AN : And here is what comes next, I hope you'll like it ;) After the vote on my Instagram profile, more people wanted to have an update on this fanfic, so here it is :) (Don't worry I'm not giving up on Back From War either)

Disclaimer : I don't own « Reign », no plagiarism is intended and I don't make profit of this story.

Chapter 36

In the middle of the night

Three hours after the Royal couple had fallen asleep in each other's arms, they were woken up from their slumber by the crying of their new little princess. Both Royals stretched in their sleep before opening their eyes simultaneously. The Queen got a little closer to her husband, enjoying the warmth of his flesh for a few seconds more before beginning to turn around and to fetch her crying daughter. But before she could get out of bed, her husband gently took her arm and kissed her cheek "Let me get her for you, darling."

He quietly got out of bed and walked towards the cradle Madeleine was in.

He took her delicately and the baby's loud sobbing turned into sweet little cries before stopping completely. "There you are princess." He said to their little miracle. He then walked towards Catherine who was watching them with a soft expression on her face. She had already taken off a strap of her silky dress from her shoulder and when Henry gave her Madeleine she began to feed her and the baby gently sucked on her breast.

The King returned in the bed and laid down with his body on the side propped up on an elbow. He curiously watched their baby's lips sucking his wife's nipple.

"Does it hurt ?" He quietly asked his wife who was currently caressing Madeleine soft cheek.

She smiled at his question "No, it doesn't."

He played with his daughter covered foot while she ate and suddenly decided to tease his wife a little. "I hope you enjoy it my little darling – he spoke to Madeleine – few people have ever sucked on the Queen of France's nipples." The outrage Henry was hoping for was clearly visible on Catherine's face as she gave him a slap on his arm.

"Henry !" she said.

"Shhh… Catherine your daughter is sleeping." He unnerved her more.

"Beside our children and well… – she gulped – you, no one ever did that." She said to him, never making eye contact.

"And I wouldn't have it any other way." He said with gentle possessiveness for the woman he loved. "And – he got closer and kissed her reddened cheek lovingly – there is no point in denying that we both quite enjoy when I do that to…" but she once again cut him off "Henry !"

"What darling ?" he asked innocently.

"Would you stop this !?" she asked him a bit irritated but not too much.

Upon hearing his Catherine's tone, he kissed her bare shoulder up to her ear and whispered against her flushed skin "Don't be like that, my love. There's no shame in that."

At his words, she turned her head towards him and without a second of hesitation, she kissed his lips. On his side, the King was a bit surprised by her sudden action but happily responded to her senseless kiss… he had achieved his goal and when Catherine released his lips, the grin that was planted on his lips was a proof of that. His wife noticed that and scolded him with a smile on her face "Really, Henry. You're incorrigible."

"Yes, I am" he answered without a second of reflexion. They both laughed at that statement until Madeleine who had finished eating and who had even made her little burp began to cry again.

Catherine who was still holding her tried to soothe her to no avail, she then got up to pace around the room to calm Madeleine.

Fifteen minutes later the baby was still crying and the exhausted Queen was desperate so when her husband offered help once again, she accepted.

"Catherine, let me try… maybe it'll work." He asked her once more and she resigned herself, completely convinced that he would never succeed.

Seeing her finally nodding, he smiled and got up. He kissed her cheek, before taking Madeleine. "Go back to rest my love." He suggested to Catherine and she hummed tiredly.

Not even three seconds after she had given Madeleine to Henry, his warm arms doing wonders, she stopped crying… Catherine who had just laid down was completely shocked, her husband on the other side was grinning from ear to ear, completely satisfied with himself. He gave his wife a look that meant "you see" and winked at her. Catherine, not wanting to wake her baby again, waited for her husband to return to bed before speaking.

A few minutes later, when he was sure she was asleep, Henry put his daughter back in her cradle and went back to his wife.

She immediately asked him curiously, a little annoyed that he had succeeded and not her. "How did you do that ?"

"Haaa… I cannot reveal all my secrets Catherine" he played with her.

"Really Henry ?" she gave him a disbelieving look, would he dare not to answer her ?

"Alright, I'll tell you… – he said that and tucked her once again in his arms before continuing – what she needed was her papa's arms darling."

Despite everything, the Queen couldn't help but smile at that. How often had she dreamed of hearing these words and now… it was true. She softly kissed her husband and said "Well, that will suffice… for this time."

They both laughed at that before drifting back to sleep.

By morning, the baby had woken up two other times and, when it was time for everyone to wake up, she was still sound asleep.

The King opened his eyes before his wife and guarded her in her sleep. Soon after, the Queen woke up as well and looked up at her husband while giving him a tired smile.

"Hello, darling" murmured Henry before kissing the crown of her head.

"Humm… Hello…" she whispered tiredly and snuggled closer to him. He smiled at her words and actions, embraced her tighter and was rewarded by a loving sigh from his wife. He tenderly caressed her back that was covered by her silky nightgown from her shoulders to the beginning of her behind. His Queen enjoyed that to no end and a few minutes after, she was finally completely awoken.

She stretched to kiss her husband before whispering sincerely, centimetres away from his lips "Thank you Henry, for last night… it means a lot."

Her husband smiled at her words, pecked her lips and whispered back "I love you, and I'll always be here for you…"

This time, he made her smile "I love you too Henry"

And both kissed tenderly once again, enjoying the momentary quiet and peace of the morning.

Later in the day

Henry had spent all morning with his wife and daughter and was now dressing himself up to go and see his friend Arnaud or at least that was what his wife thought…

Once he was ready, he approached his wife who was sitting on a nearby armchair with Madeleine in her arms and kissed her cheek goodbye. "I'll be back soon" he whispered and lightly caressed the princess very little foot.

Once he was out of his rooms, he effectively directed himself towards Arnaud's chambers but not for the reason Catherine thought. Soon, he arrived at his friend's chambers' doors and knocked three times, he didn't know if Arnaud would remember their old code but… A few second later, the duke opened the door and greeted his King and friend.

"Henry, still using the old codes I see – he laughed at his friend – how are you ?" he asked and let the King in.

"Ha ! It's never wise to change a winning team – Henry laughed back at Arnaud – Very well, and you ?"

"Quite well, how did you sleep ?" asked the duke knowingly causing Henry to laugh even more.

"We didn't sleep much" said the King laughingly.

"I imagine" smiled Arnaud.

They had a small talk during a few minutes until Arnaud asked friendly "So, what did you want to ask me ?"

"I was wondering if you could lend me one of your jackets, because I need to go in the village once again and this time, with Madeleine just being born, I didn't manage to dress with simpler clothes without arousing suspicion from Catherine." He explained his problem.

"Of course, Henry. It is for the gift ? It's finally ready ?" he said joyfully.

Henry smiled "Yes, just in time."

The duke then rummaged through his wardrobe to find the simplest cloak he could.

"Ah ! Yes ! That's it ! I found it !" exclaimed Arnaud while giving it to the King.

"It's perfect, thank you" answered Henry while changing his ornate doublet with the simple brown coat.

"You're welcome, and Congratulations again for your little girl." Said the duke kindly.

"Thank you my friend, until later" answered the King before discreetly going through the doors and heading in the direction of the village.

Once he arrived in the village, the King headed straight for the jewellery shop. He had already been there a few times, without Catherine knowing, to commission her gift and to see the advancement of it.

This morning, he had received the secret word from the jeweller to let him know that his order was finished.

Soon enough, the King found himself in front of the shop, not able to restrain his excitement any longer, he entered it and removed his hood.

"Your Majesty" Said the seller and respectfully bowed.

"Marc, I've received word, is it ready ?" Said the King, trying not to appear too excited but failing. He had waited for it during months and now, he would soon be able to see the fruit of his work. He had in fact imagined all the details of the ring he wanted to offer to his Queen.

"Yes, your Grace, it is" Answered a smiling Marc, while reaching under his desk to fetch the jewel.

He took the box, put it on the counter and opened it "It is the most beautiful piece I've ever done, Majesty." The King was made speechless for a second, never would he have thought that it could be this beautiful.

"This is stunning." Said Henry to the jeweller.

"I'm glad, your Grace." Answered Marc, he was sure this ring would please any woman. The King would have made an excellent designer, he remembered he had been surprised by the finesse and precision of this commission and now, he was more than pleased by the result.

Henry paid the man before giving his final thanks, putting his hood back on and the jewel's box in his pocket and getting back to the castle.

Once back, he went to Arnaud's chambers to give back his coat and retrieve his doublet. His friend was absent from the room but with the help of a nearby servant, the King managed to do what he had to before continuing with his task.

*Tonight has to be perfect* he thought and shared his plan with the servant before returning to his wife and daughter.

A smiled planted on his face at the thought of seeing his two ladies, he entered the room quietly. The first thing he saw was his darling wife sitting by the window and singing to their baby. The sun glowed down on her golden locks and she looked like she just descended from the skies, his own personal goddess, the mother of his children…

He stayed there until she noticed him and gave him the brightest smile of all. His knees weakened at the sight of it as he went to kiss her.

"Finally, you're back."

He grinned and gave her a knowing look "Did you miss me ?"

"We missed you." Answered his Queen while turning her gaze to the quiet baby in her arms.

"Did she cry ?" he asked while caressing Madeleine soft cheek.

"Only a little" smiled Catherine at his actions.

"That's my perfect girl." He smiled.

"No, no, it's my perfect girl." Teased the Queen while looking challengingly at her husband.

*How I love her* thought the King "Hum… well, I'm afraid I'll have to disagree on that. But, I accept to share her with you." grinned Henry.

*How I love him* thought Catherine "You'd better." And they laughed together.

In the evening

The time for Henry's surprise was quickly approaching.

Catherine had gone with their daughter into Carolina's room to talk and to decide on new clothes for Madeleine now that they were sure she was a baby girl. Fortunately, this played perfectly into the King's hand, he had had the perfect amount of time to organize his surprise.

The servants who prepared everything were gone and now, Henry was left sitting, silently awaiting the return of his Queen with their baby. He was really amazed by her, she had just given birth yesterday and she already walked as if it had been painless. She was amazing, but why was he even surprised ? It was his Catherine he was thinking about after all…

Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by the opening of the door.

"Henry, I've found… – she stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the spectacle displayed before her eyes and finishing her sentence in slow motion – … new clothes for Madeleine…. Henry ? When did you make all that ?" Catherine asked referring to the decoration of the room. A gorgeously adorned table was positioned in the middle of the room with all her favourite food on it, candles were lit all around the room giving it a gentle glow and flowers were everywhere… red roses, her favourite…

The King grinned and approached his wife "During the time you were discussing with Carolina. Do you like it ?"

Catherine sighed, still taking in all the details of her husband's hard work. "How could I not ?"

Henry smiled even wider and invited her to sit, not wanting her to overexert herself in her still fragile condition. He then took their sleeping baby and put her in the cradle at the other side of the room so that their talk wouldn't disturb her sleep but that they could still hear her if she cried. After, Henry returned to sit across from his wife.

"How has been your day darling ?" He asked her, it was odd, this day was actually the first since quite a long while that they have been separated during most part of it.

"Quite well, but it was missing something…" She answered and saw him quirk an eyebrow questioningly.

"Or rather someone…" She smiled at him. He understood and went to sit beside her. He took her in his arms and kissed her head. "I missed you too" he whispered in her hair.

The Queen immediately snuggled closer to him, having missed the feeling of his arms during the whole day.

"How are you feeling ?" He wanted to know, after all, she had just given birth the day before.

She smiled against his chest "Well, I'm well, Henry."

He untangled himself just enough to see her face and said adoringly while caressing her cheek "You truly are amazing."

"And why is that ?" she laughed a bit and leaned against her husband's hand.

"Why is that ? Catherine… I've heard of women laying in bed for weeks after a delivery as painful as yours and you,… you walk as fresh as a flower at the beginning of spring barely a day after it. You are amazing Caterina."

"I've had precious help darling. My husband was quite wonderful you know" She smiled and took his hand softly.

He smiled "Well, I'd like to meet this man"

Catherine laughed at her husband's words and laid her head against his shoulder. Henry smiled at her actions and wrapped an arm around her tenderly before kissing the top of her head. After a little while of peace and quiet, he saw that his wife was understandably very tired and decided it would be best to eat now so she could rest quickly.

"Are you hungry my love ?" he asked while softly stroking her waist. She opened her eyes and nodded against his shoulder.

He smiled "Let's eat then" he kissed her cheek softly and went to sit across from her.

The Queen looked at the table full with her favourite foods, she smiled "you really didn't have to do all this for me darling" she said softly before taking a bite of her favourite cheese.

"How but I do Caterina… After the marvel you created – he looked towards their sleeping baby – that was the very least I could do for you" he took a piece of fresh bread.

"Thank you Henry"

The King smiled, he couldn't wait to present to her his true gift… "Of course darling"

They ate while talking of everything and anything with the King having only a thought in mind

*I hope she loves it*

AN : Here we go for this 36th chapter ! Next one will be the last ! I can't believe I'm finally nearing the end of this after half an eternity :)

Anyways, I hope this one didn't disappoint, as always, let me know ;)

To Yogurtime : thank you for sticking with this story :) I know it's been a long while but I hope you're still there hihi

Laura D.