Aug 3, 2024
SPARE MEEEEEEEEEEEE
no <3 explodes you ten million times
seen from United Kingdom
seen from United States
seen from United Kingdom
seen from Kazakhstan
seen from South Africa
seen from United States
seen from China
seen from United States
seen from Romania
seen from Romania
seen from China
seen from China
seen from Germany
seen from Türkiye
seen from China
seen from United States
seen from China
seen from China
seen from Austria
seen from United States
SPARE MEEEEEEEEEEEE
no <3 explodes you ten million times
What's the most evil thing you've put your players through in a DnD game?
(I think you dm them?? If not let me know about the evilest thing you've been through as a player!)
Bim! (Sorry in advance for not answering sooner, I forgor)
Yes, I do dm for my group! If I had to choose one thing for the evilest thing I’ve done, it would have to be tricking our bard into unleashing an Illithid plague. She was playing a custom background Spirits Bard whose backstory was that she was the embodiment of the funeral dirge of her world’s greatest hero. So naturally she had a *lot* of expectations to live up to. Anyway, in the process of setting up his big evil scheme, the BBEG (an archetypical antebellum Southern gentleman who also happened to be a Yuan-ti) used a Wish scroll to quite literally erase the hero she was based on from all mortal memory (the party still remembered him, of course).
As a result, she was also erased from existence (which was fine because she had needed to take a break from the campaign for school). Anyway, our party Rogue managed to bring her back to life by journaling every part of her story that he knew. This didn’t fix her “my connection to my source material has been quite literally irrevocably severed” issue, so she came back quite a bit edgier and angrier.
So, to the point of the story. The party is traveling down an interdimensional pathway to the next story beat.
Bard: “I’d like to roll to see if there’s any way I can reconnect with Yvaine’s (the hero) spirit”
Me: “Okay, roll Performance” (remember, Spirits Bard)
Bard: *gives result*
Me: “Are you fully opening your mind to find a connection?” (Id asked them this question like twice in the past, I needed a setup lol)
Bard: “Yes”
Me: “Great. Roll me a Wisdom save”
Bard: *gives result*
Me: “You are not alone in your own mind”
Long story short, the voice that now inhabited her mind was *not* Yvaine, and was in fact the telepathic communication of an Elder Brain Dragon. Using that voice, I guided the party to its location, then coaxed the Bard into freeing it from its prison. So yeah, lots more trauma from that.
Other than that, there was also the time I asked each party member to tell me their character’s deepest insecurities so I could custom build a soul trial for each of them.
Thanks for the ask, Bim!
The Good Part
Series: The Rotten Apple 🍎 The Book: TRH and Beyond! The Pairings: Eleanor x Nico / Eleanor x M!OC) / Liam x Riley Word Count: 4940 Warnings and Ratings: Teen: Mentions of mental illness, mention of character deaths Song Inspiration: The Good Part by AJR Summary: Nico comes to visit Eleanor and unknowingly brings a stowaway. Eleanor leaves the hospital to begin a new life in Greece.
Original Post: 08/21/22 at 10:50PM EST.
A/N: We are finally here at the first installment of the finale of this series. Again, I am really content with the story I’ve presented to you all so far, and I hope that you have enjoyed it too, and look forward to the conclusion for this little family I have created for Eleanor.
“Eleanor you’re beaming.”
“I’ve never felt quite like this before.”
“Tell me about what you’re feeling. Is it Nicolas? I heard he had visited."
Ellie’s smile widened.
“Nico wants me to come home to him and our daughter, Doctor Stanley. I didn’t think I had a home anywhere anymore.”
“How does that make you feel, Eleanor?”
“Incredibly happy.” Her smile faded. “Also sad at the same time.”
“Why sad?”
“Because I wonder, why does he love me? Why do they love me?”
“Why shouldn’t he? Why wouldn't they?”
"My own mother doesn't even love me, and she was supposed to be that person I was supposed to have an unbreakable bond with. She was supposed to unconditionally love me and she doesn’t. My father loves me now, only because he got to know me, but if he had known I wasn't his genetic child, he wouldn't have wanted me either. Do you know how hard it has been for me to find my own path in the world, when I know my parents would have ended my life before it began, because of my true lineage? I wasn't supposed to be in this world at all, Doctor Stanley."
"But you are Eleanor, so what are you going to do with that?"
“Try to change, because I’ve done horrible things that I’m sure you’re aware of. I am a bad person. I want to be the person they deserve.”
“Eleanor, look at me.”
Elle’s downcast eyes slowly drifted up to meet the eyes of her therapist.
“You are the person they deserve. But, you’ve also had horrible things happen to you. You were fractured long before you committed those crimes, and that was not your fault. It wasn’t. Being fractured does not make you bad, evil, or unworthy of love. It just makes you… a person. People fracture in a lot of ways, some are just not as clear as what happened to you. You said you were ready?”
“Yes."
"Then let's continue on this path talking about this, you’re doing great. This is exactly what I want you to do, you need to address these thoughts and feelings you have. You have to understand and acknowledge them, all of it! Grieve for it if you must, and move past them, to get to a healthier place. I believe you can get to a healthier place. One of the things we have to do which I know that really upsets you, is we have to talk more about your mother; A lot more. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s something we have to do. You have to forgive her, and yourself.”
“I don’t know how….”
“It’s going to take time Eleanor.”
Doctor Stanley increased Elle’s therapy sessions as Elle was finally benefitting from them, and talking during her sessions. After a month they were really beginning to make headway. Doctor Stanley thought it would be a very positive thing for Elle’s recovery for Nico to come back and visit, but also bring Ana with him. Elle refused. Doctor Stanley had already spoken to Nico and when he called her that evening, he tried to convince Elle as well.
“Elle please.”
“No Nico.”
“Don’t make me tell her no.”
“It’s out of the question. NO.”
“Doctor Stanley promised me they can make a nice little area for us to visit. We could even have a little picnic together, by the lake. Why don’t you let them show you what they can do for us, and then you can make your decision?”
“Because I don’t want our daughter to ever be near a building like this. Not even if she is coming to see me. This is not the place where I want her to meet me for the first time.”
“Elle, she’s not meeting you for the first time.”
“Birth doesn’t count Nico. Those first three months of her life don’t count because she doesn’t remember me from that. I am the only one with memories of her.”
“Elle, she knows I’m coming to see you. She’s going to be so hurt when I tell her no.”
“It’s for the best. You understand why, right?"
"I do Elle, but you're not the one who has to tell her no and see the look on her face. She doesn't care where we are Elle, just so long as we're all together. She just wants to see you, Elle. You're all she talks about now."
"I care Nico, and she will see me, when I…."
"Come home. You can say it Elle. It's going to happen. You have to believe it too."
"When I come home."
"I don't agree with you doing this Elle, but I understand why you feel this way. I'll see you on Saturday."
After hanging up with Elle he walked into Ana's room where she was reading a book. Nico sat on the edge of her bed.
Since he didn't speak, Ana ignored him and continued reading. But Nico was trying to find the right words to gently break the news to Ana.
"Ana?"
With a little sigh first, Ana looked up from her book as if she had been interrupted. Nico was getting sass from both the main women in his life.
"Yes Papa?"
"I want to talk to you about Saturday."
Ana's face immediately brightened and excitement completely illuminated her face.
"We're going to see Mommy! I can't wait! Can I wear my pink dress with the green flowers?"
"Honeybee, Mommy thinks it's best for you to wait until she's able to come home so she can see you."
The look on Ana's face broke his heart, when her eyes filled with tears.
"Mommy doesn't want to see me?"
"No! That's not it at all. Mommy just wants to wait so we can all have fun together and eat ice cream, and swim in the ocean. Stuff we can do here together, that we can't do there. Mommy can't wait to see you."
"Then you don't want me to go?"
"Ana, I want you to see Mommy. I know you want to go with me."
"Then let me go with you Papa, and we can surprise Mommy."
"Not this time Honeybee, I'm sorry."
He went to gently rub Ana's arm, she pushed him away.
"Ana, please don't be like that with me."
Ana turned away from him, cuddling one of her teddy bears. Nico gently rubbed her back.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!" Ana screamed. Nico pulled his hand away and abruptly stood, walking towards the door, but he paused when he heard Ana's little sniffles.
"Honeybee…" He whispered softly.
"Go away Papa."
Nico softly closed the door behind him, leaning against it.
When Saturday morning rolled around, Ana didn't even want to eat breakfast with him before he left; Ana had plans of her own.
Elle
"Thank you for this, it's beautiful, Dr. Stanley."
"We had some clothes here for family visits, and this one looked like it would fit you. It's not much, I know you are used to garments made from finer materials than this.”
“That was a lifetime ago, it feels like, and to be honest a lot of it is overrated. Trust me when I say, I will never wear a corseted ball gown ever again. To be honest, I never felt very comfortable in that type of clothing anyway.”
Dr. Stanley smiled.
“We still want to give you access to the lake area for the afternoon, Since you and Nicolas look to be rekindling your relationship. It could be a nice little romantic afternoon for the two of you.”
Elle smiled. “I was thinking so too.”
“As long as you keep it PG.”
“Duly noted.”
Elle felt nervous getting ready. It was the first time she had seen Nico since his declaration of love…their declaration of love.
In the weeks that followed, she had been showered with calls from him and letters from both him, and Ana.
Ana.
Her little girl. The last time saw her in the flesh she could cradle her in her arms, and was dependent on her, for her very survival.
Now she was an independent child that could walk, talk, feed herself; she had grown up. Elle had missed so much.
She had spoken to Ana multiple occasions. When Nico gave Ana the phone to let her talk to Elle, he could barely get the phone back. Ana became a chatterbox and would recount for Elle everything she could remember from the last time they spoke. Elle loved every second of it, learning about Ana’s school, her cousins, the family, and every little thing her daughter thought was important enough to tell her. It was almost overwhelming for her to be showered with so much affection, but Nico and Ana were her family.
Staff had given Elle a little makeup which she used sparingly on her skin. It had been quite some time since Elle had worn her hair loose, she thought Nico might like that. Once Elle was ready she grabbed the little pink teddy bear before she left her room. It made her think of Ana, and she knew they would be talking about her a lot. She felt she needed that little extra comfort today.
Ana
Papa thought he was smart but so was she. Ana had an idea and she wasn’t taking no for an answer.
Ana had packed her little overnight bag the night before. She went to the closet and picked up her dress she wanted to wear for Mommy. She slipped it on and tied a little green ribbon in her hair the way her father had taught her to. She had one chance to get this right.
Ana waited until she heard the boat whistle to hop out of the window, to land on the porch, her foot falls masked by the loud whistle, and she ran as fast as her feet could carry her for her father's vehicle, using the spare key fob to unlock the vehicle. Papa always had a blanket in back, the perfect thing for her to hide under. She was great at hiding, and Papa wouldn't find her until it was too late. She was going to see Mommy today and nobody could stop her. Ana curled up into a tiny ball under the blanket, waiting for her father to leave.
Nico and Mama K
"Where is Ana? She's usually an early riser like you."
"She's still angry with me Mama. She wants to see Elle, but Elle doesn't want her to come to see her at the hospital."
"Children have funny memories sometimes. There are memories that you have of your father where you only remember the good parts. Or parts you remember of our family you remember the good parts. Do you remember that camping trip we had in the backyard? When we had flashlights and ate food we cooked by the fire?"
Nico smiled recollecting that time with his mother and sisters.
"Yes, it was one of my favorite weekends that we ever spent as a family."
"Nico, we had no electricity and barely any food. That's why we 'camped' outside. The temperature was cooler outside than it was in the house. You don't remember that part do you?"
"No…"
"I really don't think Ana would mind where she was or remember what you and Elle think are the big details if it was just you, Elle, and her, and she is spending time with her family."
Nico glanced at Ana's closed door.
"Are you going to say goodbye to her?"
Nico went up to her door and sheepishly knocked.
"Ana? I'm getting ready to leave. May I have a hug?"
There was silence on the other end.
"I know you're sad, and mad at me, and I'm sorry for that. I love you Honeybee."
There was still no response from Ana; He turned to face his mother.
"She's never been this angry with me that she just won't speak to me before. I'm just going to let her be. Give her a little space Mama. She was so upset. Can you make her favorite meal for me, and give her a kiss and a hug?"
"Of course Nico. She'll be fine. Talk to Elle. Tell her about your childhood. She will understand."
She glanced at the door, laughing softly.
"Wait until she's a teenager. All those emotions! And when she wants to start dating."
Mama K's laughter increased with the absolutely mortified look on Nico's face.
"She's not dating until she's thirty."
"But Elle will be there to help you with that part."
"I hope so, Mama."
Nico walked up to the vehicle, using his key fob to unlock the door.
The doors were already unlocked, which wasn't odd, but he was pretty sure the last time he had gotten out of his vehicle he locked it. Nico decided since his bag was small he decided to put it on the back seat, instead of in the trunk. In a few moments he was on his way.
The soft music and her father's singing lulled Ana to sleep in the back of the vehicle where she was hiding.
When Ana woke again, it was because her tummy was growling.
She had packed a snack and her favorite juice, eating silently as possible under the covers.
Nico's phone started ringing.
Nico slammed on the brakes, causing Ana to spill her juice.
"Mama, what do you mean Ana isn't there?!?" She has to be." Nico’s voice was panicked.
"She's not here, I have looked everywhere for her."
"Did you check her hiding place she likes to go and read?"
"Yes Nico, she's not there."
Nico cursed under his breath and sighed.
"I'm going to turn around and come back home. Elle will have to understand this is an emergency."
Nico smelled the strong scent of pineapple juice throughout the vehicle, Ana’s favorite juice that she loved to drink.
"Mama hold on a moment."
Nico had pulled his SUV over and got out walking back to the vehicle's trunk. Ana tried to stay as still as she could under the blanket.
"Ana?"
She didn't respond, but he noticed the blanket move a little. Nico yanked the blanket away.
"Ana!"
“Papa.”
"Mama! She's fine, she hid in my trunk! I'll call you back."
He looked down at Ana. His voice was stern when he spoke, but he truly wasn't angry with her, only angry for the fact she disobeyed him.
“Ana, I told you, it was for the best that you not come with me this time around.”
"I’m sorry, I just wanted to see her Papa, and I spilled my drink on my dress. I wanted to look pretty for Mommy, but I messed up.”
Ana burst into tears.
“Oh, Honeybee….”
Nico didn't hesitate for a moment and picked Ana up from the trunk, hugging her close to him, gently rubbing her back.
“Shhhh… it’s alright. We’ll get you cleaned up okay? It's not the dress that makes you pretty Honeybee. Mommy will think you're beautiful just as you are, just like I do. I promise.”
“Is Mommy going to be mad at me?”
“No Honeybee, she won't.”
If anything, Nico was pretty sure that she would be upset with him. He wiped Ana’s tears carrying her around to the back seat.
“Sit in your seat, I need to make a quick call.”
He stepped away from the vehicle, making a call to Elle’s doctor explaining the situation to Doctor Stanley.
“Nico, I believe Eleanor can handle it. She really wants to see Ana, but she is so afraid of Ana being close to the hospital. It’s almost like she has an irrational fear that the hospital is going to infect Ana with mental illness.”
“I know it’s short notice, but can you make up the area the way you all had planned for us?”
“Yes, and we'll add a few special things for Ana as well.”
“Thank you. I am so incredibly grateful for the things you are doing for us.”
“You’re welcome Nicolas. All these years, all the patients I’ve had, no one has made quite the impression on me that Eleanor has. I’ve met the deplorable that aren’t worth redemption, that shouldn’t be given a second chance in society. That’s never been Eleanor from the moment I met her, even though she tried to hide her true self all this time. I’ll be on standby just in case you all need me, but I don’t think you will. Eleanor wants to see her daughter desperately. I think it’s a good thing you had a little stowaway. This might be the push Eleanor needs to drive her over the threshold, seeing what she could truly have with the two of you, what it could be like, to really push herself that much harder towards healing herself.”
“Thank you again."
He went back to check on Ana. They stopped so that he could help Ana get cleaned up, and they drove to the ferry that would take them into Portavira. Both were nervous and excited, they were going to see Elle.
Elle
Elle sat at the small decorated picnic table facing the gate, waiting patiently for Nico to arrive, so she could see him the moment he walked through. She glanced around the area, there was an adorable little spot that was set up for a picnic, even a swing, and some games. She didn’t think she would be playing the games with Nico, but she remembered he liked to play chess. Elle was horrible at it.
Elle stood when she saw him walk through the gate, she smiled and waved when his eyes met hers. Nico smiled back at her. The gate remained open and Nico reached out his hand. Ana walked through the gate, taking his hand, and they proceeded towards Elle. The smile had faded from Elle’s face, replaced with a look of shock.
Nico’s heart was racing, Elle’s eyes were fixed on Ana.
“That’s my Mommy?” Ana asked him. Nico paused, kneeling down to her smiling in Elle’s direction.
“Yes, that’s your Mommy. She's beautiful isn't she?”
Ana nodded.
“She looks like a goddess Papa.”
Elle was beautiful in her simplicity. She was wearing a long flowing off the shoulder flower printed dress, and tan colored sandals. Her hair pinned up on one side by flowers and the rest cascaded over her shoulders and down her back.
“I always thought so too. Let's go say hi to her. She's waiting on us for once. Are you ready?”
Ana patted down her hair, and straightened her dress.
"I'm ready Papa."
They walked over to where Elle was standing.
"Nico…"
"Elle.."
"Please don't be mad at Papa. I didn't obey, because I wanted to see you."
"You wanted to see me?" Elle asked, her eyes filled with tears.
Ana nodded. "May I hug you Mommy?"
"I would really like that."
Ana let go of Nico's hand to throw her arms around Elle.
Finally the tears that filled her eyes rolled down her cheeks in rivers, as she hugged Ana. Nico stepped forward to wipe Elle's tears.
"I'm sorry… this is what I really wanted." She whispered to him. Ana’s grip around her tightened.
"Well good thing, your daughter is just as stubborn as you."
"Good thing." Elle directed her attention to Ana. “What would you like to do first? I don’t have much here, but we could eat lunch, we could play games, maybe swing for a little bit.”
“You can pick Honeybee, whatever you want us to do first.”
“Can we eat? I’m hungry.”
“I knew you’d say that. She didn’t eat breakfast.”
“I’m glad you said that, I’m hungry too. I didn’t eat breakfast either. And you’ll have to tell me how you got into your Papa’s car without him seeing you.”
Nico sat at the table thinking Ana would sit next to him, instead she sat close to Elle.
“Is she allergic to anything Nico?”
“No she isn’t, and she’s not a picky eater at all.”
“Giagiá is the best cook. Papa cooks okay.”
“Papa cooks just okay?!?!?! You always clean your plate when I cook for you!!!”
Elle laughed.
“Can you cook?” Ana asked her.
“Ana.” Nico’s voice was slightly stern when he saw the embarrassed blush on Elle’s cheeks.
“It’s okay, Nico. No Ana, I don’t know how, but I can learn.”
“That’s okay, I can help, so can Papa, and Giagiá won’t let us be hungry.”
Elle smiled and eyes widened as Ana told the story of how she had sneaked out of the house early that morning and hid in the back of Nico’s car.
Nico smiled as Ana continued talking to Elle.
He had never seen Ana open up so much to someone almost so immediately, or Elle for that manner.
She chuckled harder at Nico’s surprised face, and his slack jaw.
“You are quite the escape artist.”
Elle smiled. “The apple didn’t fall far from the tree. That sounds like your Papa.”
Ana rested her head on Elle. Elle seemed surprised at first but embraced her.
“I’m so glad you’re here right now Ana.”
After they ate, they played checkers, then with the frisbee. Both Elle and Ana took off their sandals to run and play in the grass. As much as Nico had wanted to spend some time with Elle to figure out what all this was truly going to mean for them, he knew this time with them together rebonding was more important. He had Ana for years, Elle only had the afternoon getting to know their daughter. So Nico let go of the little twinges of jealousy he had with Ana choosing to be close to Elle, and he hung back and let Ana and Elle have that special time together.
“I have something for you. If you don’t like it, that's okay; I’ll understand. You might not even like them anymore.”
“Like what?” Ana inquired.
Elle held out the little pink teddy bear for Ana to take.
“It used to be yours when you were a baby, but you left it. So I kept it for you. It used to smell like you.”
“I love it! Thank you!” Ana hugged Elle again, then afterwards hugged the bear close breathing in the bear’s fur.
“Now it smells like you Mommy.”
Ana was the very best parts of the two of them. Nico had been a wonderful father to her. Elle could not be sad or upset that though her daughter had missed her, she had really flourished in Nico’s care. Nico had surrounded her with family and love.
“I think there’s a hammock swing calling our name.”
“Yes, that sounds perfect.”
They all got into the hammock, getting comfortable in the warm afternoon air. Ana cuddled closer to Elle, resting her head on Elle’s chest.
Ana in turn pulled Nico's arm to drape over her, and Elle, causing him to pull the two of them closer to him in an embrace. Ana was quite the little match maker. She always had been. Elle thought back to that night Nico held them both in his arms, so she could get some rest. Elle closed her eyes for a moment. They were her little family. They were hers. Elle felt safe, and content.
“Papa, tell me our story.”
“You’ve heard it a thousand times Honeybee.”
“Then we can hear it a thousand plus one times!”
“Fine fine fine. I’ll tell it only if you help me tell it. Will you help me, Honeybee?”
“Yes Papa I will!!!”
“Okay, we’ll take turns. I’ll start us off. Once upon a time there was a very beautiful princess, who lived in a castle, and she was the fairest of them all.”
“That’s you Mommy.”
Elle listened to both Nico and Ana take turns telling parts of the story, the story of the two of them, in a way that Ana could understand; He had even told her about Nicolai. He had been so very honest with Ana, over the years about everything.
"What happens next?” Elle asked during the pause.
“It’s your turn Honeybee.”
Ana was silent.
"Honeybee?" Nico whispered.
“I think she fell asleep, Nico, with her ear to my heart like she used to do when she was a baby. It’s like she remembers that.”
“Honestly, I think deep down she does. She’s shy around people, Elle and seeing the way she just opened up to you so immediately is very uncharacteristic of her. I know my daughter. I watch her very closely. She is only that open with people she knows. That part of her is you, Elle. She is very similar to you, and it runs deeper than just her features. I used to read a lot, and wondered what she would remember, if she could remember you. Everything I read said she would forget. But for the longest time, before she could talk, and even after she began speaking, she would just look around the room, almost frantic at times, like she was looking for something, for someone, and I firmly believe in my soul, she was looking for you Elle, and she looked heartbroken that she couldn’t find you.”
“Nico…”
“So, on her first birthday, I started telling her about you, in the form of a bedtime story.”
“Thank you for being the father to her that I knew you would be. I heard my father visits her.”
“He does.”
“Alone?”
“Yes.”
“I figured as much.”
“Elle… Queen Riley….”
Elle’s body tensed in his arms.
“I don’t want to talk about her, not here, not now.”
Ana woke up a little while later, and Elle knew they would be coming out soon to take her back inside. She made the best of the remaining time they had together, now that Ana was awake again. When the sun was starting to set, two orderlies headed in their direction. It was time. Elle glanced at Nico.
“Ana, it’s time for us to go.”
“But I don’t want to. I want to stay.”
Elle kneeled. “I know. I don’t want either of you to go. But we’ll be together again soon, I promise. Until then, Lady Cupcake can keep you company.”
“Lady Cupcake?”
“Yes, I gave Lady Cupcake lots of hugs, so when you hug her, she’ll give one of my hugs back to you. So it will be like you’re hugging me while you’re away. But for now, can I have one more hug before you go, one that I can hold on to?”
Nico stood back letting the two hug each other. When it was his turn, he embraced Elle once more.
“We’ll be back in a few weeks.”
“Alright.”
“Aren’t you going to kiss her Papa?”
“She’s a little matchmaker like her Aunt Liberty.”
“That’s not necessarily a bad thing.” Nico whispered.
Both laughed for a moment before their eyes met.
Nico slipped his arms around her. “I mean look where we are right now.”
“You’re exactly right.”
Elle closed her eyes when Nico closed in for a kiss, setting her whole body on fire.
Elle didn’t want to let go of him when the kiss deepened, but was compelled to after a few moments when she heard one of the orderlies lightly clear their throat. Elle pulled away from him.
“I have to go.” She whispered.
Nico pulled her close, kissing her again for a few moments. He pulled away when he heard them call her name.
“We’ll see you in a few weeks.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
Elle watched Nico and Ana until they were at the gate, before she headed inside.
Doctor Stanley was correct in her assumption, Elle seeing Ana and Nico and having that time together and subsequent times afterwards had emotionally propelled Elle to push herself in ways leading her towards a healthy lifestyle outside of the hospital.
“What if I can’t do it?”
“But what if you can, why are you afraid of that Eleanor?”
“Because she needs me, and I don’t want to disappoint her. I don’t want her to hate me, because I can’t give her what she needs. I don’t want to lose her. Lose them again.”
“You won’t. You are not your mother Eleanor. Do you realize, from the moment Ana was born, actually before she was born, you have put her first? You have been selfless, and you chose to be here when this was not where you wanted to be, because you wanted a life with your daughter someday. You can do this Eleanor. Greece is where you need to be, with your family. You said the happiest time of your life was when you spent time with Nico in Greece, and when the two of you were caring for Ana.”
“Yes.”
“You can have it all Eleanor, you’ll be home before your daughter’s eighth birthday.”
“I could make her a cake. I don’t know how, but I know I could do it.”
“You can do it. Nico will be here in the morning to pick you up.”
“He’s in Portavira already?”
“Yes he’s here. Here is the name of a therapist locally to you, that you will start weekly check ins with.”
“This is really happening isn’t it?”
“Yes it is, Eleanor you’re going home.”
Since Elle was leaving this part of her life behind, she decided to donate most of her clothes. She had come to the hospital with the clothes on her back, now she was leaving the same way.
“Ready to go home?” Nico asked.
“Yes. Let’s go home.”
hey what the fu
lol lmao (walks away with all of your stuff)
Sincerely, Lady Liberty
This is @choicesficwriterscreations week 2 Please be Prompt challenge for angst: The quote for angst: Was it ever me? will appear in bold.
This is also: @choicesmonthlychallenge july prompt for the 29th for mutual pining
The Series: The Rotten Apple 🍎 The Book: TRH & Beyond The Pairings: Liam x Riley / Eleanor x Nico (Eleanor x M!OC) Ratings & Warnings: Teen: Mention of character death, mention of mental illness, profanity, anger, grief. Word Count: 4943 Summary: Nico loses Ana in the park, and a veiled woman introduces herself to Ana. Liberty intervenes in multiple lives in attempt to make them healthier.
Original post: 07/27/22 at 6:20PM EST
A/N: You might not like or agree with where I plan to take this story from here on out to the end. Heck I’ve had people tell me they didn’t like where it started. I told myself if this chapter went over 5000 words I would be splitting it into two chapters, and there would be two more chapters left of The Rotten Apple, and look where I landed. I’ve had a lot of surprises along the way in this story and took it places I never intended, but overall, I am really content with this story. I know that this storyline is not for everyone, but I am very happy with the story I have presented to this point. And for the people who enjoy this storyline, thank you for going on this journey with me. There is officially one more chapter left after this one, possibly two if I decide on an epilogue. But here we go.
"Papa look!!!"
Nico gazed up from his book to Ana as she stood at the top of the slide ready to go down, Ana smiled and waved at him.
Nico waved back and proudly cheered for fearless Ana as she giggled as she went down the swirly slide at the park. She jumped up enthusiastically and she broke out into a little run heading for the ladder to climb up the playhouse again for round two.
Nico returned to his book however, it was only for a moment, just long enough for Ana to climb back up the slide’s ladder. He glanced up again at the slide, expecting Ana to be at the top, but it wasn’t her, another child was in her place.
Ana must be next, he thought to himself, but instead another child emerged at the top of the playhouse.
Nico abandoned his book, trotting over to the playhouse peering in. Ana was not in the play-pen or on the ladder. The slow realization that something was not right, began to take hold.
“Ana?”
He did a quick scan of the playground not seeing her. Nico tried to stay calm as he called out her name again.
“Ana answer me!” he yelled, the panic starting to creep into his voice.
People were beginning to look at him; he was starting to get the attention of other parents in the park.
Relax, he reassured himself. She couldn’t have gone far. Ana wasn’t the type to wander away from him, but he briskly walked over to the restroom, a woman with a child was coming out. Ana always knew to ask if she needed to go to the bathroom, but it was a lead worth checking.Nico quickly pulled out his phone, showing Ana's picture.
“Did you see my daughter in there? Please can you check and see if she's inside?”
The woman paused to look at the picture of Ana. He knew what the woman was going to say before she even said it, her eyes looked sad and sympathetic, as before she even spoke she pulled her own daughter closer to her.
“No, she’s not. We were the only ones in there, I’m sorry, but I haven’t seen her.”
Nico completely lost his cool, as he began to frantically scream her name. What if he lost her? What if… something worse had happened, someone had taken her? Elle’s words from years ago rang in his ears.
“Because of who she is, makes her a target, because of who they think I am.”
God! What if someone took her because she’s Elle’s daughter?!?!? He had done his best to shield her from the limelight, and he hadn’t noticed people lurking around them in quite some time. Nico’s brain was running a mile a minute. His normally calm demeanor he had when he was a guard, completely disappeared and all he was in that moment was a frightened parent.
“ANA!!!!!”
He sprinted the length of the park, fear gripping his heart, making it hard for him to breathe, his eyes expertly skimming the perimeter, looking for a child with Ana’s features, when he finally caught sight of her standing outside the gate talking to a woman who was kneeling in front of her. Nico athletically traversed the fence with ease and barrelled toward Ana’s direction, at full speed. The woman kneeling was wearing a veil that covered her face and was handing Ana ice cream.
“Get the hell away from my daughter!”
Nico screamed, snatching Ana away from the woman, violently pushing the woman backwards, holding Ana tight and protectively in his arms, the ice cream falling between them.
He realized his mistake as soon as it happened.
"Shit."
When the woman toppled backwards to the ground, he noticed the split second all of them mobilized at once. The Kingsguard descended on their position. He immediately shielded Ana's eyes from the guard that had pulled a gun on him. He knew exactly who he had just hit.
"Hands off the Queen, commoner."
Queen Riley removed her veil.
"Your Majesty, my apologies."
He immediately helped her up. “Queen Riley I apologize, I didn’t realize it was you. I was thinking the absolute worst.”
“That happens when you’re a parent. I guess I could have handled things better. I should have spoken to you first. I just wanted a few moments alone with her.”
“Ana, are you alright?”
“Papa, I’m fine. She wasn’t going to hurt me. I know. She showed me pictures of Mommy. Mommy was a real princess, like in your story?”
“Yes, she was.”
“So the dragon is real?”
“We’ll talk about this later Ana…. Why are you here Queen Riley?”
“You’re looking at me Nico… the way my daughter looked at me. She hated me.”
“I don’t think she wanted to Queen Riley, but that’s what she felt from you, so she gave it back.”
“And you?”
He embraced Ana tighter. “Elle was very specific when it came to you, Queen Riley. She didn’t want Ana to be treated how she felt she was treated by you, and frankly neither do I. So I ask you again, why are you here?”
Tears filled Queen Riley's eyes.
“I don’t know…. I just wanted to see her, I guess. All the pictures I've seen of Ana, that Liam showed me, reminded me of my Ellie. She looks just like she did at that age. She has very happy eyes.”
“Ana has her mother’s eyes, Queen Riley.”
“I wanted to bring Ana a gift. Most little girls want to be a princess.”
She opened the small box. “It’s Ellie’s first tiara. I thought Ana might like to have it.”
Ana wriggled out of Nico’s grasp, standing in front of Queen Riley.
“Is that really for me?”
Riley smiled down at Ana.
“Yes, it’s for you. Do you like it?”
"I love it. Papa, I'm a princess too!"
“No, let me.” Riley kneeled down, and placed the sparkling tiara onto Ana’s head, gently stroking the child’s locks carefully in place over her shoulders. “Now you’ve been crowned by a real Queen."
Queen Riley was making it so difficult for Nico to refuse her.
“Yes you are, but Queen Riley it’s too much, I can't let her keep that! Those are real stones.”
“Let her have it? I’d rather her wear it, than just sit in a case in our jewelry room. You’ll take extra special care of it right Ana?”
“I will! I promise!!! Papa? Can I keep it?”
He couldn’t say no to her, she had him wrapped around her finger.
“What do we say Ana?”
“Thank you Queen Riley.” Before he could stop her, Ana threw her arms around Riley hugging her middle.
Riley’s body went rigid, her fists were clenched for a moment, her eyes closed.
“Ana….” Nico started.
Riley unclinched her fists, and slowly returned Ana’s embrace.
“Ana let her go.”
Ana pulled away from Riley. “Papa, it’s so pretty.”
“You’re even more beautiful.”
“You think I’m a terrible human being don’t you Nico?”
“It doesn’t matter what I think.”
“I want you to tell me.”
“I think…. you endured something horrible, and you’re still angry about it, but your anger has been misdirected for all of these years. Elle didn’t deserve it, and you ruined your relationship with her because of it, and you broke a part of her. I saw Elle cry once because of it, insisting she didn't care about you, as tears streamed down her face. You did that to her. So yes, Queen Riley, I think you are a terrible human being, and I won't let you treat my daughter the way you treated your own flesh and blood because I promised Elle, I would protect our child. She deserves better from you, and so did Elle.”
Queen Riley nodded.
“You were brutally honest with me…. But I asked you for that. Ellie was fortunate to have you in her life then. It appears you truly cared for her.”
“I did, with all my heart, regardless of what people think of me.”
"You mean do. You still do Nico. You wouldn't be so defensive over her still, if you felt nothing for my daughter."
That evening when Nico was helping Ana get ready for bed, he decided to bring up today’s events.
“Ana, we need to talk about today.”
“The story is true, isn't it Papa?”
“It is.”
“You were Mommy’s guard.”
“Yes, I was for a little bit.”
“And the dragon?”
“Not an actual dragon.” He thought for a moment to try to explain Elle’s condition in a way that Ana would understand. “You know how you have a bad dream, and you wake up, and you’re afraid, but I’m here and I remind you that it was only a dream and what you thought happened didn’t?"
Ana nodded her head.
“Mommy can’t always tell what's real or not, and sometimes she sees people or hears voices that aren’t really there.”
“How do you get better?”
“Sometimes you don’t. But Mommy’s trying really hard. They give her medicine that helps.”
“She can do it. I want her to come home.”
“I know you do. But just know, I will always be here for you.”
Nico pulled Ana into a hug and kissed her forehead, then left the room, before his eyes filled with tears. Something about having a daughter had really changed him. He had become so much more sensitive over the years, caring for Ana.
Ana still had a void in her heart, even though he felt he was a good parent to her, Ana still wanted her Mother, she still needed her mother. She needed Elle.
Elle
“You have a visitor.”
“I only have visitors on my birthday. It’s not my birthday.”
“Do you want me to turn her away?”
“No… I’ll go.” Eleanor wondered who it was, who she was that was coming to visit her. Whomever it was provided a happy break from Ellie's usual routine.
She couldn’t contain her surprise when she walked into the room.
“Libby!” She exclaimed.
“Hi Ellie."
“How did you get here?”
“I drove.”
“Wow! Look at you!!!! You look so grown up.”
“I kind of am. It’s been almost seven years. How are you Ellie?”
“I’m okay. This place is kind of like the palace in a way, people are always watching every move you make, and I can’t leave unattended. The food’s better at the palace than here though.”
Libby smiled.
“Yes, that was a horrible attempt at a joke. I know.”
“How are you really Ellie?”
Ellie's smile slowly faded.
“The truth….Do I still have the feelings and hear the voices that landed me here?” Yes, but it’s dull. They are constantly adjusting my medication so I keep them muted."
"What has it been like being here? Or is this something you don't feel comfortable answering?"
"I can answer. It's been one of the hardest things I have ever done. There are times when I have been in complete war with myself and.. my inner demons. When I came back after Ana left with Nico it was a very tough time for me. I chose to be heavily medicated, because I couldn't deal with losing her. I thought being numb to the hurt was easier than facing it head on, and I couldn't face it. I walked around in a daze here for months. I don't know how, but somehow I just emotionally knew it was her first birthday."
Her eyes met Liberty's. "Do you want to know more?"
“Only if you feel comfortable.”
"I almost forgot my baby's first birthday, I missed her so much, I thought it was easier to block the pain.
She celebrated without me. Her mother, who loves her and wanted to be there for her. I should be there for her. And I wasn't. After her first birthday, they wanted to try to wean me down off of some of the medications I was on, to see if I could handle it. At first it was so overwhelming because it felt like all the senses I had dulled by massive amounts of medication were immediately heightened. Things got so difficult, almost manic. They thought it was best to increase my medication again, but not as high as it was, but then they brought me back down even slower again. When the emotional dust settled and the haziness cleared I tried to do little things for myself. I read a lot, and I continue to study Greek. I don’t know why.”
“Did you get my letters?”
“Yes, Libby I did.”
“Why didn’t you write me back? Were you mad at me? I never told, like I promised. I kept your secret.”
“I did write you back, every letter I got, until they stopped.”
“They stopped, because I never heard from you, and thought you didn’t care about me.”
“I care about you Libby, even though I haven’t been the greatest at showing it.”
Ellie reached across the table to touch her sister’s hand.
“It had to be Mother. Father wouldn’t have kept my letters from you. At least, I don’t think he would. That doesn’t seem like him.”
“Father’s changed since you left. He doesn't say it but he looks so sad. He misses you so much.”
“I messed up so many things, Libby.”
“Ana was not a mistake. She looks just like you Ellie.”
“She does?”
“I wish I had a picture of her, so you could see. Nico is a great father to her.”
“I knew he would be.”
“I promise I will hug her for you the next time I get to see her. I asked Father to go to Greece with him the next time he goes to see her."
"Father is still a part of her life?" Ellie's eyes filled with tears.
“He never told you?”
"No. I think when he visits he takes his cues from me. Even though I want to know, I don’t ask, so he respects that and doesn’t share. It hurts thinking about her on most days. So I try not to.”
“Every several months he goes to Greece to see her. Nico's never brought her to the palace, but I understand why. He is trying to protect her, and you Ellie. So people don't ask questions."
“I wanted her. I wanted to be her mother, Libby. I wanted them both. I wanted to feel… something different.”
“I know. You wanted to feel love. I could tell you loved him. That you still love him.
Nico is still single, I heard.”
“He doesn’t love me anymore.
The last time I saw him, Ana was a little over three months old. And he took her away, and he never looked back. He just left me there alone.”
“I don’t think that’s completely true Ellie. He loves your daughter so much, and she’s part of you; that means something. Have you tried to write to him?"
"And say what? I am sorry for what I did?"
"Is it the truth?"
"YES! I was wrong to hurt Nicolai. Nic was a good person."
"Then tell Nico that. Tell him you were sick and weren't thinking clearly. I think it would mean a lot to him if you told him you were genuinely sorry."
"Not after all these years."
"You should reach out to him."
"I can't Libby. He doesn't want to hear from me. He's made that painstakingly clear."
"I think you're wrong Ellie."
And now Liberty was going to prove it.
Nico, Ana and Liberty
Libby knocked on the door.
She couldn’t believe she had done this. But she wanted to help Ellie with something she didn't have the courage to do.
She heard giggles and then the front door opened. She was staring face to face with Ellie’s daughter Ana.
“Hi Ana.”
“Hi.”
Nico came running to the door.
“Ana! I told you about just opening the door, and not checking who it is first.”
“I’m sorry Papa.”
He scooped Ana up into his arms.
“Liberty! What are you doing here?”
Ana whispered something in his ear in Greek. Liberty only knew a little bit of Greek. To which he whispered back to her.
“Can I tell her, it’s not polite for us whispering in another language in front of her.”
Ana nodded.
“Ana wanted to know why you look like her mother. And I told her you were her mommy’s sister.”
Liberty smiled.
“I am your mother’s younger sister. The last time I saw you, you were very little. But I want to change that. May I come in?”
“Please come in.”
“This is a nice home you have here Nico.”
“Thank you. I wanted to refuse, but your father gives us a stipend for Ana’s care, and to have a decent lifestyle. Though, deep down, I feel like it’s partially for my silence because I never pressed charges against Elle."
Nicolai’s death to that day had still been ruled an accident. The evidence simply just went away, maybe King Liam had something to do with that, maybe he didn’t. Nico never heard from the detective again.
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“How does she know about Ellie, and what she looks like?”
“Because I told her she has a mother, that her mother is sick. She’s seen pictures of her.”
He walked over to the mantle and brought the framed picture over to her.
“That was the last Christmas I spent with Elle, when she came here to Greece with me for the holiday. I saw a side of Elle while she was here, that I don’t think many people saw of her.”
Ellie was wearing the pink dress that Nico had bought for her. Nico next to her, in a nice navy suit, his arm draped around her, his fingertips resting comfortably on her hip. The two looked very happy together. Ellie looked so content standing by his side. Ellie’s smile in the picture was incandescent as she gazed towards the camera.
“I am in this picture too.” Ana announced proudly.
“You are?” Libby inquired. "But I don't see you."
She pointed to the picture. “I was in Mommy’s tummy. She’s sick, but she’s coming home when she gets better.”
Libby's eyes widened as she looked at Nico.
"From the mouths of babes." Nico responded. He gave her a little kiss on her cheek, “Ana, go play.”
Once Ana was out of earshot Nico softened his voice.
“I don’t have the heart to tell her Elle’s never coming home.”
“Who’s to say she can’t? I went to see Ellie at the hospital."
“You did? How is she?”
“She looks like she’s aged so much being away. She has streaks of gray in her hair.”
“Well she’s not the only one with some gray now.” Nico softly laughed, running his fingers through his own hair.
“She tried to crack bad jokes too. She still loves you Nico. You know she loved you. The two of you meant everything to her. I think that’s what caused her psychotic break, losing the two of you. Nico, she has given up. And I think she would fight harder to get well, if she knew she had the two of you waiting for her.”
“Liberty, she killed my son.”
“And she regrets that, and she wasn’t well when she did it. But you still love her. If you didn’t love her, you wouldn’t have pictures of her around to show Ana. And you sure as hell wouldn’t tell Ana about her. You would have poisoned Ana against her mother, but you didn’t do that. You still love Ellie right?”
Nico wiped the tears from his eyes.
“Go see her. Tell her. Get her out of that horrible place. So she can come home like Ana believes she will.
That sweet little girl deserves her mother, who loves her. Ellie wants to be her mother.”
"Elle doesn’t want me.”
Liberty laughed.
“The two of you are so insistent that the other doesn’t feel the way they feel, and you’re not asking the one person that could really give you that answer. Stop wasting time Nico. Go to her.”
“Elle asked me for one thing the whole time we were together. Just one thing.”
"What was that?"
"A house. This is the house she wanted. I still built it for her."
"Because you love her. She still loves you too. Please go see her Nico, and bring her home."
"Did she say it Libby?" Nico inquired.
"She didn't have to. Her actions spoke louder than her words. Just like your actions. I understand how the two of you fell in love. You are two halves of the same soul. Go see her Nico."
Liberty smiled to herself. She hadn't planted the seeds in both their hearts, she was simply the florist that gave the seeds a little water and fertilizer and sunshine hoping their love would rebloom.
Nico and Elle
Nico found the courage a little over a month later to make the trip to Portavira to see Elle face to face. He decided it was best not to take Ana with him as he did not know how Elle would react, and honestly, he didn't want Ana's first meeting with Elle in a place where Elle couldn't leave.
It had been years since Nico wore a suit but he decided to wear one that day. He shaved and had gotten a haircut.
He waited for Elle to be brought into the room pacing nervously.
“I thought I would never see you again.”
His back was to her, she saw his whole body stiffen and turned around to face her.
“Elle.. Eleanor.” Nico cleared his throat.
“You can still call me Elle if you want. I didn’t know it was going to be you that was my visitor.”
He watched her try to smooth down the flyaways of her hair. Her hair was inches longer than he remembered it, and had streaks of gray throughout it, as Liberty had mentioned. Her hair was in one long thick grecian side braid, lazily slung over her left shoulder. Elle was not quite as thin as she used to be, but still had her hourglass figure. His eyes traveled slowly down her form. Elle was as beautiful as he remembered, even more so, casually dressed. Elle tried to straighten out the tiny wrinkles of the simple pale azure dress she was wearing; She looked insecure.
“I must look…..”
Nico immediately shook his head.
“No, you look fine. You look well. You're beautiful Elle. You've always been beautiful."
A slight flush of pink blossomed on her cheeks.
"Thank you. You're wearing the suit from our Christmas trip."
"It's just a little tighter than I remember." Nico smiled as he patted his stomach; Elle returned the smile.
"It still looks nice on you. At least I think it does. You look handsome."
"Thank you."
Her cheeks felt as if they were on fire because his smile still made her weak. Six and a half years had passed since they barely said good bye and he whisked Ana away. No, she actually felt dizzy as he walked towards her.
Nico immediately sprang into action. He still had his cat-like reflexes from being a guard and had caught her in his arms. Her head fell into his shoulder, and she took a moment to just breathe him in. He was wearing the same cologne she loved. Nico smelled exactly the same as she remembered. She rested her head on his shoulder a moment.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm sorry, the medication makes me feel lightheaded sometimes."
He helped steady her on her feet, leading her to the seat, his grip tight around her supporting some of her weight.
Once he assisted her to sit, he sat across from her.
"Is that better?"
"Yes, thank you, Nico……Why are you here to see me?”
"I don't know." Nico's voice was soft and he sounded unsure of himself.
"Not that I'm complaining. I'm not. It's really good to see you."
“I am not being truthful, Liberty came to see me.”
"She did? I’ve seen her recently too. She told me she believes in us."
"She believes in us?"
"That we can fix ourselves and be happy together, that we still…. Have feelings for each other."
Elle's cheeks turned bright pink, recounting Liberty's words.
"When Ana saw her, she thought she looked like you."
"I didn't think you would tell her about me…. What did you say? How does she know what I look like?"
"I have that picture of us from Christmas up so she will know where her features come from, what her mother looks like, what you look like Elle. There is nothing about her that is me Elle, she's a miniature version of you. She's quiet at first, and when you crack her shell, she's kind, funny, and boisterous. She’s a little bit bossy, like you, but I don’t mind, and she's so intelligent that she makes me feel dumb sometimes."
"Is she good?"
Nico's face softened as he stared at her. He knew what she was really asking.
"She's good Elle."
"Are you sure?"
Elle's eyes filled with tears.
"Yes, I'm sure. I keep a very close watch over her."
One of Elle's prayers has been answered.
"Then she is like you, Nico, and she has your smile. I remember. Does she still have it?"
Nico took out his phone showing Elle pictures of Ana.
"She's so beautiful. Look at her. She's perfect. She still has your smile. What did you tell her about me?"
"I told her that Mommy was sick, and that's why she couldn't be with her. I didn't want her to think that you didn't love her. Because, I saw how you looked when you held her when she was born Elle, and how we took care of her together those months after. It killed me taking her away from you the way I did. I know that you love her."
"I do, but you didn't look back, Nico."
"Because I couldn't, because it hurt so much."
"You broke my heart, Nico."
"You broke mine, when you killed my son."
"I'm sorry. I really am, I regret it every day."
Nico burst into tears. "I believe you."
Both were silent for a few moments. It was now or never in Nico's eyes. Liberty had brought the two together again, it was time for him to take a leap of faith.
"You need to get better, Elle. Our daughter needs you. She wants you to come home."
"Home?"
"Yes home, to our home."
"But, do you want me there? You really want me there?"
Nico looked down at his feet for a moment.
"You know Liberty has wisdom beyond her years. She saw it when I talked about you. Fight for us Elle. Get better so you can come home to us. PLEASE! We need you."
She shook her head no.
“This isn’t real, I’m dreaming. This isn’t happening right now. I’m going to wake up any moment now.”
“Elle, I'm here right now. With you.” He touched her arm and she smacked it away, standing up laughing in his face.
“You’re good. Showing up as him to say everything I have always wanted him to say to me. I can see right through you. You’re not going to fool me!!!!”
“Elle, it’s me.” Nico insisted.
“You’re playing games with me thinking I’ll fall for it. SHOW YOURSELF!!! YOU’RE NOT HIM!!!!! You’re not going to get me!!!! You’re pathetic! How dare you?!?! I don’t love you!!! I don’t want you!!!! LEAVE ME ALONE!!!”
Her words seemed to physically push him back from her. There were tears in his eyes.
“Was it ever me?”
“What?”
“Was it ever me that you truly wanted Elle?”
“Of course I wanted Nico.
But things like this don’t happen for people like me.”
“Liberty was right about you Elle. You gave up. And you feel like you have to convince yourself that I’m not really here right now putting it all out here on the line for you. Why don’t you believe me Elle?”
“BECAUSE I DON’T DESERVE IT!!!! I’M A BAD PERSON!!!!! The things I’ve done, the people I’ve hurt. I don’t deserve to have what I want.”
Elle burst into tears, Nico inched closer to her, pulling her into his arms. Elle didn’t fight him.
“What I see is a person, who made some really bad choices, and clearly has remorse for them, and is living in a place of guilt isolating herself from people that truly care about her. I care for you Elle. I never stopped, which is why I ran, because I was so conflicted. Those words you told me that last night we were together, that I said back to you, I meant every word."
“It’s really you Nico?”
“Yes. It’s me!”
Her prayers had finally been answered.
"Fight for us Elle. We're waiting for you. We've always been waiting for you. Please come home to us."
"You really mean that? Are you sure?"
"Yes, your home is with me and our daughter Elle. We want you to come home. We’re waiting patiently for you Elle."
Nico embraced her again. “It’s alright Elle. I’m here for you. I’ve always been. And that’s sort of your fault.”
“My fault?”
He smiled at her, his fingers, gently lifting the necklace she was wearing from under the neckline of the dress. Elle was wearing the heart necklace Nico had given her that Christmas so many years ago.
“I told you that you had my heart, but you never gave it back to me.”
After Nico left Elle requested an emergency appointment with her therapist.
“I’m ready Doctor Stanley.”
Dr. Stanley smiled.
“This is the Eleanor that I’ve been waiting for to finally show up all this time. Let’s get to work.”
Before Doctor Stanley could prompt Elle with a question, Elle began to speak.
I Choose You
This is choices monthly challenge day # 14: You Owe me. Prompt will appear in bold
The Series: The Rotten Apple 🍎 The Book: TRH and Beyond! The Pairings: Liam x Riley / Ellie x Nico (Ellie x M!OC) Word Count: 4626 Song Inspiration: Devil by L.I.F.T.
Warnings and Ratings: Teen / Profanity, mention of character death, mental illness, mention of termination of a pregnancy.
Summary: Riley goes to see Drake in the palace jail. Elle and Nico become parents.
Original Post: 05/16/22 at 9:10PM EST
“Well….well, well!!! What’s up baby mama?” Drake couldn't believe Riley was standing before him. The years had done her well. She was still a very beautiful woman.
“Don’t you dare call me that!”
“It’s true, you gave birth to my daughter. Where is she? And I know the story I saw on the news, about her graduating early and being admitted into a rigorous medical program, is not the truth.”
“Oh she’s in a medical program, no thanks to you. What did you tell her to turn her?”
“I did nothing to her. All I did was tell her the truth. More truth than you ever gave her. What she decided to do with that information, is completely on her.”
“How could you wash your hands of her that way?”
Drake laughed.
“Do you hear yourself? Maybe you need to be in one of these cells too, are you really being the pot that called the kettle black right now?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You’ve done nothing but wash your hands of Eleanor since you found out that she belonged to me. What do you think that did to her as a child? She knew you didn’t love her then. She definitely knows you don’t love her now.”
“I love my child.”
“You can’t even look at me and say that. Stop lying to yourself Riley. You don’t love her because she has my DNA.”
“YOU TOOK HER FROM US!!!”
"You owe me, I gave you what you needed at the time that Liam couldn't provide."
"I owe you nothing Drake Walker!!!"
“I didn't take her from you, you threw her away. Where is she, Riley?”
“Where do you think she would be after she murdered two people?”
“Two people? I was only aware of the guard’s son?”
“She told you she did it?”
“Yes, I’m her father. I understand who she really is.
Where is my daughter?”
“Liam took her to a psychiatric hospital in Portavira.”
“You really locked her away? She will never forgive you now Riley, she’s liable to kill you with her bare hands, if she ever gets hold of you. But I guess it’s better than a jail cell.”
“I did nothing to her, it was Liam’s decision to have her committed. You ruined her, Drake.”
“No Riley, YOU RUINED HER. She looked like a happy child, until you found out about her. Look at her pictures over the years. She stopped smiling. I had nothing to do with that. THAT WAS ALL YOU!”
She slapped Drake.
“What happened to you Riley?”
“You broke me.”
“No, I didn't. You were already broken before I ever touched you.”
Riley ran from the cell in tears.
Elle
“No, NO, NO!!!! I will not consider that. You can not make me consider that.”
“Princess Eleanor, do you realize where you are?”
“Of course I know where I am, my father and my….he dumped me in this psychiatric hospital and I’m not crazy. I’m not…”
“I watched you pull a knife on and try to stab your…. significant other? The man you're claiming fathered your child?"
“It’s not just a claim. He is the father, and I was angry at him, and he had it coming, because HE LIED TO ME!!!!”
“Eleanor, try to be calm, we don't want to have to keep sedating you.”
“Well stop talking about things that make me angry.”
“You’re a smart young woman. You know, you can not keep a baby here Princess Eleanor.”
“And I will not abort my child. You can not make me do that, when I know, it’s what would have happened to me, if my parents had found out my true paternity. The King will not force me into that. None of you will force me into making that decision. My child deserves to live.”
"Speaking of your father, he has expressed his willingness to adopt the child."
"No. He will not have my child anywhere near the Queen. He has no claim, he is NOT MY FATHER."
The therapist seemed unphased by her admittance.
“He told you then, of my true lineage?”
“Yes, King Liam did.”
“I’m not surprised.”
“He thought it would be helpful as I have been at times brought in on your biological father’s case and monitor his medication regimen at times. Drake Walker’s psychosis is under control.”
“You’re wrong, he’s not remorseful for anything he did. He does not care. He’s showing you what he thinks you want to see. Drake Walker is NOT better.”
“Telling them all my secrets? I would have never thought you to be a snitch Eleanor. Though, you did confess your crimes to your Grecian boo and look what it got you. He turned on you like a rabid dog the first chance he got."
“Stop.”
“Stop what? Is someone speaking to you? Who is it? Is it just an auditory or a visual hallucination?
“It’s him, my biological father, he always comes to me like he’s almost heckling me. I see him standing before me. There."
Elle pointed to the general direction in front of her. Of course the psychiatrist couldn't see what she was seeing.
Drake shook his head in dismay.
“You should stop speaking now Eleanor. They will use everything you say against you in some way or another. These people are not your friends. You have no friends here. This is the last bit of fatherly advice I can give you now. SHUT YOUR MOUTH.”
“When did he start appearing to you this way?”
She looked at Drake. He held one finger up to his lips to silence her.
Elle crossed her hands across her chest remaining silent.
“Now you’re playing the game. You’re smarter than them. That's my girl."
“May I go back to my room now?”
Dr. Stanley wrote something in her notebook.
“Yes, you may.”
Over the course of the next three weeks they had given Eleanor medication to start to control her psychosis and depression that was safe for her to take while she was pregnant. It dulled her senses and made her feel freakishly calm. She did not realize how keyed up she was at all times until they started the medication cocktail with her. Maybe that was attributing to how little sleep she was getting at night, before Nico slept with her. She was able to sleep more with the medication. It almost felt like Nico was there with her.
The side effects she noticed from the medication was that at times her vision was hazy and she felt a little dizzy. Listening to what Drake was telling her, Ellie was complying bare minimally to the treatment they were giving her. She was giving them what they wanted to see, taking the medication as prescribed, so there appeared to be improvement without actual work.
“And you are sure there will be no outbursts?”
“Why does he want to be here?”
“It’s his child too, Princess Eleanor.”
“Please don’t call me that. It’s not who I am anymore, and it doesn't matter here.”
She sat calmly in the wheelchair as they pushed her down the hall to her doctor’s appointment. It would be the first time she saw the baby. She didn’t know what to expect when she was brought into the exam room.
“Why are you restraining me? I said there would be no outbursts?”
“Safety protocol with combative residents. We’re bringing him in now.”
Nico walked in the room, looking terrible, worse than he did the days following Nicolai's death. Nico, who had always taken pride in his appearance, looked unkempt, wearing clothes that were ill fitting and completely disheveled, and he had not shaved. When he sat next to the bed, she smelled it on him. The strong stench of alcohol. Nico had started drinking again.
It made tears fill her eyes. She glanced around at the people in the room, deciding then to take a chance and addressed Nico in Greek.
“You’re drinking again Nico? Why?”
In surprise, his eyes shot up to hers, but he answered her back in Greek.
“Why not?”
His voice was just as cold as hers that night. She knew she deserved that.
“You fought so hard to get better. You have to quit.”
“Why does it matter? Why should it matter to you what I do?”
“Why are you even here then?”
“I'm here because I want to see my child, and I'm taking custody of my child once they are born.”
“No.”
“Excuse me?”
"I said no."
The staff looked between the pair in silence, it was apparent none knew Greek.
“You are going to sign away your parental rights and give me my child.”
“First off Nico, the baby I'm carrying is our child. OURS!!! Secondly NO. I will not sign a damn thing, if you’re not sober.”
“You’re not in the position to be making demands, Elle. You need to do as I say.”
“You can’t make me sign away my rights! I’m the baby’s mother! You can't take that away from me. Don’t take that away from me.”
Nico rubbed his forehead in frustration. "Elle…."
“I’d rather give the baby to my mother before I let you have it in this condition. If you want the baby, SOBER UP! I won't let you have it any other way."
Nico's eyes widened knowing how she felt about Riley. Even though heavily medicated, Elle was speaking with more mental clarity than what he currently had going on in his mind. He knew he was a mess, and he knew she was right.
"I mean it Nico. Find the strength to get better."
"Can we proceed with the exam?"
Elle nodded, lifting her shirt. In a few weeks her body had changed more. She had more of a baby bump.
"Despite having no prenatal care for the first eleven weeks of gestation, the baby is very healthy though measuring a little small. Eleanor ate a very balanced diet while hiding the pregnancy. Eleanor’s weight now, though, has been fluctuating."
"Not on purpose, I'm still getting morning sickness a lot. I don't have my tea anymore."
"She needs her tea, my mother gave her a family recipe."
"It did help me a lot." She responded to the obstetrician. “They monitor everything I take; I didn't think you would let me have it here."
"With her weight fluctuating, she needs it. Doctor, what do I need to do so she'll have it? I want our baby to be healthy."
Nico calling their child "our baby" didn't go unnoticed by Elle.
"Get us the recipe and we'll make sure we have the ingredients on hand for her when she asks for it."
"I will immediately."
"Thank you Nico."
He nodded, not speaking, his eyes filled with tears.
Nico felt conflicted looking at the sonogram monitor, he had never been through this part with anyone before. Nicolai was six when he found out about his existence. Elle was almost fourteen weeks pregnant with his child and this was something he had wanted someday with her. How could he be happy, sad, and livid at the same time for what she had done to him, Nicolai and his whole family? The things she had done were unforgivable, at least they should be. The only person Nico told the truth of why he had returned to Greece was his mother.
“It’s not true Nico. It can’t be true. Elle loves you, I know she does!!! She loves you Nico. I saw it in her eyes when she talked about you and looked at you.”
“She confessed it to me, Mama. She murdered Nicolai. She used me and played me for a fool.”
“What about the child?”
“I don’t know. She’s not well. What if the child carries her illness? Elle inherited components of her father’s mental illness.”
“King Liam is mentally ill?”
“No, King Liam is not Elle’s biological father.”
“Oh, I understand. Are you going to keep the baby?”
“I don’t know Mama. I'm so conflicted.”
“You were in love with her when you conceived the child. Were you not?"
"Yes, Mama I was, but…."
"The baby she is carrying is your child Nico.”
“SHE MURDERED MY CHILD!!!!”
“And now, she’s given you one as well. You are responsible for that life you created with her. That child is innocent in all of this. That is your child, your blood. Our Blood. We take care of our own. Man up Nicolas.”
Elle watched Nico staring at the monitor deep in thought. She couldn’t read his emotions and had no idea of what he was thinking. But she knew from his drinking, he was in pain. But then, he did something unexpected. Nico reached for Elle’s hand holding it tightly in his, but what did it mean? He didn’t look at her, he said nothing, he just held her hand.
When the exam was over Nico immediately let go of her hand and stood. It reminded her of his guard stance at the palace when he was awaiting to be given orders.
“Thank you for getting the tea for me."
“My mother already texted me the ingredients so I’ll give that to the doctor now.”
“I appreciate it.”
“Let me know if there is anything else you require.”
He stood there, his face emotionless, his body rigid in his stance.
Elle blinked away tears. “That is all.” She turned away from him. “You are dismissed.”
Nico turned and walked out of the room.
Elle burst into tears when he left.
She couldn’t do this anymore. Any of this, it was all too much. She had to find a way to get through the madness. So Elle focused on the baby and not herself.
“I choose you.” She whispered as she rubbed her stomach.
If she felt well, was eating well, even gaining healthy weight, and the baby was growing as it should, that’s all that mattered. She took the antipsychotic medication as prescribed and talked to the baby. Talking to the baby for some reason made Drake appear to her less, which she wasn’t upset about. He seemed to cloud things in her mind. Talking to the baby seemed to clear her mind, so she told the baby everything in her heart and mind. She wondered if they were listening to her, but she didn't care. She told the baby everything she felt she couldn’t tell anyone else.
She didn’t see Nico again, until she was a little more than eight months along. He seemed surprised to see how much her stomach had grown, and He looked well, freshly shaven, put together, and lean. He looked healthy and he wasn’t drinking anymore. He looked the way....he did before when he made her heart skip a beat.
“The baby’s in position, she could go at any time.”
“I figured, I have a place nearby.”
“You want to be here for the birth? I didn’t think you’d want to be.”
“Yes. I need to be there for the child.”
“Our daughter.”
“A Daughter?” Nico shook his head. “I didn’t know. They didn't tell me.”
"Did you ask?"
"No, but….."
"They were assuming you didn't want to know then."
Are you feeling alright?”
“I’m fine, I just get tired really easily now. You look well.”
“I wanted you to know, I thought about what you said. I won't ask you to sign your rights away. You are her mother. I won’t take that away from you.”
“Thank you, because it’s all I have now.”
So the waiting game began for Nico. He didn’t tell her that the place he was staying had been secured by her father, and that he wanted to be there for her. Nico didn’t even know if Liam had seen her. He just knew he had been in constant contact about her care.
He was woken in the middle of the night two days past Elle’s due date informing him that Elle was in active labor.
When he walked out of his room, Liam was straightening his clothes.
“Are you going to be in the delivery room with her?”
“No.”
“She needs someone to be there with her, and I know she won’t let it be me.”
“She doesn’t need me either.”
“She will Nico. Childbirth is the most painful experience a woman can go through, and she needs that support in there with her, when it’s time for her to deliver. And against mine and everyone’s advice, no one could convince her not to bring this child into the world. She’s doing this for you. You need to be there. You need to witness your child being born. It’s important you’re a part of that. Your daughter is going to be born by this time tomorrow. I cherish both of my daughters.”
“I don’t know if I can do this, Your Majesty.”
“I can’t order you to do this, but I’m going to be there for her, even if she won’t let me in.”
Ellie was alone. But, she was used to it. She could do this alone. He would have to show up eventually to get the child, or maybe she could call her father. Someone had to be there to claim the baby, when it was time.
“You’re doing great Eleanor. You’re about to have another contraction, focus on your breathing and you’ll get through it.”
In mid contraction while Ellie was crying out in pain the door opened.
“Dad?”
The demeanor in the room changed.
“Your Majesty.”
He walked over to her, taking her hand.
“I’m here. Whatever you need me to do.”
Ellie’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Thank you Father.”
He saw Ellie as his little girl, and she needed him.
“How far along is she?”
“She’s in active labor. About ten minutes ago she was 8 centimeters dilated and 100 percent effaced. We’re hopefully going to have a baby soon.”
“Did you talk to Nico? Does he know I’m here?”
Liam gently dabbed her face and neck with the cold wash cloth. Her features visibly relaxed for a few moments between contractions.
“Yes, I did, he knows.”
“Oh.”
“But don’t think about that right now, we have more pressing concerns at hand.”
“Father, if he doesn’t…..”
“Your baby will have a home regardless. She will have a home with family. All you need to focus on is this right now. Everything else will be handled, I promise.”
Two Hours Later
“Eleanor, you’re at ten centimeters, it’s time to start pushing. We work with your contractions and we’ll go in ten counts.”
After an hour of pushing, Ellie was already exhausted with hours of active labor prior. Liam fed her ice chips and used the cold wet cloth on her face and neck.
“How are you so calm right now!?!?!?” She yelled at him as her grip on his hand was almost crushing. He wouldn’t admit it, and he knew he shouldn’t say it, but at that moment she was just like her mother. The fighter look in her eyes, was all Riley.
Liam winced a little from her vice grip but smiled before he continued speaking.
“Because Baby Love, I’ve been through this a few times before. And I assure you, the first time with you, I was panicked. You're doing great. We’re going to get through this together alright?”
"Okay."
In the middle of the next contraction Nico walked in the room which ironically helped Elle focus.
“I didn’t think you were coming?”
“I’m here now. May I stay with you?”
“My father stepped in to get me through this.”
Liam smiled and looked at Ellie. But he could see it in her eyes. Even though she had said that, and she looked grateful he had been there for her, deep down he knew Nico needed to be here for this moment with her, and she wanted him there.
Liam stepped forward to speak to Nico.
“Are you sure you can be the support she needs right now? She needs you to be encouraging, and supportive, nothing else can matter, in your heart but helping her bring your child into the world. You have to be here, and present with her.”
“I can, I wouldn’t be here if I couldn’t.”
“Your Majesty, is he staying?”
“Yes, get him gowned up.”
Liam took Ellie’s hand.
“Dad?”
Liam pulled down his mask. “Nico will take it from here. I’ll be just outside if you need me, and I’ll come running just like always, Baby Love.”
Liam kissed her forehead. “You can do this, you are strong. You are my daughter. You are a lion. You have your mane to prove it.”
He smoothed down her wild curls and kissed the top of her forehead. Ellie leaned into his embrace.
“I love you to the moon and back again.”
“Father, I’m sorry…”
“Shhhh…. I know… don’t even worry about that right now. I have always loved you. I’ll be just outside.”
Liam left the room, and Nico resumed his spot next to Elle taking her hand.
“If you need to be angry with me, to get through this, you can.”
“I don’t want to be angry Nico, I am always angry.”
Nico stepped into Liam’s role being Elle’s support system seamlessly. He gently rubbed her back between contractions, which were becoming less frequent, and it seemed contractions were coming almost every thirty seconds. Finally after two more hours, it was time.
“One more push Eleanor and the baby will be here. Nico, do you want to catch the baby?”
“Yes.”
It was the moment he had been waiting for, what King Liam told him he didn’t want to miss, and he was glad he found the strength to be there for Elle, because it was the most amazing moment he had experienced, witnessing his daughter being born.
Nico was overcome with emotion hearing the baby’s first cry. The baby looked just like Elle, with a head full of curly hair just like her.
“You did it Elle.” He whispered as he held the baby close to him.
“We need to weigh her and clean her up so you two can get some more snuggles in.”
Nico handed the baby over to the nurse, and walked over to Elle.
“How are you feeling?”
“Tired, but good.”
“You did amazing, Elle. I couldn’t have done it if I were you.”
“You don’t have anything to compare it to.”
“That doesn’t matter. I know what I saw.”
“Does she have a name yet?”
Nico said yes, at the same time Elle said no.
She looked at him. “Eliana. She’s beautiful like her mother.” Elle smiled. It was the first time she had since she’d been away from the palace.
“That’s a beautiful name. And she’s a beautiful little girl. And a healthy seven pounds and two ounces, 21 and a half inches long. Papa, do you want to hold her?”
Nico burst into tears unable to speak but nodded.
Nico rocked the baby in his arms, he hummed softly to her.
“Nico, can I hold her?” Elle asked meekly.
He didn’t answer.
“Nico? Please?”
He brought the baby over to her.
“I’ll get your father for you. I know he wants to see her too.”
Elle kissed her forehead and counted the baby’s fingers and toes.
“I heard you’re supposed to do that. I haven’t seen a lot of newborn babies in my life, only my siblings, but I think you are by far the most beautiful one. Maybe, I think so because you are mine. I promise your daddy will take good care of you, because I can’t. Please be different from me. That’s my wish for you.”
Eliana nuzzled closer to her chest.
“Are you hungry? The books I read said it’s very important for you to nurse right away, that my milk has antibodies that you will need, and will help you, and I want to help you. You believe me right? I don’t know how to do this, but we’ll try okay? I’ve only seen my mother do it with my brothers and sister.”
It took her a few tries with Eliana, but she latched on to her.
“Babies innately know what to do.”
“Father.”
“This stirs so many feelings in me. Looking at you with your beautiful daughter… I remember how I felt when I held you for the first time. My heart was so full of love, for this little perfect person I just met. I know those tears in your eyes now Ellie. You love her so much already.”
“I do….Please don’t let him take her away from me just yet Father.”
“Ellie, I can't hold him here against his will. He is no longer employed by me and he has dual citizenship, he can come and go as he pleases. I can talk to him to see if I can convince him to stay longer. But he’ll need to go home, to get the baby into a routine, he’s going to be a single father with her.”
Nico paced angrily as Liam spoke to him.
“Out of the question.” Nico screamed.
“Nico, you can’t just rip a newborn baby from her arms. The baby needs her, they need each other. Look at them together.”
Nico peered through the door; Elle was gently rocking Eliana in her arms, softly humming the same lullaby Liam and Riley had sung to all their children.
“My son needed me and that didn’t stop her.”
“Nico, that’s not the same and you know it. Stay here a bit, I’ll set you up here with everything you’ll need to be here for a few weeks with the baby. Give her some time to process all of this, so she can willingly let Eliana go with you.”
“I think it would be easier to do this now than later. That way neither will bond.”
“They have bonded, they’ve been together for nine months. The baby knows her already, she stopped crying the moment you placed her in Ellie's arms didn’t she?"
Nico nodded.
“Reconsider, please. If you ever loved her…..”
“Don’t guilt trip me with the love I have for Elle, Your Majesty. I’ve done all I can here. I need to create distance between her and I. I’m leaving with my child first thing in the morning.”
Nico was gone a week before he called King Liam in a panic. “Eliana won’t eat. My sisters are scared. She’s weak. I’m so scared. The doctor says she's exhibiting symptoms of failure to thrive. Does your offer still stand? I can’t lose her too. She needs Elle. I don’t know what else to do.”
“Yes, my offer still stands. I will have Ruby One in the air within the hour to meet you at the airport.”
“I’m a good three hours away from the nearest airport.”
“Damnit!” Liam was quiet for a few moments.
“Are there clear patches of land near you?” He inquired of Nico.
“Yes, why?”
“Give me your coordinates, and I’ll have a helicopter meet you at your home. Be ready to go.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
One Week Post-Partum
Ellie was sleeping when she heard a baby crying.
She started to cry, as if Drake’s voice, and his taunts weren’t bad enough, and had gotten more extreme after Nico took Eliana and left, now she heard the cries of a baby. Her baby. As the cries got louder, Elle covered her ears.
“Please stop. I can’t take this… PLEASE STOP!!!!!” She screamed.
The lights turned on in her room and she sat up startled. Her father walked in first, following behind him Nico carrying Eliana in his arms. It wasn’t a hallucination; it was really her.
“Elle, she won’t eat, she hasn’t eaten decently since we left. I need you to feed her.”
“Give her to me,” she said.
Almost immediately when he handed her to Elle, Eliana started to calm, and then silence as she began to finally nurse with Elle.
“It’s okay,” she whispered. “You’re just hungry. I can fix that. I missed you.”
Elle was upset because Nico had only been gone a week, and their newborn was in such bad health, but secretly she was relieved that she was, because it brought them both back to her. Eliana needed her mother. They both needed HER.
Fall From Grace 🍎
The Series: The Rotten Apple 🍎 (Click the link if you need to catch up) The book: TRH and beyond Pairings: Liam x Riley / Eleanor x Nico (Eleanor x M!OC) Ratings and Warnings: Mature, mention of multiple character deaths, profanity mental illness. Word Count: 3820 Song Inspiration: All I Wanted by Paramore
Summary: All of Eleanor’s truths are revealed
A/N: Here we are at the reckoning. I hope that I don’t disappoint.
Original Post: 04/23/22 at 10:53PM EST.
Nico sat back in his seat in shock.
"I felt like something did not make sense about his death."
"Nicolai's primary cause of death was drowning."
"But you said…."
"His secondary cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head."
"I'm still not following."
"Had Nicolai not been pushed into Rys Lake, and we firmly believe he was pushed, he would have survived the blow to his head. His lungs were full with water. The hit to the head by the object, though strong, was not enough to kill him. Because he was disoriented, he could not swim."
"And my son was a very strong swimmer, he would never drown."
"But I want to talk to you more about the assailant, and the blunt object. Did your son have any enemies at the palace?"
"Nicolai was well loved by everyone."
"And he was following in your footsteps to the guard?"
"Yes, my son was a junior guard, because of his legacy status. One of the top in his class."
"And you trained him along with the others?"
"Yes. My son did not receive special treatment because of my Centurion Guard status. As I said he was one of the top in his class. He did not deserve the top position just because he is my son."
"That's admirable, Mr. Karahalios. Did he get along with his classmates?"
"He did, I mean sure there was some rivalry between the boys and girls as they all want to be considered for the Kingsguard and those upper level positions, in the future."
"How many left handed junior guards do you have?"
"Four."
"I will need their names."
"Why are you looking for left handed guards in his class?"
"Because the person who hit Nicolai was left handed. Was he in a relationship with anyone?"
Nico thought about Elle. But she had said they weren't together in that way.
"No, not to my knowledge. Why do you ask?"
"The trajectory of the hit Nicolai sustained, has him in a seated position, with his assailant straddling him."
"Like a lover?"
"Precisely. He had no defensive wounds on his hands, so he did not fear his assailant, nor was he expecting the attack."
"And the weapon?"
"Small, bat-like in construction, but jeweled. We found these in his head wound."
A diamond and a ruby were in the small glass specimen jar the officer held up.
Nico jumped up.
"So it's related to the palace? This is a lot to take in."
"I completely understand. If you can get me the names of your students so we can compile more info and I will contact the King. We need access to the palace to investigate further. The weapon is probably something that was stolen from the Crown's own Jewels collection."
"I will have the names of my students to you first thing tomorrow."
Nico had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach that the names were not needed.
He sat in his vehicle and pulled out his wallet. He wanted to be wrong. He needed to be wrong.
He pulled out the bills in his wallet. He had a 50 and on the back of it was the King and Queen of Cordonia. Liam standing regally in the middle, Queen Riley holding the ceremonial Ruby Apple in her hand, and Elle posing with her bejeweled royal scepter….in her LEFT HAND.
Elle was also left handed like her mother and father.
Nico picked up his phone, hesitating a few moments before he sent the text. Sending the text meant he suspected Elle of this crime.
Nico: I know we haven't been on speaking terms in a while, but I really need a favor.
Alana: Must be huge because you're coming to me, but you know I got you. What do you need, my dear Nico KH?"
Nico: Luminol spray.
Alana: Whaaat? Going all CSI- Cordonia on the palace? Swing by later. I'll hook you up with what you need.
After picking up the spray he went back to the palace to further investigate.
Being a Centurion Guard allowed him access to all the palace keypads. Nico went to the Crown Jewelry room. It housed all the crown jewels of Cordonia and all the historic ceremonial pieces.
He found Elle's scepter with the ceremonial pieces. He took out his magnifying glass to investigate the jewels on the scepter for missing jewels. It did not take him long to find the empty sockets that at one time held the jewels the investigator had acquired from Nicolai's head wound. He was pretty sure he was holding the item that had been used in conjunction with the fall to end his son's life.
Nico took a deep breath, the last part was only for formality. He dimmed the lights in the room to spray the luminol on the scepter; It immediately lit up blue. Proof that there was still residual blood on the scepter.
Was anything she said to him even true? Eleanor Rys, his Elle, the woman he loved .....
had murdered his son....
Liam and Tomas
"King Liam, Just like with your father's rule we have always had friends of the Crown amongst the police. To let the crown know of potential threats….or if a member of the Crown is in a situation in which damage control needs to occur to protect the crown."
"Yes?"
"There is something you really need to see."
Liam looked over the reports the officer had sent over, including the size and shape of the jewels that were pulled from Nicolai's head wounds. He recognized the jewels immediately from Ellie's Royal scepter.
"This can't be."
"That's why I brought the information to you, and only to you, Your Majesty. This has the potential to be quite the scandal for the royal family."
Liam rubbed his forehead and took a deep breath. He had to confirm the jewels were from where he suspected before he would take the next steps.
Elle and Nico
"I have a surprise for you."
Elle's face brightened as she smiled.
"Really?"
"Will you come with me?"
Nico reached out his hand for her to take; Elle immediately took Nico's hand.
"Where are we going?"
"To a place where our lives are going to change forever." He could tell Elle was excited so he played along.
Nico led her through the passageways.
"The Crown Jewelry Room?"
"But don't you understand Elle?"
She shook her head no, and she still had a smile on her face.
"Let me explain, for you Elle, I became an accessory after the fact to the perfect crime. I corrected your mistakes, so that you would not be pointed to as a person of interest in the death of your professor and because of me, you're not."
Finally, her smile had faded.
"We were protecting each other, Nico. I protected you, and you protected me."
Nico laughed.
"You were protecting yourself Elle, because that's all that matters to you."
"That's not true. I think of you, I think of others."
She had been thinking her baby needed its father, they both needed him.
"Were you thinking of me when you killed my son?"
"What?"
"Don't fucking address me in that shocked voice like you have no clue what I’m talking about. There are traces of blood on your scepter, and the jewels from it in his head wound."
Elle backed away from Nico.
"Was this just a game to you? To see how much suffering you could inflict on another... on me? Did you do this to hurt me?"
"No……."
“I fell right in your trap, to be seduced and manipulated by you. I was lonely and hurt, and in pain, and you used that for your benefit. I should have trusted my initial instincts about you. That you were a snake in the grass and could not be trusted.”
“You don’t really mean that Nico.”
“Oh yes I do.”
Nico took steps towards her. Finally Elle's back hit the wall.
"Nico please… there’s something I need to tell you that you really need to know.”
He closed the distance between them staring deep into her eyes.
“My God you’re beautiful. Part of me can't even fathom that someone so aesthetically beautiful, can be capable of such heinous crimes. Even now, there's fire in me that craves to be quenched only by you.
You’re just like your mother. And I wondered how in the world King Liam couldn’t see it either. But I know exactly what you are now. You are a siren, Eleanor Rys. You know what Sirens do right? They’re gorgeous, dangerous creatures that lure men with their enchanting voices and feminine wiles to their demise. Your father can’t see your mother for who she really is, because she’s got him enchanted by her song. You lured my son to Rys Lake where you murdered him, and now you’ve captured me in your web to cover up another murder.”
“It wasn’t like that…”
“IT WAS EXACTLY LIKE THAT.” Nico screamed.
“Even now you’re protecting your lies, with those crocodile tears falling from your eyes. I’m not falling for it.”
He gently stroked her cheek.
“I am going to give you the opportunity, to come clean, before I expose you for what you are. Tell me the truth. Because I want to hear you say it. Did you take my son’s life?”
Elle remained silent.
Nico grabbed her, pushing her to the floor.
He settled on top of her staring down at her.
“Tell me the truth Eleanor. Tell me your truth Elle. Don’t you think I deserve that, since I loved you so unconditionally?”
He stroked her cheek gently again, his hands drifting lower until they rested on her neck, wrapping tightly around it.
She gasped in shock, her eyes met Nico's, seeing nothing but fury for her in them.
Nico tightened his grip around Ellie's neck.
She clawed at his hands trying to get him to release her from his grip. She was wounding him and he wasn't even flinching. She could barely breathe or speak.
"Nico, please….. don't kill me. You'll regret it."
"Did you kill Nicolai?" His eyes filled with tears as he looked down on her. Tears fell down his cheeks as his voice turned into a soft whisper full of disbelief and shock. "Elle tell me….did you kill my son?"
She looked in his eyes, he was begging for the truth and she wanted to be honest with him.
"Yes. I killed him.. I'm sorry… but I had to find out….."
Finally a sob escaped his lips for a moment when he looked away from her. When he glanced down at her again, rage fueled his glare.
"So what was all of this Elle? You and I? You seduced me to help you when you needed, and I fell right for it. I helped you cover up a murder, and now I'm finding out, it wasn’t the first one?!?! How could you do this to me, when all I ever wanted to do was love you?"
"No Nico it was more… we were more…. WE ARE MORE. I love… "
"LIAR! I don't believe you. I've seen how well you can lie before." Nico screamed and his grip on her neck became crushing as she continued to try to fight him, her face turning bright red.
"Any last words?"
Ellie nodded.
"Please let me live Nico."
"Why should I, when you didn't give my son that courtesy?"
"Because if you kill me now, you will kill your child."
"What?"
"I'm pregnant Nico, I just found out not long after Christmas. Your mother was the first to suspect, because I got sick while I was there on holiday. I didn't know how to tell you."
He let go of her.
"My mother… You jumped off a damn waterfall pregnant?!?!?"
"I did it for you!! I did it for us! We could still go Nico… We could start over. You love me. You made promises to me."
"You really think…you are sick. I was wrong about you. You are just like your real father. YOU ARE A MONSTER!!!!"
Those words she had thought about herself, hit her differently coming from him. They physically cut through her heart. Elle burst into tears.
"What the hell is going on in here?!?" King Liam walked into the room staring from Nico to Ellie. But deep down he knew. Nico was confronting Eleanor. Nico released his grip and both stood before the King.
"Tell him the truth or I will."
"This is the only truth you need Nico, is I really love you. We're going to have a baby together. Please let's just leave like we said we would."
"I want a paternity test."
"You were the only one I've ever…." She stopped talking when she saw the look on her father's face.
“I DON’T BELIEVE YOU!!!!” Nico screamed at her.
King Liam was staring between the two in shock.
"I trusted you with her!!!! You've been sleeping with my daughter?!?"
Nico laughed.
"ME FUCKING ELEANOR IS THE LEAST OF YOUR WORRIES, CAN'T YOU TELL, KING LIAM?"
Before Nico could even react, King Liam punched him in the face.
Liam hit him again and again, and began kicking him when he collapsed. Nico did not strike back, as he knew striking the King meant death. Nico could fight, but he was letting himself get beat to a bloody mess for her.
"Father stop! Now!!! Stop hurting him Please!!!! You're going to kill him!!!!"
Elle ran forward grabbing Liam from behind.
"Eleanor what the hell are you doing?"
She jumped onto his back, and wrapped her arm around Liam's neck in a choke hold.
"You will not hurt him anymore!" Elle screamed.
Nico watched from the floor in shock seeing the lack of emotion in Elle's eyes as her grip tightened around Liam's neck, and that she was trying to protect him.
Liam winced in pain, his voice remained calm as he spoke.
"Baby Love, please let go. You know I could throw you easily, but I don't want to hurt you or your unborn child. And I can tell how important they are to you."
"You have no idea." Her grip tightened on his throat.
"Yes I do, because I have four children that I witnessed being born into this world."
"You're wrong. You only have three."
"No. YOU’RE WRONG. I have four children. Don't make me do this Baby Love. I don't want to hurt either of you. Because you are my daughter and I love you. You are MINE!!!!! I have always loved you, regardless of your DNA."
Elle’s grip remained firm around his neck; she was not letting go of him.
Liam began to adjust his stance, he was preparing to throw her.
When her father spoke again, his voice was full of pain; he sounded on the verge of tears. He was pleading for her to stop.
“Please…..don’t make me do this to you Baby Love.”
Nico, who was barely conscious, sat up trying to talk her down.
"Elle….don't do this. Let go of your father."
"Baby Love please, I don't want to hurt you."
Elle let go of King Liam.
There were tears in his eyes as he rubbed his neck, looking at Eleanor.
“Why?” he asked.
“Why not?” Eleanor’s voice was cold.
“I can’t count on anyone. People make promises every day they don’t mean. And leave you alone to pick up the pieces.”
“Don’t make this about you. You know what you did Elle.”
Nico stood, and his gaze landed on Elle. "Tell him the truth about you, and what you've done."
Elle remained silent.
"TELL HIM!!!!"
"I killed Nicolai Karahalios, and Professor Anders."
"Why would you do that Ellie?"
"I hear voices telling me to do things. And Professor Anders was going to tell you about Nico and I and I had to protect us."
"You went on that trip with her, did you know what Eleanor did?"
Eleanor answered for Nico.
"No Father, he did not. Nico was not involved in any way. He did nothing wrong or illegal."
Liam stared at his daughter, he could not tell if what she was saying was the truth, or only the truth as she believed it, so he focused his attention on Nico. Then Liam could clearly see, Nico's eyes were riddled with guilt.
"Be that as it may Nico you’re fired. Effective immediately."
“I still want to press charges against Eleanor for my son’s murder.”
“She’s not well.”
“I. DON’T. CARE.”
“Yes you do Nico you love me."
“I told you Eleanor… I tried to warn you.”
“Shut up… SHUT UP!!! SHUT UP!!!!” Elle screamed.
She collapsed to the floor in front of them. They could tell that she wasn’t screaming at them. Eleanor was hallucinating.
"Eleanor…" Liam reached out his hand to her.
"DON'T TOUCH ME!" She screamed, recoiling from Liam, knocking his hand away. She curled up in a ball on the floor while she cried.
“Look at her, it's clear some psychotic break has happened. She needs help. She needs to be hospitalized tonight. It’s clear, she’s not in her right mind Nico. And you know, I believe if someone does something wrong, they should be held accountable for their crimes. My daughter is mentally ill. Look at her.”
“She killed my son.”
“And she needs medical treatment for her mental illness, not a prison. We need to get her to the SUV now.”
“Your Majesty…..”
“Is she right? Do you still love her?”
“She killed my son…” Nico repeated again.
“That’s not what I asked. If you ever loved my daughter, you will help me now.”
Nico walked over to Elle and crouched next to her, wincing in pain. King Liam had definitely broke a rib or two. He gently ran his fingers through Elle's hair. She responded and leaned into his touch.
"Elle, are you ready to go?"
"Nico? You're not mad at me anymore?"
"I'm sorry I yelled at you. You were right about everything. Are you ready to leave?”
“Right now? But I haven’t packed anything yet.”
Nico smiled. “It’s okay. We’ll have everything we need when we get there.”
“And we’ll start over. I knew we could do it.”
“Yes, we’ll start over Elle. Let me help you up.”
He pulled Elle up and she threw her arms around him hugging him.
“I knew it. I knew I could trust you. I’ll be better. I promise, I’ll try harder for you and the baby.”
“Don’t worry about that right now.”
“I’m so tired, Nico.” Elle leaned into him.
“I’ll carry you. You just rest. I’ll wake you when we get there.”
Nico picked up Elle and she rested her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes.
"Just rest Elle." He whispered softly to her.
Liam had made the arrangements, and they left for the psychiatric hospital. Liam wanted to be the one with Ellie. Ellie was his Baby Love, but she wanted nothing to do with him.
Nico sat in back holding Eleanor in his arms; Liam occasionally glanced in the rear view mirror. Nico looked like a truly tortured soul.
She was sleeping peacefully wrapped in his embrace. Tears filled his eyes as he stared down at her. He still felt love in heart for this woman who had committed an absolutely atrocious crime against his son. To add insult to injury, they were forever bound together by a child they had conceived. Nico had thrown doubt in her face when given the news of the pregnancy, questioning paternity. But deep down he knew. Elle was with child. His child. He gently brushed her curls from her face, her cheeks still wet with tears. Nico wiped her tears away.
There was no doubt Nico still loved her despite everything. One can't just turn off their feelings.
The vehicle slowed to a stop just inside the gates.
"We're here."
He gently shook Elle and she woke. He went to the other side to open the door. She smiled at him, but the moment she saw the medical staff surrounding the vehicle, she looked confused.
"What is this? Why aren't we at the airport Nico?"
"You need help Elle."
She pulled away from him.
"I told you…. he could never see you the same way he did after he found out what you did."
"NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! I'm not crazy!! I'm not!!! You lied to me Nico! How could you!!!! I promised I'd do better if we started over. You won't give me the chance? Why?? You know how I feel… You're the only one that truly knows me. How could you betray me this way?"
"Let's talk about betrayal… you….."
"Nico don't say it here please."
Nico stopped speaking, staring around seeing the small group of staff that had gathered around them, that also had a gurney.
He was still protecting her. Both him and her father.
"Nico… let's go please. I forgive you. I understand Father is making you do this, of course he would. You can stand up to him. He can't stand in our way. We can go. Please let’s go."
"No Elle, he's not making me do anything. You're not well. This is where you need to be."
"NO! YOU'RE LYING!! WHY ARE YOU LYING TO ME????”
“I’m not lying to you Elle. You’re not well. Here they can help you.”
"You stood up for me. It's supposed to be us. You PROMISED!!!!"
Elle reached in the folds of her dress pulling out a slim stiletto, a gift from Olivia.
She lunged at Nico, but it wasn’t an attack he could tell.
“YOU PROMISED ME……”
“MY GOD ELEANOR STOP!!!” Liam screamed.
Elle’s eyes widened, and she dropped the stiletto; the sound of it clinking as it hit the ground.
Her eyes met with Nico.
“Our House….” Elle whimpered.
Nico gasped remembering their conversation that night about the little house that Elle wanted to share with him in Greece. Tears filled his eyes as he caught her as she collapsed; the sedative that the nurse had given Elle in her arm while her back was turned, was very fast acting. Nico laid Elle onto the gurney; Immediately the nurses locked Elle’s arms and legs in restraints.
“Is that really necessary?” Liam asked.
“She’s clearly a danger to herself, and to others; it’s proper protocol. We will search her for other weapons as soon as we get her inside. We have some questions to ask you King Liam before you leave, will you come with us?”
“Yes. Nico, I need you to come with me, as there might be some questions only you can answer.”
Nico nodded, following behind King Liam into the psychiatric hospital.
A Deal With God
Series: The Rotten Apple 🍎 The Book: TRH and Beyond Pairings: Eleanor x Nico (Eleanor x M!OC) / Liam x Riley Word Count: 3508 Ratings and Warnings: 18+ / Profanity, sexual situation Song Inspiration: Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) by Kate Bush
Original Post 06/15/22 at 9:53PM EST
A/N: Thank you to the multiple people that have read snippets, and to @angelasscribbles who I have been talking to about this chapter who mentioned how I had handle the Nico situation and it’s brutal, and I really feel sorry for Elle with this. She’s strong though, but this is going to be one, that is really going to hurt.
“Don’t you realize Nico, had I not abdicated the throne, our child would have been next in line behind me for the crown? She could have been Queen someday. Do you know how important that makes her? She needs to be protected, because who she is makes her a target, because of who they think I am. I need to trust that she will be safe.”
“She will be safe with me!!!! But….I wasn’t thinking about it like that.”
“Maybe it’s time you start.”
Elle focused her attention staring out the window, while the KingsGuard circled the general area of their apartment, to lose the paparazzi before returning.
They arrived back at the apartment a few hours later.
“Your Majesty, we have a problem.”
“I’m well aware of the situation.”
Liam tapped the remote, turning off the television.
“Eleanor, WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!?!?
“I’m sorry Father. I messed up. I got angry with Nico because of a woman.”
“The press is making me out to be… my father, that I’m hiding you and your child like some dirty secret, a scandal. When I’m trying to protect you Eleanor from what you did. I’m trying to protect you, and you are NOT making it easy for me.”
“Father, I didn't mean to get so angry… I’m sorry.”
She felt him before she saw him and heard him speak. He finally had emerged again.
“Eleanor, is there one person you can’t disappoint?”
Elle shook her head.
“I messed up again. I’m really trying to hold it together, but I can’t.”
Liam’s phone began to ring.
“Riley, I can't talk right now. I will call you back shortly. Do not speak to anyone. I mean it.”
“It’s my fault, Your Majesty. Elle was right to get angry with me. I let a stranger near our daughter.”
Liam pulled Nico into the room, but Elle could still hear the conversation through the closed door.
"You understand that Eleanor is in a very delicate place right now. The two of you living here together, co-parenting, this situation has got to be confusing for her, given how she still feels about you. So I need to ask you, are you seeing that woman romantically?”
“No, I’m not. I can’t even think about being in a relationship with someone else, when I….”
“Nico, are you still in love with Eleanor?”
“How can I not have love for her when I look at the daughter she fought for so hard to bring into this world… for me, for her… for us? Do you know how difficult it is for me to look at her, knowing what she did, but and at the same time not being able to stop, because she’s so beautiful, grieving for my son, and now I am grieving the life and family I still want with the woman I love, that I can't have?”
Elle backed away from the door.
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
“He still loves me.”
Elle went into her room to lay down for a bit. She tried to stay calm but the tears kept coming; the tears wouldn't stop. Elle could not hold back the loud sobbing as tears wracked her body.
“God? I know I’m not a good person, and don’t have the right to ask you for anything, but, I’ll do anything you want or need me to do, if you let me stay in my daughter’s life. I promise I can be better. This is all I want. I’ve never asked you for anything, because I thought I had everything, but I didn't. I just want them both. I need them to need me… to want me. Please?”
Her father walked in after a few minutes resting a sympathetic warm hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry Father, I’m all messed up." She felt like a child again when Liam opened his arms, she immediately fell into his embrace as he gently stroked her hair, holding her tight.
"It's alright Baby Love. You're struggling and I know you're hurting. And I understand the jealousy, all too well. I am sorry I yelled at you."
"I'm sorry father. I'll help you fix it. Tell me what you need me to do. I’ll make a statement for the press in the Crown’s support."
He knew Ellie was too volatile to go on camera.
That would make matters much worse for the crown, because she was so out of control. Instead, he gently wiped her tears away.
"Thank you for the kind offer, but all I need you to do is take your medication, continue therapy, and take care of your daughter. I'll handle the rest. But for that…"
"You have to return to the palace?"
"I need to return to the palace and do a press conference about you, Nico, and Ana. Now that our world knows about Ana's existence, I have to run damage control to protect her, and you Ellie."
"So I will be here with Nico alone?"
"No. I'm leaving a security detail here with you and him, that Marcus will take the lead of. Leo will be staying with you while I'm gone."
"Did you tell him the truth about me?"
"I had to Ellie."
"And he's still coming to help?"
"Of course he is. Your Uncle Leo loves you Ellie. He'll be here in the morning. He's taking the red eye out of Vegas."
Ellie smiled. "Uncle Leo was in Vegas?"
Liam smiled back at her. "Yes, as they say, what happens in Vegas.”
“Sorry everyone has to drop everything to help me right now.”
“We’re family Ellie. Try to get some rest. I'll wake you up for dinner.”
When the time for dinner came around, Ellie didn’t feel like it, and refused when Liam called for her. Nico walked into the room a few minutes later, attempting to use a different approach.
“Elle, you need to eat. It’s time for dinner. You need to get up, and take your medication; you have to keep your energy up.”
Elle rolled back over pulling the covers higher. “I’m tired.”
Nico grumbled a stream of curse words in Greek, as he left the room. A few moments later he was back, dragging a table into the room. The obnoxious sound of the table legs scraping against the floor made Elle sit up in annoyance.
“Please, set dinner up here for us,” he said to the staff.
The staff complied and quickly dressed the table, and the chef started bringing in dishes.
“If you won’t come to dinner Elle, dinner will come to you.”
Once the table was set and the food was brought in, Liam walked into her room holding Ana and put her in the bassinet; Liam sat at the table.
“Are you going to join us?” Nico asked, and Elle did not answer.
“Elle, you need to keep your strength up. I know earlier, upset you, but that can’t be an excuse for you not to eat. If you don’t eat well, neither does Ana, and she needs you. We need you. So come eat with us? Your father has to leave in the morning, and I’m sure he would like to spend some time with you before he leaves.”
She rolled back over in bed to face Nico.
"Please come eat with us. If you won’t do it for us, do it for Ana." He whispered.
Elle sighed, and got up from bed, and walked over to the table. She first took the medication cup first from the nurse, downing the tablets in one quick swallow while drinking the miniature cup of water.
She didn’t want to admit how hungry she actually was until she started eating; she quickly cleared her plate, and opted for a second helping of the meal.
She noticed her father watching her. “What’s wrong?”
Liam wiped his mouth with his napkin. “I never realized how little you ate until I see you eating now.”
“I felt a lot of pressure to be a certain way, to look a certain way, Father. Now I don’t have that pressure anymore.”
"Dessert, Your Highness?"
"What do we have?"
"Coconut cake, your favorite."
"Thank you Father."
"You're welcome, but it wasn't my idea."
"It was yours?"
"Yes. It’s your favorite. I knew you had a rough day… because of me."
"It was a big misunderstanding." Liam commented, making an attempt to soften the blow.
"That now you have to fix."
"It's part of the job description." He winked at her.
She spent time later with her father that evening on the balcony. He took her hand and they sat in silence. Silences with her father were always soothing. He had a calming presence, when she rested her head on his shoulder, he wrapped his arms around her. Father was not perfect, but she knew, he loved her, and had always tried his best, to do right by her, even though she did not share his DNA.
Leo arrived the next morning tanned wearing a Hawaiian shirt and khaki pants and dark sunglasses. He acted like nothing was wrong, until he pulled her aside a little later in the day.
“Can I ask why Ellie?”
“Because I’m damaged goods.”
“We’re all damaged, it’s just all in how you cope with it. I chose alcohol and inappropriate liaisons with women. And I’m glad you are open to better coping strategies.”
“For her.”
“Damn right for her, she’s so damn cute.” Leo made a funny face at Ana blowing a raspberry on her tummy and they heard her very first giggle. Of course it was Uncle Leo that made her laugh out loud. He just had that affect on people.
Later that evening, they were about to eat dinner when they heard breaking news music blaring from the television. As they approached, the Cordonian crest illuminated the screen.
“It’s Father’s Press Conference.”
The King and Queen stood in their royal regalia, and immediately to the Queen’s right stood Adam.
“Good evening to the Cordonian People, I come before you as your King to address some rumors going around in reference to our daughter Eleanor.”
Immediately the press started to shout their questions at him, and Liam’s voice boomed in the microphone. “SILENCE!!!! I will only take questions at the end of my statement, should I desire to.”
He paused for a moment before he continued; the press quickly silenced waiting for him to speak.
“Media outlets have leaked video and photos of Eleanor in Portavira with a guard that is no longer employed by the crown. The rumors are in fact true. Eleanor gave birth to a healthy baby girl, a little over three months ago. Her reason for leaving the palace and abdicating the throne is simple; she felt she needed time to figure out her next steps privately, and how she wanted to navigate the changes that were coming to her life. Did we cover for her? Yes, we did. I apologize to the Cordonian people for being dishonest, but we felt compelled to focus on our family first, and our Ellie needed space. I know that any parent in the same predicament would move heaven and earth to give their child what they needed. That being said, for the future and stability of the Crown, this weekend, our son, Adam Leonardo Rys has stated to me his intentions, and will be taking the oath of the crown prince before God and country.
Adam, my son, would you like to say anything?”
Adam stepped up to the podium, confident, and with a smile.
“Greetings to the Cordonian People. I support my sister, wholeheartedly, and her wishes to live a more private life, and I hope that the Cordonian people and the press will respect her privacy. I am ready and willing to take this step, becoming next in line behind my father for the next King of Cordonia. I will not let the great people of Cordonia down.”
The Queen looked pleased as punch with the new developments.
“I now open the floor to take a few questions from the press.”
“Is the Princess getting married?”
“No, Eleanor is not, his affections for her, were not what she thought them to be, and the relationship is over.
The two are making attempts to remain amicable for the sake of their child. But Nico has moved on."
“So he took advantage of the princess?”
“Yes he did! He defiled our daughter! ”
Mother’s outburst surprised her father.
“We never thought we would have to protect our precious daughter from the people who were sworn to protect us. It's my fault, for not being more blunt with her when it comes to men's attention. My heart breaks that I didn't catch him leering at her, and could have saved her from the pain of being a single mother."
The Queen was laying it on thick with her big fake tears, and the media played into it, and she was eating up all the attention that had been deflected from Elle to her.
Elle rolled her eyes. “I’ve really heard enough of this garbage. They're making Nico to be some sort of predator and that I was too stupid and naive to know any better."
"It was the idea your father and I came up with to take the heat off you. I can handle the bad press, and people digging into my background. You can't afford to be under any scrutiny at all for your actions Elle. This is how we keep you safe."
For the next few weeks Nico laid low around the apartment. Eventually the paparazzi stopped lingering around in the area. During that time Elle really focused on Nico, helping him to get prepared to go back home. He became Ana’s primary caregiver instead of Elle, and Nico and Ana were really starting to bond as Father and daughter. Nico had picked Ana up from the bassinet without waking her. He was getting better at holding her, and keeping her calm. Not that he hadn't looked like a father when he held her before, but there seemed to finally be an ease in the way he held and comforted her; his body seemed relaxed.
"That's her hungry cry Nico." He quickly prepared the bottle with Elle's milk, coming back into the room, picking Ana up from the crib cradling her in his arms. Ana calmed considerably from his touch; Nico and Ana were bonding. She had even smiled at him several times over the last three and a half months.
"I know baby… I know.. I have your late night snack for you." Elle kept her distance, Nico had to do it on his own, without her help. Because she wouldn't be there to help him when he would be alone in Greece. As much as she wanted to stay in that place forever, Elle knew she needed help; if she had any chance of something remotely resembling a normal life later, she had to go back to the hospital. She had…. to give them up. She tried not to cry as she stared at Nico. She knew it was going to finally happen this time, and it did.
Nico let a tiny bit of milk dribble onto Ana's lips, to which Ana opened her mouth. When Nico put the bottle to her mouth, her lips closed around the nipple of the bottle, and Ana began to eat.
Nico's glance shot up to Elle, who tried her best to smile in the moment, even adding a little happy dance. When Nico's eyes drifted back to Ana, he had an enamored look in his eyes, and a smile on his lips. Elle slowly stopped celebrating, because reality had set in, it had finally happened; Ana was taking a bottle from Nico, which meant Elle's reason for being with them was nonexistent. Nico could take Ana back to Greece, and resume their life…. without her.
Ana finished the whole bottle, her head resting on his shoulder as he gently patted her back to get her to burp, quickly falling asleep afterwards. Nico used what Liam had taught him, he got her into the crib without waking her.
Nico and Elle quietly celebrated.
"You did it!!!"
"I can't believe it."
"I can, I knew you could do this. Because I can't right now. She needs you Nico."
"I need you Elle."
She closed her eyes as he leaned into her, gently caressing her face.
It had to be a dream. Elle felt fire and electricity when Nico’s lips met hers, that made her whole body ablaze. His kiss deepened, when she responded to it. Elle slipped her arms around his neck twirling her fingers around his hair. He pulled her closer to him as he lifted her off the floor, Elle wrapped her legs around his waist. Nico groaned her name as he carried her over to the bed, laying her down on the pillows. Elle squeezed her eyes shut.
He immediately stopped, looking at her.
“Elle?”
She slowly opened one eye, then the other.
"I thought I was dreaming."
“I’m here right now. We don’t have to do this Elle, if you don’t want to.”
“I want to.”
He passionately kissed her again.
Nico quickly removed her clothes, staring down at her body. He looked at her the way she remembered.
"I want you, now Nicolas."
The last time they had been together was before he knew the truth about her. He was choosing to be with her at that moment in spite of that.
"Don't wake the baby." Nico softly moaned when he entered her for the first time in over a year.
The next morning Elle woke up rolling over, expecting Nico to be there, but he wasn’t. The spot where he had been was cold to the touch. She glanced around the room, something felt off. Slipping on her gown she walked out into the living room space finding suitcases, and a cooler. She opened the cooler discovering the scores of bags of frozen milk she had been pumping for Ana.
“I can be ready to leave in about five more minutes, Marcus.”
“You’re leaving?” Elle inquired.
“Nico! You told me she knew!!!!” Leo’s face started turning red. "I thought you knew Ellie." Immediately Leo felt guilty for not pursuing it further.
“You’re really leaving after last night?”
“Elle….”
“What happened last night?”
Leo looked from Nico to Ellie.
“Nico you didn’t…. God….Tell me you didn’t.” Leo shook his head in disbelief.
“Last night shouldn't have happened, Elle. We both got swept away in the emotions. It was a mistake.”
“A mistake you apparently enjoyed making twice!!! You really weren’t going to let me say goodbye to her? And you called ME a Monster? How could you?!?!?! Uncle Leo, where's my baby?”
Leo quickly brought over Ana to her.
"Nico what the hell!?!?" Leo screamed at him. "What did I tell you when I got here???? Keep it in your pants!!!! I knew I saw sparks between you two! I KNEW IT!!!"
Elle ignored Leo and Nico yelling at each other, and focused on Ana, hugging her close. “Just because I’m not going to be around, doesn’t mean I don’t care about you. I love you Ana. Please don’t forget me. Mommy loves you so much that I'm letting you go.”
Elle peppered her forehead and cheeks with kisses, to which Ana smiled at her. In that heartbreaking moment Elle smiled back at her.
"I'll never ever forget you." Elle smelled Ana’s hair breathing in her scent for the last time.
She handed Ana back to Leo, wiping the tears from her eyes. Now that her arms were empty, she didn’t know what to do with them. She tried to let them rest at her sides but even that felt awkward to her.
"Elle?"
Elle turned to walk up to Nico face to face. She took a deep breath, releasing all the anger she had in her mind and heart for him and she slapped him, as hard as she physically could.
“You are no better than the man my parents portrayed you to be in the press conference that you came up with to so call ‘protect me.’ When you look back on this, remember who the true monster was, because in this situation, it wasn’t me.”
Nico held his cheek, saying nothing; his eyes filled with guilt.
"I'm gonna go lay back down for a bit Uncle Leo."
"Alright, Ellie, breakfast will be ready soon."
Elle went into the room, instead of laying down, she packed her bags. Why did she even try praying? No one heard her or was willing to give her a chance, but fooled her into thinking that maybe just maybe she could have what she wanted.
When she was done she sat on the bed and waited for Leo to come in.
“Hey kiddo.”
He sat next to her on the bed.
“Ellie I’m sorry, for what he did. You deserve better than how things transpired.”
“Do I?”
“Yes, you do. Let’s have some breakfast, you and me, we’ll have pancakes.”
“If it’s all the same to you Uncle Leo, can you just take me back to the hospital please? I don’t want to be here anymore. I can’t be here anymore.”
“Let’s just have breakfast Kiddo. You’ll feel better after you get some breakfast.”
“No, I won’t. Everything here reminds me of her!!!! HER CRIB IS STILL HERE, BUT SHE’S GONE. HE TOOK HER!!!!!! MY BABY!!!! PLEASE!!!!”
Leo nodded.
“Okay, I’ll take you back.”
This time when the black SUV pulled through the gates, and Elle got out of the vehicle, she didn’t fight, she simply walked to the awaiting staff member with the wheelchair, she sat, and let them chauffeur her inside.