AN : Here we go again ! 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 26
Henry returns to his wife after finishing with Robert
He was walking down the corridors that led to their shared chambers with happiness written all over his face. He was truly overjoyed to reunite with his friend after one and a half decade. He was also wandering if Catherine was already sleeping… it was not yet very late but already enough for someone to be asleep. He was rounding the last corner before the doors, it seems that he would soon have his answer.
He opened the door quietly as not to risk waking her up if she was indeed, already sleeping… But he was surprised when he found no one waiting in the chambers that were lit with some candles.
"Catherine ?" The King called.
"I'm here." Her voice was coming from the adjoining room. Henry directed himself towards the doors and pushed them open with gentle force. He was immediately enveloped in a stream that smelled of rose and jasmine. God it was smelling so good… he thought to himself. Apparently his wife had decided to take a bath.
"Hello." He said while approaching the tub in which was relaxing his Queen.
"Hello." She said while opening her eyes and smiling at him.
Henry came closer until he could see over the rim of the tub but sadly Catherine's body was completely covered in foam. He caressed her neck from her cleavage to the back of her skull. And his goddess rewarded him with a sexy sigh.
Then he took the bottle of shampoo and began to wash her already damp hair. Once again he was being mesmerized by her. And her hair… oh he had always adored her hair. From its golden shade to the softness of her curls passing by its smell.
"You're really the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes upon." He whispered in her ear causing Catherine to shiver.
"And you're the most convincing liar I have ever heard." She replied playfully.
"Oh no, not on that, don't ever doubt the place you hold in my heart." He replied in his most seductive tone before kissing her neck up her ear and giving it a playful bite. If only he knew how much he was affecting her…
"And what's that place ?" She asked while laughing… God only knew how ticklish she was behind the ears. She wanted to know more about that…
"Oh Catherine… all… Caterina… all the place. You are the heart that beats inside my chest. You are my darling wife, my strong Queen, the mother of my children, my lover, my mightiest ally, my best advisor, the sun on my days, the moon on my nights, my pride, my joy, my light, my everything… you are my life, Caterina. " He added with sincerity.
"Oh god, Henry, you'll make me cry… " She smiled with glistening eyes. God how she loved him…
They both laughed at that and enjoyed the following silence.
She rapidly rinsed her hair. He husband was already waiting with her robe in his arms and a dashing smile on his face.
She carefully stood up and said : "Thank you, Henry."
"For what, darling ?" He said while helping her getting out of the tub.
"For what you said. It means a lot to me." And he answered with an even brighter smile.
After brushing her hair and putting on her nightgown, Catherine joined her husband in bed with a bottle of oil from Cairo.
"How are you today ?" Henry asked to her belly while rubbing the oil into the skin.
The baby kicked as if to answer his father. "Very well." Added Henry.
"I'm very eager to meet you little one." He said and his baby acknowledged him again with a kick.
Catherine was smiling, she was getting so emotional when her husband spoke to her belly.
Once all the oil was absorbed Henry kissed his wife and said "Caterina, the woman I love with all my heart… please tell me that you love me too…" He asked while stroking her cheek softly.
Looking deeply in his eyes she only saw tenderness and unconditional love reflected in them.
"I love you, Henry. More than the sun loves the sky or the sea loves the shore." She said lovingly and kissed him tenderly.
Then Catherine laid her head over his shoulder and her hand above his heart while Henry wrapped an arm around her.
He was so happy right now, with his whole world in his arms, he could dream of nothing better.
/-/-/-/-/
The next morning
Catherine was the first to wake up this time. Her eyes slowly fluttered open and a smile appeared on her face. She was really feeling good. She was still wrapped in her sleeping husband's arms and she was pleased to see him so relaxed. It was so very rare for him to be able to let go of the burden he carried on his shoulders all the time. He was always so busy with state affairs and politics, she was glad that he could take a well-deserved break from it.
When she looked out of the window she saw that the sun was already quite high in the sky and decided to gently wake her husband.
She straitened her head and neck to be able to look at his face and then she began to pepper kisses all over his face.
Henry was slowly starting to come back to his senses and he was delighted to be woken up like this. When her mouth touched his lips he responded which prompted Catherine to know that he was up.
When he released her lips she said "Good morning, Henry"
"Good morning, Caterina" He smiled.
"How are you today ?" He asked tenderly.
"Very well and your leg how is it going ?" She asked back, concerned.
"Better, it's getting better day by day and soon it will be over." He reassured her.
"Good. But it's time for your remedy Henry." She reminded him.
Upon hearing her word he turned his head away with a grin of displeasure.
"Am I forced to take that pill ? It tastes worse that the food I give to my dogs." He said.
Catherine couldn't stop a laugh : "Henry, please. Don't be childish… It's the doctor's advice. You should take one each morning until your leg is healed." She said gently while holding the pill between her fingers.
"I don't care about what the doctor said. It's disgusting." He answered while crossing his arms.
The Queen sighed. He was always such a terrible patient… He was so stubborn….
"Henry… It's important you take this remedy… and if you don't do it for you, then do it for me." She said.
"If one thing hasn't changed and won't ever change is that I can't lose you, not now, not ever…" She continued.
As she observed his face she could see him softening and that his resolve was weakening but not yet enough for him to agree to take this pill.
"Henry, if you take this pill, I'll reward you with a kiss." She offered.
The King slowly turned his face back towards his wife and he saw her smiling at him… How was he supposed to resist her ?
He let out an imperious sigh and said : "Fine, but I'll take my reward in advance."
She could feel his lips crushing on to hers before she even had the chance to protest. She couldn't help but answer his kiss. The man certainly knew how to kiss…
Once he released her lips he looked at her with that devilish smile of his. Catherine looked back at him and quirked an eye brow in order to remind him of the other part of their deal.
At this Henry rolled his eyes and opened his mouth reluctantly…
Catherine put the pill inside of his mouth and watched as his face took an expression of disgust. She couldn't help but laugh at him. He was so funny like that, worse than one of their children…
Once he finished she said : " How does breakfast sounds to you ?"
"Certainly better than this damn pill…" He said and she smiled.
After getting dressed they headed together to the dining room in order to take breakfast with Arnaud, Carolina and their children.
/-/-/-/-/
Once arrived at the table
"Majesties" Greeted the duchess.
"Good morning everyone" They said as they saw the two littlest children running around the room, chasing each other.
"George ! Louise ! Stop running around and come to sit" Said Carolina in a gentle but firm voice.
Ariana who was Claude's best friend and was born the same year than the princess was already sitting on a chair and looking fondly at her younger siblings.
Once everyone was safely sited on a chair, they began to eat.
"Cappuccino ?" Offered the duchess to the Queen kindly.
"Always" Catherine answered with a smile while giving her cup to Carolina for her to fill it.
"And you Henry ?" asked the duke "Are you still drinking your morning black coffee ?" He said.
"Still" Answered the King while doing the same as his wife.
"Some things never change…" Added the duke laughingly while pouring the coffee.
"Ariana, it's a pleasure to see you again" Said Catherine to the young girl.
"Oh, but the pleasure is all mine, Majesty." Smiled the girl.
"I know you and Claude are very close friends. If you'd like you can come to the castle later this year to reunite with our daughter. What do you think Henry ?" Offered the Queen.
"I see no objections. I'm sure Claude will be overjoyed." Answered the King.
"Father, Mother can I go, please ?" Asked Ariana.
Considering the offer one moment and giving each other a knowing look, the noble couple answered laughingly at their daughter's pleading voice : "Yes, Ariana, you can go."
"Thank you !" Said the girl who was struggling not show her excitement to much with renewed vigour.
The royal couple chuckled softly at that.
Once breakfast was over the King and Queen went back to their chambers in order to change their outfits because they were finally going to the "Thermal Baths". They needed to put on their swimsuit and functional clothes over it.
Catherine was wearing - over her swimsuit - a white dress with transparent sleeves and silver embroidery. She also, wore a silver coloured belt just above her belly, underneath her breasts. It was very simple but very fitting to. A single pin was holding her hair up.
When she came back from behind the changing screen, she found her husband patiently waiting for her on a chaise. He was wearing a simple shirt with light embroideries on it and leather pants.
"I'm ready" She said. He smiled, took her hand, and led her to the carriage who was waiting outside.
"Did I already told how beautiful you are today ?" He asked lovingly.
"Yes, at least 10 times since we woke up" She answered teasing tenderly.
" Only 10 ? Oh ! Shame on me…" He continued and they both laughed.
/-/-/-/-/
Inside the carriage
"I'm so excited, darling" Said the King who could barely stay seated from the excitement.
"Me too, darling, me too" Laughed the Queen at his antics. Right now it was as if she was seeing the young boy she had married all those years ago.
/-/-/-/-/
Once they arrived, Henry helped his wife to get out of the carriage and then he busied himself with carrying the towels and the food they had brought.
"Let me carry something, darling." Offered the Queen when seeing her husband.
"Certainly not, dear wife. You are already carrying our little prince or princess it's more than enough." He answered sweetly.
After walking a bit through the forest, they arrived to the warm water source.
"It's beautiful." Said Catherine upon discovering the source.
Henry smiled, he loved seeing her like that, so relaxed. It was a rare sight.
After putting their towel on the "beach" they took off their clothes and remained in swimsuit.
Upon seeing his wife, Henry sighed. She was wearing a red swimsuit with red belt made from the same material as the swimsuit. The belt was positioned just underneath her breasts and was tied with a bow tie.
Catherine went immediately touching the water. Shortly after she dipped her toes in the water. But before she could have the chance to enter the water she saw her husband diving graciously in the warm water. He has always loved water as did she, and he was a great swimmer.
When he returned to the surface he swam towards her and got out of the water to join her. The moment he got out, hundreds of water droplets were running down his naked chest only to disappear when they reached the belt of his pants.
Oh god… thought Catherine to herself upon seeing this.
Taking her hips in his hands the King said : "So, I assume this is my present ? Even, wrapped in gift paper… " He teased softly while pointing at the bow tie on her belt.
"You're incorrigible" She said back as softly.
"Always when it comes to you, love" He answered. She smiled and give him a peck before entering the water…
AN : So that's it I hope you liked it ! Don't forget to review please, let me know what you think.
The pill scene is inspired from a Frary scene.
Take care
Laura D.