Years in Between
Five years later…
"Aaaaaaah! Get them out! I can't!" Tears streamed down Myers' face, and she gripped my hand with a bone crushing grip.
"I'm here, Myers. I've got you." I squeezed her hand back, softly and reassuringly,
"Drake, I can't do this!" She whimpered.
I cupped her face and brushed her tears away with my thumbs. "Yes, you can."
Myers shook her head no.
"You're Camilla Myers."
"Walker!"
"You're Camilla Walker. You're the most amazing woman I've ever met. And I've never seen you back down from a challenge." I pressed a kiss to her forehead.
Myers whimpered, before crying out as the next contraction hit.
"Breathe… breathe…" I sat behind her, supporting her back.
"In… out… in… out… okay, it's passing. You're doing great, Your Grace." Dr. Ramírez checked the fetal monitor, the contraction monitor, and Myers' heart monitor.
"This is not what I signed up for…" Myers whined. "How did we get here, Drake?"
How did we get here indeed? I thought, remembering everything in the past five years that led us to this moment.
After being named Champion and Guardian of the Realm and our honeymoon, Myers and I flew back to the capital for Anton's trial. After gathering all the evidence, he and his conspirators were sentenced to a lifetime sentence in a maximum security prison with no chance of parole. And while we were certainly relieved at that, there was still a lot of damage that'd been done and that we had to work on now.
After the kidnapping, Myers' insomnia and anxiety got worse. My own PTSD also got worse. So after a long and difficult conversation, Myers and I both decided to get help from mental health professionals. At first, the media frenzy about Cordonia's newest duke and duchess getting therapy blew up, rumors swirling about how our shotgun marriage was already in trouble and whatnot. However, Myers decided to take the media bull by the horns, and in a close-up interview with Ana De Luca, she talked with full disclosure about the trauma that Anton had caused to her mental health. She talked about her anxiety, her insomnia and even her small bouts of depression. That caused the public to feel even closer to her, as not many nobles had talked about these issues publicly before. After her treatment was completed, Myers decided to collaborate with many different mental health organizations, and mental health in Cordonia became one of her champion causes.
Back in Valtoria, we worked with all the nobles to better the Duchy. We threw ourselves into learning the ins and outs of Duchy administration, estate management, and tax law and reform. We also took up our duties on the Royal Council, with Liam, Hana, Maxwell, Kiara, Godfrey and Landon. However, Myers decided she still didn't have the necessary knowledge to properly run the Duchy, and enrolled herself in a post-grad program at the University of Cordonia. She'd gotten her Master's degree in Political Science, and was now in her third year of her doctorate studies.
As for me, I went back to school, and graduated from CU last year with a Bachelor's in Environmental Economics. Myers supported me through it all, and was trying to convince me to go for a Master's degree, but with everything we had going on right now… I guess we'll see. I also began working with several different environmental groups, and just last year, I opened the Jackson Walker Nature Reserve.
As for our friends, they were all doing great. Hana settled into her duties as a Council member almost immediately. I wasn't surprised to see her become a great politician. Her diplomatic skills were already off the charts, but she was also incredibly shrewd and an amazing negotiator. She was definitely giving Kiara a run for her money. On top of that, she began a program to support music and the arts in public schools in the country. So far, it had been very successful, and she found herself actually touring the country for different recitals.
She was also named the 'most eligible bachelorette in all of Cordonia' by the media and the court. Her parents were thrilled to find a number of eligible suitors, all fighting over themselves to win Hana over. Hana, however, merely laughed it off, not taking any of her suitors seriously. She told us, and she made it clear to her parents, that she was not looking for a romantic relationship right now, and was instead choosing to focus on herself and her work. It still didn't stop the parade of men trying to court her, but I was happy to see her finally grow into the confident woman we always knew she was.
Maxwell published his book shortly after we were named Guardians of the Realm. After the book was picked up by Penguin Random House, sales skyrocketed, plunging the book onto the International Best Sellers list. A Hollywood movie deal followed not long after, and we even got a chance to travel to Hollywood, to tour the set and meet the actors who'd be playing us. Just like that, House Beaumont's money problems were a thing of the past.
Speaking of House Beaumont, Bertrand and my sister had officially tied the knot a couple years ago. I don't know how she did it, but somehow my sister had convinced the illustrious Duke of Ramsford to agree to having the wedding at the Walker Ranch. We all traveled down to Texas that summer for the wedding, where my sister asked Myers to be her maid of honor. It was here that Barthelemy Beaumont decided to make his grand re-entrance to courtly life, somehow mysteriously cured from his illness.
His stay was short-lived, however, as it coincided with Liam reopening the investigation into Queen Eleanor's death. We were all shocked to find proof that Duke Godfrey had poisoned Queen Eleanor's wine goblet, and that he was conspiring with Barthelemy Beaumont. Both men were also sentenced to a life sentence in a high security prison, with no chance of parole.
House Beaumont, however, was able to bounce back from this scandal, given how Bertrand had been working as a double agent, and he had helped put his murderous father behind bars. Of course, there wasn't a doubt in our minds that Maxwell, Bertrand and my sister were faithful allies of the Crown. A couple months ago, the Duke and Duchess of Ramsford celebrated Bartie's fifth birthday, and announced the impending birth of baby number two. Needless to say, we're all very excited, and my sister was glowing with happiness.
But it was probably Liam's life that had changed most of all these last couple of years. After Olivia finalized her divorce from Anton, he actually asked her out for dinner. It was, according to him, the best decision he ever made. I don't know all the details, but I do know that after that night, he finally began seeing Olivia differently.
They fell in love, and last year, Cordonia finally celebrated a Royal Wedding.
I'm not going to lie, it was a bit difficult for them at first. They actually kept their relationship secret for about the first year, until things had cooled down after Anton's attempted coup. When they finally went public a couple years ago, the country was a bit skeptical about a Nevrakis possibly marrying the King. Luckily, with Madeleine's help as the head of public relations, and with a bit of help from Myers, Olivia managed to make the country see her in a new light.
After warming up to her, the country welcomed her happily as their future Queen when they announced their engagement. Myers and I had to step in as Best Man and Maid of Honor - Myers was still over the moon that Olivia had asked her - and the Royal Wedding was one for the ages.
Finally, just three months ago, they welcomed Her Royal Highness, Princess Eleanor Theodosia Rhys into the world. I'd never thought I'd see the Ice Queen's soft side - hell, I didn't even know she had a soft side. But as it turned out, Olivia was actually an amazing mother… go figure. Liam was smitten with the women in his life, and I was so happy that he finally found happiness. He deserved it.
A soft knock on the door startled me out of my thoughts. Liam, Olivia, Hana and Maxwell stood in the doorway. I looked towards Dr. Ramírez, who nodded. I pressed a kiss to Myers' forehead, before stepping out into the hall.
"We came as soon as we got the call." Liam told me.
I grasped his shoulder. "We're… we're having these babies."
Liam grimaced. "You're… very strong… Please let go."
"Oh! Sorry…"
"How is she doing, Walker?" Olivia asked.
I sighed. "She's… doing amazing. It's slow going, but Dr. Ramírez says long labors are normal when it's the woman's first time."
At that moment, Dr. Ramírez came out into the hallway. She curtsied as she saw Liam and Olivia. "Your Majesties. Lady Hana. Lord Maxwell."
"Dr. Ramírez." Liam shook her hand warmly. "It's nice to see you again."
The doctor smiled warmly. "You as well, Your Majesty. And how is Her Highness, Princess Eleanor?"
Olivia chuckled, looking at Liam lovingly. "She's doing well."
"She's growing strong, like her mother." Liam added, clutching Olivia´s hand and pressing a kiss to her knuckles.
"That's good to hear. Now," Dr. Ramírez turned to me. "Her Grace is dilated 4 centimeters, so we're almost halfway there… but I'm afraid it's still going to be a while. I will be back in an hour to check on her, and I will be bringing the anesthesiologist with me to give Her Grace the epidural."
"May we go in?" Hana asked.
Dr. Ramírez nodded. "Yes, of course. I think Her Grace could use some company. Just please, try to help her remain calm, remind her to breathe…"
"Oh, yeah! Definitely, definitely! We can do that!" Maxwell shouted, stress-dancing in place.
"Maxwell, breathe." I told him.
"Breathing! Breathing!" He nodded.
"I'll leave you to it, then. Call me if you need anything." Dr. Ramirez nodded, before walking away.
"Thank you, doctor." I nodded gratefully, before going back inside the suite. "Myers… we've got company."
"Hey, guys…" Myers tried to sit up and smile, but it came out more as a grimace.
"Milla! How are you doing?" Hana asked, taking her hand.
"Like hell. This sucks." Myers pouted.
"Listen to me, Camilla." Olivia stepped up and placed her hands on Myers' shoulders. "You can do this. You're strong, and you've got a warrior's will."
Myers groaned. "Easy for you to say. You only had to give birth to one…"
Liam chuckled. "And Eleanor is excitedly waiting for the safe arrival of her cousins. Come, Camilla, you can do this."
"...Fine."
Our friends stayed with Myers and I for the rest of the labor. Despite their company, however, the labour was grueling. The contractions came faster and faster, Myers barely able to catch her breath in between.
"DRAKE, GET ME MY EPIDURAL!" Myers yelled at one point.
My eyes widened, legitimately a little scared. "Alright, as soon as Dr. Ramírez comes back, I'm on it."
"BE ON IT FASTER!" Myers yelled as the contraction hit its peak, and then deflated. She began to outright cry. "I'm sooooorry. I'm sorry, baby, I didn't mean to yell, I love you so- AAAAAAH!" She gripped my hand again, as another contraction came.
"Breathe, Camilla." Hana rubbed her back soothingly, holding on to her other hand.
I pressed the button on her bedside. Dr. Ramírez came in a few seconds later, with the anesthesiologist in tow. After another tact exam, they declared she was 5 centimeters dilated, and the anesthesiologist gave Myers her epidural. She was able to rest a bit after that. Hours passed, our friends drifting in and out of the room, bringing me coffee or ice chips for Myers.
Finally, 26 hours after the first contraction, Myers was 10 centimeters dilated. We were rushed into the delivery room, several orderlies moving Myers' bed. A nurse tossed a pair of sterile scrubs at me, as well as a cap for my hair, and in we went.
"Alright, Your Grace, I need you to focus and when you feel another contraction, push." Dr. Ramírez instructed.
Myers nodded. "Okay… okay… okay, it's coming."
I stood behind Myers and supported her back. "You've got this, Myers. You're the strongest person I know." She nodded, and grunted with effort. "That's it! Keep going, you're almost there!"
"Do you wanna be the one pushing?!" She breathed heavily, gasping for breath.
"No! You're doing great!"
"That's what I thou- aaaaah!"
"Keep going, Your Grace…" Dr. Ramírez said softly.
"That's it, our baby's coming!"
Myers sagged and all the strength seemed to leave her. But then I looked at Dr. Ramírez and realized why.
"Waaaaaaah!"
"Our baby's here."
Dr. Ramírez laughed. "One of them at least. Your little girl." She cut the umbilical cord, and placed the baby on Myers' chest.
"We've got a little girl!" I pressed a kiss on Myers' clammy forehead. I couldn't stop as tears welled in my eyes as Myers looked up at me, sheer joy and love in her eyes.
"Drake…" She reached out and grasped my hand.
I sniffled. "This is amazing."
Myers let out a mix of a sob and a chuckle. "I can't believe it. This is our baby."
"Our baby." I repeated.
"Our little Elaine Hope Walker…" Myers caressed our baby's dark hair softly.
"Okay, mama, can I ask you to hand her over to the nurse? Baby boy is incoming any minute now." Dr. Ramírez said gently.
Myers groaned. "I already had one baby, leave me alone."
The doctor merely chuckled as a nurse came and took Elaine.
Myers hissed suddenly, her body jerking upwards.
"Okay, the fact that you're still having your own contractions is a good thing." The doctor explained.
"I… don't know… if I'd count it… as good."
"Baby two is crowning… Push, Your Grace, push!"
"Come on, Myers… Last push. I know you can do it."
Myers yelled once again, and after one last push, our baby boy was born.
Just like Elaine, he was placed on Myers' chest after Dr. Ramírez cut the umbilical cord. I stared at my son, also born with a mop of dark brown hair, when suddenly a nurse tapped my shoulder.
"Would you like to hold your daughter, Your Grace?"
I stared open-mouthed at Elaine, already cleaned up and wrapped warmly in a blanket, and then at Myers. She shot me the biggest grin I'd ever seen, and nodded. The nurse gently placed Elaine in my arms.
"She's so… tiny! Am I holding her right? I don't want to hurt her." I looked at Myers, bewildered.
"You're doing great. Just keep supporting her head. Look how calm she is with you!" Myers smiled tenderly at me, before moving to cradle our son on her chest. "Hi, Jackson… hi, baby boy."
"Jackson Isaac Walker…" I mumbled.
Once more, I let out a chuckle/sob.
When Myers finally told me months ago that she was ready to try, I thought it was the happiest I could be.
When we were told she was expecting twins, I proved myself wrong.
But now… Now I knew that whatever I'd felt before didn't compare to this.
Holding my daughter in my arms as Myers held our son…
This was true, unadulterated happiness.
"You did it, Myers! You did it! They're here!" I grinned at her, admittedly a little afraid to take her hand, because it would leave me with one hand holding Elaine.
Myers smiled at me, looking absolutely exhausted but beaming nonetheless.
A moment later, the nurse took Jackson as Dr. Ramírez stitched Myers up and checked her vitals. Another nurse took Elaine from me for a few routine tests.
After a couple moments, they wheeled Myers and the twins back to the recovery room as I followed.
"They're so beautiful." Myers looked at them almost reverently, before turning to me. "Are the guys still here? I think it's time we let them in to meet their niece and nephew."
I sent them a text on the group chat with our new room number, and a moment later, there was a rap on the door. I moved to open it.
Liam was the first one to step inside, a giant grin on his face. "Congratulations, Camilla, Drake." He clapped me on the shoulder and pulled me in for a hug. "Congratulations, brother." He whispered.
I nodded, too emotional to speak.
Maxwell also stepped up to hug me, as Hana hugged Myers.
Olivia grasped Myers' shoulder and squeezed. "Well done, Camilla."
Myers chuckled. "Thanks."
Next to the crib, Hana cooed over the twins. "My goodness, they're so beautiful! They look just like you both!"
"Thanks." I grinned.
"Auntie Hana can't wait for all of the tea parties and cute outfits and little socks!"
Myers laughed, looking at the twins. "Your aunt's gonna spoil you."
Olivia also walked towards the crib, her face visibly melting into a surprisingly tender smile. "Hello Elaine. Jackson. We're thrilled you're finally here."
Maxwell also stepped up to the twins' crib. "Hey! Welcome to the party, babies! Uh… which is which again?"
Myers and I laughed.
"Jackson's the one with the little ponies on his blanket," I said proudly.
"... And Elaine's the one with the foxes on her blanket." Myers added.
Liam perked up at that. "Elaine, after…"
Myers nodded, grinning sheepishly. "After Elena Rosario. We didn't really like 'Elena', but we were inspired by her to choose Elaine's name."
Liam nodded. "Of course. And Jackson, after…"
I nodded. "After my dad."
"I'm gonna teach you all the cool stuff," Maxwell whispered loudly to the twins. "Sliding down the palace banisters, sneaking into the kitchen's candy cabinet, raiding the royal armory…"
"Maxwell!" Myers looked genuinely shocked.
"What? If Princess Eleanor can have full access to the armory, I don't see why the twins can't!" Maxwell shrugged, before turning back to the babies. "Your parents are pretty great, and Uncle Maxwell is gonna make sure you have the best babyhood ever!"
"That's… not at all concerning…" I rubbed the back of my neck.
At that moment, Myers yawned, and all the guys looked at each other.
"We should let Camilla rest." Olivia said.
Hana kissed Myers' forehead. "We'll come back to see you tomorrow."
"Take care of those babies!" Maxwell said, hugging me tightly.
"And you try to rest as well, Drake." Liam told me.
I nodded. "Thanks, guys."
"Yes, thank you!" Myers told them.
As soon as they left, I closed the door and sat on Myers' bed. She made room for me to lay down with her, before cuddling into me.
"We did it, Drake." Myers whispered.
"You did it, Myers." I chuckled softly. "You know, nothing about today went the way I expected, but as soon as I saw them in your arms, I knew we were gonna be alright."
"Yeah?" She looked up at me.
"Yeah. I love you." I pressed a kiss to her forehead. "All of you. More than I've got words to say."
"I love you too." Myers pulled me down and pressed a soft kiss to my lips.
One of the twins stirred - Elaine - and Myers immediately moved to pick her up. "Honey, can you pick Jackson up so that he doesn't get lonely?"
"Uh… sure." I got up and slowly cradled Jackson's head, holding him close to my chest. I hadn't held him yet, but he was awake and looked up at me with big brown eyes. He was so beautiful he took my breath away. "Hi, Jackson..."
I turned back to Myers, who was humming to Elaine softly.
How was it she already seemed to know exactly what to do? Was it instinct? Was it because she used to babysit? Would I ever get there?
Jackson yawned.
My son yawned. He's sleepy. Do I keep holding him? Put him down on his crib? Do I rock him? How hard? Can't be too hard or he could get that shaken baby syndrome…
Jackson's eyes drooped. He opened them once more, fighting sleep, before finally closing them.
God, he's so beautiful. Such a perfect mix of me and Myers… God, how's it possible that he's not two hours old yet and already I know that I'd kill for him?
"So serious…" Myers murmured, smiling tenderly at me.
I shook my head. "There's a million things in my head right now, most them new… What's going through your mind, now that they're here?"
"I'm thinking… Well, the first thing that comes to mind is that it's impossible to be this happy. They're perfect. They're everything I could have hoped for, and I'm so glad they're here."
I nodded. "You know? I feel the same way. I'm not used to feeling this much happiness… It's like I don't know what to do with it… Like I might burst?" My eyes welled up again and my chest tightened.
Myers reached out, and I sat next to her on the bed. She squeezed my arm, before resting her head on my shoulder. "Hey. Those are all good things. And I'm right here with you."
"I know you are."
"I have to say, though, it's so sweet seeing you like this. Holding our son… being so nurturing and loving… I can't promise I won't cry right now." True to her word, she sniffled, hastily wiping away a few tears.
"Well… hold onto that warm, fuzzy feeling when you see me changing diapers."
Myers laughed. "You just had to ruin the moment."
Elaine grunted, and then began to cry. Jackson woke up with a tiny start, before beginning to cry as well.
"Uh, Myers…"
"Ssshh. Stay calm." Myers instructed, sensing the panic in my voice. "They can sense your fear. Now, copy me."
She began rocking Elaine gently, and close to her chest. "Lay down your head, and I'll sing you a lullaby…"
I didn't know that lullaby, but I picked up the tune, and began humming softly. The twins' cries seemed to reach a shrill peak, before finally quieting.
"And I'll sing you to sleep and I'll sing you tomorrow, bless you with love for the road that you go…" Myers kept singing softly, Elaine hiccuping before closing her eyes again.
In my arms, Jackson seemed to cuddle into me, before falling back to sleep.
"Holy shit, Myers, you did it!" I whispered, more than a little relieved. "I can already tell you're gonna be great with them."
"We are gonna be great." Myers smiled sweetly at me. "Together... A family."
I let that sink in.
This was my family.
Myers, Elaine, Jackson…
I knew then I'd go to the ends of the earth and back to keep them safe.
But more than that…
After years of living at court, after years of not truly fitting in… After years of feeling like I didn't truly have a home…
I looked at my family… thought of everything Myers and I had built… thought of our whole future ahead of us, with our children…
I knew this right here was home.
Things really were great.
A/N: I feel like I need to take a moment to acknowledge and let some of you know that, after much thought, I decided not to continue this story into The Royal Heir series. I, personally, have not liked the Royal Heir series, for a number of reasons of which I will not bore you with right now. I am happy for those of you that liked the continuation of TRR, but I'm sorry to say that I personally have not been enjoying TRH.
So, with that said, this is the ending I want to give Drake and Milla, and the whole gang. I want them to be happy, and I'd like to imagine the rest of the gang find themselves and find happiness too, and that Cordonia will prosper in the hands of these characters.
Once more, I thank all of you who've read this story from the bottom of my heart 3