The Royal Scandal | Prince William |

It's That Time of Year

December 17, 2012

You didn't have to come with me," Jaclyn heaves, trying to adjust herself so she can get on the examination table, but her bones scream and as she goes her hip slips out slightly and she has to grasp onto Thomas. He holds her hands as she forces it back in, not even wincing before lifting her up and gracefully setting her down.

The area in her hip stings and seizes, but he holds her hand until her breathing returns to normal. Then he swats her lightly on the head. "I wasn't about to let you come by yourself just because His Royal Princeliness can't be here. What if that happened and you were all alone?"

"One, you can call him William-"

"Which I refuse."

"Two, god forbid something pops out when I'm by myself in a hospital." But her words are terse as she adjusts, trying to relax now that her body has gone tense.

"Stubborn bitch."

She glares down at Thomas as he falls into the chair beside the table. "Annoying ass." He coos back playfully, and with a huffing laugh she eases onto her back not wanting to sit up while they wait.

She goes silent, hands resting over her stomach while her eyes draw lines between the speckles on the ceiling, but Thomas talks enough for them both. He goes on and on about rehearsals, his latest pas de deux partner, and nutcracker drama. There was once a time she thrived off anticipating cast lists and listening for the reactions of her fellow dancers.

A part of her still resents dancing, so it's not surprising when she's not wistful and envious of Thomas's tales. Hilary Mantel said those were the years she had purpose and drive, but not even the trailblazing author knew the true purpose behind her career. To be more. More pretty, graceful, skinny... the list goes on. When stripped down to the bare bones her old job and new are eerily similar.

"I still think Katie Marie's gaynor pointe shoes are sinful... And apparently there was some beef between Clara and her understudy... Did I tell you about our last Cinderella rehearsal?"

He's still rambling animatedly when Dr. Setchell arrives, and Jaclyn almost wishes the doctor would walk back out and return in a few minutes. Listening to the trivial problems of ballerinas is refreshing compared to the news he'll bring her.

Thomas holds her hand through the whole process, but she has a hard time meeting his eyes. He's too much of a performer, too openly emotional and passionate, and the anxiety he feels spills over into his face. It nearly creeps into his touch.

"You're still measuring in small," Dr. Setchell explains, sitting down in his chair with his clipboard like he's about to softly scold her. "But I'm not too worried about it considering everything you have going on."

Everyone else is

She sits up trying to rid her mind of the toxic thoughts and images that she has to face daily. On more than one occasion she's been tempted to ask Buckingham Palace if they can release a statement explaining exactly what EDS is instead of just saying she has it. Maybe then the magazines will stop taunting her with anorexic storylines.

But the palace stays silent about personal details, and she's not about to ruffle more feathers than she already has by simply breathing.

"I'm going to encourage you to take it as easy as you can over the next few weeks. It's crucial you get as close to your due date as possible," he explains, and she nods, focused on him but not missing the hesitant wince Thomas directs towards her.

----

December 24, 2012

William tries to focus on the road, but it's hard not to glimpse at his wife, who is happily distracted with a smoothie. It's something special the cooks make her to help with nausea when traveling, and he swears she lights up like a child every time she's handed one.