Finally it was our one year anniversary! I questioned Claude what he would get me for it but every time he would grin and shake his head, refusing to tell me. My present for him was something very…kinky I suppose you could say.

Three blissful months had passed since I announced I was pregnant once more. Every morning and night I would pray for a healthy child. Kara was almost literally bouncing off the walls with happiness while Clopin couldn't stop smiling. Claude on the other hand…he was worried, I could see it in his eyes. Of course he was happy and excited but a little piece of him, as well as me, worried about another miscarriage.

Prince Joseph was five months old and able to crawl a little bit. Every time I and Kara went to the market, he'd be on his mother's hip. Sometimes we'd stand in the shadows and watch Clopin perform his puppet shows, knowing the little boy wouldn't remember his father's shows. A small part of me was jealous of them…I guess I still loved Clopin just a little bit…I quickly cast these thoughts away, ashamed.

"Oh come on! Frollo can't execute his wife for breaking her diet one time!" Kara exclaimed, waving a caramel apple in front of my face. I hadn't eaten that whole day and I've been craving something pure sugar.

Clopin snuck up behind me and draped his arms around us both, "Ah, my two favorite women. Fighting, are we? Kara, don't make me punish you." I raised an eyebrow, shocked at Clopin's kinky mention. Wow, he really did change. It felt like yesterday that he was stuttering and blushing for me to get new bigger clothes.

"Of course not Clopin! I'm just tempted by a delicious…looking…apple. Kara you're a bad influence! But Claude would punish me as well; oh do get your mind out of the gutters you blushing baboon!" I snapped with a grin.

Kara reached over, giving Joseph to his father, and waved the apple in front of me again. "Come on, a little sugar won't harm your child! In fact, it'll make it sweet and kind! If you keep to a strict diet, it'll be all mean…like its father!"

Unable to resist anymore, I grabbed the caramel apple and bit into it. Wow, this brought back memories. The desert tasted like heaven! So long I have been on a plain diet, finally some freedom! Clopin chuckled at this, rocking Joseph to sleep, "Is the judge really treating you that horribly?" There was a trace of concern but otherwise I knew he was kidding.

Rolling my eyes, I took another bite and answered, "Oh yes, he has me tied to his bed every night and taunts me by eating all these sweets!" Just as I was going to eat some more, I felt a prescience behind me.

I knew who it was by the looks of embarrassment on my friend's faces. "That is exactly what will happen if you don't stop harming our child by eating that ridiculous life threatening treat!" Claude's voice reached my ears, making me wince.

Turning on my heels, I flinched when he smacked the sugary treat from my hands. "I…Hello Claude…" I mumbled, unable to look him in the eye. (A/N: His expression is like when he starting looking for Esmeralda after the Festival and glared at Quasi as it rained.)

Long slender fingers wrapped around my arm in a bruising grip, dragging me back to the Palace of Justice. I risked glancing behind me to see Clopin fuming while Kara looked worried, holding her sleeping child. Hopefully she would convince her husband not to follow and do something stupid.

A few minutes later we arrived in the room with the fireplace. "What were you thinking, you idiot girl?!" He shouted.

I was calm just like my mother was when father shouted, "Claude, it was just a little sugar. That wouldn't harm the baby. And I'm getting tired of nothing but breads and vegetables! I think I would know what's good for my child and what's not."

He yelled, "You're only sixteen Lavender! You don't know a thing about being pregnant! Last time you failed…" He stopped, looking quite calm and regretful.

Looking down, I placed a hand on my growing stomach, "…So it's my fault our child died before? I suppose it is Claude. I know I'm young but I have twice the knowledge that you do, considering I am a woman after all! I don't see the harm in one caramel apple, one sugary treat, through the whole nine month course. If you excuse me…" I turned and walked away, unwilling to admit how much he had hurt me just then.


"Lavender, don't touch…" Mother started to warn me but then was stopped as a huge blanket of half-finished yarn fell on me. She tried to act stern, tried to act annoyed, but couldn't stop from laughing. "That's what you get, Daughter! That's why a seven year old should listen to her mother." I stuck my tongue out at her.
I was eight years old and was attending the famous Feast of Fools. Father said that my mother was dancing for everyone so I had to stay with him. Sitting on his shoulders while he rode his horse to Frollo's side, I laughed and clapped my hands. The judge looked at me, my father and him exchanging silent words. "Lavender, this is Judge Claude Frollo." Father said as I looked over at him.

Smiling like an ignorant child, I waved, "Hello Mr. Claude Judge sir!" While my father frowned, Claude grinned at this.

"Hello Ms. Lavender." He murmured in a soft voice. Before he could speak again, the music started to play which turned my attention a few yards in front of me.


It was my twelfth winter and I was bored out of my mind in the Court of Miracles. "…I just thought of something ironic…" I stated calmly, looking over at Clopin who was busying fixing up his puppet. He made a small noise to let me know he was listening. "If this place really did grant miracles like in the name it owns…how come I got caught when I tried leaving?" Clopin stopped working and started to laugh.
Tears slipped down my face as I stared into the city. I missed my parents so much…Those memories with Clopin…I miss them. Sometimes I caught myself wishing and wondering what it would have been like if I stayed with the King. Of course I was grateful to have Frollo but still.
Another four months had passed since that incident. Claude was less strict and tried continuously to make me forgive him for hurting me. Although I said I did, I suppose part of me still held onto that anger that realized he blamed me for our first child. It was my seventh month again…I hope everything would go right.

But a dream I had said otherwise. It showed two unmarked graves in a small cemetery. What did it mean? As Mother always told me, dreams were messages. I prayed she had been wrong.

Two weeks afterwards, it stormed once more. Usually I loved it…but lately I've been living on suspense. I was lying on the sleeping Claude, stroking his hair. I loved how silky it was…I hoped our child would have it. Suddenly I felt the same stabbing pain that I got the first time.


A few hours passed and I found a wet towel on my forehead, tears of pain streaming down my face. "Claude…I don't hear the baby crying, what's wrong?" I said in a shaky panic filled voice.

He looked at the doctor and they exchanged whispers which fueled my anger further. Finally giving into the rage, I shouted, "Well? Don't whisper when I'm laying right here you idiots! What the hell happened to my child?!"

They both jumped and stared at me. Claude sat next to me and grabbed my hand, kissing my forehead. "I'm sorry Lavender…" His voice said it all; another child…dead…


A few weeks later when I was healthy enough, I traveled to the Court of Miracles. Little Joseph was now nine months old and was attempting to walk. Kara and I sat in front of a fire while Clopin brought the Prince over. I watched them…a perfect family…could that have been me and Clopin if I hadn't disobeyed him by going to the festival?

"I just don't understand it! The whole town is talking about me and Claude now! Second attempt to have a child and it dies again! I don't understand! I'm healthy and so is Claude, I took care of myself through the months…no wine, no caffeine, and…" I sighed heavily, unable to finish the sentence. Kara gave me a sorrowful look while Clopin sat between us.

"I'm sorry about that Lavender." He spoke softly. Perhaps God was punishing me. I'm young, healthy, and look after myself…so what went wrong? He continued, "If you want to get away for a while, you're welcome to stay here."

I grinned, "And put up with your annoying ass? No thanks." Clopin chuckled at this and looked over at Joseph, who walked to him. For a moment I could have sworn I saw tears in his eyes…must have been the lighting. "Anyway, I should get home."


"This August heat must be getting to you, M'lady!" Kathryn the maid exclaimed as I dressed in loose clothing. It had been a month since our failed attempt. Placing on a short frilly purple dress, I made sure my black hair hid my violet eyes. My skin was abnormally pale for summer, which caused me to worry.

A thought passed through my mind.

An hour later, I ran to the dining room to see an upset impatience judge. "Where have you been? We're late for the dinner with those friends of yours." Ah, still the famous hatred for gypsies.

Biting my lip, I grabbed his hand and kissed his lips. "Claude um…"

He raised an eyebrow, "Are you feeling alright Lavender? The maid told me how sick you've been recently. Perhaps it's the heat."

Muttering bitterly, I looked at the ground, "I wish!"

"I'm sorry, what was that?"

Giving him a sheepish grin, I hesitated. "…Third times the charm…right?"


That's right; she's pregnant for the last time lol. Next chapter: Lavender tells only the maid and Claude of her blessed chance to have another child. So when a stranger finds Lav in a dark alley and says he knows her secret, it scares her. She finds out later that he's Arthur's old enemy and he wants her blood. Plus, more Kara and Clopin and Joseph stuff!