I'm Raising Royal Babies {ORIGINAL VERSION; BOOK 3}

Chapter 21: Lying-In-State

Chapter 21: Lying-In-State

Vincent

This couldn't be happening. I couldn't believe I had to fly back home so suddenly, without having saying goodbye to my family. But, I had to do it. My father died from a heart attack in his sleep. No one noticed until he was scheduled to have lunch with his colleagues, but missed it. My mother told everyone that my father always woke up before lunch, especially those that were planned. Harold checked his pulse afterward and found that there was none. Sadly, he died in his sleep, which, in my opinion, is the most peaceful way a person could die.

It was silent during the entire plane ride back. Rodney and Lance looked as if they were trying to hold back their tears, Melanie looked depressed, Elliot was asleep, and I was...well, I was depressed and pissed. I wanted to at least see my children one more time before having to leave.

I spent so much time thinking of how I could get my family back home with me, but then, this happens. I know I sound insensitive and cold-hearted, but I tried so hard to get Folashadé to see that I was actually trying. Trying for a damn-near perfect family with her and our children. I got her to tell me she loves me. I even got her to make love to me again, but I hadn't gotten the chance to get her to come home with me. I blew that. I destroyed any positive perception she had of me because I was forced to leave so abruptly. I just prayed to God that the little bell boy told her that I had to leave for a good reason and that I wasn't just leaving because I didn't love her anymore. I love that woman so much, that I'd be damned if she believes I feel anything less for her.

Currently, Rodney, Lance, Edward; my father's youngest brother, and I were standing on guard for my father's public lying-in-state which took place in the Westminster Hall. In a Royal Ceremonial Funeral, the lying-in-state takes place three days before the actual funeral. Four guards usually watch over the sovereign's coffin for a total of six hours for twenty minutes. Then, the next guards would come in on duty after those twenty minutes are up. Twice within those three days, four male members of the Royal family must watch over the body. In my father's case, that would be his two sons and two brothers.

Although my grandfather exiled Lance from being a part of the Royal Family, simply for marrying Antoinette, my father welcomed him back the day after he succeeded the throne. This gave Lance back his title as Prince and Duke of Cambridge. However, after living in France with his family for so long, Lance opted to stay there. He knew that my father only let him back into the family because they were brothers. That was why he is here today, unfortunately, guarding over his older brother's coffin.

My father's gold coffin was placed on a catafalque. Each of us; my brother, uncles, and I, were mounted on the catafalque with each of us at each corner of his coffin. We all wore full ceremonial day dresses. Each day dress was designed the same; a black tailcoat with a standing collar. The standing collar was white with gold edging and on our shoulders lied gold shoulder boards. Black and gold belts was kept snug around our waists and gold laced black trousers complimented the uniform. In our hands, we held our swords reversed and we kept our heads down, to pay our dearest respect to my deceased father.

Millions of British citizens came to see my father as he lied lifelessly in his coffin. They streamed mournfully on either side of the catafalque. My father's body will lie in state for one more day, as it did yesterday and today. This is only for the public to pay their last respects to my father.

I will miss him, even though he never came to fully accepting the mother of my children. My father was a good father to me, but there were certain things that he and I could never agree on. He disliked the way I was as an adolescent and disagreed strongly on how I treated women. And now that I reminiscent on my life with him, I can see that I should've listened to him on countless occasions. But, there was one thing that I will never think about changing for the sake of my father; and that is falling for Folashadé.