A/N: Alright, here is the brand new chapter. I do apologize for the delay, but I also thank tricorvus, Vwchick, Guest, IWantColouredRain, Robin4, the dark euphie, Lady Eleanor of Slytherin, Sakura, and RoyalsRulez for the stellar reviews on the previous chapter. Without further ado, let's get right into it.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Tudors or the characters, Showtimes does.

...

She still couldn't believe it.

She had hoped, dreamed, and desperately prayed for this moment, yet now that it was here she hardly dared to believe it had truly come. A part of her had feared that she would be disappointed, particularly after so long.

"Phillip," Mary entered the room where her husband sat near the hearth, reading a letter from his cousin Anne, now back in England once more.

"Yes, Mary?" Phillip immediately set the letter aside and rose to greet her. "My, you are certainly in a merry mood."

"Yes," Mary could feel tears gathering in her eyes as her hands took Phillip's. "I...am with child."

Phillip's eyes widened and his lips parted.

"My love..." he murmured softly, tenderly stroking Mary's cheek, wiping the tear that escaped. "Is it true?"

"It is," Mary nodded. "I have missed my courses twice, and so I consulted a midwife. And she assured me that your child is growing inside of me."

"My child..." her husband placed a gentle hand upon her stomach before placing it under her chin. "My wife...you have made me the happiest man in all of Bavaria, if not all the world itself."

"I will pray for a boy day and night," Mary promised, clasping his hand. She knew better than anyone that boys were more preferred than girls. Though Phillip was not her father, she did not want to entertain even the most remote possibility that-

"Do not worry about that," Phillip whispered soothingly, taking her face in his hands and kissing her. "That is in God's hands. And boy or girl, this will be our child, yours and mine. I will be pleased no matter what. I am not him, Mary. I love you, and I will love our child. I will never hurt either of you."

Mary's heart swelled as he spoke. Surely somewhere over the years, she must have truly pleased God. For He had given her what she had once feared she would never have.

"I love you," she said, her voice trembling as she found herself engulfed in Phillip's arms once more, the excitement within her increasing.

She was going to be a mother!

...

Elizabeth was growing into quite a beauty.

She had always been a comely child, but Henry knew that she was indeed going to become a beautiful woman.

Just like her mother...

He had entered his daughter's rooms intending to gift her with a book when he saw her, along with Annie Stafford and surprisingly Anne of Cleves.

Anne had once again journeyed to England. She had come to act as a representative of sorts to aid in the developments of the Anglo-German alliance. At least that is what she claimed, but it was no secret that the German princess was quite fond of England. There was even a rumor that she sought to live in England. But Henry knew that Duke Wilhelm would never allow such a thing. Not when Anne could easily be married to secure advantage.

"Your Majesty," the ladies all greeted him with curtsies.

As Henry entered the room and permitted Elizabeth to rise, he was taken aback as he realized that, despite her coloring, his daughter looked so like her mother. The eyes, the mannerisms, even that smile...

"Elizabeth," he spoke, forcing his voice to remain steady. "I have a gift for you."

Elizabeth's reserved expression gave way to one of delight and expectation as her eyes sparkled merrily.

"Your Latin lessons are going well, I trust?" he asked her, not surprised when she nodded.

"Yes, my tutor is excellent," Elizabeth answered.

"This book was written by a Roman historian," Henry said, presenting the leather-bound book. "You may find it a bit difficult, but you must persevere. I assure you it will be an effort worthwhile. For without knowledge, life is not worth living."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Elizabeth kissed his hand as she cradled the book to her chest. "I am truly thankful to God to have such a king and father as you."

"She truly is a wonder," Anne remarked, watching as Elizabeth pored over the book, seemingly unaware of everything else around her now. "I have never met such a delightful young lady and you must be very proud of her."

"I am," Henry replied. "She and her brothers have all made me quite proud. And I have no doubt they shall continue to do so."

...

Jane groaned softly as she suddenly felt a slight pain.

"Sister?" Dorothy looked worried. "Are you alright?"

"I believe my time will shortly be upon us," Jane answered, gently rubbing her stomach. "The child gives me no rest."

"Certainly it must be a boy then," Dorothy stated brightly. "Restless, like his father."

Restless.

Henry had certainly continued in his dalliances, but Jane knew it was not her place to meddle in these matters. Even still, it hurt to know that while she stayed good and loyal, her husband seemed to give his love freely. It was the king's right to do as much, but that still did little to ease the pain of it all.

And even if this child was another prince, he would no doubt suffer the same neglect that Edward had in favor of the twin bastards.

If only Brereton and Chapuys was successfully done away with Harry and Geoffrey when they'd had the chance.

Jane knew it was wicked to think such a thing, but had it not also been wicked for Anne Boleyn to seduce the king away from Queen Katherine, a woman who had always been so good and virtuous in order to gain the crown? And in doing so, she had borne three bastards, two of whom had been boys, thereby securing her in her stolen place and binding the king to her until her death.

Even in death, she had robbed the good queen of her rights by being buried as a queen herself, with all of the honors that were not hers.

Another sharp pain overtook her.

"Dorothy," she gasped, her hands flying to her stomach. "I believe...I..."

Her footing gave way beneath her and she would have surely fallen had Dorothy not been standing near her.

"Elizabeth!" she could hear Dorothy's frantic screams. "Edward! Elizabeth! Hurry!"

...

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the end of this chapter. But not to worry, the next one will be out on Saturday, August 1st. And (small spoiler!) come next chapter, things will become much darker and more intense, so buckle up and enjoy the ride, folks. Until then, everyone.