after a long period of time i have uploaded Ch. 17. The story has maybe four or five chapters elft I have not decided. Maybe more but here it is.


Henry and I stayed at Charles's home long enough for him to send word for Charles's carriage to be sent back. He was against me riding a horse with Richard in my arms given the cold winter and the snow that now blanketed the ground. I woke up that morning to find Henry beside me. I smiled and got out of bed quietly to check on Richard who was sleeping soundly. I turned back to Henry and smiled. I walked to the wardrobe and pulled on an old dress and started to prepare for the day. Henry slept like a log and I was glad Richard was asleep. I pressed a kiss to Richard's forehead and shut the door quietly. I walked the halls wanting some clarity. Henry had claimed to change but could I trust that. He had changed his word before he could change it again.

"Andrea there you are," a voice called to me. I turned to see Jane and William walking towards me. Jane was smiling and William's face was grim.

"So what bit William," I asked her. She looked at William's face and laughed.

"He's just angry that your husband is here," Jane replied.

"He's not proven himself to be a good husband has he. So I have cause to worry," William replied. Jane shook her head.

"We came here to tell you that the carriage is waiting and that the driver is ready," Jane said.

"Good I will go wake Henry and prepare Richard," I said.

"Your trunks have been packed right," William asked. I nodded and walked back the way I came. When I entered the room I saw that Henry was awake and holding Richard.

"My brother says it is time for us to leave the carriage is waiting," I said. Henry looked up at me and nodded.

"Very Well his stuff just needs to be packed," Henry said placing Richard in the crib.

"I'll do that you get yourself cleaned up there's a bath waiting," I told him. He smiled and walked towards me. He put his hands on my cheeks and looked me right in the eyes.

"Everything will be different. I will make sure you are happy for I will never lose you again," Henry said. He gave me a passionate kiss on the lips. I felt desire rise as it always did but for some reason I could not bring myself to fully trust his kiss. I had forgiven him but my trust he would have to earn back. I packed up what little possessions Richard had and took him downstairs to await Henry with everyone else. When everything was loaded into the carriage Henry came down. He looked handsome beyond measure and helped me into the carriage. When we were seated he held my hand in his. William made a strangled noise but Jane silenced him in her own way with a kiss. When Richard fell asleep Henry took him from my arms and held him. As Henry held our little boy I put my head on his shoulder and let it rest there. My life was starting to piece itself back together.

When we arrived in London the people were out in the streets trying to get a peek inside the carriage. Richard woke up to the sounds of London and Henry let out a chuckle.

"He knows he's on his way home," Henry said. I shook my head.

"No he knows we're all home," I said. Henry's smile radiated off of him and I could not have been more pleased. We met Catherine and Charles at the back of the Palace. They had already arranged for a crib for Richard that was near his brothers. When I saw Henry and Edward for the first time in months my heart beat so fast I thought I was going to die from happiness. My children were okay and they were perfectly healthy and safe.

"Sweetheart I'll see you at dinner," Henry said giving me a kiss as he took me to my rooms and left. My ladies in waiting plus Princess Mary all came to hug me. The only one that was not there was Ursula Misseldon.

"Your majesty," Mary said her tears landing on my cloak.

"I've missed you all," I told them.

"We have a bath drawn for your majesty," Katarina said. I smiled. When I immersed myself in the warmth of the water I felt my limbs relax instantly. I did not know how long I remained in the water but when I got out I felt ready to face the court. I was back where I belonged and no one was going to separate me from my family or my children again.

"My lady the Yuletide feast starts in an hour and you need to get dressed," Jane said coming into my bedchamber.

"Very Well and Jane you will soon be my sister so at least in private call me Andrea," I said to her. Jane smiled and nodded.

"Do you need help tying your corset," She asked me. I nodded as I slipped into the damn contraption. Jane came up behind me and started pulling on the strings to my corset. She seemed a little out of it.

"Jane what is wrong," I asked her as she finished tying the corset.

"My father has died your majesty," Jane said.

"I am sorry," I told her.

"He died while you were in captivity but it still hurts to think I am spending my first Christmas without him," Jane said.

"Jane no one can ever know what you feel but I can tell you that with time the pain starts fading and you know that he will never really leave you. He will always be with you," I said to her. She smiled. I went to get the red Christmas gown and when I got it on Jane buttoned up the back. I put the small, delicate wreath that I was to wear on my head on. I looked at myself in the mirror and felt nervousness creep in.

"Your majesty all will be well," Jane said. I nodded.

"Will my sons be attending the feast," I asked her.

"Yes the king has arranged for Princess Mary to hold Henry, Himself to hold Edward and for you to hold Richard," Jane said.

"Is the Princess Mary in the parlor," I asked her. Jane nodded and left the room. When Princess Mary stepped in we both curtseyed to the other.

"Is she to attend," I asked her. Princess Mary smiled and nodded.

"Yes her governess the Lady Margaret Bryan is bringing her. They will arrive shortly after the feast begins," Mary said.

"That is good and from what I heard you are soon to be married," I asked her. Princess Mary blushed and nodded.

"He will be here tonight I will introduce you to him," Mary said. I took her arm and we walked out of my rooms. We separated our arms and Mary fell into step behind me. As I walked servants looked at me and bowed. When I arrived at the entrance to the dining hall Henry stood her.

"Tonight I present a very important person to you all. Queen Andrea of England," I walked inside with my ladies behind me and people made way for us. I sat next to Henry on his right and Princess Mary on his left.

"His Royal Highness Prince Henry Charles Tudor accompanied by the Duke of Suffolk," the announcer said. Charles walked in with one year old Henry and placed him in Mary's arms.

"His Royal Highness Prince Edward William Tudor accompanied by the Duchess of Suffolk," the announced said. Catherine walked forward with Edward and placed him in Henry's arms. Henry stood up with Edward in his arms.

"Tonight is a night for great celebration. For tonight I not only brought back our queen but yesterday I received great news. The child that my beloved queen was rumored to be carrying before her abduction had survived captivity and was born just a month ago. So please welcome His Royal Higness Prince Richard Arthur Tudor accompanied by my wife's brother and our ambassador William Brandon," Henry said. William entered and placed Richard in my arms. I felt real content with my son in my arms. The court clapped at all of us sitting there. Mary sent me a look.

"I would like to present someone to her majesty," Mary asked. Henry nodded. A man came forward. He was a dark handsome man.

"Who is this Princess Mary," I asked her.

"Your majesty may I present my fiancé Duke Philip of Bavaria, Duke Philip my stepmother Queen Andrea," Mary said. The Duke bowed.

"It is an honor. Mary was sick with worry over your capture," the Duke said.

"I am glad I am so dear to Mary that she would cry for me," I said. The Duke smiled and walked back to where he stood with Catherine. Mary and I shared a look. I looked t the entrance to see a little girl with red hair standing there.

"Your majesty Mary and I want to present someone to you this Christmas season," I told him. I gave the signal to the announcer.

"The Lady Elizabeth Tudor escorted by the Lady Margaret Bryan," the announcer said. The little girl walked in with a look of nervousness and apprehension on her face.

"Your majesty this is…," Lady Margaret began to say.

"My daughter Elizabeth you do not have to tell me," Henry said.

"Your majesties," Elizabeth said dipping into a curtsey.

"Princess Elizabeth may I present my wife Queen Andrea," Henry said. The girl gave me a curtsey and smiled.

"It is a pleasure to see you Princess Elizabeth and I hope you will be given any comfort you desire this Christmas season," I told her. Her eyes started to well up and she gave me a hug. I placed her on my lap and she looked at Richard with a look of sisterly love and gently kissed his forehead.

"Je suis une famille," Henry said. The court smiled and Princess Elizabeth looked radiant. Christmas was a time for family and giving and it looked to me as if this Christmas season would be one I remembered forever.

Ursula Misseldon walked to the empty corner of a pub in Norfolk. She had her cloak over her head and cringed when she saw the two figures she was to meet in the back. She grit her teeth and sat in the booth with them.

"Lady you are late," the man spat.

"I am here am I not," Ursula retorted.

"You are but what information do you have," the first man's accomplice asked.

"The King is to make a visit to Westminster Abbey wince he still worries for the Queen's safety he is leaving her in London along with her children," Ursula said.

"How did you get this information," the first man asked.

"My dressmaker heard it when she was delivering a parcel," Ursula replied.

"You will be rewarded in time," The first man said. Ursula nodded and left. When she was gone the second man turned to the first.

"Father so what do we do now," he asked.

"George this is our last chance. We attack London in two days," the man said. Little did they know an old friend of the King's was just passing by the table on the way into the back alley and heard every word. He got on his horse and rode as fst as he could to London hoping he would get there on time.