16 weeks pregnant
8 hours earlier, Apartment 1A
7 June 2018
Evelyn was just finishing her morning restorative yoga with her yoga instructor Kim.
"Hands go into prayer pose and we finish out our last cleansing breath for class and finish with namaste," Kim said to Evelyn and she did exactly as Kim said and brought her hands over her head, hands together and then lowered her head as she said the word:
namaste.
It was a such a simple word with a powerful impact.
"Thank you for coming, Kim," the duchess thanked her after she had a little bit of trouble standing up.
"Oh sure, you're welcome," the blonde grinned at the duchess. "I'm glad I could make it. How are you feeling since your pregnancy?" She asked having known about it since early on because she needed to make adjustments in the yoga routine.
"I'm feeling okay," Evelyn told her with a soft smile as she stared down at her pudgy stomach. "Morning sickness is the worst and it seems like my cravings are out of control. Last night was craving pickles and ice cream so I ate them together," she told her yoga instructor who laughed at the odd combination.
"I remember those days," Kim said. "I'm glad everything is so far looking good with your baby. I know this last one has been a little stressful on you."
"Yeah," Evelyn pouted slightly as her bottom lip jutted out. "I know I get tested for preeclampsia during week twenty so hopefully it's all good there."
"Lets hope," Kim said trying to add light to the situation. "I'm sending you good healing pregnancy vibes your way," she told the blonde who let out a laugh at the comment.
"Thanks Kim! See you next week?"
"Definitely," Kim smiled and gave the duchess a hug before leaving.
*
"What if we did a little camping in the garden?" Evelyn asked her husband. "I know the kids would love that."
William was now home from his engagement that he had earlier that day where well wishers had asked how Evelyn was doing since they hadn't seen her in a whilst. To anyone else this would have been a normal question to ask but for William it kind of put him on the spot. Luckily for him though he was quick thinking and him and Evelyn had come up with an answer for this question if it was asked. He reassured everyone that she was well and would be seen soon. It didn't reveal too much but kept everyone guessing what was going on.
June was going to be a busy month for the Cambridges. In two days would be Trooping of the Colour. William and Evelyn had decided to have all their kids attend the big day. Then William's birthday was on the twenty-first and then he was going on a five day tour to the Middle East. Unfortunately, Evelyn and the kids had to stay home as Alexander was still in school until July. Evelyn was saddened that they had to stay back but she hoped some day soon they could take the kids to the Middle East. There was so much rich culture and history there to learn from and beautiful historical sites.
"We haven't done that in a whilst," William commented as he thought about the idea. "I think that's a great idea darling," he tells his wife with a small smile on his face.
William had changed since the first year Evelyn began dating him, but in her opinion he just got better and better. And his sense of humour was still the dry sense of humour that she loved from the beginning.
3:00pm, Apartment 1A
It was sad how this time round Harry was the last person (before they told the public) to know about their pregnancy. When she was pregnant with Alexander he was the first person after William to know. Unfortunately, Harry has shown how much he has changed and not for the better. Evelyn didn't like this new Harry. She missed the old him but now she wondered what part of him was real. Was it the old Harry who was there for her no matter what? Or was this new him always how he was and he just masked it really really well?
Evelyn had already told her best friends after telling her family about her pregnancy. Their reaction was priceless. Ivy and Caroline had the best reactions out of everyone.
It was the next weekend after Evelyn and William had told her family about the pregnancy that she decided to get together with everyone.
Kate planned the party and had everyone get together at her current favourite Italian restaurant which was Mucci's restaurant in Chelsea. They had the pizza and it was exactly what she was craving at the moment. Kate had called weeks ahead of time and arranged for a private room for the group of them knowing that Evelyn and William still wanted to keep this between family and friends. The restaurant owners were very accommodating and had asked if they wanted to rent out the restaurant for the night but knowing Evelyn, she wouldn't want that, so Kate politely declined.
Mucci's had the best pizza (in Evelyn's opinion). She loved the atmosphere of the place as well and since she had been spotted at the restaurant years ago, it had grown wildly popular ever since.
Evelyn had decided to wear a cream coloured solstice ruffle maxi dress from SPELL for the special meal. Evelyn thought it was perfect since the flowers were pink and blue. She paired it with her Tory Burch flat sandals that were white. These had been the best for her during this pregnancy outside of when she wore heels. Her hair was down in soft waves and she wore very light, summery makeup. It was the end of May after all.
She had snuck through the back because she didn't want everyone in the front seeing her. Evelyn was wearing a coat to cover her dress because she was now only slightly showing with her pudgy stomach that even the clothes she owned right now were too snug on her.
Kate was already there and once the hostess led her to the back room she gave her sister-in-law the biggest hug that she could with Kate being a little further along than her. They kissed each other's cheeks and then Evelyn took a look around at all the decorations.
"This is so cute, Kate," Evelyn gushed to her sister-in-law.
There were pink and blue streamers hanging above the ceiling along with the same coloured balloons around the room. Then on the table was little confetti pieces of pacifiers, pink and blue hearts, and glitter. In the corner there were building blocks that spelled out baby.
"Thanks. Though I can't take all the credit. My mum and dad helped me with this."
"Well, I couldn't have asked for anything better. Thank you."
"It was my pleasure. Truly," Kate said, touched.
Little by little each of the women started coming in as Evelyn greeted them.
"I'm liking the decorations, but kind of confused at the same time," Caroline said.
"I'm gonna take off my coat because its getting a little hot in here," Evelyn told Kate who knew that was Evelyn's cue that this was how she was going to tell them.
Once her coat was fully off Caroline and Ivy's jaws dropped.
"Holy shit!" Caroline yelled which made Evelyn laugh.
"Bloody hell, you're pregnant?!" Ivy yelled also. "You bitch! I can't believe you kept this secret from me!"
All of them laughed and Ivy went up to Evelyn and hugged her as she swayed her side to side as she was super excited for her best friend. There was no doubt that Evelyn was meant to be a mum and she was the best one too. Very loving, nurturing and attentive to them
How a mother should be.
"I'm so excited for you guys," Nicole said as she rounded the table and hugged her best friend.
"Thanks Nic," Evelyn told her with a smile on her face. "We're excited as well."
Evelyn had everyone surrounding her who was important to her.
"So wait, Kate, why aren't you surprised?" Caroline asked once they all had calmed down and sat down now.
"Kate knew," Evelyn said with a sly smile and shrugged her shoulders.
"Are you fucking kidding me?" Ivy asked jokingly with a smile on her face as Kate laughed and shook her head.
"She guessed it! Can you believe it?" Evelyn asked.
"You guessed it?" Ivy asked.
"I did," Kate said as she sipped some water.
"Bloody hell. I mean I'm not even that good and I've been through two of Evelyn's pregnancies," Ivy shook her head.
"What can I say? I'm just really good at hiding it."
"So, how does it feel to be pregnant at the same time?" Nicole asked the two women.
When they found out a whilst ago that Kate was pregnant with her second they all lost it back then too. They knew the history of Kate and Evelyn and whilst most people would have found this all odd but they didn't. It was all the past now and if they could put it aside and be friends/sisters-in-law's then so could they.
"It's the best," Kate said and Evelyn agreed.
Just then their waiter came in after they were given drinks when they first came in.
"Hi, I'm Matt, and I'll be your waiter today. What can I get you guys?" He asked.
"Can we get the margherita pizza as well as the robin hood pizza?" Ivy asked him as they were all just gonna share them all.
"Of course," he nodded his head. "Anything else?"
"I was going to order a couple pizza's to go but can I do that a little later?" Evelyn asked the waiter as she was gonna bring some home for William and the kids.
"Definitely," he nods his head. "I can come back about half way through and see if you want to order your take home order then?"
He wasn't nervous around the Duchess of Cambridge anymore as he had served her and her husband more than once and each time they tipped him generously. He realized they were just normal people and that they wanted to be treated as such.
"That sounds great. Thanks Matt," Evelyn told him as they all handed the menu's back to him but she kept hers for reference later.
"Also congratulations," he told her quietly.
"Thank you," she smiled at him. "D'you mind keeping it private for now? We're going to make the announcement soon."
"You have my word," he told her honestly and then left.
"He is so fine," Ivy told them as she fanned her face.
"Ivy!! Your about to be married!" Caroline laughed hard.
"So? That doesn't mean I can't look. Did you see his eyes? Oh my God..."
"He was hot," Evelyn agreed.
"Eve!" Caroline joked.
"William knows that I think that," Evelyn laughed. "I told Matt one day how gorgeous his eyes were and he got so embarrassed. It was very cute. I couldn't believe I told him that in front of my husband."
"How did William react?"
"He was gobsmacked at first but then he thought it was the funniest thing ever!" Evelyn said and they laughed.
They ended up having the best afternoon and enjoyed it with each other with lots of laughter and stories. Pictures were taken and memories were made.
"Are you guys okay?" Harry asked when he sensed their apprehension.
"We're more than okay, actually we're never better," William told his younger brother.
"That's good," Harry agreed. "So what's the news?"
"We're going to have another baby! I'm pregnant!" Evelyn said with excitement.
"What?! That's amazing! Congrats you guys," Harry said with excitement as he got up to hug them but Meghan stayed in place.
"Thanks Harry," Evelyn and William told him.
"Oh, it all makes sense now," Meghan said as realization dawned on her.
"I'm sorry?" Evelyn asked confused. She wasn't expecting that to be the first thing that comes out of Meghan's mouth. She was expecting maybe a congratulations but never that.
"Why you've been such a bitch lately and made me have my wedding dress designer change Victoria's dress size. It's all because of your hormones," Meghan said as she shook her head with a small smile and gave a quiet laugh.
William's whole body went stiff and rigged. Evelyn sucked in a breath as she hadn't been expecting that.
"What the fuck?" William said with hostility clear in his tone. "Why the hell would you ever say that?" He said with bitterness as he stood up for his wife. No one was allowed to talk to his wife this way. Not because of her title - that had nothing to do with it. He didn't care if it was his brother's wife or not. Harry should know better. Hell, Meghan should know better. Evelyn had never done anything to deserve this kind of treatment from Meghan. If William were being honest, he thought his wife should have never waisted her talented skill of painting on Meghan or giving her a bottle of wine when she was distraught about the news of her dad.
"You have no right to talk about my hormones in that way. You don't even really know me," Evelyn said with hurt.
"I know enough," Meghan voiced.
"Okay," Harry said as he got in the middle of the argument. "Why don't we all calm down for a bit, yeah?" Harry asked trying to defuse the situation but he could already tell that his brother was not having it. And he knew that if this was Evelyn saying this to Meghan he would end up hating her too. He loved his wife but even he knew this was uncalled for. Though, even if he mentioned it to Meghan, he knew they would get into a row and it wasn't worth it. Meghan was his family now and he would defend her even when he thought she was in the wrong because he had waited his whole life for this kind of love and he would be damned if he's gonna let anyone get in the way of his happiness.
"I think you should go," William told them and looked to his darling wife who was now distraught and a little shaken up after what had just transpired.
William knew better than anyone that it was important to stand up for those you love as he always did so for his wife and family but for Harry to stand up for the wrong side even though he loved his wife? He didn't understand that. Harry could easily correct his wife and tell her that she was wrong to say that. But he didn't.
William shook his head in disbelief and anger and led Harry and Meghan to their door to let them out.
Evelyn let out a noise as her eyes welled with tears once William made his way into the sitting room. She collapsed into his arms as she cried on his shoulder and he wrapped his arms round her. She felt as though she could hardly breathe she was crying so hard. Her head was feeling a little lightheaded from the hard crying and hyperventilating. Though she was in her mid-thirties there were still mean women out there and Meghan was one of them, unfortunately.
"Hey, shh, it's all right," William tried to do some soothing techniques with his wife to help calm her down as he ran his hand up and down her back, soothingly. He then leaned back a little with a hold on her as he tried to get her to look up at him. "Breathe in with me, all right?"
He breathed in with her as he tried to dry away her tears. She tried to do as he instructed at first It broke his heart how Meghan was so easily breaking up their family. It's almost laughable in a way how all it takes is one person to come in-between a family.
"Good, you're doing much better," William praised his wife as the hyperventilating was returning to normal breathing.
William was honestly glad that he and Evelyn had decided to have the kids play at nana and papa's home right now. It was much better then the drama they just endured. Somehow they knew it would be a shit show telling Harry and Meghan and didn't want their kids involved in it.
"You okay?" William asked his wife as he continued to try her tears with his thumbs.
"No," she shook her head as tears were still fresh.
William held his wife in his arms for a whilst before he got up from their polyester leather sofa that was an electric power recliner as well. He had pushed the button to recline them and Evelyn stayed in her place with her head on his chest as he soothingly ran his hand up and down her back.
Eventually William got up and made his way into the kitchen and got out a chamomile tea and got some water to pour into the tea pot and put the cozy on top of it to brew. After it was done brewing, he got the tea strainer and poured it in the tea cup. Once it was to Evelyn's liking, he grabbed some milk and poured in a dash of it as he began to stir. After he was done making the tea, he walked back into the sitting room to his wife who was still sitting on the sofa with black mascara stains down her cheeks.
"Thank you," she murmured quietly and began to sip it as he took a seat next to her which brought her comfort.
Evelyn didn't understand why women still even in their thirties had to be so mean and petty. She didn't see the point in that and was thankful for the group of women she did have as friends. There was hardly any drama within their friend group and if there was it was chatting about the argument they got in with their husband. Sometimes their feelings might get hurt over something one of them said but then they would talk about it, apologize and move on. This wasn't the case. There was no remorse from Meghan.
If there was one thing to know about The Duchess of Cambridge it was that she was not mean.
The quote that was used in the Cinderella remake: "have courage and be kind."
Though there were times when she could overreact or be upset about something (like right now) she was a sacred woman where she was expressive, intuitive, connected with love and compassionate. And William loved this about his wife and needed her constant stability in his life. Especially because his life at times seemed chaotic but with her? It was all worth it with her by his side.
"I'm sorry I'm such a blubbering mess," Evelyn let out a tearful laugh as she shook her head.
"It's okay, Eve," her husband reassured her as he took her small hand in his. "Whilst we were hoping for the best we prepared for the worst with having our kids at your parents house. I'm just sorry that it turned out to be the worst."
"Me too," she pouted and leaned forward to press her lips to his in a soft and too quick of a kiss for his liking. "I love you, William. Thank you for being there for me."
"I wouldn't be anywhere else," he told her honestly as he ran his thumb up and down the back of her hand. "I love you more, Eve."
*
A couple hours later. . .
"I just hate that this little one didn't get a warm welcoming from everyone," Evelyn told her husband as her hand went protectively to her bump and she wanted to protect her little one's from any bad that came their way. But she knew that life didn't work that way.
William would be lying if he said he didn't care about his brother and sister-in-law's reaction to the news about the pregnancy. Of course he cared! Why couldn't they be happy for them? Harry had known how long they had been trying for a fourth child.
"I know love," William lifted her shirt up just to her breasts and rubbed his hands on her bump. He leaned down and pressed a loving kiss to her bump. "I love you," he murmured to her stomach.
"She loves you too," Evelyn told him with a smile.
"She?" William raised his brows at her. "You think little one is a girl?"
"I do," she told him. "What do you think?"
"I think so too," he grinned at his wife, very excited at the thought of having another little girl.
Whilst he loved all his children, there was something about having a daughter that was different. He was soft and gentle with her. And Evelyn thought it was the cutest thing ever. People were able to catch little glimpses of how he was as a father and a husband but she got to see it all the time and she loved that.
"William?" Evelyn asked catching her husband's attention.
"Yeah?" He turned his face away from the telly to look at his wife.
"Would it be bad if we called my parents and brought the kids home for tonight? I just miss them and feel like it would be better to have them home now."
"Of course," he smiled and leaned over to place a kiss on her lips as her eyes fluttered closed for the short kiss. "It's not late either so perfect timing," he told her and got his mobile out to call his mother-in-law. It was only five in the afternoon now so it was really perfect time to bring them home. Evelyn missed them so much and knew without them she would just continue to mope around.
*
It was less than hour later that the kids came home and Evelyn couldn't be happier. Being with her family was her happy place.
"All right everyone - what d'you want to do?" Evelyn asked her kids.
"Make hot chocolate and s'mores," Alexander spoke up.
"What?" Evelyn asked faking shocked which made the twins giggle. "You want to make s'mores? And hot chocolate?"
They nodded their heads.
"All right, Archie," William clapped his hands together. "Want to help me getting the supplies together?"
"Yes," he nodded his head and followed his dad into the kitchen where the pantry was to get everything ready.
They didn't do this all too often but when they did they just used the fireplace in the sitting room. Alexander and William got the supplies and met the rest of the family in the sitting room and Alexander helped place them on the table. They tried to keep them out of reach from Zeus who was eyeing and sniffing the food but he couldn't eat the chocolate otherwise he would get sick. Whilst they were doing that Evelyn got all of their hot chocolate's ready, making sure not to make it too hot for the kids, but hot enough.
"Thank you Alexander for helping," Evelyn kissed the top of his head and he grinned at his mum.
"Your welcome," he told her quietly as Evelyn was now getting out the reese's peanut butter cups as well. Nicole and her husband, Jesse, had recently come back from America (specifically California) and had brought their friends back American candy. Nicole had given them a tip that if they ever make s'mores that they have to include the reese's peanut butter cups in there because it takes it to a whole other level. Her words.
William had the fire place going and it created a warm atmosphere.
"Right then. Who wants to try it?" Evelyn asked after they helped the kids with their s'mores but Alexander promised he was a big boy and therefore he wanted to do it on his own. She had already put the delicious sweet treat together and couldn't wait to taste it.
"Me!!!" All three of them exclaimed which made the parents laugh.
"Go on then," she told them and they hungrily ate it as William and Evelyn ate theirs as well.
"Damn that's good," William said as he continued to eat his as none of them cared much how messy their face or fingers got as Evelyn let out a moan at the deliciousness of it.
"Best. Thing. Ever. Takes it to a whole other level. Nic was right."
"Can I have more?" Alex asked which made his mum laugh.
"Maybe half of one and I'll split it with you?" Alexander agreed and they shared another.
They helped the twins eat theirs as they were only two. They didn't give them the Reese's peanut butter cup with theirs as they didn't want to give them too much chocolate. After they finished with their s'mores, they got their tent as well as some blankets and pillows and went to go camp out in the garden.
It was the perfect ending to a bad afternoon.
*
It was days after the incident with Harry and Meghan and William had thought long and hard about Evelyn's comment wanting another dog. It would teach the kids about responsibility and taking care of something. Not to mention it would give Zeus a friend. So he made up his mind that they would get a dog.
William thought this couldn't have come at a better time. Not that he was trying to buy his wife's happiness but he could tell that she was still saddened about the whole situation.
Normally they would buy from James since he sells cocker spaniels but lately they had been thinking about yellow labs. So, William took it upon himself to look up breeders in the area and stumbled upon a few. He got in contact with them and ended up choosing one that he really liked.
"Why don't you kids pick one out," William told his kids as he bent his knees to talk to them directly.
"Otay!" Victoria said with a happy smile and skipped round the grass as she chased all the puppies.
Evelyn thought it was the cutest thing ever and she took pictures the whole time.
"What about this one, Pa?" Alexander asked his dad as he came over holding a male pup.
"This one too?" Spencer asked.
"Only one," William chuckled and shook his head to which the kids pouted slightly.
"How can you choose only one though?" Alexander asked exasperated which made the owners chuckle.
"It is very hard," Rebecca said with a smile on her face. "What I like to do is check them all out. If there's one you keep coming back to - go with that one. They are all great little ones and you really can't go wrong with any."
"Okay," Alexander nodded his head and the rest of the kids did as told.
Eventually, as they played with all of them, they ended up with the one Alexander had chosen from the very beginning. They paid Rebecca the hefty amount and left with their new puppers and went to Hyde Park. They had learned that if you have your dog that you've had for years and a new dog meet up in a place that isn't home that maybe the older dog won't be territorial.
Natasha had met up with them and Evelyn got out with the new puppy as she was holding him the whole way she set him down with his leash attached to his collar. She would have to go on Etsy later and order him a customised name tag but this one was good for now. The kids were so excited and both mum and dad knew this was the right decision not only for Zeus but for their family as well.
Natasha had been watching Zeus this whole time as he was playing with Bear over at her home but she was chuffed to bits to meet the newest addition of the Cambridge family. Especially after seeing the picture of him that Evelyn had sent her. He just looked so cute and cuddly.
"Oh my goodness," Natasha put a hand on her heart after she saw the puppy who tried to run up to her in excitement as much as his tiny legs would allow it. "He's so precious!"
She squatted down to the ground and he jumped up to her legs and cuddled against her as she gave him all the love. They all thought it was the cutest thing ever as William had Zeus with him and gave him lots of attention and love to help him not be jealous.
"Hi there, little one. You are just a little cuties aren't you," Natasha said to the addition.
"He's very cute. Huh?" Evelyn asked her mum.
"Very," Natasha said and got up before they turned their attention to Zeus.
Evelyn got down on her knees and petted her first love, Zeus.
"You are being such a good boy," Evelyn told him as she rubbed him and loved on him. "Yes you are," she said as she tried to make sure he was okay. He was just excited and very curious who this new puppy was. He cocked his head to the side as his tail started to wag side to side again. "Are you ready to meet a new family member?" Just then Zeus got all excited to where his whole body was shaking with excitement and he let out a howl which made her laugh. "Your gonna do great, sweetie. Zeus, this is your new friend."
They just stared at each other for a little bit before he made the first move and began sniffing him. Then the new puppy did the same to Zeus and they began to play with each other.
--
I hope everyone has a good Memorial Day weekend. And please remember the real reason for this three day weekend - to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice so that can enjoy the freedoms we have today. Thank you!
What's everyone doing this weekend? I watched a couple Memorial Day celebrations but the White House Celebration was my favorite.
I'm warning you guys now - prepare for the drama that's about to come because you haven't seen nothing yet.
What did you think about everyone's reaction to the new baby?