The Wife of Edward Tudor

Chapter Three: 1554 Part One

January.....................................
"Aunt Isabella, how are you?", I asked. "Well, your majesty and you?", said Isabella. "Well if a bit tired and large", I said. "I came to offer some advice", said Isabella. "Of course, continue", I said. "When I was pregnant with my eldest children William and Charles, I noticed some difference between them and only being pregnant with one child. First I was much larger with them then with Phoebe. Another I was for more tired. Is this how you feel, dear?", asked Isabella. "Yes", I said slowly. Isabella rushed forward and gripped my hands. "My dear I believe that you are with child twice over", said Isabella. I smiled and laughed with a shake of my head.
(Skip to right before birth)..........
February....................................
"Queen Victoria, Queen Victoria", cried my sister Sarah racing into my room her face as white as snow. "Sarah dear what is it, you look like you've seen a ghost", I said with a laugh. "Victoria, news has come from the front", said Sarah. "Well dear tell me", I said with another laugh sure of victory. "Oh, Victoria most of the army is dead... oh Victoria...", cried Sarah. I put my hands on Sarah's upper arms and shook her. "And the king? What of the king?", I asked. "The king... the king... the king is dead", cried Sarah. "Uh", I said suddenly feeling a pain in my stomach. "Victoria, what is it?", asked Sarah. "It's the babies there coming", I said gripping to Sarah. Hours later I lied tiredly on the bed with Sarah patting a cloth on my forehead. "Sarah", I said softly. "Don't speak sister", said Sarah. "I'm dying aren't I?", I asked lifting a heavy hand to my forehead removing her hand from it. Sarah looked down but I could still hear her quiet sobs. "Sarah, if I am to die then I wish to do one thing", I said. "What?", asked Sarah holding back more sobs. "Bring me my daughters", I said. Sarah walked over to them and lied them in my arms. "Dear girls, I have done my job of bringing you into the world. But I have not done the job of naming you", I said. I looked at the one that shared Edward's looks. "Princess Jane II for you", I said. Then I looked at the one that shared my looks. "Princess June I for you", I said. I carefully handed the children back to Sarah. "And now I can die happily", I said sinking into my bed. "How can one die happily?", asked Sarah sadly. "Nothing is in this world for my anymore, my one true love is dead, I have given England an heir, three heirs. And now it is time for me to see our maker", I said. "Your majesty", said Samantha another one of my ladies. "What is it, Samantha?", asked Sarah moving Samantha out of the way. They whispered for a few moments before Sarah rushed to my side. "A man with the royal crest was seen walking near the castle, the guards who went to fetch him are here now-", started Sarah just then the doors bursted open and Edward came rushing in. "Edward?", I said tiredly. "Tori", said Edward rushing past Samantha and Sarah. "I thought you were dead", I said after Edward kissed me. "I always keep my promises", said Edward. Somehow his hand brushed past my forehead. "Victoria your burning up", gasped Edward. "I'm dying", I said. "No... no your not... you're going to survive this... we are going to survive this", said Edward. "Edward... dear Edward... I would like you to meet our daughters", I said. "Daughters?", asked Edward. "Twins", I said. "What are their names?", asked Edward. "The one on the right is named Jane and the one on the left is named June", I said. "Victoria... please don't die... don't leave me", said Edward rubbing my cheeks with his hands. I felt my eyes grow heavier and my body go limp. A bright light shone in my eyes but when I could see again I saw a shadow of a woman. "Who are you?", I asked. "I am Jane Seymour", said Jane. That's when her blonde hair and blue eyes came to view. "Your majesty", I said with a curtsy. "Dear child, do not curtsy to me, we are family", said Jane. I gave a nod but looked at my hands. "What is it dear child?", asked Jane. "Nothing it's just you look a lot like Edward", I said. Jane smiled and reached over to play with my hair. "Edward as lost much in this world, his mother, his father, and now... you. Which is why you aren't staying here", said Jane. "What do you mean?", I asked. "Edward will need you in the trying months to come", said Jane letting the piece of hair she had been playing with go. As soon as it hit my shoulder a blinding light lit up the dark area we were in. With a deep breath I opened my eyes to see Edward holding tightly to my body. "Edward", I said. "Victoria", said Edward kissing me.