"Her breasts have grown since last time. This can't keep happening, how am I supposed to work like this?"
Santana frowns, flushing as she looks at her mother-in-law, she hadn't wanted it known that she'd gained some weight since she'd been living in the palace, and now her clothes were slightly tighter than they had been before.
Judy studied Santana carefully, for a moment taking a step forward, "She's still young, her body is still changing," she says briskly narrowing her eyes at the woman who had spoken, so brashly. "Leave us," she says watching as the women and the servants scurried out of Santana's room.
"He's been bringing those little cakes to bed, I have probably gained some weight, I'll lose it." Santana insists immediately before Judy could lecture her.
"Nonsense, your body is finally filling out. Don't think I haven't noticed that my son can't seem to keep his hands off you, or that you two conveniently disappear at interesting times."
Santana bit her lip, slightly horrified to be having this conversation with Charlie's mother. "We're merely getting to know one another."
"Yes, I remember when I got to know my husband. Our union wasn't arranged, he saw me and decided to have me. I of course refused he was a brute. He was furious that I had denied him, but I had heard many things about him, many of them were false but a few were true, and they were troubling. I had other suitors, and he tried everything, and I do mean everything to get my attention."
Santana tilts her head, "You married him?"
"Yes. After another one of his tantrums, I told him that I wanted to be with a man who would love and only be with me, and I doubted that he was capable of it. He insisted he was and that I was just stubborn in not giving him a chance. It was all rather dramatic, and if I'm honest I was flattered by his attention. Back then, any woman would kill to be in my position. I gave him his chance, and it was wonderful. He was wonderful, he's still a child at times, he still has his tantrums. But I grew to love him, and I know despite his prickly nature he loves me. He loves his children more than anything." Judy smiles, she had never seen him so happy then the day the twins were born. He had told everyone, the servants, the nobles, he would slip it into every conversation, something he still did when Charles and Lucas did something that made him smile.
Santana nods, "My people feared me, they insisted that my father give me to your son, to make sure he didn't raze our city-state to the ground. I don't know why he said yes. I am—I was very angry with him, for taking me from a place I had called home. But we've come to an agreement."
"Marriage is about compromise. Though there are times when you simply have to stop them from doing something foolish. Especially when it comes to raising their children. He wanted to give the boys real daggers at the age of two. He believed that it would be wise to train them early. I needed to put my foot down. Though, I'd like to believe that Charlie would never do anything so foolish."
Santana smiles, "No, I don't think he would. Though it's hard to say sometimes, he does love playing with the children, especially the orphans. I think they enjoy teasing him, and he enjoys being teased by them. I think he'd make a good father one day."
"Well that day—" Judy began only for the door to burst open causing the two of them to turn. She frowned at one of the runners who looked out of breath and was gasping for air. "I was certain that I made it clear that I wished for some privacy."
"Apologies, your majesty but it's Rachel. It's time, the child is coming." he manages to wheeze out.
The words seem to have an immediate effect on Judy who straightens up, "Are the midwives with her?"
"Yes, your majesty," the man nods.
"Excellent, Santana, strip out of that dress, it's important that you learn these things now, find something that you don't mind getting dirty, and meet us in Rachel's quarters."
Santana nods, she wasn't sure how she'd be of any help but she immediately begins to pull off her wedding dress and moves to pick something that she can easily move around in. She'd never been allowed into the room when the women were giving birth, and she'd heard from various servants that Rachel's pregnancies had been difficult.
"Has Lucas been informed?" Judy said briskly.
"I'm unsure but another servant was in charge of alerting him, your husband has been informed even though he's currently meeting with the nobles."
"What about Charlie?" Santana asked causing the servant to look up at her and shrug. "Find him, he should be there too."
"Men aren't much use in these situations," Judy said shaking her head. "They are far to skittish about these kinds of things, and this is a woman's realm."
"I know, but if the family is going to gather he's still a member of the family, and I know he's been looking forward to meeting this child." Santana said, all he talked about and hoped for was that this pregnancy would be different.
"I'll find him ma'am." The man said as he took off.
Santana nods and pulls out some slacks that she'd gotten and a loose tunic, as she pulled her hair back. "I'll meet you at Rachel's quarters."
Judy nods in agreement before she begins to head towards Rachel's quarters at a quick pace.