Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of "Reign" Everything except my storyline belongs to The CW.
It is the night before their wedding and Mary is shivering with anxiety. She has always been conflicted with her feelings for both Francis and Bash but she knows that she has made the right decision. It is the best decision she has made in her whole life, to be with Bash. She has been told since she was a child that she would marry Francis and that had controlled her feelings for Bash since the first day she saw him, keeping her love buried. She believed that it was wrong to develop feelings for him but she was mistaken, it was amazingly right. Her heart had not been open when she first met Sebastian but now that she has been released from her obligations to Francis and Bash was legitimized, she could start a new life with this strong and surprising man.
She has questions that need answering and feelings that need to be addressed, so she leaves her room to go visit Bash. When she enters the room he is in bed reading, she can imagine what he is wearing, or what he isn't wearing, under the covers and how soon, after they are married, she will be able to see him and touch him…she shakes the image out of her mind when he says her name in his rugged yet soft voice, "Mary?" He begins to get out of bed and so Mary turns away. When he walks over he has his robe on and has a concerned look in his eye, "What has happened? Is everything alright?" Mary then gives the smallest undetectable smile and thinks to herself, "Yes, everything is perfect." But then she remembers why she is here. "I want to talk to you," and then takes a deep breath and says "I understand why you would want the throne for your father but why be so willing to marry me? Life with me will be difficult and dangerous, and I do not know if I am willing to put you in that situation!" Bash stops her by brushing his hand across her cheek, looking down into her eyes, "That is not your decision to make. It is a risk I am willing to take to insure you and and your country is safety." Mary looks up at Bash and gives him a sad smile, trying to hold back the tears that are so eager to spring forth. She then says shakily, "Why?" Bash's expression then turns from a caring look to one of nervousness. He clears his throat and runs his hand over his hair, "Ever since you first came to France, ever since you stepped off the carriage, I have been absolutely, unconditionally, irrevocably…" he ceases and then breathlessly says, "...in love with you." Mary knew that he had a lust for her but she never knew that he had feelings for her. She blushes and looks away, embarrassed that she did not know about his feelings. He clasps her chin and slowly turns her face towards him, "I love you, Mary, and I am so sorry that you did not know sooner. I know you are unsure of your feelings but at least you are sure of mine." Mary looks into his misty blue eyes and as always gets lost in them, trying to find her way back to Bash. She lifts her hand to gently caress his face and then without knowing what she is doing, she lifts herself onto her toes and places her lips against his. Bash is shocked at first but by the time a second has gone by he is holding her face to his and is being pulled deeper and deeper into the kiss.
Mary is intoxicated with happiness. If she could she would never stop kissing Bash, but she wants to save some things for their wedding night, so reluctantly she pulls away, sucking in air that she thought was unnecessary. She needs nothing but Bash. Bash smiles down at her and runs his fingers through her long brown curls, never wanting to release contact. Mary says, "I want tomorrow night to be special." Bash then has a calm and loving look in his eyes, "And it will be." Mary smiles and gives him a kiss goodnight, then turns to leave but then whirls around and whispers in a serious but affectionate tone, "I love you."