Chapter 2: The Time they Spent Together
Mary and Francis cherished those next few days. They spent all their time together, Francis taking good care of Mary, insuring their child's safety during the pregnancy. Since the last time Catherine had learnt not to test Mary's chamber pot or send spies after her. She was not suspicious of Mary this time as they explained her morning sickness as a common cold and nothing more, also she didn't notice the same signs she had when Catherine had her last two sons.
Mary woke one morning to the bed empty, and a cup of a sweet liquid, tasting of strawberries. It was one of Nostradamus many medicines he had given Mary to help with the pregnancy to insure a safe, healthy, baby. He was the only one they had told, other then Kenna obviously, and as Lola had left shortly after John's party Mary didn't have many people to discuss the baby with. Olivia had helped also but Mary was quite uncomfortable talking to her about her and Francis' child. Olivia was happy with Nostradamus but it was no secret she still envied Mary, and Mary couldn't risk drinking anything Olivia gave her in case it was spiked or poisoned in one of her rages.
Mary got out of bed slowly, drank the sweet liquid and called for Kenna to help her dress. Kenna was heavily pregnant but still insisted on helping her queen with day to day tasks. Kenna helped Mary into her dress, minus the corset as Mary was scared of wearing one during her pregnancy. Mary was almost dressed and Kenna was tying a simple ribbon around Mary's waist when Mary asked her something.
"Kenna, is pregnancy really that amazing. Is it just as wonderful as they say?" Mary asked turning and placing a hand on her own stomach rubbing it gently.
"I won't lie, it is hard. And with Bash always running off with Francis to fix one problem or another. But it is amazing when you feel that first kick. That's when you know you love your child. I haven't even seen my child and already know he is the most amazing thing in my life. Of course it could be a girl, and me and Bash would be just as pleased." Kenna said motioning for Mary to turn around so she could fix the ribbon which seemed to have fallen down a bit. "Of course you must produce an heir. Catherine would have a fit if you didn't have a son." Kenna joked.
"I know. It is a concern, of course I wouldn't mind a daughter, but everyone expects a son. Even Francis. The sooner I give him an heir, the better for France. And Scotland. This child will be the future King of two nations, possibly three if his claim to the English throne is supported by the noble men." Mary said sighing. "How silly of me. I'm planning a future for a son I haven't even met yet! I'm being ridiculous. Or is this normal?"
"Normal. Mary when I found out I was pregnant me and Bash had a name picked out within minutes! He chose the boy's name and I the girls." Kenna said assuring Mary.
"What are they! I love hearing the baby names! Mary said pulling Kenna over to the sofa.
"Oh don't tell Bash I told you, he would be so angry." Kenna said giggling.
"Well!" Mary said excitedly.
"Alright, if it's a boy, Francis Pascal." Kenna said squeezing Mary's hand.
"Oh how lovely! Francis would be so proud! But I shan't tell him. He isn't that good at keeping secrets, especially from Bash." Mary sais, delighted. "And if it is a girl?"
"Well, it didn't take long for me to think of one, but I always knew this would be my daughters name. Mary Diane." Kenna said beaming.
Mary covered her mouth in delight and hugged Kenna tight.
"Of course Diane was a compromise with Bash, but we both agreed on Mary. It was our only option, we couldn't imagine anything else for our child."
"Even if it is a boy, Francis Pascal, I am still honoured. It would be a privilege to have a child named after me, especially the child of two people I love so dearly." The girls hugged for a while, both very hormonal and emotional.
Later that day Mary still hadn't seen Francis and decided to ask Catherine where he was. She had been avoiding her since she learned she was pregnant but needed to know where Francis was.
"Catherine!" Mary called down the hall to Catherine who was talking to Claude, well actually fighting with Claude.
"Yes Mary, Claude we will discuss this later." Claude stomped off, huffing and rolling her eyes. "Yes Mary, what is the matter?"
"What is wrong with Claude? She seemed very upset." Mary said looking past Catherine to see Claude turning a corner with a very nasty expression on her face.
"Oh it's nothing Mary. What was it you wanted to ask me?"
"Yes, have you seen Francis? It's just he has been gone all day and I really, um, needed to discuss something, er, with him." She avoided eye contact and Catherine glared at her suspiciously.
"He's out, with Bash. Mary tell me what your hiding." Catherine said crossing her arms and looking at Mary's guilty eyes flicker from her eyes to the ground.
"Nothing, I'm hiding nothing!" Mary said quickly. At that moment her hand immediately moved her hand to her stomach but stopped just in time. Catherine however was quicker then Mary thought and saw exactly what had happened. They both locked eyes again and Catherine stared at Mary until Mary's eyes flickered and she immediately knew.
"OH!" Catherine exclaimed, covering her mouth in delight, smiling from ear to ear.
"Shhhh Catherine!" Mary said dragging her into an empty room down the hall. She closed the door and whispered, "Yes Catherine, I am pregnant. But you can't tell anyone! Francis knows, but we thought we would hid it until we were sure this wasn't like last time!"
"Nonsense! You will announce this this weekend at the Queen for the Day party. I trust you have been using my tips and medicine during this pregnancy. We don't want another miscarriage." Catherine putting her hands on her hips and staring at Mary.
Catherine and Mary left the room and walked down the hall together, Catherine explaining how this child strengthens Mary's claim to England's throne when Elizabeth's dies.
They had reached the throne room when Bash raced up to them and took Mary by the arm. He stared her with scared eyes making her very worried.
"It's Francis. We were attacked and he tried to protect me. I was unprepared and he got hurt!" Bash said urgently.
Mary stared at him. "Take me to him!" They both started to hurry towards Nostradamus' room, and Catherine followed behind.
When they reached the room Mary burst in and ran over to Francis who was out cold on a bed in the centre of the room, Nostradamus grounding some herbs and such for medicine.
"He kept murmuring when he was delirious, about Mary, and the baby. Do you know what this means?" Bash said, kneeling down beside Mary who was kneeling by Francis, stroking his hair and clutching his hand.
Mary looked at Francis with worry, hardly hearing Bash over all the prays she was saying in her head.