Disclaimer: I do not own The Tudors.


Chapter 5 – A Different Monarchy


Three months passed in a near blissful state, but Mary knew it couldn't last.

"They've only been married three months." She muttered to Charles as she got into bed. "I didn't even know I was with child that quickly, does he expect her to have some powers the midwives don't?" Henry's mood had soured recently as Jane still did not announce she was pregnant and it annoyed Mary to no end.

"No, but I can understand the King's frustration." Mary shot him a look.

"You were completely surprised when I announced I was with child, please do not try and tell me that you would have been disappointed had I not been so early in our marriage."

"True, but our circumstances are different." He pointed out as he wrapped his arm around her.

"Not as different as you think." She replied. "You know papa has been thinking of making Harry his heir above Elizabeth and I should he never have a son. The pressure is on me almost as much as it is the Queen to have male children."

"I hope you haven't felt pressured by me." Charles looked down at her. "I am happy with our family as it is, and will be quite contented should we never have another child." Mary smiled.

"I do know, Charles. It is one of the reasons I love you." It had been a few months since Mary came to the realization that she did indeed love Charles Brandon. "But you wouldn't be upset should our family grow, correct?"

"What did I tell you, Mary?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. "Never think me unhappy should you find yourself with child."

"Good. Because I am." Charles froze.

"What?"

"I am with child again, Charles." It was a moment before the words sunk in but when they did Charles pulled her to him and kissed her for all he was worth.

"That is wonderful news, darling!"

"I am glad you are pleased, husband."

"I am, very much so. And the King will be pleased as well."

"Yes, but perhaps we wait to tell him until the babe quickens." She said. "We did not last time and that is dangerous, should I lose the babe."

"You will not lose our child, Mary. Of that I have little doubt." Charles was right and when the babe quickened in Mary's belly they announced their pregnancy much to the joy of the King and the court. The only thing that could surpass Mary's news would be if the Queen announced her own pregnancy. It was two more months before she did just that. A grand banquet was held and the King's mood could not be more joyous. He took to the dance floor and danced most of the night with Elizabeth, who had been permanently moved to court. Jane and Mary both were forbidden by the King from dancing lest the excitement disturb their unborn children, and they were happy to see that rather than seek out other maids of the court he lavished attention on his younger daughter.

"She is so happy." Mary commented, watching her father pick Elizabeth up and twirl her around.

"Yes, she is settling in quite well here." Jane replied. "The King has given me free reign in her upbringing and I am happy to say that she is starting to view me as a mother." Jane was obviously very happy about that, her smile couldn't be brighter.

"You are a wonderful mother." Mary grasped Jane's hand and Jane turned her smile in Mary's direction.

oo00oo00oo

For the next few months Mary and Charles made their home at court, resigning themselves to being here until after Queen Jane's child was born; the King would not even think of them not being here for the birth of his son. They missed their home in Suffolk but were glad at least that Edward was with them. Edward, whom had joined the sons of other noblemen at court in the school room, was flourishing in his new environment and was well liked by all, much to his parents' joy. In August Mary went into labour, this one proving to be much less lengthy than the last.

"Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness." The young page bowed. "Her Royal Highness is delivered." They waited for him to continue but he didn't.

"And?" Charles prompted. "Do I have a son or daughter?" The page's eyes widened and he blushed.

"I…I do not know, My Lord." With a sound that was a mix between disbelief and anger Charles barged passed the page and made his way to his chambers, the King hot on his heels. He entered the chamber and immediately stopped seeing his beautiful wife sitting up in bed holding a small bundle.

"Sweetheart." He greeted quietly so as not to wake the currently sleeping babe.

"It's a boy." Said Mary.

"Thanks be to God." Said the King.

"What shall we call him?" Charles asked as he gently took the child from his mother.

"Charles?"

"No." Her husband shot down naming their child after him.

"William then, after his other grandfather." Charles smiled and nodded.

"William it is." Henry chose that moment to come forward and meet his second grandson. Charles dutifully handed the babe over and Henry cradled him with a smile on his face. He turned to Jane, who had been present for the birth, and smiled more brightly, seeing her round with his child. The Queen smiled back and rubbed her belly.

"He is a beautiful child." Henry declared, kissing the babe on his head and handing him back to his mother. "We hope to be blessed with an equally beautiful babe of our own soon." Jane's smile froze though none save Mary noticed. There was no guarantee that she would have a boy and if she didn't…she didn't dare think of it.

oo00oo00oo

Baby William proved to be strong and healthy like his older brother and did not succumb to any of the illnesses that afflict, and take, young babes within their first few months of life. His parents and grandparents both doted on him, as did his half-brother, Edward taking to William very quickly, much faster than he had Harry. The one-year-old boy was going through a difficult stage for he didn't understand why he wasn't the only one receiving attention from his parents. He proved a true Tudor with his tantrums that neither his mother nor his father gave into, though he learned quickly that his grandfather would. In early October the Queen went into confinement and Mary went with her, determined to help Jane through her confinement and labour. It didn't last long. Barely a week after taking leave of the court Jane's labour pains began. The whole palace was sent into chaos as the King ordered preparations for the celebration of his son; the whole court prayed it was a boy this time. Jane's labour was long and difficult, lasting for over an entire day. The physicians had just sent word to His Majesty that he would soon need to decide between the life of the mother and the child. Mary knelt beside Jane, holding her hand and praying to God for a miracle. It came just in time, and finally the baby was born, a strong and healthy boy. Henry walked into the birthing chambers to meet his son as if in a daze. He had a son. And there he was being held in his older sister's arms for his mother appeared weaker than he was. Still, it was a moment of joy for Henry.

"Come meet your son, father." Mary said softly when he didn't move from the doorway. The King did as instructed and gently took the child from his daughter.

"My boy…" He murmured, a tear falling from his eyes. "My beautiful boy." He was in awe. Finally he had a son! Mary watched the scene with both happiness and a bit of sorrow, knowing that her father would never have wept at her birth. Still he loved her, of that she was certain, and she knew how important a son was to a king. The peaceful moment came to an end when Elizabeth bounded into the room, excitement written on her face.

"A brother, I have a brother!" She cried.

"Shh!" Mary chided. "We don't want to wake him."

"Can I hold him?" Mary and her father shared a look.

"Come here." Mary made the decision and sat Elizabeth on the end of the bed, kneeling down beside her. Henry then passed the babe to her, with Mary's arms there ready to catch him should the little girl drop him. However, Elizabeth showed great restraint while holding her baby brother and kissed him on the head before passing him back to her father.

"He's so small." Said the four-year-old.

"You were that small once." Henry said, looking down on his youngest daughter affectionately. News of a prince travelled quickly and the entire kingdom rejoiced, though none more so than those at court. Celebrations lasted for a whole week for the baby Prince Edward, though were rarely joined by the King or the Duke and Duchess of Suffolk, all three wanting to be with the baby more than at a banquet. The only sorrow during this time was the slow recovery of the Queen, whom Dr. Butts wasn't even sure would make it through, the birth having been a difficult one. For days the King, Mary and Charles sat vigil by her bedside, Prince Edward being passed between them.

"Jane, sweet Jane, please do not leave me." Henry begged during one of the rare moments he wasn't holding his son. They were alone having sent the servants away and so he, the King, could beg before only his family. Charles watched with sadness as his friend begged his wife not to die and thanked God that he had not been put into a similar place with his wife, Mary having come through the births of both their children quite quickly. They sat there silently as Henry wept, though his son cared not for the tragedy of the moment and gave a hungry cry.

"I shall go fetch the wet nurse." Said Charles, handing the baby to Mary.

"Do not bother." She replied and began unlacing her own dress. Her father needed this time with no one save the two of them around and she was determined to give it to him, even if it meant feeding her brother from her own breast. Mary had insisted on feeding their children herself so the process was well known to her, though was also instinctual, even though it was not her own child that suckled. Another day passed with no change and Henry refused to leave his wife's side. He was determined she would get better, and that he would be there when she woke. Luckily for all, he got his wish. On the ninth day after the birth of the Prince, Queen Jane's eyes fluttered open. She saw her stepdaughter, Mary, holding a baby while people milled about in the outer chamber. She then became aware of a pressure on her hand and looked down to see it was being held by her husband, who was asleep at her side. Giving his hand as much of a squeeze as she could, Jane woke her husband up. It took a moment for Henry to realize what had just happened.

"Oh thank God!" He cried when he did, gaining the attention of those gathered. "Thank God!" Leaning down Henry kissed the top of Jane's head before settling back at her side. Mary came over then and sat on the end of the bed with the babe, who was too small to be William.

"Is that…?" She croaked.

"Our son, Edward." Henry confirmed. Using what little strength she had, Jane raised her arm and placed a hand on her baby's head. It was many weeks before Queen Jane returned to court but as each week passed she grew stronger and stronger. Three months after the birth of her child is when Jane made her official return to court, though she says it should have only been two months, except the King was overly worried. He had reason to be, he replied, for she had almost died. The easy banter between the two was something to behold, Mary had never seen her father so relaxed or informal. It seemed that he truly loved Jane. Mary wondered momentarily if he had ever loved her mother like that, but a cry pulled her from her reverie and back to the banquet being held for the return of Queen Jane. The Queen's one request had been that it be a family affair and the King, who could deny her nothing, agreed so all the children were present, including young William who, at five months, was becoming very demanding.

"He wants you." Charles grumbled. Mary laughed and took the babe into her arms. Charles rarely got to hold William for he currently only liked to be held by his mother. Harry was quite happy with his father's attention though, and happily climbed over his chair into his father's lap.

"They look so happy." Mary commented once the children were settled. Henry and Jane were dancing a round alongside Elizabeth and Edward.

"They are good for each other." Charles replied. "And good for the kingdom. I shudder to think what would have happened had she died." Mary didn't want to think about that either; it would have been too horrible to bear.

"Your Highness." The two were interrupted by Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, and Queen Jane's elder brother. He was currently holding his nephew, though appeared quite uncomfortable. "I understand my dear sister wants this to be a family affair, but I am afraid I don't understand why she insists no nurses be present." It was obvious he no longer wanted to hold his nephew but wasn't sure how to ask Mary to take him. Taking pity on the poor man, Mary handed Charles William and took her baby brother into her arms. The Duke made a quick escape as William immediately began crying.

"Isn't this nice?" Mary asked as she took back her youngest son, holding a babe in each arm to keep them quiet.

"I'm not sure nice is the word I'd use." Charles said with a raised eyebrow. "We are overrun."

"By three children? I am afraid you are weaker than I thought, husband mine."

"You know what I meant, wife." He growled playfully and Mary laughed.

"Indeed I do, though I know your response held some truth in it and I fear I am going to disappoint you." Charles was confused.

"What do you mean?"

"Only that the sight of a babe in each arm will soon become reality."

"Are you…?" His eyes widened. "Mary, are you with child again?" Mary nodded. "So soon? William is only five months old!"

"Yes, but I am not as far along as you think, Charles. By now I know the signs so I am quite certain I am with child though it is not obvious yet." Charles believed her. Having had two children, one quite recently, there is little doubt she would know.

"Well, let us wait a time before telling your father or he will think me using you as a brood mare."

"Agreed, we do not want him cross with you." Charles couldn't disagree with that.

"But you know what, darling?" He asked and Mary turned her full attention to him.

"What?"

"I pray to God this one is a girl."


A/N - Jane's alive! Kind of necessary for a happy ending, which I am such a sucker for. Thanks for reading!

Review please!