Disclaimer: the prince and Higgins belong to me, everything else is history.
Hey sorry I haven't updated in a while but am being kept very busy but the job centre, well here is the new chapter. This chapter has been a fun one to write.
Enjoy.
Hampton court Palace
Life was going great, I was married to the most beautiful woman in the world and now we were expecting our first child. Anne became pregnant soon after our wedding, I was overjoyed with the news and when my father heard he sent heralds into the streets to tell them of the news.
From the moment Anne found out her life changed, for the next 9 months her life was to follow the rules from a book written by Lady Margaret Beaufort, Henry's great grandmother. Anne's life was dictated by that book.
"How are you Anne? I asked.
"I'm fine, the baby is sitting awkwardly and is heavy but I'm fine. Anne replied.
Anne's pregnancy had not gone smoothly; she had been sick every morning for the first 5 months and had not been sleeping well. With another month left to go Anne would soon be entering confinement to give birth to our child. In a week's time the court would hold a feast to wish Anne good luck. Anne gave a gasp and I was immediately at her side.
"What's the matter Anne?" I asked.
"It's nothing; the baby gave a sharp kick." Anne replied.
"Maybe you should go and lie down and rest." I said.
"Yes I think I will." Anne replied rising from her chair.
Anne's ladies gasped as Anne started to move away and I looked at Anne's chair. It was wet; my eyes went straight to Anne and saw that the back of her dress was wet.
"ANNE! Your dress!" I exclaimed.
Anne gave another gasp and stumbled. I rushed to her side, Anne's ladies were already around her and shuffling her to her chamber.
"Send word to the King and ask him to send for Doctor Butts." I shouted over my shoulder to a page.
"And please ask Princess Mary to come." Anne called.
We shuffled our way through the corridors to the birthing chamber, Anne was panting all the way. We reached the chamber and I was asked to wait outside.
"I will be waiting out here Anne." I called.
Anne disappeared into the chamber and I was left on my own. Before long my father appeared with Doctor Butts and Higgins in tow.
"My son, what happened?" My father asked.
I explained what had happened but inside I was breaking down inside. The baby was early. Doctor Butts knocked and disappeared into the chamber and left me, my father and Higgins outside.
Doctor Butts soon reappeared.
"The Princess is in labour." He said.
"It's too soon; she still has another month to go." I exclaim.
"It is in the hands of God and the midwives to help Anne through her ordeal. There is nothing you can do." Doctor Butts replied.
"I made a promise to wait here and here I shall stay." I said.
I thought they would try and persuade me to go back to my chambers but they didn't.
"Very well my son but you mustn't stay here alone, Higgins you will stay with him!" My father said.
"Of course Your Majesty." Higgins replied.
"Thank you Higgins." My father said.
{Anne's pov}
The pains were coming like a wave I didn't have time to catch my breath. The midwives and maids were busy sorting out the room to welcome the child. I didn't know what was happening the baby wasn't due for another month but it was coming. All I wanted to do was push but was told not to. The hours ticked by and I lost track of the time. There was a knock on the door and Princess Mary entered.
"I came as soon as I was told you wanted me." Mary said, walking up to the bed.
"Thank you Mary, I am scared, the baby is early." I replied breathlessly.
Mary sat on the stool next to my bed and said "I am honoured that you would want me here and I will be here until the end. I saw Harry outside, he said he had made a promise to wait there until there was news."
Before I could answer another contraction came and I screamed. One of the midwives came to check and then called over another. They both nodded and turned to me.
"It is time to push." They said.
"I can't, it's too early!" I screamed.
"You must, I know it hurts but you must bring this child into the world." Mary said.
I knew I couldn't win, so I drew on all the strength I had and pushed and pushed. I could feel something coming.
"The head is here, don't push." One of the midwife's called.
I lay panting on the bed, I could feel tugging and then all of a sudden there was a gush of fluid and something slipped out. A piercing wail sounded.
"It's done." A midwife called.
"Is it a boy or girl?" I asked in-between breaths.
"A healthy girl."
I burst out crying, I had hoped for a son, I wondered what Henry would say. They brought the baby over and I saw how beautiful she looked but she looks very small. They took her away to be washed and swaddled. I could still feel pain in-between my legs and something didn't feel right.
"Has anyone told Harry?" I asked Mary.
"No not yet, are you alright?" Mary replied with a worried look on her face.
"I am still in pain and I can feel liquid coming out." I replied.
Mary signalled for a midwife to check me, the midwife checked and immediately called another midwife over. They both looked at each other and checked again.
"What is it?" Mary asked.
"I think there is another child on the way." One of them said.
"WHAT? There can't be." I exclaimed.
"There is and it is in a hurry to come into the world." The midwife replied.
I didn't have time to argue as I was overcome with pain and the urge to push returned with force.
"Keep pushing the head is almost here!" the midwife called.
I was at the edge of my strength; I couldn't go on much longer.
"Stop pushing the head is here." The midwife said.
Once again I felt tugging and something slips out with a gush of fluid and another cry echoed around the room.
Well what do you think, a little cliff hangar to keep you guy speculating.
Do you think it will be a boy or another girl?
Review and let me know.