My eyes scan over the spread sheets for the coronation. One month from now it will take place. Both Mia and I will be crowned. Harold has noted that this coronation will need to be the biggest event in English history. This event needs to be heard around the world.
Westminster Abbey will be heavily secured, two thousand allowed inside for the actual ceremony, carefully chosen by rank of course. Outside, they expect the streets will be lined with onlookers as never seen before. The ceremony will be aired on radio, podcast and television, to all corners of the world.
The longer I think of the magnitude of the situation, the more I wish I didn't have to do it. This day, coronation day, I've always been told is the greatest day in a monarch's life. I already know it will not be in my top five greatest moments, just taking into fact that my brother had his coronation just over a year ago. His world was so full of possibility then. And now he's dead, destroyed by the day he oh-so-dearly loved.
No, if I had the choice, I'd skip this bit all together. I lean back in my chair, the desk in our bedroom overlooking the large lawn of the gardens. They are dark, unlit in the cool night. I drink the rest of my coffee before resting the mug onto the flat coaster. My eyes, as usual, gravitate towards Mia, who is on her side, her arm protectively holding Alexander close to her. They're both sound asleep, chests inhaling and exhaling normally. I sometimes find my gaze fixed on the rise and fall of her chest, the clear, deep breaths. I remember so easily when I'd watch her struggle, her chest collapsing with difficulty. It's a form of therapy for me now, to know she isn't hurting.
I stand, hearing my body crack in various places from lack of exercise. I detest having to remain indoors. I'd become so used to fresh air, dirt, sweat. These glacially slow days will be the end of me. I walk to the bed, leaning forward to grab Alexander from her grip. His eyes flutter but do not open as I press him to my chest, smoothing my hand over the back of his head. I feel his soft, dark waves under my fingers as I walk from our bedroom into the main suite. Pushing open the nursery door with my back, I don't touch the light, not wanting to wake him. The light from the suite illuminates my way enough so I don't trip over the scattered toys on route to the crib.
I place him onto the soft thin layer of cushion, removing my hands slow so he doesn't notice they're gone. Triumphant, I turn on the baby monitor and leave the room quickly, closing the door halfway. I hear the door click open then and stop beside the loveseat as Ivan walks into the suite.
"Oh, good, you're awake," he grumbles, looking exhausted.
"What is it, Ivan?"
"Nicole is on the main line. I wanted to check if you wanted to take the call before I tell her no again. She has called for hours... rather furious. I tried to tell her you've retired, however, she knows the number to the main line."
"Has she said what she wants to speak about?"
"Samuel, sir."
I sigh, pressing my lips together. I know Nicole. She won't stop tonight. "I'll take it. Not here though," I say, glancing at the open doors leading to both my wife and child. "In my office."
...
"I'm sending her through now," Ivan murmurs over the phone. I sit down, nodding to myself.
"Thank you, Ivan."
Within seconds, I hear Nicole, she clearly believes she's still on hold.
"You ridiculous girl, you've spilled it everywhere. It's on my shoes. This will not come out now!"
I hear a faint I'm sorry from the young lady Ivan chose and sent to take care of Nicole.
"Nicole," I utter loudly.
"Christ Henry, I've been calling for hours. Are you honestly avoiding my calls?"
"I'd be a smart man if I would but here I am."
"Henry, you didn't tell me you were giving Samuel to my family!"
How the hell does she know he's with them? "I don't see how that is any of your business, Nicole. You gave him up freely."
"But you gave him to my family! Those horrible, backstabbing people have my child!"
"I don't have time for this. Your son is safe and cared for, Nicole. Let that be the end of it."
"It's not the end of it though. On top of exiling me to this godforsaken place with this godforsaken girl who cannot lift a damn tea kettle without staining my clothes in the process, you've decided to shame me further! Every noble will know that is my child. They will know that I am not raising him!"
The chair creaks as I lean back slowly. "I sometimes wonder how in the hell you became so selfish, Nicole."
"It's not selfish to want some shred of dignity, Henry! You've stripped me of everything I've ever known!"
"Dignity? Dignity, Nicole? Any remaining sympathy I may have had for you disappeared the second you called your son a bastard. You only think of yourself and that, Nicole, is what got you into this mess in the first place. Not me. Not Mia. Not even Richard. You."
"Just let me come back to England, Henry. You know I'm no threat to you."
I'm getting extremely tired of this already. "Even if I would agree to that, which I wouldn't, Parliament would never allow it. Your husband was forced off the throne."
"I know but Henry-"
"The answer is no," I growl, loudly. "Goodnight Nicole."
I place the phone into the receiver, hanging up on her before lifting it again to my ear, dialing Ivan's extension.
"Yes, sir?"
"Go to sleep."
"Will she call again?"
"Probably," I mutter, standing. "But we can deal with that tomorrow."
"Goodnight, sir."
"Goodnight, Ivan."
I hang up once more, now desperate for sleep. When I open the door to the suite, I notice that all lights are off but in our bedroom. I walk towards the light, finding Mia sitting up against the pillows, War and Peace in her lap.
"Where have you been?" she asks, shutting the mammoth of a book. I remove my tie with haste, throwing it over the chair.
"Nicole called," I murmur, removing my belt, setting it down over the tie. I laugh, removing my cuff links at the look of distaste in Mia's expression.
"I thought we were done having to deal with her."
"We are. She just- has nothing better to do than let her anger simmer."
"Did she ask about Samuel? Is that why she called?"
"Yes... she knows her family has him," I reply, working on my buttons. I know better than to look at her now.
"How?"
"I have no clue. I'm sure someone called to tell her."
"She's going to get him," Mia says, after a moment, worry apparent in her voice. I shake my head, glancing over at her.
"You heard her father. He wants nothing to do with Nicole."
"And I think you underestimate her. She is a manipulator, Henry. She cannot be trusted."
"Baby," I murmur, hoping we're not about to argue again. She groans, sliding down into the pillows.
"I know... I know," she sighs, closing her eyes. I smirk, removing my shirt.
"I am going to a garden party on Saturday."
I turn, curiously. "A garden party?"
"Yes. I had the luncheon with you but I- scheduled this in place of it."
I try to conceal the shock, pursing my lips as I kick off my shoes. "I see."
"I should have asked you first but I was- angry and wanted to do this."
"Do what exactly? What is this garden party for?" I breathe in deeply. "Mia, you have to get these plans approved. If this is something that isn't in the interest of the crown-"
"It's a charity, one I did get approval on. Justice for Battered Women."
I turn to look at her, cautiously. I cannot argue against that. I know that subject is one she's experienced first-hand. "Well, good... It's a good cause."
"I will still make the Trustees ceremony. I'm just missing the luncheon."
I nod, smiling uncomfortably. "Alright."
She sighs, beckoning me over with her hand. "Come lay down with me."
I do, enjoying when she scoots over to me, wrapping her arm around my body, pressing her lips to my chest. My hand instinctively moves into her thick air, fingers combing through the soft strands.
"I'm not going to mention anything about myself," she whispers, "if that is what you are worried about."
I shake my head as she rests her cheek against my body, hugging me closer. "It's not that... I'd just hate for any of that to be brought back. The past. John Robinson."
"You fought those demons for me," she whispers. My eyes meet hers as she rests her chin on my chest. "I want to help others that have gone through what I have. I feel it is important."
"It is," I reply with a nod.
"So... you're not mad?"
I smile, closing my eyes. "No, I'll just miss you at the luncheon."
I exhale deeply as her hand leaves my waist, curving around the nape of my neck. She begins to press soft kisses to my chest, ascending to my throat. As tired as I am, and as much as I do need sleep, I'm defenseless to her. As her lips seal over mine, I grasp a fistful of her hair and turn, pinning her beneath me.
We'll both be defenseless tonight.
A/N: Will update again reallllly soon! xx