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Guest (1) [chapter 6]: Welcome Anne indeed!

Guest (2) [chapter 6]: Anne will be running around very soon.

BlerBlerBler [chapter 6]: Thank you very much :)

Guest (3) [chapter 6]: Thank you so much for reviewing and you're welcome! :)

Guest (4) [chapter 6]: Ooh, Annie is a lovey nickname! And thank you so much, you're welcome!

Guest (5) [chapter 6]: Here it is and thanks so much!

I am sorry if this seems too quick. I would rather write about their family when the children are older as we will be here forever if we do each birth and the months leading up to it. I find it fun to see them as children or teenagers (I see them being mischievous little children, particularly towards Catherine haha), so their babyhood might be sped up a little bit.

I've recently enjoyed reading extracts from some diaries of some people, so I am incorporating that inside the story. I imagine that in today's world, we would see them in a museum or something. Anyway, enjoy the next chapter!

Two Months Later

"She is a plump little thing, isn't she?" Catherine asked, staring down at Anne in her cot.

The baby stuffed her fist in her mouth, her grandmother smiling slightly with a twitch of her lips curling upwards.

"Catherine," Mary warned, looking up from her letters from Scotland. "If you do not mind-"

"Soon, she will be running around the castle. It is time we have had little feet pattering about," Catherine cut her off. "Where is Francis?"

Mary rolled her eyes. "I have told you before, he is at a council meeting."

"At this time?" Catherine asked her, viewing the dark sky. "Is it important?"

"He did not say," Mary replied, placing her pen down. "Is there something you wanted?"

Catherine turned to her. "Not at all. I just thought a nice, little visit to my granddaughter was in need. Shame she was not a grandson, but beggars can't be choosers."

Mary set her jaw, standing up and heading over to the cot. She lifted her child into her arms and pressed a kiss on Anne's head. The queen glared at her in-law, daring her to say more about her daughter.

"Francis and I have all the time in the world to produce a male child," Mary snapped. "If you do not mind..."

Catherine left allowing Mary to sigh in relief.

As Anne began to cry, a knock on the door sounded and Mary cursed in annoyance.

"Yes?!" She called out, gently rocking Anne to sleep.

"Your Majesty, an urgent letter came through," the servant told her once he stepped through the threshold.

She turned to him, thrusting a hand to receive the letter. However, Anne's cries became louder and she asked if the servant could read it to her.

"Who is it from?" She asked first.

"The Duke," the servant nervously replied, opening the letter.

Mary knew a lot of dukes. "Which one?" She snapped impatiently.

Which one will she waste her time for?

"Oh, the King's brother."

"For the love of-Read it!" Mary cried out, shaking her head as Anne's cries died down at the mention of the uncle she was yet to meet.

"He says that he has returned home from Scotland to find your lady, Duchess Kenna, in labour," the servant whittled down for her.

Mary's eyes widened. "It is too soon. She has two months left."

"It was on his wife's request that he write to you - she may not make the childbirth."

Mary's heart fell and she looked down at Anne. Her beautiful, brown-haired baby who breathed, cried, pooped and ate. A baby of hers after so many years trying.

Then, there was Kenna. Kenna who had already lost one child and was scared to try again so soon after that grief. If she were to lose this baby after so many months of preparation, Mary would feel awfully guilty.

"Fetch servants to pack my things as well as the Princess's," she ordered. "I will see to the king myself."

...

Francis excused himself, seeing his wife appear in the doorway as she held their daughter.

He got up and gently coerced them away from eyesight and eardrop. "Mary, what is it?"

"Kenna, she needs me," Mary whispered, brushing a finger over Anne's cheek. "Bash is home, he found her in labour."

"It is too soon," Francis said in disbelief.

"As I said," Mary replied. "I have to be there for her-"

"You can't," he cut her off. "Mary, think about Button."

Mary bit her lips, sighing. "I am. Anne may not know it, but she shares the same blood as Kenna. And do not forget, her uncle is affected too. She will meet her godparents, her aunt and uncle since she has been born!"

"Fine. Take guards with you. Two governesses - you will gift my brother and Kenna with one. I have thoroughly checked them over, they are safe for you to take with you."

"Aren't you coming?" Mary asked him.

He nodded. "Tomorrow morning, I will be there. Then in a month, we will all return to the castle for Button's christening."

"Oh, my love... Be there as soon as you can," Mary begged softly. "As much as I love Kenna and will be there for her, I can't leave you."

"I will be with you all very soon," Francis assured her, kissing her lips. "Now, go."

She walked off, but not before sharing one last longing look with her husband. It will only be for a night that they will be apart.

...

"Oh, he's beautiful..." Mary cooed, holding her new nephew.

She felt jealous of her dear friend who laid tiredly on her bed, watching the aunt and nephew with a lazy smile.

"What name did you settle on?" Mary asked Kenna.

Kenna beamed. "Robert. Robert Francis de Poitiers," Kenna replied.

"A-After your father?" Mary breathed out, tears springing to her eyes. "I am sorry, he is unwell..."

Kenna smiled sadly. "He met Bash whilst Bash was there and visited Castle Barton. The next thing I know, my father sang praises of my husband through his letters to me and Bash was idolising my father too. Thank you, Mary, for reintroducing us to each other. Little Robin may not get to meet his grandfather, but I am glad his father met him at least."

"Uncle Robert was a war hero, I am starting to see how Bash could idolise him," Mary teased.

As their conversation died down, Mary stared into Robin's green eyes. He was so like his father, his hair as brown as his both of his parents', his nose as narrow as his mother's...

A son. A son for the King's bastard brother, but no son for the King himself. Well, Francis did have a son, an illegitimate son.

Why can't I have a son? thought Mary sadly.

"Oh, Lizette," Kenna's voice rang in her ears. "What is it?"

The handmaiden's eyes landed on Mary. "Your Majesty, may I speak freely?"

Mary nodded, feeling slightly unnerved. "You may."

"After you used the chamber pot when you arrived, we had it tested," Lizette admitted nervously. "We did not know that it was yours then - we had needed to check our lady's pot for any blood from the afterbirth."

"And?" Mary asked impatiently. "Out with it."

Lizette swallowed deeply. "Y-You're with child, my Queen."

Mary gasped. If not for Robin in her arms, she would have covered her mouth. Tears sprung to her brown eyes. It was so soon after Anne!

A chance for a son. A chance to give Francis what he truly wanted and-

"Mary, as soon as Francis arrives, you need to tell him!" Kenna said, suddenly feeling strong enough to get out of her bed to take her child.

She placed the boy in his cot and turned to dismiss Lizette. After the woman had gone, Kenna hugged Mary tightly.

"Anne will be a big sister!" Kenna breathed out, laughing giddily.

Mary nodded, laughter leaving her lips as well. "Dear Lord, Francis and I will have our hands full!"

"You most certainly will!" Kenna replied, leaning back to stare at Mary. "When we return to the Court, not only will it be to christen Anne, but to announce another royal baby. Oh, Mary - you and Francis do work quickly!"

"It is as Catherine said. She and Henry spent years trying and then they all came one right after the other like... Oh, Kenna!"

A shrill, excited scream came from Mary and Kenna laughed.

"Champagne, Your Majesty?"

Mary gave her a knowing look. "Champagne? You and I both know-"

"What are you two screaming about?" Bash asked suspiciously, entering the bedchamber. "You will wake my son."

Mary turned to give him a grin. "He is already awake, you dolt," she teased, his wife nodding at her reply. "And you will find out soon enough."

Francis needed to hear first. Then, they will tell Bash and everything will be perfect.

Oh, she couldn't wait!

That night before she slept after midnight, her thoughts were scrawled down quicker than usual. Excitement, worries and trepidation laced in each word.

'08 August. Kenna's handmaiden announced that Francis and I were to be parents once again. So soon after Anne, two months! Button grows bigger and bigger each day. I can't wait to see her walk and storm down the halls of the castle. Tonight, nearly past twelve, my first nephew was born. Robert Francis de Poitiers, the first child of Bash and Kenna. They bore a son, a son I could hopefully bear in this next arrival. Speaking of arrival, Button was engrossed with Robin, and her aunt and uncle were happy to meet her. When Francis comes later this morning, the four of us and our little Button and Robin will take a walk by the lake. The excitement precedes me, I must sleep soon. I think, if I did not make the haste decision to visit the Duke and Duchess of Avon, I would not have known I was with child until today. Happy. Happy is what I am and am destined to be for life. Adieu, Mary.'

She signed her name off and beamed, biting her lip as she closed her diary.

...

After leaving her child with Kenna, Mary pulled Francis deeper into the woods. It was safe, the outskirts guarded and fenced off from the rest of the world. Mary could not deny that the duchy was more safe and peaceful than the castle.

It would be wonderful for Bash and Kenna to raise their children and sometimes host Mary and Francis with Anne and...

"Francis," Mary finally said once they were away from prying ears. Mainly Bash's.

"Mary," Francis responded in kind, capturing her lips in a kiss. "I have been waiting so long to do that."

She giggled softly. "So have I. Oh, isn't Robin the sweetest?"

"He is," Francis said. "I can't believe they named him after me. What have I done to hold that honour?"

"You have done so much for them. And for me," Mary replied, bringing his hands to her somewhat flat stomach. She had not got rid of the baby weight that easily so her dresses were always snug.

"W-What do you mean, Mary?" Francis asked, confused as he glanced at their hands and her eyes.

Mary smiled brightly, tears watering her eyes. "A baby, Francis. I'm with child again!"

At first, Francis was confused. The confusion then led to shock. The shock to a satisfied smirk. The satisfied smirk to shock again and finally...

"Are you saying...?"

"Yes, I am saying that Anne will be a big sister!" Mary cried out, almost hitting him for being slow. "Francis, we are expecting again. So soon after Anne, but again nonetheless!"

She screamed when she was lifted up and spun around. Her feet kicked about as her husband kissed her neck repeatedly. When she was placed down on the ground, he got to his knees and kissed the fabric that laid over her stomach.

"What should we call this one?" He asked, looking up at her in wonder and excitement. "How about Bean?"

Mary laughed. "You did not give me a chance to reply!" She told him. "And Bean? I do not know... Perhaps Bun."

"Very well," Francis breathed out, eyeing her stomach. "Hello, Bun. Button and Bun, our family is growing at a pace I never imagined!"

"I know," Mary said softly, smiling widely. "I almost did not believe Kenna's handmaiden. Francis, I love you so much."

"I love you too, Mary."

...

Nine Months Later

Another daughter.

"Mama!"

Mary tiredly looked up to see Anne crawling up the bed, making her way towards her mother and new sibling. How her blue eyes widened at the sight of something smaller than her as if it was impossible to have someone smaller than her, her father's first daughter.

"Anne, my love, be careful," Mary said to her eleven-month-old.

The child knew a few words, her alphabet being her favourite recitals. Now as she sang them in her small (but frightfully loud) voice, she disturbed the new baby, a wail emitting from the child straight after.

"Anne," Mary scolded lightly, knowing the child could not understand what that meant.

Horrified, Anne covered her ears and turned to Francis. She could see her father laugh, getting up from his letter to join his family on the bed. Anne immediately crawled into his arms and settled her thumb in her mouth.

"What should we name her?" Francis asked softly.

Mary shrugged. "I had names for a son picked out," she whispered, her eyes falling. She had been all cried out.

"Mary, I-"

"You would never understand, Francis!" Mary suddenly snapped. "How everyone looks to me as if I can control whether I bear a son or not! I know we need to give France and Scotland a king, but what if all I give you are daughters?"

"I will still be happy and blessed regardless," Francis replied easily. "Daughters, sons, either way, a child from our love is enough for me. You are a queen, any of our daughters could be a queen too!"

Mary nodded and she burst into tears, ugly sobs escaping her lips. She stared down at her newborn who watched her, eyes wide.

"She is probably thinking why you are crying like a baby and she isn't," Francis said making them both laugh after Mary was feeling slightly better.

Mary wiped her face, staring at her daughter's rosy cheeks. "Rose."

"Rose," Francis repeated. "Yes, very fitting. Anne and Rose, Button and Bun."

"Bah?" Anne's voice cried out.

Francis laughed, as Mary joined in as he said, "Yes. Bun," to his daughter. "Mary Rose."

Mary turned to her husband. "Mary Rose Valois-Angouleme-Stuart," she confirmed, her eyes falling down towards Rose. "Our little darling daughter."

Once again, sleep did not come easy to her. Francis laid asleep on their bed, free of any worries or duties.

It was her duty to bear him a son, she had already two attempts and she had failed both times. Catherine's words plaguing her mind did not help sadly. It was out of her control.

She prayed and she begged and she cried... Her diary was now marked by dried water spots from her saltwater tears. She willed herself to give her husband a son. If Lola could do it, so could she. If Kenna could do it, she could do it.

'25th May. Mary Anne was a late baby by a couple of weeks. She did not want to leave the comfort of my womb any sooner than she wanted. Catherine had given me a tonic to help dispel her and it worked much to my annoyance. I do not want help from a woman I cannot trust, but she is here to stay. More so she keeps chastising me for not bearing her a grandson. Francis does not mind, but I do. It is not only for the sake of France but for the sake of Scotland too. Scotland comes first for me, he forgets. I do not know what to do. My excitement, whenever I fall with child, leaves me. I can't help but worry and cry as my dreams of bearing a boy becomes distant. I least I can count on one boy's love. Francis has been nothing but supportive of me, I wish there was something I could do to treat him. I do not want him to suffer another birthday without the blessing of a son. I may have to resort to some extreme-'

"Come and sleep, Mary," her husband's tired voice cut into her thoughts.

Mary placed the pen down, closed her diary and got up from the chair. She hid the diary, not minding if her husband saw - it was the guards, servants and Catherine she did not trust.

"I want Anne to sleep with us," she told her husband. "I was waiting for the wetnurse to finish feeding her."

Francis gave her a soft smile. "I will get her. Just get in this bed before you collapse. You gave birth not that long ago!"

Mary nodded sadly. "Francis-"

"Mary, I know," Francis told her, getting up and cupping her cheeks. "Just free your mind of any worries. When the time comes, we will have a son. He just needs to prepare for his arrival. A king can never be unprepared."

Mary laughed, shaking her head as he kissed her nose. "He is letting all of his sisters go first so he is outranked?" She asked. "So he is dominated by the feminine power?"

"Well, they do say the best things are saved for last. If we have twenty daughters and a son, all of our daughters will cherish him."

"If we do have twenty daughters, we may not need to parent our children at all!" Mary laughed. "They will do that themselves, assert their authorities on those younger than them."

"That is probably true," Francis realised. "Perhaps not twenty. Or even ten... Maybe five?"

Mary snorted. "Five? You believe I will have five babies coming out of me?"

"If I could go through childbirth, you know I would," her husband said, grinning.

"You tease!" Mary scolded, slapping his chest. "But I know you would and that is one of the reasons I love you."

"I love you too."

With her daughters in their cots and her husband's arms around her, Mary slept better for the first time in ages. She felt safe and protected. She felt assured.

After all, a king could never be unprepared and all of her future son's sisters were just paving the way to welcome their brother. Their future king.

Her future legacy.