Chapter 26 – Bellamy
BELLAMY
Over the next few days, background checks are done, and my old bedroom is turned into Charlotte’s. It’s a weird feeling. Very bittersweet. I know I’m married to Sebastian. I know I’m the queen. I’ve even felt like one on occasion.
But when we’re in the palace, I just feel like Bellamy. No title. No heirs.
This feels like the final piece, the last transition, and now I have no choice but to be queen and all that comes with that. My heart pounds in my chest, a mixture of excitement and lingering guilt that refuses to be silenced.
“Are you ready to welcome our new nanny?” Sebastian asks, sensing my unease. His eyes are full of understanding, and I take comfort in that.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” I reply, offering him a small smile before stepping outside to greet Charlotte.
“Bonjour!” she exclaims, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm as she steps out of her car. “I’m so excited to start this new adventure with your family.”
“Welcome, Charlotte,” Sebastian greets her warmly.
“Yes. Welcome. Would you like to see your new room?” I ask, trying to push my guilt aside.
“I’d love that. Thank you.” I lead her inside and up to her room along with Emily and one of the attendants carrying her luggage. Emily goes over the basics of the palace with her, and I linger by the door.
“You can come in,” Charlotte tells me once Emily leaves us. “Keep me company while I unpack. I had two roommates in Paris, so I’m used to having people around at all times.”
Hesitantly, I enter, leaning against the wall and watching her unpack a small suitcase filled with books, games, and toys for the children.
She talks animatedly about her plans for their education and activities, and I find myself drawn to her passion and dedication.
It also renews my guilt, but in a different way.
I was never this sort of nanny.
I mean, I was dedicated. I played with the children. I read with them and did homework with Phaedra, but Charlotte is already a way better nanny than I was, and she hasn’t even officially started yet. Still, I’m glad she’s the new nanny if this is how she’s going to be with them.
Then again, she chose to take this position whereas I was essentially forced.
“Your love for teaching really shines through,” I tell her, genuinely impressed. “I think the children will benefit greatly from having you here.”
“Thank you,” she replies, her cheeks flushing. “And I’m glad to be here, not just for the children, but for you as well. I can see how much you care about them, and I promise to do everything I can to support you.”
Her words hit me deeply, and at this moment, I know I made the right decision.
My guilt begins to dissipate, replaced by a growing sense of friendship.
We spend the rest of the afternoon sharing stories and laughing, and by the time supper has come and gone and night takes over, Charlotte feels like a natural addition to our family.
As I lie in bed, my thoughts drift back to the day’s events.
Despite my initial reservations, I can’t deny the positive impact Charlotte is already having on our lives.
She brought with her an infectious energy and warmth that I didn’t realize we were missing, and I find myself looking forward to the days ahead.
In the darkness, Sebastian finds me, curling his body around mine and intertwining our fingers.
Once again, it’s the first time he’s initiated contact with me since the hospital.
I don’t know if he’s simply afraid to touch me after the scare or if he wants to keep his distance for other reasons I’m trying very hard not to think about.
“How are you feeling about her?”
“Good,” I state. “I hope, at the very least, this sets your mind at ease.”
“It does actually. At least to some degree.”
I roll over, pushing him onto his back and climbing on top of him.
His dark eyes stare up at me, a smile touching his lips.
His hands rub my belly before sliding up and pulling my nightshirt over my head.
He cups and lifts my heavy breasts, squeezing my nipples as I pull his boxer briefs down and take his large cock in my hand.
“Are you sure?”
“Didn’t I tell you once not to be gentle with me?”
“That was different.”
“It doesn’t have to be.” And then I sink down on him.
We groan in unison and there is no better feeling than this. No better feeling than having him inside me. I move forward and back, up and down, taking him in as deep as I can. All the while he pumps into me, hands on my hips, eyes on mine.
“I love you,” he tells me, but it’s there. The uncertainty in his voice, and it takes me by surprise.
“Do you?” I question.
“I’ll always love you, Bellamy.”
Only that doesn’t feel like the answer I want. That feels like the answer before someone says goodbye.
The morning sun streams through the windows and across the kitchen floor. I watch as Charlotte expertly flips pancakes on the stove, her laughter mingling with the children’s excited chatter. I told her about our Friday night ritual, and she told me that she loves making Sunday breakfast.
It’s nice, I’ll admit. Having girl time with her. Even with the children around.
Phaedra, Sabrina, and Zayer are covered in varying degrees of mess as they try to help flip pancakes and make batter while Arthur scampers around their feet.
“Who wants blueberry pancakes?” Charlotte asks, a playful smile lighting up her face. “Or do we have any chocolate chip enthusiasts?”
“Blueberry!” Phaedra and Sabrina chime in unison, while Zayer grins like a devil, holding up a small bag of chocolate chips he smuggled from the pantry.
“Excellent choices,” Charlotte praises, winking at Zayer as she sprinkles chocolate chips onto his pancake. As their plates are filled with fluffy, golden stacks and they run off toward the breakfast room, I marvel at how seamlessly Charlotte has slipped into our lives in only a matter of days.
“Thank you for doing all this,” I tell her sincerely. “The children love it, and it means a lot to have someone here who understands.”
“Of course,” she replies warmly. “We’re a team now, right?”
“Absolutely,” I agree, my heart swelling with gratitude.
Our new friendship brings a sense of relief and companionship I hadn’t realized I’d been yearning for.
I never had friends growing up. We moved around too often for that.
Charlotte’s a bit older than I am, but it’s close enough, and just to have that feels like stepping into a new dimension for me.
One I hadn’t realized how badly I needed until now.
“Smells good in here.” Sebastian appears in the doorway, fresh from his morning run.
He looks over the scene before him, a loving smile curling his lips.
He crosses the room and wraps his arms around me, pressing a tender kiss to the top of my head.
He’s sweaty, but I don’t care right now.
I’ll take any contact and affection I can get from him.
“Charlotte made pancakes. You just missed the children running with them to the breakfast room. I have no doubt they’re scarfing them down now.” I lean into his embrace, my eyes meeting Charlotte’s across the room. She beams back at us, her expression brimming with pride at that.
“I’m sure they are, but you’re late to meet Althea,” he tells me, and I glance down, checking my watch.
“Oh hell, I am. See you later, Charlotte.” I throw a wave over my shoulder.
“Bye. Enjoy.”
Sebastian walks me out, but before I can say anything, he’s got me pinned up against the wall. Our lips meet in a passionate, lingering kiss, his tongue diving into my mouth and taking no prisoners. When he pulls back, we’re both breathless.
“I’m supposed to go do yoga with your aunt.”
“Now you have a reason to take deep breaths.”
“Or pass out.”
He chuckles against me. “Go have fun.”
Another kiss and he goes back into the kitchen with Charlotte while I head down to the gym where Althea is already waiting for me, sitting on her mat.
“Ah, good. You’re here. Let’s begin with a deep breath,” she instructs. I get into position only to start to choke on my own laughter. “Everything all right?”
“Perfect,” I manage. “Just swallowed wrong.”
She raises an eyebrow at me but starts with her breaths and I follow suit, inhaling deeply until fresh air fills every corner of my lungs.
“Exhale,” she instructs, and I obey, releasing the air slowly and feeling the tension drain from my body. We move through a series of poses, our bodies bending and stretching in harmony. This is not only good for my pregnancy, it’s been one of my favorite things to do since I moved into the palace.
“Your flexibility has improved greatly since we started practicing together,” Althea notes as we transition into a downward-facing dog. “Even with your pregnancy, you’re doing great.”
“Thank you,” I reply, my voice slightly strained by the position. “I want to stay in shape during the pregnancy.”
“I think that’s smart,” she adds with a small chuckle, nodding approvingly as I gracefully shift into a tree pose only to practically topple over since my center of gravity is off. “Despite that, you’re becoming quite the yogi.”
“Hardly,” I laugh, struggling to maintain my composure as my foot wobbles beneath me. “But I appreciate the compliment. You’re fantastic for my ego.”
As we settle into a seated twist, Althea’s expression grows thoughtful.
“Speaking of compliments, I must say Charlotte has been a wonderful addition,” she muses, her eyes closing.
“Sebastian seems to like her, which says a lot since he rarely likes anyone, and she has a lovely way with the children, doesn’t she? ”
“She does,” I agree, warmth spreading through my chest. “We’re very fortunate to have found her. I feel like bringing in something positive can really help…battle all the negative things.”
“Is Sebastian still being standoffish?”
I shrug. “It seems to be improving a little.” Maybe.
Althea nods and I know she can see through me.
“He’ll come around. He just needs to relax, and maybe having Charlotte here will help with that.
Although I must admit, I was surprised to learn that the head of the royal guard had a daughter.
Especially since he was never married and, as far as I knew, openly gay. ”
My muscles tense involuntarily at her words, and I release the twist with a slight grimace. “What do you mean?” I ask, my voice betraying a hint of unease.
“Charlotte’s father is the head of the royal guard,” she clarifies, her brow furrowing in confusion.
“Yeah. I know. But what do you mean he was never married?”
“He wasn’t. At least not as far as I know. Did he adopt her?”
I blink and then blink again. “I don’t know. It was never mentioned, and it didn’t come up in her background check.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah. Oh.”
“Did it mention a mother?”
I shake my head. “No. Just…her father and no criminal past or anything. It didn’t go back that far now that I think about it. Just back through high school.”
“High school?”
I sigh. “What you call college here.”
“Ah,” she murmurs. “I’m sure it’s nothing. He must have adopted her.”
“Right.” Only my background check had every piece of information they could get on me, including both my parents’ names. My thoughts race as I try to make sense of this new information.
“Is everything all right?” Althea inquires, her head tilting as she takes me in.
“Of course,” I force a smile onto my lips. “I just didn’t know that about Charlotte being adopted or whatever she was. There was no mention of a mother in her history.” Or an adoption. “It’s interesting to learn more about her past.”
“Just ask her, Bellamy,” she says, clearly reading my unease. “I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation, and either way, her history is clean and she’s the head of the royal guard’s daughter. If ever there is someone who has the children’s best interest and safety in mind—”
“It’s her,” I finish, relaxing a bit. “You’re right. I’m just being…hyperemotional.” I sigh. Maybe that’s what I’ve been doing. Reading into things that aren’t there. Maybe it’s hormones or still residual grief over losing my dad or who knows what.
Things with me and Sebastian are settling back into a groove and so far Charlotte has been amazing with the kids. And besides, if we’re going on family histories, mine was a bit of a hot mess, so really, what does it matter?
“Now, let’s move into our final relaxation pose.”
We finish yoga but as I head upstairs to shower I run into Charlotte standing outside Sebastian’s study with her ear practically pressed against the wood.
“Charlotte?”
She starts, grabbing her chest. “Ah! You scared me.”
“Sorry. What are you doing outside Sebastian’s study?” With your ear pressed to the door, I don’t add.
“I was coming to look for him. I had a question, but I thought I heard voices inside and I didn’t want to interrupt him.”
“Oh. Okay.” I suppose that makes sense since I can hear Sebastian and Rowan inside talking, their voices muffled. “Is it something I can help you with?”
She waves me off. “No. It’s nothing important. How was yoga?” she asks, falling in beside me as I head toward the bedrooms.
“It was nice, thank you.” I hesitate, wondering how to phrase this. “Althea mentioned your father was never married. I didn’t know this.”
Her head tilts in my direction, but her gaze is cast toward the floor. “Yes. He’s gay, but never found a husband.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. His duties must keep him very busy.”
“They do. But you’re likely wondering how I came to be.”
I shrug sheepishly. “A little, yeah.”
“It’s fine. It’s just not something I speak of often. My mother abandoned me when I was a young girl. She left me on his doorstep, and he took me in and raised me as his own.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry. That must have been awful for you.” And now I feel like a heel for bringing it up.
“It was a long time ago. My mother wasn’t a happy person.
She had a lot of emotional issues, and I don’t think she was suited to raising a child.
I’m grateful she cared enough to leave me with a good man.
My father did an excellent job, and actually, her abandoning me is what has driven me to want to dedicate my life to helping children. ”
I squeeze her arm. “That’s incredible of you. And incredible of your father. Truly, you both have hearts of gold.”
“Thank you,” she says, her smile lighting up her gray eyes. “I’m going to go find the children unless you need anything else.”
“No, go ahead. I’ll join you after I shower.”
“Sounds good.”
She heads in the direction of the playroom, and I enter my bedroom, stripping out of my sweaty yoga stuff. Things are going to start looking up. I just know it.