One Week Later

Liam's comatose state was short lived. Well, it didn't seem so short to the Henstridge family. After their blow up fight the week prior, Eleanor and Robert made it a point to stay away from each other. If there was one thing they could agree on it was that their mother was right. There was no point in adding extra animosity among the group while Liam was on his way to recovery. There would be a time and place for the siblings to reconcile.. if ever possible.

Jasper kept a low profile around the palace as well. His schedule consisted of focusing on work during the day followed by tense small talk with Eleanor in the evenings. He knew better than to take the words she said in the ICU to heart. Although there may have been some truth to them, he was confident that she would never use them to intentionally hurt Jasper. But it didn't make the situation any fucking easier.

With the incredible news this morning that Liam had awakened, the whole family was eager to visit. However it was none too surprising that he requested to see Eleanor.

Only Eleanor.

She struts down the hallway of the hospital wing making a point to smile at every staff member she passes. She realized she probably wasn't the kindest guest in the hospital during her frantic state.

She squeals in excitement opening the door to his room. Liam lays in the bed before her sitting upright against a stack of pillows. The coloring had returned to his face. His blonde hair was clean and well kept. But what's most notable is his bright smile.

He was alive. And by the looks of it was he was god damn grateful for that.

The doctors said it was nothing short of a miracle considering the timely manner the Prince had bounced back. He was placed on suicide watch and would need to remain in the hospital until the doctors and in house therapists approved his release. And from there it would be one on one therapy twice a week. And then, once they felt he was ready, family therapy.

"Len," he beams. His throat is raspy and sore. Happy tears stream down her face as she brings her twin in for a long comforting hug. His natural scent puts her at ease.

"You're going to be okay," she thinks out loud tightening her grip. "You scare me like that again and I'll kill you myself."

Liam lets out an uncomfortable chuckle.

"Ah, that was distasteful," she admits, her arms still hanging around his neck.

"It's fine. I wish everyone would stop treating me like.." He stops talking as the wheels turn in his head.

"Are you going to be okay?" she lightly asks pushing his bangs to the side.

"I don't know," he admits. "But what I do know is that I'm happy to be here."

Eleanor does most of the talking as Liam is flat out exhausted. She wanted to keep him distracted from the predictable horrifying thoughts running through his mind since he awakened. The nervous banter goes on for a while updating him on the trip to Vegas and their expedited wedding. Knowing that her marriage to Jasper wasn't the most 'shocking' or controversial situation at hand, she plans on refraining from the topic as long as possible. She would wait to tell him of the pregnancy once he was home and all around more stable.

"That's great Lenny," Liam finally interrupts her chatter. "I'm happy for you and Jasper, I really am."

"Thanks." She sucks in a hefty amount of air with the realization that she had forgotten to breathe in between sentences. They sit in silence for a moment as she nervously fidgets with her hands in an attempt to avoid their shaky appearance. "Liam I'm so sorry I sort of- vanished after Robbie's wedding. I was really sick, and then it was all sort of a blur, and-"

"None of this was your fault. You have to promise me you won't think that way, okay?" The level of sincerity in his tone was reassuring. However she knew deep down that she could never not think 'what if'. What if she was by his side after the wedding? What if she spent less time focusing on herself? What if she hadn't gone away over summer?

What if she had listened to Liam when he initially came to her about Robert?

"So what aren't you telling me?" he asks distracting her from her taunting thoughts.

"What do you mean?" The guilty smirk on her face doesn't help her case.

"We've been practically attached at the hip since mum's womb.. I think I have a pretty good indicator as to when you're hiding something from me."

Eleanor feels like she's going to cry and throw up at the same time. She comes to the speedy realization that there would be no 'correct' time or way to present this, so she just tells him.

"I'm pregnant."

"Oh.. well, congratulations- I think?" The worrisome expression on his sister's face makes him apprehensive.

"Yeah, it's been a bit complicated to say the least."

"How did Jasper take the news?"

"Well.. he was bloody brilliant about it. Me on the other hand.." She winces while wringing her hands together. "We haven't really spoken in the last week. Unless.. well, unless I was horny."

He raises his eyebrows in slight discomfort before lowering them. "Are you considering not having it?"

"I couldn't have it- not after everything that.." Her face naturally scrunches as she looks him up and down.

"I think it's a blessing, Len." He smiles warmly while rubbing the side of her arm.

"You what?" she asks in genuine shock.

"This is the silver lining," he insists straightening his posture. The genuine response warms her heart and finally puts her mind at ease.

"So.." Eleanor's eyes dart from side to side. "You'd be okay with me having it?"

"Okay with it? Len, I'd be overjoyed."

The grin is impossible to wipe from her face. She places a delicate hand over her stomach looking her brother in the eye arching her head to the side. "I suppose 'Uncle Liam' does have a nice ring to it.."

Jasper sits on the edge of the bed taking his socks off. It was a long and drawn out day as the King had a meeting with the Queen most of the day. Willow was the family's former social media rep and found no need to replace her position after the wedding. She decided to hold on to those responsibilities herself in guiding the monarchy's reputation. Willow was concerned of Liam's suicide attempt and how they would be able to mask it from the media. Robert's lack of willingness to help caused a huge fight. Jasper overheard that the King called it 'petty' and would be 'lying to the people' if they were to cover it.

This deeply intrigued Jasper. Maybe Robert actually hadhumanistic emotions. Maybe he didn't give a fuck what England or the world thought of his younger brother. Maybe all he cared about was that he was alive...

.. Nah.

He snaps out of it. It would take much more convincing to believe that the man had a beating heart in his chest. He's so wrapped up in his thoughts he doesn't notice Eleanor enter the room. She softly closes the door behind herself pressing her body against it. She has a coy yet guilty smile on her face.

"Hi."

"Hi."

Jasper keeps his eyes low while continuing to remove his other sock. "How's Liam?"

"He's great." Eleanor beams as she makes her way over to the vanity. "Well, the best he could be I suppose.." Pushing her lengthy hair to one side of her shoulder she takes off her necklace. "He's happy to be alive. And that's all I care about."

"Good," Jasper replies. He's genuinely delighted that his mate had made it through. He wasn't just a close friend anymore, he was his brother-in-law. He was family. But unfortunately with the large elephant that had become a third member in their bedroom.. Jasper wasn't in much of the mood to pop bottles of champagne and celebrate.

Eleanor takes a seat next to him on the bed extending her legs staring at her converse. Her lips are folded inward as they did when she was nervous. She slowly lowers her head on to Jasper's shoulder as he deeply exhales.

"I'm so sorry babe," she says resting her chin on him. As expected he doesn't say a word or move an inch so she continues. "I've been the worst wife."

He tilts his head to the side in light agreement before looking over to her. Eleanor lifts her head from his shoulder as he stands to his feet removing his slacks. He has trouble balancing on one leg and leans back on the other. He looks deep in thought.

"I understand. Well - I'm trying my best to. And now with everything with Liam-"

"I want to have the baby," she eagerly cuts him off. Biting her lip she can barely hold a smile back. This time he completely loses his balance with one leg caught in his slacks and almost trips to the floor. She giggles at his clumsiness.

"You what?" He tries to restore his equilibrium as well as his breath.

"I'm ready to- to be a mum."

Jasper walks toward her at a snail's pace with a conflicted expression. "How did you change your mind so suddenly?"

"This isn't sudden," she quickly replies with confidence. Standing to her feet she grabs onto the lapels of his jacket. He pensively gazes in to her eyes, visibly unconvinced.

"At first I was nervous.. but I've had a lot of time to think this week. And speaking with Liam today.. it only solidified it." Her heart is in her throat as she waits on her husband's response.

"I guess ignoring you for the week did the trick," he says with the shadow of a smile raising the sides of his mouth. "I should remember this for the future." Eleanor defiantly furrows her eyebrows as he places his hand on the small of her back scooting her closer.

"I suppose I deserved that.." Her deep green eyes widen as she dramatically pouts extending her lips. He softly pushes them against his.

"I love you Mrs. Frost," he whispers against her lips. "You're going to make an incredible mother."

She nods her head with half a smile. The comment makes her stomach flip. She legitimately did want the baby. But she wishes she could express to him her pending doubts. That she still had her reservations on how the hell she was going to manage to raise a child. And the possibility that her recent stability may have just been a fluke.

There's a knock on the door.

"Wow! Someone finally knocked before barging in!" Eleanor hollers. "Come in?!"

James clears his throat as he pops his head in. He's holding a large envelope.

"Oh, it's just you Jamesy." She accepts the package seeing if there was anything written on the outside.

"It's from His Majesty," James says with a nod. "Maybe some pants, Frost, yes?" he says to Jasper who's essentially naked from the waist down. Jasper squints his eyes at him with a purposeful fake smile. Before Eleanor has the chance to question James on the note he excuses himself closing the door.

Eleanor folds her arms looking at Jasper inquisitively. "You open it," she orders handing it to him. "In case it's laced with anthrax." He accepts the envelope with a fixed irritated expression. "What? Better you than me. I'm carrying a child you know."

He dramatically sighs fingering open the envelope.

"Well? What is it?" she asks instantly attempting to take it from his hand. He vengefully raises it above her head out of reach. Letting out a defeated grunt she folds her arms.

"Jasper and Eleanor," he begins reading at arms length above her. "This is the least I could do. Enjoy. Robert."

Eleanor starts hopping on both feet at this rate, failing each time to swipe the card away. "Would you bloody hand it over already?!" She smacks him on the chest as he moves it closer to read the fine print. Well aware that this was her time to strike, she rips it from his hands before walking the other direction from him.

"A private jet to Venice, Italy with a room in one of the finest suites in the country.." She scratches her head before looking up at him with narrowed eyes. "Do you think he's trying to get rid of us?"

If it were any other time, or if Jasper hadn't been present in witnessing Robert's recent signs of humanity, he'd be suspicious too. But perhaps the tyrant really was trying to turn a new leaf with his family. Perhaps Liam's scare grounded the King and knocked him down a few pegs.

"Well, we never really got to go on a honeymoon, did we?" Jasper encourages while undoing his tie. "And this might be our last chance to travel alone."

Eleanor anxiously runs a hand through her hair, her eyes still focused on the card.

"I-I couldn't. Not with Liam still in the hospital."

"Then we'll leave after."

After a few moments of speculation and thorough inspection of her older brother's peculiar card, she nods her head. Tapping her index finger on her chin she comes to a conclusion.

"Well, authentic pizza does sound good I suppose.. But only for the pizza."

Jasper stands before her with both hands on his hips on the verge of an eye roll. The level of 'comedy' from his recent company was underwhelming. Eleanor lunges her body toward him jumping into his arms wrapping her legs around his waist. This seems to lighten the brooding bodyguard's mood. He flashes a handsome smile before turning and laying her on her back on the bed. He nuzzles her neck with his lips delicately placing kisses along it's length.

"You smell so good," he says lightly nibbling on her ear lobe. "I could eat you up." She giggles intertwining her fingers in his hair pulling with force. "Ouch."

Jasper raises his head putting his face before hers. "Oh you want to play rough, do you?" She bites her lip eagerly nodding her head. They endure intense eye contact as she slowly undoes his shirt one button at a time.

There's another knock on the door.

"Oh you have got to be bloody kidding me!" Eleanor shouts echoing throughout the room.

"I still don't have pants on James!" Jasper hollers making his wife giggle.

"I beg your pardon?" They hear Willow's voice on the other side of the door. Jasper's cheeks turn a bright pink.

"What do you want?" Eleanor replies in a not-so-nice way. Following the same tactics as her husband, Willow lets herself in without permission. Jasper rolls off of Eleanor putting on a pair of sweatpants from the floor.

"What I want," Willow begins to answer looking around the room. "Is the protection of the Princess, along with her child to be."

Eleanor raises herself on her elbows. "I already have protection, thank you very much. Rosie is-"

"Rosalie was not up to my standards. I fired her."

"You what?" Eleanor scoffs raising to her feet. "You can't do this. You-"

"Why, yes I can. When I wed your brother I became Queen, Lenny."

Eleanor is astounded and uncommonly speechless. She glances at Jasper who looks downright pissed off.

"This is Henry, your new detail." Willow extends her arm motioning someone from outside the room. In walks a 6'2, approximately in his late twenties early thirties, handsome man with dark brown hair and green eyes. "Henry is my brother and I have the upmost confidence in him."

"Your Highness," he speaks with a bow.

"He'll be joining you on your honeymoon. He will be keeping a close eye." The Queen speaks in a threatening tone.

"That's not necessary," Jasper interjects as he visually sizes up Henry. "I will be with the Princess.. my wife," he says almost directed at Willow's brother.

"Don't be silly, Mr. Frost. You will be off duty." Willow crosses her arms arching her hip to the side. It resembles Helena's signature posture, along with her tight fitting dress.

"You may think you have control over this whole god damn palace now that you're Queen," Eleanor fumes taking a few strides toward her. "But you don't have control over me."

"Is that right?" Willow challenges with a raised brow and pursed lips.

"You don't want to get on my bad side," she threatens. "And you're already there, bitch." Both men glance between the powerful women prepared to break up a cat fight. "And one more thing," Eleanor says pointing her finger inches from her face. "Don't ever call me Lenny again."

Hey guys! I'll try to keep it weekly with my updates. Don't forget to let me know what you think and where you'd like to see the story going. I'm doing this one with certain ideas, but still brainstorming as I go. Thanks :)