Once Upon a Time in France

Chapter 1

He came back to her, as he always would. That was Mary's thought once she saw her handsome Golden haired husband pass through the castle's gate, leading the French troops back home after their victory in the west. Her little Anne was comfortably settled in her arms and James held her hand.

Henry stood proudly, his Queen of The Bean for the past 9 years, Penelope, still by his side with the high position as royal mistress. The only thing keeping a servant and naive girl in her place being Henry's current madness.Thank God Catherine and Francis would be there to have things balanced. The French queen grinned beside Mary once she spotted her favourite child between the soldiers

"One hundred years" Francis started his speech "For one hundred years the English occupied our French soil, but no longer. The West is ours for once and for all!" he announced and everyone, the whole crowd, cheered with him "And I am proud to say that I have fought with the bravest men in Europe, which led by God, above things, and His Majesty, King Henry, provided this beautiful show and made us even closer to conquer the whole continent"

Everyone was happy, but it was impossible to more than the Scottish Queen. After three months, her dearest prince had returned to her arms

"Mama, look!" Anne pointed at Francis once she spotted her father walking towards them "PAPA!" she squealed and he grinned along his wife, filling his youngest's cheek with lots of kisses

"Oh, my Lord, I've missed you so muuuch!" he stated stealing the child from her mother's arms and hugging his son with his free arm "You've grown so much, boy" he said ruffling his heir's blond hair. Mary couldn't stop smiling, she was enchanted at the scene. John Philip also came rushing to greet and hug his father. All was well finally again. Catherine and her looked at each other sighing happily.

Francis then let go of his sons and put his daughter down to her nanny "Hello, my love" he looked deeply into her eyes cupping her cheek with his soldier's gloves before kissing her like he had been practising for that moment for months

"Welcome home, Darling" she smirked "I've made arrangements for your return, I hope you enjoy them"

He chuckled and whispered while kissing her ear lobe "As long as they begin in our bedchambers"

By the night.

He woke up in her warm arms. She doubted she would never let him go again, not even for a weekend. To stay sane, they had to be together. The queen was there, staring at his tired face as traced circles around his chest in a delicate way "You're awake"

The young dauphin stretched a little on the bed and nodded before silencing her again with a quick kiss "Sleeping is wasting time when it means being with you" she laughed lightly before hearing whispers outside their room. They only had time to cover themselves, but barely, with their thick blanket, before two children walked inside. Anne came running, her teddy bear in her hand. She had just gotten her bath, as her dark silky hair hair was still wet and she was wearing her nightgown

"I-I'm sorry!" James tried to explain as his little sister ran to the couple's bed "She was insisting a lot to see you" he whispered almost as an excuse and Mary chuckled, nodding

"That's not a problem, my sweetheart, she said grabbing her robe from the floor and dressing it under the covers as Francis mimicked her, but with his breeches, before picking Anne up from the floor

"Mama, It's bedtime!" the princess squealed once settled between her parentes. It was true. Mary had been sleeping with her babies for the past months, but right now, she really needed her privacy with her husband. And even though was already night, she had enough rest to continue her adventures with him