by V Vee
Algerone went to refute his brother’s claims when Valerie stepped out of the room next, and his breath wooshed from his lungs.
“Gracvor,” Augustus said.
Algerone nodded. “Indeed.”
Valerie stood before them all, a black, wide brim Kentucky derby, church hat, sans flower or adornment of any kind, resting on her head. The light pink dress she wore, complimented Chiamaka’s own dress, hugging her curves and showing the proof of her small pregnancy bump. Her legs were sheathed in bare stockings, and a pair of black pointed toe heels rested on her feet. Her face, which looked as if it barely had on a shred of makeup, glowed in the hospital fluorescent lighting. Algerone rose to his feet, still holding onto Dahni and strode toward his wife, feeling a bit like a lion stalking his prey.
When he came abreast of her, he allowed his gaze to trace all of her, from the top of her head to the soles of her feet. While she didn’t show much, the dress covered everything important, and a black sweater hung on her shoulders as a covering for the thin straps, and as covering for the scooped neckline, there was just enough silky, smooth, dark brown skin showing to make Algerone’s mouth water.
So he swallowed and licked his lips, before leaning down to press a deep kiss on Valerie’s lips. He’d intended the gesture to be innocent, simply his way of appreciating her beauty, and a precursor to what they would hopefully be doing later that evening. However, as soon as the touch of his wife’s mouth against his own registered in his mind, Algerone knew a peck wasn’t going to be enough. He wrapped an arm around Valerie’s waist, the tips of his fingers grazing her round, supple ass as he tugged her closer. He traced the seam of her lips with his tongue, and when she moaned softly and opened her mouth for him, he pushed forward, tasting every nook and crevice of her mouth, then tangling with her own tongue before retreating with a small nibble of her bottom lip. When he opened his eyes, Algerone could see the desire that darkened Valerie’s eyes, it almost made him want to kiss her again, but, Dahni’s smacking kiss on his cheek then on Valerie’s pulled him from the haze of passion he’d been in.
When Dahni reached out for her mother, and Valerie lifted her into her arms, Algerone’s gaze fell on the bump beneath Valerie’s dress. He reached out to place his hand on her belly and bit his bottom lip when he glanced back up at Valerie.
“You are always the most beautiful thing in the world to me. There is never a moment I don’t see the sunshine when I look at your face, or when my heart doesn’t pound just a little harder when you smile at me, but when you’re carrying my children? There is an otherworldly glow, a Heavenly and almost impossible sensuality and gorgeousness that radiates from you and it stops my heart every time.” He shook his head. “Maybe it’s because I know how supremely lucky I am that you not only decided to give birth to my children, making me the most blessed son of a bitch on Earth, but also because I know that you love me, when I don’t deserve it. Thank you.” He pressed another quick kiss to her lips, before kneeling to kiss her stomach where their unborn child grew.
He closed his eyes and sighed when he felt Valerie’s fingers in his hair, and took a quick moment to thank god above for bringing her into his life and giving him his children. After a bit, he realized Valerie was talking and laughing. Glancing up he quirked an eyebrow at her.
“What?” he asked her.
Valerie pointed behind him. “Your brothers, my family, and some of the hospital staff are recording all of this and taking pictures.”
Algerone grinned, then stood, shrugging his shoulders. “I care not. Let them document my love for you for all to see.”
Algerone heard the sighs of the nurses who were in the area and his brothers coughing and groaning in a teasing manner. Rolling his eyes, he took his wife’s hand, and turned to walk her to the wheelchair that waited to take her outside.
“However, you’re probably right, we should probably leave now before we find ourselves the subjects of much more scrutiny,” he said with a grin.
“I agree,” Valerie said, as she attempted to sit in the wheelchair with Dahni still in her arms.
“Girl, gimme this baby,” Lorraine scolded Valerie. “You just got out of the hospital, and this one here wants to act up.”
Algerone laughed as his mother-in-law picked up Dahni who started to go limp, her mouth opened as if she were about to throw a temper tantrum. But with a look at her grandmother, then her mother, who both wore looks that brooked no argument, straightened up immediately. Algerone shook his head as he stared at Lorraine in amazement.
“You have to teach me how you do that,” he asked her.
Lorraine laughed and waved her hand at him, before she bent down to pick up her purse from her vacated seat. “Oh honey, that’s a black mama thing. Every black mother I know obtains the knowledge of how to straighten kids up with just a look, as soon as they find out they’re pregnant. Some black women come by the knowledge because they babysit for other people’s kids.” She stopped speaking and looked at Algerone, “But you can ask Lloyd to teach you how he used to be able to get the children to behave without having to raise his voice, or just by walking in the house or near the room they were playing in.”
Algerone looked over at Lloyd who winked at him. “We’ll talk.”
“Grampy? Can we go, now? I’m bored just standing here watching Daddy and Mommy kiss. I want a burger,” Chiamaka asked Lloyd as she tapped him on his arm.
“Absolutely, baby girl. Let’s go,” Lloyd lifted Chiamaka in his arms, and Algerone’s brothers each took either a child, or a bag, or stood with a member of Valerie’s family. And like an army, following their security detail, they headed for the elevators and then out the doors of the hospital where another army, full of paparazzi, journalists, reporters, and social media fans and followers, waited.
Chapter Twenty
T he glare and flash of cameras going off, as well as the voices yelling as every journalist and reporter attempted to ask a question and get it answered, startled Dahni who started to cry within moments of them stepping outside. Valerie knew that any other princess would simply look forward and let the person holding Dahni deal with her, but it wasn’t something she could do. That wasn’t the type of mother she was, and it wasn’t the type of princess she was going to be.
“Mom? Hand Dahni to me,” Valerie asked, turning in her wheelchair and holding out her arms for her daughter.
“Now? Honey, there are people watching you. Just face forward, I’ve got her,” her mom told her.
Valerie shook her head. “No, Mom, you and Dad raised us better than that. Just because they know who I am now, doesn’t change anything. I am still Dahni’s mother and she’s scared. I’m okay, I’m sitting down.” She gestured again to her mother, and finally Dahni was placed in her arms, and in her lap. The little girl pressed her face against Valerie’s chest and covered her ears. Valerie looked up at Algerone as he leaned over the back of the wheelchair to talk to Dahni, even as he continued to push forward to their awaiting SUV.
“Don’t worry, Doodlebug, Mommy and Daddy are right here. We won’t let anyone get you or scare you or hurt you. I know all of these people are loud, but that’s just because they all think you’re so pretty that they want to take lots of pictures of you and your mommy and your brothers and sisters,” Algerone’s voice floated through the air and over Valerie’s skin, into Dahni’s ear, reassuring her.
Valerie smiled softly at her husband, reaching up to cup his cheek for a moment, before she returned to soothing Dahni. It wasn’t long before they were stopping in front of a large SUV, and Algerone’s head of security was opening the door for them. Valerie lifted herself from the seat of the wheelchair with Algerone’s assistance and leaned into the large vehicle to strap Dahni into her car seat. Once Dahni was secure, Valerie stepped in after her, holding Algerone’s hand for assistance. She sat down in the seat, grabbed her seatbelt, and buckled herself in, while simultaneously humming softly to Dahni, to keep the toddler calm.
Valerie looked out the window and saw that AJ and Beaumont were being escorted to a separate vehicle with two of their uncles, and Ella. Leon and Duan followed another of Algerone’s brothers to a different SUV and climbed in, Merlina and her father following them in after a moment. Valerie looked around nervously when the door opposite her opened, then sighed in relief, when her mother, Chiamaka and Chikere climbed into the SUV, settling into their seats. Algerone followed them into the vehicle shortly after.
Valerie started counting, the people with them, and realized that one of Algerone’s brothers hadn’t gotten into a car. As she renumireated oover who was in which vehickle, she heard a voice speaking outside of their caravan of transportation.
“Thank you all for coming out here again today. As you can see, my sister-in-law, Valerie, the Princess of Malvidence, is in good health and has been discharged from the hospital. However, she is not to have any undue stress, so on behalf of the Crown of Malvidence, I ask that you give our family this time to recuperate from this trying time and to adjust to their new public roles as royals living here in America for the time being,” Alfie stated firmly, though his words were solicitious. Valerie could only imagine the look on the other man’s face. While Alastair was the advisor and assistant to the King, Alfie owned a PR firm and handled press releases and press conferences for the royal family when they were abroad.
The younger man always had a glint of mischief in his eyes, until it came to his work, then Valerie saw a side of him that frankly gave her a moment of concern. Alfie played at being the clown for the family, being the youngest, but Valerie wasn’t so sure it was true. The youngest prince seemed to hold a deep bearing of regality and commanding air around him that had obviously come from years of discipline. He was that much more intriguing to Valerie.
“Thank you,” Alfie said, before he climbed into the front seat of their SUV. There were five vehicles in all, the first two filled with security, the three in middle filled with family, and one or two members of the security detail Algerone and his brothers had assured Valerie was needed for their family.
They headed away from the hospital and towards home, or at least Valerie thought they were going home until they turned and headed towards downtown and to a restaurant. Valerie turned her gaze to Algerone, her eyebrows raised.
“Algie? Where are we going?” she asked him.
He smiled gently at her. “Now that I am no longer hiding our marriage or our children, I want to take my family out for a proper meal.” He caressed her cheek with the backs of his fingers, before reaching out to grip the back of her neck, tugging her close to him, he placed a kiss on her lips, nibbling on her bottom lip. When he finally released her, Valerie was panting, her sex aching and needing to be filled. Her panties were drenched and all she wanted in that moment was to send everyone away or hve the driver take them to the closest hotel so that Algerone could make love to her.
She stared at him and wondered if he could see the lust she felt for him in her eyes. From the flaring of his nostrils and the slight clenching of his fingers on the back of her throat, Valerie knew he had. Oh man, this lunch had better be quick or she was going to be dragging The Crown Prince of Malvidence into the closest bathroom to have her wicked way with him.
“Patience,” Algerone growled in her ear.
Valerie sat back with a pout, licking her lips trying to recapture the taste of her husband from her mouth. The low groan from Algerone let her know he found her actions both arousing and frustrating at the same time.
“Hey you two, save that for your home and your bedroom,” Alfie said with a laugh from the front seat. “There are impressionable children in the car.”
“What?” Chiamaka asked, and Valerie looked back at her daughter who had a tablet in her lap. Valerie opened her mouth to brush off her brother-in-law’s words, but Chikere beat her to it, leaning over to whisper in his sister’s ear. Valerie wondered what was being said, but after a few seconds, Chiamaka nodded then glanced at her.
“Yeah, Kuthrar and Kothrar kiss a lot,” she made a look of disgust and shook her head, then shrugged. “It just means that they love each other.”
Valerie sighed in relief. “yes, that’s right,” Algerone assured his daughter, before looking at Valerie and winking at her. “We kiss because we love each other a lot.”
Valerie narrowed her eyes at her husband for teasing her, but the SUV coming to a stop in an almost vacant parking lot, surrounded by paparazzi and police offers preventing them from coming onto the property, kept her silent. She would get through this lunch, then when she got her husband home they would do a lot of “kissing”.
Valerie accepted the plate of appetizers being passed around, wrinkling her nose at the smell of the mozzarella sticks. Hmmm, she was nauseated by the smell of cooked cheese wrapped in bread. Good to know. She waved her hand in front of her face in an attempt to dispel the scent of the food in front of her face. She narrowed her eyes at her eldest brother when he snorted at her. She stuck out her tongue quickly hoping none of her children saw.
Turning to Algerone who sat at her left, at the head of the table, Valerie snagged one of his French fries from his plate, winking when he turned to look at her. She’d ordered the baked chicken with mashed potatoes and broccoli, but she suddenly wanted the burger and fries her husband was eating. Algerone quirked an eyebrow at her, before glancing meaningfully at her plate. Valerie folded her arms across her chest and pouted. Algerone laughed and switched their plates. Valerie clapped then leaned over to kiss his cheek.
After taking a large bite of the well-done burger, Valerie let out a moan as the flavor of the meat combined with the condiments, dancing in a choreography worthy of a foodgasm. At least to her, anyway. After she swallowed, Valerie glanced up and realized the entire family—except her children—were staring at her with amusement. Valerie shrugged. Her kids were used to her mealtime noises. Valerie loved to eat, and she wouldn’t apologize for it.
Rolling her eyes, she took another bite and stared at each adult until they all laughed and went back to the conversations they’d been having before watching her “food porn.” Valerie wondered for a moment if that was even what that description meant, was it enjoying food to the point that people think they’re watching a porn, or is food porn people having sex using food? She shrugged mentally and knew she and Algerone would have something interesting to look up on Google, when they got home. To help further his American education.
It’s all for educational purposes, she told herself, then snorted because even she didn’t believe her own bullshit.
“You seem to be really enjoying yourself over here,” Algerone whispered to her.
Valerie smiled at him. “Oh I am. My thoughts are extremely entertaining,” she told him.
“Oh really? Care to share?” he asked with a wiggle of his eyebrows.
“Oh no,” Valerie refused, shaking her head. “These thoughts are not for mixed company. Perhaps when we get home and are close to a soft, plush surface where I can be horizontal?” She leaned closer to him, “or on my knees…”
Algerone swallowed, looking at her, his blue eyes growing so dark from his own desire they were almost black. Valerie smirked at him, feeling quite proud of herself. While the nausea during this pregnancy was a lot worse than any other time, her libido also seemed to have not only recovered from being hospitalized, but from being angry and disappointed in Algerone. She felt as if she would be insatiable once they finally did get a chance to have sex. She’d have to get Algerone to take a few stretches before they started because she had every intention of wearing him out.
When she heard him growl next to her, she knew that they would probably have to ask her parents or her siblings, or even his, to watch the kids for them for a few hours, maybe even the rest of the night. Valerie shivered at the thought of having Algerone inside of her once again, but kept her face a pleasant mask of contentment.
“Algie, why didn’t we stop and make a statement instead of lea
ving it to your brother, Alfie? I thought the whole purpose for making sure I looked regal and camera ready was so that I could answer questions,” Valerie asked.
Algerone paused with his fork halfway to his lips and shook his head. “No, the purpose was to make you appear camera ready and like a royal in case we decided to answer some questions. But, I decided before we got out of the hospital that we weren’t going to.”
Valerie stiffened and stared at Algerone. The table had gone quiet around them, even the children sensing the tension. Valerie tilted her head to the side and gave her husband an incredulous smile. She shook her head and set her burger down on her plate, wiping her fingers on her napkin, before she placed them one on top of the other in her lap.
“I’m sorry, did you say you decided?” she questioned him. “You made that decision without asking me?”
Algerone looked around the table before resting his gaze on her. “I feel like you want me to say something different and that the truth will get me in trouble, but I’m not exactly sure how else to answer if I don’t tell the truth.” He sighed and sat back as well. “Yes, I made that decision for the both of us.”
All of the men at the table groaned in disappointment, shaking their heads at Algerone. Valerie looked at all of them, raising her eyebrows when she looked at her mother and sisters. She didn’t know why the men were behaving in such a way. It wasn’t like she was going to blow up and rip Algerone a new one.
Not in a restaurant.
Not in public.
Not in front of their families.
Especially not in front of their children. She respected and love him too much for that.
She shook her head at Algerone. “You still don’t get it do you?” she asked him, rhetorically.
“Get what?” Algerone stared at her intently. “What’s wrong? What did I do that’s the problem, here?”
