The Crown

Chapter Sixty

SIX MONTHS LATER

Beatrice smiled gleefully, standing before the mirror. She rubbed her hand around her stomach, admiring how big it had gotten. She couldn't fit in the maternity dresses the tailor had made, so hers had to be custom made.

When her stomach was growing at a rapid pace, and was more swollen than usual in her first semester, Tobias had taken her to the doctor. He explained to them simply that the baby was growing. Still, he couldn't help but feel that there was another explanation for this.

Then, in her latest appointment, the doctor explained there was a possibility of giving birth to multiple children. Beatrice was overjoyed, even if the possibility was slim and very rare. Tobias bit his nail, praying it wouldn't happen. When Beatrice had gone to the bathroom, he pulled the doctor aside harshly.

"If my wife has twins she'll die." He said, his voice cracking.

The doctor sighed and took off his glasses. "There's a possibility her majesty can die during labor. Yes."

"Can't you do anything? Can u get me the best doctor there is to deliver them?"

"My King, I don't know whether or not she's actually having twins. I can't know until she gives birth. She's in her third trimester, so it will be soon. You have to be prepared, and she too, that there can be a complicating during labor. The Queen needs to be informed of the risks."

Tobias looked away, blinking away the tears. He took a shaky breath and watched as his wife came in, smiling happily. He smiled back before looking away again. The doctor, noticing how sad Tobias was, decided to tell the princess himself. Beatrice, evidently, covered her mouth and let tears stroll down her cheek.

That was one month ago.

Now, Beatrice had become accustomed to the idea, and was positive she could do it and give birth. She moved her hand under her stomach and felt the multiple kicks.

Tobias appeared behind her. He wrapped his arms around her, looking at their reflection in the mirror. He moved his hands to her stomach and smiled as he felt the kicking as well.

Christina, who had been in the room with Beatrice, smiled up at the couple. In her lap was her son, Aaron, bouncing happily. He was getting bigger, starting to crawl, and babbled continuously. Christina picked him up and rubbed his back, clearing her throat to get Beatrice's attention.

"I'm going to leave now," Christina said with a smile. "Aaron is getting fussy and it's almost time for his nap. I'll see you tomorrow."

Beatrice smiled and cooed at Aaron before Christina left. Tobias closed the door behind her and sighed contentedly now that he could have his wife to himself. He turned his head and kissed her soft cheek before taking her hand and leading her out to the balcony. They leaned against it, looking down at the green garden.

With a deep breath, inhaling the view, Tobias moved his hand and placed it on Beatrice's stomach. She sighed and gripped his hand over hers. She looked down and smiled at how big her stomach was becoming.

"Seven months..." Beatrice smiled and looked back at the view.

Tobias retreated his hand and looked away. "Two more months." Two more months until Beatrice dies to give birth to my children, he thought morbidly. He pushed back those thoughts and took a shaky breath, looking at his wife and kissed her cheek.

"Aren't you excited for tonight?" she asked. "Our parents are coming."

"Yes, and my uncle. I'm so very excited for him and my mother to be telling me all I'm doing wrong."