{January 5 1538 - Framlingham Castle}
Mary awoke in the middle of the night, her water had broken. She was going into labor, her mother was not due to arrive for a few more days and her beloved step-mother had just entered her own confinement. The Queen was not due for at least two more months, but Henry had insisted she take to her chambers just after Christmastide due to the possibility once more she was carrying twins. It seemed that Jean's healing of Anne to protect the unborn son in 1536 had done a little more than just protect mother and son, the side effect made it possible for her to carry twins to term quite easily it seemed.
"Kitty, fetch the midwife." Kitty had been sound asleep when Mary called for her, but without missing a beat she was up from her sleeping pallet next to the Queen's bed and running out the inner chambers doors to get the midwife who was currently housed in the room next door. Kitty then ran down the hall towards Phillip's chambers, she was still so tired she tripped and almost fell flat on her face but just in the last moment her descent to the ground was haltered. She looked up to see the most beautiful blue eyes she had ever seen staring down at her. He grinned at her, his smile was intoxicating.
"Are you alright?" He asked, his accent intrigued her. She had become used to the Duke's strange accent, but she had never realized how much she loved a Scottish accent. Kitty stared up at him for what seemed like hours, before being able to answer.
"Yes, but I must reach the Duke. The Princess is in labor." Ewan helped walk Kitty to the Duke's chambers as she was barely able to stand, the excitement was too much for her. The Princess was having a baby, the precious little one that she remembers vividly kicking her hand just a few weeks ago.
"Kitty" Mary called out as she returned. "Come hold my hand." Kitty climbed up on the bed, sitting next to Mary her hand being squeezed tightly every time Mary pushed.
"Your majesty, you have a beautiful healthy baby girl." Mary looked at her daughter, her eyes welled with tears. Her hair was auburn like her own, her eyes bright blue like all babies had when they were born it seemed. She held her for the briefest moment before the midwife took her to be cleaned and dressed. Mary was then washed, her sheets were changed so she could be ready to present her little girl to her loving husband.
"Hello, Katherine Anne." Mary cooed at her little girl. Phillip watched the scene from the door, not wanting to disturb her first moments with their daughter.
"She is beautiful, just like her mother." Phillip leaned down and kissed his little girl on the forehead before doing the same with his wife. He sat next to her as they just watched her wiggle around before drifting off to sleep.
{Whitehall}
Henry had just gotten the news of the birth of his first grandchild, he walked proudly into the the Great Hall full of courtiers ready to start the new day.
"I have a healthy granddaughter" he enthusiastically announced to anyone who would listen. "Charles, you must go to the Queen at once and relay the news. She will be most happy to hear about Mary's good health." Henry had ordered the bells to ring for the announcement of his little Katherine Anne and would make his way to Framlingham this afternoon. He knew Anne would be saddened that she would be unable to attend the first meeting with the infant but she the health of their own children was more important. He had sent word to Katherine that she was to wait for him before leaving to see their granddaughter. Because no matter how much they had been getting along now, he would be damned if she saw the baby before him.
"The Duke of Suffolk, your majesty." Lady Madge announced. Charles was the only man allowed in the Queen's chambers during her confinement. Her brother George had returned to Hever after the portrait commissioned by the King had been completed to await the birth of his newest child.
"Charles, it is good to see you. Now go greet your wife, I have all the time in the world." She giggled. She was so tired of being in her room already and it had only been three days. Her sister had left court shortly after her marriage to be with her new husband. Charles kissed Jean, holding her to him. "I love you, sweetheart." he whispered in her ear. "I know" she replied back. Hell if it could would for Han Solo, then why the heck not for her she thought.
"Your majesty, the King sends word that the Princess Mary has given birth to a healthy baby girl. They have named her in honor of both of her mothers, Katherine Anne." Anne began to cry at the sound of her name, she knew her and Mary had become friends but she never thought she would bestow her such an honor.
"Ladies, we must start to make some baby clothes and blankets for my granddaughter" Anne announced suddenly. "Charles, please tell Mary how proud I am of her and that I miss her deeply." Before Charles made it out the door, Anne called him back to hand him small wooden box. "Please give this to Katherine, I am sure she will wish to have it back." Inside was a small crucifix Anne had found buried in one of the many jewelry boxes belonging to Katherine. She remembered how she wore it almost daily, it had been a gift from Henry when they were the most happy together.
{Framlingham - that evening}
"Mary, my daughter, she is precious." Katherine looked at her granddaughter lovingly. Henry was busy talking to Phillip about organizing a grand masque in honor of Katherine Anne. For all the struggles he had with securing his male heir, he had no disappointment in his first grandchild being just a girl. As much as he loved all his children, he had realized that first time he held his little Rachel that any child was a blessing.
"Mary, sweetheart. Anne sends her regards, and to tell you she misses you very much. It seems she has set her entire household to task in preparation for gifts for the Lady Katherine Anne." Henry smiled and noticed Charles handing Katherine the box from Anne.
"The Queen wishes you to have this, your majesty." Charles had not known what it was inside the box. "She told me that it was recently discovered hidden away, and knew you would wish it returned." She almost broke into tears as her fingers took the small cross in her hands.
"Mother, what is it?" Mary asked concerned.
"Something very dear to my heart. Something I thought was lost many years ago." Memories flooded Henry's mind as he saw what she held in her tiny hands. He remembered the day he gave it to her, how she had made him feel. It was the day Mary was born.
"Katherine let me help you with that." Henry said sweetly, has he took the cross in his hands and put it around her neck.
"Henry..."
"Katherine, I am sorry for all the heartache I caused for you so many years ago. You never deserved such a treatment." It had been the first time Henry had really remembered how much Katherine had once meant to him. And Anne once again had to make such her family was stronger than ever, with just one little well thought out gift. Henry wondered if she had known the true meaning of the crucifix that was now once more resting around Katherine's neck.
A/N's note : I can't help but see Ewan McGregor's adorable grin when picturing the look Kitty is given by Sir Ewan Douglas. Yes I totally named him that because of that, it is my story so there :)
FYI children born
Anne & Henry
Elizabeth : Sept 7 1533
Rachel & Nicholas : May 16 1536
Henry : Apr 21 1537
Mary & Phillip
Katherine Anne : Jan 5 1538
Jane & George
Henry : October 27 1536
Jane & Francis
Anne : Sept 19 1536
Jean & Charles
Margaret : Sept 19 1537