Since I'd become the fiancée of the prince of England, life kinda sped up yet slowed down at the same time. Two days after our engagement hit the new, I quit my job. It was kind of hard. It was my one stable thing in my life and now it was gone.

My co-workers did throw me a 'Going to the Throne' party instead of a going-away party.

Every night before bed, Archie and I would try to read a page of his mother's journal. It was fun and interesting to see what his childhood was like from her perspective. 

She had a stack full and sometimes when I was bored I would peak through them.

Today was the day that we were designing my wedding dress. I wasn't too happy to find out that Archie's aunt that gave me a weird vibe was on the dress committee but I was happy that his sisters and Annie, his mother's sister were.

I sat on the counter of our bathroom reading Frances' journal that was written not too long after Alexandra was born.

I love all four of my children equally but I see myself the most in my dear Archie. He has a tough exterior but a soft interior, he is passionate, determined, stubborn, and headstrong. The older he gets the more I worry about him. Why? The older he gets the more he and Winston butt heads. Winston and his mother are so hard on Archie, I think they forget he is just a child sometimes. Frequently do I worry about Archie's wellbeing. Winston talks about beating him into shape or how he wishes that the girls would have been boys so he could have a 'proper son'. I feel helpless and almost like I'm the only parent he can turn to. It worries me if something were to happen to me. 

Damn.

What if she didn't really have breast cancer? Or was that just a crazy thought?

"What's that one about?" Archie asked me as he walked into the bathroom

I closed the journal, "Just about how she saw a lot of herself in you. Shouldn't you have been at the palace a while ago?"

"I still have ten minutes or so." he looked down at her watch, "I better get going. Are you excited for today?"

I nodded, "I just hope no one butts heads too much. Your Aunt Annie is going to be there."

His face lit up, "That's amazing. I just hope that you guys can agree on something today because it's already mid-September and April is going to come really quickly."

"I know. Guess what? Peyton's pregnant so her attendance for the wedding to TBD." I enformed Archie

"Damn I guess they had a little too much fun on the honeymoon." Archie laughed, "If she can't come to this one at least we have the one in California."

"I know, but this one is kind of a once in a lifetime experience." I frowned, "I want her to be here."

He rubbed my back, "Don't worry I'm sure it'll work out. Plus it'll be on TV."

I got down from the counter, "You're right and late, you should get going."

Archie gave me a kiss, "I love you and I'll see you later."

"I love you more. Have fun." I told him before he walked out of the bathroom

I put on a light blue shift dress that had mesh short sleeves with lace embroidery. I paired the dress with nude heels and quickly did a light makeup look. 

These days I'd been keeping my hair straight.

It was easier to do and it came off better in the media.

After I got my driver's license in the UK, I bought myself a cute little Jaguar SUV. She ran well, was the UK made, and got me from point A to point B. 

The whole drive I couldn't stop thinking about that damn journal entry. Especially the fact that there were dozens more to see how it played out over the years.

Theodora and Iris led me into one of the staterooms where there was a table set up with pastries in the middle. David, some people from the board, Aunt Annie, Aunt Heidi (the one I dislike), Ruth, and Archie's sisters were all there minus Alexandra because of college.

"Good afternoon everyone." I sat down in between Annie and Heidi, "Are we ready to get started?"

"We are." the lady from the board with glasses spoke. I learned that her name was Ines.

Heidi cleared her throat, "As we all know the dress should be white. Not eggshell, ivory, or cream but white."

"There will be one dress for the ceremony and another for the reception. The reception dress can be lax while being tasteful. Alena, I'm aware that you've been looking for inspiration what are you thinking?"Ines asked me

"I was thinking long lace sleeves, buttons on the back, a long train, or maybe a lace cap sleeve. I'm open to suggestions." I spoke

David began to show them his designs. There were three dresses that we were all pretty much sold on but because of how big the event was, they wanted three high-quality prototypes by December which was a quick turn around time for a small designer.

I was just happy they honored my wish of having David design my wedding dress.

"I think that we should go over the royal protocol that you should know." Heidi began, "No closing your own door, you'll be given your own coat of arms for your family through your father, no signing autographs, PDA to a minimum, and wardrobe."

"You know, Heidi, I think for this couple PDA is ok." Annie started, "Of course no making out in public but I see nothing wrong with holding hands. It helps image."

Heidi rolled her eyes, "You know, Anna, you have no royal blood so I don't think your opinion is needed on this matter."

Oh shit, here we go.

"You're practically mot even Royal because you're literally sixth in line right now. You'll become more irrelevant as soon as they say 'I do'." Annie shot back

Ouch.

Victoria raised her hands, "Alright, calm down. This is supposed to be a happy time. I believe the stance on that issue is ultimately up to my Dad right now."

"Yes now let's move on to the next order of business." I agreed with her

They wanted every detail of the wedding planned down the wire. They had to know what color nail polish I'd be wearing, how we needed to find a makeup artist and someone to do my hair, what flowers would be in my bouquet (a sprig of myrtle was mandatory). 

"I could imagine that you're feeling overwhelmed," Annie said to me as we walked through the gardens

"Very much so. It's a lot to take in." I confirmed her suspicion, "Lots of changes and adjustments."

"I remember going through all of this with Frances and when Archie and the girls told me that you reminded them a lot of Frances it caught me off guard. But I saw it very quickly." She started, "She also went through some scrutiny in the media. Probably not as bad as you but it still happened."

Annie stopped walking and turned to me, "What I'm saying is that I want to protect you. Granted Archie is a million times better than Winston, I just don't want this royal world to hurt you the way it hurt my sister."

"Hurt me?" I asked her but then I felt hands on my shoulders

I turned around and there was Archie.

"How did everything go?" he asked us

Annie made a face, "Lots to do, let us just say that. I must get going, but I will be seeing you two soon."

We said goodbye to Annie and left Archie and me alone. 

"Let's just walk." Archie spoke as he held my hand and walked around the garden

"So? How was it really?" Archie me

I sighed, "We got down to three general ideas but Heidi doesn't want tulle, Annie loves it, no buttons, buttons, that lace is ugly, more lace, that v cuts too deep. It's a lot but we're gonna get there. I'm getting baptized into the church before I go to America for Christmas and we talked about the ceremony too."

"What did you do today?" I wondered

"We talked about policies and the ceremony as well. I want to get rid of some outdated things like pantyhose, pants, small things like that. We also talked about your title." Archie began, "My Dad wants us to move into Kensington Palace a little after get married since it's closer and more security."

I nodded my head slowly, "I think we both knew that was coming."

"It needs some renovations first. I was raised there for a while and it's not bad." Archie explained to me how the palace was set up and it didn't sound bad

Archie squeezed my hand, "One more birthday, Christmas, and easter before we're married."

"I know, I'm very excited. Oh, today the advisors shared the results of my fertility test with me.  I'm all good to go to bear a future king or queen." I told Archie

"Oh yeah, buddy. They made you get the implant out?" he asked me

"They didn't make me, but I just didn't want any problems when we decided to try. We just need to be more on guard." I clarified as we sat down on the bench in front of the Amaryllises 

Archie put his hand on my knee, "When are you coming back from Christmas?"

"The 29th." I answered his question, "When are you coming? The 26th?"

"Of course and then we're still on for our New Year vacation?" I wondered

He kissed my cheek, "Of course."

We stayed at the palace for dinner before we headed home. When Archie went to sleep that night I picked up one of the more recent ones of his mom's journal. Three weeks before she died all it said was 'I tried'.