A/N: Two small chapters in one day. I will be traveling out of state on Saturday and will be gone for about a week. I'm not sure what kind of service I will have while traveling, or what kind of time I will have to write, but no matter what, I will definitely return on June 19th. Ish. I now have a timeline for this story and will try to follow it. Please enjoy theses chapters and as always, review!
Anne checked herself in the mirror and smoothed away a few stray hairs. She slid her hands over her skirts to push away any wrinkles and pinched her cheeks to add some color. She was nervous and she at least wanted to look perfect on the outside. She was just waiting for a herald to come and announce her sister.
The relationship that she had formed with the queen had surprised everyone, including herself. She didn't know why her heart had filled with pity looking into Jane's tear-filled eyes when she confessed how terrified she was about her baby that day a few months ago, but it did. Anne knew that the pressure was probably worse for Jane than it had even been with her, and as a woman, her heart broke for another. She had never been fond of Jane, but at that moment she was furious with Henry for making yet another woman feel the way he had made her feel. How many women would he fill with anxiety over something that they had no control over. Her hatred of Jane Seymour lessened that day and with every following conversation she had with the woman. She heard about her fears for her child, and about Henry's sluts, and about her conniving brothers. She heard all about how angry they had been with her when Jane had plead for Anne's life to Henry and about how Henry had dictated that she was to join the Queen's household.
With every word that Jane had spoken to her in confidence, Anne hated her less and hated Henry more. Listening about how Henry had interacted with Jane since day one made her realize the gallant, passionate man she had fallen in love with had turned into a tyrannical monster with no regard to any woman's feelings. Because of Elizabeth, she would never say she regretted her marriage to Henry. But if she had to be honest with herself, she was happier now that their marriage was over. She felt more like herself than she had in ages. She was free of the pressure of presenting an heir, free from her father and her families influence, and free from worry about how her relationship with her husband was crumbling. She still saw her beloved daughter on a daily basis, as well as her brother and after today, god willing this introduction went smoothly, she would also have her sister. Anytime that she was feeling regret, all she had to do was look into Jane's sad eyes as she watched Henry dance with that Bassett girl.
She and Jane would never be friends-but the relationship they had created worked.
The usher knocked on her door and asked if she would like him to admit her sister. Anne jumped up again and waited for her to come into her rooms. She had not seen her sister since she had been banished on Anne's own orders four years ago. It took Anne a moment before she truly recognized the woman who was led into her room a moment later. Mary Boleyn had done well for herself in the country with her lowborn husband. Her cheeks were rounded and colored, her blue eyes sparkling, her brown dress hugging her curves, and her children in her arms. She looked like a woman well loved and satisfied with her life. Her little boy, a fair toddler clung to her skirts and she held a swaddled infant. Immediately Anne's eyes filled with tears. She had met Mary's eldest two children, Catherine and Harry, but this niece and nephew she couldn't even guess their names. Her teary eyes met her sisters and she saw water flowing down her cheeks as well. In an instant the two sisters were embracing, crying as they held each other.
"Mary, please forgive me!" Anne cried as she wept into her sisters hold.
"Shush, Anne. All will be alright now. I am here and of course I forgive you" Mary pulled out of their hug as her baby started to fuss. Anne peered into the swaddling to inspect the infant's face. "This is little Annie" Mary explained, "and this is my strong boy Will" she gestured to the confused child at her feet.
Anne stared at her sister in amazement. "After everything I did to you, you named your daughter for me?" She was stunned.
"There was no other name that suited her half as well" Mary chuckled. "She is the picture of you. Likely she will give us just as much hell as you gave our parents."
Anne laughed through her tears as she gestured to the table. Mary sat and settled her baby on her hips. Anne knelt down to the little boy and gave her most winning smile. "Hello there, Will. It is such a pleasure to meet you. I am your Aunt Anne." The boy smiled and bowed before her-such a well mannered child. He glanced up to his mother and received an approving nod. "Would you like to meet your cousin, my daughter? She is in the nursery with lots and lots of toys! She is about your age and I know she'd love to play with you!" As the boy nodded enthusiastically, Anne gestured to Nan to escort the boy to the Princesses quarters.
She and her sister had a lot to talk about.