It did, and she’d said as much before. Yet every time she thought of him in the midst of her own grief, it only filled his heart more, something he previously wasn’t sure was possible. “Thank you for saying that, darling.” He kissed her hand again. “Shall we only think about happy things today, then?”
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Yes.” She looked to him, a small smile on her face, then leaned forward and kissed him.
She then rested her head on his shoulder and they made idle chat about the tour. Family members moved about the room, conversations swirling around them, but Alex and Rebecca didn’t pick up most of it. An hour or so later coffee was brought over, then meals a few hours after that. They all worked from the hospital that day, several of them popping into private rooms to take calls about tour logistics or to answer inquiries from the press or the U.S.
It was early in the evening when Nate finally emerged, a bewildered smile on his face. “It’s a boy!”
Cheers went up around the room, and they all descended on him for congratulations. He was dressed in scrubs, his shoulder-length hair pulled back, the scar on his head slightly noticeable, the tattoos on his arms very visible.
He looked the happiest that Alex had ever seen him.
“Charlie’s exhausted but wouldn’t mind a visit from everyone now, in groups of two or three, please. And everyone better wash their hands before picking up my son.”
Their parents gave each other a small smile and followed Nate first, while everyone else starting arguing about who got to go next.
Rebecca gently elbowed him. “I think you’ll need to resolve this.”
He wasn’t king yet, did he have to take on family squabbles so soon?
Still, he cleared his throat and spoke loud enough to be heard. “We’ll go in birth order.”
Lorenzo crossed his arms over his chest. “That means you get to go next. Convenient.”
Alex merely smiled. “Yes, it is convenient. For me.” He saw his parents exiting Charlie’s room down the hall, broad smiles on their faces, and took Rebecca’s hand. “Our turn, I believe.”
The rest of the family grumbled but he merely led his wife down the hall to meet their new nephew, Charles Gabriel Louis Santoro.
sixteen
VALENTIA DAILY NEWS
ROYALS ARRIVE IN NEW YORK!
Their Royal Highnesses Prince Alexander and Princess Rebecca arrived in New York City early this morning, and were greeted by Mayor Archer and their wife.
It was a day full of engagements, starting with Prince Alexander’s appearance at the All Nations General Assembly meeting. While he did not give a speech, he met with several world leaders.
It was announced earlier this year that King Gabriel would abdicate and Prince Alexander would be ascending the throne. No doubt, these meetings were to ensure continued support from Vallerian allies ahead of that transition, set to take place later this year.
Princess Rebecca, meanwhile, attended a luncheon with other partners and spouses of world leaders, and paid a visit to Memorial Hospital where she met with several patients and staff and discussed healthcare issues, which are near to her heart.
Later that evening, the beloved couple attended a charityperformance ofDelirious, a play written by a famed 16th-century Vallerian playwright known for his quick wit. The play originally launched in Valentia, and has been sold out since launching on Broadway two months ago. The couple visited with the cast, crew, and musicians after the show.
There is no rest for the couple, however. Tomorrow, they head to Washington, D.C., for several days to meet with the president and the first husband, and complete an additional fifteen engagements. They will attend a state dinner in their honour, and a variety of musical performances, including the Flower Duet from the operaLakmé, rumoured to be a favorite of Princess Rebecca’s. The pair will then head to Los Angeles next weekend for more engagements, such as a charity ball.
Americans love a royal visit, and this has certainly been the case so far. The future king and queen have been met by throngs of supporters everywhere they go, and it shows no signs of stopping. Only time will tell if this support lasts through their visit.
ALEXANDER
“God, I’m so tired,”Rebecca said on a yawn and mid-stretch.
Alex reached over to take her hand and kiss the back of it. “That’s my fault, darling. I kept you up far too late.”
She flushed and glanced at the drivers. Giving him a ‘shut-your-face’ look, he merely smiled and kissed her hand again.
Then he leaned close to her ear. “I’d never made love to my wife in New York City before. I didn’t want to miss the chance while I had it.”
“Well, we have several days in D.C., so please pace yourself,” she whispered.
