Disclaimer: I own nothing, but my OCs. All rights go to Showtime, the creator of The Tudors.

A/N: Hello everyone! Hello news favs/followers: Lady Isabelle Black, AleeraFrostStrakMaximoff, and Catherine-alice. Thank you all for being patient with me. I am trying to update every two to three months now. Life has been busy. Part three is almost at an end. I will be focusing on some of my other stories once this section is finished. There will be at least one more book in my Court of Thorns and Roses series, possibly two. Thank you all for your continuous support.

Ch. 19

Forget not yet, forget not this,

How long ago hath been and is

The mind that never meant amiss;

Forget not yet.

Forget not then thine own approved,

The which so long hath thee so loved,

Whose steadfast faith yet never moved;

Forget not this.

~Sir Thomas Wyatt

Hampton Court Palace 26th September 1537

Ten days. Ten endless, agonizing days before Henry was once again in the presence of Grace. He had been so occupied by Cromwell and the Seymours as they diverted his attention elsewhere. He hadn't had room to think for himself since her arrival at court. Not until he returned from his hunt with Suffolk did he have a moment alone.

Chuckling with his best friend as they reached his rooms, Henry and Charles had conquered a magnificent stag and were planning on devouring it for their evening meal. That is until the king swung the door to his study open and it revealed a pacing duchess. Grace's attention immediately turned from the grooves of the floor to Henry's blazing eyes. Charles halted at the threshold, nodding at Grace in encouragement before acting as a stand-in guard at the door.

Silence surrounded the pair, either one waiting for the other to react first. Grace fully faced Henry as if preparing herself physically while her mind prepared her for a verbal lashing. Her wide, green eyes stared back at him with some unknown emotion. Henry could not decipher her. She eluded him once more.

Henry took the first step before Grace launched herself into his arms and Henry enclosed his arms around her tightly. Her hands laid against his chest and her face buried itself in his neck as she sought comfort. Light sobs wracked her body as Henry had one hand wrapped around her body and the other tangled in her curls. He was overwhelmed by her scent, breathing in her smell as if it was oxygen.

Henry felt his eyes water slightly at her dependency on him, as if she had forgiven him for everything. But he felt his guilt build and he uttered the words he so desperately needed to say. "Forgive me. I beg you…" Grace lifted her head, her tears making her vision blurry as she stared up at him in confusion.

Henry sought Grace's eyes, studying her face intensely as if she would run away at his proclamation. "I am to blame for your misery. I have caused so much pain from my anger and it grieves me to see how I have tortured you." He cradled her face with his hands, brushing his thumbs across her cheekbones. "I admit, my jealousy made me imprison the Percy brothers. My jealousy corrupted me, blinded me to my faults. But I never stopped wanting you. I never stopped loving you." He pressed his forehead against hers, Grace grasping his wrists. She murmured something incomprehensible, her lips brushing against his briefly before she gave into her instincts.

It was gentle at first, Grace hesitant on her kiss because of his declaration. She pulled back briefly, Henry staring down at her with pure adoration. It reminded her of the first time he admitted he loved her, how his actions had spoken for his love for her. He had done so once more, sending her a letter after the attainder against her husband's title was released.

Grace,

I ask you to understand my actions against you are to protect you, not to harm your being or your children's. Cromwell urged me to pass the attainder against you and heeding his advice, I have come to grasp the idea that you may hate me. This is a warning for I may appear to have declared your ruin, but all shall be reversed in time. Cromwell believes to have controlled my hand in this matter when he has done the opposite. With this decision, he has now turned his focus away from you and onto other political matters.

I beg you to believe me when I say this is for your safety and I urge you to remain in the country despite your anger towards me. And in your grief, I ask you to realize I stayed away to protect you. I wanted to come to you when the news was delivered, but forces kept me from you. I have done so because I love you. I will always love you, no matter the obstacles put in my path. I shall never be deterred from you. I promised to make you mine. I promised to protect you. I will not break my troth to you. I shall write when it is safe for you to return to court.

Written by the hand of the one who loves you most,

Henry

Despite his mistakes, Henry had redeemed himself on several occasions. And though he had faltered during the Pilgrimage of Grace, though his paranoia about his crown had clouded his judgement, he had shown through his actions his devotion to Grace. She needed to make the next step, she needed to commit herself to her fate. "Grace?" Henry questioned, waiting for her response.

Grace fully gave herself to Henry in that instance, her lips crashing onto his franticly. He met her urgency with the same energy, pulling her as close to him as her pregnant belly would allow. He was careful yet forceful at the same time, his hands traveling over every inch of her body. Grace followed suit, reaching for his doublet, and pulling at the material. Henry granted her request and soon his chest was bare to her eyes, and she drank him in greedily. She ran her hands down the front of his chest, stopping just above the waist of his pants before pushing him backwards into a chair.

Henry eagerly awaiting her next move, reaching for her impatiently. Grace smiled slightly at him, reaching for the laces at the front of her gown. With her being so far along in her pregnancy, the top of her gown was laced rather than the back, panels being added to accommodate her size. She had preferred Italian dresses during her pregnancy, specifically velvet. The drop waist hid her belly as long as possible before accentuating it. Henry thought he never saw anything as beautiful when Grace revealed her naked body to him. It was if a pregnant Aphrodite had appeared before him in the flesh. She was beautiful, yet fragile he noted.

With her gown at her feet and her gold net removed from her hair, Grace elegantly sat herself across Henry's lap before she resumed kissing him. His fingers held her waist firmly, rubbing against the smooth skin. Grace gasped into his mouth as his hands curved around her bottom, pulling her against him and causing friction against his hardened member. This gave him the opportunity to make his path cross her neck before indulging himself with her breasts.

Henry's touch was soft, feeling as if she would break at the wrong movement. Percy's death had affected Grace deeply. She was far along in her condition, and yet he felt she was dwarfed by the size of her stomach. She didn't appear sick, but he worried he would be too rough with her and harm her when he tried to show his passion.

Henry's mouth latched onto one of Grace's nipples, her back arching in pleasure as she held his head to her chest. "Henry, Henry, Henry…" she murmured quietly, his name on her tongue and her soft moans making a shiver run down Henry's spine. Her movement against him only heightened his desire and he longed to be inside her. He had to have her, or his sanity would be lost.

"I need you," Henry whispered, raising Grace slightly above him as he positioned her body over his lap. Henry removed himself from his breeches and carefully thrust inside her, eliciting the most sensual sound from his lover's lips. He didn't know he needed anything else as much as he needed her. His tension and fears faded away as he made love to Grace. He hadn't dreamed of possessing her when she married Percy, not entirely anyways. And now they were both back to where they had been at the beginning: Grace was able to give herself truly to Henry while he was still married. He cast the thought away, focusing on the task at hand.

Grace's senses were overwhelmed. She felt every part of Henry. She felt the velvet like caresses across her skin, the moisture of his lips as they worshipped her breasts, the feel of his member as he rocked her back and forth. She was all his. And as he neared his finish, Henry realized Grace was nowhere near hers. Her pregnant belly was making her frustrated. She wasn't close as she wanted to be to him and though she felt pleasure in the position she was in, her body craved more.

Halting his movements, Henry lifted Grace up slowly before carrying her bridal style to his bedchambers. She let out a light giggle at his antics which made Henry smile. He hadn't smiled in quite some time and to see Grace so relaxed, so at ease with him again made his heart happy.

Setting Grace down, Henry maneuvered her over to the bed where he turned her around and sought the skin of her neck once more. His hands held her hips before moving to cradle her pregnant belly. He caught a glimpse of them in the mirror situated against the wall where his bed faced. It was ironic how she carried another man's child and how much he wished it was his. How much he could have had the life he wanted with her if he had fought for her instead of giving up.

Henry positioned Grace over his lap, her back against his front as he gently thrust up into her on the edge of the bed. Grace gasped as his member hit her core, the adjustment sending her over the edge. He had found the perfect angle. She threw her head back in rapture, her hands squeezing his wrists as her nails dug into his skin. She practically screamed as she felt her orgasm wrack her body, Henry groaning as he too reached his high. She settled on his lap when he pulled out of her, Henry holding her tightly against him.

Henry heard her charming giggle once more, curious as to why she was laughing. It was at his expense he realized when she turned and caught his eye. "What are you finding so laughable?" he questioned. She pointed her head downwards. Henry realized that in his rush to take her, he had left his boots on during their lovemaking session, also leaving his breeches on in the process as he had merely unlaced them. "You can't blame me for forgetting something so simple when I had a beautiful, naked woman in front of me. The most desired woman in Christendom," he teased, nipping her shoulder jokingly.

"Hm…" Grace uttered. She was content sitting in Henry's arms. It had been a year and a half since they had laid together, but it was almost natural to her how easy it was to act as if nothing had happened. They had overcome all obstacles put in their way, but she was still uneasy.

"How are we to proceed with our relationship?" Grace questioned. Henry's smile faltered for a moment, and he pondered over their dilemma. Jane was about to deliver his child and though he loved her for being the mother of his child, he did not truly love her. Not the way he loved Grace. He would part oceans for Grace, travel to the pits of hell and back again just to save her. He would give his life for her.

"I will handle the matter." Whether he was referring to Cromwell, the Seymours, or Jane, Grace did not know. All she observed was the hard tone of his voice that he would change everything for her just to keep her.

And just like that, the king opened his eyes and stared into the darkness of his room. He let out a groan of disappointment, his dream fading fast from behind his eyelids. It had been so real and though his interaction with Grace had not gone as he dreamed; he was certain he would change everything for her. He had seen her that afternoon, Grace always appearing almost as an illusion to him. She had received the letter from him, and her reaction was opposite than he had expected.

"I thank your majesty for your kindness towards my cause and for your warning." Henry had merely nodded, keeping his distance. She made no mention of his declaration towards her, waiting for her to speak again. "I shall stay for the christening," Grace finally added. Henry shook his head again, making no move towards her.

"I shall let you know when that attainder has been reversed," Henry mentioned briefly. She curtsied to him quickly, her hand brushing against his when she passed. He reached for her wrist, stopping her in her path. He searched her green orbs for any type of emotion towards him but as her eyes met his she immediately pointed them towards the ground so he couldn't decipher her. He released her, Grace rushing from the room. She almost crashed in Suffolk, Charles steadying her before she could fall. An interlock of eyes occurred over Grace's head, king and duke speaking volumes though they both said nothing.

"I'll escort you to your rooms, my lady," Suffolk uttered smoothly, Grace in no mood to reject his politeness. Henry was grateful for his friend's interference. Yet, Henry hadn't realized something so essential to his connection with Grace.

"It was dangerous for you to come back," Charles whispered as they maneuvered through court. Grace knew her predicament, holding her swollen belly as she cast her gaze upon the other courtiers. "Even if the queen delivers a girl, you are still pregnant with another man's child. Cromwell will use that against you to pit the king against the Percys. There's already an attainder against your child's title if you have a son. Otherwise, your daughters may become wards of his majesty."

"He would not be so cruel as to take my children from me," Grace shot back, her anxiety showing as her cheeks turned white. "He wrote to me," she added. "His actions are a farce, to bait Cromwell into believing he wants nothing to do with me."

"Even if that is so, you should not have returned in your condition," Charles replied sternly.

"I'll leave after the christening."

"You'll leave after the child is born." Charles shook his head at Grace's stubbornness. She would not back down in the face of defeat. Even if the child was a boy, she would command attention and hope her hold on the king would last. Charles knew it would regardless of the future heir to the throne's gender.

"I am with you, Grace. You know you have my loyalty, but who else will protect you? Who else will proclaim their allegiance to you?"

"Exeter, the Poles, the Howards, Cumberland…" Grace listed names off the top of her head as if she rehearsed this moment in her head.

"And there are many against you. The Earl of Southhampton and his brother, Anthony Browne. They aided his majesty in the Pilgrimage of Grace. Nicholas Carew, Baron Wentworth, Richard Rich, the Wentworth cousins including Thomas Darcy and Thomas Wyndham, and their stepfather the Earl of Bath. And don't mention Oxford. His daughter may have married Howard's son, but his other daughter is wife to Thomas Darcy. He is a risk. Besides, the Poles and Exeter are all under suspicion of being treasonous to the crown."

"I wasn't finished," Grace declared. "There are many others I can rely on."

"Already speaking as a true queen," Suffolk joked, making Grace halt. She gave him a most unnerving look, Charles unsettled by the glance.

"This is not about power, Charles. This is about survival. My survival. My family's. My children's. I do not wish to be queen. Jane can have that title. I just want to live."

Charles knew Grace was worried about the future. She was in a precarious position and though the king claimed to love her, his anger could turn on her at random. Charles grasped her shoulders, making her look into his eyes. All she saw was his genuine nature as he made his promise to her. "And I will do everything in my power to ensure that."

Hampton Court Palace 11th October 1537

The baby had been stuck for hours; Jane having been in labor for two days now. She had been pushing endlessly it seemed, her flaxen blond hair plastered to her face from sweat. She was beginning to tire from her exertions, the midwifes losing hope fast. They would be punished severely for losing both queen and child. Mary had never left her stepmother's side, not for affection for Jane but out of duty. This was her half-sibling and though she detested Jane because of her friendship with Grace, she would not deny a struggling woman's plea for comfort. The future of England rested in Jane's belly; the whole court knew it. Even the whole of Christendom held baited breaths as they waited for England to have an heir.

Jane once again squeezed Mary's hand as she screamed out, trying to push her child out. Mary grimaced, but nevertheless kept a smile on her face for encouragement. She pulled Mary closer, her ladies whispering their fears to one another as the midwife's shook their heads. No progress was being made.

"Promise me Mary, you will help raise my child if something happens. Do not let her near him." Mary froze. There was only one "her" she could be referring to. She gently dislodged her hand from Jane's grasp, looking to Jane's sister to take her place. Elizabeth Seymour now Neville replaced Mary, Jane giving her stepdaughter an incredulous look. It didn't matter if she was Henry's wife. Mary would aways choose Grace over her.

"I want her out!" Jane screamed, Mary already making her way towards the door as Jane's pain was now overtaken by her anger. "You have betrayed me, your own stepmother! And now you go running to her!" Mary ignored her, keeping her head held high as she gave Jane one last look of pity.

Mary couldn't refute what Jane said. She was indeed going to Grace's chambers. She wouldn't dare see her father, Henry consumed by his thoughts and likely in the middle of prayer in his private chapel. Her father may have broken from the church, but she could not deny that he was a religious man. He was at God's mercy as he muttered to himself, "Almighty and everlasting god, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities, stretch forth thy right hand to help us and defend us."

Mary hadn't expected Grace to be praying when she was announced in her chambers. Grace didn't budge an inch, kneeling at her private altar with her lips moving slightly. Mary could only do the same, slowly descending to her knees as she clasped her hands in prayer. There was only silence between the two friends for several minutes before Grace made the sign of the cross.

"She is still in labor?" Grace questioned.

"She dismissed me from her chambers."

"Why?" Grace asked, sending Mary a quizzical look.

"Because she tried to make me promise to keep my father away from you if she should die." Grace's slight intake of breath was indication of her discomfort.

"She will not die. Your father's physicians will make sure of that." Although many of the men were foolish and absorbed with their ego, they knew the consequences of losing both mother and child.

"The baby is stuck," Mary stated. Grace knew it was common for women to experience some difficulty during their first birth but if they did nothing, surely Jane would die.

"Have they tried to reposition it?"

"From the outside of her womb. She refuses to let them. It is too much pain for her."

"They need to ignore her pleas or else she and the child will perish." Grace couldn't believe Jane would be so selfish as to risk her life and her child's. Henry was most likely overcome with worry at the news. He had lost so many children with his previous wives. There had been plenty of stillbirths and miscarriages. Jane was no stranger to that. "Perhaps they could cut her."

"Cut her open? Are you mad?"

"Not her stomach. The child is stuck at the opening. She will rip there anyways. They need to cut her there and reach inside for the child. That's what the midwives did with my mother when I was born." Grace turned to Catherine Carey, her step niece accompanying her on her journey. "Go and tell Elizabeth what I have told you." Catherine nodded, knowing Grace's words would only be accepted by her new sister-in-law. "Now we can only pray and hope my advice will be heeded."

Grace's words were indeed listened to, the queen overcome with hallucinations as her pain started to overcome her mind. She had no idea when Catherine Carey entered the room nor when the midwives made a slight cut in her lower regions. They were able to reach inside, their small hands finding the baby's head and asking her to push. A huge relief was felt in the room as the child slid into the world. Jane could finally feel the tension released from her body and she sighed in reprieve.

The queen's elder brother, Edward, waited in her receiving chamber as Jane Parker, previously Boleyn, relayed the news to him. "Let me pass!" he shouted as he scrambled through the halls towards the king. He had been awake for the past two days as his sister had. He had barely slept, not wanting to miss the birth of his future niece or nephew.

Edward burst into the king's study. Henry having been pacing in front of his fireplace. "Your majesty." Henry's attention was now solely on his brother-in-law as he impatiently looked at him. "Her majesty is delivered...Of a healthy son."

Henry could hardly believe the words uttered from Edward's mouth. "I have a son?" he asked. He thought he heard incorrectly. All these years he had thought God had punished him by denying him an heir. He had believed God thought him unworthy, that his line was cursed. Catherine had given him sons and they had all died. Anne had also failed. He became paranoid that his throne would be taken by a York relative, that God would allow them to take his country from him and would deem them the rightful King of England. "I have a son!" he shouted with joy, realization setting in. A broad smile appeared on his features, the stress from the past days disappearing and replaced with happiness. Jane had given him a son, what England needed. And in that second, Grace had been forgotten.

The news had been announced by pages in the palace, cries of excitement heard through the doors as the courtiers bustled through the corridors. Mary and Grace could hear the commotion from the hall, neither bothering to move from their positions. Mary had taken to praying while Grace stood by the window and watched the courtyard below. Mary knew her father loved her, but she couldn't help but think her brother was now more important to him now. He had a son, an heir.

Mary turned to Grace, immediately noticing the small tears that cascaded down her face. Henry would never be rid of Jane now. She had given him what he needed and for that, he would always be grateful. He would not divorce her; he would not place her in a nunnery. She would be his wife for the rest of her days, and she would be placed in front of Grace for the king's affections.

"Grace…" Mary could only imagine how her closest friend felt. Her father had pursued her for so long and now any hope of them being together seemed impossible.

Grace chuckled to herself. "It was a fool's dream, Mary. I should have never held on to the idea that he loved me."

"He does love you," Mary stated. She admitted her father never looked at Jane the way he had Grace. Yes, there was devotion to some extent, but he adored Grace. Worshipped Grace. Needed Grace.

"He will never leave her, Mary. How can he? She has given him what England needs most. And all I've given him is for naught." Grace cried hopelessly; Mary confused at her confession.

"What do you mean?" Mary asked. She knew Grace had laid with her father, but she couldn't help but think there was something more to it.

"Have you ever wondered why I've never allowed you to see Rosalind. Why you've never seen her since her birth? Coincidently, you haven't had time to visit because Jane refused for you to leave her side," Grace drawled on. She harshly wiped the tears from her eyes, the skin now turning red at the harsh treatment.

"I hadn't thought of it. I know I've been absorbed with other matters, and Jane has manipulated my attention. I know I have neglected our friendship in that matter."

"There's no reason to apologize because I would not have let you see her under any circumstances." Grace's words had a hidden meaning behind them, Mary trying to unravel the truth.

"And why is that?"

"Henry will always be a part of me. I will always have a part of him with me," Grace declared. Her green eyes met blue, Mary gasping when she understood the full extent of her words.

"Rosalind is…"

"She's your sister. She is Henry's daughter," Grace admitted. It was if a burden had been lifted from her shoulders, her darkest secret finally revealed to her closest friend. Telling Mary could be her undoing.

Mary shook her head, her mind trying to wrap around the idea that Grace had given him a child. "And Percy?"

"Hal accepted Rosalind as if she were his own child. He urged me to tell the king, but I begged him." Grace wished she could go back to a simpler time when her Percy was still alive. She missed him every day and was reminded daily of her love for him. But as time went on, she realized she would have to divulge the truth about Rosalind's true father.

"And now you wish me to be your secret keeper?" Grace's eyes widened with fear, knowing Mary would be lying to her father for her.

"Please Mary. I am begging you…" Grace fell to her knees before Mary, taking her hands and pressing small kisses to the top of her knuckles. Mary joined her, embracing her friend. The two cried with each other, neither willing to let go of the other.

"I will take your secret to my grave if I need to," Mary stated. Her loyalty to Grace rivaled that of her loyalty to her father. And the two women stayed like that, unphased by the celebration occurring at court.

Hampton Court Palace 15th October 1537

Prince's Edward's christening was held privately among court in the days after his birth. With the plague still in London, only specific guests had been invited and special precautions taken to avoid the spread of the illness. A total of 400 guests were in attendance though many more would have been invited if not for the sickness that ravaged London. Margaret Grey, Marchioness of Dorset, was to be his godmother but had been prevented from reaching court when she encountered the plague en route to Hampton Court. Instead, the Marchioness of Exeter carried the little prince during the ceremony.

There were others who were almost prevented from reaching court: Geoffrey Pole and Sir Edward Neville. Even so, their absence would have been evident because of their opinions against the king and Cromwell's policies. Perhaps the Poles previous display of loyalty had halted the king from banning them from court while Sir Edward Neville association with the Duke of Warwick had also halted suspicions against the two men who were once closet to the king.

Grace was clearly missing from the christening, heeding Suffolk's words. The duke visibly relaxed according to his wife when he realized Grace was not among the courtiers at the christening. Her attendance would only spark more gossip. What surprised Suffolk the most is that Warwick and More were present along with Thomas Boleyn, the shamed Earl of Wiltshire. The Lady Mary served as the prince's other godmother while Elizabeth carried her brother's baptismal cloth. Suffolk and Norfolk were the prince's Godfathers.

"The Seymours are triumphant," More remarked to his brother-in-law as the procession made its way down the aisle. Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury, had just finished the service and the whole of the court was now progressing to the queens' chambers where the king also resided. Whether it was a proud or smug look on Edward Seymour's face, Warwick did not care. He merely scoffed at the man's behavior.

"Edward will have the king's favor," Warwick added, knowing the eldest Seymour would use his position to his advantage.

"I think that is evident with his new title," More spoke. Edward had just been given the title of Earl of Hertford with the birth of his nephew. "And he will be sure to denounce our allies when the opportunity presents itself." Many of the courtiers for the Nevilles were against the Seymours. Edward would try to eliminate his enemies one by one, starting with the Poles since Reginald insisted on defying the king. And whoever disagreed with Cromwell also risked currying the dissatisfaction of the Seymours since they were so closely aligned.

Suffolk soon joined their small group, the three men holding back as they reached the queen's chambers. The little prince was passed to his mother who looked extravagant in a robe of crimson trimmed with ermine. Her golden hair hung loose around her shoulders, and she looked much recovered since her delivery. She blessed her son before Henry did the same, the couple casting adoring looks at their newborn. "We must be extra careful in the upcoming days. Grace no longer has the king's ear with the birth of his heir."

"You discredit your niece, Thomas," Suffolk commented. Both men turned to him, questioning the duke with their questioning glances. "When Grace visited the king, I had never seen him look so defeated. Something is holding him back. Perhaps it was the impending birth, but I know the king will have the attainder reversed against your grandchild within the next coming months. Cromwell is unaware."

"That is good news. I was readying myself to petition the king on her behalf," Warwick stated. He had been outraged when he learned of the actions taken against his family, but More had prevented him from addressing the attainder. Perhaps he knew the king's true attentions. He had been his closet friend for so long, yet now it seemed the distance between them grew further with Cromwell's actions.

"We must brave the storm ahead, gentlemen. Grace cannot do so alone." More knew in his heart the Seymours grasp for more power was beginning. And with any luck, the king would resist and his relationship with Grace would be fully mended despite the birth of his heir. However, there was the matter of Grace's secret: Rosalind. The truth was sure to reunite the loves, but whether in strength or destruction, only time would tell.

A/N: Comments? As you can see, I have adjusted a few moments of history in this chapter. Edward has been born a day early and Jane survived the birth.