Chapter 20: Blissful Beginnings.

Five Months Later

Weeks after Henry's death, Bash and I made a choice. We decided to restore Francis to the succession and step down. In exchange, we would have an alliance like no other. Our children will be promised to one another if all were to go well. Kenna and I walk the grounds of the castle, talking about how her and Francis's honeymoon went. "You simply must see the Chateau one day it was beautiful," Kenna says, jumping around for joy in the snow. "When will you tell Bash about-" she rambles but I quickly stop her. "It has only been a month and I wish to be sure." We lost our first child after conceiving a month after Henry's death. Once I announced we were expecting, a week later we lost it. It was a terrible time for both Bash and me. Now since finding out I am pregnant once again, I have wanted to wait. But now is the time to tell him. "Speaking of," Kenna says, pointing at the hill ahead of us. "Go! Tell him your happy news!" Kenna exclaims.

I rush up the field and to Bash, he throws one more snowball and Kenna and Francis's adoptive son: Pascal. "Your cheating!" he exclaims. Bash turns to me and smiles. "Pasc go see your mother I believe she is at the gates." He rushes off and back down to Kenna, embracing her. I wrap my arms around Bash, him kissing me tenderly. "You are so great with kids," I say. I smirk, trying not to give it away too soon. "I can see it now," I say. He looks out at the field, not suspecting anything. "So many places to run around and play. By next Christmas, we will have to show our little one parts of the forest you love so much." I say. Bash picks me up with delight and spins me around. "You are?" he asks. I nod, laughing and squealing with joy. "I am. A month along now. I am so sorry I kept it from you, but I had to be sure." I say. He beams from ear to ear. "Everything is perfect. I have my family, you have a safe crown. Francis and Kenna are safe on their thrones. Greer and Lola married. Catherine being a mother to me and not trying to kill me. And Henry is dead." And the loom of England is off our backs. He takes me into his arms, my whole world in this single hug. "All I have ever wanted is you. And I have you. And our little joy." he says. We kiss once more before heading inside. The crisp frosty air rolling off our warmth.

Eight months later we had William; our darling boy. He is a sweet little thing, and very adventurous. He is the closest with his Uncle Francis. Francis and Kenna lost Pascal to the Plague that came into our Castle two months into my pregnancy. This loss affected them greatly, but soon Kenna gave birth to a daughter: Francesca after her Father. I call her Franny, and Bash nicknamed her 'Buttons' because she loved to pick at them as a baby. Lola gave birth to her and Francis's son John long ago, and she eventually after a long and complicated courtship married Lord Narcisse after Julien died. Greer and Castleroy were banished from court for a coup that threatened the crown, they accidentally funded it thinking they funded a school. Greer became a Madam and Castleroy helped in the army. Eventually, Greer was able to come back and help me at court with her ladies. They helped so much in battled to come with Navarre.

Two years later I had given birth to our daughter Elizabeth. In England, Queen Elizabeth and I were able to make amends. Bash helped greatly and so did her advisors. Elizabeth remained a virgin Queen and named our daughter her successor. Three years later, I was pregnant once more. One day Francis and Kenna were out with our children and their daughter, Francis fell ill. He collapsed in the woods. A few days passed and he managed to regain his strength, but the stresses of a King were weighing him down and he collapsed for the final time on the stairs. Bash, Kenna, and I spent hours at his bedside staying with him. On the night of December 19th, 1561 Francis died peacefully in his sleep. He was a month shy of his 21st birthday.

Our son came weeks later and we named him Francis after our dear friend. Francis's brother Charles took the throne. Kenna and Franny left to live in the country while under the protection of the crown. Bash and I moved back to Scotland as Spain began to threaten Elizabeth. Both Elizabeth and I, England and Scotland, fought Spain bravely and we succeeded. Finally, we had peace. A year after, Diane was born after a risky and complicated birth. We were told we were to have no more children. We were happy with what we had and were at peace with this.

At the age of forty-four, Bash died from complications after a siege on the Castle. He died protecting his family. After his death, Elizabeth invited us to live in England in her castle. We went there and lived there for a year. Eventually, I joined my husband in our spot in heaven along with Francis. Our darling son, William, married a girl in the village of lower status. Because of this, he was forced to abdicate. He did so and married and lived peacefully but still helped Lizzie with her rule. Queen Elizabeth II died from blood poisoning and our darling daughter Lilibet became Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland. She reigned for fifty years.

Now, almost four hundred years later; England, Scotland, and France are all thriving. Our children and their issue left behind a dynasty like no other. One of power, success, support, choice, and above all: love.

The End.

Thank you to everyone who read this AU. I may come back and write about their children, but for now, I hope you are all happy with how this ended. I wish I was able to do more with this story and maybe will do a little more. Thank you so much!