Disclaimer- Nothing related to the TV show House belongs to me. I swear.
A/N- Another daily update for my delightful readers. It means so much that you are sticking with me and continuing to review. It is more appreciated than you know. Enjoy!
To Love a King
Chapter Ten
For the next month, Lisa steadfastly avoided Allison. The divorce proceedings were completed with ease and finality. By the time Lisa was making her final preparations to leave, Allison was six months with child. Allison went to Lisa's chambers to say farewell and was not received warmly. "Your Majesty, may you find happiness in your new life. I wish we could have been friends rather than rivals. Perhaps under different circumstances we may have."
"How polite of you, to call me "Your Majesty" still. An empty gesture, but polite nonetheless. Why are you here? You cannot truly believe I wish to see you now."
"I apologize. It was foolish of me to come. It is clear that you despise me, and you have every reason to. I suppose there is nothing for me to say." Lisa nodded and Allison began to leave.
"He will betray you, just as he has me. One child does not give you security. Remember that."
"I am not the same as you. I do not expect this child to keep him loyal. I will keep him loyal. You have doubted me from the moment Gregory chose me, but I rose above your doubts, above your expectations. You cannot make me feel a lesser person now. Have a long and healthy life, Your Majesty." Allison curtsied slightly and walked out of the room. It was the last time the two women saw each other.
Gregory and Lisa did not speak the day she left. She went quietly with her servants and belongings to her new home miles away. In the city, the people were already talking about the type of queen Lady Allison would be. While many women empathized with Lisa, very few of her former subjects knew her well: she had not made many public appearances. Lady Allison was already familiar to the commoners and continued to travel to town whenever the opportunity arose. Already the word of her pregnancy had spread throughout the country and the prospect of having an heir made the townspeople support her rise fervently.
One afternoon, a week after Lisa left; Gregory and Allison spoke in her chambers after a short visit in the city. "The people adore you, love." Allison blushed modestly.
"It is a joy to see cheerful faces in town. The women seem to be excited about the child. I have been given much advice." Gregory laughed.
"Of course they are excited! You are securing the future of their country. Do you understand the importance of this child?"
"Yes, Gregory. Each day I awake and feel the child move I am filled with happiness. He is a blessing." Gregory nodded understandingly.
"Does he move now?" He asked. Allison nodded and smiled brightly. She placed his hand on the hard curve of her belly. Gregory's eyes widened and a smile graced his face as the child kicked. "What does it feel like? Having the child inside you?"
"The movement feels stronger. It is a delight - he shows me that he is alive, healthy."
"He certainly is, love." Allison looked into Gregory's eyes and the connection they shared seemed to grow stronger as they felt their child move between them. Until dinner, he sat with his hand on her belly as she read aloud to him. Not once was their peace disturbed by thoughts of the former queen.
…
When Allison was in her seventh month, she was formally betrothed to Gregory. The ceremony was attended by every person from the court and celebrated with a grand masque that evening. Allison sat beside him on a throne as if they were already married and watched the festivities delightedly. Gregory kept his eyes on Allison more than the performance and did not rise once to dance with another lady. Though they had agreed to wait until the birth of their child to marry, he treated Allison with more devotion than he had ever shown Lisa.
The day before the betrothal, Allison had moved into the queen's chambers. However, she continued to spend most of her nights with Gregory. He knew she needed more rest as the child grew, so he called for her less, though he could hardly sleep without her at his side. Allison appreciated the relaxation, and she often slept through the night due to sheer exhaustion, but she still missed the feeling of Gregory's solid, sturdy figure beside her.
Two weeks after the betrothal, Gregory allowed Allison to choose ladies in waiting. Though she selected Remi, Brenda, and Genevieve, they were more her friends than assistants. Allison was given a multitude of servants in addition to the ones she already had and her hard-working seamstress sewed her several new maternity gowns fit for the queen she was quickly becoming.
She spent her days as she always had at court - reading, sewing, playing card games or watching sport on the lawn. Allison no longer went for walks in the garden, her back and feet ached from the weight of the child. As her eighth month ended, Gregory told her it would soon be time for her lying in. Allison dreaded the thought of being secluded in a dark, stuffy room for a month until the birth and forty days afterward, but she knew it was necessary for the health of the child. The day before she was set to take to bed, Gregory discussed the coming months with her.
"I shall visit you every day. Whatever you ask for, you shall receive. Your ladies will visit when possible, as well as your parents. The time shall pass quickly - more so than you realize now. Any questions you have, the midwives will answer. Do not be afraid." Allison giggled light-heartedly.
"I am not afraid, love. Soon I shall bear you a strong, healthy child. Do remember to visit me, though. What I dislike most is the thought of being alone."
"Every spare moment I have, I will be with you. I promise, Allison." She nodded.
"I believe you. I have told Lady Remi she should see to the other ladies while I am indisposed." Gregory laughed.
"I am certain she is more than glad of the task." Allison laughed in agreement.
"Tonight is our last night together, then?"
"Yes." Gregory answered regretfully.
"Come then, we shall not waste it." Allison said coyly. Even heavy with child, she was still beautiful, and in Gregory's eyes, very desirable. Their night was not wasted.
A/N- I know I didn't spend much time on the pregnancy, but personally, I eager to get to the birth. Are you? No way I can tell if you don't leave a review.