The Un-Apparent Heir: A Royal Family Saga Romance (Spare Change Book 4)

23. Dynamic Duo

For Immediate Release?—

Today, the King will undergo a procedure to repair a heart valve. He is expected to remain in the ICU for several days following the procedure. While incapacitated, Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales will serve in an official capacity as the head of state as Princess Regent. She will report on his condition once more is known.

Natalie stood in her office, reading through the lines soon to grace the teleprompter. Ed was there for moral support, admiring her determination and dedication. He knew she was ready. She worried that the outfit was all wrong, no matter how many times everyone told her she looked lovely. Natalie preferred a power suit, but with her now-burgeoning stomach, it was impractical. Ed found every bit of her adorable. All he wanted to do was dote these days. The more her body changed, the more evident their progression to parenthood was. He wanted it all so badly.

Natalie stared off before nodding.

“Ready?” Ed asked.

“Ready to tell the world Dad is well but needs many months recovery, George is coming on, and Lucy is our official cat herder?” Natalie asked. “Ready as I will ever be, darling.”

“Atta girl,” Ed said.

They debated parsing this all out in separate speeches. However, Natalie had a captive audience and wanted to give the good news with the bad. That was her style. Lucy and Natalie agreed that it was important to insert George when the country craved unity. It was now or never to see if this would work. The press remained angry and homophobic, but George and Patrick were now queer icons dedicating time to support the family in its time of need. At least, that was the story Lucy told.

Natalie walked ahead of Ed who hung back with Lucy, a new addition to the podium. Natalie would cover the basics, explain what was happening with the family, and then introduce Lucy to explain upcoming details for the opening of parliament and other diplomatic changes. It was the busiest time of year for the Firm. They were throwing Natalie to the wolves. Fortunately, she didn’t mind trial-by-fire.

Natalie took her place at the podium, remaining silent as shutters clicked. Lucy cued the teleprompter with a nod. Natalie let out a small smile, appearing unusually unbuttoned for a royal about to make three important announcements. The press went batty over her visible pregnancy. Emphasis on the bump was strategic.

“Thank you all for coming,” Natalie said. “My family—especially my mother—would like to thank everyone for their support. This is a difficult time, but our family remains strong and committed to representing Britons. We will keep calm and carry on as always.”

There was a chuckle.

“I have several announcements to make. The first is what you all came for. My father’s health continues to improve. He has been moved to a regular room from the ICU. I will visit him after I make this speech. To date, only my mother was allowed in. His Majesty is doing well and expected to make a full recovery.”

There was a collective sigh of relief.

“His Majesty requires at least three months of cardiac rehabilitation, during which I will no longer play regent—that ends today as you will soon be informed officially. However, he asks that we make it clear primary duties will fall upon me and the rest of the working members of the family.”

Natalie smiled at Ed. “I must thank my family for lending support at this time. My husband, namely, has been such a good sport. We do not intend to stop working. Despite the rumours I will step back, and I doing very well. There will be changes in the royal household, made clear by someone else in just a moment. However, I want to point out one crucial change in our immediate circle.”

Natalie took a deep breath. “My brother, Prince George, has returned from America along with his husband, Mr Patrick Roughy. They decided to resettle in the UK with their two daughters. While nothing is expected to change with titles—I will stop you there, Michael as I see your hand raising involuntarily?—”

The room chuckled. She was so good at managing the press circus. She hadn’t always been, but now, Natalie was established. She controlled this domain, always throwing her weight around. Ed’s heart swelled with pride because Natalie had arrived.

“Prince George will come back on as a working member of the family. With father many months off from full-time service and the changes in personnel due to royal births, we need more support than ever. While many people will pitch in, I am relieved for my brother to step in and grateful for the support he and Mr Roughy lend to the organisation. I know there will be questions regarding what this means for the institution, but I want to make one thing clear.”

Natalie’s tone turned serious.

“As my father said, this was never a closed door. George was always welcome to return to royal work. Everyone—especially myself and my father—appreciates his return. His dedication to the job before stepping back suggests he will help immensely. Our family looks different than it did thirty years ago, but this is a vast improvement for Britain as a whole. My brother will be the first openly LGBTQ member to serve as a full-time working royal. We are embracing this change. Beyond our statement today, we are not commenting further on my brother’s personal life. Mr Roughy will not be a working royal. We ask you to treat him and their children as private citizens. There is nothing more to be said.”

People clamoured to ask questions. They’d get no answers.

“I will not be taking public questions today, as stated in our release,” Natalie said cooly. “However, questions about the household can be directed to the person I will leave you with. As my father announced about a month ago, Lord James Hewlett will retire from his post as Lord Chamberlain. I accepted his resignation today and wished him well on a well-earned retirement. Lord Hewlett is one of the longest-serving Lord Chamberlains in British history. He did a great service to our family. I have confided in him, he has provided brilliant counsel to all of us, and I will truly miss his advice and candour.”

Natalie turned to Lucy.

“However, it is with great pleasure that I make one more announcement. Following this event, I will do one last thing as regent and appoint someone to the post. We are fortunate that Lady Lucy Ferguson, Countess of Lauderdale, is here to accept the position. I will not list her many accolades because her reputation precedes her. However, not only is she a dear friend of the family, she was my former private secretary and served before that as an assistant private secretary to my mother. She is one of the most organised and capable people I know. So, I would like to welcome Lady Chamberlain Ferguson to join you all and make some official statements about more changes in the royal household.”

Lucy walked up, bowed slightly, and took her place at the podium.

Ed squeezed Natalie’s hand as she returned to his side, telling her it was a job well done.

“Thank you all. I won’t go on and on,” Lucy said. “I’m not a new face as much as I am new to this role. We have all spoken at some point. It is great to be back and I am honoured to serve as Lady Chamberlain. I will hit the ground running now with some updates. As the Princess Regent indicated, His Majesty is expected to be out for an indeterminate amount of time. The Princess—with the Duke of Cornwall by her side—will serve in the stead of His Majesty to open parliament. The Princess and Duke will also accept the credentials of the new American Ambassador and attend an event hosted by the American Mission at Winfield House next week.”

Lucy continued. “Prince George will return to service at the end of this week, attending a Teenage Cancer Trust banquet. His duties will primarily pick up some slack from his mother and Prince Paul’s patronages. At the request of her doctors, The Duchess of Inverness has taken leave. She is off-duty until at least the autumn following the anticipated arrival of twins. Prince Paul will be on light duty as he spends more time at home with his children and wife.”

That would ruffle feathers. There was nothing Sanne could do right. It was the age-old gripe. Thankfully, she handled it well.

“The Princess of Wales and Duke of Cornwall will begin their leave on July 15 or when doctors require it. The Princess, as announced, has retired from her duty as a flight instructor at RAF Valley. And, while the couple will continue to spend time at their private residence in Wales, they will permanently relocate their primary residence to Kensington Palace and the Frogmore Estate.”

That was expected and was leaked.

“Finally, Her Majesty will return to part-time service at the beginning of April, the King’s health permitting. But, as expected, she remains focused on the King’s recovery. To help cover some of these duties, the Duke and Duchess of York will take on more service. The Princess remains eternally grateful for her family’s support, especially at this very busy time and with the impending arrival of her child.”

Natalie and Ed smiled. There was no covering that up.

“And that is about it. My office will send regular updates on ceremonial matters and coordinate with Parliament as always. The comptroller and I will work on matters of the royal purse. I can take basic questions but may not respond to all. And before anyone asks, while Prince George and his family are presently staying at Frogmore, they are seeking a permanent residence elsewhere. I cannot share more.”

And with that, it was over. The press didn’t get much else out of Lucy other than resting bitch face when she wouldn’t answer. She was the sweetest person but could put on such a steely exterior. Together, she and Natalie were the dynamic duo that would again keep the family going.

Sanne bangedon Natalie and Ed’s apartment door at KP. Paul played video games with Ed, but she needed something immediately. And, at only thirty-two weeks, she was panicking with contractions. A footman answered.

“Your Royal Highness,” he said, confused. “How can I?—”

Sanne rudely pushed past, ignoring him. She stormed into the living room and stared at the men speechlessly. She was having a contraction, nearly doubled over, and out of breath.

“Yes, darling?” Paul asked.

“Are you in labour?” Ed asked, more perceptive.

“I…” Sanne finally responded to the anticlimactic situation, “I don’t know. I need to get to the hospital now.”

“But they aren’t due for a few more weeks,” Paul said. “Cannot be.”

“It doesn’t work like that, Paul,” Sanne said.

“Fuck. Okay. What do we do?”

“Paul, I need you to organise things so I can get to the damn hospital. I do not have time to waste. These babies cannot come at home. They are too small. My bag isn’t even packed.”

“What? You’re supposed to pack that at 24 weeks, I thought?” Ed asked.

“Unhelpful,” Paul told Ed. “Also, second kid and onward, you just don’t think about it.”

“I am sorry but I am very much thinking about it and very much having contractions, Paul!”

“I know, I know. Uh… can you make it up the stairs?”

“No, Paul. Fucking no. I cannot. Keir is entertained with a movie and Nate is asleep next door. I don’t even have?—”

“Don’t worry about that. I will take care of the kids,” Ed said. “Nat and I have it covered.”

“You have staff,” Paul said. “They will handle the bag.”

“What about if we’re stuck there because… twins? Early? We will be.”

“It will be okay. There are dozens of us,” Ed assured. “Your job is to get in the car and go to hospital. Nat will be home in about an hour. We’ve got the boys. It’s no problem.”

“Someone needs to call my mom.”

“I can call her when we get to the hospital,” Paul said. “Deep breaths. In the car.”

Sanne and Paul arrived at the hospital about twenty minutes later. It was a chase with the press who were even more invasive than they were twice prior. They had begun camping outside the gates of KP. They didn’t know Sanne’s due date even remotely since they had originally said “spring” and then “late spring” to avoid this hiccup. Of course, with Natalie and Ed next door, there was also the opportunity to catch Natalie’s ever-expanding waistline if she, god forbid, ever took a walk in the gardens in public view or stepped out into a waiting car. The royal baby watch was in full swing.