Stefan glanced at the nearly 200 year old mahogany mantle clock and closed the half dozen dossiers on his desk. It had been nearly 3 hours since Nikolas’s earth shattering decision and nearly the exact same time since Faith had gone to her sanctuary. They had walked together in silence to their wing of Wyndemere, but at the entrance, she had placed her hand on his shoulder and bussed his cheek gently, continuing down the long corridor to the North wing tower. He had known better than to follow her. There was an unwritten rule in the family regarding the North Tower.
It belonged to the Matriarch of the family and her alone. Very rarely were visitors permitted inside, no staff at all, including Mrs. Landsbury, were allowed further than the first of two main doors. It was not that Faith did not trust the loyal staff, but rather held concerns of their vulnerability and safety in regards to any of her high tech competitors who were ruthless in their self-preservation. Faith Ward’s name in the industry was highly regarded and her talents were always in demand.
Stefan made his way, nodding to each member of staff, offering a smile on occasion. As he neared the main entry, a sentry sat in a chair in the corner of the hallway and stood when he arrived. Nikolas had not wanted security to spend unnecessary time on their feet. For long, stationary duties, a chair was a way for security to be at ease, but always alert.
The young woman regarded him carefully as Stefan opened a panel near the doorway and pressed his hand fully against the screen. A soft blue light scanned slowly the signature of his handprint for a few seconds before the lock to the door clicked open.
“The young Prince is with Mrs. Cassadine,” she said softly before he entered the room. Stefan acknowledged the words as he shut the door behind him. Before him was a small foyer, sparsely decorated, with an identical door a few feet away. He approached the door, waiting patiently, knowing several of Faith’s cameras were already busy recording his precise features before allowing him access to the inner room.
Again, the door gave a soft click and Stefan entered the room, immediately taken with a sight that brought a warm smile to his lips.
Hunched over the mammoth sized, stainless steel workbench and surrounded by all sorts of cables, wiring, monitors and electronics, sat Faith and at her side, young Matvei. Both deep in concentration, Stefan silently observed the young Prince as he worked until the gentle encouragement and guidance of the person he loved most in the family. Stefan glanced at the wall, where a shoebox sized sign hung. It had been a gift from Matvei to Faith for her last birthday. The young boy had painstakingly worked on it for nearly a month, carefully carving in the letters, working under the tutelage of the family’s resident carpenter until it was finally ready. He had presented it to her, bursting with pride, as the last of her gifts on the lavish occasion.
*~*
Faith opened the box and looked down at the item while Matvei stared intently at her reaction.
“Oh my,” Faith began softly, delicately lifting the item out. Her well manicured fingers slid gently over the letters as the room fell silent. “This is beautiful,” she said in a hushed tone.
Matvei beamed as she looked up at him, her face shining with joy. “I love it!”
It was all the encouragement Matvei needed, and he flung himself at Faith’s waist. “Happy Birthday Thea!!” he cried as she pressed a warm kiss to his blond head before raising her gaze to meet Stefan’s, unshed tears glistening in her sky blue eyes. She held the sign out for all to see.
Tinker Queen
Faith had often referred to the time she spent in her workshop as “Tinker Time” where she would create and play with ideas and concepts. Often her best work came from these times and to young Matvei, it automatically made her a Tinker Queen.
*~*
“Alright, that’s enough for this evening. You have evening responsibilities and your Mama and Papa will be unhappy if you’re late.” Matvei’s face scrunched up unhappily but Faith’s tone brook no argument and he knew it was pointless to try and plead his case. He hopped from the stool and instead warmly hugged Faith. She smiled and Stefan’s heart swelled with joy at seeing her relaxed and happy visage.
Matvei turned and spotting Stefan, broke from Faith and rushed his 3rd favorite person in the family. Stefan let out a chuckle at the boy, eyes bright and happy. “Thea said she’s not angry with Papa,” he reported happily as he hugged Stefan.
Stefan looked up at Faith, who had turned back to the workbench and began cleaning up. “Of course she isn’t, we are a family and we love each other. Even when we disagree, even if we fight,” he promised the boy.
Matvei nodded happily and as he skittered out the door in a dash to not be late, he yelled his goodbyes, leaving the workshop. Stefan ambled towards Faith and watched as she placed the last of her tools away before she turned to him.
“You are not angry with Nikolas,” he observed neutrally.
She shrugged her shoulders lightly. “We are family.”
Still, a myriad of emotions lingered in her eyes, her full lips pressed together and her body was rigid with strain. Stefan regarded this unhappily and without preamble, pulled her gently into his arms, securing his arms about her waist. Faith closed her eyes and released a long held sigh as her body sagged against him.
“I don’t understand it,” she said softly. “He should have told me.”
“I agree,” Stefan replied, and Faith pulled back to look up at him, her expression serious.
“He should have told me,” she repeated more firmly.
Stefan gazed lovingly at his wife of over a decade and cupped the side of her face with his hand.
“I agree,” he replied again before lowering his lips to hers in a lingering, devoted kiss.
He had raised Nikolas to be the Prince and the leader of the family which Nikolas had done admirably for many years. He had watched as Nikolas stumbled on occasion, only to rise and brush himself off and learn from his mistakes. Stefan had not once, not ever questioned a decision Nikolas made for the family.
Until now.
It troubled him immensely that he had not been able to predict such a change in events and by all accounts, Andresj had barely been made aware just moments prior to the announcement. For Nikolas to keep things so hidden that he did not share the information with his closest advisor and right hand man was worrisome. He did not look forward to confronting Nikolas on the matter but unless an explanation was provided, and soon, it would be inevitable.
“You must be hungry,” he murmured as their mouths reluctantly parted. “Have you had anything to eat?”
Faith shook her head, offering another sigh as Stefan’s hands ran the length of her bare arms. Clad in a pencil skirt and plum colored sleeveless blouse, her toned arms enjoyed the soothing touch of his hands. “As a matter of fact, I haven’t,” she admitted as her stomach let out a grumble.
“Then let us retire to our eating room. I’m sure the cooks still have a few quail they can cook up for us.”
Looking around the room, Faith surveyed to ensure everything was where it should be. With a nod, they departed, the room arming as they shut the door behind them. They greeted the sentry again as they headed down the long corridor, arm in arm. Faith squeezed her husband’s forearm gently. “You will of course, not speak to Nikolas without me present, correct?”
Stefan hesitated, and she gave him a sharp look. “As we agreed on our wedding day, we walk as one, always.” On occasion, Stefan needed reminders that he was no longer an island to himself.
“Of course, Heart,” he said agreeably. A pause passed before he addressed the next issue.
“And of course, we will speak to Archer together as well.”
They shared a look, one of perfect agreement. Archer was not to be handled lightly.
Faith’s voice was like steel as she offered her final word on the topic. “Oh yes, I look forward to meeting Helena’s son.”
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