I know I've been absent and I'm sorry. It's gotten busy for me and then I just haven't had the muse to write. But thankfully it came back. I just wanted to warn you that this is a true fan fiction because I know it's not anything close to real events or even the TV series. For that I apologize but I just haven't brought myself to finish it yet. Someday perhaps. For now, enjoy Frary getting what they deserved.
The next morning Lola woke, and the wave of yesterday's events passed over her in a mix of emotions. First thinking she'd lost the baby and then another one was born. The pain of the loss, but the joy of the gift. She turned over and watched her little boy sleeping in his bassinet. She decided she would name him Nathaniel Julien. He would carry on his father's name and she would do everything in her power to help him succeed.
Greer and Leith said farewell to everyone as his work was finished for the time being and he could focus on their estate. Kenna was feeling somewhat better and made an appearance for a short while to say her goodbyes. Greer gave her a long hug and told her to visit a lot more. She had said goodbye to Lola and Mary earlier that morning since they were both unable to make an appearance due to their individual circumstances. Soon the castle was fading in the distances as their carriage took them home.
So, it won't seem like the story is dragging I'm going to jump ahead.
Mary woke to a cool crisp November morning feeling somewhat unsettled. Lola had moved out to her own chambers after taking a month to heal. All Mary wanted was a healthy baby but seeing Lola with Nathaniel did stir feelings for a boy. Almost every day Francis had visited her explaining the court proceedings and even the Harvest festival they'd hosted. She was sad she couldn't be there but was glad to hear how everyone was doing. Catherine had slowed down considerably and there were days she wasn't herself at all. Just yesterday Francis had delivered a message from Greer saying they were coming for a visit. This made Mary happy. She was tired of being secluded. Kenna seemed to recover from her miscarriage both physically and mentally and often brought Alexander and Merida for visits when Francis couldn't. Mary climbed out of bed and walked to her desk opening her stationary. She'd decided to inquire about Elizabeth's health and if she was still holding up her end of the bargain. She rang the bell for breakfast once the letter was completed and proceeded to relieve herself again.
Francis was ready to have his wife back in his bed again. He missed seeing her all the time and did what he could to be able to visit her. Merida was almost a year old now and was talking in clipped sentences and running all over the place. She enjoyed rides with Francis, but he saw her especially happy when she could see her mother. He hadn't voiced his thoughts to Mary, but he was hoping for a boy this time. If it was a girl well, they would just have to try again, and Francis knew neither would mind at all. That is until Mary had to be locked up so to speak. That's what he imagined it felt like for her. As he ate his breakfast and prepared some documents for the day's work, he wrote a note to see about tweaking that rule a bit. He couldn't wait to tell Mary of his idea.
Greer was excited to see Mary again. She knew it had only been four months, but she and Leith had exciting news to share thanks to Mary. Their plantation was thriving, and Greer's sisters were as well. With no money hungry father trying to marry them off until they were ready, they could grow up at their own pace.
Bash left Kenna sleep as he quietly got dressed and went to his duties. She was back to her normal self, but he knew she still needed rest. Alexander was quite the handful and after Kenna's miscarriage she'd kept him in their chambers and had his nanny watch him there. She wanted to have more of a hand in his growing up than most royal kids but the change in routine had her ragged some days. But she seemed happier and brighter so Bash wouldn't change it for the world. Though he made a mental note to talk to her about trying again. She'd asked him to wait with her which for her health and mental health he'd gladly done. Yet he was figuring four months was enough. Sure, they'd had some good nights, but he was ready to really make love to his wife again.
It was that afternoon when Francis and Bash were going over daily reports, Kenna was performing her duties while Alexander played by her side, and Greer and Leith were halfway to the castle when in her chambers Mary had stood from her seat by the window to relieve herself when her waters broke. She rang for her maids to fetch the midwife and Francis. She knew she was to deliver roughly in December so a week or two early wasn't too worrisome. She paced the floor and by the time the midwife arrived her contractions were only a few minutes apart.
Francis signed the last paper and sighed in relief. "If I would've known how much work this was, I might've abdicated." He commented jokingly. Bash smirked. "Sure, brother sure." Francis stood. "How about we take lunch in here? Greer and Leith are scheduled to arrive soon, and I want to be free. It's time for a break from the duties today anyway." Bash nodded and sent a passing servant to fetch Kenna to join them. Just as Francis rang the bell for lunch, he saw one of Mary's maids rushing towards them. "Excuse me milord. Queen Mary has gone into labor." She said quickly. Bash smiled widely at Francis. "Go brother. I'll just take lunch with Kenna and have them bring something to you when you're ready." Francis gave Bash a grateful look as he turned and headed quickly to Mary's chambers.
Mary's maids helped her out of her clothes and into her shift as the midwife prepared for the baby's arrival. Her contractions were growing closer and she was grateful when she finally rested on her bed. A few minutes later she was happy to see Francis enter. He approached the bed and climbed in to hold her. "My beautiful wife." He said kissing her forehead. He rested against the back board and held her. "Oh Francis." She breathed as another contraction gripped her. She breathed through it feeling more strength with Francis with her. "I'll check you now lass." The midwife said lifting the sheet. Mary nodded and breathed deeply. "Everything looks and feels normal. It shouldn't be long now." Mary nodded and she clasped Francis' hand. Francis brushed the hair that clung to her sweat soaked face behind her ear and smiled softly at her.
Bash smiled when Kenna walked in with a smile on her face. He met her halfway and embraced her. "Shall we eat?" He said pulling back and looking lovingly at his wife. She nodded. "I've been chasing after Alexander and Merida most of the morning, so I've worked up quite the appetite." He chuckled and they walked to the small table in the corner of the room. "Oh, before I forget Mary's gone into labor." Bash said after a few bites. Kenna went to stand and leave but Bash caught her hand and shook his head. "Francis is with her and I'm sure Lola is on her way." She sat back down and began eating again. "I hope everything goes well." She said absentmindedly. Bash set his utensils down and took her hand again. "Kenna." He said softly causing her to lift her head and look at him. He was glad when he didn't see fresh pain in her eyes. Just a distant hurt and some worry for her friend. "Come here." She did and he pulled her into his lap holding her close and kissed her forehead. He stood and carried her to their chambers not caring who saw them. He set her down and unclamped his sword and dagger belt then picked her back up and sat her down on the bed and kicking off his boots he sat beside her against the backboard. Pulling her close he held her close and just stayed there.
Francis held Mary as she began to push. He whispered endearments in her ear and stroked her face and held her hand. Like always he hated to see her hurting, but he knew it was worth it in the end. Merida was everything to them and he knew this one would be too. One day the kids would become like their parents with alliances or maybe just maybe some could live a life as just a Prince or Princess. Whatever the case he was glad he was sharing the adventure with Mary.
Bash wasn't sure how much time had passed but it didn't worry him. His wife was important to him and he didn't want the royal life to have more effect on it than it already did. They'd just held each other and even drifted off at some point. He wondered how Mary and Francis were doing and if Greer and Leith had arrived. He was about to suggest them going and checking on things when Kenna suddenly lifted her head and kissed him slipping her hands under his shirt. He was so hungry for her that he didn't hesitate to kiss her back. He'd never seen Kenna this way and wondered if she'd been wanting him again as much as he had. He wanted to love his wife fully again but only if she was truly healed in both body and mind.
Mary drew strength from Francis as she felt the urge to push. All the usual feelings surged through her brain as she bore down and felt like she was splitting apart. "Keep going lass. I see the head!" The midwife called from some distant place. She heard Francis' voice and felt his touch and she clung to that as another contraction came and she pushed. She breathed through it and then another one hit her. She pulled her knees up and this time she cried out pushing until she felt she couldn't go on and then she heard a whooshing sound and felt the baby break loose. She fell back against Francis panting and crying at the same time. She opened her eyes and smiled at him as he kissed her forehead. "You did great love." He said. She heard the baby crying and was relieved to put away her worry.
Kenna unbeknownst to Bash had decided that morning that she was ready to really make love with him again. But when she had begun to feel a little down as Mary's news of labor brought back the feelings of loss, she'd begun to second guess herself. Then Bash had just held her, and she felt so safe and loved. She then decided to just take the chance and when she kissed him, she realized how much they both needed this. How much she'd missed it. As much as she wanted him, she didn't want to rush things, so she just soaked in every feeling he evoked from his kisses. She knew she didn't need words to tell him she was ready. She just sighed and breathed his name as he traced kisses down her jaw. He pulled back enough to look at her and seeing the same heat she felt, reflected in his gaze she smiled softly at him and drew up pulling him down to meet her with a toe-curling kiss.
Francis watched as the midwife cut the cord and whisked the baby away to clean it off and wrap it slightly to ward off the chill. "You have a son." She said turning and placing the baby into Mary's waiting arms. Francis' heart beat a little faster at the thought of a son. Mary began crying again as she held their son against her chest. Francis stroked his little head and smiled through his tears. "Oh, Mary he's beautiful." He said kissing her forehead.
Bash pulled Kenna closer as she slept peacefully beside him. He was relieved to know by the results of the night that Kenna seemed to be feeling like herself again. He wanted the best for her and let her take her time to grieve and process all that had happened. It did not stop him from wanting his wife like this as well as her being happy again yet he now knew he'd done the right thing in waiting for her to tell him. He was very pleased with the way she'd relayed that message and fell asleep with a very big smile on his face.
Mary felt like laughing and crying at the same time as she was handed her son. Francis mirrored her feelings as he stroked his sons head and then kissed her. "Oh, Mary he's beautiful." He said. She helped her son find her breast and as he pulled and sucked, she felt her milk release. "I love you." She said looking up at Francis. He brushed his fingers across her face and kissed her lips softly yet longingly. She placed her free hand on his cheek and stroked it with her thumb. "Soon my love. Soon." He smiled and then got up from the bed. "I'll return soon." He said giving her another longing look before leaving the room. She looked back down at their son and stroked his cheek as he sucked. She let the feel of him at her breast distract her from her body running its course and dispelling the afterbirth. Right then and there she determined not to have favorites with her children. She'd seen that push apart families and she would see to it that it didn't happen to them.