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Disclamer: I do not own The Tudors, it's Showtime's property. I only have fun with the characters.

Summary: Henry's prayers had been answered but everything comes with a price.

God's gift comes with a price

Epilogue

Jane's pregnancy was a very hard one. Only a month after it was announed to the court, the queen felt blood between her tights. The flow was heavy and she barely escaped it with her life. The physicians had told her to remain in bed for the rest of the pregnancy but even laying, she always felt tired and sore.

' This pregnancy will be the death of me. '

She knew it. Deep within her heart, she knew that this time, she would meet her maker. Perhaps it was simply her fate to die, birthing the king's flesh and blood. Sometimes, she was full of hope, reminding herself that God had spared her once, why would he not spare her a second time? She even got angry with him, why would he put her through such pains while she had done nothing wrong? But she always regretted it after and always prayed for forgiveness.

' The Lord has a plan for me and I am in no position to argue. '

Henry had remain as loving as he was, visiting her daily. He showered her with affection, with gifts, with every gesture he could think of to make her feel happy. And she knew by Lady Rocheford that his bed had remain cold since it was forbidden for her to share it. He spent his nights alone. Katherine was also a ray of light in her pregnancy. The young woman was clearly excited by the news and her joy touched her.

' This baby will be beautiful! The finest lad in the realm! ' She kept on saying

The teenager had even taken time to make for her child a small gift. The embroidery was clumsy, Katherine's fingers full of little dots which shown that she hurt herself making it, yet, the gift was perfect in Jane's eyes.

In this waiting bed, Jane could see things she hadn't noticed before, or things she knew about but which never appeared as much as now. The lustful eyes of Sir Francis Bryan over Ursula's body. The disdain between two ladies of hers. The little glimpse of desire in Henry's eyes when he saw Katherine. She was not mad at him. Somehow, she understood. She was weak, pregnant and growing old before her age because of her health. Katherine was full of life, young, a little piece of cake ready to be eaten. And both of them were so respectful and loving towards her! She could easily imagine how hard it was for Henry, who enjoyed very much the company of women, not to have Katherine becoming his mistress. She wanted them to be happy.

One day, during her seventh month, she took Henry's hand and she told him:

' Should anything happen to me, I want you to be happy and to love again. '

Concerned, he replied that nothing would happen to her.

' I know, but just in case. ' She added with her eternal smile

In the early hours of the 12th of July 1541, Jane felt the labour starting. She asked for Katherine and told her:

' Should anything happen to me, be a comfort to His Majesty. '

The young woman looked completely shocked but seemed to understand her point, as she nodded sadly.

The birth was as long and hard as it was for Edward. Thoughout her screams, she could hear Katherine by her side, praying for her safety.

On the 14th of July, the physicians came to see Henry to announce him that Jane had given him a second son. Henry was thrilled but the stern look on their faces killed his joy. Something was wrong.

' The queen had lost a lot of blood... '

The king felt tears gathering in his eyes. He knew the rest of their speech, yet, he was still hoping for a miracle.

' Sadly, God has decided it was time for her to join his realm... '

Henry wanted to break into tears. God had saved Jane once, only to let her die after she gave him a son. But something was holding him back.

' What of my son? ' He asked

' The prince is strong and healthy. The queen named him Owen before she... Left our world. '

He walked to Jane's chambers, where all of her ladies were in tears. Katherine walked to him, her eyes red and still full of water, her cheeks damped. Yet, she carried herself with a dignity he never saw in her before. Through her grief, she looked regal. In her arms, there was a small infant, who had been bathed. He seemed to have inherited his mother's hair colour.

' Your Majesty. ' Katherine said with the clearest voice she could make.

' Katherine. '

' It is my honour to introduce you to your son, Prince Owen. ' She said, giving him the child

Carefully hodling him, he walked over Jane's bed. He could see Lady Rochford taking away the bloody sheets. Jane looked so pale, as if she was a marble statue. Yet, there was a faint smile on her forever closed lips.

She had died in peace.

XXXXXX

Jane's funerals were hold on the 31st of July 1541. Out there, the streets were crowded, yet, except the birds who continued to sing, there was absolutely no sound. When Jane's carriage arrived, the men took off their hats and everyone bowed deeply. Henry did not attend, as it was expected of him, but the new reached him nonetheless. And touched him beyond words.

Katherine had remained by his side the entire day. No word was spoken, yet, her presence somehow helped him. Black was not her colour, as it made her face look as white as snow. Despite Jane's words saying that she wanted him to find happiness again, to love again, to live, he could not bring himself to dishonour her. Her death shook him too much. It was too soon. He needed to heal first. Which surprised the court, who had expected him to find a new lady to warm his bed.

' Have you no respect for a man who mournes the departure of his loved one?! ' Katherine angrily thought

Edward birthday on the 12th of October had been a hard day for Henry. As much as he loved his son, as much as he tried to be happy on this special day, he wished Jane had been there to wish their baby boy a happy birthday, like she used to. It had been the final blow in his determination to remain chaste. His loneliness was too great to bear. That night, when Katherine came to him to keep him company, he kissed her with passion. A kiss she returned. She seemed to understand him.

That night, he was hers and she was his.

XXXXXX

Henry and Katherine's relationship remained a secret for a few months, always with the idea to honour Jane's memory. It was only in august 1542 that the king announced his intention to marry again and that his choice had fallen upon Lady Katherine Howard. Many people thought it was because of her youth, she was the hope for a third son. For Henry, it was different. He was lonely. He was in love. He was free to follow his heart.

By the end of the month, Katherine became Henry's fourth wife.

By the end of the year, she announced him that she was pregnant.

It surprised him. The idea of becoming a father again never came into his mind after he married her. But it was only logical. She made him feel young again and they had made love almost every night. If he was happy, he was also afraid. Afraid to lose her the way he lost Jane. Yes, he had two healthy sons but the price to pay had been so high! Nevertheless, he did not show it to Katherine, who looked so radiant!

' I am two months along, my love! ' She even added

As a sign of fate, on the 14th of July 1543, two years after Jane's death, Katherine was safely delivered of twin girls. Henry accepted that one of them would be named Anne, after Katherine's cousin.

' Her sister should be named Jane. ' She suggested

He kissed her. That was the perfect choice.

XXXXXX

Henry died on the 28th of January 1547.

His son thus became Edward VI, under the regency of his uncle, Edward Seymour. It was the king's widow, Katherine, who suggested that her husband should be buried next to Jane Seymour. Her wish had been respected.

When he turned sixteen, Edward became officially king and ruled alone. He took his step-sister, Elizabeth, as his adviser in his counsel. Despite being protestant to the core, to honour his dear mother, Edward decided to make England a peaceful country for catholics. Elizabeth happened to be a great politician in this matter, as she also wanted to make Mary proud.

Edward never married and died of a heart attack, aged 42, in 1579. The 38 years old Prince Owen thus became king. In 1561, he had married the widowed Mary, Queen of Scots. It was a political alliance, as both of them hated each other. Despite that, Mary had fulfilled her duty by giving her husband a son named James. The couple agreed of a way of living:

They would have affairs and they would not reproach it to each other.

Sadly, Mary became pregnant with her lover's child and suffered from a miscarriage that killed her.

Owen mourned her only for his son's sake and went back to his mistresses.

He died in 1603 and James became King James I, uniting forver the Stuart and the Tudor dynasties.

The End