I looked over Amara while rubbing stomach and humming. I had now become more aware that my stomach had grown, but under my dress you could not see only feel if you concentrated enough
"I think you shall have a little brother, Amara. Would you like that, I know your father would." there was a little knock and Cesare smile walking in
"I would like that very much, even though I wouldn't mind if I had another angel" he begins to rub his hands up and down my arms. Then he encircled his arms around my waist, and kissed my cheek.
"I do not like being parted from you." he mumbled
"Neither do I, but you have ambitions you need to fulfil. I only pray that once it is done, you will join your growing family."
"I swear on my life I will." he made me turn to face him.
"I promise that once my mission is complete and Caterina Sforza is in the Castel St' Angelo. And the Sforza dynasty is in tatters beyond repair. I will take you, our daughter and our little child to the home we were promised. Where I will chase her if she wants me too" I laugh "I will love you and give you more children if you so wish before my dying breath." he kissed my knuckles
"That is all I wish, but not too many children I do not think I would be able to repeatedly go through this. But I will try to give you the four you crave."
"That is all I could ask for then. My beautiful wife"
"I also have something to tell you of our daughter." we sit by the fire
"What is it?" he wonders stroking my hair as i leaned on his shoulder.
"She uttered her first word yesterday" i replied smiling
"She did what were they?" I could hear the proudness and pride in his voice.
"Her first word was papa, then mama"
"She is my little girl, then" I chuckled
"That she is and she grows more like you by the day" I look up at him "she is as stubborn as a mule" he smiled and I stroked his face.
"I miss seeing you smile, your rarely show any emotion anymore."
"I show it to you, to my daughter."
" I know your answer to that, because I give you a reason to smile. Does no one else other than us and your sister give you a reason to smile anymore."
"All i need is my family"
"And a army. Duke of Valentinois "
"No, just my family. Duchess of Valentinois" We kissed and in that moment everything was perfect.
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I stood in the Vatican gardens, being taught archery. Today was the day His Holiness would meet Giulia's suitor.
"And raise" I did so and released hitting the bulls eye.
"Dearest" I saw Vincenzo take Giulia's hand and I lowered my bow to observe with Vanozza "Holiness, may I present to you Vincenzo Salvatore?" he kneeled and the Holy Father held out his hand for him to kiss the papal ring which he did.
"Your Holiness" he was gestured to stand up.
"Your hands" his Holiness asked for
"My hands"
"Well, let me touch your hands" he touched them "Soft. Never worked the land."
"They toil with a feathered quill, Your Holiness. They plough with that" I hid my small chuckle behind my hand
"Is he deranged" I had to close my eyes to calm myself.
"No your Holiness, he's a poet." Giulia stated proudly
"A poet? See, deranged"
"He maybe another Petrarch, Holiness."
"Ah, yes....Can you make her laugh?" I turned around and started giggling
"Well marry him if you will" I turned back around and the Holy Father left to talk to Cesare.
"I believe introductions are in order, are they not?" I smiled
"Of course. Vincenzo, may I introduce Lady Natalia Borgia Duchess of Valentinois." I held out my hand and he kissed it.
"My Lady."
"And Vanozza Cattaneo" they bowed to one another from the corner of my eye I saw the pope return unhappy.
"Please excuse me" they nodded and I left to find my husband.