AN : Hello ! Time for the next chapter ! Hope you'll like it !
Disclaimer : I don't own « Reign », no plagiarism is intended and I don't make profit of this story.
Chapter 22
Catherine, Henry, Francis and Mary began to talk after the youngest left
« Are you sure about leaving France in our care ? » started Mary, eyes searching for answers.
« As I have told Francis before, you needn't be afraid. » answered the King.
« But we are nonetheless... » said Mary.
At this moment Catherine got up from her bed and walked toward Mary.
« You remember when you have talked some sense into me in my our of need ? » asked the pregnant Queen.
« Yes, but... »
« You need to see the things with the same eyes now... the ones of a ruler. » Said Catherine while putting her hands on Mary's arms.
« What if we make mistakes ? » Said Francis.
« Oh but trust me, you'll make mistakes. » answered the pregnant Queen. « It's normal... you'll learn. That's a good exercise. And... you'll not be alone... » added Catherine with a smile.
« Lord Phillip Dresnay will make sure those mistakes don't get to big. » assured the King with a smile.
« Phillip Dresnay ? » Said Mary.
« Yes, he is an old friend of mine and is devoted to this family. He'll help you to rule with the general Irwin. »
« Besides you two have been raised to rule we weren't. » Said Catherine looking at her husband.
« And look at us. We don't do too badly... » finished Henry.
Seeing Francis yawning, Catherine said : « I think it's time to go to bed young man. »
« Mother... I am no longer a baby. » answered Francis.
« No you're not a baby. You are MY baby and never forget that. » answered the Queen with a smile.
« Goodnight to both of you » said Mary and Francis while getting out of Catherine's chambers.
« Goodnight » answered the current Royal couple of France.
/-/-/-/-/
After Francis's and Mary's departure
« Well... I think (yawn) it's time for us too to go to bed. » said Catherine.
Carrying her bottle of oil from Cairo with her she smiled.
« Ah ! I will finally do that again » said the King.
« Yes... and as promised I have done it every night while thinking about you » answered Catherine while getting into bed.
« I don't doubt that. »
And with that Henry started to rub his wife's belly with the oil.
After some time the Queen asked : « What really happened when you were hurt ? »
Looking directly into Catherine's eyes who were already looking at him he answered : « A group of men attacked us during our way back here and the leader managed to hurt me. »
« Henry... »
« but... I assure you he is in a worse condition than me. Probably rotting as we speak. » he finished, trying to lighten the mood.
Now they were both laughing when suddenly the King felt something move under his hands.
Looking back at her belly with wide eyes and mouth open he said while looking back to his wife's eyes.
« Did the baby just move ? » he asked, eyes shining from excitement.
Smiling lovingly she nodded.
Putting his two hand flat on her belly in such a way that he was covering most of it, he approached his head and concentrated in order to see if he could feel another kick. »
« Hello, little one... » he said trying to encourage the baby to kick another time something his child gladly did.
« You see. Our child is answering me, Catherine » the King added.
Catherine couldn't help the happy tears for forming into her eyes… It was the first time he talked to her belly since when she was waiting Francis… At the time their marriage hadn't yet gone completely wrong.
Seeing her bright eyes, Henry said : "Why are you crying darling ?"
"I'm so happy Henry, so very happy… and… you know my hormones…"
"Yes, I've heard you were quite emotional lately." He said gently while stroking her cheeks in order to dry her tears.
Regaining her senses she asked curiously : « But, what could you know of my emotional state while you have been away during the last three months ? »
« Ah ! You prove me again how clever you are my dear wife. And... to answer your question, someone here was keeping me informed of your health. »
Catherine laughed.
« I am not foolish enough not to be almost certain that you have had someone watching me too. » smiled Henry.
« We really can't stop ourselves... » laughed the Queen.
« And... I hope what your lady has reported was pleasing you. » said the King in a seductive tone.
« I must admit that the episode in the river was very pleasant but not as much as Ken... » suddenly her lips were captured by Henry's. He kissed her passionately and she answered with equal fire.
When they stopped they were both breathless...
« I hope you know you can trust me now. » asked the King.
« I am beginning to, yes... » and her husband kissed her another time.
« ... I think we should go to sleep. We both need our rest besides tomorrow is going to be an eventful day. »
Yawning, Henry agreed and they went to bed in the same position as before. Her head on his shoulder, his arm below her and his hand on her hip...
/-/-/-/-/
The next morning Henry woke up first and the first thing he saw was his wife's hair who were turning gold where touched by the sun.
He ran his finger through her silky locks.
A little while after, Catherine woke up slowly.
« Henry... »
« Good morning Catherine »
« Mmmh good morning... »
The King chuckled playfully, it was rare for him and unimaginable for others to see the Queen of France so unguarded.
« Have you slept well, dear ? »
« The best night I had in months... »
« I am glad to her that... » he answered while combing her hair with his fingers.
« That is how I want to wake up every day... »
« Mmmh... » said Catherine while nuzzling into his shoulders.
A few seconds later the King spoke:
« You know... I have nearly lost a diamond for some worthless stones... but I finally opened my eyes... »
« You really are a charmer, Henry »said Catherine while smiling against his shoulder.
« How couldn't I when I have such a beauty beside me. »
At this she rolled her eyes in amusement.
« I can nearly feel your eye roll. » joked the King.
And they both laughed.
Both straitening up on their elbows the King continued : « It's true, you make other woman tame. They are the pale light of the moon compared to the sunlight you reflect." He finished while touching her face with his hand.
The Queen immediately leaned her head against his strong and warm hand.
Putting his hand over his wife's belly, he asked with a smile :
« How is our child ? »
« The baby is very well and quite agitated this morning. But I will not complain, I love this feeling. »
Putting his head to the level of Catherine's belly he said : « Papa, can't wait to meet you little one. »
He immediately felt a kick against his hand.
« I know, I know... but you need to wait a little while then we will meet each other. » he laughed.
« You know Henry, I don't believe he understood what you said. » laughed back Catherine.
Getting closer to her belly the King whispered « You heard that, your mother believes you can't understand me...we have to prove her wrong... » and he felt another kick.
Looking at his wife with a look that meant « so look who was right ».
« There are forces beyond the understanding of women. » joked the King.
Laughing Catherine « They are also forces that say that I am hungry. »
Getting up while being careful to his leg, he offered her his hand and said : « Shall we ? »
Accepting his hand, they dressed and headed together for breakfast as Henry's leg was permitting him to walk and the doctors have said that it would be good if he walked a bit. If all went well he would be completely healed in 3 or 4 days as he was recovering amazingly quickly.
/-/-/-/-/
When they arrived at breakfast, they were greeted by their children.
The meal went well, each one of the children telling their father what they have done during the time he was away and Henry trying to follow 4 conversations at the same time...
Eventually, the children had to go to their studies and Henry back to court.
/-/-/-/-/
Looking like the royal couple they were they entered together the throne room and went to sit on their thrones.
The head of Henry's privy council advanced himself, bowed to his rulers and spoke :
« We are all glad to see you back on your feet, your Majesty. »
« Yes. As you can see I am nearly healed. » answered the King.
« We are joyful to hear that, your Grace. » bowed the nobleman.
« Lord Hugo, I want to tell you and all the Privy Council that his Majesty and I will be away from court for a few months. » said the Queen.
The man chuckled and said : « If I may... »
Before he could finish and receive a sassy remark from Catherine he was interrupted by the King.
« No you may not.
You will have to learn to respect your rulers' decisions.
I have heard that during my time at war, you and my Privy Council were undermining the Queen's authority and I don't like that. » Said Henry firmly.
« But she is a woman and... » said the noble.
« No she is not just a woman, she is my wife and your Queen and for now on you and everyone will show her the respect that befits her station ! » Said the King now standing.
« Forgive me, Majesties. »
Helping Catherine down the two stairs, they went closer to the noble.
« You are forgiven Lord Hugo, for this time... » said Catherine.
Before leaving Henry said : « and beware of never chuckling like that before me or my wife. »
The man bowed in shame and the rulers of France went through the doors that led outside the throne room.
/-/-/-/-/
The royal couple took a little walk through the gardens before going to the picnic with their children.
« Thank you, Henry » Said Catherine after a while.
Stopping their walk, the King turned his wife toward him : « You don't need to thank me, Catherine. I am only sorry for not doing this before... » he said while lowering his head.
Putting her right hand on his cheek lovingly, she said to him when he looked back at her : « Better late than never. » she smiled and kissed him sweetly.
Then they continued their walk and went to fetch their children together.
/-/-/-/-/
In the nursery
« Hello everyone ! » said the King with a joyful tone when he entered the room.
«PAPA ! MAMA ! » said the little ones.
« Ah ! My children. » said the King while lifting little Margot into his arms after having kissed his son's cheeks.
« Hey young men ! I have a mission for you » Said Henry with seriousness.
« What is it ? What is the mission, Papa ? » Said little Henry with excitement.
« I need you to go and fetch Francis, Mary and Claude. Could you do that for me ? »
« Of course ! » Answered Charles.
« That's my boys »
And they were off...
Putting Margot back to the ground they were going to go to the gardens when Margot spoke shyly...
« Papa...? »
« Yes, princess »
« I know it's inconvenient but... could you carry me ? »she asked barely above a whisper.
Love and tenderness for his daughter immediately filled the King's heart.
« It will be my pleasure, princess and if I hear only a whisper above the people we will cross in our way, we will deal with him. » he said softly while lifting his daughter and taking her in his arms.
« Thank you Papa. » said Margot and then put a wet kiss on her father's cheek.
Henry felt in another world, that's how he wanted to live forever, with his wife and their children...
By the time the royal couple and the princess arrived to the gardens they were already re-joined by Francis, Mary and Claude and both of the little princes.
« Hello ! » Said Francis and Mary. Henry put down Margot so she could run and play with her brothers.
« Good morning » answered the King and Queen with a smile.
Henry and Claude looked at each other. Claude was so happy to see her father again. She always had a special relation with her papa… She was a daddy's daughter.
« Father… »
« Claude… »
And they took each other in their arms.
« I have missed you so… » Said Claude.
« As have I… » Answered the King.
Everyone around was touched by this emotional display…
After a few moments, the little troop continued to walk toward the gardens together while they spoke.
« How was your sleep mother ? You look well today ! » Asked Claude.
« Thank you darling. The best sleep I had in months. » answered Catherine.
« Thank's to father… » The princess said in a lower voice.
Everyone try to suppress their laughter…
« Claude… » Said the Queen trying to seem annoyed and making one of her famous eye rolls but a few moments later she smiled and everyone laughed…
By the time they stopped, they were reaching the picnic's place…
AN : I hope you have enjoyed ! Next chapter the picnic…
Don't forget to leave a review please ;) Take care !
Laura D.