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

Ch 17 - Caring for the Caregiver

Henry was waiting for Catherine to make her way to the shop. It had been another quiet week with no signs of the visitors, so confidence in their overall safety had increased.

Francis had in fact left some time ago to provide a temporary reprieve and he estimated that his wife should be showing up any moment now. This had been happening more frequently lately and while he enjoyed it, this did concern him.

Unfortunately he and Francis had had to improvise with the wood they were using to feed their fire that day and the shop smelled rather unpleasant.

As if on cue Henry could heard someone approaching from the back of his shop and reasoned that it was likely Catherine.

He laid down his tools and began clearing a place at his workbench for the food and pulled a stool over for Catherine to rest on. Hearing the swish of her skirts rustling past the rear door he was abut to extend a greeting when her face turned, her eyes going wide and she bolted from the room.

Henry rushed after her and found her braced against the rear of the building and retching. Her package was tossed to the side a few feet away.

Moving to assist her he helped to keep her hair out of her face and then noticed that she seemed very unsteady. He used his one unoccupied hand to try and keep her from toppling to the ground.

When she was finished the look on her face was one of exhaustion and sadness.

Now even more worried Henry drew her over to a bench he had set up behind the building, hoping that the fresh air would assist in her recovery from the event. Moving inside to retrieve a moist cloth and something to rinse out her mouth he considered what he would say to her once she was recovered from the event.

The two remained silent even once he returned as she regained her equilibrium.

Deciding that he would have to be the one to break the silence Henry decided to try lightly scolding her. "I can only help you Catherine if you tell me when something is wrong."

Taking a breath and pausing before answering Catherine pursed her lips and her chest rose and fell as she considered her answer. She closed her eyes and replied earnestly, "I don't know Henry. Sometimes it seems as if I am fine, and then in the next moment I can feel tired, off balanced, or ill."

"While you are in town, perhaps you can stop in to see Nostradamus and get his opinion?"

Glaring at her husband briefly Catherine considered his suggestion. Though she was not one to admit defeat, her husband did have a point.

Nostradamus was the town's apothecary and the closest things to a physician as the village had.

His methods were at times unusual, and while other in the town distrusted him, Catherine found his methods intriguing as well as thorough.

Also she hadn't stopped in to see him in a while and was sure he would not mind a friendly visit.

"Very well Henry, carry on with your work here and I will go and see him."

"I would happily accompany you my love, I…"

"And that is where I draw the line Henry. I am feeling perfectly fine now, I assure you." She spoke over his protests.

Rising to leave Henry rose with her and as she went to pick up his abandoned lunch he lunged for it to try to get there before her.

Frowning and giving him a glare, she pursed her lips at his overprotectiveness.

Henry on the other hand used her pout as a perfect opportunity to sneak in a kiss.

"Henry! Now I know you have lost your mind after I just…"

"I am already well aware my love that I long ago lost my mind over you."

Her reaction was immediate, though she was still pouting, and he loved the look it drew onto her features, her whole posture softening at his words.

Though he did want to to go and see the apothecary, it suddenly became too great a temptation to turn her pout into a smile and so when he received the same reaction following his kiss, he continued to do so…again, and again, and again.

In between each kiss he made sure to look briefly for any change in his wife's reaction, and slowly but surely her reaction changed from one of an pout to a grinning school-girl.

"Alright Henry, enough," she finally said, pushing him away gently with her hands on his chest.

Henry took this as an opportunity to grasp her hand playfully and kiss the back of her hand as well before answering, "Of course my queen,"

Stepping back finally, Henry made a deep but awkward bow to her and retreated back into his shop.

Shaking her head, Catherine made her way around the building and on to her intended destination.

-/-/-/-

Catherine allowed herself a leisurely walk through town on her way to the apothecary.

She would come in to town no more than once or twice a week but rarely by herself.

Usually an outing like this was an adventure unto itself as the children were also quite excited to be getting away from the house and in to experience all of the sights and sounds on the village.

Internally Catherine laughed, thinking of how much more they would be in amazement if they ever were to see one of the bigger cities, never mind one like Paris.

She had that opportunity briefly when she was traveling with her uncle and once or twice before that when they had all gone with him on one of his trips.

She supposed such a place had its charms, but she much preferred the quiet life.

Passing several of the ladies on the way she made sure to acknowledge them, making small talk with those who were not in a rush and asking after those she knew were ill.

If there was someone a bit harder off than her own family she would occasionally bring dresses or additional clothing in with her too. She and Henry may have not had much extra, but she felt fortunate to have what they did and was happy to share when given the opportunity.

Finally making her way to the little shop that Nostradamus kept she breathed in deeply as we walked in.

The smells of herbs and tonics was strong, but comforting.

She did not immediately see him and assumed he might be in the back of the shop where it was sectioned off for examining patients.

Looking around to see if he had brought in anything new she throughly enjoyed the peace and quiet.

Maybe this was a good idea after all, if only for a moment of respite.

Nostradamus kept a soft chime that would ring whenever someone entered so shortly thereafter he came out, smiling as he recognized his visitor.

"Catherine, it is good to see you, and how may I be of assistance today?"

She drew herself away from her meandering and spoke of why she was there.

"I see," he said simply. "Well then why don't we see what can do about that," he finished, gesturing her into the back.

They chatted companionably as he examined her, eventually all requesting that she leave samples for him to analyze.

"You are welcome to stay while I test these, or you may come back later.

Appreciating the consideration, Catherine thought of all the things she might be doing for a moment before answering, "If you don't mind my friend, I have not seen you in a while and I would like to stay."

Smiling in response he answered. "Of course Catherine."

They continued on chatting while he worked. She continued her meandering around the back room this time until she heard him hum in the low gravely tone that was uniquely him, but even lower than usual.

"Catherine when was the last time you endured your monthly bleeding?"