A month later and there were rising tensions both in the court and the land. Francis had told Mary of the message he'd gotten and the unsettling attention of Lord Narcisse on Lady Lola. They'd both done what they could to help France and set their control of England in stone with an arranged marriage between Merida and Elizabeth's son George. With threat of invasion and Conde no longer standing by her she'd consented, but Francis and Mary knew there would be never ending conflict. The hatred of the Protestants shown by the Catholic nobles had come to a head and there were riots in towns that made traveling very hazardous. Word had reached Francis that there was a nobleman in particular that was fueling the hatred and his spies were doing their best to discover this threat to the peace of France. Meanwhile Greer had told Mary of her pregnancy news of which Mary had suspected when she saw Greer caress her protruding stomach a few times at the ball. Phillip was a thriving one month old and Merida was running around the castle giving her nursemaid's a run for their money every day. Mary and Francis tried to spend as much time as they could with Merida, but with things being so uncertain and most of Mary's attention on the baby it was hard. Still the little princess knew she was loved especially when she would run into the throne room while court was in session without consequence. Francis never had a harsh word for his daughter and usually gave her a hug and a kiss before handing her off to her nurse.

Christmas was fast approaching and Bash hoped whatever tensions were in the land would at least hold until it was over. Was it too much to hope for a contented Christmas Eve and Day with his wife and son? He'd woken on a particularly cold morning to find Kenna still asleep her arms cradling her stomach. He frowned as he pushed her hair from her face and stroked her cheek. He had hoped she would become pregnant again after their passionate lovemaking had resumed when she'd recovered from her loss. But there was no sign of a baby and he knew it affected her more than it did him. Their lovemaking was not hurt, but rather frenzied by her want of another child. So he'd asked her to take some time for herself and go to the hot springs the week before hoping she would stop her worrying and just let it happen when it happened. She'd returned hungry for him again, but he did his best to ask her to wait a few more days knowing Alexander wanted his mother's full attention. He wanted her mind healed as well as her body. Now he wondered if she was fully healed as he watched her cradle her stomach protectively.

Kenna stirred when she felt a brush of warmth over her cheek. She blinked a few times then rolled to see her wonderfully, yet painfully stubborn husband watching her. She knew he'd sent her away for her own good, but even upon her return he'd bid her to wait. She knew she was trying too hard for another child, but she still felt the loss and wanted another to fill that void and to provide Alexander a sibling. She missed her husband sorely and she knew as she met his eyes he could see all these thoughts cross her mind.

Bash watched Kenna stir and as she met his eyes he saw she was wishing for him to make love again. As she opened her mouth to say whatever was on her mind he reached for her and pulled her against him silencing her with his lips. He felt her instantly come alive and as she moved to come to him intimately he raised his head and pushed himself up on one elbow. "Slowly my darling wife." he said sliding his hand down her shoulder and across her stomach. She shivered in anticipation and Bash smiled warmly at her reaction.

Kenna was ready having missed these pleasurable feelings and was all too ready to have him when he raised his head and whispered "Slowly, my darling wife." She felt him slide away from her reach, but slide his hand down her shoulder, across her stomach. She shivered in anticipation and wanted him to quit stalling and love her fully again. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply letting him know she was ready. As he gave in to her request Kenna felt something change and knew Bash had been distant for her own good. They didn't realize how late it had gotten when a knock was heard on their door. Alexander was awake and their breakfast was waiting.

Greer was slowly becoming larger and she really didn't like to be moved very fast by anyone. She knew the dangers of carrying a child and didn't want to take any chances, but she knew Leith was convinced she would be fine. At least in bed he knew she was fine because as much as she took things slow love making was not one of them and he knew her body's desires overrode her minds concerns. He didn't complain and so he stayed quiet only reminding her when they were alone and she complained she was being rushed. Mary would assure her when they met for tea or some event that she was perfectly fine and looked lovely. They were all looking forward to Christmas at the castle.

Lola smiled as she held Nathaniel on that particularly cold morning. She knew for his sake she must marry again, but Francis and Mary seemed hesitant about Narcisse's attention. She knew he wasn't too sympathetic towards the Protestants, but he knew his King and Queen didn't want them bothered so she was sure he'd just voice his concerns rather act on them. She felt a proposal was eminent and she decided she would say yes for the sake of her son.

Francis knew things were going to happen that day if the cold morning meant anything. He crawled out of bed much to his dismay and began washing up after stoking the fire to warm the room back up. They'd had a late night with a nobles' Yuletide party and he'd had to put Mary to bed as she'd fallen asleep still fully clothed after feeding their son. Soon she stirred as the sun filtered through the window and bathed her in golden light. "Francis. You didn't wake me." she said. He turned from his spot at the mirror. "You looked peaceful." he replied and went back to shaving. "How'd I end up like this?" she asked pulling the sheet up realizing she was without a night gown. "You fell asleep feeding our son fully clothed again so I put you to bed." he replied. "And failed to furnish me a nightgown?" He smiled at her through the mirror. "Go and fetch it then?" he said pointing to a chair. "A gentleman would fetch it for me." She pulled the sheet up again. "Depends on the gentleman." he said. "One don't look becoming in daylight." she replied. He stopped mid-shave and looked at her again through the mirror. "I disagree." he said. "Are you going to fetch it for me or not?" He resumed shaving. "Not." She sighed and wrapped the sheet around her then slid out of bed. Francis set his razor down and turned stepping on the sheet. Mary squealed as she fell managing to keep the sheet around her. "No you can't have me." she said feigning horror. Francis wiped his face and laughed. "Oh yes I can. You are my prisoner." he said getting down and crawling over her feet and stopping a few inches from her face. "My present to unwrap at leisure." he said kissing her. "Really? And here I thought you liked me better at night." He kissed her again. "A Queen at night in her full glory is a pleasure, but A Queen bathed in sunlight and the morning coolness is quite another thing to behold." Just as she began to let the sheet slip away there was a knock at the door. "Sorry your highnesses, but Prince Phillip and Princess Adi are ready for their parent's visit and breakfast together." Nicolette called from their chamber door. Mary chuckled as Francis lifted his head. "We shall be down in an hour." he called. Mary raised her eyebrows and he smiled. "Or two." he added just for her to hear.

Then the sheet was gone and Mary was unveiled, a wondrous sight that Francis would never tire off. He kissed her senseless and caressed her gently. Lifting her to the bed he kissed her from her lips to her collarbone. Francis wondered at the unknown workings of one's body no matter how many times he witnessed it. Two hours later they made it to breakfast and Mary sat feeding her son as Francis ate with Merida.

So much joy in the Castle that day was soon ended for news came of the Catholic and Protestant riots came to a heated point and blood was shed. The hopes of a peaceful Christmas were dashed and thoughts of presents laid to the side as each man, whether King, Noble, Sherriff or Lord dealt with the aftermath and their wives or prospects waited to see if their men came back home without incident.