On Saturday at 1:58 in the afternoon, Geoffrey and Serena were already standing at their house's porch waiting for Serena's parents to arrive. Meanwhile, half of their employs were also lining the pathway from the driveway to their house.
Serena took a glance at Geoffrey who was standing beside her. Her cheeks suddenly felt painful because of her, pursing her lips, trying to stop the grin that wanted to bloom on her face. She knew that Geoffrey was going against tradition by doing this for her. He should not do this as he was the crown prince and her parents were subjects of their kingdom, but he insisted.
Geoffrey could feel Serena's eyes on him. "Why are you staring?" he asked. After their lovemaking in the drawing room yesterday, Serena has gone busy with talking about her parents' visit. He saw how excited she was and how much she looked forward to them coming over. So much so that she was getting so worked up for something as simple as the teacup to use when it's just her parents.
From there, he understood just how much she loved them. To be honest, for a brief moment, he felt jealous. Irrational as it was, he felt that she would rather be with them than with him. However, as the night went on, his jealousy wore off with the realization that she was actually also doing this for him. She wanted to show them how good she was being treated in the home he provided her. His heart brimmed with so much warmth after that.
Thus, he became more involved with the preparations, and even suggested they welcome them this way upon arrival.
Serena shook her head as she reached for his hand. She held it and intertwined their fingers. "I just feel this very unbelievable… that you're standing here waiting for my family with me."
Geoffrey looked at Serena who was now staring at the ground. She was acting shy, but he could tell that she was quite happy. Honestly, welcoming her parents like this was nothing much. She doesn't know it, but save for letting her go, he could do anything for her. But then, even if she knew, he knew she would not ask for much. He could not stop the tugging on his lips. He smiled. Then, he leaned forward so he can whisper on her ear. "If you're happy about it, you could show me your appreciation later."
Serena's ears suddenly turned red, partly because she was feeling embarrassed for although she's a pervert her husband was a bigger pervert, but mostly because the innuendo made her feel like pulling him inside the house so they can engage in that already!
Geoffrey chuckled, knowing what was running in her silly mind.
Serena turned to look at him wanting to mock scold him, but then seeing him happy, that thought evaporated from her mind. Instead, she just stared at him and smiled.
—
When the 3 cars from the Maxwell family arrived at the gates of the Kensington house, it was already 2:10 pm. The first car was where the ducal couple were in. The second was Leonard's. The third, were with servants bearing the gifts they brought.
Anyhow, inside the carriage of the ducal couple, the atmosphere was not very pleasant.
"I can't believe that we are arriving late on our first visit to our daughter's new home." Celine complained as she sat in their car.
Simoun winced. His tummy did not feel that well earlier so… "It's just a few minutes. Besides, it's not like they're waiting for us in a grand manner eagerly anticipating our arrival. Our daughter is the crown princess now, and her husband the crown prince. It's not like other normal family who will wait on us. We would just be taken to the waiting room before some servant would call Serena to meet us." Her recounted what they should expect upon their arrival.
"Still! They're expecting us at 2 pm! It's 2:10 now. Serena must have already told that to her husband, and now we would look like self-important in-laws!" Celine really wanted to throttle her husband.
Simoun shook his head. "Ok, stop that we're already at the gates. Look, it's about to open." Simoun said hoping that his wife's nagging would just stop. She's been going at it since they left their house.
Celine stopped with indignation as she tried to calm herself so she can show a happy face later.
However, as their car entered the gates, she saw servants lined up to welcome them. She glared at Simoun. Now even the servants knew, and they might report to the king or queen if there were spies.
Then, when their car finally stopped, through the window, she saw Serena AND Geoffrey waiting for them at the porch of their house. She elbowed Simoun. But her lips tilted up and her heart felt warm.
—
Seeing her parents' car enter the gates, Serena breathed a sigh of relief. She was both worried and embarrassed while waiting. Worried for her family usually arrive on time, embarrassed because Geoffrey was still the crown prince. Anyhow, all those were forgotten as she caught sight of her parents inside the car through the window.
Thinking that it's more proper for her as a daughter to welcome them as they step foot on the grounds of her new home, rather than wait for them to walk the pathway towards her, she pulled Geoffrey with her to welcome them.
Understanding her thoughts, Geoffrey let Serena pull him along. Though he did make her slow her pace.
Anyway, the butler, Fergus, opened the car's door for the ducal couple. And as they planted their feet on the ground, the royal couple just arrived in front of them.
Simoun was about to bow while Celine was about to curtsy towards Geoffrey, but Geoffrey stopped them and said, "Father, mother, welcome to Kensington house."
The ducal couple were of course happy to hear his words. In the past, he did call them uncle and auntie, once or twice but only when it's him visiting their ducal home. Anyhow, that was not what was important. For the crown prince to welcome them this way, it's not a matter of him giving them importance because they were a ducal couple but because he was giving face to their daughter. Even more fantastic was that he did not even show a bit of a put-off attitude with their tardiness.
After her parents greeting Geoffrey, Serena quickly hugged her mother, then her father in turns. "Mother, father, I missed you both!"
"I missed you too, my dear." Celine replied as she let go. She could not even pretend to scold her daughter in front of Geoffrey with her lack of etiquette. Anyway, what for? She could see by the way he looked at Serena that he was head over heels for her. She could only hope that it would last for a lifetime. She knew quite well the reality of married life. She was lucky but many people in their circle were not.
She shook her head. What was with her becoming a pessimist? Serena was beautiful, kind, and excellent in every single way. In which world would a man not love her daughter?
Anyhow, after hugging her father, Serena saw Leonard who was walking towards them. She smiled at him, as he smiled back at her.
—
TBC
