Thanks for your patience with the delay in posting. Lots of real life crap going on.

You know how sometimes you think no one has it worse than you and you get lost in your own shit? Then something puts everything in perspective. Yeah, that happened to me. (More about that at the bottom)

This is not beta-ed so all mistakes are mine.

The American Princess

Chapter 9

BPOV

"Thank you for this. I know that this will probably put you in a rough position."

Alice raises her royal eyebrow and smirks as she adjusts my outfit. "There," she sighs, finally satisfied.

"This is what I do… did… for a living. I miss it sometimes since having to start remaining behind the scenes. You know after…"

"After?" I prompt.

"Jasper,' she replies simply.

"Jasper made you quit your job?" Jasper did not give me that vibe at all.

"No," she laughs. "Jasper can't make me do anything, not that he ever would. We had a lot of frank discussions after we met about how my life would change if we married. I would have to stop working though I did get to keep my boutiques. I work for the family now."

"Your job is to churn out heirs and be pretty?"

"No. That's just the fun part." She winks. I get to head many charity committees and help those less fortunate. Rose, Esme and I have a wonderful foundation helping children with no families. It's most rewarding."

"So, I would have to quit my job? I mean if this were real?"

"Oh yes. You wouldn't be able to act."

She says it so matter of factly that I almost choke on air.

She notices my reaction and murmured, "it's a good thing this isn't real then. I would be most upset not being able to see you on the big screen. It's my guilty pleasure."

I just nod.

"Well, my work here is done. You look fabulous if I do say so myself."

She's right. I look every inch a fashionable royal. Knee length skirt. Long sleeved blouse. Trendy overcoat with belt. Strappy high heeled designer shoes. Hair and makeup is perfect. Not a tattoo or hint of cleavage in sight.

Not a hint of me in sight.

It's our first appearance together- a children's hospital. Edward tells me he does this every few months. I wonder if that is an Edward or a Masen thing?

A knock sounds at the door and Alice slips out as Edward slips in, a smile playing on his lips as he peruses me up and down.

He likes what he sees.

Looking in the mirror, I'm not so sure I do.

***TAP***

I follow two steps behind Edward and am surrounded by many guards as we enter the private entrance to the hospital. We are ushered into an elevator which is much too small for all present. I shift slightly in my uncomfortable shoes wishing I could kick them off. Edwards smiles his brilliant smile at me and though I know it's wrong of me, I want to throw another shoe at his face. On purpose, this time.

After throwing a fake smile his way, I retreat into my head like I normally do. What persona today? Bad ass actress? American tabloid fodder? Well-dressed airhead? The possibilities are endless.

But as I'm led towards the hospital ward and I lay my eyes on the first person I encounter, I know none of these will do.

She's about eight with big blue eyes, widened with glee and dulled with illness. She's frail and about twenty pounds lighter than she should be. I can't tell what color her hair should be as there is nothing but skin showing now. Her mother hovers ever so slightly, smiling but desperately wishing she could be anywhere but here even if the Prince was making an appearance.

Like I said, the eyes say it all.

They both curtsey and he smiles at them, saying a few words before moving on to the next. I look around the room for a moment taking in the twenty some odd children and their parents or family members. He has lots of rounds to make and I know I should be there next to him as a good princess would be.

But I need more than a few moments so he might as well get comfortable as his schedule might be slightly thrown off.

I stoop down which is no easy feat in these ridiculous shoes and now I'm eye level.

"What's your name?" I ask.

"Lila."

"What a beautiful name for such a beautiful girl. I'm Bella."

Lila's mom has now stooped next to me and extends her hand. "I'm Jenny. I'm a big fan of yours."

I carefully try to keep my balance to shake her hand but fail and plop to the floor in a slightly unladylike heap. Lila's laughs and I join in. I retract my sprawling limps and sit more properly. I am in a skirt and I don't need my vag on display for everyone to see. I remember 'Masen' asking if I was in the porn industry and laugh that much harder.

"Where's your crown?" Lila asks.

"Oh, I'm not a princess so I don't have one."

"But you're here with the Prince."

Her reasoning is excellent. I wave off Jenny who is trying to shush her daughter. The prince hasn't even realized I'm not by his side.

"You make an excellent point. I can tell you are very smart. I'm his friend and I wanted to come here today to meet someone just like you. And I'm so happy I did." I reach out and squeeze her hand.

Her smile is everything I never knew I needed today. "Can I show you my favorite book?" She asks.

"I'd love to see it." She slowly scampers off and Jenny relaxes instantly. The smile leaves her face and now, mine too.

"I know this must be incredibly hard on you."

"Yeah. It's just us. She and I against the world." Her sad smile is gone as quickly as it is there.

I have so many questions but I stick with a simple one. "What happened?"

"About six months ago she fell while playing outside. It happens all the time so I kissed her bruise and we went on with our life. About a month after that I noticed it was still there along with a few more. I instantly jumped to the conclusion that a bully was picking on her. After, I had called all the parents in her class and was assured that was not the case, I took her to the doctor. We've been here since then. ALL."

"Prognosis?"

"Chemo is tough. Makes her so sick. Looking for a bone marrow donor in case the chemo doesn't work. I'm not a match, so I can't even do that for her." There is a bitterness to her laugh.

"Her father?"

"I have no idea where he is. He took off right after I had her. I've tried finding him to no avail. He probably thinks I'm after support."

I smile sympathetically but decide to make a point to get tested for matching. Might nothing come of it, but you never know until you try.

Lila comes back with her book. I'm delighted to see that it's one of my favorites, The Giving Tree.

I gently take it from her and settle her in my lap.

Once there was a tree…

And she loved a little boy.

I read it from memory and Lila turned the pages.

'Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest.'

And the boy did.

And the tree was happy.

Lila shuts the book and I grin at her. Then I realize the room is rather quiet and I focus past Lila to everyone who apparently was listening to my impromptu story time, including Edward.

He squats down beside me and I smile sheepishly at him. "This is one of my favorite books."

He cocks his head inquisitively. "I would never have guessed you to be a Silverstein fan."

"Well, there's a lot of things you don't know about me," I say, right on the edge of flirtation.

He blinks once, twice and then nods. He stands up gracefully and offers me his hand. I lumber up, not gracefully might I add, and don't let go until I steady myself on these stilts. I miss the warmth and zing of his hands the second he lets go.

I smile once more at Lila, say good bye to Jenny and finally follow my prince to make the other rounds.

It turns out I did throw his schedule off as I'm haughtily informed by Marcus when we get back. Edward has already been whisked away for a meeting of some sort.

"You've made him late," he sneers. "There is a schedule for a reason, Miss Swan."

I turn to fully face him and I deliberately shrug. I smile my softest smile as I remember the day. "It was totally worth it, Marcus."

And for once, I am graceful with my exit.

Her name is Lila and a little over a month ago, she was diagnosed with ALL- Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. She's 9 and one of our hometown angels. She has six months of chemo to face but hopefully it was caught in time. Our community has raised over thirty thousand dollars for her so far thru youcaring, stickers, Santa pictures proceeds, etc. Now this is the best part. Her best friend Willa shaved her head with Lila over facetime so she didn't have to do it alone. Video will be posted in my group and is already on my facebook page though a little farther down if you want to see. Get the tissues though. So, everyone please pray or send positive thoughts to this child and her family. #bebravelila