Brittany really did forget that tomorrow morning was the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
After Eltham left, Brittany found her way to Daniel's room.
Daniel was sitting cross-legged on the carpet, his little head drooping, lacking his usual energy.
"What's wrong?"
Daniel looked up, his eyes slightly red, "Mom, I heard you're gonna marry Uncle Eltham. Is it true?"
If that was the case, what about Dad?
Aren't you and Dad supposed to be together?
Brittany sat down beside him, her expression calm, "Where did you hear that?"
"Everyone in school's talking about it."
Daniel pursed his lips. They also said, if Mom married Eltham, she would not want him anymore and send him back to the Salter family.
They also mentioned that Mom would have a new baby brother or sister and then, he wouldn't be Mom's special boy anymore.
"That's not true."
Brittany answered honestly, "I promise, I won't marry anyone else but your daddy."
Daniel's eyes sparkled with excitement, "Really?"
Brittany cupped his little face, "I've never lied to you, and I'm not starting now."
"I won't send you away, even if there is a new brother or sister, you're still unique."
Brittany never considered sending Daniel away.
He was her flesh and blood, borne of ten months - how could she let go of her own child?
Having yearned for familial warmth for the first thirty years of her life, now that she had Daniel, there was no way she'd let him feel neglected.
Daniel hugged her, "Mom, you believe Dad will come back, right? He'll take us home."
"I know."
...
After her talk with Daniel, Brittany went back to her room, too exhausted to do anything but sleep.
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee was supposed to be celebrated with a grand banquet according to tradition.
But the Queen, preferring simplicity, wished not for a lavish celebration. The royal household had to compromise, planning instead a small birthday party for the closest of family and friends. Brittany, as the prospective daughter-in-law, arrived early at the royal residence with Eltham.
Eltham was mingling among the guests.
Brittany accompanied him.
Since their engagement, Craneville was divided into two camps - one that respected and blessed the union, and the other that felt Brittany was unworthy of Eltham.
Ignoring social statuses, the mere fact that Brittany was considering remarriage made some feel she was unsuitable for Eltham.
Yet, the Queen saw Brittany in a different light.
Brittany disliked such social gatherings but had to play along for Eltham's sake.
Piper, radiant as always, stood not far away, surrounded by a group eagerly discussing the engagement.
Piper saw everything but didn't intervene.
Upon noticing Piper and her group, Eltham greeted them, "Piper."
"Piper."
Piper noticed Brittany's choice of flats over her usual stilettos.
"Ms. Lynette."
Brittany nodded, acknowledging the greeting.
The others might not think much of Brittany, but with Eltham present, they dared not act out.
"Piper, keep Bri company for a while. I need to step into the study."
Eltham and Piper had grown up together, and he trusted her.
Brittany wasn't familiar with royal protocols, so Eltham felt uneasy leaving her with anyone else.
"Sure."
After Eltham had left, Piper's entourage couldn't hold back, "Ms. Lynette, why didn't you bring your son along?"
"And why would that be? He's a reminder of a past marriage, how could the royal family accept him?"
"I heard that after Isaac passed away, the Lynette family fought to keep your son's custody. Now, to climb the social ladder, are you going to abandon your son?"
"There's a saying, 'Like father, like son.' Isaac's father abandoned his family, and now his son is abandoned again-"
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