I DO NOT OWN REIGN.
French Court, Kingdom of France. 2 days later.
The day before my wedding, I was relaxing in bed with Mary. I never got tired of the feeling of my fingers on her bare skin. She laid her head on my chest as we enjoyed each other's company.
"I wish we didn't have to get out of bed." I griped as Mary kissed my cheek.
"We have to, the wedding is tomorrow we have so many nobles and foreign royals to impress." She pointed out as I responded with a groan.
"Doesn't mean I have to like it." I shot back as Mary climbed on top of me, leaning in close to my face.
"Just get through one more day of preparations and then...we can have our wedding night early." Mary offered with a smirk.
"I'm all for making love without a damn audience." I teased as we kissed passionately for a few moments. However, we were interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Come in!" I declared as Mary hid under the covers as a servant came in my room.
"There's a royal visitor in the throne room, your royal highness." He said matter of factly.
"I shall be there presently." I assured as the servant left. I then looked down at my naked wife who was giggling at my expense.
"So much for that moment of happiness." I groaned as I went to get dressed.
Later that day.
After Mary and I had dressed ourselves and went to the throne room, Marie de Guise strutted in like she owned the damn place. She looked exactly like she had in the show: cheap, but confident. I wasn't supposed to know who she was yet, so I kept my mouth shut.
"French court has gone to hell, but I'm here now, dear." Marie said as Mary offered a smile.
"Mother." She said awkwardly as I turned to her.
"Mother?" I asked as the Scottish Queen mother offered me her hand; which I reluctantly kissed, it seemed rude not to.
"I'm Marie de Guise: your mother in law; if you so desire. I need to speak with my daughter and you might as well be there." She said as she ushered us out to an empty room so she could have her say.
"So I sent you here to wed a king and find you having fled from court for weeks?" Marie asked incredulously as she was clearly displeased by our stunt. "My darling, your engagement to Francis was a careful negotiation set in place when you were six, and now you tell me that you nearly threw it all away because of a prophecy?"
"One I believed, Mother." Mary shot back as she grabbed my and. "We did this and Bash went along with us to save Francis's life."
"From a fate a magician predicted." Marie remarked as if Mary was tripping balls.
"It's no longer an issue. Nostradamus's visions have changed and he sees us living a long and happy life; heirs included. There is nothing to worry about...mother." I replied, backing Mary up as best I could.
"Mother, it's all very complicated and we haven't been together in so long." Mary pointed out.
"I came to the convent for your 11th birthday." Marie argued. "Half the ship's crew died along the way, but I was there, gift in hand."
"I only meant to say that I've missed you." My wife clarified. "And I wanted to talk to you about this, about Francis, about everything. Please don't make light of Nostradamus's warning or our choice."
"I make light of nothing concerning you or our country's future." Marie insisted.
"It all happened so fast."
"Good, perhaps there's still time for you to see things with a clear mind. I've wanted to be with you as well, but there is trouble at home; Scotland is in peril."
"The English, I know." Mary replied.
"It's worse, our country is on the knife's edge of falling into Protestantism and we are Catholic rulers." Marie added anxiously. "You need France, a Catholic country, at your side now. Marry its next king, and the Protestants will scurry into the darkness; Marry Francis."
"She is marrying me, first thing tomorrow morning. I swear, everything will be fine." I told Marie, even though I wasn't quite sure if I could deliver in that promise.
"I'm glad to hear it." Marie said with a smile as she kissed us both on the forehead. "Let us hope all goes well, for all our sakes."
Later that afternoon.
As if having my unsettling mother in law around wasn't nerve wracking enough, Princess Claude finally arrived after weeks of waiting. As Mary and I went forth to greet her, anyone could see that Catherine was pissed. Now, to be fair, I only called Claude back to bring her into the Varden and at some point, get her shacking up with Leith Bayard. The fact that it upset Catherine was strictly a bonus. Claude grinned as soon as she saw me.
"And my brother, Francis." She said as we hugged each other tightly.
"Claude, you look well." I quoted as Catherine rolled her eyes.
"The picture of health." She jested as Mary walked up to us.
"Dearest sister, may I acquaint you with Mary, my wife to be and your queen to be:" I said as Claude curtsied to the love of my life.
"Princess Claude, welcome back." Mary said pleasantly enough. "You probably don't remember me."
"Oh, but I do. I recall your lovely dark hair and your smile. You seemed so tall in those days." Claude remarked with a bit of her humor that really developed as the series progressed. "And sporty. You loved to muck about outside; do you still?"
"Love the outdoors? Yes, perhaps we could go for a walk sometime." Mary offered, trying to endear herself to my little sister.
"I'd like that." Claude replied before she went off to see Bash. I kissed Mary's hand, thankful that I had another ally in my struggle to keep Reign on the right course.
REVIEWS NEEDED AND APPRECIATED