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Guest (1) [chapter 19]: I aim to make longer chapters, so I'm glad you're enjoying that. Robin's situation will be revealed in due time. As much as I love Frary's children, even parents need some time away for themselves.
elder441 [chapter 19]: He is Bash's, but his situation links to his nightmares which will be revealed soon.
Mary smiled to herself, her mind full of memories from her early childhood. The memories were in the voice of her mother, explaining to her of her life's beginnings Most were distant, some were vivid.
"I was born in this very room and it was the first and last time I met my father," she told Francis, sitting down on the bed. "I never knew him, but my mother told me that he loved me. Even if I wasn't a son."
"Was she telling the truth?"
"I don't know," Mary replied. "But it did give me comfort, especially after the whole situation with my people wanting my half-brother on my throne."
Francis walked up to the window and scanned the grounds below. "This palace is small."
"Well, it isn't England or France," Mary replied, shrugging. "I don't even feel safe here."
"Why not?" He asked, turning to face her. "I thought we had guards surrounding the whole place."
"We do, but it long stopped being home."
Francis nodded. "I understand. I want you to show me everything that Scotland has to offer. It is my home now too."
She stood up and joined him by the window, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I am glad that you see it that way."
She pressed a hand to her mouth and gagged, looking up to see her husband's concerned gaze. She squeezed his shoulder in the assurance that she was fine.
"It's worse with this one. I highly doubt I felt anything with Rose," she told him. "I can't wait until it goes away."
"I wish I could go through it for you," Francis replied lovingly. "You carry my children and the best I can do is rub your feet as you create life."
"We create life," she whispered, kissing him softly. "You do enough by being there for me."
He smiled, leaning his forehead against hers. "Do you remember when you told me that five children were not coming out of you?"
She giggled. "We're on our way there," she responded. "Four out of five isn't so bad."
"We're going to run out of names..."
"Well, we can name all of them Mary or Francis and take a chance," she said teasingly. "It was your plan at the start."
"If it's a girl, my mother asked that-"
"Francis..."
"I know," he said. "I had to tell her, I'm sorry. She's in Scotland."
Mary backed away from him, placing a hand on her head. "When?"
"Since Anne's birthday," he replied.
"That's why you've been sweet-talking me regarding her. Francis, why?"
"My mother is important to me. You are also important to me and if the two most important women in my life are against each other-"
"You are in the middle of it," she realised. "You won't take my side-"
"Nor hers."
She looked away from him. "I will try. If not for you, for the greater good of France and our children."
He breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you."
"You're not off the hook," she quickly said, staring at him in the eyes. "You have to make it up to me."
Francis froze. "I-I do?"
"For betraying my trust," Mary said. "That is punishable."
"Mary, I never meant to bring my mother here without-"
"I don't care," she cut him off, pressing a finger to his lips. "If you do not make it up to me by tomorrow, I do not know where that leaves our marriage. Trust and loyalty, Francis..."
Francis frowned, but when he saw the smile threatening to break her stern composure, he realised what was going on. Deciding to test the waters, he stepped closer to her, making her back away.
"And if I fail to make it up to you?" Francis asked daringly.
Mary batted her eyelashes. "Then you'll receive the worst punishment I have to offer."
"I am starting to believe that I'll enjoy this punishment."
"Uh-uh," she said, shaking her head. "It's not meant for your enjoyment..."
She walked away, leaving their bedchamber with a small grin on her face and her cheeks red and flustered. She didn't know how long she could keep that up for and she was glad to have an escape, even pulling Kenna (from the handmaiden she was ordering) to her side.
"Why are you smiling so much?" Kenna asked her friend, sending a quick apologetic smile towards the handmaiden that was now behind them as they continued walking.
Mary rolled her eyes. "You know how much Catherine gets to me?"
"I do, in many ways," Kenna replied in confusion.
"Well, I am using that over Francis."
Kenna smirked. "Is my little Mary growing up?"
"Kenna!" Mary cried out. "I did lose my virginity before you, remember?"
"Well, we all know how much of a prude you were to the weakness of the flesh before we were wedded women," Kenna replied coyly. "Who says virginity was in the equation?"
"I wonder how Bash hasn't been alarmed by your experience."
"He cares about my experience," Kenna replied, beaming. "What my husband and I talk about regarding our sex lives is beyond you."
Mary blushed. "Let me guess-"
"The book." Kenna chuckled. "We intend to utilise it. I might even form a book club."
"Kenna!"
"You're right. I intend to keep that book until my dying breath," Kenna said.
Mary turned to her, eyebrow raised. "You intend to use it in your older years?"
"Didn't my husband liken me to a spirited hare? Thank you for letting me know."
Mary laughed loudly. "You are very welcome." Mary then became serious. "Is something wrong with Robin?"
Kenna frowned. "Why would there be?"
"Well, Bash was about to tell us something regarding him and it seemed serious," Mary explained. "If there is anything-"
"There's nothing wrong with Robin otherwise I'd know first," Kenna replied firmly. "You know what, I will speak to my husband and find out for myself."
Kenna walked off, leaving Mary stunned and confused. She wondered what was going on and why Kenna seemed to be defensive about it.
Mary knew that Kenna loved her son, she and Kenna were strong mothers and would lay their lives for their children. However, it seemed that sometimes the fathers kept things from them.
Mary walked back to her bedchamber.
...
Bash looked up when he heard the door open, giving Kenna a warm smile. It quickly disappeared when he saw the hurt and anger in her eyes.
"What is going on with Robin?" She demanded.
Bash frowned. "I'm sorry?"
"You were going to tell Francis and Mary something about my son, our son and you wouldn't let me know?" She asked him. "Is it because of his night terrors and his dislike for me being there for him?"
Bash sighed, waving her off. "He's a child. He's just like any other son who is missing the care and attention from his mother that he used to get prior to a sibling being born. It's nothing-"
"It's something, Bash," she cut him off softly. "I know I may be selfish at times, but my children mean everything to me. You mean everything to me and without one of you, there is nothing of me."
Bash searched her eyes and got up from his seat, going over to pull her into his arms. He was nervous and he promised to keep this to himself, but he needed some counsel, some advice.
"I know it took me a while to bond with Robin and Ana, but I do love them," Kenna mumbled against his chest.
Bash nodded, kissing her head. "I know."
"So, what is it?" Kenna asked, looking up to stare into his eyes. "Whatever it is, we can help him together."
"His... His night terrors," Bash began. "They're of the past."
Kenna's eyebrows furrowed. "I don't understand?"
"When I almost died, when Renaude almost stabbed me in the back and you saved my life... His night terrors are filled with pain, blood and me," he whispered sadly. "I don't understand why he's getting them, why they're of my past. He's frightened he will lose me and I kept it from you because I wanted to protect you. We are done with the darkness, we need light, Kenna."
Kenna swallowed deeply. "Is he... Is he like Nostradamus?" She asked gently. "Are those visions?"
"I don't know," Bash said, heading over to the table to pour them some wine. "I believed visions were of the future, not the past."
She accepted a cup. "Why is he getting them?"
Bash closed his eyes. "Why do you think?"
Kenna nodded. "He's pagan, isn't he?" She whispered fearfully. "You have pagan blood and now, our children have pagan blood... Bash, if anyone finds out, you all could be killed."
"I know. Kenna, I can't keep this from Francis-"
"You were willing to keep it from me."
"That's different," he replied.
"In what way?" Kenna snapped.
"He's my brother."
"And I am your wife. This child's mother!" She cried out, placing her cup onto the table. "I did not care when you told me that you had pagan blood, I still loved you and I love our children despite that. You need to let me in, we promised each other no secrets."
Bash sighed heavily. "Before I married you, I did what I wanted. I killed people, I camped in the woods for weeks, I did bad things. Never did I ever think about having a wife or let alone children."
"Now you have them."
"Now I have them," he affirmed. "And instead of protecting myself, I have to think about you, Robert and Anastasia. It still scares me that even though I have left that life in my past, some may still come to have me pay my debts. They could use you against me so sometimes, I do lie to you and I do keep things from you."
Kenna looked away. "The first time I did that, you weren't happy. Remember? When I entered the lion's den? When you found out my reasonings and that I was afraid of Henry, you forgave me. You forgave me multiple times, but when-"
"Kenna's that's in the past," he said gently. "My love."
Kenna's heart swelled. He wasn't upset, he'd long since let it go - everything about Antoine and Renaude and whoever was there to hurt their marriage and keep them apart.
"Bash, I need you to know that I never knew that I was expecting for that long before I tried to make things right with you. I am sorry for being selfish, but look where we are now," she continued. "Trust me, Bash. Let me be the one you share your secrets with, let me be there for you."
He offered her his hand and she nervously took it. He then walked back towards the bed and sat down, pulling her to stand in front of him.
"Kenna..." He whispered, getting onto one knee and looking up. "I want us to grow and be stronger."
Kenna's eyes watered. "I know."
"I know our first wedding wasn't what either of us wanted, but I've come to love you and respect you as my equal, my wife, my friend, the mother of my children..."
"Bash," she said softly.
"Marry me," he told her.
Kenna laughed. "We're already married."
"I saw how you envied Lola and Greer's wedding. I even noticed how my mother jibed at you for crying during ours. Kenna, you deserve to feel happy," Bash replied.
"I do feel happy, I am happy," she said, rubbing his cheek. "Bash, I don't mind."
Bash sighed. "But I do. We've two witnesses in Francis and Mary, a priest is coming from the Vatican-"
"Bash, when did you plan this?"
"Did you really believe your father's eagerness to get into the land mining business? You should remind yourself he already has three," Bash teased her.
Kenna scoffed lightly. "You are something else, do you know that?"
"So, what do you say wife? Shall we do this the way it was intended to be?" He asked her, kissing her left hand.
Kenna nodded eagerly. "Perhaps my tears will be ones of happiness this time," she said, getting onto her knees to kiss him, her hands firmly on his cheeks. "Thank you."
"No, it should be me thanking you. Kenna, I don't say this enough - I love you."
She leant closer, her lips hovering his. "Say it again," she demanded.
"I love you," he said breathlessly.
"Again," she begged.
"I love you."
She pressed her lips against his, ripping his shirt apart as his arms wound around her waist. Her mind became clouded with him; her husband, her friend, her lover, the father of her children - the only man she'll ever want fathering her children.
She felt her dress loosen and impatiently, she took both it and her corset off before helping him unbutton his trousers.
"Are we consummating this before we're wed?" He asked, laughing as he let her take over from undressing him.
Kenna pressed him against the floor. "We're already wed, you dolt. If those two children didn't convince you-"
She let out a breathy gasp, looking down at him.
"Well, that's one way to shut me up," she said, kissing him.
...
"We're needed downstairs," Francis told his wife when he entered their bedchamber.
She turned to him. "Why?"
"It's a surprise," Francis replied.
"For who?"
"Kenna," he said. "Bash and I have been planning something with Duke Beaton."
Mary smiled a little. "What?"
"A wedding."
"A wedding?" Mary repeated. "But they're already married."
Francis gave her a look. "And we all know how their wedding went down. I'm sure Kenna loves being reminded that she cried bitter tears and was held at sword point at her wedding."
"She deserves to remember her wedding with fond memories," Mary replied. "And would you look at that?"
"What?" Francis smirked.
"Your brother is such a romantic. Replacing horrid memories with sweeter ones," Mary said. "Today is their wedding anniversary - I need to get Kenna prepared."
Francis beamed. "One of the east wing bedchambers, there is a dress. Fetch her and get her in that dress and Bash and I will see you both downstairs."
Mary left a wide smile on her face. Long ago, she would have been angry, demanding that Henry never force one of her subjects and ladies to such a fate. However, Bash proved to be loyal and loving towards his forced wife and she felt nothing but happiness for the couple.
Her heart swelled with joy.