[For Thomas] Surprising Developments

[happyfalcon]

It had been some weeks since Anne had spent the afternoon composing poetry with Mark and Thomas. But in that short amount of time, so much had happened that Anne could hardly believe that it was all real, that none of it was a dream...

Thomas finished the poem soon enough and one evening Anne had stood beside his sister Margaret, with Mark playing the violin beside them both, and sang for the court. It was beautiful, and the sight of Thomas, so happy and overjoyed, it had been overwhelming for Anne. She had longed to go to him that evening but it was not to be. Her father had taken her from the crowds in the hall and took her down to the catacombs. There George had brought a fine white gown which she had been commanded to change into.

For she was to marry the King that very night.

Anne had tried to protest but her father had forced her. George kept their father's rage in check as best he could, and under his breath advised his sister that she had best forget her secret lover and do as their father commanded. With no escape possible, Anne submitted, and married Henry VIII.

In the time after their wedding, Anne's headaches had grown worse. Mornings were the worst, and often she could not rouse herself from bed without first throwing up into her chamber pot. To make matters worse, her belly had begun to swell and her bleeding had stopped. Anne was horrified - she was pregnant, and she knew precisely who the father was.

Thomas Wyatt.

She had not been herself the past few days since she had figured out her condition. Anne still attended court and the festivities that evening brought. But one night she could contain it no longer. After a long night of refusing wine and avoiding the smells from the food table, Anne grabbed Mary by the hand and led her back to a more private chamber, unaware of any who might see them and follow after them.

She had to tell someone, and she couldn't bear to tell Thomas, not yet.

Comments

[howlikeyouthis]

"You're too good for me," Wyatt said quietly and squeezed her tight against his chest for a moment. He felt relieved not having to cut ties with his family and everyone else, though this decision meant Anne's ties were too tightly connected to Henry.

Then he loosened his grip and concentrated placing small kisses along the side of her face. "We were so worried you would get pregnant and now that you are... I'm almost excited. I don't like the idea of our child not knowing who her real father is but maybe one day it is no longer necessary to keep it a secret. Your Mary, I know she can understand how important that is."

Wyatt looked into Anne's eyes, and then her mouth until he couldn't stop himself from kissing her propery.

[happyfalcon]

Anne smiled and gave a soft chuckle as he kissed over her cheek. She leaned towards him and smiled, glancing down at her belly.

"I know...it's so strange. I was so afraid..." and only moments ago. "I was so afraid to tell you...but I knew I had to. If I had kept this from you...it would've been so wrong."

She looked back into his eyes. For a long moment she just stared before she leaned in and brushed her lips over his.

"I can't wait to bring your child into the world," she smiled. "We will find a way, some way to get around this obstacle. Our child will be happy, and loved - that is what matters most, does it not?"

[howlikeyouthis]

Wyatt nodded. "The child comes first. Nay, you come first before she is born. You must take care of yourself and stay healthy. Talk to your mother. She should know what to do." It was of upmost importance that this baby was born without complications.

His hand crept up Anne's bodice and stopped at the soft bare skin rising above the neckline. Since she was sitting on his lap, her bosom was right there for him to admire. Wyatt flashed a smile before tipping his head to kiss that area.

He looked quite somber afterwards and pursed his lips before uttering, "I would like to cuddle with you but that would be treason."

[happyfalcon]

Anne nodded, knowing her mother would have a fit of joy when she told her the news. She would have to maintain her facade perfectly, that the baby was Henry's.

Not Wyatt's.

She sighed softly as he kissed her neckline. Her fingers reached up to card through his hair, loving the feeling of his curls beneath her fingers. His words though were heavy with truth. "Treason, yes - if only, my love..." for she would love to lay with him again, just to feel his arms around her, his hand over her belly, over their baby.

"We shouldn't linger here," she advised sadly. Mary had given her advice, and she knew Henry would come calling soon.

[howlikeyouthis]

"Very well," Wyatt agreed a little defeated. He shifted his legs to indicate Anne should slide off of his lap and by lifting her up slightly by her waist.

Once standing up again, he took hold of Anne's hands. "I'm afraid Henry might be inclined to send me overseas on other missions if there is need. If that happens, and if I must leave suddenly and without a word, do not worry. I will come back to you as soon as I can. Always."

It was more difficult than ever to arrange secret meetings with her now. Indeed it was a miracle they had managed this one.

"I will keep writing poems. When you hear them recited or see them written down, they are my messages to you."

[happyfalcon]

Anne slid gracefully from his lap and onto the floor. She was a little sad as Thomas told her he might be forced to go abroad, but she nodded, understanding. "You're an excellent diplomat, Thomas. It's almost funny - could you ever have imagined that you'd be working for the king as a foreign diplomat when we were growing up, Thomas?"

Anne couldn't help smiling, remembering the times they had spent together.

"I shall cherish your poetry, now more than ever," Anne kissed his fingertips. "Always."

Just as they had said before.

"Be careful abroad, my love," silently her eyes conveyed the message her lips dared not. Please, be back when the baby comes.

[howlikeyouthis]

"To be a diplomat? No, but I wanted to be somebody. I wanted to serve the king like my father. Only I didn't know how. Nor would I have ever guessed that I end up competing for the same woman with the king."

Wyatt sighed as Anne kissed his ink-stained fingers. "You are worth it."

He pulled her into a tight embrace and rocked their bodies gently. Life at court would be extremely difficult for him from now on. Thank God for the baby, though. Wyatt could at least look forward to the day when his child was born.

[happyfalcon]

Anne kept in his embrace for as long as she could, reluctant to let him go. She couldn't help feeling clingy; possessive. He was the father of her child. She wanted him nearby. If only it wouldn't look so strange for her to command that he be close to her for her entertainment. If only it wouldn't implicate them.

Letting him go for the night was the hardest thing in the world. But eventually she had to accept it, and with one last kiss she let him go for the night.

***

Anne sometimes wondered if Henry knew of her affair with Thomas, for he seemed to send the poet off on diplomatic missions more often than usual after her pregnancy was officially declared. After nine months Anne went into labor, and soon her screams echoed through the halls.

Of course only the best midwife in the whole country attended the Queen of England. Maids scurried in and out of the bedroom, carrying soiled linens with them. Two of Anne's ladies remained with her, holding her hands, wiping her brow, trying to soothe her. But damned if this pain wasn't the worst Anne had ever experienced! It was like every breath took all of her strength to take.

But it truly took all of her strength not to scream out for Thomas. So badly she wanted him near. She wished it was his hands that comforted her, not the maids'. Her breaths came heavily, shakily.

She was told that the King was already announcing that the baby was a boy, and was planning great jousts and celebrations to welcome the prince into the world.

All the while, Anne still prayed and wished for a girl.

Finally, after what felt like eternity, the baby came forth. Anne had to hide her joy as the maids announced that she'd given birth to a girl.

She'd given birth to Thomas Wyatt's daughter.

[howlikeyouthis]

It was easy to promise to stay hopeful but less so to live according to that promise. Wyatt did what he could, however, despite of the pain in his heart. He wrote poems. Plenty of them. He was expected to write them, to praise the new queen like the loyal courtier he was. No one just knew how loyal - to the queen.

The stars be hid that led me to this pain;
Drowned is reason that should me comfort,
And I remain despairing of the port.

His poems, like those of other eager and aspiring writers, circulated the court. They were copied and recited even he wasn't around to hear them. He was confident that Anne came across them one way or another. Sometimes the lines were too suggestive and earned him sideway glances from Henry or George but he was always quick to defend himself against accusations of desiring the queen in more than a chivalric way.

My faithful lute
Alone shall hear me plain,
For else all other suit
Is clean in vain.

He certainly didn't want to put her in danger.

The months dragged on. Each time Wyatt returned from his travels, Anne's belly had grown rounder. The whole court waited anxiously and ready to laugh and roar at the birth of a prince, but when the news of a baby girl were out, the party turned quiet. Princess Mary and ambassador Chapuys scarcely refrained their spiteful joy. And Wyatt, he hid his relief behind glasses of wine.

His instinct was to go to Anne immediately but he had no reason to ask a permission. Only family could see her. No one knew he was more family than anyone else. But no, he could not wait so off he went to George. Please, he begged - and his drunken friend gave in.

When the day was coming to an end, Wyatt finally found himself standing by Anne's bed. Sadly, they could not be alone, for George was chaperoning the meeting, but at least he was able to see his newborn child.

"Congratulations, my lady and forgive my eagerness to see your daughter."


((OOC: the first snippet is from a poem that starts 'My galley charged with forgetfulness'. Sonnet 14 here: http://www.shakespeares-sonnets.com/wyatt.php?section=11
The second one is poem nr. 4 here: http://www.shakespeares-sonnets.com/wyatt.php?section=9 ))

[happyfalcon]

Wyatt's poems did indeed reach Anne throughout her pregnancy. She made it a point to memorize each and every line. His words comforted her when she was lonely or disappointed. After she gave birth and she had recovered, Anne had been given precious little time alone with the baby. Henry had visited, and promised that boys would follow after their daughter, thanks to their youth.

But in that precious little time with her daughter, Anne whispered Wyatt's carefully penned words in the baby's ear. That she might share that connection to her true father even if she didn't know it yet.

Anne was surprised when her brother was announced, and had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling when Thomas was announced along with him. George, cup of wine in hand, plopped into a chair and made playful faces at Anne. She just rolled her eyes and smiled politely at Thomas as she rocked the sleeping baby in her arms.

"No need for apologies, Master Wyatt, I'm happy to have such a fine and esteemed poet as yourself come to see my precious girl," Anne smiled, holding her baby up a bit so that he could see her little face. "You would honor me if you might write something of her - should you find the time, that is."

Anne couldn't help kissing the top of her newborn's little head. She glanced up to Thomas, then to George, then back to Thomas. "If you swear to take great care, would you like to hold her, Master Wyatt?"

George, as Anne predicted, gave a little growl of discontent, which Anne killed with a sharp glare. "Don't be so glum, brother! This is a happy occasion and Sir Thomas is an old friend - would you not let him hold your son if you had any?"

George gave a sharp remark under his breath, but otherwise waved her off and drank of his wine. Anne glanced to Thomas, having crushed her brother's suspicion, at least this time, and curious of his response.

[howlikeyouthis]

Wyatt had stepped into the room with little doubt and a lot of determination but now that he was only a few feet away from his own daughter, he suddenly felt very weak. Rubbing his hands together he nevertheless smiled bravely.

"Why of course, if you would like a poem, it would be my pleasure to write one." Her offer to hold the baby was met with a grateful smile.

"You can be sure I will hold her as if she were my own flesh and blood." Wyatt's hands shook a little as he took the baby in his arms. He couldn't smile anymore. Instead, he drew in a deep breath and pressed the bundle against his chest, simply staring at the child.

"She is beautiful. My poems could never do her justice."

Wyatt found himself fighting for tears. Lovingly he kissed the baby's head, just like Anne had done and leaned down to give her back to Anne. With his back turned to George, there was no fear of his expression being seen by anyone else but her.

Neither did George see how Wyatt quickly pulled out a folded piece of paper from his sleeve and hid it into the baby's swaddling cloths. He had already written a poem along with a heartfelt note to Anne.

"Have you discussed names with the King?"

[happyfalcon]

Anne beamed with pride and delight, unable to tame her happiness at his choice of words. For she was his flesh and blood, his daughter beyond a doubt. Anne nearly cried seeing him hold their daughter. The baby fussed a bit and wriggled in her blankets as she was moved. But she didn't cry out as Thomas held her. Anne smiled as he kissed the baby's head.

She took the baby back in her arms, her eyes flashing as she spied the paper being slipped into her swaddling clothes. Anne couldn't stop smiling.

"No other poet is fit to even attempt to pay tribute to her with the art," Anne praised him. "You're the best of our age, and everyone knows it."

She glanced down as the baby fussed again. Anne reached down to brush her fingers over the baby's chubby little cheek.

"We've discussed naming her Elizabeth," Anne glanced up, clearly asking his opinion with her eyes as she could not with her words without rousing suspicion.

[howlikeyouthis]

George let out another huff when Anne praised Wyatt's poems but the poet in question smiled, shaking his head.

"You're too kind, my lady, but what's an idle courtier to do with his time if not practise with words? It is all for good cause."

"You should be more careful with those words," George stated and came to stand at the other side of the bed. Wyatt ignored that comment but nodded his approval of the name.

"Elizabeth? Ah, for your mother... and his. Aye, it is a fine name. Little Bess," he said softly. "I truly appreaciate you letting me visit but perhaps I ought to let you both rest now."

[happyfalcon]

Anne's eyes narrowed at her brother, half-tempted to command him from the room. Hell, what good was being Queen if it meant she was still subservient to her father and brother? Besides, she was a new mother and he was annoying her. But she thought better of it and ignored George even as he stepped up to her bed.

The baby made a soft cooing sound at 'Little Bess' - but Anne didn't like the nickname one bit and pouted her lips. When she settled in her swaddling clothes again, Anne tucked the baby near the warmth of her chest before glancing up to Thomas. There was a light in her eyes that showed a combination of sadness and regret.

She didn't want him to go. This was their child, she wanted to share in this moment with him. But that was not to be their fate.

"Indeed - forgive me for saying so, Sir Thomas, but bringing a child into the world is exhausting work indeed," Anne forced a smile, fighting off the glassiness in her eyes.

She didn't want to cry, not in front of George.

[howlikeyouthis]

Anne was about to get her wish, for there was a sharp knock on the door. Wyatt backed away from the bed to be safe but no one actually came in. He couldn't see, only heard the voice of Thomas Boleyn who requested his son's presence. George rushed out the door but not without a serious glance towards both Anne and Wyatt.

Just as soon as the door was closed, Wyatt sat on the edge of the bed and reached for Anne's chin. He gave her a hasty kiss and then stroked the baby's head.

"That was a godsent but I don't think we have much time. How are you holding on?"

[happyfalcon]

Finally! Some divine intervention in their favor! Anne silently praised God as George was summoned from the room. She kissed Thomas back and finally allowed the true smile to break across her lips.

"I am well enough my love, now that the baby is here," Anne rocked little Elizabeth in her arms. "I only wish we could truly share in this joy without having to hide."

She looked up to Thomas with wide doe eyes. "Are you happy seeing her, Thomas?" Even if it was Henry who would have the final say in what she was named and how she was raised. Not her true father - though Anne vowed to herself that she would do her best to keep Thomas as involved with Elizabeth as he could be.

[howlikeyouthis]

"I know but we can make the most of these stolen moments. I'm grateful to be in England on this day. I feared that I might be sent overseas on the last moment," Wyatt spoke out his worries. "We can also be thankful that you have maids and servants to help you with everything. That would not be the case had we run away."

He caressed Anne's cheek, wiping away a tear with his thumb and looking between a mother and a baby. "How could I be anything but happy? She's such a precious little thing. I know you will take care of her for me."

Yawning the baby moved under her wrappings and Wyatt held her tiny feet in his hand.

[happyfalcon]

Anne nodded in agreement, continuing to rock the baby in her arms. "I prayed each and every night that you would be able to see her this day. It would not do for a father to miss the birth of his child," she made sure to speak in very hushed tones. Again she felt slightly envious of his wife, that she had given him a child first. Anne would have loved to have been the mother of his first child.

But she was the mother of his second child, even if she couldn't acknowledge it publicly. That was good enough for Anne.

She leaned her head a bit to press her cheek more into his hand, enjoying the comforting gesture. "I will indeed - she is ours and I will see to it that she is the happiest child."

Anne smiled as the baby moved and fidgeted, and as Thomas held her little feet. "She has your eyes - not that anyone else has noticed. They say she has Tudor grey eyes, but they aren't looking close enough," thank goodness for that, lest they be discovered. But Anne knew her baby's eyes were Wyatt blue, not Tudor grey.

[howlikeyouthis]

If Wyatt had known Anne's thoughts, he would have told her he didn't compare his children to one another nor the circumstances of how they came to be. He had a son to carry the family name and now he had a daughter whom he would dote on. Somehow he would manage to be in the little girl's life.

He couldn't confirm the baby's eye color since they were closed at the moment but the mouth, and especially the curve of the upper lip was all too familiar to him.

"Her lips, your lips," he whispered and once again leaned over the baby to kiss the mother.

"I want to ask you a favor. Could you commission a small painting of yourself for me? Something very small to keep in a locket. I long to carry a reminder of you wherever I must go."

[happyfalcon]

Anne smiled softly and tipped her head to meet his kiss and give it right back to him with equal affection. Her lips, soft and sweet, she would reserve them for him alone, if only she could.

"I can, I will," she could have the artist paint two small portraits of her, that she might choose the best for a locket for the King. At least that's how she planned to explain it if anyone else asked. Truth be told, she would choose the best and have it put into a locket for Thomas.

Anne chuckled softly and looked down at the sleeping baby in her arms. "I'd ask for a small reminder of you that I could carry with me, but I carried this reminder for nine months - and if I have my way I shall always have her near."

[howlikeyouthis]

"That is true, a living and breathing reminder," he chuckled. "Small now but growing each day. I have to settle with a painting- oh!"

The baby scrunched up her nose and sniffed. Her mouth fell open with a tiny cry of displeasure and then she opened her eyes. She seemed to look at Wyatt but the gaze wasn't altogether focused.

"Hello little one. Did I wake you up with my laughter? I must learn to hush down."

He looked up at Anne and sighed with happiness this time. "I forgot to say how beautiful you look."

[happyfalcon]

Anne had smiled and laughed softly right with him, but she glanced down at his surprise and smiled broader upon seeing the baby react to him.

"Such a sour look for such a sweet face, that won't do at all," Anne tutted playfully before bringing her finger down to rub over the baby's belly. She brought her little hands up to wrap around Anne's finger, making the new mother sigh softly. Overjoyed at being a mother, so happy to see her baby healthy in her arms.

Anne glanced up to Thomas and tipped her head a bit. "You're kind Thomas, lying doesn't suit you." Anne knew she looked haggard, weary from delivering the baby even after having some time now to recover.

[howlikeyouthis]

"You wound me, my lady," he teased. "Did you hear that, Bess? Your mother accused me of lying but I know you're on my side. She is beautiful."

The baby still held Anne's finger firmly with no intention to let go. At least not until she would fall asleep again. Wyatt brushed his lips across her temple and whispered, "I am your father. Do not forget that."

There was another knock on the door. This time it was a timid one but Wyatt jumped up just the same. A bashful looking maid appeared.

"My lady," she curtsied, her knees almost hitting the floor. "May I help you with anything?"

[happyfalcon]

Anne frowned and gave a slight glare to Thomas. She was about to scold him about his choice of nickname, but how could she stay angry at him with their daughter in her arms? How could she be mad when Thomas was leaning in, whispering sweetness to Elizabeth. Anne wished more than anything that Elizabeth would remember the sound of his voice, and know that it was special.

Anne looked up at the knock and did not have even a flicker of guilt in her eyes. She kept the baby rocked tight to her chest and smiled as the little one released her finger and drifted off.

"Not for the moment," Anne replied. "Though I am indeed thirsty - and you, Master Wyatt? Something to drink?"

Back to the facade. Back to pretending - except now they had a child to worry for as well. But Anne didn't mind. She wouldn't trade this beautiful baby for anything in the world.

[howlikeyouthis]

The maid turned to look at Wyatt who wasn't feeling quite as confident as Anne. Though unlikely, he feared the maid could read right through him.

"Why yes, thank you. A good idea. I wish to make a toast to you and the new heir to the throne." He nodded to the maid. "I will have what lady Anne is having."

"Apple cider, my lord?"

"That is what I said."

The maid disappeared but was back soon with two goblets of cider. She stopped by Anne's bed and smiled to the baby.

"Congratulations, my lady." She made another low curtsy before leaving for good.

Goblet in hand Wyatt sat back down and silently prayed that there would be no more interruptions.