When you tell the world you're mine

Chapter 27: Farewell

"He has quite simply been my strength and stay all these years"

Those were the words echoing on Harry's mind ever since he got a phone call in the middle of the night. He couldn't believe he was hearing those two words "Forth Bridge". He was distressed and disheveled. He kept running his hands on his hair and biting his lip. He was sitting but for only a couple of minutes before he'd get up and start pacing. He didn't really know what to do with himself. He only knew he had to be there. He only knew it was his duty to be there. He had to face it. He had to be Prince Henry, instead of Harry. He had to deal with so many emotions that were driving him crazy.

He got up, again, and couldn't help but take a look around the room he was in right now. He was avoiding eye contact with everyone. If he was honest with himself, he'd avoid this situation altogether, but some things can't be changed and some things have to be faced. He opened the scotch bottle and served himself another dose. He didn't have ice, but he didn't really care. He closed his eyes with the burning sensation of the alcohol and he could only see his grandmother and her words had stuck in his mind and it only helped to put salt in the open wound inside him.

He saw his father sitting by himself in a corner. He wasn't crying, obviously. But he was slightly pushing everyone away. He was perfectly dressed, but also held a glass of scotch. He had an elbow resting on his crossed legs while looking at no point inside the room. Harry knew he had to go to him, to say something. Anything. He felt he had to console his father, but he didn't know-how.

He turned around a little bit and saw his aunt, softly crying but the ever composed Princess Royal. She was surrounded by her children. Zara looked as disheveled as himself, but she was putting on a strong face while hugging her mom and saying comforting things. She looked up and saw Harry watching the scene and offered a simple smile. No one was really expecting it, but it happened. No one wanted to receive that call in the middle of the night, with a code everyone knew by heart, and everyone dreaded the day to hear those words by a Palace spokesperson.

Harry could see how the members of his family would deal with mourning and grief. Kate was crying and being held by William and for Harry's relief, his brother also didn't know what to do in this situation. He only hugged his wife, offering her comfort and a place to lean on while at the same time seeking refuge for his own feelings and for his own need to be comforted. Camilla tried time and again to go near Charles and he kindly asked to be left alone every time she tried. She offered to refill his glass and he only shook his head. He was feeling lost and this was probably the only moment where the Prince of Wales would be allowed to have this sort of behavior and he'd take as much time he could have to be like this.

Sophie and Edward had just arrived, both of them already crying and wanting answers. But no one really had them. They had been woken up in the middle of the night. The code was clearly and solemnly spoken. They were demanded to be at Buckingham Palace as soon as they all could. Not a word to anyone was to be said. And The Queen demanded everyone's presence in there, with the utmost discretion. Harry couldn't help but wonder that if the word got out before the right time and way his grandmother wanted it to be, every single one of the people that already knew what had happened, including family members would have a furious Queen on their way.

Beatrice and Eugenie were in their pajamas, sitting together in one of the sofas. They had cups of tea in their hands and they were staring at the lit fireplace. And what bothered Harry the most was the silence. One could hear some sniffing, some soft tears and the sound of cushions with a body moving to be adjusted in its seat. But no words were spoken and no questions were asked. They were waiting to be told what to do. They were wanting to know what The Queen would ask of them.