Chapter Fifty-Three

"

Anastasia came running into her mother's study, where she saw an empty urn sitting on her desk. "Was that -- was that -- I thought I saw --"



"Yes, dear, it's true. I retrieved your father's urn from the mausoleum. The science lab called and said they wanted his ashes --"
"Mom, I don't believe this. You donated my father's remains in the name of science??"



Just then Alexandra arrived, returning from her flight classes.
"What did the science lab say? How did they approach you? Did they specifically ask for my father? Why didn't you tell us about this, he IS our dad?!"
Between the two of them, asking questions, Queen Catarina couldn't hear herself think. Rising from her chair, she ordered them to sit down, and they did.



"Girls, you have no idea what I went through just so you could exist. When your father and I got married, we discussed ways of adding to our family. We talked about surrogacy, in vitro, even adoption. Then, at the age of 46, with two adult children, against all the odds, I got pregnant. I was the happiest woman on earth. Your father might have been even happier, he was just over the moon with delight. I was on bed rest the entire last trimester of my pregnancy, because I was considered high risk with my age and the fact that I was carrying twins. I told the doctors that if it came to a choice between me and the two of you, I would choose you every day and twice on Sundays. And I still would. You see, girls, I do what I do because I love you and I want the best for you. Everything I do, everything I've done, everything I've told you and tried to teach you about being princesses and women, I do out of love and because I love you. So you see, Alexandra, when you disobey me to join the military and attend flight school and you run around on your horse in the woods like a wild child and you don't give a second thought to marriage and your life after the military, it hurts me deeply. So you see, Anastasia, when you say all the hurtful things to me and you close yourself off from everyone and you postpone your marriage to that fine young Lucian to go to architecture school, it hurts me deeply. And when Francisca did what she did, in running off to do whatever the heck she's chosen to do with her life, it hurt me deeply. When the two of you behave like absolute spoiled brats at the photo shoot the other day, it hurt me deeply, and not only hurt me but embarrassed me, and the two of you should be ashamed of yourselves!"

Chapter Fifty-Two

While the girls were at the concert, their mother, Queen Catarina, had received a phone call from the science lab, about an experiment they were doing with resurrections. The longtime monarch had given it some thought. What if she could bring back her husband, the father of her two young daughters?
So, in the dead of night, snow blinding her eyes, the longtime monarch hailed a limousine and secretly rode to the mausoleum, nearly mirroring a snow-filled journey her daughter had taken a month earlier into the mountains. 



With her husband's ashes in hand, Queen Catarina walked into the science lab. And waited.



Two hours later, a white ghost emerged with the monarch from the science lab, and accompanied her to the palace.



The ghost spotted the two young daughters he left behind, who enveloped him in a long embrace, well, as deep an embrace as one can have with a ghost.

Chapter Fifty-One

The pop star Madison Avenue belted out a medley of her famous hits to the delight of her audience, especially the young princesses who sneaked out of the palace to see her perform.

 

There were other people in the private nightclub, but there seemed to be an audience of two. 



Their former IF boyfriends were with them as well, their constant companions. They looked on with bemusement. 



Just then Anastasia's phone rang. "Uh oh," she sighed with trepidation when she saw her brother the Crown Prince's name and number appear in her caller ID box. 



"Where are you, Baby Sis?  I can barely hear anything over the music."
"At a Madison Avenue concert.  She was here for one night only --"
"Well, you and Alex need to get back to the palace, immediately!"
"Why?  What's going on?"

Chapter Fifty

The Princesses and the Pop Star



After their respective jobs on Friday evening, as they did almost every evening, the twins sat down to eat dinner. This time, it was hot wings. Sometimes, they'd talk about what they did at work. Most times, though, they'd talk about happenings in the community.



On this Friday, Anastasia came to the dinner table with some seriously hot gossip.  "Alex, you are not going to believe who is in town," began Anastasia. "It's Madison Avenue."
"Oh-em-gee!" exclaimed Alexandra, nearly choking on a hot wing. "She is only THE biggest pop star in Simland. She's HERE?"
Madison Avenue, real name Madison Brooke Westley, shot to fame a year ago on the strength of a runaway hit debut album and subsequent world tour. She'd recently sung during halftime at the SimBowl. In addition, she'd been dating one of Simland's most eligible bachelors, actor Sebastian Plumb, scion of the Plumb musical and entertainment dynasty.  



"The rumor is, she met her boyfriend, the actor Sebastian Plumb, right there at Lars Disco Tech while she and her mom were on vacation here last year."
"Wow." Alexandra shook her head. "Sebastian Plumb. Wasn't he in the Zombies? Zombies! movie?"
"Yep that's him. The word on the street is, he caught her cheating on him, and now he's suing for custody of their daughter. And the suit was filed right here in Hidden Springs."



Alexandra sat silently, with an incredulous look pasted on her face. Madison Avenue was in Hidden Springs? "Do you know if she has a concert scheduled here?"
"I can check, sure."





When a star as big as Madison Avenue shows up in tiny little Hidden Springs, it's a media circus. Especially if it's her first public performance since her much-publicized breakup with her actor ex, Sebastian Plumb, and it's happening while the magistrate in Hidden Springs is deciding the fate of their young daughter, Kaydence.



The Port a Party Warehouse was the scene of a private concert given by Madison for the patrons of that club. 



The pop superstar arrived through the back door and inspected her dressing room. "I've never seen it like this," she mused, referring to Hidden Springs' blanket of fresh powder. "Colder than I remember, too." 



Despite the bone chilling cold and intermittent snow showers, guests arrived at the private club in their swanky limousines. Among the arrivals were the young princesses, who were determined to see Madison perform in concert before she left town. 



Sneaking in through another back door, Alexandra watched Madison getting dressed in her dressing room. "Is there something you wanted?" asked Madison.
"Um, I'm sorry, excuse me, I just wanted to get a glimpse of you," Alexandra muttered, "I was just leaving --"
"Do I know you?"
"Um --"



Just then Anastasia emerged. "We're the Princesses of Hidden Springs."
Madison managed a smile. "Oh yeah, and you are?"
"Anastasia."
"Nice to meet you, Anastasia," Madison said, extending her hand warily. "And I assume the girl in the black vest is Alexandra."
"Yep."
"You all have the reality show. Yeah, I've seen it a couple times when I've been on the road."

Chapter Forty-Nine

"Girls," began their mother, Queen Catarina, "I just got off the phone with Lindy Gifford of Simstyle Magazine. She wants to do a sit-down interview with the three of us -- me and the two of you -- for their next issue."
"Have you discussed this with our agent?" Anastasia asked.
"I spoke to your agent this morning, Anastasia," sighed the queen. "I hate having to go through all these channels just to do things with the two of you. I suppose that's what happens, Anastasia, when you rashly hire your own staff."
"We hired our staff because we're independent entities."
"Whatever, Anastasia. Simstyle is bringing their own photographers and they want to do an 18th century photo shoot with you and your, ahem, boyfriends."



"18th century?" asked Alexandra, rolling her eyes. "What do you mean?"
Replied Queen Catarina, "They want to do a photo shoot for the magazine with the two of you and your boyfriends in Palace of Versailles-era costumes. I thought it was a splendid idea."
"You would, mother," mumbled Anastasia.
"I have never in my life seen princesses like the two of you. You two little brats have to learn responsibility. The photo shoot is only for a couple of hours, it's not the end of the world."



Simstyle Magazine arrived the next day, complete with its staff and glittering 18th century costumes and wigs for the girls and their IF partners. In no time at all they'd transformed the formal living room into an 18th century sitting area.
"Alex," Patrick mused, taking in a long look at Alexandra, "is this my first time ever seeing you in a dress?"
"I've worn dresses before," Alexandra laughed, "remember for the wedding, and for dad's funeral?"
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
"I've worn dresses before. I just don't like them."
"I know you don't like them, it's just strange, you know, seeing you dressed up and in makeup like this."



"Whose idea was this ridiculous photo shoot?" Alexandra asked, fanning herself with her hand. "Patrick, get me a coat hanger, my back's itching up a storm and I can't reach it with this damned stupid costume. The whalebones are digging into my ribs!!"
The former IF, who had been with his creator her entire life, did as he was told. 



Meanwhile, Anastasia was helping Lucian button his collar. "How do they manage to wear these?" he asked. "My neck's sweating and itchy."
"That's perspiring my dear, NOT sweating," corrected Anastasia, then she stopped herself.... "Oh my gosh, I'm sounding like my mother!"



Queen Catarina was noticeably choked up watching her daughters' photo shoot, unable to hold back tears as she watched the cameraperson take pictures of her daughters wearing 18th century period clothing. 

Chapter Forty-Eight

Anastasia and Lucian had been avoiding each other since their squabble over school two days earlier. 



"Annie," Lucian said, pulling her over. "We need to talk."



"You really want to talk, Lucian?" Anastasia teased. "There's nothing to talk about."
"Yes, there is, Annie. You didn't even tell me you were going to school."
"Lucian, I thought there was an understanding. I created you, remember? You do what I say."
"Annie, going so far away to go to school. You didn't even tell me."
"Well, you know now."
"Annie -- Annie, we can solve this right now. Let me go with you. Think about it. You're going to be in a strange place with stranger people. You don't know the language or the customs."
"And you do, Lucian?"
"Annie, you can't possibly go there by yourself. Do you realize who you are? The press corps is everywhere. They're watching your every move. I don't think you've thought this through."

Chapter Forty-Seven

Finally the semi-permanent blanket of snow that had covered Hidden Springs for most of the winter was beginning to melt.



Anastasia stumbled into her mother's bedroom and caught the Queen doing something she'd never expected -- painting. "Mother!" exclaimed the princess in disbelief. "What are you doing?"
Startled, Queen Catarina put her paintbrushes down. She gave Anastasia a long, intent stare and sighed. "When I was a little girl, Anastasia, I used to paint --"
"Really?"
"Yes, dear. Then, when I became queen, I gave it up. I didn't have time to paint much, with my official state duties and raising children taking up most of my time. And then, after your father died, I -- I sort of took it up again."
Anastasia forced herself to smile. "I see."
"I've seen your drawings, darling. You've got so much talent. Every teacher you had at Smuggsworth said so, in their notes home. I'm not sure it came from me as I'm just a mere dabbler. I'm just -- you know -- not sure if it's a good idea to go all the way to the university for more instruction. It is quite far away."
"But mother," Anastasia argued, "it makes perfect sense. It's the premier architectural design school in Simland. How am I going to become better at what I do if I don't learn from the best?"
"Yes, that's true, Anastasia," countered her mother, "but you are a princess of the commonwealth of Hidden Springs, and as such, you have specific obligations and responsibilities." Queen Catarina suddenly became reflective.



"You were six years old, Anastasia, and you were sitting right there in our bedroom. Your sister and your father were outside throwing the football around. I saw you had the biggest smile on your little face, and I was wondering why.
"I looked up and the professor of history on the History Channel was talking about the Jazz-age architecture of the buildings in Bridgeport. You were sitting there, twirling your braid, just absolutely fascinated.  Then I figured it out.  My goodness, she's actually watching that show.  So I went downstairs and told your father after he'd come in with Alexandra.  Could you imagine having to tell your husband that your little girl is in your bedroom looking at buildings on TV?  He didn't believe me at first, but when he walked in he had the biggest grin on his face."



While that was happening, Alexandra was taking a nap upstairs after a long day at the flight academy. Any day now, the older of the Vanderburg twins would receive her pilot's license and thus had the ability to fly an aircraft over the skies of Hidden Springs. Her mother, Queen Catarina, disapproved of her very involvement in the military, but despite this, Alexandra had continued toward her ultimate goal of becoming an astronaut and the first member of the royal family to go into space.  While she was napping, her mind traveled back to when she was a teenager -- and when her father was alive.



She remembered the day one of her three horses at the time had given birth to her first foal, a colt she'd called Wayfarer. "You want me to get someone to feed him?" her father had asked. He'd gotten her the horses in the first place, for her teen birthday, despite his wife's objections.  "I can get a stable boy or something --"
"No, dad," Alexandra smiled, "I'm fine. I can handle him myself."



Alexandra adored Wayfarer.  Every day she'd pay special attention to him, feeding him and playing with him whenever she had time.  She was heartbroken when she'd returned from Smuggsworth and her three horses were gone, including her beloved foal. She had never forgiven her mother for selling her horses. 



Now a young adult, Alexandra got a new horse, Jasmine, a stunning Arabian show horse. She enjoyed riding her whenever she could.  The palace grounds only really had room for one horse, but Alexandra wanted more, preferably an Arabian stallion to breed with Jasmine.   It would have been her preference if she could find out where Wayfarer was... oh well. 

Chapter Forty-Six

Lucian joined Anastasia in the backyard, near the spot where Alexandra kept her show horse, Jasmine. "Annie, are you serious? You're going to postpone our wedding so you can go to school?"
"That's exactly what's going to happen, Lucian," replied Anastasia, "and I don't remember you proposing to me yet --"
"Who said I wasn't going to soon?"
"I don't know, Lucian. Were you going to propose to me?"
"Annie, you're being unreasonable."
"Lucian, we're still going to get married. Just not right now."
"Annie, I can't believe you applied to school without telling me. We didn't even talk about this."
"I thought we had an understanding, Lucian. There was nothing to talk about. Where were you when I needed you the most? When my father died I had nobody. At least Patrick WAS by Alex's side. I had to deal with dad's death by myself, really. It was hard -- still is. Where were you?"
"All you had to do was call me, Annie. I was around."
Anastasia left in a huff.


Meanwhile, Alexandra, who had moved into Prince Sebastian's old room, had begun to make the place hers. On her dresser were her sports and riding trophies, and she was playing Madden 13 on her Simbox when she heard a knock on her door. "Come in!" she called jovially.


"The spring can't get here fast enough," grumbled Anastasia as she propped her feet on her sister's four-poster bed. "Just about everyone's mad at me."


"Uh oh," Alexandra laughed, "who've you pissed off this time?"



"Lucian."
"What's going on with him?"
"He claims he was going to propose to me before he found out I was going to school, and he's upset cause I'm going to design school and didn't tell him first."
"I thought he knew already."
"I thought so too." Anastasia sighed. "I love him, but he's got to understand, this is my dream."
"Well just tell him that. Marriage and kids can wait."



"Speaking of which, Alex, have you looked at those links I showed you?"
"Not yet, I haven't gotten a chance."
Anastasia sighed. "I don't get why Lucian is acting like this. He of all people should understand."



"You know what I think?" Alexandra mused, "I think he's afraid of losing you."
"What do you mean?"
"He knows you're going off to school, right?"
"He knows now."
"Well, he thinks you're going to meet some other new guy who's going to sweep you off your feet and marry him instead."

Chapter Forty-Five

A couple days later Anastasia met with her mother again in her study.
"I cannot believe you, Anastasia," shouted the queen. "You are going to postpone your wedding -- to go off to study?"
"Why not? My mind is made up," Anastasia replied resolutely, folding her arms and turning away from her mother. "You are not going to stop me from going, because this is what I want."
"Architecture school? Anastasia, of the most ridiculous things --"
"This is an opportunity for me to learn more about something I'm passionate about. Why can't you understand that, mother?"
"Just like I told your sister when she enrolled in the flight academy, I'm not paying for your little fantasy."
"You won't have to, mother. With the combination of my transcripts from Smuggsworth, my architecture portfolio, and the money I have earned from previous jobs, I'm sure I'll have enough to manage. In fact, mother... I have a job right now."
Queen Catarina's mouth fell to the floor.
"The owner of Lars DiscoTech has hired me to remodel the nightclub. I'm being handsomely compensated."
"Anastasia, you're working at a nightclub?"
Anastasia sighed with exasperation. "Mother, did you listen to a word I said? I'm not working at the nightclub, my job is to redesign the nightclub. Renovate it to give it a fresher look. You know what, I don't know why I'm wasting time with you, because you already have preconceived notions in your head --"
"Anastasia, I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Mother --" Anastasia took a deep breath. "Mother, do you know who I am?"
Queen Catarina was defiant. "Of course I do. You are Princess Anastasia Maria-Teresa, youngest daughter of the Queen of Hidden Springs."
"No, that's not what I meant. Mother, do you know what my favorite food is? Or my favorite color? How about what kind of music I like to listen to? That's my point, you have no idea who I am. You don't know me. You never took the time to get to know me. You never took the time to get to know Alex either, beyond the fact that you hate that she likes to play sports."
"Anastasia, that's not true --"
"It is true, mother, admit it. Alex and I were nothing to you but replacements for Francisca. And Daddy -- he was just a sperm donor."
"Anastasia, you know that's not true. Your father and I loved each other very much. When he died a piece of me died with him. And the nerve of you to stand up here and say the things you are saying."
"It's the truth, mother. It's the truth." Grabbing her portfolio, Anastasia walked out of the room.
"Anastasia Maria-Teresa, apologize this instant!" Queen Catarina shouted, in vain as Anastasia was already gone.