Here is the next chapter of Somewhere In Between, only one warning for sexual content.
Enjoy.
Free Again:
Do I have your attention?
Look what we can create
It will take your breath away;
Do I have your attention?
Now's our time to escape
Found strength to go our own way
Now we are free again, we are free again
-Free Again-Scary Kids Scaring Kids
"You know my dear friend it amazes me that just a month ago you were sobbing over this," Bishop Fisher began as he sat on the bed next to Sir Thomas' son, "and now you are summoned back to the Queen's bed and you seem so enthusiastic to perform this act that you want to make sure that you are making a good impression on her majesty."
A month passed and for the most part everything seemed to be back to normal. Harry treated him like a human rather than a dog. Part of him thought it was because they were in public but it didn't matter. He resumed his duties and continued his routines. Yet there were some things that were different. John moved to court with him and Alice and he finalized their divorce and….Katherine had not left his mind.
That morning he was summoned to Katherine's bed chamber and his anticipation for the event invaded his mind all day. He wanted everything to be perfect this time.
Sir Thomas dressed in only a black undershirt and black breeches walked into the room with two doublets in his hands. In his left hand was a plain black doublet. In his right hand was a doublet that was also black except it had gold trimmings.
"Which one should I wear?" Thomas said bringing the doublets into view.
"They are both black father," John snorted, "I don't see any difference."
Thomas couldn't help but chuckle as well. For the past couple of weeks he and his only son bonded in ways they haven't before. They went on long walks during the day when he had breaks. John would sit in his office reading books his father recommended him to read keeping him company. They told each other secrets as Thomas learned things he failed to recognized in his talented son, like he loved sports.
It was as if Thomas made a new friend. He regretted not spending this lost time with him till now when he was at a low point in his life.
"Does it matter," Fisher replied fiddling with the walking stick in his hands, "your clothes are going off anyway, why don't you just go like that?"
"I can't do that there are too many nosey people at court," Sir Thomas replied.
He walked over to his mirror which was about as tall as he was. He placed one doublet against his torso and then the other. Making humph noise he turned back to face his guests, revealing he chose to wear the more elaborately decorated doublet.
"I'll wear this," He said, "it has some variety."
He walked back out of view of the two men and went into his closet. He hung up the doublet he opted out of wearing before taking a deep breath. After swiftly putting his doublet on, his fingers quickly moved up the buttons. Half way up the rows of buttons he hesitated. He quickly debated whether or not he should button up all the way. He shrugged and fastened two more of the buttons leaving the top often revealing some of the skin. It was pointless to make too much of an effort since it was going off anyway.
"Sir Thomas," He heard Fisher say again as he reached for his hose, "wouldn't people be suspicious when Katherine becomes pregnant and you are officially made Duke of Surrey."
Sir Thomas took a deep breath and began to put on his hose. As soon as he got both legs in he jumped to get them high up his legs.
"Not really," He said as he tied the codpiece, "everyone knows I have been in Harry's service since he was 12." He paused to pick up his nether hose and boots and walked back into the room. He sat down next to John and began to put on the socks. "Not to be narcissistic and vain," he continued, "it was bound to happen eventually."
Bishop Fisher raised his eyebrow as he watched Sir Thomas put on his boots.
"I am hearing things?" He said, "I remembered you were ranting about being knighted."
Sir Thomas sighed as he got up. He patted his son on the head before walking over to Bishop Fisher. "Things change," Sir Thomas said thoughtfully as he knelt in front of his friend, "now would you give me a quick prayer before I leave for good luck?"
Bishop Fisher sighed as placed his hands on Sir Thomas' shoulders. "In the name of the father, the son and the holy ghost," The old bishop said in perfect Latin as the lawyer crossed himself, "may you in good will help this man in conceiving a child Amen."
"HOLY GOD!" Sir Thomas screamed as he released into the Queen.
It wasn't as enjoyable as he hoped it would be because Harry felt the need to watch them this time. He was strict when it came to the act. Sir Thomas was not allowed to touch her, to kiss her unless he was granted permission. He had to pretend his hands were bound together and a gag was placed upon his lips because the urge to touch Katherine was much stronger than it was last time. He was not allowed to be on top leaving all the work to poor Katherine who just finished making love to Henry moments before. And of course there was no foreplay it was down to business.
When they were finished Katherine rolled over and started gasping for air. Sir Thomas slowly sat up as Harry stood up and began to put on his breeches. The lawyer felt his heart sink knowing that he was getting ready to go to bed and he had to leave. With a heavy heart he lifted the covers.
"Stay right there Sir Thomas," Harry said putting on his robe, "I want you to stay the night she likes snuggling after making love and I liked it at the beginning of our marriage but like most things throughout my marriage it doesn't satisfy me anymore, good night Sir Thomas." And with a laugh he left the room.
The next thing he knew Sir Thomas knew Katherine fell into his arms and began to weep in his chest. Confused on how to handle a situation like this, he wrapped his arms around her and ran a hand through her hair.
Henry was happy to get that interference over with (even if it was going to result in him finally having a son). It gave him the rest of the night to spend some lost time with his mistress whom he claimed to be madly in love with Anne Boleyn. The two of them of spent three months of passionate love making before Anne left for six months without an explanation. It was only recently that she returned. Henry did have a round with her before he had to make his contribution to the Secundas Abbas clause, lying afterwards he had to do his evening prayers and go to confession.
He told her it would be a nice surprise that she'd be naked when he returned. Henry took a deep breath and opened the door shutting it quickly behind him. He gasped there was no way he was prepared for the sight in front of him.
Yes she was naked as expected but in her arms was a sobbing newborn baby. She was cooing her by humming a soft tune and rocking her back and forth. The king's eyes widened. This was why she was gone….SHE WAS HAVING HIS CHILD!
"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!" Henry finally screamed.
Anne snapped her head up and looked at him in concern. She didn't want Henry to find out….like this.
"Henry," she said, "I was going to tell you but at a different time…..I know this is a shock but I didn't-"
"GET OUT!" Henry just growled.
And without word or objection Anne scurried into the next room. The moment the door shut Henry began to sob. Burying his face in his hands, he collapsed to the floor. He was finally given a chance to have a boy (in a desperate way) and now he was in this mess. Oh he had a cursed life indeed.
Sir Thomas did not sleep that night. He just sat in a wooden chair by the Queen's bed watching her as she slept. He stared with careful eyes as if he were protecting her from an enemy who would want to smother her in her sleep. She would need protection in the next coming year especially if she was going to be carrying his child.
He was much more fertile than Harry. It would be treason to say it to the king's face but the facts said otherwise. Joan may she rest in peace was pregnant four times. All four pregnancies came to term despite John's birth resulted in her death. All four children made it to adulthood. Harry had bad luck with Katherine's many failed pregnancies that resulted in a son that died after 52 days of life and one daughter healthy but with some ailments. Harry did have an illegitimate son as well named Henry Fitzroy, but he was just as sickly as his deceased uncle Arthur. An embarrassing fact that the King's tutor had a better seed than the king himself.
Which was how Sir Thomas would know that the future King of England was his. If this pregnancy came to term and the child was healthy it was his boy or girl, he couldn't be too confident on the gender.
But whether or not the future heir was his or Harry's he wondered how Harry would treat Katherine once his son was born. Would he still be cold and callous like he was now? Or would he suddenly love her again? A superficial love over a minor detail.
Sir Thomas sighed and folded his hands on his lap. He began to wonder what his future child would be like. Would he or she have his dark features? Or his or her mother's exotic Spanish features? Would he or she like music and literature or like to play sports? Would he or she have his wits or his or her mother's kindness? The many questions he wondered before his four beautiful children were brought into the world.
Except now new questions added into the mix? If Katherine did give birth to his second son, what would he be like as a leader? Would he be fair and just or something close to a tyrant? Would he fund wars or would he fund the arts, education and various other things that could enrich the minds of the Englishmen? Would he fall to heresy or be a strong defender of the Catholic faith?
He closed his eyes for a moment and saw his future son's coronation. His child sitting in the saint Edward's chair, scepter in his left hand and orb in the other. He would sit up tall in his finest robes. He had a clear picture of his face. He had his mother's sincere grayish blue eyes and his father's confident smile.
Only he wouldn't know which father he got his smile from. At the thought Sir Thomas sighed sadly. No one would ever know that he sired such a beautiful boy.
With the sad thought in his mind he closed his eyes and tried to go to sleep.
Another month passed, and the Queen began to show sure signs of pregnancy. She woke up every morning with sickness. Her stomach slightly began to swell. She even began to crave various fruits such as grapes and peaches. The oh so familiar signs Sir Thomas remembered when Katherine was pregnant many times before. It was a matter of time before it would be announced that she was indeed with child…..his child.
On an abnormally warm October morning Sir Thomas arrived at his office with a note on his desk:
My dear Sir Thomas,
When you have a moment I would like to see you in my office. I have some news to share with you and I believe you should be the first one to receive it before it goes around court. I hope to see you soon.
Henry "Harry" Rex Tudor
A smile grazed upon the lawyer's lips. Katherine was indeed with child.
Katherine smiled happily as she laid herself down in the garden blooming with Fall flowers. The sunlight touched her forehead as the smell of fresh flowers filled her nostrils. She hadn't had this feeling in years. The feeling of having a child growing inside her. She placed her hands on her stomach tBHHHHhat began to swell. She marveled at the feeling that life was growing inside there.
She was positive that his pregnancy would be successful this time. The last time she had such positive thoughts was when she was carrying Mary. Oh she still remembered her birth vividly. She was and still continued to be a beautiful little girl.
Katherine didn't care what the child's gender would nor did she care about who his or her real father was. Whether it be her athletic, charming, brave yet stubborn husband Henry or the brilliant, pious and kind Sir Thomas Moore. All that mattered now was she still had the ability to bear children, to make Henry happy. That she wasn't the barren whore that everyone thought she was. She had hope now, a plethora of it.
"I believe a congratulations are in order," That oh so familiar strong intelligent voice said. Katherine sat up and saw Sir Thomas grinning from ear to ear. "Harry just told me the news so I thought I would express my joy in person."
With joy Katherine leaped to her feet and wrapped her arms around Sir Thomas' neck. She wept in happiness into his chest.
"Thank you," She whispered into his ear, "you gave me back my hope I will never forget that."
Next Chapter: Rebirthing.
Summary: The Princess Mary Tudor is told of her mother's current pregnancy but like the rest of the court has some suspicions as to how Katherine suddenly became Pregnant. Sir Thomas is elevated to Duke. We learn more about Henry and Anne's illegitimate daughter as Henry and Anne confront each other again and a hell of a lot more drama where that came from.
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