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"Invite theuards can check their credentials, pat theates, and they can take their pictures of you bringing the babies out of the car, into their new home It’ll be safer"

Nicholas and Olivia look at each other, then Nicholas kisses her hand

"Looks like we’ve got a new tradition"

Queen Lenora is not a hugger She’s not even an air kisser She’s more of a head patter, a shoulder tapper

But babies arewell, they’re fucking babies

They’re beautiful Adorable So cute it’s almost painful to look at them They’re like kittensbut huer Olivia, however, thinks she’s a holder

Which is eeks later, when the new prince and princess are first presented to Her Royal Great-Grandht in her unsuspecting regal arht" The Queen handles Lily like she’s a boo off at any moment Stiffly and distantly Then Her Majesty smiles a little down at the baby "It’s very nice to make your acquaintance, Princess Lilliana"

And the baby cries

Loud and heartbroken And loud

When Olivia moves to take her, Queen Lenora lifts her chin "Leave her"

And she looks down at the bundle of cute in her hands, talking to herlike she’s a dog An upper-class dog

"No No-no, that won’t do at all" She lays Lily on the couch beside her and claps her hands twice--quick and sharp And miraculously, after oneand blinks up at the Queen

"Thank you, much better"

She’s like a scarier, meaner Mary Poppins

"Now that you’ve composed yourself, you and your brother and I will take a stroll in the gardens together"

She motions to the nurse, addles the baby and puts her in the pram

"It’s a bit cold for a walk, don’t you think?" Nicholas asks

"Nonsense Fresh air is good for babies I walked with you and Henry every day and look hoell you both turned out"

"I didn’t know you did that," Nicholas says softly

"Yes, well, I’ht brown leather gloves "We’ll make sure they’re bundled adequately I’ll ith the Christopher--mark it in the schedule This will be my time with them"

Guards open the double French doors and Queen Lenora pushes the twins in their pram out into the cool, overcast day She talks to them as they stroll, and her voice floats inside for all to hear

"I was born in Landlow Castle, during a snowstorm The midas unable to reach us because the roads were irandmother delivered id Not waran puts his arm aroundall"

Five years later

I WAKE TO THE SOFT sounds offrom the kitchen

And that’s how I knohere Ellie is It started about three years ago--her rising before me Most times she’s in the kitchen, soot one of her favorites playing low from the speakers Today it’s "Say You Won’t Let Go"

It was our wedding song