𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 - 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘺𝘢𝘭 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺

𝐕. 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞

❛ ━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━ ❜

❝There are many different ways
that you can kill the one
you love, the slowest way is never
loving them enough❞

❛ ━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━ ❜

TW: mention of suicide and eating disorders

The late August day had begun rather gray and dreary but had surprisingly cleared up. It was warm, but not uncomfortably so, with a slight breeze. White fluffy clouds drifted slowly over head and London was filled with a sense of cheerfulness.

In Buckingham Palace however, the atmosphere was much more tense.  The entire family had been gathered to hear an important announcement from the Queen. Whenever all the Windsor's were under one roof, tensions were high. Much like the holiday time at Balmoral. 

Only one month ago, Prince Andrew had married Sarah Furgeson, or Furgie as she was referred to as. The happy couple sat close to one another on the sofa, talking and laughing with one another. Anne and Edward sat talking to one another, they were close. Both feeling like outsiders, Anne being the only female child of the queen and very feisty. Edward being the youngest of the queen's 4 children and often overlooked. Mark sat next to them, looking very much like the third wheel. Aunt Margo and the Queen Mother stood talking to each other while Elizabeth and Philip sat nearby. 

Charles and Diana sat awkwardly next to each other on the sofa. Not quite close to each other but not exactly seated apart. About half a foot of room was between them. They both seemed to be looking everywhere in the room but at each other. Not saying a word or really acknowledging the others existence. 

Once everyone was comfortably seated the Queen stood up, "I suppose you are wondering why you were all summoned here today..." 

A murmur of agreement spread through them. "Well Charles and Diana have some wonderful news," She looked at them, "would you like to share?" She asked her son. 

Charles nodded and stood up. After clearing his throat and adjusting his tie, he spoke, "Me and Diana are delighted to announce that we are expecting our third child." He awkwardly sat back down. 

"We are planning to make an official public announcement in one week, but this is wonderful news! Congratulations!" The Queen smiled at them. 

After the announcement was over, wine was served, and they started talking with one another again. "Well congratulations Charles!" Andrew came over and slapped him on the back, sloshing some wine out of his glass. 
"Well thank you." He faked a smile to his brother, and he broke off his conversation with Anne.

"How did it even happen? All the gossip says you haven't shared a bed in months." He laughed.

Charles shifted uncomfortably, looking at his feet. "Well out with it! You know I'll just find out through Auntie Margo later, might as well hear it straight from the source." 

"On our anniversary Diana had one too many glasses of wine and well..." he trailed off. 

Andrew laughed, "well she's so thin it probably only took about two glasses." 

Charles cleared his throat and looked for any opportunity to leave this conversation, luckily Anne swooped in to help. 

"Charles, have you thought of any names for the baby?" 

"No, we haven't discussed it yet, we probably will later tonight perhaps." 

"If it's a girl a expect my name in there somewhere!" She poked him with her elbow playfully. 

"Will see." 

❛ ━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━ ❜

A week had passed, and the official announcement had been made. It came as a surprise but was received well. Most people assumed that after Harry, they were done. But they continued to surprise. 

"Diana, I have been thinking..." Charles had come to her office, much to her shock. He almost never actively chose to spend him with her, "I want to take a step back from public life for your pregnancy." 

Diana nodded, "I think that is a wonderful idea. We can spend more time just the four of us. We have not had a lot of family time these past few years." 

"I know the first two pregnancies were not easy for you, especially Wills. I should be there for you more."

Diana knew exactly what he was referring to. When she had been 4 months pregnant with Wills, she had thrown herself down the stairs. It was Christmas time, and they were at Balmoral. She and Charles had gotten into a huge row and accusations of infidelity had been thrown around. In a last desperate attempt to get Charles to care for her, she had thrown herself down the main staircase of the castle. The whole ordeal had left everyone shocked and that's when then the rumors of 'crazy Diana' began to spread like wildfire through the palace gossip chains. The family tried to cover it up, claiming she had simply lost her balance and fallen, but many knew the truth.

Diana smiled at him and placed a hand on her stomach. Something had changed in Charles recently, perhaps it was because of the baby. He was kinder and more compassionate towards her. But she feared that once the baby was born, things would go back to the way they used to be. 

"I have also been thinking that maybe you should seek professional help about your um..." he trailed off, trying to find the right words, "issues." 

Diana shifted in her chair, she was afraid this conversation would occur, "I don't know what you're referring too, I'm perfectly fine darling." 

"Diana I'm not stupid. I hear the gossip, the things you do to yourself... how thin you've become. And frankly I'm worried for you and the well-being of our unborn child." 

At the comment about their unborn child, she grew angry, "Do you think I would do something to put my child in danger? Is this what this is about, me being a bad mother. That mentally I can't handle it?" fired blazed in her eyes, "you sound just like them. Just like all your family, all the staff who think I'm completely bonkers." She could feel tears coming into her eyes. "Get out of my office." 

"Diana, I just think-" 

She interrupted him, "I said get out!" 

Charles knew that talking this argument any farther would be pointless and that she would never seek help until she could admit there was something wrong. He walked out of her office and back into his own, getting consumed by his work. 

Back in her office, Diana began to cry. Tears streamed down her cheeks and dripped onto her dress. Maybe I am crazy, she thought.

❛ ━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━ ❜

AN:

Well it's been a hot minute since I updated but I will now update every Sunday! Hope you like how the story is progressing! I super excited to continue writing this and I am so thankful for all the support I am receiving!