Sorry it has taken me so long to upload a new chapter. A busy new job and life have gotten in the way and it took a lovely reviewer to remind me that I should probably return to the story. It is a short chapter but with possible hints of what is to come. Please review, it is nice to know that people are reading my story. And as I have said in previous chapters although nice comments are nice, constructive ones are much more helpful. You can PM me those as well. Thanks and enjoy!
Regina reached out her hands and gently caught onto Danielle's wrist to secure her as she wobbled, struggling to stand on two legs and move at the same time. She had mastered taking five steps but the sixth always gave her trouble.
"You know if you stopped catching her she might actually be able to go a little farther." Cora's voice interrupted Regina's trance and sole concentration on her child.
"She was going to fall, I don't want her hurt." Regina countered
"She was wobbling, one year olds wobble, she might have wobbled onto that sixth step that you're always going on about, now were you even listening to me?"
"About the wobbling…yes mother I listen to you."
"No about the dinner, I was just saying that for the feast in honor of Danielle's birthday I have decided we shall have three pigs and some pheasants."
"Oh mother…didn't you know. Danielle is not that fond of pheasants."
"Regina be serious please. There is something else that I have been meaning to talk to you about."
"And what is that mother?" Regina asked as she picked up Danielle who was starting to fuss and gently bounced her on her knee.
"BRIDGET" Cora called her voice shrill, only upsetting Danielle more.
"Mother" Regina said in annoyance. But it only took moments for Bridget herself to be at Cora's side. It was more than clear that it was Danielle's grandmother she served, and not the child or the mother herself.
"Please take Danielle, I expect she needs cleaning or feeding or something."
Bridget simply nodded at Cora before shuffling over were Regina sat with her child and held out her arms. Regina shot Cora a pointed look before sighing and handing her child over.
"Is that really necessary mother, I am perfectly capable of caring for her too."
"Yes so you say. But we have a more important manner to discuss."
"And what would that be?"
"It has been a year since Danielle was born and still you don't seem like you are making any effort to have another child."
"I don't want another child."
"But the King must want more. An heir, a male heir. Regina you could provide him with an heir and then your spot, our spot will be secure forever."
"I suspect he does but, why should I risk it."
"You would be taking the throne away from Snow."
Regina sighed. She felt a burning of hatred for Snow inside of her this was true. Even though the girl was so gentle with Danielle who did seem to be favorable towards her sister; but that would not change the fact that that charming girl was responsible for the greatest loss in her life. And Cora knew this and took advantage of this darkness in Regina every chance she could. Twisting at it, kindling the flames, and Regina knew this and tried with every ounce of her being to fight it.
"I could die." Regina answered pushing thoughts of Snow out of her mind, "I talked to the midwives about Danielle's labor and they said it did almost kill me, and another could very well kill me as well."
"But I should help with that."
"You can't control everything mother."
"I think I can"
"I won't leave Danielle without a mother, and only her other family to care for her."
"Regina" her mother said harshly, sensing an insult hidden somewhere in her last statement.
"The conversation is over mother, now I am going to go and check on the state of the pheasants."
