Chapter One Hundred

The Vanderburg twins had arrived on the gorgeous tropical island of Isla Paradiso for Anastasia's honeymoon. Ordinarily only the bride and groom go on these trips, but given the nature of the union and also Anastasia's relationship with her twin sister, she couldn't leave her out. Besides, Isla Paradiso would keep Alexandra plenty enough occupied without even interfering with the honeymoon.



Alexandra was all too happy to leave Hidden Springs, too, but for a very different reason. It had been two weeks since leaked photos appeared in a gossip magazine showing her dancing with an unidentified woman at Anastasia's bachelorette party, and no one at the palace seemed to be able to talk about anything else, even after she'd given a rousing address at Fort Starch Military Academy. She'd hoped that by the time she returned home, all of this would have blown over, and they'd find something else to occupy their time and energy.





Early on Sunday morning, mere hours after a gorgeous wedding ceremony in Hidden Springs' Vanderburg Palace royal chapel, the newly married couple arrived at their pre-chosen honeymoon destination, Isla Paradiso. Bright sun rays and warm tropical breezes greeted them as they arrived, in stark contrast to the crisp mountain air with which they'd grown up and to which they'd been accustomed.



Their limousine pulled up to the Sparkling Sands Resort Hotel and Spa, which, according to its website and brochure, was 'built on the best sand money could buy.' Its clientele included movie stars, the rich and the restless, and families. Hopefully Anastasia and Lucian could buy a little bit of privacy and r and r while on their honeymoon.



"Where is the clerk?" Lucian wondered.
"You'd think they'd have them lined up at the ready to check people in," summed Anastasia.



Two hours later, Frances Adams, wearing a suit, emerged from the back of the building. Frances had hazel eyes and red ribbons holding up two black braids. "May I help you?" she asked with a businesslike tone.



"Yes, we'd like to check in," replied Anastasia.
"And you are --"



Anastasia took a deep breath. She knew that if she checked in under her real name her mother would try to find her. It was her honeymoon, after all. So, after a frustrating two-hour wait, Anastasia checked herself and Lucian into Sparkling Sands in a luxury suite under the assumed names Annie and Luke Van Hollen.
"Annie and Luke Van Hollen it is," Frances repeated. "I've got you down for three nights, enjoy your stay here at Sparkling Sands."



Anastasia took the room key from Frances and walked to the back of the property to have a look around. The suite was small but luxurious and comfortable, and had excellent views of the ocean.



Meanwhile Lucian had whipped out his sketch pad and began drawing something --
"Hey," Anastasia whispered, looking down at her bridegroom's pad. "What are you drawing?"



"This sculpture they have in the hallway is -- interesting."
Anastasia laughed. "It looks like it wants to be an octopus."



Anastasia got into one of Sparkling Sands' many hot tubs and relaxed her cares away. Hopefully her mother wouldn't be able to track her down now.



While Anastasia and Lucian had checked themselves into a luxury resort for their honeymoon, Alexandra and Patrick opted for an adventure fitting their character. They rented a houseboat from one of the ports and set sail for parts yet unknown.
"Nice bag trick, Patrick," Alexandra mused while watching him balance the kicky bag off one foot.
"I learned it from you," he replied. "Hey, you still haven't answered my question."
"What question?"
"The question."
"Patrick, it's much too soon --"
"Is it? In my opinion it's getting pretty late in the game."





Being the outdoorsy types they are, they enjoyed windsurfing...



...and fishing (excuse the gratuitous beach-bum pix here)



Meanwhile, Alexandra had taken up yet another new hobby -- scuba diving.





On one of her dives she found a map piece and a message in a bottle. Not to mention a chest with a thousand simoleans and some gems inside.



She also enjoyed exploring some of the uncharted tropical islands. If she could discover her own island...

Chapter Ninety-Nine

As night fell, however, the longtime monarch would not stay quiet for long. "What is the matter with you, Alexandra? Stuffed full with cake? Or with something else?"
"Shut up, mother. My sister just got married. I'm in no mood to hear you argue tonight."
"Well, you're going to, Alexandra, because I've got a lot to say."
"That doesn't mean, mother, that I will be listening."



"Alexandra, goodness, child, what on earth have you done to your hair? It looks like a child took a pair of scissors and cut it all off. Do not tell me you actually paid someone to do that."
"I happen to like it," Alexandra retorted. "It's very low-maintenance. All I have to do is wash and go."



"Look, Alexandra, I haven't figured out why Anastasia won't speak to me, do not tell me you're going to freeze me out too."
"You know what, mother, that's between Ana and you. Do not involve me in that."
"But you could at least try to talk to her and find out why she isn't speaking to me."



"About those photographs, Alexandra --"
"Oh, please, mother, I've heard enough about those for the past week and a half --"
"But I need to know. What is the meaning of those pictures? I've looked at them countless times and I have trouble believing that is my daughter. You've got your hand on a woman's backside, Alexandra! That's absolutely unseemly behavior, unbecoming of a princess!"
"What are you upset about, mother, the fact that I was dancing or the fact that I was with a woman? As I told Patrick, we were doing rounds, and it was one song. You act like we're dating."
"Alexandra." Queen Catarina let out a resigned sigh. "I am your mother. You cannot lie to me! I saw those pictures. The looks you were giving that young woman were the same looks I used to give your father. You absolutely know how I feel about that, Alexandra. Now since your sister refuses to release the guest list, I'm going to have to ask you directly. Who was she?"
"None of your business."
"I ask you again."
"And I repeat, it isn't your business."
"Alexandra, this is not a game. I will find out who she is. I promise that."





Meanwhile, Princess Anastasia and Prince Lucian took their first dance as husband and wife.
"I could get used to this," Anastasia murmured seductively.
"We've got the rest of our lives," replied Lucian.
"This was the most perfect day ever. I'm not going to let my mother ruin it."





The limousine was waiting as the snow had melted and turned into a cold rain. 

Chapter Ninety-Eight

Finally the day had come.
The weather wasn't perfect -- overcast and a little chilly, with a fresh coating of wet slushy overnight snow -- but that was to be expected more than a mile above sea level.
The Vanderburg royal chapel had been beautifully decorated with imported flowers and an arch at the front.



Princess Anastasia, youngest of Queen Catarina's four children, sat in the chapel, wearing her designer wedding gown, alone with her thoughts on what would be the biggest day of her life. It was a day even she hadn't fully prepared for, hadn't fully expected, hadn't even completely wanted. And yet, she was here, as a blushing bride. No, she hadn't been sold in marriage to the highest bidder, or sent off to some distant shore to marry someone she hardly knew, as some of her ancestors had. She had too much pride for that. She was doing this on her own terms, with a groom of not only her own choosing, but her own creation, fashioned from her own mind.



She was interrupted in her reverie by the one person who, other than her fiancé, knew her better than anyone. Though fraternal twins, and though they grew up to be very different women living very different lives, one thing that remained constant was their bond.
"Ana."
Anastasia turned around. She recognized that low, Dutch-accented Simlish anywhere. It was Alexandra. And she was grinning.
"Welp, today's the day."
Anastasia sighed. "I guess so."
"Whaddya mean you 'guess' so? Don't tell me you're nervous."
"What if I mess up? Trip over my dress?"
"Ana, come on. You're going to do fine. This place looks great. And you -- you look fantastic. As always."
"Have to say, Alex, that haircut really does suit you."
"It does, doesn't it? Mom's going to go ape over it when she sees it today."



After Anastasia posed for obligatory photos for the gossip rags, it was time for the ceremony to begin.



Guests took their time filing in.



Prince Renauld escorted his daughters down the aisle, with Alexandra on one arm and Anastasia on the other, and then he then handed Anastasia off to her waiting groom, Lucian. There was no sign of his wife, Queen Catarina, at the ceremony.



"With this ring, I thee wed," Lucian mouthed as he slipped a band on Anastasia's finger. Anastasia did likewise as she slipped an identical band on Lucian's finger.



"You may now kiss the bride." When the couple kissed, the chapel erupted in joyous cheers.



It was quite possible the two happiest people in the room were standing side by side.



Oh, and the royal butler. (Max Skills now works for Crown Prince Sebastian)



Later, Anastasia called everyone into the royal ballroom to cut the cake.



Who would appear then but the Queen herself, who missed her daughter's wedding ceremony? The longtime monarch was all smiles as she exchanged pleasantries with the gathered guests. However, the iciness between the bride and her mother was palpable. Anastasia didn't even afford the Queen as much as a glance.