Royals: Part 6

Chapter 14

"Happy Christmas, darling!" Jackie cooed, giving Mary Kate a kiss on the forehead.

Her daughter grinned from her crib, reaching her arms up to be held. Jackie, Harry, Mary Kate, and just about every other member of the royal family were at Sandringham House for the royal traditions.

On Christmas Eve, the day before, everyone gathered in the white drawing room for drinks and laughs. The family exchanged gifts, but with one rule. Jackie learned when she married Harry that the royal family only bought inexpensive gifts for one another- after all, they had everything they needed. Jackie gave Kate a pair of ancient harem pants she found at a local thrift shop, poking fun at her sister-in-law's swollen pregnancy legs. Camilla got Jackie a stuffed octopus, saying she would need the extra arms after the twins arrived.

Everyone retired to their respective rooms for Christmas night, Jackie, Harry, and Mary Kate sharing a small guest suite in a remote wing of the massive estate, just down the hall from Kate, Will, and George. Morning arrived, and Jackie and Harry had arranged a few small presents for Mary Kate to open from Santa Clause.

"Look, Mary," Jackie said with a gasp, pointing to the stack of parcels under a window that overlooked the rolling grounds of Sandringham House.

"Did Santa leave these presents for you?" Harry asked Mary Kate. "Were you a good girl?"

Mary Kate nodded slowly, her eyes wide. Jackie and Harry laughed as Mary Kate toddled over to her gifts, plopping down to open them up.

Jackie was keen on not spoiling her little princess, so she and Harry had each picked out one gift for Mary Kate to receive from Santa. From Jackie, a copy of a sweet little book called Last Stop on Market Street, a lovely story aimed to teach children about kindness and service to those in need. Harry chose a block game that helped young children develop their problem solving skills. He had stuggled in school, and wanted to give Mary Kate a head start on learning.

"She's going to be the best in her class," Jackie laughed as Mary Kate clanked her new blocks together, giggling at the noise.

"She's going to grow up and think we're crazy, giving her books and blocks instead of toys," Harry said with a fond smile.

"She'll appreciate it," Jackie assured.

A Sandringham House maid arrived with a tray of breakfast, which Jackie and Harry picked at while they got dressed. They were due at the entrance hall to join the other royals for Christmas morning service. Mary Kate and George were staying behind with the nannies, and after church, everyone planned on going out for walks in the light snow. 

Jackie wore a thick teal blue coat and a black fascinator, bundling her ever-growing baby bump against the cold. Her mind wandered to the next Christmas, in 2015, when she would have not one child, but three- not to mention a second nephew or niece. Jackie was already under scrutiny for being an absent royal, she was going to have to have a plan in place to make sure that the birth of her second and third children didn't make her a total royal no-show. 

Nanny Sophia arrived to sweep Mary Kate off to the playroom with Nanny Maria and George. Jackie and Harry gave their daughter a kiss goodbye before heading down to the entrance hall to meet the other adults. 

They greeted each other with cheery "Happy Christmas!"s and friendly hugs. The Queen and Prince Phillip arrived in the hall last, signaling it was time to leave. 

The Queen and Prince Phillip led, followed by Charles and Camilla, Will and Kate, then Harry and Jackie, with the others close behind. 

Crowds had gathered along the path that led from Sandringham House to St. Mary Magdalene Church. They waved signs and flags, prying for the attention of their favorite royal. Jackie made mental notes of the people she wanted to chat with after the service as she walked into the church.