something, okay? I can learn. I’m not completely clueless.”
“I was when I met him,” Nina says, gesturing to Sebastian. “I had to learn from scratch, and let me tell you, there was a lot to learn. But you’ll catch on. As long as we’re in a casual situation like this, you can just act normally.”
“Thank you.”
Callum kisses my cheek and then gestures for me to have a seat with the others.
“So, things are going well, then?” Ellie asks and elbows Liam. “I told you it would go well.”
“I had no idea you were such a matchmaker,” I say as I accept a cup of coffee from Alice. “Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I’m not usually, I just had a feeling, and gave you a little push.”
“I didn’t need a push,” Callum says while pouring cream into his coffee. “And you can mind your own business, baby sister.”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
“All right, everyone, everything is ready for you. Would you rather I serve you in there, or would you like to eat buffet-style?”
“No need to serve me,” Sebastian says. “We’ll come make our own plates, Alice. Thank you.”
“Of course.” Alice nods and turns away, but stops suddenly and presses her hand to her head. “Oh, my.”
“Alice?” Nina says, just as the woman falls to the floor unconscious.
“Go get David,” Sebastian says to Liam, who’s already running for the door. Callum has Alice’s head in his lap and is feeling for a pulse. “Is she alive?”
“Yes, it looks like she passed out,” Callum says as Alice starts to come to. David and Liam run into the room.
“What’s going on?”
“She fainted,” I say. “Should I call for an ambulance?”
“Give me a second,” David says, kneeling beside his wife and taking her in his arms. “What’s happened, sweetheart? Are you okay?”
“I just got so lightheaded,” she says and shakes her head. “I passed right out. But I think I’m fine now.”
“You should see a doctor,” Sebastian says. “We can get one here today.”
“I’ll call Hannah,” Nina says as she reaches for her mobile. “She’ll come right over.”
“Hannah is her friend, who happens to be a gynecologist,” Ellie tells Alice.
“Really, there’s no need to fuss. I’m fine.”
But Nina is already speaking to Hannah, who promises to come right over.
“She lives about ten minutes away. She’ll be here soon.”
“I think we’re making a big deal out of this,” Alice insists.
“I don’t,” David says. “Let her have a look and make sure there’s nothing wrong.”
Callum slips his hand into mine and gives it a squeeze. I love being here, among these people who clearly care deeply for one another. The royal family values their employees and treats them like family.
That says a lot about them, and the people they come from.
Hannah arrives within minutes, carrying a bag and a stethoscope around her neck.
“I know you don’t usually make house calls,” Nina says, “so thank you for this.”
“Not a problem at all. I’ll just take some vitals.” She approaches Alice with a smile. “How are you feeling now, Alice?”
“Foolish,” the other woman says. “I’m sorry to waste your time.”
“Helping friends is never a waste,” Hannah says and takes Alice’s temperature. “Why don’t we go somewhere more private?”
“Of course, there’s a guest room right through here,” Nina says, escorting the other two women, and David, away.
“Well, this is a busy morning,” Sebastian says while he digs into his crepe. The rest of us follow suit, filling the time until we hear how Alice is doing.
“That woman can cook,” I announce after the first bite. “If she didn’t already work for you, I’d hire her in a heartbeat.”
“She’s quite talented,” Callum agrees. “And inventive. She talked our father into eating things that I never thought I’d see.”
“Father is a picky eater,” Ellie adds.
Finally, after we’ve all eaten our fill of breakfast, the other women return to the room.
“Thank you again, Hannah,” Alice says, shaking her hand. “I’ll come see you next week.”
“Perfect. Have a great day, everyone. I have to get to the office.”
With a wave, Hannah leaves, and we’re all left staring at Alice and David, who both have goofy grins on their faces.
Before they say anything at all, I know.
“Well?” Callum asks.
“I’m going to have a baby,” Alice replies and is swept up in hugs and well wishes.
“It’s a good day,” I say as I lean my head on Callum’s shoulder. “A very good day.”
Chapter 11
~Aspen~
These past couple of weeks have been like living in a fairy tale, and I stopped believing in those many moons ago. If