played with one of my braids. "I don't think I will." I stared off into the distance. "My mother's not too interested in my life these days."

Mrs. Boyko clucked a few times and patted me on the shoulder. I tried to think happy thoughts so I wouldn't look as hurt as I felt.

"I don't know her, but if what you say is true, she seems a foolish woman. She's missing out on a wonderful family and a special daughter."

That made me feel better. A smile broke out on my face.

"I suppose," I said. "I feel like Charlotte has a grandmother in you."

"Stop, Annalee! You'll make me start crying."

I gave her a hug, feeling a little close to tears myself.

"But what about your genetic grandchildren?"

"I try not to make that distinction. I don't talk about real or fake grandchildren. I have blood grandchildren and the grandchildren of my heart. Charlotte is not better or worse than the others."

"Do you have any pictures of them?" I wanted to take my mind off how sweet Mrs. Boyko was before I lost control and broke down into sobs.

She pulled out a computer and touched her thumb on the screen, opening the lock.

I put on my 'Technology Consultant' hat for a moment. "It would be easier if you used a retinal scan, Mrs. Boyko. We can set it up tomorrow evening when Jesse and I come over for Sunday dinner."

"Whatever you say, dear." After some fiddling, beautiful pictures for me to admire appeared on her screen. "I will come by at naptime every day and we can teaching you herbalism. I'm happy to share my knowledge with you, Annalee."

It was like I had found the mother I never had before. And there was life after teaching. I would discover another passion and interest in plant life. I couldn't wait to start my new studies.

I strolled out of the main homestead and into the yard, headed toward the guest house. Unofficially it was my home, and we would always refer to the building as the guest house.

When I reached our steps, I heard a carriage approach behind me. I turned and shaded my eyes from the sun. I saw the profile of Marsaline, the Queen of Yordbrook, poking her head out the window of the carriage.

Charlotte was sleeping in my arms, taking a nap. I hurried into the house and laid her in the middle of our big bed. Jesse's cousin was cleaning the kitchen. I asked her to listen in case Charlotte woke up. The young woman often watched my daughter when I needed a babysitter. I didn't mind leaving my daughter while Marigold was there.

I ran to meet Marsaline emerging from her conveyance.

"Marsaline!" I spoke without thinking and covered my mouth in embarrassment. "I apologize. I mean, your Majesty. Why have you graced us with your presence?"

She looked around to see if anyone was near enough to overhear us. When she had determined to her satisfaction that no one was, she answered me truthfully.

"I want to see him, Annalee."

Marsaline and Porter had been separated for some time. She had been busy, not only changing the laws about science and technology, but also modifying the restrictions on who was eligible to marry royalty. Until they passed new legislation, Porter and Marsaline were pretending they barely knew each other.

"Come with me."

No one in the house had noticed the Queen's arrival. Her driver was rushing to put away the carriage. Without seeing the Queen or her transport, no one would know her whereabouts until she chose to reveal herself.

Porter had a retreat in the woods nearby. He kept himself busy running a technology import business and writing software. Once he had the opportunity, he found out he loved computers.

"How goes your work with the council?"

That was one of the problems with a monarchy combined with a representative democracy. The elected officials were resistant to any change, but Marsaline had royal blood. She was surprisingly effective in getting her way with things that were important to her.

"I believe we have reached an accord." She was barely paying attention to me, focusing on her search of the forest in front of us.

"It's finished? What about the other thing?"

"We can finally get married, if that's what you're implying. Marriage requires two people, however, and I need to find my fiance."

I checked off some boxes in my mental checklist. "What about Controller Kozel?" I wondered if she was still at large.

"We deported the former Controller, Annalee. You don't need to be afraid of her anymore."

I was surprised at how relieved I felt to hear those words. I had recurring nightmares she would find me and exact vengeance even though the Queen had removed her from the position. Now that I had confirmation of her departure, I felt myself relaxing.

In another minute, we were at Porter's quarters. It looked like a huntsman's lodge on the outside, but Porter redid the interior to his specifications. We saw him coming out the door.

His eyes were bright. "The computer said it was you, but I didn't believe it."

Jesse appeared behind him and my breath caught in my throat. I felt like he was only looking at me. He ran to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. Part of me wanted to run away with him, but I couldn't stop my eyes from looking at the scene unfolding before us. I know I should have left. For some reason, I needed to see how the relationship between Porter and the Queen played out.

"The Queen wants to see you." She pulled back her hood, revealing light brown hair in a simple braid. It was nothing like the elaborate hairstyle she wore at the palace.

Porter was mesmerized by the sight of her bare head. He reached out his hand to gently smooth her hair away from her forehead. They spoke as if we weren't there.

"Enough to leave when the parliament remains in session?"

"I did it, Porter. It's finished. We can get married now."

Porter held her face in his hands and kissed her passionately. Jesse tugged on my hand, pulling me away.

"Porter's going to be the Queen's consort," Jesse said with a laugh.

"It's unbelievable," I said. "Too bad he can't be the king. He'll remind her of the days when she was a commoner and keep her relaxed."

"And she'll help him upgrade his style," Jesse added. "They're perfect for each other."

"Just like us," I said, swinging his hand as we walked through the forest.

He stopped and gently tugged my hand, pulling me into his arms. I happily wrapped my hands around his neck.

"I love you, Annalee. But are you happy here? I worry that our lives are too dull, and I know you miss life on Earth." Concern filled Jesse's eyes as he waited for my answer.

"For the last time, I didn't enjoy my modern life. I worked too hard. I was lonely. I have more time to relax here, and I've got you..." I cupped his cheek with my hand. "And Charlotte. Mrs. Boyko is more of a mother to me than mine has ever been. And everyone. I love my life and my new job."

"I don't know. Is there anything else you want?" His eyes twinkled.

I locked my eyes on his.

"Let me think." I tapped my head, pretending to consider it. "How about an hour alone with you and we'll call it even?"

"Mrs. Boyko has been asking me why we don't let her watch the little one. It seems like a good time to call in the favor."

My body hummed with anticipation at the thought of spending time alone with my husband.

"Charlotte is napping," I said.

"Come on, Annalee. I know what we can do with our free time."

"Whatever you desire, husband," I said. My face flushed, and I dropped my eyes as if I were a demure Yordbrook wife.

"I know a place where we can go to be alone."

"Alone?" I said. "I'm never alone with you, Jesse."

It was the truth. I wouldn't want it any other way.