A few days later, Catherine found herself across the table from Thomas again.
As they picked through their dinner in a dull silence, Thomas cleared his throat.
"So, you never told me much about that business trip."
"Oh, right! Well, see - it wasn't directly related to work. It was more of a side hustle thing."
"What kind of a side hustle?"
"I don't think you're gonna believe this."
"Try me."
"Okay. I was able to get a collaboration with some really famous musicians, and we're creating a stage show about the wives of King Henry VIII."
"Ha! Good one, babe."
"I'm serious."
"No really, what did you actually do? If you have a lover somewhere, just tell me."
"I don't! I'm telling the truth."
"Who on earth did you collaborate with, then?"
"Well, uh, one of them is Catalina Aragon."
"Never heard of her."
"Anne Boleyn."
"Nope."
"She founded Shakesy-P Records, which literally produced your favorite album , Thomas!"
"No need to get defensive."
"I am getting defensive, because you don't believe me!"
"No, I don't! Why would I? Why on earth would these women want to work with you? What kind of talent do you have?"
Catherine stood up in stunned silence.
"Cathy, I - I'm sorry. I didn't mean -"
"But you did." She took a deep breath before continuing. "It's over, Thomas."
"Over? What's over?"
"This, us! I can't do this any more. I'm leaving for a while, and I'm taking Mary."
"Cathy, you can't do this -" Thomas started, reaching for her wrist.
She grit her teeth and yanked her hand away from his clutch.
"Watch me."
She threw her most important belongings in a bag, grabbed Mary and her things, and got in the car. She was already a good distance down the freeway when she realized she didn't know where she was headed. She pulled off on the side of the road and dialed a number.
"Hello?" Answered a voice on the other side.
"Jane?"
"Cathy? What's the matter?"
"This is going to sound completely crazy, but - can I stay at your place? Just for the night?"
"Of course, love. You can stay as long as you need. Do you need my address?"
"I got it, thanks. I'm bringing Mary, too."
"I can't wait to meet her. Drive safe, okay?"
"Thanks."
A few hours later, she arrived at a small house in the suburbs. She helped Mary out and held her by the hand as they walked up to the front door.
When she knocked, a scrawny tween answered the door.
"Edward?" Catherine whispered in shock.
"C-Catherine? It's Catherine, right? Why do I feel like...I know you?"
She wordlessly pulled him into her arms, and he reciprocated.
"It's a long story, kiddo. But I'm glad to see you again."
"M-me too."
"Is she here, Edward?" Called a familiar voice from inside the house.
"Yeah, Mom!" He yelled back.
"Come on in." Edward said, turning back to Catherine. "Mom's making tea."
"Thank you."
As soon as she stepped inside, she was engulfed in a hug by Jane.
"Jane! Hi."
"Hi, darling! Are you okay? What happened? You sounded so worried on the phone."
The lump in her throat returned as she tried to speak. "Well, I -"
Jane's face sobered as she placed a knowing hand on her shoulder.
"Is this Mary?" She asked, lowering herself down to the toddler's level.
"Yes. Say hello, baby."
"Hi!"
"Edward and I set up a makeshift crib in the living room, and there's plenty of blankets and sheets for you in the laundry basket by the couch."
"Thank you so much."
"I'm gonna take some tea up to my room, Mom. I still have homework to finish."
"Alright, dear."
She turned to Catherine, who was scooping Mary up in her arms.
"Why don't you get her settled, and then have a drink with me?"
"Okay."
And that she did. Mary fell asleep easily, as she had already started dozing off in the car. A few minutes later, Catherine slipped into the kitchen, where Jane sat in front of two mugs.
"Thank you so much, Jane. I don't know how I'll ever repay you."
"Don't worry about it, dear." Jane replies, passing her a mug as she sat down and reached over to squeeze her hand. "Now, tell me everything."
That night, Catherine slept better than she had in a long time. She woke up long before everyone else, with a sudden burst of inspiration. She found a note and a pen, and finally wrote down the name for her song.
About an hour later, Jane padded down the stairs in a soft grey bathrobe and her bed head still untamed.
"Morning, Cathy. How did you sleep?"
"I did it, Jane."
"Did it? Did what?"
"The song! I finished my song!"
"Oh, that's wonderful dear! We'll have to call the others, you can perform it for all of us."
That afternoon, she did just that. Catherine and Jane sat upstairs, in a guest bedroom that had been converted to a music room with a gorgeous wooden piano in the center.
Jane video called the other queens, and pointed them towards the piano as Cathy began to perform.
With a shaky breath and a nervous crack of her knuckles, she started her song.
"You know I love you boy, in every single way..."
It went smoothly and quietly until one of the following verses, when Catherine felt a burning sensation in her soul that was entirely new.
"But if somehow I had that choice, no holding back I'd raise my voice..."
"I'd say Henry, yeah it's true! I'll never belong to you. 'Cause I am not some toy, to enjoy, until there's something new. As if I'm gonna give up my voice, my work, my dreams, to care for you?! Ha! Darling, get a clue, there's nothing you can do, I don't need your love!"
She lifted her fingers from the piano with a flourish, bringing her back to reality. The heat in her cheeks rose as she realized the other queens had been watching her the entire time.
A stunned silence for a moment, until they all burst into applause.