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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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?"

Anne smiled at the suggestion but there was a slight sadness in her lips. "He may permit me to go if I wish, but he will not likely allow Elizabeth to accompany me." As much as he would have preferred a son, Henry would not permit Elizabeth to go far where harm might befall her, or worse sickness. Anne had come to notice the King's hypochondria as of late.

But truly Anne feared that Henry would send Elizabeth to her own estate somewhere. That she would be separated from the daughter she loved so much even after such a short time. But no need to worry on that now.

Anne glanced up to Thomas and gave another little smile as she looked up at him. "Like father, like daughter." She teased him playfully.

The baby let out a gurgle, almost akin to a laugh to the untrained ear, which made Anne look to her and laugh softly. "Like that, did you?" she teased, tickling her fingers along Elizabeth's belly. Then she glanced up to Thomas again. There was sadness in her smile again as she kept his gaze. "You likely should...but I am reluctant to have you go...I don't want this moment to end, Thomas." Because she didn't know when they might ever get a private moment like this again.

Wyatt frowned. "I'm sorry to hear that. I would never try to persuade you to travel away from our daughter, so... meeting at Hever is out of the question unless Henry somehow changes his mind."

Then he offered a smile. "I'll gladly keep you both here but what is that I hear about me being a handful?" he accepted her teasing with a quiet laughter.

"I will not leave if you rather I didn't, but we're facing a risk that Henry wants to pay you a visit before the night falls. He wouldn't want to find me sitting next to you on a bed."

Wyatt was just as reluctant to go which was why he rested an arm over the pillow behind Anne's back. A little longer couldn't hurt, could it?

"I wish I didn't have to travel so much but I am paid handsomely. I have been saving for our future."

"For now, I'm afraid so," Anne nodded slowly, bouncing Elizabeth in her arms to keep her pacified. "But time alone will tell for sure."

Ever able to make her smile in any circumstance, Anne laughed at his reaction to her words. Unable to help herself, she had laughed so loudly that Elizabeth again let out a sharp cry of displeasure. Anne glanced down and wrinkled her nose a bit at their daughter. "Oh, no need for that, my little heart. Seems your mother could stand to learn how to laugh softer," she leaned in and whispered just loud enough for the baby and for Thomas to hear. "Just like your father."

Anne smiled softly before looking up again to meet Thomas's gaze. Again she nodded slowly, understanding the logic in his words while not fully agreeing - as per usual with the decisions they had to make, it seemed. "Very well - just a few minutes more?" She wanted to have as much time as possible with her lover and their child.

When he settled against her pillows Anne smiled and leaned against him a bit, tilting Elizabeth so that he could see her from his position beside her. "I know there's nothing you can do for it anyway - Henry is not a man people say 'no' to..." she knew that all too well. Anne glanced up to him with hopeful eyes. "For our future...ah, those three simple words alone do offer hope. As does our little one."

Anne couldn't stop smiling when she looked upon their daughter - their precious little baby. With her mouth and his eyes, and likely their combined wit. She'd rule the country yet, Anne knew it already.

"My brave falcon. A lioness when needed. No one can cage your heart or mind if you won't let them." Wyatt dropped his arm down to touch Anne's shoulder as she leaned closer.

He kissed his fingers and touched the baby's forehead. Then he gave one last kiss to Anne's lips before rising up. It was good timing since the maid was back on the door. She looked a bit worried to see Wyatt still in the room but it was not her place to comment on it.

"My lady, I was asked to inform you that... the princess should be fed." Her quick look toward Wyatt was clearly interpreted as an unsaid request for him to leave the room. Wyatt bowed to Anne and retreated walking backwards.

"Thank you again, your highness, for letting a poor servant to greet the newborn. I look forward to witnessing her grow."

((ooc: We can probably wrap this up here or with your reply?))

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[For Thomas] Surprising Developments

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