February 2008
It was now February 1st and William as well as Eric had some leave time in the military to make it back home. It also meant that it was thirteen days until Evelyn's twenty-fifth birthday.
The couple had decided that this week they would have both of their families meet officially, without the hassle of running like chickens in different directions. They had decided to meet up an hour before they had their families meeting up.
Evelyn had decided to dress up nice for the happy occasion and wore her favourite cowl neck jumper which was a tan a colour and paired with black legging pants and black heels with a red sole from Christian Louboutin. Her hair was down straight and she wore a bit more makeup than she usually did for the special occasion. She hoped that it went well and was excited to see how everyone would get along.
"Can you believe that we've been dating for seven months?" William asked her as she handed him a cuppa tea.
"I know," Evelyn smiled at him. "Best seven months of my life so far."
"Mine as well," he brought a hand up to his heart. "Evelyn, I love you," he told her as he looked into her blue-grayish eyes.
"I love you too," she said back with complete certainty.
"Really?"
"Yes," she exclaimed with a laugh as she walked toward him and wrapped her arms around his neck and brought him closer to her. "Completely. I feel like in a sense I've always loved you. I've just been too afraid to admit it," she told him feeling shy as she felt her ears burning up from blushing.
They had been dating for seven months now and the two of them couldn't be happier. Of course, they were slightly bummed that they couldn't be with the other more - but with Evelyn's busy career and William's military career it made it slightly impossible. Therefore, they cherished the times they do get to be with each other which was more than the normal military guy in a relationship.
He brought her closer to him as they made out before they left.
*
They went on through the day with smiles on their faces, knowing how the each other really truly felt about the other. They felt at peace knowing that and therefore the experience of having their families blend together for the first official time.
Unfortunately Harry wasn't home to make the meeting lighter and make some jokes but the couple was okay with it.
Evelyn had discussed with her family beforehand how to greet the Royal family. That the women should curtsy and the men bow their heads out of respect to Prince Charles and Camilla. The Queen would not be joining them today but they were okay with that. In a way, they welcomed that as it would be a wee bit less stressful for her family. Evelyn tried calming down her parents, especially her mum, who seemed to be a bit of a nervous wreck weeks leading up to this day.
"Has your mum calmed down a bit?" William asked his girlfriend as she drove to her parents home.
They had decided that since they were still pretty under the radar of the world that they should meet in private. Not in some other place where they could easily be recognised by the public or paparazzi. Charles and Camilla thought it was a lovely idea and only wanted her family to be comfortable.
"I think she has," Evelyn told him as she turned left. "Now she's talking about how excited she is to meet your dad and Camilla."
"Good," William nodded his head. "She has no reason to be worried. They already like her based from what they saw at the concert. All they care about is that she's welcomed me into your family."
"See, I tried telling her that but now I'm thinking you should have been the one to talk to her."
He laughs and shakes his head. If he were being honest - he was quite excited about this meeting and had been looking forward to it since he had first talked to Evelyn about it. It was actually her idea with wanting the four parents to meet. He wanted it to be on her timing not wanting to rush her at all especially with how her last relationship ended. William respected his girlfriend and loved how much she had grown since the beginning of their relationship.
"I love your parents, especially your mum. She's great. They must really love me if they're allowing you to date me."
"All they care about is how well you treat me and they know you treat me very well," she leaned over and kissed him when they stopped at a red light.
His RPO, Paul, was also with them but he was in a separate car behind them wanting to give them their privacy on the way over. He trusted Evelyn and so did the Royal family. At the beginning of their relationship - the family had done an extensive background check on her as well as her family. She hadn't known it at the time but had found out about it a couple of weeks into them being only friends. She knew from William that wasn't uncommon especially with a family as prominent and well-known as his. Prince Charles' and Camilla's RPO's would be with them as well making sure the place was well secured for them that no harm would come to them from any outsiders that might cross the well-gated home.
*
After finally making it to her parents home, she and William got out of her car as they made their way into the home. But not before Paul had done his search making sure it was clear which it was.
It wasn't because Paul didn't trust the Bennett family. It was because he didn't trust outsiders. He knew being a protection officer and also being in the Special Forces to always think about everything and always stay focused. To never assume that anyone has good intentions and stay alert.
Paul was very loyal to the Royal family and felt it was an honor to serve them, especially Prince William.
"All clear," Paul alerts the couple to which they thank him and enter her parents home.
"Thanks Paul," William thanked his protection officer as he smiled and the couple entered the familiar home.
William loved her parents home. Although it was very big, her parents made it warm and inviting. They didn't make it cold. The Christmas decorations were gone and the decorations from before were back up.
Bran, the english pointer, came running through and almost ran into William he was so excited. Will's let out a laugh and bent down to pet the old dog. One thing William had missed about being able to come to her parents home was her dog. They had a very close bond already as the english pointer licked the princes face making him laugh. Evelyn took some pictures of William and Bran together before they went into the kitchen where she knew her mum might be.
The couple had brought a dessert that Evelyn made as she sat it down on the counter and hugged her mum. William's Pa and Camilla weren't there yet and they had a few moments to chat with her family before the meeting.
"William," Natasha greeted the boy who had stolen her daughter's heart with a smile. "So good to see you again," she said as they hugged and kissed on both cheeks.
"Natasha, always a pleasure. How've you been?"
"I've been well, thanks. Just making sure everything is all right for your father and Camilla. And you?"
"I can't complain. I've been well. Everything looks great."
"Thanks. I hope Charles and Camilla will like it."
"They will love it. Remember they are mainly coming to meet you all. The food is secondary."
"I know, I know," Natasha smiled at the young prince. "Why don't you go into the living room and have a chat with Evelyn's siblings?"
"Actually is Peter here? I wanted to speak to him."
"Of course," Natasha nodded her head. "He's in his study."
"Thanks. I'll be back, darling," William told his girlfriend as he looked down at her with a small smile on his face and placed a sweet kiss to her lips.
"Okay," she smiled back as she watched him walk out and in search for her father. "I wonder what he has to talk to dad about?"
"No idea," Natasha shrugged her shoulders. "But whilst they are chatting d'you want to help me set up the table along with Vivienne?"
"'Course," she nodded her head and grabbed some silverware and plates as well as napkins to put on the table. "You look beautiful, mum."
Evelyn complimented her mum as she was helping her set the table. Natasha's blonde hair was down straight as she had on a bit more makeup on than she normally did.
"Thank you, my sweet girl."
*
"Hello, Pa," William greeted his father and then Camilla.
William didn't like Camilla for the longest time, knowing that this woman was the reason his parents marriage didn't work out. But then he had learned that his parents marriage was an arranged marriage and not one where they truly loved each other. Where it was completely natural. Not like him and Evelyn. William had his hand on Evelyn's lower back after she greeted Charles and Camilla as her family was now greeting them and she stepped back, allowing them their time.
They had started to curtsy to the prince and duchess but Charles waved his hand and laughed with his rosy cheeks becoming more obvious.
"Please, don't curtsy to us. At least in private. Although, I must say, Natasha - that was a very good curtsy indeed."
"Thank you," she blushed at the princes' comment. "I've been practicing."
"Well, I can certainly tell."
"And your dress is beautiful," Camilla told the mum. "May I ask where you bought it?"
"Oh thank you! It's actually one of Victoria Beckham's designs that she gifted me after my husband designed one of David's tuxedos for an event."
"Lovely," the duchess smiled. "And how do you do?" Camilla asked Peter.
"Very well, ma'am," Peter greeted the duchess with his charming smile.
Evelyn always thought that her dad was handsome. It seemed the older he got the more handsome he was. It seemed as though her dad charmed everyone as Camilla herself had red blushed on her cheeks and laughed to cover it up. Evelyn's other siblings then greeted the prince and duchess as Mia and Jake along with their twins Samuel and David were there as well.
After they all greeted each other, they headed over to the dining table as Natasha, Evelyn and Vivienne had put the food down on the table allowing everyone to get what they wanted themselves.
"So Peter, any plans for a new collection anytime soon?" Charles asked with small talk wanting to know more about Peter and his business.
"I am actually releasing a new cologne coming out in May. I took a step back from releasing so much as I used to and only release new items when I feel like it. I let Evelyn fill in those gaps with her business."
"Very nice," Charles replied with a smile. "Well I wish you nothing but success. You'll have to let me know when you release it so that we can attend."
"I will. I'll even send it to you so that you can try it out if you would like?"
"I would love that," Charles smiled at Peter.
Natasha had made quite a bit of food as Mia and Vivienne had brought over some things as well. They had a buffet of sorts that had toad in the hole, fish and chips as well as bangers and mash. Evelyn had made knickerbocker glory which was a layered ice cream sundae that is served in a tall conical glass and she also made jam roly-poly for those who didn't want ice cream.
Through out dinner Charles and Camilla as well as Evelyn's family started to be more familiar with the other and grew more and more interested in each other. Jake found out that the Royal family loved to hunt and Charles offered to have Jake and Peter join them some time as well as Evelyn to which they were delighted to.
*
At one point through out the meeting, David went and sat on Charles' lap making the room be quiet for a moment.
"David get down, you can't -" Mia started to say.
"It's quite alright dear," Charles put a hand up to calm Mia's worries. "And how old are you?"
"Four," he exclaimed and held up four fingers for the prince making him smile and laugh.
"Hey David," Evelyn gets the attention of her little nephew. "Why don't you tell him when your birthday is."
"March fifth."
"Really?" Charles asks intrigued as though he was faking a thinking face. "Well, I'd say we have to do something for both yours and Samuel's birthday. How about that?"
"Yeah!" the twins exclaimed making Charles and Camilla chuckle.
"Oh you really don't have to do anything," Mia said not wanting them to feel obligated.
"Nonsense. You all are family now. And we love little kids so it seems only logical we would throw a party for them. Would you think so?"
"Don't argue with him, Mia, because he won't give in," Evelyn tells her speaking from experience.
"Okay," Mia smiles at the prince. "Thank you. That's so incredibly kind of you both."
"It's our pleasure."
*
"How've you been dear? Since the tabloid article..." Charles asked Evelyn in private as they were sitting out back and looking out onto the sunset.
"I've been all right," she shrugged her shoulders and tried to muster the best smile she could but Charles could see right through. "It was hard the morning after but it helped when Harry came over and provided me comfort."
"Ah yes, such a great boy. You two seem as though you have a very close relationship."
"We do," she nodded her head. "Both of your sons are great."
"Thank you, I appreciate that dear," he told the blonde and patted her hand in comfort. "D'you mind if I ask what happened that night? I understand it's not my place to ask but I have been asked about it quite a lot recently what I think of it and I would just like to get some input on what happened."
"It's all right," Evelyn nodded her head in agreement to the prince. "I'm okay with talking about it now."
And so she told him. The prince had let her speak and say what had happened that night. She told him how wonderful of a friend Harry and the girls were to her and that she eventually told William one night and how absolutely gutted he was. How he wished he was there to protect her more and that it made him slightly nervous for when they do come out as a couple to the rest of the world. At the end he gave his input on what he thinks about the whole thing which was quite helpful to Evelyn since he had been in her shoes before. But not in the same way.
All in all it was a lovely evening and by the end of night the two families even became friends. Charles and Camilla gave them their personal mobile numbers to ring them in case they were ever in any trouble or wanted to get together as well.
*
"How do you think it went?" William asked his girlfriend as they were now back at her place.
"Awkward at first but got better as the day went on," she nodded her head with a smile on her face. "What did you think?"
"I thought the same. I think some people have a hard time of trying to be normal around my family and I. But once they get past the titles and the pleasantries - it makes it easier to just treat us normal."
"I think it helped that Charles and Camilla ended up relaxing later on," she told him as she ran her fingers through his hair and he closed his eyes at the comforting feeling, loving it. "My family likes to get a little wild at times and it was lovely seeing how your pa was with the twins."
"Your family? Wild?" William joked they were sitting on her sofa.
"Shut up," Eve pouted knowing he was joking. "Can you stay the night tonight or do you need to go back to your place?"
"I can stay the night," he told her as he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. "God I love you."
"I love you too."
--
Chapter 30 is going to be a special one :) Sorry for the lateish update. Last Saturday was my birthday and I started school this week for college. Please be patient with me as I'm not sure when the next time I can post will be but I try writing through out the week. hope you all are doing well! thought they might as well say 'i love you' in chapter 29. Also I have 11 more chapters left of Part 1 to write maybe 10 if I decide to not have 40 chapters.