Chapter 19

The banners of Ashbourne fluttered high as the grand carriages came to a halt outside the gates of Vireli's royal palace. The crest of Ashbourne gleamed on the polished wood of the leading carriage, and the air was thick with anticipation.

Max stood just behind Alex, his hand nervously clutching at his husband's sleeve. He felt a strange mix of excitement and trepidation. Though he had been a part of Alex's life for some time, the arrival of his family-his own blood-stirred emotions he wasn't entirely ready to face.

The grand gates creaked open, and the Ashbourne royal family stepped down. Julian was the first to emerge, his regal stride commanding as always. His expression softened, however, when his eyes landed on Max. Behind him, their mother stepped forward, her grace undeniable as she scanned the gathering crowd. The King and Queen of Ashbourne followed, their presence dignified and imposing.

Alex's parents and extended family were already assembled in the courtyard, waiting to greet the visitors. Alex himself took the lead, stepping forward with Max at his side.

Julian was the first to speak. "Alex, Max," he said, his voice warm despite its formal tone. "It is an honor to finally meet your family, Alex, and to see you again, Max."

Before Max could respond, his mother stepped forward, her eyes misty as they met her son's. "Max," she murmured, her voice trembling. She reached for him, and Max stepped forward, hesitating only for a moment before falling into her embrace.

The courtyard quieted as mother and son held each other, the weight of their reunion palpable. "I've missed you so much," she whispered, brushing a hand over his hair. "You've grown so much, my darling. And now..." Her voice cracked. "Now you're bringing a child into this world. I couldn't be prouder."

Max clung to her for a moment longer before pulling back, tears glistening in his eyes. "I'm scared," he admitted, his voice barely audible. "Mother, I don't know if I can do this."

Her expression softened further, and she cupped his face in her hands. "Max, you are stronger than you know. You've already faced so much and come out braver. This child is a blessing, and you are more than capable of giving them the love they deserve. And Alex is here to stand beside you, isn't he?"

She turned her gaze to Alex, who stepped forward, his usual composed demeanor giving way to sincerity. "I am, my lady," Alex said, bowing slightly. "Max is my everything, and I will do everything in my power to make sure he feels safe, loved, and cared for. Always."

Her expression grew stern, though not unkind. "That is your duty now, Alex," she said firmly. "Not just as his husband, but as the father of his child. Never forget the weight of that responsibility."

"I won't," Alex promised, his tone unwavering.

The King of Ashbourne, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward, addressing Alex's parents. "It is good to see our families come together like this. This child will not only be a blessing to Max and Alex but to both our kingdoms."

Alex's father, Lord of Vireli, nodded graciously. "Indeed. This union strengthens us in ways far beyond the political. It is a testament to the bond our children share."

The Queen of Ashbourne exchanged pleasantries with Alex's mother, while Alex's cousin, with her usual exuberance, rushed to embrace Max. "This is wonderful!" she exclaimed. "Max, you're going to be an amazing father!"

Max managed a small smile, her enthusiasm infectious.

The group soon moved inside, gathering in a more intimate setting to continue their conversations.

Later That Evening

As the families settled into the grand parlor, Max found himself alone with his mother for a moment. She reached for his hand, her expression softer now that they were away from the formalities of the courtyard.

"You're overwhelmed," she said simply.

Max nodded, swallowing hard. "I am. Everything feels so... uncertain. I don't know what to expect, and I'm afraid of failing."

She squeezed his hand tightly. "Max, you've always been the heart of our family, even when you didn't realize it. You will not fail. And when the moments feel too much, remember that you have us-Julian, me, Alex, and his family. None of us will let you face this alone."

Max wiped at his eyes and nodded. "Thank you, Mother."

She kissed his forehead. "Now, no more doubting yourself. You have a child to prepare for, and they will need their father to be strong."

Across the room, Alex stood speaking with Julian. The two men shared a quiet understanding as they discussed Max's well-being.

"Take care of him," Julian said, his voice low but steady.

"I will," Alex replied. "He's everything to me."

As the evening wound down, the two families, though different in many ways, found themselves united by their shared joy and hope for the future.

Chapter: The Artist's Muse

The late afternoon sunlight filtered softly through the tall windows of the art room, casting a golden hue over the scattered paints, canvases, and brushes. Max sat on a stool in the middle of the room, staring at the half-finished painting before him. He had spent most of the morning blending shades of blue and gold into a serene background, but now his inspiration seemed to have run dry.

He let out a soft sigh, brushing a stray lock of hair behind his ear. The room, his sanctuary, felt almost too quiet today.

Just as he reached for his brush to idly add another stroke to the canvas, warm hands suddenly covered his eyes.

"Guess who," a deep voice whispered near his ear, the familiar tone sending a shiver down Max's spine.

A smile tugged at Max's lips. "What's this, Your Majesty? Not busy anymore?"

Alex chuckled softly, removing his hands and stepping around the stool to stand in front of Max. "Not busy enough to forget about my husband and our growing baby," he teased, leaning down to place a gentle kiss on Max's forehead.

Max felt a warmth bloom in his chest as Alex knelt in front of him, resting his head against the crook of his neck. The weight of his presence was grounding, and Max instinctively placed a hand over Alex's, which had found its way to his belly.

"How are you feeling today?" Alex murmured, his voice soft against Max's skin.

"A little tired," Max admitted. "But mostly... just unsure."

Alex pulled back slightly to look into Max's eyes. "Unsure?"

Max gestured toward the canvas, his fingers smudged with dried paint. "I wanted to paint something meaningful today, but no matter how much I think about it, I can't seem to find any inspiration."

Alex tilted his head, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "You're an artist, Max. Inspiration comes and goes, doesn't it?"

Max nodded. "Yes, but it's frustrating when it doesn't come when I need it. I've been staring at this canvas for hours, and I don't know what to do."

Alex smiled, brushing his thumb across Max's cheek. "Then don't force it. The most beautiful things come naturally, without planning."

Max paused, his gaze lingering on Alex's face. His husband's words resonated with him, and a sudden idea sparked in his mind. He leaned back slightly, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "You know, Your Majesty... you could be my muse."

Alex raised an eyebrow, amused. "Your muse?"

"Yes," Max said, sitting up straighter. "You could be my model. I could paint you."

Alex laughed softly. "You want me to sit still for hours while you paint me?"

Max grinned. "It's not like you don't sit still in meetings all day."

Alex chuckled again, but there was a fondness in his eyes. "All right. If it helps you find your inspiration, I'll do it. What do you want me to do?"

Max gestured toward the chaise lounge near the window. "Just sit there, like that. Relax."

Alex moved to the chaise and settled himself with surprising ease, leaning back as the sunlight framed his sharp features. Max's heart fluttered at the sight. Even after all this time, Alex's presence had a way of leaving him breathless.

Max picked up his brush and began to work, his strokes light and deliberate as he captured the curve of Alex's jaw, the glint in his eyes, the way the sunlight kissed his skin.

"You're staring awfully hard," Alex teased, his voice breaking the quiet.

Max smirked, not looking away from his canvas. "I have to. My subject is particularly striking."

Alex leaned his head back, closing his eyes. "Flatterer."

The room fell into a comfortable silence as Max lost himself in his work, his brush moving with purpose now. Every glance at Alex sparked a new idea, a new detail to add to the painting.

Finally, after what felt like both minutes and hours, Max stepped back to admire his work. The painting wasn't finished, but it was enough to make his heart swell with pride.

Alex opened his eyes and stood, walking over to stand behind Max. He placed his hands gently on Max's shoulders as he looked at the canvas.

"It's beautiful," Alex said softly.

Max glanced up at him, his eyes warm. "Thank you. I think I needed this."

Alex leaned down, pressing a lingering kiss to Max's temple. "Anytime, my love. Anytime."

The two stood there for a moment, the golden light wrapping around them as the day slowly began to fade, their hearts as full as the canvas before them.