April 12 1538
Princess Mary
Mary had long ago given up hope about having her own child. She have begun her lying in a little over a month ago, Anne had come to be with her even though she was now six months along in her own pregnancy. Her father had requested she return to court before her lying in so she could have access to the doctors and midwives used by the Queen on her last two pregnancies. Mary had only chosen a few ladies to stay with her besides the Queen in her birthing chamber because she had felt a little claustrophobic with so many people in one room.
Catherine Parr had been made Mary's principle lady in waiting and become like a older sister to Mary. Mary had remembered Catherine's mother being one of her own mother's ladies in waiting. That connection had helped cement their strong bond. Mary was restless on the night of the 12th of April, she couldn't get comfortable when she slept. The little one inside of her kept kicking her, and it made it nearly impossible to get any rest. Anne awoke in the middle of the night to hear Mary's soft whimpers so she got up in the bed with her stap-daughter and held her stroking her hair. She sang softly to her to help her relax.
"Anne..." Mary whispered. "Yes, sweetheart." Before Mary could answer to screamed out in pain. Her contractions had started earlier in the night and suddenly were quite intense. Anne and Catherine were the only ladies Mary allowed to stay with her, she sent Lady Bridget Wyatt to go inform her husband and father that she was in labor.
Mary squeezed Catherine and Anne's hands hard as she pushed, the pain hurt so badly. She didn't know how Anne could have done this three times and yet still wanted to go through it again. Suddenly she had heard the faint cry of her baby, she so wanted to see the child but felt another sharp pain. Anne had looked at her, and told her to breathe that is seemed like Anne a few years back that Mary too was going to have another child. A few minutes later the second child was born. Mary was exhausted to the point she passed out. The babies had been taken to be cleaned and looked at while the doctor rushed to check on Mary. Her vital signs were weak, he worried about her recovery. Anne ordered Catherine to go tell the men outside what was going on but not to disclose the children's genders, that was for their mother to do. Anne held her step-daughter close and told her she would be okay.
Henry and Henry were asked by the doctor to stay outside the chambers for a few hours, Mary needed time to regain her strength but Anne never left her side. When Mary awoke she had not remembered that the second baby had happened, and was quite surprised when Anne mentioned how both her children were strong and healthy and their father was waiting to meet them.
Anne told Mary she would be right back and went to let them know they could see her now. The midwives had returned and brought Mary her children. She looked down at the beautiful little faces. Her father came in first followed by her husband. Anne looked up at Henry smiling when he noticed he was the proud grandfather of twins.
Prince Henry walked to his wife and asked what they God had blessed them with. Mary first showed him her daughter. "Husband she said, this is our daughter Princess Katherine Anne." Mary then explained how without Anne by her side she did not think she would have made it today so she decided to honor both her mothers. She showed Prince Henry his son and asked him what they should name him.
Prince Henry looked closely at his infant son in his arms. "Louis, we shall name him Louis". Prince Louis and Princess Katherine Anne of France. A messenger was sent immediately to France to announce the birth's of the new additions to the royal family.
Mary and Henry were left alone to be with their children, and King Henry led his wife back to her chambers.
Katherine Howard
Katherine was turning 16 soon, and her cousin Queen Anne had made her a perfect match. His name was William Hartford, one of the king's gentlemen of the privy chamber. He was eighteen and one of the kindness men Anne had every met in court. They were to be wed soon, and given their own small apartments at court to share as man and wife. While the Queen was in attendance to her step-daughter's confinement most of her own ladies had been given leave to return home for a time being. Katherine had been sent to Hatfield to wait on the royal children. While with the children, Katherine felt at home and loved to be in the presence of the children. Princess Elizabeth was so intelligent and creative. The almost two year old twins made the room light up with their precocious nature. And the one year old Charles had just learned to walk, Katherine enjoyed so much watching Charles toddling about so proud of himself as he tried to catch up to Katherine and Arthur. She tried to remember her own childhood and couldn't recall anything about it. It was like her life started the day she came to court to serve as her cousin's lady in waiting.
Jane Seymour
It had been almost two years now since she had been banished from court. And she finally felt whole again, she no longer felt an uncontrollable hatred for the Queen or any desire to be Queen. She loved her life at the nunnery but wanted more, she wanted to have a child and be a wife. Her friend Elizabeth had agreed she was no longer a danger to the royal family or herself and had written to the King and Queen about her progress. She had gotten a very heartfelt letter from Queen Anne allowing her to leave and wed but was still never to be welcomed back in court. Not for fear of her but because Anne had known that caused nothing but heartache for her. Elizabeth had been instructed to send word of any marriage contracts for Jane because she was the only one known to care for Jane's own well being. The King would had would review these proposals and with help from Anne and would choose a suitable match. The stain of Jane's past had been wiped clean with a declaration by Queen Anne describing how her brother Thomas Seymour and manipulated her into such actions. Anne felt the rest of the Seymour's reputation, the little that it as shouldn't be further tarnished by blaming them for the past. It was done and over and all should be allowed to make peace with it and move on. The Seymours were grateful for this forgiveness by their Queen. And Jane had something to hope for once again. Two suitors had made themselves known, a Sir Walter Howard and Sir George Hartford. Today an messenger arrived with a letter from the King stating a decision had been made about her marriage, and Jane was set to wed George Hartford in a month's time. George was a kind and caring lord and had showed great compassion for the pain and troubles this young lady had been put through by a horrible brother.