Frary Family

Fear

"Now my belly is as noble as my heart." - Gabriela Mistral

Mary and Francis decided to decorate a room nearby their chamber for the newborn. With the help of Queen Catherine, the room was given extra luxury and elegance. They decided not to be too specific with colours since both didn't know about the sex of the baby yet. So most of the colour with be pale creamy colour with gold linings. The curtains are in light green colours. A daylight bed was included with armchairs around the fireplace. The cradle was made personally by King Francis and some help with the royal carpenters.

The furnishings in the baby chamber was almost complete. Except the baby. Mary personally knitted a wool blanket for the baby with an insignia of Mary and Francis reunion. She was already approaching 9 months. According to the Royal Physician, she would go into childbirth in another 2 to 4 weeks. She has to be seen by the physicians every weeks. Francis also helped her alot with her work as he was the King Consort for Scotland. Mary slowly handed over some of the administrative work to Francis till her confinement over and some correspondent letters with her mother, Mary de Guise. Her mother wanted to come and be with her during these last month of her pregnancy but recently she was busy with some issues with the nobles. She promised to visit her as soon as possible.

Lately Mary felt easily exhausted and breathless. The cramps over her limbs after long standing was easily felt and it came more frequently. She need to sit after a while. Not to mention she was sweating alot despite of taking enough water. She noticed she required to visit pot chamber frequently. According to the Royal Physician examination, the baby head already descent and prepared to be born, causing compression to her bladder. She noticed there were a few occasions she had longer but infrequent tightening of her belly but it wasn't alarming to her. The baby was still kicking happily.

Mary has been seeing a midwife, Madam Bette, and she agreed to assist her during her childbirth and caring the newborn, together with the care by the Royal Physician. From their first encounter, she has given Mary a few tips in her pregnancy and ways to ease her childbirth and suggested some remedies for pain. She warned Mary about the pain during childbirth that she might never thought about it. The thought of unbearable pain shivered her a couple of times. But Madam Better reassured her, breathing techniques, medication and certain massages could reduce the severity of the pain, at least. She suggested her to walk everyday. It might ease her birth process. Mary took her advice and almost everyday she would walk in the garden with Francis. He encouraged her but he was certainly worried. Nevertheless, he would do his best accompany her in between his duties.

"Do you want to go back to the castle, my dear?" Francis noticed his dear wife was looking breathless and her pace slowed. They usually took a little walk in the garden after their breakfast. She was less energetic that morning.

"No. I'm alright. We just passed the entrance to this garden," she smiled at him and continued walking. She felt that she has to push herself but not to exert too much.

"You looked clearly tired, darling. I can see that. Please don't hurt yourself, my love, " Francis held her hand that made her stopped walking for awhile, and gave her a peck of kiss on her sweaty temple.

Mary laughed nerveously. She kissed his palm and said, "My dear, I'm not hurting myself. I'm following the advice from the midwife that walking will help me during the childbirth. But that's not the only reason, I love walking. And I want to take this opportunity before my long confinement, as I was told."

Francis smiled. There was a moment of silence between them for a while as they were walking deeper in the garden. Suddenly Mary stopped abruptly under a shady tree, turned to face him and looked deeply into Francis' blue eyes. She was rather looking worried. And Francis was confused.

"Francis, I want you to know... I want this baby so much. I'm very thrilled. I am .... But I do not know whether I am going to survive the childbirth.... And I really hope this baby survive too.... And I am scared," she averted her gaze and stroke her belly. She slowly broke into tears. For the first time, Mary told him her worst fears - childbirth. Francis was stunned for a moment. He immediately hugged her and kiss her temple again.

"Oh Mary... I believe in you. You will make it. You're so strong. And I will always be with you, even during the childbirth," Francis reassured her. She was rather surprised with Francis' idea to be around her during the delivery of their baby. That was uncommon to have husband in delivery suite.

"Are men allowed to be with their wives during childbirth?" Mary was curious. She never heard about presence of men. Francis chuckled. Then he laughed.

"What's so funny? Childbirth is a serious thing!" Mary was a bit irritated with Francis response.

"Haven't you realize my love? The Royal Physician is a man, ever since I was born, isn't he? So, I think that it is not wrong or breaking the law to have husbands besides their wives, " Francis said confidently. Mary gave a thought, he was right about it. But she still had doubts.

"Are you going to be afraid of blood? Or I might screaming painfully to your ears, or you might not able to bear to see me in pain?" Mary asked, shakingly.

"There's nothing to be afraid or worried about, Mary. I'm your husband, and I always be with you till our bundle of joy safely comes to this world. I love you Mary. And I will never leave you alone," He looked into her eyes deeply, their noses were touching each other eventually, he immediately kissed her gently, sealing her fears and then she smiled. Her tears already dried out. Suddenly she found her courage in him.

To be continued.