"Mama, Mama, you were suppose to see us at noon before lunch, where were you", Margot asked after a while, Margot was not very talkative she was more reserved than the other little ones but when she did speak or asked a question you had to answer as she wouldn't let it go, she was a curious child. "Well, I was with your sister, Claude", Catherine replied, "What were you and sis doing", Margot never missed a beat, how fortunate for Catherine as Henry could see her slight irritation at the subject.

"Margot why don't you eat your supper and I will come and read to you before bed", Henry called at the child, hoping to distract her from her inquiry. "Yay, papa"! she exclaimed before she started on her food, Henry didn't often see them right before bed nor read a bedtime story, he saw them in the day right after their lessons, just before the nannies took them to see Catherine.

There have many times when he read a story or two, played tea party with Margot and knights with Charles and little Henry but in the day. Another benefit to his decision was the small smile that graced Catherine's face, 'Whatever my love requires, I shall do' , he thought. Soon the little ones accompanied by Henry went to bed while others mulled over the wine.

" ... And with granny returned to her and the wolf defeated, red riding hood lived happily ever after", Henry finished, "When is mama coming", whined little Henry, eager to see his mommy. Just as he said that Catherine was near the door watching them, it wasn't often she saw Henry so relaxed not since their early years. Catherine was about to make her presence known when Henry said to the children, " Caterina is on her way, little ones".

Catherine's heart flutter ever slightly, 'did he just say...' , "Who Cat...ter..rina papa", Margot gave her father a strange look, wondering who he meant, "We want to see mama not Caterina", Charles pleaded. " Well that is easy because mama is Caterina", Henry smiled and ruffled Charles's hair before patting it down.

" No papa, mama name is Cath..er...ine, that what she say and mama never lie", little Henry piped, feeling the need to 'defend' Catherine. "Well little dears your mother's real name is Caterina, she came from Florence in Italy , Catherine is the French version of her name", Henry told the children who marveled at the revelation, then proceeded to ask a million questions about Italy and how Catherine came to France.

A voice then came from the door," You'll overwhelm him with all your questions", and everyone looked to see Catherine. "Mama"! the little ones exclaimed, "you won't believe what father told us", "Oh, I believe it" "How long were you..." "Long enough" "Catherine I..." "You aren't in trouble, Henry".

Henry POV

I'm not in trouble, I thought for sure I was. She never talks about her childhood, even when we were young she avoided the subject. I always thought it was because of her parents dying when she was just eight but I get the feeling there is more to it, much more than just some nightmares but I never had the courage to ask. Then we grew estranged and it didn't seem it was my place to pry.

Catherine came and sat next to me facing the children and began to tell the children tales of Italy, while I watched in amazement. Her hair was down, 'She was on her way to bed after seeing the children', I thought, she was in a figure hugging nightgown that was a rosy red color and without makeup, so her cute dimples could be seen.

The children went off to bed leaving me and Catherine to exit the room in silence, "You haven't called me that in sometime Henry", Catherine's soft voice echoed in the empty hallway and I knew just what she meant, " You heard me call you Caterina", "Yes it was... surprising", well she didn't seem mad, she looked almost happy that I called her by her birth name like I used to. "That has always been a sweet spot of yours, me calling your first name", I mused.

Even in the dim candle light I could see, a small blush surrounded Catherine's cheeks and I couldn't help the smug smirk on my face, 'I made Catherine de Medici blush' . She looked so, I don't know, she looked... peaceful. Her whole body was calm, relaxed, till she stiffened and said, "Well those times have past, leaving nothing but sweet memories and beautiful dreams... we... we aren't those carefree children anymore"

I laughed, leave it to Catherine to ruin the moment with a sorrowful statement but she was right and maybe to find her again I must listen to and absorb her fears. Fear I'm sure I created, by going from her knight in shining amour to her dragon, a beast she must slay.

Catherine POV

I had expected him to drop the subject once we got to the heart of it and run, run to his rooms or some woman but instead he laughed. It unsettled me not that I would show it, once he regained his composure and was pulled from his thoughts he said, "Your right, we aren't carefree children anymore, we haven't been for a long time but", he stopped completely and faced forward away from me.

Is that not just like him, make me wait, then, his eyes came into view, they were dark, void of emotion, scared and then his voice returned, sorrowful, unhopeful, "Could we still love like we used to... before I broke your heart". I couldn't help it, as much as I wanted to hide myself from Henry, I also really wanted to show all of me but I knew if I did he wouldn't love what he saw, yet I decided, in that moment, to risk it.

"Maybe" , I said before I raced off to my chambers leaving him there, praying he wouldn't follow.

Henry POV

It was a faint whisper but I heard it. I thought my mind was playing tricks on me, that I was trapped in a sick illusion, being punish for hoping that despite the pain I inflicted she could still love me. I felt my heart beating and heard the sound in my ears so much so I didn't notice her walk away, into the chilly, open hallway, that lead to many destinations, all away from me.

Till I did notice, where she went and what I had done, I had unearthed a piece of her heart and now she was running. Maybe she thought my words meaningless or she feared the response to what she revealed or maybe she feared I would abuse this part of her I obtained. I don't have the best track record.

I suppose I will go to bed, I sighed, and went through the hallway to my chambers, hoping for escape in my dreams.

With that the King and Queen drifted to sleep, both consumed with thoughts of each other and a longing they never felt before.