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"Not the man you are," she says softly

"No, not the man I am"

Lenny picks up my hand and with the lips I still dreaer and then in the very center offor me, Edward Always Never doubt that"

BY THIS POINT, three days past my due date, all of me is uncomfortable, all the ti on ans So when the pain coes at first--a push of pressure--I don’t recognize it for what it is

But it keeps coer each ti, cra juiced

Edward and I are walking through the garden, enjoying the breeze on a sunny suest pain yet presses hard all aroundEdward’s ar hten up, I’m soaked fros, uess that’s it, then" Edward raises his eyebrows at the clear fluid still trickling down "It’s time"

Anticipation boils in my stomach, and I squeeze his hand

"It’s ti’s in --exciteh the doors to the suite and Edward’s jaw goes rigid

"Why does Pennygrove get to go in and I don’t?"

"Because this is how it’s done The way it’s always been done"

Royals are born in palaces and castles That’s the way it works Especially royals who are heirs to the throne I’ll have a doctor and nurses and top-notch medical treatment, but I won’t have Edward The men stay outside

Love them or leave them, these are our traditions--a part of e are, who e Parlia Council--but what I won’t do is toy with traditions that affect how my child may be viewed by the public or the Crown That’s a boat I will not rock

This baby will be the leader of our country, an heir to my throne, and this birth will be by the book The royal book

"How it’s always been done is bloody fucking stupid," Edward gru with the toe of his boot

"I know, but still"

I finger his jaw, soothing the handso his eyes to mine

"The next time I see you, I’ll have a present for you--a new prince or princess"

His lips tug up in that handsome, boyish smile

"Yes"

The head nurse, a husky dour-faced woestures to the double doors of the suite "Co"

Abolt and I think Edward sees it But the hall is full of people--assistants and guards and medical personnel--so he can’t hold me the way I knoants to The way I want hi kiss to my forehead and points to the leather bench in the hall "I’ll be waiting, right there"

"No, no--you’ll be bored Go play squash or polo orjoin a card gaht there"

I give hio

I DON’T WORRY AT ALL for the first four hours Not at eight hours or even twelve I know enough about childbirth to understand that some births--especially first births--can take ti food and drinks for me Miria for news The Prime Minister stops by, some members of Parlia for updates