The Royal Contract

"Thanks, Mom and Dad, for visiting." Dani bade farewell to the elder couple, showing them to the door. "We are looking forward to your next visit." While Alex stayed behind inside the room.

She enjoyed their frequent visits since they arrived to check on their son. She sensed that Alex also had relished their company, even if his mom could be a little bit overprotective and smothering.

She could not blame her mother-in-law after what her son had been through. She would only know what she felt if the same thing happened to her, but she would not wish that for anyone, not even herself.

"You have always been a gracious host. My son is a lucky man to marry such a lovely and incredible woman." Fred said as he tapped her on the shoulder. "We are glad to have a daughter like you." Before giving her a soft peck on the forehead.

He was happy that despite the circumstances of how this two have met, they still ended up together. He was glad that fate still had favored them and intervened, sparing the lives of his children.

"You have fulfilled my wish to have a daughter," Katherine stated as she leaned forward to give her a hug. "You are more than I ever hope for." She whispered into her ears before kissing her on the cheeks.

The day she had learned they were missing, her world came crumbling down in an instant. But she knew she could not appear weak in the public eyes, but most especially in the eyes of her husband.

She continued on with her duties, at the same time, helped her husband with his. There was no time to fret, but internally, she was dying every minute she had not received any news about them.

"I am the one lucky to be a part of this family." She could not deny it, feeling the warm welcome coming from the royal couple. 

She believed that Alex had been the perfect man for her because his parents had raised him well. She was the fortunate girl who had won his heart and became the new member of their big family.

As soon as their guests were out of sight, she immediately went back to the living room where her husband waited for her return. She found him sitting down on the sofa, comfortably watching the news, flashing on the screen.

"What took you so long?" He complained, patting the space on the couch beside him, indicating that she should join him.

He would have walked his parents through the door, but he would not hear the end of it from his mother. So, he played it safe and just waited on the couch like a good son, obeying his mother to take his rest.

On the contrary, sitting still was the farthest thing he liked to do at the moment. Lying down would have to come a bit later, maybe after he accomplished what he had planned for the remainder of the night.

"Don't be overly dramatic. It was just a couple of minutes." She told him as she followed the gesture of his hand. "Your mom just had a few pointers." She continued, plopping comfortably on the soft, fluffy cushion beside him. 

She lowered her head on his shoulders, reveling in the warmth that oozed from his body. Eventually, she felt him shift in his seat, and his arms went around her shoulders, enveloping her in his embrace.

She snuggled a bit closer but carefully avoided hurting his injury. Until now, she could not believe they were back in his apartment. And finally, out of the nightmare that scared the shit out of her.

"I see." He expressed in a sigh as he turned his head from side to side. "I am not sure if that would be useful." He mumbled, knowing that nothing would stop him from doing what he had set to do.

He did not like the sound of his mother joining forces with Dani, but he could not do anything about it. His mom probably had given her a list of how she could take care of him better. 

He would not be surprised if she even gave her tips on how to handle him when he was being stubborn. The only consolation was, at least, he had his wife all to himself. He did not have to share her anymore with his parents. 

"Anyway, I have something for you." He held her firmly around him, not caring if he felt a little discomfort.

He had arranged for a simple dinner in candlelight with his wife. It was supposed to be just him and her for the night. But his parents had to show up and interrupt his surprise.

However, it would not stop him from continuing what he had already set out to do. He was accomplishing his plans even if it took him the entire night to do it.

"What?" She was stunned since she could not think of any special occasion at that moment or the next day that merited a gift. She wondered if she had missed something.

She watched him pull a small box out of his pocket and show it to her. She could already guess what could be inside the box, judging from its packaging. Then, it suddenly made sense to her.

"I was planning this the entire day. A special dinner with my wife and then presenting this to you, but my folks had to show up." He said with a chuckle, finding the situation a bit funny.

He actually did not mind his father and mother showing up during dinner, unannounced. Although it had delayed his plans a bit, he still liked seeing them and spending time with them. 

He appreciated that his parents had flown in to see them as soon as they were rescued. Then, stayed a bit to make sure that both of them would be ok.

However, he felt that things were getting back to normal, so there was no more need for his mother to fuss over him. He was already recovering from his injury, and there was no more imminent danger at the moment.

"Now, you are making me feel bad. I have nothing prepared for you." She chastised him for being too damn thoughtful and sweet. She mentally had taken a note to return the romantic gesture somehow.

She did not like him to pamper her with gifts even if there was no occasion at all. However, she knew she could do nothing about this one because he was simply stubborn that way.

All she could do was to make up for it and make the same gesture every chance she might get. She could not change him, she had tried, so it was time that she just followed his lead.

"I only want to make you happy." He said as he pulled his arm out of her body and gradually slid out of the couch.

Suddenly, he was kneeling before her, with his hand stretched toward her. His face never left hers as he watched her every reaction with his following actions.

He opened the gift, revealing to her the content of the small package. He had no plan to propose again since she was already bonded to him forever.. But he had concocted something else in mind.