Son of Hope

Chapter Twenty Eight - As predicted

Another feast and celebration, this time to honour and celebrate the engagement of Mary to Charles. I watched as the two dance happily and hoping they would have a easier time of it than I had lately with Catherine. Though I remained seated as I watched everyone else have the fun occasionally smiling and conversing with those who came to talk.

"Your Grace, a message from your brother." Stafford handed me a letter and I took it reading it over. He was joined by select members of the council.

"Harry writes that our sisters husband, Angus, has betrayed her. Her heirs have both been seized. That He and Howard are escorting her back to London." I scrunched the letter slightly.

"I knew sending Howard was a stupid idea. Harry should have gone on his own."

"No, no, Your Grace undoubtedly made the right decision in sending him." Stafford assured me.

"Your sentiments are welcomed but not needed. I should have gone with my original idea and left her too it. Either way I hope she has learned her lesson." .

"Stafford, your sister just pounced on Compton" Charlie commented and we all looked over to the two.

"Your Grace." I turned my attention to Lady Blount "Your child is coming early, Lina is with her." she curtsied and left as quickly as she came.

"I will attend to her." Maggie added following Lady Blount. 

"The hour comes your grace. The future of your Kingdom is fastened on this moment." Boleyn says

"I pray that the Queen will serve you." Wolsey adds

"Congratulations, Ned. He comes." Charlie smiles as I rise to my feet and having something to drink before heading to stay outside the Queens chambers and wait. "Perhaps you'll name him after me. Prince Charles. It has a ring to it." Charlie joked

"No. Their names are already decided, I know they are to be Sebastian and Hope." I ran up to her quarters to hear the cries out from Catherine as she gave birth. Stafford and Boleyn joined Charlie and I. It wasn't long till I heard the wails of a babe and it became softer

"Which is first?" I question "My son or my daughter? Not that it really matter but who do we have first?" I put my hands together and held them to my lips in anticipation. The door opens and Lina comes out.

"Well?"

"Your daughter, Your Grace. Comes into the world."

"My little Hope." i chuckle looking at Charlie "She is like her grandmother, the first to enter a room." i chuckle

"Lina." She looked back

"Go." she left and I cradled my daughter, as she wriggled for a moment and then settled into my embrace

"Congratulations, your grace."

"Another one to follow. My son is born as we speak, my heir." rocked my daughter to sleep as her brothers screams overtook that of my wife signalling his entrance to the world as the new Prince of Wales and my son. The first part of my vision had finally been fulfilled.

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The Children now a just over a week old, Catherine had been churched and returned to celebrations in court. I laughed and was of good cheer when she entered

"Her Majesty the Queen." I stopped my conversation as she glided to me and curtsied

"My wife! My Queen and the mother to my son and daughter!" I cheered as the court banged on the table in happiness. I embraced her "You have made me the happiest man and father that you could have ever known." I kissed her which she returned when we parted I grabbed a cup of wine