Author's Note: Along with the re-formatting of my laptop, I also reformatted this chapter even though the original copy was not lost. This chapter took a long while to complete so I hope you'll enjoy this one.
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters mentioned in this story, except…
Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars?
I could really use a wish right now
~Airplanes, B.o.B ft. Hayley Williams
Henry stared into nothingness with disbelief. A daughter, a healthy daughter. The emptiness of his chambers took him twelve years back, the moment that Mary was born. At that time, he knew that a healthy son would follow. After that son, another would follow. The moment that he set his eyes on Mary, he knew that she would be the pearl of his world – the greatest pearl in the kingdom.
A hard knock on the door took him back to the present time, painfully realizing that his dreams twelve years ago didn't come true. He still doesn't have a son and the only moment that he thought he would was when he heard a surprising news few months back. He didn't have a positive outlook regarding the pregnancy but at the same time, he didn't completely lose hope.
Now is the perfect time to lose hope, he told himself. Another hard knock on the door and Charles Brandon came in. Henry gave him a hard look. Instead of listening to him, he was making a mental note that after Brandon talks, he will go find the love of his life Anne, dine with her, get a good night's sleep, and start the day pursuing his annulment.
He won't stop to make preparations for the child's baptism; someone can take care of that. He won't consider that Katherine is still in confinement. So much has been delayed and he wanted to make up for the lost time.
"Didn't your Majesty hear me?" the Duke of Suffolk asked. "Queen Katherine's life is in danger."
Henry found himself quickly making his way to the Queen's apartments. Despite what he thought about earlier, the decisions and the disappointments, he still found himself pacing fast, his steps as fast as the beating of his heart.
Twelve years ago he saw his pearl. And despite the absent sons, Mary was still there. One of his dreams came true.
Mary spent her afternoon in her studies and in her prayers. The chilly November wind was making her uncomfortable. She hugged her arms and tried to warm her palm by rubbing them against her green velvet dress.
She stood up and lighted a candle. She watched the flame burning lightly and found herself longing for the chair beside the fireplace. She took a step and the wind blew past her. Mary shivered and she dropped the candle, killing the flame in the process.
"Princess?" Lady Salisbury inquired.
"Nothing to worry about Lady Salisbury," Mary said, bending to pick up the candle she dropped. "My hands trembled, that's all." Mary decided that she would not tell Lady Salisbury what was troubling her. Her governess would not know that every time she prays, she prays for a baby brother, the happiness of her mother, and the downfall – or rather, the rude awakening – of Anne Boleyn. Mary thought of changing the topic. It has been a while since her mother went into confinement and she still hasn't heard from her father, the King.
Lady Salisbury seemed to read her mind and said, "A day or so from now I am sure we will be hearing great news from London. You shall be prepared for an immediate journey Princess."
Mary smiled at this. It was in these times that she appreciated the warm and kind heart of her governess. "I hope so too, Lady Salisbury."
Charles Brandon found it hard to keep up with King Henry. He was explaining to the King what the doctors said as best as he could. "The doctors and midwives are certain that there is another child waiting to come out."
Henry stopped at hearing this. Another child? "Is it another girl?" was all he asked.
"They said that in most cases, the children have the same gender," Charles knew what this meant to the King and he didn't like the fact that he was the one who said it.
Another girl, Henry thought. So there is a possibility that he will be a widow with three daughters. He shook his head at this. Katherine's statement a few months back haunted him. Will you finally get your wish? Henry made up his mind that he didn't want to lose Katherine. She is still the mother of his only daughter and nobody can change the fact that she is his first love.
His mind went back to the dream that he had. Katherine was dead and Mary was cradling a child. Could it be? No, Henry told himself. This should not end up like his dream; it shall not end with his heart breaking. When he started the process of the annulment, he imagined that Katherine would somehow consent and he would be the most generous King. He made up his mind that he would give Katherine two palaces, estates and a title that she would carry in her own right.
"I regret so much now Charles," Henry said, quietly sobbing. He would usually dismiss everyone if he felt that he would be showing weakness. But at that moment, he didn't care. He was hurt. Hurt at the thought of losing the Queen that he wanted to get rid of.
Katherine screamed in pain even though she is in a state of disbelief. She didn't want to believe that there is another child inside of her. How could she if the people around her are the same people who thought that she bore twins during her first pregnancy?
She didn't want to believe them but the pain was too strong. And she now recognized that it was the pain brought by the child wanting to come out. The same pain that brought Mary into the world.
"I have made some very wrong decisions," Henry said. "Mary… I should have summoned her to court. And Anne – I should have not asked her to come back. I should have made Katherine happy. I should have showed her that I still love her."
Charles Brandon felt that he wasn't the one Henry should be talking to. He should be able to tell it to Queen Katherine. He found himself not being able to say anything; he just stood there – perplexed by the King still showing concern for the King.
They were near the Queen's apartments now. They could hear Katherine's painful screams and Henry closed his eyes every time to block out what he was hearing. Just then, they could no longer hear anything but no one was coming out of the rooms. The whole court was still awaiting the news.
"One more big push my Lady," the midwife said. She herself was tired by the Queen's delivery. Sweat was covering the face of everyone in the room.
Katherine pushed with all the energy that was left in her body. She was no longer screaming in pain. She was done screaming moments ago when she realized that it wasn't doing anything to help her. Instead, she grabbed the sheets on her one hand and on the other a rosary. She rested her head on the pillow and breathed heavily when she heard the irritated scream of a newborn.
She wanted to ask them if the child was healthy. It didn't even matter to her if it was another girl. She wanted to speak, but found no energy to do so. She closed her eyes and waited for her ladies to inform her of the condition of her babies but heard none. Katherine's breathing relaxed – she was slowly drifting to sleep.
"Make way! Make way!" Anthony Knivert stormed past courtiers wanting to be the first to know about the King's twin babies. He reached the King with swollen red eyes and wondered if he was even allowed to see the King in that condition especially since his own expression was the exact opposite. He fell into a low curtsy.
Henry noticed him and motioned him to stand up. He felt a glimpse of hope when he saw his friend smiling.
"Her Majesty Queen Katherine has given birth to a son – a healthy son," Anthony couldn't stop smiling. He just delivered the greatest news the King of England could ever receive.
But the King didn't have time to rejoice with his friends. He stormed out of the room, practically running. A son – he finally had a son. Most of all, that son is also the son of the Spanish Infanta that he first fell in love with. A son who was the grandson of his father – the founder of the Tudor dynasty and the grandson of the two great Catholic Monarchs – Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile. His son will continue the legacy of the Tudor kings.
The Queen's household curtsied low upon seeing him. He can tell that everyone was happy. England finally had a male heir. "I wish to see my Queen and the newest addition to the Royal Family." He wanted to see the little boy who would be his own pride and joy.
"This way Your Majesty," Elizabeth Darell led him to the Queen's bedchamber where the Queen was sleeping soundly. The babies were on both sides of the Queen. "The Prince is on the Queen's right."
Elizabeth couldn't help but wonder if the King had any joy upon hearing the birth of the little Princess. Everyone seemed to forget that the Queen first gave birth to a girl. All they are happy about is the birth of the boy. Only those who are closest to the Queen admired the pink little baby. They were sure she would grow up to become a beauty.
Henry walked towards the Prince's crib. In it was a little boy and it was as if his son Henry has just been born – he was very happy. "Leave us," he said to Elizabeth Darell. He was too happy to even share that moment with anyone. He lifted his son from his peaceful slumber. He didn't cry, nor did he wake up. He just wailed his arms a little as if to tell his father that he wanted to return to his warm crib. "My son," Henry whispered. He kissed his son's forehead. Just then, he heard a cry.
At the other side of the bed was his daughter. He took it as a sign that she wants her father's attention too. Henry smiled and laid the Prince down. He went to the other side and saw his daughter grimacing as she cried. He picked her up and smiled at her. "Mary would be glad that you were born", he said softly. The Princess slowly stopped crying, relishing the moment that she is in her father's arm. "Your brother shall be King, but that that doesn't mean that we will love you less." He kissed her too in the forehead.
After returning his daughter to the crib, Henry turned his attention to Katherine. Her hair was neatly swept off her face and braided to the side. She was sleeping peacefully. She must have been really tired, Henry thought.
He remembered that after their son Henry was born, Katherine was up and about caring for her child. The same was the case with Mary. He stroked her hair slowly. He thought how lucky he is to have such a perfect Queen – capable of ruling and defending his country while he is away, most charitable and pious, a most loving wife and mother and now – the mother of the heir to the throne of England. It would have been a wrong decision to divorce her.
He bent down to kiss her on the lips. He touched her hand gently, not wanting to wake her up. And then he realized something – her hands were warmer than usual.