Mary walked towards the carriage to get a basket of their favorite foods. They had gone to a lake on their way back from Paris. Nothing had been more beautiful, dancing with her husband under the stars in Louve, stealing the night away with both their talents. Francis and Mary promised each other that they would live a full and happy life. She remembered that night so clearly, it was so horrible and she may never forget it. While Francis lay there in agony, dyeing from his disease she could do nothing but watch. The least she could do now is to fulfill his wishes, have kids and be happy. She wanted to use this second chance, to benefit herself, Francis and both of their countries.

"Mary?" Francis called out, "where are you?"

"I'm here, sorry it took so long, I'm glad to see that you have woken, you were sound asleep." Mary said as she turned the last corner. She sat the basket down on the ground before sitting down herself.

"This lake is amazing and secluded, it's much better than that lake down in Paris." Francis said, taking a handful of grapes as they both watched the view of the lake.

"Yes I agree, it's the only lake that we royals can have a bit of privacy." Mary laughed without a worry. Francis rolled onto her kissing her on the lips, amazed by her beauty. Together they were both laughing, acting like children.

Before she knew any better, Francis started to unclip Marys cloak, allowing it to drop right beside her.

"I could do this forever you know?" Mary acclaimed, "Let's just stay here and not go back to the blood thirsty politics." She slowly pulled the strings of his shirt, letting it fall loose.

"Mary, I wish we could but we need to. We're king and queen." Francis didn't need to remind her, they needed to get back to the castle, they had already extended their trip for a week. It was time to arrive back home at French court.

"I just wish it didn't always have to be like this, a beautiful moment and then it's gone."

"But now we have a lifetime of beautiful moments to make, we can have our children, maybe six or seven. We can then retire our duties to our eldest son and move to our Chateau hen we're old and still in love, but for now we have endless possibilities." Francis smiled at her, he kissed her again this time confirming his words. They didn't need a lake to feel happy, she knew that whenever, or wherever they will always love each other. And he was right, they both, together have endless possibilities.

"One day we'll come back to this very spot." Francis promised her, as they approached the awaiting guards.

"I would love that." Mary responded, "Maybe we could bring our future children." The words were spoken but not heard, Marys infertility was a struggle, a battle she hated to endure. Francis and Mary sat the rest of the journey cuddling, arm in arm. Mary had fallen asleep on Francis' shoulder, snoring the slightest bit. He loved Mary and it was hard for it not to show, Mary was perfect in his own eyes and knew that the next years of his life were going to be unforgettable.

After a long journey the young royals had returned home. Mary had awoken to the happy cheering, awaiting for her and her husband's return back to court. Francis couldn't help but stare into Mary beautiful eyes.

"No matter what happens out there I will always love you." Francis stopped her, making sure she understood. "French Court will always get into our heads, we will both make decisions that will cause arguments, but I will always love you."

"I know." Mary answered, kissing him lightly on his lips "same to you."

Francis stepped out of the carriage first, with his golden crown sitting unevenly on top of his blonde curls. He turned to help Mary manage herself out as well, with her layers of clothing preventing her from getting out n her own. "We're home." Francis whispered to her.

"Welcome back to French court your majesties, we hope you enjoyed your trip." Narcisse greeted them first. "but we have some urgent business to attend to." The young royals sighed in slight frustration.

"We will meet you in the throne room shortly Narcisse, thank you." Francis replied as if it was the last thing on his mind. Behind a few guards Mary could see her three ladies and dearest friends, Greer, Kenna and Lola.

"Girls!" Mary gestured for them to come over "How have you been, I have much to tell you about our trip." Mary smiled. Happy to see them all again.

"Well Mary, by Francis' annoying smile and your overly beautiful glow, I can already tell that the both of you had fun." Kenna replied, with a common grin on her face. Mary laughed and looked at Francis who seemed to be already hypnotized by all the lords and generals. She walked over to remind him about the throne room and meeting Narcisse. Francis immediately stopped and fare welled the generals promising to discuss their problems later.

As Mary and Francis approached the doors he thanked Mary for saving him out there.

"What are Queens for?" she explained smiling.

"Queens are for this." He said playfully pulling Mary into him and kissing her gently on the lips.

"I'll keep it in mind." she laughed as Francis walked with her into the throne room, met by three men. Francis went and sat on his throne with the attitude that a great king should have. Mary followed suit, sitting beside him on her throne.

"Your majesties, we regret to inform you that Elizabeth has gotten harsher every minute after the news that Francis survived his disease." Narcisse said to the both of them, "this time it is not cousin banter, it is a serious and dangerous issue."

"Narcisse its always been serious, but I understand what you mean, it's gotten a lot worse hasn't it?" Mary said, as she thought about her husband dying. Her body filled with goosebumps

"What has she done this time, you may speak freely." Francis asked Narcisse.

"She has placed spies among us who had all informed her about your recent trip to Paris. We are glad but very much surprised that you made it back safely." Narcisse stopped. "Our spies, they all said that she was preparing a fatal attack in Paris."

"We could have been killed." Mary stood up, shocked and scared.

"Are you sure that this is all true, you have to be certain Narcisse?" Francis asked clearly frustrated.

"Certain, your highness."

"At least we're safe Mary. It could have been much worse." He assured, Mary sat down still shocked. Francis was right, they could have all been killed and their second chance could have been wasted.

"We need to warn Paris straight away." Mary announced, "If she goes ahead many innocent lives will be at stake."

"We cant do anything Mary, Elizabeth can't know that we know her plan, we're going to have to sacrifice a few men." Francis was thinking out loud standing up from his throne.

"Francis, sacrifice a few men? These are French citizens, not pawns in a game of chess." Mary looked at him with worry in her eyes. "This isn't a game, and you know that."

"We will deal with the matter in the morning." Francis told her, "Elizabeth won't make any sudden moves with the threats keeping her busy in her own country, if worse comes to worse we will discuss it with the English ambassador."

"But what if something happens overnight Francis? You can't be serious?"

"Is there anything else?" Francis asked Narcisse, who was still standing with his two other men. Francis ignored Marys comment not wanting to cause an argument. "No? Well good, you are dismissed" Francis nodded towards the door. As they closed the door behind them he looked at Mary who was trying to hold back tears

"You can't do this Francis. These men risk their lives for you, the least you can do is save them" Mary started

"Like I said we will deal with it in the morning. Now go retire to our chambers, it's been a long day."

"What gives you the right to tell me what to do?" Mary asked, getting angrier by the minute.

"Mary I am your husband I have all right!" Francis answered, regretting what he had said as soon as the words left his mouth. Mary looked at him with hurt in her eyes before storming out the room heading towards her chambers.

Mary sat at her dressing table gently brushing her long dark hair. She thought about what had happened in the throne room. She needed to clear her mind so she went for a walk. Mary walked around the castle after a few minutes she had found herself in the nursery looking over John, she tried to love him like a son, but the emotions always got a hold of her. He starting crying and so Mary picked him up and tried to stop the boy from waking the rest of the castle up. She rocked him back and forth calming him down. She smiled thinking that hopefully one day it will be her son who she tries to calm down. She sat in the rocking seat holding the now sleeping boy and got lost in her own thoughts. The door opened and Francis walked in.

"Mary?" Francis asked "what are you doing here."

"I was bored and needed to clear my mind." Mary replied passing John to his father. "I should go, I'm getting tired and need to rest." Mary said heading towards the door

"I'll see you soon then." Francis told her, while putting John back into his crib. Mary nodded shutting the door behind her. She walked back to their chambers and got dressed in her nightdress with the help of her ladies.

"You definitely need sleep look at the shadows under your eyes." Greer told her

"Please Greer she is fine, I could only imagine how late her and Francis stayed up in Paris." Kenna laughed.

"I wish we were still as happy as we were in Paris." Mary mumbled while walking to her bed.

"Oh Mary French court is poison." Lola said sitting beside her "He's just overwhelmed with the politics and the business he needs to attend to you've missed a lot the last 2 weeks."

"I know I just regret getting angry at him he was only telling me to go rest." Mary told them, "He's just so nice and sweet to me all the time, I'm not used to it." The girls nodded.

"Mary people are going to hurt you but its important that you have someone that won't and that's Francis. He loves and cares for you in so many ways, he's just trying to protect you." Kenna said reassuring her.

"You're right, I'm just overreacting" Mary told herself.

"That you are." Greer laughed "We should leave you be."

"Night girls." Mary called out before the door was shut behind them.

It was only about an hour later when she awoke to the door being creaked open. She opened the bottom draw beside her bed and grabbed out a knife that was there for protection. She had hid it in there after Catherine had instructed she do something to make her feel safe, after the night of her rape. She placed it next to her under the silk sheets and sat up. When the door was fully opened she grabbed it and pointed it towards the door.

"Mary?!" Francis jumped back, shocked to see her awake with a knife. "I thought you were sleeping so I tried to sneak in quietly."

"Francis!" She exclaimed, "I'm sorry, I was sleeping,when you opened the door I woke."

"Why do you have a knife? Is it for your security or to kill me in the night if I make the wrong decision?" Francis wondered, laughing at something he thought was funny

"I've had it in here since the night I was raped." Mary said, trying to sound stronger than she felt. She pushed the memories through her head, trying to clear it. "I know it was ages ago but-"

"You don't need to explain yourself Mary, I understand." He walked over to the bed and sat beside her. "I love you, I hope you know that."

"I do know it, I'm sorry for overreacting I don't know why I did." Mary looked down, ashamed.

"Oh Mary, I don't care, it happens to everyone and I'm not going to sacrifice the men in Paris, it makes France look scared, and weak you were right, I was just being selfish. I'm the one who should be apologizing."

"Well lets put it behind us then." Mary said, resting her head on the pillow. It had truly been a while since she had comfortably slept in her own bed with Francis alive and well. "I need to sleep you've kept me up most nights." she smiled

"You look exhausted." Francis added, smiling and taking his shirt off to get ready for bed.

"I am." Mary chuckled to herself slightly. She was glad everything was okay with them now. She rolled over and closed her eyes and cuddled her husband who was now resting beside her. "I love you." she whispered before falling into a deep sleep.

Mary woke to an empty bed. Francis must have gone to deal with the Paris situation. She was glad that she had the rest she needed because she felt more alive, able. It must have been late morning because the sun was shinning brightly through her window, it nearly blinded her because it was so bright. She summoned one of her ladies to help her get dressed, while she waited she sat back down and noticed a note and a rose sitting beside her bed. She picked it up and read the contents.

Mary my beautiful, I hope that you have a wonderful day. We fight but we always find our way back. You will always be just my Mary

Francis

Short and simple she placed it down next to her bed and had a small grin on her face.

"Greer have a look at this." She called out as Greer entered her chambers, "Francis left me a note and a small white rose."

"What does it say?" Greer questioned. Mary handed her the note and Greer read it aloud "He really does love you."

"I know its not much but how beautiful is that." Mary said twirling around her room.

"Very." Greer laughed watching as Mary made a fool of herself, "Now come here so I can tighten your corset."

"Alright but be quick I need to go find him." Mary told Greer turning around to let her tighten it.

"Well, I'll be as quick as I can but you can't go running around the castle in a corset so put a dress on as well." Greer laughed

"Why not? Its nothing Francis hasn't seen before." Mary laughed, the thought of her running around the castle in a corset amused her.

"No your right, but the noblemen, guards and most servants haven't seen their beautiful queen in a corset and I don't think Francis would be too pleased to hear they saw you like that either." Greer added making them both laugh. Before you knew it Mary was ready to leave. She left her chambers and walked her way through the hallways looking for Francis. She ran to the throne room and entered, sure enough there he was sitting at his throne talking to one of the lords.

"Mary, what do I owe the pleasure." Francis said, smiling at her beautiful dress "you look beautiful. Oh, did you get my rose?"

"Yes I did, and your note thank you by the way it was lovely." Mary replied. Francis dismissed the men in the room. "I was wondering if you wanted to go for a walk later today?" Mary asked.

"That would be lovely." Francis replied happily

"Okay so how about afternoon tea we can go sit at the lake and eat some oranges and berries from the kitchen?" Mary suggested.

"Sounds lovely. I'll meet you there Mary, but I just need to do the last of the organizing for tonight's gathering." Francis agreed "see you soon."

"Oh what gathering?" Mary asked.

"My mother has decided to have a welcome back party celebrating our safe return." Francis answered, "More money for France to waste." He sighed.

Mary laughed, "I'm sure it'll be fine. I should go, I love you."

"I love you to" Francis said kissing Mary lightly on her forehead. And with that Mary had left the room.

AN: This is my first story, I hope you guys liked it I will hopefully make this multi-chap

Please review :)

STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED AND EDITED