A/N: I also think you're gonna like most of this chapter. At least, I hope so.

It was eight full days after his attack on her that Bella was unable to put her husband off.

"I have indulged your petty nonsense," James said as he encroached on Bella. She had run out of space, and so was unable to avoid him when he grabbed her by her upper arms. "You are my wife." Bella gasped as he spun her around and pressed her against the cold stone wall. "Do you require a reminder of your duties?" He began to pull her dress down off her shoulders.

"James. Stop. Please, stop."

He spun her around again. "Stop?"

She took a deep breath, willing her fear to recede. "You will stop, James."

His eyebrows arched in shock for a fraction of a moment before fury overtook his features. He raised his hand to grasp her chin roughly. "Again, Bella? Have you not learned your lesson about telling me what I will and will not do? I am your husband and King. You will not refuse me."

His grip was punishing, but Bella would not let herself be intimidated. She had a secret that gave her power over him. She was loathe to tell him. He should not have been the first to know, but if it kept him out of her bed, so be it. His fingers dug into her cheeks painfully, but she spoke anyway. "As you so frequently remind me, My Lord, I have but one true duty to you and my kingdom. I have done my duty. You have my leave to find another to warm your bed."

Confusion flitted across his features, and his grip loosened. "Are you saying…" He took a step back and let her go completely. He swallowed. "What are you saying?"

"When I told you I did not feel well, it was not a ruse to keep you out of my chambers. My courses have not come upon me. That is what I'm saying."

"You are with child?"

At that, uncertainty and fear nagged her. How much she wished Alice was still with her, so she might at least have someone she trusted to talk to. "I… I am not certain, My Lord. It is as I've said. That is all I know."

"Oh, My Love." To her great surprise, James stepped up to her again and kissed her. It was a joyous kiss, not demanding of anything. "Sweetling." He cradled her head in his hands, stroking her cheeks as though to chase away the sting of his previous grip. "Why did you not tell me?"

"I… I… as I said, I am not certain. I have no experience with such things. I did not wish to disappoint you."

"I will call for the doctor. He will know for certain."

Bella thought fast, realizing a chance where she saw one. "Not the doctor. I will see the apothecary. He is still in residence, is he not?"

James furrowed his brow. "Carlisle?" He chuckled. "He is skilled, My Lady, but wouldn't you much rather see a proper doctor?"

"He practices midwifery."

"Amongst the common people."

"Birthing a child is a very common thing whether or not this is a common child." She tried not to think of the double meaning of her words. "Please, James. Carlisle makes a tea which will settle my stomach."

"I see no reason not to give you your way, My Queen." He petted her cheek, staring at her with adoration in his eyes. "You may have whatever you wish, whatever you need, if you will bear me a healthy son." He took her hand and pulled her away from the wall. "Come. I will escort you."

Bella took her hand from his and adjusted her dress from where he had tugged it down off her shoulders. She did so slowly and wondered if he knew what a brute he could be. Likely not, she thought as he offered his arm. He was beaming. If she did not hate him so, she might have thought it sweet.

He walked beside her, holding her elbow when they stepped down from a particularly high step. He was charming when he wanted to be. On occasion, when he took the time to speak to her as though she were more than a pretty decoration on his arm or an obligatory bedmate, she enjoyed his company. Still, those occasions were few and far between. Like Bella, James had grown up knowing he would marry a complete stranger. She thought of the serving girl her ladies had spoken of. The girl had given birth to a boy child she'd named Riley, likely the King's bastard. Bella entertained the idea James was not so unlike her. What if he too was enamored of a woman he could not recognize?

Bella had consorted with Kings and Queens all her life. Some seemed to have a decent relationship, but her parents were the exception, not the rule. Kings and Queens did not marry for love. Not for the first time, she wondered what happened behind closed doors.

She wondered at how empty her life would be if she didn't have Edward's love.

Her heartbeat sped as her thoughts turned to Edward. To be able to see him again… But with her husband and the apothecary there, she would not be able to touch him.

They arrived at their destination, and Carlisle answered James's knock. "Your Majesties." He bowed to them both.

"Carlisle. I apologize for the late visit. My Lady wishes to see you regarding a matter of a most private nature." He looked past Carlisle into the room and frowned. "You still have that boy here."

"Aye, but not to worry. He is very deeply asleep and will remain such." He took a vial of some herb from his pocket and gave it a shake. "I assure you, My King, he will never know you've been here."

James grunted but moved to follow Bella into the room. She turned to him, resting her palms softly against his chest. "James. Won't you allow me to speak to Carlisle alone?" She ducked her head. "There are matters I must speak about not fit for polite company."

"You wish me to leave you down here alone?"

"Rest assured, Her Majesty will be safe with me," Carlisle said. "When we are done, I will escort her back to you myself."

James chuckled and bent to kiss Bella. "Fine, sweetling. As you wish. I await confirmation of our happy news in your chambers."

When he had gone, Bella stepped into Carlisle's room. There, she set eyes on Edward for the first time in eight days. He rested on a cot near the fire, facing away from her. Though she ached to go to him, she didn't dare.

She needn't have concerned herself. The moment Carlisle's door closed, Edward was upright. She had time enough to take in his pronounced limp and the sickly shade of his fading bruises before he had his arms around her.

"Edward," she said on a breath. "Edward, we cannot-"

"Shh, Bella. He knows. We are safe." He pulled back and took her cheeks in his hands as he peppered kisses across her features. "My love. How I missed you."

Bella found she was trembling, tears in her eyes. She raised her shaking fingers to his face. Her touch was but a brush as she traced the smattering of shallow cuts and fading bruises. "My God, Edward."

He shook his head and trapped her hand against his cheek. "Please don't worry for me, Bella. Carlisle is taking good care of me." He looped his arms about her waist. "Tell me what ails you."

Bella ducked her head against his chest, shy. They had spoken of this, wished for it, but she wondered if the reality would prove too difficult. He cupped her cheek, urging her to look at him. When she did, she saw the unconditional love and acceptance written there as plain as day. "I believe I am pregnant," she whispered.

His body jolted, and his eyes widened. "You believe?"

Bella glanced at the apothecary who was watching with a pleased but sad smile on his face. She wondered at his expression but looked back to Edward. "I wanted to tell you first, but…" She shook her head. "James brought me here so that Carlisle might examine me."

Edward looked to Carlisle. He kept his arm around Bella as he walked her the few steps to the man. "You can tell us, Carlisle?" The hope on his face made Bella feel warm.

Carlisle extended his hand to Bella. "Come, my dear. Lay down and tell me how you're feeling."

"Do you wish me to leave?" Edward asked.

"No. And you cannot. You are supposed to be dead asleep."

Carlisle asked a few questions and pressed against her abdomen. "It is early yet to say with any degree of certainty," he said as he helped her upright. "However, Your Highness, I do believe you shall deliver a winter child early next year."

Bella swallowed hard past the lump in her throat and let Edward gather her in his arms. He rocked her and kissed her hair. "Our child, Bella? Are you certain?"

"Our child," she said. She had taken care to drink Carlisle's elixir after she lay with James. She raised her head and touched his cheek with a smile. "Such a scandal, isn't it? Some day, a king will rule these lands with common blood running through his veins."

To her surprise, he shot a nervous look at Carlisle.

"You may tell her, Edward. It is as fair a trade for Her Majesty as it was for you. I have her secret; she should have mine."

Bella furrowed her brow and turned to Edward. "What is he speaking of?"

Edward took her hand and brought her knuckles to his lips. He told her a fantastic story of where Carlisle had taken him the night before. He was a prince by birthright.

"Queen Esme is alive? She is your mother, and she is alive?"

"So it would seem." His eyes were lit with excitement and a happiness Bella would never have been able to understand. What must it be like for a parentless waif to discover his origins. "So our child is a true prince. See?"

Bella shook her head. "Edward, Carlisle. This throne belongs to the Queen. By rights, it should be hers."

"You are the Queen, Your Highness. Somebody wanted Esme and her child dead all those years ago. Even if there was a way to restore her crown, she and Edward both would be in danger."

Edward balked. "The thought has just occurred to me… Carlisle, King Caius died of the same illness that supposedly killed my mother, did he not? Does that mean you believe he was killed as well?"

"As I said, it was suspicious that King Caius was brought to the throne in the first place. Long I had thought he might have been behind the deaths, but now I am not sure." Carlisle looked at Bella and back. "That is, unless James has inherited his father's ambition."

At that, Bella snorted. "James cares not for the responsibilities of the crown. Since his father's death, he has been in a consistent foul mood."

"And an already suffering people have suffered further for it," Carlisle said. "No, you're right, and that does give me some comfort for your safety, Your Highness. If King Caius was murdered, it may well have been because James is so malleable. He can be manipulated." He tapped his lips. "But by whom?" He waved his hand. "We shall discuss it further soon. Now, we should get you back to your husband before he becomes suspicious."

Bella frowned and turned to hug Edward tighter. "I wish…"

"Shhh." He pulled her face up to his and kissed her. "As do I, My Queen."

~0~

When Carlisle deemed Edward well enough to return to work, he was surprised to find he had garnered some notoriety amongst the other servants. Since they had come to Nomadia some months before, the servants previously from Forkshire were looked upon as unwelcome outsiders. Now, though, they sought him out to ask how he fared.

"They were shaken by the King's display, what he did to Alice and especially to you," Emmett said as they set about the day's labor. He shook his head. "The new king is more fool than the old. There is something to be said about loyalty even amongst slaves."

Edward nodded. "Where is Alice? I've yet to see her."

Emmett brightened. "It seems our King has had a change of heart. She was brought back to the palace from the backbreaking work she was sent to."

Edward huffed. "The King is inclined to give The Queen what she wants of late."

"Why would you say that."

"Nevermind. I was merely musing aloud."

Emmett studied him and then he threw his head back and clapped him on the shoulder. "I'd rather pass my congratulations to you than that vermin."

"Quiet, Emmett. It is early yet. Do not tempt fate," Edward said, but he grinned.

His friend chuckled. "Well, happy tidings all around." He cleared his throat. "Rose is pregnant as well."

"Really?"

"Aye. So she tells me." His grin was huge and may have made him look silly under other circumstances.

"Well then it is you who is to be congratulated. We shall celebrate tonight."

"Aye." Emmett fell quiet, a troubled look coming over his face.

"What is it, my friend?"

Emmett's eyes turned to the castle. "A thought I'm sure you share, brother. I fear for the control the King will have over both our children."

Edward's heart twisted, and he hung his head to conceal his fury. He did not fool himself into believing it would be easy to let another man, that man be a father to his child when he could not. He could have told Emmett he was lucky there, that he would get to hold and cuddle his children and hear them call him Papa, but he also understood the other man's plight. His children would be James's to command and control.

He touched his hand to Emmett's shoulder and imparted some words of wisdom from his newfound father. "This life is hard but it is ours. We shall make happiness of what we have."

~0~

Some days later, Edward was just setting about his tasks for the day when Santiago appeared, looking displeased. "Edward, Jasper, Emmett. The Queen has commanded your services for the day. Get cleaned up and presentable."

The men hurried to do as they were bid, and Edward wondered what Bella was up to. She had to know James would be displeased that she was, again, favoring the servants from Forkshire. She might be getting away with some things now that he thought she carried his child, but Edward rather wished she wouldn't push her luck, not for him.

Still, done was done. He allowed himself to enjoy being in her presence. She found reason to touch him under the guise of ordering him about as they visited the market. She claimed to be in need of different furniture, necessitating the help of men to move to the cart she'd had brought with her.

It was mid-morning when she snapped her fingers to get his attention. "Come here, boy. I've an errand for you."

He went to her side and knelt obediently before her, his lips turned up in a private smile as she feigned impatience. "Get up, get up. We haven't got all day. I am in need of a few things from the apothecary. I forgot to ask him before he left the castle. Here." She thrust a parchment at him. "I have writ down what I need. Go to him at once."

Edward raised his head and his heart began to pound erratically.

"Boy, have you heard what I said?"

"Y-yes, Your Majesty." Coming back to his senses, he bowed his head again as he took the parchment from her with trembling fingers.

"Good. You may have to wait. I had no time to send word ahead of what I needed. Go now so that you may be back before nightfall."

Edward swallowed hard. "Yes, Your Majesty."

As she passed, her fingertips brushed the back of his hand - the only gesture she could manage with her ladies about.

From the city gates, it was an hour's walk to Carlisle's home. The whole way, Edward did not know what to think. He understood what Bella had done. He knew what waited for him, who waited for him. The closer he got, the more he shook.

He was only halfway through his journey when he spied a man and two horses by the side of the road. Carlisle had come to meet him.

"You knew I was coming, then. You conspired with the queen."

A smile played at Carlisle's lips. "It is a habit of mine - conspiring with queens." His expression gentled. "And it is a gift as this is the eighteenth anniversary of your birth."

Edward's eyes went wide. "What?"

Carlisle tilted his head. "You had not considered, had you? Your mother and I have quietly celebrated your birthday every year without you." He clasped Edward's hand. "This year, you will be with us."

Edward did not care that it might have been unseemly. He threw his arms around Carlisle's neck, like he was at least a decade younger. "Thank you, Father."

He felt Carlisle's hand warm on his back. "My son. Having you here is more my gift than yours." He rubbed Edward's back. "Come. Your mother awaits."

Edward's breath stuttered as he stepped back from Carlisle. He had a hard time getting on the horse his father had brought, he was shaking so badly. "You told her then?"

"When I returned home a few nights ago. She has not stopped crying."

"And she wishes to see me?" Edward asked. He felt nervous and eager all at once.

"Oh, Edward." He sighed. "I have done my best to give your mother everything she wanted, but she is a simple woman. It takes so little to please her. The one thing she has ached for all these years was the one thing I could not give her. Of course she wishes to see you."

Edward's eyes stung with tears he worked hard to control. It was too much. All the years of his life, when his thoughts strayed to the mystery of his past, he would not allow himself to wonder. What good was it? He had no identity. He had no family.

Now, he knew his name, his lineage. He had a birthday and a father.

As they rode up to Carlisle's house, the door opened. Edward's head spun, and he had to cling to the horse as he slid off its back. His knees felt weak. He pressed one hand against his chest as though he could keep his heart contained to his ribcage by physical will alone. A woman appeared in the doorway.

He had a mother, and she was beautiful.

She pressed frail looking hands to her lips as he took the first tentative step toward her. She stumbled forward, and that got Edward's feet moving. He didn't want her to fall. He held his hands out, but she stayed upright and reached up to touch his face. "Edward?" she asked.

"Mother," he whispered.

Tears brimmed and fell down her cheeks. "My boy. My precious child. I never thought I would see you again." She traced his features with her fingers and eyes, shaking as she looked him over. "My God. You are so beautiful."

Her features crumpled as sobs overtook her, and she sagged forward. Edward caught her in his arms and held her, hugging her tight as he dared. She clutched at the front of his shirt as though she could not bring him close enough. Edward understood. The emotion that hit him then was too much, far too much to hold. His legs gave out, and they sunk to the ground together, both trembling and clinging to each other. Edward barely processed the crunch of the dirt as his father knelt beside them and wrapped his arms around both of them.

They rocked together, a family reunited against all odds.

A/N: Many thanks to jessypt and barburella and my WC girls. So much heart.

So Edward has his mommy and a baby on the way.