25 October 2011
It was Evelyn's baptism today and the couple had less than a month until the wedding now. Less than four weeks.
"Wait," William stopped his fiancé and she turned around to look at him. "Before you go, I wanted to give you something."
"William, you didn't have to get me anything," she smiled shyly at him.
"I know but I wanted to. Open it," he told her as he handed her the parcel.
"Okay," she did as told and realised it was wrapped and it felt like a book.
Unwrapping the paper, she noticed it was the first Harry Potter book - The Philosopher's Stone. She knew that William knew that she owned the first book in numerous book covers that have been made but she didn't want to be rude.
"Open it," he told her and she did as told with her eyebrows furrowed.
On the inside of the front cover was a note from none other J.K. Rowling herself and Evelyn was gobsmacked.
Dear Evelyn,
William tells me that you are a massive fan of Harry Potter and I want to thank you for your dedication that you've had over the years. He also tells me that you're a Gryffindor and I think I can speak for Neville Longbottom, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, the Weasley family, and Oliver Wood how proud they would be and honored to have you be in their house. I hope someday soon we can meet. Congratulations on your impending nuptials. I wish you many years of happiness and love.
Sincerely,
J.K. Rowling
"Oh my God, William," she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him deeply and he chuckled lightly at how cute her reaction was and he felt her slightly shaking due to excitement. He brought her onto his lap as they both had sat down on the sofa to have her open the parcel. "How did you even get J.K. Rowling to do this?"
"I have my ways," he said with a smile. "There's more," he said handing her a much smaller parcel.
"William, you did not have to get me anything anything else! You didn't even have to get me this."
"I know Evelyn, but I wanted to show my gratitude and this is how I knew to do so."
"Thank you," she kissed him once more before opening the smaller box and noticed the Cartier cursive writing on it and she let a sigh as she glanced up at her fiancé making him smile and his ocean blue eyes shined brightly.
Inside the jewelry box was the Cartier love bracelet in yellow gold.
"Too much, William," she said sniffling slightly. "Too much."
"You know the meaning behind the Cartier love bracelet?" He asked as he helped her get in on her wrist as it fit perfectly. "It means inseparable love and the yellow gold means loyalty and fidelity in marriage. It's embodied in the bracelet held together by two screws and 'locked' onto your wrist."
"I love you so much," Evelyn said in a blubbering mess as he smoothed out her hair and wiped her tears from her cheeks.
"I love you, Evelyn. I don't know if you'll ever truly know how much you mean to me."
"I think I have some idea," she quipped cheekily as he laughed slightly and shook his head.
"Come on you, we have a baptism to attend."
*
The couple was some of the first ones to arrive at St. James Palace, other than the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles as well as Camilla and lastly Prince Harry. The Archbishop of Canterbury was there as well and he would be officiating their wedding.
The couple greeted everyone who had arrived as they were now waiting on members of Evelyn's family and the Middleton's. It wouldn't start for another thirty minutes but Evelyn and William were told to arrive early to discuss what would happen.
Evelyn's family arrived shortly after but the couple was in another room with the Queen and the Archbishop of Canterbury so she wasn't able to speak with them yet.
"You look stunning, darling," Camilla told the blonde with a smile.
"Thank you," she smiled shyly as she placed a strand of hair behind her hair. "How've you been? It's been a whilst since we've been over to your place."
"We've been great," Camilla told Evelyn. "Busy with our engagements, but also making sure to spend some time at our private home in Welsh. You must come visit us before the wedding," she held Evelyn's hand, giving it a slight squeeze.
"I'll have to have a chat with William about it but I know he would love to."
"How has wedding planning been?" She asked, excited for another wedding.
"It's been great," Evelyn said with excitement. "We have the cake picked out, my bouquet and dress have been chosen and we have the singers chosen for the reception."
"And the tiara?"
"Already picked," she grinned.
"Fantastic. Any chance I can know?"
"Absolutely not," Evelyn let out a small laugh as she shook her head. "Not even William or my mum know."
William was wearing the black leather watch that Evelyn had bought him in their first Christmas together as Evelyn was still wearing the love bracelet he had bought her when her mum spotted the new piece of jewelry she wore.
"That's so beautiful," her mum gushed as she held Evelyn's hand to examine the jewelry as Evelyn blushed slightly when she looked to William.
"Thanks mum."
"Did you get it for her, William?"
"I did," he nodded his head with a shy smile. "I got it for her as a gift for today."
"He also got me a signed copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher Stone from J.K. Rowling herself!"
"That's bloody brilliant, William! Can't believe I've never thought of that," Natasha praised her soon to be son-in-law.
"Thank you Natasha," he grinned at her.
The Middleton's arrived but their youngest son James wasn't able to attend as Ivy and Chelsy weren't too far behind.
"If everyone is ready we will begin now," The Archbishop announced and William wrapped his arm around Evelyn's waist as they walked in after his granny and pa. "Before I begin, I wanted to say how much we all appreciate Evelyn for making this decision to become apart of the Church of England. Though it is not necessary before their marriage, we all appreciate it and the sentiment behind her reasoning. Evelyn allowed me to share this with everyone that before today, when she first came to me with the idea of being baptised into the Church of England, I sat down with her and wanted to make sure she was doing it for the right reasons. I also know how much Prince William and Evelyn appreciate you all being here today and supporting her in her baptism and confirmation to the Church of England. Let us begin."
*
"That was so beautiful, Evelyn," Charles told his soon to be daughter-in-law as he stole her away for a few moments in private. "What you are doing for my boy, this family," he shook his head. "I know we couldn't be more grateful to have someone like you end up with William."
"Thank you, Charles," she smiled shyly at the compliment. "He means the absolute world to me and so does your family. I've come to love all of you."
"We feel the exact the same way. You're practically like a daughter to me now and you know I always wanted a daughter."
He didn't mean this comment in a negative way as he had said it to Diana all those years ago when Harry was born. He regretted his actions for how he reacted to Harry's birth. There was loads of wrong that he had done in his lifetime and people never let him forget it either. His sons knew now how awful he felt for the things he said and did to their mum.
"Thank you Charles," Evelyn smiled at her soon to be father-in-law. "That means so much to me. Will you and Camilla be joining us at my parents house for lunch today?"
"We are," he gave her a dashing smile. "Though my ma and pa won't be."
"That's all right," Evelyn knew there was a high chance that the Queen and Prince Philip probably wouldn't. Natasha had to ask them when she found out about the baptism if they would all be available for today. "I figured they wouldn't. At least they came for the baptism. That's what's important."
"That it is," Charles smiled warmly at her when her dad came up to them.
"Sorry to interrupt," he began. "Your mother and I are going home to make sure everything is set up. See you both at home?"
"Yes, love you dad," she smiled at her dad before hugging him. "See you there."
"Yes," Charles said. "Thank you for inviting Camilla and I."
"Of course," Peter smiled at Charles. "We're happy to have you both," he told the prince then left the two.
*
Everyone who was able to make it was now back at the Bennett home. Evelyn could see some of the fall time decorations that she had bought at Aldi's were now in their home and it brought a warm feeling to Evelyn as she loved the decorations.
"Would you like some mulled wine, Evelyn?" Natasha asked her daughter.
"Yes please," she smiled at her and followed her into the kitchen.
"Can you get me some as well?" William asked Evelyn and she nodded her head.
"That was a beautiful ceremony," Natasha told her daughter. "Congratulations, my sweet girl," she said pulling her daughter in for a hug.
"Thanks mum," Evelyn told her as she closed her eyes in her mother's embrace. No matter how old she was, she always loved hugging her.
"Let's get back in there," Natasha told her daughter as she patted her daughter's back. "Mustn't forget William's wine as well."
"Lazy arse," she muttered and Natasha gasped slightly.
"Evelyn-"
"I'm joking, mum!" Evelyn let out a loud laugh and shook her head. "William and I joke around each other. He would get it."
"Yes, but he's still a prince who will be king one day-"
"And he's still my fiancé. Who is also a soldier and one of the wittiest people I know."
"Oh all right," Natasha let a hmph as she shook her head, knowing that her daughter didn't like seeing William as only a prince. She knew if she did that it would make Evelyn nervous all the time and not herself so she was thankful that Evelyn could be herself with William.
"Here's your mulled wine, Wills," Evelyn told her fiancé.
"Thank you darling," he leaned down and kissed her. "What had your mother upset back there?"
"Oh I told her you were being a lazy arse for not getting your own wine and she didn't like that."
"Excuse me," he said acting offended as he put a hand on her chest. "I may be a lazy arse but it takes one to know one."
Evelyn hit his shoulder playfully as they laughed. Not everyone was able to attend earlier as Jake and Theo were busy. Jake had a hard time with Mia getting Penelope ready and ultimately had to cancel which wasn't a big deal since they were now at the lunch gathering. Mia was holding Penelope as Evelyn was now talking to her and Penelope started making grabby hands towards her aunt.
"Oh does someone want their aunt Evie to hold them? Can I?" Evelyn asked Mia and she nodded her head as she took Penny in her arms and held her.
"She's just so cute," Evelyn said as Penelope held onto her pointer finger. "She looks so much like you."
"Thank you," Mia said as she smoothed down Penelope's brown tuff of hair. "Have you and William talked about having kids?"
"We have," Evelyn said with a calm smile. "We both want them but not soon after our marriage. We both want me to get used to going to engagements before we start."
"Makes sense," Mia agreed with her. "Your good with her, you know?"
"Thanks," she smiled at Mia. "It's because she's just the most perfect baby. I still can't believe that Samuel and David are eight years old now."
"I know," Mia shook her head as she watched her boys play around with Harry as Harry had them both in a headlock and they hit his stomach and back to try and get out. "It's bloody insane how fast time flies. You'll know what I mean when you and William have children."
"If you all want to take your seats, lunch will be served," Natasha told everyone as she got their attention and they followed after her.
Natasha had to combine two large tables together to be able to fit everyone as it was big group. She had a separate kids table for Samuel and David if they wanted to sit there and had fun things for them to do, but she understood if they wanted to sit with their parents as well. Evelyn handed Penelope back to Mia and took her seat next to William.
During lunch Evelyn tried to practice what Salma taught her last time about how to eat with the utensils. It was challenging but William stopped eating to look at her with amusement as she was struggling a bit.
"Stop wanting to laugh at me," Evelyn cried.
"I'm sorry," he said as he laughed slightly. "It's just I've never seen you eat like us before."
"Why're you eating like them, Eve?" Ivy asked with her eyebrows furrowed.
"Salma, my etiquette instructor, told me that I will have to eat like this for state dinners or other engagements that require eating. She wants me to practice as much as I can so that I can get better at it."
"Well I think you're doing great," Camilla smiled at Evelyn and Charles agreed.
"See, William! Even they think I'm doing great," Evelyn told her fiancé making Kate laugh and shake her head.
"Seems odd," Theo said as he tilted his head slightly. "And a lot of trouble for food." Everyone laughed at his comment.
"It is," Charles said. "But the Royal family has many traditions and many rules of etiquette for hundreds of years. Why change it now?"
"Well, to keep with the times," Theo shrugged his shoulders and Ellie nudged his shoulder making him let out a small noise.
"Don't be rude," Ellie told him.
"It's quite all right, Ellie," Charles held up a hand but also showed his appreciation to her. "When I was a prince like William and Harry, I also felt that the tradition and etiquette rules were a bit ridiculous and I tried to rebel. As I grew older though, I realised how important they were. The royals have different rules. We're not allowed to cuss in public like you are, have a fist fight in a pub or have sex in a car," he said making Natasha choke on her wine. "But the tradition of it all is something to respect."
Evelyn knew it was true. The traditions of the Royal family were something to respect.