Royals: Part 6

Chapter 17

"When the babies come home they'll sleep in here," Jackie explained, folding a tiny pair of pajamas on her knee and tucking them into a drawer.

Mary Kate picked up her trusty baby doll, who she had named 'Sue,' and carried her to one of the twins' cribs, tucking her gently inside.

Jackie beamed from where she sat on the hardwood floor. "Oh, that's nice. You're going to be such a good big sister."

Jackie and Mary Kate were putting the final touches together on the brand new nursery in York Cottage before they headed to London to wait out the birth of the twins. Jackie and Kate were both about to burst -- it was April 30th, Kate was due during the first week of May, and Jackie due the third, however, twins almost always came early.

Jackie finished putting away the final load of gender-neutral clothes with a satisfied smile. She tried to lean forward unsuccessfully, her massive baby bump getting in the way. A few other failed maneuvers left Jackie a bit out of breath and still on the floor.

"Harry!" she called, Mary Kate not taking notice, too busy tending to Sue.

Jackie could hear hurried footsteps coming down the hall before Harry burst into the nursery, looking worried.

"Are you okay?" he asked, rushing to Jackie's side.

Jackie laughed, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Of course I am. I just can't get up."

Harry's face broke into a relieved smile and he put a hand over his chest. "You scared me half to death. I thought you were going into labor."

Harry held out both his hands, which Jackie took, and he pulled her to her feet. She brushed off her pants and let out a sigh. "Not yet, unfortunately."

Harry put an arm around her waist, his hand resting against her massive baby bump. "You don't have much longer," he said, his voice a mix of amusement and sympathy.

"Easy for you to say," Jackie grumbled. She felt one of the twins kick against her side. "I shouldn't complain, we're so lucky to have three healthy children."

Harry beamed, giving Jackie a kiss on the cheek. "That we are."

---

'Kate Middleton is in Labor!'

'The day has finally arrived -- the Duchess of Cambridge was admitted to St. Mary's Hospital in London late yesterday evening, May 1st, in the early stages of labor. The Duke was by her side, while Prince George, nearly 2, is thought to be back at Kensington Palace with his aunt and uncle, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and his cousin, Princess Mary Kate.'

'Jackie, Duchess of Windsor, is expected to deliver a set of twins near mid-May, however, most twins arrive before their due date.'

'Just shy of 2 years ago, in July of 2013, longtime best friends and royal sisters-in-law, Kate and Jackie gave birth to their first children just one day apart. There is no doubt that they eyes of the world will be simultaneously watching the doors of the Lindo Wing and the gates of Kensington Palace to see if the royal cousins will once again be born within hours of each other.'

'So far, there is no sign of either Duchess. It is expected Kate will deliver her second child sometime early this morning, May 2nd.'

---

"Mary Kate, George, come sit down! It's time for lunch," Jackie called, setting down two plates of pasta and vegetables on the table of her and Harry's Kensington Palace flat.

The little cousins came running at the mention of food, followed closely by Harry, who had been keeping them busy playing "horse" in the sitting room. Harry got down on all fours and the children took turns straddling his back, taking laps around the room. They absolutely loved it, and Harry was usually stuck playing for hours when George came over to visit.