The dinner table was set with seven plates. Tobias sat down at the end with Beatrice to his right and his mother across. Julian sat next to his sister, and beside Beatrice was her family.
Tobias stood and lifted his glass. "I'd like to propose this toast to my lovely wife, Beatrice, and to our growing family."
Evelyn stood as well. "And may you both bring beautiful heirs to this kingdom and our Royal Family."
Julian joined. "And, may Tobias's reign as king be nothing but successful."
"To our future," Tobias finished, looking at his wife. "Together."
"Together." She repeated before taking a drink of her bubbly water, and the rest downing their champagne.
Conversations resumed.
Tobias flirted with Beatrice, which only made her blush throughout the whole dinner. They held hands and talked indistinctively. Their relationship was completely perfect in that moment.
When dinner had ended, they all took their drinks and continued conversations. Beatrice was speaking with her father when Tobias walked over to Caleb. He smiled, gripping his glass. Caleb scoffed, putting down his glass.
"Are you here to call me a chihuahua, Tobias?" Caleb said harshly.
"No, Caleb, I'm not. I think as grown men we are passed that. I married your sister, and we're expecting a child. I don't think my wife needs a grown child to worry about on top of that."
Caleb nodded, snickering. "You're funny."
"I get that a lot."
With a final scoff, Caleb shrugged and took his cup. "I still hate you. I'll always hate you and your kind."
"My kind?"
"You know, royals. You've done nothing but corrupt our kingdom and ruined lives. I don't know how you can go to sleep at night."
"In your sister's arms."
Caleb clinched his fist and might have acted on it had Beatrice not intervened. She looked hopelessly at Tobias, pleading that he wouldn't start a fight with her brother again.
"Caleb, I think Mother is looking for you." Beatrice lied. He gave one last glare at Tobias before leaving. Tobias began chuckling silently, looking away so no one can see. "It's not funny, Tobias." She said scoldingly.
"It's a little funny." Beatrice rolled her eyes and walked away. Tobias sighed and quickly took her arm, bringing her back to him. "I'm sorry, it's not funny, you're right. I want to show you something, can you come with me?"
Beatrice nodded and let Tobias hold her hand. They walked outside, excusing themselves, and walked in the hallways. Tobias led her up the stairs and walked in the direction of their bedroom. She stopped and looked up at him, giggling softly. "Tobias not now. My parents are downstairs, and I don't want anyone thinking anything."
"Were not going there," Tobias smiled as he continued their walk. "Besides, let them think whatever they want." Tobias stopped in front of a door, right next to their bedroom door. He placed a soft kiss on her cheek before placing a hand on the doorknob. "I know we've been busy, you and I, with your pregnancy and me being king. I know it's put a small strain on our relationship, but," he placed the other hand on her stomach. "This should fix everything."
Tobias opened the door and led them inside the dark room. He switched on the light and illuminated the room. Beatrice gasped, covering her mouth. The other hand was placed over her heart as she admired the room.
The walls were painted in yellow and the floor was carpeted, unlike the other bedrooms where they were wood. Attached to the windows was a silk white drape. And under that window were two white bassinets. Beatrice walked over and placed her hands on the bassinets before retreating them to her stomach. She looked back at Tobias and stifled in a cry.
"When did you have the time to do this?" She cried softly.
Tobias wiped her tears with his thumb, smiling and laughing. "That doesn't matter." He held her hand and walked over to the wooden chair in the corner of the room. "Here, we'll read bedtime stories," they walked over to an area where there were soft pillows lying around. "And here, our kids are going to play." Tobias took both of her hands and kissed her lips. "I know we still don't know whether or not we'll even have two kids right away, and if not we'll make another one."
Beatrice laughed, sniffing back tears. "It's beautiful."
A sudden and moment-ruining pain in Beatrice's stomach made her hand go flying to it. She held onto it and took deep breaths, groaning silently. Tobias caught her before her knees buckled. He carried her into his arms, holding her close to him.
"I'm sure it's fine." Beatrice said slowly, her hand still on her stomach.
"Shh, don't speak."
Tobias was still carrying her in his arms. Beatrice wrapped her arms around her husband, wishing the pain in her stomach could go away so she could continue the nice and perfect moment they were previously having. She was so busy with stomaching the pain that she couldn't hear the loud cry coming from down the stairs.
But Tobias had heard, and his heart began beating tremendously fast.
He set her down carefully on the wooden chair. Tobias could see how much pain she was currently in, and how her emotions were overwhelmed. He didn't want her to worry and stress more, so he didn't tell her what he had heard.
"I think our guests are worried about us, so I'll go downstairs and clear their minds." Tobias said, taking her hand and crouching down in front of the rocking chair.
Beatrice forced a smile. "I thought you didn't care what people thought."
He forced a chuckle. "Beatrice, please stay here, in this room. I'll come to get you, alright? Just stay here."
"Nonsense. We have guests downstairs, and we're hosting a dinner together. I'm coming with you." Beatrice gripped the wooden chair and tried to stand up, but she groaned in pain and sat back down.
"Honey, please stay here. You're in pain, and I want you to rest. Stay here until I come to get you, okay?"
Beatrice stared into his eyes. She knew something was wrong, and she knew he wasn't going to tell her anything. "What's wrong? Has something happened?" As she pronounced those words, another pain went to her stomach.
"Beatrice," He pleaded. "I'll go get Christina, maybe she can help. But when she gets here, you three should stay inside and wait until I come and get you."
She saw the hurt and worry in his eyes, so she nodded. "I love you."
Tobias pursed his lips and placed both his hands on the arm rests. He leaned down and pressed his lips onto hers in a hungry kiss. "I love you, my love. Promise me you'll stay here."
"You can't leave me. You can't. Tobias, please."
He repeated his words. "I love you." Ignoring her protests, he opened the door and closed it back as she cried out his name. Tears streamed down his face as he walked down the halls and turned to Christina's bedroom. The noise of glass breaking and cries continuing made his pace fasten. He knocked quietly and sighed in relief when she opened with Aaron on her hip. "You and your son need to come right away."
Christina furrowed her brows and held her son closer. "What are you talking about? I'm about to put him down to sleep."
"Christina," He sighed, entering without her permission and closing the door carefully. "There's someone in the castle and I need to know you and Aaron and Beatrice will be okay. Where's your husband?"
Memories of the attack on the castle began flooding her mind, but she pushed them away. "He's gone to visit family for a couple of days. He won't be here until tomorrow."
"Go to the nursery, the room next to our bedroom. Beatrice is in there, and she's experiencing pain. Soothe her, comfort her. Let your son sleep in one of the bassinets. You're in charge, Christina, and you don't let anyone come out until I come inside. Do you understand?"
Christina grabbed the pacifier from the crib and placed it in Aaron's mouth. She nodded and closed the lights in the room before quietly making her way to the nursery. She looked back and saw Tobias going down the stairs in a hurry, which quickened her pace. She opened the door and smiled at Beatrice, who was in small pain. Christina set Aaron on the floor and went to take care of Beatrice.
Tobias gripped his clothing as he neared the end of the stairs. He instantly saw the two guards guarding the door lying on the floor, dead. He gasped and began running to the dining hall. Without thinking, he pushed open the doors and took a deep breath when he saw the guests were alive.
A man holding a gun turned around slowly. He was waving it around, and once he turned away, Evelyn fell into her brother's arms. Tobias' face contorted into a sneer when he came face to face with the intruder.
"Am I late for the family reunion?" He said in a raspy voice.
If it hadn't been for his mother's reaction, or the cold voice that came out of that mouth, Tobias wouldn't have been able to identify him. "Marcus."
"In the flesh, son." He replied. "Let's eat."