Page 1 of The Un-Apparent Heir

PART I

PART ONE

THE END OF AN ERA

1

SWIMMERS

Ed found doctor appointments uncomfortable. In his swimming days, he only saw physicians for possible career-ending injuries. It was never good news. In this case, Natalie and Ed expected the worst. She was on edge, but hopeful. She felt this was the right step, but Ed worried they’d end the day with her on the floor. They sat in the tiny white room awaiting the verdict.

Ed and Natalie swore they would take several months before trying for a baby after they wed. However, Natalie and Ed got lazy and a bit broody. What started as an “if it happens, it happens” situation soon turned into a habit of timed sex, monitoring, and obsession over ovulation. In six months, despite their usual feverish shagging, nothing happened.

Natalie was over thirty. Ed looked down the nose of forty. They needed help. Natalie called it. That was a red flag as Natalie was dreadful at calling in an assist. Her openness showed how much she wanted to be a mother. Ed was desperate to be a dad. He wanted to do this with Natalie.

Ed and Natalie found their feet as a married couple without incident. They were happy yet struggled to conceive. Ed was sure a baby was around the corner. Natalie assumed the problem was genetic, as her mother struggled with fertility issues. Still, getting that news was challenging. Ed knew confirmation would hit his wife hard.

The pressures of royal life were crushing. Things changed in unexpected ways. Since his first teenage Olympic medals, Ed was a recognisable public figure. However, this was other-worldly. He rarely had privacy, couldn’t go anywhere, and was expected to always be “on”.

It was worse for Natalie. Every day was “bump watch” in the rush towards their anniversary. They needed to produce an heir—and soon. If they made it to their first-anniversary bump-less, Natalie would take the hit. People would question the success of their marriage. Usually, she was the protector. But since their engagement, Ed needed to step in and help his wife. The press was brutal to women with infertility struggles. Natalie needed to be the perfect wife and eventual mother.

They stood to shake their consultant’s hand on entry. A pin drop could have rang loud as a bomb as they listened to the analysis. Natalie gripped Ed’s hand. He squeezed back, letting her know he was there. They were on the edge of their seats.

“So, I will get right to it,” Dr Yang explained. “I think we should go right to IVF. You both are young and good candidates.”

“We can’t just… do drugs?” Natalie asked, confused. “And try that first?”

“Unfortunately, that is unlikely to work in this case. While you are ovulating and not struggling per the tests and your history, Your Royal Highness, the Duke’s sperm quality needs help. Motility and count are low. This means that our best chance is a targeted approach. We can control conception much better this way.”

Ed felt out of breath. He said nothing, grasping at straws.

“It won’t be that dreadful. I promise you. And your likelihood of conception is high. You had good egg reserves.”

Ed finally choked out, “When you say low, what do you mean?”

“Not the worst I have seen by any means. However, they are not good. And since you are no longer competing and wear loose-fitting pants—per your health history assessment—I don’t think other modifications will change it. The good news? This procedure should overcome many hurdles. There is no reason to wait.”

Ed nodded, embarrassed.

“Baby, it’s not your fault,” Natalie sensed his feelings. “You cannot help it. We’ll overcome it. We always do.”

“But what if we don’t?” Ed asked.

“I cannot promise miracles,” Dr Yang confirmed. “However, I see a couple like you once a week sticking the landing within one or two cycles. You have a great profile for this. One of my favourites.”

Natalie smiled, encouraged.

Ed swallowed hard as the doctor handed information over to Natalie about their cycle and walked them to the nurse’s station. Natalie received scripts for her numerous jabs. She’d start the cycle in December. The transfer would happen in January. They would hopefully hear good news about the cycle before February—more than enough time to impress all on “bump watch” by their anniversary.

Natalie was positive as they left, but Ed blamed himself. Natalie could say what she wanted, but he failed her. After filing through a dozen hallways and climbing into a hospital service lift, they arrived at the waiting car.

“Edwin, please,” Natalie said. “You aren’t at fault here. I’m not upset with you.”

“This is quite literally my fault, baby?—”

“Ed, darling, it cannot be helped. You want the baby most of all. You didn’t self-sabotage. You’re going to make a wonderful dad. And it will work out. The doctor all but said that. Take heart.”

She rested her head on his shoulder lovingly, going on about their first cycle like it was some magical event. She was positive, but Ed felt this worry in the pit of his stomach he couldn’t buck.

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