AN : Hello everyone ! I am finally able to post another chapter. School is deadly. But as it has been a long time, I'm coming back with several chapters at the same time.
Anyway, I hope you will enjoy the read and don't forget to post a review it always warms my heart and motivates me to continue this story… Enjoy !
Disclaimer : I don't own « Reign », no plagiarism is intended and I don't make profit of this story.
Chapter 21
After breakfeast, the pregnant Queen took care of some matters that she needed to deal with before returning to her husband.
Catherine was walking down the corridors that led to her chambers where her husband was being healed.
She hoped he would return to consciousness soon…
/-/-/-/-/
When she arrived near her chambers she heard some noise comming from there.
« - You shoudn't sit your Majesty. Said the physician to the King.
- I assure you I am completely fine. Answered Henry. »
Henry ! Thought Catherine. A wave of joy went through her body and a smile appeared on her face.
The Queen hurried toward the doors, opened them and stepped inside.
« - Henry…
-Catherine… He answered while getting up even if his leg was still hurting him. »
This was all he could answer he was made speechless by the beauty in front of him.
A visibly pregnant Catherine in a red and gold stunning dress that was sculpting all her curves.
She crossed the distance between them and they took each other in the arms.
Her head against his chest and tears rolling down her cheeks she said : I have missed you, Henry… »
« I have too, Catherine » He answered, closing his eyes at the feeling of her in his arms.
After some minutes like this the physician broke the silence by clearing his throat : « Excuse me Majesties, but you shouldn't be standing my King. »
Henry was about to answer him in kind for having disturbed a moment like this but Catherine spoke before.
« He is right, Henry. You should lay down. » The Queen said untangleling herself slowly from her husband's arms.
« Only if you come to rest with me » He said, completely unwilling to part from her.
Smiling the Queen agreed and dismissed the physician. Once they were alone, Henry went back to bed and watched his wife while she was removing her gown and her crown. Then, she let her hair down to Henry's greatest pleasure.
She was now only dressed in an undergown made of the finest quality of silk with lace embroided on it.
When he saw her the King sighed. « You are so beautiful... »
She answered with a smile and claimed on the other side of the bed. She put her head on his shoulder and he put his arm below her neck and his hand on her hip.
« I love you, Henry. » She whispered so softly that her husband nearly missed it.
« I love you, Catherine » He said back to her more than happily. He had win her back…
And with that they fell asleep together, more in love with each other than ever.
/-/-/-/-/
Henry woke up first, nuzzeling into his wife's hair. How he'd missed her scent…
When he was sufficiently awake, he noticed that the sun was down in the sky and that they have slept at least 3 hours. It was maybe already time for dinner.
A few minutes after he felt Catherine beginning to woke up.
« Hello » He said with a warm smile.
Giving him back is smile she answered : « Hello »
« What time is it ? » She asked while turning toward the window to see where the sun was in the sky.
« My God ! It's already time for supper ! We couldn't possibly have slept that long ! » She said now fully awake.
« Yes, we could… » He said while turning her face to him « …and we have » He finished while kissing her cheek lovingly.
Looking directly into her eyes he added : « And it only shows that we are both more than tired by the recent events… »
« Oh Henry… » Normally she would never have showed a « weakness » but due to her pregnancy and, the « damn hormones » as she called them, she was a way more emotinal than usual… to her husband's greatest pleasure.
The Queen cuddled in the King's arms and after some time she broke the silence : « It has been so hard, Henry… so hard… »
« Shh… I know but it's over now…» He answered while passing his fingers in her golden hair to soothe her.
He could imagine that ruling France alone, dealing with the nobles and his privy council - composed of men, who as she was a woman would surely have constently been undermining her authority - while being pregnant hasn't been an easy task.
But if there was someone who could make it, it was his Queen…
« I imagine my council wasn't very cooperative ? Hum… ? »
« That's the least you could say… » She answered honestly. « But I put them in their place. » She added.
Laughing the King said « I don't doubt that. » and kissed her forehead.
Doing so, he took the decision to have a little talk with his privy council once he was better…honestly… She was their Queen and the Regent ! And more importantly, is wife. And from now on, he would let no one disrespect or hurt her…
After a few moments like that Catherine spoke : « Maybe we should go to eat, I am starving. »
« Ha, here I recognize you, darling » He said « How is our child ? » He asked while putting his hand on her belly.
« Very well » She answered with a smile while placing her hand above his.
Drawning in each other's eyes, they kissed softly until a soft knock on the door disturbed them.
« What is it ? » Catherine asked just after withdrawing herself from Henry.
« It's Francis, mother » The Dauphin said.
« Oh, enter enter » She said.
Pushing the door open, Francis entered the room with a plate of food in his arms.
« Hello Francis » The Queen said to her golden child.
« Mother, Father » He answered slightly bowing to his parents.
« I am glad to see you awake father. » Said Francis to the King.
Henry smiled to his heir in response.
Realising he was still holding the food in his arms Francis added : « oh… As you have missed dinner I thought I would bring you some food, mother but I didn't knew that father was awake... »
Smiling at her son, Catherine cut him and answered : « Thank you Francis. There is largely enough food for both of us. »
Putting softly the plate on his parents bed, he asked : « How are you father ? »
« I have been better but it could have been worse. » The King said while watching his wife and taking her hand in his.
« Well that's a relief ! » Said the Dauphin. Realising that his words could be ill understood he quickly added : « Hum… I… I mean that you are better… not that I'm just relived that you are here because I am not ready to be King... »
Amused Henry said : « Yes, I understood, son. »
« Oh… » Said the heir to the French throne.
« But actually… I wanted to talk to you and Mary about something… Your mother and I are going to make a trip to the thermal baths in the Alps and by doing so we won't be able to rule France. So I plan on leaving the realm into your hands and Mary's. With, of course, the help of some trusted nobles that I have already sent for. It will be a good training for you and your wife. » Said the French Monarch.
« hum… I… hum… Are you sure we are ready father ? » Asked the young man full of worry and fear.
« If I wasn't do you truly think I would leave my kingdom under your care ? » Answered gently the King.
« No, no, of course not... » said Francis looking the ground.
« Francis, look at me » and the Dauphin did as he was bid.
« I only meant that I trust you to keep France safe. You needn't be afraid, Francis. Everything will be well. And IF something goes wrong – which I highly doubt – we will be just a letter away. » Smiled Henry.
« Well, alright, I'll try my best. » Answered the Dauphin of France.
« I know you will. And maybe after we return we could spend more time together ? » Asked the King.
« With pleasure, father » Answered Francis full of hope. To Henry it seemed like seeing his little boy once again.
« Goodnight to both of you » The Dauphin added.
« Goodnight Francis » The two ruling monarchs answered at the same time.
« Oh and Francis. Tell the little ones that I'll come to tuck them in their bed in a few minutes. » Added Catherine.
« Alright, mother. See you later » And with that the young man left.
« Our son is really one of a kind » Said Henry.
« I know… but after all I am his mother » Teased the Queen.
His eyes boring into hers the King answered in a warm and seductive voice : « I cannot argue on that... » And he kissed her.
This kiss was not the kind of kiss they were giving each other before. It was a kiss full of love and longing of each other. Not that they weren't loving each other before but they were only kissing in the throws of passion not in this pure and inconditional love.
They only stopped when they were both breathless.
« Maybe I could come to see the children ? » Said Henry.
Catherine smiled and said gently « As much as I would like you to come, the physicians wouldn't agree and... they would be right. Henry, I can't lose you, the children can't lose their father, France can't lose its King. »
Henry was clearly disappointed not to be able to see his children tonight.
« Yes, you're right... »
« But... they could come here. » Said Catherine
His eyes instantly lit up and to Catherine it was like seeing the young man she married more than two decades ago.
Catherine sent word to ask for the three youngest of their children to come.
A few moments later the all group of young people arrived.
The little ones nearly jumping on the bed at the sight of their father.
« PAPA ! » yelled Charles, little Henry and Margot together while getting in the bed.
« How I've missed you ! » smiled the King while kissing every of his children cheeks.
« We have missed you too papa » answered little Henry
« Yes we were worried last night when they told us that we could maybe never see you again... » added Charles.
« It's over now. And God willing I will be back on my feet soon. » Said Henry.
« What happened to your leg, Papa ? » Asked Margot.
« Well, during our way back to the castle we were attacked by a group of mercenaries paid by an english lord who was himself leading the attack.
Of course we fought this men back but the english lord manage to hurt my leg... »
« OHHH... » Said the three youngest.
« I hope it's not hurting too bad » asked a worried Margot.
« oh, it has been worse, princess » answered the King.
« I have a proposition to make » added Henry.
« What is it Papa ? » asked little Henry with glistening eyes.
« What about a picknick tommorow at lunch ? »
« You houuu ! » Said the three children.
Henry laughed.
Catherine who was listening to this sweet conversation couldn't help but smile at her husband and their three youngest.
At this moment they heard a knock on the door...
« What is it ? » Said Catherine
« It's us mother, Francis and Mary » Said the dauphin.
« Come in » Said the pregnant Queen.
« I am happy to see you feeling better, King Henry » Said Mary while slightly bowing to her parents-in-law.
« Thank you, Mary »
« It's about what father told me before » Said Francis.
Catherine looked at her son for a few moments then her sight turned to Mary.
In both of their eyes she saw apprehention.
Turning her head in Charles's, little Henry's and Margot's direction she said : « Well I think it's past time for my babies to go to bed »
« Oh no... please mother... we are no longer babies. »
« No you're no longer babies but even older persons need rest... » Said the Queen while smiling.
« Your mother's right darlings, it's time for you to go to bed... so you can enjoy the picnic tommorow. » Added Henry.
« Alright alright, but could I have one of mama's kisses before? » Asked little Henry.
Smiling fondly at her son the Queen answered : « you'll even get two » and she gave two kisses to each of her littlelest children. »
« Goodnight darlings » Said Catherine
« Goodnight » answered her children while leaving the room accompanied by their nannies.
AN : So… this is it ! I'm sorry for not posting earlier but school was killing me… In this time of confinement I've found some time to write… Take care of you and of your family and please for those who are living in France : Stay safe and protect the most vulnerable.
We will win !
Take care and may the force be with you !
I also send a message of support to all the students who are maybe reading this : We are going to make it ! Keep hope !
Laura D.