The King Legacy – Generation Two, Chapter Nineteen: Courtship and Contentment

Scarlett had certainly got a few funny looks when Jonny had taken her to her mother’s old bistro. She must admit, dressed as a bunny with the facepaint running, sopping wet – she had probably looked better, but Jonny didn’t seem to mind.

“This feels, different.” He spoke after a period of silence.

“It does… doesn’t it.” Scarlett smiled.

“Good, different, mind – I mean god knows how many times I’ve taken you out and never even gotten a thankyou but…”

Scarlett slapped Jonny playfully.

“Cheeky! What about all the times you’ve come round when Wyatt’s baked cakes and he insists that you are the first person to try them?”

“Yeah, well I guess that makes up for it.” Scarlett definitely felt a different vibe coming from Jonny. She didn’t look at him and see the jolly schoolboy she always saw him as. He looked more manly, older. She had to remind herself that he was older than she was, and the way he was looking at her. She didn’t know how to describe it, but she had only ever received that look from one other person. Peter.

“You know, Jonny. Without meaning to sound… shallow or anything but…”

“I’m not the guy you usually go for?”

Scarlett blushed. She didn’t want it to sound like that.

“Well, I just mean… it’s been a long time. I haven’t been with anybody, well… since, since Wyatt’s dad.”

“What makes you think that I’m after something more?” Jonny asked, Scarlett could tell he was scared that he would frighten her, cause her to recoil.

“This isn’t me asking…” Scarlett began.

“This is me… warning.”

Scarlett had forgotten just what it felt like to be in a stable and loving relationship. The next few months were some of the happiest of her life, and she wouldn’t have believed that they would ever be because of Jonny.  He was amazing, he adored the kids and vice versa – Scarlett even felt left out when Harmony and Wyatt preferred him to read them their bedtime story instead of her. Jonny had also garnered Alfie’s approval – with him even giving his “big brother” speech that he had given to every one of Scarlett’s boyfriends, before she reminded him that he was in fact younger than her.

Scarlett’s happiness was bolstered when in July, Donte and Willow announced the birth of their baby boy – whom they named Oliver Connor Watkins, or Ollie for short. Scarlett thought it was strange to have a relative without the King name, but as Willow had expressed – it wasn’t she that had the King legacy to continue.

Scarlett had attempted not to rush things with Jonny, but he seemed just as eager to be with her as she did with him. Scarlett felt embarrassed everytime Jonny pretended to pinch himself, and remind him that this wasn’t a dream.

Winter had drawn in, and Jonny and Scarlett were snuggled on the sofa watching reruns of Friends when the moment happened.

“It’s so cosy in here, I don’t get why you’d ever leave.” Jonny mumbled, nestling down into the sofa, Scarlett’s head resting on his chest. Jonny knew he was overweight, but there was something about his size that Scarlett found attractive, she felt incredibly safe when she was in his arms, like nothing could ever hurt her.

“I know what you mean,” Scarlett laughed as she watched Matt Le Blanc as Joey, flailing around with a turkey on his head, “god… I love this show. Not as much as I love you, though.”

The words just seemed to slip out.

“What?” Jonny asked, turning to face Scarlett.

Scarlett took a moment to realise what she had said. Collecting her thoughts, she smiled yet again.

“I love you, Jonny Vaux.”

Jonny pulled her into a deep kiss. Scarlett never wanted it to end, she relished in the taste of Jonny – it was everything to her. The kiss signified happiness, new beginnings, love, companionship, friendship… she just wanted to soak it all up.

“Nobody has ever said that to me before, and I’ve never said it to anybody else. I love you too.” Jonny whispered into Scarlett’s ear, taking the time to nibble her earlobe as she giggled and rested her head on his shoulder.

She couldn’t believe that such a brilliant, caring and loving man had been staring her in the face this whole time. Peter hadn’t been perfect, Victor had been far from it… but if there was ever a case of ‘never judging a book by it’s cover’ it was her Jonny.

Adding to the list of surprises, was Jonny’s surprising skills in the bedroom. Scarlett had never had such an active sex life – and even their friends on their nursing course had picked up on the chemistry between the pair.

“We’re like lovestruck teenagers, it’s so cringe!” Scarlett said one morning, as she poured over notes about blood transfusions attempting to adopt a mature tone.

“Oh shut up, Miss King. You love it really.” Jonny smirked, his hand moving steadily up Scarlett’s thigh – concealed only by the desk they were working on.

It was as Scarlett began doing another load of laundry, that she realised it composed mainly of Jonny’s things. It seemed so silly him flitting between her huge house and his tiny flat on the other side of town, especially when the kids demanded he read them stories nearly every single night. It was this thought that prompted Jonny to move in just after Christmas. They had been together nine months, but Scarlett didn’t feel like things had been rushed at all. If anything, she wanted things to move even quicker.

One thing she didn’t want to move any quicker though, was the rate that her babies were growing up. She couldn’t quite comprehend that she now had a thirteen year old daughter, as Harmony stood in front of her birthday cake.

As she watched her baby girl enter her teenage years. Scarlett could remember the events of thirteen years ago so vividly. She so wished that Peter could’ve been here to see how beautiful their baby girl had become. Scarlett thought back to that night, where at nineteen years old her father had rushed her to the hospital in order to deliver her baby girl safely. Her pregnancy had probably been one of the most testing times of her life; the car crash, losing Peter, the depression – but in many ways, Scarlett held the belief that everything had happened for a reason, and hopefully, Harmony had become a headstrong, independent young woman because of it.

Jonny kept joking that they looked more like sisters than mother and daughter. Harmony looked even more like her father now she was grown up than ever before, but she still had the now trademark blonde locks of her King heritage. Scarlett was determined to make her teenage years far different from hers. She didn’t fancy becoming a grandmother before she turned forty.

“I’m so proud of you baby. I hope you had a nice day.” Scarlett said, hugging her daughter so tightly, Harmony could barely breathe.

“Honestly, Mum. It’s been amazing, now seriously let go or I won’t see my fourteenth!”

As Jonny and Scarlett’s one year anniversary approached, the pair of them thought their lives couldn’t be anymore perfect. They were close to graduating and beginning work in Sunset Valley General as fully qualified nurses and the prospect of this new adventure filled them with excitement and dread, but the latter was manageable – as they were going through it together.

It was on a bright March morning that it began to happen. Scarlett took her first day off ill since starting at the hospital, and her repeated vomiting worried Jonny.

“I’m taking you to the doctor, Scar – this isn’t normal! That’s the seventh time in the past half hour!” Jonny insisted, digging out his mobile to phone their GP.

“Honestly, Mum – no offense but you look like crap!” Harmony added, grimacing as her mother emptied her stomach once again into the toilet.

“I don’t need a doctor…” Scarlett gurgled.

“Harmony, can you give me and Jonny a minute?”

Harmony gave her mother an inquisitive look, and exited the room.

“What, Scarlett? You’re scaring me now!”

“Jonny… I, I mean I don’t know how it’s happened, but I took the test yesterday.”

“Test? Are you saying…”

“We’re having a baby…”

Scarlett had expected gasps, shock, even tears, but Jonny simply scooped her up into a bear hug and spun her around the bathroom.

“This is FANTASTIC news! Look, Scarlett I know that you might be worried or scared but…”

“No, Jonny, honestly. That’s what’s so amazing… I’m not. I’m not frightened, or anxious, or anything. It feels right this time. I’m not saying that Harmony and Wyatt aren’t my most proudest achievements – because they are, but the circumstances in which they were born? I wish I could’ve changed both. This is right. It’s you and me forever, I know that.”

“I love you, Scarlett. You, the kids… our baby – it’s been the making of me.” Jonny said, Scarlett knew he rarely cried – but she was sure she could see a tear building up in his left tearduct.

“I’m so excited.” Scarlett beamed, embracing Jonny once more.

She’d finally landed on her feet. This time, everything was going to be okay.

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A/N: I love writing happy Scarlett, I’ve tried to move the story and timeframe on a little – just because I’m conscious that I’m reaching chapter twenty and I’m nowhere near done with Scarlett’s story. It’s definitely going to be longer than Generation One, but I hope you can understand that Scarlett just had so much more potential when it came to storylines.

I’m excited for the next few chapters, I feel like they could be some of the finest yet.

 

The King Legacy – Generation Two, Chapter Seventeen: A New Direction

Scarlett was flat out asleep in bed. She’d spent the evening entertaining Andy and Jennifer – two of her old school friends. After being wined and dined, talk had turned to something that was pressing on Scarlett’s mind. Turning thirty. Andy had celebrated his thirtieth a month ago, yet Jennifer still had six months until her’s. As well as this, Scarlett had sat politely and listened to Andy detail his work within his advertising company, and how Jennifer was hoping for yet another promotion at her estate agency. Scarlett knew it was just conversational etiquette, but she couldn’t help but feel embarrassed that she hadn’t worked in nearly five years.

However, Scarlett did have a plan. She hadn’t confided in anybody about it – even in her daily phone calls to little sister; Willow, who was loving working in Washington DC.

It was a sunny morning, Scarlett had packed Harmony off to school and Wyatt to nursery when Willow rang.

“Hey honey, everything okay? Aren’t you in work?” Scarlett smiled, as she sat on the edge of the bath in her bra and knickers.

“Yeah, I am but Scar… I just HAD to tell you – Donte has asked me to marry him, and I’ve said yes!”

“Oh… wow, that’s… that’s great Willow, but isn’t it… aren’t you…”

“A little young?” Willow quipped at the other end of the phone.

“Well, I mean you’re barely eighteen…”

“Look, Scarlett. You’re about to hit thirty, you’ve got no job, single, with two kids by two different dads – so don’t start judging me on my life, I thought you would be happy for me!”

The phone call ended badly, and less than an hour later Scarlett was crying into Kimberly’s shoulder.

“Oh come on honey, you’ve got to remember that Willow is her own woman now!”

Scarlett still found it funny how her sister-in-law had become her best friend. She was envious of Kim and Alfie’s life, Kim’s work for NASA never seemed to stress her out, especially with Riley, Devon and their newborn daughter; Kirsten at home.

“I know, just… she’s right isn’t she – she’s got her life in order and mine is still a mess.”

“C’mon Scar, it isn’t. You just need a bit of motivation, go down to the job centre, sign yourself up for online dating! Start a pottery class! Anything! I know you’re proud of this house, and god if this was my place I’d spend as much time in it as possible – but I think it’s time you head back out into the wider world.”

“I’m just sick of everybody asking ‘how I am’ after Mum and Dad and everything… I mean it’s been so much time yet people still-”

Kim interrupted Scarlett. She was a firm believer in tough love, and she often felt Scarlett had never had enough of it.

“Do you not think that Alfie gets asked the same thing? But he carries on for us. You’ve got to, for the kids.”

Scarlett opened her mouth to retort but words failed her. Kim let out a wry smile, she knew she’d won this one.

“Come on, I’ll take Harmony and Wyatt for their tea if you want – you get to work.”

“Work?”

“You do remember what that is, right?” Kimberly smiled as she strided out of Scarlett’s bedroom.

Scarlett gave a quiet laugh, it was time to follow through with her plan.

The next few weeks consisted of applications, interviews, disappointment and then elation. And as Scarlett sat behind the wheel of her new Fiat 500, she was excited at the prospect of what this job could bring. It wasn’t just a job either, it was a career, and something that she now felt was close to her heart.

She was training to be a nurse. Sure, she felt slightly embarassed – the pay was low and it was a lot of work, she had practically gone back to being a student again, but after what had happened to her mother – Scarlett felt that in many ways, this was her calling. She wanted to help people like her Mum,  and with Alfie a rising sports star and Willow worming her way into Congress – Scarlett felt like this would bring her the fulfillment she had been craving since her parent’s deaths.

The first few weeks were tough. There was more to nursing than Scarlett originally thought, and it didn’t help that her fellow students were a bunch of fresh-faced eighteen year olds. Aside from one.

“I forgot to read them notes on haemophilia, Scarlett – can I copy yours?!”

Scarlett smiled, “Honestly Jonny it’s like we’re back at school!”

“Can I though?! You’d be a lifesaver!”

Jonny was two years older than Scarlett, and at thirty-two the oldest on their course. However, Scarlett still thought he looked like a bumbling schoolboy. He was overweight, with terrible dress sense but Scarlett was glad she had found a friend. He made Scarlett laugh and together, they acted less mature than many of their younger peers. Jonny made the course not just a job, but an enjoyable passtime – and Scarlett had truly forgotten what it was like to share things with people outside of her family.

 

 

She was beginning to feel a sense of inclusion that had been lacking for so much time, she enjoyed introducing herself as a trainee nurse – people seem impressed, she had status, respect. It was with this new found positivity that Scarlett began organising Wyatt’s fourth birthday party.

 

Scarlett flourished with all the family around her. Alfie, Kim and the kids made an appearance – as well as her Uncle Jared and cousin Mayra and her children. Scarlett oversaw a game of pass the parcel, and then had to prise Harmony away from Mayra’s daughter Star who had “stolen her thunder” after she had performed better cartwheels than her. Scarlett smiled, she liked the fact that her family were still present in Sunset Valley, and that Harmony and Wyatt were growing up with their cousins and second cousins around them.

Scarlett was also delighted when unannounced, Donte and Willow arrived laden with presents.

“We couldn’t miss my favourite nephew’s birthday could we?” Willow smiled as Scarlett let her in.

“Don’t let Riley or Devon hear you say that.” Scarlett smiled.

The sisters exchanged a meaningful glance, and Scarlett pulled Willow into a tight hug.

“I’m sorry.” Scarlett said, “I’m so happy for you both – honestly. This family deserves all the happiness in the world.”

Willow buried her head into her sister’s shoulder.

“Thanks, Scar.”

After playing games, exchanging gossip and enjoying some of Scarlett’s home-cooked food (with the recipes taken from Pippa’s diary) it was time for the little man to make his transition into a child.

Wyatt was a gorgeous little boy. Everybody said so, his dark skin complemented by his wavy dark hair – Scarlett knew she had been there for him throughout his first years. However, Scarlett knew that soon Wyatt would start asking questions surrounding his paternity, and growing up with the neurotic trait – Scarlett worried that once again, her choices and mistakes had shaped her children’s lives in ways which she wished they wouldn’t.

Later that evening, after all the guests had dissipated – Scarlett found herself tackling the mountain of dishes with the help of Kim.

“It’s been a great day, Scar – you did the kids proud.”

“Thanks Kim, but god am I tired now.”

“It’s great news about Donte and Willow isn’t it?” Kim smiled.

“Yeah it is, they’ve set the date as well you know.”

“I know – six months time.”

“Crazy isn’t it? You best get looking for a date then sweetie!” Kim chuckled, washing the last of the dishes, putting a warm hand on Scarlett’s shoulder and leaving the kitchen.

Scarlett stood there at the sink, thinking about what Kim had said. She guessed that she was right.

Scarlett felt perverse sat here on this site. The kids were long in bed, and Scarlett sat in her office, a glass of white wine next to the mouse, scrolling through Sunset Valley’s “most eligible gentleman”. That was the overstatement of the century.

Perhaps online dating wasn’t for her. She had always been a more ‘in your face’ person – and she just couldn’t get used to making a judgement of a guy through a computer screen. Scarlett sighed, and proceeded to close down the computer. Sitting back in her chair, she took another swig of wine.

Maybe I’ll just end up alone. 

It was Scarlett’s thirtieth birthday in two weeks time, it would be nice to have somebody to spoil her. But then again, where could she find a decent guy in Sunset Valley? It wasn’t the largest of places. As she clambered up the stairs to bed, Scarlett yawned.

“I guess Bridget Jones found somebody in the end.”

With that thought, Scarlett got into her covers, and drifted off to sleep.

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A/N: Hope you enjoyed that chapter guys! I like writing Scarlett in this new direction, and the next few chapters are going to really give her a new lease of life!

Thankyou all for reading!

The King Legacy – Generation Two, Chapter Eleven: Independent Women

 

Upon her father’s suggestions, Frost Lincoln Law Practice was where Scarlett sought to annul her marriage to Victor.  After a lengthy meeting, Scarlett was feeling more optimistic.

As Scarlett left, she watched as she saw children running around Central Park and thought of Scarlett, it was coming up her sixth birthday – and Scarlett was determined to make it special for her little girl, she felt as if she had a lot of making up to do, especially after the car crash few months she had been made her endure.

 

Harmony however, was more grounded than her family gave her credit for. Popular at school, consistent grades she understood that she didn’t have the conventional ‘mum/dad/siblings’ type of family that many of her friends did; but she never felt unloved. She idolised her mother, she was this beautiful, almost famous figure in Harmony’s eyes and whilst there was often drama surrounding her, Harmony’s relationships with her grandparents, uncle and aunts meant that she never wanted for anything. Harmony knew that her mother felt guilty over the six years she had already lived, but Harmony couldn’t understand why. She was happy, and her family meant everything to her.

 

As summer rolled on and Scarlett and Victor’s annulment grew closer to it’s final dissolution, the matter of a settlement soon arose. Scarlett refused to claim any of Victor’s money – she knew that she had no rights to it, but when she refused him access to Harmony, Victor was severely displeased.

“After all I’ve done for that girl?”

“Victor please, it’s just, she needs stability and…”

“Stability my arse. You don’t know the meaning of the word!”

And rows of a similar vain continued until long after the leaves on the trees began to turn a golden brown.

 

 

It was a chilly September evening, and Scarlett, Willow and Harmony had spent an enjoyable Saturday watching low-budget chick flicks and stuffing their faces with take-outs and chocolate. After removing their face masks, Willow turned to her big sister.

“So sis, no luck on the guy front? I thought you’d have traded Victor in for a younger model by now.” She teased.

Scarlett raised her eyebrow, her teenage sister had some cheek.

“Cheeky cow,” Scarlett laughed, “don’t think I haven’t noticed you texting that Donte from school or whatever he is called.”

Willow blushed. She had always been too busy for boys ,with her sports commitments and intense academics – she know felt that her future career lied in politics. Often coming to blows with her Uncle Jared over their differing views, Willow knew how to stand up for her beliefs and views – something Scarlett envied about her baby sister.

 

 

Days later, as Scarlett was finishing off her third helpings of dinner – she noticed her father re-reading his legacy book.

“What’re you doing, Dad?” Scarlett asked.

Willow looked up from her homework as Scarlett watched her father reading over his own written account of their lives.

“Just… just, keeps me humble in my old age. That’s all.” Connor smiled at his daughters before retiring to bed.

“Have you started your one of those?” Willow posed the question to Scarlett in a playful way, as if the subject was a sore matter.

Scarlett thought about the fifty or so mish-mashed pages she had saved on her computer. Compared to her Dad’s masterpiece, it was nothing more than a sickeningly cliche diary of her failed love life, but Scarlett hoped that the next chapter of her life would be more exciting to write about.

“Sorta, don’t even think about asking to have a look though.” Scarlett replied to Willow, despite having an older head on her shoulders – Scarlett felt there were some things that she couldn’t share with her teenage sister.

 

As Scarlett got her court date through the post to discuss the settlement for her annulment, the family were overjoyed when Kimberly announced she was pregnant again. Despite her joy for both Alfie and Kim, Scarlett couldn’t help but wince at their situation.

Riley was merely seven months old, and with the news that they would be expecting another new arrival shortly after Riley’s first birthday, Scarlett hoped that Alfie and Kim wouldn’t lose sight of their dreams whilst drowning in the midst of dirty nappies. As Scarlett’s court date approached, and with Alfie becoming a father for the second time. Connor and Pippa finally felt as if their roles in leading their children was coming to an end.

 

 

“They’ll be fine without us, won’t they?” Pippa asked Connor, stood in Willow’s bedroom. The house hadn’t seen a lick of paint in nearly ten years – but Pippa held off decorating, that was Scarlett’s responsibility now, and it was up to her to choose when the dated wallpaper and worn carpets became painful reminders of what once was, instead of nostalgic reminders of years gone by.

“Of course they will, Pip. You should stop worrying, they’re all doing so well. Scarlett’s getting her life back on track, Alfie and Kim look like they’re going to be giving us a soccer team of grandchildren, and Willow… well, looks like we could end up helping her campaign for President someday.”

Pippa felt a lump rise in her throat. She embraced Connor, and wandered over to Willow’s bedside table, studying the pamphlets, essays and political text she had been gathering. God, she was so proud of her, so so proud. A tear formed in her eye as she heard Harmony come bounding up the stairs. Stay strong. Her mantra from day one. Stay. Strong.

With Kimberly’s expedition into space put on hold, Scarlett offered her services as babysitter to Riley as Alfie panicked about the impending birth of his second child. Scarlett had expressed her congratulations to Kim upon the news of her pregnancy, it had come as a shock to everybody, especially Kim and she had told Scarlett that her bosses at NASA weren’t happy that after only three weeks back at work she had informed them that she was in fact pregnant again.

 

It was Kim’s worries about her career, and Willow’s drive to enter the world of politics that left Scarlett feeling even more lost. She loved music, and when she had begun work in the music career, she didn’t imagine that she would still be playing in the local theatre for amateur productions and travelling plays after nearly eight years there. Also, Victor’s influence on the direction of the theatre made Scarlett’s worklife extremely uncomfortable, it was definitely time for a change. As she spent one of the last warm evening’s playing her guitar on the beach, she was unaware of the other struggles her family was facing.

Kim was happy about the news of her pregnancy, but as she drifted off into a disturbed sleep – she dreamed that she was preparing for her expedition to space, only for the rocket to explode upon take-off. Would she ever get there?

It had been a long day for Pippa. A long, non-exciting day filled with the usual household chores and tasks that she had long ago realised that despite her nagging, nobody else would take it upon themselves to do. Well, perhaps, Alfie might have but her daughters or husband most definitely wouldn’t. As she began to run herself a hot bubble bath, Pippa massaged her achy limbs. As she rubbed her arm, attempting to soothe the burning that seemed to be constantly present in her bones these days, she began wrestling with her own mind. Should she check again? Maybe she had been mistaken the other day. Pippa turned, making sure that the bathroom door was definitely locked and sat down on the side of the bath. She slipped her hand underneath her nightdress, and felt her left breast. Still there. Pippa felt herself go pale and before she knew it, she had slipped off the side of the bath and was crouched on the wet floor.

 

She felt dirty from just touching it. She knew what it meant, the clock really was ticking now.  As Pippa lay there on the bathroom floor, she thought of her children. She had probably spoiled them too much, they were all so used to her and Connor being there, and now with Harmony, Riley, and a third grandchild on the way Pippa felt guilty that she may have to force them to live independently sooner than she had wanted to.

Across town, Scarlett had become lost in an acoustic rendition of the “You and Me Song” by The Wannadies. Her eyes closed, she felt it so peaceful that all she could hear was her playing and the sound of the waves crashing into the beach. She almost didn’t notice that she was losing consciousness.

 

Her guitar fell from her hands as she made a crunching sound against the sand. Scarlett’s eyes flickered, the sky was a shade of shocking pink. Scarlett gave a confused smile as the pink turned darker, and darker until Scarlett couldn’t see. All was black.

 

Alone, both mother and daughter lay crumpled and broken. For varying reasons, life had knocked the King women down. Times were changing. And the both of them knew, that with their family’s track record – drama was always around the corner.

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Authors Note: Ehh, I found this a hard chapter to write… I have numerous storylines planned, it’s just the in between parts to them I find hard to pad out. Hopefully it doesn’t seem like a forced chapter and you’re all still enjoying. Thankyou everybody for your continued loyalty, support and comments – it really does force me to sit down and write at a regular pace!

Next chapter will be here ASAP!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The King Legacy – Generation Two, Chapter Ten: A Hijacked Honeymoon

 

In the blistering June heat, Scarlett wondered whether she would be able to withstand the two-week stay in Egypt. It was a beautiful place, unlike anything Scarlett had seen before – she had holidayed when she was younger, but mainly around Europe – often staying with her Uncle Jared and Aunt Zelda on their travels. The difference this time is that she was alone. Victor had agreed that it would be a shame for the honeymoon tickets to go to waste, and originally Scarlett had asked Kim if she would like to accompany her, but after she was unwilling to leave baby Riley – Scarlett decided to go alone. The break away from Sunset Valley would do her good, and despite leaving Harmony, she felt that she would be able to be a better mother upon her return.

She had cancelled the posh hotel and the honeymoon suite in Cairo, and had instead decided to book into an adventure camp site in the nearby town of Al Simhara. She wasn’t materialistic like Victor was, and she wanted to experience Egypt in all of it’s glory.

As Scarlett stepped out of her taxi and made her way into the base camp, she was greeted by an enthusiastic host.

“Ahh, you must be our latest guest, Mrs Black?” He beamed taking her hand in both of his and shaking it.

“Miss King, if you don’t mind.” Scarlett smiled back, just because a piece of paper said that she and Victor were still legally married did not mean she had to parade around wearing his ring and using his name – this trip was about her finding herself again, and she couldn’t do that whilst she ‘belonged’ to somebody else.

“So tomorrow, we’re going into that thing?!” Scarlett asked, pointing up at the huge pyramid that dominated the skyline.

“Certainly. I’ll be getting you up around 8:30.” The host replied.

8:30? Scarlett hadn’t seen that time since she had been at school, but nevertheless she was excited to see what Egypt would offer her.

As Scarlett sat eating breakfast the following morning, she struggled to stop thoughts of her disasterous wedding from creeping back into her mind. She was enjoying the sun and the break from reality, but she knew that when she got home she had some growing up to do. Harmony would be six years old soon, and Scarlett couldn’t believe just how fast her baby girl had grown, and she was growing ever aware that her parents were aging. As well as Harmony, Scarlett realised that if anything were to happen to her parents, she had Willow to think of. It was easy to forget that the mature voice of reason in her family was actually just a teenager, and Scarlett knew that she kept quiet about a lot of her problems. She wasn’t worried about Alfie, she often thought he should’ve been born first – he was brilliant in the “older brother” role, even to Scarlett; his older sister.

Scarlett spent the next week exploring Egypt’s many ancient tombs and landmarks. She had had reservations about holidaying alone, but she soon found that her own company was actually entertaining. She’d always been used to living in a house crammed with her parents, brother, sister and their numerous friends and relatives who would always be popping in, and she’d never really known what it was like to be independent. Through school she had been seeing Peter, and even after he had died she was never alone because of his memory and the guilt she felt over his death, and then of course there had been Victor.

As Scarlett uncovered more hidden secrets in Al Simhara, she began making notes in a small pocket journal she had brought with her – if she had to write about her disaster wedding in this legacy book, then she would make sure it was followed by the best adventures to keep her future generations entertained. Connor had slowly but surely been teaching her how to make her writing a little less one-dimensional, and she soon found herself becoming enthralled in documenting her various adventures in Egypt.

Scarlett did a lot of thinking during that first week. She found herself realising that she was lacking in progress with her career. She loved working at the theatre and being surrounded by music, but she was left wondering whether a hobby was better left as a hobby. What other career could she do? She had no idea, but as she spent one enjoyable Thursday afternoon hacking away at thousand-year old rock, she thought of Kim. She was preparing to go back to work following Riley’s birth, and she was even becoming something of a regional treasure – the first Sunset Valley resident to go into outer space. NASA was determined to make her the poster girl for their new exploratory space campaign, and Scarlett couldn’t help feel a pang of jealousy. Kim loved her job, it paid insanely well, yet she still managed to walk around with a smile on her face and be the perfect wife and mother.

But Scarlett as an astronaut? She laughed to herself, her opinion of herself wasn’t that high.

The second week took much of a different turn however. Whilst eating alone in a restaurant in the centre of the town, a waitress came over, a tray in tow.

“This is from the man at the end of the bar.” She smiled, placing a Strawberry Daiquiri cocktail down next to Scarlett’s empty glass.

Scarlett gave a slight laugh as the waitress walked away and looked at the drink, on the napkin beneath it was an address. Scarlett looked over at the man, who winked and proceeded to walk out of the restaurant. Usually, Scarlett wouldn’t have acted on it – she was used to men buying her drinks in bars, it had been happening since she had acquired some fake ID in high school and had begun to paint the town red. However, Scarlett felt intrigued – it had been a long time since she had been ‘dating’, and she was technically single again. So much so, that the following afternoon she found herself being greeted by Youssef at his home a few blocks away from her camp.

“I’m glad you called, Scarlett! Drink?”

“Little early isn’t it?”

“Well, it’s five o’clock somewhere I suppose.” Youseff smiled, his English was impeccable and Scarlett found his Egyptian accent charming.

The pair spent the rest of the afternoon drinking and chatting, and Scarlett found herself laughing for what felt like the first time in years. However, after the fourth cocktail Youseff began asking Scarlett about her family, to which a drunk Scarlett broke down. It was the first time she had truly acknowledged that her marriage and relationship had failed, but Youseff was supportive – offering her a shoulder to cry on whilst he poured another drink for the pair. He wasn’t pushy, and he wasn’t out to get into Scarlett’s pants like people may have thought, Scarlett was just happy to to feel young and free again.

She made the first move, and Youseff laughed as he felt Scarlett’s hands slide downwards towards his crotch. She felt amazing, it felt great to be doing this because she wanted to, and not out of some sick sense of loyalty or fear. It didn’t matter that she would probably not see Youseff again when she went home, she was living in the moment, and right now Scarlett was taking control.

Youssef didn’t object when Scarlett asked to see his bedroom, and before he knew it the pair were getting even closer on the bed.

“Are you sure about this, I would’ve been happy with just a drink!” Youssef exclaimed as Scarlett began kissing his neck, unbuttoning his shirt.

Scarlett felt like by having sex with Youssef she was ridding herself of her inhibitions. She felt like she could take on the world in between Youssef’s thighs, and after she emerged from the sheets, hot and sweaty she felt happiness and ecstacy, instead of regret and deflation.

It was the early hours of the morning when Scarlett snuck out of Youseff’s house, even in the darkness Egypt was as humid as ever and Scarlett strolled absent-mindedly through the streets until she reached base camp.

The sun had come up by the time she returned, and as she clambered into her tent she let out a contented smile – it was fun this whole no strings attached thing. She’d never see Youseff again no doubt, she wondered if it could be as fun back home. As Scarlett drifted back off to sleep, she thought about how she would deal with the reality back home.

It wouldn’t be so bad, she kept telling herself. The good thing about being at rock bottom, is that the only way she could go was up.

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A/N: Hope this chapter seemed a little brighter than the previous, it’s refreshing to give Scarlett a new start of sorts – although I don’t think we’ll have seen the last of Victor yet! Mwahahaha.

 

The King Legacy – Generation Two, Chapter Nine: A Bad Day for a Black Wedding (Part 2)

Scarlett charged past the crowd of congratulating relatives and friends and headed straight to the small bar, manned by a very handsome young bartender.

“Double vodka.”

“Congratulations Mrs. Black, would you not prefer some of the champagne that you picked -”

“I asked for vodka, okay?” Scarlett pressed, flashing a steely look at the barman who recoiled quickly and rushed off to pour her one.

Scarlett turned around, thankfully everybody seemed to be mingling amongst themselves and she saw Victor talking to an old college friend of his, she sighed, downed the spirit which she felt burn her throat and gullet on it’s way down and turned to face the wedding party. It was time to put her game face back on.

As Scarlett acted the blushing bride, the gradual intoxication helped her feel more at ease. She enjoyed her first dance with Victor, but as they swayed to Ellie Goulding’s “Your Song”, Scarlett thought that Victor’s grasp on her waist was a little too tight. Feigning that she had to stop her cousin Charlie from stealing their wedding presents, she rushed away from the dancefloor and over to a quiet corner.

“Scar?” Pippa came over to Scarlett.

The pair stared at each other, words seemed to escape them both.

“Congratulations.” Pippa said, blankly.

“Oh, Mum…” And Scarlett began to cry, tears carved deep tracks in her make-up as Pippa grabbed her shoulders.

“Have you made a mistake here? Have you? Because if you have, you don’t have to do this you can come home with me and Dad and we will fix it. We will fix it for you.”

“Mum, how can you fix this? And what the hell, you shouldn’t have to! I’m twenty-five years old for god’s sake, I made the smart decision. The right decision.”

“Scarlett… the right decision is the one that your heart makes, not always your head… you’ve not done this out of love, have you? I know that. For christ’s sake, I should’ve stopped you! I should have stopped you!”

 

“Mum this was my choice. I let you do enough. Hell, you probably know my own daughter better than I do?” Scarlett wiped the tears from her eyes.

“Maybe, I should move away or something, you know – Victor has money, I’m sure that maybe some independence, a fresh start, it could do me and Harmony some good.”

“Do you love him?” Pippa asked sternly.

“Mum, I-”

“Scarlett, it’s a simple question. Do you love him?”

Scarlett waited, but more for effect if anything – she knew the answer.

“No.”

“Well it doesn’t take a genius to work that out now, does it?”

Scarlett spun around, and stood there, frozen with fear. Victor had heard every word, and Scarlett felt her heart sink to somewhere around her ankles. Why had she dragged them through these past couple of torturous months, attempting to live a lie for the sake of some non-existent stability for the daughter that she barely spent any time with.

“Victor, I…”

“Save it Scarlett. I know exactly how you feel, d’you really think I’m that fucking stupid? D’you really think that everytime you’re on top of me I don’t know that you’re thinking of that dead waster?!”

Pippa stepped back from the pair, they were now attracting a lot of attention and Pippa blushed as her workfriends huddled around each other to discuss the debacle.

“Don’t you DARE! Don’t you dare talk about him, he has nothing to do-”

“What was wrong with us then, huh? What couldn’t I give you? You want more money? Somebody younger? Well I’m telling you now Scarlett, you should be grateful with what you have! Who else would take on a lonely, teenage mother whose still attached to her own parents by umbilical cord? I’m the best you’ll get, sweetie. Better start getting used to it!”

Guests stared at Victor, his tirade having carried across the majority of the congregation.

“You’re making a show of us.” Victor said, much quieter to Scarlett as he straightened his tie, “How embarassing.”

Scarlett stared at him, still reeling from his outburst.

“Victor, this has all been…”

“Don’t say it. Not here, not now. Why put me through it if it wasn’t what you wanted? You’re just a stupid girl. I, I loved the idea of you – I’m a businessman, I need something half-attractive to keep on my arm. Why, why am I even explaining myself? Just pull yourself together and put a smile on your fucking face. We’ll talk about this later.”

Victor grabbed Scarlett’s arm, intent on turning her round and pushing her towards the wedding party to attempt to salvage some dignity, but Scarlett pulled away.

“No, no I can’t do this anymore Vic, I don’t know what I feel. I’m, I’m sorry that I brought it to this, and today of all days but, no. I don’t need… I don’t want you in my life. You don’t love me either, I know it – and the worst part is, is that you don’t love me the way I am.”

The anger in Victor’s eyes seemed to calm slightly, and Scarlett saw for the first time a flash of remorse.

“I hate long dresses, and boring business parties and the classical music you keep wanting me to play. I’m young, I’m young and I’m stupid and I still act like I’m a teenager but so what? That’s just who I am, I don’t want to play the dutiful wife, and I’m sorry it’s taken me up until now to say it but it’s true!” Scarlett sobbed, turning away from him – at this point all she wanted was her family, to make sure that Harmony was okay, and to go home and try and salvage what would now remain of her life.

“We’ve just got married.” Victor cried, his voice sounded pleading now, a desperation that Scarlett had never heard – it made her stomach flip, she wasn’t just the victim here; she knew that.

“I’m sorry, Vic. Really, I am.”

“You think this is it? Believe me Scarlett, what was all this about? You after my money?”

“No! No, it’s nothing like that… you can keep everything I don’t want your…”

“Well how generous, thankyou.” Victor spat, he turned round and headed towards the bar as Scarlett stood there. She was only just aware of how dark it had become, and just how forced the chit-chat surrounding her was. Sunset Valley would be talking about this for years.

“What do you reckon she’s telling her?” Willow asked her father, as they sat eating pieces of wedding cake.

Many guests had made their excuses to both Victor and Scarlett, and Connor couldn’t understand why his daughter insisted on seeing the night through to the end – it had hardly been the wedding any of them had wanted. He sat with Willow who was peering over at Scarlett, who was explaining to Harmony that Victor most probably wouldn’t be a part of their lives anymore.

“God knows,” Connor began, “she’ll learn in school that weddings are where families begin, not end…”

“You know, I think it’s been pretty fun!” Brock perked up.

Connor smiled, Brock was the son of Jared’s daughter; Mayra and therefore Connor’s great-nephew. A cheery child, he’d bonded with Harmony at elementary school and enjoyed spending time with his extended family.

“I think you might be the only one, son.” Connor sighed, as Willow gave him an awkward look.

“Are you gonna be okay Mummy?” Harmony asked, she had changed out of her bridesmaids dress.

“Course I will, honey – now you’re going to stay at Uncle Alfie and Auntie Kim’s tonight, yeah? Riley needs cuddles from his favourite cousin.”

“Are you still going on holiday?” Harmony asked, playing with the hem of Scarlett’s dress.

Scarlett was taken aback, she hadn’t thought about her’s and Victor’s honeymoon – she certainly didn’t think they’d be spending two weeks in Egypt together after this.

“I dunno sweetie, but listen to me. We’re gonna spend loads of time together from now on, huh? Do all the things you like to do with Nana and Granddad?”

“Does that mean I can get a pony for my birthday?!” Harmony bounced excitedly.

Scarlett let out a chuckle, she loved her innocence.

“I’ll think about it, not sure if a pony might be too much for your sixth birthday honey.”

 

After Connor had taken Scarlett, Willow and Harmony back home, Pippa attempted to begin clearing up the mess, in every sense of the word. As she went round clearing dirty plates, she saw a disheveled Victor emerge from behind the bushes.

“I wish I’d never gotten involved in your family.” He said striding over to Pippa, she winced as she smelt the pungent odour of whiskey on his breath.

“Victor, please, this isn’t my fight.” Pippa replied, she was getting too old for this.

“Seriously? You do everything else for her, you aren’t going to fight her battles now?”

“Victor, I, I truly feel for you. It must be awful for how this has all turned out, but, you made my daughter unhappy.”

“Oh please, I don’t know anybody that can make her happy.”

Pippa eyed him up and down, all she wanted to do was go to bed.

“Blood is thicker than water, and I will die before I watch my kids be miserable. Goodnight Victor.”

It had been hours since Connor had brought her home, but Scarlett still hadn’t changed out of her wedding dress. She sat on the end of her parents bed, unable to bring herself to sleep in the bed she had shared with Victor for the past four years. Her bouquet lay next to her. Picking it up, Scarlett burst into floods of tears – she had screwed up yet again. Her parents expected her to write down these experiences to pass onto future generations of the King family, but Scarlett cringed at the thought of her great-great-great grandchild laughing at possibly the shortest marriage in history.

As Scarlett wiped the tears from her eyes, she looked around her parent’s room – on the wall was a small and slightly weathered photograph – it was of her mother and father, taken nearly thirty years ago – at the Sunset Valley Autumn Festival. Scarlett smiled as she admired her mother’s beauty.

Strength. She had been filled with it during her youth, it was time to get that back. Scarlett King wasn’t going to let this keep her down, she had a lot to live for, and as she began removing her make-up and slipped out of her dress she felt empowered.

This was the first day of the rest of her life.

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A/N: Hope you’ve enjoyed guys 🙂 such fun episodes to write and the wedding was so so gorgeous, just a shame it ended the way it did haha! Anyway, even more shocks and surprises in the coming chapters – hope it’s keeping you entertained! I’m away on holiday from the 15th – 23rd, so the next week may mean no chapter! But they are pre-written so I’ll be posting Chapter Ten as soon as I’m back!

The King Legacy – Generation Two, Chapter Seven: Out With The Old, In With The New

A/N: Initially this chapter wasn’t going to be posted, as all the events in it happened purely through chance with the game and StoryProgression making it happen, but I thought I’d post it anyway!

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As Sunset Valley’s large expanse of wildlife began to hibernate and the golden leaves upon the trees began to wither and fall, Scarlett’s brother and sister-in-law prepared themselves for the impending birth of their first child. As Christmas approached, Victor even suggested an impromptu white wedding… Scarlett felt her stomach knot just at the thought.

 

Scarlett had feigned interest over her wedding simply to please her mother, who was ecstatic at the prospect of another dress to buy and another wedding cake to bake. But what made Scarlett beat herself up inside was how excited Harmony was, Victor had suggested that she could be bridesmaid – seen as though she had loved being flower girl at Alfie and Kim’s wedding. It was a cold December night when Scarlett came in from work and made her way up to the bedroom. Victor lay in the bed, his broad shoulders and hairy chest exposed – fast asleep. Scarlett stopped and stared at him for a good ten minutes before realising what she was doing.

Was every night for the next thirty years going to be like this? As Scarlett undressed and clambered into bed she felt Victor place a broad hand on her waist and pull her closer. It was nice to be wanted, she thought.

“So… what happened to the evil man in the end?” Harmony asked her grandmother as she lay enthralled in her bedtime story.

“He left the Valley, never to be seen again – and the King, Queen and Snow Princess lived happily ever after.”

“I love that story, Grandma. It’s my favourite.”

“It’s one of your granddad’s sweetie, your Mum liked it to.”

As Pippa watched her granddaughter drift off to sleep, she wondered if her descendants would ever get bored of the “Baby in the Snow” story – despite the “Disneyfying” that Connor had done to it, it still brought back some very scary memories.

Victor was sat in the gloomy December light eating a late lunch when Kimberly sat down at the table.

“How was the party?” Victor asked, obviously deeply uninterested.

Kimberly and Alfie had taken Harmony to a Christmas party at the Town Hall whilst Scarlett was working, and judging by Harmony’s new look as a tiger – she seemed to have enjoyed herself.

“Great, my feet are killing me now though.” Kimberly smiled, trying to ease the frosty atmosphere that seemed to have enveloped her as she sat down opposite Victor. He could be quite awkward to talk to, but she guessed she’d be seeing a lot of him.

“You nervous?” Victor pressed, pointing towards Kimberly’s elephantine baby bump.

“A little bit… but isn’t any first time mum?” Kim replied, placing a protective hand over the baby.

“I didn’t mean it like that.”

Kim raised an eyebrow.

“Well,” Victor continued, “I bet NASA weren’t happy when their bright young investment announced she was up the duff.”

Was this guy serious?

“I’m sorry, Victor – I don’t believe that’s any of your business. And it’s perfectly fine… I’m in a classroom at the minute I’m hardly shooting off to Mars anytime soon.”

Victor smiled wryly, and shrugged, turning his attention back to his food.

Kimberly struggled back to her feet, unable to bare the tension any longer. As she made her way towards the front door, car keys in hand she muttered under her breath.

“Dick.”

 

Victor’s words stuck with Kimberly, but she wouldn’t be intimidated – she had noticed the change within her in-laws house, Scarlett’s sudden shyness, Connor and Pippa’s edginess and when Kim felt her water’s break on a blistery January morning, she thought it was just her luck that it should happen their front room.

As Pippa rushed Kim to the hospital, Alfie made a mad dash in his pyjamas – why did he nearly miss everything?!

The next few days seemed a blur, but after a thirty-six hour labour, a lot of tears and tantrums – Pippa was able to hold her new grandchild, and first grandson; Riley. As Pippa began to support Alfie and Kim with their new bundle of joy, there was a noticeable difference back home.

“Thanks for looking after her Z, I just needed a hand, you know with Mum helping Alfie and Kim and…”

“You’re having to actually do things by yourself?”

Scarlett narrowed her eyes at her Aunt.

“I’m sorry?”

“Oh, come on Scar – you’re a young woman now, and like it or not your Mum needs to support your brother for a change. Harmony is your daughter, and frankly Victor could do more if you’re seriously going to stick it out with him.”

Scarlett stared at her. She was seriously giving her parenting advice? She realised how haggard her Aunt looked and suddenly, the old Scarlett was back.

“Oh go fuck yourself,  I wish I’d never confided in you about any of that Zelda, who do you think you are?”

To Scarlett’s surprise, Zelda smiled.

“Finally, I can see my niece under that fascade!”

Just as Scarlett was about to reply, the front door opened and Pippa entered.

Zelda and Scarlett, both knowing the stress she was under, painted smiles on and greeted her warmly.

Pippa filled them in on Riley’s latest escapades and just as she was detailing how Riley had begun wriggling around and smiling after he filled his diaper, she stopped.

“Are you not going to fill me in on what you were talking about?” She asked.

Scarlett looked at her, aghast.

“What?”

“I’m not stupid. My best friend and my daughter, I can read you both like a book.”

“Mum, I, I…”

“Please don’t marry Victor, Scarlett.” Zelda burst.

And the tirade began, and as Scarlett watched, she realised what she was doing to these two old women. Old. As as she watched, Zelda’s face began to fall. The face that had endured so many hangovers, so many rows, so much laughter fell and she looked vulnerable and defeated.

“Zelda?! SHIT! Scar, get an ambulance! GET AN AMBULANCE!!” Pippa screamed as her life-long friend, sister-in-law and confidante collapsed in front of her. She crouched next to her, where had this come from?

 

The family heard the commotion and gathered in the hallway as Zelda passed on. She didn’t make a fuss, which surprised Scarlett – she was used to her making a drama over nothing, just like she would. Scarlett felt the tears escape her like a cascade, there was no holding back how she was feeling.

“I’m so scared.” Scarlett whispered as the ghostly figure of her Aunt looked over at her.

Zelda reached out her hand.

“I was so proud of you. Keep making me proud, Scarlett.”

“I, I’ll try.”

And before she knew it, she was gone.

“Scarlett, what are you doing?” Pippa whispered, and Scarlett shook. She was suddenly aware that as the paramedics shut the front door she was standing with her hand outstretched to where the “ghostly Zelda” had been.

Scarlett looked at her mother. Her face was dry. Pippa would never cry in front of her kids, Scarlett knew that – she wouldn’t show weakness. She was the strongest person Scarlett knew. She needed that strength.

 

It was over a week later when Pippa finally felt ready. It was late one evening when she felt she could visit alone. She knew that she was letting her family fall apart, that Scarlett wasn’t truly happy, but what could she do? Scarlett protested that Victor was what she wanted.

“What happened to us Z? We were so young once, so young. I, I found this chapter in Connor’s legacy book – that time where you told us you were pregnant? God, seems like an eternity ago.”

Pippa looked over at her friend’s grave. Heart failure, no warning – just heart failure. Pippa didn’t think it had been her time, but so was life, always throwing curveballs at you – and Pippa had had a fair few.

“I’ll make sure Jared and Charlie are okay, sweetie, don’t worry about that. Hell, I need to make sure my own kids are okay too. Oh Z, what did Scarlett tell you? I wish you were here to tell me.”

And as Pippa walked over to Zelda’s grave and kissed the headstone, she suddenly felt alone – perhaps her time was over, perhaps her kids didn’t want her interference anymore, perhaps it was time for her to cut the apron strings. After all, this was meant to be Scarlett’s time.

“Goodnight, Z. I miss you already, you crazy bitch.” Pippa smiled as she turned away, and walked off into the night.

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Oh god! I know you’re probably thinking that that was a very Pippa-centric episode but as I was preparing for the next chapter, Riley was born and Zelda passed away – all in Pippa and Scar’s house and I just felt I couldn’t mention Zelda’s death in passing, she’s really been one of my stand-out characters of my legacy so far and some real comic relief at times, it also highlighted that Scarlett probably needs some more independence – and I hope you’ll begin to see that in the next few chapters 🙂