Kenna woke up feeling delightfully sore in all the right places. She rolled over and came into contact with Bash's firm chest. She sighed and snuggled against him. How did she ever get so lucky? Bash murmured in his sleep and wrapped his arms around her. She smiled and closed her eyes. Alexander's nursemaid had knocked on their door sometime before dawn and Bash slept soundly through it all. Typical guy.
Mary stretched and then groaned a little as her body reminded her of last night's events. She placed a hand on her stomach and sighed contentedly. She was hoping for a boy this time. Merida was the light of their life, but Mary knew Francis hoped for a son. She wrapped herself in her robe and after giving Francis a kiss on the forehead she headed to the nursery to spend a few quiet moments with her daughter.
Francis ordered their breakfast to be brought up as he waited for Mary to return from the nursery. He'd washed and dressed humming to himself still elated from last night's events. He realized soon he would have to be satisfied with just kisses and caresses. He jogged down a few things he planned on taking care of later on. A few minutes later Mary returned empty-handed and he assumed Merida had fallen back to sleep. "Morning precious." he said placing a kiss on her forehead. She patted his cheek and smiled. "Morning to you too. Shall we eat?" she brushed passed him to the table. Francis sighed and followed after her. He popped a few grapes into his mouth and watched as Mary devoured most of her meal seeming to barely swallow between bites. "Slow down darling. You're going to choke." he said placing a hand on hers. She smiled sheepishly and swallowing her last bite she sipped some of her milk. "I'm sorry. I just didn't realize how hungry I was until I saw it. I am eating for two you know." she said raising an eyebrow. Francis eyed her smiling, a passionate look in his eyes. "I'm sure it has something to do with last night's lovely events."
Mary felt herself start to blush as she wiped her mouth with her napkin. "Really Francis don't flatter yourself. You know I'm right about the baby." She replied a teasing glint in her eye. She tossed her napkin onto the table and stood heading past Francis to her wardrobe. She felt his hand take her wrist and pull her onto his lap. "I beg to differ wife." He said before kissing her like he did the night before. She felt him push her robe off her shoulders and slide his hand under her nightdress. She groaned with pleasure, but then stopped his hand before it explored any further. "Francis we've got things to do." She said as he kissed up and down her neck and shoulder. He captured her face in his hands and kissed her deeply. She knew he was trying to distract her, but she didn't want to overdo anything. So, she let him have one more touch and one more kiss that made her almost melt in his arms before she pulled away and stood.
Francis let his wife have her way and he let her go. He knew she was right, but it didn't make it any easier on him. He left her get dressed as he headed to a meeting with Bash and Leith. They were discussing on sending a search party for Julien and how to continue with Elizabeth in England. He met Bash in the war room and smirked at the distant look in his eye and the small nail marks right under his hairline. "Busy night brother?" Bash looked up an almost imperceptible blush darken his cheeks. "Come brother we're not teenagers. No need to state the obvious." Francis chuckled and patted him on the back. "I guess I should keep quiet. Mine wasn't void of pleasure either." Bash shoved him and sighed heavily.
Bash shook his head. Francis really could be childish sometimes. "Now brother to business. Julien's last letter had him here. My spies say he was last seen a few weeks later looking for the nearest docks." Francis studied the spots Bash had pointed out. "So, his business was finished, and he was returning home?" Bash nodded. "Well that's it then. We send some men to determine if he made it to the boats. If he did, we then search out his destination. It may take some time, but we will be thorough." Leith nodded his agreement. "I'll go pick the men and have them set out as soon as possible." He said. Bash nodded, and Leith headed to the barracks. "Now on to the Queen. I say we give her one more week and then we force her to abdicate." Bash said. Francis sighed then nodded. "I don't see any other way around it brother. I just hope there is no war. As King I won't send my men and stay behind, but then I can't even think of being apart from Mary, especially now." Bash was about to say something when the doors opened, and a breathless Mary rushed in.
Mary tried to control her breathing, so she wouldn't pass out, but Francis needed to hear the news. "Mary!" Francis exclaimed rushing over to her. "Is everything ok?" he asked checking her over and placing a hand on her stomach. She nodded and finally took one last deep breath. "Yes, I'm fine, but you'll never guess who I have received a letter from." Francis led her to a chair and had a glass of water brought over. "I was looking through my letters and found one from Elizabeth. She was congratulating me on my pregnancy and then stated she had news of her own." She handed Francis the letter and had him read it for himself as she took a drink and caught her breath.
Francis stared at the letter in disbelief. "Of all the backstabbing things to do!" Bash took the letter from him and read it. "Elizabeth is pregnant, and she is claiming Conde is the father. Why did she wait this long to tell us?" Francis sighed. "Because he isn't here anymore. The moment we sent Conde away disgraced she must've realized he wouldn't align himself with us. If what she says is true than she will use this as a reason to keep her throne. Conde comes from a royal line and since Elizabeth is still Queen their baby has a right to the throne." Mary shook her head. "If it is true than we've got to rethink our plan. By all accounts she was pregnant before Conde came here. We inquire if he knew about it. If he didn't than she found out after he left to come here. That means she is a month a head of Lola and I." Francis took Mary's hand as she stood. "You can work the details out amongst yourselves, but I think we should let her alone until she has the baby. If fate is on our side, we may be able to align the thrones instead of pushing her off." Bash looked at Francis a smile on his face. "I think you've got yourself a fine queen Francis." The king smiled and kissed Mary's cheek. "I know."
