Page 20 of Lorenzo & Lily

Chapter Four

Alex kepthis gaze on Rebecca.His wife. Just thinking those simple words sent a thrill through him. After a year of waiting, she was finally his, bound to him forever, by more than just their love.

The cool glint of his wedding ring – a reminder she was his, and one that he spent far too much time looking at with a goofy grin on his face – was currently pressed against his love’s hand where they were twined. He’d spent most of the flight staring at his wife. His wife, however, had paid him no attention whatsoever.

She had another doctor appointment, this one in Masillia. She was visiting the hospital as part of her charity concerns, which would also allow her to slip away for another round of tests. Unfortunately, Alex could not be there with her.

Duty was a bitch at times.

Alex pushed her wavy chestnut hair back over her shoulder, and leaned in to press a kiss to her lavender-scented skin. “It’ll be all right, darling.”

She stretched her neck, giving him more room. “I know. I just wish we could finally find out what’s wrong.”

You and I both. He’d never tell her, but the pain she went through each month gutted him, and he was useless to help. He couldn’t fathom that, even in today’s day and age, they still hadn’t figured out why Rebecca was in excruciating pain each month during her period, and in continued pain when her period had finished. She was in pain month-round, year-round, almost every damn day.

“It’s normal.”

“Every woman is a little different. This is just how the Princess’s body works.”

“You can handle a little pain, can’t you?”

He’d heard it all, either with Rebecca or from her as she relayed one doctor’s opinion after another. Why was every fucking doctor so unwilling to believe her pain might be indicative of something else? Even a royal – one who was meant to give birth to the next heir to the throne – wasn’t exempt from being shrugged aside by a doctor. Even female doctors hadn’t taken her seriously, and had just sent her home with pain pills.

Useless. The fucking lot of them.

Rebecca curled towards him, her gaze finally drifting from the plane window. Even restricted by seatbelts, he still pulled her against him. Thankfully, the royal airplane had large, comfortable seats, and easily accommodated their cuddling tendencies. “I’m scared, Alex.”

Fear stung him, sharp and fast, and he gripped her tighter. “I know, darling. I wish I could take it away for you, do something to help you.”

“You help me every day, especially those days I’m hurting.”

He kissed the crown of her head. “I wish you weren’t going alone.”

“The agents will be with me.”

“You know I don’t mean protection. You need someone supportive in the room with you. I’ll see what’s going on with Lorenzo, and then try to make it over.”

“You’ll just draw attention to everything.”

“Would that be such a bad thing?”

Her head tilted up, her eyes wide and her mouth slightly parted. “You’re kidding, right?”

“No.”

“Alex–”

“I’m not an idiot. I realize that the scrutiny the press is already putting on you is often suffocating. I know it would be worse if they found out you may not be able to have children.”

“Then why do you want everyone to know?”

He brushed a finger down her cheek. “You’re not the only woman in Valleria going through this. Though the public might be shocked in the beginning, they will support you in the end.”

She put two fingers over his lips. “I know what you’re saying, but I just can’t. I just can’t say anything. I’m not strong enough for that.”

What the hell?“What do you mean you aren’t strong enough? You’re one of the strongest women I know.” He cupped her face, forcing her brown eyes to lock with his own inky black. “Those days before our wedding, you showed everyone how strong you are, and how dedicated you are to our family, to Valleria, and to duty. You’re wonderful.”

A half-smile lit her lips. “Thanks, Alex. I appreciate that. I hear what you’re saying, I truly do. But I feel like I only have so much strength to go around. I need to show our country strength, our family strength. I feel like I can’t relax unless I’m alone with you.” She sighed. “And I’m so exhausted by this. Exhausted by the tests, by more tests, by the inconclusive results. Why can’t anyone find out what’s wrong with me?”

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