Here's the next chapter! Sorry for the delay. I wanted to have this one out on Saturday, but lots of family stuff going on. Thanks for all your continued support. It really makes my day to read your comments and see favs and follows. I hope you enjoy this chapter with plenty of sweet frary moments before more adventure picks up in the next chapter. ~ Sweet R.

Chapter Seven: Fireflies

As the weeks passed Francis slowly regained his strength. The color returned to his face, and he even had the energy to take short walks through the orchards and vineyards with Mary. Sometimes they relaxed on a blanket by the lake and enjoyed the warm weather. When he'd start looking tired, she shooed him off to bed for a nap, no matter how much he protested. Mary knew he probably felt smothered by her, but she couldn't help fussing over his well-being.

Their relationship continued to flourish, and Mary felt like she was getting to know her husband all over again. However, as they neared the middle of June, her stomach filled with dread. Francis was almost restored to full health and for that she was grateful, but now it was time to face their responsibilities as rulers. Their people needed them and although Mary had delayed as long as possible, they needed to return to French Court.

On their last evening at the chateau, they enjoyed a late dinner outside. Afterward they cuddled together on a blanket and some pillows to watch the sunset. "Look over there," Francis whispered and pointed to the right. Mary turned her head and smiled, seeing a doe with two fawns grazing in the field. The golden sun glowed over their backs and onto the field, contrasting the array of colors in the sky.

"Beautiful," she whispered.

"Not nearly as beautiful as you." He pulled her back onto the blanket, so they were lying face to face, and he caressed her cheek with his fingers. "I'm so thankful for these six weeks we've had together."

She let out a small chuckle. "Even though I was almost taken for ransom, and you were almost killed?"

"I think the key word is almost, Mary. We almost lost everything but look at what we've gained."

She nodded and watched the golden light shimmer over his blond curls. "I know. We've been given a second chance. We found each other again. I want to memorize everything. This beautiful sunset…the chateau and the lake. Maybe that will keep me until we can return again. Hopefully by then we'll be a family of three. At least that's what I'm hoping for."

His smile faded. "We don't have to rush it, Mary. Things will happen in their own time, my love…when you're ready."

"I've been ready since I had the vision of our daughter. I'm sure your mother will be ecstatic at the thought of having a grandchild." She let out a light chuckle. "That is…after the initial disappointment that she isn't the male heir Catherine's been hoping for."

He frowned. "Mary, I hope you won't take this the wrong way, but I think we should try to keep your visions a secret, at least for now."

Francis' reaction dampened her spirit. "You don't believe that I saw our child?"

He put his arm around Mary, drawing her closer. "I didn't say that. I'm just afraid your new…gift could put you in danger. People might think…"

She pulled back, suddenly hurt. "Since when have we cared about what people think, Francis? Besides I'm not planning on announcing it to the world." She turned away and began gathering a few pillows. "We better go inside. It's getting late."

Francis sat up and put his hand on her shoulder. "Mary, I'm sorry if I upset you. It wasn't my intention to…"

"You didn't," she lied. "I'm just tired. You need adequate rest before our journey home tomorrow. We should go to bed early."

He agreed reluctantly and they went inside, hardly speaking to each other before getting into bed. Francis fell asleep within a few minutes, but Mary stared at the ceiling as confused thoughts tormented her. Could Francis be right? Could her visions put her in danger if people found out? She turned onto her side and watched the outline of her husband's chest rise and fall with every breath. He hadn't intended to hurt her feelings, only to protect her. Mary wanted to wake him up and apologize for being cross with him earlier, but Francis looked so peaceful she decided against it.

Mary eased herself out of bed, careful not to wake Francis, and made her way out to the balcony. She needed some time to think, and the stars made good company.

…

Francis reached for his wife in the darkness only to discover her side of the bed was empty. He lit the candlestick on the nightstand and noticed Stirling sitting by the door to the balcony. He crossed the room and patted the dog on the head. "Hey boy. Where's Mary?" The dog starting whining and pawing at the door. Francis opened it and stepped out on the balcony. Mary sat on a stone bench with her back to him, gazing at the stars. He breathed a sigh of relief. "There you are, my love. Is everything all right?"

Mary turned her head and pulled a thin blanket a little tighter around her shoulders. "I couldn't sleep."

Francis sat beside her on the bench and took her hand, treasuring the feeling of her soft palm in his. "I'm sorry about earlier. I never want you to feel like I'm not on your side. Whatever the future brings, we'll get through it together…no matter what anyone else thinks."

She leaned her head against his shoulder. "Oh Francis, there's nothing to be sorry for. I know you're only worried for my safety. To tell you the truth, I'm nervous about returning to court and it has me a bit on edge."

He rested his cheek against her forehead. "What's troubling you, my love?"

"I'm worried about things returning to the way they were before. I never want to lose you…or this closeness that we've found with each other. Here at the chateau, it's easy to spend alone time together and be so open and honest. But back at court…" Mary's voice trailed off into the breeze.

Francis pulled Mary closer until her head rested against his chest. "And back at court I'll do everything in my power to make sure nothing changes between us. I'll make every moment with you count."

He felt her smile against him. "Me too."

"And someday when the chateau is completely restored like your beautiful tapestry, we'll sit outside and watch our child romp around with Stirling in the fields. We'll laugh and hold each other, remembering this is where we found our second chance. Here, in our own perfect Eden. How does that sound?"

Mary lifted her head and met his gaze with happy tears in her eyes. "So, you truly believe my dream will come to pass?"

He framed her face in his hands. "Yes, some day I believe it will. If we're patient, our dreams of having a family will come true."

"Just like when we used to wait for the fireflies?"

"Yes, like waiting for fireflies," Francis said with a smile, thinking of a much younger Mary chasing the little bugs out on the south lawn in front of the castle. He had been the one holding the jar but couldn't move an inch. She'd looked so beautiful in that moment with hundreds of blinking lights surrounding her.

"Francis look!" Mary's voice brought him out of the memory, and he looked down to where she pointed.

A single firefly crawled up the loose tie dangling from his nightshirt. He laughed in astonishment and gently lifted the little insect on his finger. It lit up twice before opening its tiny wings and lifting off. They looked over the balcony as it fluttered away. Then they saw another, and another, lighting up one by one until dozens illuminated the night sky.

"Absolutely beautiful," Mary whispered.

Francis turned to Mary, marveling at the way her eyes sparkled in the moonlight with a background of blinking lights behind her. "Yes, you are, my love."

Mary looked down with a shy smile, but he lifted her chin. "After all the dark times we've been through, you are still my light."

"And you are mine," she whispered.

Francis paused for a moment to wipe a stray tear off her cheek with his thumb. Perhaps she thought of the miscarriage. When he had arranged for hundreds of floating lanterns to be lit in memory of their lost child. He wrapped her in his embrace, vowing to always love and protect her to his last breath.

She looked up, smiling through her tears. When their lips met, he felt a change in the atmosphere. It was something about the way she leaned into him—something about the way she caressed his face and weaved her fingers through his hair. Francis had almost forgotten how perfectly Mary fit into his arms and how the lavender scent of her hair caught him up in a trance. The past few weeks they'd kissed and cuddled with each other, but it had been so long since they held each other this way—like they were two people sharing one soul.

He pulled back for a moment to look at Mary and her eyes sparked with desire. "Francis…I want this…I want you…"

Francis leaned his forehead against hers, heart pounding. "Are you certain?"

"Yes, with all my heart," Mary whispered and kissed him again.

Francis led her back inside, pausing only for a moment by the bed to gaze into her beautiful eyes before blowing out the candlelight.