Theirs is a love story that began on a typical Saturday night, in an ordinary New York bar, where a group of unlikely friends took refuge on their last night in America. It was then that fate stepped in and altered the course for two unassuming individuals… a carefree waitress and a humble prince. They were two trapped souls held captive by their own circumstances, but somehow through a chance encounter, they each found redemption. And from a series of events that followed, they also found love…

****Monday at the palace****

Stepping onto the balcony that early November morning, Liam drew in a sharp breath and tightened his robe in defense of the slight chill in the air. While a drop in temperature is common for this time of year, it is quite a contrast from yesterday and even a king can't escape the vulnerability of changing weather conditions. Although, after record heat had plagued his small kingdom for most of the season this is a most welcome reprieve.

A shiver makes him wonder now why he left the warmth and comfort of the bed he shares with his beloved wife, Catherine. But because he seems to wake before everyone else these days, quiet mornings are spent in thoughtful appreciation of the numerous blessings that have been bestowed upon him just in the past year. And if the deep and abiding love he found in Catherine isn't reason enough to be thankful, then the gift of fatherhood would certainly meet criteria. After only a few short months since Catherine gave birth, it's no surprise that Liam treasures this latest role with the same devotion and commitment as he does in being a husband. Each day brings new challenges but equal rewards and no doubt, relentless joy for the royal couple.

In an effort to gain balance between himself and the climate, he breathes in slowly and deliberately, letting the cool, crisp air penetrate deep into his lungs. Upon exhaling, as the warmth of his breath converges with the cool air, he watches in amusement while it leaves a trail of misty vapor, only to dissipate as soon as it forms. Shortly, he abandons this impetuous attempt at self-entertainment to try his luck at clearing the mental fog from a full night of slumber.

With both hands on the railing for support, he takes a wistful look at his surroundings. Subsequently, his gaze follows the horizon, then upward, where a most spectacular sight awaits his review. In awed silence, he watches as the fiery disc slowly ascends into the marbled sky beyond, impervious to its effect on the earth below. No less impressive are the tinted clouds blushing pinks and blues with hints of violet, releasing perfect beams of sunlight through small gaps, while illuminating everything in its path. A masterpiece it was, reminiscent of a Monet... and with equal grandeur.

Granted, this view alone would suppress one's ability to focus on anything else, but for Liam, it lacks a very crucial element. A vital piece that would ultimately make this occasion even more sentimental... the presence of his beloved wife and queen, Catherine. Moments like these have always been a shared experience between them, and nothing is quite as satisfying without her. Those are the moments he lives for, the moments he cherishes... but no matter how much it would mean to share this with her, he just can't bring himself to wake her. Maybe another time, he thought sadly. Today though, she has a date with her sister and will definitely need the extra rest. He smiles, remembering how she looked right before he came outside... in the warmth of their bed, her body tucked thoroughly beneath the covers and her head resting comfortably on a pillow... her hair was tousled and he smiles again, remembering how it most likely got that way... and yet it still captured her undeniable beauty... flawless is what she is, even in her sleep.

Catherine wakes to an empty bed, which is quite normal these days. Her beloved husband always makes sure not to disturb her when he awakens so early. He is too good to her, she thinks to herself and then smiles knowing it just means he loves her. She lays quietly for a moment, listening for any sound from the nursery and upon hearing none, she then leans over to look at the monitor. Once satisfied that all is well, she nestles back into her comfortable spot under the covers, enjoying this quiet moment before facing the busy day ahead. Her thoughts wander to how she came to this point in her life. To say she is happy would be an understatement, but it hasn't come without a few struggles. Some more recent than others.

Well aware of Liam's tendency to worry about even the smallest of things, Catherine felt it was even more pronounced after they learned she was pregnant. In the beginning, his concern was almost endearing but eventually, it began affecting his duties. She knew he was going to be an exceptional father, but he needed a little nudge in overcoming this constant fretting.

With that in mind, she purposely omitted a particular detail that was discovered during one of her regular prenatal visits, and thankfully Liam was away on business. While the issue would most likely present challenges during the actual birth, the health factor was insignificant at that point and at the time Catherine felt that if Liam knew, it would only send him over the edge.

Because his stress level was already on overload, she decided to wait until closer to the due date to tell him and even had the support from her doctor, who had been witness to the king's anxiety. There has never been an instance that she kept secrets from him before but in this case, the outcome was not going to change whether he knew it now or later.

Since their wedding almost a year ago, it seemed impossible that Liam could ever love her more than he did that day but, as with all things concerning Catherine, the word impossible does not exist. Her presence alone is enough to encourage and motivate him, but it is her unique insight that he treasures the most. Catherine provides inspiration to all things in his world and as most already know, she is his inspiration... she is his world.

His thoughts drift back to the beginning of summer and how much calmer things are now compared to the way they were then. The heat had definitely been difficult for all residents living in the southern regions of the kingdom, but it was particularly hard on the queen. Catherine was entering her third trimester by the time the heatwave began and that only served to trigger a rise in his already enormous concerns over the health and wellbeing of her and the precious gift growing inside her.

The heat seemed even more merciless as her body adjusted to the extra weight and the feeling went from just plain uncomfortable to downright unbearable. Not once did she complain, but that didn't mean the droopy eyelids flanked by dark circles, or the swollen ankles had gone unnoticed. Liam is a kind and understanding man, especially when it comes to his wife and queen, but anxiety from witnessing the signs of physical distress was threatening to destroy these very prominent virtues.

While being pregnant is rewarding for many reasons, it was the heat that began to chip away at her enthusiasm. Mostly due to her expanding figure and the extra weight she was carrying. Although Catherine's duties kept her inside through most of the heatwave, there were still obligations that occasionally forced her to endure the elements. These were outdoor events where the press and the public eagerly awaited the presence of their expectant queen, just to catch a glimpse of history in the making. Since there hasn't been a royal birth in over two decades, bestowing an heir to the kingdom is indeed a cause for celebration and Catherine had no intention of robbing them of this moment. Liam insisted that he would handle the outdoor affairs but knowing that her presence meant so much to their people, and she promised not to overdo it, he reluctantly conceded.

Liam was supportive of course, but that didn't mean he was less concerned. He never once left her side at those outdoor events nor did he neglect to keep an eye on her many times throughout the day when duty called. It was in the evenings though, when she began to notice the lines in his forehead were a little more pronounced, and perhaps he was more worried than she originally thought. But that didn't stop him from being devoted to her and making sure she was as comfortable as possible. And not that it took great effort on her part, but she always made sure to give him a little extra love and attention as well.

It was only after the news from her doctor that she decided to take leave, and honestly, it couldn't have come at a better time. Her body was beginning to show signs of the mental and physical exhaustion she'd been feeling and as if a visible cloud had been lifted, she could see the relief wash over Liam's expression the minute the words left her lips.

Thankfully, with eight weeks left until the birth of Cordonia's newest heir, Liam was more than relieved when Catherine finally agreed to take leave. The improvements to her health were almost immediate and aside from any urgent matters, Liam was able to clear his schedule until after the blessed event as well.

Over the course of her pregnancy, it was his personal mission to find ways to ease her discomfort and only became more attentive the farther along she got. During the evenings he would insist that she elevate her feet before going to dinner and then proceeded to massage them as they talked about their day. During work hours, Liam consistently kept in touch with her by texts, phone calls, and frequent visits just to visually check on her. And it was no secret, especially among their friends, no matter what she mentioned or referenced, if Liam thought Catherine wanted it, he'd move heaven and earth to provide it.

Nighttime was the easiest for both of them. It was then that they could finally relax and leave the day's worries behind. Whether it was making love into the wee hours of the morning or just simply holding one another, no matter how they chose to release the stresses of the day, Liam never closed his eyes before first bonding with the precious gift of life they created still wrapped securely inside Catherine's womb. It was amazing to watch how the baby responded to Liam's touch and especially to the sound of his voice. Whether it be a small hand or a foot that suddenly became visible, there was no mistaking that he or she already loved their father as much as he loved them.

It was one of these interactions in particular that prompted Catherine to reveal the secret she'd been keeping about her pregnancy...

At the same time Catherine took leave from her duties, Katy surprised her with a phone call one day stating that she too was expecting. This news was exciting, but it also arrived with bittersweet reality. When it came time to have families of their own, they vowed that their bond would only strengthen. And their children would always be as close as they are. But now, because they live so far apart, their children would end up as strangers.

Once her two weeks in Cordonia came to an end, Katy returned to New York to resume her career as the owner of a bakery. Reality set in on the eve of her departure. Not only was she leaving her twin sister behind, but also the love of her life. In just a few short weeks, there was no doubt in her heart that Drake Walker is her soulmate.

For her last full day, the plan was to spend a low-key afternoon on a couples retreat to the mountains, followed by a quiet dinner at the palace that evening and then maybe a bit of alone time with Drake to say goodbye. Neither was not looking forward to that part and even though it wouldn't be forever, it was still going to be difficult. Katy never expected that night to end on such a high note.

Just as Drake predicted, after giving in to their desires that night, his heart was not ready to let her go. Katy casually mentioned that he should just go with her and that's all he needed to hear. He waited until the next morning to tell her, just to give Liam a heads up as a courtesy... they are best friends after all... but also to make sure Katy truly wanted this. Of course she did, with both Liam and Catherine giving their blessings as well.

At first, Drake's plan was to tackle a few construction projects Katy had mentioned for her bakery and once complete, he would then return to Cordonia where they'd continue their relationship and see each other as often as possible. But the longer he stayed, the closer they became and the harder it was to imagine being away from her for any length of time. More and more Drake felt that being with Katy is where he needed to be... where he wanted to be and nothing else was going to be good enough.

This type of romantic adventure was all new to Drake but after that first encounter with Katy at the ball and then talking to her the next day, it was evident that this girl already owned a piece of him. And whether she wanted it or not, he gave it everything he had just to win her heart. Even Katy would have to admit that he has become quite the romantic since the day they confessed their love to one another, and that love has only intensified.

Drake doesn't consider himself a particularly romantic guy in the traditional sense but being with Katy has influenced the way he approaches the important things in life. She gave him a new perspective and three months after following her to New York, he decided it was time to make it official.

Yes, the time had come for Catherine to reveal the news that was found during one of her prenatal visits where Liam was unable to attend. If he'd known prior to now, it would have only doubled his anxiety... quite literally.

This night, after making love, Liam began his ritual of bonding with their unborn child. The baby seemed unusually active, and the show was both pleasing and entertaining. While Liam's voice came softly against her skin, a tiny hand stretched across Catherine's stomach and then the impression of a foot appeared. As he continued to speak and gently caress the area where the hand was, another one appeared right next to it... then another.

"C-Catherine...?"

Liam's eyes widen at the impression of three hands on her stomach, all at the same time and the color is all but gone from his complexion as he looks at her in disbelief. She knows what he must be thinking and can't help but smile. It's obvious an explanation is necessary. Catherine sits up and touches Liam's cheek lovingly, his expression is confused, worried and a somewhat frightened. After clearing her throat, she smiles and then answers his unspoken question.

"I promise it's not an alien, Liam."

"I... I don't... understand. How...?"

"We are having twins!"

On a particularly busy afternoon at the bakery, Drake walked in completely unnoticed and stood in line behind a swarm of patrons, just waiting for the perfect moment. While Katy was distracted with a difficult order and had her back turned, he slipped through the crowd, dropping to one knee. When she twirled around, he was holding an open box with a diamond ring and wearing a nervous smile. Before he could ask her the question, she screamed, YES! And then hopped the counter where he stood and embraced her, both oblivious to the resounding cheers heard throughout the bakery.

They were married in New York and lucky for them, it was before Catherine was placed on a strict no-fly rule due to her pregnancy, so both she and Liam stood in as their attendants. Of course, Catherine was Katy's matron of honor and Liam was Drake's best man. It was only fair since Katy and Drake filled those same roles on their wedding day.

While Catherine is still relaxing in bed, Liam returns from the balcony. Noticing she is awake, he walks over and sits beside her on the bed, leaning down for a tender kiss.

"Good morning, my queen. Sleep well?"

"I did... but your lips are cold." Liam laughs as a slight shiver takes hold.

"It is a bit cool this morning."

"Well, that's different..."

She says almost relieved, then holds up the blanket and pats the empty space as a gesture for him to join her.

"I warmed this spot just for you."

Catherine moves over to make room as Liam smiles and then stands to remove his robe. Once he slides in beside her, she wraps him in the warmth of the blanket and then her arms.

"Always so thoughtful..."

"For my king, always."

He gives her another kiss and pulls back with a smile as they gaze at one another.

"You are so beautiful, Catherine."

"I love you, Liam."

"I love you more..."

Liam instinctively raises his hand and caresses her cheek, his thumb tracing a line along her bottom lip. She sighs, contentedly.

"Mmm..."

After Katy and Drake's wedding, they spent their honeymoon on a deserted island in the middle of the Mediterranean. It was a wedding gift from the royal couple, by Drake's request no less. He thought it would be an ideal honeymoon getaway. Katy, on the other hand had quite a few legitimate concerns. But because she loves this man so much, she was willing to sacrifice comfort for his happiness. The island was exactly what one would expect, and because it had no modern amenities or distractions to speak of, they spent an entire week depending on the other for literally everything. Drake made sure to have all the essentials before they even left the states and Katy had to admit that it was one of the most romantic weeks they've ever spent together. Once the trip was over, the two were closer than ever and they vowed to spend each anniversary on the same island just to renew their love.

After learning she was pregnant, Katy began missing Catherine terribly. Maybe it was hormones, but she already knew the Queen of Cordonia could never return to New York permanently, and she needed her sister, especially now. After long discussions with Drake, they both decided a move to Cordonia was inevitable. It was just a matter of what to do with Katy's bakery. Not wanting her to regret this decision later on, Drake suggested that selling the storefront, but keeping the online business would be the best option. It was more profitable anyway, and she wouldn't be giving up her dream.

As he leans in for another kiss, a subtle noise halts his attempt and they both smile, knowing the sound came from the nursery. Liam rises from bed, putting his robe back on and then holds out his hand for Catherine.

"I think our presence is needed. Shall we, my queen?"

"Yes. I'll take care of the sustenance, but you're on diaper duty this morning."

"I thought since I did that before we turned in last night, it was your turn."

Catherine reaches for her robe and then her shoes.

"Yes, but I was up twice after that and each time there were dirty diapers involved. So technically, you owe me one after this."

"I don't remember you getting up during the night."

"You don't remember because you were asleep."

"How can you be sure it was last night specifically? You could be mistaken."

"I could be, but I'm not. It's definitely your turn, Liam. Just check the disposal bin if you don't believe me."

He winces at the thought.

"No... I can't open that thing. I'll just take your word for it."

Catherine laughs.

"It's not that bad."

"Not bad? How can one tiny human create... all that? And we have two!"

"Liam... That's just how babies are and it's not always going to be this way."

"I certainly hope not."

With all the legalities and paperwork regarding the sale of the bakery complete, Katy and Drake couldn't pack fast enough. And when all was said and done, they were en route to Cordonia, courtesy of the royal jet that Liam so graciously offered. He also invited them to use the palace as their home for as long as they wanted or needed to, but they decided the cabin would be much more practical for their growing family. Drake even built a second bedroom next to theirs, and with the help of a few friends, he also expanded the once tiny kitchen and added all new appliances along with any necessary gadgets, just so Katy could continue doing what she loved.

Catherine nudges Liam playfully toward the nursery and after taking a deep breath, he opens the door. The subtle whimpers are now full blown cries. He gives her one last somber look and then walks in with a cheerful tone in his voice.

"Good morning. And how are my sweet cherubs today?"

He picks up the first and then walks to the changing table.

"Shall we start the day off with a fresh, clean diaper? Yes, I think we should... do this... very quickly... indeed..."

Catherine can't help but laugh as she exits to retrieve the milk she extracted yesterday. While she chose to breast feed over using formula, it was important that Liam have the same bonding experience, making it necessary to store some into bottles.

Drake and Katy welcomed their offspring into the world exactly two months after their move from New York. Yes, Katy gave birth to twins as well. Jericho Alexander and Jackson Levi Walker.

If anyone could have been more happy or surprised than Drake, he certainly wasn't going to question it. But he was a natural when it came to taking care of his newborns and even though he refused to take diaper duty, he was more than willing to do everything else... anything else. Katy didn't mind though, he made up for it in other ways.

For the second time in his life, Drake is content. He is married to the only woman he's ever truly loved, and as spirited as she is beautiful. And now, two perfect reasons why his life is complete.

Things could have gone very differently for Drake, but thanks to the love from one very special woman, he has purpose, aspiration... and yes, even dreams for their future.

By the time Catherine returns to the nursery, things are relatively quiet as Liam has finished changing diapers and holds Princess Victoria Rose in one arm while soothing Prince William Grayson in his crib.

"Thank you, my lovely wife."

"You're most welcome, my loving husband."

Catherine hands Liam the prepared bottle with a smile and then lifts William from the crib. They each sit in a rocker and begin the magical bonding that can only come from feeding a baby. Liam may not enjoy the diaper changes, but he wouldn't miss spending this time with his beautiful wife and two perfect expressions of the love they share. And likewise, Catherine's favorite moments are here in this nursery with her loving husband and their two gifts from heaven.

Traditionally, staff would tend to the needs of royal offspring, but Catherine and Liam are more practical where parenting is concerned. In a small way, they want to impart the significance of family among the people of Cordonia by setting an example. But mostly because they long for the closeness that neither had experienced growing up. Their children would never know what being alone feels like.

Liam glances over at Catherine for a moment, the tiny prince in her arms is contentedly nuzzled against her breast, while she tenderly rubs his back and then his head. The sight almost takes his breath away... It's love in the purest form. Sensing his gaze, she looks up and smiles. His expression is peaceful, happy and there is a gleam in his eyes that only she can see. He smiles.

"There are no words to describe how much I love you, Catherine."

"You don't have to say it, Liam. You show me every day. But I'm sure I'll get on your nerves eventually."

"Never."

"I love you too, you know... even if you don't like changing diapers."

He chuckles, as a happy tear rolls down his cheek.

"Life can't get any better than this."

THE END