Disclaimer: I own nothing

AN: I regret taking so long to update. Thank you all for your lovely reviews and such. This chapter is set several weeks later.

As his eyes lazily drifted into focus, there she was. Pale streaks inching up from the horizon framed his goddess as stood before the looking glass. He remained silent, afraid that his mortal words would break the spell she was casting. A loose braid was swept over one shoulder and her robe hung open allowing his gaze to drift over her smooth, luminous skin. As she turned to the left, he caught a glimpse of the constellation of freckles that were sprinkled across her thigh. She was humming, softly, melodically, while her fingers skimmed lightly over the slight swell that had begun to form. When her eyes met his reflection she blushed and turned towards the window. Henry came up behind her, wrapping her in his arms, breathing her in.

"You need not hide your joy from me." Pressing his lips to her shoulder, "I assure you that I take as much pleasure in your growing figure as you do."

"Mmmhmm…" He could tell that her eyebrow was raised without looking.

"I mean it, Catherine. You are so beautiful, especially so when you smile. That smile," He touched the corner of her mouth, "I've never seen it before. I think, perhaps, that this little one," His fingers softly grazed her belly. "Is responsible for it." He drew his hand lower. "Well, maybe not solely responsible…"

She caught his hand and swatted it playfully. "Really, Henry. Can't your indecency wait until we have at least broken our fast? I, for one, am ravenous."

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"So," He spoke between bites of omelet, "I suppose we should start thinking of names." Her apprehensive look spoke volumes, "Or have you already given it some thought?"

She nodded, "Have you?"

"Well, for a girl I thought… Madeline."

Catherine inhaled sharply as the name hit her like a physical blow. Closing her eyes, she shook her head firmly.

"But, Catherine, it would memorialize two women that I hold in very high esteem." He gave her palm a tender kiss. "Even though I never met your mother she has brought me the greatest happiness. I will always keep a candle lit in remembrance of her. And my sister," He closed his eyes and leaned his head back, reminiscing. "She was the dearest girl, so tender, so benevolent. I remember the many nights you spent tucked up in her bed talking until the wee hours of the morning. In fact, the first time I heard you laugh she was braiding your hair. As she swept up the last of your curls, she whispered something in your ear. The two of you laughed, clutching your sides, until you were in tears. I decided I would make you laugh like that whatever it took, pride be damned!" He snorted into her neck earning another swat.

Catherine couldn't help but smirk, "So that's why you acted as my own personal court jester at first? I thought I had simply married a fool."

Permitting fond memories to wash over her, with his cheek resting lightly on her shoulder, a wistful smile graced her face, "She was the first person to ever really love me."

"I believe that honour belongs to yours truly. Now I must know, what was it she said to make you laugh so?"

Smirking, she gave him a patronizing pat on the head. "It seems that someone never outgrew their curiosity."

Pulling her closer, he tickled behind her knee, "But my interrogation skills have improved considerably."

"Henry, this is so undignified! Stop pestering me!" Seeing an opportunity to tease him a bit, she finally conceded. "Alright, alright, I'll tell you if you can manage to keep your hands to yourself for a moment."

He lifted his hands in mock surrender.

"Well, Madeline told me that she had overheard a certain prince practicing seductive phrases in Italian… with varied results." She sputtered with poorly concealed laughter. "She was kind enough to demonstrate for me."

"Well thankfully mio Italiano has improved by leaps and bounds. Shall I charm you, il mio amante?" He puffed his chest out proudly.

Catherine pelted him with a grape, "You only think you're charming."

Munching the projectile, "I am always charming. That's my vote: Madeline."

Her playfulness evaporated in the wake of grief, "That name seems to bear the curse of lives cut short."

Henry scoffed, "That's nothing but ridiculous superstition. A name has no bearing on one's health." Sensing her unease, he placed her hand on his chest and softened his tone. "There's plenty of time left to think about it. If it troubles you, we will talk no more of Madeline just now." Playing with her ring, "In fact, I've always been partial to the name Elizabeth."

"Why Elizabeth? It's not a family name?"

"I had a nanny named Elizabeth that I was fond of as a boy. Gentle with a sweet voice, she had a way of making me feel special and never treated me like second best."

"Elizabeth Valois." She smiled, liking the way it sounded.

With a languid stretch, "Are you going to share your names or will you make me do all the work?"

She felt a flutter of apprehension, "Do you promise to hear me out?"

Opening one eye to scrutinize her, "How many names did you come up with, woman?"

"I think we should call him…" She braced herself for the storm, "Francis."

"No!" He rose in a huff.

"Henry, I think it would go a long way in improving your relationship with your father if you named your firstborn after him."

"I don't give a damn! I owe him nothing!" He clutched the rail of the balcony, ready to crush the stone with his grip.

Her nails grazed softly over his back, "You're right. You don't owe him anything… but he is the last of your family, your blood. This gesture could heal so much. I want that for you."

He spoke through clenched teeth, "Family means nothing. Blood is just an excuse to hurt you without remorse."

"Please, Henry. Your father…" He jerked away from her. "I know he has hurt you and now he scorns you. You deserve so much better, darling, but, in his way, he does love you. I believe that he is callous with you because of the guilt that your presence evokes. You serve as a living, breathing reminder of his sins. If you could help to alleviate that sense of guilt, your relationship could mend. Being part of a family, that bond requires forgiveness."

Turning on her, "How the Hell would you know?! A Medici is lecturing me on family? On love? I suppose you would confuse his disdain for love since your own family never cared for you, never wanted you, and then sold you to the highest bidder!"

Catherine raged at hearing her family so demeaned, "Which just so happened to be you!" Her eyes blazed, as her voice lowered to a deadly calm, "You, who have taken pleasure in shaming and humiliating me, left me severely alone, only coming to me to sire offspring. My family has been the only suppo-"

The vein in his forehead was bulging as his voice thundered, "THEY ARE USING YOU! They love your position, not you! You mistake manipulation for affection!"

"Oh, are you angry because they are better liars than you are?" Not awaiting his response she stormed out, smiling in spite of the hollow ache in her chest.

AN: I'm sorry to leave things this way, but these two have a lot of tension to navigate through. I hope everyone's New Year as begun splendidly and that you enjoyed the read! Thank you, Lina, for being my beta! Xoxo