Chapter 25

Henry looked down in awe at Catherine's swollen stomach. The baby that was growing inside of her was his. His own flesh and blood. This thought was nearly incomprehensible. A new son whose birth would soon crown their love. And even if Catherine was carrying a girl, he would love her just as much even though he was still pretty sure that she was pregnant with a boy.
"I should go and look after the children", Catherine's words tore Henry out of his deliberations. Before he could even react, his wife freed herself from his grasp and rose. What had once looked very elegant and effortless now seemed slow and awkward due to her growing girth.
"My love, the children are fine. The only thing you should be worried about right now is your own health and our little one's welfare."

Henry rose as well and scolded himself a mindless idiot.
Hadn't he promised Nostradamus to take care of his wife and to make sure that she found some rest after this day's physical exertions? A promise he had not kept so far.
"Why don't you lie down for a while?" he asked and pointing at the bed in the corner of the small chamber.
Catherine didn't answer right away. She rather looked back and forth between the bed and her husband. So Henry interpreted her lack of protest as her silent approval and gently directed her towards the bed.

"That does indeed sound tempting."
Relieved at her yielding, Henry pulled back the blanket and held Catherine's upper arm to assist her with sitting down.
"Would you like something to drink?" he offered and watched his wife argus-eyed while she sank against the pillows in exhaustion and ran her hands over her pregnant belly.
"Maybe some tea?", his wife suggested.
Henry nodded in agreement and leaned down to place a tender kiss on her forehead. Then he left the room.

When Henry came back, he found Catherine stretched out on the bed. Absent-minded she was rubbing her swollen stomach, whispering soft words only their child could hear. She was obviously unaware of his return.
His wife had taken off her shoes and Henry stared in fascination at her small, slightly swollen feet before he made himself noticeable by clearing his throat. Without hesitation he sat down next to her and watched Catherine laboriously straightening up to reach for the cup he held out to her.
"Be careful, it's very hot," he warned her.
Catherine first took a smell at it before she started sipping her tea.

After she had finished, Henry took the cup and put it down, then he let himself fall onto the mattress right next to her.
"What exactly are you doing?" Catherine asked and stared down at him in wonder.
"Can't you see? I'll keep you company," he succinctly explained and leaned on his left arm to get a better look at her.
"Henry, I was actually going to lie down and get some rest."
Catherine's month dropped into a sweet little frown.
"And so you shall, babe," he agreed with her and invitingly tapped at the mattress next to him to signal her to lie down next to him.

After a short moment's hesitation, Catherine gave in to his request.
And Henry didn't give his wife a chance to move to the edge of the mattress for he instantaneously pulled her into his arms. Then he buried his nose in her soft hair while his hands slid to the middle of her body on their own account.
"Thank you," he whispered into her ear and began to gently caress her belly.
"What for?" Catherine sounded tired and Henry felt her body relax under his caresses until she closed her eyes in exhaustion.
"For giving your outrageous husband another chance. But I fear that I'm in desperate need of your guidance in order to turn me into a reliable husband."

To Henry's surprise she placed her much smaller hand on top of his.
"But don't you count on me making it easy for you," she muttered sleepily and prompted Henry to chuckle in amusement.
"Not for even one second," he assured her.
Catherine's only reaction was a low, affirmative hum. A moment later, his wife was asleep.

xxx

Five days later, two big carriages – accompanied by a royal cavalcade of Valois and Medici soldiers - arrived at French court.
"Home sweet home, I thought we'd never get here," Henry said while getting out of the coach. Then he reached for his wife to assist her getting out as well.
"It was you who insisted on making multiple stops," Catherine replied, but instead of fixing him with her infamous death glare as she had so often in the past, she now graced him with a brilliant smile.
"I am merely following Nostradamus' instructions. You still need to take it slow, my love. And several shorter stages are less tiring than one long journey."
Even though Catherine was back on solid ground, Henry refrained from letting go of her. He rather put his arm around her waist in a gesture that was both supportive and likewise possessive.
"Two stages would have been sufficient enough."

It was just like Catherine – always wanting to have the last word. Henry answered her with a big grin of his own. In the end her unbending and combative nature was one of the reasons why he loved his wife after all.

Out of the corner of his eye Henry saw his children rushing past them towards the main entrance of the castle. They had been sitting in the second carriage and were obviously eager to move their feet. Only Margot, who couldn't keep up with her siblings, fell back. Halfway along the road, his youngest finally stopped and turned to face her parents with the most disappointed look on her pretty little face. Then her lower lip started to tremble.
Henry watched her seeking her mother's gaze and a moment later she raised her short arms.
"Up!" she demanded.
"Oh dear me, sweetling," Catherine sighed and took a step forward to approach Margot. But Henry beat her to it and went down on his knees in front of his daughter.
"Your Maman isn't able to carry you right now, Margot. She's already carrying your little brother or sister all day. But would you like your Daddy to carry you?" Henry suggested and watched how his daughter's facial expression changed while weighing up his suggestion. Then she came to a decision and hesitantly nodded her head.
"Okay."

Smiling gently, Henry ran his fingers through her golden curls. Then he rose with the child in his arms. Like before, he placed his other arm around his wife's waist. Catherine regarded him with a smile on her own lips.

Since Henry had failed to send a messenger to announce their upcoming arrival, a flurry of activity took place as soon as they entered the castle. Servants, members of his privy council and Catherine's ladies-in-waiting rushed towards them and Henry noticed with concern how the mirth vanished from his wife's face, making room for annoyance.
"Mother, you're back!" It was only when Francis showed up that Catherine's facial expression changed again. "And I guess it's almost time," the young prince added, after he had embraced his mother and was now openly staring at her remarkably grown middle.

Henry decided to give mother and son the opportunity to have a private chat and chased away all servants as well as Catherine's ladies. Then he faced the members of his privy council with a sense of duty.
Even though he would prefer spending day and night with his wife - now that he had won her back - he was still aware of his responsibilities as a sovereign. And by early evening at latest he would have his wife back and all to himself. For Henry was hell-bent to share chambers with her from now on.
Looking at the child in his arms, Henry made up his mind and just took Margot along. The girl seemed fascinated by his medals and occupied herself by playing with the heavy chains on his way to the map room. He deliberately ignored the confused looks the members of his privy council exchanged.

xxx

Henry only returned to the royal wing of the castle after the sun had set. He was hungry and the dust from their long journey still stuck to his body and his clothes. And he longed for his wife.
From the conversation he had had with Francis after meeting his councilors, Henry knew that Catherine had already retired to her chambers.
Because of his obligations he had not been able to join his family for dinner. A neglect he regretted, contrary to his expectations.
"Go get me something to eat," he instructed the servant who nodded dutifully and opened the door to Henry's chambers for him. "My wife has already turned in. Find out if she's asleep."

The last few nights, he and Catherine had shared a bed and he intended to continue with this arrangement in the future. And in case she has fallen asleep in her chambers, he would have dinner in his own bed chamber and prepare himself for bed here. Later on he would just sneak into her bed without disturbing her. For he was not willing to give up his place at her side ever again, now that he had won her back.
"No, she isn't asleep." Instead of the servant it was Catherine who answered his question. She was sitting in a large tub that had been set up in the middle of his chamber. Hot humid air that smelled of wild lavender hit his nostrils.

"Catherine!? You are taking a bath? Here?" Henry was unable to hide his amazement. Curiously, he approached the bathtub.
"Your readiness of mind and your capability of quick reasoning never cease to amaze me." Catherine's voice oozed with mockery, but the sharpness that so often had accompanied her words in the past was missing. This prompted Henry to bent over the rim of the tub and reach for his wife's chin to kiss her hello. When he released her again, his attention involuntarily wandered over her naked body, that was completely covered with foam to his chagrin.

"Neither does your wicked tongue", he replied in amusement and took off his doublet. "Don't get me wrong, I'm more than happy to find my wife bare ass naked in my chambers, but why are you here? I thought that after months of absence you would prefer your own bedchamber over mine."

"I do. But unfortunately my chambers have turned into a dusty and cold mausoleum. Not even my bed has fresh linen. Yours, on the other hand...", Catherine paused for a moment to look over at his bed, before she continued: "...looks very warm and comfortable."
"Mi casa e su casa," Henry generously offered her with a chuckle.

He liked the way how naturally Catherine engrossed this room, almost as if marking her territory, now that things were significantly changing between the two of them.
A fact he was more than happy to acknowledge. For he had already started worrying that she might distance herself from him once they returned.
However, quite the opposite was true in this case.

I'm sorry you had to wait some time. And I hope you like this new chapter. Girls, I see a light at the end of the tunnel. We're sailing towards our happy end. ;o)

Thank you so much for reading and once and again taking some time to leave a comment. You're the best!