I waited patiently at the alter for Henry. I looked towards my brother and saw him smiling and nodding at me. I looked to the right and saw the Lady Mary smiling as well. Then I looked down at myself. I was wearing a white satin gown with gold stitching. My veil sat upon my head. I was about to marry a King in a matter of minutes. Those weeks it took preparing the wedding were tiresome. Each day a new doubt filtered into my mind. But when each day was done Henry's smile and gentle kisses erased my doubts. It did not matter that Anne Boleyn was alive in the Tower. It did not matter that the rest of her family were wanted for committing treason. The only thing that mattered was that Henry was making his way towards me this very moment. When news was known by everybody that I was to replace Anne Boleyn I could tell that the Seymours were not so happy as the others. They looked at me with indifference while Jane looked at me with sadness. I made a mental note to establish her among my ladies and to give her a good marriage. The family would retain all their positions that were given to them by Henry before he met me and once they knew that they looked at me in respect. I looked up towards the cross and prayed for the one thing that Henry's other wives failed to achieve. I heard footsteps getting closer my heart started to beat faster. He was almost here. My head was bent down just slightly. When I saw his boots I waited for the right time to lift my head.
"Andrea," Henry said. I raised my head and smiled at him. He smiled back. We repeated our vows and when we exited the church and into the carriage that would take us from Chapel Royal to Whitehall Palace. Henry smiled at the people that had accumulated outside the carriage to see him after the wedding.
"Your people love you Henry," I told him. He just smiled and laughed the laugh that I had grown to love. He moved to sit next to me and enveloped me in his strong arms.
"No they love their future Queen, the coronation will be after a child is born," Henry said.
"I hope that is soon. I have always wanted to be a mother and have my child do great things," I told him.
"I want that as well sweetheart," Henry said. He held me in silence all the way to Whitehall occasionally kissing my hair. I smiled in contentment. I began daydreaming about a little boy running around with Henry chasing after him. When the carriage stopped Henry smiled and stepped out first. He held his hand out for me and I followed him. When I stepped out and the sun hit my face I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed that all of this was happening to me. I was never the pretty girl in school. I felt like the ugly duckling all the time. But now with Henry I felt like a princess. Now the next hurdle in our relationship would make itself known. Whether or not I could provide him with a son. He seemed to hint at it more and more now a days but given how many parliament meetings he has been having lately it is no wonder why. We walked into the Palace and Henry held me close to him. We were followed by members of the court. When I entered the Great Hall where the reception was to be held I was amazed at how grand and ornate it was. In the middle was a canopy with two chairs underneath it sort of on a raised platform. Henry led me there and we sat down he never let go of my hand. When the hall was full of courtiers and they were dancing while some were just standing in groups talking Charles wandered up to us.
"Your majesties," Charles said with a sort of boyish smile.
"Your grace," I told him.
"Charles my old friend we are brothers now," Henry said.
"Yes your majesty but you are still the King and as such I am your subject and brother as well as loyal friend," Charles replied.
"Charles it seems my sister is wanting a dance," I told him. Charles glanced at Catherine who was eying the dancing couples with a look of longing.
"Excuse me your majesties for I must attend to my wife," Charles said leaving with a bow. Henry took my hand and kissed it. I turned to him, tears threatening to spill because of my happiness.
'Thank you for loving me Henry," I said to him.
"It is a gift I give to you freely and I soon wish to thank you for my gift," Henry said eying my stomach quickly.
"As I wish to give it to you," I told him. He chuckled and smiled at me. I could feel how fast everything in our relationship had gone. But I knew that this was right. He and I were right. I felt ready to give myself to him. I smiled at the thought. As the night waned I felt myself grow nervous. I hoped I could please him.
"Andrea it is time," Catherine said in my ear. I looked at her then at Henry who was talking with Charles and Edward Seymour. I nodded and rose. Henry did the same. He took me hand and led me to my new chambers. He kissed my cheek and left with Charles and Edward. I did not have my household chosen just yet so it was just Catherine helping me get ready while Bishop Gardner was there saying a prayer. I knew Catherine felt my nervousness as she helped get my dress off and brush my hair. I felt myself grow calm finally. When Catherine was satisfied I knelt down in front of Bishop Gardner who was administering a prayer that was a tradition to pray for sons. I put my heart into that prayer.
"My Queen if I may," Bishop Gardner asked. I stood up and looked at him.
"Yes Bishop," I replied.
"I and my other brothers of the cloth will pray for a son," Bishop Gardner said.
"Thank you Bishop Gardner. I wish that our prayers will not be in vain," I told him.
"The King," the guard at the door to my room said. Bishop Gardner stepped out of the way. Henry came towards me with a white long night shirt and a dark brown fur robe. Charles and Edward Seymour followed behind him.
"Your majesty," I said giving a curtsey. Henry came up to me and took my hands. He wished for me to stand and so I did.
"I do not think we need to proceed in public all of you may go," Henry said. I let out a small breath. This was my first time. I would be highly uncomfortable having to have sex in front of people. Once they were gone Henry locked the door. He put his robe on the chair by the door. He walked towards me and kissed me. It was the most passionate feeling I had ever experienced to date. I do not know when he started to take off my nightgown but before long it was hard to tell where I ended and where Henry began. When he finished making love to me he kissed my chest then my lips and pulled me to him trying to regain his breath. I looked around the room and for the first time saw what my life would be like know but all that mattered was Henry and how I love him with all of my heart. My dreams that night were filled with little children running through the gardens with Henry. I could see his smile and desperately hoped I could make that dream come true.
