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We're going to be going five years into the future. This was decided because of you guys and also, in celebration of the fiftieth chapter so the number five was fitting. Here are the children's new ages from eldest to youngest.

Anne (Francis and Mary's eldest child), 17th June - 12

Robin (Bash and Kenna's eldest child), 8th August - 12

Rose (Francis and Mary's second daughter and child), 25th May - 11

James (Francis and Mary's first son and third child), 30th January - 6

Anastasia (Bash and Kenna's second child), 13th February - 6

Lawrence (Claude's only child), 27th February - 5

Joseph and Peter (Francis and Mary's fourth and fifth children), April 1st - 5

Alexander (Bash and Kenna's third child), July 21st - 5

"I can't believe you got me pregnant again," Mary muttered, rubbing her stomach as she used her fan to blow away the heat.

It was incredibly hot for early August, a few days after their eldest nephew's 12th birthday and Mary shielded her eyes from the sun. She could hear the children playing around, playing fetch with Olly the Dog and Willow, Bash and Kenna's new French Spaniel dog they got for their son's birthday.

"Stop complaining," her husband said proudly. "You look beautiful. And you love being pregnant with my children."

Mary glared at him which made Francis grin even more before he turned to see their three youngest so far trying to lift a howling Willow off the ground.

"Put her down!" Francis told the boys. "She hates being picked up."

"Remind me why we're looking after eight children again?" Mary asked, blowing a puff of air from her mouth.

Francis turned to his wife. "Because you told Bash and Kenna to go to Portugal for some alone time when I told you not to," he said, chuckling. "I don't mind. I missed the children."

Mary nodded. "We barely see them," she said sadly. "Apparently, they're thinking of sending Robin to Scottish Court as my cousin's ward."

"I'm trying to sway Bash's mind into having him attend French Court instead-"

"He'll never go for it," Mary muttered. "Relations in France are tense. We must seek a stronger council."

Francis nodded. "I will start seeking the appropriate channels," he replied. "And what of England?"

"Everything is fine in England," Mary replied, shifting from her seat to stand. "It's too hot. Let's take the children and dogs to the lake."

Her husband got up. "A whole month of being away from French Court with days full of trips to the lake," he said with a wide smile. "Come on then."

Mary grinned and walked over to James, Joseph, Peter and Alexander. "Hold hands, boys! We're going to the lake to cool off!"

They cheered and formed a link as Mary took James's hand and then Alexander's hand. As the youngest in the family, Alexander was the smallest even though he was months younger than the twins. Mary had to help the child a little bit.

"Mama?" James called her.

"Yes, sweetheart?" She asked as they walked.

"Why is the sun hot?"

Mary looked over her shoulder and gave her husband an exasperated look. "I do not know, my darling."

"You must know," Joseph said, giving her a pout. "Why are the trees green?"

"Oh, Jesus Christ," Mary muttered but she was saved by her nephew coming over to them with Willow calmly in his arms.

"The trees are green because they contain something that is like a special drink inside them. It helps them eat, grow and stay healthy," he said, to put things simply. "I learnt about it during my lessons."

"But why do they need to eat, grow and stay healthy?" His younger brother asked.

Mary chuckled when her nephew pulled a face. "Let's leave Robin to go ahead of us," she said.

Robin sent her a grateful look, running to catch up with the girls and Francis with Anastasia on his hip. Mary chuckled, shaking her head as she looked down at Peter.

"You're awfully quiet, my sweet."

"I don't like the water," Peter whined. "Can I stay out of it?"

Mary sighed. "It's either stay in the shade and try and beat the heat or get inside the cool water."

"I want the shade," Peter told her firmly.

"Shade it is," Mary said. "I'll stay with you."

Francis turned back to look at her. "No, you go inside. I will stay out."

She gave him a thankful smile. "Papa will be with you," she told Peter.

"Alright, Mama," Peter said happily as they finally reached the lake.

They stayed at the shallow end, watching the girls and Robin dance with the dogs splashing all around them. Mary waded in slowly, bringing James, Joseph and Alexander into the water, their hands linked.

"Stay close to me, don't let go!" She said.

As time went on, she told the boys to sit down in the shallow end and they got to making mud cakes, putting rocks and pebbles in their messy creations. Mary took the chance to fully submerge her body into the water, sighing in absolute relief with her eyes closed.

The heat was unbearable, even the servants had taken to wearing lighter shades of clothing back at the house. If not for the children and the two governesses being off sick or on holiday, Mary was sure that she and Francis would be fully undressed on top of the sheets to cool down.

"I'm sweating like a pig," Francis called out to her, lifting Peter onto his hip and going over to the girls and Robin. "Keep Peter with you if you are not going inside."

"We're not," Anne replied, taking her little brother into her arms. "Come on, Peter! Let's dance!"

Francis smiled, pressing a quick kiss on Anne's forehead before joining his wife in the water, wrapping his arms around her waist. She leant back into his chest and smiled softly.

"Better?" He asked her.

"Way better," she mumbled tiredly. "The heat's doing a lot to me and this pregnancy... I don't know what to do."

"Don't worry," her husband said. "I'll take good care of you."

"You always do."

...

Later that evening, Anne snuck into her parents' bedchamber and found her mother awake, reading a book. She sat at the end of the bed and huffed loudly to gain the woman's attention.

"To whom do I owe the pleasure of having you join me, Anne?" Mary asked, amused.

Anne blushed. "I need to talk to you."

"Where's Papa?"

"Play fighting with the boys," she said. "Robin and Rose are helping the cooks make tarts for Auntie Kenna and Uncle Bash's return tomorrow evening."

Mary turned to her. "Since when?"

"Since the page told Robin as the man of the house," Anne replied cheekily. "Papa knows."

"Well, we must prepare for their arrival-"

"Before we do," Anne began, stopping her mother. "I need to tell you something."

Mary nodded. "Go ahead."

Anne blushed furiously, staring at her hands. "I'm... my... I-I-"

"Spit it out, sweetheart."

"I've started my monthly!" Anne quickly said, clasping her hands over her mouth in shock.

Mary gasped, her eyes watering. "Really?"

"Yes," Anne mumbled, removing her hands. "It's horrible and my tummy aches a lot and-"

She let out a squeal when Mary hugged her tightly, laughing through her tears.

"My daughter's all grown up!"

"I don't want to be!" Anne whined. "Monthlies are so horrible! All my friends have started theirs and complain and the rumours are true-"

"It means we can bear children," Mary cut her daughter off. "Wouldn't you want a baby one day?"

Anne scowled. "I would but why do I have to start my monthly if I'm not ready for a baby yet?"

Mary chuckled. "The woman's body is a mystery to me at times too," she replied easily. "We should celebrate. You, Rose and me. Oh, and Auntie Kenna when she returns. I doubt Ana would understand just yet."

"Is it really something to be happy about?" Anne asked quietly.

Mary nodded eagerly. "Definitely. You are blossoming into a beautiful, young woman. We're all proud of you. In fact, we should go to Sweden for a girls' trip away. Bring your aunts along and your girl cousins... Make it a big affair without pesky men to disturb us."

Anne giggled. "I'd like that, Mama. Thank you," she said. "Do I have to tell Papa?"

Mary shrugged. "If you want to but it's not something to be ashamed of," she said gently. "He will probably cry and bemoan the fact that you're getting older but he will still see you as his little Annie. His little girl. He's proud of you."

Anne's eyes watered and she beamed. "Thank you, Mama."

"You're welcome," Mary told her, wiping her tears away before cupping her daughter's cheeks. "I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. God, you're so beautiful."

"Stop," Anne said, blushing furiously. "I love you, Mama."

"I love you too, Annie."

...

At past midnight, Mary felt a sharp pain and she gasped loudly. Her movements and noise woke her husband up and he turned to her in alarm and concern. She gripped onto his shoulder and moaned.

"Mary, what is it?"

Mary's eyes stung with tears. "God's plan," she whispered sadly, pulling back the sheets to see her side of the bed bloody.

Francis sighed, sitting up fully to bring her frame to his. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine," Mary mumbled, pressing her face into his chest.

"Just... hold on to me as tight as you need to," Francis whispered, tears springing to his eyes. "Cry, scream, do what you want."

"We've been blessed with five children already," Mary began, her voice shaking. "I mean, our eldest has started her monthly, Francis."

Francis smiled sadly. "She has?"

She nodded against his chest. "She was so worried and upset about it but I calmed her down. I promised to celebrate with her."

"That's nice," he said. "Perhaps I'll see what I can get her for becoming a woman."

"We haven't lost a baby since our first..." Mary took a sharp breath, gripping onto Francis tightly. "I'm sorry."

"No, never apologise," Francis whispered, pressing a long kiss on the top of her head. "When you're ready, we can call for the nurse to check you over."

Mary sobbed and she squeezed her eyes shut, gripping onto his hand tightly. "John's christening. That was our first miscarriage," she continued. "I didn't want to ruin his day..."

"Don't think about that and you didn't," Francis told her gently.

"I did," she mumbled. "Because after, we weren't the same."

Francis nodded. "But that doesn't matter because here we are."

"Here we are," she whispered. "Anne, Rose, James, Joseph and Peter. They're so lovely, so pure and so happy... We did that."

"We did."

"And six might have been too much," she muttered, shaking her head with a sigh. "We're not your mother and father."

Francis smiled wryly. "We're not, no."

"Do you think that Claude will ever find someone else and give us another nephew or a niece?"

"I don't know," Francis replied. "She is happy in Scotland though and she said that a few nobles caught her eye but aren't too willing to take on Narcisse's son."

"Oh," Mary mumbled. "I didn't know. Perhaps she could visit. It has been five years since we saw her when we had everyone at Christmas."

Francis squeezed her forearm. "Life gets busy, my love."

"It really does," Mary said sadly. "We don't see Kenna and Bash that often. Claude is in Scotland. Greer and Aloysius moved to Norway. Lola barely even comes here from Italy... And John... We should tell the girls now about John's situation."

Francis looked down at her. "Are you sure?"

"I am. It's the right thing to do. They haven't seen him in four years," she said. "Everyone's busy."

Francis bit back a sob. "They are. But don't worry because everyone loves you and we'll get through this."

"Together?"

"Together," he promised, kissing her lips softly before getting out of their bed to fetch the nurse.

The second the door closed behind him, he sunk onto the floor and cried, covering his face.