Against the Odds

When they arrived back in London, Harry and Alex’s relationship was incredibly strong. They were closer and more in love than they had ever been and they both understood that the trip to Texas, that pulling Harry in Alex’s life as he had pulled her into his so many months ago had solidified their bond.

Unfortunately for them, the trip to Texas had also amped up the media coverage on them. Harry had gone with Alex and her daughter on a trip home to meet her family for a major holiday and the press went nuts when pictures started to flood the web. Camera phones had captured all of the public outings of their holiday – the trip to the zoo, the shopping excursion at Cavender’s, and of course the night out at Big Texas, the dance hall. There were pictures and video footage galore of Harry spinning Alex around the dance floor, of them looking at each other with complete adoration, and of course, of Harry leaning down to kiss her or more than one occasion.

The level of obsession with Prince Harry, his girlfriend of almost a year, and her daughter was reached a fevered pitch and they all felt it closing in around them. Even Alex, with her ingrained inner calm, knew that it was only a matter of time before the heightened interest had its first huge impact on her life.

And it would be sooner than later.

********************

“Susanna!” Alex exclaimed as she pulled open the door to her apartment one evening about a week after they got back from Texas. Harry’s planned event where he announced his patronage of the organization he had told Alex and Geoff’s widow about a couple of months before was the next day, and Susanna had made her way down to London the night before with her young son to take part in the event. They were staying a hotel that Harry’s office had arranged of course, but as Alex wouldn’t be attending the event, she had wanted to have them over for dinner the night before the event.

“Hello Alex,” Susanna greeted with a wide smile. She genuinely liked this woman, Prince Harry’s girlfriend. She was warm and lovely and to Susanna’s surprise and delight, had kept in touch with her after they visited her at her home.

“Come in, come in,” Alex said excitedly, standing aside and motioning for Susanna and young Adam to enter. Susanna adjusted Adam on her hip and walked through the door and after Alex had closed and locked it behind her, she turned and greeted her, the two women pressing kisses against each other’s cheeks. “Hello cutie pie,” Alex giggled, giving the toddler a little tickle. He giggled back and Alex gave him a little wink before turning back to Susanna. “I’m still working on dinner, let’s go in the kitchen. How was your trip down?”

“Easy,” Susanna smiled as she followed Alex into her kitchen. “We took the train and Harry had a car waiting for us at the station, which was lovely of him to do.”

Alex glanced over her shoulder as she opened her fridge to pull out a bottle of wine. “Well, he’s pretty lovely if I do say so myself, but I’m biased so…”

Susanna laughed as she slid into one of the chairs at Alex’s table, pulling Adam onto her lap. He was tired from their journey down and snuggled up on his mother’s lap, taking in the new surroundings. “He is lovely, absolutely. Is he coming tonight to dinner?”

“He is,” Alex nodded. “He took Emma out to ride horses with his cousin Zara but they should be back any minute. Would you like some wine?”

“Oh yes, please,” Susanna agreed.

Alex poured them both a glass and brought Susanna’s over to her before moving back to the counters to finish up putting together the casserole she was making. “Are you excited for the event tomorrow?”

“I am,” Susanna offered with a soft smile. “It’s just…it’s wonderful that Harry included me, that he included Geoff. My husband would have been tickled pink and would have been strutting about like a peacock, so damn proud.”

“Sounds like Harry and Geoff were quite a bit alike,” Alex chuckled as she opened the oven to slide the casserole in.

“I think so,” Susanna nodded.

“You don’t mind if I mention him, do you?” Alex asked softly as she plucked her wine glass from the counter and went to sit with Susanna at the table.

“No.” Susanna’s lips pulled into a wide smile and she glanced down at her son, still tired from their journey in, relaxing against her shoulder, his thumb firmly in his mouth. “It’s nice. Most people are afraid to talk to me about him. I think they are afraid I’ll break.”

“Ah yes. Well, you are much stronger than I was.”

“I don’t think so, Alex. I think your circumstances were different and you were younger and…” Susanna trailed off as they heard the door to the flat open and Emma and Harry’s voices filled the entryway and floated into the kitchen. Adam perked up, hearing the noise and squirming in Susanna’s arms to look towards the voices.

“Mummy!” Emma squealed as she bounded into the kitchen, still bundled up in her coat, gloves, and scarf. Alex grunted as Emma launched her little body at her, but couldn’t help the laugh that slipped through her lips.

“Well hello, Emma Rose. Did you have a good time?”

“I did! I rode all by myself, without Zara walking beside me and holding on to the horse. Didn’t I Harry?” Emma asked as Harry strode into the kitchen, having divested himself of his coat and scarf.

“You did, and you did amazing,” he grinned. Then, seeing Susanna and Adam his smile pulled even wider. “Ah! Our guests have arrived!”

Emma’s head whipped around from where her focus had been, solely on telling her mother about her day, to Susanna and Adam seated across from them at the table. “Miss Susanna!” Emma squealed brightly, causing Adam’s eyes to widen a little and bringing a small giggle from the happy baby.

“Hello Emma,” Susanna chuckled as Adam wiggled in her lap, the activity waking him up a bit. Susanna turned her head towards Harry and smiled. “And hello, Harry. It’s good to see you again.”

“You too,” Harry grinned as he bent down to kiss her cheeks in greeting. “How was your trip up? Did you get into the hotel alright?”

“Yes, it everything was wonderful. Thank you. I appreciate everything,” Susanna said sincerely.

Harry shook his head and waved a hand. “It’s absolutely nothing. I’m glad you could come down. We will go over the plans for tomorrow in a little bit but right now…” His smile pulled wide as he looked down at the toddler who was getting more and more antsy on his mother’s lap by the second. “I think we should all catch up and that definitely involves me playing with this guy.”

Susanna and Alex both laughed as Harry plucked Adam from Susanna lap and tossed the laughing two year old into the air.

“Again! Again!” Adam squealed. Harry tossed him the air one more time and then with a grin he moved Adam to his hip and then moved over to kiss Alex hello.

“Dinner will be read in thirty minutes,” Alex said as she smiled up at Harry.

“Excellent. Do you need any help?”

“No,” she shook her head. “It’s in the oven. It just needs to cook. Why don’t we all go into the living room though? We can relax and wait and you can play with Adam?”

“Sounds perfect,” he grinned.

“Great,” Alex nodded. She looked down at Emma and giggled. “You still have your coat and things on. Aren’t you burning up?”

“Nooooo,” Emma drawled with a slight roll of her eyes.

Alex shook her head and gave a slight chuckle. “Okay, Sassypants, you know better than to roll your eyes at me. Go take your jacket off, hang it up, and then come join us in the living room.”

“Okay Mummy,” Emma said, moving from her leaning position on Alex’s lap to go back to the entryway.

“Hey Em,” Harry stopped her and gave her a pointed look before she could walk out of the room. “What do you say to your mum for rolling your eyes at her?”

Susanna couldn’t help the way her eyes widened and pulled to Alex before turning back to Harry and Emma. Her lips twitched as she watched the situation unfold, the Prince disciplining his girlfriend’s daughter.

“Sorry?” Emma asked quietly, as if making sure that was the correct answer. When Harry gave her a nod and a small smile Emma turned around and when back to Alex. “Sorry Mummy, I shouldn’t have rolled my eyes.”

Alex leaned down and kissed Emma’s forehead and smiled. “Thank you, I appreciate that, Emma,” she said as Emma gave her a quick hug and went out off to do as she was told. “Thank you,” Alex smiled at Harry as she stood and picked up her wine glass from the table. Susanna stood as well and turned towards Harry who was busy making goofy faces and pretending to make sense out of the half English, half baby babble her son was speaking.

“Do you want me to take him?” she asked.

“Absolutely not,” Harry laughed. “We are bonding here.” Susanna and Alex both laughed as Harry turned around, Adam still on his hip, and lead them from the kitchen.

*****************

“Alex?” Susanna asked as she helped Alex load the dishwasher a bit later while Harry played with Emma and Adam in the living room. Squeals and laughter could be heard throughout the flat and it had put a permanent smile on both Alex and Susanna’s faces.

Alex turned bright eyes towards Susanna. “Hmmm?”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“It’s a bit…personal.”

Alex shut off the water as she handed the last dish to Susanna and then reached for a dry dishcloth to wipe her hands before handing it to Susanna. “You can ask,” Alex said sweetly. “Believe me, if I’m not comfortable answering, I won’t.”

Susanna smiled, grateful for Alex’s honesty. “Okay…earlier when Emma rolled her eyes at you and Harry…”

“Made her tell me she was sorry?” Alex finished for her with a smile.

Susanna nodded. “Yes. He sounded so…” she trailed off and chuckled. “Sorry Alex, I feel like I’m overstepping boundaries here.”

“Hey…” Alex said softly as she turned towards Susanna. She reached over and placed a hand over Susanna’s where it lay on the counter. “I’ve invited you into my home. Harry is in there playing with your son like it’s the only thing he’s ever wanted to do. And don’t forget that Geoff and Harry were really close. Geoff was the only person outside of my family and close friends and Harry’s family who knew about our relationship before it went public. And…he told you about it and you didn’t breathe a word. I like you, I trust you, and I can relate to you in a way that I can’t relate to a lot of people.” Alex stopped to throw a pointed look at her new friend. “So, in other words…spit it out, Susanna.”

“Ha!” Susanna laughed. “You are right. Sorry.”

“No worries,” Alex chuckled with a shake of her head.

Susanna took a deep breath and a sip of wine. “Earlier when Harry asked Emma to apologize to you, he seemed so much like a father.”

Alex’s smile pulled wide. “He’s really great with her,” she said quietly. “And she adores the mess out of him. And on the rare occasions when he does have to chastise her or discipline her, she listens to him.”

“So you don’t mind?” Susanna asked quietly.

Alex took a deep breath, but her smile remained in place. “No, I don’t. It’s not something that feels forced and he never overrides me or disciplines her where I wouldn’t or don’t want to. What you saw earlier was probably as serious as it gets for the most part.”

Susanna nodded and seemed to gather her thoughts for a moment before she spoke. “I know it seems weird that I comment on that, but sometimes the thought hits me that someday…far down the road…somebody might come along and…” Her eyes welled up with tears and Alex’s hand squeezed Susanna’s on the counter.

“You wonder how you could ever let someone who isn’t Geoff play that role?” Alex finished for her.

“It’s so stupid…” Susanna sighed with a laugh as she blinked back the tears. “And he only died what…six months ago. I should not be thinking about that.”

“Listen,” Alex said, her voice soothing. “It’s normal. Believe me. In fact, most of the things you think about that you are sure no one else is thinking are completely normal. And come on, of course you have to wonder about the future. Someone will come along someday…Geoff would have wanted that for you. And when that happens, when it’s the right person, you’ll be okay with it.”

“You know…” Susanna said as she took a deep breath. “I like you, Alex.”

Alex giggled and patted Susanna’s hand before moving away from the counter to grab her glass of wine. “I like you too, Susanna. And hey…tomorrow, if you don’t have to head back home right away after the event with Harry, why don’t you come by my office? We have a few sessions tomorrow afternoon and I’d be more than happy to watch Adam while you sat in on one.”

“Oh goodness, Alex. That would be wonderful. I can certainly do that,” Susanna said gratefully.

“Wonderful!” Alex said brightly. “Now, let’s go make sure Harry isn’t using our children to wreck my living room.”

***************

“Well, that was fun,” Alex sighed as she leaned into Harry’s side on her couch a little while later. They had just said goodnight to Susanna and Adam, and Emma was sleeping soundly in her bed.

“Hmmmm…yes, it was,” Harry responded in low, relaxed voice. He wrapped an arm tightly around Alex and pulled her close, leaning down to drop a kiss on her head.

“I invited her to come to a session at HFTF tomorrow after your event.”

“You did?” Harry smiled as he turned to look down on her. “That’s wonderful.”

“I think so. She’s strong, a lot stronger than I was when John died, but she still needs to know that other people are going through what she’s going through.”

“You are so amazing, Alexandra,” Harry murmured. He turned and pulled her into his arms so she was sitting sideway on his lap, and looking down at him, bringing a small giggle from her as she wound her arms around his neck. “So kind…so compassionate…”

Alex shrugged as she looked down at the man she loved. “I’m just trying to help. I’ve been there, you know.”

“I do know,” Harry nodded. “But still, what you do at HFTF, it’s not something you have to do. You do it because you truly care about people and want to help.”

“Harry, you’re acting like what I do isn’t what any normal…”

“It isn’t what any normal person would do, Alex,” he whispered gruffly. “Your program is something special. I knew that before I even knew you.”

Alex’s face softened and her lips turned up at the corners. “Don’t make me cry, Wales.”

Harry chuckled, a light happy sound that warmed Alex’s heart. His hands smoothed up over her back and pulled her closer. “What would you like me to do then, Alexandra?”

“Hmmmm…” Alex twisted her lips and put a finger to her lips, pretending to think about it. “You want to read some poetry?”

“Ha!” Harry laughed, his eyes crinkling up at the corners. “Not really, no.”

“No? How about a movie?” Alex giggled. “We could watch something terribly romantic, like Notting Hill.”

Harry shook his head as his laughter continued. “I tell you what, you let me pass on that and I’ll take you over to the real Notting Hill this weekend.”

“Pass?” Alex teased. “Well, fine then. You don’t want to read poetry, you don’t want to watch a movie, I guess there is only one option left.”

Harry’s grin was smug. “Oh yeah, what’s that?”

Alex leaned down closer, her eyes growing heavy and her cheeks flushing. “Well, Harry. I think it’s about time…” She dropped a soft kiss to his lips and she felt his hands flex on her back and push her closer to him. “That you helped me re-arrange my kitchen cabinets.”

Harry’s body shook with laughter as his hands moved up into her hair and pulled her mouth to his. “Not bloody likely, Alexandra,” he breathed as her mouth met his, opening up instantly and letting his tongue in to duel with hers.

“Then whatever will we do?” Alex whispered against his lips.

“Well, I thought I might take you to bed and spend a couple hours showing you how amazing I think you are.”

“That sounds so much better than re-arranging kitchen cabinets,” Alex giggled and wagged her eyebrows.

“Oh, I’m glad you think so Alex,” he growled playfully. And then he stood swiftly from the couch, keeping Alex in his arms. She squealed and then quickly clapped a hand over her mouth as he maneuvered them down the hallway towards her room where he definitely made good on his promise to show her how amazing he thought she was.

*************

Alex noticed the increased paparazzi presence outside of her apartment as she left to take Emma to school that next morning. She noticed but she chalked it up to Harry having a very public even that day and the photographers wanting a picture of her to print alongside pictures of him. However much she didn’t like it, she was somewhat used to it by now.

She dropped Emma off at school without incident and then made her way to her office. She frowned when she pulled up to the gate and punched in her code to enter the parking garage for the set of buildings that her office was in. The paps were heavy across the street from her office as well, much heavier than usual, heavier even than at her apartment. They were really all gunning for a shot of her, but she didn’t understand why they would be suddenly so much more interest. However, she was grateful that her office was on private property and that the paps couldn’t get closer than across the street to get the picture they really wanted, but it still didn’t sit well that people coming for sessions had to see them all waiting there. With a heavy sigh she parked and then made her way inside and out of the cold winter air. Mia was waiting in her office already, getting the client files ready for the day.

“Mia, is it me or are the paps really, really heavy today?” She asked as she pulled off her coat and scarf and hung them on the back of her door.

Mia rolled her eyes. “It’s not just you. They are going nuts over you right now.”

“Right,” Alex sighed as she slid into her desk chair. “Because of Harry’s even today. I’m sure they are waiting to see if I’ll go or at least wanting to get a good shot of me. Despite the event having nothing to do with me, they’ll write me up anyway.”

“Alex…I don’t think this is about Harry’s event…” Mia said, her voice holding a little bit of hesitation.

Alex looked up to her, confusion written all over her face. “What? What else would it be about?”

Mia sighed. “Okay Alex, you know I read the blogs and…” She waved a hand, indicating that she knew it was silly, but she did it anyway. “Since you guys got back from Texas a few days ago, and all the pictures came out…people are going nuts.”

Alex blinked. “Nuts?”

“Little bit,” Mia nodded slightly as she came to stand in front of Alex’s desk and pointed at the computer. “Do you want me to show you?”

“No,” Alex shook her head. “I don’t want…ugh…” She took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a minute.

“Are you okay, Alex?” Mia asked quietly.

“I’m fine,” Alex laughed as her eyes slid back open and she rolled them up towards the ceiling. “I just have a busy day yet all I want to do is get online and see the damn pictures. How can I even blame these people for taking pictures if I want to look at them myself?”

“Oh come on, Alex. Of course you want to look. They are of you. But the good news is that you have a session that starts in ten minutes so I’m going to go ahead and drag you away from your desk because you don’t have enough time to look,” Mia set, her features growing resolute as she talked.

Alex scrunched her nose. “Ten minutes? It takes ten seconds to get…”

“Nope. No time,” Mia said pertly.

“I see what you are doing,” Alex said, a smile forming on her lips.

“My job?”

Alex stood from her desk and walked around to Mia, taking the folders she needed from her assistant. “No, not your job, Mia.”

Mia’s lips turned down. “Actually, I…”

“You’re being my friend, and I thank you for that,” Alex smiled.

Mia’s grin flashed wide for a moment before she pulled herself together and went back to business mode, pushing Alex from the office and keeping her busy with chatter while they made their way upstairs to get ready for the first morning session.

**************

It was during the second morning session, when Alex’s brain had fully moved on from the worries of the press, that the door to the room she was holding her meeting in opened and a flustered Mia popped her head in. Alex immediately felt the unease was over her. Mia would never interrupt unless it was an emergency.

“Mia?” Alex’s voice wavered as she called out to her assistant.

“Alex, can I see you outside for a moment?”

“Can it wait, Mia? I’m right in the middle…”

“No, Alex.” Mia’s voice was firm, her eyes wide. “It can’t.”

Alex felt the hair on the back of her neck rise as she moved from her chair and apologized to her small group of six. She told them to carry on and that she would be back shortly to finish up and then she stepped out of the door, closing it behind her softly. “Mia, what in the world…”

“Emma’s headmaster just called, Alex. The paps are surrounding her school,” Mia rushed out nervously.

“Are you shitting me?” Alex called out before she could stop herself. “Did they say how many?”

“No,” Mia shook her head. “But…it sounds like a lot. I could hear the noise through the phone and…”

But Alex didn’t hear the rest of Mia’s sentence because she went rushing past her, down the stairs and into her office. She grabbed her coat and her purse and she pulled her phone out, frantically trying to call Harry with shaking fingers as she made her way out of the building and to the parking garage.

“Come on, Harry…answer!” she groaned into the phone as it went to voicemail. She hung up and re-dialed immediately, making it to her car just as his voicemail picked up. “Shit!” she cried as she flung her bag inside and slid into her seat. She started the car and dialed him again, waiting as it rang and rang and he still didn’t pick up. “Fuck! Come on Harry…I don’t…I don’t know what to do!”

The tears spilled from her eyes at the thought of her poor child at the school, surrounded by people with cameras yelling and shouting and trying to get a shot of her no matter the cost. She must be so embarrassed and scared and…

“Damn it!” Alex yelled as she hit her steering wheel. “What do I do?” She picked up her phone and dialed Harry again, needing his advice and how to handle this once she got there, and she didn’t want to start driving until she had talked to him or someone who could tell her exactly what the fuck to do.

And then suddenly it occurred to Alex that just because Harry couldn’t answer his phone, didn’t mean that everyone in his life was unavailable and it only made her more upset that she wasn’t thinking straight. She picked up the phone again and dialed the next person she could think of, the person who told her to call any time she needed help.

The phone picked up on the third ring.

“Alex?”

“Charlotte! Thank God. I need your help!”