Crazy Fantasy: Part 2-1
Ah. It feels so good to be off that plane after eight hours in the stuffy, economy
class seats. Flying discount airlines is not going to be high on my list of things
to do again. We sat at the very front of the plane so people wouldn't notice me
as they walked to the toilets. At least I got some sleep. I've lost a lot over this
trip.
After I finish stretching, I walk between my bodyguards to the waiting car. We didn't
have any luggage to claim as most of our clothes had been shipped here from England.
Everything we brought when we came over is too formal for a camping trip.
And now, finally, I get to start my holidays. Only half an hour left until I can
hold Gen in my arms again.
* * *
"Matt, can you take my spot?" I ask over my shoulder after feeling my cell vibrate,
signaling the plane had landed.
"What's up?" he asks as he moves up next to me.
"We're leaving right after the kids go. I want to have a shower before everyone
arrives," I explain rather elusively. I'm pretty sure Matt has suspicions about
who I'm going to be spending this week with, but he is playing dumb, despite a few
slip ups on my part.
"Alright. I'll see you when we get back in," he agrees. "We'll be back in just over
a half hour. Go make yourself beautiful."
"Thanks hun," I call as I nudge my horse into a canter and head back to the house,
Jon always close behind. Wills should be arriving just as the kids leave.
We arrive back at the stables and hand our horses over to Nathan who was patiently
waiting for us as I'd asked him to this morning. Twenty minutes later, I emerge
from my room horse-scent free in a clean pair of jeans and t-shirt ready for the
drive to New York. I grab the box of goodies for the kids from the counter in the
kitchen and head back out towards the stable to meet everyone as they get back in.
Everyone has had such a great time this week, but it'll be nice to have the time
off. And my company is something that I'll never complain about; well besides not
seeing him enough.
Just as I arrive at the picnic tables we'd set up by the stables, the group begins
to come out of the trees. I smile and wave at them as they move towards me.
"I've got a little something for each of you, but not until you look after your
horse. Take them to their stall and start to undo the saddle and bridle, but wait
for someone to come and help you before taking them off."
These kids are amazing. In less than ten minutes, the horses are all set to get
rubbed down. I hand every child their little brown bag which has some candy in it
for them and a treat for their horse -- either part of an apple or a couple sugar
cubes or a carrot. The kids love to spoil their horse.
And then they left.
We waved goodbye from by the stable and Matt rode out with them then, for some reason,
turned around and came back.
"Are you expecting guests?"
"Guests? No," well, I don't consider Wills a guest. "Why?"
"A dark car just pulled up in front of the house. All the windows were blacked out."
I couldn't keep the broad grin off my face.
"Ah," Matt says in understanding. He can't play dumb any more. "Have a great week
off," he taunts. "I'll see you a week tomorrow, bright and early."
The others look more confused as I had my back to them, but were also ready to leave.
"See you in a week!" they call as they pile into the car heading for Beaverdam,
the country community where we grew up. I smile, knowing exactly how good the week
will be. Once they are gone, I start running and am not disappointed as I round
the corner to the front of the house. My face lights up completely.
Standing in front of the Hudson's main entrance was my boyfriend of a month and
a half stretching his arms over his head as his bodyguards pulled luggage from the
car.
As soon as he sees me his ideas reflected my own and he runs to meet me, picking
me up in a fierce embrace, kissing me almost harshly.
"I never knew I could miss someone so much," he whispered in my ear, refusing to
let me out of his arms.
"I've been tormented by pictures of you as you travel my country since you left.
It's so good to feel you."
"I could say the same about you. You've become quite a celebrity."
"You won't see a bit of me once you get home. Your being in Canada is probably fanning
half of it," I answer bashfully. "My parents should be getting here soon. Do you
want to go in and say hi to Mary and Jim while we wait?"
"I suppose we should," my love agrees with some hesitation.
We walk slowly to the house. I know how nervous Wills is to spend this much time
alone with my family, but my family is pretty nervous to have a prince with us.
I hope everyone gets comfortable together quickly. I don't want anyone to feel out
of place.
As we reach the doors my parents car pulls up the drive. I smile, lightly kissing
Wills in reassurance before poking my head through the door and calling for Jim
and Mary to come join us.
As my parents get out of the car I feel the hand resting on my waist become a little
tenser. I smile up at Wills before leading him over to them. "They won't bite."
I quickly kiss Mom's cheek and give Dad a hug.
"Mom, Dad, finally, this is Wills," I say very causally. "My parents," I add for
Wills, gesturing to them, "and Carly."
"Mr. Delarier," Wills says, shaking Dad's hand then turns to Mom and holds out his
hand to take Mom's. I can tell he plans on kissing it, but Mom has other plans.
Brushing aside the hand she pulls Wills into a hug. "Thank you for getting my baby
to smile again," she cries.
Now, just the idea of someone taking Wills into their arms like that is rather odd,
but factor in the idea that Wills is a whole foot taller than my mother is and the
scene before me is comical.
"Mom!" I laugh.
Quickly, Mom lets go of Wills but Wills smiles at her and kisses her hand as planned.
"Thank you for sharing such an angel with me." Turning he looks at my sister, "And
you must be the younger sister I have heard so many wonderful stories of. It is
a pleasure to finally meet you in person," he says with all the flare affairs of
state lack.
Carly blushes but knows well enough that such drama demands a grand response. "I
am delighted you find such pleasure in my company, though, from likely more interesting
stories, I know you prefer the company of another."
Wills smiles, glad to see that his title wasn't going to hold Carly back. "While
some stories can be misleading, I must admit there is one among us who does brighten
my day with a simple thought."
"There are times you speak too much," I laugh, "or at least before so large an audience.
Mary, Jim, you've met Wills before."
"Of course," Mary says. "It's wonderful to see you again, and this time much more
relaxed."
I'm the luckiest girl in the world.
"Carly, is Dylan coming soon?" I ask, trying to divert the conversation to a more
neutral topic.
"Mom, Dad, and I are picking him up on the way."
"Well, everything's packed, shall we go?" Jim offers. "We'll meet for dinner at
Jonah's Dinner?"
"Sounds good," Dad agrees.
We all climb into our respective vehicles: Mom, Dad, and Carly in the car again;
Jim, Mary, and Jon into the truck that's pulling the trailer; and Wills' bodyguards
and us in an Aztec.
* * *
"This is an, um, interesting vehicle," I confess as we get into the black - not
car, not van, not SUV.
"Haven't you ever seen an Aztec?" Gen asks, surprised.
"No."
She laughs, "It's a different sort of vehicle, I agree. But it works as a tent too,
so we're taking it -- one less thing to pack."
"Weird," I say through a yawn. "Sorry."
"You must be exhausted. It's been a long month and a half for you. Rest your head
in my lap and get some sleep," Gen offers, shifting and patting her legs.
"You're an angel," I say, kissing her lightly before taking her up on the offer
of a place to rest my head. Unfortunately, I am a little long for the seat.
Gen laughs, "Well, that doesn't work. Let's try this," she suggests, shifting so
her back is against the door, offering her chest as a pillow.
"Some times you are almost too tempting," I say, leaning against her softness. "Fortunately,
I'm too tired to take advantage."
My knees are bent now, but this is much more comfortable.
Twenty minutes later, I shift in Gen's hold to find her reading silently.
"Are you alright, love?" she asks.
"Perfect. Though for some reason I can't sleep," I say with a smile in my voice.
I know she can see my reaction to our position as easily as I can tell her own by
the rapid beating of her heart under my head.
Gen wraps her arms around me and rests her head on mine for a moment then lightly
kisses my brow and sits up straight again, moving her hands very seductively up
my chest to my temples. "Let's see if this'll help," she offers as she begins to
rub. "My mom used to do this for me when I was little. It always helped me relax
into sleep."
My body had tensed at her initial touches, but the soothing motions soon relax me
and I drift off to blissful dreams of the woman who holds me.
Two hours after leaving the Hudson property, I wake to Gen gently kissing my face.
"This is a sight I could get used to waking up to," I say quietly, kissing her on
the lips.
"I should hope so," Gen laughs. "You were having dreams of me, I hope."
"How could you guess, besides you being the only thing I dream of lately?"
"You were talking in your sleep," she laughs quietly. "You were being very flattering."
"To such an amazing woman, how could I not? But if I spoke such delightful words
why wake me?"
"We're about to stop for dinner. I hope you're hungry by now."
I smile as thoughts Grandmother would disown me for run through my head. "When you're
around I'm always hungry... though not necessarily for food."
"Desert," she taunts.
"I can't wait."
"You're going to have to," she laughs as we stop at the diner and she hops out.
Steve, who had been driving, passes me a baseball cap as I follow and we meet up
with everyone else. It ends up with the younger couples at a smaller table together
and the rest around a larger one. Gen introduced me to her sister's boyfriend, Dylan,
who was also wearing a cap, making mine seem less out of place. I also notice Gen
has her hair up in a doubled over ponytail making the length seem deceivingly short.
We hardly look like our media personas, and are grateful no one recognises us. At
least until it comes time to pay. Gen handed the waitress her credit card and as
the woman returns to our table, she looked at Gen very carefully.
"Here ya go, Miz Hudson," she says in an accent that sounds almost Irish. "If you
don't mind me askin', are you dee Miz Hudson?"
"Well, from my branch of the family. I'd imagine there are many more Miss Hudsons
out there," Gen answers elusively.
"But ain't you -- you are, ain't ya, da girl who's dating dat prince?"
Sure. She recognizes Gen but not me.
"Excuse me, Miss?" Jon calls from the other table, distracting the waitress. As
she turned, Gen quickly signs the cheque and we all get up to leave. Carly throws
down a purple bill and we are on our way out before the waitress has a chance to
turn around.
"Guess I need to get a new card with an alias on it," Gen says when we are out by
the cars.
"Now will you let me pay?" I offer. Gen had refused to let me even see the tab.
"Well, if we don't want to be discovered I guess you'll have to," Gen agrees. "I
didn't even think of it when I handed her the card."
I wrap my arms around her waist and gently kiss her forehead as the 'old folks'
come out.
"Are you alright?" Jon asks both of us.
We nod. "The waitress recognized my name on the credit card," Gen explains. "Thanks
for the distraction."
Jon nods. All the security is like that. While it is their job to keep us safe they
never make note of it to us. If we thank them or point out their heroics, they'll
only acknowledge the comment. It bothers Gen. She has a hard time not reprimanding
Jon for it.
"We need to get back on the road," Gen's father says.
We all move to climb back into out cars but Gen and her sister hold back. I stand
by the Aztec.
* * *
"What's up, kid?" I ask Carly. "You were distracted all through supper. Don't tell
me being around Wills is that scary."
"It's not that," Carly says, looking at Dylan.
"Then what i- oh! Has he said anything?" I so should have taken Carly to the lady's
room earlier.
"Well, not really."
"Have you?"
"No!"
"Was he really disappointed when you told him our parents were coming?"
"You've seen him with Mom and Dad. There isn't a problem. It's just, staying in
the same tent... It'll just feel like something should happen."
"It's called cuddling. At least, unless you want something else to happen. That's
all Wills and I'll be doing."
"Thanks Gen," she says, hugging me.
"Any time. But I think they're waiting for us."
Carly looks up to see both our guys standing by the cars waiting relatively patiently.
"I'll see you at the campground," I call as I walk to Wills. We all get in and head
off down the highway.
"What were you and Carly talking about?"
"What did you and Harry talk about last night?"
Wills nods. "Steve, can we have some music? Your choice."
"Thanks," I say quietly to Wills as a sweet melody fills the car.
"Are they planning for something to happen this week?" Wills asks.
"It doesn't sound like it. She was a little uncertain about sharing a tent with
Dylan."
"I believe I can relate," Wills confesses. "What did you tell her?"
"To relax. This is the perfect opportunity to cuddle," I reassure, and then hint,
"And if she's lucky, he'll whisper sweet nothings in her ear under the stars."
"I think that is something both sisters can look forward to," Wills says as he wraps
his arm around my waist, pulling me to him for a kiss then held me to cuddle.
This time it was my turn to drift off as the land slowly became hillier as we moved
into the Appalachian foothills where we will be camping. It isn't until after we
stop that I wake up to a sudden flash of light. Of course, there in the window is
my sister with her little camera sitting in front of her face as another flash goes
off.
"I can't wait to get these pictures developed," she laughs and runs off.
I smile up at Wills and lightly kiss him.
"It will be an interesting set," he agrees. "Shall we go help set up camp?"
"Sure, though there isn't much to do," I agree as I get out of the car. Pulling
a keychain out of my bag, I walk around to the back of the Aztec and open the trunk.
Wills comes out and joins me and we set up the tent attachment to it.
"Alright, I admit, this is a pretty ingenious car," Wills agrees. "Though the exterior
leaves something to be desired."
"At least it comes with blacked out windows," I say with a bit of a flirty tone
and cuddle up to him.
"I don't know if that's a blessing or a curse," Wills replies with equally flirtatious
undertones, holding me close as we walk to the campfire Dad started. We pull one
of the double chairs out of the truck's bed and cuddle up in front of the warm flames.
"You two look so good together," Mary says as she hands us a blanket. "Hot chocolate'll
be ready in a minute."
"Thanks, Mary," I say as she continues making sure everyone is comfortable.
"We should help her," Wills says quietly.
"It's no use," I explain. "Mary is too much of a hostess. We'll be lucky to get
her to sit and relax. But she enjoys it, so let her do her thing. I believe I was
promised sweet nothings," I add, effectively closing the topic.
"What were you hoping for?" he whispers gently in my ear. "Perhaps a sonnet?
"Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O, no! it is an everfixed mark,
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come,
Love alters not with is brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error, and upon me prov'd,
I never writ, nor no man ever lov'd.
"Though I do hope it will always hold true."
I cuddle in closely in appreciation for the poem, though I hold out a moment before
speaking. I wasn't prepared to break the silence yet. Eventually, though, I do reply.
"That was beautiful, Wills."
"Shakespeare's verse pales in comparison to you," Wills whispers then accents with
a kiss.
Of course, this is the moment Mary chooses to bring us the hot chocolate. She smiles
so sweetly at us -- just like she used to with Scott and I -- as she passes on the
drinks and lets us be.
"Gen?" Wills questions gently. "What is it?"
"Just memories," I say quietly.
Wills silently holds me as we both stare into the fire. Finally, I explain.
"When Mary smiled at us, it was so much like how she looked at me and Scott. It
feels so weird."
"I can't really say I understand that sensation, but we are definitely in a unique
situation," Wills agrees. "I don't know any other bloke who goes out camping with
his girlfriend and the parents of her old boyfriend. And seeing them happy when
I'm holding you.
"And you know, it's weird, but I feel more comfortable here than with some of my
family."
I move as close to Wills as I can, sharing my love with him.
"Wills," I ask a few moments later, "where's home to you?"
"England, I guess. St. James or Balmoral -- where I am with Harry. Why?"
"Home is where the heart is," I explain. "You don't have that strong of a connection
with any spot, though, just your brother."
"And you. This feels more like home than Windsor," Wills says with a wave of his
hand around the camp.
"I'm glad you feel comfortable here."
"How could I not? I'm with you," he says with a gently kiss.
"Add in a camera crew or your family," I joke. "I'd like to meet Harry though. He
reminds me of Carly in lots of ways."
"Reformed rebel?"
"For one," I laugh. "But they have other things in common."
Wills smiles in agreement and gently draws my lips to his for a long, loving kiss.
As we draw apart, I hear Mom sigh contently and glance at her from the corner of
my eye. She is smiling so proudly at Wills and I -- I can almost read her thoughts
of "I can't believe how lucky she is to find such a great guy -- again". Embarrassed,
knowing we'd been caught; I hid my face in Wills chest and am rewarded with his
wondrous sent.
"Mm. You smell good," I say from his chest which begins to shake as he laughs as
me.
"As opposed to smelling bad?" he continues to chuckle.
"As opposed to normal. So much sexier," I explain as I cuddle in and watch the fire
die down as Wills continues to alternately whisper in my ear and enjoying the silence
as well. At one point, I look up to see everyone else equally content as Wills and
I are. For this night, we choose not to have marshmallows though they are promised
for tomorrow following a hike we plan.
At around midnight, Carly and I wander over to the washrooms while our guys change.
No one goes walking in the dark alone, though I managed to talk Jon into staying
when Mom and Mary follow us.
"How are you doing kiddo?" I ask.
"I'm relaxing. Dylan is being a sweetheart, like always. And it was nice to sit
in front of the fire with him. What was Wills whispering to you?"
"Shakespeare, some of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's later work, beautiful love songs.
He isn't just a prince by title. I feel like I've stumbled out of a fairy tale.
What did Dylan do that had you turning beet red?"
"Which time?" Carly laughs. "I'll just say that Dylan isn't as eloquent as Wills,
but he tries. It's so cute!"
"A polished guy isn't always best. A few rough edges can be nice too," I agree as
we go into the washroom. Thankfully, this site has running water and flush toilets!
We had the bathroom replaced with more sleeping space in the trailer and don't bother
hooking up the plumbing.
There are other campers in the washroom so we leave our conversation at the door
and quickly clean up for bed. Ten minutes later, we arrive back at the campsite
with the moms and Dylan makes a comment about our lack of make-up. Wills, being
the perfect gentleman that he always is, claims to notice a change. I laugh then
point out I was hardly wearing any to begin with. A few minutes later the guys all
return from the washroom ready for bed.
* * *
As I move to climb back into the car/tent, I see Gen has already slipped into her
sleeping bag and is flipping through a magazine she brought. Silently, I slip off
my shoes and close up the tent to keep the bugs out then climb into my own sleeping
bag and wrap an arm around Gen.
"Anything interesting?"
"Not in here," she answers, closing the paper and setting it aside. Gracefully,
she moves closer against my chest and lets out a sigh. "This is so nice."
It does feel unbelievable to have my girlfriend this close -- and to know that she'll
be here all night. "Very comfortable," I accent with a kiss to her forehead.
We lay in a delightful silence for a moment until Gen surprises me with a request.
"Wills, could you sing to me, please?"
"Do you want a lullaby, love?" I joke but begin to sing a piece Mum used to sing
to Harry and me when we were little about a highland princess and her lover. It
is a long song and, as I approach the end of it, I can feel Gen relaxing into sleep.
Smiling, I finish the verse and relax beside her, finding myself drifting off just
as quickly.
* * *
Continued.