After Johnny's video call, Mary invites everyone to dinner. There, Jeanette has the opportunity to observe each couple individually. She has always believed that you can properly judge someone's character by watching how they eat. So, she starts with ... Who else? Her brother. She observes that he first fills Alexander's plate and then puts exactly the same things on his own, even the same amount of it. Then Alexander starts eating without even glancing at what he's eating, and only then does Matt start eating, too. What does this tell us? The implicit trust of Alexander and the strong devotion of Matt.

A little further on, Sebastian and Lois with only one plate in front of them. A plate, a fork, and a glass. He has his arm protectively around her shoulders and she leans against him free of any fear or worry. They take turns feeding each other, even using their fingers at times. The sexual tension between them is as obvious as their love. But that's not all. There's something else, too. Dependence. Not the evil kind, the sick kind. The other kind. The nice kind of dependence. The kind that only have two halves of a whole between them.

And then there's Jace and Mary. The definition of absolute love, as Matt had very successfully said in an old interview. She feeds him like a mother would feed her child. Like the Virgin Mary would feed the baby Jesus, and he looks at her with his eyes full of love, devotion, and dependence. We're talking about a whole new level of dependence here. The cord that binds these two together is visible above their heads, making the one who looks at them realize immediately that nothing can separate these two. Not even death!

Jeanette turns to Logan.

Jeanette: Can you feel it, Logan?

Logan: Feel what, baby?

Jeanette: The love that floods the room. It's like it's coming from every corner of the house, every pore of these people's skin.

Logan: Yeah.

Jeanette: Do you think we can live with all of them?

Logan: Why not? We love each other, don't we?

Jeanette: Yes, of course, we do. That's not what I mean.

Logan: Then what do you mean?

Jeanette: I'm afraid we might hurt them. My father's negative waves. His darkness. I'm afraid it'll follow me here, too.

Logan: No. No. Your fear is unfounded. This man's darkness touched you for a time, but it never penetrated you. But even if it did, there's so much light here, baby. The darkness has no chance to win.

She takes his hand and squeezes it, smiling, and he brings it to his lips and kisses her knuckles.

Logan: Everything's going to be okay, baby. Your dream has come true. Your brother is here and he wants you in his life. You and he will have all the time in the world to heal the wounds and eventually forget.

Jeanette: Thank you, Logan. For everything. If it wasn't for you ...

Logan: Now come on. You don't have to say that. Enjoy your meal. It's delicious, isn't it? Mary is a great cook!

Jeanette: Are you implying something about my cooking, my love?

Logan: Me? Never!

Jeanette: Hmmm ...

At this moment Damon asks a question.

Damon: Dad, when is the full moon again?

Sebastian: Why, Puppy? Do you want us to go hunting?

Damon: Something like that. Come on, tell me.

Sebastian: Next Saturday.

Damon: Perfect!

Sebastian: What are you up to, Puppy?

Damon looks at Nicolae.

Jace: What's up, boys? What are you two up to?

Nicolae: Nothing bad, Dad. Just a trip. A camping trip to the lake for men only.

Alexander: A camping trip just for men, huh? Sounds good to me.

Jared: I think so, too. It's been ages since we've done something like that.

Simon: Yeah, I'm in. What about you, guys?

Adam/George: Sure, Dad.

Sebastian: I'm in too. I really need some time with the moon. Great idea, boys.

Jace: Very good. Since you want it so bad, I'm in too.

Nicolae: Hooray! Superman, you, and John-John are coming, right? Please, say yes! Please! Please!

Stefan: We wouldn't miss it for the world, Golden Boy. Right, buddy?

Jason: Yes, of course.

Damon: YES! YES! YES! John-John is going to bring his guitar and we're going to have a campfire and sing around it and we're going to grill sausages and marshmallows and we're going to howl for the moon and ...

Lois: Is someone too excited about this trip, or is it just me?

Damon: Are you kidding, Mama? I'm already running around among the trees! Right, Dad? That's what we're going to do, right?

Sebastian: We are, Puppy. Just you and me.

Damon: And the moon.

Sebastian: And the moon.

Damon: YES!

Alexander: Logan, you and Matty are coming, right?

Logan: I don't know, Alex. We've never done anything like this before. We don't know anything about camping. Besides, we don't have any equipment.

Matt: Don't worry about the equipment. These crazy men have everything it takes to run an entire camp. As for your ignorance, you'll figure it out. All you have to do is follow Wolf's instructions and you'll be fine.

Matty: You talk like you're not coming.

Jace: This is a men-only trip, Matty.

Laughing, Jace manages to dodge the shoe Matt threw at him at the last moment.

Matt: Very funny, jerk! I'll show you later who's a man and who's not!

Jace: That's exactly why I said it, Sweetheart. That's exactly what I expected to hear!

Matt: Perverted!

Jace: I love you!

Matty: But why, uncle? I don't like it. I want you to be there.

Matt: Thanks for that, nephew, but I hate camping. I don't like sleeping on the ground and there's all these dirty bugs ... Yikes. And also, someone has to stay behind to keep an eye on our women. Who knows what they'll do if we leave them all alone!

Mary: Thank you so much, Matt!

Lois: What can we do?

Matt: Do you really want me to open my mouth, Watermelon?

Lois: No. Shut up!

Artemis: Well ... What about us? Me and Ceci, I mean.

Stefan: You're going to stay here, Baby girl.

Artemis: Really? That's great! We're going to have so much fun. Two whole girls' nights! What could be better than that?

Sebastian: I don't like this excitement. What are you up to, rookie? Are you trying to get me in trouble again?

Artemis: No. No. I swear, chief. Nothing reprehensible. Isn't that right, Mama Mary?

Mary: Sure thing, Daughterling.

Jace: I'm starting to have my doubts about this trip.

Lois: No need, brother. We'll be good girls.

Eva: As good as nuns!

Jace: Very funny, Princess!

Matt: Oh, God! What am I going to do with all these crazy women?

Lucida: Don't worry about it, Daddy. You just have to think about what's going to happen this Saturday.

Matt: Don't worry about it, my Star. Everything will be perfect on Saturday.

Lucida: I know. I just can't wait!

Matt: You and me, baby.

~ A FEW DAYS LATER ~ ONE DAY BEFORE THE SHOW ~ FRIDAY, MARCH 15th, 2019. ~

~ LATE AT NIGHT ~ STEFAΝ's HOUSE ~ BEDROOM ~

Stefan and Artemis are lying in bed. She's lying on the mattress with her legs up and he, kneeling in front of her, is stroking her thighs and kissing her calves.

Stefan: Simon told me that you canceled the appointment with the realtor. Why did you do that, Baby girl?

Artemis: I had my reasons, Master.

Stefan: I'm not allowed to know those reasons?

Artemis: Of course, you are, but I'm afraid you'll make fun of me.

Stefan: Tell me.

Artemis: My grandma told me to. She saw something in my dad's coffee cup. Something about me and she told me to put the restaurant project on hold.

Stefan: What did she see? Something bad?

Artemis: No. No. That's what she assured me. There's nothing bad. Quite the opposite. According to her descriptions, it's a miracle.

Stefan: I don't understand. She didn't tell you what it's about?

Artemis: No. As much as I insisted, she refused to tell me, but after her very successful prediction about my journey and you, I can only believe her and do what she tells me. I'm stupid, right?

Stefan: No, baby. You're not. You've done a good job.

She wraps her legs around his neck and abruptly pulls him on top of her.

Artemis: I knew it! I knew deep down you didn't approve of me working. Then why did you accept it in the first place?

Stefan: No, baby. It's not that I don't agree. I just ... I'd rather have you at home, but before you misunderstand me again, I don't mean as a piece of furniture or anything. It's just that work is going to take up too much of your time. It's going to keep you away from home and ... from me. I wouldn't like that. I always want to find you at home, waiting for me when I get back from work.

Artemis: Ah, Stefan!

Stefan: I'm sorry, baby, but it's not my fault. It's the way I grew up. All my life I've watched my mom wait for my dad and every time he came home, she'd fall into his arms. Even now. You saw it with your own eyes.

Artemis: Yes, I did.

Stefan: And it wasn't just my mother. All the women in the family did the same thing. I know this may all be outdated and old-fashioned, but it's one of the laws of the pack. Women have power and authority, but they always have to be there.

Artemis: I see.

Stefan: Listen ... I'm not trying to pressure you or anything. If you think this is all too much for you, I'll back off and accept what makes you happy.

Artemis: Put me on top.

He rolls their bodies and lets her sit on his stomach. She bends over and moves her lower body down. Since they're both naked, it's easy for his cock to find its way into her pussy. As she sucks him inside her, she takes his hands and places them on her tits to hold him tightly against her. She bends over further and starts kissing his mouth and speaking on his half-opened lips.

Artemis: You make me happy. Your happiness makes me happy. Your smile makes me happy. I'm interested only in you. I'm your slave and I'm ready to be what you want me to be. I can be anything for you. I can do anything for you and all I ask is that you love me, take care of me, and protect me.

Stefan: I will. Until my last breath.

Artemis: Then everything will be exactly as you want it, Master. And I'll be very, very happy.

He thrusts into her, moaning, and she arches back, screaming. She holds still as he moves up and down, hard and fast. Her head falls back as his hands move to her neck and squeeze hard.

Her lips close around his fingers as he puts them in her mouth, and her eyes are locked on his as their orgasms come together and become one huge, wild torrent of lust and pleasure. Stefan falls onto his back and Artemis collapses on top of him as they both try to catch their breath. Shortly after, she raises her head and looks at him, caressing his lips with her fingers.

Artemis: I'm thirsty.

Stefan: Let me bring you some water.

Artemis: No. Not you. I'll go. Would you like something?

Stefan: Just water, baby.

With a quick kiss on his lips, she gets up and, after putting on his shirt, goes to the door. She opens it and leaves the room, but returns a few seconds later, closing the door again and leaning against it with an embarrassed smile.

Stefan: What? Why did you come back so quickly?

Artemis: I ... I saw something.

Stefan: What did you see?

She starts to giggle.

Artemis: Something that Daddy Jace would go crazy if he saw.

Stefan: Don't tell me that ... Jesus!

Artemis: I think we should forget about the water, at least for ... I don't know. How long does your buddy usually last when he gets a blowjob?

Stefan covers his face with the pillow.

Stefan: Shit! We have to move now!

Artemis returns to the bed, still giggling.

Artemis: Be patient. We still have a week. On Friday the furniture will come and on Saturday, when you are out of town, we will go to fix up the place.

Stefan: And when we get back from the trip, will we sleep in the new house?

Artemis: Oh, yes!

Stefan: Finally!

Artemis: Whatever! Since we can't drink water, we should get some sleep because we have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow.

Stefan: That means I shouldn't barge into the living room like everything is normal and get us water, right?

Artemis: Yes, Stefan. You shouldn't do that unless you want to see your sister on all fours to ...

Stefan: Hey! Stop it! For the love of God!

Artemis: See? That's what I'm talking about!

Stefan: Just go to sleep, you perverted Baby girl.

Artemis: Yes, Master. Sweet dreams.

Stefan: Yeah! Dreams where my sister is doing stuff. Sweet dreams, my ass!

Artemis: What a drama queen, my God!

Stefan: Good night, Baby girl.

Artemis: Good night, Master.

~ NEXT DAY ~ DAY OF THE SHOW ~ SATURDAY, MARCH 16th, 2019. ~

~ EARLY MORNING ~ ALEXANDER AND MATT's HOUSE ~ KITCHEN ~

Alexander enters the room and sees a sight he hasn't seen in a long time. Matt is sitting at the table, drinking his coffee, and smoking.

Alexander: I can't even remember the last time I saw you with a cigarette in your hand.

Matt turns his head and looks at him.

Matt: Four years ago. At the hospital. When we were waiting for Nic's surgery to be over.

Alexander walks over and sits down next to him.

Alexander: And why are you doing it again today?

Matt shrugs his shoulders.

Matt: Just because. I just felt like I needed it.

Alexander: I see. Are you anxious about tonight?

Matt: Shouldn't I be?

Alexander: In my opinion, no.

Matt stubs out the finished cigarette in the ashtray, a little harder than he should.

Matt: Are you fucking kidding me, Alex? Do you know how old I was the last time I walked a runway? Thirty-five.

Alexander: So what?

Matt: So what? I'm fifty now, Alex. I have gray hair at my temples and wrinkles around my eyes.

Alexander: That only adds to your charm.

Matt: Come on, Alex. Cut the crap. You're just saying that to pump sunshine up my ass. God! How stupid am I, anyway? Why did I decide to do this?

Matt reaches for the pack on the table and goes to light another cigarette, but Alexander puts his hand on the pack and stops him.

Alexander: No. No more. One is enough.

Matt: Alex, please!

Alexander: I said no!

Matt pushes Alexander's hand and grabs the pack again.

Matt: Leave me alone! You're not my guardian. You can't tell me what to do. Can you hear me?

Alexander: Can't reason with you, huh?

Matt: Yes! I'm a stubborn asshole. Didn't you know that when you married me?

Matt takes a cigarette, puts it in his mouth, lights it and demonstratively blows the smoke in the face of Alexander, who rolls his eyes.

Alexander: Yeah, you stubborn asshole. I knew it when I married you, and that's why, I've learned over the years how to deal with you when you get your knickers in a twist.

Matt: Really? And how exactly?

Alexander: With a little action! Come here, you piece of shit!

Alexander grabs Matt by the neck, shoves him, and forces him to bend over the table, pinning him down with his body. With one hand he holds Matt's hands behind his back, while with the other hand he pushes the burning cigarette into the ashtray.

Alexander: When I say one is enough, I mean it!

Matt: Get the fuck off me! Why are you doing this? Why can't we just sit down and talk like normal people?

Alexander: Because we're not normal people. You're not a normal person.

Matt: Then what the hell am I?

Alexander grabs Matt by the hair and forces him to lift his head. He puts his mouth to his ear and starts whispering.

Alexander: You're my husband and you're perfect! Can you hear me? Damn perfect! Nothing can taint your perfection. Not the gray hairs at your temples, not the wrinkles around your eyes, not even the damn time that flows like water. You'll always be perfect and tonight you'll walk that runway with our daughter and charm everyone. Just like you always have! And when you do, I'm going to be there admiring the hell out of you and being proud because you belong to me like I always have! Deal?

Matt shakes his head.

Matt: Alex, no. I ... I ...

Alexander: Sing! Sing with me!

Matt: Sing what?

Alexander: * They tell me if I leave the circle, I will get lost, at the limits of it, I can only go around.

And that the world is a savage beast and when it bites me, I'd better be silent.

And when they are afraid that I might go crazy, they tell me to go somewhere secretly to cry.

And I have to remember that this scene, I'm small, too small to change it. *

Hearing the lyrics of his favorite song from Alexander's mouth, Matt feels the power of the song and Alexander's love overwhelm his body. He takes a deep breath and Alexander releases his hands. Matt brings them forward and slaps his palms on the table as Alexander hugs him tightly. They begin to sing together ...

Alexander/Matt: * But I, with a wild proud dance, I will fly like an eagle over my sorrows.

I'm not gonna cry, I'm not gonna be afraid. I will go and build a nest in the sky.

I will only go down if I want to laugh. I'm not gonna cry, I'm not gonna be afraid.

I'm not gonna cry, I'm not gonna be afraid. *

Matt bangs his fists on the table and Alexander backs away, pulling his hands away.

Alexander: * But I, with a wild proud dance, I will fly like an eagle over my sorrows. *

Matt: * I'm not gonna cry, I'm not gonna be afraid. I'm not gonna cry, I'm not gonna be afraid. *

Alexander: * I will go and build a nest in the sky. I will only go down if I want to laugh. *

Matt: * I'm not gonna cry, I'm not gonna be afraid. I'm not gonna cry, I'm not gonna be afraid. *

Alexander leans back against the wall and Matt turns to look at him.

Alexander: Do you feel a little better?

Matt: I feel great.

Alexander: It's because of the song.

Matt stubbornly shakes his head.

Matt: No. No. It's not because of the song. It's because of you. It's always because of you. I don't know what I'd do without you.

Alexander: You'll never have to know. I'll always be here.

Matt: I'm scared, Alex.

Alexander: Of what?

Matt: Of time. The fucking time that, like you said, flows like water.

Alexander: You're not alone in that, Matt. We're all afraid. There's no antidote for that fear because time is simply invincible.

Matt: So, you're telling me there's nothing we can do?

Alexander: No. I'm not telling you that.

Matt: Then what are you telling me?

Alexander: That precisely because no one can defeat time, we must live intensely in every moment, good or bad.

Matt: Like it's our last, huh?

Alexander: Exactly.

Matt: All right, then ...

Matt starts to take off his clothes.

Alexander: What are you doing now?

Matt: I'm getting ready to live in the moment ... With you ... On this table.

Alexander: Yeah. Hmm ... I didn't really mean it that way, but so what? I'll take it!

Alexander also undresses and they both climb onto the table, laughing.

At the same time, Lucida, who's been listening behind the kitchen door for a while, turns to leave, but then she sees the others, Logan, Jeanette and Matty, going down the stairs, heading for the kitchen. She gets in their way.

Lucida: Oh! Good morning, everyone! I know you're in the mood for coffee right now, but unfortunately that's impossible at this moment. Therefore, we'd better go to the palace for breakfast.

The three of them look at each other.

Jeanette: Sure, but can we at least know why?

Lucida: Well ... There's a little bit of a situation going on in the kitchen right now. Daddy Matty is having some problems and Daddy Alex is helping him solve them.

The sounds coming from the kitchen at this moment clearly show what kind of problems they're sorting out.

Logan: Okay! This is a little awkward, don't you think?

Lucida: For those of you who are new, yes. For me, not so much. I'm used to it.

Matty: It's okay. Let them enjoy it. Let's go next door. It's a good opportunity for me to have breakfast with Eva.

Jeanette: You must like that, young man, huh?

Matty: Guilty as charged, Mama.

Lucida: Shall we?

* * *

~ LATER THAT DAY ~ JACE AND MARY's HOUSE ~

Matt, much more confident than before, and Lucida, incredibly happy and impatient, have been on their way to the hotel where the show will take place, and everyone else has gathered so they can all leave together. All of them? Hmmm ... Not quite! Some are missing. Let's see who and especially why!

Jace: I don't understand. Why aren't they here?

Jason: I've no idea. Everything was fine until right before we left the house and all of a sudden, they said they were going to meet us at the hotel and left. Just like that.

Cecilia: Artemis said they had to go somewhere first.

Alexander: By motorcycle? Where and especially why?

Jason: I don't know. Stefan just said that the motorcycle should be there when the show is over.

Sebastian: I have a suspicion, but I'm not sure.

Mary: Whatever! Whatever it is, we'll find out soon.

Lois: Yes. There's nothing to worry about. Stefan knows how important this show is to Lucy and Matt. He'd never let them down.

Jace: Exactly. Well, let's get going. The cars are already waiting for us.

Alexander: Give me a second, Jace. Jeanette ...? Logan ...? Are you ready for your first official appearance as a member of the pack?

Logan: To tell you the truth, Alex, not so much. All those lights, the flashes, the journalists with their persistent questions. How do I put it? It's not my thing.

Jeanette: Now come on, love. I don't like it either, but it's for Matt and Lucy. After all, he said it's simple. All we have to do is smile for the cameras. You can do it!

Sebastian: Come on, kids. Get in the car with Tiny. Matty, Eva and the Drops, too. The rest into the limo.

Matty: Why us in the BMW and not the limousine?

Eva: We are the future, Matty. That's why we're going with the bulletproof car.

Matty: Is that ...? Really? Bulletproof?

Eva: Oh, yeah! Exciting, isn't it?

Matty: Damn! This just keeps getting better and better!

* * *

~ ABOUT AN HOUR LATER ~ OUTSIDE THE HOTEL ~

The family has already arrived and is now ready for a few photos and perhaps a few statements, when suddenly the sound of a motorcycle roaring catches everyone's attention. Everyone, the journalists, the photographers, the crowd that has gathered in front of the hotel and the whole family, turn their heads in the direction of the sound and see a familiar motorcycle with two helmeted riders stopping at the beginning of the red carpet that has been laid out there for the needs of the show. The fellow rider on the motorcycle, who's clearly a woman, takes off her helmet and sensually tosses her long, black, shiny hair back and forth, and right after that, the rider does the same, running his hand through his own blond hair. The journalists give up what they're doing and run towards the two while the photographers turn night into day with their dozens of photos. Mary pulls Jace down and whispers in his ear.

Mary: Our son knows how to make an impressive entrance.

Jace: Yes. I wonder where he gets that from.

Mary: Really now, Harronate?

Jace: What, Morningstar? I'm the epitome of discretion.

Mary: Sure, you are, Prince. Keep telling yourself that!

Meanwhile, Stefan and Artemis have gotten off the bike and are now walking down the red carpet, holding hands, and smiling. When they reach the special interview point, Stefan stops and puts his arm around Artemis' waist. The photographers continue taking pictures and the reporters start interrogating him.

Stefan seems to be in a very good and talkative mood. They probably won't have such an opportunity again.

Reporter: You surprised us, Stefan. We've been waiting for you from somewhere else.

Stefan: That wasn't my intention, I swear. I just had my reasons.

Reporter: Are those reasons your decision to admit that the beautiful young lady next to you is the future queen of the Harronate empire?

Stefan: Well ... First of all, I want to make it clear that the queen of the empire, as you say, will always be my beloved mother. No woman will ever take her place. As for the beautiful young lady, since you want to know so much, yes. She's a future Harronate. She'll become my wife.

Reporter: That's great news, Stefan. That means you've already proposed to her and she said yes?

Stefan: No. No official proposal has been made yet. If that happens, I'm sure you'll find out somehow.

Reporter: What if she says no?

Stefan: Don't scare me like that, please! I hope she won't.

The atmosphere during the interview is very pleasant. Everyone laughs and the journalists are thrilled at how talkative Stefan is for the first time in his life.

Reporter: Let's ask her then.

Stefan: Go ahead, but if she says something bad, I'll hold you responsible.

Reporter: Deal! Well, Miss ...?

Artemis looks at Stefan and he nods in agreement, smiling.

Artemis: Artemis. That's all you need to know, for now.

Reporter: That's enough ... For now. Well, Miss Artemis, Stefan has just declared that he's going to propose to you. What are you going to say in response?

Artemis: What would you answer if an earthly God asked you to marry him?

Reporter: Definitely yes.

Artemis: See? How could I say no to that?

Reporter: What are you going to tell the girls who would die right now to be in your shoes?

Artemis: I'd like to tell them to put Stefan out of their minds because he's mine, and to be patient. When the right time comes for them, the right man will find them. It's all a matter of fate.

Reporter: Do you believe in it? In fate, I mean.

Artemis: Until recently, I didn't believe in it, but now, yes. With all my heart. Everything is written by God. For each one of us.

Reporter: Thank you, Artemis. And you, Stefan. It's been an incredible interview, but it has to end in a very impactful way.

Stefan: What do you have in mind?

Reporter: A kiss, perhaps?

Stefan: Very good, then ...

Stefan puts his other hand on the back of Artemis' neck and kisses her passionately on the lips between the flash of the photographers and the frenetic applause of the bystanders.

After the kiss they greet the journalists and go to the others to get inside so that the show can begin.

NOTE : The song that Alexander and Matt sing is a Greek song by a Greek singer named Giannis Aggelakas. I tried to translate it as best I could. It's a very powerful song with a very deep meaning. It's really Odysseus' (the man behind Matt's character) favorite song and I thank him for letting me use it in the chapter. This song really helped Odysseus in difficult times, and unfortunately, he had many of those in his life. Thank you all! Always be strong! Never give up!