The Wilson estate glistened under the afternoon sun, serenity lacing the trimmed hedges and bubbling fountains. Birds chirped softly from their perches, but inside, the air was electric with excitement. Aurora was in the nursery, gently brushing Arlie's soft curls when Richard knocked lightly and stepped in.
"Madam," he said with a polite smile, "your guests have arrived." Aurora's face lit up. "They're here?"
She quickly scooped Arlie into her arms and made her way downstairs, where Mark was already waiting by the door. The sleek black limousine had just pulled up. The door opened and out stepped Alicia, radiant in a pale blue silk gown, her posture elegant, commanding, yet softened by the bright joy in her eyes. Leo followed behind, dressed casually, holding the hand of a little boy with soft brown curls and intense eyes Martin.
"Aurora!" Alicia called out, rushing forward.
Aurora handed Arlie to Mark and embraced her friend tightly. "You look like a goddess, Alicia."
Alicia laughed. "Don't flatter me. You just gave birth and you're glowing." Mark shook Leo's hand, then crouched to greet the boy beside him. "Martin my boy, he blurted shaffling his hair.
Martin blinked up at him, then offered a tiny nod. "Are you the one who caught all the bad guys for my Aunt Aurora?" Mark chuckled. "Some of them, yeah." Then you're cool," Martin declared with all the authority of a prince-in-training.
Leo clapped his son's back. "He's taking his future role very seriously." Aurora raised an eyebrow. "Future role?" Alicia hesitated, glancing at Leo, then nodded. "I guess this is as good a time as any." She took a deep breath. "I recently found out… I'm the heir to the throne of Spain."
Aurora blinked, stunned. "Wait—what?"
Mark looked up from adjusting Arlie's tiny hat. "You mean like actual… royalty?" Yes." Alicia smiled, though there was still disbelief in her voice. "My birth mother was Princess and my Dad he's the King of Spain. I only found out the truth after I gave birth to Martin. But I've stepped back I'm not accepting the crown."
"But Martin…" Aurora whispered, connecting the dots. Martin will be King someday," Leo said proudly. "Our son is the future monarch of Spain." Aurora's mouth fell open. "You were carrying a prince all along and didn't know?"
Alicia laughed. "Life's funny that way."
Before the conversation could continue, Aurora's phone buzzed. It was a video call from Kim. Hi, Mom," Aurora answered, putting her on speaker.
"Aurora, I just heard from Gianna that Alicia is at your place!" She is. Just arrived." Perfect," Kim said excitedly. "Listen, you've rested enough. It's time we plan something beautiful for baby Arlie. A naming ceremony. Not just a small gathering. I want everyone there."
Aurora chuckled. "Are you trying to throw a royal party for a newborn?" She is William Riverson's granddaughter and Kim Riverson legacy," Kim replied. "And now she's cousin to the future King of Spain. That baby deserves a ceremony like no other." Alicia leaned into the phone. "I second that."
Mark glanced at Aurora, smiling. "What do you say, babe? Ready to throw Arlie her first official event?" Aurora looked down at her daughter, peacefully sleeping in her arms. "Let's do it." Leo grinned. "Just give us the date and location. We'll fly the whole royal protocol team in if we need to."
Alicia raised her brows. "Maybe don't scare the guests, Leo." They all laughed. Martin stood by the bassinet where Arlie now lay, watching her with fascination. "She's really small. Can I protect her when I grow up too?"
Aurora knelt beside him. "She'll need a friend like you." He beamed. "I'll protect her like my knights protect me in my dreams." Alicia wiped a tear from her eye. "He takes this king thing very seriously."
As the sun began to dip behind the trees, casting golden light across the living room, the friends sat together two powerful couples with their children, unaware that the bonds they'd just strengthened would change the future.
And so, as Arlie stirred in her bassinet and Martin gently placed a stuffed lion beside her, the plans for a legendary naming ceremony began.