CHAPTER SIXTEEN

"All right no offense, but what is it with everyone saying America? I mean, you all do realize that it is the United States of America. There are two Americas; north and south. To say America, it is disrespectful to all the other countries that we share the continent with," Bella rambled on and on the moment, we were out of Rosalie's hearing range.

I loved debating with Bella, but this was something I had to agree with her on and felt silly since I too was guilty of saying, America.

"And souvenir? Like I am no more than some crap trinket that a person brings home. A t-shirt stating, Prince Edward went to Washington and all I got was this…souvenir! I thought that meeting your mom and dad was going to be stressful but so far it seems that your cousins rivals them all!"

We went through the door to my bedroom and Angela and Seth were already there to help us prepare for dinner. I was starting to worry about how the night was going to go. Dinner with my parents, Rosalie and Bella. I was sure not everyone would be leaving that room alive.

"Rosalie has been like this for many years. Not to excuse her behavior but my uncle, her father died a few years ago and Rosalie's mother divorced her father which is something that should not happen especially in royal unions. Rosalie's mother went off and hasn't been around for Rosalie like a mother should."

Bella looked at me annoyed.

"Why did you have to tell me that. It was so much easier to hate her when I didn't know her life reflected that of my own," Bella said.

"I just didn't want you to be uninformed. Angela, you can take her now," I beckoned Angela to come forward and lead Bella back to her suite.

"Oh yes, Angela, please lead this cow out to pasture," Bella mocked. "Be sure to give her a good brush down and a bow on her tail to gussy her up for the county fair."

I rolled my eyes at her and watched as Bella made a real show of leaving.

"Your Highness, I laid out your suit and prepared you a drink." Seth waved his hand towards my drink. "Also, I have been entrusted with making sure you received this."

Seth handed me a leather envelope. I unfastened the tie and looked inside. My hand pulled out a couple of hard plastic rectangular objects. My credit cards.

"His Majesty wished for you to keep them on your person and use them wisely."

I stood staring at the cards. It felt odd because after not having access to them the past several months, to have money once again without having to keep to a strict budget seemed foreign. I could literally buy anything my heart desired. However, somehow, there didn't seem to be anything that I wanted at the moment.

I nodded and placed the cards in the wallet I had purchased in Washington and headed toward the bathroom.

As much sarcasm as I received from Bella as she left, when she had returned ready for dinner, she seemed to be a completely different person. Tension written all over her body. It was one thing to have a late-night snack with the king or tea with the queen, but a dinner was an entirely different affair. I would be lying if I said the very idea of the evening brought me little to worry about. But I was not allowed to be stressed. I was going to be responsible for ensuring that the evening ran smoothly even with Rosalie's presence.

"You look beautiful," I said giving Bella a soft kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you but I really wish I wasn't pregnant. I could use a drink," She replied.

"Well given your past with alcoholic beverages…" I cut myself off seeing her face turn to a mixture of shock and disgust. "Sorry, I didn't mean that…I probably shouldn't tell you this, but I feel my nerves are getting the better of me."

I could see her face calm and she breathed a sigh.

"Please tell me these things. I always feel that you have it all under control and I'm the one left all alone in left field. It's rather annoying."

I laughed a little and took her hand. As we walked through the palace to the East side lower level, I once again felt dismayed that I had yet to give Bella the proper tour. Christmas was coming in only a few short days and the way the staff had decorated the palace, it was always one of my favorite times of year. I wanted to show it off to her.

"So, is there anything I need to know for tonight? Bad form to use the wrong fork…no slurping the soup?" Bella asked interrupting my internal reverie.

"Yes, please do not slurp the soup. Put your elbows on the table. Blow your nose into a napkin. Wipe your mouth with your sleeve. High-five the attendant. Ask for seconds or chew with your mouth open."

"Got it! Basically, don't be myself," Bella said with a wink of her eye.

I stopped outside the door to the dining room and placed my hands on her shoulders. "No, do be yourself! All those times I made fun of your…OCD tendencies when it came to eating food…well they are about to pay off."

The guard at the door opened it for us and Bella reached out and pulled me back once again.

"I'm being serious Edward. I don't know the first thing about what to do in that room."

I could sense the panic in her voice and once again I began to worry she might have another meltdown.

"Just follow my lead. I promise, it's a private dinner so there won't be expectations for proper decorum," I replied quietly pulling her along with me.

The guard closed the door behind us and Bella nearly jumped out of her skin at the loud sound it made.

"Did he just lock us in here?" She whispered.

"No," I huffed.

"Hey, I saw Game of Thrones. I know how this stuff works."

I shook my head with a sigh and noticed that Rosalie had yet to arrive, so I was thankful for that small favor. I walked us around the table to the correct seats and let go of Bella's hand to stand in place. I see Bella go to move the chair and I quickly reach out to grasp her hand to stop her.

"What?" She asked scared at my interruption.

"We have to wait until my parents are here," I explained.

"O-kay…something you might have shared with me," She replied in a frustrated whisper.

"I told you to follow my lead," I said quietly out the corner of my mouth.

Bella sighs but looks straight forward mirroring my stance. It was then I realized that this was going to be harder than I had thought. The expected decorum came naturally to me. Simple things that I didn't even think of twice but now somehow, I was going to have to remember so I could teach Bella.

The flames in the fireplace caused the room to dance with a vibrant orange glow. We would be dinning at the smaller table tonight. Still large enough to seat ten but it was smaller than the ones we would sit at when we would entertain company. Royal red runners up the middle and matching placemats with our good silver plates and utensils.

The door opened once more, and Rosalie walked in. She went to stand at the chair directly across from us and I could feel her eyes looking over Bella and myself. Normally I would offer a pleasantry, but I decided to forgo it. I could see Bella looking around the room and taking in the beautiful Christmas decorations that the staff had hung. Wreathes and sprays of holly. Big red bows and gold round ornaments.

My parents entered in shortly after. The attendants came forth and pulled their chairs back, my father at the north side of the table while my mother was being helped into the chair at the south side of the table. It was the first time I had seen my mother since our argument. I noticed that she would not look at me. Once we were given permission to sit I waited to see what the first topic of conversation was to be.

Our first course arrived, and I could see Bella doing exactly what I had requested. She waited along with me to choose the correct fork and begin eating when I did.

"Isabella, I take it that you have been properly introduced to my niece, Rosalie," My mother started to speak first.

Bella looked at me and I nodded for her to go ahead and speak.

"Yes…I had the pleasure this afternoon," Bella replied.

I noticed that the napkin on Bella's lap which in the past was usually placed precisely in one spot was held in her hand as she squeezed it tightly. I felt guilty that this evening was causing her undo stress.

"Rosalie, is staying with us for the next few months. She is a wealth of knowledge. I thought that it would be beneficial for you to learn from her while she is here," My mother explained.

"Absolutely not!" I found myself protesting quickly.

"Edward," Bella hissed in my direction, but I would not listen.

"I will teach Bella everything she needs to know," I said.

I could hear a muffled laugh come from Rosalie's direction and my eyes zeroed in on her.

"Edward, you couldn't possibly. Isabella needs someone full time," My mother said.

"I don't see a problem with that," I replied.

"You will be working with me. After the holiday, I expect you to resume where we left off," My father declared.

I sighed. I knew it was only a matter of time before my expectations would be "resumed."

"Fine. But I will find someone more suitable for Isabella," I replied.

"More suitable than I?" Rosalie asked.

"Edward, Rosalie is correct. There is no one more suitable," My mother began to say.

I stood up and threw my napkin on the table.

"I would like to speak to you in private."

I did not wait for their reply. I stormed off to the nearest room and waited for my parents to join me. So far, I had managed to keep Bella from going home but I knew after a few lessons with my cousin, she would be on the next plane. I now understood why my mother brought Rosalie here. She knew what card to play.

"Edward, you are acting juvenile. I thought there was an end to all this when you came back but I see now that maybe you haven't changed," My father growled.

"I know you brought Rosalie here to ruin my happiness," I accused my mother.

"I am appalled and hurt by your words. I am doing the best I can with the situation in front of us. You show up with Isabella and expect us to accept her. Which we did. Then you drop this bombshell on us about her pregnancy and still we have to come and accept the situation. Being a part of this family, the people we represent expect us to act a certain way and you bringing home a girl pregnant, is not in their expectations of us. We are expected to be perfect. Not bare bastard children. The very least Isabella can do is to learn our ways and become a proper fiancé to the prince. I may not want Rosalie to sit on the throne, but I won't deny that she knows all the expectations and customs Isabella will have to acquire."

"I don't want Rosalie near her! She will see to it that Bella is run out of here," I argued.

"If you don't have faith in Isabella and the love she has for you, then she shouldn't be here," My mother said.

"I need time to show her that she can be happy here. It's only been a couple of days. I can't throw her into the lion's den," I replied. "Rosalie shouldn't be here."

"She has nowhere else to go for Christmas. You think it's all right to throw your cousin out and leave her to celebrate the holiday alone? Rosalie will treat Isabella with respect and if there is any incident then I will step in. But my plate is full enough as it is. I have an engagement announcement to plan for by St. Valentine's Day and a Royal wedding. If you can come up with someone more qualified than Rosalie to teach Bella, then let's hear it," My mother said.

I didn't know of a single person I could offer. I hated this. I just knew Rosalie would do anything in her power to ruin my happiness. My father sensed triumph with the all-knowing smirk on his face.

"I will give her one chance, but it will wait until after the New Year. At least give me the holidays with the woman I love before she is driven off."

My mother gave me a look and I shook my head frustrated.

"I guess we can do that…if you manage to stop seeing us as the villains in your piece," my mother replied. "But do not think we will not correct something Isabella says or does in the meantime. She needs to learn, and you can squirrel her away until after the new year. She shouldn't leave the grounds until we have a chance to properly introduce her to the people."

"Can we eat now?" My father barked.

"Fine," I replied and turned to head back into the dining area but stopped and turned to them one last time. "And stop talking about Bella as if we were already engaged. I haven't asked her yet and I wish to respect the moment when it truly happens."

It was my mother's turn to roll her eyes at me. My father just pushed past me eager to get back to his dinner. I went straight back to my chair and notice that Bella's eyes are not kind. What did Rosalie say to her while we were away. I would need to speak to Rosalie and put the fear of God in her.

When dinner was done, and we were finally dismissed, my mother stopped Bella before we could leave.

"I wanted to keep you informed that we received your file and our doctor will meet with you after Christmas," my mother said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Bella dutifully replied.

"What file?" I asked stepping in already suspecting that something was amiss.

Bella put a firm hand on my forearm to stop me.

"It's nothing. Just my medical record. I need a doctor to monitor the pregnancy," She explained.

"Oh."

I calmed down a little more and I could see my mother shake her head and then turn to leave without another word. Now it was just Bella and I left in the dining room. The moment the door closed behind my mother, Bella turned on me.

"What is your problem?" She asked rather harshly.

"What do you mean?"

"The way you acted tonight? If I had done as you asked and followed your lead, I would have been thrown out of the palace and rightfully so. You can get away with the spoiled child syndrome because apparently you're supposed to be taking over someday…but after tonight, I would be embarrassed to know I would have to call you my king."

"I was trying to protect you," I defended.

"Protect me? Against who? Your parents?"

"No…against Rosalie," I replied.

Bella held up a hand and gave me a look.

"You think I need to be protected against Princess Poofy? Now, I am offended. What exactly do you think that she could do to me? That I would ever need to be afraid of Rosalie," She said irritated.

"You don't know my cousin. She will play mind games with you until you find yourself wishing you had never come here. She is smart, I won't deny her that. She has been doing all of this for far too long and now with you here, it most certainly looks like she will never get what she has always wanted. The throne."

"First off. Why would she ever think that the throne was an option? Was she planning to Hamlet you?"

I sighed and took a seat down at the chair near the table and ran my hand through my hair.

"Before I went to Washington, I spent a couple of weeks with my father and Parliament. I was overwhelmed. I hated it. I didn't think I would ever be able to do what was expected of me. Which is why I championed to spend a semester abroad. I may have told my parents that I would abstain from the throne if they did not let me go. I am not a very strong man. Being king…it scares me. I know that I may have made you believe that my father and I don't get along but that isn't true. I don't know how to get along without my father. Becoming king will mean that my father is dead and somehow the person that I looked up to will not be here to guide me. Do you have any idea the pressure that is on me? My father is a beloved king. What if I turn out just as you fear? Someone who was picked by the genetic lottery and has no business sitting on the throne?"

Bella walked forward and ran her hands through my hair. I couldn't believe how much better of a job she did at it than I ever could.

"I have faith that you will be a great king. Genetic lottery or not, destiny choose you and I am thankful it did because I know the man you are and if destiny had chosen someone like Rosalie, God help us all. You may think you are not a strong man but look at what you have been able to do. Go to…America," She said ironically. "Wash dishes and live off your own money. Plus, you managed to handle me and we all know what a train wreak I can be."

I looked up at her and shook my head with a small smile. She placed her hand under my chin.

"I have faith in you Edward, Prince of Caldonia and I know your father does too. Have faith in me that I can handle whatever Rosalie throws at me. Have faith that I will be here for you. That I will be…here. No one but you can change my mind about that," She vowed.

"Never. I will never change my mind about you," I promised.

Bella stepped back a couple of paces.

"Well…you have to calm down a bit. You're not helping me with going after your mother and father like you do. Soon, they will most certainly believe I am more trouble than I am worth, and they really will plot to push me down the stairs. Besides, it's Christmas. You shouldn't fight with your family at Christmas time. You should be thankful that have them. Even Rosalie."

It was then that I realized how alone Bella must have felt. Even though Alice was here. She didn't have a family to spend Christmas with. Suddenly, it came to me, the perfect gift I could get Bella for Christmas.

I stood up and gave her a kiss. I couldn't wait to put my plans into action. It would have to wait until after Bella went to bed. I needed to see to it that she was good and passed out so that if I left her, she would never be aware of my absence. I suggested that an after dinner walk around the palace was the perfect idea. Two birds with one stone. A complete tour with one very tired Bella.

"If you think you're getting sex tonight, you are sorely mistaken. I don't think I have walked this much since they made me run a mile in high school," Bella flopped down on my bed and even though I was disappointed by her words, I knew that any minute she would be passed out.

"Seriously, you need one of those automatic chairs the next time you decide to give someone the tour. Or a golf cart. Perhaps a wagon…someone can pull a wagon. You could flood the halls and have someone build an arc," she said with a yawn. "Or a canoe…paddle-boat."

I was watching her fall asleep right in front of my eyes, attempting to stay awake with her senseless babbling. I might have suspected that she was drugged if I hadn't made her walk the perimeter of all three floors. She never even changed so I pulled off her shoes when I began to hear her soft snores and covered her with a blanket.

I closed my bedroom door quietly and carefully crept away from the door. I nearly jumped out of my skin when I looked up to see Angela there.

"HOLY CRAP!" I screamed and then instantly cringed wondering if my outburst would have awoken Bella.

"My apologies, Your Highness," Angela said.

"It's not a problem," I replied clutching my chest. "Is there something you need?"

"No sir, I was going to check in on Miss Swan to see if she needed anything more this evening," She replied.

"Bella…Isabella…is sleeping. You are dismissed. Have a good evening, Angela."

Angela bowed and began to turn around to leave but then stopped short.

"Uh…I beg your pardon, but I may have heard something this evening. I know this isn't any of my business but…"

I gestured for her to continue even though I could see how worried she was to tell me whatever she was going to say.

"I heard that Princess Rosalie was to help prepare Miss Swan…I know this may seem silly but Princess Rosalie has an affinity for the American candy bar called…Snickers. Well, we were unable to locate them before her arrival and I thought that maybe if Miss Swan were to procure some, it might cause the princess to…be…kind?" Angela seemed to want to question whether anything could ever have that kind of effect on my cousin. "Previously, the kitchen staff used to say that when Princess Rosalie stayed in the palace, she would sneak down every night and slice off an inch. It's her weakness."

I wanted to laugh at the preposterous notion that a chocolate bar could ever be so fantastic that it would bring down the great Rosalie. However, I nodded and thanked Angela for the intel.

I traveled the long way to the study hoping I wouldn't run into anyone else. I knew that with the time change it was already going to be rather late when I placed the phone call to Washington. I pulled out my old cell phone and found the number I was looking for.

"If this is a telemarketer, please press one."

"Emmett," I said rolling my eyes.

"Who's this?" He asked.

"It's me, Edward," I replied.

"Oh…Eddie. I heard that Bella flew off into the sunset with you. I knew you had it in you. How is my dear Bella doing?" he asked.

"Better than I could have expected actually but I have a favor to ask you," I pressed.

"Shoot!"

"I was wondering what it would take to convince you to come to Caldonia for Christmas and the new year. I want Bella to have family here. She's been so amazing about the whole prince thing and palace, I wanted to do something extra special for her."

I heard silence on the other line before he would reply.

"What prince thing? Did you buy her tickets to see Prince?" He asked.

I smacked my forehead. I guess it would have been stupid of me to think Bella had the time to make a transatlantic call and fill Emmett in on the details.

"First off, Prince is dead," I said.

"Hologram? I know they're doing holograms concerts now. Which if you ask me is a little stupid. I mean who wants to pay good money to see a mirage lip sync. But then again if it works for Brittany…"

"EMMETT!" I yelled trying to reign him in.

"Woah, you nearly blew an eardrum," He replied.

"Sorry but I need to make this call quick. I want to get back to Bella before she wakes up and realizes that I am missing," I said.

"Okay. You want me to go to Caldonia for Christmas. Well I don't know if you have super short-term memory, but our wages haven't exactly changed since your departure. I can't bank roll that kind of trip."

"I know. Which is why I am going to bank roll your trip. It wouldn't be a gift to Bella if I made you pay for it," I replied.

"How many dishes did you have to wash in Caldonia to afford something like that?" Emmett asked.

"Which is something we have to get back to. I probably should have told you this sooner, but I am…a prince."

I waited to hear him roar with laughter like I assumed he would do but once again there was just plain silence.

"Did you tell Bella?" He asked quietly.

"Of course, she's been staying with me in the palace after all. If I hadn't told her, I believe she would have figured it out by now."

"You told Bella and she didn't kick your ass?" he asked.

"No…although there was quite a bit of dirty looks I had to endure. I imagine that she hasn't had the opportunity to tell you that she is pregnant…with my child."

Emmett seemed to be thinking once again. He started a couple of times but never finished.

"How did Bella not kick your ass!"

"I guess she didn't want to beat on the father of her child…the man she loves," I said.

"Loves? Did she tell you this or are you still having your little fantasies?" he asked.

"No fantasies. I love her. I told her. She loves me. She told me so. I am a prince. We are having a baby. We are…eventually going to get married. Simple as that," I replied snapping my fingers together.

"Okay, say I buy into all this. If you send the plane ticket, I will play your little game, but you better not leave me stranded out in some country that doesn't even have, American Ninja Warrior because then I will be the one kicking your ass."

"Great," I replied dryly.

"You don't expect me to bow down and kiss your feet when I see you again?" He asked.

I sighed.

"Of course not," I replied. "Oh, and can you do me a favor? Can you pop by the store and pick up a case Snicker Bars?"

"Oh, crap. Your country doesn't even have Snicker Bars? Man, you're not going to make me eat fish eggs and shit?"

Oh man, he was going to be harder to deal with than Bella.

"I would never expect you to eat…fish eggs and shit." I said drearily. "I have to get to bed. I will send an email of your itinerary."

"All right, Prince Palmolive," He laughed, "I rather like that."

I shook my head even though he couldn't see me and hung up. It would not do well for him to refer to me as such when he arrived. I hoped Bella could reign him in a little. At least that was done. Now I need only to work on a plan for the perfect proposal. What could I do that would even impress Bella?

AN:THANK YOU AS ALWAYS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ AND REVIEW! TTFN

STORY IS MINE. CHARACTERS BELONG TO STEPHENIE MEYER.