UPDATE ON THE DUCHESS OF OXFORD

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Oxford was admitted at 01:00 hrs to St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington, London on 8th May of 2048 and is in the very early stages of labour.

The Duchess travelled by helicopter from Frogmore House to Kensington Palace early yesterday evening before travelling by car from Kensington Palace to the Lindo Wing at St. Mary's Hospital with the Duke of Oxford at 01:00 hrs.

Josephine

"I think the kindergarten is going to be done by the end of this month." Liam's boring voice fills my ears as I'm sitting in one of the conference rooms at Bolton's Enterprises. It's one of the monthly meetings, but I really have no idea why I'm here. Especially now, given the fact that Rory's in labour just a stone's throw away from here. Besides, my office is now a floor below this one.

"Are you sure?" My Daddy asks him. As always he's wearing a suit with a tie and shiny black shoes. This time the suite has a navy colour and the tie is light grey. The chestnut hair and eyes are something I inherited from him but I have the rest of my facial structure from my Mum. My father's eyes change colour and right now they match his navy suite while mine are a sky blue. Rory told us all to go to work as usual, so hence the boring meeting.

Liam nods, "28th of May if all goes well."

My father looks at my Mum, "That's a little too late."

My Mum inhales deeply before looking at Liam. "Any chance we can speed this up? We wanted to open it on May the 15th."

"Two weeks earlier?" Liam asks her shocked.

My mother nods, being her calm Buddha-like self. She's wearing a black shift dress by Prada and royal blue Manolo Blahnik heels. Her earlobes are glittering with diamond earrings in the shape of flowers. The right middle finger is glittering just as much, as the Cartier trinity ring is full of diamonds as well. Her wedding band on her left ring finger is a rather insignificant piece of jewellery compared to the other diamond ring and earrings. The dark brown curls are the perfect contrast to all the glittering diamonds. My mother is the embodiment of glamour and elegance. She also looks like the boss lady, she is. "Yes. Help them out in your free time if you have to. Paint the walls, oil the wooden doors or hoover the carpets if you have to. It will open on May the 15th." My mother decides before rising from her black chair. "I've got to get to a meeting."

I nod and watch her walk out of the conference room with ease.

"Can you follow his work there?"

I nod, "A few photos of him physically contributing to this would be very good PR."

My father shows me a smile that's full of pride. I don't know why. "Okay. This would be all today. I expect updates from you every three days."

I nod, "Yeah, sure."

"I meant Liam."

Liam next to me looks at my father as if he just explained to him that his job is on the line. Just because his father is part of the CEO-trio doesn't mean his job is safe. He should have learned from my mistakes. I got moved down an entire floor because I behaved like a spoiled brat. "Yes, absolutely."

Suddenly the glass door of the conference swings open and I watch my uncle Lucas walking inside. He may be my father's twin but since they're not identical twins you can't really tell. Rory and I aren't identical twins either but there is a similarity in our eyes, hair and bone structure whereas my father and his brother... they look like night and day. While my father has dark blue eyes - at least most of the time - and chestnut hair, my uncle has bright blonde hair and emerald green eyes. My Daddy looks like a copy of their father while uncle Luc looks more like their mother. It's funny how biology works. "Just wanted to pop in. Everything going good?" He asks us. For some reason uncle Luc is very rarely present at our meeting but I guess that's because he's more into the financial part of the firm. While Mum and Dad manage getting the deals closed, Luc makes sure everything else then gets handled and evenly divided between them.

"Yes, we're done actually." My father says before rising from the chair across me.

Suddenly my ringing iPhone starts filling the room. Shit. "I thought I turned it off. Sorry." I mumble before looking at the display.

"Is it Rory?" My father asks. We're all sitting on hot stones right now. She might be in labour but God knows it might take another day until the girls are here.

I shake my head. "It's Char."

"Take the call. As I said, we're done here." My father says as Liam rises from the chair as well and walks over to Lucas. I watch the three Bolton men leave the room.

I take the call and for a moment there's silence. "Char?"

Suddenly, I can hear her shaky breath as she inhales deeply. She's crying.

"Char, what's wrong?" I ask her as my heart starts hurting for her. It better be nothing with the babies.

"I need..." she inhales deeply again, "I need you to come over."

"Sure. Kensington?"

"Clarence House." She says before hanging up.

I stare at my iPhone for a moment before rushing out of the conference room. Clarence House means it probably has nothing to do with the babies. Clarence House is the home of Char's grandparents. The King and Queen.

Twenty minutes later I rush through the endless hallways that's Clarence House. There are a million turns and while I know Buckingham by heart although it's bigger, I got lost three times already running through Clarence House. It's a freaking maze of old oil paintings from precious monarchs, empty drawing rooms, endless transom windows and this freaking red carpet that's everywhere!

I stop at a door that should belong to the white drawing room and open it. I spot Charlotte standing in the middle of the room, in front of a row of transom windows that face the backyard. She's dressed in a white dress and has a tiara on her head. It's not the wedding dress she has designed and neither is the tiara that's sitting on the top of her head.

This bride doesn't look like Princess Charlotte of Wales at all. She looks like Princess Margaret.

"Char,"

She turns around at my voice and I can see how her mascara left lines on her cheeks from the tears she cried. "Close the door."

I close the door and rush over to her. "What's this?"

"The King requested a meeting with me this morning. He wanted to see my wedding dress and the tiara I wanted to wear with it."

"But this is not your dress." I mumble as I look down. She's wearing an A-cut wedding gown in ivory with long sleeves and a v-cut neckline. The skirt is made of organza while the top part is made of silk. "Turn around." I demand and she turns around. The only piece of skin you can see is the back that was originally low-cut but now there's floral lace covering it. I notice the flowers of the lace are all flowers of the U.K.

This dress is as far away from her designed wedding dress as possible.

"That's the King's order." She says before turning around again.

I look up, "I'm sorry?"

"This dress is to be my ceremony dress. He didn't approve of my original one. Instead, he had his sewers make me this dress in total secret!"

"Charlotte,"

"Wait, it doesn't stop there. Do you see that thing on top of my head? It's not the Cartier halo tiara. Instead this is the Spencer tiara. The one my grandmother, Princess Diana, wore on her wedding day! He said it's this one or none at all because I'm a blue blooded, a royal of birth and so was my grandmother. Not my mother. She got given the Cartier tiara because a tiara with more history would have been seen as inappropriate."

"I don't-"

"No, that's still not all." She interrupts me. "Apparently, this is my way of showing respect to the monarch and crown. It is my duty to represent the firm as best as possible and this is the only way that will ensure that."

"Is he nuts?!" I ask her shocked.

"Shh!" Charlotte admonishes me. "Eyes and ears." She reminds me.

Right. The walls have eyes and ears here. "What has gotten into him?"

"He found my other dress too modern. And the cape is a break of tradition apparently. He even dictated the flowers of my bouquet. I'm surprised he still allows me to walk in the shoes I chose."

I sigh, "Is it worth it? All this stress for the possibility of getting a title?"

She looks down her body. The dress is loose around her hips and chest but I guess it will get adjusted a few days before the wedding. "He wanted me to look like Princess Margaret on her wedding day."

"Well, he definitely achieved that!" I say with a chuckle. She does look like Princess Margret on her wedding day. "The press is going to rip you apart for it. Or praise you because you go back to tradition. There's no in between."

Charlotte meets my gaze. "I hate it." She whispers before wrapping her arms around me.

I embrace her tightly. "Char, I know... Did you talk to your Mum about it?"

"No, she's just going to get all Mama-bear like and start a riot with grandpa."

"I assume your Dad has no idea either."

She shakes her head, "I'm a big girl. I can handle an asshole sitting on the throne myself."

I laugh at her choice of words. "Eyes and ears."

"I don't care if he knows. He can try to sabotage this wedding as much as he wants but I will marry your brother on the second of June."

"Charlotte, you know your grandpa has nothing against Nate per se. It's the situation you're in that's worrying him."

"I'm not killing our babies! I told him that."

"And what did he say?"

She gestures down herself. "He handed me this. Called it my royal duty."

I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose. "And you're willing to make the sacrifice?"

She shrugs. "He said I could wear whatever dress I want for my reception."

"But you love the other two dresses."

"I know... Gosh, I love the cape with all the sparkling details! And the dress! It felt so right... so me! Whereas this feels like another costume I have to wear as a Royal."

"I know I'm repeating myself, but is this really worth it?"

She stares out of the white transom windows for forever.

"Charlotte?"

She looks at me and shakes her head. "Yes." She says loudly hearable for the many ears that live within the walls of Clarence House. "I think your iPhone is ringing."

I frown but get the hint a second later. I get my iPhone out of my black Chanel purse. I unlock the screen and hand it to her.

She starts typing like a maniac before eventually handing it back to me.

I look at the screen. 'Meet me at the guest house this evening. We'll make a game plan. Bring Oliver. Nate's out with George tonight.' I frown at her message. "Why do you need Oliver?" He won't like this. This weekend was supposed to be us in our pyjamas at home. I promised him that and instead he's going to get dragged into this royal drama.

"He's our guinea pig."

After a long day at work, the doors of the lift finally open and I can finally slip off those black Dior stilettos. They're beautiful but painful as hell. I put my heels next to Oliver's sneakers on the mat. I can't remember the last time I took my shoes off and they were left lonely. His shoes give mine the perfect company.

I shake my head at the absurdity of my thoughts. My shoes don't have feelings. They're bloody shoes! As I walk down the hardwood hallway, the smell of cooking food fills my nostrils. The sun has already started to set, so a beautiful red and pink lightning fills my living area through the window front. I love watching the sun setting over the Thames. It's why I made sure I have a 360 degree view over London. It hardly gets any better than this.

My gaze moves from the floor to ceiling window front through the dining area until it stops in the kitchen. Oliver's facing me with his back as he's doing the dishes in the sink. The oven is on, so he has to be baking something then. His dirty blonde hair is messy and he's dressed in a black shirt as well as grey joggers. I should have called him and told him about our meeting with Char. He cooked for nothing.

I sigh and walk over to the kitchen island. "Hi." I greet him as I walk around the island and embrace him from behind. It feels so good to have him this close again and inhale his scent.

"Hi." He greets me back with a smile on his lips.

I get on my toes, place my chin on his right shoulder and watch him rinse the dishes, "You know, there's a dishwasher for a reason..."

"I like doing the dishes. It's therapeutic."

I give up trying to convince him that a little luxury, like a dishwasher, is not going to make him a bad person. He hardly accepted the clothes I bought him, so using the luxury of a dishwasher - let alone the gym, cinema or pool downstairs - is something he probably will never get used to. "What's in the oven?"

"Lasagna. Luigi's recipe." He says as he puts the cutlery and dishes on a kitchen towel next to the sink. "I thought we could have something other than breakfast options."

We didn't even go through our plan for a week. Turns out eating breakfast all day every day is much harder than we thought. There are very successful breakfast-only restaurants in Tel Aviv and Berlin that are open 24 hours but it's nothing for us. I missed salads and pizzas and pastas... and generally just cooked veggies. Omelettes didn't do it for us either any longer. "I'm glad. I think we should keep those breakfast ideas for our weekends and eat normally throughout the week."

He nods, "I missed salads and stuff."

"Me, too." I say as he washes his hands. He dries them with another kitchen towel before turning around in my embrace. "How was your day?"

He shrugs, "Hectic as always."

His pine green eyes slowly lighten into a sea foam colour. It's the most beautiful shade of green I've ever seen. "You didn't run into my parents?"

"No, were they at Luigi's today?" He runs his hands up my arms and I get goosebumps all over.

I shrug, "They had lunch somewhere outside the office. I thought they went there but I guess I was wrong."

"How was your day?"

I think of Charlotte and her wedding dress disaster. "Is that lasagna big enough for three people?"

He frowns, "Why?"

"I met Char today. Wedding crises. She asked us to come over tonight."

"Us?" His sea foam coloured eyes are wide in surprise.

I nod, "Nate's out with George tonight, so we have the house for ourselves."

"We'll go to Kensington Palace?"

I shake my head, "No. Char and Nate live in the guesthouse on my sister's grounds."

"Ana?"

"Della."

"So, I'll meet her and her husband Wlad then?"

"No. We'll use the back entrance. The guesthouse is almost a kilometre away from the main house so they won't know we're there. But maybe we'll meet Lily and Luna, their cats."

"But they are living in London, right?"

I nod, "Hanover street with private access to Regent's Park. We'll use that door to get inside."

"So, we'll sneak in?"

"Sort of."

His eyes move down my body, "Do you want to change before we go?"

I nod, this grey shift dress is too strict for hanging out with my best friend. "Jeans and a sweater should be fine. I suggest you change into that as well."

He smiles at me, "What, so you're saying Charlotte won't be stunned by my outfit?"

I chuckle, "When's the lasagna done?"

"Ten minutes."

"Perfect." I say before letting go. "Because I need to wash off all of that makeup as well." I mumble before turning on my heel.

"I like you like that."

I turn around at Oliver's comment, "Like what?"

"That dress... the high heels. They suite you very well."

"Don't get used to it. I only wear that when I have to." I'm wearing more casual clothes to work now anyway. Since I'm constantly walking around London, sneakers are a better option for my feet.

He nods, "I know. But I like you without all that jazz even more."

"All that jazz?"

"Yeah, without the makeup, in jeans and a shirt or in lounger wear. I like the core. More than I like the many masks you wear."

I inhale sharply. We didn't talk about what happened on Sunday again. He refuses to tell me his secret and I stopped pushing him. Maybe he finally realised this thing between us is temporary. "I see. Good thing, you see that Josephine more often then."

Oliver

Twenty minutes later, Josephine and I walk through a dark park known as Regent's Park. We pass several dog owners who are out with their furry friends, but to my surprise none of them recognise Josephine. Maybe because she's wearing her beloved navy cap again. She even made me wear a black one as well. With quick pace, she rushes through the park. We've been walking through it for good ten minutes already. Josephine even called us a cabbie, instead of using one of her five cars.

It's all very secretive but I guess you have to be when your family includes Royals.

"How much longer?" I ask her, holding the lasagna that I made. I've wrapped foil around it and placed it in a thermo bag. Hopefully it's still warm when we arrive. Josephine is carrying a bag with a classic Italian salad. My mother always taught me to bring something whenever you're a guest somewhere.

"Almost there..." she mumbles.

The park looks so different when it's dark, but Josephine isn't scared to run around like a maniac with her bag. I think Josephine isn't afraid of anything.

Well anything except for spiders, snakes and scorpions. But definitely not the dark.

Suddenly, she stops in front of an iron wrought door that's almost covered completely in ivory. Never in the world would I have guessed that this is an entry to a property. It's very well hidden.

She places her hand on the doorknob and twists it. To my surprise it's not even locked. I frown but follow her through the door before closing it behind us. I turn around again and notice the second, heavier door with a code display. There are cameras in the corners and a fence that's about ten metres high with barb wire on top. Somehow, I think there's probably electricity running through it as well.

Josephine types in a code combination before bending her knees. Suddenly a scanner starts scanning her eyes. After it's done, she places her hand next to her doorknob on a silver plate. Another scanner appears to be scanning her right hand. I know this should surprise me, but somehow I expected something like this. After finding that secret room in her closet, nothing surprises me anymore.

The door opens with a buzzing sound and Josephine holds it open for me. I walk through the door and feel like I've entered a whole new world. Out there it was dark and spooky, but this here is so beautiful! There are LED lights coating a stone path in warm soft lighting. The grass is definitely greener on the other side, that's for sure. For a moment, I even think I'm dreaming. How can anyone call a place like this home?

Suddenly, a purring sound starts filling my ears and something touches my calves. I look down and see two white Persian cats who are both wrapping their tales around my legs. Lily and Luna.

"Hi, guys!" Josephine greets them with a smile before putting down her bag and lifting one of the cats. She runs her long fingers through the even longer white fur of the cat with green eyes. "That's Luna." She introduces us. "Luna, this is Oliver."

The cat purrs even heavier now. I allow her to sniff my fingers and to my surprise she starts rubbing her face along my fingers. It's a beautiful cat.

Suddenly, a meow comes from the ground. I look down. I totally forgot about the other cat. I bend down and allow her to smell my fingers as well before carefully fondling her. She has such fluffy fur! It's so long and white and stunningly beautiful!

"This is Lily." Josephine explains to me as I still fondle her. Unlike her sister, Lily has bright grey eyes. I've never seen a cat with grey eyes.

"They're so beautiful..." I mumble and Josephine lets Lily down. "How old are they?"

"Seven." Josephine answers and suddenly Luna lays down on her stomach, so I can fondle her there. Josephine chuckles, "You're lucky, they like you."

"How can anyone not fall in love with them?" I ask her with a grin on my lips. Lily and Luna are so cute! They're like furry family members!

Another chuckle comes from Josephine, "Come on, cat lover. We're here for Char, not them."

It takes everything in me to stop fondling Luna. Her green eyes are so bright and mesmerising. "I can't believe you haven't gotten cats yourself, yet. Those two are adorable!" I tell her as I follow Josephine down the illuminated stone path. We pass several tress in different sizes. There are flower beds everywhere. "How big is this place?" I ask her shocked. Old oak trees, dogwood trees, tulip trees, lots of saucer magnolias, sugar maples and red oak trees, weeping cherry and eastern redbud trees at the lake, lavender and rose bushes come into my view as I follow Josephine down the path. People praise Highgrove House and Buckingham Palace for their stunning gardens, but really that's nothing compared to Adaline and Wladimir's oasis. It's so stunning that not even Regent's Park outside these gates can compare.

"About two hectares. Give or take a few metres." Josephine says with a shrug.

"You're kidding right?!" This place must be worth millions! It's a freaking gem! I mean, there are even apple, pear, cherry, peaches, orange, lime and lemon trees! It looks like a botanical and flower garden combined with the charming old trees and the smell of growing citrus fruits.

Josephine shakes her head and we stop at the white stucco two story guesthouse. Most people would call this an actual house as it's big enough for a five headed family, but for people like Josephine it is considered a guesthouse - or a home for the staff. There's a wrap around terrace and white transom windows. The front door is black and wooden. It's a beautiful house!

"That's only the guesthouse? How big is the main house?"

"Bigger." Josephine walks over to the wooden door and knocks quickly three times before opening the door. It's unlocked, probably because they know no one will come in here. "We're here!" She yells into the house.

I try to remember every single detail of the facade of this house. It's such a dream house! For a moment, I can imagine Josephine and me living in this house with four kids, two cats and more love than we can handle. I can even hear the childish laughter, see her gorgeous smile and feel the fluffy fur of the cats.

"Hi! Come in!" Charlotte's voice rips me out of my daydreams. "Oliver, thanks for coming."

I wince and look down. Lily and Luna have wrapped their tails around my legs again.

"I see you've already made friends with the pets." Charlotte giggles before walking over to me.

I don't know whom I should give my attention to: Charlotte, Josephine or the cats. It's overwhelming.

But then Charlotte embraces me. She embraces me. Princess Charlotte of Wales has her arms wrapped around me! "Do I smell food?" She asks before letting go of me.

"Lasagna." I answer and lift the bag.

"I've got the salad!" Josephine screams from inside the house.

"He's got lasagna. I love him more than you!" Charlotte screams back before ripping the bag out of my hand. "You can pick up Lily or Luna. They seem as obsessed with you as Jo."

"I heard you!" Josephine screams back as I bend down and pick up Lily.

"That makes it even more true!" Charlotte hisses and I follow her into the house with Lily in my arms and another fluffy fur ball behind me. As soon as I walk into the house, I get greeted by modern furniture with a few decorative items. Unlike Charlotte's childhood home, Apartment 1A in Kensington Palace's grounds, it's not full of rare, antique items. The inside of the house is chic in a country style but with a kind of luxury most people can't afford - after all, we're at the top end of the upper class. Only the finest materials have been used to make this guesthouse a sanctuary for Josephine's brother and his Royal fiancée. "Wow, it's a pretty house. "

"It's not mine but I take the compliment anyway. " Charlotte says with a shrug before walking away from Josephine and me.

"You're the cat whisperer, do you know that?" Josephine asks me as she takes Lily from me. The white Persian cats protests with a loud meow. "Easy, I'm not stealing him from you." She says to Lily before fondling her underneath her chin. The cat starts purring again with ease.

I slip off my shoes and take off my jacket before hanging it next to Josephine's. Then I walk into the living room. There's a chimney across two beige sofas. Built-in bookshelves are on either side of the white marbled chimney. They're filled with books and other decorative items such as a globe and a fake bright orange coral. A large mirror with golden rims is hanging above the chimney. The mantelpiece is filled with framed photos. There are photos of Nate and Charlotte or all five of them during the years. There are photos from their time at Le Rosey and Oxford University but also photos from Charlotte's engagement party at Clarence House - the official and the non-official ones - as well as photos taken during the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Oxford last year.

I didn't really realise how long they've known each other since now. They've spent over ten years together and they're as thick as thieves. No wonder four of them end up being married to one another. It's an organic process that comes when best friends turn into lovers.

I stop at a photo of Charlotte and Josephine in their teenage years. They're sitting on two brown horses. Behind them is Balmoral Castle. They're wearing riding attire and grin from ear to ear. The world has no idea how close they all really are. They were already family before signing those marriage licenses.

"That's a nice one. We went horseback riding with the Queen that day. One of her staff took the photo." Josephine explains.

I look at her. "You went horseback riding with Queen Elizabeth?"

But Josephine only nods. "Rory and George played tennis that day. Char, her and me rode through the Scottish highlands. It was a very sunny day as it was mid July, during our holidays from Le Rosey."

She's talking about the dead Queen as if she's no more than some grandma to her best friend, when she really ruled 52 commonwealth countries. "You went riding with the Queen of England."

Josephine chuckles, "You know, technically I went riding with the current Queen and the future Queen while the other future Queen was playing tennis with the future King." She teases me with a grin on her lips.

I shake my head in disbelief. It still overwhelms me when I actually get a grip on her tight connection to the Royals. She might not have a title but that doesn't mean she has less power. It's mind-blowing. Truly mind-blowing.

"Come on, you two! Dinner's served!" Charlotte cries from a room nearby.

"And Rory hasn't given birth yet?"

"No. Can you believe it? Her doctor Sophie has started to express he wish to induce Rory more frequently now but Rory being her stubborn self refuses. She wants it to happen naturally and on their behalf not chemically forced." She explains as we walk into the kitchen. It has a black and white checked floor, white marble countertops on the white country styled cupboards. There's even a Norwalk Juicer that Luigi has in his café as well. It doesn't look royally. It doesn't look like even a millionaire is living here. It almost looks like upper middle-class.

Charlotte is sitting at a round white marble table. Five red velvet chairs are standing around it. It's a kind of pop of colour that instantly modernises this room. The lasagna has been already cut and put on the three plates. The salad with black olives and mixed greens has been transformed into a big wooden ball. Three glasses have been filled with water. I'm surprised there's no white wine for Josephine on the table.

"Sit down and eat." Charlotte demands and Josephine sits down next to her.

I chuckle before joining her and Josephine at the table. "Thanks for the invite."

"Yeah, about that... you're kind of here for a reason." Charlotte says before digging into her lasagna.

I look at Josephine. "You tricked me?"

Josephine shakes her head. "Honestly, I have no idea what her plan is. She just wanted you and me here." She tells me before looking back at Charlotte. "Char?"

I look at Charlotte and see how her navy eyes are filled with moisture. "Everything alright?"

She sniffs before waving her hand. "Hormones." She explains.

Josephine chuckles, "I don't understand."

"The lasagna is just too good!"

"It's Luigi's recipe." I explain with a smile.

She nods before taking a sip of her water. "It is very delicious. You're a very good cook."

""No, I just know how to follow instructions."

"You are a good cook." Josephine says. "Trust me, I know. I've seen you make a mess in my kitchen and cleaning up with while summing 'walking on sunshine'."

"I don't-"

"Oh yeah you do." Josephine interrupts me. "I've heard you summing that song all week."

"You spied on me?"

"No... I just stared at you like you allowed me to." She says with a wink.

I chuckle before looking back at Charlotte. She shows me a smirk I can't really interpret. "Why am I here?"

"Well, you obviously know about the upcoming wedding and the bun in the oven."

"I figured the last part during our movie night."

"What I want you to do is play the unknown folks."

My mouth drops open, "I'm sorry? You want to fool the Brits on your wedding day? You can't hide a pregnancy!"

"I told you this was a crazy idea." Josephine says to Charlotte.

She waves her hand. "Nothing's too crazy with enough planning."

I have a feeling this is not the first time the Royals fooled their folks. "Okay. I'm in. What do I have to do?"

Charlotte looks at Josephine, "I thought about a compromise."

"Considering what?"

"The dress situation."

Josephine stops eating and leans back. "I'm listening."

"My dress and the Spencer tiara."

"Could work." Josephine shrugs.

"But he won't find out until I walk down the aisle."

"That's not smart."

"It's the only chance I have."

"I'm sorry but where do I come in as the British folk?" I ask them.

"Spencer tiara. Does that ring a bell?" Charlotte asks me.

I nod, "The one your dead grandma wore to her wedding."

"You think this will be enough to distract the Brits from the other secret?"

I shrug, "The press would write about the tiara. People would be reminded of her all over again. It could certainly work."

"What about the Cartier tiara?" Josephine asks me.

"I'm sorry, that doesn't ring a bell."

"It's the one my Mum wore on her wedding day."

I remember the time when I used to work at the souvenir shop. People buy mugs with them all the time. "Ah, yes. No, that wouldn't make as big of a wave as the Spencer tiara. Personally, I'd say stick to that if you really want to keep the focus off your mid-section."

Charlotte nods, "What if I wear the Queen Mary Fringe tiara?"

"The one the Queen wore? No, that's not going to work." I answer without thinking.

"How do you know so much?" Josephine asks me confused.

"He used to work in a souvenir shop that sold stuff from us." Char explains. "You guys should talk more."

Josephine looks at me and I shrug as a response. "But the tiara would make you look like you're jealous of George and his position in the line of succession. It won't work in your favour."

"So, the Spencer tiara is the best choice?"

"Yes." Josephine and I answer out of one mouth.

"Great, then it's settled."

"That's all?" I ask her confused.

"Yeah, you said something about a master plan." Josephine tells her. "I don't see the master in the plan yet."

"You will on my wedding day." Charlotte says with a smirk before continuing to eat.

Josephine

She just wanted a reason to be able to get Oliver and me out of the house and into her house. I thought she had an actual plan but instead she's just planning to piss off the King and risk her Royal status altogether. This isn't even a plan. It's a royal death wish.

But Oliver seems to enjoy himself. Especially with the cats. Lily and Luna adore him! They don't want to leave his side ever since they met him.

I finish my camomile tea that we're having in the living room on the couch across the chimney. Charlotte and Oliver are chatting like old friends. They're even making jokes. I don't know if I like this. I've always kept the men I bed out of my personal life, far away from my family and friends. But Oliver... I guess, he takes things in his own hands. I can't even control him, he's doing whatever he wants no matter what I say or do.

He wants more. And I believe this is whatever he means with more.

"We should get going." I say after minutes of listening to Oliver's conversation with Charlotte. It's amazing how much common ground those two have, especially considering their very different backgrounds.

"Already?" She sounds disappointed.

"Char, it's already past midnight and I don't want to sleep over." I point out. Besides, Nate is going to come home soon anyway. I don't want his nose in this thing I have going on with Oliver. He has seen enough.

My best friend sighs, "Alright. I'll call you a cabbie."

"No, we can walk and call us one when we're out in public."

"You want to walk through Regent's Park?" She asks me shocked.

"I'm not afraid of the dark."

Charlotte looks at Oliver, "Keep her safe."

"I don't need a protector! I can protect myself!"

"Yeah and while you're doing that Oliver's going to make sure you're doing it correctly."

Oliver chuckles at her words but stops as soon as he sees my sinister look.

"We're leaving." I announce. I'm fed up with this bullshit. She's acting like she invited her best friend and boyfriend over. And that's not what this is.

"Again, thanks for the invite." Oliver smears honey around Charlotte's mouth as if she was my mother.

I rise from the couch and quickly walk over to the wardrobe. I get out my denim jacket and slip back into my sneakers. This is ridiculous. I shouldn't have brought Oliver in the first place.

I don't know why I agreed to this.

"Any time." Charlotte says with a genuine smile on her lips.

"Can you hurry up already?" I wave with my hands.

"It's the weekend. You need to calm down." Charlotte hisses at me and Oliver chuckles again. She embraces Oliver before he finally joins me and gets into his jacket and shoes.

"I'll see you whenever Rory have birth to her girls." I tell my best friend.

"Yeah, when do you think that's going to be?"

I shrug, "Sophie's already pressuring her to get induced so, who knows maybe today?"

"Maybe." Charlotte says with a shrug.

Suddenly my iPhone rings in my jacket. "That's Rory's ringtone." I mumble as I get it out. She wouldn't call me in the middle of the night unless something has happened. "Hi!" I greet her. "Is it time for me to come over?"

"No, not yet. I'm only at seven centimetres so it's going to take a few more hours. Sophie thinks I can start pushing at maybe around six or so. George will call you when it's time. Ana and Della are with me. I'm good."

"Okay. Did Mum and Dad get an update?"

"Yeah and I bet they're going crazy right now. Sorry if I woke you up by the way."

"Oh no, I'm at Char's. Wedding crises."

"Send her some love. I've got to go now."

"Okay... oh, and Rory?"

"Yes?"

"Are you still doing this Zen-shit?"

"Yeah, it surprisingly seems to work. I'm passed getting the epidural now anyway so it's going to be as natural as possible. Millions of women have done it before me. I'll be fine."

"You can do this." I promise her. "I love you, little sister."

"I love you, too." She says before hanging up.

I put my iPhone back in the pocket of my denim jacket. "But now we really should head home. I need to get my camera equipment ready so I can leave whenever George calls me."

Charlotte nods, "Of course. Keep me updated."

"I will." I promise her before embracing her tightly.

"You know that means next weekend is my hen party, right?" Char asks me before looking at Oliver. "She'll be gone for the whole weekend."

"How about Mykonos?"

"I thought we agreed on Mexico."

"That's a ten hour flight. We'd be loosing a lot of time."

"Not if you take Friday off, we flight Thursday evening and fly back on Sunday noon."

I sigh, "I'll see what I can do. But I can't promise anything. Mum and Dad will be with Rory, so they might want me to watch over the firm."

"Like they needed you to do that social project?!"

"Charlotte," I hiss at her.

"Alright fine. Call me when you know the details."

Oliver

I stare at the black suitcase that's standing across the bed. While Josephine's sleeping on my chest, I can't seem to find any sleep at all. As soon as we got home, Josephine packed her suitcase with all of her camera equipment before picking out an outfit that she wants to wear. The jeans, a black shirt and white sneakers are laying on the couch that's across the chimney. It's a simple outfit but I guess Josephine isn't the one who's going to face the press shortly after giving birth. We brushed our teeth side by side after taking a shower together. I love these moments the most. Just being with her on an everyday basis.

I don't know how Josephine can sleep so peacefully next to me. Really, I'm dying out of excitement here! I keep staring at the clock and at her iPhone over and over again but nothing happens. The Duke of Oxford hasn't called and it's already 4:35 in the morning! I had no ideas babies could take so long!

Suddenly, Josephine's iPhone starts ringing and vibrating on her nightstand. The display says George. I softly shake Josephine's shoulder, "George's calling."

She growls before reaching to her right and blindly searching for the ringing iPhone. "I'm coming." Josephine says into the iPhone before hanging up again. "I thought I'd be getting some more sleep. What time is it?"

"Half past four."

She growls before lifting herself off of me and climbing out of the bed. On her way to the couch across the chimney, she gets out of her navy pyjamas that have her initials stitched on it.

"Do you need anything else?"

She points at me without looking at me as she gets into her outfit. "That bed."

"You can get it back in a few hours."

Josephine sighs as she gets into her bra and shirt. "I have a feeling I'm going to be there for a while."

"I hope it all goes quickly now."

"She's been in labour for over 24 hours. It's about time my nieces get finally born." Josephine gets into her denim jacket while slipping into her sneakers. Then she pulls out the handle of the suitcase. "I don't think I'll get the chance to call you. So keep your iPhone on your nightstand and check the Royal website for the announcement. Although, I don't think they're going to announce it before seven anyway."

I nod as I watch her walking out of the bedroom with the suitcase next to her. I can hear the rolls rolling down the hallway until they stop. I'm already missing her in this bed but I refused to tell her. A simple confession like this could scare her as she's as timid as a fawn. Josephine doesn't open her heart easily but after 11 weeks I will own it.

It would be only fair since she owns mine.

Suddenly, I can hear her footsteps getting louder as she walks back. Did she forget something? I scan the surroundings but I think she got everything. "Did you forget something?" I ask her confused as she rushes back into the bedroom.

"Yes." She walks over to me and kisses me passionately. "Dream of me."

"Oh, I don't think I can go back to sleep after that kiss."

She grins, "Then I suggest you make me a bomb breakfast when I come home."

Josephine

I rush down the hallway of the Lindo Wing at St. Mary's hospital with my suitcase following me. The whole floor has been cleared out but there're about twenty security men standing at every exit, window front or elevator. It's kind of spooky. At the reception desk I passed five nurses and through the open door of the doctor's room I saw about twenty surgeons being on-call tonight. I guess, this birth is really historical.

I stop at the wooden door of room 500, the same room all Bolton children were born in. I don't doubt that Rory chose this room. I inhale deeply before opening the door.

I step into something lots of people would call Nirvana. It's a room with dimmed light, flickering LED candles, lit rose quartz lamps, open windows to let in the fresh air, twittering birds and ocean waves music, a hint of lavender is lingering in the air... this is definitely some real zen shit going on here.

I spot my pregnant sister bouncing on her pink pregnancy ball. She's leaning against her husband, whose fingers are massaging her back. I stare at the scene for a moment, unsure if I should announce my arrival or stay as quiet as a mouse.

The delivery bed looks untouched and I wonder briefly if Rory ever laid in it. Knowing her, she probably walked up and down the hallway a million times, took warm showers or bathed in the en-suite bathroom and bounced the shit out of her birthing ball. My sister's not one to stay quiet and wait for something to happen. She takes things into her own hands. She's definitely a Bolton.

This room is a suite that has the delivery room connected to the hospital room in which Rory will recover in afterwards. The recovery room is already decorated with fake pink peonies and three baby beds. Rory and George's conjugal Coat Of Arms is hanging above the bed. It definitely fits for the future Queens of England.

Rory lifts her head off of George's shoulder, "It's over."

"Hi. How are you?" I greet Rory as I walk over to her.

She grabs my right hand and squeeze it strongly. Her icy blue eyes are bloodshot and her chestnut hair is greasy and messy. She's exhausted.

I can feel her pain. I've always felt it. Because I'm her twin sister. No wonder she didn't want to call me in earlier. I would have sat in the corner and ball my eyes out from the pain. It hurts me to see her like this. "I know. You're nearly there. You're doing great." I promise her before looking at George. "Where are Della and Ana?"

"Rory kicked them out two hours ago. They kept saying it won't be long now. Rory exploded... called them liars and threw LED candles after them."

I chuckle, that's totally Rory.

"Because they are liars." Rory insists.

"The zen thing doesn't work anymore?"

Rory shakes her head. "I didn't get you before but now... now I bloody know why you don't want any kids. It hurts. It bloody hurts."

"You're not screaming though."

"I've been screaming for the last 35 hours. I'm done screaming. I don't have the energy anymore."

I look at George. Somehow, he doesn't look better than his wife. Right now, right here, they're just an ordinary couple that's about to become parents for the first time. There's no sign of the crown.

But there is a conjugal coat of arms hanging in the room next door.

Suddenly, the door swings open and I watch Sophie walking in. "Ready for a check-up?"

Rory nods before slowly rising from the birthing ball. "I pray that I can finally start pushing..." my sister mumbles before laying down on the bed.

I open my suitcase and get out my camera equipment while Rory gets examined. As I get my camera ready, I notice that the sun is about to start rising. It's the magic hour. The time when the lightning is the best. Ever.

"Okay, I think we're ready to push." Sophie says and I turn around.

"What? Really?" Rory asks amazed.

"Yes. You're fully dilated and I can already see the head of the first girl."

"Oh, thank god!" Rory says with a grin on her face.

"You came just in time." George says with a smirk that breaks millions of hearts.

I get the cap off of my lens, "Don't you want Della and Ana here?"

"Oh, they're right behind the door." Sophie says as she looks at the heart monitor that's right next to Rory. There's another machine beneath it. I think, it measures Rory's contractions.

"Shall I get them?" I ask them.

Rory shakes her head but George nods.

I decide to follow George. Rory wants them here. She's just in too much pain. I walk over to the door and open it. Ana and Della are standing behind it. They're both wearing bright pink scrubs and while it suits Ana, it doesn't really suit Della. I chuckle as I look at my oldest sister. "Pink's not your colour, Della." I say as Ana walks past me.

"I'm used to navy as well. But they didn't have that so pink it is." Della's chestnut curls are up in a ponytail. "I'm surprised she let us inside again."

"She didn't want you but I don't think she's reasonable right now."

"Good point." Della says before embracing me. "That camera is ready?"

I nod, "As ready as Rory."

"Okay, Rory, when you get the next contraction I want you to push as hard as you can." Sophie tells my little sister

Oliver

I pour milk foam into my mug as I make myself a cappuccino in the kitchen. I stare out of the window front. The sun is just about to start rising but I can't seem to go back to sleep. London is still asleep at this time but I know the streets around the Lindo Wing in Paddington are already filled with people as they wait for the happy news. They have no idea the birth of three princesses is imminent.

It's strange and cool to know that secret. I hope the birth goes smoothly and everyone stays healthy.

And I sort of hope it goes quickly because I'm missing Josephine so badly. I want her here with me.

Josephine

Watching my little sister giving birth to her three triplets girls was the most bizarre thing I ever saw in my whole life! She was exhausted but she kept pushing herself. Really, I have no idea where she found the strength but somehow she gave birth to all three of them. Alexandria, Eleanor and Grace were born at 5:24, 5:25 and 5:26 am, right in the synchronisation of the rising sun. The lightning was stunning and the moment all three laid on Rory's chest something magical happened. A rainbow covered Rory and the triplets like a blanket. It looked so unreal that I didn't believe it at first. But then I took a photo. And another one. And another one.

But they all had the same rainbow.

I guess sometimes life is just magical.

And Rory seems to have forgotten all the pain as soon as she felt them on her chest. It's very strange but I guess that's what motherhood does to you. I've never seen so much love being given to three tiny little humans - that are basically strangers to you - so quickly and so boundless. It was overwhelming. Truly overwhelming.

I imagine this is how Mummy and Daddy felt with each of us.

Still, I won't forget that pain so easily. It just proves to me that children are not on my bucket list.

"When will you announce the birth?" I ask my sister, who is feeding Grace while her sisters are still asleep. I guess that's now how it's going to be. An endless feeding and nappy changing feast. Once one child is done, the next one is already eagerly waiting.

"The King's waking up in thirty minutes. George will call him and inform him at around seven, during his breakfast. Then, shortly afterwards we can publish the news."

Of course. The King is always the first one to know and the last one to decide. "Do you want me to call Mum and Dad?"

"Oh, no. George already called them. I spoke to them as well."

I frown. How the hell did I miss that?! "When?"

"While you were chatting with Della and Ana in the hallway."

Right... I yawn and see how Rory instantly mirrors me. "I think we should both catch up on sleep. You more than me."

She nods, "When Grace is fed."

"You won't be mad if I leave?"

"No. Mum and Dad are coming in this noon before I want to face the press. At around three, I think."

"You want me here?"

She nods. "I'd like you to make some behind the scenes photos that we can later upload on our Instagram."

"I'll be here." I promise her before rising from my chair. I can't wait to get home. "Do you need anything else?"

Rory shakes her head. "No, I'm good. George's getting food for me and then he's going to take over changing the nappies."

I walk over to her and kiss her forehead. "You were amazing. I'm so proud of you."

My little sister smiles at me. "Did I change your mind about the two Ms?"

I look at Alexandria and Eleanor who are sleeping in one baby bed before looking at Grace whose lips are latched on her mother's right nipple. They are cute and it was surreal to witness what a woman's body is capable of... but children? Me? "No, I don't think anyone can change my mind. Not even three princesses."

"We'll see. The future is full of surprises, just like Char said."

Oliver

I put the last poached egg on the avocado toast before putting a dollop of sauce hollandaise on top. I made four slices of toast, two for each of us. As a side I cut oranges, strawberries and blueberries while watching the news on the telly in the living room. I made everything from scratch as I seem to have time to kill anyways. It's already seven in the morning, but she's still not back. The news haven't said anything about the royals as well.

Just as I slice into one of my two avocado toasts, I can hear how the doors of the lift open with a ping. I can hear how the suitcase rolls out of the lift and how she slips off her sneakers before her light foot taps fill my ears. A moment later, the most beautiful woman on earth comes into my view, wearing a pair of jeans and a simple black shirt. She's barefoot, so I can see her dark red painted nails. Her long chestnut waves are open and glossy. But her stunning sky blue eyes are a bit bloodshot and look tired.

"Hi." I greet her with the same smile on my lips that showed everyone but her that I'm in love with Josephine.

Without a respond, she walks through the large living area, passing the sofa, the dinning table and kitchen island. As she reaches me, she wraps her long toned arms around my torso. "They're here." She mumbles into my chest. Her sweet scent fills my nostrils.

My heart goes haywire in my chest. She has never just hugged me for the purpose of being close to me. "I made you breakfast. Avocado toast with poached eggs and sauce hollandaise."

"I'm too tired to eat. Frankly, I'm too tired to walk to the bedroom." She mumbles again.

I embrace her, "Put your feet on mine."

"What?"

"Place your feet on mine." I demand. If she can't walk, then I'll walk for her. There's nothing I wouldn't do for her.

To my surprise she listens to me.

"Good. Hold tight." I say before starting to walk. She feels like a feather. As we walk through the living area, she suddenly starts giggling. It's music in my ears.

"The last time I did this, was when I was six. I used to do it with my Daddy all the time. This feels like going back in time." She mumbles before looking up. Her sky blue eyes are filled with gratitude and something that looks a lot like love, although she won't admit it.

I stop walking at this gaze because my heart is going haywire again. I can't focus when she looks at me like this.

Suddenly, she pulls me into a passionate kiss. For minutes, our tongues dance a rumba until she pulls apart first.

"And now, breaking news fresh from Clarence House: The Duchess of Oxford has been delivered of three baby girls! Clarence House, Kensington Palace and Windsor Castle published the announcement all at the same time, with the same words." The female voice of a news reporter fills my ears.

I turn around and look at the blonde British reporter of BBC.

"The Duchess of Oxford as been delivered of three daughters. Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Oxford was safely delivered of three daughters at 5.24am; 5:26 am and 5:27am on 9th May of 2048. The babies weigh 4lbs 8oz; 4lbs 6oz and 4lbs 7oz. The Duke of Oxford was present for the birth. The King and the Queen, The Prince and Princess of Wales and members of both families have been informed and are very delighted with the news. Her Royal Highness and her children are doing incredibly well and will leave the hospital in due course. The medical staff present were Dr. Sophie Robins, Surgeon-Gynaecologist, Dr. Sunit Godambe, Consultant Neonatologist from St. Mary's Hospital and Dame Dr. Adaline Bolton, Neurologist, Cardiologist and Reconstructive Surgeon as well as Princess Dr. Anastasia of Romanov (GCVO), Paediatrician from the Lister Hospital. The names of the babies will be announced in due course. The babies are the third, fourth and fifth in the line of succession after His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and His Royal Highness The Duke of Oxford. They are styled Her Royal Highness Princess [name] of Oxford. A formal notice of the birth will be posted on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace." She reads from the prompter. "Wow, well that's just a wicked surprise! No one expected baby Oxford to be a triplet Oxford! Actually, the bets were high on a boy, but I think no one guessed for triplets! Let's talk to our correspondent, Lucy, that's standing right in front of the Lindo Wing." The blonde woman says before the screen changes to a brunette standing in front of the red bricked building that is the Lindo Wing of St. Mary's hospital.

"Thank you, Amanda." Lucy says over the loud cheers and the many champagne bottles that are getting opened. "I am standing right in front of the Lindo Wing of St. Mary's hospital in London. The Lindo Wing, the private wing of the hospital where the Duke and Duchess of Oxford have been since the early morning of May 8th. I am joined by Peter Philips, a royal correspondent." The camera swings over to an old man. "Peter, what can you tell us about the new princesses?"

"The Princesses will be the first Princesses of Oxford, as the title has been created for the Duke and Duchess by His Majesty the King. It is also clear that the heirs are now girls, or later on women, which means after the Duke of Oxford, there will be another Queen sitting on the throne. Next, we can expect for the formal notice of the birth being posted on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. We might be all living in the 21st century, but some traditions have to be followed. That again, will confirm what we already know: the sexes, the time of birth and the weight. No names have been announced yet, but that is to be expected. We won't know the names until a few days have passed. Given the surprise of three girls, I think the parents would like to have a moment and really think how they want to name the future Queens of England."

"This is, indeed a surprise that we all didn't see coming! But it does explain the rather big baby bump the Duchess was seen carrying around, as well as the early maternity leave and paternity leave of Lorelai and George! People around me are celebrating, cheering and drinking lots of champagne on this gorgeous sunny May morning. We are now waiting for the famous photo call in front of the steps of the Lindo Wing, but given the princesses - princesses, I still can't believe I have to talk in plural now - are just a little over half an hour old, we expect that to happen in the very late afternoon or early evening." Lucy says.

"Or even tomorrow morning." Peter Philips says to her. "Just remember, the Princess of Wales spent one whole day at the Lindo Wing after giving birth to the Duke of Oxford, before emerging on the steps of the Lindo Wing. Frankly, with three babies instead of one, I think we all could give the Duchess a day off."

"All eyes are now on this front door behind us as the world's media waits for the first public family outing. Congratulatory messages are already flooding in from around the world to mark this historic birth of the Duke and Duchess's three daughters. The princesses have arrived just in synchronisation of the rising sun, which must've been the best greeting ever! Furthermore, we expect the Duchess's parents, Troy and Gabriella Bolton, to arrive and congratulate the couple as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales."

Suddenly, the door behind them swings open and a man in a suite walks out, holding a frame. "Oh, here we go. The statement is now being brought from the Lindo Wing to Buckingham Palace." Peters Philips says as the man in the suite climbs into a back Rolls-Royce that has a flag with the Duke and Duchess of Oxford's conjugal Coat of Arms, waving on top. Whenever a car drives around with that sort of a flag, you know it screams Royals.

"And while the statement is being driven from us to you, Amanda, it is time to catch up on some much needed sleep for all of us or get the party started with more champagne! George and Lorelai have given us three good reasons to celebrate all week long! It's a wonderful, uplifting moment for the country. It's all very, very excited and we can't wait for the couple to present us their little princesses! Given the announcement of the Duchess going into labour, we recon she's been in the Lindo Wing for over 24 hours. Talk about a long birth! But now, the country has three new heirs, who are the third, fourth and fifth in line to the throne after their proud father."

"Thank you, Lucy." The blonde news reporter says after the scene has changed again. "And we've got the first words from the proud parents to be! The Duke and Duchess of Oxford couldn't be happier and are very excited, says Royal correspondent Amal Pearson on twitter. Congratulations from the BBC News, on the birth of three new princesses!"

I look back at Josephine, "It's out."

"It's out." She echoes me. "And now bring me back to bed. I'm dog tired. You can see the photos after when I'm having breakfast. I have to get back and be there at three again."

"They want to go home today?" I ask her shocked.

Josephine nods, "They want to get it over with."

"Like tipping off a plaster? Isn't she still recovering from birth?"

"Yeah, but she can do that at Frogmore with Mum and Dad as well. She'll have doctors on call anyway and if it's urgent, don't forget George and Rory are doctors as well."

True, sometimes I forget that the future King and Queen of England are doctors. "Do you know the names yet?"

She nods, "I do."

"Can you tell me?"

She licks her lips, "Alexandria Elizabeth Diana Louise, Eleanor Madeleine Olivia Gabriella and Grace Valentina Marie Catherine."

"Wow, that are many names."

"Yeah, but they'll be known as Princess Alexandria of Oxford, Princess Eleanor of Oxford and Princess Grace of Oxford." She says with a shrug. "But we'll call them Alex, Leni and Grace."

I'm still amazed that blue blooded are seen as normal people by Josephine. I mean, sure they are - especially, since I met Char and got closer to her - but they are also Royals. And they will always be Royals first. It's their birth right - and burden.

"They're very beautiful names. And she honoured both grandmothers."

Josephine nods, "I think Rory and George chose very well."

Thank you for taking the time to read this chapter. I hope you enjoyed!

So, Rory gave birth to the triplets, which means we're almost on the same time period as A Million Times More! Which means, A Million Times More is going to get a new chapter soon.

The next chapter will cover Char's hen party and perhaps even her wedding to Nate, with of course an appearance of Edward Rothschild. As I haven't written anything yet, it could take me a while to upload again.

What do you think of the wedding dress crises? What's Charlotte going to wear?

As always, please be so kind and leave a review.

In gratitude,

Nicole