Three Years Later
"That was a brilliant hit, Ezra," King Harry praised his son proudly, jogging over to the tiny boy. He picked him up by his waist and twirled him once, causing the boy to laugh out a musical laughter.
"Daddy, down!" he giggled, falling into a fit of laughter as his father tickled his sides.
"I'm proud of you," Harry said as his excuse. "Shall we try it again?"
Prince Ezra glanced over to his mother for confirmation. Queen Leah was sat on a black bench with the newborn baby girl perched on her lap.
"You may," Leah permitted. "Afternoon tea starts in fifteen minutes so we all must be back to the castle by then."
Prince Ezra beamed at that, happy to be able to play with his father for a little while longer. He treasured these moments. The King generally had about an hour a day to play in the garden with his children.
The small boy ran back to his stance, lugging with him the cricket bat. It was the second week of spring and Harry decided it was time to teach his son how to play cricket. Ezra was a natural.
"Watch me, Winnie!" the young Prince called over to his baby sister.
Winnie Anne Elizabeth Styles was born five months ago on a chilly winter morning. She had brown curly hair, taking after her father, as well as his nose. However, the little girl's eyes already showed signs of being a sea blue like her mother's.
"She's watching," Leah replied, grinning while holding the baby to the side to angle her facing the two Styles boys. Winnie let out a gurgle.
The bright, spring sun twinkled in their eyes and warmed their bodies. Birds chirped from the massive, swaying trees and butterflies fluttered around them, attracting Princess Winnie's attention.
King Harry pitched the ball over to his son and Ezra whacked it with the rectangular bat. The ball flew a few feet before crashing to the ground and bouncing a few times on the dewy grass.
"Did you see that, Mummy?" Ezra asked excitedly, jumping up and down on his short and stubby legs.
"Me and Winnie both did!" Leah applauded. "You're getting so good!"
The toddler ran in a circle two times before collapsing to the ground and giggling. Harry picked up the Prince, laughing to himself as he positioned the boy onto his back. Ezra held tightly.
"Watch the wet ground, Ez," King Harry jokingly warned. "Nanny will have a fit if your new clothes get grass stains."
The Queen then noticed her guard step out of the castle backdoor.
"Oh, it looks like tea is ready. All right, everyone inside." Leah ruffled Ezra's golden brown hair as he passed by on her husband's sturdy back. "Grandmum and Uncle Ben and Cal will be there," she reminded them.
The little boy cheered in excitement, thrilled to be seeing his uncles and grandmother again. Queen Leah carried baby Winnie back into the castle with the boys next to her.
Their guards met them at the back entrance of the garden to guide them through the corridors. The family trekked up the grand marble staircase in the massive foyer and into just one of the multiple drawing rooms for tea.
A butler posted outside the room opened the door widely for the royal family and stepped back for them to enter.
Angela, Ben, and Cal Bates all stood up in unison. The boys, now older and dapper teenagers were dressed nicely in dark suits and bow ties. Angela was clad in a warm, purple dress with silver jewels.
The twin boys had fully taken over the job as head caretaker of the horse stables. The previous man who had taught them how to operate the stable had sadly died of old age, leaving the twins to take over his job entirely.
Angela spent a long year moving on from working as a maid in the castle to renovating the Bates' family home into an improved and modern bed and breakfast inn. She had bundled together enough money working, as well as a generous amount given from Harry and Leah for a downpayment, and the bed and breakfast was now a hit.
"My, what a gorgeous family." Angela proudly smiled, extending her arms as her daughter came forward to hug her. "And this precious one. Winnie keeps getting bigger and bigger every day."
"Uncle Benny and Cally," Ezra greeted his uncles enthusiastically and they both hugged the little boy tightly.
"How are you doing, Ez?" Ben asked, setting his nephew back down.
While the boys chatted away, King Harry had migrated over to his mother-in-law, embracing her warmly and giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"Lovely to see you again, Angela."
"You look amazing, Harry. It's so good to see you."
After making small talk for a few minutes, the large family joined together by the crackling fireplace. Butlers came forward to serve the tea in special China cups. Nanny brought up a small glass of juice for Ezra and a bottle of milk for Winnie. Leah fed the milk to her in her arms while the family chatted away.
"How has the bed and breakfast been running?" King Harry curiously asked Mrs. Bates, turning to her from his seat next to Leah.
The twins took one couch, Mrs. Bates in a single, leather armchair, and the Styles family in a spacious sofa.
"It's wonderful," Mrs. Bates responded. "I'm having such fun with the people that come in. I've developed a small staff of employees for some of the cooking, but I take care of the cleaning and finances."
"Finances, Mother?" Queen Leah piped up in a worried tone. "Are you sure we can't hire someone to do that for you? It wouldn't be trouble."
"No, no, I've grown to learn all about how to deal with the money. I dare say it's rather improving my mental state. I do all the taxes and bills at night when it's quiet and I'm alone to think. I really do like it, Leah, don't worry about me so much."
Leah considered it, pondering for a moment. "Well..all right, but don't hesitate to ask if you need anything."
Mrs. Bates smiled at her daughter.
"Now, let me cuddle my grand baby!" she chuckled, extending her arms for the small child. Leah grinned, handing over the little girl and her bottle for Mrs. Bates to hold.
Leah leaned back into the cozy couch, adoring the way the fire's heat felt close by. Harry's arm draped around her shoulders, pulling her closer and offering her saucer of tea. She accepted, gratefully.
"Enjoying the stables, boys?" King Harry questioned his brothers-in-law.
Cal set down his tea before saying, "It's so much fun. The stallions are in mint condition. I love training and taking care of them."
"I'm glad to hear." Harry smiled.
"Actually," Ben chimed in, "we brought Daisy out just this morning to let her graze the field for a bit. That's your horse, Harry, yeah? Would any of you like to take her out for a ride?"
"I do!" Prince Ezra suddenly exclaimed, jumping up from the couch. The suspenders on his shoulders fell off from the abrupt motion.
"S'that all right with you, Le?" Ben requested permission from his sister.
Leah glanced over to her son who pleadingly looked up at her. He was having such a fun day already with spending time with his family, and riding his father's prized horse would be the cherry on top.
"I suppose so. But I'd like to be there to watch him," she reasoned and Ezra squealed.
"Oh, thank you, Mummy!"
"What if we all came down to watch you, Ez?" Harry said and he nodded his curly head.
"Come on, come on. Now, Daddy! Let's go now!" Ezra jumped on to the King's lap to seize his hands and force him upwards to stand.
"Wait for your grandmum to finish her tea. Be considerate, Ezra, okay?" King Harry attempted to scold, but ended up cracking a smile and chuckle.
Once afternoon tea was complete, the family traveled down to the gardens again and followed Ben and Cal to the stables.
The lot patiently waited as the twins went inside to retrieve the stallion. Proper riding gear was given to Prince Ezra, who quickly put on the helmet and boots.
Daisy galloped out of the stable with Ben guiding her by the leather reigns. Her mane gorgeously flew lightly in the warm breeze.
Leah nervously eyed the animal, memories of her horrid time with riding the horses flashing back into her mind.
"Um.." She was having second thoughts on allowing her son to ride.
Harry touched her back, resting his one free palm there while he cradled Winnie in his other arm.
Ben spoke up. "Don't worry, Le. I wasn't going to allow the lad to go by himself, he's never ridden before. I'll be up there with him."
She let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Benny."
Cal picked up the Prince once Ben clambered on and set him in front of his uncle. The young boy touched the horse in awe and glee.
"Soft.." the small boy mumbled, brushing the horse's flowing mane.
"Ready, Ez?" Ben asked with a grin, holding tightly to the reigns of Daisy.
"Yes!"
Leah held her breath as Ben called forward to Daisy and she began to trot lightly. They did not increase much pace, much to the Queen's liking.
King Harry stayed close to his wife and slid an arm around her waist, with a sleeping Winnie between them.
Ezra's joyful laughter could be heard miles away. It filled the flourishing garden and traveled between each flower bed and clipped bush statue.
He was having the time of his life and Leah couldn't help but to let out a happy sigh. Harry kissed her head.
The couple was a few feet's distance from Mrs. Bates and Cal, so privacy to talk was granted.
"We've made the most wonderful family, you and I," King Harry noted with pride and Leah nodded.
"I love you," she told him for the thousandth time since she'd met him.
"I love you so very much, my love," King Harry earnestly replied just as Winnie let out a faint gurgle. "And your Mummy and I love you, too, Princess." He let out a deep chuckle.
The nestled family looked on in adoration toward their beaming son, feeling an immense amount of love. The two of them had come so far and conquered countless challenges and obstacles. Their resilience and affection for the other ultimately rewarded King Harry and Queen Leah a lifetime of happiness, prosperity, and fortune while ruling the kingdom of England with their two children loyally by their side.
THE END
Red & White is officially over...wow. This day has been approaching for a while and I'm so sad now that it has. Although this story isn't my most popular one, it may be the one I'm proudest of. I think my writing skills have greatly approved by writing this story and I'm thrilled I never lost motivation throughout the processing of creating it.
Thank you to all who continuously voted, chapter after chapter and left encouraging and positive comments. I thank you so so much for them. Love to all xx