Chapter 17

*This chapter is in Archie's POV*

My relationship with Alena was going so well. We'd been dating for nearly a month and on Friday we were flying to Turks and Caicos to be with her family for Thanksgiving. I'd never been to Turks and Caicos and it had been a while since I'd been on a white sandy beach.

I invited Alena over for a late lunch without my family at the palace. It was just us having a picnic in the sunroom because it was kind of bitter outside.

"I'm excited to go to the beach." I spoke as I ate my sandwich, "It's so cold and gloomy here. I don't know how you moved here after being in Los Angeles."

"Well, I did live in New York for four years." she reminded me, "You know Aubrey is so excited to see you again. I talk about you all the time to her and she thinks you're an amazing boyfriend."

It was so nice to know that her siblings liked me.

I smiled, "That's good. You know, what are we gonna do for Christmas?"

"I'm going back to the states on the twenty-second of December. We could do something before I go or after." she answered my question

"Let's do before and then I might fly out to the states before the New Year." I said in response, "Actually scratch might, I will."

She looked shocked, "Really?

I nodded, "Why not? Maybe we could go somewhere and do something fun."

"Yeah I'd like that." she agreed with me

"Are you finished eating? I wanna show you something." I began. Alena nodded her head and we put on our coats and I took my hand.

I led her through the gardens until we reached one specific one. She looked around at all of the flowers and caught on to why I brought her here.

"These are Amaryllis flowers!" Alena pointed out excitedly. God, she was so cute and pretty.

I grinned, "They are."

"They were my Mother's favorite flower. This is actually her garden." I informed her as we sat down on the bench. "I like to come here to relax and think."

"You know, I think she would have loved you. I see so many similarities between you two and I feel like it's a sign." I started as we held hands

She looked me in the eyes, "Tell me more about her."

I loved that she wanted to know more about my Mom and it wasn't a fake wanting to get to know her either.

"She had long flowy brunette hair, hazel eyes, and she was fairly tall - about 5'10. She was honestly my favorite person. It hurt really bad when she passed." I talked about my Mom. I showed Alena pictures of her and I was the spitting image of my Mum.

There was one picture that she noticed almost immediately. My mother had on the necklace that I gave to her.

Alena zoomed in to the picture, "The necklace."

I looked over at her, "It was her's and I wanted you to have it."

"Really?" she said almost shocked

"I told you that we have something special." I smiled at her, "You're everything I want and everything she would've loved. Plus you're an amazing person."

Alena hugged him, "I love you."

God, Alena, I love you so so so much. It almost seemed crazy how much I loved her and what I would do for her.

"I love you more, Lainey." I said to her

We pulled away as we heard footsteps. We looked over to see guards walking my Dad and Ruth inside of the palace. Apparently they had some kind of luncheon today.

Alena noticed that my body language changed when I saw them.

"Everything ok?" she asked as she rubbed my back

I shrugged, "I don't know it's a weird situation. It just sucks seeing your parent with someone else who isn't your mother. Even after all this time."

"I get that."

"Plus my Dad is kind of an asshole sometimes," I added but then I brushed it off. He wasn't going to ruin my mood, "I don't even wanna think about it right now. I should probably drive you home so you can pack."

I dropped Alena off back at her place but I ended up coming back later that night so we could go to the airport together in the morning.

We left London around ten in the morning and landed in Turks and Caicos at a little after five in the evening. Her family picked us up from the airport and it was so nice to finally see them again.

Plus the weather was so nice compared to London.

"How have things been Archie?" Mrs. Athena asked me as we ate dinner on the patio

"Amazing." I answered, "How have you been?"

She nodded, "I've been well actually. I have to admit that it's not too hard to keep up with up. Google is a thing."

I let out a small laugh, "I get that."

Aubrey cleared her throat, "Are we ever going to be able to come to the palace?"

"Of course. Just give me a date." I agreed

"Are you coming for Christmas?" Aaron asked me

"A few days after, he still has a family too." Alena answered the question for me

Her Dad cleared his throat, "Maybe we could go during Aubrey's spring break so she doesn't miss too much school."

"We'll be looking forward to it." I spoke confidently

For the rest of the night, we swam in the pool and then had a game night. While Alena was in the shower, Aubrey came up to me. While she was sweet she was also intimidating as hell.

"Hey, Archie." she plopped down on the edge of the bed

I put my phone down, "What's up?"

"Nothing much, I just wanted to talk to you." she started, "So you really like my sister?"

I nodded, "Very much so."

"Well, that's good because Amie really really really likes you. She doesn't stop talking about you. I always hear about the cute things you do or say." Aubrey informed me and my heart began to speed up

"Does she really?" I grinned

Aubrey nodded and I let out a small laugh,

"She's so crazy about you." Aubrey went on, "It's so nice to finally see her with someone good for her. It's been a while since I've seen her this happy."

We both heard the water turn off from the bathroom.

"Good chat, Archie." Aubrey said lowly before she left the room

Alena stuck her head out of the bathroom, "I thought I heard someone."

I looked at her and smirked, "Nah."

For the next few days, we rented a boat and took it out on the water. We had so much fun snorkeling, tubing, and just having fun.

Alena and I sat on the back of the yacht just watching the sunset.

"You got so tan today." Alena stroked my cheek, "Wouldn't it be fun to travel more together?"

"Yes, it would. I think you're going to love your birthday destination. I'm still not telling you where it is." I gently teased her

She rolled her eyes, "You suck but you're so cute."

I could feel my cheeks heat up.

"You're blushing— cause you like me, right?" she gushed. She definitely had too many White Claws but her being all gushy was adorable.

"That's right," I replied as I squeezed her closer to me

"You're wrapped around my finger, huh?" Alena asked me, "Because I'm wrapped the hell around yours.

"Completely wrapped," I confirmed

She kissed my cheek, "You're in love with me!"

"I am." I assured him, "So in love. How did I get so lucky?"

"I ask myself that question every day."