Well, my Saturday was wild! Turns out, my brother's friends had a party planned for him so we ended up having two parties for the lucky idiot. He had three cakes, so many gifts that make me jealous, haha. We also went clubbing with a few of his friends and got back early Sunday morning (depending on when this is posted). I'm literally yawning as I continue to write this because I wrote it then added a few more bits and changed some bits. Anyway, enjoy the next chapter!

It's a bit short because I have a lovely little chapter that follows on from the end and I knew it would need some tweaking, but I still wanted to give you something! Enjoy!

Replies to reviews:

Guest (1) [chapter 24]: Haha, thank you so much! Planned the party semi-successfully, might be the last party I plan in a while because it is stressful af! Ooh, wonderful ideas ;)

elder441 [chapter 24]: Thanks! Enjoy the next chapter :)

BlerBlerBler [chapter 24]: Hehe, yes! Right now, they would be less as I've got plans! :)

Guest (2) [chapter 24]: He really does! I also need a Francis in my life. Recently newly single so gotta find me a Francis!

Before she knew it, Mary was back at Castle Barton, surrounded by her children. She had kissed them multiple times and hugged them tightly, promising to not leave as long as she did the next time but it was a much-needed break away from parenthood and her duties as queen.

She giggled when Rose plaited flowers into her hair and James reached up, trying to ruin his sister's hard work. She let it happen, he was a baby after all and Rose thankfully had the patience to redo what her baby brother had undone.

Anne was reading a book, laying over her legs as they lounged under the sun in the gardens. The weather was great lately, but Mary knew it would change sooner rather than later as she saw grey clouds litter the sky.

"Mama?" Anne called her, picking up her book and shoving it in her mother's face. "Can you read that word for me, please?"

Mary nodded and glanced at the word. "'Echelon'," she told her daughter before reading the complete sentence. "Is this book about me?"

Anne nodded. "Grandpapa Robert was teaching us about our Scottish ancestry," she told her mother. "Did you know your papa fought boars?"

Mary chuckled, shaking her head to a memory of Henry riding a boar through the halls and throne room. It seemed that both of their fathers enjoyed boar sports for some reason.

"No, I didn't."

"This book says that you are in the upper epsilon of society, being a queen," Anne told her mother.

Mary smiled. "I am the in the upper echelon of society and so are Papa, you and your siblings."

"Why?"

"Because our family rule Scotland and France," Mary explained. "Papa has France and I have Scotland and one day-"

"James will get both and be king," Rose said, cutting into their conversation. "Will I be a queen, Mama?"

Mary shrugged. "We'll see."

She looked around, noting that everything was peaceful. It was a Sunday after all and most were at Church or resting up after the long week.

She missed Francis. He'd joined the Beatons, Robin and Bash on their visit to the Church and she had to stay because her sickness had returned and the minute she stepped into the carriage, she threw up everywhere.

Not wanting to miss any time with their mother, her daughters pleaded to stay and she accepted, pressing more kisses onto their cheeks and heads.

"It's Robin's birthday soon," Rose piped up after a while. "Grandpapa Robert is getting him a boat named after him. I want a boat named after me."

"Wait until your birthday," Mary replied, amused. She fully knew well that they would be back in France by then so there would be no boats gifted to the princess. Perhaps jewels or clothing instead.

Mary laid back, letting James crawl off to Anne as she closed her eyes and sighed happily. She could live like this forever, no duties as the queen but only as a mother.

Her mind drifted back to her husband. In fact, it was his birthday soon. He and Robin shared the same birthday month and she wondered what he could do for him.

What could you do for the man who had everything and more already? What could you do for the man who gave you everything and more?

She shot up, turning to her children. "Girls?"

"Yes, Mama?"

"Do you like painting?" She asked them.

Her daughters' eyes sparkled.

...

Mary bit her lip, watching as her girls did the finishing touches of the mural on the wall of the bedchamber she shared with Francis. Mary knew that although Robert Beaton welcomed them into his home, he would be surprised to see a painting for a guest done in one of his chambers.

She hoped he wouldn't mind that much, he had been happy for the life the children brought to the castle.

"What do you think, Mama?" Rose asked, standing back with her paintbrush.

Mary looked down at her, stroking her hair before viewing the masterpiece before them. It was based on Francis's most prized horse, Leon.

"Who taught you how to paint?" Mary asked them.

"Governess Susanne," Anne replied. "She always lets us paint after our lessons."

Mary beamed. "I'm glad she does. You both paint like you are experts."

"Why, thank you, Mama," Rose gushed.

For the finishing touches, Mary placed her hand in royal blue paint, her husband's favourite colour, and pressed her hand against the heart of the horse. She then handed the palette to her daughters for them to repeat her action. She even lifted James onto her hip and dabbed his hand with the blue paint before sticking it beside Rose's.

"All done!" Anne announced. "Can we make lime pies for Papa now?"

Mary nodded, smiling. "You have learned an awful lot whilst Papa and I were gone, haven't you?"

"We were bored," Rose replied shrugging. "But now that you are back, we can go horseriding again!"

"Yes, yes we can."

Mary ushered the children into the bathroom, getting them to wash their hands in the basin. She was relieved that they hadn't stained their clothes, some paints were hard to get out of and she didn't want to inconvenience the staff.

"I'm happy that you are back, Mama," Anne said sweetly, hugging Mary's legs.

Mary bent down to kiss Anne's cheek. "I am happy that I am back as well, my darlings," she said, pressing another kiss to Rose's cheek before moving onto James's. "Come along now, let's go to the kitchens and politely ask the chefs if we can borrow their time to make your father some lime pies."