FATED

Disclaimer: I do not own Reign, but I'm hoping the DVD for the season come out soon so I can have a copy.

A/N: A huge thanks go to my beta, Kathie aka Katmom. She's the greatest, truly. Thank yous also go out to the readers, reviewers and everyone who's following this story.

Chapter 3

The house of Valois was bustling with activity as Catherine readied her home to welcome the Stuart family.

Her maids were busy setting vases filled with flowers in place, every tabletop dusted, every inch of floor swept. The entire house was spic and span. It must be said that Catherine Medici Valois had mastered the art of hosting the perfect dinners and parties…among other things.

Everyone was busy getting dressed and ready when Francis finally came home.

He was running up the stairs when he heard his mother call for him.

"Francis, where have you been?" Catherine asked as she came out of the master suite, looking utterly impeccable in a deep burgundy dress that reached just below her knees.

"Hello to you, too, Mother," Francis said, glancing at her quickly, then heading back to his bedroom.

The door didn't even get to close before Catherine entered, following right behind him.

"Francis, I swear to all things holy, you need to show a bit of courtesy and enthusiasm when the Stuarts get here," Catherine ordered.

Francis only looked at his mother from his position on his bed. Then he grinned at her, though the smile certainly did not reach his eyes.

Catherine went through his closet, picking out an outfit for her son to wear. She quickly came out, throwing a pair of black slacks and a blue button down beside him on the bed. She thought the color would accentuate his eyes. "Wear this."

"Fine." Francis rolled his eyes though he didn't move at all.

Catherine slapped his leg lightly. "Francis!"

Francis sat up, leaning on his elbows. "What?"

Catherine stared at him and spoke with absolute seriousness. "Don't ruin this. Please. This is for you, my son."

"Stop with the bullshit, all right? Let's lay everything out on the table. This isn't for me. This is for you and Valois Ventures. So stop expecting me to act all happy for a marriage I DO NOT WANT!" He was beyond furious. He was at home, wasn't he? He was going to stand by their decision to pimp him out to the highest bidder. Why must they pester him about it still?

Catherine gasped. Her eyes were open wide, a hand placed on her chest, right over her heart. Her son, Francis, her golden boy, had never raised his voice against her, until now.

Francis realized that he had stunned his mother speechless. Although he was mad at the situation his parents put him in, he couldn't stay mad at Catherine for long. No matter how wrong this all was, he would always love his mother.

"I'm sorry." He sighed along with his apology.

Catherine only nodded and left him alone in his room.

Francis straightened his arm, letting his body fall back on the soft bed. He just wanted to be normal and happy. He knew he would never be those things once his engagement was made official. In all the times that he wished he could trade places with Bash, this was the first time that tears welled in his eyes as he prayed with all his might for this one to come true.

Henry and Catherine both had smiles on their faces as the Stuarts finally arrived.

"Marie." Catherine had her arms extended and a soft smile on her face. She went to give her old friend a brief hug, before looking at the girl standing beside her.

But what she saw was no longer a little girl. Mary had grown to be quite a beautiful young woman. Her dark locks flowed freely. She looked immaculate in her short white dress trimmed with lace. Catherine thought it was quite fitting for the occasion.

"Mary, look at you." Catherine took the girl's hands in hers. "You were always a pretty girl, but now…." She then took a glance at her husband. "Henry, don't you think she's a beautiful combination of Marie and James?"

Henry smiled. "Indeed. Welcome to our home." He moved to greet the Stuarts and couldn't help but miss his good friend, James.

"Why are we standing around in the foyer? Come in, come in." Catherine ushered her guests into the large living room.

The Valois quickly got into a conversation with Marie, leaving Mary to her thoughts.

Mary was looking around the vast home of her parents' friends, trying to recall memories of her stay when she was young. But for the life of her, she still could not remember a thing.

"Penelope, tell the boys to come down. Our guests are here," Catherine instructed one of her servants.

Mary was so lost in her thoughts that the exchange didn't even register. It was only when she heard the sounds of feet scampering toward them did she return to herself.

"Here they are," Henry announced.

The younger ones, Charlie and Henry, Jr. came, both looking very charming and sweet. "Hi!" they both exclaimed.

"Oh, Catherine, they are grown. I remember being at little Henry's baptism, has it been that long?" Marie asked.

"Truly it has. Say hello to Mrs. Stuart and Mary, my darlings."

The two kids went up to the Stuarts and greeted them politely, even bowing in front of them.

All of them laughed at the children's antics.

"Where's Elizabeth?" Marie inquired.

"Oh, she's doing an internship in Spain," Catherine said proudly.

Marie nodded, understanding the worth of hands-on training and experience.

Mary, then, noticed the young man standing at the entrance, observing them. Her heart began to beat faster. She knew that face. But how?

"Francis, come and greet our guests." Catherine stretched her arm out to motion her oldest to come closer.

The older Henry gave his son a look, demanding that he act cordially.

Francis strode toward them casually. "Mrs. Stuart." He gave a small nod and a smile toward the older woman. Then he turned toward Mary.

"Hello, Mary."

"Francis," Mary greeted back shyly.

"Well, now that we're all here, should we get down to business?" Marie asked.

"Mother," Mary mumbled, hating her own mother's impatience, a trait she inherited from her. When they got to the Valois estate, she was itching to just get back in the car and drive the hell out of there. But now, there was something nagging at her in the back of her mind, but she didn't know what.

"I agree, Marie. Why don't we head to the dining room and leave the kids to reacquaint themselves with each other?" Henry suggested, leading the two women out of the room as well as the younger boys.

"Great," Francis muttered as soon as his parents were out of earshot. He walked to the armchair at one end of the room and sat unceremoniously.

Mary stayed seated, fidgeting with her hands on her lap.

"So, I guess you and I are engaged." Francis broke the silence that lingered in the room.

Mary nodded, not looking at him.

"Well, let me make one thing clear here and now. Just because we're engaged, it doesn't automatically mean that we are to be wed."

Mary looked at him sharply. "What do you mean?"

Francis leaned closer. "We all know this is just a business arrangement, nothing more. Which means, if my parents find a better deal, they'll offer me up to someone else. So don't get too attached."

Mary's eyes narrowed as her anger raged within. But for appearance's sake, she remained cool and distant. "Don't worry. I certainly have no plans of that." She fished her phone out of her purse and was quickly typing a message to Kenna. She sat there, completely ignoring Francis.

'This is the guy my parents want me to marry?! He's a complete asshole!'

Not even a minute later, she received a text from her friend. 'What happened?'

'I don't know what Bash meant when he said he was a good person. Francis is the absolute opposite!'

Mary waited for a reply from Kenna but the maid was back, calling them to dinner.

"So, did you two get to talk? Maybe reminisce about your childhood?" Marie asked as the entire group was eating.

"No. We didn't," Francis replied.

Marie looked at her daughter, and was displeased to hear that. "Mary, why not?"

"I'm sorry, but I just don't remember staying here," Mary quietly answered.

Francis' brows drew together in confusion as he looked at the beautiful brunette sitting across from him. The only things he may remember about little Mary Stuart were her skinny legs, missing front tooth and opinions about everything, but he certainly remembered spending time with her. How could she not?

"You don't recall staying with us, Mary?" the older Henry asked.

Mary shook her head. "I wish I could, but I really don't."

"That's entirely understandable. You and Francis were merely 5 year olds then. No one expects you to fully recall your stay here when it's been almost two decades already," Catherine explained.

Mary smiled at the woman. "Yes, thank you."

The dinner went on and as soon as dessert was served, Catherine instructed the younger boys to retire to bed. Charlie and little Henry bid everyone goodnight, leaving the older family members at the table.

"I think it's time we discuss this engagement," Henry spoke.

"What else is there to discuss?" This came from Catherine. "We all know that they'll be wed."

"Yes, but when?" Marie asked.

As the parents discussed their engagement and wedding, Mary and Francis wanted nothing more than to disappear.

"A spring wedding," Marie offered.

"Oh, yes, I agree. The flowers will be in full bloom by then. If we decide on an outdoor wedding, it won't be too cold or too warm for our guests. But we should plan the engagement party first. I know I already announced it informally with that interview in Vogue but I think a party with all our friends would be better suited. After all, it's not every day that a Valois and a Stuart get married. It's expected of us to throw a lavish party for the formal announcement." Catherine droned on and on about the details for another one of her parties, not knowing that the couple she was planning the party for had varying degrees of anger clouding their faces.

"Don't you two agree?" Catherine addressed the two, and was looking at them expectantly.

"Uh…" Mary stammered.

"Do what you think is best, Mother. You're good at these things," Francis interjected. He stood and touched Mary's arm to signal her to do the same. "We won't object to whatever you have planned. I'm sure it'll be epic. Mary and I will just leave you to it while we… talk… outside."

"Oh that's wonderful. Maybe a tour of this place will jog Mary's memory," Marie said, not even waiting for her daughter and future son-in-law to leave, before turning back to her friend to continue their discussion.

Mary exhaled loudly once they were free of their folks. She looked at Francis shyly and then said, "Thank you."

Francis gazed back at her. "Whatever for?"

"For saving me back there."

Francis shook his head. "It was nothing. I'm sure you would have done the same."

"Yes, I would. Maybe next time."

For the first time since she got there, Francis looked at her and gave her a genuine smile.

"So, I heard you know my brother Bash and are good friends with my sister-in-law," Francis commented, trying to start a conversation.

Mary nodded. "Kenna has been one of my best friends since high school. And I met Bash through her."

Francis sighed. "Listen, I apologize for what I said earlier. It seems that our wedding is to take place sooner than I expected." He looked at Mary earnestly. "I don't want there to be any animosity between us, especially since we'll be living together as husband and wife."

Mary pondered what he was saying. And he was right. It's bad enough to be forced into this stupid union, it will be far worse if they were to add misery and contempt to the mix. "I agree. So I guess we'll just be civil and hopefully not end up being so wretched and hateful toward one another."

"Yes, let's consider this a truce. It would be pointless to be angry at each other since we both obviously detest the situation our…loving parents have so graciously put us in," Francis said sardonically, extending a hand to seal the deal.

Mary smiled back at him, and captured his hand in her smaller one. "A truce indeed."

"Ah, there you two are," Catherine said. She paused when she saw the new couple holding hands. She was taken aback at first, realizing that Francis didn't look angry at all. Well, this was a development that she approved of. After all, had she not instructed him over and over to be on his best behaviour?

Mary and Francis pulled their hands away as if they were caught doing something they weren't supposed to. They both turned to face Catherine.

"Come back and join us. There are some things we need to put in place before your engagement party," Catherine said.

Mary and Francis followed his mother, yet he couldn't help but ask. "I thought you and Mrs. Stuart were already taking care of things?"

"For the party and the wedding, yes, but that's not all that needs to be done."

"What else is there?" Mary inquired.

Catherine reserved her reply as they were already in the dining room. "Now that we're all here, Mary, Francis, there are some things you need to do before we announce the engagement to the whole world."

"What things?" Francis asked, confused.

"Well, son, first, Mary needs a ring," Henry said.

Francis and Mary just looked at each other.

"Oh, yes, of course. Francis, Mary needs an engagement ring," Marie exclaimed.

Catherine then added her two cents in. "How about this? You and Mary date a couple of times, be seen in public doting on each other. And then go to a jewellery store and purchase the ring. Make sure it's good one, Francis."

Francis chuckled. "What the point of all this? You've already mentioned our so-called engagement in a magazine, Mother."

"My boy, you have no idea how scheming your mother can be when it comes to circumstances like this," Henry commented before taking a drink of his scotch.

Catherine sneered at her husband before addressing her son. "I'll simply say that I already knew of your plans of proposing to Mary. And oops, I accidentally spilled the beans." There was a look in her eyes that showed a malicious side to her.

And when Mary saw it, she knew she needed to be very cautious when dealing with one Catherine Medici Valois.