Chapter XIV
Marie grasped the hand of the Queen as Anne gave birth to the long awaited heir to France. The King insisted that she had the very best midwife, nurses and physicians attend to her. He even demanded that no member of the court except a few of her ladies be with her. The Queen only chose Marie. "Nearly there," Marie reassure the woman. "You will have your child in your arms very soon." Placing a cool cloth on Anne's forehead.
"I did not realise it would hurt this much." Lying back on the many pillows on her bed. Having a few moments to relax before the pain returned. Anne was terrified that the baby would not survive or it would be a girl. She wanted a boy for Louis but she wanted a baby boy to love and care for.
The physician stepped forward and examined the Queen. "It is time to push."
Anne gripped Marie's hand tightly as the contraction built up and she pushed. Four hours later and the baby was born. A girl. Marie could see the disappointment on the Queen's face but the baby was alive. That was enough for them all. Anne reached forward and took the crying child from the physician. "My darling girl." Pressing her lips on her child's head, comforting the wailing babe.
"Congratulations, your Majesty." Marie smiled as she watched Anne cradle her daughter.
"Tell the King, Marie." Anne looked up at her nervously. "The midwife and nurses can help me to redress."
Marie nodded and stood up off the bed. She curtseyed deeply and left Anne alone with the nurses. The King was right outside the door. "Your Majesty." She curtseyed to him deeply.
"How is Anne? How is my son?" He was practically bouncing on his heels.
"Not a boy, your Majesty. You have a daughter. The Queen is well as is the child." She smiled at him. She could see the mix of disappointment and joy in his eyes. "I will see if she is ready to receive you." She returned into the room to see Anne climbing back into bed and being handed her daughter. "Are you ready, your Majesty?"
Anne looked up and smiled widely. "Yes, Madame. Send in the King."
Marie curtseyed and left the room. "She is ready for you." Smiling at the King, who entered the room with Cardinal Richelieu following close behind him. She and the Cardinal had developed an understanding. Both of them had the ear of one of the monarchs but they both knew that one word could ruin the other. They remained on friendly terms to keep their positions in court.
The King sat next to Anne and smiled down at their newborn. "She is perfect."
"If we can have a healthy daughter, we can have a healthy son." Anne smiled nervously as she handed the sleeping babe to her husband.
Louis smiled at her. "Don't you worry, Anne. Let us be content with your daughter for a while. We will have a son soon."
This made Marie frown. Did the King have an idea that the girl was not his own? Most women raised their daughters and the girls barely saw their father but the King was not like that. Was he? She turned and ushered everyone out of the room, including the Cardinal. "Let us give their Majesties some time alone." They bowed and curtseyed to the King and Queen and left them alone.
"Thank God the baby was born healthy," stated Richelieu when the two of them were alone.
Marie nodded and stopped walking to speak with him better. He was an intimidating man but she could stand up to him. After the horrors she endured with her late husband, she could stand her ground with any man. "Yes. It shows that the Queen can give birth to a healthy child." Smiling at him. "Despite what the doubters have said about the Queen and her child bearing." Footsteps disturbed them. They turned to see Athos standing in the doorway.
"I think you best rest, Madame. You have not left the Queen's side." Richelieu spoke softly.
"And you Cardinal. You have not left the King's side since this began." She curtseyed to him.
"You are very loyal to their majesties." He spoke quietly, which seemed very sinister to her. Was he trying to get her to give him the slightest hint to the Queen's infidelities.
"Yes, I am. Sometimes, the King and Queen need someone who is not an advisor at their side. I believe that person is me." She raised an eyebrow as she clasped her hands in front of her. "I do wish to leave, Cardinal. Like you, I am tired." Her eyes looking to Athos, who was waiting patiently, his hat in his hands but his stern eyes focused on the Cardinal, who turned to look at him. It was no secret that Marie and Athos were lovers and the Cardinal did not approve it. He never really approved of anything Marie did.
"Your lover is waiting for you." The Cardinal sneered at her.
Marie gritted her teeth as he walked away from her. She waited until he was gone and she growled and stamped her foot in frustration. "He is infuriating."
Athos walked up to her, his hat still in his hand. "I know. You tell me everyday." He kissed her forehead and then her lips. "You look tired, my love."
"15 hours. I have been with the Queen for 15 hours." She moved into his arms, resting against his strong chest. His arms wrapped around her and held her close. "I just want to go home and be with my children."
"Why do you think I'm here?" He kissed the top of her head. Neither of them realising that they were being watched by the Cardinal. He was most likely hoping to hear of anything about the paternity of the Queen's child. "Let's go home."
Marie lifted her head up and let him kiss her. It was widely known in court that she and Athos were lovers and did not hide it from anybody. They only remained professional when they were in the presence of the King and Queen. They both turned and left the room with an arm around the other person. He could tell she was exhausted as she was leaning heavily upon him. "Are the children well?"
"They were very loud this morning. They are missing you." He held her close, practically carrying her through the palace and out into the streets. People watched them as they walked together. They didn't care. She could barely walk and Athos had to lift her into his arms and carry her the rest of the way. They were nearly at her home. Once they were through the door, she was asleep in his arms. Marie had remained with the Queen for the entire 15 hours of the Queen's labour. Of course she was going to be exhausted. He gently lay her on their bed, once he was in the bed chamber. He pulled off her shoes and unlaced her dress. A smile graced his lips when she smiled in her sleep. Pulling off his jacket and boots, he climbed in next to her. He prayed nothing would tear them apart.
-XIV-
Marie awoke in her lovers' arms. She smiled when she looked up at him, still asleep. She reached up and stroked his bearded chin with the tips of her fingers. Lifting her head to look down upon him. "I'm trying to sleep." He mumbled and opened one eye to look up at her. Her fingers caressed his chin and cheek. "What time is it?"
"Close to the evening. We've slept the day away." She smiled down at him.
"Everyone must think we've slipped into an enchanted sleep." He grinned and slipped his arm around her, pulling her on top of him. Her knees either side of his waist and her lips mere inches from his.
"I best see the children. I have rarely seen them these past two days." She rolled off him and climbed off the bed. "Come on my lover. Your son will want to see you too." She untied her dress, pulling it off her body and retrieving a clean dress. He watched her from the bed and dressed in a deep red dress with a black detail.
Athos sat up when she stood in front of her looking glass as she pulled a hairbrush through her hair. "You look ill."
"I'm well, love. I am still tired." Putting the hairbrush on the table and walking to him. "A good night's sleep is all I need. The Queen has said I can have a few days rest as she will have nurses with her for a couple of days." She helped him to dress into his jacket by doing the buttons up. Brushing his shoulders and kissed him quickly. "We should tell Aramis. We both know that he is the father."
"I know. Should I tell him or you?" He pushed a curl of her hair behind her ear.
Marie bit her lower lip with worry. "I do not know. He deserves to hear it from you because you are his friend. He should hear it from me because I was with the Queen when his daughter came into the world. How about both of us?" Her hands resting on his waist.
"Hmmmm..." He nodded and kissed her quickly. "That sounds better." He cupped her cheeks and kissed her softly once more. They pulled apart when they heard a small set of feet running down the corridor. "Look out. Here's trouble."
"Mama! Athos! Are you awake? Mama, Monsieur Aramis is here!" The little boy shouted as he attempted to open the door to her bed chambers.
Athos chuckled and unlocked the door. "Convenient. He probably wants the news." He kissed her again as the door opened and young Louis burst through the door. "Come Louis. Let us escort your mother to greet Monsieur Aramis."
Louis smiled broadly at his mother and held his arm out to her. He was now 8 years of age and pretended to be a grown up for his mother. Marie chuckled and looped her hand through her son's arm, allowing him to lead her out of the room. "He is waiting in the drawing room with Anne."
Marie smiled down at her son, who seemed to be grower taller everyday. "Thank you, my little lord."
The three walked down into the heart of the house and into the drawing room. Aramis stood at the window with baby Anne in his arms, talking quietly to her. "Monsieur Aramis!" Louis called as they entered the room. "I found Mama and Athos."
Aramis turned to the newcomers. "Good afternoon, sleepy heads." Turning with Anne in his arms, who was clinging to Aramis with one hand and the thumb of her other hand in her mouth. "Luckily, Mademoiselle Anne was here to keep me company."
Marie gave him and smile and took Anne from him. "Louis, could you find Antoinette for me?"
"Yes, Mama." The boy bowed to her and skipped from the room.
They all sat in silence until Louis returned with the nursemaid, who took the two children from the room. Again, they waited in silence until the door was closed. "We were coming to see you." Marie began.
"Boy or girl?" Aramis asked. It was the only reason that he came to her residence.
"A girl. A very healthy girl." Marie smiled a little. She reached forward and grasped his hand.
"Hm... That's good." He pulled his hand away from Marie's and stood to his feet. "Trèville wants to see you. He sent me to get you."
Athos nodded as he stood up along with Marie. "I'll come back tonight." He briefly kissed Marie, his hand on her waist, pulling her into him. Both of them forgetting that Aramis was still in the room.
"Excuse me? Have you forgotten somebody?" Raising his eyebrows when they faced him. "Come. Best not keep the captain waiting." Leaving the room before he had to witness any more of their romance.
Marie chuckled and Athos smiled at her. "Go. I will see you when I see you." Kissing him once more. "Take care of him. This will be hard for him more than anybody."
Athos drew her close and kissed her hard. "Take care, love." His fingers stroking her cheek softly before turning and leaving the room. A smile graced her lips as he walked away but as he reached the door, he looked back at her. She couldn't help but smile. Her heart yearned for him more. In her dreams, they were together and married. She would dream it a lot but she knew it would never happen. Marie wished it could happen.
-XIV-
A/N: It will all kick off soon. AND a little hint: Milady will return and cause havoc!