Morning Glory-Francis (Reign)

Chapter Fifty

A/N-Kind of an exciting chapter today-Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in the U.S.! I'm thankful for all of you!

We woke up with the sun. As our eyes opened, the first bits of sunlight were peeking in through the windows. The only other people awake were probably the servants beginning to bake the morning bread.

"This is a new definition of morning glory." Francis groaned as he pressed his face deeper into my neck. His bare body was slumped over mine, under the blankets, and I felt a shiver run through him as I pushed my fingers through the hair on the back of his head.

"I love you." I said simply, continuing to card my fingers through his golden curls. As Francis peeled his head out of my neck, one of his hands reached up to smooth the red locks from my own head down onto the pillows behind me.

Even though no one would see me on my way back to my room-it was too early for that- I was sure Natasha and Elisa would know what had happened. My hair was never a mess in the morning, and I could feel a tender spot on my neck that I was sure had been left bright red from Francis' lips.

"And I love you." Francis answered before craning his neck forward to kiss me. I responded softly, letting my hands slide to his neck as his went around my waist, slightly lifting me off the mattress.

"I should go." I mumbled. Francis didn't say anything, but voiced his protests, by tightening his embrace around me. "Really," I said again, gently pushing at his arms.

"Why?" Francis groaned, pulling away from my mouth in favor of pressing more kisses on my neck and shoulders. My eyes fluttered shut momentarily at the sensation, but hearing a bird chirp outside the window quickly snapped me out of my trance.

A sound that could only be described as a whine left Francis' lips as I forced myself to scramble out of bed. As I scooped up my shift from the floor and pulled it over my shoulders, I could feel Francis watching me from the bed.

"You're making it really hard to not drag you back here." He called after me. I let out a short laugh as I pulled my skirts up over my hips and tied the waist haphazardly at my side. Shrugging my overdress on, and tucking my bodice under my arm, I walked back over to bed, leaning down to give Francis a kiss on the forehead.

He pouted as I pulled away, and I was tempted to give into him, but managed to hold my ground. Shrugging my shoulders playfully, I skipped away from bed, stuffing my feet into my shoes as I went.

I was careful as I stepped into the hallway, looking up and down for any signs of servants. When it appeared that the coast was clear, I hurried down the hallway towards my own room. I only passed one servant, but she was so tired, and hunched over a large basket of laundry, I don't think she really registered who I was. Not that I minded. I was not in a good position to be recognized.

A sigh of relief escaped my lips as I slipped into my own room, closing the door behind me. I tossed my bodice onto a chair and fell into bed, not seeing the two people sitting on one of the chaises by the dying fire.

"Do you want to tell us where you were where?" Elisa's voice startled me, and I shot up from the pillows.

"Not really." I muttered, a blush showing on my cheeks when I saw the looks on her and Natasha's faces. They definitely knew where I was.

"Alright then." Elisa smirked. I slumped down onto my bed with a huff.

"By the way, Anya," Natasha spoke up. "A servant came by a few minutes ago, with a note from Queen Catherine. King Henry has returned. They would like to see you in the throne room later. Queen Catherine said not to rush you after yesterday's events." From her tone I could tell she was trying to be helpful, but of course, Elisa had to make a comment. It was her nature.

"I think Anya had a longer evening than most of us." She muttered, still loud enough for me to here. I let out a dry laugh, as I saw Natasha shove Elisa out of the corner of my eye.

"I don't know about you ladies," I said, unable to hold back a small yawn, "but I believe I'm going to sleep for a few more hours before I get up. As you said," I smirked, rolling over to look at my two friends, "I had a long evening." I don't know why I said that, but it garnered a laugh from Elisa and a smile covering scoff from Natasha.

Still, my ladies left a few moments later, closing the door behind them, leaving me along in my chambers. Once I was sure they were gone and wouldn't be back anytime soon, I brought my left hand up and studied it.

The two of us were quiet, breathing heavily in the aftermath of our love. My head was laid back against a pillow, my hair fanned out behind me, my brow dotted with sweat as I tried to slow my racing heart. Francis was in a similar state, sitting up beside me, letting the cool night breeze from the open window fan through his hair. I didn't open my eyes as he picked up my hand and pressed it to his lips.

"I made something for you." Francis broke the silence, as he played with my fingers. "While I was sitting up there in that room with Charles and Henry."

"Hmm?" I hummed in response, wiping my face with my other hand. Francis dropped my hand and rolled away from me for a moment. I sat up, confused, thinking I had upset him somehow.

But a moment later, he rolled back towards me, landing rather roughly on top of me, holding his torso up with one arm in order to hold something small and gold in front of my face. I blinked slightly, bringing the object into focus.

A delicate golden wedding band was clasped in between his fingers. I didn't say anything right away, my eyes refocusing every other second between the ring and Francis.

"Marry me." Francis said, his voice somehow both soft, and demanding, and still not any louder than a whisper.

"Okay." I smiled. No more words were needed. Francis' hands reached down to find my left one, sliding the ring onto my fourth finger. At the same time, his lips reached down to mine, and our hands became entangled and trapped between our bare chests.

Though the sun was long gone, and the stars and moon where high in the sky, maybe for the first time in my life, I could wait for the sun to rise tomorrow.