Sorry I haven't posted sooner, but it's been a busy, yet wonderful Christmas and I feel like New Year's Eve is a perfect time to post this chapter. As we see the old year out and the new year in enjoy adding this bit of warmth and happiness to your celebrations! Happy New Year to my fellow Frary peeps!

6 months later

Francis rubbed his face in his hands and sat back in the chair as he sat at his desk. They had silenced the rebellion, but not without both French and Scottish blood shed fighting the English. Things were quiet now and it was back to the usual politics at French court. Greer and Leith were to be married in the spring for neither wanted a winter wedding and Lola had found a dashing young suitor among French court. Bash and Kenna had married not long after she revealed she was pregnant. Not long after their wedding tour ended Henry had fallen ill. The physician couldn't decide if it was related to his madness or the work of some other infection. Francis kept his suspicions that his mother had something to do with it to himself. If she did she would deal with the consequences of her guilt. He was growing tired of the waiting game by knowing when Henry would breathe his last. The woman Helena who he had taken to be his mistress left as soon as he was sick and so his care was left to the servants and Bash's mother Diane. In the last month his father was no longer lucid enough to run the kingdom, so it fell onto Francis' shoulders. So, while Mary grew bigger with their child he was spending most of his time trying to sort out the messes his father made. The ones he or Catherine didn't know about soon enough to stop them. If it wasn't for his secret visits to Mary during her time of "lying in" he feared her would've gone mad. He glanced at the clock and realized she would be taking her evening meal. He decided to leave matters of state for the morning and headed to his chambers to freshen up. It was time to visit his wife. He decided if he could help it the next time she was pregnant she wouldn't have to seclude herself. He wanted to see her every day. He felt as though the sight of his glowing pregnant wife made him love her even more.

Mary placed a hand on her bulging stomach as she pushed herself off her settee. It was getting harder for her to get around this last month especially getting up and down. She was glad for Francis' visits for without his company she feared she would go mad. Not that there was anything wrong with her ladies' maids company, but she missed her husband. A few moments later a servant entered with her supper and she gladly received it. She was certain the baby would be a boy as often as she was hungry. She sat down at the small table they had set up and started eating her meal. Two minutes later the door opened to the passageway and Francis entered the room. "You are a lovely sight for sore eyes." He said smiling real wide. She scoffed and rolled her eyes. "I'm sure I'm a sight. Just not a lovely one." She said taking a bite of the chicken. He walked over to her and placed a kiss on her head then snatched one of the small boiled potatoes off the plate. "You are very beautiful and if I could have it my way I would keep you like this as much as possible." He replied popping the potato into his mouth a teasing sparkle in his eye. "Cheeky." Mary said finishing her chicken. "I think I'd prefer at least a few months to a year in between babies. I'm not overly fond of being shut away from everything." Francis sat across from her on the table and placed his hands with his fingers steepled under his chin. "I'm not either. I miss your advice and help in the matters of court and things are harder now that Father is reaching the end." His voice grew softer with a seriousness to it. "Mother is doing what she can, but it really isn't the same without you." Mary could see this last few months were as hard on him as they were on her. Sure, he'd visited her in the past but that consisted mostly of kissing and other things including some small talk, but there was never enough time to discuss the matters of court when he was constantly being summoned and had to sneak in and out. She was sure they were both glad her time was approaching. She was worried that she might be farther along than she thought since her lower back had been bothering her all day. She focused on eating her food and spending precious time with her husband.

Francis watched as his wife devoured her food and he ate the second portion he had sent up. They ate the rest of their meal putting in a few sentences here and there but mostly enjoying each other's presence. When they finished Francis stood and suggested they sit on the couches and catch up for a few minutes before he was needed in the Great Hall for the evening dinner to be served. Mary nodded and pushed herself up and away from the chair and table placing a hand on her protruding stomach and the other on her lower back. "Help me sit down Francis. It feels like a knife is twisting in my lower back." She held out her hand and he took it letting her lean on him as she waddled to the couch. Just as she was about to sit down liquid gushed from between her legs and pooled on the floor. She glanced up at him with a mix of embarrassment and dread on her face. "You'd better go and call for the midwife. I think our little one is about to make his or her appearance." Francis felt anxiousness and a little bit of fear as he placed a kiss on her lips and then rushed down the passageway to his chambers. He sent a rider for the midwife and alerted Kenna and Greer. They immediately rushed to Mary's chambers under strict orders to keep his mother out of the chamber until the baby was born. Mary didn't need any extra stress at this moment.

Catherine immediately headed for her daughter-in-law's chambers when she heard the news that she was in labor. She was hoping she wouldn't be a disappointment and produce a son for Francis. She arrived at the chambers but frowned when two guards and a servant were blocking her way. "Stand aside. I must see how Mary fares." she said firmly. The guards didn't move and stared ahead. She noticed they were part of Francis' special guard. "I'm sorry your Majesty, but we are under strict orders to keep you out of Queen Mary's chambers. On the Regent's orders." the servant said. Catherine started to protest but thought better of it. She knew Francis would be on the throne in a matter of weeks if Henry's worsened state continued and she needed to stay on good terms with him. "Inform me at once when I'm allowed entry." The servant bowed, and Catherine turned on her heel and walked away heading back to her chambers to await the news.

Francis hurried to Mary's chambers through the passageway. Her labor pains had started the evening before and lasted all through the night. He'd informed the guests in the great hall of the events and after toasting to the Queen and child's health he bid them farewell leaving them to their meal. He knew he was expected to stay with them till the birth was over, but he wanted to be near Mary and knew she wanted him as well.

Mary bit down on the piece of wood the midwife had given her to keep from screaming out loud. The pain was almost unbearable as the contractions grew closer together. Her hair clung to her damp forehead as she panted. She gripped the sides of the bed her knuckles turning white with the intensity of her grip. "You're doing great my Queen. Almost time for you to push." Lola wiped her forehead with a cool cloth and encouraged her. Greer had just left to take Kenna back to her and Bash's chambers. She'd been rushing around trying to help the midwife and had gotten short on breath and a little too warm. The midwife had ordered her to retire for the night. It was still too early for her to go into labor, so she saw the sense in it and waddled back to her chambers with some help from Greer. The contraction passed granting her a moment of relief when the door to the passageway opened and Francis appeared. "Your Majesty!" Lola exclaimed softly. The midwife frowned and opened her mouth to most likely send him away but stopped when Francis held up a hand. "No sense in ordering me away." Mary was so relieved to see him. She felt a little more strength as he drew near and took her hand. She took the wood out of her mouth and smiled faintly at him. "I'm so glad you're here." she said breathlessly. He stroked her face searching her eyes with his. "As am I." Then she closed her eyes and she tightened her grip on his hand as another contraction came. She let out a cry and leaned into Francis as the midwife instructed her to begin pushing with the contractions.

Francis' heart twisted at Mary's cry and he almost wished he hadn't come. He glanced up as Lola held Mary's other hand and shared a look with Francis assuring him everything was ok. "I'm sorry for putting you through this." he whispered. Mary must've heard him for she looked up at him and smiled despite her pain. "It'll be worth it." Before he could reply she gripped his hand tighter and leaned forward as another contraction hit her. She let out another heart wrenching cry as Francis felt her whole-body tense as she bore down. "That's it Mary!" Lola said. "I can see the head." the midwife said. Mary panted as the contraction passed, but it only gave her a moments relief as another one soon followed. "I don't know how much longer I can do this." she said. "You're almost there. Don't give up now." Francis said kissing her damp forehead.

Mary felt her strength start to wane but knew her body wouldn't stop until her baby was born. She felt as though she was splitting in two as she felt the baby break through. She drew strength from Lola and Francis' encouraging words and bore down for what seemed like the hundredth time. "One more big push lassie." the midwife said. She gathered her strength and when the contraction came she pushed with all her might crying out until she felt sweet release as she felt the baby leave her in a gush of water and fluid. She leaned back against Francis and finally relaxed after a long night. Dawn was beginning to break, and the light was sparkling on the frost that dusted the windows. She heard the baby begin to cry. "You have a healthy baby girl. Ach she's got quite a set of lungs on her." She opened her eyes expecting to see some disappointment in Francis' eyes, but all she saw was pure love and emotion as he carried her to Mary. Lola helped her sit up as the midwife began cleaning up. She would stick around until the afterbirth was expelled and then once mother and baby were settled she would send Nostradamus in to check on them.

Francis knew everyone was hoping for a boy, but he was content to have a healthy daughter. If this little one was conceived after one night of heated passion, there wouldn't be any doubt another one would soon follow. He watched as she nursed at her mother's breast and the look of pure motherly love on Mary's face. He had no doubt she would raise their children with lots of love and still look out for their future's. "Oh, Francis I told you it would be worth it." Mary said breaking the silence. He crawled onto the bed beside her and cupped his daughter's head smiling from ear to ear. "Every bit of it." Lola made sure the fire was blazing and even had refreshment brought up for them. "Thank you for letting me be here Mary. It gives me a glimpse of what my life could be like with Julien." she said placing a hand over her stomach wistfully. Mary smiled at her beloved friend. "I'm sure it will be everything you've dreamed of. Now go and get some rest. You deserve some after the night we've all had." Lola nodded and exited the room as quietly as she could.

Mary sighed blissfully when Nostradamus had finally left that afternoon. He'd confirmed the midwife's assessment that the baby was healthy, and Mary was doing well. She'd sent Francis to inform the court and as Kenna and Greer came to see the baby she had her maid help her get a well needed bath as the others changed her bed sheets and did a little tidying. She knew Catherine would be visiting soon and intended to be refreshed so she could face whatever she would say. She planned on making this year's Yuletide festivities something to remember. Even though she hadn't produced a son she still proved she was capable of bearing children and even a daughter of France and Scotland deserved celebrating. Francis entered as she was getting settled onto the settee to feed the baby again. "I insisted Catherine wait until tomorrow to visit. You need to get more rest." he said. Mary smiled and took the baby from Greer. "You have a wonderful daughter." Greer said. Francis and Mary both smiled. "Have you decided on a name?" Kenna asked. "She will be Merida Adelaide." Francis replied proudly. Mary's friends bid them farewell as Francis and Mary began their evening meal. They watched their daughter sleep in the crib they'd made for her until she was moved to the nursery. Francis wrapped an arm around Mary's waist and placed a kiss on her cheek. "Our little princess." Mary turned in his embrace and placed a hand on his cheek. "Our little Yuletide blessing." she added placing a soft kiss on his lips. Francis sure felt blessed.