Zipporah groans, "First the invitations, then the dress, and now the guest list..." I tsk.

"Why is Ziska sabotaging the wedding so mercilessly?" Mrs Roux puffs in frustration, taking the list from Zipporah's hands and looking it over with Mom and Mr Roux, "Who are all of these people anyway?"

"They are Ziska's friends whom she was very close to when she was Queen. They are voracious supporters of her. There is little doubt that they will band together and cause trouble even though the court has ruled against Ziska." Mom explains.

"Just cross them out, please. We can only afford one Ziska." I intercept and Mr Roux swipes the list away, taking a pen to it and blotting out the unauthorized additions. He slides it back across the table to me.

"On a higher note.., you are sure that you want to hold your reception when you come back from the honeymoon?" Mrs Roux queries gently. Zipporah and I nod.

"Yes. That way things will have fizzled down." Zipporah explains.

"That is a very good strategy, since the wedding will be quite large." Mom sighs.

"Don't remind me," I remark. As much as we would like a small ceremony, we had to compromise because of the American government butting in. So we'll have the wedding where officials and leaders will attend, then a private reception following the honeymoon, when the excitement has died down. Although technically it's part honeymoon, part business retreat since we'll be visiting every office and establishment of Rask Industries and making calls to Embassies along the way. I glance at my watch and smile, "Zipporah, are you ready?" She grins and nods enthusiastically.

"Yes!" Everyone stands and Zipporah and I link arms.

"We shall see you all later." I explain and whisk Zipporah away. We rush to the garage and into the BMW, giddy with anticipation. We're going to go see the house we picked out together, and get some of our things moved in and arranged.

"I can't believe we're so close." She exhales happily in the passenger seat. I smile.

"Less than a Month." I clarify proudly. She shifts eagerly in her seat and runs her fingers through her ponytail, exhaling in anticipation.

"Ja." In about ten minutes we arrive at the expansive Bergenfalk Schlösser neighborhood, and I turn left off of the main street and onto a concrete driveway, leading to a recently installed electric fence and gate. For security reasons of course. I enter a code and flash my identification and the gate opens, allowing us entrance into the drive court of a modest sized but modern house.

I stop outside the car house and hurry to Zipporah's door, helping her out, "You ready?"

"Absolutely." We link arms and she fishes the keys out of her purse as we approach the front door. Zipporah clicks the locks and enters the punch code before we step inside. An aroma of newborn freedom greets us and I wrap around her, resting my head on her shoulder as we take it in.

"This will be our home."

"Mmm, but we have to get it set up first," I squeeze her affectionately and she plants a chaste kiss on my cheek, "Come on."

"Ja!" We walk into the parlor and find, as expected, boxes and cases of household goods for the ground floor. Sparse furniture and decor since we plan to add and collect overtime, "Shall we arrange the-"

"Couch? Hmm, let's set up the coffee table and entertainment island first."

"Aye aye!" She sets down her purse and I que music on my phone, then we get to work. And since I have been passively warned that she could change her mind about the orientation of the room, I only contribute opinions when asked. I don't have a lot of interior design skill anyway, Zipporah does.

"Just an inch more." She coaxes as we cautiously set down the sofa. Then she steps back and surveys it. Her eyes spark with analysis of the parlor. It's still quite bare but it suits us fine; the sofa, coffee table, a small armchair, two small tables with lamps, and the entertainment center which is the most furbished piece.

"I think this is fine, Zipporah." I explain. She nods agreeably.

"Yes. It is. Shall we work on another room or take a breather now?"

"A break." I sit down on the sofa and she follows with a darling smile, modestly cozying up. For minutes all we hear is our breathing and the music from my phone, and I nearly doze off in this state of calm.

"Basil, I'm glad we're able to arrange everything ourselves."

"Of course. Besides, it's just more fun."

"Mm..."

".., Zipporah, I cannot wait until this is our actual home."

"Neither can I. And that time is approaching."

"Ja..." I plant a kiss on her head and she snuggles up again.

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