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.
