Authors Note: So, so sorry about the lateness of this update but I was dealing with some serious health and family issues so my writing hasn't exactly been I priority. Although I do think it is all sorted out now and I hope my next update is a quicker one!

Disclaimer: No I don't own Reign. Who would want to after the writers literally dug a hole of crap and threw a show with great potential into it?

"Henry stop fidgeting you are to be resting," Catherine snapped at her son for his constant adjusting of the covers.

"I'm so bored mama. I just want to go play," he whined.

"You are still weak Henry and the doctor said what you are to rest so guess what you are going to do," Catherine asked him.

"Rest," he said with the most depressed little sigh.

"You haven't been the only one to ever be on bed rest Henry but it is what you need to get better. You don't know how much you scared your poor mother, she's not getting any younger you know," Henry said as he walked into the door and sat beside his son slipping him a small piece of chocolate.

"You're older than me," Catherine scoffed back.

"Two weeks," he playfully defended himself.

"Papa I'm so bored can we please go for a walk," Henry asked.

"I don't think that it's best Henry, I'm sorry. I'd love for you to be able to go and play but we must keep you healthy. Maybe tomorrow," Henry told his son.

"Maybe," Henry exclaimed.

"Yes maybe. We are not doctors my precious eyes so we cannot guaranteeing you anything," Catherine said.

"But I can't take another day like this I surely die of the boredom," Henry said dramatically before hitting his head hard against the fluffy pillows and crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"Your mother and I may not be doctors but we do know enough to say that you will surely not be dying of boredom," Henry teased.

"It's not fair! Everyone else gets to go outside and play, with Elisabeth too and I'm stuck inside with you two," Henry pouted.

"Well are we not good enough for you Henry?" Henry asked.

"No it's not that, you're just old and not as much fun," Henry said.

"Henry Valois stop complaining right now. You are not the first of your brothers and sisters to be stuck inside while everyone else played, and you certainly haven't had to do it often either. Francis, Claude, and Charles would be stuck with me for weeks without getting to move a muscle and they didn't complain nearly as much as you," Catherine hadn't meant to snap but Henry had left two hours ago and returned only now. He didn't have to hear two hour of the constant 'I'm bored's' or the 'It's not fair's' and if Henry was still four or five she would of let it slide but he was months away from his seventh birthday and he should be growing out of such childlike behaviors.

"Alright love," Henry said and got up and took Catherine's hands, "Why don't you get out and take a break from babysitting. Maybe go take a stroll or visit someone because you're getting tense to say the least."

She knew he was right but she didn't want to leave Henry. It would be so odd to leave one of the children sick, with their father. She had always been the one to stay with them throughout the entire process. Henry would occasionally step in and see how they were doing if it was a bad illness but he would end it there and not stay long. So of course with these thoughts running through her head the first words ran out of her mouth, "I should stay. I always stay."

"I know, and I usually don't, but I'm here now to be a better husband and a better father so that is what I'm going to do," Henry said, "You can trust me."

Catherine looked over her husband's tall shoulder and saw Henry contently playing with some blocks. She knew if she wanted to get her relationship back with Henry, and she did she really did, then she would have to trust him, but how do you trust someone who has broken you so many time. How do you trust them with one of your most prized possessions? She nodded her head and walked out of the room even though her heart tugged at itself and her stomach flipped, she did it for him. She whispered to herself over and over, trust him trust him trust him because maybe if she said it enough she would begin to believe it.

Catherine made it an hour before returning and Henry was surprised at how long she actually stuck it out. He thought that after he shut the door Catherine would just charge right back in and take back the seat by her bed, her set in control. As time passed and she didn't return Henry grew happier, she trusted him. At least she did a little anyways. He knew it was a step in the right direction, a big step because this was trust with the children and that was something she put before everything and everyone else.

When she returned little Henry was sleeping soundly in the bed and Henry was in the chair beside the bed. He lifted his hand and waved her to him. She walked over slowly in the silence. It felt calming and tranquil. A warm room because of the fire and the only noise was that of the occasional crack and rhythmic breathe of their sleeping boy. The hand Henry held out reached until Catherine grabbed it and when she did he gently pulled her onto his lap. There was nothing sexual in the act just her sitting in his lap and they rubbed small circles in each other's backs until Catherine relaxed enough to curl her feet up and rest her head on Henry's shoulder. He soaked it in, this calming moment of peace. Catherine drifted in and out of a sleep like state and Henry shut his eyes only to rest but not nap. The room dozed in the thick warm air.

tbc