Secrets

Secrets ~ Chapter 4

The next morning, Francis and Marie were still sleeping, wrapped in each other's arms when they heard the door open. Francis sat up groggily, glaring at the page standing at the door announcing his Mother.

"I said we were not to be disturbed," his eyes flashed. The page looked nervous and ducked back out closing the door quickly. Francis threw himself back down onto his back, pulling Marie over to him who was only half awake.

"Katherine, I'm not pregnant! Go away!" she said.

Francis smiled, smoothing a curl out of her eyes.

"Well I can see you both woke up on the wrong side of the bed," the Queen Mother said cheerfully.

"What is it Mother, that couldn't wait until we were awake and dressed?" Francis asked, closing his eyes again.

She came over to sit on the bed next to her son, "Nostradamus said he was able to show the vision successfully to Narcisse last night," she told him. "Now we have only to wait to see if his conscience and his loyalty to France outweighs his need for power. But Francis, me must be vigilant or this could blow up in our faces," she warned as she looked at her daughter in law who looked like she was going back to sleep, tucked into her son's side.

"Honestly, why are you two still asleep?" she asked as she moved away from the bed.

Francis looked at the window, 'Mother it's not even light yet," he protested, tucking Marie's head under his chin and closing his own eyes.

"A perfect time to be awake and making heirs rather than lazing around," she laughed sweeping out of the room but feeling her son glaring daggers at her as he sat up again, displacing Marie once again.

"Francis!" she complained, "lie back down!" she commanded.

Francis looked down at her, her eyes still closed, the look he gave her one of pure divine love. He gathered her back into his arms, 'sorry love," he whispered, kissing her cheek.

She rolled over, burying her face into his shoulder, sprawling out across him fully intending to return to sleep.

Francis rolled his eyes, "there is no way I am falling back asleep with you positioned like that!" he said laughing as he moved back to his side, pulling her close and burying his face in her hair. "And I'm not giving my mother the satisfaction of thinking she can come in here every morning to wake us up so we'll give her a grandchild."

Marie giggled, "You're actually protesting making love to me because of your mother!"

Francis groaned, "Forget I said anything, go back to sleep," he told her as they both laughed but drifting off together in comfort and security.

Hours later they were both up and dressed for the day discussing their schedules and they planned to meet up for a midday meal to discuss court business as well as any developments with Narcisse.

King Francis had almost made it to the war room when he saw his Mother headed for him. "What is it Mother?" he asked. "My advisors are ready to update me on the situation with England."

"Francis, you were supposed to work on making an heir this morning," his mother complained. "I don't think you realize how vitally important it is that you and Marie produce an heir and quickly!"

King Francis rolled his eyes, "Mother, we will have a child when God gifts us that child and not a moment before. Meanwhile, you will pull your spies out of MY part of the castle or I will have you and your entire household banned from our living quarters," he threatened.

She opened her mouth to protest...

"Not one word!" he commanded. "And if my orders are not to be disturbed in the future, there better be a war starting for you to enter our chambers again before we are up for the day!"