Disclaimer: I neither own Reign, nor profit from this story.

Ch 16 - Such Joy, Such Trouble, Such Pain

Catherine and Henry eventually eased themselves down into simply holding each other for a short time and enjoying the quiet contact and soothing presence of each other.

They both began working in the kitchen to prepare dinner knowing that the children would be returning soon.

The comfortable silence continued for a time, both of them considering all they might be facing in the near future.

"Should we send her away?" Henry finally asked breaking the silence.

Catherine's heart constricted at the thought, but it had crossed her mind. "I would rather keep her close, Henry. We don't know what might happen without us there to watch over her."

"We don't know what might happen if she remains here."

Hesitantly Catherine offered, "We could always ask Diane to look after her. It might sully her reputation some, but better she be tarnished and safe.

Turning towards Henry she continued, "I have heard that each door to the girls rooms has a lock on it, and that she bolts the main door when they are not expecting guests."

Grimacing at the thought Henry answered, "perhaps, but only if there is no other option."

Not long after the children did return in force and Henry stood back as Mary stepped forward to take his place. He was well aware that she was much more skilled in the kitchen than he.

Normally Catherine would have objected, but as is dinner would be later than usual so she decided not to forgo the offered assistance.

Both Catherine and Henry remained tense throughout dinner. If the others noticed they didn't say so.

That evening as they laid dow to rest the silence remained.

At times the burden of being a parent was nearly unbearable, even when they shared it between them.

At times like these they would return to the comfort of their very first night, laying side by side, nothing but their two pinkies intertwined.

It was going to be a long night.

-/-/-/-

Henry could hear whispering through the haze of sleep.

Cranking open his eyes he tried to swim through the disorientation to figure out what was going on. He also heard Catherine stir beside him.

It didn't take long for a small face to pop up next to him, and the giggling only increased from there.

"There're awake!" a voice tried to whisper, unsuccessfully.

"Boys!" another unsuccessful whisper floated across the space.

The surprise clearly spoiled, Mary and Francis walked in to the room with breakfast in hand.

Both Catherine and Henry were now awake enough to begin sitting up.

Still trying to fully wipe the sleep from their eyes, Catherine grinned sleepily while Henry helped Margot up onto the bed with them, her arms pleading far too adorably to ignore.

"It seemed like you both could use the extra rest, so Francis and I have already finished the morning chores and decided to bring you breakfast in bed," explained Mary.

"Well aren't you two acting all grown up," praised Henry.

"We have learned from the best," said Francis.

Unfortunately the delayed morning meant that breakfast was a little more harried for Henry so that he could get to the shop on time, but he did his best to encourage Catherine to stay in bed a little longer.

They had decided that Francis should say home for a time in case the visitors came back, and that Mary should stay inside as much as possible.

Once the children left, as ushered out by the two eldest, he leaned over her still unfinished breakfast and kissed her sweetly on the lips. "Be careful today Catherine," he reminded her.

Humming her ascent, she for once did not protest as his comment, particularly as it was not really directed at her.

Mary had become as much a part of their family as any of their natural born children and it would tear them both apart if she left or was removed under duress.

They needed a third option.

-/-/-

Catherine and Mary were working on a thorough cleaning of the house, Catherine's way of trying to keep Mary inside without alerting her to the reasons for her motives.

They had been at it all day, and it was now some time after lunch.

Henry brought a lunch that did not need to be warmed with him today not wanted anyone to have to go very far if it could be avoided.

When Francis first heard the words 'thorough cleaning', he was more than happy to go outside with the younger children, but stay close enough that he could be called back at a moment's notice. Henry had discussed his concerns based on what Bash had relayed 'man to man' so Francis knew a bit more than Mary, but still not the whole story.

As the ladies were returning the furniture to its normal upright and ordered position, Catherine suddenly bent in half scaring Mary half to death, a grunt escaping her lips.

"Mother!" she called, loud enough that Francis rushed in not long after.

Waving her hands in an attempt to dispel their concern Catherine answered, "I'm fine." But the look on her face and the breathy quality of her voice spoke a much different message and the two eldest children were suitably concerned.

"Mother I am certain I can finish this on my own," Mary offered, knowing that Catherine would probably refuse, but felt she needed to try anyway.

"Please go and lie down, we are nearly done anyway."

Taking a deep breath, Catherine shook her head and walked gingerly over to one of the chairs already turned to rights.

"No, no. I'll just sit for a moment, I might have just pushed myself a bit too hard."

The expression on her face once seated was that of utter relief.

"I suppose my body began getting old and I just didn't notice." Looking up at them she could almost feel the worry coming off of them in waves. "I will be fine, I just need a moment."

Looking at each other with the exact same look of disbelief in their eyes, Francis and Mary decided to just play along for now. "Fine mother, we will simply leave you be for a moment and go and check on the children then," said Francis tugging Mary out the door as discreetly as possible.

Mary was about to protest until she saw the look on Francis's face.

Once they were several paces from the house Francis spoke first. "Mary, you are with mother more often than I am, has she continued to not feel well?"

Mary pursed her lips in frustration, "Off and on, but she insists that it is nothing, and it is not an illness I recognize so I haven't been able to convince her to do anything about it."

"Mmmmm," Francis hummed to himself.

"Well then we will just have to let father know and see if he can do anything about it."

"I will," Mary offered, "as you said I probably have seen more of her symptoms than anyone else. I will find time to speak with him tonight."

Not wanting her to be alone for long, Mary went back inside to find Catherine staring off into space.

She did not seem to be in pain though, so for now her worry was assuaged. But there was definitely something off, and Mary wanted to make sure they got to the bottom of it.

Walking over to the woman, Mary stepped behind her and began untying the ribbon which held her hair in place.

"Mary?" Catherine inquired, truly curious as to the reason for Mary's actions.

Mary began to broadly thread her fingers through Catherine's hair to loosen it from it's plait.

"While you may not think you are ill, you are clearly not feeling well."

Catherine opened her mouth in protest, but Mary cut her off.

"At least allow me to provide a little comfort while you rest. You often do the same to me, and I would like to return the favor."

Closing her mouth in defeat Catherine settled into her chair and allowed Mary to work through her hair, the gesture more soothing than was comprehensibly, and very much appreciated.

As the oldest of the children, and the eldest girl of the family, Mary and Catherine had developed a unique bond.

Though Catherine tried never to overburden her children, Mary was sometimes far too determined to keep Catherine from taking all of the caregiving responsibilities for the family.

She would make a good mother one day, but in the meantime Catherine truly enjoyed the bond they shared.