Recently moved into my new house share at uni and immediately crashed asleep because I didn't sleep for twenty-four hours due to packing last minute things. I know, I'm lazy but I've not forgotten about this story! Enjoy :)

Replies to reviews:

Guest (1) [chapter 28]: He is! And thank you :)

Guest (2) [chapter 28]: I will never stop this fic! I need my Frary goodness too haha. Thanks so much! :)

Guest (3) [chapter 28]: I know! They ruined such potential. IMO they should have at least kept him alive longer, given her a child by him and it would be way better. Season 3 and 4 were disappointing for me because both Frary and Kennash were over and it broke my heart. So much I refused to watch it and sobbed like a baby.

BlerBlerBler [chapter 28]: There will be more coming up soon ;)

Guest (4) [chapter 28]: I love the sister relationship between the girls! There will be more arguments coming up soon! :)

Guest (5) [chapter 28]: Anne is Francis's favourite because of the prophecy Nostradamus told Mary. He's linked to her in a way because the visions were of a James and an Anne. In a way, it came true but Rose is in the picture. Mary's favourite is Rose because she is timid and isn't as defiant and overconfident like her older sister is. Also, Anne tends to pick on Rose a bit so Mary will be slightly strict towards Anne than Rose. :)

Guest (6) [chapter 28]: Here is the next chapter! Enjoy :)

Francis's eyes fluttered open. It had been days and he was definitely feeling a lot better than he did when he kicked his family out of the bed. Poor Anne had resorted to sleeping beside Rose, not that the girls minded with their secret gatherings with Robin and John during the night with books and candles lit by the guards watching over them.

He yawned, turning to the window to see that it was nighttime. Everyone must have been asleep and now that he was feeling better, he felt lonely. He couldn't wake Mary up, she was pregnant.

His lips pursed in thought and he got out of the bed, refreshing himself in the bath before getting dressed into clean clothes and heading out of Anne's bedchamber. He gave the guards a knowing nod and smirk, hearing the not-so-quiet whispers of the children as they giggled about something.

Grinning, Francis went to the bedchamber he shared with his wife and retrieved his paper pad and pencils. He looked over to his sleeping wife and went to press a kiss on her head.

Mary's eyes opened slowly and a smile graced her lips. "You're walking."

"I am," Francis said, almost laughing. "I feel better. But you sleep, wife. I'll see you in the morning."

Mary nodded, puckering her lips so he could kiss her. When he was sure that she was fast asleep again, he grabbed his items and left the bedchamber, heading to Rose's.

He found the four children huddled over a book and he towered over them curiously. They started giggling, their whispers very loud in his ears as they spoke about a certain nature book.

"I wonder what it means!" Anne whispered. "I can't believe your mama had it in your parents' bedchamber!"

Robin quickly nodded. "She always hides it, but I sometimes see Papa read it when he's having his afternoon glass."

Francis's eyes widened and he swiped the book from the floor, four pairs of eyes looking up to stare at him in shock, guilt and slight happiness.

Anne was the first to recover as she said, "Papa! You're better now!"

"I most certainly am," Francis said, closing the book shut. "Where did you find this book?"

Robin's ears turned red. "In my mama's pillow."

"Dear God," Francis muttered. "Uh, who wants to draw instead? Yes, drawing seems very wise since you are hellbent on not sleeping like the rest of the castle is."

The children dutifully nodded, each grabbing items of paper and pens to draw. It gave Francis time to head outside towards Kenna and Bash's bedchamber. He felt awkward and embarrassed, coming to them at this hour with their book which they assumed remained under the pillow.

He knocked twice and the door was quickly opened. His eyes met Bash's and he cleared his throat.

"The children somehow got their hands on this," he said, handing over the book. He didn't want his nephew to get into trouble.

Bash frowned, eyeing the book. He took it, opened it and gasped. "H-How? W-We assumed that a servant picked it up as she changed the sheets-"

"What is it?" Kenna asked from inside, coming over to stand by her husband. Her eyes landed on the book and she gasped. "Don't tell me-"

"They were curious, alright," Francis said, blushing. "Small mercies that they didn't ask questions."

Kenna grabbed the book and flung it into an opened trunk. She shut it, locked it and sighed in relief, sitting on it after.

"Do you know how far they got to?" Bash asked.

"No. I didn't want to either," Francis told him. "What were you doing? You both don't seem as tired as I thought you'd be."

Bash grinned. "I was teaching her how to play cards. There is some wine involved, but everything is strictly innocent."

Francis smiled coyly. "Of course, it is," he said, tapping his nose. "Well, enjoy your cards."

He turned back around, hearing the door shut behind him. He let out a laugh and went back to Rose's bedchamber, seeing the children quietly drawing.

He sat on the bed and started to sketch them. Nights like these made him thank God for his children. Children were amazing in his eyes and he would never tire of them. He was glad that he was expecting his fifth child, he wanted hundreds if possible, the sound of feet pattering the grounds and laughter and joy spreading around.

"Are you drawing us, Papa?" Rose asked him, coming to sit beside him and look over his shoulder. "You're really good."

"Am I?" Francis asked, turning to smile at her. "Thank you, Rosie."

She gave him a bright smile and hopped back off the bed, her blonde hair flying behind her as she ran to John's side to see what he was doing. Francis would admit, he played favourites.

Anne was their intended child so he did pay her a little more attention than he paid her siblings. He adored James, his son and heir and he loved Rose, but Anne was his little Anne.

His eyes landed on Anne and she gave him a smile before returning to her picture. It almost made him cry, how she'd grown up. Six years of being her father made him so happy, he remembered when she came.

When she was in her mother's tummy, Mary couldn't get enough of duck feathered pillows, pomegranates, plums and strawberries too. Now, all of those fruits were Anne's absolute favourites.

Ah, Francis loved his Button who loved her midnight feeds. It was a name they'd left behind years back, preferring Annie as she grew into her own. But her nose did sort of look button-ish. He chuckled to himself, making the children turn to him in confusion.

"Are you alright, Papa?" John asked him.

"Yes, do you need to return to bed, Papa?" Anne asked as well. "Let me feel your head-"

Francis shook his head, his smile widening on his face. "I'm fine, my children. Keep doing what you're doing."

Diplomatic, greedy Button and surely enough, the girl could start a war and end it within seconds today. He loved her and he loved her siblings too. They were his perfect heirs. She belonged to France foremost, but she will always be Scotland's first princess.

He got up and left the bedchamber, returning to the one where his wife slept. When he arrived, he was shocked to see that the bed was empty. Rushing out, he asked the guards where she went.

"The lake, Your Grace," one said. "A few of us went with her."

"Why the lake?" Francis remarked.

The guard smiled. "Something about Scottish free spirts, Your Grace."

"Yes," another one piped up, much younger. "Many pregnant women go for midnight swims."

That gave Francis an idea as he looked down at his paper and pens. He gave the guards some coin and headed out. A horse was readied quickly and he made it to the lake, a few guards with their backs turned away from a naked Mary as she ran water through her long locks.

Francis was stunned, almost tripping himself as he dismounted from the horse. He composed himself, gave the guards a nod and walked up to the edge of the lake.

"Mary!"

Mary looked up and smiled at him. "Hello, Francis! Join me, the water is surprisingly warm!"

Francis shook his head. "You know what? Stay right there, my love. Let me draw you."

Mary blushed under the moonlight and nodded, giving him a pose. To her husband, she looked like a beautiful sea creature, her hair curled and dripping wet, her hands covering her bust and the other on her growing bump.

"Beautiful," Francis breathed out, his blue eyes transfixed on her. "Just stunning."

So he spent the rest of his night drawing his wife now that he felt better.