Rise To The Crown- The Story of the Third-In-Line

Forty-Seven (2013.01)

Delly sat at the breakfast table, her small fingers tracing patterns on her plate as she watched her family bustling around. The morning sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mingling with the scent of toasting bread.

Her mother, Kate, sat across from her, her hands protectively cradling her growing belly. Delly's eyes couldn't help but be drawn to the gentle curve that had appeared over the past months. She marveled at the miracle happening within her mom's body.

"Mommy, why is your tummy getting bigger?" Delly asked, her voice filled with innocent curiosity.

Kate's face lit up with a smile as she reached across the table to stroke Delly's cheek. "Oh, sweetheart, there's a baby growing inside me. You're going to be a big sister!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.

Delly's eyes widened with a mix of surprise and confusion. "A big sister? Like having a little baby brother or sister?" she asked, her mind racing with thoughts of what this new role might mean.

"Yes, exactly," Kate replied, her eyes shining with anticipation. "You're going to have a little sibling to play with, to teach and protect. Isn't that exciting?"

Delly's lips curled into a hesitant smile, her mind trying to grasp the concept of sharing her parents' love and attention with another little one. She glanced around the table, noticing how her dad, William, and her grandparents exchanged joyful glances, their attention fixated on her mom's baby bump. 

_

During a family outing to the park, Delly watched as her parents admired her mom's baby bump, their hands gently resting on the growing curve. The sun cast a warm glow on the surroundings, creating a serene atmosphere. Delly's eyes shifted between the colorful flowers and her mom's belly, feeling a mix of curiosity and unease. She wanted to be part of the excitement, to share in the joy, but it seemed that the bump had stolen the spotlight.

"Look, Delly, can you feel the baby kicking?" her mom exclaimed, a radiant smile adorning her face.

Delly nodded, but her words were barely a whisper. "Yeah, I felt it." She turned her attention to a nearby butterfly, trying to divert her thoughts from the overshadowing presence of her mom's bump.

Her dad joined in, his voice filled with anticipation. "It won't be long until we have a new little one joining our family. Won't that be wonderful?"

Delly forced a smile, her heart sinking a little. "Yeah, it'll be nice," she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness.

_

One evening, as the soft glow of the nursery's nightlight spilled into the hallway, Delly stood outside the doorway, her small frame barely visible in the dim light. Inside, her parents, Kate and William, were busy arranging tiny clothes in the closet and assembling a crib. Delly watched as they meticulously organized the baby's belongings, their eyes filled with a mixture of excitement and anticipation.

Delly mustered up the courage to step inside, her presence going unnoticed amidst the flurry of baby preparations. She cleared her throat softly, hoping to catch her parents' attention. Finally, her mom looked up, a gentle smile on her face.

"Oh, Delly, did you need something?" Kate asked, her voice filled with a hint of distraction.

Delly shuffled her feet nervously, feeling a pang of sadness welling up inside her. "Um, Mom, can we do our bedtime story tonight?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her mom's smile faltered momentarily as she glanced at the crib. "Oh, sweetheart, I'm sorry. We were just getting everything ready for the baby. Maybe your dad can read you a story tonight," Kate suggested, gesturing toward William.

Delly looked at her dad, hoping for a glimmer of reassurance. "Daddy, can you read me a story?" she asked, her voice tinged with a mix of hope and sadness.

William glanced up from his task, his eyes meeting Delly's. He could sense her disappointment and the underlying longing for their usual bedtime routine. Setting aside a tiny onesie, he nodded warmly. "Of course, Delly. Let's go pick out your favorite story together."

_

Delly's grandparents, Carole and Michael Middleton arrived at the family home for a special visit. Delly's heart fluttered with excitement, eagerly awaiting their warm embraces and joyful greetings. However, as soon as they stepped through the door, their eyes were drawn to her mom's prominent baby bump. Delly watched from the sidelines, feeling a mix of emotions—anticipation, disappointment, and a hint of sadness.

"Kate, my dear, you look positively radiant!" Carole exclaimed, her hands gently resting on Kate's belly. "How far along are you now?"

Kate beamed, a glow of pride radiating from her. "Just over six months, Mum. The baby is growing healthy and strong."

Michael nodded approvingly, his eyes filled with excitement. "Ah, a new addition to the family. Such wonderful news!"

Delly tried to join in the conversation, her tiny voice barely audible. "Grandpa, I have something to show—— oh"

But her words were drowned out by the exclamations and chatter surrounding the baby. Her grandparents' attention remained firmly fixed on her mom's belly, discussing potential names and sharing anecdotes from their own experiences as parents. Delly's heart sank a little deeper, her voice fading into the background.

She stood there, feeling invisible, as the conversation continued without acknowledging her presence. A mix of longing and disappointment washed over her, causing her eyes to well up with unshed tears. She wondered if they still saw her, the little girl they used to dote on, or if she had somehow become a secondary figure in their eyes.

"Delly, darling, we can't wait to meet your little brother or sister," Carole said, her tone filled with excitement.

Yess... Delly said

Amidst the hustle and bustle of a family gathering, Delly found herself seated on a cozy couch, her gaze fixed on the swirling patterns of the carpet beneath her feet. The room was filled with animated conversations, laughter, and the scent of delicious food wafting through the air. Relatives and friends mingled, their attention naturally drawn to her mom's baby bump.

As Delly sat there, she felt like an outsider in her own gathering. She watched as her relatives eagerly approached her mom, their eyes lighting up as they asked about the baby's due date and gender predictions. They lovingly placed their hands on her mom's belly, feeling the gentle kicks and sharing stories of their own experiences. Delly's heart sank, feeling invisible amidst the sea of excitement surrounding her mom.

"Mumma wishes that it's a baby boy, but I wish it's a baby girl. I will be prettier than her, smarter than her, and better than her. Mumma will love me more that way." Delly thought.

And obviously, that didn't happen.