Catherine of Aragon couldn't have felt any happier. She had conceived a child again. It was now 12 July, 1510. She was currently two months pregnant. She remember Henry's expression. He was over the moon.

She curtsied. "Your Majesty."

"My Lady."

After he helped her settle into her chair the servants set their meal before them. It was quiet for a while. Her ladies watered down her wine. She glanced up every so often to see if Henry noticed. When he gave her a concerned look she only smiled and shrugged slightly.

He thought she was being strange. When she asked a servant for more mincemeat pie Henry nearly wanted to gag. She had eaten it in excess for nearly a week now. The week before that all she wanted was spiced fruitcake. He asked her about it.

"Did you not have mincemeat pie yesterday? You've eaten it for a week now."

Catherine hid her smile. "Yes, my Lord. I guess you could say I have a fondness for it."

Their eyes met and a smile came to Henry's face. "A special fondness?"

She nodded. He knelt beside her and touched her belly.

"Our son," he whispered.

"Yes," she agreed. "Our son."

Thinking about it now Catherine knew she shouldn't be getting ahead of herself. She knew it was a matter of faith. She placed the choice in God's hands. She prayed endlessly for the health and safe delivery of her child. She couldn't deny that she felt in her heart that it was a boy.

When she neared seven months the weather turned colder and Henry became so devoted to her. He ordered that her rooms always be warm and comfortable. Also that her feet never touch the ground. Whenever she went anywhere a litter was to carry her.

Catherine had never felt so spoiled. So loved. Her herald was in charge of instructing the four young men who were to carry her. She sort of felt bad for them.

She broached the subject to William, her herald. He laughed at her concern.

"My Lady Queen, you are too modest. The child you carry is our future King. He is too precious to lose. Nor can we lose you. The king is being cautious for his love."

Catherine had blushed but said nothing. Her closest confidante, Margaret Pole, agreed with what William had said.

"You carry the future of England inside you. Henry would bring you the moon and stars of you asked him. I say use it to your advantage."

Catherine had considered it. Henry gave her anything she wanted. Nothing was too big nor too small of a request. Since the autumn weather was so cold she couldn't walk outside. Even though she wanted to. Catherine asked Henry if she could.

He stared at her as if she had two heads. "Of course not. Not in your condition."

"But Harry..."

"No. I forbid it."

She sat on his lap and nuzzled his neck. His breathing hitched as he pulled her closer and rubbed her expanding belly. "Please?" she whispered.

"Catalina," he groaned.

"Harry," she sighed and wiggled and her bottom against his lower half.

He groaned pulled her closer. "Fine. But there are some rules you must follow."

"Alright."

"No more than half an hour. You must always be wrapped up against the cold and after you come in you are to go straight to your rooms."

"Of course."

As they walked outside, Maria De Salinas, stayed close to her mistress. She was curious of how she managed to convince the King.

She spoke in Spanish. "And what trick did you use, my Lady, to convince the King to agree?"

Catherine giggled. "A pregnant woman is very powerful, Lady Maria."

"I see. When can we expect the Prince?"

"Hmm. The doctors say sometime in January. It's already November."

"And he grows stronger every day, my Lady," Lady Elizabeth Howard interjected. Her father was the Duke of Norfolk.

Catherine looked back at her and smiled. "I agree, Lady Elizabeth."

After her walk Catherine did as Henry commanded and went straight to her rooms. When Christmas came the court was full of holiday cheer. The kingdom was at peace, they had a most gracious King, and they would soon celebrate the birth of their future Prince of Wales.

When the clock struck midnight on New Years Day Catherine went into labor. Henry was most anxious and worried. He knew the fate of women when giving birth. His own mother died trying to give his father another son. Hearing her scream was the worst.

Catherine knew this was what was expected. Her mother told her it was a painful experience. She prayed that God would help her bear a son and heir. While also sparing her life in the process. But she also knew that if she dies giving England its heir then she would be more than willing to do that.

"Push Your Majesty," Mistress Joan said.

Catherine screamed and she did what she was told. She was rewarded with a piercing scream that match her own.

Her ladies and the midwives said nothing. Their silence frightened her. "What is it?! What's wrong?"

"Praise be to God!" Mistress Joan said. "It's a boy. A healthy prince!"

Catherine sighed with relief. "Lady Maria. Please inform the King that he has a son."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Henry looked up at Maria when she came. He enjoyed her company and found to be a great woman. "Is she alright? What about the child?!"

"Her Majesty has safely delivered a son. A healthy Prince!"

Henry fell on his knees and praised God that he had a son. That his Queen lived. That his kingdom had its future King. Henry stood and began giving orders that wine and food be given to the people.

Henry and Catherine decided to call their son Henry. He was beloved at court and the people of England rejoiced.

Lady Maria sat with Catherine as she held the young prince after his christening. Catherine couldn't stop staring at him. She turned to Maria with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face. "I did it?"

"Yes. You did."

She looked at the people who bowed low before her. Her head filled with ideas of how to change England for the better. The future seemed so much brighter now.

She kissed her son's forehead. "Thank you for coming. My New Year's Prince."