#philip fox mountchristen windsor/martha fox mountchristen windsor

[idealuk]

Yeah, I'm not saying that Buddie/Dickl(e)y is so FirstPrince-coded (where the actors nationalities and the character's sexualities are flipped) that it actually hurts, ...

... but some one should really guard Madney's wedding cake with their fucking lives.

[duchessdepolignaca03]

Rule Britannia

Chapter 14: Kinship

Rated M for Mind the Tags

Fic Summary:

Philip is King and Prince Henry is living his best, openly gay, tabloid-fodder life. But something doesn't feel right to Alex about the progressive fantasy the Hanover-Stuart-Foxes are selling.

Or: where Henry is a political courtesan fucking for King and Country, and Alex is the diplomat who foolishly and earnestly falls in love with him. Can Alex understand Henry's motivations, and can he live with the reality of being in love with a high-power courtesan with dangerous clientele?

Chapter Summary: Alex and Henry visit Sandringham for a final Christmas, and Alex spends some meaningful time with Queen Martha and her husband, King Philip.

Snippet from Chapter 14:

He couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride when he saw Philip look at Henry, telegraphing with his expression that he was pleased and impressed with Alex. Damn his simpering self, craving any and all external validation, even if it was coming from the Weasel King.

It terrified Alex a little, realizing that even despite knowing what he knew about Philip, he was being charmed by Philip’s display of intellectual curiosity and passion and what looked on the surface to be unabashed affection towards Henry. No wonder the whole country – if not the entire world – fell for this strange spell.

It pissed Alex the fuck off.

Read on A03

I actually posted this on Sunday but then was immediately hit by the plague, so I haven’t had a chance to “promote” it in what little way I know how!

[groenendaelfic]

A Dutiful Welcome (5412 words) by groenendael

Summary: His Majesty The King of Sweden and his very male, very biracial Consort arrive in London for a state visit. Philip’s duty as heir is to welcome them graciously and with all the honors befitting their station. Philip has thoughts. Wilhelm and Simon are in love.

Chapters: 1/1

Fandom: Young Royals (TV 2021), Red White & Royal Blue (2023)

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Relationships: Simon Eriksson/Wilhelm, Martha Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor/Philip Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Alex Claremont-Diaz/Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor (mentioned)

Characters: Philip Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Wilhelm (Young Royals), Simon Eriksson, Martha Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor

Additional Tags: King Wilhelm (Young Royals), King Consort Simon, POV Outsider, POV Philip Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, state visit, Philip Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor Being an Asshole, but only internally, because Wilmon outrank him, Duty, Decorum, protocol, Versus, Homophobia, Racism, Classism, or something, Simon Eriksson is a Little Shit, Wilhelm is a Little Shit (Young Royals), Future Fic, Not Britpicked, Canon - Movie, Philip is not envious of anything whatsoever at all, Wilmon only have eyes for each other

Series: Part 1 of Kings in London

[blueeyedgrlwrites]

Several Sentence Sunday May 12, 2024

It's still Sunday where I am even though time is irrelevant and doesn't truly exist.

Still recovering from the massively overwhelming, but happy, week we had and definitely looking forward to all the new FP content the future holds. As well as all the TayNick antics that will absolutely not inspire anything in me.

Anyway, I'm just over here slowly plugging away at my @aroyallybigbangrwrb fic, and I shall spare you the more heartbreaking part of the chapter I'm on because even I want to put myself in the corner and make myself thing about what I've done.

With that in mind, I give you some Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor (or Hanover-Stuart-Fox, I'm not picky) sibling interaction:

“I can’t say that I’m surprised.” Philip says while buttering a bit of bread once Henry has finished filling him and Bea in on recent developments.  “That’s not helpful.” Henry says evenly.  “I’m just saying that it’s not uncommon for people from Alex’s background—” Henry interrupts and focuses on Philip with hard eyes, hand balled into a fist on the table top. “I would advise you not to finish that thought if you hope to make it home to Martha in one piece.” Bea jabs her elbow into Philip’s ribcage. “Must you say everything that comes into your head?”  Philip squares his shoulders and tries to hide a grimace with pinched lips and jutting his chin out.  They eat quietly before ordering tea to finish everything out.  Bea reaches across the table to rest her hand over his. “If you think there’s still something worth fighting for, then fight for it. But maybe he needs to fight for you for a change.” Henry looks away from Bea to Philip and receives a slight nod that tells him even his brother is in agreement.

Thanks for tagging me @suseagull04 @taste-thewaste @iboatedhere @thesleepyskipper and @cha-melodius

Also taking the open tags from @sparklepocalypse @priincebutt

Again, it's late so this is an open tag (as usual), but also tagging a few folks, either because I want to see what you're working on or because I know you have interest in this fic: @stereopticons (you should listen to the Ashe song I added to the playlist 👀), @anincompletelist @firenati0n @getmehighonmagic @violetbaudelaire-quagmire

@onthewaytosomewhere @itsmaybitheway @happiness-of-the-pursuit @kiwiana-writes

@bigassbowlingballhead @eusuntgratie @piratefalls @hgejfmw-hgejhsf @thinkof-england

@heysweetheart-writes @read-and-write- @littlemisskittentoes @inexplicablymine

[cricketnationrise]

For the followers' fic fest!

6:58 AM, Kensington Palace, Philip Fox-Mountchristen Windsor. I'm not sure about the song but I'm thinking Are You Bored Yet? by Wallow ft. Clairo for the vibes so feel free to use it! (You don't have to tho /gen)

Another first for me, Philip POV! I hadn't heard the song before this ask, but it's going into regular rotation now! Anyway, I hope you like your ficlet! 💜🦗

❤️🤍💙❤️🤍💙

6:58am, kensington

“Mmm…Ph'lip? Why’re you already awake?”

Martha blinks blearily at him from where she’s half-sprawled on his chest. Bollocks. All his shifting around must have woken her up. Philip sighs, puts on half a mask of normalcy.

“No reason. Go back to sleep, darling.” He drops a kiss on the top of her head. “We don’t have to be up for another hour.”

“No, I’m awake enough. Come now, what’s wrong? You’re never up this far before your alarm.”

“Nothing.”

“Pish posh.”

“Martha.”

“I’m still half asleep, but I know utter rot when I hear it. Now spill.”

“I don't have an answer—” 

Martha starts to push upright. “Philip, I swear to—”

“Well, not one I can give you,” he admits. 

“How come?” 

And the truth is that the thing that’s bothering him, that has kept him up all night, it’s so big he can’t even look at it head on; has to resort to sideways glances. The whole is too overwhelming. But Martha makes everything better—everything. So maybe, a moment of bravery on his part will let her soothe this hurt, this howling thing inside him, as well. He takes a deep breath and exhales hard before speaking.

“The man that—the one that slept with H-henry. When he was underage.”

“From his letters?” Martha’s always been quick on the uptake, always willing to follow his wandering thoughts.

He nods. “I can’t get that line out of my head. It seems such a small detail, almost casual for Henry, but for me—”

“It rewrites a large part of your worldview.”

“Yes.”

There’s a long silence as they both sit with that idea. Martha plays with the buttons on his pajama top. Philip takes the back of her collar between his fingers, rubbing the soft neckline like a worry stone.

“Martha?”

“Hmm?”

“Do you think it was one of my friends?” He has no reason to doubt Henry’s words, just a desperate desire to have not contributed, even in passing, to his brother’s suffering.

“Truthfully?”

“Yes, please. If you tell me the truth I won't have to lie to myself anymore.”

“I think you already know the answer, love,” she says gently.

“Martha, please.” The just tell me doesn’t need to be spoken for her to understand. 

“Yes, Philip. I think it's true.”

For all he’d known, for all he’d been subconsciously bracing himself for the words, Martha’s confirmation is sharp pain, a cold knife in the pit of his stomach. Philip can’t quite keep the wet, shaky breath from escaping his throat.

“Oh, darling, it’s alright.”

In a heartbeat, Martha’s sitting upright and pulling Philip into her lap, combing her fingers through his hair as he fights to keep the tears at bay. 

“I’m fine.”

Martha snorts softly. “I’ve known you how long now? I can see you aren’t fine.”

“I can't—”

“Just tell me how you’re feeling. We’re all alone, no one to interrupt or pull you into meetings for at least forty minutes. So just tell me what’s going on. Maybe I can help get through this. You’ve been holding it all together for so long. You’re allowed to let go sometimes.”

“Martha, I—”

“Let me in, Pippy.” He’s so caught in the storm of his feelings that Philip can’t even muster the customary glare at the heinous nickname.

“I just. I feel so lost. Unmoored. There’s so much I don't know about my own brother. I don’t know what happens now. What happens next.” 

“You don't have to have all the answers, love.”

“I just don't know where we’re going.”

She brushes his bangs back from his forehead. “That's alright.”

“Its not—”

“It is. You’re not as alone as you think you are. If you’d let me, I’d like to be right next to you. We’ll figure it out. Together.”

And Philip—

Philip believes her.

[firstprince-ao3feed]

for the sake of the wedding

by strwbrryfox bestman!henry, and weddingplanner!alex. In which Philip is getting married and asks Henry to be his best man. Henry very reluctantly agrees, but what he absolutely does not agree to is being the one stuck dealing with all of the tasks that Philip “simply does not have time for.” The one thing that his brother did manage to do was hire a wedding planner, Alex, who's not only extremely charming and, well…much too handsome than what should be considered humanly possible but who, for some reason, seems to be doing everything in his power to make the situation more bearable for Henry. What starts out as a bond over their mutual annoyance with Philip and his outrageous requests turns into something completely unexpected and much deeper, and for once, Henry might just have to indulge himself. or: henry and alex plan a wedding together and just might find love of their own along the way ♥️ Words: 7680, Chapters: 1/8, Language: English Fandoms: Red White & Royal Blue - Casey McQuiston, Red White & Royal Blue (2023) Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: M/M Characters: Alex Claremont-Diaz, Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Philip Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Martha Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Percy "Pez" Okonjo, June Claremont-Diaz, Nora Holleran, Beatrice Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, David the Beagle (Red White & Royal Blue), Queen Mary (Red White & Royal Blue), (she’s not a queen) Relationships: Alex Claremont-Diaz/Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor Additional Tags: Wedding Planner Alex Claremont-Diaz, Best Man Henry Fox, Strangers to Lovers, Mutual Pining, Weddings, not theirs (yet), Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Falling In Love, Alternate Universe, like a lot of it, they’re very oblivious, Getting Together, Dual POV, Idiots in Love, no like truly idiots, Eventual Smut, (mainly henry’s), Loverboy Alex Claremont-Diaz, Grief/Mourning, Family Drama, Henry is very witty in this, i had a lot of fun writing him, complicated family relationships via https://ift.tt/cy0tpBe

[blairwaldcrf]

RWRB fic - new chapter (9/11)

NEW CHAPTER (9/11)

Fandom: Red White & Royal Blue - Casey McQuiston

Rating: Mature

Relationships: Alex Claremont-Diaz/Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Alex Claremont-Diaz/Liam, Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor/Hunter

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - College/University, Alternate Universe - Roommates/Housemates, platonic friends with benefits, at no point is there any romantic feelings between alex and liam, these boys are just idiots, as far as the firstprince of it all it's fluff and angst and dumbassery, overuse of coffee and whiskey, lease agreements as a plot device, Updating tags as I go, canon typical mentions of divorce and grief, Alex Claremont-Diaz Has ADHD, Mutual Pining, Mutual Masturbation, Miscommunication, mentions of anxiety attacks, healthy use of prescribed anxiety medicine, Mentions of Therapy, getting together (eventually), non serious illness, Hospitals

New Chapter Summary:

Bea is smirking into her dinner plate, only barely holding back a full snort of laughter when Philip awkwardly asks, “Isn't a… boy… the reason why you were late to arrive?

“Not just a ‘boy’, Phillip. My roommate.” He snaps. “He needed to be taken to the hospital for severe pneumonia.”

“Is he not your…” Philip badly holds back a wince but manages to get out the word, “partner?” without it sounding like a slur. Bea chokes on her drink.

“No.” Henry says waspishly, stepping hard on Bea's foot. “I have plenty of male friends in my life that I haven't shagged nor intend to.”

Their brother grimaces then, turning a look back to his ham as he condescendingly scoffs. “No need to be crass.”

If it weren't for their mother giving that sort of sigh that says a million things at once--we have company, I've taught you better manners--Henry would snap. Instead he apologizes to Martha and her mother and goes back to his roast.

“Don't intend to, hm?” Bea whispers in his direction while Martha changes the larger topic of conversation at the table smoothly. Henry glares at her out of the corner of his eye, cheeks warming. “Shut up, Bea.”

[ao3feed-jonmartin]

Statement of Alejandro Claremont-Diaz: The Door

read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/FfSy7bs by MyDarkWeirdMind Statement of Alejandro Claremont-Diaz, regarding the dinner at Mowbray House, London and a subsequent encounter with Lady Hilda Mowbray. Recorded live from subject on Saturday 25th May 2024 in the presence of Martin Blackwood and Jonathan Sims, Archival Assistant and Head Archivist respectively of The Magnus Institute, London. ---- If you have read Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston or seen the adaptation, but not The Magnus Archives, then I hope you shall enjoy this and be inspired to listen to The Magnus Archives, which is a wonderful masterpiece of storytelling. If you have listened to The Magnus Archives, and not read Red, White and Royal Blue then beware of spoilers. Go read and enjoy and then read this fic as it is wonderfully funny one of best comedies I read in years. Words: 5381, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Series: Part 2 of The Magnus Archives-Comedy Crossovers Fandoms: The Magnus Archives (Podcast), The Magnus Protocol (Podcast), Red White & Royal Blue - Casey McQuiston Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Categories: M/M Characters: Alex Claremont-Diaz, Jonathan "Jon" Sims | The Archivist, Martin Blackwood, Lady Mowbray, Philip Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Catherine Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Martha Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Queen Mary (Red White & Royal Blue), Amy Chen | Amy Gupta, Tim Stoker (The Magnus Archives), Sasha James, Helen | The Distortion (The Magnus Archives), Percy "Pez" Okonjo Relationships: Alex Claremont-Diaz/Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Martin Blackwood/Jonathan "Jon" Sims | The Archivist, Alex Claremont-Diaz & Catherine Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Alex Claremont-Diaz & Philip Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Martin Blackwood & Sasha James & Jonathan "Jon" Sims | The Archivist & Tim Stoker Additional Tags: Alternate Universe, The Archives are running as normal, The Hunt Fear Entity (The Magnus Archives), The Spiral Fear Entity (The Magnus Archives), Entrapment, Hunting, Homophobia, Aristocracy, Statement Fic (The Magnus Archives), Spoilers for Red White & Royal Blue read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/FfSy7bs

[dwell-the-brave]

NEW FIC: Give Me Comfort, Give Me Help

Fandoms:  Red White & Royal Blue - Casey McQuiston, Red White & Royal Blue (2023)

Relationships: Alex Claremont-Diaz/Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor (plus others, minor)

Rating: Mature

Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings ApplyAdditional Tags: Minor Character Death, Wakes & Funerals, Grief/Mourning, Angst, Post-Canon, Alternate Universe, royal protocols, State-Mandated Mourning, Mourning Periods, Sad Birthday, Reluctant Heir, royal family, Sad Blowjobs

Summary:

“I’ll be back by Thursday,” Philip promises, giving Martha a hand up the jet’s steps. She gives them a brief wave from the top of the stairs before disappearing. “Make sure you don’t ski off a cliff!” Bea calls after him as he follows his wife into the jet. He waves a hand dismissively at her and then withdraws into the darkness of the cabin. That’s the last thing any of them say to him. - Philip dies, and Henry becomes heir.

[historicallysam]

Seven Candles for Delia Claremont-Diaz

Rating: T+ Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply Fandom: Red White & Royal Blue - Casey McQuiston Relationship: Alex Claremont-Diaz/Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor Summary: On Delia's 7th birthday, Henry gives her a gift that means the world to him. Series: True Love Stories Never Have Endings

Henry knows he shouldn’t be as nervous as he is but he can’t help himself.  They’d spent two weeks together in London with him showing Alex and Delia his favorite places.  They’d spent time with his sister and mother, had met Philip and Martha, and had even shared a very brief visit with his grandmother.  Thankfully, Delia was her usual charming self and there was something about the way she tried to be exceedingly proper with Mary Mountchristen that charmed the old bat into keeping her opinions on Henry’s relationship to herself.

They were home now, however, and it was probably one of the biggest days of the year: Delia’s seventh birthday.

Continue on AO3

[fanfictionfanatic]

AO3Feed-RWRB

read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/wrFedkP by TheAlarm67 Henry tells Alex to leave that night at Kensington castle but it’s not just him that he tells to leave. Words: 550, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English Series: Part 1 of The Hidden Heirs Fandoms: Red White & Royal Blue - Casey McQuiston Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Categories: Multi Characters: Alex Claremont-Diaz, Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, June Claremont-Diaz, Nora Holleran, Beatrice Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, David the Beagle (Red White & Royal Blue), Philip Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Martha Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor Relationships: Alex Claremont-Diaz/Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor Additional Tags: Trans Mpreg, Pregnancy complications, Unplanned Pregnancy, Homophobia, I plan on adding more later read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/wrFedkP

[hms-chill]

Blissful Imperfection

Philip's new charity supporting military families is just getting started, and Martha isn't going to let a little thing like being nine months pregnant stop her from supporting her husband. - sort of loosely set after A Channel of Your Peace, but can be read without it

If you haven't read A Channel of Your Peace, here's what you need to know: - Philip is in therapy and also fixing his relationships with his siblings. - Martha is pregnant with their first kid! - They're starting a charity to help military vets and families.

Philip sees Martha the moment she comes in, talking with Bea and positively glowing. She’s a vision in florals, an army green blazer on her shoulders and one hand on her bump. Between the jacket and her flats, he’s sure his gran will have something to say, but she looks absolutely stunning. She spares a look around the room as she shakes hands with someone, smiling when they make eye contact, and she sends him a little wink. He smiles at her before turning his attention back to the man he’s actually supposed to be talking to.

It’s not an interesting conversation. At all. But the man owns quite a bit of stock in prosthetics, and he’s worked with the Alternative Limb Project, so his support for their charity would be crucial in helping disabled veterans. Philip forces himself to smile and nod along to whatever the man has to say, trying to pay attention even as his eyes keep drifting across the room to Martha. She laughs at something Bea says, waving security off so that someone can feel her baby bump. The baby’s probably kicking; he’d been active and kept her up last night. He can’t keep the smile off his face as he watches her say something to get her security to take a step back; she’s never been particularly good at playing the role of the aloof princess.

“Sir?” He snaps his attention back to the man in front of him, and he’s met with a smile. “Perhaps we should continue this conversation at a later date.”

“I would appreciate that,” Philip says, blushing a bit. “I can give you my card; it’ll have the number for my office and you’re welcome to call any time.”

“She looks lovely. When’s she due?”

“Any day now. We’ve been dragging hospital bags around with us for weeks,” Philip says, and the man laughs.

“Ah, the early parenting days. I wish you all the best.”

“Thank you,” Philip says, and the man gives him a last smile before turning away, leaving Philip free. He moves toward Martha automatically, a boat floating through currents of people toward land. Someone else calls his name long before he gets to her, and he’s pulled into another conversation with people the charity can’t afford for him to offend. He’s trying his best to get out of it politely when a hand fits into his as Martha kisses his cheek. It’s not an interruption, exactly; he can squeeze her hand and keep talking. But the others seem to get the hint, and a moment later, he’s pulling Martha closer as they turn away.

“Hello, love,” he says, guiding her to the edge of the room. She’d finally been asleep when he left for the morning, but that meant that he hasn’t talked to her all day, and he’s missed her.

“Hello. It looks wonderful in here; are you ready for your speech?” He groans a bit, and she laughs. “You’re going to be fantastic. We’re both rooting for you.”

He smiles, looking around a bit to see if anyone’s paying attention to them before leaning down to kiss her forehead, then her bump, and finally her lips. Her arms are around him, her hands finding his hair as he kisses the bump and moving forward as he kisses her, holding his face close even as he pulls back to rest his forehead on hers. She smiles, and he does, too, just enjoying how close they are and letting himself acknowledge how much he loves her. The baby kicks against his hand where it still rests on her belly, and she smiles even wider, her own hand coming to rest on his. There’s probably a photographer somewhere, but as she stands on her tiptoes to kiss him again, he realizes he doesn't mind. Let the paparazzi catch him kissing his wife. He’s got more important things to worry about.

She runs her fingers through his hair a bit as they part, frowning suddenly. “Did you use that extra strength gel again? We’ve told you; you’ve got to use something that lets your hair move. The product Henry sent is on the bathroom counter.”

“I know. I should have used it instead. I forget people care so much about my hair.”

“Well, we only want you to look your best.” She fusses a bit more, and he takes time to just look at her, his incredible, wonderful wife.

“I love you,” he says, and she gives him a curious look. He shrugs. “I hadn’t said it yet today.”

Her face softens at that, and she says, “I love you, too. I’m so proud of you and everything you’ve worked for, and I’m so glad to have had a front row seat to everything you’ve done. I’m glad to be here for you today.”

“I’m glad to have you, but you’ll look after yourself? Stay off your feet if you’re uncomfortable; take naps or rest if you need to and make sure you eat enough and everything like that? I know we’ve got speakers lined up all day, but you’ll leave if you need to, won’t you?”

“Yes, darling. I’ll be alright. I’ll have Bea look out for me to make sure; you don't have to worry about a thing. You just present the best possible charity you can, and I’ll be here to cheer you on.” She smiles, leaning into his hand a bit as it comes up to cup her face.

“I don’t deserve you.”

“You do. I picked you, love. Even if you doubt yourself, trust me?”

Martha brushes a thumb across his cheek, and he smiles again, a genuine one as Martha feels some of his worry drain away. She’s never quite sure who she’s meant to be at events like this, but right now, all she has to be is Philip’s wife. That’s her favorite role to play.

“I should go mingle more; care to join me?” Philip asks, offering her his arm, and she takes it with a smile.

“Of course. Lead on, brave prince. Into the sea of small talk.” He laughs a bit, and even as they get into the crowd and other people demand their attention, Martha can’t stop thinking about just how proud of him she is. She’d loved him when they got married, of course, but she’d felt like she lost the man she loved when they were in public. He was so used to being a face of the monarchy, the man of the royal family, and she’d had to watch him slip into that role any time they were anywhere public. Now, though, with plenty of ribbing from his siblings, his personality is starting to peek through in public. She couldn’t be happier for him.

When the time comes for speeches, Martha gives him a last kiss, then joins Bea in the front row. As much as she’ll miss being close to her husband, her feet and back appreciate the break. She wonders briefly if anyone would notice if she took her shoes off, but the knowledge that her swollen feet would almost certainly end up on the internet somewhere is enough to keep them firmly on as she looks over the program they’d been handed. She knows most of it; speakers and the announcement of the board of regents, opened and closed by Philip himself. He’ll be leading it all, their valiant captain urging them to take action and keep helping, guiding them into a world where military members and their families can be better supported.

They’re listening to the second speaker when Martha feels a cramp coming on, and the bump where she’s resting her hand is firmer than it was a moment ago. By this point, she’s no stranger to Braxton Hicks contractions, but she glances at the watch on her wrist just in case they’re real this time.

10:13.

It’s probably nothing; just a practice contraction to get her warmed up. It’s over before long, and she should go back to listening to the soldier talk about what a difference the ability to video call his family made in his deployment. Still, as she turns her attention back to the stage, she keeps a hand on her belly and remembers the time.

It happens again at 10:28.

And at 10:46.

They’re occasional enough that she makes herself stop worrying. Even if they are real, they could last for days at this rate, especially since this baby is her first. A tiny voice reminds her of the way her back hurt all of last night, the way she’d been kept up by what she’d assumed were just bad cramps. She ignores it, at least until they break for lunch. If they’re worse in an hour, she’ll worry about it then.

By lunch, they’re still happening, and either they’re worse or she’s more paranoid. She’s sitting with Philip’s family, at least his mum and Bea, though apparently Oscar Diaz might join them, as he’s in London for a conference on clean energy that starts tomorrow. She’s meant to be at that, baby allowing, so it would be nice to meet him. It takes a bit for him to get to their table, but Catherine is there when she finds it. Aside from her husband, Martha can’t think of a single person she’d rather see. She manages to get Catherine alone somewhere that feels private enough and says, “I’m having contractions, and I think they’re getting stronger. I don’t... I don’t want to worry Philip, especially if it’s too early for it to be a problem. You know he’ll act like it’s big if I say anything. What... what do I do? Now’s good to leave if I have to, but I don’t want to leave if it’s not actually happening soon. You... you’ve been a royal longer than me, and you’ve had babies. What... what should I do?”

Catherine takes her hand, then pulls her into a hug, and Martha lets herself relax a bit. She hadn’t realized how worried she was. “How bad do they hurt?” Catherine asks.

“Not… they don’t hurt exactly; it’s just… uncomfortable. The blogs and things say that they’ll be uncomfortable for a while, and I… I don’t know if there’s different rules since I married Philip, but I don’t want to go to the hospital yet or anything. And I don’t want Pip to worry. He’s already worried about everything else.”

“We’ll find you a spot near an exit when we go back. If you need to step out, it can be subtle. And, if something does happen, he’s given Bea a copy of his notes in case he needs to leave,” Catherine says, rubbing her back. “It’ll be okay.”

“He... he really did think of everything, didn’t he?” Martha asks, taken aback by tears in her eyes.

“He loves his back up plans,” Catherine says with a smile. “He’s been telling us all about what to do if he has to leave suddenly for a month now.” Martha laughs a bit at that as they go back to the table. She has another cramp.

It’s 12:09.

There’s another at 12:23. It’s worse than a cramp. She tries not to worry.

The next one comes at 12:41.

Then as they’re finding new seats and she’s telling Philip she’s nauseous and might slip out at 12:52.

She just has to make it until 4:00. Philip has a speech to wrap them up, and then he can take her to a hospital. She’s not leaving without him, not if she has any other choice. He wants to be there, and she’s not sure she can do this without him.

Over the next two hours, the contractions just get worse. Now they are undeniably real contractions, her belly tightening under her hand as pain radiates out from it. She doesn’t feel the need to push yet, but the baby is definitely on his way.

At 2:58, she has to fight to hold back a groan through a particularly bad one. When it passes, she tells Bea she’ll be right outside the door and steps out, making sure it closes slowly behind her so it doesn’t make noise. She finds herself in a back hallway near the bathrooms, and that seems like as good a place as any to wait. One more hour. If the contractions keep happening every six minutes, then that’s ten more. She can survive that to let Philip give his speech and have his day. There’s a water fountain, so she takes a drink, then goes down the hall a bit in search of a chair. She’s still looking when it happens again, and she has to brace herself against a wall to keep from falling. This time she can’t muffle the groan as she takes a few deep breaths, trying to stay calm as it peaks and slowly starts to fade.

It’s 3:04. Fifty six minutes. She’s sweating, her feet hurt, and now that she finally lets herself admit it, she’s scared. She doesn’t know what to do, or if trying to wait to go to the hospital will be bad for her baby, or if she’s already done something wrong, or if she can make it through the worst parts of labor if she’s already so scared and tired before it’s even really started. Everything she’s read has said that the next part is more tiring and more painful, and if she’s already this tired, she’s not sure what she’s going to do.

The next contraction comes, and she lets herself slide to the floor of the palace, trusting that she can find a member of staff or security to help her back up if she needs it. This way, she’s able to focus on breathing through the pain, on taking deep breaths and not screaming even as it gets bad. She closes her eyes, puts a hand over her mouth, and waits for it to pass.

It’s 3:11.

In a last ditch effort to make her miserable, the baby kicks directly into her bladder. She manages to get back to her feet and head toward the bathroom, ready to stifle any sounds in case another contraction hits her closer to the auditorium door. The thought of coming outside to be discreet only to interrupt with a scream isn’t one she wants to dwell on. Still, she makes it to the bathroom alright, though the sight of her own face in the mirror as she leaves the stall is almost scary. She’s sweating and pale as she pulls paper towels, trying to blot some of the sweat on her face in case anyone sees her and worries. It’s 3:16. Forty four minutes.

She’s mostly composed again and just leaving the bathroom when she’s hit with a contraction, and when it peaks, it’s so intense it buckles her knees. She lets herself slide to the floor again rather than trying to stay upright, settling in between the drinking fountain and the bathroom door to focus on breathing and staying quiet and calm until Philip can come for her.

3:17. Forty three minutes. She can do it.

The pain is just starting to fade as the door opens, and Martha starts trying to push herself to her feet before she recognizes that it’s just Philip and lets herself relax. He finds her quickly and comes to squeeze himself in beside her, his head bonking against the water fountain as he wraps her in a hug and kisses her forehead.

“How are you feeling?” He asks, and she nods.

“I’ll... I’ll be alright.”

“I didn’t ask how you will be, I asked how you are,” Philip says, rubbing at the spot in her back that’s been tight for months. Though Martha has rained a million blessings on his therapist, she stacks a curse on there for teaching him to recognize deflection techniques.

“I’ve been better,” she admits. “But I can make it until 4:00. You’ve got your speech, and then you can worry about me.”

“Bea can do the speech. Half these donors are just here to see a member of the royal family, they couldn’t care less which one. And I always worry about you.”

She wants to tell him he’s getting sappy, but before she can, another contraction takes over and she barely gets out a “you’re getting” before she has to focus on breathing so she doesn’t scream. He all but pulls her into his lap somehow, petting her hair and promising he loves her until it’s over.

3:22.

“Maz, love, was that...”

“A contraction,” she admits, trying to catch her breath. “I... I came out here because they were getting bad. I thought maybe walking would help, or at least distract me. Turns out it’s just tiring.”

“Have you been timing them? When was your last one?”

“That was five minutes between.”

“We’re going to the hospital. The doctor told you to come when there were five to six minutes between, and now it’s five—“

“But your speech; everything you’ve worked on—“

“It doesn’t matter. None of it matters more than you.” He’s taken a moment away from getting up to cup her face, and Martha leans into his touch. “I’m... I promised you, and Henry, and Bea and Mum and myself and everyone that I’d be a good father, and that starts now. Bea will give my speech. I practiced with her; she knows it. We’ll get you to the hospital.”  

“Will you... will you try? I’m okay out here, and it’s not for much longer. You worked so hard for this; you—“

“Mazzy, I...” he clearly wants to say something, but she watches as he tries to figure out exactly what. Then, slowly, he says, “Everything I’ve done with this charity has happened because of you. Everything I’ve built is because of you. Anything I do alone will be hollow, and trying to do something while you suffer would feel like betraying the spirit of the project. It may be my name on it, and my face for publicity, but you are the heart and soul, and I... I need to look after you first. You’re always telling me I don’t have to be tough around you? Well, it goes both ways. You don’t have to be tough right now. I know you’re scared.”

“I’m so scared,” Martha says, and he pulls her as close as he can. “I’m... I’m scared I did something wrong. I’m scared I won’t be able to do this. I’m scared—” Another contraction starts, and she buries her face in Philip’s shoulder to muffle a scream.

3:26.

Philip’s hold on her shifts a bit, and as she gets her breath back, he says, “I’ve texted Bea. She’s giving the speech and telling them I had to leave on a family emergency.”

He helps her up, then leads her through the back halls of Buckingham and out a side door as quickly as they can. They’re in the car before the next contraction, speeding toward the hospital. And when that contraction comes, Philip is there to hold her close and promise her she’s strong enough to do it.

From there it’s a blur of contractions and hospital, of nurses and doctors and trying to answer questions through the pain, but Philip is there. He’s answering questions for her and making sure she’s got everything she needs and more. He’s there to kiss her forehead and hold her hand and promise that it’ll be alright.

Suddenly she’s pushing, and it hurts worse than anything she’s ever done, but Philip is there to tell her she’s okay.

It feels like an eternity before she gives a final push, her hand clinging to Philip’s as she screams, and another cry joins hers.

Edward Arthur Fox Mountchristen Windsor, born at 3:56 PM.

She can barely believe it as Philip brushes her hair back and tells her he’s proud, helping her sit up a bit while a nurse brings her their baby boy. A nurse rests him in her arms, and Philip helps her shift so the baby can eat if he wants. The whole world narrows to the tiny baby in her arms and the husband beside her, staring at the baby with just as much wonder as he happily guzzles milk, occasionally blinking up at her. After a bit, he lets go and falls asleep, and that’s when Martha can finally tear her eyes off him to look up at Philip, who’s still looking at the baby in awe.

“He’s so small. I mean, I knew he would be small, but...” Philip is sitting now, which means Martha can reach out to cup his face with one hand, making sure to support their baby with her other as the last of the staff filter out of the room.

“It’s okay, love. It’s just us. You don’t have to be tough,” she tells him, her thumb brushing along his jaw.

“He’s... he’s beautiful, Mazzy. Beautiful. And I... you’re so amazing. You’ve always been amazing but this... I love you both so much.”

He’s crying, and Martha brushes away the tears she can reach, then says, “want to hold him?”

Philip nods, so she lets him take the sleeping baby, and Philip holds him close while Martha rearranges herself on the pillows. When she looks back at her boys, the baby has one of Philip’s fingers held tight, and Philip’s murmuring to him.

“I’m going to look after you, Edward. I’m going to look after you and love you, no matter what. I’m... I’m going to be better than I’ve ever been for you, and if... if anything happens, if I mess up, you have an uncle and an aunt and a grandma who would go to war for you. And that’s just on my side of the family.”

“Pip?” He looks up at her with a hum, and Martha smiles at him. “You’ll be a good dad.”

“But how... I was pretty rotten to Henry and Bea when they needed me. How do you know I’ll be good for him?”

“Because I’ve seen you grow. These last nine months, you’ve... you’ve done everything you could to help me, and make things easier, and help other people too. And you want to be a good dad, and I think... I think you know more of what that means now.”

“But what if I mess up?”

“I think you will mess up. I think I will, too. I think... I think part of parenting is messing up, but then correcting yourself and doing better the next time.”

“I... I don’t know how to be a dad. But I’m going to do my best, I promise.”

“And I don’t think I know how to be a mum, but I’m going to do my best, too. Promise.”

“You’re amazing. You’re going to be incredible.”

“So are you,” she says softly. There’s a knock at the door, and Philip lets a nurse in to weigh and measure the baby, leaving the two of them alone for a moment. Someone else comes in with clean sheets for the bed, so Philip takes Martha to the bathroom to help her get cleaned up.

Their PPOs have brought the hospital bag, and it sounds like Edward will be away for a bit, so Martha tugs Philip into the shower with her and rinses that god-awful gel out of his hair before she closes her eyes and rests against him while he shampoos her hair. He started washing her hair for her around the start of the third trimester, when her whole body seemed to hurt by the end of the day, so Philip would do the work for her while she just stood in the water. It’s quickly become one of her favorite things, the gentle intimacy of her husband’s hands in her hair and their bodies pressed together at the end of a long day. No matter how far apart their schedules pulled them, this is a moment of quiet togetherness. If he thinks he’s getting out of it now that she’s had the baby, he’ll have to think again.

“I love you. You’re amazing,” he tells her, and she laughs a bit.

“Right now I’m just tired.”

“You can be tired and amazing,” he says softly, turning off the water and wrapping her in a towel almost immediately. “You just had a baby; that’s amazing even if it’s tiring. You made a whole person. You’re... you're like a superhero. Super-Maz.”

That gets another laugh as he fishes her pajamas out of the bag, and they get dressed together. She’s just convinced him to join her in the freshly made bed when a nurse comes back with Edward, Bea and Catherine not far behind. They find Philip, Martha, and Edward curled up in bed, Edward asleep while his parents coo over him.

It’s only then, when Martha has Catherine and Bea to keep her company, that Philip kisses her forehead and steps out into the hallway to see if there are any queen-sized problems they need to worry about. Instead of his gran, he runs into Oscar Diaz, who looks almost as surprised to see him.

“Your Highness. I hear congratulations are in order,” Oscar says, smiling. “I was in town and Alex called, so I thought I’d see if there’s anything y’all need for a bit. Alex and Henry are on their way, but I can probably get around a bit easier as a runner if you need anything. Most people here don’t recognize me, so I won’t be stopped.”

“I... can we... you’re a dad,” Philip says, and Oscar nods slowly. “You’re a good dad.”

“I try my best to be. Are you alright, Philip?”

“Can we find somewhere to sit, and you... can you tell me how to do it? How to be a good dad? I... Henry says you’re a good one, and Alex is friends with you, and I... I want that.”

“I’ll give you whatever pointers I can,” Oscar says, throwing an arm around Philip’s shoulders and heading to a seating area. Philip’s not sure how long they talk, but as Oscar tells him what to do or avoid, he feels himself relax. And, when Oscar pats his shoulder and tells him he’s going to do well, Philip almost believes him.

When he goes back into Martha’s room, Oscar trailing behind to see if he can get anyone anything, Philip feels like maybe he can do this. He can be a dad. And, as he climbs into bed to hold Martha and she falls asleep against him, he thinks that maybe, just maybe, with enough work and help, he can be a good one.

On AO3

I read so many mommy blogs and hospital sites and other resources for pregnant moms for this that I started getting targeted ads for baby supplies, so uh... that's fun. I did my best on research, but I've never had a baby, so take it all with a grain of salt lol.

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Want to support the Hannah-Makes-Art fund? You can tip me in ko-fi here! You can also check out my blog, History’s Lit, for a very book/history-nerdy analysis of pop culture!

[firstprincelovechild]

day-of events leading up to cakegate

alex: when you get married you should have two champagne fountains

henry: yeah, we can do that

alex: you agreeable ass- did you just say we?

henry:

[hrhprincephilip-ofwales]

Thankful for someone who is honestly so loving, even when I make the biggest mistake of my life.

[cristinablackthornkingson]

What fic do you want to read next?

Hi friends!

So I’m kind of stuck on what I want to write/publish at the minute, so I figured I’d let you lot choose, since you’re the ones who’ll be reading it!

So, what would you like to see me write and publish next? 

1. Tessa announcing her pregnancy to Magnus, Ragnor and Catarina, plus Kit being the first to feel Mina kick during Tessa’s pregnancy, and some adorable Kit&Mina sibling love and bonding. 

2. A fic centering on Zahra and her relationship with the Claremont-Diaz’s, especially in her early life when she first came to work for Ellen.

3. Philip and Martha’s child comes out as trans. 

4. Nora, Pez and June’s child comes out to the rest of their family as trans (a part 2 to my fic ‘coming out’ which you can find here.)

5. A fic about Natalie Chase and her pregnancy with Magnus, and the early days of Magnus’ life. 

6. June, Nora and Pez becoming parents. 

7. A sequel/spinoff to my AOAS story ‘What Might’ve Been’ mainly surrounding Sophie and how she deals with having placed her child for adoption, and how Faraday and Curie feel about their first grandchild being placed for adoption.) 

If you have any questions or want any further details, feel free to ask, or if you have any ideas you really want to see, please send them my way! 

Much love to you all! 

[nicealma]

My version on the RWRB cast

So I’ve seen a couple of these on Pinterest and decided to make my own version of the cast. And because I can’t be satisfied with just the super six I had to do basically everyone from the book lmao.

(The order is top left down to bottom right)

- Alex Claremont-Diaz

- June Claremont-Diaz

- Nora Holleran

- Prince Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor

- Princess Beatrice Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor

- Percy “Pez” Okonjo

- Ellen Claremont

- Oscar Diaz

- Rafael Luna

- Princess Catherine Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor

- Arthur Fox

- Queen Mary

(I have different versions of both Philip and Martha)

- Prince Philip Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor

- Princess Martha Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor

- Liam

- Spencer

- Leo Castalazzi

- Zahra Bankston

- Shaan Srivastava

- Amy Chen

- Amy’s wife

- Jeffery Richards

And four different versions of Cash cuz I can’t decide how he looks lmao

That was all bye