The King and I (closed)

[TertiusHuman]

"Come on, it was a late night."

Of course her reaching down to pat Max did make him roll on to his back and swing his feet over the edge of the bed. He yawned and getting to his feet, he stretched out, relieving his slightly cramped muscles.

Mumbling to himself, he got the suit from the closet, snagged the tie and white shirt, then headed to the bathroom, "Remind me of this charity again, I must have missed it."

Of course he didn't, he even had his speech prepared and ready in the dossier in his study.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Inner city kids. You know that." Charlie said as he moved into the bathroom to change.

She moved in after him, watching as he buttoned his shirt in the mirror. When he was finished, she moved even closer and leaned in to press her lips against his own. It was a brief kiss, but one that she felt like she needed to give him. He was the love of her life and even if she had a job to do that morning, she was still thinking about him.

"Does that make everything better?" She asked him with a soft smile. "You only get one this morning. Then I start getting mean and get your guard to drag you out."

 

[TertiusHuman]

Now the kiss showed him that his Charlie was back in control, he gave her a roguish grin, "Another kiss might have brought the guard running anyway." He gave her a playful wink and then continued to groom himself until he felt better. He gave his image a long look and then reached up to run a finger over the darkened skin under his eyes.

"Will have to get some make-up done. Can't seem tired in front of the people."

He turned to her and gave her another smile, "Let's go then slave driver. Busy day and all that."

He paused in his room to scratch and rub Max, the big dog grunting in pleasure as his tail went mad and beat a tattoo on the floor. With a delighted grin, Dave straightened up and walked out of his room, ready for breakfast at least.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You're not perfect, Dave. Let them see that you're tired. They will know that you have had sleepless nights worrying about this country." Charlie said as they walked out of the room shortly after Max was given a good morning scratch.

After a quick breakfast for the both of them, they found themselves in the middle of a convoy on the way to the gym where they would meet with the school children. It was a rare day where the sun was peeking through the clouds, fighting away the gloom of all the snowfall. Charlie stared out the window as Dave looked over his speech.

"You know, these kids today might appreciate playing some games with you. Not that you need a good photo op, but it would be a good time." Charlie suggested, glancing over towards him with a slight smile.

 

[TertiusHuman]

He looked up from his papers and looked up at Charlie, he contemplated the idea and slowly nodded, "Yes I think that could work. Since the day is turning out to be a fair weather one."

He grinned slightly, "As long as you don't tell mom that I got mud on my suit pants we will be fine."

He chuckled and placed the papers away into the folder, "I only remembered that day now. You recall that time that I went into town and you came looking for me? Finding me playing football with the other kids, mud and grass stains all over."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I think we can convince her it was for the greater good. After all, you are the king." Charlotte said with a grin as she reached over and took his hand, squeezing it gently as he talked about slipping away from the palace to play with local children when he was younger. "Besides, she'll be happy that you weren't dour and serious for a while."

 

[TertiusHuman]

He gratefully accepted her hand and held it firmly. It was a reassuring touch, even if he was unaware that he needed it. He scoffed playfully at her, "Its children. How can even you be serious and dour around children?"

He winked at her and leaned into the soft leather of the seat, "In any case, I think it would do all of us the world of good to participate in some games."

He grinned at her, "Unless you are serious and dour and need to look after a schedule or crown prince."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I don't really believe that I am the one that you need to worry about." Charlie said with a grin towards Dave. "I know how to have fun. You are the one that seems to have a problem with it."

She had that silly grin on her face as the convoy pulled in front of the gym, a group of reporters with cameras already there and ready to snap a few photos. "Just smile. Smile and wave."

 

[TertiusHuman]

He only realized then what she had done, kept him from leaping from the car and allowing the security detail to do their thing. Sneaky. He gave her hand a soft squeeze and climbed out when the door opened, at least the smile was not made up. It didn't need to be and as he smiled, he waved at the people cheering him. He waited for Charlie to exit and then walked towards the waiting greeting party. A young boy came hesitantly forward, he was holding a white rose, practically the national flower.

Dave gave the boy grin and bent low, "Now give that to the pretty lady and see how she blush." He gave the boy a wink and expertly guided him towards Charlie. He gave her that grin and if he could seem anymore smug, there would be little devils dancing around his head.

"The young gentleman has something for you."

 

[heartofcourage]

Charlie stepped out of the car as her door was opened, ready to blend into the background until she was needed. Dave seemed to be in his element, mingling with the people as a young boy offered him a white rose. He then told the child to offer it to her and she gave him a look, shaking her head as the boy turned with the flower in his hands.

"Thank you." She said as she took it from him with a smile. "It is a very lovely rose. I shall keep it with me for the rest of the day."

 

[TertiusHuman]

Dave gave the boy a grin and held out a fist for a fist bump, the response was met with chuckles from the delegation. "How about you stick with me? I will need a guide."

Without hesitation, Dave found his left hand prisoner and himself being guided to the waiting group of officials. He was used to mingled reactions, but luckily none of the faces seemed negative. Surprise, adoration, amusement, those were the looks he met and it was looks he liked.

After the formal, now semi-formal, greeting, they went inside. They gave him a short tour and soon enough he found himself on a podium, his young guide given a chair to stay close. The child didn't say much, but Dave could see that this meant a lot to him and it was something he gladly allowed.

His speach was well-received and he was tempted into allowing questions, at first the questions centred around the function, buit when the first question came about the shooting incident, Dave knew that there waited questions that would bring out his protective side. He stopped the questioning session.

"Now I have heard something about a meal, I agree, it is way passed my lunch time."

 

[heartofcourage]

Charlie had to admire the way that Dave could adapt to any situation. He was always sincere about how he enjoyed being in situations like the one that they were in. The boy would never forget that moment and the public would see that their future king had a good heart. His speech also went without a hitch and she breathed a sigh of relief that he had followed the script and not gone off on his own like he was want to do.

"Lunch is being served in the cafeteria." Charlie said as they all moved towards the door. "Grilled cheese. I know how you like it so much."

Dave would have eaten anything that was given to him with a smile, but she was only teasing. The cooks at the facility had gone all out to show their future king just what they could do. The spread was impressive and it was clear that the children were in awe as well.

 

[TertiusHuman]

They found themselves seated at a table, Dave of course in the spot of honor, Charlie to his right and his small guide on a chair to his left, a spot which had to be prepared in a hurry. After a preacher asked for the blessing, Dave leaned back and watched the other people as they started to help themselves. He nodded at the young boy, "Chris, why don't you go fetch us some of that grilled cheese?"

No further prompting was needed as Dave's newest zealot headed off towards the tables with a plate. He gave Charlie a grin, "Don't worry I will share with the lady."

He motioned towards Chris, "Seems in any case like he is gathering enough grilled cheese to last us several days."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Good thing I like grilled cheese." Charlie said with a grin as she glanced towards Dave. "It's going really well. I'm glad that we booked this and I'm glad that everyone seems to be having a good time."

She glanced towards the boy as he gathered enough food to feed an army and came back to present it to his future king. It was adorable, she thought to herself as Dave divided up the food among the three of them, cameras clicking the entire time.

"I see that you're a fan of the grilled cheese and macaroni." Charlie said to Chris, watching as the young boy nodded enthusiastically. "We'll have to save some room for dessert too while we're at it."

 

[TertiusHuman]

Dave grinned as Charlie engaged Chris in conversation, it already created a good atmosphere and it worked for him. There was just no guile in the boy and that was most likely why he had been chosen to welcome Dave and his retinue.

The meal went without a hitch and the delicacies afterwards went down just as well. Luckily somebody had known that Dave would want some coffee and that was provided with the desert as well. All in all it was a good meal and Dave's table had quite the entertainment once Chris overcame his awe of the dignitaries surrounding him.

He was quite an animated story teller and seemed to have a wealth of funny tales and jokes to tell. After the meal was done and they were led to the playground to sit and watch the children play and enjoy the new equipment which had been donated. Unfortunately there was a football and it didn't take much for Dave to slip out of his jacket and tie and join them in chasing around after the round ball.

 

[heartofcourage]

If Charlie hadn't already been in love with Dave, she would have fallen for him the instant that he handed her his coat and joined the children as they played. He didn't have to do that, but it was in his mind that he was going to let loose and play. It endeared him not only to her but to the people who were watching the scene unfold.

 

[TertiusHuman]

As was the usual result from snow, sleet and rain, the grass was wet and slippery. Everybody playing around ended up on the ground more than often. It was a slightly soggy and muddy Donovan who posed for a group photo with the children and even stood for photos asked for by children.

In a very formal (for children) moment, the ball was presented to Dave as the "Match ball". He good-naturedly took it and said a very solemn thank you for the honor. The visit had come to a close and Dave thought that it haven't gone down too badly.

He walked over to where Charlie and the others stood waiting, a silly little smile on his face, "Look ma, I got the match ball." He glanced at the jacket and coat, "I am not going to put that on though. Just hope there's something to protect the seat covers, I am slightly filthy."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Good thing you own the place. No one can get mad about a little dirt and mud on a car seat that way." Charlie said, folding his jacket over her arm as he informed her that he wasn't going to put it back on. "And I might be convinced to not tell your mother that you got all dirty."

 

[TertiusHuman]

He chuckled and wiped a wet strand of hair out of his face, "And what might it take to convince you to not tattle on me?" Luckily their friendly banter was lost among the conversations of the other dignitaries as they all started to disperse and the security detail started to close in on them again.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You're a smart man, your majesty. I'm sure that you can come up with something suitable." Charlie said as she gave him a smile.

She knew that she was lucky that she had enjoyed such a long friendship with Dave. If she hadn't, they might have been under the scrutiny of the people around them. Instead, it was just two friends conversing. Their romance was still hidden from the rest of the world, just the way that Charlie wanted it.

 

[TertiusHuman]

He chuckled at her, "Well that does make it quite a challenge, since you do know me so well and I can hardly make a move without you knowing about it."

He looked around them, then went on, "How about that dance that you have been wanting to host for so long? What if I finally agree to that?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"Make it a ball and we might have a deal." Charlotte said with a grin on her face. "I want the chance to wear a fancy dress and see the gobsmacked expression on your face when I walk into the room. I think it would be cute."

 

[TertiusHuman]

He chuckled, "And you also want me to walk around with a sword stuck in my side."

He sucked on his lower lip for a moment and then nodded, "Done, you have a deal. When you can find an opening for the event, it shall be held. Would you mind terribly if we held it in the twins' honor? They would love to get out a bit."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You mean, it can't be in my honor?" Charlie teased, chuckling as he seemed to struggle between giving her what she wanted and giving the twins a moment in the sun. "Of course it can be. Now you can forget all about it and leave the planning to me. All you have to do is be there, in your uniform, looking handsome so all of the ladies can drool over what they can't have."

 

[TertiusHuman]

He gave her a chuckle and smeared a bit of the mud on her cheek, "Don't be...cheeky." He gave her a grin and joined the group as they said their farewells and thanks. A few moments later they were back in the car, a travel blanket under Dave's damp clothing and traveling back towards the palace.

"So what is next after a warm shower and something hot to drink?"