Disclaimer: I neither own Reign, nor profit from this story.
Ch 21 - The Ordinary and the Not-So-Ordinary
With this new news of another child, Henry began in earnest to finish the extra room he had been slowly building.
He tried to make a point of taking at least one full day off of work at his shop to rest from his normal labors and to open extra time with his family. This project had been labeled the 'men's' project by Charles and so with the help of Francis, Charles, and Little Henry the room had slowly but surely come together.
Thanks to the help of the little ones it had been coming together slower than what Henry would normally have accomplished but he didn't mind.
Now he wanted to get it done as quickly as possible and so he decided to put Francis and Bash's lessons on hold and asked them both to assist in finishing the addition.
Adding some practical strength training would also not hurt their progress.
In addition it looked like there might be a storm brewing over the horizon and he wanted to try and get the roof more suitably secured so that hopefully they would not have to wait to dry it out again.
Mary would periodically come out with refreshments and it was interesting watching the the three young people interact.
They were definitely all growing up, Bash of course even faster than his younger peers, but it was all the more clear in situations like these.
Though Henry would never desire to overtly direct any of their choices that inevitably came with growing up and becoming full members of the community, he would be very pleased if either Francis or Bash became interested in Mary.
Perhaps a bit more biased towards Francis for obvious reasons, but Bash would certainly be a good choice as well, his temperament pleasantly unusual for their time.
At one point they all got in a splashing fight with the water she brought out.
It reminded Henry of his youth, Catherine would even indulge him sometimes if he could convince her.
One day not far into their marriage he bad gone to pick up Catherine on his stallion.
She though him totally ridiculous for keeping it, at the back of the blacksmith's shop and covered only by a raised lean to against the building when it rained. He however insisted that she learn to ride, or at least to ride with him.
After riding with her a few time he had an idea for a saddle made to accommodate a women's dress, but that was a project for another day, and one which he intended to include his wife in the planning.
In the mean time he rode to pick up Catherine as she should be finishing up with her day time occupation and able to come with him. He had thought ahead and brought a cold dinner from the tavern so that they could stay out for a time and enjoy the weather.
With a look that spoke of both her amusement and her annoyance at his insistence, she mounted with him and then they were off.
When he had first brought her along on rides he insisted that she stay in front of him so that he could hold on to her. As they became more practiced though she decided that it would be far better to mount behind him as he had far better control and ability to maneuver without her in the way.
Today he planned to go down to the nearby stream, set out a blanket he had also packed and spend a leisurely evening with her.
He knew that there were chores to be done back in their little room, but they had both been working hard and he thought they could use a break.
They decided to settle near the edge where they could dip their toes in.
A good idea for sure and one which was mutually agreed upon, until Henry's foot came up just a little too fast out of the water and splashed Catherine.
To this day he would swear that it was an accident, and she would swear that it wasn't.
All things considered though, after that it was all out war.
First just with feet, then with their whole selves, Henry jumping in first with a great splash at which point Catherine was so drenched that she came in not long after him and they both wound up soaked from head to toe.
With the laughter that ensued an uninformed passerby might have thought they were still courting, a couple finding mischief with which to entertain themselves. Now in their mid teens they had grown up much in these last two years, and it was moments like this that made it worth it.
Catherine even allowed Henry a few kisses even in full view of anyone that might have stumbled their way.
Eventually making their way out they sat together on the bank, though drying off was not the exact aim as Henry had pulled her onto his lap and they remained there until the sun began to set.
His memory ending Henry once again noticed the young ones in their game.
He mad miraculously been kept out of it…at least until he felt a generous splash of water drip down his back.
Turning around he saw his wife grinning from ear to ear, bucket in hand.
Not wanting her to have all the fun, Henry grabbed her hand and pulled her into the middle of the game.
Giggling and squealing Henry and Catherine both fully joined in to the amusement of the three younger ones. It didn't take long for Little Henry, Charles, Mary, and Margot to join in either.
Elisabeth had held Hercule back and she and Claude were staying a safe distance away from the fray.
Another moment to be remembered, another moment to be thankful for.
-/-/-/-
Out of breath but still smiling generously the whole family tromped in to their respective rooms to change into dry clothing. Henry and Catherine changed separately, and Catherine first so that she could finish up preparations for dinner.
Henry meanwhile was sitting by the fire, perfectly content at his life and his family.
The children were changed and sent back out again, they each found toys near the hearth and began playing relatively quietly. Henry watched them affectionately and allowed them to pull him into their stories and games.
Dinner that night was a quieter affair although there was the occasional excited chatter as the afternoon was recounted.
Instead of regular lessons for the evening the children put on a small play. The older ones had crafted the script and found parts for each of the younger ones as well.
In it Mary and Francis were posed as the Dauphin and Dauphine of Francis given the chance to rule as the King and Queen were away on official business and had left the care of the realm in the hands of the next in line for the throne.
Most of the rest of the children played peasants, come to present their requests, though Charles played their lone guard.
Sometime near the end, Little Henry charged in supposedly intent on taking Mary and Francis hostage and leading a coup against the current ruling family. A massive battle ensued where Francis and Charles endeavored to fend off Little Henry and Claude, who had been roped in to playing a soldier as well.
In the end the Dauphin and Dauphine were kept safe and the traitors were taken away.
After a long round of applause and many bows, Mary and Francis approached Catherine and Henry to place their homemade crowns on their parent's heads.
Catherine smiled as she received her crown, while Henry first blushed at his.
Looking over at his wife however, his embarrassment turned to joy and a smile spread across his face as he saw her as he always did.
He was not lying when he said that he could so easily see her as a queen.
Grasping her hand Catherine looked over at him as he stood before her and then knelt down, kissing her hand.
"My queen," he stated unabashedly.
Now it was her time to blush, never really liking such attentions.
Rising herself and drawing him back up to standing, Catherine answered more in gesture than in word as her gaze held him as if under a spell.
"And my king," she returned his sentiment, drawing him down for a quick kiss on the lips.
By this point all of the younger children had gathered around them with all the excitement.
The shadows danced with the firelight as the whole family began chatting and giggling, enjoying the fun of the evening.
Though slightly embarrassed Mary and Francis both looked on with a smile of appreciation on their faces for the love and devotion evident in both of their parents for each other…each separately hoping that one day they might find the same.