Life with Bash Chapter 7 part 1, a reign fanfic

Bash POV~

Dream:

We were standing by Isobel's grave, Mary had just asked what the tradition was. I pulled my knife, cut my hand to let the blood flow and then explained that pagans give thanks with what is most vital to us. She seemed to think for a moment and then she did exactly as I had, letting out a hiss of pain when she cut herself. I wanted to kiss her, I haven't kissed her since that day by the lake, and since then I have become the acting Regent, I'm engaged to her, and I have seen flashes of her body since that night in the inn.

I tell her I never wanted a crown but that I will learn to wear it, and that I am not Francis. I won't be duty bound to some throne or country, I will be duty bound to her, as she will be my family. She let out a sigh before kissing me, and the next few moments are fuzzy, I'm lost in that kiss.

I woke up suddenly, wondering why I had remembered that moment in my dreams and then realized it was probably because I am getting married today. I will be King of Scotland the next time I lay down to sleep. Tonight I share Mary's bed, and tomorrow we begin to prepare for our journey to Scotland and my coronation.

I swing myself out of bed, planning on enjoying the next few hours with her before she is whisked away to prepare for the ceremony tonight. I am thrilled that I finally will get the chance to prove to her that I love her, and show her how much. I want to show what her she has meant to me since that day by the lake. The first time we kissed, and the moment I realized I would do anything to take her pain away.

Do you think I am overreacting? Am I boring you?

No… It's unfathomable.

What is?

Francis has you. Why would he ever look elsewhere?

The look of shock was one of the looks I remember most from that day. She seemed shocked that someone valued her and found it unfathomable that the man that had her was looking elsewhere. That was one of the first days in my life I ever truly resented Francis. He had this beautiful girl falling for him, and he breaks her heart and her spirit by going back to a girl he ruined after her marriage plans fell apart. It was one of the first times I wished I wasn't the bastard son, so that I could have a chance to show her how wonderful she really was, and how she deserved to be treated. It was the first time I felt her lips on mine, and I saw the way she looked at me in that moment, not only in shock but something else, deep in her heart, and then she kissed me and I was transported to our own little world, a place of just her and me.

Now I have the chance to have that every day. I know it won't be easy, and that I have a lot to learn, but I will learn, and I will be by her side. I won't let France push Scotland aside, and I won't let my father force Mary to do things she doesn't want to or isn't ready to. Tonight I get to promise to make her happy for the rest of our lives, and I couldn't wait to start my life with her. I went to meet her now, planning on starting to keep that promise now.

I was already in the stables brushing down my black stallion when she snuck up behind me, or tried to. I heard her coming, the instincts of a hunter are hard to trick, and in the last moment before she reached me I turned and pulled her into my chest and listened to her laugh.

"Couldn't surprise you huh?"

"Sorry my dear, but no. I have very good ears."

Mary laughed and her beautiful brown eyes were shinning as they met mine and she leaned forward at the same time I did, our lips met in a soft, sweet kiss, a kiss of joy and happiness and I felt invincible in her presence, like I could do anything. When she pulled away from me she asked, "Do you think that we could stop by the lake on our way back this morning?"

"Of course, but why the lake?"

"Because the lake is the first place we kissed, and it was the first of many times you made me feel special, even when so many others didn't. It was the first place I realized that you had feelings for me, and that I had them for you, regardless of how I thought I felt about Francis. It is the first place you ever looked at me like you are right now, with eyes full of love and compassion."

"Well then the lake it is." I sealed my promise with a kiss, her words ringing in my head. I couldn't believe how alike our thoughts seem to be sometimes and how alike we were as people. She went to go ready her own horse, something the stable hands had gotten used to from both of us, and then we were walking out into the soft morning sun. I waited until I knew she was settled before swinging myself up onto my horse and we were off, riding towards the King's Road.

Francis POV~

I was up early, I hadn't slept well knowing what today would bring, and I had been thinking about my mother. I decided a ride might clear head. Anything to get me out of the castle and away from the preparations for Mary and Bash's wedding tonight, and the party afterword. Charles and Madeline would be in attendance, little Henry will be put to bed after the ceremony, and I will be forced to watch Mary and Bash start a life together in every sense of the word.

I was in the stable, waiting for one of the stable boys to bring my horse in from the pasture when I heard laughter and followed the sound. I found my brother and Mary in a world all their own, just the two of them. Bash was holding her close and she was smiling up at him like he was the center of her universe, the way she had looked at me only once in our courtship. She asked, "Do you think that we could stop by the lake on our way back this morning?"

My brother cocked his head in curiosity, "Of course, but why the lake?"

What she said next hurt, what came next twisted the knife completely into my heart, and I wondered if I would ever feel the same way about another girl again.

I did think she was special. Of course I did, but I couldn't act on that alone, not as the future king. I was free to do that now, but the only girl I wanted to be free with was now in love with my brother. I retreated, having heard enough, took the reins from the stable boy when he offered them a moment later and I left to go ride in silence and peace, her words ringing in my head.

Bash POV~

We had ridden along the edge of the castle grounds, Alec and Owen a bit behind us to give us privacy, and we had talked about what today would mean. She told me she was happy it was me she was marrying. Happy that it was me that was going to be her ally, her link to France. She told me that she trusted me to treat our countries as equal, and that she loved me. I promised her I would always put her first, no matter what, and I promised I would always be there to protect her.

After that we rode in silence for a while, easy compatible, silence. We both had turned our horses toward the lake, and when we got to that same spot she had come to and demanded I share the wine, we dismounted.

"I can't believe how long ago it was that you and I sat here, and you listened to me whine about your brother. It seems like it was yesterday sometimes."

"I still can't believe you kissed me that day. I was not expecting that, and then a month later when I helped you leave court, it was all I could picture, all I could think about. You had become a constant in my life at that point, no matter what Francis had said."

We sat on the same log, and stared out over the water, and she linked our hands together. My eyes were soon drawn away from the sight in front of me to the girl next to me. She was perfect. So beautiful. Her eyes were shinning, the happy gleam returned to them finally. Her dark hair blowing in the soft breeze, her smile soft and easy. Real, not fake. It didn't matter in that moment that winter had come upon France, we were happy in our own bubble, but it was not able to last.

"My lord, we best be getting back. They will be looking for you soon." Alec had stepped forward. I nodded and stood, holding out a hand to Mary to pull her to her feet, and then pulled her into my chest and tilting her chin up. She smiled and closed her eyes, and I kissed her. "You know the next time I get to do that, you will be my wife." Her smile was as broad as mine, and I decided to give her something to think about, but I would wait until we were back at the stables.

Mary POV~

Our morning was perfect. It was moments like these where he made it easy to forget that I was not just some girl and he was not just some boy. He made life easier, he shared my burdens, listened to my problems always. He had been my constant since I returned here and now he would be my constant for the rest of my life.

We dismounted at the stables and led the horses inside, handing them over to the stable boys. I turned to go, but his hand stopped me. I turned to face him, and he closed the distance between us and placed a passionate kiss on my lips. He then pulled back and shot me the wicked smile I loved so much, the mirth dancing in his eyes. "Think about that kiss today. Oh and Mary, don't plan on sleeping this night wife." He then turned and went back toward his horse, to clean him himself, something that I admired about him. I stared at him for a moment more, hand on my lips before I was reminded by Owen that my ladies and my mother would be waiting for me in my rooms to help me get ready for my wedding.

All the way back to the castle, I did as Bash said, I thought about that kiss, all of our kisses. Every single moment between us since that day by the lake, and maybe even before, I had felt a pull towards him. I don't know what it was exactly, even now, but I had felt connected to him even when I was engaged to his brother. I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn't realize we were almost all the way back to my rooms. I had six hours until my wedding and I knew that once again my ladies goal was to make me look every bit the beautiful bride I felt like. I was finally starting the rest of my life and it was a happy one. The last thought I allowed myself before I entered my chambers and faced my ladies, was the repeat of the memory he had just made in that kiss and his words. I was beat red when I walked in to my chambers, but my ladies believed it to be from the cold, and I didn't correct them, that was a moment I wanted to be only between he and I, no one else.

Bash POV~

"Think about that kiss today. Oh and Mary, don't plan on sleeping this night wife." I then took my hands from her chin and turned to cool down my horse. I could feel her watching me for a moment longer before turning to walk back to the castle with Owen. My mind was far away while I went through the simple tasks to care for my horse, something I still did, even though I was now Dauphin. I didn't hear the clatter of another rider returning, or the sound of that rider approaching me until he was directly in my line of sight. I was still stuck in the Mary-centric world and missed my instincts kicking in to warn me of company.

"Bash, do you think father will let me take the boys to one of the country chateaus for a week or two? I don't want them to be lonely and now that I have little to do I can be a proper big brother all the time. I could take them to visit one of my new estates. I just don't want them to dwell on all the changes coming, and that have come."

I was shaken from my thoughts of Mary by Francis, and I turned to face my younger brother, considering his request the way I believe father would.

"I don't know Francis, you and the boys are not popular with the people right now, and others have already attempted to get to the boys to get revenge for things your mother did to them. I think father will be loath to let three of his heirs out of the castle together, especially since you and Henry especially favor your mother, but you can ask him none thee less. I know they will be lonely if we all leave them behind during our travels."

"They will miss you and Mary very much, and I have been away from them for a very long time, I just want to make our family whole again, like it was before this whole mess began." He was facing away from me. Looking out over the grounds, and I knew he was trying to say what he wanted without offending me with his thoughts.

"Francis, I have a question for you." He looked back at me and I hoped this plan of mine would work. Mary had given me the idea in one of our rides but I hadn't gone through with it yet. "I am not foolish Francis, I know that I was not raised for the position I am about to receive. I know that compared to you I know very little, but Mary believes that I can learn and I plan to but I don't want to do it alone. I will need advisers I can trust, and you little brother I trust more than anyone else here at court. So will you be one of my advisers? Help me to make France a beautiful place to live again, a country that is united and whole again? No more insane plots, no more insane kings or Queens just three of us trying to make France a better country. What do you think?" He was staring at me in shock.

"You don't fear that I will try and undermine your power? Or give you bad advice on purpose? You still trust me? Even after everything with Mary, my mother, the last year here at court?" I shook my head, but he went on. "How Bash? How is it you still see the best in me? My intentions when I heard of my mother's predicament were to return here, take Mary back, save my mother and get rid of you, and yet you trust me enough to do this, to give me power in France and here at court. How?"

"It is simple Francis. I was raised differently than you were. I was trained to see the best in everyone until proven otherwise, I was not taught to be a calculating diplomat, well versed in subtext. I was taught to be a hunter and hunters know there are few you can trust, and few that you can put your faith into when politics comes into the equation, but Francis, you have always been the one person I trusted above all others at court. You, mother and sometimes father. I trusted father and look where that got me, if not for Mary's plan I would be dead. My mother started this mess and then fled, and I lost you as a result, and I knew things between us would be uneasy, but I need your help little brother. I need you and Mary to help me make France and Scotland safe so that I can keep my promise to Mary, and I want to help you see that I am still just Bash, not some usurper getting power and leaving everyone else behind."

"I… I…" He was shocked into silence and then stuttering. He had really lost faith in me, obvious from his reactions. "Bash I…"

"Don't answer now Francis. I know you. You will want to think this over and I understand that. Just let me know before Mary and I leave for Scotland. Maybe I can even convince Father to let my three brothers come see their bastard brother crowned King." I was laughing slightly by the end of the sentence, still utterly confused on my soon to be kingship. I met my brother's eyes once again and he thought about everything for a moment.

"No. I don't need to think about this. Bash I want to be a brother to you again. I want to be a part of Mary's life no matter the role. She is an incredible Queen and I want to see her succeed. I know you can give her everything I couldn't. I understand that now. I want to help you both change history. I strongly believe that together you two could very well land England, or stave of war with them and make peace. I will need some time to get over Mary, and to spend with my brothers but I do want to help you Bash. I accept your offer. And I am sure Charles and Henry would love to see your coronation, as would I. If father agrees we will be in attendance, we will prove that the Valois brothers are all united in this endeavor."

I couldn't be happier, I was getting married to the love of my life today, I had my brother back, and I was going to get the chance to prove to the world I was more than the bastard son of King Henry II of France. It was a good day, and only going to get better. I hugged Francis in that moment, something neither of us had done since we were children, and together we walked towards the castle, making plans to meet with father and to spend some time with our little brothers before my wedding this evening.

Mary's POV~

I had ben bathed in water with Rose petals and Lily leaves and my hair had been washed in the same, and was now drying out by the fire. My ladies were all talking about the last half a year here at court. Greer had fallen in love with a kitchen boy and only we knew. Lola was still trying to fully recover from the loss of Colin, and Kenna was trying to forget about the king now that Diane was returned to court. My mother had stepped out to go ready herself with her own ladies and promised to return to help me into my dress in a few hours.

"I can't believe how far we have come since we all stepped out of those carriages all those months ago. We lost Aylee, we witnessed Mary making history, and Scotland is hours away from cementing its ally in France, and Mary has fallen in love with a man who sees her for more than just her crown!" Greer was verbalizing all our thoughts this fine midmorning and I chimed in.

"Greer has fallen for a good man, even though he has no title, and I will find a way to make the two happy if I can. I plan on naming my first daughter Aylee, to remember her always, Kenna I know you are still upset about Diane returning, but I promise you will find a good man, who will love you despite your past, and Lola, I know you still grieve for Colin, but you must let him rest and find another to love, I want you all to be happy here since we will be returning here after only a few short months back home in Scotland. I want you all to be able to hold long and happy lives in my service as my friends as well as my ladies. You have been through so much because of me and I want that happiness to be your highest payment."

They all moved in to hug me, much like the day we arrived, and I once again noticed the lack of one pair of arms that left this happy circle too soon. We all stood in silence for a moment, all reliving happy times with Aylee, home in Scotland, where things felt much easier than they often do here at French court. I know that this court, and Catherine have put my friends through so very much, and I hope that with all the change we can welcome in a new and happier court here, one with less deceiving and more trust and happiness. I have hope that Bash and I can make this place a happy one again, not the terrifying and at times dangerous place it is now.

4 Hours later~

I have the dress on, and I am ready. My mother and my ladies will represent my people today at my wedding. I am one hour away from marrying the man I love, and the man who will help me save my country from chaos. I know Bash will do for me what Francis never could and I know that he will trust me like Francis never could.

I look in the mirror and see myself and I can't help but smile. I look like not only a royal bride, but a Scot as well. My hair is only partially up because I know Bash loves it down, I am wearing white but I have an old plaid Scottish sash for around my shoulders. I wear the jewels of the Scottish queen and I will soon have a king to rule by myside. I could not be happier.

I have one hour more to wait until the rest of my life begins and I can't help but sit down and think about how I even got here. Four months ago I believed myself to be in love with another man than the one I am to marry. I have faced more plots for my life and my throne, and many of them have happened here at this court because of Nostradamus and his vision. I have faced death more times than I can count because of Catherine, but I owe them both in this moment because they brought me closer to Bash and he showed me a deeper more meaningful kind of love. Francis was my first love but Bash is the man I plan to love for the rest of my life. I know he will protect me, protect my country and I know he will be a great king, because he thinks nothing like his father, and nothing like his brother.

I believe that Francis would have made a great king, but he would either be too much like his father, or he would be the opposite and be too relaxed in his reign. I feared for the first more than the second, and saw glimpses of it during our courtship. Bash has shown me in these last few months that he will put me first, he will be faithful and he will make sure that France doesn't overpower me or force me into things I do not want. He has shown me that he is willing to stand up for himself against his father, and I know he won't be scared to face anyone who threatens me. He loves so deeply that I know he would never take another woman. Yes he is a flirt, but it is part of his court mask, the way he masked the constant pain and danger that being bastard brings. He is a good man with a good heart and I know that and I love him for all that he is. The flirt, the cheeky boy who has been my constant since my return. He will soon be my constant for the rest of my life.

Francis POV~

I left my brothers to spend a few moments alone with Sebastian before he goes to get ready for the wedding. I want to take this time to think and prepare myself for tonight and the rest of my life. I know that I need to let my love for Mary go so that I can be the man I once promised myself I would be. I need to let myself forgive Bash and keep the promise I made earlier. He proved to me this morning in the stables that he didn't do this to hurt me, and he has told me more than once that he did not intend for my mother to lose her life in this plan. I want to love my brother again, and I want the chance at the happy life he will now get to lead. Yes being a king and the Dauphin is not easy, but he has Mary, and love. He will have a happy life regardless of his kingship. I want the chance to enjoy my life with less duty and more love.

I realize now that I never could have put Mary first, and I know that in a time of crisis I would have chosen France over Scotland without question, and I didn't show Mary how much I cared until the tail end of our courtship. I made grand gestures, but that is all they were, and I proved just as many times that I would not be afraid to walk away from our alliance if I thought it unfit for France, and I betrayed her the day after declaring myself hers by getting jealous and going to Olivia.

I will go and prove to Mary that I do not intend to harm her new found happiness, and I will once again tell Bash that I accept, and that I will be one of his advisers. We left that bit out when we went to see Father about attending Bash's coronation. My father promised to think about it, and we made sure to tell him that it would prove our family is strong and united. I know that father wants that to be what the world thinks, and what the people France need to think.

I put on the clothes that had been laid out and thought about how my life had changed in the last few months, even days. My mother was killed for trying to kill the woman I love, I was taken out of the role as Dauphin, one I have been in since birth, and almost made illegitimate. I was now the Duke of Orleans, and I was now going to be an adviser to Sebastian de Poitiers, the next king of France and the soon to be king of Scotland. My brothers had almost lost their lives because of my mother's never ending search for power and control, and I nearly lost my whole family by running away instead of facing my problems. Tonight signifies not only a new life for Bash, but a new life for me as well, and I plan to try and make it a good and happy life, even without Mary as my wife. She will still be in my life and part of my family and I will do all I can to help her and Bash make this court the place it hasn't been for so long, I will help them wash away my mother's stamp and create their own.

Bash POV~

I left my brothers to be made ready for the wedding by their governess and went to go get ready myself. Francis had left a few moments earlier to give me some time with Charles and Henry. We had told them that father was thinking about allowing them to travel with Mary and me to Scotland to see my coronation and Charles was in love with the idea. He was also excited for tonight. He understood that Mary was soon going to be his half-sister by marriage and a part of this odd family. He also knew that he was to see Madeline tonight and he had decided he liked his future bride and was excited to spend time with her, much as I vaguely remember Francis being with Mary while she was here at court as a child.

I entered my chamber to get ready myself and found a surprise waiting for me. And it was a surprise in the form of my mother who was sitting on a chair, seemingly waiting for me.

"Mother? What are you doing here?"

"I came to make sure you were getting ready, I had heard you ran off early this morning and had not returned to your rooms since. I was also wanting to talk to you before I go talk to your bride. Can your mother say a few words to her son before she watches him start something in his life she never thought he could have?" I nodded and she held out a hand so I joined her, sitting in the chair across from her and took her hand. "You have always been my brave boy. From the moment you realized exactly what you and I were to Henry you have done everything to protect not only yourself but me as well. You have always been very smart, and loyal, and loving. You were loyal to more than just your father, but Francis as well. When Mary and her ladies arrived I knew you felt something for her, and I hoped and prayed to God to keep you safe, and somehow we ended up here. I remember when your father sent word to me in Paris that you had run off with Mary, I was scared he would kill you the instant you returned. You survived that, survived Catherine and now I get to watch my son wed the woman he loves and become the King of Scotland. I am so very proud of you Sebastian." She squeezed my hand and I smiled, "Thank you mother, and I promise I will still be your son, nothing will change that. Thank you for everything you have done for us as well." I stood and kissed her cheek and then she left after telling me affectionately that she loved me, her voice reminiscent from my childhood, and one I had heard in a while.

I readied myself quickly, Mary had told me she enjoyed my scruff so I left it and just combed through my hair a few times, and styling it the way I know she likes it. I also put on the chain around my shoulders that signifies me as the Dauphin and slid the newly sized state signet ring on my finger. It felt odd and out of place, but it was mine now. I looked in the mirror and paused for a moment. I looked like me, but with more of a court appearance than usual and it was odd to see, but then I thought of Mary again and realized I could get used to everything so long as I had her at my side. I took one last look in the mirror and then went to meet my father in his study as he requested. In one hour I will be married and a king, and one hour form now I will have solidified my new life.