Our day started out with Austin wailing. I guess I didn’t hear him crying so he decided to wail to get my attention. I was sleeping so soundly last night that I didn’t really hear anything, sorry Austin. Anthony picked him up to soothe him while I woke myself up enough to feed him.
Upon taking care of Austin, we got ourselves ready for the day. We met everyone downstairs for breakfast. I just knew someone would have a comment or two about Austin’s wail this morning and I was right.
“Good morning Mellie. What was all the commotion with Austin this morning? Were you ignoring him or something? Hmm?” inquired Danny with a chuckle.
“Shut up Danny. No, I was not ignoring my son this morning. I was sleeping so soundly; I didn’t hear him. I apologized to him and he has forgiven me. Haven’t you Austin, Yes you have,” I exclaimed in a sing-song voice to which everyone just chuckled at my playfulness.
“Of course he forgave you, you fed him and took care of him like he wanted you to do. Babies are such pushovers,” teased Danny.
“And so are mates who don’t want to feel the wrath of their mates when they mess up. I suggest you change your tune before you find yourself sitting by yourself today for your meals and sleeping alone tonight,” chimed in Rebecca for good measure.
“Sorry, my love. I was just teasing Melanie. I wasn’t being serious … I love you, baby,” Danny exclaimed as he was now back peddling trying to soothe Rebecca.
“Wow, see how easy it was to prove my point,” Rebecca giggled as she saw Danny’s flustered look on his face.
Everyone at the table laughed at Danny’s expense. He didn’t think it was funny, but she proved her point very easily. She put him out of his misery and brought him in for a kiss and a hug.
“This is what I have missed, the banter and laughter at the table,” sighed Uncle Vladimir. “I have missed hearing you all interact as a family and just being yourselves.”
Without hesitation, I got up and went over to hug and kiss Uncle Vladimir. I love him and Aunt Freya very much. I was sad that they were never blessed with pups of their own but maybe that’s why we were so close to them all these years. I love them both just as much as I do my own parents.
“After breakfast, we shall leave for the castle. The King is expecting us at 9 AM for a meeting. Any questions?” asked Uncle Vladimir to everyone at the table.
“Is everyone going to the castle today?” I asked just to make sure that Anthony was still going with us.
“Yes, everyone is still going today. Make sure you have everything you need for our newest Duke’s. We can’t have them going without, now can we?” chuckled Uncle Vladimir.
“No, of course, we can’t,” replied Danny with a chuckle of his own.
We all chuckled at that. We knew we would need to make sure we had enough supplies to make it through the day for our babies.
“We will meet in the foyer in twenty minutes. Is that enough time to ensure you have everything you need for the babies?” questioned Uncle Vladimir.
“Yes sir, it is,” I answered him since I already knew we had everything ready to go. But I would just double-check everything anyway and would probably add another outfit or two to the diaper bag just in case.
“Yes sir, we will be ready as well,” declared Danny with a smirk on his face. I already knew he was ready as well.
We all met in the foyer to leave for the castle. The attire for the day was business casual. We had our babies dressed in cute outfits since they were going to the castle to see the Alpha King and Queen. They were being officially presented to the King and Queen along with the Council today to be recognized as the newest Dukes in our family. They needed to dress the part-right?
We all arrived at the castle twenty minutes before the required time so that we could get situated. Sophia and Mason met us inside the main foyer. Sophia has baby fever-she couldn’t wait to hold Hunter and Austin again. They showed us where we needed to go after Sophia got to hold and kiss each baby, of course.
We went inside the meeting room. It had a head table facing four rows of slanted tables separated by an aisle. Just how many people are going to be in this meeting? I couldn’t help but wonder to myself. At each setting was a mini-pad and a pen for notes. Also, each setting was reserved for each individual, you had assigned seating.
The room was filling up quickly with the required participants. Beta Yared called everyone’s attention and we bowed when Alpha King Friedrich and Queen Philipa entered the room followed by Princess Sophia, Prince Mason, and Princess Ophelia. After they entered, King Friedrich nodded so we could right ourselves and stand up straight again.
“Thank you everyone for attending today’s briefing. We have several things to cover. Please take your seats at this time,” announced King Friedrich.
“Before we begin with the heavy topics, we will begin with the acknowledgment of our two newest Duke’s. Duke Vladimir, please present them to the King and Queen at this time,” commanded Beta Yared.
“As you wish,” replied Duke Vladimir. He motioned for us to stand up and bring our babies forward. We all stood and brought our babies forward to where Uncle Vladimir stood.
“Alpha King Friedrich and Queen Philipa, It is with great pleasure that I present to you Duke Hunter Troy Miller. Son of Duke Daniel Dawson Miller and Dutchess Rebecca Antoinette Addison. Also, the youngest and newest Duke, Duke Austin Henry Harrison II. Son of Dutchess Melanie Marie Miller and Duke Anthony Henry Harrison,” announced Uncle Vladimir with a bow toward Uncle Friedrich and Aunt Philipa.
“It is with great pleasure that I formally welcome them into the European Royal Family as Duke Heirs. Let it be on the record, that they have been formally so recognized by myself, the Queen, and the Council,” commanded King Friedrich to all in attendance.
“We do so recognize them as Duke Heirs,” everyone chorused together in unison.
We all had proud expressions on our faces. After that reply, Hunter made his own announcement by calling for his ‘Da, da.’ Gasps and happy expressions were heard throughout the room.
“Now that they have been recognized, they now need to be excused so we can discuss the other topics. Princess Ophelia has graciously volunteered to babysit until we begin practicing for the coronation. We need to discuss-Michael Halstead and Doyle Kessler next. Those are topics that children should not be present for,” declared King Friedrich.
“As you wish,” we replied.
I made sure I gave Princess Ophelia the extra bottle of milk I had for Austin and his diaper bag since Anthony needed to be with me for this meeting. I gave Austin a kiss on his cheek before I placed him in his stroller. Ophelia told me she would take good care of him. I knew she would but as a new mother, I am still nervous about him being out of my sight.