So, in one day a birth and a possible conception filled the castle with a haze of happiness and love. This was what Greer and Leith arrived too. Francis heard the trumpets announce the arrival of guests as he went to announce his son's birth. He put on his outer coat and sword belt to go meet them. He smiled when he saw it was Greer and Leith. "Welcome!" He called out as they exited the coach. "It's good to be back." Leith said clasping Francis' hand in a brotherly handshake. "It's better than not seeing each other for months on end." Greer said curtsying. When she straightened Francis noticed her place her hands on her stomach protectively and he smiled. Mary would be pleased. "Your timing is impeccable." Francis said turning to head inside. He led them to the main hall where other Lords and Ladies and people of the court were gathered. Lola walked over with two-month-old Nathaniel in her arms. Greer smiled and fussed over the baby as Francis walked up to the dais.
Bash was woken by the sound of trumpets and wondered who was arriving when he remembered Greer and Leith were coming. He tried to move without waking Kenna, but she stirred and lifted her head. "Well that was..." Bash smiled at her. "Wonderful." She giggled a little and he chuckled. "Greer and Leith have arrived. I heard the trumpets announcing them." Kenna crawled out of their bed and quickly got dressed. "Let's go meet them. Oh, and Francis probably has news of Mary." She said hurriedly. He watched her until she stopped and looked at him. "What?" He shook his head smiling. "I'm just glad I have my Kenna back." She returned his smile as he got out of the bed and went over to place a tender kiss on her lips. "Me too." She said. "Now get dressed." she said pushing him away teasingly. "We'll finish this later wife." He said as she left the room giggling all the way.
Francis cleared his throat as Kenna and Bash appeared beside Greer, Leith and Lola. He smiled and then made the announcement that a son had been born. A cheer rose up among the crowd and he let it go on for a few minutes till he lifted his hand bringing silence to the room. "The name will be announced at his christening. Which in two day's time we will have a ball following the christening celebrating this happy event." After more applause sounded around the room, he dismissed them declaring no more happenings at the castle until that time. As the people dispersed, he made his way to his friends and Bash and Leith clapped him on the back. The women all gave him their congratulations and asked about Mary. "She's doing well but I am due to check on her. If she is up to visitors, I'll send for you. Perhaps she will be up for a dinner together tomorrow." Greer nodded and the others all nodded with her. "Leith and I just arrived so I believe we'll get settled in our chambers." Leith nodded. "This evening we can let the women catch up and us men can test our luck at a game of cards." Bash and Francis both nodded their heads in agreement. Bash went to check on his men who had reported back from their patrols and Kenna went to take a walk with Lola around the castle as she put Nathaniel to sleep. Francis headed back to the confinement chambers and Greer and Leith went to unpack their things.
Mary had regained some strength in the time Francis had been gone so after cleaning up herself and changing she held their son as he slept while the midwife and her assistants cleaned up the bed and everything else. She would gladly be back to sleeping in their shared chambers tonight for which she couldn't wait. She would keep the baby in their chambers until he slept through the night. She had settled onto the settee as Francis walked back in followed by 11-month-old Merida. She looked so much like Mary as she did her best to keep up with her Father a very determined look on her face. "Papa 'ait." She said wanting Francis to wait for her. Mary watched lovingly as Francis scooped their daughter into his arms and tossed her into the air causing her to giggle uncontrollably. Mary couldn't help but chuckle softly. Francis brought Merida to her and knelt down in front of the settee. "Merida Adelaide welcome your new brother." Mary said tilting their son a little so Merida could see him. "Baby." Merida said. Mary nodded and Francis smiled at his wife. "And what shall this baby's name be?" Mary asked Francis as little Adi touched her brother's blanket and babbled a little throwing a word or two in there. "I think we should call him Phillip Oliver Valois." Francis said.
Francis had stopped to get Adi from her nanny so she could meet her brother. She was almost a year old and spoke in broken sentences yet still babbled sometimes. He'd brought her to Mary and their son and when Mary asked what they were going to name him he thought of a name for a new beginning. One that would show the nation this was a new era. A better one. "I think we should call him Phillip Oliver Valois." He stated. When he saw Mary's look of approval yet confusion he smiled. "I wanted a name that was meaningful to this new nation we are building. This new era. One that didn't have ties to anything of the past except his last name." Mary touched a hand to his cheek and smiled. "I love it." He smiled back and kissed her hand. "I love you." They spent the rest of the afternoon watching Merida Adelaide play and Phillip Oliver eat and sleep peacefully.
