Little Drama, and it is bound to disappoint you guys... but I saw it as a natural progression in this story. I'm not big on comfrontation. so I hope this satisfies you. There will be no blood drawn in this chapter.

Peace Always,

S.K.

Independence Day

Mac woke up early the next morning and extracted herself from William's arms. She reached for an afghan that she had draped over the couch and covered him with him, pausing a moment to kiss his forehead lightly.

She silently walked to the door and searched for the royal guard. She smiled a good morning to her secret service agent posted in the hall. "Sleep well?"

"Yes ma'am," The agent said smiling back.

"Fantastic, if you don't mind, could you get the royal guard and ask them to come to my kitchen." After another affirmative nod Mac disappeared back into the residence. She picked up the phone and called down to the main kitchen and ordered up enough breakfast to feed her family and the Royal guard. She then started a pot of Coffee and a kettle for some tea. She hadn't felt this domestic in years. "Oh I'm nesting," She said to herself in realization.

"What was that dear?" Kate said walking into the kitchen having smelled the Coffee.

"I'm nesting."

Kate smiled at that then furrowed her brows, "You know, there is a man sleeping on your couch."

Mac nodded, "He stayed with me last night."

Kate wrinkled her nose, "On the couch?"

"Yes," Mac said throwing a dish towel at her, "get your mind out of the gutter."

"So he's her father."

"Yes he is." Mac ran her fingers through her hair, she hadn't been able to cut it in a while and it was now past her shoulder blades. "I need a haircut today."

"No, don't, I like it." William said coming into the kitchen.

"Yes she does have beautifully thick hair doesn't she?" Kate said putting down the Mug she had served herself. "Good morning your Majesty."

"Mrs. Allen, good morning." William said shaking her hand.

"Please call me Kate," her mother said, "Your neck must be stiff from sleeping on the couch all night."

"Mom," Mac said in a warning tone.

"Actually we both fell asleep, on the couch, I'm more concerned for her." William stated.

Kate turned to face her, and would have said something, had Becca not come into the kitchen. "Good morning everyone, William."

"Good morning." Mac and Kate watched Becca for a second; she was in a really good mood.

"Becca, You're in a good mood today." Kate said watching as the younger woman grabbed a glass of orange juice, some cookies, a muffin, and a bag of Doritos.

"I am, because for the first time in a long time, I know no one is really going to notice that I'm walking down the street, because they are so totally concentrated that the woman walking next to me is carrying Royal seed."

"Hate to burst your bubble." Mac said sitting on a high stool. She raised a brow at the amount of food her daughter was planning to ingest. "They will always notice."

"Yeah I know, I just feel like being happy for a change okay?" Standing next to her mother.

"That works for me." Mac said giving Becca a hug. A pungent herbal scent hit Mac's nostrils as she inhaled. She let go with a sigh and she knew why she was in such a good mood. She made a mental note to talk to Becca about it later. "We're sending for breakfast, you don't need all that junk."

"I can't wait, I'll eat then too." I bet you will, Mac thought furrowing her brow.

The Royal guard walked in, as the two other members of the first family joined them in the kitchen. Amy and Becca filled Horace in on the baby details and he wasn't too happy with the prince though he kept his mouth shut.

After the family breakfast, The prince and his men went to the hotel to get ready for the Independence Day celebration later that evening.

William returned that evening, nervous as ever. He knew that Mac wanted to reveal to at least her staff the paternity of the baby she was carrying. Not that he didn't want to shout it from the rooftops, but the Americans were rather stuffy about things like this. He stepped inside the house and was escorted by the secret service out towards the back lawn. She was there, mingling with Secretary Francis, as he sat in a chair next to her. She looked so beautiful as she wore a rose colored sundress and her hair was braided back in a loose French braid.

He watched her until she felt him stare. Then she excused herself and headed towards him. "Hey!" She said hugging him closely, then kissing him lightly on the lips.

"Hi, Mackenzie," William replied returning the hug.

"Have you eaten, how long have you been here?" She asked as she pulled him out to the party.

"Not long," He stopped her before they were outside, "Are you sure this is all right?"

She let go of him and faced him, "You're here, and I can't think of anything that would make me happier." She watched his face then said, "We can talk to my PR man if you like?"

"I don't want to be damaging to you in any way."

Mac smiled and caressed his face; "You've helped me a lot more than damaged me."

They were unaware that someone had been watching this exchange. "So he's the father." Mac spun on her heals when she heard Rod's voice. "In our bed."

"My bed," Mac answered.

"You know she slept with me that next morning," Rod raged at William.

"Rod please," Mac pleaded quietly, her eyes darted around hoping that no one was listening. "The kids don't need this right now."

"Now you're worried about the kids? You weren't worried about them when you opened your legs for him six months ago."

"Pardon, but were you not the one to break the vows first?" William asked moving closer to Mac. Rod seemed extremely angry and he didn't want him to take it out on her, she did not need that right then.

"Stay out of this, this is between her and I."

"I'm sorry, but there are four sides to this story, and Mac is a big concern for me right now. I am not leaving her here alone with the likes of you."

"William, why don't you go to the party, I'll see you in a bit." Mac said in a reassuring tone. She knew that only William's presence was what was making Rod react that way.

"Are you certain?" He asked, Mac nodded, and William walked on out to the lawn keeping his eye on Rod and Mac.

"We have to talk about Becca." Mac said changing the subject completely.

Seeing her concerned look, Rod refocused his energy, "What is it?"

"She's smoking pot," Mac answered, "I smelled it in her hair this morning."

"Have you talked to her yet?" Rod asked

"No, I..." Mac stopped and glanced out of the door, "I couldn't right then."

"You had company." Rod said beginning to get angry again.

"Lets not get off the subject, I just though that maybe we should talk to her together." Mac said softly.

"Rebecca is not going to listen to anything I have to say. You know that."

"Whose fault is that?" Mac countered, "You are not going to stick me with that job alone. The only reason I know what it smells like is because of you."

"Fine, We'll talk to her tonight after the fireworks." Rod covered his face with his hands. How had he messed this up so badly? "Mac, I'm sorry about the scene, and everything else."

"I forgave you already, I'm still angry, but I am slowly letting it go." Mac shrugged, "I still need you, and so do the kids."

Rod nodded and signaled for her to move forward. He watched Mac headed out to the lawn, the smell of the grill making his stomach growl. Mac walked to Dickie and pulled him aside for something. Then they both walked to William and he knew that soon everyone would know to whom the famous baby belonged.

"I would say that all you need to do is act as a normal couple would." Dickie suggested, "Let the American people get used to seeing you as a unit."

"It's not like we are normal," Mac insisted.

"You are a human, your human side is what is winning you your votes," Dickie asserted, "so I wouldn't worry about image issues."

"What about the baby?" William asked.

"Are you kidding, They'll figure it out." Mac breathed out a sigh of relief as she reached around for William's hand.

After that impromptu meeting was over William and Mac walked along the rose garden. It was getting dark so she looked at William and smiled. "Let's go watch the fireworks from the Balcony. I think everyone has gone up there already."

"All right." He said, following her through the house then she decided to go to the Oval instead. "I thought we were going to the Balcony."

"I changed my mind. I want you all to myself right now. We can watch from the oval, it's right under the Balcony." Mac said as they walked into her office, which was centered directly in front of the Washington Monument.

"This view is fantastic." William said walking to Mac's favorite window. She came up behind him and wrap her arms around him. She kissed his cheek just as the first firework was sent up.

William turned to face her and kissed her softly. "This feels really good Will," He wrapped his arms around her and they both watched the show from inside her office. "It feels great that I can be with you without being afraid of what people think. It bothers me that this office has forced me to care about what anyone thought."

"Marry me." He whispered softly. Mac turned to face him, so that they stood eye to eye, "Not just yet, I mean eventually."

A few seconds passed, as Mac watched him thoughtfully. His eyes showed all of his hopes and fears as she considered his question. Mac reached up and caressed his face gently and smoothed out the worry wrinkles in his brow. "Okay," Mac responded, then looked down at her belly, "Soon."

William smiled and held her in his arms the same as before. He kissed the back of her neck, sending tingles all the way down her spine. "I can't believe you've caught up to me."

"What do you mean?" She asked sitting on her comfy leather chair tugging him down in front of her.

William knelt in front of her and kissed her belly, "All this time, I have felt that you were holding something back. I felt as if I was moving too fast."

"You were," Mac said running her fingers through his hair, "but I was stuck on twenty-two years of loyalty. I felt as if I had betrayed Rod. Betrayed myself. When I allowed myself to let go of that, You sort of insinuated yourself into my life. My eyes were opened and so was my heart."

"I love you," He said leaning forward slightly.

"I love you too." Mac moved in the rest of the way bringing her lips to his. The fireworks accentuating the electricity she felt throughout her body. "Stay with me tonight?"

"You'd have to drag me away from you from now on." William stated placing his head on her lap and again they both watched the fireworks in silence.

A/N: I ever tell you guys that this was my favorite chapter? So romantic. Again I'm sorry about that little scene... but I conferred with another lady, and being that Mac is rational most of the time, she wouldn't perpetuate a confrontation with so many people around. Rod is jealous and has absolutely no leg to stand on in this weird love rectangle. He has just got to be jealous, and deal with himself for messing it up. Mac didn't really start this soap bubble bubbling... though she did exacerbate it a bit.--- Please review, I know you're dying to., s.k.