Page 130 of Awaiting

“I’ve made it my business ever since you came out publicly to know the women you could possibly end up with.”

“Like the teenager in Luxembourg?”

“I was a desperate woman,” her mother replied.

“Was?”

“Well, there’s no cause for desperation now, is there?”

“Really?” Alex smiled softly at her mother.

“Alex, I know I haven’t always been the most understanding or the best mother to you, but Idowant you to be happy above all else. I just also know what your father goes through and what you’ll go through, too, one day. It may seem to others as if it’s a frivolous job with no real responsibility, but in this family, we know otherwise.” She looked across the room to where King Henry was standing, talking to Sir Anthony and his wife. “Ministers come and go; the sovereign stays. It’s often a thankless job. It’s one that doesn’t end when the dinner bell rings – it’s always, Alex. I’ve watched your father for over forty years now. I made it my mission to be there to support him, to make sure we always remember to bring his special neck pillow whenever we travel so he can sleep well, to represent him when he can’t be somewhere himself, and to help him prepare our children for the roles they will have long after we’re both gone.”

“Mum…”

“That’s what it means to be a parent, Alex. You’ll see one day. And no, that’s not me pressuring you; that’s just a fact. I’ve always wanted you to be a strong woman, a role model, and a leader for our country. I’ve made mistakes, to be sure, but you are that, aren’t you? You’re strong, independent, and intelligent. You will make a great Queen one day. When your father and I are both gone, you will be secure in your role and will continue to represent your family and your country well. I believe that. To do so, you’ll want someone at your side, though. I know they say Queen Elizabeth did it all on her own, but even she was in love for a bit there. No monarch is truly alone, but no advisor or prime minister is going to help you remember your travel pillow, Alex. Your future wife will.”

“You gave Teresa that name because you think I’ve found her,” Alex concluded.

“I see how you two look at one another. There’s no mistaking what that is, Alex. I’ve also seen a change in you since you’ve been spending so much time with Dr.Woods.” Her mother winked. “You’ve come into your own, haven’t you? I still miss your long, beautiful hair, and I’ve always thought you look wonderful in dresses, but it’s time I let some of my needs go where you’re concerned. I think she’s good for you.”

“You do?” Alex asked, exhaling a breath she hadn’t known she’d been holding in.

“I do.”

“Did you really talk to all the women I’ve–”

“Every last one you went on a single date with, and a few, I believe, you didn’t go on dates with but did something I’ve only ever done with your father.”

Alex blushed and said, “Oh.”

“Yes, darling. Please tell me that youthful phase is over now that you’ve found Bexley.”

“It wasn’t as bad as you think. Sometimes, they just slept over, but we didn’t do anything.”

“You’re an adult, Alexandria. It’s not my place to tell you whom you can sleep with and whom you can’t. But I can say that if Bexley is your choice for the one you’ll be with forever, I approve. You’ve made a wonderful decision. She’s bright, caring, dedicated, and I can almost forgive that she’s an American.”

Alex laughed at her mother’s joke and said, “Mum?”

“Yes, dear?”

“Did you ever wish that Larry came first? I mean, when things got bad between us years ago, and I told you that you could always remove me from the line, did you ever–”

“Not once,” her mother replied definitively. “I know you’ve always thought your brother outperformed you in things, but–”

“Because he did. Better grades, more skills, married already with two kids, and he even achieved a higher rank in the Navy.”

“Alex, did you ever stop to wonder why he could do all of that?”

“Because he’s–”

“Oh, my love.” Alex’s mother leaned forward, taking her hand. “I may not have understood or entirely supported you being gay at first – and I’ll probably never forgive myself for that – but that had nothing to do with whether I thought you were the right person for the job. I’ve always known it. Your brother had far fewer expectations on his shoulders. He’s never had to worry about his father dying young and him having to become a King. He stayed longer in the Navy because he could, and he had no other real plan for his life anyway. He did better in school because he had more time to dedicate to his studies, but also because hehadto study. You never did. You were bored in school, Alex. We wanted to skip you a few years, but you were already so special being a Princess that we didn’t want to make things worse for you. Kids can be cruel. And we thought it was better for you to be bored than to be picked on. You got into Oxford on your own accord, and you were second in your class. Your brother barely got into the University of Edinburgh. While you were doing media training, he was practicing languages and instruments. You, my darling daughter, were never on the same level as him because you were always destined for more.” Her mother paused. “Plus, your brother’s always been a bit of a prat, hasn’t he?”

Alex laughed through her unshed, happy tears.

???

“How was the party?” Bexley asked, looking tired through Alex’s screen.

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