Royal Duty - Chapter 17 TEASER

Hello one and all!

It's been nearly 6 months since I last gave you a chapter. I will be the first to admit that six months is far too long, but I swear I have good reasons!

A lot of you are far more understanding than I deserve when it comes to real life, but I will try to speed up updates from now on. We're on the homestretch with this fic, so it should definitely be finished quicker than it took me to get this chapter out to you ;)

I spent some time in China at university there - and absolutely loved it. I then came back to the UK to finish my degree - as if I'm in my final year of Uni already!? Throw in a full time job over the holidays when I'm off and you can understand life is slightly busier than normal :)

Anyways, here's a little teaser of the new chapter, which should be with you by the beginning of next week! Enjoy!

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Chapter 17 - Statements

“Sources close to the family say that the Princess has shown her gratitude and patience towards staff here at the royal hospital, and that her unwavering love for her future husband is clear. Whilst many critics claim the impending wedding at the palace was both a publicity stunt and came from nowhere, this unfortunate situation has shown the rest of us, that life tests us all and only the strongest can come through. Many wellwishers who have come to stand outside the hospital believe that the love of a princess is enough to make any man strong enough to fight anything. This is Marcus Hunt, reporting from…”

I tuned the rest out. It was all the same. The world had been camped outside the hospital for days, and the curse of rolling news had descended.  Speculation, pointless interviews and hours of no news was making the journalists antsy.

I needed to make another statement, but it was the last thing I wanted to do. They kept talking about how strong Edward was, which was true, but they’d be expecting the same as me, and I felt anything but.

Knowing that I’d blocked out most of my childhood – and treated Edward appallingly in accordance – had left me reeling. It had been three days since Edward had woken up, since I’d spilled my inner thoughts to him, since I’d come to the stark realisation that I actually wanted to marry him. Sure, I’d have loved more time – to get to know him, to maybe even fall for him – but as far as arranged marriages went, I knew I’d lucked out. Edward was sweet, strong, caring and I’d have to be blind to not see how attractive he was. I wanted to know him better, I wanted to know what he looked like angry, or how easily he became frustrated. I wanted to know all the bad things, maybe just so I could pretend that he wasn’t a million times better than me. 

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Story link: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8247002/1/Royal-Duty

Banner link: http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy130/LiveInDakota/RDBanner.jpg

Royal Duty Ch.16 TEASER :)

Hey all!

So it wasn't as quick as any of us would have liked, but with working a new fulltime job, I didn't find much time!

However, in saying that, I loved writing this chapter and I know the majority of you were waiting on what finally happens in this one!

Here's a little teaser to tide you over until  I manage to respond to all your lovely reviews!!

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Chapter 16 - Reawakening

I wasn’t entirely sure what to do with myself.

It really wasn’t any different from all the other times I’d been with Edward while Ben was in the room, but the knowledge that he’d be awake soon made everything change somehow. Everything within me was fluttering and taking flight, simultaneously making me feel terrified and nauseous all at once.

I leaned my lower back on the window ledge and watched quietly as Ben checked over Edward’s ever-changing notes before placing them back in the holder at the end of his bed. I concentrated on levelling my breathing as he then did his routine check of all the machines Edward was hooked up to, even going as far as to feel his pulse himself, his fingers pushing gently into the pallid skin of Edward’s wrist.

It wasn’t until anytime either me, Ben or one of the nurses was within touching distance of him that I realised just how much his skin had changed colour since his admittance. The disease that had been raging through his system had made him sickly and pale, his skin cold fiery-hot and then cold to the touch, a stark contrast in itself.

“His pulse is stronger than it was even twenty minutes ago. He should be waking up on his own very soon.”

“Wi-” my voice caught in the back of my throat, and I cleared it to start again. “Will you need to be here for it?”

“No, but I will come and check on him again when he does. He has no breathing apparatus or feeding tubes that need to be removed so he shouldn’t be uncomfortable or in pain when he wakes.”

Somehow that thought terrified me more, as if Ben being in the room meant I had some sort of buffer, someone to take charge of the conversation, someone else to focus my attention on instead of the great big pink and green spotted elephant sitting patiently in the corner.

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Story Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/8247002/1/Royal-Duty
Banner Link: http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy130/LiveInDakota/RDBanner.jpg

Royal Duty Ch.15 TEASER :)

Hey all!!

I know I told you all this chapter wouldn't be long, and I didn't lie, it truly has been written all this time, but I started a new full-time job and other such excuses that I won't bore you with!

The chapter is currently with my beta who is working her magic on it, so I thought I'd leave you with a lil sneak peak!

Hopefully I should have it up on Monday - my day off!

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Chapter 15 - Coming Around

Twenty minutes later I was about as ready as I would ever be.

Alice, fidgeting, kept touching my hair and re-fixing the grips she’d placed at the front to keep it out of my face and I had to bat her hands away as she tried to redo it for the millionth time.

“You’re making me nervous, Ali, please.”

“Sorry.” Her lip disappeared between her teeth before she finally spit out what I assumed had really been on her mind all that time. “Do you know what you’re going to say?”

Her eyes flicked to the cards in my hand and I knew she’d seen the small amount of words on each one.

“Esme told me to tell the truth. And to follow my heart.”

A small smile lit up Alice’s face and she threw her arms around my shoulders. “Good luck,” she whispered before pulling back.

I nodded, squared my shoulders and let my security team lead me down the corridor to the elevator. They were never further than a metre from any side of me, and I watched as visitors and patients became curious by the large men in black suits, before their eyes widened on seeing me.

I was heir to their throne, there were very few people I would imagine didn’t know my face.

A lot of them stumbled through a curtsey or a bow, but most stood back against the wall and gaped as I made my way past. The ground floor, just inside the doors, was the worst. For such an early time of the morning, there were dozens of people milling around, all of whom came to a complete standstill as I made my way to the little podium that had been set up outside the doors.

What felt like thousands of light bulbs started flashing incessantly whenever the guys separated to present me to the waiting crowd of journalists and photographers. Some tried to shout out questions, most on top of one another and rendering it hopeless for me to make them out anyway.

I held a slightly trembling hand up, asking for quiet, and cleared my throat as I stepped closer to the microphone.

“Good morning everyone. Thank you for coming.

“My mother released a press statement on Sunday on behalf of our family, but we felt it better to personally address the stories surrounding my family and the palace within the media, with the truth.”

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Story URL: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/8247002/1/Royal-Duty
Banner URL: http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy130/LiveInDakota/RDBanner.jpg

Forget Me Not Ch.51 TEASER :)

Wow, it's been quite some time since I updated this fic, and for that I apologise.

Royal Duty - my other fic - has much shorter chapters, and a lot less depth, hence why it updates more often, so don't be thinking it's a favouritism thing, cause it's not :)

However, I've finished chapter 51 and it won't be long before you can read it! In the meantime, here's a little teaser to help you along :)

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Chapter 51 - Shake It Out

The days were bleeding into one another, but I was no longer watching them pass me by from the darkness of my room, or my spot on the sofa.

I was back at school, and while my headaches had me scowling my way through every class, and my workload making my heartbeat race, it was better than being at home.

I wasn’t alone; I had the option to talk to someone other than Kate if the desire should take me. I should add that it very rarely did, but it was sort of nice to have the choice.

Kate was still living with us, and she’d sort of become one of the family without even really trying. 

She made us breakfast, helped Alice with the designs she did in her spare time, and more than once I’d found her and dad sat out on the patio with a glass of wine in hand and hushed voices as they talked about whatever it was they actually did talk about.

I felt slightly jealous the first time. She was supposed to be there to help me, not joke with Emmett, sing along to the radio with Alice, and console my father over alcohol, but when I opened my eyes – after Bella had told me I needed to – I could see that she was helping my entire family.

She was bringing us together, talking to us all, getting us all to see the cracks and the problems, and helping us all deal with them. After that, I saw her as a sort of angel in disguise. She was pretty, kind, compassionate, intelligent and even funny, if she could help my dad get back everything he’d lost in himself, then I’d willingly give up my time with her to make it happen.

I hadn’t spoken to Bella since our conversation on the phone, but not through lack of trying on her part. She’d watch me during lunch and her eyes almost begged me to speak up again like I had that one day, but something always caught in the back of my throat and I’d just look back down at the table-top in silence.

It was stupid, but it was like I couldn’t make my tongue move. I’d asked Kate about it, why it was so easy to talk to her, but almost impossible in front of my friends. She’d said it was because I was too worried about what they thought of me and what they would think of me following whatever lame thing I said. Kate didn’t call it lame, I just knew that if I ever did speak up, it would be completely pointless to their conversation because I barely knew what was going on around me most of the time.

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Chapter should be up by the weekend!! 

Sarah x

Royal Duty, Ch.14 TEASER :)

Hey all!

So it's been a while, but thank you to everyone who's kept in touch and continued to review!

I've moved the 2 hundred odd miles home for a six month summer holiday, quit my job and been offered a new one as of yesterday! Exciting stuff!

Andddddddddddddddd...through all that I've written you two new chapters :)

Ch.14 is with the beta at the moment, so should be with you all soon! In the meantime here's a little teaser to whet your appetite :)

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Chapter 14 - Begin Again

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Lord and Lady Masen had collaborated all those years ago to make sure the two of us ended up together, and when I first met Edward’s father, I couldn’t help the tiny twinge of suspicion as to why he’d help manufacture my promised husband all these years.

“Your  Highness,” he greeted me, shocking me even more than the hug his wife had just bestowed.

I guess I expected respect, but not the formality, not when he was friends with my parents and father to the man I was going to marry.

He bent and pressed a gentle kiss to my cheek before stepping back and securing his arm around his wife’s shoulder.

“Lord Masen,” I replied quietly, my eyes watching two nurses as they scurried past with sidelong looks in our direction.

“Please, call us Carlisle and Esme,” Lady Masen interjected, and I couldn’t help but notice that Lord Masen himself hadn’t volunteered that pleasantry.

“I’m honoured to finally meet you, I’m only sorry it’s under these circumstances.”

“Nonsense, my dear, the honour is ours. Why, we haven’t seen you since you were a little girl running around the palace causing havoc, not in person anyway.”

Esme laughed lightly and I couldn’t help but smile.

“I’m afraid I don’t remember,” I answered politely, noting the way Lord Masen’s eyebrows rose as he watched me closely. Feeling uncomfortable under his scrutiny, I changed the subject.

“My mother has set up an office if there is anything you would like to discuss with her. Unfortunately, my father is unwell and on bed rest at the palace.”

“We heard, we’ll look in on him when we go back for dinner,” Lord Masen answered, and I had my answer, they were staying at the palace for the foreseeable future.

“How is my boy?” Esme asked, her worried eyes glancing longingly at the door leading into Edward’s private suite.

“He’s stable according to the doctors. The medication is helping his body fight the attack, so he’s weak and unconscious, but he’s doing well supposedly. He’s under strict quarantine until the Doctor’s pronounce him safe from the TB, and then all visitors will be allowed.”

“Has anyone been in?” she asked, sadness for her son tinting her tone.

“I haven’t left his side,” I answered, clarifying when I saw her confused expression. “I didn’t want him to be alone, so I sort of forced Dr Reynolds allowed me in.”

“Thank you, sweetie, I’m glad he has you,” she answered softly, stepping out from under her husband’s arm to touch her hand to my cheek.

“Come, Carlisle, let us speak with Renee.”

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See you in a few days!

xx

FMN Ch.51 Title Track - Shake It Out

So, if you've been with me from the start, you'll know that I always used to do this.

However, with technical issues I gave up, but I'm really excited to be back to writing again, and I wanted to give you guys a little taster. I know it's not much yet, considering most of you will have heard this song a million times anyway.

Chapter 51 is in E's POV and things are moving on & loose ends are being tackled that haven't been yet. I hope most of you will get the glimpse of the future that you're looking for.  This fic is wrapping up, and while it may take me a while to write, I hope you'll all see the HEA you've been looking for all this time!

Royal Duty Ch.13 TEASER :)

Hey all!

It's been a while, but it hasn't been as long as previous times!

Here's a little snippet of chapter 13, hope you enjoy!

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Chapter 13 - Isolation

“I hope I’m not overstepping my mark, but he’s lucky to have someone like you to care for him, Bella. You’re facing this with more decorum than I could ever hope to manage," Ben declared.

I only smiled faintly in return.

I’d been wondering how I was managing to hold it together myself.

What had given me the sudden push to hold my head up high and deal with things rather than act out and complain that life wasn’t being fair to me?

I’d come to the conclusion that it was all Edward’s fault. There was something about him being around that made me – finally – want to be somewhat better.  Once I realised who he was, to me and in general, I didn’t want to be the immature little spoiled princess I’d been acting out so well in the previous weeks.

It made me queasy, thinking about the way he’d seen me behave; the things he’d heard me say; the ‘decorum’ I certainly hadn’t shown then. How could he possibly want anything to do with me after returning and finding out just who I had become, or who he thought I had become? I’d been brought up better than that, never mind being in line for the throne.  I’d always been taught to act civilly and always give thought to others. That had completely flown out the window when I’d been faced with Edward and the “situation.”

Now it all just seemed like an epic waste of time. Edward was lying in a hospital bed, severely ill, and completely unaware of the things that were changing in me.

I finally decided it was the fear of him changing his mind – of deciding he didn’t want me anymore – that was driving my need to step up and prove myself, both to him and for him.

“Let’s get scrubbed up shall we, and I’ll take you in.” I snapped out of my thoughts as Ben spoke up, finally putting Edward’s chart down.

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Should be up by Thursday! xx