Thanks for sticking with me guys! Please, Please review! This is a very short chapter, but I hate to keep you guys waiting so long. Trust me the next one will make up for it! Again please please review! I really didnt think my story would get this much love so thanks so much! It makes me want to write! It may not seem like it but I do! Seriously I didn't think my writing was that good. I love you guys!
June arrived and after two months of searching word finally came about Julien. The ship he'd been on had perished in a violent storm. Lola was heartbroken, but after grieving she pushed on for the sake of her baby who now was her only connection to her husband. Francis told her she would be welcome in the castle for as long as she needed, and Mary convinced her it would be at least until she had the baby. Merida was half a year old now and was crawling whenever she could. She babbled and giggled, and Mary thought she heard her say mama, but she couldn't be sure. She even seemed to play carefully with four-month-old Alexander who tried to crawl like she did. Mary cherished the days she carried their little one as much as she did with Merida if not a little more. They had inquired of Conde about the Queen and found out he knew nothing of the pregnancy, but he did admit to having a relationship with her. With France having the ability to take the throne Elizabeth agreed to their terms of aligning the thrones.
As the weeks went by Francis and Mary focused on planning Merida's education and visiting the surrounding towns. They noticed that with their nationwide decree to let Protestants and Catholics worship without interference things weren't as hostile as they had been. If there were still disgruntled commoners, they weren't voicing their opinions. Francis seemed to be growing bored and a little distant with all the meetings he was going to and Mary figured it was time to get away before she had to stay at the palace for the remainder of her pregnancy.
Lola wrapped her arms around her expanding middle as she strolled through the gardens. She was thankful Mary had insisted she stay at the palace because she wasn't sure what she would do if she was at the manor by herself. She knew she would eventually go back, but when the baby was born she would have something to keep her occupied. If the baby was a boy she would keep the estate intact for him to inherit someday. If, however, it was a girl she would have a bit more difficulty securing it for her. She had a feeling Julien's family would interfere if it wasn't a boy.
Bash left the meeting to let Kenna know that in Mary and Francis' absence he would be taking on more duties. He was thankful things had turned out like they had, or he felt like he would have gone crazy before now. Leith would take over Sheriff duties and still report to Bash. He found Kenna in their chambers going through her clothes while Alexander slept on their bed. "Do you think I should wear the green dress or the blue gown at the dinner party tonight?" she said looking at Bash as he walked in. "Well seeing as you wore the blue one when I proposed to you..." he said raising an eyebrow and smiling. "Then the blue one it is." she said hanging the green one back up. He walked over to the bedside and brushed a kiss across Alexander's forehead. "I just wanted to stop by and let you know that I'll be taking over some things while Francis and Mary are away." Kenna nodded as she laid her outfit out. "Let's pray things go smooth while they're gone. I rather prefer having my husband come home at night." she said. Bash chuckled and walked over giving her a kiss. "Well since we live here that shouldn't be hard to do." Kenna shoved him playfully. "You know what I mean." He nodded and after giving her one last kiss he left to finish his duties.