Alfonsina Garcia's Bedroom

"Charles smiled her back and squeezed softly her hand"

I feel very lucky having you at my side, Alfonsina. You're a true friend. And...very rarely I'm friend to a beautiful woman...

"He said giggling, winking playfully at her"

She giggled.

"I love your friendship , Charles. But i must confess that when i first saw you , you made my heart stop."

She giggled and winked to him.

"Charles laughed with joy"

Oh...really? Well...I can say the same thing about you, my lady. Such italian beauty...is very rare to find here...

"He giggled and looked at her hand on his"

She laughed a little bit.

"So , it means that everything was mutual."

She was a little bit blushed.

"Charles shrugged a bit while smiling"

Yes...it seems so, my dear. But I can't even court you, right now. You're an happy, married and pregnant lady. I'll never dare to bother you in some way...

"He said, pretending to be serious. But he smiled secretely turning towards window"

She smiled in teasing way.

"I know Charles , I know.."

Then she sighed. Her smile disappeared from her face.

"Actually.. I am not that happy. I don't want to bother you with my issues. Because you have so many problems already."

She looked down.

"I haven't heard from Edward for 3 months. I don't know where he is.."

"Charles noticed that her smiled disappeared from her beautiful face and sighed. He reached her hand again"

Oh...you never bother me, Alfonsina. Probably...he is just busy. When the King sent me to France I had hardly the time to write a letter to Anna or Margaret. I don't think you should worry. He will be here before the child's birth. You'll see...

"He smiled tenderly and tried to catch her eyes"

She tried to smile.

"I hope so , Charles.. I fear to lose my child again."

"Charles sighed as he heard her words and hold tightly her hand in his"

Oh...this won't happen, my dear. You'll give birth an healthy child, beautiful like his mother. And you'll be so proud of him or her...

"He shook slowly his head and smiled her back, hoping to reassure her with his words"

She smiled to him.

"I always pray to God , luckily I have you. If I hadn't I would go mad definitely. It's so close that i can't wait. I'll be a mother. It's so exciting."

"Charles kissed deeply her hand while smiling"

Yes...you will be, Alfonsina. And you can always count on me, for everything you need. You know...I'm enough experienced about children...

"He giggled and winked at her, still holding her hand"

Edward finally returned to court-weary from his long journey and excited to see his wife. He had sent her letters during his trip but he did not know if they ever reached her-she did not reply to one...

He made his way to her chamber and excitedly knocked on the door-still wearing his riding outfit he had not rested at all but he was desperate to see his wife and how she had grown, he knew that she must be in the final stages of pregnancy.

She giggled.

"I may take a little help from you about children , Charles.."

Then she heard door knocking. She spoke politely.

"Come in please.."

Edward smiled hearing her voice and quickly unlatched the door-in his hand a pretty bunch of flowers which had just came into bloom. As he opened the door he saw Alfonsina-big with child and glowing and by her side Charles Brandon. Edward made a formal bow to The Duke of Suffolk,"Your Grace..."

He then turned to Alfonsina and knelt beside her taking her hand and kissed it softly,"Forgive me for being away Alfonsina..."

"Charles stood up as he saw Alfonsina's husband entering. He bowed back at him"

Lord Craven...

After the door was opened , Alfonsina saw her husband. She was shocked. That was the first time she saw him after 3 months. She couldn't know what to say. She just watched Edward's and Charles' bows to each other. And then she realized that Edward knelt in front of her.

"Edward.."

She could barely talk.

"Charles noticed that Alfonsina was rather shocked to see her husband after so long time. He could read the surprised on her face, cause he knew her very well. He looked at them both with a neutral expression on his face and sighed"

I...I think it's better for me to leave, dear Alfonsina. I have some duties with the King...and he requires my presence. My lord...my lady...

"He bowed again and glanced at Alfonsina. Then he winked secretely at her and left the room"

Edward frowned seeing how she looked at him- he bowed his head to the Duke of Suffolk as he left but then he looked backed to Alfonsina. She didn't look at him with love or affection-in fact quite the opposite. He backed away in shock-she didnt speak or embrace him and he didn't dare kiss her. He glanced to her belly and smiled weakly. He looked to the door again and sensed words were spoke between then and that his interruption was incredibly inconvenient.

Whilst he had to go to France Alfonsina had not allowed him to see her and he feared that she no longer had passion for him,"How are you?"he asked politely-still on his knees beside her.

She smiled weakly to Charles while he was leaving the room. And she winked back. After Charles left , she was looking with blank eyes. She was in quite a big shock. Then she heard Edward's voice again.

"How am i? I think you can see.. Pregnant and alone.."

"You seem well cared for,"he replied quietly,"I am sorry for being away so long...forgive me but I did write and asked if you would see me before I left...you didn't reply and would not see me. I did not want to leave-I had no choice."

He showed her the pretty flowers and handed them to her,"I thought...,"he didn't know what he thought-he thought she would at least smile or welcome him back-be pleased his ship was not sent down by the ocean...
He thought she would take the flowers and smile and touch his cheeks and kiss his hand-but she looked at Charles Brandon with more love and respect.

Edward stood and dropped chair opposite her and held his head in his hand...

She took flowers from him. Then she stood up barely because of her big belly. She found something to put the flowers. Then,she poured some water in it and she placed the flowers into it. While she was doing all of these , she didn't speak a single word. Then she turned to Edward again.

"Firstly , I didn't get any of your letters."

She spoke with a cold voice.

"Secondly , of course I seem well cared.. I tried everything to save my baby. And... Finally.. You didn't have to do anything. People always have choices. You've gone for more than 3 months Edward. You can't come back as if nothing happened."

She sighed.

"I hope you can understand....Just time.."

Edward groaned and rubbed his chin, his stubble felt rough against his hand. He had not restrd since his travelling and the bed at the opposite end of the room seemed delicously inviting,"Iwas gone for two months-not three,"Edward replied an then added,"You would not see me before I left-you refused to let me near you."

Edward laughed coldly,"You speak to me as I were a stranger- I am still your husband and I tried! You did not even write to me when I was gone- I love you but you talk like the only thing you feel for me is hate."

Edward asked softly,"Have you began your lying in yet?"

After Edward's word , Alfonsina was mad.

"How can you say that the only thing I feel about you is hate? Can your ears hear what you say? I am with YOUR child Edward. How can i hate you? You gave me another life to carry , to love.. I still lo-..."

She couldn't finish her sentence because she felt a strong pain in her belly. She fell in a faint to the ground of her room. She was breathing deeply.

Edward sighed with growing impatience as Alfonsina began to shout at him and then she was on the floor. He ran to her and cradled her in his arms,"Alfonsina,"he whispered and touched her cheek,"What is? Is it the child?"

Her pain was getting stronger and harder.She could barely talk.

"Edward... The baby is coming.."