Ever After (Unfinished Fairy Tales #3)(85)

When Poppy and Mr. Davenport bring the children over, everything is ready. We’ve pushed the tables and chairs against the walls, and Elle has brought a basket of fluffy balls and rag dolls.

Little Katherine starts to cry when Poppy disentangles her fingers and heads to the door. Sébastien also totters after Mr. Davenport; Bertram, who is nearest, picks him up and the baby boy bursts into tears. Uh-oh. Bertram’s gigantic frame must make him appear like a monster to the kid.

“They’ve developed a shyness for strangers,” Mr. Davenport says with an apologetic look.

“Do you think they will be all right?” Poppy asks anxiously, as she watches Amelie and Bertram trying to pacify Sébastien.

“They’ll be fine,” I say firmly. “Go and enjoy yourself. Don’t come back until you have seen at least a play and gone to dinner.”

“I can’t tell you how grateful we are for your help.” Mr. Davenport holds out his hand. There are dark circles under his eyes; clearly, he has been exhausted from his work as a barrister. “Congratulations to both of you for reuniting. We hope you will be married soon. If you encounter any legal difficulties, do not hesitate to consult me.”

“Thank you, Jonathan,” Edward says. “It is also my wish for Kat to return to the palace soon.”

Poppy beams. “I will never forgive you if you don’t invite me to the wedding. The same goes for you, Elle!”

Elle blushes and smiles, promising she won’t forget, but I think there’s a strained look in her eyes. Recently the news in Moryn has got worse. If Augustin cannot control the second uprising, I don’t think Henry will be able to stay there for long.

Little Katherine lets out an ear-splitting scream soon after her parents have left. Sébastien is squirming in Amelie’s arms, crying for ‘Mama.’

“Let me take him,” Elle says, opening her arms. Sébastien goes quiet when Elle takes him, since she is more familiar to him, but he’s glancing at the door like he expects Poppy will return soon. Little Katherine is still yowling as though the world has come to an end.

“Oh dear.” I cradle Little Katherine in my arms, trying to make her calm down. “Little Kat is even shyer than last time I visited. Edward, can you hold her while I get the toys that Elle brought?”

Edward doesn’t seem eager to take the baby, but then a miracle happens. When Little Katherine looks up at him, her eyes grow wide and her small pink mouth forms an O. It’s so dramatic that I have to laugh.

“Look how she’s staring at you.” I tease him. “You are so popular with girls. From one-year-olds to older women, no one can resist your charm.”

Edward holds Little Katherine gingerly, as if she were made of glass. “I cannot agree. Because at my right hand side there is one exception.”

“That’s not true,” I exclaim. “You know I’m counting the days when we can be married again. I’m crazy about you, Edward.”

The room suddenly seems too silent. Elle goes bright pink, Bertram is smirking, and Amelie focuses on Sébastien as if her world revolved around him. Crap, I’ve raised my voice and everyone heard me proclaim my love for the prince.

Seeing the gleam in Edward’s eyes, I smack his arm. “You said that on purpose to get me say I love you!”

“There’s no need to be vexed about it,” he says, adjusting his hold on Little Katherine. “Think of how many times I confessed to you.”

I am about to retort that it's pointless comparing numbers, but then I realize that Sébastien has stopped crying. Bertram is on the floor on all fours, and Sébastien is using his body as a kind of playground. With Amelie’s help, Sébastien climbs onto Bertram’s back and then slides down his legs. It is ingenious, really. Elle watches over Sébastien, making sure he doesn’t fall over.

A while later, Little Katherine starts to wail again for ‘Mama.’ I try to have her climb onto Bertram’s back, but she clutches my arms and screams even more loudly.

“She must be hungry,” I say. “Let’s bring her to the kitchen. Poppy had left instructions.”

Edward is quiet. He holds Little Katherine as I feed her small bites of baby food.

“Hey.” I wave a hand in front of him. “You have the world’s most adorable baby in your arms. What are you being so pensive about?”

“I was merely thinking,” he says gravely. “About how many children we shall have.”

I blush. “Edward! We aren’t even married yet.” Then, another thought strikes me. “Do you remember when we started sleeping together, but I never got pregnant? Do you think there is a chance that I may not be able to bear children? Have you thought of what would happen if I cannot give you an heir? According to tradition, you must produce an heir.”

He shrugs. “Then I shall step down, or let Henry’s child inherit when I’m gone. To be honest, I will be disappointed if we cannot have children, but you are more important to me. There are thousands of women in Athelia who can give me an heir, but there is only one of you.”

I smile at him. So does Little Katherine, as though she could understand what he is talking about. It is remarkable, honestly. Edward isn’t even smiling, but he has such magnetic charm that even the baby is infected.

When we return to the sitting room, Sébastien has fallen asleep. Playing with Bertram must have exhausted him. Amelie and Bertram watch over him, while Elle takes Little Katherine.