La Chenille (Prince Harry)

Chapter Seventeen

As September ended quickly, celebrated with one big party for Harry's and Evee's birthday, the strangest Autumn England had seen in a while arrived. The trees remained clothed in green until the end of October, when they suddenly, drastically changed into all vivid colours. Hyde park lost its leaves and earthy tones overtook the landscape.

Inside Nottingham Cottage was one blonde Duchess lying on the couch, trying to contain the ever growing tiredness she had felt for the last four weeks. Evee had entered her third trimester with a groan and a puff. She had a shortness of breath, which she knew was because of her uterus expanding below her diaphragm, the muscle pushing upwards on her lungs. She was out of breath way too quickly and her back was already killing her.

Pregnancy was not treating her well. Her husband had cancelled most of her engagements except the one Halloween party at a local children's school in South London at the very end of the month. Evee had insisted on going along with him, wanting to escape the house at least one more time. 

The tabloids were getting worried about her lack of appearances and kept a firm eye on their favourite pregnant royal.

The blonde tried to ignore her growling stomach. At least that was one thing she still could do, eat. She had the strangest cravings. Her favourite of the month was pickles with Nutella. The bowl with cut up pickles rested on top of her stomach as she relaxed on the couch. She didn't even have to hold the bowl anymore, her stomach was big enough the balance it on top of it.

Dipping another pickle in the chocolate, Evee's eyes turned towards the television where Modern Family was on the screen. She knew immediately that her husband was home by the way Bennett enthusiastically stood up from his basket. He wobbled his way towards the living room door, wiggling his tail as his owner entered the room.

She heard Harry's voice, "Sweety, I'm home."

She bit her lip, knowing that her irritating mood would only put a grey light on their evening, "Hello."

Since Evee had to struggle to actually get out of the couch decently, she just stayed put. "How've you been today?" Harry gently spoke, trying not to laugh at the glare his wife was giving him and the balanced cup of pickles and chocolate on her stomach.

"You impregnated me with a baby the size of a buffoon, I could do better." She grumbled, dipping another pickle in the chocolate and biting into it roughly.

"I missed you too." Harry grinned, knowing that she was just tired. He knew she was used to sleeping on her stomach. The fact that she hadn't been able to do that for the last months and a baby who decided to party all night and sleep by day made it incredibly difficult for her to fall asleep. Add all those facts up with a bunch of hormones out of place and you have one grumpy, pregnant Duchess.

"We're only having one child. I'm never doing this again in my life. Look at me!" Evee pointed at her huge stomach.

"I think you look beautiful." He tried holding back laughter as she glared at him. Yoga pants and oversized sweater, he honestly thought she was absolutely gorgeous.

"'Oh Evee, I think we should start having babies as soon as possible.'" She spoke with a low voice, exaggerating a fake British accent. "I still have two months to go! Two months Harry!"

"At least the weather is getting better? It won't be too hot anymore." Harry spoke, hoping to enlighten her mood. "It's quite chilly outside."

"I wouldn't know." She irritatingly spoke. The doctor said she had to rest as much as possible.

"I brought you cheesecake?" Her husband spoke with a careful smile upon his face. He took the white, carton box from behind his back, revealing the package.

Evee read the infamous words on top of the box, "From Antonio's?"

"From Antonio's." Harry nodded his head. He watched as she took the bowl of pickles off her stomach. "What else are you balancing on there anyways?" He chuckled.

"Everything. Last night I didn't have a place to put my can of soda. Balanced it right on top of there for a whole hour." She tried uplifting herself just a little and watched how Harry opened the box of cheesecake. "I bet you five pounds I can balance this whole cheesecake on top of my stomach." She smirked, lifting her one eyebrow.

"We probably shouldn't place an entire cheesecake on our baby's head." Harry tried holding back laughter as realisation kicked in.

"You think he would come out already if we do that?"

"I'd like him in there for another two months."

Evee sighed, taking the plastic fork her husband offered her. "I know. I know. I'm just, so tired and I feel fat. I just want to feel normal again. I want to fit into normal clothes. I want a glass of wine."

"Just two more months and you're done. Then we'll have the most amazing gift in the world." Harry spoke, grabbing her hand in encouragement. "I know it's been hard on you but I'm really proud. You're doing an amazing job. Just as you'll do amazingly when the baby's born." Harry's eyes widened as he saw the tears forming in his wife's eyes. "Oh god, please don't cry. We have cheesecake, don't cry."

Evee couldn't help it, bringing her hands towards her eyes, she tried to stop her tears. It was useless. She sobbed once again, "I'm sorry. You know I don't cry easily. You're just so wonderful to me." 

"I'm supposed to do that you know. We're married. That's what we do. We support each other, no matter what." Harry stretched his arm, wiping away the tears of his wife rolling down her cheeks. "We'll get through this together. Just as we'll get through the labour and all the media frenzy. We've always managed to get through everything, this will be no different."

Feeling a pang of guilt in reference towards one particular text message she had stored in the back of her mind, Evee cried even more. "I love you. I'm sorry for being such a bitch all the time."

"You're not a bitch." Harry smiled, placing a kiss on top of her forehead. His hand resting on her stomach. "You're just pregnant. It's not easy, I know that. I understand that. The doctor's telling you to stay inside and rest. Me being overprotective. Chloe's overenthusiastic state of mind. The papers and tabloids writing your every move. It's okay to let it all go every once and a while."

"I just hope it's Christmas really soon." Evee sighed, resting her eyelids and leaning her head against his shoulders.

"Me too, me too." Harry mumbled, throwing his arms around her shoulder to hold her close. "I just want to hold him."

Stiffling a yawn, Evee turned her head. "If you want a piece of cheesecake, you can take one you know. I won't kill you."

Harry tried not to laugh, with those words, he knew they'd be alright. He opened the box right next to him, taking a random piece upon his fork. He stopped immediately when he heard her mumble, "Not that part though, the smaller one on the left."

He knew he had to listen to her.