~Sweet Children of Mine~

February 1474, Berkeley Castle, two years later....

"There, my love" Constance murmured, smoothing her hands over the growing swell of her belly where her tenth child grew. This one was a kicker, as lively as they came and, while it made her laugh, sometimes the little kicks were painful and she sought to soothe them.

Softly stroking over her belly usually helped, she thought as she looked down into the gardens below where she could see her ladies walking.

"Are you well, your grace?" Margaret Stanley (or Beaufort as Constance had learned was her maiden name) asked and she smiled up at her from her seat in her bedchamber window, nodding her head.

Just a few weeks after their first meeting, Constance had made her her Lady in waiting (pleasing Stanley immensely) and their friendship had strengthened ever since. They shared the same sense of piety - often praying together - and Constance found she loved the quiet nature Margaret possessed. It calmed her when she needed it and her words could craft the most beautiful of prayers.

"You must tell me if there is anything you need" Margaret continued, bending down to tuck the blanket she'd draped over the Queen's lap earlier, around her a little tighter. Constance smile widened.
"On second thoughts" She replied "I would have you bring my daughter to me, the Princess Cecily"

Sweeping a deep curtsy, Margaret moved away to fetch the required babe from the castle's nursery and Constance sighed thinking of her beautiful eight month old daughter.

Princess Cecily had been born at the beginning of the prior summer - the King and Queen's third living daughter they treasured. She was named for her delighted Grandmother (who doted on her namesake more than she had her own children) and christened at Westminster Abbey with the Duchess and Will Hastings standing as her God parents.

She was a merry babe, just like her siblings and Marie, now nine, loved adding her to her list of little ones to care for. Little Cecily was robust and not once through her whole first winter had caught a cold!

"Here, your grace" Margaret said when she returned, a small smile on her thin face as she gentled the baby into her Mother's waiting arms.

"Ah, hello my precious angel" Constance cooed, stroking Cecily's cheek to make her giggle. The baby reached up, grasping the golden crucifix around her Mother's neck and babbling to herself "Yes, my love!" She laughed "but you cant have that now, you must wait until you're older" Kissing her forehead, she gentled the cross away from Cecily's determined fingers, tucking it into the front of her gown.

Sitting up a little straighter, she manoeuvred the little girl so she didn't press on her belly and kissed her again "There!" She said, content "Did you know you shall see your brother today? Yes, my little one! You will finally meet your brother, Edward, again and he will love you, I am sure of it!" Cecily peered up at her, a little smile on her face and Constance returned it, her heart beating in anticipation of the happiness that day would bring.

She was to see her precious son again!

For almost a year and a half her sweet boy had lived away from her at Ludlow castle, out of her reach but never out of her heart. Just as she'd promised, she'd written to him every day (even on the day she'd given birth to his sister though she'd dictated it to Beth) and while he couldn't write back, she enjoyed reading Anne and Richard's letters of his health, progress and happiness!

Since his departure from the capital she'd seen him only twice - during the 1472 summer progress and that Christmas past, both times thanking the Lord he had not forgotten her, quite the opposite he seemed to love her more than ever!

She would probably have had to wait until the upcoming progress to see him if she'd not insisted she had to see him before she went into confinement for this coming child. 'If anything should happen, I want my sweet boy to remember me' She'd said and so Edward had the royal family moved to Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire where they could see their boy and then return to Windsor so the Queen could give birth.

Looking out of the window again, she wondered how much he'd grown in the two months since she'd seen him. Had he sprouted up more? Had he begun to handle a sword? These were all questions she could ask him as she hugged him, as she inhaled the sweet scent of his hair, listened to his sweet voice.

She could hardly wait!

"Mama!"
She looked up to see her beautiful Isabella toddling towards her, one hand in Katherine's, the other around a silk poppet Marie had made. The one year old's dark brown hair was left loose and she smiled eagerly at her Mother.

"I tried to tell her you'd be busy!" Katherine said as Isabella toddled across the room, giving Margaret a quick hug around the legs as she passed "But she was quiet determined!"

"Ah! I'm never too busy for my beautiful girl!" Constance exclaimed, helping Isabella clamber up beside her on the window seat and nestle into her side "Thank you, Kate, Margaret, you may leave us now" The two women curtsied deeply and glided away, leaving the Princess' and the Queen to their privacy.

"Mama?" Isabella asked and Constance glanced down at her, rocking Cecily in her arms as the babe drifted to sleep.
"Yes, my love?"
"Issy see Neddy now?"

Her Mother smiled, brushing a hand over her daughter's dark hair, green eyes so like her own peering up at her.
"Today" She answered gently "We will see Neddy today, my love, do you remember him?" Grinning, Isabella nodded and sat up a little straighter, tilting up her chin.

"Neddy tall!" She declared before deciding to place a hand on her Mother's swelled belly, lowering her ear to it.

"Hello, baby" She murmured quietly before her eyes flicked to her Mother again "Neddy two?" Constance tilted her head, smiling at Isabella's giggle when a small hand pushed into her face.
"I hope so, it would be good to have another Neddy, although, if it turns out to be another Isabella or Marie or Cecily I shall be just as pleased! Now, where is your eldest sister?"

"Sew needle!" Isabella replied happily, sitting up again and Constance chuckled, so used to Isabella's simple language that she immediately knew Marie was attending to her sewing, most likely with her own attendants.

"Then we shall go and see her!" Carefully cradling baby Cecily as she stood and helping Isabella hop down from the window seat, holding her hand "She should be preparing for your brother's visit, as should you!"

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Despite the coolness of the castle and the February air, Constance felt unbearably hot and paced back and forth in the great hall while her family watched her, fanning herself with a hand. While the babe was a kicker, they were also heavy, making her belly swell larger than usual in her fifth month of pregnancy and her sweat though the sheets some nights.

"Sit down, Connie" Edward encouraged, gently taking her arm after he'd watched her for a while and guiding her to the dais where their thrones were "The more you jostle yourself you jostle the babe and the more uncomfortable you will get. There" He said once he'd helped her sit "Now, you must tell me if there is anything I can fetch for you. Oranges perhaps?"

A tender smile spread across her face and she leant into his hand as he cradled her cheek. He'd always remembered her craving for oranges she'd often get when with child.

"That would be nice" She murmured, kissing his palm "Baby has been craving them of late"
"Then I shall find them" Edward assured her, brushing his lips against her forehead "If I have to search the entirety of the earth, I will find them for you, my dearest sweetheart" She hummed.

"I love you"
"I love you too"

The great oak doors suddenly opened and Constance's eyes snapped forward as guards announced the arrivals.

"His grace, Edward, Prince of Wales and their graces the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester!"

She was about to jump to her feet, to run to her boy and clasp him in her arms but Edward placed his hand atop hers, sending her a small smile.
"Soon" He whispered and she nodded, eyes never leaving her precious boy.

Dressed in a rich crimson doublet, breeches and a velvet cap to match with a white plume attached, he walked steadily ahead of his trusted guardians, who were hand in hand, holding his head high.

'Look at him!' Constance's mind cried as her heart swelled in her chest with joy and love. He'd grown, she was sure of it. His golden curls almost reached his shoulders and his stride was stronger than ever, making him seem slightly older than his three (nearly four) years.

Once the small party reached the dais, Richard kissed Anne's hand and, at last, released her to approach. Looking between the King and Queen, he bowed low, removing his velvet cap as he did so, and rose with a smile.

"Your graces. The Duchess and I thank you for your invitation and are honoured to bring forth your son, the Prince of Wales, into your mighty presence"

Little Edward looked to his Uncle with eyes full of trusting love, and Richard nodded gesturing him forward as Anne performed a curtsy.

"My Lord Father, my Lady Mother" He greeted, the complicated words long practiced on his lips. Removing his cap just as his Uncle had done, he bowed and Constance's heart felt fit to explode if she didn't hold him that instant. Unable to wait, she stood and her son looked up.

"My sweet boy...."

His lips split into a beautiful smile and she let out a joyous laugh, rushing down the dais, kneeling and sweeping Edward into her arms, holding him tight. The warmth of his body, the strength of his embrace as he wrapped his arms around her, made tears fill her eyes and when she pulled away to look at him properly, they were streaming down her face.

"Mama, my Mama" Her darling boy sighed happily, the child in him at once shining through now formalities had been completed "I missed you"

"Oh I know, sweet boy!" She laughed, cupping his face and peppering his rosey cheeks with kisses. He was healthy, a great relief to her mind "I have missed you too! Did you receive my letters?" He nodded.

"Aunt Annie reads letters at night!" He said, turning to look at his Aunt who was lifting Isabella into her arms while Richard hugged Marie. They'd taken their Mother's movement as sign for their own release and promptly rushed to their beloved kin while the King watched on with a smile.

It warmed his head to see his Queen so happy and to see his precious little boy too! How strong he looked, he thought, how regal! And how perfect in his Mother's arms. After a moment, young Edward's eyes travelled up the dais to find his Father's eyes and he smiled shyly. The King grinned in return.

"Come here, lad!" He boomed, laughing as Edward dashed up the dais and launched himself onto his knee "Tell me of your great adventures!"
"You must tell me too!" Constance insisted, sitting on her throne again "I want to hear every word!"

Edward beamed and the great hall was filled with joyous laughter.

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"Baby very small!" Edward exclaimed as his Mother helped him to peer over the crib in which Cecily slept before dinner, just as he'd done when Isabella was a babe.

"Yes" Constance whispered, marvelling at her little boy, every lock of hair, every breath he took. She'd missed him more than anything in the world "But she will grow, just like Issy did and just like you did!" Tears pricked Constance's eyes again as Edward leant over and gently brushed a finger along his little sister's cheek, stroking it with a tenderness that melted her heart.

"You will make the finest King" She breathed and, hearing soft footsteps, turned to see Anne in the nursery doorway "Come in!" She invited, holding out a hand "Come in, Annie, it seems an age since we saw each other!" Anne smiled her gentle smile and didn't hesitate to answer, taking the Queen's hand and following as she lead her to a window seat where they sat.

"Are you well? I see your babe thrives in your belly?"
"He does!" Constance replied happily "And you?" The Duchess gazed longingly at the bump beneath the Queen's gown before she shook her head.

"Richard's seed is yet to quicken in my womb" She admitted rather sadly "I so yearn for a babe, Connie, but God has not seen fit to bless me"
"As of yet" Constance corrected "I'm sure he shall bless you, just as he has blessed me! Richard is honourable, you are pious and good. Babes will come, you must only have faith and patience as I did" Anne's face brightened somewhat and she nodded.

"We are still young!" She remarked brightly, glancing over to the crib were Edward continued to watch his sister "but little Ned is such a balm to me, sister" She sighed "I know it is a source of great pain to have him away from you but he is happy at Ludlow and provides endless joy to Dickon and I!" Constance tilted her head.

"I am glad to hear it" Her voice was sincere, after all, if her boy had to live apart from her, to hear he was happy smoothed a soothing salve onto her soul "He is a jolly little fellow" Taking a deep breath, she tried to push back the tears pooling in her eyes again out of love and longing for her son "Richard will raise him into a fine man"

A knock came at the nursery door and she called for entry, looking up expectantly as a page boy walked in and bowed deeply.
"Your grace, the King requests your presence in his chambers"
Constance nodded and the boy bowed again before leaving as she rose to her feet.

"It seems Ned wants me" She sighed, smoothing out her skirts "I shall return to put Edward to bed myself" Anne smiled, nodding and Constance made to leave kissing her son as she passed "Be good, sweet boy" She told him and he nodded, blowing her a kiss before she closed the door behind her.

Cradling her belly as she walked through the castle, it didn't take long for her to hear her husband yelling and a pang of panic stung her heart. What was he shouting about? Surely there was no rebellion?

He only became louder as she climbed the steps to his study the words 'disobey' and 'disregard' floating through the castles halls.

"Edward! What on earth is going on?" She demanded as she entered the chamber to see her husband before his desk, red face and angry "Why are you shouting as if the world is about to come to an end?"His eyes shot to hers.

"Anne has married without my permission, Constance!"
"Anne?"
"My sister Anne! She has remarried!"

Constance's eyes widened in surprise as her gaze snapped to the woman she'd only just realised was there, nestled in the window seat of the study in her nightgown. Anne of York. Her dark hair was loose about her face, her hands fisted in the cushions beneath her as tears streamed down her face.

"Anne! Is this true?" Constance enquired, her tone far softer than Edward's though nonetheless bewildered. Anne nodded, sniffing.
"It is, your grace"

"She's married some....tell me who in hell's name you have wed yourself to again?" Edward demanded and Anne visibly swallowed, raising her head.
"Thomas St Ledger!" She cried "He has been loyal to you Edward, you know that!"

Her brother grumbled something incoherent, folding his arms and pacing back and forth before his desk while the two women watched.
"He is the son of a knight" He said angrily "and you did not seek my permission!"
"You are my brother"

"I am your King!" Edward bellowed, halting his long strides to glare at his elder sister "I am your Lord and master and yet you have disobeyed me!"
"I have not for I did not know you had forbade me from marrying!" Anne shot back, standing with her fists curled.

"I also do not recall permitting it either when I granted you your divorce!" Her brother retorted and, hearing more than enough, Constance stepped between them, staring up at her husband. God knew they didn't need another fracture in their House.

"Stop it Edward!" She pleaded and he paused a moment before turning away, mumbling to himself which allowed Constance to turn to his sister "When was it, Anne?"
"Just before we left London, your grace"
"Who attended?"
"Mother, Beth...."

"Our Mother attended and spoke not one word of it?" Edward yelled and Constance sighed.
"My Lord, please...." She tilted her head "why did you not confide in me, Anne? You know I would've supported you!" Anne's eyes widened.
"It is not for lack of trust, your grace!" She said quickly it is only I....I...."

"You fell in love, didn't you?" The Queen finished for her and she nodded.
"Yes, your grace, I admit, I took him to my bed before we were wed" Edward scoffed at that "and we did not wish for me to fall with child out of wedlock!"

Taking a breath, Constance nodded to herself. Anne was loyal to them, she meant no true deceit whatever Edward thought in the heat of his anger. George's betrayals had shaken him perhaps more than she realised.

"Then I find no fault in your actions" She declared and Edward moved in front of her, eyes blazing.
"No fault?" He yelled "Are you quite well?"
"There is no crime in love, Edward!" She cried, beseechingly looking into his face and he sighed.
"Perhaps not but there is a crime in marrying without royal permission"

Constance shook her head.
"Anne, go now"
Anne didn't hesitate to obey, sweeping a curtsy before she almost fled from the chamber.

Sighing a second time, Edward traipsed around his desk, running his fingers along the polished edges.
"I cannot believe she has gone against me" He murmured, flopping down into his chair and Constance turned to face him, cradling her belly again.

"She has not gone against you, Edward!" She argued "She has simply been swept up by the rush of love, just as we were when we were young!"
"We were married" He pointed out.
"But you still remember how it felt don't you?" She asked "To feel someone else's heart beat in the same rhythm as yours? To know they would do anything for you and you would do the same for them?"

Their eyes met across the desk, the anger melting from his eyes as he gazed on her.
"Of course I remember" He replied softly "I still feel that way whenever I look at you" Constance's heart jumped.

"And I you!" She cried, walking around the desk to kneel at his side, taking his hand and pressing it to her cheek "Love in this world is a fickle thing and far more often discarded for material wealth than it is embraced. We were lucky in that we found love together. Anne, your sweet sister Anne, did not. Permit her to have it now she has....think of it as a wish for the health of our child instead of oranges"

At last, he smiled, the hand she held, unfurling to cup her cheek as he raised her with the other, pulling her onto his lap. Sighing, he pressed a kiss to her neck then one to her lips, intertwining their fingers again.

"Why don't I grant you both, sweetheart?"
She returned his smile.
"That would make me very happy indeed" She declared "and Anne too. In doing this you strengthen our house even more" That certainly appealed to him and his smile widened as he leant back in his chair.

"I am sorry I raised my voice to you, Connie" He admitted, his body now so entirely drained of anger he felt rather sheepish as well as regretful "Anne too, I'll apologise to her on the morrow"

"Declare your sorrow now!" She pressed and he chuckled, knowing she was right.
"Then I will" He told her, letting his fingers dance along the curve of her neck "But now, I should like to kiss you again, sweetheart, may I?" As she'd always done, Constance blushed.

"Of course you may, but then you must go to Anne and then come and help me see Neddy to bed!"