happyfalcon | [For Thomas] Surprising Developments

[For Thomas] Surprising Developments

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.

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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 ))

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.

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?"

Edited (I noticed that a few words were missing.) 2015-06-19 11:46 (UTC)

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.

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."

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.

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?"

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.

"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.

Edited 2015-06-20 23:43 (UTC)

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.

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."

Edited 2015-06-21 23:08 (UTC)

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."

"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."

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.

"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?"

Edited 2015-06-23 23:01 (UTC)

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.

Edited 2015-06-24 20:23 (UTC)

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.

Anne paid closer attention to the baby during Wyatt's exchange with the maid. She had closed her little eyes and snuggled into the blankets to drift off to sleep. So beautiful, and so small. Anne couldn't resist the temptation to lean in and kiss her daughter's forehead. But this prompted a little fussing from the baby.

"Shhh..." Anne rocked Elizabeth as she smiled down at her. "My sweet little one. Hush now, all is well."

When the maid returned Anne had her set her goblet on the bedside table. Anne would reach for it when she had a moment. Her child took priority. Then the maid was gone again, and Anne had her family together again.

"My love," her eyes flashed to Thomas before glancing to the baby. "My little love."

Wyatt raised the cup to his lips, all the while watching the two girls in front of him. "I can hardly fathom we've created her. It wasn't supposed to happen but now it feels like it was," he whispered.

Their lives had been a series of strange turns and twists. Suddenly they had a family to keep in secret.

He moved to sit next to her instead of facing her and took another sip before placing the cup on the table as well.

"Can I hold her again, please?"

Anne smiled at his words, glancing up to meet his gaze. She couldn't stop the grin that broke out across her face. Anne was too happy. True, this wasn't an ideal situation, but she had Thomas. She had Elizabeth. For what it was worth, Anne was happy.

Elizabeth squirmed a little in the blankets as Thomas settled on the bed beside Anne. Anne moved at his request, lifting Elizabeth up for him to take their daughter.

"She's both of us," Anne whispered down at that angelic little face. "She's so beautiful."

Anne looked up and gently kissed over Thomas's jaw. "Thank you, so much, for her. For everything."

"She is, but you needn't thank me. I was afraid when you told me you were happy about the pregnancy though you were already married to Henry. I must thank you for wanting my child that badly."

Wyatt hushed the baby once she was neatly on his lap. He felt the same kind of pride about her that he'd felt about his firstborn son. He felt ashamed, too, for it had been some time since he'd gone to see Young Thomas. He knew he had to put aside the resent for his wife for the good of his son.

"I hope you don't mind me calling her Bess. Elizabeth is a good name but it reminds me of... you know. I never called her Bess," he let out the reason for the nickname. "I won't use that name when other people are around, of course. It will be reserved for moments like this alone."

Anne smiled, glad for their child, glad that Thomas was understanding enough and patient enough to want her as well. They would need time to figure out how to handle this situation, to let him see their baby as often as possible without raising suspicion. But they could do it.

She tilted her head to look down at their daughter when he explained her nickname. A small smile crept across Anne's lips - she could tolerate the name with that explanation in mind.

"You're her father, you may call her what you like, you'll hear no quarrel from me," Anne smiled up at him and kissed gently over his cheek. "Our beautiful Bess."

"Anything I like? That's generous," he teased. No, he didn't have plans to call the child by any other name, only Bess or Elizabeth, depending on the situation.

Wyatt was careful with keeping the baby's head supported while he pulled out one hand free in order to turn Anne's face more toward his. A gentle, lingering kiss was what the mother then received straight on the lips.

"I've missed you. This. Kissing you. Holding you."

The little one made a protest of affections shifting from her to mother - or maybe it was a cry of approval. Either way, Wyatt got up and walked slowly from the bed to the large stained glass windows and back. The baby's hand found her mouth and she eagerly sucked it.

Anne gave him a playful little look and rolled her eyes. "Within reason." She smiled playfully though.

She tipped her head up a bit and brushed her lips over his. Her lips wrapped lovingly around his lower lip. When he pulled back she looked up into his eyes.

"As have I. So very much, I've missed you."

Anne watched with pride as Thomas carried the baby to the windows and slowly back to the bed. She laughed softly as she watched little Elizabeth suck on her own hand. Anne reached up to brush her fingers over little Elizabeth's cheek.

"I've missed just being around you, your company is more comforting than you know, my love," Anne glanced up to meet his gaze. And again, she found herself desperately wanting a future, a solid future with him. Her reverie was disturbed when the baby made another little noise and waved her arms a bit. Anne chuckled and followed the baby's gaze - straight up into her father's face. "She likes you."

"When you get your strength back and learn to take care of her on your own, we can find ways to see each other more. The worst of the summer heat is fading and thankfully there has been no signs of the sweathing sickness this year. Perhaps Henry will allow you to travel to Hever." That would certainly make their secret meetings easier.

Wyatt brushed another light kiss on the baby, his beard tickling the cooing recipient. Then he returned the child onto her mother's care.

"She likes being the center of attention. You will have a handful with her," he smiled at first but then tilted his head with concern. "Should I leave you to rest?"

[For Thomas] Surprising Developments

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