AN: Happy Sunday Loyals! Thank you for the feedback last time, I'm happy you enjoyed the last chapter. This chapter is a bit of fluff but there's some drama at the end that's building up to the next arc! I hope you enjoy and please review! Thank you!

Song recommendation: My Life by Lucy Rose.

This song plays when they wake up after their first time and it's a beautiful scene!

The Royals Season 4 Countdown: 9 weeks aka 62 days!

Kate and Liam may have felt happy, truly, blissfully happy when they first brought Alex home. But all that bliss came to an end when he would wake up screaming in the middle of the night. At 2 months old he still didn't have a consistent sleep schedule and his parents were struggling with the lack of sleep. When a screech came through the monitor Kate pulled her pillow over her head and groaned as it grew louder, Liam sat straight up.

"What?" He slurred frantically, his voice thick with sleep. "What's wrong?"

Kate righted herself and rubbed her eyes. "The baby's awake."

"Again? You just fed him and I changed him."

"Tell me something I don't know." She grumbled, shuffling to the door. "What time is it?"

Liam blindly felt around the bedside table for his phone before following her. "1:01."

"It's only been two hours." She walked into the nursery and picked up Alex. "What's wrong sweetheart?"

Alex fussed a bit before settling into Kate's arms, he stilled whined but it wasn't the shrieking he had been doing. Liam watched from the doorway, resting his head against the wall.

"Shouldn't he be sleeping through the night now?" He questioned.

"The doctor said it's normal." She said rocking him a bit. "I think he's just lonely, aren't you?"

"Our bed is lonely too. You know that thing that we should be sleeping in." Liam fought another yawn and rubbed his eyes. "Remind me why we don't have a nanny to do this?"

Kate tried not to roll her eyes. "We've been over this, we need to bond with him in his first few months of life. And he's our son we should take care of him, not a stranger."

He had his eyes shut, he was almost sleeping on his feet. "I just think we could benefit from it."

Alex cries picked back up and Kate sighed, rubbing his back. "Go to sleep, go to sleep."

When she looked up Liam had disappeared from the door, rolling her eyes she sat down and continued soothing their son. The lack of sleep had made them both grouchy and it wasn't unusual that they'd be at each other's throats in the middle of the night. But it was hard to stay irritated when Alex looked up at her with his big green eyes. It was still so outrageous to think that this was her child and that she was a mum. Alex may not have been sleeping through the night but he certainly was cute.

"Do you get lonely when Mummy and Daddy go to bed? Mummy misses you but I also miss sleeping at regular hours." She babbled at him. "Daddy misses it too. We're both trying really hard to take care of you."

He gave her a toothless smile and sucked on her fingers. Kate laughed a bit, feeling her heart melt. He was just so cute and every time she saw him she felt warm and fuzzy inside. He still obviously had baby fat but his tiny features had matured a bit, he had Liam's mouth and nose but her ears and eyes. The hair was a tossup because all three of them had blonde hair. She smoothed it down and hummed to him under her breath.

"Is he asleep yet?" Liam whispered walking into the room, carefully balancing two mugs.

"No, I think he was just lonely." She looked up and shrugged. "I thought you went to sleep though."

He shook his head. "Thought about it, but then I'd feel like an asshole. Here."

She took the steaming mug and took a small sip, the last thing she wanted to do was scald her only child. "You're a gem."

"I try." He sat in the chair next to her. Alex seemed to recognize his father's voice because his head turned, this ws a new skill he had picked up. "Hi, buddy."

Liam grinned, his eyes crinkling. Alex moved his arm jerkily and Liam took him into his arms and kissed the top of his head. Seeing his son blew him away it had been such a struggle to get here. And even though he was exhausted he was happy. Alex stared at him, grasping his dad's finger in his fist.

"You're such a sweet boy, you're just lonely?" He asked, in a baby voice. "It's okay, we can hang out. And we're going to see your gran soon. And you'll get to see your great-grandmother Duchy."

Kate smirked from behind her tea. "Oh, yeah he'll be smothered over there."

Helena had become a bit of a stalker when it came to her grandson. She constantly Facetimed Liam and Kate, and called and asked for new pictures. It was all very cute but Liam found it overbearing.

"Between my mum and Eleanor, he'll never be alone again."

"Well, I think it's sweet. It's nice to have someone to talk to when I feel like I'm messing something up."

"Tell Mummy she's doing an amazing job." Liam was making faces at Alex who made a babbling sound. "See, you're kicking ass at this whole parenting thing."

She just gave a lazy smile. "This is the first time I'm leaving the house since I've had him. I kind of like being tucked away here."

"I do too. But I miss London and I know you do too. And don't you want some fish and chips?"

She wrinkled her nose. "Never again, I think I ate enough during the second half of being pregnant to last a lifetime. I miss the city though, I don't think I've ever been away from it this long."

"He's only been to London a few times and he was asleep then. I think he'll like it when he's older." The baby dozed off a bit where he was laying on Liam's lap. "Shhh, look, it's a miracle."

"Stay still." Kate pulled her phone from her robe pocket and took a picture.

She scooped him up and gently laid him in the crib and rubbed his back until his eyes drifted shut. Liam draped his arm over her shoulder and kissed her.

"We made that."

"Damn straight we did." He kissed her again, grabbing her hand and pulling her from the room.

He went to kiss her again and she held up her hand. "Not until you shave."

Liam rolled his eyes, rubbing his hand over his jaw. "What's wrong with it?"

She had climbed back into bed and folded her arms over her chest. "It's scratchy."

"It's a beard. Dads have beards, Kate." He said matter-of-factly.

"My dad doesn't and neither did yours."

Liam was peering into the mirror on the other side of the room. "Well I like it, is it noticeable?"

Kate was holding back a laugh as she scrolled through her phone. "Here, look at this."

He sat next to her and took the phone. It was a video from the other day, Liam had gone out to the shops to get diapers. It was part of their compromise, Kate had agreed to a small staff as long as they could still do normal things like shopping and tending to the baby. She still didn't want to be seen in public so Liam had gone instead. He hit play and saw a picture of himself balancing shopping bags while a reporter spoke.

"New dad Prince Liam sure looked tired when he was out for a nappie run and the weekly shop. The young dad who is just 23 was seen yawning and sporting a scruffy beard and had a cap pulled low over his face."

"Liam! How's the baby and Kate?" A pap had asked.

He gave the camera a tired smile. "Both fine, we're all just tired."

There were more questions shouted but Liam had just yawned widely and waved before ducking into the car.

"Many are calling this a fresh approach to Royal Parenting. Gone are the days of nannies and sending staff to the shops. Kate and Liam are raising their son in a modern way that reflects their relationship. This apparently includes growing out a beard which is a rare sight for the normally clean shaven prince."

Liam tossed the phone back at Kate."We're modern, this means I'm a trendsetter, a fashion icon."

"You're an idiot." She laughed.

"You married an idiot, what does that make you?" He teased, pulling her onto his lap. "A super idiot?"

Kate ran her fingers over the beard. "Apparently."

Liam pressed a few kisses to her face and neck, she threw her head back, laughing as she tried to pull away. "Better get used to the beard then because I'm keeping it."

"We're going to wake the baby." She shushed him. "And your face is hurting my face."

He rolled over and turned off the lamp. "You said for better or worse."

"I didn't think worse meant a beard."

Kate couldn't hold back a smile when Liam laid down next to her. "If anything the beard is better."

She leaned over and kissed him. "You're an idiot but I love you."

"I love you too." He yawned. "Not as much as the beard, but you are pretty great."

Without opening her eyes she rested her head on his shoulder. "I married an idiot."

...

Alex only woke up once the rest of the night so everyone was in good spirits the next morning. The drive to London was smooth and the sights of the city made Kate realize just how homesick she had been. They passed the Thames and all she could think of is the night she and Liam went out. And when they turned onto the street that led to the palace she remembered her wedding day. Now they had a son to share the city with. But for now, there would be no sharing because Helena had snatched Alex up as soon as they walked into the sitting room.

"How's my favorite boy?" She asked, "You're so handsome."

Liam shook his head, sitting down one of the many bags Kate had insisted on bringing over. "I'm here too you know."

Helena looked up from where she was bouncing the baby on her lap. "Of course you are, sweetheart."

"Hi, Helena." Kate greeted her mother in law. "Thanks for having us."

"Are you kidding? I wouldn't miss out on this for a second, it's been too long."

"It's been a week since you visited us, Mum." Liam took a cup of tea and sat on the sofa.

"Like I said, too long. Kate, how are you feeling? You look well rested, is he sleeping okay?"

"Some nights are better than others. But I'm not nearly as sore anymore, still too soft, but I've lost some of the weight."

Liam squeezed her thigh. "You look wonderful."

"Speaking of looks." Helena swirled her finger in front of her face. "The beard is new. I thought you would have shaved by now."

"I'm thinking about keeping it."

Helena scrunched her nose before forcing a smile. "You look like your father."

"I didn't know he had a beard."

"He didn't once I told him to shave it."

Kate hit his arm. "See you should listen to me."

"Everyone's a critic."

"For what it's worth, it's growing on me." Kate offered. "Is Eleanor here?"

"She's not I'm afraid. She had a meeting with some makeup company. Hopefully, she'll be back before you go." Then she whispered cunningly down to Alex, kissing his hair. " And if not that just means you'll have to visit again soon."

"That's fine, my dad and Angie want to see him too so I'm sure we'll be back next week." She nodded to the window where the London eye was visible in the distance. "I'm just glad to be back in London. It's been raining so it's nice to be out of the house."

Helena was letting Alex grip her hair and making faces at him. It was strange for Liam to see his mother so relaxed and even stranger to see her being a grandmother.

"When's Duchy arriving?"

"An hour or so, she said something her appointment running late. Which is good for me because you know how particular she is about everything."

"Should we take him outside?" Liam suggested, "There are new things to see and you can get ready for Duchy."

Helena had loved the idea and somehow produced a pram, claiming, "no respectable grandmother would be caught unprepared". It was October but autumn hadn't quite set in yet. Kate thought they looked like something from a postcard as they walked around the grounds. Going for a walk was something Alex liked at home, and it was no different here. They were sitting under a tree with a blanket spread out on the grass, the pediatrician had told them to make sure he had plenty of time to play. He just started being able to hold his head up when he was laying on his stomach.

"You know I learned to ride a bike right over there? And right there, I kicked a football and almost broke Robbie's nose."

"No, you didn't." She was incredulous.

Liam shrugged. "I did, he said my legs were too short so I kicked it as hard as I could. Not hard enough though it was just bloody. I think I was seven, maybe eight."

Kate fixed the sleeves of Alex's onesie. "I don't condone violence but that's pretty awesome, huh?"

"We'll teach you to actually break his nose. How does that sound?" Liam stretched out on his back, letting the sun warm his face. "This is perfect."

Kate laid the baby on his chest and rested next to him staring up a the sky. "It really is."

He reached down to link his fingers through hers and she let her thumb brush over his wedding band. Finding out she was having a baby had been scary, but when she thought of having a family with Liam, this was exactly what she pictured. The three of them spending time together and being happy, so she couldn't think of a better way to spend the morning.

"I'm so happy right now." She turned her head to him. "Truly, something about being with you, right here, right now just feels perfect."

He smiled at her and brought her hand to his lips. "It really does. What more could we need? I have you and Alex and I'm so hap-."

On his chest, Alex reached up to grab Liam's mouth. Kate laughed and snuck a picture of her boys before sitting up and taking the baby into her lap, holding him so he sat up. Liam grabbed his toy lion from the pram and placed it in front of him.

"Look it's the toy Daddy bought you. You like this don't you?"

The infant reached out and Liam helped him hold it, smiling a bit wider. For the past two months, the toy had been a sure fire way to get him to calm down. It was stupid, but Liam liked to think Alex enjoyed it because he picked it out.

"You're good with him." She noted, rubbing his shoulder. "He's going to be a real daddy's boy. We may have to have another kid after all, so I have a mini-me."

He laughed at this. "Oh no, Iyou said you weren't a baby making factory. You said you were never giving birth again."

"Call me selfish but I want a little girl with blue eyes. And don't you dare make a face about having a girl, who says our houseful of children has to be boys? Girls play footie too, they can play against the Beckhams."

"Oh, so you want a houseful when it's girls? I see how it is." Liam leaned down to fake whisper in the baby's ear. "You hear that son, your mum is planning to outnumber us."

The new mother just rolled her eyes. In all seriousness, she didn't want another baby for a long time. But the idea of having more perfect children with Liam was something she was interested in. Even if it wasn't a houseful she wanted her boy to have a sibling. She was pulled from her thoughts when Alex started crying a bit. A leaf had fallen onto his small lap and startled him. Liam was quick to pick him up.

"It's just a leaf mate. Don't worry, shh." Liam said calmly, pressing kisses to the baby's chubby and teary face. "It's all good Alex, I'm not going to let it hurt you."

Alex still cried as Liam held the leaf up to him. Liam was reassuring as he let him crush it in his tiny fist, it seemed to interest him because he smashed it again.

"See it's just a leaf. You good now?" He wiped his eyes and sat him back down. "That's better."

Kate just bit her thumbnail. "You're such a good dad."

The embarrassed look on Liam's face made her scoff. "Am I?"

"Totally."

They enjoyed the weather for a bit longer before finally heading inside. Kate had only met Liam's grandmother twice, once at the wedding and then last month when she returned from her trip. She was polite but if Helena was still a bit intimidating Duchy was triple that. Of course, nothing was as intimidating as coming across Robert who was standing in the hall with his arms folded.

"I thought I smelt dirty diapers and betrayal." He deadpanned, his lip curled into a sneer. "Care to explain what you were doing in my backyard Sparrow? I thought I told you that none of you were welcome anymore."

Liam scoffed. "Enjoying the day with my wife and son. The last time I checked this was the family home which we are. And Mum invited us, Duchy is here."

Robert craned his neck to peek into the room. "Hmm, luckily for you Duchy is just in the other room so I can't tell you how stupid you sound. But trust me you do."

Kate shifted her weight, feeling uncomfortable with the way Robbie's eyes lingered on her. Somehow he managed to objectify her and look at her like she was dirt all at the same time. She kissed Liam's cheek and forced a tight smile.

"I'm going to say hello to Duchy, would you hold him?"

He sensed her uneasiness and he nodded, kissing her back. "Of course."

Robert's eyes followed her as she walked into the room. Once she was out of eyesight he looked at his brother, smirking a bit.

"She sure does look different, her body may be ruined but at least her tits-"

"Watch it." Liam snapped at him. "She's my wife, you won't speak about her like that."

Robert just shrugged and looked at the baby. "I must admit he is a handsome child."

This caught Liam by surprise and he shifted his hold on the baby. "Thank you."

"Hello, Alexander it's nice to see you again. Less nice to see your mother and 'father' but still nice." He made air quotes with his free hand. "How are you?"

His brother's tone made him confused. "Why the air quotes around father. I'm a good dad."

"I don't doubt that Sparrow but he doesn't look that much like you." He smirked and leaned into his ear. "Did you use the gift I bought you?"

"Shut up." His blood pressure was rising.

"I'm just saying, Liam." He laughed a bit. "You never know and she did open her legs for both of us. Who knows who else she could have slept with."

Liam carefully unwrapped Alex's hand from Robbie's finger. "That's enough. He's clearly my son, and don't disrespect Kate, I won't stand for it."

"Your choice, I suppose."

With that Robert pushed past him, leaving Liam angry and alone in the hallway.

Since his birth, Alex had been to London a total of four times, two visits with each grandparent. This didn't include how many times Helena and Laurence had come to visit them in the countryside. To some, it would seem a bit over the top to visit a baby who wouldn't remember anything, especially when one grandparent was a monarch. But it was something important to both Liam and Kate that their families were involved. Even though they didn't live in London they both wanted their son to know the city his parents fell in love in. And family time was special. Growing up, Kate was always with her grandparents and they were some of her favorite memories from when she was a kid. So it wasn't strange to constantly be traveling to her dad's or Helena's.

But for Liam, it wasn't a matter of family time being the norm. In fact, it was the opposite. His parents had been fairly new to being King and Queen when he was young. This meant they'd be off on trips and tours while he, Len and Robbie were handed off from nanny to nanny when they were young. And when they were old enough to finally go to school they were sent to boarding schools in Scotland. It was the family tradition to attend such schools. Combine that with a grandmother who was mourning the death of her husband, the late King, and Duchy who was always on some grand adventure, Liam's memories of family time were almost nonexistent. He wanted things to be different for his son, he wanted his son to know just how loved he was. This was why he didn't mind commuting to London all the time. Especially now as his grandmother played with his son.

"Alexander sure is a handsome boy isn't he?" Duchy asked holding him in her lap. "He's grown since I last saw him."

Kate wiped a bit of drool from his mouth and smiled. "I know he's grown so much."

"I never thought I'd see the day I'd be a great-grandmother. I feel absolutely ancient, I need bigger earrings. I remember the day Helena and Simon brought you and Eleanor home. He has your temperament, Liam, very easy going."

"You feel ancient? At least your used to being a grandmother." Helena complained, fanning herself. "I'm going to be Grandma Helena."

Duchy considered this for a moment. "Perhaps you need larger earrings too dear. You already look exhausted. You'd think having Robert on the throne would give you something to relax about."

"No one is exactly my biggest fan grandmother," Robert said from his desk. "Isn't that right Liam?"

Kate and Liam shared a look, Duchy didn't know everything about their relationship. Or at least that's what they had thought until she spoke.

"Kathryn don't you pay him any attention. He's always been a bit of a buzzkill. He was dead what did he expect to happen?" She patted her hand. "Any girl would be smitten by someone like Liam. And I have a wonderful new grandson, it keeps me young."

"I, uh, thank you?" She stammered out.

"Don't encourage them Duchy," Robert warned. "You give them an inch and before you know it they've betrayed you."

"Oh I'm sorry, did your parents forget to teach you manners?" The older woman rolled her eyes. "Like I said, buzz kill. Young people fall in and out of love all the time. I'm just glad Liam's settled down with someone as marvelous as you. For just having a baby you look wonderful."

A blush tinted Kate's cheeks. "Thank you."

Robert huffed walking out of the room, carrying his paperwork with him.

"How did you know about Kathryn and me?" Liam asked looking at his Mum and grandmother. "Who told you?"

Alex babbled in Duchy's lap, she let him look at one of her sparkling rings.

"No one. When you get to a certain age you notice things like that. But Cyrus might have filled in some of the details." She winked at Liam. "Good for you for knocking him down a few pegs."

"Mum." Helena scolded. "He's the King and your grandson."

Alexandra just shrugged and went back to making faces at the baby. "That doesn't mean he gets everything. I for one think Liam and Kathryn are lovely and it's a shame he drove them to the middle of nowhere."

"Gran it's not that bad I promise." Liam smiled a bit.

She looked to Kate who was smiling but also in a bit of shock. She had expected to be looked down on by the older woman. But instead, she had defended her.

"You both need some sun. I'd be more than willing to take this little one off of your hands one weekend."

"Thank you Duchy." Kate was letting Alex hold her fingers. "That means a lot."

"You're young, just because you have a baby doesn't mean you need to act middle-aged." She nodded to Liam. "Which is why I'm a bit confused about the beard, love."

Liam's face fell flat and caused Kate to laugh. "It's something I'm trying out."

"It ages you, you look handsome but older than 23." The Duchess noted but then waved her hand dismissively. "But if it's what you really want."

Kate snorted and Liam rubbed his jaw. "Is it that bad?"

She pecked his lips, brushing her thumb over his cheek. "It's your face so I don't have any say."

The rest of their visit with Helena and Alexandra went well. Alex ended up getting fussy and needed to be fed so Helena had offered to take him to the nursery. Duchy had decided she better be going as well, but not before leaving a lipstick stain on both Kate and Liam's cheeks.

"Should you need anything or your mother gets overbearing I'm just a call away. I think Helena is trying to relive her younger days." She held Kate's hands in hers. "And if either one of my grandsons gives you trouble I'll put them back in line."

She nodded. "I will, thank you. It's nice to see you again."

Liam gently hugged his grandmother. "It was good to see you Duchy. It means a lot for you to spend time with Alex."

"I wouldn't miss it for a moment. You make sure Alexander and Kate are looked after, do you hear me?"

He chuckled. "Yes Gran, I promise we're all sorted."

She patted his face with a gloved hand. "I better go make sure your Uncle Cyrus hasn't blown his brains out or married another maid."

When she left the room Liam let out a breath and put his arm around Kate. "I never realized just how exhausting family time can be."

"I think it's sweet and she totally stood up for us."

"You see where my mum and Len get their fire from." He pointed out and then tucked her hair behind her ear. "She likes you."

Kate squeezed his hand. "Our future daughters will get their fire from her too then."

"Don't even joke about that." Liam wrinkled his nose. "I forgot my jacket the last time we were here. I should go grab it, will you be okay?"

"I should go leave the newest pictures in your sister's room. Will you get the baby?"

They turned down separate hallways and she left the new pictures of Alex and a note on Len's bedside table. On her way back Kate couldn't help but look at the art on the walls. It was still unreal that she was married to a prince and that she had Royal titles, technically some of this art belonged her and Liam. Of course, she didn't want any of it but it was still interesting to be able to look at Liam's ancestors. She was looking up at a painting of Duke something or other when she heard heavy breathing. She paused, listening for the sound.

"It's not real, it's not real. You're here, you're home." The voice was full of sobs. "For fuck's sake your the King of England."

It was Robert and he was crying? Kate thought she was hearing things from the lack of sleep but she heard it again from a door just down the hall. There was a wretching sound and the smell of vomit.

"It's E-England, you're safe. Get a grip, you're home you moron. Jesus, you're disgusting." He was crying a bit harder now. "Get up, you're a Henstridge stand up and fight."

She tiptoed to the end of the hall and peeked through the sliver of the door that was open. She could see him sitting on the floor with his knees tucked into his chest and his tie was loose. He seemed pale and shaky and his eyes were bloodshot, there was a bit of sick on the floor next to him. He was hyperventilating a bit as tears streaked down his face.

"Breathe, breathe. I am King Robert Simon Henstridge, I am King Robert Simon Henstridge, I am King R-Robert Si-Simon, damn it!" His voice broke again and he beat his fist against his head. "I don't have time for this."

Kate was frozen where she stood and when Robert made his way to the door his eyes narrowed when he saw her. He seemed embarrassed, nowhere near the prick that paraded around the palace slinging insults.

"Kate, if you came here to fuck me I'm not interested." He said snidely, she could still see how he was trembling and he smelled faintly of sweat and sick. "I'm sure you're absolutely wrecked down there and I don't relish the idea of being where my brother has finished inside of you."

His words were so sharp and she was offended but she just stared at him and his watery eyes. "Are you okay?"

"I don't think that's any concern of yours. Now get out of my way, slut." He pushed passed her. "Keep your dirty mouth shut."

She just nodded and watched as he stomped down the hallway. She had never seen him be anything less than polished, so to witness whatever that was had been jarring. She was almost too bewildered to be offended by his comments, he seemed so broken. He was a prick so she wasn't too concerned but still wondered if she should say something to Liam. She jumped when she felt a hand on her back.

"Are you alright?"

She turned to see Liam frowning at her, he was balancing Alex's car seat. "Y-Yeah fine."

"This is Robert's room." He pointed to the door. "Did he say something to you?"

Before she could stop herself she shook her head. "No, I just got lost. I need a map for this place."

He laughed. "I'll draw you one the next time we come over. I'll make it a treasure hunt."

"And what's the prize?" She let herself be led down the hall.

"I thought me and my bedroom would be a good prize." He raised his eyebrows suggestively. "I miss you."

She actually laughed at this. "No way, I just gave birth, but for the record, I miss you too."

He pressed a kiss to her hair and he put his arm over her shoulder. "Fine but the map will show how to not end up near Robbie's room. You're just lucky he wasn't in there."

She glanced over her shoulder, thinking of just how panicked he had seemed. But she brushed away the thought, it didn't matter, it wasn't her problem.

"Y-Yeah," She said shakily. "Good thing."

AN: Liam and Kate seem to be enjoying parenthood. Liam is just the sweetest dad! I felt like Duchy needed to make an appearance and I recently saw a photo of William Moseley with a beard and decided it was a necessity! Robert's having issues do you think Liam will find out? The next chapter has another small time jump it's necessary and not too dramatic though. There's fluff again but more drama! Also, have you seen the new promo for the Royals? Kate is in it! Anyways I hope you enjoyed and please leave some feedback! See you next week Loyals!