Page 44 of The Un-Apparent Heir

Attending the birth were HRH Prince Paul the Duke of Inverness, the baby’s father, and Dr Constantin Morris, the consultant on duty. The Duke and Duchess would like to extend their gratitude to all of the staff at St. Mary’s Hospital for their support. The couple will remain in hospital for the meantime as the Duchess recovers.

The baby, His Royal Highness Prince Keir Robert George James of Inverness, is the third in the line of succession behind his father and the Princess of Wales. The King and Queen are delighted to hear about the birth of their third grandchild and wish his mother a swift recovery from her labour.

It was never going to be easy. Natalie never expected it to feel good watching her sister-in-law cradle a baby while feeling so empty. She and Ed discussed this scenario to death. They prepared for it. And, yet, it was still so hard to imagine until she was staring down the nose at the baby. Sanne was tired but joyful. Paul bounced off the walls with energy that should have been prohibited by statute.

While it was difficult to feel happy when she felt so lost, Natalie reminded herself she could feel many things at once. Ed rubbed her back. He handled it surprisingly well. She’d expected more negativity from Ed but he was in full uncle mode. Natalie had a biological need that she couldn’t meet. There was a hole deep down.

“Nat, you should hold him!” Paul insisted.

Of all the family, Paul “got” it less than anyone. Paul’s childlike love of people and children made him struggle with how one could be so opposed to holding a baby. He’d never turn the offer down. He was always digging in to help people. It wasn’t out of malice or a lack of care for the infertility that Natalie and Ed admitted to. It was just Paul being Paul.

“Maybe in a little bit. I don’t want to hog him,” Natalie said. “And I’m going to go get something to drink.”

She popped up to find her father making drinks in the kitchen.

“What are you doing in here? I thought you would be the one hogging the baby, Daddy.”

“I did plenty of that yesterday. I relented and am letting your Uncle Duncan spoil him mercilessly. I should ask you the same.”

Natalie shrugged.

“I’m sorry it hurts, sweetheart,” Robbie said. “It gets better over time.”

“Does it? Because it’s hitting me in a way I didn’t anticipate, Dad. I prepped for this. I just came off an unexpectedly complicated flight and saving the day and I’m still unsatisfied.”

“Your mother can tell you this better than I can, but a pregnancy announcement still makes her twinge with jealousy. Yes, even at our age. Aunt Rebecca had such an easy time and… we struggled. It wasn’t that we didn’t love their children or we weren’t happy. It was hard in a way no one prepared us for. It’s okay to admit that. But think of it this way, Nat. That baby is different. Even Paul and Sanne don’t know why yet.”

“I don’t buy that at all,” Natalie shook her head. “I will treat them all the same.”

“You can tell yourself that, Natalie, but it doesn’t work that way.”

“Is that why I still disappoint you daily?” She said it as a joke, but there was more than a modicum of truth there.

“You have never been a disappointment to me, Natalie,” Robbie said. “You have been frustrating, challenging, amazingly brilliant, and frightening. I have felt pride and awe. I wish I could be you some days. You’re braver than I ever could be and shrewder at strategy. You’re a better leader. Overall, I have never been disappointed. I prepared to leave this to George for years, but even then… it didn’t turn out how I planned.”

“So, like I said, pointless.”

“Natalie, you weren’t the one we saw coming. You weren’t the one we asked for, perhaps, but you were the one we needed. The institution remains in your hands. It will continue and thrive. And that baby… he’s your future, Natalie. So, maybe think about it that way. He needs you to tell him he’s going to be a good leader. You must love him and give him a place to confide.”

“Like Uncle Duncan was for me?” Natalie asked.

Robbie shrugged. “I never thought about it that way, but yes. You know, it used to make me mercilessly jealous to watch you bond with him. You told him everything. He knew you so much better than I did. All because you two spent all those flight hours together. You had so much in common.”

Natalie chuckled. Her father passed her a drink.

“I was the son he never had.”

“You two are so alike. It made sense, but don’t think for a minute I wasn’t jealous that he got to teach you to fly. You’ll probably feel that way if he wants to learn. And that’s okay. But don’t let up. Be the adult he trusts that he needs, okay? We are blessed to be so big and have so many wonderful people.”

“What is this?” Natalie said.

“Old fashioned. Your mother bloody well demanded it. She’s in a mood today.”

“Daddy, what did you do?”

“Why is it always me?”

Natalie sipped the drink and he sighed. “I got into it with a member of the press this morning—on your behalf. Meredith smoothed it over. We need to release the statement, Natalie. You are right.”

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