Replies to reviews:
elder441 [chapter 42]: I am happy too :) Catherine has no ulterior motives, she just has to accept Mary after years of knowing her at this point. Here is the next chapter, and no worries!
BlerBlerBler [chapter 42]: I am so glad as well! More of that in this chapter :)
Guest (1) [chapter 42]: Thank you! No problem :) Here's the next chapter. And the girls make a cheeky appearance but next chapter will definitely be some Frary/children goodness!
Guest (2) [chapter 42]: Yes, poor Mary. We forget that she is human and makes mistakes and feels judged ever since she married Francis. We all feel sorry for her now but definitely not as much as we do for Francis.
Mary entered the children's chambers, hearing the doors lock behind her. She walked through the second set of doors, the dresses in her hands as she saw her daughters wide awake on the bed, Anne plaiting Rose's hair as they spoke about their imaginative garden tea party. It will be a while until any of them would be allowed outside.
"Mama!"
Mary smiled, coming over to stand at the end of the bed. "Your grandmother gave me these to give to you both. Only the best for her granddaughters."
The girls scampered on the bed, reaching out to take a dress as the smaller one went to Rose and the slightly bigger one went to Anne. They pressed the dresses against their chests and modelled it for each other, excitement laced in their quick words about where and when they'd wear it.
"It's only for special occasions," Mary told them. "But you can try them on if you want. To see if they fit?"
"Yes!" Anne said, getting off the bed to run behind the screen.
"Mary? Is that you?" The Queen heard Kenna call out.
Mary turned, excusing herself from the girls before heading into the nursery to see Kenna rocking one of the twins. She smiled softly, taking a seat beside her on the chaise and peeking over to see her fourth-born still awake.
"He's not settling," Kenna explained. "I had the older children go to the chamber bed instead to give the babies some peace."
"May I?" Mary asked, her arms going out.
Kenna nodded. "Of course. He might sleep better in his mother's arms," she said, handing the boy over to Mary. "Where have you been?"
"I took some time for myself," Mary said.
"After?"
"Catherine cornered me."
Kenna rolled her eyes. "What did she want? To slap you silly again?"
"No, we made peace."
"Pardon?"
Mary laughed wryly. "I know. Lord knows why, but we see each other differently. For Francis, for the children, for France."
"T-That's good."
"It is."
Kenna smiled softly. "Mary, I'm staying. We're staying."
Mary gasped, a hand reaching out to grip one of Kenna's hands. "You are?"
"Yes," Kenna confirmed. "My beloved husband signed an edict from Francis."
"An edict?" Mary breathed out. Francis came through. "Kenna, I am so happy."
Kenna laughed. "I know you'd be. You know, you should use this as a chance."
"A chance for what?"
"A chance to reconnect with Francis. I doubt anyone would be willing to let the King of France roam the castle halls rather than contained to prevent infection," Kenna replied. "France has just got her king back, she doesn't want to lose him."
Mary looked down at the baby in her arms and saw that he was asleep. "Neither do we."
"What are you going to do?"
"I haven't written in my diary in a long while," the queen said. "But that has given me an idea."
Kenna smiled. "A love letter?"
"How are you in my head?"
"I love love," Kenna said happily. "I know most things about love and... sometimes I just know."
Mary blushed. "Well, yes. A love letter."
"Mama!" Rose called out, running up to her with a letter in her hand. "It's for you!"
Mary furrowed her brows and collected it, seeing that it was Francis's hand that had written her name on the folded paper. She wondered what was inside and gently coerced her sleeping baby into Kenna's arms before standing up and heading over to the window for some slight privacy.
She opened the letter and began reading it.
'Dearest Mary,
Over the years, our marriage has gone strength to strength until of late. We've found ourselves pulled at different directions, leading to consequences out of our control. Despite that, every storm we go through, I always know we will come out of it and this time is no different. I tell you this all the time, but recently it has not been said as much. I love you, Mary. I need you to know that. Perhaps, I have chosen the right people to have on my council of trusted because at this moment, France is in the best hands as I retreat to focus on our family and most of all, you. The plague could not have come at a better time to enable us to spend time together as a family. However, I think it is unfair of me to want to only be with you for now as I have spent most of my hours running after our daughters and reading to our sons. We could split the time, our marriage is just as important as raising our children and I would not want them to be confused as we have told them that we are separated. We will see. Meet me in James's bedchamber in forty minutes.
Love, Francis.'
Mary smiled to herself, turning away from the letter to see Rose cooing over her sleeping sibling in her aunt's arms. She didn't need to worry, the children's bedchambers and nurseries were connected, so she didn't need to have the door unlocked to leave.
"Kenna, do you mind looking after the kids for a few more hours?" Mary asked her. "There are some things I need to sort out."
"Like what?" Kenna asked knowingly.
Mary blushed lightly. "A bath. F-For myself. I've had a long day and I realised that I haven't even had a bath this morning. Oh and that letter. I need to do that."
"Is the letter the only thing you're going to do?" Kenna asked coyly, making Rose turn to her.
"I might not even get to the letter," Mary replied with a smirk. "Do you mind?"
Kenna rolled her eyes playfully. "I don't. At this rate, I am a glorified nanny."
"Awh, don't say that," Mary told her, coming over to brush her finger over her cheek. "We will pay you with lands and lace."
"Ha!" Kenna squealed out.
Mary laughed, going through the doors behind the chaise and locking them. She then continued on through the bedchamber, ending up at the next set of doors. She opened them and found James's bedchamber empty.
He did say forty minutes.
Taking the pins out of her hair and locking the doors behind her, making sure the secret door was unlocked, Mary headed to the silver tub behind the screen.
It made life easier for the governesses, James always mortified to be taken out of familiar surroundings so they ended up bathing him in a more comfortable setting. It also made life easier for Mary and Francis who sometimes spent their nights preparing the children for bed when they could. Separately though until now or whenever they could fix things properly.
Mary found the tub empty and she figured that there would be no point in calling for servants to run her a bath as word could get out quickly about a secret meeting between the 'feuding' couple.
So she did things herself. If you want something done well, you do it yourself, she thought to herself, rolling up her sleeves.
...
By the time she was done, Mary had laid the table with food and wine. She also had the bath drawn which was piping hot and had tea prepared in case it was too indulgent of them to have the wine. She had been drinking a lot so she figured she would stick with the tea instead.
Her head was still sore from her little episode earlier but the effects of the wine were going away. She rubbed at her neck, feeling it stiffen and she wanted nothing more than one of her husband's special massages but she wouldn't ask.
She was doing this for him.
He gave and she took, rarely ever giving back and that was not how she wanted nor saw her marriage to be. It stung, the realisation of her selfishness and his need to make everyone happy affecting their marriage negatively.
"Mary?"
"Francis," she breathed out, seeing him step through the secret door.
Francis closed it behind him. "I wasn't sure if you would get it. You seem to disappear at the most peculiar chances."
Mary chuckled softly. "I was ambushed on my way to the children. Your mother and I came to an understanding."
"Oh, did you?"
"Yes," Mary said, gesturing for him to take a seat at the head of the table where a full plate was laid out. "We have an agreement that I wish to uphold."
"What is it?" He asked, sitting down.
Mary shook her head, taking a seat beside him. "I can't tell you. It is between your mother and me."
"Very well," he said. "You did all of this for me?"
She nodded happily. "I want to try, Francis. Am I allowed to be selfish and ask that you are remaining contained until the plague passes?"
"You are," he confirmed, kissing her softly. "Bash and Leith are my eyes, ears and hands until it ends. I want to be with you and our children. I want to reconnect as a family. We've been apart from each other for so long... I was almost afraid the children wouldn't even remember me."
Mary cupped his cheek. "I told them stories every night. I had your portrait in their necklaces done. One of my cousins does jewellery making in his past time, he did them as gifts for the children."
"The little things you do for them... All the meaningful and wonderful," Francis said.
Mary's eyes fell. "But I can never get it right when it comes to you. I want you to take the lead, I need you to take the lead."
"Mary, marriage goes both ways-"
"I know, but I need to start thinking for us and not my own personal gain," she said, cutting him off gently. "I will be your queen and I will always listen to you unless you ask for my counsel."
Francis sighed. "Mary, the reason we worked so well in the past was that you gave your counsel without the need for consent. Everyone needs to realise that you are their queen, you have opinions, you help me and them."
"I was starting to think that I was some glorified breeding mare," Mary said lightly. "I know I've hurt you and I will spend forever making it up to you."
"You don't have to. I am a king, I do not need to be made up to."
"There you go, putting others before yourself. Francis, please," Mary begged him. "Let me try at least. Marriage goes both ways, as you said."
Francis brushed her hair from her eyes. "God, I love you."
"It comes easier to say now, does it?" She asked breathlessly, her eyes lowering down to his lips.
"So much easier now that you're real and in front of me and not a figment of my mind or someone to blame," he replied quietly.
Mary swallowed deeply, kissing him softly. "I'm sorry," she whispered, placing another kiss on his lips. "I'm sorry."
"Mary..." He said, his words silenced by another kiss.
"I'm sorry." Another kiss.
"Mary-"
Another kiss. "I'm sorry."
This time he didn't say anything as he pressed his lips to hers before she could get there first. His hand pressed her neck closer to him so he could deepen the kiss as his other hand got to work, undoing her laces single-handedly.
"Hmm," she mumbled, pulling away and stopping him. "I need a bath. You should eat."
"Well, what a coincidence? I've eaten and I need a bath as well."
Mary giggled, undoing her laces and taking her clothes off. She kissed his lips and helped him with his own clothes before pulling him to the tub.
He got inside first, hissing at the hotness before he relaxed. She got inside and seated herself in front of him, resting her back on his chest. His arms wrapped around her chest and he kissed her neck, his eyes closing as he inhaled her scent as well as the lemon in the water.
"It's been a while since we've done this," he mumbled.
Mary nodded sadly. "I'm sorry."
"Stop."
"I'm sorry," she repeated, a sob escaping her lips as she bowed her head.
Francis sighed, opening his eyes. "Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots and France, and my wife... stop apologising otherwise I will..."
"You will 'what'?" Mary asked, laughing slightly as she wiped her tears and turned her head to the side to look at him.
He smirked. "I will tickle you."
"You wouldn't dare," she breathed out, kissing him.
"That won't stop me," he said, his fingers quickly attacking her hips.
She squealed, the water splashing out of the tub as she jolted and laughed, her head going back as her eyes closed. She pushed his forearms, his fingers leaving her sides as she sighed in relief.
"Fine," she whispered. "I'll stop apologising."
"Thank you."
"For now," she finished.
Francis playfully glared at her but rested his forehead on the side of her head, rocking her slightly, his arms over around her shoulders. He closed his eyes and yawned, feeling tired.
"Are you tired, Francis?" Mary asked him.
"No," he lied, kissing her cheek. "I want to spend time with you. I'm sure the children could hear us, I hope not."
Mary smiled wryly. "It's alright if you want to sleep. I will sleep beside you."
Francis nodded. "I... I don't sleep properly. Not since... Not since you left for Scotland."
"Oh."
"I have nightmares. I check in on the children... I stay up and sort out plans and deals and other things," he told her.
Mary shifted so she was now on the other side of the tub and could see him better. "Talk to me."
Francis swallowed deeply and nodded. "I feel trapped. Like I can't do anything right. I feel like this isn't my body. Like I am watching myself from an outsider's view. A bad king and an even terrible husband."
"Don't be stupid," Mary said firmly. "You are the best thing to ever happen to France, to me. It isn't easy, I know. But if there is one person I know that can get through this, that is you. You are a king, the best king I know. In less than a decade, you have made France better than your father ever did in however long he ruled for. Do not ever put yourself down. You're a better king than I am for Scotland. I've failed since the day I became queen."
Francis watched the tears slide down his wife's cheeks and he reached over, brushing them away. "You can't blame a baby for not being able to rule a government."
She laughed, wiping her nose as he laughed too. "Imagine that. A baby giving orders. I hope the government brushed up on their baby language."
Francis sighed wistfully. "We should have that nap, I am feeling quite tired."
Mary got out first, collecting her robe and putting it on before she got a towel for her husband. She waited patiently as she watched him get out and when his feet reached the ground, he swayed a little before shaking his head and snapping back to reality.
"You must be really tired," she stated, giving him the towel and heading to the table to drink some tea that had gone cold.
"Yes," he mumbled, turning to use the tub edge as support.
He felt light on his feet and his eyes closed slowly before opening and closing slowly again. Then he collapsed and saw black.
Mary froze, slowly turning to see Francis slumped by the tub. Her heart dropping, she rushed over to him and shook him.
"Francis? Francis!" She cried out, looking around for help. "Francis, wake up, my love. Please..." She sobbed, cupping his cheeks.
She gasped when she saw blood starting to slide down from his nose and used the towel to dab at it just as his eyes opened in confusion. She hugged him tightly, crying into his shoulder.
"Mary? What...?"
"You fell down," Mary sobbed. "You were going to leave me."
"Leave you?" He mumbled, closing his eyes to shield them from the light. "I'll never leave you."
Mary sniffled. "Do you want to stand up?"
"Yes," he said, sitting up as she helped him stand. He didn't bother covering up as she led him to the chaise. It was big enough to sleep on and extra big enough for two to sleep on as the only bed item that was in this bedchamber was James's cot.
"I felt dizzy," he said as Mary helped him get dressed. He took over in wiping his nose and winced. "Must have hit my nose on the tub."
Mary nodded. "It's starting to bruise," she told him. "I will call for Nostradamus-"
"Mary-"
"What if you collapsed because of something serious?" She asked her husband frantically. "I can't lose you, Francis. Please, seek some medical attention!"
Francis cupped her cheek and nodded. "Call for him."
...
"He needs rest," Nostradamus concluded.
Bash and Catherine rolled their eyes, giving Francis pointed looks as he shied away from their gazes. It made Mary laugh as she played with his hair and kissed his hand.
"What have I been telling you, Francis?" Bash said. "I am not sympathetic at all."
"I agree with Sebastian, for once," Catherine added, crossing her arms. "Oh, Francis, I cannot believe you!"
"And look what you've done to yourself," Bash told him. "Your nose was your best feature."
Francis laughed. "I need you both to leave now."
"It's going to be crooked now," Bash continued. "You'll be known as the 'King With The Crooked Nose'. Not a nice moniker."
"Bash..."
"I'm leaving. But in all seriousness, try and not collapse on us anytime soon."
Francis nodded. "I won't."
Bash left and Catherine took his spot. "Dehydration, lack of sleep, lack of sustenance and lack of common sense!" She said, hitting her son's arm.
"Mother!" Francis cried out.
"The second I heard that you were bleeding, I thought you were dying!" She said, tears springing to her eyes. "It turns out you were stupid and not looking after yourself properly. Then again, it is the servants' faults and I will be speaking to them about this! This wretched plague... Dear God, what are we going to do with you?"
Mary turned to Catherine. "He will be fine. I will look after him."
Catherine wanted to say something snarky but she stopped herself. "Very well. I will return to my chambers. But any-"
"We will call you if he gets worse," Mary said. "And he won't so do not worry."
"My son's life is in your hands," Catherine finished, pointing at Mary and Nostradamus before she left.
Mary turned back to her husband. "I love you, Francis."
"I love you too, Mary," he said, turning to give Nostradamus a thankful smile. "If that is all, do you mind excusing us?"
Nostradamus smiled knowingly. "Of course, Your Majesties. Rest well. I will check on you tomorrow morning."
"Thank you," Francis told him, the couple watching him leave. He turned back to his wife. "Now that they're gone..."
Mary blushed. "You're up for that? Surely you must rest."
"I believe my wife can help me in more ways than one," Francis said, his lips attacking her neck as she moaned in pleasure.
Mary bit her lip. "Francis..."
"Mary..." He said, against her skin. It made her shiver and he smirked.
"Fine," she relented, bringing his lips to hers as her fingers found his hair.
"Papa, Mama!"
"Oh for the love of-"
"My sweetlings!" Francis said, turning away from Mary just in time to catch his daughters in his arms. "Mama and I were just talking about Rose's birthday."
Rose gasped. "Really?"
"Yes," Mary said, playfully rolling her eyes. "We can't tell you anything though."
"Don't worry, Rose. At least we know what we are going to wear!" Anne told her sister. "Mama, Papa, come and play with us!"
Mary sighed, giving Francis a forlorn look. "Can you give Papa and me a few minutes?"
"You have five minutes," Anne told them. "Come on, Rose! Let's annoy Auntie Kenna."
"Uh oh," Francis said as the girls ran off. "Anne's a little devious girl isn't she?"
Mary laughed. "We'll deal with that later," she told him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "She's given us five minutes."
"Are you sure that's enough time?"
Mary batted her eyelashes. "It will never be enough time, but we have a lifetime together to make up for it," she whispered, kissing him deeply.