Hello! I apologise for being absent for a while, but thank you for sticking with me. Hope you enjoy the story, please review and let me know what you think (please note that flashbacks are in Italics) – FloralCloud
The Dove
At the end of the garden sat a wooden gazebo. Over-looking the sea and the kingdom, flowers climbing up the trellises that formed walls, it was the ideal place to escape over the years, as the royals often did. On this particular day it was Harold's turn. Watching the fishing boats bob along the waves he wondered what it would be like to be a fisherman, to live an ordinary life free from as much responsibility and pomp. However, his day dream was interrupted by a surprise visitor.
"Hi Daddy!" Fiona peeked through the trellis. Harold smiled and summoned Fiona in. Sitting next to her father, Harold put his arm over her shoulder, "How are you my dear? Is everything alright with…you know…the baby?". Resting her hand on her stomach, Fiona smiled at her father, "I'm fine and baby is fine, thanks for asking". "Good! I'm glad. Enjoy the piece and serenity whilst you can" he laughed, "Anyway, why have you come all the way out here? Surely not just to sit with me". Fiona bit her lip and looked at Harold, "Mom is so excited about being a grandma, she is so happy…". "Darling we both are! I've never seen your mother this excited since she found out that she was pregnant". "That's kind of what I want to talk about. Dad, why didn't you and Mom have any more children? Was it because of me?". Harold sighed and looked away, "Oh we tried. We tried for many years…"
Lillian sat up in bed, with tear stained cheeks and a hand placed over her tiny stomach. For the first time in his life Harold felt completely and utterly helpless. The doctor nodded and placed a hand on the kings shoulder before quietly leaving the room. Lillian looked over at Harold and shook her head slowly, "I…I am so sor...". "Stop! Stop right there sweetheart, this is not your fault. Things like this happen often, we must try not to dwell on it". Tears trickled down her cheeks as she spoke, "Harold I have just lost our baby, our little dove. I know you mean well by telling me not to blame myself, but what else am I supposed to do? You know how much we've tried and longed for this". Harold sat on the edge of the bed and took her hand in his. "I know. I know. I just don't know what else to say, I hate seeing you like this". Lillian placed her hand to his cheek, "Everything was going so well with our lives, probably too well….oh Harold I feel like such a failure" with that they both fell into each other's embrace.
"Dad, I never knew…" Fiona spoke softly. Harold sighed again, "Not many people do dear. It's not something we like to talk about, particularly your mother, so please don't mention it to her". Fiona shook her head, "Of course I won't. I am sorry for bringing up the subject". "Don't be sorry, it's better to tell you the truth. Now I have some paper work to attend to, I'll see you at dinner dear".
Lillian was watering a single white rose in the garden when Harold appeared. "Hello my love, Where have you been hiding", kissing him on the cheek, "I'm just watering little dove. I've been thinking about them a lot today…". Harold pulled Lillian close, kissing her hair. "I told her". Lillian looked at him and smiled gently, "I guess it was about time to tell her, it's not fair hiding it, after all, it would have been her little brother or sister". Walking over to the rose, Harold stroked its petals softly, "I know it hurts, and it always will, and I miss them and the person that they would become". Lillian wiped away the tears and stood beside Harold, "Me too. But we can't dwell on it, we must be grateful for what we have". "I agree. A beautiful daughter, a son in-law and now a grandchild!". Bending down Harold kissed the rose, "I love you little dove". Lillian placed her arms around Harold and whispered, "I love you too".