Page 22 of The English Queen

“We are sorry,” Gerry said. “I do not know Aunt Maggie well. But I am sad she is sick. And I am sad for Georgie and Natalie.”

“I am, too, sweetie,” Rita said.

“Sorry, mi amor,” Bruno rubbed Rita’s back.

“It was a total surprise. I’m still processing. Now, we have a gift for you. Maybe it will be a cheer up. This was planned. The bad news was not,” Rita cued Bruno to dig out the present she’d wrapped before retrieving the boys.

“What is it?” Winston asked.

“It’s a present,” Bruno chuckled. “Open it.”

Gerry dug into the wrapping and peeled the box lid holding the surprise. He and Winston looked confused and then Gerry picked up a pink bodysuit.

“What is this?” Winston asked. “It’s for a baby.”

“A baby girl, yes,” Rita replied.

“Why?” Gerry asked.

“Why do you think?” Bruno asked.

“Mummy, are you having a baby?” Gerry asked.

“A baby girl,” Rita confirmed. “Yes. We found out she’s very healthy this morning. So, we finally felt like we should share. Also, if you couldn’t tell, I am starting to get a little round in the middle. In a couple of weeks, I will look full-on pregnant.”

“How do you feel about it?” Bruno wondered.

Gerry didn’t respond verbally but stood and gave his mother a tight hug. It hurt, but she wouldn’t have traded it for the world.

Winston smiled. “I’m happy. I want a baby sister. If she’s anything like Natalie is, she will be fun.”

“She will be fierce like her mother, no doubt,” Bruno chuckled.

“Heaven help us,” Rita laughed. “Truly.”

?????

The week following her mother’s news, Beth sat in the drawing room with the cardinal and Louis. She was due to fly to London in the evening to be with her family, but it would be different than it had been. She would be at the hospital with Duncan and Rebecca. Vanna and Robbie would run things at the Palace. Beth couldn’t stay with her brothers this time. Instead, she remained at the Palace. She had been told now and forever, she would have to stay at the seat of the monarch–one of the Queen’s properties–as she was to be treated as the wife of a Head of State. It signalled she was more guest than family member.

Beth slept walk through life. She was constantly thinking about life in Brussels. It was a good distraction. She threw herself into learning Flemish Dutch. She tried so hard to engage as a future consort would. Tonight, the world would finally know the truth about her mother. She struggled with being Queen of the Belgians in five months more than she would admit. And on top of it, here was her mother–dying slowly for all to see.

“Family support is important,” the cardinal spoke French. Their entire conversation took place in French. More and more, this was Beth’s life.

Louis nodded. Beth nodded along, as if going through the motions.

“So, your families. Are they supportive?”

Bethany held it together at first as Louis explained. She was silent. She’d let him lead.

The cardinal was concerned. “Your Royal Highness, are you satisfied with your family support? You have been so quiet today–unusually so.”

Beth began but her words did not come. Not in French. Not in English. “Je… je… I… uh,” Beth stammered before bursting into tears.

The cardinal said nothing, looking deeply uncomfortable while Louis comforted Beth as best he could. It was the first time Beth cried since she’d gotten the news. She tried to cry all this time. Why now was this happening? She was in front of a virtual stranger and the only person who outranked Louis. She was supposed to be impressing this man with her composure, charming wit, and competence. Instead, Beth was in a puddle of tears unable to form sentences and crying like a baby.

Louis explained. “It’s been a hard week, sir. She found out her mother has terminal cancer. So, things are complicated right now. She’s been struggling with grief–in shock, I’d say.”

Beth hated when Louis spoke for her all but this one time. He was able to communicate when she could not. Suddenly, the cardinal’s tone shifted. He became nothing if compassionate in his body language and tone.

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