Your Majesty,
I am sorry to report that the traitors Thomas and George Boleyn have escaped once again. They have been hiding near the English coastline that is near France. From what they left behind it seems that they are after the Queen and may want to free Anne but that has yet to be proven but it is a suspicion. I will keep trying.
Sir Francis Bryan
Henry crumpled the letter anger seeping through his veins. This was not how he wanted things to be. His country was now once again in prosperity and peace but now Andrea's life and the life and their unborn child hung in the balance and to Henry that was almost a thousand England's combined. He was a King and yet he felt powerless. Andrea was never to know about this. He had to be strong for her and for the child she carried. He would hate to lose them both. A knock on the door broke him out of his thoughts.
"Who is it," Henry asked. The guard that stood outside his door came in.
"Secretary Cromwell is at the door," the guard said.
"Send him in," Henry said. Henry sat down in his chair and looked at the map of England trying to discover where the Boleyns could be headed.
"Your majesty," Cromwell said as he entered the room. Henry inclined his head in recognition.
"Well," Henry asked.
"It seems that there are some who support the whore Anne Boleyn. According to your majesty's request a deal has been made with the executioner of Calais and he has agreed to be the executioner for Anne Boleyn's beheading," Cromwell said.
"Very good what else," Henry asked.
"If the Queen does not supply a male heir I was wondering if your majesty could fashion your mind towards a new marriage," Cromwell said. Henry's face hardened. But before he could reply Charles and William Brandon burst through the door. Both looked extremely similar except the eyes William had the grey eyes of their father while Charles and Andrea had the light brown eyes of their mother. They were followed by three of the King's grooms.
"Well," Henry asked.
"It's time," the two said at the same time. Henry's eyes shone with worry and happiness.
"Very well Charles, William go back and bring me news. Grooms, go fetch my physician to watch over her, fetch Bishop Gardner, inform heralds in the city to tell them the news," Henry said. They all left given their assignments. Henry turned towards Cromwell and smacked him upside the head.
"If you so ever as say anything against her again I will make you eat your heart now leave," Henry said. Cromwell did not need telling twice and left the room. Henry sat down at the table where he had lunch with Andrea, Charles and his wife when she returned to him, sat down and waited grasping her necklace in his hand.
Having a baby didn't hurt as much as making one. I felt like I was being ripped in two. I gripped Mary's hand with my right and Catherine's hand with my left. I pushed as hard as I could and then relaxed. When I realized that I was having contractions that morning as we were finishing up clothes for the baby I tried to hide it but failed miserably. Jane, Mary and Catherine all caught me. I was sweating profusely.
"How's it looking down there," I asked the midwife.
"Should not be long your majesty you are about halfway there," The midwife replied. I looked outside it was already nighttime again. I had been in labor for three days.
"Mary get the box by the fire it belonged to your mother. She would want you to have it," I told her. If I died I was making sure that Mary got that box and the rosary inside. I saw her eyes light up then gritted my teeth as another contraction hit me full force. Mary was back by my side holding the rosary and gripping my hand praying rapidly in Latin. As night turned into day I felt my strength waning. I was going to end up just like Jane Seymour would have. I gripped Mary and Catherine's hands before my head fell back onto the pillow. I looked over to the physicians who were unfolding a piece of cloth. I saw them raise a small knife and I turned away. A c-section in this time period would leave me dead no doubt about it. Infection was possible even though Henry made sure that no one was to touch me unless they were clean. I heard gasps but ignored them. This baby was coming out and I knew I could die because of it. Henry deserved this child. I was going to give it to him even if it took my life.
"Your majesty I can see the head one more push," the midwife said. I gripped Mary and Catherine's hands and gave the biggest push I could. I heard a cry but the pain did not stop.
"You have a son your majesty," the midwife said. But she seemed alarmed when I screamed in pain. She looked down.
"There's another," the midwife said handing over my eldest son to another midwife who took him to get cleaned in a corner of the room.
"Your majesty don't give up for the love of Jesus don't give up," Mary said. I looked at her and gave a small nod. I gripped their hands once more and gave another big push. I felt the pain end and heard another cry pierce the air.
"You have another son your majesty," the midwife said. I smiled and laid back down.
"Lady Seymour tell my brothers the news," I said. Jane Seymour nodded even though she looked exhausted and walked out. I looked towards where my sons were crying and smiled. I delivered them into this world. Catherine took a cool cloth and dabbed my forehead. I brought myself to sit up despite Catherine's protests.
"I want to hold them," I said in a small voice. The midwife heard me and brought them over wrapped in pure white blankets.
"There is a wet nurse on the way," The midwife said. I shook my head.
"No I will feed them myself if the King has any objections I will speak with him about it," I told her.
"Yes your majesty," the midwife said as she handed me my sons. They both looked at me. Catherine showed me how I was to feed them. I did like she showed me and once they were asleep I held them until Catherine said I should put them in the cradle that was next to the bed. Mary helped. I watched as my two angels slept near me.
"You two may retire now if you wish," I said.
"We will wait until you are asleep," Mary said. I nodded and settled down into my bed keeping my eyes trained on the cradle.
William and Charles knew that their sister was young but strong. Three days of labor might weaken her. They had seen first hand how the King cared for her. If she died it would not matter that he had sons who needed him. All that would matter is the fact that his beloved wife is dead. They made their way through the crowds of people and towards the King's rooms. The grooms and Cromwell having noticed them walking were following behind. They entered the King's room to see him sitting at a table. The candles were down to their minimum and the King was lying face down. At their entrance he looked up. His eyes were red and swollen.
"Well," Henry asked motioning for William and Charles to step forward. They did and the King did not miss the exhausted looks on their faces.
"Your majesty after four days in labor we can tell you that our sister has delivered," William said.
"Of two healthy sons," Charles finished. The king was now alert at hearing the word sons.
"I have sons," Henry asked wanting to make sure his ears were not playing tricks on him.
"Yes your majesty you have two sons," Charles said.
"The future of England," Henry said. He looked outside. The sun was starting to come out but barely. This was the start of a new day.
"Inform the people that the Future has been born," Henry said. The grooms nodded and left. Cromwell left knowing he was not needed.
"Is she all right," Henry croaked out.
"She is fine. She is strong your majesty," William said.
"Of course she is a Brandon after all," Charles said.
"Your majesty might want to rest," William said. Henry did not reply instead he left the room. He sat down on his bed and stared at Andrea's necklace. She had given him everything she unconsciously promised him when they married and it almost took her life. He held the necklace in his palm and let sleep take him.
As the bells rung out signaling the birth of an heir to the throne, three people were not happy. While Anne Boleyn sat furious in her cell at the Tower of London, Thomas and George Boleyn heard from the cellar of their Rochford home and were furious. Now they would have definitely have to kill the Queen to have their golden world.
