Greer found Leith as he exited the sheriff office and handed the message to him. "I was wondering if we could just spend the night here. Perhaps in the quarters you use when you have to stay here?" He opened the message, read it quickly then stuffing it in his pocket he turned to her. "I think that is a splendid idea." He took her hand and they walked to his chambers.
Leith cleaned up best he could while Greer sent for some tea. He figured Bash might take some time off for Kenna's sake so he prepared to have a lot more work on his shoulders. He wiped his face with a towel and tossing it aside and made his way into the sitting room in a fresh shirt and pants. Greer was making their tea and she motioned him over to sit on the sofa.
Greer put a few drops of the concoction Mary had given her in her and Leith's tea. She wasn't sure which one was the reason there was no baby so she wanted to be sure. She handed Leith his tea when he sat down and then she sat across from him. "So Mary gave me something she thought might help us." She said wasting no time in going straight for the point. Leith stopped sipping his tea and raised an eyebrow. "And what might that be?" He asked setting his teacup and saucer down. Greer lowered her lashes and felt her brow dampen with sweat. She hoped he wouldn't be angry with her for telling Mary. "I may have mentioned that we've been trying for a baby and nothing has happened." She said softly her eyes still lowered. She heard rustling and then saw Leith's face as he lowered to her eyesight. "Hey now you have nothing to be worried about. I want one as much as you do so if this does help then I'm glad you told her. She is our queen and your best friend." He said softly stroking her cheek. Greer felt her spirits rise and leaned forward to kiss him. He met her in the middle so she was sitting up and he was on his knees. He broke the kiss and touched his forehead to hers. She closed her eyes and felt her nerve endings tingle. Maybe that concoction was starting to work.
Leith felt himself grow a little confident as his nerve endings tingled and his heart beat a little faster. He wasn't even going to think negatively. Standing up and lifted Greer to her feet and turning her around he unlaced her outer corset and slipped her shirtwaist off revealing the top of her silk shift. She wrapped her arms around his neck and tilted her head to give him better access to the place right behind her jawline. He used the senses in his fingertips to remove her skirt as he continued to kiss her. As he trailed kisses down her jawline and to her mouth she turned so her lips met his and her kiss made him will his fingers to move faster.
Greer prayed Mary's concoction would work as she kissed her husband and he kissed her. She deepened her kisses and started undressing him as he finished removing her skirt. It fell to the floor with a soft whoosh of air and she stepped out of it. She felt herself being pushed back towards the bedroom and exclaimed as Leith suddenly picked her up and sat her on the bed. He finished removing his clothes and then crawled towards her as she began to lay back on the bed. She pushed all negative thoughts from her mind as Leith claimed her lips in a passionate kiss.
Leith sensed Greer letting go of her doubts and kissed her deeper opening up to her and tasting her all over again. He loved how she made him feel like this was his first time all the time. There was no routine to it. It always felt new and it made him love her more. She breathed his name then she gripped his face with her hands and kissed him for all she was worth. He closed his eyes and lost himself in his wife's love.
Greer reveled in her husbands attention and caresses as she let her inhibitions fall away and lose herself in him. Soon they were lying side by side breathless yet confident they achieved their dream. Greer couldn't be sure but she almost felt different this time than any other time they'd made love. It was an unexplainable feeling of confidence and hope.
Mary woke the next morning to the news of Kenna's miscarriage. She and Lola both shed a few tears as they mourned for their friends loss. Mary wouldn't bother Kenna with having her visit in her state so she sent a letter from both her and Lola stating their feelings and their sorrow. She hoped Kenna wouldn't be too heartbroken as to not attend the births. Lola had been feeling restless that morning and Mary wondered if she was somewhat mistaken on her due date. Mary convinced Lola to eat some breakfast before leaving her to complete some of her Queenly duties at her desk.
Greer woke and found Leith had already dressed and left their chambers. She dressed herself and eating a little cheese and grapes she left to see if Kenna was feeling up to having visitors. She knocked on the door and she heard a soft voice bidding her enter. She walked in and softly shut the door behind her. Kenna was laying on the couch eating some breakfast and Greer assumed that Bash was wherever Leith was. "How are you feeling?" She asked walking over and kneeling beside the couch. Kenna pushed her plate aside and Greer saw tears well up in her eyes. She took her friends hand and reassured her. "You don't have to talk. It hurts now but you'll heal with time." Greer said. She may not have miscarried but the thought of not having children bothered her for a while. That among other things was the reason she could somewhat sympathize. She just sat down beside her and sat with Kenna letting her take comfort in Greer's presence.
Francis had come from visiting his mother and felt as though she was starting to deteriorate more and more. He'd visited little Adi again and she'd wanted to ride her pony Mina but the weather was turning chilly and it was raining so he'd dissuaded her with sweets from the kitchen. When he noticed Adi was getting sleepy he took her to her nanny and then after giving an audience to his peasants for them to voice their concerns or problems that the crown could help them with he decided to check on the military happenings. He walked into the room where Bash was seated at a table with a feather pen in one hand and documents in the other. "How goes it brother?" he asked. Bash looked up and Francis noticed he looked a little worse for wear. "Not very good I'm afraid." Francis frowned and drew closer to the desk. "Oh don't worry it's nothing to do with military affairs. It's Kenna. She lost the baby last night." Francis couldn't remember if he'd ever seen his brother get as sullen as he looked in that moment. "I'm so sorry Bash. I don't know what to say." Bash wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and sighed regaining his composure. "It's okay. I didn't know what to say either." Francis was about to ask about military affairs when a servant girl rushed into the room. "I beg your pardon your Majesty, my Lord Bash, but the Queen has sent word that Lady Lola's pains have started and the Queen wishes to see you." She looked as if she'd run all the way there. "I see. Thank you, you may return to help her Majesty." The servant girl nodded and curtsied then left the room. "Something must be wrong for Mary to ask for me." Bash shewed him away with his hands. "Go I'll be ok." Francis nodded and exited the room.
Lola hadn't said anything all morning, but she'd been getting light cramps in her stomach. She chalked it up to the food not agreeing with her or the baby, but by mid afternoon they grew worse and she was having a hard time keeping it from Mary. The baby shouldn't be coming for a few more weeks. Something was wrong she knew it, but she felt helpless. This baby was all she had left of Julien.
Mary had been resting most of the day since the baby hadn't let her sleep all night and decided she should check on Lola. She hadn't heard a peep out of her since they'd ate breakfast. She struggled to rise, the weight of the baby making it difficult to move then she heard a muffled cry from Lola's bed and she did her best to rush over to her. "Lola what's wrong?" she asked pulling the curtain separating the room aside. Her friend lay on the bed holding her stomach, beads of sweat on her forehead and tears falling down her cheeks. "Something's wrong Mary. He shouldn't be coming. It's too early." She spoke her voice cracking with emotion. Mary rang for a maid and when she came she ordered her to send for the midwife and for Francis. Then she helped Lola from the bed. "Let's get the bed stripped just in case there is nothing the midwife can do to stop the contractions." She did her best to pull back the top quilts and stripped it down to just the sheet. She spread the birthing blanket out and just as she was about to help Lola back in bed liquid rushed from between Lola's legs making a puddle on the floor. "Nooo!" Lola cried covering her face and starting to sob. Mary hushed her and helped her carefully into the bed. "I'm afraid there is nothing we can do. It seems as though the baby is coming."
This was the scene Francis walked in on. He had knocked on the chamber door for a full three minutes when he heard a cry and decided to just enter. He felt somewhat relieved to see Mary looking as healthy as ever, but his heart did sink a little to see her friend in so much pain. He noticed the puddle of fluid on the floor and guessed the baby was coming. "Mary you asked for me? I'm not sure there's much I can do." His wife looked up and after reassuring Lola once more she walked, or waddled more like, over to him. "I know." She said looking a little scared. He pulled her into his arms the best he could and rubbed her back. "I just needed to see you. With everything that's happened the past few hours I just wanted to make sure you are alright." Francis pulled back and nodded. "I'm not going to even try to convince you to leave your friend. I just want you to be careful." Mary nodded and then the midwife entered with her apprentice and a few other maids. Francis kissed her hand and then left the chamber praying things would be ok.
Mary decided to take Francis' advice so she just sat beside the bed holding Lola's hand while the midwife and the others worked. "I need you to push when you feel the pains. I know it's scary, but there's nothing else we can do except deliver this baby." Lola nodded and when the first big pain came Mary thought she would squeeze the feeling out of her hand as she bore down. Mary remembered the feeling when she brought Merida into the world. She hoped Lola didn't have to go through the pains of birth and then the pain of loss.
Lola felt as though she would tear in two. The pushed when she felt the pains and though she wanted to scream all she could do was cry at the thought of her baby not being healthy or even alive. She was glad Mary was with her, but the pain of losing Julien reared its ugly head causing her to feel even worse. Not only would he not be here to see their baby, but the baby might not even live. "One last push my lady." The midwife instructed. Lola did as she was told and after a few grueling seconds she felt relief and knew she'd borne the baby. She kept her eyes closed not wanting to open them. She heard Mary sniffle and knew in her heart the baby wasn't alive. "I'm sorry Lola. He was beautiful. Do you want to see him?" she heard Mary say. She slowly opened her eyes fresh tears falling and nodded. The midwife brought a small baby boy to the side of the bed and Lola touched his small face. He looked peaceful, but she saw his chest didn't move. "My sweet baby…" she paused when another pain hit her causing her to inhale sharply. "What is it?" Mary asked. The midwife handed the lifeless child to her apprentice to prepare for burial while she went to examine Lola. She gasped and waved a maid over to her telling her to grab another blanket and some more hot water. "What's wrong?" Lola asked. "Nothing. I believe it's a miracle. When you feel like you should push do it m'lady. You're having twins." Mary gasped. "Heaven above. A miracle indeed." Lola couldn't explore her feelings since all she felt was the pain and the need to push again. She prayed for the strength and this time didn't hold back the cries.
Greer left Bash and Kenna's chamber as Kenna finally slept. She knew with time Kenna would be ok. She wanted to say goodbye to Mary and Lola and thank Mary for her herbs. She would be returning home and Leith would be following a few days later. He'd decided to just ride to and from the castle for a while so he didn't have to be away from her for long. She drew near the chamber that Mary and Lola were sharing when she heard a cry of pain. She rushed inside leaving formality outside. She gasped and covered her mouth with her hands at the scene before her. A woman who looked like the midwife's apprentice held a lifeless baby and was cleaning it and preparing it for burial. Lola was on her bed crying out and the midwife was shouting directions and encouragement. Mary was beside the bed holding Lola's hand tears streaming down her face. "What is happening?" Greer exclaimed rushing over to the bed. Before anyone could answer her Lola yelled again and pushed hard then the midwife caught a second baby. A few seconds passed before a cry split the air and tears of joy spilt down everyone's face.
Lola heard a cry and started crying herself. "It's another boy!" the midwife exclaimed. She started ministering to the baby before placing him in Lola's arms. Then Lola saw Greer standing a few feet away. "Greer!" she said waving her friend over. Mary stood and wiping her face she congratulated Lola then sending a maid to fetch Francis she went to her side of the chambers. Lola looked into her son's face and thought how much had happened. She realized that though she would bury a child, she would also have one to comfort her. Why she had given birth early was a mystery to her, but she was thankful things hadn't been worse. She put his mouth to her breast and relished in the joy of feeding her son as the midwife cleaned her up and refreshed her sheets after her body had run its course.
Mary pulled the curtain across so Francis' entering wouldn't disturb them. She felt tired even though all she did was hold Lola's hand. She guessed Lola's early labor was due to the twins. When Francis entered, she asked him to just hold her as she explained what happened. "I prayed for her you know." Mary kissed his cheek. "I love you." Francis turned and placed a kiss on her lips. "I love you more." Just as she started to lose herself in his kisses he stopped suddenly and smiled against her lips. "The baby kicked my hand." He whispered. Mary laughed lightly and placed her hand atop of his. "He knows his father's touch." Francis lifted his head looking down as her stomach rippled as the baby moved again. "You think it's a boy do you?" Mary shrugged her shoulders. "I'm hoping, but it doesn't matter to me." She buried her head in his neck and breathed in the scent of his leather vest and soap. He encircled his arms around her and hummed the tune of their wedding dance song.