Page 35 of The Un-Apparent Heir

“I will take the train home. I’m not going to deal with this. I just poured my heart out and lost the job I’ve worked my entire life for. Here you are trying to move us to Scotland like it’s no fucking problem and will solve everything. And then you accuse me of that? Winston, you don’t get to do that!”

“Lucy, I am sorry. Please, get back in the car.”

Lucy shook, cried, and felt the urge to vomit. She leaned over and let the contents of her breakfast leave her body on the roadside.

“Oh, fuck.”

Winston hopped out into London traffic and ran around to help her back into the car. She wanted to shout and tell him to go fuck himself, but the truth was, Lucy needed him more than ever right now. He was wrong, but she knew he was upset and wound up. He tried figuring this out, too.

“I am sorry,” Winston said as they sat with their hazards on. “You’re right. That was low of me. I’m just… you threw a lot at me, Mum dropped this on me, and… it’s all very complicated.”

“I know,” Lucy murmured. “And maybe your Mum is right. We can wrap things up here. And think about moving North. It would give Malcolm a childhood I never dreamed of. Malcolm comes first.”

“He does, yes,” Winston affirmed. “I love you, Lucy. I am trying to be patient. I always have been, but I want to care for you and give you the best life. I don’t want you working yourself to death and being miserable. And it sounds like things at work are just about to get worse and worse.”

“For a bit, yes. I will hire someone. I have an idea who might be good. I will train her and resign before I show too much. I will keep my distance from Natalie in the meantime. We won’t mention the baby. It will be okay… I hope.”

PART II

PART TWO

CHANGE AS A CONSTANT

Six months later…

9

THE BABY SHOWER

Sanne approached Natalie with trepidation. Ever since her sister-in-law admitted to struggling with infertility, Sanne and Paul could only dance around the issue. They wanted to be sensitive and supportive, but this was their first baby. Paul was bursting to tell anyone and everyone about their bundle of joy. Sanne couldn’t help but enjoy pregnancy. It was surprising how much she liked it.

In July, Sanne’s mothers and Vanna hosted a bridal shower for Sanne. It wasn’t a British thing to do, but the Americans pulled rank. With a mother who was a former wedding planner, a grand celebration was guaranteed. Even Linnea and Marie pitched in. The family was usually gathered at Balmoral this time of year but was stationed in Windsor since Sanne was a month away fromgiving birth. She couldn’t travel and the King was keen to be close when the baby was born.

Everyone flew into London for the weekend. While Ed and Natalie spent most of their time in Wales or Windsor, they returned to Kensington Palace, also known as "KP", where they had an apartment. It was the first time Sanne and Paul had seen them in ages despite living around the corner. Sanne loved Natalie and missed her wit and general sniping at Paul.

Sanne was still a foreigner and felt very much an outsider. The press only went easy on her because she was pregnant, but they loathed her. She struggled so much that Robbie hired her an image consultant. While Natalie could be herself, Sanne was mercilessly compared to her American-raised mother-in-law. Sanne wasn’t much like Vanna at all, which presented problems.

Natalie was one of the few willing to help Sanne and protect her. Now, she was gone. Sanne missed her family and her sister most of all. She longed to be back in the States. She loved Paul and wanted to adjust to her new job.

Sanne hoped that when the baby came, they’d have stability and begin their way forward. Maybe then things would feel more like home? She’d be settled with Paul. They’d have made a baby and a life together. Perhaps, it would be different?

“We did buy him a few things,” Natalie said.

“You are so sure it’s a he?” Sanne chuckled. “Well, you agree with everyone else. I might be the lone holdout.”

“By a few things,” Ed grumbled, setting down a massive mound of beautifully wrapped boxes, “she means that she spent hours shopping getting him dozens of things.”

“Most of it is quite gender-neutral and would work for a girl. I almost wish she is a girl. I will teach her to fly.”

“And if she’s a boy?” Paul asked.

“I will teach him to fly.”

Sanne laughed. “Well, we can hope the baby likes flight.”

“Are we finally free to leave?” Paul asked.

“I think we’re good,” Ed replied. “I’m only here as the muscle.”

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