Page 25 of The English Queen

“She can’t do anything but whinge. And she doesn’t whinge all that much because Louis will tell her what for.”

“I never anticipated he would or could throw his weight around,” Duncan admitted. “But it’s clear he has tried for you. It is good he doesn’t let her run roughshod.”

No one talked about the similarities between this situation and that of Robbie, Vanora, and Maggie. No one dared while the Queen was in surgery, but everyone in the room knew Beth’s predicament was history repeating itself. If Maggie adjusted her course from the beginning, how much better would it be? Hindsight was 20-20.

“Flowers. Are we now in full-bride mode?” Elliot asked.

He and Charlotte settled in, handing out coffee and tea as they went.

“Oh, I have been since the beginning. It’s not something I’ve been bringing over here with me because… well, the obvious,” Beth said.

Charlotte gave Beth a sympathetic look.

“So, we’ll have to bow to you now,” Duncan said. “Will that give you something to smile about?”

“Honestly, the idea of leaving a hall being called ‘Her Majesty Bethany Queen of the Belgians’ will be the absolute most ridiculous thing on Earth. I am unprepared.”

Rebecca smiled. “I love it. Oh, it will be sweet as long as you are happy. That is what matters.”

It was hard to be happy. Being in the UK meant dealing with her mother’s impending expiration. Beth could not bear to say ‘death’ or any matter of it in any tense. While crying to the cardinal had been an unexpected breakthrough, it wasn’t as if she could ever be over her mother’s inevitable quick demise. Her breakthrough breakdown had made Beth more at-home in her new country of residence. The acceptance she would be back and forth from Brussels to Belgium was a welcome relief. She would not have to hide things anymore.

An update was soon relayed. Surgery for Her Majesty progressed well. The tumour was, as expected, and the blood flow cauterised easily. The news pleased Rebecca. Everyone watched her face because she was bad at lying and could understand medical jargon.

Duncan rubbed his hands together. “Well, now we wait and wait some more. But this is good, right?”

“It is brilliant news. No surprises is the best news,” Rebecca confirmed. “We wait and hope and pray.”

?????

“So, what all do we need, then?” Bruno asked.

Rita’s family was waiting for the final report from Aunt Maggie’s surgery in the house in London. Sabine paced the hall. Mairead sat on the couch. Malcolm tried to read. The boys were at school awaiting word Great Aunt Maggie was fine.

“Everything,” Rita said. “Other than some sentimental baby clothes I kept whatever we had for the boys is gone and would have been out-of-date. So, we need everything–car seats, clothing, baby carriers, a pram, a cot, you name it.”

Bruno cocked his head. “A cot? Like so we can sleep in the nursery.”

“You wouldn’t fit in a cot? You plan to sleep in a cot?” Malcolm asked, confused.

“Cots are called cribs in America,” Rita giggled. “That is where the confusion is coming in. But, regardless, we’ll need one and a bassinet.”

“Why does she need two beds?”

“Because she won’t sleep in the cot for the first couple of months no matter what you do,” Malcolm answered. “Or, if she is as picky as her mother, probably ever. The boys were so much easier. Of course, Rita will outshine you in every possible way because she’s the food source. No matter what you do, she won’t want you.”

“Robbie seems to do alright with the baby,” Bruno said. “With Kiersten.”

“Her mother isn’t the food source,” Malcolm said. “I’m making an assumption here, but—”

“I do plan to nurse, yes. We hadn’t talked about it. Because, Bruno, it’s not your choice.”

“But why must you?” Bruno wondered. “Isn’t that the benefit to science and us getting to split everything fifty-fifty?”

“I liked nursing the boys. I am sure if I can make it work with this one, I will do it again. And ignore Papa. He’s… he is saying ridiculous things.”

“What is he saying?” Sabine wondered, walking back in and slumping into a chair near the fire.

“Babies thwart their fathers when they have access to their mothers. It’s bloody well true, Sab. Bruno is trying to organise a list of needs for Baby… well what will her name be?”

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