Page 38 of The Un-Apparent Heir

“We didn’t want to take away from everyone's happiness. Between Kiersten’s wedding and Sanne and Paul’s baby, things are cheerful. We weren’t cheerful. We were broken,” Ed said.

“Not us as a couple.” Natalie squeezed Ed’s hand. “It wrecked both. We were knackered and miserable for a bit. The therapist helped. She recommended a few things—grief first. We did that. Then, come up with a plan for a life without children. So, we outlined a few things.”

She slid the list she kept in her jeans pocket across the table.

“Do not tell me you have a list again, Natalie. For fuck’s sake!” Robbie groaned, walking to the window.

“Robert, don’t get all cagey. They are pouring their damn hearts out. This is sad.”

“Oh, it’s… as she said… devastating.”

“I’m sorry, Dad. We had one job. I had one job.”

Robbie turned and shook his head. “Natalie, never say that. Your mother didn’t give birth to any of you so you could produce children blindly. We didn’t have you to ensure the family line would continue. Believe it or not, we fought like hell for children because we wanted to raise good humans. And if there was ever a credit to us not completely fucking you up, it is the way you constantly swoop in to fix things, Natalie. You haven’t done anything wrong.”

He was in tears. Ed couldn’t believe what he heard.

“I never wanted this for the two of you. It’s unfair. You would be brilliant parents. I know it’s what you wanted and… we never wanted to rush you, but damn it. This is terrible news. I’m not cross with you—either of you—I’m heartbrokenforyou. It hits a nerve.”

“It does, yeah,” Vanna said. “Oh, I am so sorry. This is… it’s not what you wanted.”

“It’s not okay, but it’s reality,” Natalie said. “It wasn’t how we imagined our lives, but, we have resolved that we will each pick a pet project or two to stay busy and spend more time with the niblings. That must do. And we can work more, obviously, while Paul and Sanne raise this little one. We’re getting to the point we’re accepting it, but we need to have a change. Hence the bloody list, Dad.”

“Did she tell you she brought a list of terms after George left?” Robbie asked.

He was agitated. His face was the same one Natalie pulled when she’d been called out and knew she was in the shit.

“No, but I’m unsurprised. Welcome to an argument at our house,” Ed snickered.

“He calls it an armistice,” Natalie giggled.

“So, you want all of this?” Robbie sighed. “Natalie, we have talked about?—”

“Dad, this is not coming from me. It is coming from the Air Marshall and our partners at Valley. A friend of mine who is in the US Air Force is looking to move back to help. We need bodies in planes over there. The least we can do is train our pilots. There is a huge shortage of civilians capable of training them. Right now, the joint ops need a boost.”

“You accepted?”

“I tentatively accepted.”

Robbie shot her a look of utter displeasure but said nothing more. Vanna looked over his shoulder.

“A house in Wales near Valley, okay. That is more than doable, sweetheart,” she said.

“Well, we put in a bid already, so we’re buying it,” Natalie said.

“Do you want my go-ahead then?” Robbie asked.

“Dad, you can always tell us no and we make it a holiday house. Don’t do this. Do you understand how hard this was for us? To come here and?—”

“Sorry, sorry, I didn’t mean to… “ The King took a deep breath. “I am trying. I’m upset for you and I’m worried about you. I would rather you not launch yourself?—”

Ed smiled at Natalie encouragingly. “I’ve already tried to reason with her, but this is her first love. I cannot stop her, Robbie. The truth is, when you see how people interact with her, they need her. Right now, we both need to feel a part of something meaningful. We aren’t going to leave a legacy like you did. We won’t have children.”

“You will in Charlotte, Leah, and the others,” Vanna said. “More than you know. And Paul’s child—boy or girl—will have a special bond with their Aunt Natalie and Uncle Ed. Without a doubt.”

Choked up, Natalie said, “Uh, about that… so if you read past open water swimming?—”

“Are you going to do that?” Robbie asked Ed.

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