The Crown (Prince Harry fanfic #5)

Chapter Twenty-Two

Harry didn't like to pack his own bag, even though his clothes had been laid out for him by Gwen. Lucy never had to pack her own bags because she never had to choose what she wanted to wear. All she needed to was pull out the pajamas she wanted. This trip was to be short but Harry still didn't want to go. No one had traveled much in the past six months, since Freddie's birth. The January cold managed to sneak into the Kensington Palace apartment.

"Luce," he called holding up two neckties, "what color?"

Harry walked into the nursery where Lucy played on the floor with Freddie. The baby laughed as she held something shiny in front of his face. There had never been a more beautiful sound to Harry's ears than Freddie's laughs; there had never been a more beautiful sight to Harry's eyes than his son and his wife. Freddie constantly smiled and laughed nowadays, and with each passing day, he looked more and more like his dad.

She glanced back and automatically said, "Blue."

He glanced at the ties. "I like the red one."

"It clashes with your hair, Harry. You know that." Lucy looked back at her husband. "And the blue brings out your eyes."

"Am I just a pretty face?"

"Yes." Lucy's eyes were back on her son, waving the toy on his face again. Freddie tried to grab it, just grazing it with his fingertips.

"Luce, which blue then?"

"What color suit are you wearing?"

"Grey."

"That's not helpful." She stood up. "I'll be gone for a minute," Lucy warned and gave the toy to Freddie. She left the room.

Harry glanced at his son, who happily played with the shiny toy. He joined his wife in the closet. She went through the ties, all made from silk. She pulled out some presentable ones, ignoring the one that was in his hand. His collection of neckties were pulled out by the drawers, all color coated. Lucy looked at the blues, choosing three separate ties. She stood up and held them to his face to match his eyes.

"Remind me again why we're doing this," Harry said.

"Because a bunch of royals are getting together, and you guys are always invited but never go. Enough is enough."

"You guys?" Harry arched an eyebrow. "You're one of us now, no more you guys."

Lucy scoffed. "You guys are the cool kids, the cool kids that happen to be from England-- the British monarchy. You guys are the cool kids, and you guys neglect the other monarchies. And we're all in this together. We're all holding each other up. It only takes one decorative monarchy to fail for all of them to fail too."

"Sweden," Harry said, "I like fishing there."

"I know. I remember." Lucy chose the necktie and handed it to him.

"Perhaps, when he's older, we can take him fishing there," Harry said.

"And the other one," she finished.

Harry arched an eyebrow.

"Two year difference between most royals. Two years between Will and you." Lucy turned her back to him. "Get everything packed. We leave this afternoon." She walked back to her son.

Turning back to the mirror, Harry placed the necktie to his face. It matched his eyes perfectly. Lucy had gotten him the tie, one of the first gifts to him, a silk tie from Venice. He walked into his bedroom and placed it gently in his suitcase. His grey suit went with the tie.

"Harry!"

Any time Lucy raised her voice, it really wasn't good. She wasn't one to raised her voice ever, even when she was mad or upset. Her voice always managed to stay even, almost monotone when she was annoyed.

He broke off into a run, to her voice, which was in Freddie's room. Lucy stood in the doorway, looking inside. Harry stood beside her. He watched his son. Freddie crawled around on the floor. On his hands and knees, he crawled. The toy was on the ground, and every time Freddie touched the toy, he managed to push it away. His parents watched him. After a minute, Freddie got the toy and held it. He laid flat on his stomach and then began to roll around.

"I guess it's time to keep a better watch on him," Harry muttered.

"Yeah, he crawls now. He rolls over now. He sleeps almost through the night now. He can eat real food." Lucy paused. "We have a human being on our hands."

Harry's eyes rolled over to his wife, and she glanced at him. He said nothing and turned his gaze back to his playing son. Freddie continued to play with the shiny toy, as if it was the best thing in the world. "You go pack. I'll play with him," Harry said.

Lucy shook her head no. "What am I, your maid?" A smile spread across her face as she rejoined Freddie on the floor. "Hi, buddy, hi. Soon enough, you'll be able to read."

"Having high hopes for him?"

"Yes, because you're a smart kiddo, aren't you?" She talked to her son. "You are a smart kiddo. Yes, you are." Harry watched his wife. "Go pack, Harry. The airplane leaves soon."

"I'm sure they won't mind if we're late."

She rolled her eyes. "Your daddy thinks that the world revolves around him because he's part of the British monarchy. Little does he know, not a lot of people care." Her eyes turned him. "Go, now. He needs a nap soon before we fly." Lucy's eyes came back to Freddie. "Who wants to go to Sweden? You do. You're going to a happy little traveler, aren't you? You're not going to fuss at all."

Harry scoffed.

"I can hope."

He nodded and went back to the bedroom. Harry just threw stuff into the suitcase now and took it downstairs quickly. He just wanted to be with his son some more. Freddie's laughter filled the apartment, loud and high-pitched, easily going through the walls. Lucy laughed too. He ran back upstairs to see his family. Harry slid on the floor next to his wife, smiling at his son. Freddie smiled back, toy in hand. He flung the thing at Harry's face but it missed. The father held out the toy, which Freddie called for.

"Good, good."

"That's my kiddo."

Freddie crawled away, finding some more toys around the room.

"Luce," Harry said. His wife glanced at him. "I love you."

"I love you too." Confusion molded her to her face. "Why?"

"We made this beautiful child together. Thank you."

"You're welcome?"

Harry's hand reached across and rubbed Lucy's back, and then he pulled her into a hug. Harry kissed Lucy on the lips. Their gaze turned to their son once again.