Page 148 of Awaiting

“Ask who what?” Elizabeth asked.

“We’ve got another nervous royal here, who wants to ask the non-royal to be her wife,” Palmer explained, wrapping an arm around Elizabeth’s waist. “I’ve had over fifteen years with this woman now.” She looked at her wife starry-eyed. “We have two children together, and I love working with charities and writing whenever I want. I have absolutely zero regrets.”

“Well, that’s good to know,” Elizabeth replied, smiling at Palmer. “Bexley?” she checked.

“What about me?” Bexley asked, joining the group. “Hey, babe, do you think we could go to the springs in a couple of weeks? Can you check the calendar?”

“Of course,” Alex replied, taking Bexley’s hand. “Need to get away from everything?”

“No, I just think it will be fun,” Bexley replied. “It’ll probably be the last time Nora lets Alice do anything fun until after the baby is born.”

Alice laughed and said, “You’re probably right. Where is she, by the way?”

“It’s her party. She’s probably mingling,” Bexley said.

“I’m going to go find my wife and mingle with her,” Alice said. “Alex?”

“Yes?”

Alice didn’t say anything, though. She just moved her eyes from Alex to Bexley and then back to Alex.

“What’s up?” Bexley asked.

“Nothing,” Alex said, kissing her temple. “I love you.”

“I know. I love you, too.”

???

“So, if I move meetings on that Friday, we can leave Friday morning or even Thursday night if you can get away.”

“I’ll pull up my calendar now,” Alex said, pulling her phone out of her pocket.

They’d said goodbye to everyone that morning and hopped the plane back to London shortly after. Bexley already missed her friends and was excited about possibly being able to see them all in St.Rais in a couple of weeks.

“I have a meeting with my father and the Prime Minister Thursday afternoon, but I can move my Friday to Monday,” Alex told her.

“Yeah?”

“Have things been too busy recently?” Alex checked. “I know my mother has asked a lot of you recently. You’ve been to hospitals to visit kids, you’ve done interviews, and you’ve also had work.”

“I know things have been hectic, but I’m fine,” Bexley assured her. “Is there something you’re not telling me, Alex? Are you worried about me?” She swallowed. “Are you… unhappy with how much I’ve been–”

“No,” Alex interrupted. “I am anything but unhappy, sweetheart.”

“I had to stay late a few times. I know you planned to cook dinner, and I was late.”

“Bex, it’s one dinner.” Alex chuckled and took Bexley’s hand. “Love, I’m very happy. I am incredibly proud of you and what you do.”

“I know it was rough in the beginning, but I think I’m doing better with it all. I did my first solo interview a few weeks ago, and everyone said it was good.”

“It was great,” Alex told her. “You did agrapejob.” She winked at Bexley. “And I just want to make sureyou’rehappy. It’s all that matters to me.”

“I amveryhappy,” Bexley replied. “I have agrapegirlfriend.” She smiled at Alex.

Alex laughed before asking, “Do you want a grape fiancée?”

Bexley’s smile fell as she stared into Alex’s intense eyes.

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