Son of Hope

Chapter Forty - A Happy Future

I paced back and forth outside Catherines chambers as she was admits her labours bring another child of ours into the world. With our earlier attempts still haunting me I thought God's grace would leave us for some reason now that I had two sons and a daughter but yet Catherines screams were out done by and eventually muted by small ones of a infant. I breath a sigh of relief as a weight was lifted off my shoulders.

Waiting for my new child to be brought out felt like an eternity, till Lina finally opened the door cradling the newborn in her arms.

"A daughter your majesty." Stafford and Charlie slapped my back before i stepped forward and Lina handed me my little girl. My gaze fell upon her and already small tufts of fiery red hair like her mothers.

"Oh, look at you." I mutter stroking her cheek then looked up "Is Catherine well?" Lina nodded

"We are helping her now." Lina cruised and retreated back into the Kings room. myself returning to gaze upon my daughter.

"Your brothers and sister are going to love you so much. They will love and protect you and you will love and protect them. None shall break the Tudor siblings, not this time."

"She is a credit to your majesty." Charlie complimented

"A mass will be held and the christening as well. As soon as we figure out a name for her." they nodded and when Catherine was ready to receive visitors i entered. She was now sat up in bed, understandable tired. "She is beautiful Catherine, just like her mother." I handed her back over then sat facing Catherine.

"I am sorry that she was not another son." I scowled at her

"Why do you need to be sorry? You have given me two healthy sons and daughter who have survived their infancy. Our reign is secure." I kissed her "Now what shall we call her?"

"Whatever pleases you my lord." something didn't seem right and it was beginning to unsettle me. I look back to Lina and Anne

"Leave us please." they curtsy and leave us alone. I turn back to Catherine. "What's the matter you don't seem yourself. Was the birth difficult than the others?" I wonder taking her hand.

"No, it's nothing."

"Clearly its something." she wasn't forthcoming with her troubles "My love, we have been together for 12 years. We have had out disagreements and our heartbreaks but we have also know our love and our strength together. In all the time we have known each other when have you not trusted me with your deepest thoughts.?" She looked down to our daughter.

"You told me once of a bleak and painful future. You gave warning and took measures to protect those around you. I chose you and promised you sons."

"Of which you have given." I nod in agreement

"But what if it's not enough, what if something happens to Sebastian or Edward, what then?" she wept and I wrapped my arms around her in comfort "There are no more sons."

"Listen to me. Listen." I pulled away. "I have heirs. We have heirs. England will not peril the Tudor dynasty is safe. If the worst did happen and we lost our boys we still have daughters. They are still heirs of England and they can take the mantle of Queen. They come from a strong bloodline and are every bit capable. The can carry on our line. Never doubt what you've done. Ever I will not have it. You are my wife, my Queen and the mother to my children. We chose a different path all those years ago and we have prospered, don't doubt us now." I pulled her back into my embrace.

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Princess Isabella was christened and Catherine was churched. Court and left fell back into normalcy. We held celebrations once Catherine was well again in her favour and that of our new daughter. I was already in the hall when Catherine entered with Sebastian, Hope, Edward and Isabella.

"Ah, my illustrious wife and mother of my children returns." I clap for her and she curtsies "My good Lords and Ladies we are blessed and privileged to have our Princess Isabella with her siblings." Catherine handed Isabella over and I kissed my little girls head

"Music!" everyone continued as Catherine and I sat upon our thrones. She was in better spirts now that she had been reassured and held Edward securely on her lap as Sebastian and Hope were with their cousins.

"Your Majesty. Brother." Harry interrupted mine and Catherines conversation. We turn our attention towards him. "I was hoping to introduce someone to you." i glance at my wife then back to my brother then hesitantly nodded. Harry looked off to the side and gestured someone to come forwards as the music came to a stop.

"This is my son. Henry Fitzroy. Henry this is your Uncle the King." there was mutterings from my courtiers and my attention turned to my sister in law who had both mine and her children with her. I had known her long enough to know she was trying to hide the hurt in her eyes. "Bow before the King, Henry." the little boy bowed

"salve...avuch...avun.. car." Little Henry let out a small sigh trying to speak latin but struggling.

"What are you trying to say?" Frederick, Harry's oldest son questioned curiously.

"He attempts to say greetings dear uncle." Eleanor told her son and Frederick looked up for a moment

"salvete avunculi carisimi." Frederick spoke fluently and I smirked a at my nephew who rocked back and forth on his feet.

"Now you Henry." Harry encouraged

"Salvete avunclm Casimimi Uncle."

"You say Uncle twice, do you have two? We only have one." Bella, Harry's daughter asked and that caused whispers from the court.

"Welcome to court Henry. I trust you are well cared for with Aunt Elizabeth?" I asked remaining calm and not making a seen. After all it wasn't his fault that his father was an idiot.

"Yes." I hummed

"Carry on." the music started up again. I stood and handed Isabella to her nursemaid and stepped down to talk with my brother.

"Henry why don't you go join your siblings and cousins." I sent the little boy off and turned to my brother "You know I have spent years trying to control your narrative. Till I eventually realised that there was no point. God means for you to send yourself to an early grave alone in yourself and eventually become a mere memory, while your children and your wife will forever outshine you and be remembered. To which I say. Good luck with that." I tapped his shoulder and went to speak with Charlie.