CHAPTER 17 BEYOND THE SPOTLIGHT

The sun was just beginning to set casting a warm golden glow on, Prince Henry and Alex Claremont-Diaz are enjoying the freedom with lie on the hammock and they are hugging each other happily and peacefully.

The peaceful moment was interrupted by the soft chime of Henry's phone, signaling an incoming video call. Henry glanced at the screen, his brow lifting in curiosity. "It's Shaan," he said, tapping to answer. The screen lit up with the familiar face of Shaan Srivastava, Henry's indispensable personal assistant, his expression a mix of professionalism and barely contained excitement.

"Your Highness," Shaan began, his tone respectful yet animated, "and your Grace. I hope I'm not interrupting your morning"

"Not at all, Shaan," Henry replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "What's the news?"

Shaan adjusted his glasses, his enthusiasm palpable even through the screen. "I've just received a rather exciting request. Every magazine company are want to make an interview with both of you, including Vogue magazine has reached out, they'd like to do an exclusive interview with the two of you, complete with a photoshoot. They're particularly interested in your journey."

Henry and Alex just looking each other listening carefully of Shaan news.

Shaan nodded, his smile widening. "I'll email you the details shortly, And the Palace already have permission of this this request. It's entirely up to you to do it all, of course."

Alex let out a low whistle, his eyes lighting up. "Vogue, huh?. What do you think, Henry?"

Henry turned to Alex, his expression thoughtful but warm. "I think it could be a wonderful opportunity. We've been so private lately, and sharing a bit of our story might inspire others. Plus," he added with a playful smirk, "it'd be nice to show the world that we're alive."

"Exactly," Alex said, leaning closer to Henry, his excitement infectious. "And let's be real, it'll be fun to show our life."

Henry glanced down at his belly, rubbing it gently as he considered the idea. " but we'd need to set some ground rules, I'd prefer to keep things as comfortable and intimate as possible."

Alex nodded in agreement, his hand resting on Henry's knee. "Yeah, we don't want a huge crew stomping around here. How about we limit it to, say, four people max? Photographer, interviewer, and wardrobe maybe an assistant?"

"Excellent suggestion," Shaan said, jotting down notes on his ever present tablet. "I'll relay that condition to Vogue and ensure they understand the importance of maintaining a relaxed environment. Anything else?"

Henry exchanged a glance with Alex, who gave him an encouraging nod. "No, that's all for now," Henry said. "Let's do it."

Alex flashed a thumbs-up at the screen. "We're in, Shaan. Send us the details and let's get this ball rolling."

Shaan's face brightened with a satisfied smile. "I'll handle all the arrangements and keep you both updated."

The call ended, and Henry set the phone down, exhaling softly as he leaned back against Alex. "Vogue," he murmured, a mix of disbelief and excitement in his voice. "I never thought I'd be doing something like this, especially not now."

Alex wrapped an arm around Henry, pulling him close. "Hey, you're Prince Henry, the man who rewrote history by falling in love with a loudmouth American. This is just the next chapter. And honestly? I can't wait to see you on the cover, glowing like the literal sun."

Henry laughed, swatting Alex's chest playfully. "Flatterer. But you're right, it's a new chapter. And I suppose it's time we let the world in, just a little bit."

A couple weeks later, The morning sun filtered through the bathroom window of their cozy home, Prince Henry and Alex as they prepared for the upcoming Vogue interview and photoshoot. The buzz of activity from the living room, where the crew was setting up, echoed softly through the house.

Standing In front of the mirror, Henry placed a reassuring hand on his baby bump. His eyes met Alex's in the reflection, both of them filled with a mix of excitement and uncertainty.

"Are we really doing this?" Henry asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "With Vogue, of all things? What if... what if some everyone don't take it well?"

Alex gently rested his hand over Henry's, a comforting presence beside him. "I know it's a something big, Henry. But think about how many people out there support us. They've been cheering us on every step of the way. We owe it to them and to ourselves to share our story. We can't let fear hold us back."

Henry took a deep breath, nodding slowly. "You're right. We've come this far, and we shouldn't let the negativity of a few overshadow the love and support of so many."

Alex smiled, his eyes twinkling with determination. "Exactly. And besides, our story could inspire others who are facing similar challenges. We have the chance to make a difference."

Henry looked down at his belly, his expression softening. "What do you think, little one? Are you ready for today?"

As if in response, the baby gave a couple of playful kicks, bringing a joyful laugh from both Henry and Alex.

"I think that's a yes," Alex said, chuckling. "We're all in this together."

With renewed confidence, Henry and Alex shared a tender moment, their hands intertwined over Henry's bump. They knew that whatever the outcome, they were ready to face it together as a family.

As the make-up artist and wardrobe specialist approached them with friendly greetings, Henry and Alex exchanged a final glance of reassurance. Today was the day they would share their story with the world, and they were ready to embrace it with open hearts.

The walls, floor, and every piece of furniture were bathed in pristine white, creating an ethereal backdrop that felt almost heavenly in its simplicity.

Henry, with the glow of impending fatherhood, sat gracefully on a plush white sofa. His posture was one of quiet dignity, his hand resting gently on his baby bump, a gesture both protective and loving. He wore an outfit that complemented the setting a white shirt that flowed softly around his form, accentuating the life within.

Beside him, Alex lay on the floor, his body stretched out with an ease that spoke of comfort and love. Dressed in all white as well, his casual yet stylish attire contrasted with the formality of the setting, adding a touch of warmth to the scene. His eyes, bright and full of adoration, looked up at Henry, capturing a moment of pure, unadulterated affection.

The photographer, a woman with a keen eye for beauty and emotion, moved around them, capturing this scene from various angles. She spoke softly, directing with a gentle voice, "your highness, keep your hand there, that's perfect. Your Grace, keep that smile, you're looking at your whole world."

Henry turned his gaze down to meet Alex's, his expression softening further. "It's surreal, isn't it? Here we are, sharing this with the world."

Alex's smile widened. "And there's nowhere else I'd rather be. This moment, right here with you, it's everything."

The photographer paused, lowering her camera for a moment, moved by the genuine love between them. "This is beautiful. You're not just sharing a photo, you're sharing a story."

As the afternoon sun painted the sky, the scene at the poolside in Los Angeles was one of pure joy and love. Henry and Alex, now standing in the middle of the swimming pool, embraced each other, their laughter mingling with the gentle lapping of water against the pool's edges.

The photographer, saw the perfect moment unfolding. "Yes, just like that! Keep that embrace, show us the happiness you share."

Henry, with water droplets clinging to his eyelashes, looked into Alex's eyes, their foreheads touching in an intimate connection. His smile was radiant, reflecting the glow of the setting sun. Alex, his arms wrapped around Henry, one hand gently touching Henry's belly, expressed a silent promise of love and protection for both Henry and their unborn child.

"This is amazing," the photographer whispered to herself, her camera capturing the beautiful interplay of light, water, and love. "your grace, keep your hand there, on the bump, let's feel that connection."

Alex's hand rested gently on Henry's belly, his fingers splaying out as if to feel the life beneath. The gesture was one of awe, of shared creation, a moment where the joy of impending fatherhood was palpable. Henry leaned into Alex, his eyes closing for a second, savoring the touch, the closeness, the love.

"Look at each other, let everyone see how happy you are," the photographer encouraged, her voice soft, not wanting to break the spell of the moment.

Their laughter came naturally, echoing across the water. Henry opened his eyes, meeting Alex's gaze, a look of unspoken understanding and love passing between them. Alex smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners, the happiness of this moment etched on his face.

"Perfect. The world will see your joy, your love, everything," the photographer said, her camera clicking away, capturing this scene of domestic bliss amidst the luxury of their LA life.

As the shoot drew to a close, they remained in the pool, the water around them calm now, reflecting the sky's changing colors. They stood there, in each other's arms, a testament to their journey, their love, and the new life they were bringing into the world.

As they stepped out of the pool, the water dripping from them, Henry and Alex felt a profound sense of peace and excitement about what the future held. This photoshoot wasn't just for Vogue it was for them, a memory frozen in time, of love, anticipation, and the promise of a beautiful life together.

Now the interview time, they talked about their journey together, their experiences with the pregnancy, and their hopes for the future. Henry shared how supportive Alex had been throughout the pregnancy, and Alex spoke about how proud he was of Henry's strength and resilience.

Emma leaned forward slightly, her tone gentle. "your highness, can you tell us about your pregnancy journey? How has it been for you so far?"

Henry smiled, his hand resting on his baby bump. "It's been an incredible experience. There have been challenges, of course, but overall, it's been amazing. Feeling the baby move for the first time was unforgettable."

"What's been the most surprising part of this journey for you both?" emma asked.

Henry thought for a moment before answering. "I think it's how much closer it's brought us. We've always been a strong team, but this experience has deepened our bond in ways I never imagined."

Alex nodded in agreement. "And the support from our friends and family has been incredible. It's made us realize how lucky we are to have such a wonderful team and community around us. "

Alex add some funny sentence. "And this pregnancy, also make The royal highness more emotional and even more glowing, but i like that, its lovely"

Emma smiled, clearly moved by their story. "That's beautiful. Now, can you tell us a bit about how you balance your personal and professional lives, especially with a baby on the way?"

Alex chuckled. "It's definitely a challenge, but we make it work by supporting each other and staying organized. We also make sure to carve out time for ourselves and for each other, which is really important."

Henry added, "And we've learned to be flexible. Sometimes things don't go as planned, and that's okay. We just take it one day at a time."

"How do you envision your life changing once the baby arrives?" Emma asked.

Henry smiled, his hand resting on his belly. "I think it's going to be a wonderful, chaotic adventure. We're ready for the sleepless nights and the endless joy that comes with having a child. And would like to say Thank you for Dr. Zach and his husband Mr. Voight and then our Tutor"

Alex nodded. "We're excited to see the world through our child's eyes and to create new memories as a family. It's going to be an incredible journey for us."

Many questions they answer, Now The interviewer then leaned forward with a curious expression. "And for the Last question everyone seems to be asking is, do you know the gender of your baby?"

Henry and Alex exchanged a quick glance, their smiles widening. Henry spoke up, "Actually, we've decided not to find out the gender. We want it to be a surprise when our baby arrives."

Emma nodded, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "That's lovely. And so you guys doesn't decided on a name yet for the royal baby?"

Henry and Alex exchanged a knowing look, their smiles broadening. Alex answered first, "Oh, we've definitely prepared names. We've decided on one for a boy and another for a girl. We don't know the gender yet, but we're ready either way."

The interviewer interest was piqued. "Can you share those names, or is it a surprise for everyone as well?"

Henry chuckled, his hand still resting on his belly. "We'll keep the surprise for when our little one arrives, but I can tell you, the names are meaningful to us. They reflect our heritage, our journey, and our hopes for the future."

Alex added, "Exactly. We've chosen names that speak to our hearts. One name is rooted in British history, honoring Henry's lineage, and the other has a strong, American spirit, nodding to my background. We're just waiting for the baby to come and tell us which name they'll carry into the world."

Emma nodded, her pen jotting down the essence of their words. "That's beautiful, truly. It sounds like you're ready for this new chapter, no matter what."

Henry smiled, his eyes reflecting a mix of excitement and serenity. "We are. We're eager to meet our child and see which name they'll bring to life. It's all about embracing the unknown with joy."

Alex squeezed Henry's hand, his voice filled with anticipation. "And we can't wait. Every day brings us closer to that moment."

With that, Emma concluded on a note of hopeful anticipation. Elise thanked them again, feeling privileged to have been part of such an intimate conversation about love, family, and the future. As the crew packed up their gear and the night enveloped their home, Henry and Alex stayed behind, their minds filled with dreams of the days to come, and the name waiting to be given to the newest member of their family.

- To Be Continued -