Chapter 55
fifty-five
PARKER
“None of you would last a minute in Lundhavn!”
Rick called to the lot of us. I tried not to laugh. The comical combination of his judgemental expression and the baby strapped to his back—chubby and asleep in a snowsuit—was too much. He was so severe at times about things. This time, it was hiking.
In Britain, people anticipated a Christmas walk. They emerged from the house for fresh air, but the Lundhavian idea of a New Year’s walk was hardcore. We’d put Rick off for days but on the epiphany, he insisted we must hike. The sun shone even if the morning was slightly chilly. Astrid kept up with Rick—speed-walking. Alexandra struggled, looking as though she was contemplating divorce. I kept up with Ingrid and Odette but was about to drop back.
“Hey, Mr Von Trapp,” Ingrid snapped. “Slow the fuck down!”
“Ingrid, please,” Alexandra groaned.
Ingrid and Astrid were both hell-raisers, but it was the youngest Deschamps who had impeccable comedic timing. Alexandra said raising her was complicated because everyone laughed at Ingrid’s naughty outbursts, and she always put Celeste on edge. The girl was practically feral .
“Rick, slow down. Please,” Alexandra called.
“Fine, fine,” he agreed. “Was I going that fast?”
“Yes,” we said in unison. Well, all but Astrid, who moved like a gazelle any time of day.
I slowed.
“He’s insufferable,” Alexandra said. “And Astrid only eggs him on.”
“She can do the same in heels.”
Alexandra stopped, looking panicked, then raced off to the side of our trail. I watched in horror as she bent over and retched. Astrid flew to comfort her, but nothing emerged. Astrid shot Rick a glare. Did Astrid know something the rest of us did not - even Rick?
“I’m fine, I’m?—”
Astrid admonished Rick. “See, you’ve made her sick!”
“You were walking just as fast!”
They argued like siblings.
“No, I was just following! This was your bloody idea, Prickard!”
“Stop, stop!” Alexandra boomed.
The baby twitched awake, then fell back to sleep.
“It’s fine. I’ll live. Can we slow down?”
“If you get me sick, I swear!” Ingrid held her fingers like a cross.
“It’s not catching,” Alexandra said.
“Unless you drink the water,” Astrid said.
“Water? What? Are we all going to be sick?” Odette panicked.
“No, it’s fine,” Rick confirmed. “You were fine this morning?—”
“Fine this morning doesn’t mean fine. I’m exhausted, Rikard. That’s all I am saying.”
“I’ll walk with you and take it slow,” Astrid offered. “Everyone will slow down.”
“Astrid, I can?—”
She cut me off. “Stay with Rick and the girls. Alex and I need a minute.”
“Got it,” I agreed.
We picked back up, me trying to keep up with Rick’s pace. The teens followed far behind, giggling about something .
“Are they alright?” I asked.
“Oh, Alexandra is angry with me. And Astrid has dug in to defend her. I thought we’d smoothed it all over. This is just one more thing.”
“What about?”
“Alexandra is pregnant again,” Rick said.
Dumbfounded, I was speechless.
“Look, Lex agreed we could try again with the baby this age. And then… boom. She’s been fine. She wanted to get out of the house with the baby. Now, she’s exhausted. I probably could have slowed down.”
In more ways than one, mate!
“Well, cheers?” I thought that was the proper thing to say.
“Thanks. Only Astrid knows. So, it’s fair you do. No one else, please.”
“Certainly.”
“I’m excited. I’ve wanted a second. Besides, it’s just practical . I am certain you get the same sort of pressure.”
“Of course. Not that it does any good. I am in no rush to marry and have children.”
“Which probably suits Astrid, no doubt.”
I contemplated Alexandra was Astrid’s age when she wed Rick in front of millions watching at home—a spectacle for the ages, from what any continental royal watcher could tell you. She was barely older now, had one child, and one on the way. It seemed so fast, but I knew that the line of succession rested on Alexandra’s shoulders.
“My sister is Astrid’s age and engaged,” I said. “No doubt desperately broody. They couldn’t be more different, however.”
“Well, that is exciting for your family. Your Mum must be over the moon.”
“I gave my sister a wedding budget. Both my sister and mother were cross about it. I brought Astrid along as muscle.”
Rick chuckled. “It’s wise. She’s good at that. Offering a budget is strange, I’m sure.”
“It’s not wonderful. I miss my dad.”
“When did you lose your father? ”
“A couple of years ago now,” I admitted. “Honestly, Astrid is the only one who gets it.”
“It’s good. Astrid is a wonderful ally but a terrifying enemy.”
I laughed heartily. “Oh yes. She’s fucking amazing at argument. I’ve met my match, but I never know whether I find her attractive or frightening when she gets on a tear.”
Rick smiled. “She’s a lot to handle, but she’s one of my best friends. She wanted to kill me when I first arrived, but Astrid is kind and always resourceful. I owe her more than a small debt at this point. And she’s talking Lex down now. Treat her well, and she will take care of you.”
“I will,” I agreed.
“I suppose we’ll be having you back in the summer. And, by then, Alexandra will be miserable, and about to pop, I’d gather. So, apologies in advance.”
“No apologies needed. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it here. It’s a beautiful country, and your family is a laugh. The younger girls grow on you immediately.”
“I heard there was an… issue… and Odette said she was ‘scarred.’ If you ever felt bad, do not. Lex and I struggled with boundaries at the start. Odette and Ingrid didn’t know to knock. They were also bonded. We had to work on it.”
“Apologies about that. Scarred?”
“Yes. Odette can be… dramatic.”
I laughed. “She returned and hugged me later, so I must not have done too badly. She’s sweet. And Ingrid is so funny. Both easy to love.”
Rick nodded. “You fit right in. That’s what matters.”
Did I fit right in? How was that even possible? It was the biggest compliment he could have given. I found my place in the most unlikely of spaces with the most unexpected woman. Neandia may never be home, but I could get used to the Deschamps family circus.