AN: Sorry this is a few days later than planned, I just haven't had any editing time! Hope you're all keeping safe and well!

Chapter Twelve

The morning had dragged following an early briefing that showed some new European Union Legislation was about to throw a spanner into her Government's work and plans in regards to renationalising the railway. Ana had gone from one call to a head of Government to another, turning the skin above her eyebrow red with her nail with every call.

"Chancellor, I mean no disrespect but this legislation I understand protects the rights of business but as the Government we have the right to renationalise and to nationalise any services that is provided within this country. While I am supportive of the European Government bringing in to line many rights and protections of citizens and workers and such I cannot say I will sit back and allow them to limit the powers of my Government. We believe strongly in Parliamentary Sovereignty here."

Ana was shaking, it felt personal even though it probably wasn't. However, it suddenly seemed as though the Europeans wanted to protect businesses rather than countries and that bothered her, especially knowing that many European countries had national railway systems. Europe was supposed to be for the people, for the countries, yet this new law was for private businesses and it turned her stomach.

"Chancellor the UK will not be supporting this and will not implement it. Businesses rights cannot and will not ever trump the rights of the Government of this country. I am calling to ask you to think about what this will mean for Germany…" Ana was cut off by the office door being thrown open and Rosin powering over to the TV. "Anyway, I have to get on Chancellor but please, consider the effects of this very carefully because you may be lending support to something that is going to reduce your Government's powers beyond what we ever agreed to when joining the union. Have a good day Chancellor."

Spotting Ana slip the phone back into the cradle, Rosin pressed the button on the remote control to ensure Ana could hear the latest breaking news story. Ana's eyes scanned the picture, some amateur mobile footage that showed the Common's lobby.

"Is that Lincoln?" Ana asked, eyes widening as the scene played out on the screen in front of her.

"Yes."

"Stupid, stupid boy! How dare you? You should watch where you're going, stupid boy!" The crazed, screeching voice bounced off the office walls and Ana cringed.

"Who is she shouting at?" Ana questioned.

"His name is Jackson Roberts, he's the MP for Rochdale." Rosin explained. "He's one of this year's new intakes."

"Jesus Christ, why exactly is she yelling at him?"

"Well according to the BBC Correspondent who witnessed the event he walked into her, only his shoulder nudging hers and she went bat shit." Rosin replied as Phillip flew into the room, having probably been requested to make a comment on behalf of the Prime Minister from journalist and was looking to get a feel for Ana's reactions to the news.

"What do we do about this Phillip?" Ana spun in her chair to look at her media guy who she hoped had come in with a plan.

"I would like you to do the second reading and the vote of the Transgender and Non-Binary Gender Recognition Bill this afternoon." Phillip replied. "To be there as a buffer between Labour members and Lincoln."

Ana sighed, her fingers going to her temples and rubbing small circles, she had a million and one things to do this afternoon including the appointment about the flower girl dresses seeing as there had been an agreement about the three little girls she wanted, and going into Parliament had not been on her agenda.

"Fine." She threw her hands up, sat a little straighter and focused her mind on what was to come. "Not a problem, but can you please get an invite to Jackson Roberts for dinner tonight and let the kitchen know and Christian." Ana replied looking at the two in front of her. It was never ending at times. But at least having someone over in an official capacity meant that dinner would be served and neither Ana nor Christian had to cook themselves.

That afternoon Ana did as she'd been instructed to do and introduced the second reading of the Bill and sat in the Commons Chamber to listen to the responses of those who spoke on the Bill. Her Party were trying to get this Bill through as soon as possible and so everyone's speeches were limited to three minutes. And thankfully, for the most part, none of the comments were particularly transphobic though some made it clear that they believed that there needed to be protection of same-sex spaces so transgender women would not be able to access services for women. This was something that Ana was strongly against because it wasn't transgender women that women would need safe spaces from but men. The fear of sexual assault and domestic violence that these comments were being made about were caused by the fear of violence from men. They'd worked hard, with transgender rights groups across the UK, to bring the Gender Recognition Act into 2020 Britain and Ana was proud of what they'd put together for self-recognition and de-medicalisation. She wasn't worried about the vote failing though. With a hundred and eighty majority she'd have to see a considerable amount of Labour backbenchers turn against her for it to fail and it had been something that had been in the manifesto, even if it hadn't had the recognition during the General Election.

There was still a small sigh of relief when the result was announced, and Ana was once again whisked back to Downing Street to get on with her work.

"Good Afternoon Prime Minister."

"Good afternoon." Ana smiled and nodded, as she was greeted by one of the many officials who worked in the Downing Street office.

"Uh Prime Minister, Mr Hayhurst would like to see you."

"Is he in his office?"

"Yes, Prime Minister."

Ana sighed and dragged her heels down the hall and through the main working space to the office of her Private Secretary, it was unusual for her to be told he wanted to see her, normally he'd come and find her when he knew she was in.

"Ah Prime Minister." Hugo grinned, already pushing his seat back when Ana entered the office through the open door.

"I heard you were looking for me." Ana replied, she wanted to go and shower and change before their guest arrived, duty was never done in Downing Street.

"Yes, I have a letter for you from Her Majesty." Hugo said handing over a cream envelope with a red wax seal. "It was with the RSVP for the wedding and as you can see addressed to you."

"Thanks Hugo." Ana replied already making for the door, eyes on the envelope. When correspondence from the Queen was addressed directly to her in what was Her Majesty's own hand it was a very important letter. Plus, any communication between Her Majesty and the Prime Minister were confidential, unless someone else was present.

"Oh and Prime Minister, Kate has a list of recommendations for music she'd like you to finalise, it's on your desk." And Ana waived her hand in acknowledgement, still looking at the letter.

She stalked into her office, and slipped into her seat before speeling back the wax seal, her hands trembling. She spoke with The Queen on a weekly basis but this was the first time she'd received any personal correspondence from her. Well, it was addressed to the Prime Minister so it wasn't that personal but that wasn't the point, The Queen had written her a letter.

Dear Prime Minister,

I am writing to thank you for the invitation to join with you and Mr Grey at your wedding. As I am normally in Balmoral during the Summer it has been assumed by your office and mine that a representative from The Royal Family will be sent in my place. I wanted to however, reassure you that I will be present along with The Prince of Wales due to Prince Phillip's retirement from duty. As I explained to my Private Secretary, you are my Prime Minister and therefore it will be my honour to attend your nuptials.

I must say, I am very much looking forward to it. It's been too long since we had a wedding at Westminster Abbey.

ElizabethR

Ana read the letter twice, her mouth falling a little more open with each line! Not only that the Queen was coming to the wedding but had also let her know. A slow smile spread across her face. Ever since she'd met The Queen at their first appointment, she'd wondered maybe The Queen liked her, this was further confirmation of that. The Queen was coming to her wedding!

Ana placed the letter in the drawer of her desk and thought one day it would be something to frame in her house, maybe when she was old and grey herself and needed something to remind her of what was becoming a very special relationship indeed.

Suddenly, all those little decisions she'd been ignoring and delegating back to Kate were important. She pulled the music list towards her and scanned it. There was a load of religious hymns to choose from and blank spaces where Ana could pick other songs. She needed a song to walk down the aisle to which Ana had already stipulated would be performed by a string quartet and then there was a need for a song to be jointly sung by the Chesham Primary School Choir and the Abbey Choir and a song for the School Choir to sing alone too.

She worked through the hymns first, making sure that they were ones she knew. It was weird picking out religious hymns for her own wedding, she hadn't been to Church for the sake of going to Church in years but of course she had gone to Church as a child and she'd been to Christian Schools so she was at least familiar with lots of hymns.

When she finally finished making a shortlist for Christian to look over there was a knock at the door and Hugo poked his head around with a soft smile on his round face.

"Mr Roberts is at the gate." He said. "We invited some of the press lobby to take photos of his arrival so if you could come and meet him at the door."

"Of course." Ana dropped her pen which fell with a soft thud and followed her Private Secretary. Christian was by the door waiting and greeted her with a warm half embrace and a kiss on her head. God she missed him when she was working!

"The Queen is coming to our wedding." She whispered hoping they'd have a moment before the door swung open.

"What?" Christian's eyes almost fell out of his head.

"I know." Ana giggled. "She's actually coming to our wedding."

"That's crazy." Christian half chuckled, trying to mask any trepidation the thought bought him but they didn't get the chance to discuss it any further as Ana was ushered to the door to head out and greet the poor MP who had been verbally assaulted.

"Prime Minister." He smiled his hand outstretched.

"Mr Roberts, thank you for joining us for dinner this evening." Ana replied a smile gracing her cheeks as she continued to shake his hand for the cameras to capture their money shot.

"Thank you for having me." He nodded before they turned and waved to the cameras in what was a perfectly timed move.

After a couple of minutes of posing, they slipped into the house and Ana was able to introduce Christian to Jackson before they made their way to the state dining room for dinner.

Only the three places at the end of the table had been made up, Ana was to sit at the very end with Christian and Jackson either side of her. It was perfect and after the Downing Street Photographer had taken a few photos to send to the media they were able to relax a little.

"How are you feeling Jackson?" Ana asked as the wine was served, one aspect of the dinner Ana had most been looking forward to as the Downing Street Chef knew how to choose the perfect wine.

"I'm ok, it shook me a bit. I actually thought Ms Lincoln might hit me." Jackson shivered and half laughed.

"We don't know what came over her, but we're really sorry you had to experience that." Ana said gently. Her heart weeped for Jackson, any MP having to put up with that was disgraceful but for a newbie it would have been difficult.

"Well you have had to put up with a lot worse Prime Minister so I wouldn't worry about me."

"I've got thick skin." Ana smiled as she tucked into her dinner, she was hungry, and it was nice to be able to sit down for a proper meal that didn't feel rushed.

"How are the preparations for the wedding going?" Jackson asked. "I had my invitation this morning."

"Yeah they're coming together." Christian smiled. "Will you be bringing your wife?"

"Oh, I'm not married, I was actually going to bring my mum, she just adores you Prime Minister." Jackson gushed making Ana blush to the tip of her ears.

"She has a talent where she can make people of all ages fall in love with her." Christian said making Ana blush even more and wish the conversation was bought to an end or that the ground would swallow her whole.

"I have to agree." Jackson smiled. "I mean, you have a talent, the older generation really came out and voted for the Labour party in numbers never seen before. Everyone knows that it's you who got those votes not the party or the politics."

"Oh, I don't know about that." Ana cringed, this was getting weirder by the minute. "But I'm glad to hear you'll be bringing your mum. Christian and I don't have large families so the PLP will be sitting in the family seats on one side with the heads of state and government representatives on the other."

"Are you filling Westminster Abbey or just using the front?" Jackson enquired, not because he was being nosy but because he was generally intrigued.

"Yes, we've invited people who we are connected with, charity representatives and things so the back end of the church will be full too." Ana smiled, she loved that she was able to include the Islington Victims and Charities she'd connected with, it made it more special to her than having the Heads of State.

"Is it a state wedding then?" Jackson asked.

"I think they're calling it a ceremonial wedding, basically a state wedding with less military personnel and in everything but name." Christian replied, he'd been a lot more involved in the wedding plans than Ana had been because she was so busy with work, not that he minded because he was loving every minute of planning it with the Downing Street team. He wanted it to be the perfect day for Ana.

They spoke politics for the rest of the meal and when it was time for Jackson to leave Ana knew there was room for him as a junior minister in the future, he was so sharp and was on board with the manifesto that they had done. It was wonderful for her to feel so supported by a back bencher. She also knew she'd done the right thing in responding to Elena's abuse in the way she had, and when she and Christian retired to bed after they'd perused over the music list together, she was lighter and happier than she had been that morning.