A Decision Long In Coming

[Sir Nicholas Stryker]

Nicholas Stryker:Days melded into one another and for once Nicholas realized that was because he was so happy. The statement that life flew by when you were most happy was one of the few that he could truly believe in. Skye was in full summer mode, the days were scorching, the only relief to be found was in the still cool waters of the lakes or within doors. While the kids were happy to play on the rug in the libing area, Nic still ushered them outside to play in the sunlight having spent most of the morning studying as was required by their parents. A break was in order and he was all to happy to get out of the house anyway, laying upon a blanket within the grass, with Solara and Luna on the blanket shoving toys into their mouths to chew upon while Jadrien and Gemma ran here and there within the yard laughing as they chased each other in some imaginary game that had escaped Nicholas mind.

Shaden Aramoire Stryker:Thankfully the new house was situated at one end of a nice sized loch, while Le Grande Lily was located at the other, cooling breezes swept off the deep spring fed lock and most often afternoons found Jadrien and Gemma swimming their under the watchful eye of one or both of their parents... This afternoon though Nicholas had taken the twins and the two older children to the grassy shore while Shaden had been into town with Baby Scottland to see the midwife for a check up, now that Scottland was six weeks old... Returning to the house she eventually found her family in the out of doors near the long peir that had been built on the lake.. Holding the baby against her chest, she swung a basket in the other as she walked.. Calling out to Jadrien and Gemma as they waved to her from the waters edge while they splashed and played.. She was like a spring breeze, in soft green muslin day gown and a large straw hat.. copper curls pulled back into a simple bun. Once she reached the blanket where Nicholas lounged with the twins she pressed a kiss to his forehead and then settled near him, all the while never waking the sleeping bundle of joy in her arms.

Nicholas Stryker:"Hello Sweetheart" He hummed as his head tilted to kiss her cheek as she lowered to the blanket with him. "How was your check-up?" Leaning in to her to brush his finger across Scottland's cheek ever so gently as to not wake their latest bundle of joy. Solara began to grunt and kick her legs before she began to babble in the sweet toned voice of hers while Luna began to mimic her sister in a more saltry type of tone. Oh these two were going to be trouble when they got older! Nic watched them while listening to his wife, amazed how in their babble, they seemed to be communicating something. Luna began to fuss and Nic reached for her lifting her up and placing her bottom on his knee as his arm curled lovingly around her front and he bounced her with a jerk of his knee until she gave a low rumble in her chest as if burping.

Shaden Aramoire Stryker:" everything is as it should be.. " she grinned teasingly up at him as she settled cross legged then lay Scottland in her lap as he slept.. a sweet couple of tickles to Lara's belly brining forth a gurgling giggle from the golden cherub... "The Midwife had a message for you as well.. she said you may return to my bed.. I think I scandalized her by saying you had never left.. " there was a wiggle of her brows at him as he bounce Luna, finally disrupting the bubble that loosed the burp.. " I see Marren is off doing whatever Marren does.. again " She loved the twins as if they were her own, and loved every minute that they were with her...and Nicholas, but she did not understand how Marren could be so absent, and uncaring all the time, leaving them while she cavorted without a care in the world it seemed..

Nicholas Stryker:He let out a laugh as she mentioned the scandalizing the midwife. "As if you would ever let me to begin with" He teased in return sending her a wink. He continued to bounce Luna upon his knee, seeing as it made her giggle and he loved it when they giggled, Scottland still to young to giggle and his smiles were mostly gas! But he loved his children, gas and all. He sighed when she mentioned Marren, that girl infuriated him but it also left him to wonder how he had ever seen anything in her and then it dawned on him yet again, oh yeah, he had been drunk most of the time! "Speaking of Marren, there's something you and I should discuss..." Shifting, he lifted Luna and lay her next to her sister again upon her belly before shifting back, leaning back against his elbow upon the blanket, careful not to hit the twins as he spread his legs out and tipped his head back to look at Shaden. "I have decided to abdicate the throne of Athelia." He paused a second to let it sink in to her. "We're happy here Shaden, the kids are happy here, I also think Jadrien would be happy choosing his path then being thrown into it by right of birth. I've all ready spoken to Brom about it, but he agreed until I spoke with you that no decision is final. I'm prepared to pass on the throne to Brom, who also agreed to accept it and hold it, if Jadrien wishes it later, Brom also agreed to step aside but our son will have free reign to decide his fate and if Athelia is not it, he is not obligated to take it. What do you think?"

Shaden Aramoire Stryker:She looked at him with a shocked surprised gaze , her eyes wideneing as he spoke... letting it all sink in before she spoke.. " I didn't even know you were considering this.. it is a big decision... I do think that Brom would be a good choice... he loves Athelia, and has never really... settled here...I think his loyalty to you has kept him from going home more than anything.." she lifted her gaze to look out at Jadrien and Gemma playing in the shallows of the lake, laughing and splashing enjoying childhood after such a hard life before.. " I think they are happy here.. but I don't want.. this..." she opened her hand indicating Skye, The lily.. and their home.. " To Rob them of their heritage... because it is easier for Me.. us to be here.... if you think you have to make a choice... you do not... I could give this up.. to be with you anywhere... as long as we are together as a family... all of us.. I would be happy in a shack... " she leaned in toward him brushing a soft confirming kiss against his lips... " I love you Nicholas Stryker.. King or Pauper... here or there... "

Nicholas Stryker:"I have been considering it since my return. Not that I do not trust Pheonix, she is the most loyal chamberlain ever to rule Athelia in my stead and Brom promised to consider keeping her on as a Chancellor." He paused as she did, turning his gaze towards Jadrien and Gemma playing in the shallows and hummed in a deep rolling laugh. "They are happy here Shaden, neither wakes crying in the middle of the night anymore but I think they need to be free, to live their childhood and once educated, make the decision of where their life is to lead them." He tilted his head back to look at her again, grinning as she brushed a loving kiss against his lips. His hand lifted pulling her into a deeper kiss before he released her only to caress her cheek with the palm of his hand and the side of his thumb. "I never doubted you sweetheart" He grunted as he sat up and wrapped his arm about her waist, watching that he didn't jolt her legs and the sleeping babe there. "I know you would Shaden, but the fact of the matter is, I don't want you to give up anything you've built, for me, or the kids. I know we make you happy, I know its something you have wanted for a long time but never thought you would have but the Lily, is as apart of you as we are and Athelia, was always, just a birth right to me, but don't get me wrong, it doesn't mean I didn't care about the people but it always something thrust on me, never a choice I would of made for myself and its not something I want Jadrien to feel. They won't loose their heritage, Brom suggested new homes to be built in Athelia, he'll bestow the privilege of title to the people he see's fit and the titles that our children hold, will still be their own, until they make the decision to hold them or release them." He leaned in to kiss the hollow of her neck. "I love you too Shaden Aramoire Stryker, you are the other half of my soul, you always were" He breathed in a rumbling whisper against her ear after kissing her neck.

Shaden Aramoire Stryker:She smiled softly at him.. " it would have been a shack with a very big closet " there was a teasing laugh " You and the children are my life.. The Lily... it was a way for me to hide away and not.. dare the life I wanted... a family, a home, children.. and a Marriage that was based in real love... I have all those things with you now... you and our children..." there was shinning soft tears in her face.. " I could never have though to be so happy... as I am with you..." when he nuzzled against her ear whispering those sweet words she trembled soflty... " I will stand by any decision you make in this matter.." she cokeed her head quizzically to the side.. " so what does this have to do with Marren?"

Nicholas Stryker:"Oh yes, lets not forget your closet" He teased as he fell back against the blanket again letting out a laugh as he did so. Reaching his good hand up, he wiped the tear that slid down her cheek, her smile saying it was one of joy. When she asked what this had to do with Marren, he cringed, his finger stalling in drawling patterns on her skin. "Well, I was coming to that. With this decision, we would have to travel to Athelia, the whole family. I can't just hand the Kingdom over th Brom on paper, I have to formally do so and be the one along with the Bishop to swear the new King into power. As Queen of Athelia, for now at least.."He paused to wiggle his eyebrows at her teasingly "You would need to stand beside me in this action. Besides.."He sighed and sat up once more. "I think you should see Athelia at least once..." He sighed "An Marren comes in here about this point because it is likely, she will want to go, again..."

Shaden Aramoire Stryker:She nodded in agreement as he spoke of the ceremony of abdicating the throne and handing over the crown to Brom.. until he spoke of Marren joining them on the journey.. then her brow lifted... She still didn't trust Marren within ten feet of Nicholas, knowing her for a scheming minx she was.. and liked her even less now that she took her motherhood to the twins so lightly.. " I see " she wrinkled her nose slightly.. " I cannot think she will be happy bout you handing over the crown to Brom.. She had her sights upon the matching crown for herself.. and Lara and Luna.. she will think you are cheating them of their royal heritage.. " She did not evey him that conversation with Marren... Scottland snore lightly and Shaden lifted him from her lap and lay him near the now sleeping twins, a little trio of sweet angels...two light and one dark.. all having the sterling silvery blue eyes of their father... then leaned down to recline beside them her chin propped on his chest.. " You know I trust you completely, but I don't trust her and her little schemes "

Nicholas Stryker:He laughed as she wrinkled her nose and leaned forward to offer a kiss to the button tip of her nose. "Did I ever tell you that your super cute when you do that?" He was teasing further but the tease died when she spoke affirmation of what he all ready knew. His arm wrapped around her, pulling her tight against him as she leaned her chin down upon his chest. His fingers moved in a line up and down her backside. "She'll bring it up I am sure, the cheating of the girls their heritage but she can't argue what will be documented and signed by both myself and Brom, the children will loose nothing and so she can't argue and must be happy with that, although she won't be, we both know it." He inhaled a deep breath and let it out, yes he wasn't looking forward to the conversation to be had with Marren. "I've sent message to her household that I need to speak with her, and requested they send word when she comes home so that I might meet her there, I expressed notion it was of the up most importance so I am hoping to get this over with soon." Wiggling on the blanket, his arm cupped under her armpits and pulled her up to face him. "So, is that a yes that you will come to Athelia?" He questioned as he nibbled on her earlobe "And if so, perhaps we can ask Gerda to watch the kids for oh I dono, an hour or two?" His nibbling then caressed down her neck.

Shaden Aramoire Stryker:" I have to say yes to going to Athelia to get an hour or two alone with you ?" her eyebrow lifted as she tried to ignore the nibbling and teasing against her neck " That is a shame Mr Stryker.. it's been almost three months since you have made love to your wife... and now you place conditions on it ?" she wagged her finger at him teasingly, but the underlying laughter, and the flirty teasing in her glacial hues was enought to tell him that she was indeed going with him to Athelia, and to spend a few hours alone.. very very soon.

Nicholas Stryker:"No, I merely ask if you are going and then the second question was added in, no condition." He spoke between nibbling her ear and at her neck. Shifting to his side, he pulled her tightly against him and weaved his legs with her own as she giggled and he nibbled away. To the kids, it very well was just teasing between their parents, Jadrien and Gemma old enough to ignore their parents and the trio of babies on the blanket, snoozed unawares. "My Lord" A voice rumbled from above and Nic groaned as he rolled to his back to look up at one of the guards from the Lily. "Message from the gate, said the lady in question is back home and awaiting your arrival." The man gave the message and then turned on heel to retreat, his training had made his face stone tight but inside he was writhing from the thought of catching the Madam of the Lily and her husband making out. Nic groaned again only to pull his wife close and plant a long and loving kiss against her lips. "Come on, let me help you get the army inside before I go and get this over with." Slowly he got up and then helped Shaden to her feet so they could get the kids inside. "Lunch time!" Nicholas called to the older kids as he lifted Solara and Luna into his arms letting Shaden take the smaller Scottland and usher the cattle of kids inside.

[Sir Nicholas Stryker]

Marren:She was pacing back and forth in the parlor room near the front of the town house, her cheeks flushed with anger and cornflower blue hues snapping with irritation, how dare he summon her like some servant .. golden hair whirled as she turned to pace the other way, there was a dangerous turmoil boiling just beneath her surface, she was itching for a fight and Nicholas with his demands had provoked it.. One of the servants came in with a tray of tea and cakes sitting them down on a low table.. " He's not coming for tea.. get out GET OUT !" one of the tea cups was flung at the hapless servant as she flung the opposite at the wall.. in a fit...

Nicholas Stryker:How could a beautiful day be turned so darkly by the mention that Marren was home? The question was a baffling one but none the less, Nic helped Shaden settle the babies down, kissed his wife long and passionate and left the grounds to begin the long trek to Marren's residence. He could of made it shorter by taking Atlas, the horse was just itching to get out of the stalls, however he wanted to make Marren suffer, in some sick way, even Nic had abilities to manipulate people and this was one of them. Marren was perhaps going stir crazy wondering why he was summoning her to stay put and allow him to come to her? True she was running through the allowance he gave her at an alarming rate, something he was sure Marren didn't know he kept track of or knew about, but something he was going to bring up none the less. As he walked the streets of Turas Lan towards her place, he nodded to people he knew, ignoring the strange glances that passed as he turned down Marren street and finally came to her door and rapping thrice upon the wood of the door.

Marren:He was greeted with the sounds of her yelling and shrieking at the servants, the sound of crashing china against the wall, before a harried housemaid answered the door.. " Sir Stryker.. perhaps .. you should wait.. she's in a terrible mood..... " she trailed off embarrassed by her Mistress's tirade in the other room... " Maybe later...." she offered to the man who pushed his way by her.. watching him enter the wasp nest that was Marren Parlor... with wringing hands " Ohhh Dear Jesus " she prayed crossing herslef quickly.

Nicholas Stryker:A stark eyebrow went upward as the door opening and yelling and crashing greeted him with the maid. He sighed as he ushered the girl out of the way and stepped inside. "When is she NOT in a terrible mood Mary" He offered as he stepped past the girl and swept into the parlor, the temper of his voice rising from a quiet calmness to a booming authority "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?!" That would catch Marren attention he was sure and his shoulders rolled back pushing his height another few inches taller. His silvery blue eyes darkened as he clasped his hands behind his back daring her to throw something his way. Oh he was just itching to smack her into another existance. "Is this how you behave when our daughters are in the house Marren? If that is the case, I will quickly seek right with the Chief Bailiff in the removal of them from your care!" His threat anything from hollow.

Marren:She whirled on him a beautiful angry harpy, in her full glory... " I can do whatever I please in my own HOME Nic... I'm not.. your property.." and then the cup was flung his way with hateful intent.. " How dare you Command my presence you are not King Here, you are not my husband.. You are a mistake I made.. in believing that you loved me.." her voice was shrill enough to split an eardrum.. " Ohhh Ohhhh threaten me with our children.. that is rich...you can't handle me so you threaten to take our children away " there was something almost frantic in her movements, and the way she seemed to jump and fidget slightly... as she assaulted him with her accusations.. " What the hell did you want... commanding and Audience with me... don't you already have everything you need.. Your Snotty Wife and bratty kids in your mansion on the lake... ?"

Nicholas Stryker:"Wrong! I OWN this house, don't forget, I bought it!" He shouted back at her, his hand coming up to deflect the cup that was thrown at him, instead of hitting his head, his hand hit it flinging it off to the right to smash against opposite wall. "Ha! That's rich, keep throwing that one at me Marren, you seduced me, quite an easy feat when I was dead drunk. You had higher purposes then love! An what do you care of the girls Marren leaving them so often as you do with my as you call her 'snotty' wife?!" He crossed the room in a quick bound catching her throat with his good hand. "Whatever the hell you are on, I don't know or care but you WILL calm yourself." His fingers tightened around her neck as he whirled her to a chair and bent her backwards towards it. "An you will NOT be around my children in this state Marren, I've killed a woman for trying to kidnap my son, don't think I won't bloody your damn skull if you use this temper around my girls." He shoved with his hand around her neck, releasing her as felt her weight to great to hold her upright and thereby shoving her into the chair. "I don't owe you a thing Marren, but I came here out of curtsy and look what that's gotten me so far" His arms swung wide to indicate the destruction in the room, though most hadn't been directed at him except for a cup. Sighing he did a turn finding a chair across from hers and turned again as he took a seat on the armrest of the chair. "Marren, you need help...whatever you've been on, your dying for another hit, I can see that." He crossed his arms over his open legs and settled an elbow against his thigh to lean forward. "I don't owe you a thing, but for our girls sake, I can help you..." He sighed and shook his head. "That's not what I came here for, clearly, but I want you calm and level headed when I discuss Athelia with you. Not that you deserve it." He rolled his eyes skyward as he spoke the latter. God continued to punish him with the pestilence that was Marren for what he had done in breaking his vows, and he deserved that, he knew this.

Marren:" Her eyes narrowed at him as he held her by the throat there was a little purr of satisfaction... " Is this how you treat your wife when she's out of sorts... or is this Nic merely saved for me ?" her answer was to be whirled about and tossed like a rag doll into the chair... She wanted to spit at him but his words of blooying her skull caused her pause enough for him to settle in a chair opposite her.. " I'm not on anything, I haven't been sleeping well and I've had a migraine is all.. it's making my head split wide open.. " she excused her behavior and pouted in the chair like a child... but there were signs, circles beneath her eyes, her usual porcelain skin seemed to have lost it's glow and good health.. and her eyes while still angry had a dullish hue to them... " I love my girls... I leave them with Shaden cause she is better with them, and she knows.. how to calm them" her hands wrung inher lap as she cast her eyes out the window.. " When they are here they cry and fuss all the time.. I can't get them to calm.. even the servants have a hard time with them... They refused to nurse months ago.. it's like they know.... I didn't want them... that they were a mistake we made " now her lip trembled a single tear slid down her face... before she wiped it away... " They light up when they see Shaden... they should have been hers... not mine "

Nicholas Stryker:His feet planted on the floor as he leaned forward, his good hand clasped around his bad one as his elbows sunk into the flesh of his thighs as he lessoned as she spoke of it being migraines, sober as he was, he could tell her lies for what they were, bullchyt but people often lied to what they really did or were on, they couldn't accept it even to themselves let alone other people. "You know, babies aren't stupid Marren, they comprehend things, even if they don't understand it and thats why they fuss, they can sense or see a change in you, thats why they fuss, or perhaps it is because they are babies, they fuss sometimes." He shifted on the armrest, damn this chair was uncomfortable, even the arm. "Marren, I am not an idiot, they stopped nursing because whatever you are on is leaking into your breast milk and they clearly don't like it." He unclasped his hands to run his good hand over his face, forefinger and thumb brushing over his goatee as he let loose another sigh. "You weren't ready to be a mother Marren, perhaps your still not ready, it doesn't mean you don't love the girls Marren and nor does it mean they were a mistake, it was just...bad timing." He clasped his hands again. "Marren, I am going to look into getting some help for you, for whatever your on, even if you won't admit it, hopefully by the time the family gets back from Athelia, you'll be clean."

Marren:" What do yo0u mean going to Athelia?" she turned on him another emtional switch as she looked at him as if he were abandoning her " Your taking everyone to Athelia and you expect me to stay here like... a cast off? " suddenly her tirade stopped as she realized that if she went with them she could not continue going to the Oasis.. the club she went to to get away from her world, the place where she imbibed in the exotic things that made her forget, it was almost painfully plain on her face that she was weighing this in her mind.. " Perhaps you are right.. and I should stay behind... it will give you and Shaden more time with the kids and I know she cannot be keen on the idea of my going.. with you all.. but ... if I stay.. here I will need money to tide me over while your gone..."

Nicholas Stryker:"Oh jesus christ Marren, don't start that chyt again" He groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose, perhaps all his hangovers hadn't been hangovers but the headaches she constantly gave him. He had to admit though, he was surprised when her tune changed and she opted to stay behind to give them time alone with the children. Ha! Like they didn't get enough time with them as it was. No, this addiction of hers, was strong and wouldn't allow her to go. Nic could read people even when they weren't saying anything and this pulsed off her like a tidal wave. "Yes, the whole family is going to Athelia, I am abdicating the throne Marren, to Brom." His head lifted, hands clasping again. "Shaden and I have discussed it and she is supporting me in this, as such, she and the kids will be accompanying me to partake in the ceremony of releasing the crown and the coronation of the new King." He fell silent then, weighing on her comment of money. "Marren, the contract releasing you from the employment of the Lily gave you a sufficient fund and that's not including the allowance I give you monthly. Now if you haven't run through your funds from the contract, then that should tide you over, household and food wise until our return and henceforth, I'll be turning over your allowance to assistance in getting you clean. That's the offer I am making."

Marren:You could see her mind working " I'm not addicted to anything.. and to prove it I'll go with you.. I'm not staying here while you all go to Athelia ..." his words of turning over the crown to Brom stopped her again.. " Your turning over the country to Brom... but what of our CHildrens Heritage.. they are Royalty and you are throwing this away.. WHY?" her voice rose again to a shrill pitch it was like seeing a woman torn into how quickly she could go from depressed sadness to anger and rage to cold detachment..

Nicholas Stryker:"Fine, then you may come." He was going to call her bluff there and knew he would also pay the price with his wife but he was willing to take that risk and call her bluff. Sitting up again, he crossed his arms over his chest. Oh NOW it sunk in and she did as Shaden had predicted she would do, whine about their childrens title and heritage. "Brom and I have all ready discussed this, the children will keep their titles. The girls will remain the Countesses of Fairhaven as Jadrien will retain the position Brom used to support, the Duke of Ravenscrag and Gemma the Marchioness of Lemenster and Scottland the Duke of Cambria while Brom will create new providence's out of the remaining providence's to create his own royal court. The children loose nothing, unless they decided later in life to abdicate their titles in Athelia." He shifted on the armrest again, this time choosing to stand. "Shaden and I are happy here Marren and the people of Athelia deserve a King that will constantly be with them and have his attention upon their well being and the well being of the Kingdom." He didn't explain to her as he had to Shaden of feeling Athelia was thrust on him, an unwanted choice, not after Marren pitched a fit, and constantly, of being the unwanted one. "I'm sure if you wish to stay in Athelia, Brom would consider it, but you must speak to him about it, I'll not make the decision for him." His arms uncrossed to lazily swing at his sides.

Marren:" I cannot belive you would just give it away... to stay here with Shaden.. She should go with you there... All your children should be raised there.. instead She raises them by her Whore House.. like commoners.. not like the Royal Blood they have... I cannot believe you would choose her life over your life... and your children's life in Athelia.. " it was plain that while she considered Shaden a better mother than herself that she still had resentment and hate for the woman she considered to be the ruination of her life... her arms crossed over her chest and she almost looked pained, it had been since last night since she had been to the Oasis.. Phillip had told her he would meet her this afternoon with something special.. but Nic had interrupted that.. her belly cramped uncomfortably and her skin felt as if it were crawling with fleas biting her... " I will be wasting my breath if I try and argue with you as usual you make the rules and I just live with them.. " she snorted hatefully... " When are you leaving ?" again her gaze returned to the window.. her jaw clenching and unclenching as a bead of sweat formed on her brow... She just wished Nicholas would leave.. so she could go find Phillip.

Nicholas Stryker:"Shaden has said she would live with me anywhere, and I with her. I prefer it to be here, with her. We could live in a shack with our children and think it a castle, as long as it is together." He knew even as he spoke the words that it would hurt Marren but then he couldn't deny the truth. "This is what love is Marren, its not about money or jewels or crowns; it's living happily with the one you love, the where doesn't matter but my family will always mean more to me, and that is not fair for the people of Athelia" His jaw tightened, something it did when thinking or irritated, in this case, he was irritated. "If you had any intelligence or makings of a Queen, you would understand and support that." His chin lowered as if he were a school teacher finally pounding a lesson into a pupil. "That's right Marren, I make the rules and you follow them, because when push comes to shove, you are still to damn childish." Oh how he wished to beat some sense into her, but it was a waste of time. "I'm leaving now, thank God. An if you do decide to come to Athelia with us, gather your damn pouting and act like a real woman for once. This childish act is getting old Marren, and soon I'll whip my hands of you if it doesn't change." He knew he was walking away leaving her aching for a hit of whatever she was on, he knew well when he left, she would go seeking that hit and God forgive him, as irritated as he was, he didn't care as he turned his back from her and stormed from the parlor and the house.

Marren:She let him go, she dind't even say a word as he stoked out slaming the door with a ratteling racket.. instead.. she took a deep breath and her voice rang out.. " Mary... Have ben bring the carriage around.. I'm going out... " and go out she would to find phillip and the sweet nivana she craved.