Disclaimer: I do not own Reign. This chapter is set several months after the events occurring at the end chapter 5.
Time passed and Catherine eventually began to regain her sense of normalcy. She sent a single correspondence to Richard relating the news of their child and telling him not to write back for fear of interception. He respected her wishes and she heard nothing further from him.
Henry, while still enthralled with his new son, Sebastian, was less vindictive in his relations with his wife. Initially he was distant, unsure how to share in her grief over a child he never knew, but as she slowly returned to the version of herself that he recognized their relationship reshaped. Since his love for his existing son did nothing to alleviate his need for a legitimate heir, he began to regularly share Catherine's bed. Although the understood purpose for these visits was to produce heirs, their union did not lack passion.
As Catherine listened with feigned interest to an enthusiastic monologue by the Grand Chamberlain, Henry closed in behind her.
"Oh good! I have been searching for you. I am afraid I must steal you away to discuss an urgent matter that requires your attention." He hurried Catherine out of the now nearly vacant throne room.
"You look lovely, Catherine." He whispered in her ear as he drew her towards her chambers. "If I hadn't come to your rescue you would have been entertained with a detailed list of each article of clothing in my father's possession."
"When you arrived I had already been acquainted with each shade of stocking in his wardrobe." She responded, with a coy laugh. "What is this urgent matter I must attend to?"
"I'm afraid that it's vital that you familiarize me with the layout of your chambers. It may take all night."
"Anything for the realm, " smiled Catherine.
In May Catherine began to suspect that recent physical changes indicated an impending miracle. The following month she was assured and rushed to Henry with the news that she carried a Valois child in her belly. Her husband was once again overjoyed! He was still concerned about the poor health of the first child and so he took every precaution and lavished his care upon his wife. Catherine relished in being the source of Henry's exuberance and the object of his undivided attention while it lasted.
In January, while he was on a hunt, news of Catherine's labor reached Henry with the expected haste. He rushed to her side. Her labor was long and grueling, but at last Henry and Catherine had a child. She had tears in her eyes as she realized the fulfillment of her dream. She cuddled and rocked her precious little boy, her husband leaned over her shoulder beaming at his son, and she finally had the sense of intimate belonging.
Diane, knowing how mercurial the dauphin's heart could be, watched over him possessively. Henry's newly discovered affection for his wife did not go unnoticed, nor would it be tolerated. Diane knew that producing heirs was necessary, but his amorous glances and the consistency with which he attended to his wife could be early signs of the turning tide. She would not allow herself and her son to be eclipsed by the woman Henry was obliged to bed.