Forgot to include this originally, but this chapter takes place two months after the last :)

Mary walked as fast as she possibly could back to her chambers. It took everything in her not to break out in a full on run she was so ecstatic. She burst into her chambers where Francis was overseeing the servants packing their things to go visit Bash and Kenna.

"Could you just give Francis and I a moment alone?" Mary asked the servants. They curtsied and exited the room.

"Mary, what is it?" Francis asked walking over to here.

"Well, I went to see Nostradamus because I hadn't been feeling well and I wanted him to make sure I was okay before we traveled," Mary told him.

"And are you okay?" Francis questioned with a concerned look on his face.

"I'm more than okay," Mary said with a smile, "I'm pregnant!"

"Are you positive?" Kenna asked Margaux.

Margaux nodded and Kenna broke out into a huge smile. She saw a flicker of a smile pass across the woman's lips before returning to her usual expression.

"Oh wait until I tell Bash, he's going to be so excited. And Lola will be pleased that Oliver will have a playmate when they're a bit older. Mary and Francis will be here soon too for their visit. I'll be able to tell them that they are going to have a niece or nephew!"

"Be careful how you break the news to Mary and Francis, it's okay to be excited but be sensitive of Mary's inabilities to conceive thus far," Margaux advised, "While she probably won't say anything it will be a little upsetting that you're pregnant without as long of a marriage."

"Of course," Kenna replied solemnly.

"You're very early on in your pregnancy so you don't have to be too careful yet, but obviously riding and exploring unstable buildings should be avoided." Marguax continued, shooting a glance at the tiny scar on Kenna's shoulder.

"Yes Ma'am," Kenna replied with a smile.

Bash saw her running out of the house towards him and ran up to meet her.

"Kenna what's wrong? Why are you crying?" he asked folding her into his arms.

She looked up at him and he noticed that despite her tears there was a huge smile on her face.

"I don't know why I'm crying, I'm so happy!" Kenna replied, "Bash, you're going to be a father."

The meaning of her words hit him and he picked her up and spun her around in a circle.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have done that are you okay?" Bash asked, quickly putting her down.

"Bash I'm pregnant, not dying," Kenna replied laughing.

Three Days Later...

"Kenna! They're here," Bash called from outside.

Kenna finished brushing her hair and went outside to join him on the front walk. She watched the carriage approach and was filled with excitement and nervousness. She was excited to see her friend and she knew Bash was looking forward to having Francis around for a few weeks. However, she was nervous to tell Mary she was pregnant with Margaux's words rattling around in her mind. The carriage slowed to a stop and Francis stepped out followed by Mary.

"Kenna! Bash!" Mary greeted them excitedly.

Kenna pulled Mary in for a big hug, it had been so long since they'd seen each other.

"Where's Lola and Julien?" Mary asked.

"I sent a servant out to the cottage to fetch them," Bash replied.

"Would you like to see the house?" Kenna asked. "Of course!" Mary said. Bash told her that he was going to take Francis down to the stables to make sure the carriage horses got settled but that they would join them in a few minutes. Kenna grabbed Mary's hand and took her through the bottom floor of the house.

Kenna could see the surprise on Mary's face when she walked into the kitchen and started introducing all the ladies who worked for them. It wasn't common to view the servants as friends but Kenna didn't really care what their status was. The older women filled the motherly role she had needed so badly for many years.

"We have three cooks and they keep us and the staff very well fed."

"Odete makes the best roast turkey you will ever taste and she has a beautiful singing voice."

"This is Margaux, don't let that stony face fool you, she's a sweetheart."

"Genevieve is teaching me to make pastries. I don't think I'll ever be quite as skilled as her but I'm learning right?"

Genevieve smiled and nodded. Kenna was surprised that Genevieve wasn't being her normal, chatty self but then she realized that none of these women had probably ever had a queen in their kitchen.

"Come along Mary, let me show you the guest room you and Francis will be staying in," Kenna said as she walked out of the kitchen.

She would have to tell the women later that they needn't be so intimidated by Mary.

"Kenna, I can't believe you have been cooking," Mary laughed.

"Why?" Kenna asked defensively.

"You've changed, but that's not a bad thing. I think it's lovely that you've befriended the women who work for you. And it's certainly not a bad thing to know how to cook," Mary replied as they walked up the stairs, "I learned a bit while I was at the convent but I haven't had any opportunities to practice in a long time."

"Lady Kenna?"

Kenna heard Emilie's voice from down the hall. "Emilie, come and meet Mary."

Emilie walked out of Kenna's room and sunk into a deep curtsy, "Your Grace, it's an honor to meet you."

Mary smiled and told her it was a pleasure to meet her as well. "Kenna has spoken very highly of you in her letters to me."

Emilie blushed at the praise.

"Emilie have Mary and Francis' things been unloaded into the guest chamber?"

"Yes, I oversaw things myself."

After showing Mary the upstairs rooms, Kenna and Mary went downstairs and sat in the parlor with their husbands while they waited for Lola and Julien to arrive.

"I'm so glad they were able to move into the cottage," Mary said, "We miss them at court but I'm sure they very much prefer having a home of their own."

"I'm pleased that they accepted our gift as well, I love having them nearby," Kenna replied before continuing jokingly, "Besides, I nearly sacrificed my arm for that cottage."

A few minutes later Lola and Julien walked in, Oliver in tow, and apologized for taking so long.

"Oliver had just gone down for a nap when the servant arrived announcing your arrival and we thought it best to let him sleep for a while before coming over," Lola told them.

After hugs were shared and Oliver was doted upon by everyone, a servant arrived to announce that dinner was ready. Emilie arrived a moment later and offered to watch Oliver while they ate and the group moved to the dining room.

"So everyone, Bash and I have some news to share," Kenna announced. She figured it was best to just get the news out there, but she was still racking her brain for a way to say it without coming off boastful.

Mary piped up, "Francis and I have news as well but you go first."

"No you should go first"

"Really it's okay, you go first."

Their banter continued and finally Francis and Bash interjected at the same time, "We're having a baby."

Both girls' eyes widened.

"You too?" Kenna asked.

"Yes, we just found out a few days ago."

"Oh Mary, that's wonderful."

Happy chatter filled the dining hall at the news;

talk of baby showers...

"Obviously we'll have to have a big event at court but I was thinking that maybe we could have another small one with just close friends for the two of us," Mary suggested.

would they have girls or boys?...

"I want a daughter as beautiful as her mother," Bash said.

"You'll have trouble keeping suitors away Bash," Lola joked.

"I want a beautiful daughter too," Francis said.

"Really? I thought you would want a son..." Mary asked.

"If there's anything I've learned from you and my mother, it is that queens can hold their own. But, I'll be happy with whatever we're blessed with." Francis reassured her.

Kenna wasn't sure what she wanted, she really would be perfectly happy with either. If it was a boy though, she hoped Bash would be okay with naming him Andrew to honor her brother and if it was a girl, Carolyn.

and who would be the most overprotective father...

"Definitely Francis," Mary said, reaching for Francis' hand.

"No way! Bash will be way more protective." Kenna protested.

Bash and Francis looked at each other and grinned. "I don't think anyone would want to mess with either of our daughters." Bash said.

"Oh so we're so sure they're going to be girls now are we?" Mary said.

"Most definitely." Francis said.

Julien commented, "Lola, I feel left out. I think we have work to do."

"Yeah right, you weren't the one who carried Oliver around for nine months. I'm not ready to do that again yet," Lola responded quickly with a laugh.

"Speaking of Oliver, I think someone's hungry," Emilie said as she walked into the room carrying a crying Oliver.

The couples shared a final round of congratulations and decided that it was a good time to go separate ways for the evening.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Yes, I had to have a Frary baby too :) Thank you for all of your get well wishes yesterday, I'm feeling a lot better today. I wanted to have this chapter up last night but I was struggling with figuring out how to wrap it up; finally it all came together this morning. Thank you to whoever pointed out that we are in need of some Greer, I'll work on incorporating her into the story more.