Chapter 20

Christmas was my favorite holiday hands down. Even if Archie and I weren't going to be together when it was officially Christmas, doing our own thing worked too.

After all his whole family was about to meet my family. It was a big step for us.

"What's your favorite Christmas movie?" I asked Archie as we cut out our cookies

"Hmm, probably 'Home Alone'. What's your's?" Archie asked me

I laid out the angel on the cookie sheet, "' The Santa Clause' for sure. I used to watch it all the time when I was young."

"Honestly, I don't think I've seen that one." Archie admitted

My jaw dropped as I turned to him, "We're most definitely watching it tonight."

Archie kissed my cheek, "I'm quite excited."

I looked out of the window as Archie put the cookies in the oven, "Arch, it's snowing."

He came behind me and looked out the window, "Awe, it's your first white Christmas. Were you one of those kids that woke up at four in the morning to open presents?"

I nodded, "I actually was."

Archie wrapped his arms around my waist, "I just knew it. I was that kid that you had to drag out of bed because I loved getting sleep."

He sighed, "Guess we're going to have to hope our children take after me then."

I laughed, "Now I hope they bother the hell out of you."

Then it hit me, "Where would we even spend Christmas?"

Archie moved his hands from my waist to shoulders, "Don't worry about that right now. We're still like five years out."

"Oh so you want my offspring?" I smirked as I walked off to clean the kitchen

"Damn right. We'd have the most gorgeous children." Archie smiled off into space

I liked how right it felt to talk about this with him. It was very reassuring that he actually saw a future with me.

He looked up at me, "This life isn't easy, you know? There's always someone watching, always waiting for you to make the wrong move. It's positively exhausting. Sometimes it scares me to think about bringing a little human into the mix but all I ever wanted to be was a Father."

I leaned against the counter, "Like you said, don't worry about that right now."

Archie nodded, "You're right."

I grabbed my purse, "So Sydney and I went to the markets and I decided to get us something."

"A present for the both of us? Interesting." Archie walked closer to me. I pulled out the gift that was covered with gift tissue paper.

It was a wood ornament with 3D snowflakes going around in a circle. Engraved in the middle was 'Archie & Alena's First Christmas'.

"Isn't it pretty?" I looked up at him. He took it from my hands gently and looked at it.

"I love it, let's put it on the tree." Archie took my hand and led me to the Christmas tree that was in his living room, "Right in the center."

Archie put his arm around me, "It's going to be so much fun to watch the collection grow over the years."

I smiled, "You make me so happy. I'm kinda sad we won't be together for the real Christmas."

"That reminds me, I want my bodyguard to go with you on the plane and through the airport until you're with your family." Archie brought up, "He'll be discrete, I just want you to be safe,"

I gave him a look, "Uh, ok."

"I know it's something that is weird and new to you but I just want you to be safe. It's not like America is down the street and people are bonkers." he said after he noticed my facial expression

I nodded, "I know, I know. It'll take some getting used to but as you said, just to be safe."

For Christmas, I got Archie a huge photo. collage of pictures of us together, slippers because he always complained about how cold his feet got around the house, some Burberry clothes because of the amazing discount I got from being an employee, and ring that had 'I love you' engraved into it. The ring also doubled as a necklace if he wanted to put it on a chain.

"I thought since you got me a ring, why shouldn't you have one." I explained to him as he opened it

He smiled at me, "Oh Lainey, I love it."

I kissed his cheek, "I love you."

Spending Christmas with my family was amazing but it wasn't until Christmas eve that I realized how much I missed Archie. He'd become my family especially since my blood family was on the opposite side of the globe most of the time.

I couldn't wait for the twenty-eighth to come so he could be here. At the same time, I wasn't ready for our families to quite meet yet.

"What should I cook, Amie?" my Mom asked as I sat in the kitchen

"Food." I grinned, "Just do chicken, salmon, and then a vegetarian dish like stuffed bell peppers or something."

My Mom nodded, "Good thinking. What time are you picking Archie up from the airport?"

"At 6. I'm picked up Bree from gym first then go to the airport. She wanted to ride with me." I answered my Mom's question, "Then his family lands tomorrow morning."

I made a face, "I'm kinda nervous."

"I'm sure it will be fine." my Mom assured me

God, I hope so.

After we picked up Archie from the airport we went to dinner and Topgolf as a family. It was nice to see how natural he was around my family now. We didn't have to act perfect and 'stiff' now. It was a good feeling.

A good feeling until the next day at seven in the evening came around.

There were literally security guards surrounding our house just in case someone wanted to kill a royal family member in our gated community in the suburbs of Beverly Hills.

"My son does not stop talking about your daughter." the King spoke as we all sat in the dining room, "And I mean at all."

I glanced at Archie and then at our sisters. Aubrey and Alexandra were having the time of their lives.

They were really into TikToks.

I really thought their 'freakin' mint' one was funny.

When your sister's boyfriend is royal and famous so there are security guards surrounding your house - freakin' mint.

When your best friend lives in a different country - freakin' mint

They were trying to do so much together. Aubrey wanted Alexandra to go to Disneyland with her, the grove, and even prom. I was interested to see if it was going to work out.

"Trust me, Amie does the same thing." my Mom agreed with Archie's Dad

"Amie?" Ruth questioned my mother

My Dad cleared her throat, "Amie is her nickname because her real name is kind of a mouthful - Amaryllis Alena Thompson."

"Archibald Charles George Winston Clifford says hello." Archie joked

I looked over at him and laughed, "Good one."

"You know, Winston, you've raised an amazing son. He treats our Alena very well." my Dad put in

Winston nodded, "I must admit that she has accepted this new platform and royal world very well. It's most definitely not easy."

I made eye contact with him, "Thank you."

Archie rubbed my thigh, "I agree."

Winston held up his glass, "Could I get more of this?"

I nodded, "Of course."

And then my parents, Ruth, Aaron, and Matilda raised their glasses as well.

Archie looked at me, "I'll help you."

We walked to the kitchen with the glasses in our hands.

"Dinner is going well." I said to him as I poured the eggnog into the glasses

Archie let out a small laugh, "Yeah cause I spiked the eggnog."

My eyes got big, "You spiked the eggnog? No wonder I feel like this! And that explains why Alex and Bree are acting like that."

Archie laughed, "Yeah I know, I didn't mean for them to drink it."

I shook my head with a smile on my face, "You're crazy."

He looked up and pointed to the ceiling, "That's mistletoe we're standing under."

"Perfect placement." I smiled as I set the glasses down

Archie wrapped his arms around me and dipped me before giving me a kiss.

And a merry merry Christmas it was.

-

A quick little chapter for Christmas!

Happy Holidays to everyone!