Charlotte Rosenauer's bedchamber

Charlotte was dressing when she received the letter, and immediately thought it was from one of her family. Upon reading it, her heart raced. She quickly went to her desk, dress only half-done, and, holding his letter close to her heart, penned a letter in return.

Dear Anthony,

Your letter brought such joy to me! I never thought I would make such an impression on you, but you certainly have for me. Every thought of you makes me smile, gives me warmth. I have never felt that way about anyone before. And in fact I have no marriage prospects. I should have asked before, I rather think you would have many women to choose from. I send this letter with my affection, which is more than I can possibly describe.

Sincerely,
Lady Charlotte Rosenauer

I carried her to her chambers and laid her upon her bed. I caressed her face "Not to worry my love, I've called for a nurse and midwife. I said in a calm voice, even though I was about burst inside of anguish. "Shall I stay with you?" I asked not knowing what to do. I could barely stand to see her in so much pain.

"Stay if you wish," she said, breathless as she was laid upon the bed. "Though they might ask you to leave once the fun starts," she said with a grim smile. "Will you help me out of my gown? I want to be comfortable."

I smiled at her cute anecdote. "Yes of course" I helped her out of gown and into a night gown. "I shall stay as long as can. I can't bring myself to leave your side" I said as I kneeled by the bed and held her hand.

"Thank you," she said with relief as she slipped into her nightgown. She smiled, but saw how scared he truly was. "Do not worry, love. I know with you by my side I can handle anything, haven't I always said so?" She looked as the midwife and nurse entered with water and plenty of sheets. Her heart raced as she gave them a quick nod and allowed them to examine her. They said it was not quite time but soon. She laid back and closed her eyes, preparing for whatever was to come.

I gulped and felt my heart race so fast as if was going to just out of my chest. My mother had died while giving birth to my brother and I knew of all the risks of child birth. I could never imagine my life with her, my Charlotte was my whole life.

I watched as the nurse and midwife took care of her, then said it was best if left the room. I went to her bedside and kissed her forehead "I'll be right outside my love. Stay strong. I LOVE you so very much" I said as my eyes welled up and I walked out of the room.

She took her last look of Anthony, and felt his kiss as though it would be the last time she ever did.. and who knew? Childbirthing deaths were common. But she would gladly die for her child if it meant it would live a long and healthy life. "I love you, Anthony..." she whispered before he left the room, and she was left with the women. Suddenly there came a pain so strong it took her breath away, and the midwife encouraged her to push if she felt the need to. Her limbs trembled as the pain eased, but she knew they would come again, stronger and harder. She gulped, whispering to the nurse to fetch Gia Gasparri, even if she was not allowed her husband in the birthing room, she would have the woman she considered a mother to her.

Gia threw a cloak on as quickly she could and even lifted her skirts as she ran down the corridors to Charlotte's bed chamber.
She entered the room to find it dark, though candles stood lit and she could Charlotte lying on the bed in her shift. A pinge of panic went through her and she hurried to Charlotte's side giving a smile as she hugged her lightly, smoothing down the young woman's hair.

"Ohh, my dear," she smiled, giving a laugh. She looked her in the eye giving a smile, "It would seem we meet again, and so very soon," she laughed.

She looked around the room at the useless amount of ladies standing around, watching and whispering to each other, and a slight rage quickened her heart rate. This was no spectator sport for gossip and viewing. Charlotte's life and the babies were at stake.

She looked at Charlotte who lay indisposed and she frowned even more, seeing that only the midwife was attending her.

Gia clapped her hands, startling some of the ladies in the room. "If you would please fetch some linen and water and make yourselves useful...otherwise, go!!" she shook her head toward the door, angrily. She pointed to the fireplace and threw her hands in the air, exasperated. "Is Mrs. Knivert supposed to die of a cold sweat?!" she frowned, "strike a fire, lest she chill to the bone!!"
A few ladies frowned, yet quickly a few left, the others getting linens around the room and two getting a fire going.

Gia hurried to Charlotte's side, "I'm sorry to have taken command, but you need to focus only on the child inside you." She glared at some of the ladies still standing around, "...and not suffer neglect!"

Charlotte observed everything through an warm haze of pain that began at her stomach and emanated throughout her limbs. She managed a smile at Gia, who appeared to her as an angel in her time of need. "I am so glad you are here," she whispered. She drank a draft for the pain, kindly given to her by the midwife.

She had to laugh, though it hurt, to see the women quickly scramble to do Gia's bidding. She supposed the ones who left altogether were incompetent anyway and paid them no mind. Birthing was all the same, and her child would not be born a bastard as Charlotte herself was. She began to calm down as she felt the warmth of the fire in the hearth and the warmth of the potion as well, it did not make her drowsy only less panicked, and she began to feel a slight numbing come over her. "Indeed, I am right glad you have taken command, in my state I suppose I cannot." She smiled thankfully at her. "I think I am ready.. I have prepared in my mind and my soul for this, and I am willing to take whatever course I am given." she said with courage.

As the midwife checked again and gently pressed on her abdomen, another young girl came and gently dabbed the sweat from Charlotte's forehead. "He's in the right position to be birthed, simply push when you feel him trying to come out."

Simple words, but when she did push it was excruciating.. a dry sort of pain that never seemed to cease. No one could possibly survive such pain! In the middle of it all she was given a strap of leather to place in her mouth, to bite down on when she got to yelling in pain. "I am not a horse!" she managed to retort, spitting out the object before feeling the end of that contraction, knowing she had more to do.

Geoffrey found finally lady Charlotte's chamber, after walking around Palace almost half day. Once the brunette lady he saw before told him where to find lord Kinvert, he walked inside room. The door was half opened and he bowed immediately

Forgive me, my lady. I come from England. I have a message for sir Anthony Knivert from the King of England himself...

Charlotte sat up quickly (admittedly, as quickly as she could in her present circumstances) when the servant came in. As she spoke she took deep breaths to ease the pain, the sweet-tasting potion had not fully kicked in just yet. "My husband Lord Knivert is waiting in the corridor at the moment.. May I on his behalf know the message His Majesty has sent?" She needed a little distraction from the task at hand.

Once Geoffrey raised his head, he noticed that the lady who just spoke to him was going to giving birth. He blushed immediately and lowered his eyes again

Oh...please, forgive me. I'm so sorry. I...I'll find lord Knivert by myself...

Unable to add more because of embarassement, he left quickly the room

As the hours passed I paced back and forth my mind filling with anxiety. I sat on a bench and buried my face in my hands. I wanted to go into the room just to ease my mind although I knew her ladies would not allow it. So I was stuck...waiting and praying everything went well for both the child and my wife.

Geoffrey came out of the chamber, still embarassed for having disturbed a lady in such delicate moment. Suddenly he saw lord Kinvert standing there and bowed deeply

Sir Anthony! Finally I found you. I bring you a message from the King of England himself...

Geoffrey gave him the letter:

My dear friend Anthony,
Your behavior disappointed me. You and Charles made the same mistake, and I couldn't accept that. But after thinking deeply, I forgave Charles, as you know. So, since you paid enough for your mistake, I decided to forgive you too. Your banishment and your exile is over. I'll wait you back in England as soon as possible. And please, bring your wife and your child with you. I'd like to meet them..

Fondly
Henry VIII Tudor
King of England

Charlotte felt a pain worse than any other she'd experienced before, and she groaned with the pressure of the baby on its way out. "I don't think I can do it," she panted. "I can't!" She let go another loud cry of pain as she felt a sharp tearing pain as the child attempted to make its way through. All she could do was push, there was no turning back now. She gripped Gia's hand, and the nurse on her other side. Her breathing was shallow as she pushed with all her might, stopping only when the midwife told her to. In between pushing she lay back, sweaty and breathing hard, hoping to God she would not die, and that her child would be safe and healthy.

She could feel the midwife helping to get the baby out, and she winced as she pushed hard again, using all her strength and praying to every god and every saint she could think of, grunting and screaming until she thought she could do it no longer. Suddenly she felt a sliding sensation from her womb, and a relieving lightness, as though a great weight was lifted off her, followed by a sweet, perfect wave of euphoria as she lay back against the pillows, her energy spent, crying and thanking God she made it through.

She heard the small cries of her baby and she sat up quickly, wincing at the pain that movement had brought, her eyes desperately searching out for her baby. "What is it?" she said, a smile beginning on her lips. "Please.. give me my baby." She reached out for her child just as the midwife and nurses had finished cleaning it and checking for good vital signs. They swaddled it in a blanket of pure, soft ivory blankets.

The midwife spoke: "My lady, you have given birth to a healthy baby boy."

Charlotte beamed, holding her son close to her as tears formed in her eyes. She gazed down at the tiny creature she held in her arms, taking in his soft skin, his blue eyes looked up at her with a curious expression. "I love you, my sweet little child," she whispered, kissing the top of his head and inhaling the sweet smelling lotion they had put on him. All at once she knew something she would die for.

The women went about cleaning the room, replacing the sheets with new fresh linen and even changing Charlotte's nightgown and gently bathing her. When all was settle she looked up at the midwife. "Please tell my husband to come in, so that he may see his son," she said, happiness filling her voice.

I received the letter from the servant, although that was not my concern. All I was worried about was my wife and my child. I saw the midwife emerge from the room, I looked at her face which showed no emotion. She then told me to go into the room. A part of me was relieved although I would not be satisfied until I saw my wife and child. I then saw Charlotte laying in bed holding what looked like a small goose from afar. As I walked closer my heart beat rapidly. "My love i'm so happy your alright." I said and kissed her forehead. I looked down at the child, "What is it?" I asked anxiously.

She was cooing over the baby as Anthony walked in. She smiled happily at him, receiving his kiss. "My love, we have a perfect, healthy son! I thought you would like to name him." She smiled gently at the two loves of her life, and softly laughed as the baby wrapped its tiny fingers around hers.

I sat on the bed next to her, astonished by this little person we created. "Charlotte, my love he's perfect." I said staring at him "How could you love someone so much you just met?" A tear dripped down my cheek as I he gripped my finger. "What should we call him?" I asked and looked at her not wanting this wonderful moment in my life to end.

Gia had held on tightly to Charlotte's hand and laughed as she spat the strap of leather out, and she squeezed her hand tighter, all the while her eyes were closed as she prayed feverishly that the child would come out with ease, and that Charlotte would be alright.

She winced as she heard the pain in Charlotte's voice. "You must, child, do not worry we are here, Lotte!" Gia nodded. She felt Charlotte's grip on her hand grow tighter as the child began to tear out of her.
"Here it comes, dear, keep pushing, for the love of God!" Gia nodded, smiling.

The baby came out and Gia smiled, giving a sigh of relief as she looked up to the ceiling, thanking God that the both of them were alright. She held Charlotte's back as she raised up to look at the baby, and she watched the ladies and midwife as they surrounded the baby.

As Charlotte placed the little being in her arms, Gia found the both of them smiling down at a crying baby boy.
Gia's mouth went agape as her hand went to her chest and she gave a laugh, clasping her hands together as she looked up at the ceiling, again. "Ohhh, Lotte, how happy I am for you," she smiled. She bit her bottom lip as she felt tears well up in her eyes, and she wiped them before they could fall.

As Sir Knivert entered the room, Gia gave a curtsey. "Congratulations, signore," she smiled, rubbing his shoulder as she looked at the perfect little boy in Charlotte's arms.
Yet she did not want to intrude any further in their time together as a whole family, and she leaned over to give Charlotte a kiss on the forehead.

"I shall take my leave," she nodded, smiling faintly, "congratulations, little Lotte...I want to see this little one later," she laughed, brushing a finger against the baby boy's hand. She gave a curtsey to the new family and waved at the chattering ladies to follow her and leave the family to themselves...

She cast a grateful look at Gia, tears welling up in her eyes once more, but these were tears of utmost joy. She gently squeezed Gia's hand. "It means so much to me to have you here by my side, my lady. I do not think I could have done it without your help." She was glad that the three of them seemed truly at peace with one another, and she fervently hoped any grudges from the past between Gia and Anthony were no more. "I shall look forward to have you see the little one, I think you shall be as a grandmother to him." She looked at Gia with hopeful eyes. "I will visit you soon.. oh I am so thankful you were here for me!" She smiled as Gia kissed her forehead and watched her leave, an air of sadness came over her for a moment.

She smiled at Anthony. "He is the most precious baby in all the land, he will grow up to be handsome, brave, and wonderful as his father." She smiled lovingly. "Perhaps we could honor the king by naming our son after him... what do you think of Henry Anthony Knivert? Unless you have another idea?" She kissed her husband's cheek and smiled to see how much love the father had for his son. "Would you like to hold him?"

I got up and kissed Gia's hand "thank you for all you have done for my wife, it will not be forgotten" I said and gave her a small smile.

I sat back with Charlotte, "Henry Anthony sound perfect, his majesty will be so pleased." As she asked if I wanted to hold him, I hesitated for a moment thinking i might break him, then as she put him in my arms it was as if the world stopped. He looked up at me and I at him. My eyes welled up "Hello my son" I said trying be as gentle as possible with him.