Page 76 of The Un-Apparent Heir

“I am so sorry for my appearance,” Lucy blushed. “And to bother you.”

“It’s alright. We didn’t know you were coming or we would have… taken better care of you,” Robbie said.

Natalie blew a raspberry on Iona’s cheek. The baby shrieked with laughter.

“She’s a chunk,” Duncan remarked. “Lucy, she’s beautiful. It’s a shame we haven’t seen her. Rita talks about her nonstop.”

Lucy smiled politely. “Well, she’s just a baby.”

“Nonsense,” Vanna said. “She’s a ray of sunshine. Darling, how can we help?”

“Well, I just.. wanted to catch up.”

“Ah, okay.” Robbie looked at his wife down the table, very confused.

“I don’t mean to be a bother.”

“Nonsense,” George said. “Lucy, you have arrived on a very eventful evening which… as it stands may get more entertaining yet.”

“Oh?” Vanna said, confused.

“Yes, shall I recap?” George asked.

“Georgie, don’t do it,” Robbie warned.

“What? She is practically one of us and Natalie will squawk to her in five minutes. Let’s start at the top. Sanne and Paul are having two boys. Sanne is upset about it, understandably. Natalie, I won’t speak for you. Share your news.”

“Uh… I was going to share this with you separately, Luce, but Ed and I found out we’re having a baby.”

“What?” Lucy perked up. “Really?”

“Yes.”

“I am so, so happy for you,” Lucy’s tears welled. “I’m so sorry. I’m a wreck. The baby has a double ear infection and I’m so tired. I promise we will celebrate another time.”

“It’s okay, sweetheart,” Vanna had a kind tone. “You’re always welcome here, as is Iona.”

“Of course. And we will,” Natalie brimmed.

“Dad needs open heart surgery and both couples will be on leave,” George continued in the most George way. “Oh, and did I mention Pat and I are moving back?”

“What?” The table erupted.

Well, that was something.

“So, wait. I’m pregnant, about to be regent, and now you are moving back?”

“We were on the fence until about thirty seconds ago,” Patrick said. “But I told him we could. Because, you know… Nat needs the help. Nat and Sanne.”

“I don’t even have a place to put you right now,” Robbie said. “I’m over the moon, George and Pat. Really. It will be lovely to see the girls, but… I haven’t room for you anywhere suitable.”

“It’s fine. In the meantime, they can live with us,” Natalie said.

“They can?” Ed looked at her.

“Ed, come on, our house is massive and we’re in Wales all the time.”

“True,” Ed shrugged. “Welcome to the circus.”

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