1 year.

12 months.

365 days.

8760 hours.

525600 minutes.

32536000 seconds.

That is how long they had been apart. And now, finally, it was time for them to be reunited again. Neither Alexander nor Isabelle could bear the wait any longer, they just had one desire and that was to be back in each others arms. 

Currently, Alexander and his men sat on logs which they had gathered for their temporary encampment. Suddenly Alexander's shoulder was nudged, causing him to look up at his friend, Theodore, who was grinning back at him before seating himself beside the King.

"Well, Alex. That was one hectic war." Theodore sighed as he stretched his legs out in front of himself. "And everyone is injured in one way or another."

Alexander chuckled. "Take Nathan for example, he dislocated his shoulder and broke that arm on the exact same day. And how? By falling down his horse because he dozed off in the middle of the ride."

They both burst into a fit of laughter just as the devil himself walked out of the tent, his right arm in a cast, as he glared at the two. Once their laughter died down, they both sat in the crisp autumn air, letting the fire warm them up as they couldn't wait for the arrival of the morning to come.

"Alexander." Theodore called out, and instantly the King knew that he was serious, for his friend never took his complete name unless he had something serious to say.

"Tell me, what bothers you, my friend?" Alexander asked looking at him from the corner of his eye. "You never take my complete name under normal circumstances."

"You trust me, right?"

"Of course, I do." Alexander chuckled. "With my life."

"Yes." Theodore nodded nervously. "But...do you trust me with your sister's life?"

At that Alexander turned to face him, his eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Theodore.

"Why do you ask?" He asked calmly.

"Well..." Theodore started nervously. "Before we departed for the war, Natalia had been planning to run away with me to get married. And she was very adamant about eloping."

Alexander raised an eyebrow at that.

"I told her that I did not want to do this without your permission, because if I did then for all I know you could have me killed. It's not hard for you to track someone down when you have your mind set to it."

"Natalia told me that there was no point in it because you would never agree to it, but I told her that I wanted to try and talk to you. Then we got occupied with the war, and now finally I managed to muster up some courage and ask for your sister's hand in marriage."

Alexander remained quiet as he thought about something, looking into Theodore's eyes, looking for any signs of uncertainty, just waiting to appear from the depths of his heart.

"How long have you known my sister?" Alexander asked him.

"Well, I've known her all her life," Theodore informed, confused as to where this conversation was heading. "And well...almost 22 years of mine."

"Why do you want my sister's hand in marriage?"

Theodore looked surprised to hear him ask that question.

"Give me a concrete answer, without wavering, and you can have my avowal for her hand."

"I love her. I don't know when or how I realized that I loved her, but I do. Without her I feel incomplete, I feel hollow. It's one thing to fall in love. It's another to feel someone else fall in love with you, and to feel a responsibility toward that love."

"Natalia is like...the sun. Even without trying to see her, I know she is there. Like right now, I know she is there, at the palace, staring up at the stars, knowing that I will be somewhere, also look up at them, as if though I were right beside her." Theodore smiled, looking up at the stars.

"You would kill anyone if they ever tried taking your Isabelle away from you," Theodore stated factually, looking back at Alexander. "I am not sure I can make you understand the extent of my love for your sister. But tell me, how would you describe your love for Isabelle. Imagine that, just instead of you and Isabelle, it would be Natalia and I."

With that said Theodore looked back up at the stars, hoping that Alexander agreed. His heart throbbed in his chest, waiting-no- longing to be back with Natalia, the woman who stole his heart, and then ran away, letting him stand there and smile at her laughing figure.

"If you could count all the stars in the sky, all the grains of sand in the oceans, all the roses in the world and all the smiles out there" Alexander spoke suddenly "Then you have a sample of how much I love Isabelle."

"Placing myself in your shoes, I would have killed myself if I did not agree. I can not take Natalia's happiness from her." Alexander said while standing up. "Take care of my sister. I hear one complaint about you and I will personally rip you to shreds."

With that threat delivered, and the approval granted. Alexander walked to the entrance of his tent. Ducking in, prepared for another restless night, longing for the time to move faster so that he could go back to Isabelle, to his angel.

The breaking of dawn brought forth a rush of excitement and joy. Alexander had leaped out of his tent, dressed and ready to leave. Just like everyone else they had inhaled their breakfast, before mounting their horses. Alexander at the front with Theodore and Nathan beside him. He maneuvered his horse so that he was facing his men.

"Men! Listen well." Alexander said with a broad smile. "Sortir! Car je suis un amour frappé bâtard."

His men smiled and laughed at their king before riding out. The hooves thundering against the forest floor.

***

The rain pattered against the window pane of the palace. Everyone was hustling and bustling about, preparing for the arrival of their King.

"It's raining." Natalia sighed as she looked out the window of her chambers. "I hope it doesn't delay their arrival."

"My, my, isn't someone eager for Theodore to be back," A 17 year old Claire stated smugly entering the chambers. "But what of your own brother?"

"Ugh! Clair. Get out of my chambers." Natalia groaned at her younger sister.

"Shame that you aren't married to him yet." Claire said, and just as she did, a pillow was thrown in her face, causing her to stumble back with a shriek of surprise.Before Claire could open her mouth to reciprocate, Isabelle's voice rang through the foyer outside, ordering and instructing the servants to have everything set up for the King's arrival.

Since Alexander had left for war, Isabelle had been looking after the well-fare of the state. Looking into matters, discussing with Alexander's trusted advisors, acting accordingly. It was rather stressful in the beginning, but soon Isabelle settled in well. Proving her role as queen.

She had a few arguments with the men, and they often said that a woman was not fit to run the council, but Isabelle proved them wrong. Every time. She shamed them with arguments, finding a better solution than they could have ever imagined. The kingdom flourished, and she often rode out to the village square, inquiring about everyone's welfare, and listening to any quarries or troubles that were bothering the merchants, which were instantly regarded and set right.

Now she was just overwhelmed with excitement to see Alexander again, so much so that she couldn't think straight.

"Where are the roses?" Isabelle asked looking around.

"Um...Your majesty, you are holding them." The servant informed with a smile, pointing at her hands where she was holding a porcelain vase with bright red roses in them.

"Oh! Silly me." Isabelle laughed. "Could you please put these on one of the pedestals." She requested, handing the vase to the servant who scurried off doing as per requested.

"I need fresh air." Isabelle sighed, a hand on her forehead as she walked down the foyer and towards the grand entrance where a red carpet was rolled out, bouquets of flowers on either side of the aisle.

Stepping out into the chilly autumn air, Isabelle watched the rain droplets fall, one after another, the rain reminding her of all the tears that had been shed during the course of one year. Tears of frustration. Tears of anger. Tears of pain. Tears of joy. Tears of waiting. Tears of love.

Sighing, Isabelle wrapped her arms around herself, excitement bubbling inside her. Suddenly she heard the sound of a horse. Assuming that one of the horses had escaped the stables, she walked into the cold autumn rain, making her way around the palace as she was greeted by a white horse, prepared for a ride, standing in the middle of the gardens, shaking the unceasing rain from its mane.

"Why, hello there," Isabelle said soothingly as she stroked it's mane, taking hold of its reins. "What is such a beautiful horse such as yourself doing out here in the rain?"

"Isabelle?" A voice called out to her, causing Isabelle's heart rate to increase as she stood frozen in place, the rain falling harder than before. Swiftly she turned around, trying to see in the downpour, but could only she a blurry figure making its way towards her.

Alexander stepped from the shadows, stealing her breath and the heat from her skin. He was drenched from head to tow, his hazel hair, now dark due to the rain, sticking to his forehead and slightly coming in his eyes, which he brushed away with a quick swipe of his hand.

Suddenly Isabelle's defenses are just paper, a paper that is being soaked by the rapidly falling briny drops. Before she could draw in the air her body needs she melted into his form.

She could feel his firm torso and the heart that beats within. His hands were folded around her back, drawing her in closer. Isabelle felt her body shake, crying for the missed time they could never make back, crying to release the tension of that one long year.

Alexander pulled is head back and wipes the tears with a calloused finger, even this roughness brings more relief than her heart can hold. He is eating her with his eyes, running his hand through Isabelle's wet hair as if he can't quite believe that she is not part of an almost forgotten dream.

When he kissed her it's sweet, gentle, and it tastes of Isabelle's tears.

She wanted to speak but all Isabelle could do was croak, "Don't go, not again." His mouth paints a soft smile and he nods once before folding her in his arms again.

Suddenly the sound of thundering hooves had them draw their attention away from each other. All the other men making their over to the two, dismounting their horses, they all bowed, before both Nathan and Theodore pulled Alexander away and crushed Isabelle in a hug.

"How are you belle?" Theodore asked, pulling away from his queen.

"I'm perfect." Isabelle laughed wiping away her tears. "I've never been better."

"What happened to that bump you had when we left?" Nathan teased.

"That 'bump' is the future heir to the throne." Isabelle said sternly. "And the little one is currently sleeping in my chambers."

Just as she said that, she noticed Alexander's face light up with realization that he was finally going to meet his heir for the first time.

"Come, let us go inside." Isabelle said as she led the way inside, the whole palace floor become wet due to their drenched figures.

"Theodore?" Natalia's voice called out in astonishment. Before he could even look up, the princess had tackled him in a hug, regardless that he was all wet and dirty from the muddy floor. Instantly Theodore wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her off the floor before spinning her around in a circle. Once he placed her down he peppered her face with kisses, too excited to be back and anxious to reveal that Alexander had agreed to their wedding.

"Alex." Natalia said with a smile as she went and hugged her brother. Who laughed at her, holding her to him. "And the baboon." She joked, hugging Nathan, who pouted at her but hugged her none-the-less.

Suddenly, everyone was being showered in hugs and kisses, as the others had gotten wind of their arrival. Soon everyone was taken to their chambers, told to take baths and get dressed. Alexander walked down the foyer towards his chambers, when Isabelle came to an abrupt halt in front of a door.

"What happened amour?" Alexander asked, coming to a stop. "Why did you stop."

"These are my chambers." Isabelle informed him, gesturing to the door behind her.

"What? Why didn't you stay in my chamber?" Alexander asked in surprise.

"I couldn't seem to fall asleep in there without you, and I didn't want you waking up in the middle of the night due to the little one's crying, once you returned."

"Is the little one inside?" Alexander asked, realizing that he still had to meet his heir.

"Yes, but you aren't coming in." Isabelle said, pushing him away from the door. "Everything in good time."

Alexander pouted down at her, he was eager to meet his child, and couldn't contain the excitement of finally having become a father. Isabelle rolled her eyes at him, before climbing onto her tiptoes, pressing her lips to his, before pulling away.

"Take a bath, and change, then you can come back here and meet the little one." Isabelle compensated, her lips brushing his with every word. Alexander could only manage a nod before pressing his lips to hers again. "I'll see you in a bit."

With that said, Isabelle made her way into her room, closing the door behind her, leaving Alexander to stand in the foyer, smiling like the love struck fool he was.

***

Alexander quickly did as told, and then rushed back to the chamber doors he remembered to be Isabelle's. Entering, Alexander was greeted by white walls, the chambers were much like his own, but instead of dark red walls, these were white, with a large four poster bed standing in the middle of the room, a cot standing to the side.

Alexander didn't see Isabelle anywhere, and anxiously walked to the cot, only to find it empty.

"We're here Amour." Isabelle laughed from behind him.

Turning around, he saw Isabelle standing in a flowing maroon dress, standing in front of something, or someone. Smiling, she stepped to the side, and Alexander gasped. There on the floor, on a fluffy white carpet sat a little prince, with Alexander's hazel hair and gray eyes, a little princess beside him, with Isabelle's hair and eyes.

Stunned, Alexander walked forward slowly, looking at Isabelle for confirmation that they were his children. She nodded as tears of joy flowed down her cheeks before she quickly wiped them away. Slowly Alexander kneeled down, so not to frighten the little royals. Just as he was kneeling, both of them looked from their toys.

Once he was settled, the little princess reached out to him, babbling and with a tiny little hand she took hold of his nose. Alexander pried her hand away from his nose placing a kiss on her tiny fingers, causing the little princess to shriek in joy and giggle as she lightly bumped her forehead against Alexander's, causing him to laugh.

The little prince, deeming Alexander safe, crawled over to him, much to his amazement, and pulled himself up, using his jaw as support. Instantly, Alexander's handa were holding the baby, ensuring that he didn't fall. The prince smiled at him, laughing before enthusiastically clapping his hands together. The king smiled broadly at the baby, causing him to stop clapping.

With a fascinated expression on his face, he brought his fingers to his teeth, prying his mouth open, babbling as he tried to pull out Alexander's teeth, causing the king to laugh, much to the baby's surprise, causing him to pull his hand back before laughing at Alexander's expression once he wiped his hand on his prickly beard.

Noticing Isabelle kneeling down beside Alexander, the prince demanded to be lifted by his mother, who smiled, and took him from Alexander's hold, turning him so that he was facing his father.

"Da-da." Isabelle said pointing at Alexander. The baby looked up at Isabelle, smiling as he pulled at the necklace around her neck. "No." she told him sternly

Instantly the baby let go, pouting at her, before blubbering loudly, reaching his arms out in Alexander's direction, having figured out that this man could get away with anything he wanted. Surprised, the king took hold of the baby, placing him in his lap as the prince stood in his lap, laughing and jumping, pulling at Alexander's bronze collar, and putting his hand down his shirt, seemingly looking for something, this action causing Alexander to shriek in surprise, before pulling his hand out.

The little prince laughed, clapping his hands together, as Alexander watched Isabelle pick up the little princess.

"What are their names?" Alexander asked, placing the prince on his shoulder.

"You're holding Henry the second." Isabelle smiled up at the baby fondly. "And this little girl here, is Princess Helene." She said tickling the baby in her hand, causing the princess to burst into fit of laughter trying to wriggle out of her grasp.

Laughing Isabelle stood up beside Alexander, holding Helene, as Alexander had Henry on his shoulder, who was pulling at his hair, messing it and laughing when the occasional wet feeling would tickle his hands.

"They both are 8 months old." Isabelle smiled. "They recognize you as their father because I showed them your portraits and telling them who you are, but currently they are just acting oblivious to the fact."

Alexander laughed as he settled Henry in his arms.

"Henry?" Alexander called out, the baby looking at him due to the sound of his name being called.

"Da-da!" The baby shrieked in joy, pulling at Alexander's ear, causing the king to tilt his head to the side.

"Ow." He complained once he pulled away, rubbing the soreness.

"Oh! Please! You just survived far worse injuries than your son pulling your ear." Isabelle laughed halfheartedly. "A little soreness isn't going to kill you."

Alexander smiled down at her, running his knuckles down her cheek, before placing a tender kiss on her lips, which was interrupted due to Helene pushing Alexander's face away in panic that he was hurting her mother. He laughed down at his daughter who wrapped her arms around Isabelle's neck, looking at Alexander uncertainly.

Alexander ruffled her hair affectionately, before placing a kiss on the top of her head, showing her that he meant no harm.

"Da-da?" Helene asked curiously, lifting her head off Isabelle's shoulder.

"Da-da." Alexander confirmed with a smile, letting Helene grab one of his fingers in her tiny hand.