May 2016

There was a slight dampness to the grass, but the sun was shining. Eleanor smiled as she stepped out of the double doors to stand in line with her family members. Her uncle Edward started his speech and she made sure to smile. All smiles as the crowd clapped politely. She mingled, careful of her heels in the grass, listening as her secretary led her around to the guests. A few other family members were there and they split the attendees into queues so everyone would have a chance to meet the royals.

"Of course, that was-" Eleanor was speaking with a guest when two children raced by. The younger, a boy with brown hair, bumped into her. They stopped short, the older child admonishing him.

"Say you're sorry." The little girl scolded, blond plaits hanging down her back. Eleanor turned toward them, smiling so the little boy knew he wasn't in trouble, and the little boy mumbled an apology. They were off again before Eleanor could reply, a blur of pig tails, tulle and the boy's tiny necktie.

As she watched them go, something about the children was so familiar to her. She excused herself to get a better look spotting them across the lawn weaving through a group of adults. She was about to move toward them when Beatrice stopped her with a question.

"I don't know Bea." Eleanor quickly replied, annoyed, but when she went to move on, she couldn't find them again. Sighing, she turned back to her cousin and answered her question more patiently.

Eleanor was able to find them again after she drifted over to the bouncy castle that was set up at the far end of the lawn. The garden party was almost over, but the queue for the castle was long, many children wanting a turn. The two from before bounced out, and Eleanor watched as they raced toward a blonde woman, grabbing her hands.

Eleanor inhaled a sharp breath. It was her. It was them. The combination of her and the children and it was unmistakable. David's children; his widow. She cursed Harry for being too hungover for the party. This was his idea; a garden party for military families, widows and wounded veterans. He had begged off, pleading with her to take his place and she had done it for him, wrangling Bea, Eug and Edward.

It had been over a year and she was fine. She had pushed him to the very farthest recesses of her brain, ignoring the fact that her breath caught whenever she heard a Scottish accent. She used to see his eyes every time she closed hers, the crinkles in the corners when he smiled. That had gradually faded, as did the feeling of his touch. She hadn't looked at the pictures from her deployment, the photos of their time together, since five days before Christmas, when it had been one year since the attack.

That day, she had stayed in bed, a crying mess, finally falling asleep with her mobile open to a picture of his face. Now, five months on, she was okay again. Focused on her duties, her family, her life. Moving on, like William had said. They let her pick her patronages, the causes she wanted to side with, and she had avoided most of the military related ones. She focused on women's issues; equality, abuse and addiction.

A deep breath, Eleanor made her way to the little trio. The children seemed happy and vibrant, very energetic, but they stopped as she approached, the little girl peering up at her, the little boy squeezing his mother's hand. They had David's eyes; blue like the sea, and Eleanor almost walked past them, her breath catching, heart racing. She easily remembered their names; Charlie like her father and Ella, so similar to Ellie.

Vicki curtsied, eyes wide, but Eleanor extended her hand for a shake, introducing herself and getting confirmation that she wasn't hallucinating. The children hovered, still looking up at Eleanor.

"I…" Eleanor started, swallowing. She didn't know what to say, what to do. What what she thinking, approaching this woman? It was too late to turn away as people were watching, so she swallowed again, standing straighter and putting her other hand over Vicki's. Then, she let go and launched right in. Best get it over with, go home and get pissed.

"I served with...with your husband in Helmand." Eleanor said. Vicki looked at her, confused. A bit of wind rustled both of their hats. "It was only a short while, but I wanted to tell you how sorry I am that he...about what happened." Eleanor adjusted, not able to fully say it.

"Thank...thank you, your royal highness." Vicki replied, still gobsmacked. "I heard you were there around the same time, but-" She stopped when Ella's face split into a grin and she ran off in the direction behind Eleanor. Charlie went too, and Vicki's eyes followed them.

"Daddy!" They squealed and her heart sank. David had been right about the other man that he had ranted and raved about all that time ago. They were living as a happy family, going to garden parties at the palace and having a grand time. She took a shaky breath, steeling herself to turn and see who this man was that had replaced him.

Eleanor felt dizzy. He was still a bit away, the children pulling him along, but it was undeniably him. He was all buttoned up in his dress uniform. Shiny shoes, insignia gleaming, hat over his dark hair. She didn't understand what was happening. He was staring at her, indigo eyes completely focused on her face. He was here. He was alive.