Jane had never been in so much pain in her life. The warm room that had been so comforting to her during her confinement now contributed to her own personal hell. That and the fact that the room was more crowded than it had ever been in her experience. Sweat rolled off her face as she gasped in pain. The buzz of excitement was obvious. Through her pain, she was glad that things were finally culminating. She had originally been terrified when her pains had started in earnest. It was a few weeks early and she did not know what that would mean for her child. Her midwives all seemed optimistic though, so she focused on the task at hand. She would finally prove herself as a wife and queen. Here, in the final hour, Jane finally allowed herself hope.
She had been hesitant to agree with all those who were adamant that she was carrying a prince. She hadn't want to tempt fate by assuming that the child she carried was the long hoped for boy. But now, surrounded by an army of midwives and excited court ladies she was caught up in the flurry. She was about to deliver the next King of England. Before she could really let that sink in, another contraction hit her and she fell back onto the pillows, clutching her sister, Dorothy's hands in a tight grip.
Henry had never been more nervous in his life. Dear God, let this finally be it. Let him finally get the son he had always begged for-a strapping young boy that he could groom to be the next King. Failure after failure had led him to desperation and here he was again, waiting on a woman in the birthing chamber. His presence chamber was full of exalting Seymour men, discussing names and who the child would favor. Tom Seymour was determined that the little boy would have Jane's blue eyes and Henry's reddish hair. He didn't seem to notice that he was describing little Elizabeth's coloring as well. Henry couldn't wait to introduce the princess to her little brother. He couldn't wait to introduce the world to his little prince. He needed everyone to know that through all the disasters that had come through his other marriages that nothing had been his fault. Jane would be proof that there was nothing wrong with Henry himself.
All he had to do was wait. He snapped his fingers to one of his grooms. The man rushed over, eager to do his bidding.
"Fetch me the Lady Anne" he asked.
"Which lady are you referring to?" there were too many damn Anne's at court. For a moment, he was tempted to send for Mistress Boleyn. He knew that her company would be a great distraction to his nerves. And he had been eager to see her again after their moment a few days past. But then he remembered that the last time he was in this exact position it was Anne who was in the bedchamber-struggling to bring a child into the world. That had been the birth of Elizabeth-only another daughter. No, he didn't want to invite those feelings into his heart right now. He just wanted a warm female body to get lost in for an hour or so to pass the time.
"The Lady Anne Bassett" The groom nodded and left to go collect the woman.
A/N: A quick short chapter to set up the events in the next one. I just really wanted a side by side comparison to what both in the royal couple were thinking heading into this birth. Hope everyone enjoys! Next chapter we will find out Jane and Henry's fate!