Replies to reviews:
Guest (1) [chapter 4]: Haha, it is! Here is more sickeningly sweet stuff for you.
Guest (2) [chapter 4]: Here's more spoiling of a king to his wife ;)
elder441 [chapter 4]: The reason why I focused on Kennash for the beginning is that they won't be present as much for the rest of the story. It set the scene for their departure from the castle. I've basically put Bash on early retirement, haha. This chapter is all Frary goodness.
Guest (3) [chapter 4]: As of now, Francis is taking the chance to spoil his wonderful wife. I am even jealous haha. I am time jumping a bit for the birth of their first child, so if it's rushed, it is to get to the good stuff where we can see the couple raise their child. Then, Mary will return the favour for what her husband has sweetly done for her.
BlerBlerBler [chapter 4]: Frary is all in this chapter :)
Four Months Later
Four months.
Mary was now just over four months pregnant and she could not deny the fact that she was blossoming in weight and shape. Catherine had been the first to announce the impending arrival, many nobles congratulating the happy couple as they sat on their thrones.
After the second hour of accepting words of congratulations, Mary was starting to feel restless. Her eyes were almost closing and she gave Francis a desperate look.
Before he could act, Catherine came in view and ordered everyone to leave before turning to Mary.
"How are you feeling? I should have known this would be too much for you," the dowager queen said to her.
"Catherine, I am fine. I can-"
"No, you must rest. I am sure Francis agrees with me," Catherine said, turning to her son.
Francis relented. "Yes, you should rest."
Mary turned to him. "Will you join me soon?"
"As soon as I am done here, I will be with you," he promised her.
Accepting his promise, she stood up and walked down the steps. She could see the long queue of people waiting to congratulate the expecting parents and something about it was daunting.
As she walked by, she smiled when people bowed and congratulated her on her way. Rounding the archway, she sighed in relief and gestured for Greer to follow her.
"Are you alright Mary?" Greer asked, quiet enough for the queen to hear.
Mary nodded. "I am. I just couldn't sit still for too long. My back aches and my feet feel heavy."
"I am sure Francis can easily put a stop to both of those things-"
"Greer!" Mary cried out, her cheeks reddening. "We have been unable to keep our hands off each other, though..."
Greer giggled, sighing wistfully as she linked her arms with Mary's. "Everyone's moving on with their lives. Kenna and Bash at their duchy, Lola and John in Italy, you and Francis with the new baby... I can't stop thinking about Aloysius's children. How scared they must be."
Mary gave her a sad smile. "I am sorry there is nothing we can do for now. I am sure their aunt is taking good care of them."
"I might join them in Germany," Greer said, eyeing Mary briefly before her gaze reached the ground. "I would hate to leave, but I made a vow before God and those children are as good as mine now."
Mary faltered, her face falling. First Kenna, then Lola and now Greer. She had not expected her friends to be leaving her during her pregnancy. She still had Francis, at least.
"You are relieved from your duty and oath to me," she said quietly.
Greer's eyes widened and she turned to Mary in shock. "Mary, I am only entertaining the idea - I do not mean I would leave you-"
"I can't always put my needs before others'," Mary cut her off. "I need you, yes, but you need to live your own life."
"What if I were to bring the children here? I won't have to leave you," Greer suggested. "Germany is too far and I would love to see your child."
Mary hid a smile, bowing her head as a noble curtseyed as they continued to walk. "I would love it if you saw my child as well and I will have arrangements to bring the Castleroy children here."
"Mary, you are too kind. I don't know how to thank you!" Greer said, looking around quickly to see if anyone was watching before she hugged Mary. "Let's get you to your bedchamber."
Mary gave her blonde friend a smile, linking their arms once again as they continued on.
...
That night, Mary was awake as Francis laid asleep beside her. She had felt unsettled and she was uncomfortable, any other way she tried to settle herself in the bed.
Her back was stiff and she craved something to eat. It was late, nearly one. No one will be awake except the few servants that emptied the chamber pots and most of the guards.
After the seventh time of her huffing and puffing in annoyance, her husband awoke, turning to her in the darkness. He didn't have to see her eyes to know if she was awake or not, he could hear it.
"Mary, what is wrong?"
"It's awfully quiet, isn't it?" Mary asked, disregarding his question.
Francis smiled softly. "Not for long. Our children will soon scream down the castle," he replied tiredly, stifling a yawn. "Get back to sleep, my love."
Mary huffed again. "I can't sleep! What do you think the servants do at this time?"
"I don't know," Francis replied, shrugging. "Mary, what is wrong?"
She scowled. "My back. These pillows are just awful and what is that smell? It's been bothering me since I woke up... yesterday."
Francis let out an amused snort, sitting up to bring her into his side. "Do you want me to search for better pillows? Perhaps duck feathers?"
"Would you?" Mary asked hopefully. "Oh, Francis!" She hugged him tightly. "And some pomegranates. And plums. Oh, with some strawberries too?"
Francis nodded at all of the requests. "As my queen commands."
"Your queen also wants her husband back in bed soon. Ask the servants if it is not too much trouble."
"'Too much trouble'?" Francis repeated. "Mary, you're the queen."
Mary blushed, giggling. "Oh, yes. I forget myself sometimes."
"I believe that is called something I can't quite remember. My mother was forgetful at times during her pregnancies. Once, she bathed naked in the lake when she was expecting Charles."
Mary gasped, grinning at the new information about her mother-in-law. "You lie!"
"I do not! It was quite a sight for Father to hide my eyes along with Bash's when we went camping with him. The days he was a father to us..." Francis trailed off, shaking his head. "I will be right back."
After a while, Mary learned that Francis had gone on a quest for the items himself. The thought of her husband personally attending to her needs made Mary's eyes water.
She felt selfish, but people would say that they were happy to do it. She was carrying the future monarch inside of her.
Smiling to herself, she placed a gentle hand on her growing stomach and rubbed it.
"Hello, my little one. What should we call you because we can't keep calling you, 'baby'?" She asked thoughtfully. "Bean? Bun? Oh, I don't know. Your father is better at this than me..."
A while later, Francis finally returned with an assortment of fruit on a silver serving tray and four pillows, two carried by a guard each behind him.
"I do not want to know how you balanced all of those!" Mary said, laughing as he placed the tray on her lap and got the four pillows, thanking the guards for their help.
After the guards had left, he turned to Mary. "They found me with the pillows tied around my legs with rope. I am grateful that everyone is asleep and could not witness my heavy burdens."
"I am so sorry-"
"I loved doing it, Mary," Francis cut her off, kissing her as he stole a piece of fruit without her knowing. "I may be a king, but I will always bend the knee to my wife."
Mary stared at him in awe. This man was a dream, she was sure she was dreaming. No one could be this amazing, this caring, this sweet. She had been lucky, really lucky because no one could be this amazing or could ever exist.
That was her Francis. Looking out for other people than himself.
"Francis?" She breathed out, staring into his eyes. "Thank you."
"You're always welcome, Mary," came the blonde's reply, placing a kiss on her forehead. "I love you."
"I love you, too. And I love our little Button."
Francis smiled. "Button?"
She nodded, shrugging a little. "We should give it a name for now. Baby is so boring. Until we know what Button is, they will be called as such. Only by us."
"Alright," he replied, placing a loving hand on her bump. "Hello, Button. It is your papa speaking. I want you to know that your mama and I love you very much. We cannot wait to see you."
"We really can't," Mary added happily. They were past the three-month wait. She could not lose her child now unless something awful happened before she gave birth or after.
"I received word from Bash," Francis said, looking up from her bump to look at his wife. "Kenna's with child."
Mary stared at him in shock. She felt slightly upset that her friend could not tell her from her own lips or even write to her. She pushed those feelings down and beamed happily.
"Is she?" She breathed out, carving out her pomegranate. "How far along is she? Do they know?"
"A week," Francis revealed. "She doesn't know yet."
Mary frowned. "What do you mean?"
"One of their servants had her chamber pot tested and told Bash out of the blue. Kenna had gone for a morning ride and well, he does not know how to tell her."
"How do you mean?" Mary asked, perplexed.
Francis sighed. "Kenna does want children, but not this soon though. She is not ready. Especially with her sister living with them..."
"Oh," Mary said sadly. "Well, we should invite them soon for a visit. I know they are happy in their own home, but I feel like they shouldn't forget us."
"I'm sure they remember us!" Francis laughed. "They are not that far as well. Only two hours ride."
Mary scowled. "Two hours is too far!"
"Two hours seems like an eternity for pregnant women," Francis jested, eating some strawberries and feeding one to her. "So dramatic, you women."
"Francis!" Mary gasped out, protecting the rest of her fruit. "If you are not going to help me indulge in them by feeding me, then leave my food alone!"
"So protective," Francis said, holding a hand to his chest. "I wish for a midnight feast."
She tilted her head. "Find yourself some then. Leave my own well alone! It is for Button as well."
"Greedy Button," Francis replied lightly. "First my wife and now my food? Very diplomatic, you are already," he said to her bump. "I hope you hear me-"
"I hope Button doesn't!" Mary laughed. "Your papa is so rude, is he not? How dare he judge our eating efforts." She placed a hand on her bump and proceeded to pretend that she was listening to it. "You think he should sleep on the ground? I do so too!"
Francis gaped, but he was swatted away by one of Mary's extra pillows. He ended on the chaise instead, giving her a playful scowl.
"I will return," he told her.
His wife beamed in triumph. "I'd love to see you try!"
As she finally fell asleep an hour later, she unconsciously sought the warmth of her husband. Her hand kept coming up unsuccessful and finally relaxed, soft snores coming from Mary's lips.
Francis, who had been watching his wife sleep for the past few minutes, stood from the chaise. He made himself at home under the covers in their bed and gently coerced his wife's frame to lie on his chest as he laid against his pillows.
She sighed happily and he smiled in return, placing a kiss underneath her hairline.
That night, he fell asleep with his hand on her bump and his other arm wrapped securely around his beautiful wife.
...
Three Months Later
Confinement.
Mary was now confined to her bed at seven months gone, unable to do any of her duties for the foreseeable future. She had been upset, an urgent calling to Scotland plaguing her mind as Francis assured her that he would see to it.
She trusted her husband, but some things were better off done by yourself.
Mary was a lone wolf these days, her only company being Francis and Catherine. She knew Catherine was not loyal, exchanging secret notes with England behind her own son's back. The King and Queen knew, but they were waiting for more evidence to condemn her. Not that Francis wanted to, she was his mother and that was probably why they were waiting on more evidence despite having all they really needed.
Kenna was now three months pregnant. She and Mary exchanged letters every week; words of excitement, fears, worries, longing and hope laced in every word sent to and fro.
Greer was busy with her stepchildren, plans to have her husband free of any guilt of the participation of the attack on Catholics. She had gone around, asking nobles for support.
"Mary?" Francis called her.
She looked up and sniffled, wiping her tears. "I feel so alone, Francis," she whispered sadly. "I have you, I know... Kenna's gone, Lola's gone and Greer's... she is as good as. I feel unsupported."
"My love..." Francis breathed out, joining her in her bed.
"And it does not help us being in separated bedchambers. I know it is not for long, but I miss you," she said, sobs escaping her lips. "I hate this. I hate being with child!"
Francis kissed her, silencing her complaints. "Mary, you are going to be just fine. I will join you in bed, forget what my mother suggested."
She sniffled, eyeing him. "Will you?"
"I will," he said, nodding. "I have a solution for Scotland..."
She gasped, struggling to sit up. She was stopped by her husband and he continued on.
"Your brother has agreed to accept aid from France. Bash and Leith will sail for Scotland tomorrow," Francis told her.
"Bash?" She asked. "I-I thought that... I know he is still your King's Deputy, but he is a husband, a father to be. It is too risky-"
"I trust Bash to make it and back in one piece," Francis said to her. "This means that Kenna will return here during his absence. Only for a month, she is taking over in the running of their holdings."
Mary's eyes lit up. She knew it was awful of her to be glad of the silver lining, her friend returning to Court at the expense of her husband's departure to her home country. At least they won't be alone.
"I have also asked General Medici-"
"General Medici!" Mary cried out angrily. "I will not accept aid from the likes of him! Do you know he's undone men's teeth as they still breathed?"
Francis winced. "Think of it as accepting aid from Italy-"
"Even worse," Mary said, almost whining. "I would rather have Scotland starve than having a tyrant mark his presence in my country."
"You cannot be serious?" Francis asked her. "He will be watched by Bash and Leith and our men. I trust them." He kissed her. "As long as Scotland is safe, that is all that matters."
"And your resistance in believing that your mother is working against us?"
He looked down. "My mother is acting in France's interests."
"Exactly! Just France and not Scotland's!" Mary told him, disdain in her words. "I even doubt she is truly on our side. The only side she is on is hers. Ask Narcisse."
"Narcisse's head is buried in the woods," Francis replied.
"Then Catherine's should join his!" Mary cried out angrily, angry tears running down her red cheeks. "It was a wonderful idea, having Claude marry Luc Narcisse. Did he really believe we would let him poison our family with his other son?" She asked sarcastically.
Francis sighed, rubbing his face. "Mary, calm down, my love. We are all safe, no one can hurt us. Not while I am alive."
"Oh, alright," she mumbled, accepting his answer. "I love you. I don't want us to lose each other or our child."
"Do not worry, Mary," he said to her. "You and Button are safe, I will ensure it."
She leant up to catch his lips in a kiss. "Promise?"
"I promise."