The Royal Scandal | Prince William |

Part VI: Old Wounds Leave Scars

December 24, 2017

Villa Grove is healing with time.

The building that burned down in her youth and sat for a decade as a pile of rubble and ash has been cleaned away, and grass is sprouting in the vacant lot. Someone cleaned up the cemetery, mowing and pulling the weeds that grew over the headstones, and the old ice cream shop reopened months ago with a fresh coat of white paint.

It doesn't fix the memories she has or make coming home any easier. People still gawk and back away as if she's irreproachable, but she's older now and it is starting to roll off her back like drops of water.

She comes back because her kids need to know there's more than the palace walls around them. Not everyone spends Christmas on an estate with tiaras and gowns. Besides, it is the home of her family, and where she came from, and telling Amelia and Philip isn't the same as showing them.

Jaclyn has loved every Christmas at Sandringham and she will continue to do so, but it's nice being able to spend the holiday without a strict itinerary. She sips her hot chocolate through a smile unable to contain it as Mia and PJ jump from each light exhibit to the next. It's a tradition that the shops on main street always decorate their windows with light displays.

William's hand winds more around her waist pulling her sideways and resting securely on her stomach until she's blushing. "You would think they've never seen Christmas decorations."

"I don't think they've ever seen such cheesy and tacky decorations," she corrects. They catch up with them when both Mia and PJ stop to admire the moving light display that spans the six windows of the Mexican restaurant. It's of Santa and his sleigh, and each window is timed to light up at a different time to make it look like he's moving.

Across the street another family is out looking at the window displays, but their heads have turned to gape at the royals. PJ canters over, his earmuffs practically sliding over his eyes, and without thinking William leans over to adjust them.

Mia is right behind him, her wavy hair matted with melted snow. "Mummy, did you really grow up here?" Her eyes look around curiously, eyeing the family that's now crossed the street and slowly approaching them.

"I did. My parents and I used to eat here," she points to the Mexican restaurant, "And I played at that park over there, and-"

"I believe we used to have dance offs in the outfield of the baseball field."

Jaclyn stops, pulling Mia to her with her one empty hand and stepping in front of PJ on instinct, but when she looks up, peeking around William who has stepped in front of them, she only sees someone she knows. If the person is dangerous, she's not sure yet.

"Haley," she says, trying to replace the coarse dread climbing up her throat with sweetness. "It's been a long time." Not much has changed between the woman before and the girl of her past. She's still rail thin and petite, her natural brown hair washed out with bleach, and her skin just a shade too tan for a Midwest winter.

She grips the edges of a stroller, a small baby inside wrapped in piles and piles of blankets, and beside her stands a man and a boy. The boy much older than even Amelia. They could be mirror images, families of four spending their Christmas Eve in the light drizzle of snow before the last of the winter light is swallowed by the night. Bundled in layers and kids gripping their hands, it is only their own individual cracks that differentiate them.

Her words seem to strike her once rival because the woman closes in on herself, shame consuming her. "I think the last time we spoke was ten years ago, at the football scrimmage."

"I see a lot has changed," Jaclyn tries to joke, but the two of them still can only share wincing smiles while the two men beside them hover awkwardly ready to swoop in.