July 1538
Queen Anne
Anne felt like she had been pregnant forever this time, she was ready to give birth and get back to her life. She missed the Princess Mary with her this time, but she had been back at Ludlow with her husband, Princess Katherine Anne and Prince Louis. Lady Katherine Howard and her sister Mary were her two comforts this time. The rest of the royal children had been brought to court at the beginning of the week to allow the new child to be introduced and Henry had missed his children. Anne had heard from George that Jane was pregnant again and due around December.
Before the day was over the Queen gave birth to a healthy baby girl, but the queen had a very rough delivery. The doctors informed the king that Anne may not live through the night. And if she did make it she would never be able to have another child. Henry ordered everyone out to the room except the physicians. "You have to save her" he said as he cradled her head in his lap. He didn't leave the queen's room the entire night. He fell asleep holding her, and slept till after noon the next day. He only stirred when he heard a soft murmur from his wife. "Henry..." she said very weakly. He called for the physicians, and after examining the the Queen told Henry she was out of the woods. She would need to rest and not be moved for a few days and then after that would be on bed rest for at least a month with only short walks a day. Anne asked about their child, Henry told her they had a beautiful little princess. "Bridget" Anne whispered. "Princess Bridget, I like that" Henry replied.
Henry stayed the rest of the day with Anne but told her that he would have Lady Mary tell him daily on her progress through her churching. Anne fell fast asleep, her sister and Katherine Howard both never left her side.
King Henry VIII
Henry visited his children ever day watching them play. Elizabeth always knew how to make him smile watching her debate with her tutors. The twins would run around playing with their little brother Charles chasing after them. Bridget, sweet little Bridget. All their other children had gotten their father's red hair, but Bridget had her mother's dark locks. Henry held her while he watched his other children, kissing her forehead he put her back in her cradle. As much as he would love to stay in the nursery all day he had more important things to do. Charles had uncovered evidence that Thomas Cromwell had been using some of the money from the closing monasteries for his own purposes. Henry didn't want all of them closed, only the ones found to be beyond corruption. Henry only was trying to make it better in England, not completely dissolve the countries beliefs. Yes some of the old ways were banned from use but with the reconnection with his daughter and the love his his wife he molded the country into something new. Nobody was blindly labelled a heretic, and only extreme cases were even tried. Most were allowed to live if they promised to learn the true nature of the reformation and not just stubbornly protest it based on blind faith of a corrupt religion. Henry had ordered the guards to take Cromwell into custody and taken to the tower. His trial was short but had been thorough. During the trial evidence had come to light that was missed on the initial investigation against him regarding Princess Mary and Queen Anne. Thomas was found guilty of treason against crown and country and sentenced to death by the axe. Thomas had begged his majesty for mercy, but the king did not want to be merciful. When Henry asked Thomas if he felt guilty for almost killing Prince Arthur and Princess Katherine, Thomas broke down crying. "My lord, I was misled by Thomas Seymour. He told me that he had evidence the Queen and I was only thinking of your protection."
"Enough!" Henry bellowed. "Even if the Queen had been guilty of such a crime, you had no right to try and harm MY CHILDREN." With that Henry ordered Thomas to be taken back to his cell, he would die in the morning. Unfortunately for Thomas his executioner drank too much ale the night before and it took three swings of the axe to sever his head.
Author's note : I have figured out who all the children will marry and will probably jump years from now on, since Anne is no longer a "baby factory" and Mary is happily married as well. One more Thomas executed. Please review. I have thought of another story I may start when I wrap this one up shortly.