Chapter One
Date: January 1, 2026
Snow cascaded outside the window, creating a winter wonderland of London. Instead of Alex's annual New Year's party, the same party he had thrown each year since his mom was elected president, including post-White House life. This year, Henry and Alex chose a second wedding ceremony; they had already had a private, intimate ceremony at their lake house in Texas a year ago. The press considered this ceremony to be the event of the year. Neither could decide on a more perfect for their public ceremony than when they first came together.
Although Alex did not want a second ceremony, he had loved their first ceremony. Henry, on the other hand, as much as he equally loved their first ceremony. Henry continued to have this itching feeling of wanting a wedding similar to his parents; even though Henry had given up his HRH title and abdication from the British line of succession, a piece of him wished for a wedding ceremony like theirs. The wedding ceremony he had dreamed of since he was a child. Although Henry did not want to be a royal, a piece of him still wanted the beautiful ceremony in Westminster Abbey with the carriages and the reception at Buckingham Palace. He could not fully explain why he wanted this type of ceremony besides it being like his parents. He knew he wanted it.
A dream he never thought would happen because of his sexuality and certainly with being an abdicated royal, but with the death of King James III, who died of lung cancer shortly after their first wedding ceremony, crowning Henry's mother, Catherine, as queen. She approved their ceremony, which gave her and the royal family a lot of praise for accepting Henry for who he was.
Catherine adored her children, but she did not always have the warmest mothering type as Ellen was. After the passing of Arthur, she disappeared into a shell, putting her focus on charity work instead of her family. As queen, her stress was even less on her children and more on the people. Alex and Henry were unsure if she approved of the ceremony, even against Parliament fighting her. She was the one who pushed for her parents and her eldest son, Philip, to accept their relationship after the press revealed their relationship to the public. However, it was still undecided whether Catherine wanted to show her respect in their relationship by allowing this traditional royal wedding or if this was another way for her to gain more support towards her reigning queen or a mix of both. Regardless, she got the approval from everyone to allow the ceremony to take place, which made Henry happy.
Alex stood watching the snow as he sipped on his coffee; he had this nervous butterfly feeling, not that the coffee was helping to control his nerves. He had finished law school two years prior, and together, they had purchased a house on the LBJ Lake next to his dad's house. They had their brownstone still in New York City and lived in Henry's old rooms in Kensington when they visited, but they wanted a home in Austin that would be their primary residence. A home they would grow and develop a family in. A home away from the prying eyes of the cameras and fans of theirs. They appreciated the love and support their relationship received and the political endeavors they had accomplished. Still, they hoped to receive more privacy when they entered this new chapter of their lives.
The television played in the background of the BBC discussing their wedding; Alex caught the reflection of their engagement photo appearing on the screen through the window. He turned to face it as the broadcaster spoke.
THE WEDDING OF
MISTER HENRY HANOVER-STUART-FOX
AND MISTER ALEXANDER CLAREMONT-DIAZ.
As he listened to the broadcaster on the television speak, there was a knock on the door, "Come in," he said.
June and Nora entered the room, glancing at the television as they did, "About ready?"
Alex let out a deep breath before turning to face them fully. They wore dresses in royal blue. Their dresses were uniformed for the sake of tradition, which was a request of Queen Mary. As much as the couple both wanted their wedding party's clothing to be more custom to the individual, they agreed on a compromise of having two dresses. Classic, traditional suits and dresses for the ceremony, then change for the reception.
"I am already married. It is just a show that is costing way too much money."
"Perhaps, but —" Nora smiled softly at him, " — you look amazing."
"You both look amazing," he breathed as he crossed over to a mirror, setting his coffee cup on the dresser as he straightened his tie, "I have never been more sure about anything."
June approached her brother; her warm hand touched his hand in comfort, and he looked down at her hand, then at her through the mirror's reflection. Her smile was warm and comforting. "There's no need to worry, Alex," she spoke gently. "This is about you and Henry. Screw everything else. You and him celebrating your love, that's all that matters."
He took another deep breath, "This day is about us. Today, we make history. You can marry whoever you want and be who you are without feeling ashamed."
He stared at his reflection in the mirror. He wore a black tuxedo with silk lapels and a royal blue waistcoat underneath, paired with a matching tie and white shirt. His pants were looser than Alex had hoped, but Queen Mary refused to make them tighter than they already were because it went against royal protocol. Typically, Alex would not have allowed this type of push, but at the end of the day, it was a minor detail because he still got to marry Henry. Plus, he still looked great even if his pants were not tight.
"You look hot," Nora grinned at him as she clicked off the television.
"Why, thank you," Alex wiggled his eyebrows at her. "That was the whole point, you know."
The palace stylist had carefully styled his dark curls earlier, but he desperately wanted to ruffle them up, making them loose. Alex knew messing them up now would surely win him someone's disgust. This disgust included Henry, who loved his loose curls but had requested that Alex wear his hair in a royal wedding protocol. It had been Henry's dream to have a wedding like his parents; this meant everyone had to dress for protocol, much to Alex's dismay.
"Where's Mom?" he asked, turning away from the mirror to look at June and Nora.
"Downstairs. Everyone waits for you to get in the car so we can go to Westminster Abbey."
Alex took a final deep breath before turning to look in the mirror once last time, "Let us go."
The girls proceeded to the door, "Have you two decided if you are combining names or keeping your own."
"Neither. We debated combining, but Henry already has like a million names," Alex joked. "So we kept our names. Our children though —" he looked at Nora.
No one else knew except himself, Henry, and Nora that the two were planning to grow their family soon. They had wanted to shortly after their first ceremony, but Nora discovered herself infertile and could not provide them her eggs as she had hoped. The two returned to the drawing board and began looking for egg donors right after they discovered that Nora was no longer an option for them. Liam and his now-husband offered their donor, but Alex was unsure he wanted their children to be siblings with Liam's son. They would figure it out because Alex and Henry both equally wanted this. Henry wanted to give their children the life he never had, and Alex hoped to provide them with a similar childhood to his own.
They were at a suitable time in their lives. Alex finished law school and worked with Henry in his youth shelters around the world while developing laws to help others have more freedom and rights for the lives they wished to live. Henry, alongside the work with the youth shelters, continues to work on writing his second book. His first book instantly became a number-one bestseller for weeks.
The two were active in politics, especially with the election that had occurred back in 2024. America was approaching another election year, and Alex and Henry heavily campaigned for the 2028 election. That was not for another two years. It felt like this was the right point in their lives to begin this journey. They planned to speak with the fertility specialist after their honeymoon. They would plan to use both sperms to create at least two embryos. They wouldn't care who was biologically related to whom; these would be their children. They did plan to keep that information locked away in a protected safe at their home in Austin just in case they needed to know for some medical reason. Otherwise, that information would remain locked away.
"Earth to Alex," June said, waving her hand before her brother's face.
He looked at her, "Sorry — they will have long names. Claremont-Diez-Fox-Hanover-Stuart are their legal last names, but it will be Diez-Fox in school. We want them to have their identities for as long as possible, and having our full last names will not allow that. We can try to give them as much of ordinary life as being children to us—an abdicated prince and son of the former first woman president."
"You know you are not fully known for that anymore," June corrected him as they descended the stairs towards the car.
"I know, but that is the first thing I am known for. Same for Henry is not known for just being an abdicated prince. He is known for his work opening youth shelters worldwide and his book, but that is not what people will say when they know our children. I might get left out entirely, and they will be known as grandchildren of the first woman president and the queen of England."
They reached the doors that would take them to the cars to take them to the ceremony.
"There you are," Ellen said, approaching Alex. "Very handsome." She pulled him into a tight hug.
Alex coughed as his mom's hug knocked the wind out of him, "Thanks, Mom. You look amazing, too."
Ellen was wearing a velvet blue dress, "How are you feeling, sugar?"
He bit his lip, "Nervous yet also excited. I love Henry, and he is my forever."
She smiled softly at him, kissing his cheek.
"Ellen," Oscar spoke up. "The car is ready. If we don't leave now, the royals will surely be a royal pain in the ass."
Everyone laughed at this as Ellen released Alex from her hold. Alex looked around at his friends and family, "We have a wedding to get to."
"I am already married, though," Alex groaned slightly, still not thrilled with the idea of this ceremony. "This is all for show. The royal family are just figureheads, and this wedding has cost them a fortune."
The crowds cheered his name as he stepped out. He gave waves to publicowds, making them scream louder, if possible.
"You are making history by having a royal wedding," Nora pointed out. "This wedding has never been done before.
The drive to Westminster was a haze as they passed the crowds in the street cheering his name. British, American, and Pride flags waved as the car drove down the road. Children watched from their parents' shoulders as Alex gave waves to the people. The crowds got larger the closer the vehicle reached Westminster Abbey. Alex continued to wave to the public, but he was getting more butterfly stomachs the closer they got.
"You alright, sugar?" Ellen asked with concern for her son.
Alex turned away from the window, "Is it too much? Henry wanted this, which is a surprise because even he thinks being a royal is useless. This whole gigantic wedding in one of the oldest churches. A church, mom."
"It is going to be a beautiful wedding. Henry might think being a royal is useless, but he wanted the wedding he had dreamed of. That just happened to be a royal wedding like his parents."
Alex let out a deep breath, turning to look out the window as they arrived at Westminster Abbey. One of the ushers opened the door, revealing the screams of the crowds. He stepped out of the car, looking around and waving to everyone. His eyes stopped on two girls atop their dads' shoulders, waving. "Soon," he heard Nora's voice beside him.
He looked at her, "I know I will be married soon."
She shook her head, "That's not what I meant, though." She followed his gaze, "You will have it soon."
"When is soon, though?" he asked before giving a final wave while cameras flashed and disappeared into the Abbey.
Zahra approached, "There you are! You are late!"
Ellen approached from behind Alex, "Morning, Zahra. How are you feeling?"
"Morning," she huffed, looking down at her pregnant belly; she was seven months pregnant. Zahra's pregnancy surprised everyone; she was supposed to be planning her wedding to Shaan, but things kept getting delayed. Her pregnancy delayed things even more. Although Alex thought they had eloped, they were not sharing those details.
"April can't come soon enough. I am only seven months pregnant and ready to have my daughter. Pregnancy is not fun."
The music began, "Alright. Places everyone," Zahra said. "Just like we practiced. Alex, both of your parents will walk you down the aisle. You will go first, as Henry requested."
"I know, Zahra. I am already married to him. We are making a big deal over this one for some reason."
"Because it is what he wants. Now get in line, please," Zahra gave him a shove in the direction of the line.
Alex stood behind Nora and June with the page boys and flower girls ahead of them. The line began to move. He took ahold of both of his parents' arms, "You are doing a wonderful thing for Henry, sugar," Ellen said. "I know you may not enjoy this, but it was his dream since childhood. A dream he never believed would happen, and he is getting it. I am sure he appreciates you going along with his dream."
Alex started to make the steps to the main doors to go down the aisle, "I love him. He is my dream. If a wedding that is more of a show than a wedding is what he wants, he can have it. I am already his husband, so this is just a party."
"Just no knocking over the cake, hijo," Oscar teased.
The three laughed at that, "No promises, Dad."
The aisle of Westminster Abbey was a four-minute walk. Ellen and Oscar kissed his cheek as he kissed theirs before going to their seats. Alex turned to look down the aisle as Bea, Pez, and Philip proceeded down the aisle together. Philip appeared to be unamused by this. Alex did not even want to invite him, but Henry still wanted his brother there. They had attempted to bond over the years; it could have been a better bond, like his relationship with Bea and Pez. Followed directly behind Bea, Pez, and Philip was Henry.
His Henry.
In that moment, nothing else mattered. Alex loved Henry and would do anything for him.
Henry had his arm linked with his mom's as they proceeded down the aisle. His suit matched Alex's. They reached the altar; the two kissed each other's cheeks before he joined Alex by taking his hand.
"Hey," he said to him. "You look amazing. I did not think it was possible."
"You look amazing, too."
The Archbishop approached them, "Are we ready?"
The two nodded, continuing to smile at one another.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Henry George Edward James Hanover-Stuart-Fox and Alexander Gabriel Claremont-Diez matrimony. Therefore, if anyone can see any just cause why they may not wed in matrimony, let them now speak or forever hold their peace."
Alex and Henry looked out at their guests, hoping no one would object, not that it mattered since they were already legally wed. To their relief, no one objected.
The Archbishop proceeded with the ceremony, "Henry George Edward James, will you have to man to be your wedded husband, to live together in Matrimony? Will you love, comfort, honor, and keep him in sickness and health? Forsaking all other, keeping only to him, so long as you both shall live?"
Henry, beaming happily at Alex, nodded, "I will."
"Alexander Gabriel Claremont-Diez, will you have to man to be your wedded husband, to live together in Matrimony? Will you love, comfort, honor, and keep him in sickness and health? Forsaking all other, keeping only to him, so long as you both shall live?"
It might not be how Alex wanted their second wedding to be, but seeing how happy Henry was, it no longer mattered. Henry was delighted, and they were already married once.
"I will."
The Archbishop accepts the rings from Philip, "This ring. Grant that he who gives it and shall wear it may remain faithful to each other, abide in the peace and favor, and live together in love until their lives end."
Henry took the ring from the Archbishop and placed it upon Alex's fourth finger on his left hand, "With this ring I thee wed."
The rings they were using were already their wedding bands. Henry's band was his late father's, and Alex's band had belonged to Oscar, who gifted it to him shortly before their first ceremony.
Alex took Henry's ring from the Archbishop and placed it on Henry's fourth finger on his left hand, "With this ring, I thee wed."
"I now pronounce you husbands. You may now kiss your husband."
Henry seizes Alex around the waist and kisses him as his life depended on it. Alex was not sure if he was making a statement or what, but he was not complaining. He wrapped his arms around Henry's neck.
Neither of them was sure how long they had kissed until Philip cleared his throat, interrupting them. Henry turned red after they got too caught in the moment. Above them, the bells announced the end of the ceremony, but the noise of the people around them and outside Westminster Abbey almost drowned out the sound.
Together, they proceeded down the aisle. Exiting the grand doors of the Abbey, the sound of the cheers of people outside became even louder than it had been when Alex arrived earlier.
"Thank you," Henry spoke to him, giving a wave to the crowds.
Alex smiled, looking at him while waving, "What for?"
"Marrying me. In this way, that is. I know you never wanted a royal-styled wedding, and believe me, I never thought I would have it either, but here I am. I got the wedding I always wished to have. My parents consistently spoke about the wonderful day and the breathtaking ceremony. I must say I completely agree. I loved our private one, too. This one, we made history."
The carriage doors opened for them; Alex got in first, offering his hand to Henry with a smile, "History, huh?" He looked around them at the people as Henry took his hand and climbed in, "Yes, baby. I believe we did make some."
