King Liam Deserved Better

“Family hug!”, Razia announced. Riley was immediately squished on both sides by her Mom and Dani. Wiping at her tear-stained cheeks, she turned to Razia and wrapped her arms around the slender frame. “Aw. There’s my Riley” Her 57-year old mother still smelled like bubblegum and candy floss, and just a touch of vinyl. Riley felt those minute calluses from her fingertips as Razia’s hands rested on her cheeks, calluses from years of plucking guitar strings and pressing piano keys. Her eyes closed as Razia planted a hearty kiss on her forehead. “Let me look at you” “Mooom. We just had a video call yesterday”, Riley grinned. “Exactly. And”, Dani interrupted, “You two have wasted too much time on the opening act. The showstopper’s there” Riley and her Mama rolled their eyes at the same time at Dani’s words, and watched Razia nearly sprinting towards Eleanor’s crib. She emitted a loud gasp as if she had discovered treasure. “Oh my god. Oh my goodness”, she kept saying in awe. Riley watched from a little distance, so as not to crowd Eleanor’s crib on all four sides. Her Mom was clutching Mama’s arm, saying over and over, “That’s our granddaughter. Oh baby, she’s so cute” “She is”, Analyn smiled. Riley offered, “Do you want to hold her?” “Yes please”, Analyn said. “Go ahead then” Tenderly, Analyn reached into the crib and took her grandchild in her arms for the first time. A pleasant warmth seemed to bloom in Riley’s chest, watching her mothers and her sister gaze so adoringly at her daughter. “Hi, Eleanor. I’m your grandma. My name is Razia. Oh you’re so precious, sweetheart, I might just cry” Dani was the first one to notice. She said, “Mama? Are you crying?” “No, I’m not” Razia immediately put her arm around Analyn, who was biting her lip and keeping her head bowed to hide her eyes. “Aw, my baby. You’re not fooling us” “She’s just…”, Analyn looked up at Riley and Dani, her eyes glistening and her brow creased in a frown, “She’s just so cute” As if accepting the compliment, Eleanor grinned at her grandmothers and let out a delightful squeal.

***

At the luncheon, Liam felt like he was witnessing the scene unfold from a different dimension. He had ensured that only their closest friends, whom he could trust to make Cordonia look good to Analyn’s eyes, were the other guests at the luncheon. With a smile, he watched Razia recount some embarrassing tale from Riley and Dani’s childhood. Analyn held Eleanor in her arms, her empty plate of food still in front of her on the table. What pleased him most was that he hadn’t seen his wife so happy and relaxed in a long, long time. As the Queen of Cordonia, Riley seldom let her guard down anymore. But sitting next to her mothers, she reminded him of the spontaneous, daring girl he had met in New York once upon a time. He was beyond grateful to Analyn, distant as she was, and to Razia for making him see Riley at such ease. The happiness he was feeling imbued him with some nerve.

Liam rose from his chair, hoping no one would follow the royal table manners and stand up because the King had done so. He walked around the table to Analyn’s side. Eleanor noticed him right away and her face scrunched up in an excited grin. She kept raising her little butt and flailing her arms, squealing a litany of baby noises at him. Analyn smiled at her and then at him. “She wants Daddy”, she said. Liam was only too happy to take his pride and joy in his arms, holding her straight so he could kiss her little nose. He was lost in his daughter’s sunshine-like smile when Analyn said, “Thank you for such a thoughtful meal” ‘Are my ears ringing?’, he wondered. Analyn thanked someone from the waiting staff who was clearing away the tables. She stood up next to Liam. His relief on seeing her smile at him was tinged with anticipation. She continued, “My daughters told me you planned every part of this lunch down to the last detail. The fried chicken, my favourite brand of vodka, the caramel ice-cream with the Madeline cookies my wife likes – it was really sweet of you” Holding Eleanor against his shoulder, with a hand behind her neck, Liam exhaled a deep sigh of relief. “I’m really glad to hear that. I wasn’t sure how you would feel about it. But honestly, everyone helped. The credit goes to the staff and our advisers” Analyn gave him a curious look, as if he had said something that secretly pleased her. “Of course”, she said, “I do feel bad that you felt the need to go to such lengths for us though. Dani told me you have planned everything yourself to make sure my wife and I feel at home here” She placed a placating hand on his forearm, the corners of her eyes crinkling slightly as she spoke. “But you don’t have to impress us. Especially not me. Whatever my political views are, it is my duty towards my daughter to see you as my son-in-law and not just another monarch. As long as you make your wife and child happy, and keep them safe, I have no right to complain” Liam could feel the tender affection in her tone, which made him wish his own mother had been there with them today. “Thank you, Analyn”, he said. “You’re welcome, Liam” Their attention was diverted by the sound of Maxwell’s voice from the stage as he announced the arrival of Celine Dion. Liam heard a high-pitched squeal coming from the other end of the lawn and saw Razia staring wide-eyed at the stage in disbelief. “Your efforts may be slightly extravagant, Liam, but for making my wife happy like that”, Analyn smirked, “…I can overlook it” 

***

Liam was taking a moment for himself in the garden maze. He had finally felt some relief from the anguish of the past two weeks. Analyn wasn’t as critical of him as reading her research papers on the privileged classes had led him to believe. She had just needed some time to warm up to him. Now with the fear of being despised by his mother-in-law vanquished, he was looking forward to taking her and the family sightseeing. As he walked in the maze with his hands behind his back, he knew he would have to ask Analyn and Razia first if they were interested in sightseeing. “Boo!” Grinning, Liam caught those hands over his chest as Riley hugged him from behind. He brushed his lips against her knuckles. “Aw. I didn’t scare you?”, she asked. Liam looped his arm around her and pulled her in front of him, hugging her waist. He grazed his nose against hers, stealing a quick kiss. “Nope”, he said. Riley looked up at him with such a pleasant smile. It made him want to cover her face with kisses. “You seem happy”, she said. “I am” “Really? You’re not worried about my mother anymore?” He shook his head, saying, “I was so afraid of being judged harshly by Analyn that I jumped to some conclusions of my own. Your mother is definitely… intense” “Mhm” Riley’s playful tone suggested that Liam be careful with his wording. All those diplomacy lessons throughout his childhood were not for nothing though. He smiled. “But she seems like a very interesting and open minded woman. And I hope I get to spend more time with her and Razia” “Good answer. But…”, Riley said. Liam raised an eyebrow as she took hold of his lapels, looking up at him through her eyelashes. Riley ran her fingers down his sleeve, saying softly, “How about… you spend some time with me?” “What about…” She cut him off, saying, “Eleanor’s sleeping. Hana has engaged Mama in a very detailed conversation about modern Chinese history. And Mom’s probably asleep by now on the couch in the nursery” “Ah. I see”, Liam said. Riley moved away from his arms, swaying her hips, doing her version of a sexy dance which was anything but. Liam grinned as he watched her making waves in the air with her arms. After almost a year of marriage, Riley knew the effect her dorky dancing had on him. “This is, after all, the place where we first made love” She gave him a wink, still swaying where she stood. Liam took a step towards her, biting his lower lip as he gazed hungrily at her opulent hips. “What if someone walks in on us?”, he asked. “When has that ever stopped you, my King?”, she said. Liam slid his hand around Riley’s waist, resting it on her lower back. She turned up her chin at him. Her hair fell away from her shoulders, exposing her neck to his lustful gaze. Liam nearly growled, “Riley”