Disclaimer: I do not own the Ever After characters. This is purely for personal reading.

Chapter 8 – A few months later

Life had been going perfectly for the Prince and Princess. Danielle's morning sickness finally subsided and she was feeling so much better. She was getting quite plump from her pregnancy and her face took on the most wonderful glow. Her appetite returned to its normal ravenous state. Henry thought it quite amusing that she was asking the cook to make her the strangest dishes. One day she wanted herring mixed with apples, onions, cream and honey. Everyone was laughing as they watched her devour that dreadful combination. Since Danielle had such a sweet temperament she laughed along with them.

Henry was being very overprotective of Danielle. He was doting over her like a mother hen. One day he found her tending to her herb garden. When they first moved into the Manor, Henry had objected to her doing any sort of work but Danielle insisted. She told him that she is not afraid of hard work since she had to do it for so many years, and that she truly loved her garden and never considered it to be work anyway. She found it very relaxing and felt a lot of pride watching the little sprouts grow. Since Henry could deny her nothing, and saw how much she truly enjoyed it, he didn't go on about it.

This time, though, he was going to put his foot down. "You are going to hurt yourself and the baby", he told her. "No I am not Henry, I am fine. I feel wonderful and you know how much I enjoy tending to my plants", she scolded him. "Danielle, I couldn't bear it, if something happened to you or our child. You are my life. I wouldn't be able to go on, if something went wrong", he told her, with a tear in his eye. Danielle got off of her hands and knees, a bit clumsily, but she managed to do it and told him, "Henry, my love, women have been having babies since the beginning of time. Most of them have not had the life that you come from. Having babies is nothing new. You are just not used to seeing this. I know you have been born to privilege, but I haven't. Yes I know that now I am The Princess of France, but I am still the same woman inside that I was when you first met me. I am still Danielle, the woman you fell in love with", she told him. Henry let out a deep sigh, "Ohh what am I going to do with you? he grinned. "You are going to let me have my way Sire", she said, flashing him her lovely smile which always melted his heart. She would still call him Sire or Your Highness just to tease him. "Well, alright but I'm not happy about it and I think you shouldn't do it as much. Have Paulette or Louise pick one of the staff to help you", he told her. "Yes I will Henry", she said to him, as she put her arms around his shoulders and told him how much loved him.

You must be so uncomfortable Danielle? Jacqueline asked, as she was sitting with Danielle in her room folding Danielle's clothes. "Bending or standing up has become a bit difficult, but otherwise I don't mind at all, she told her sister." "I love having Henry's child inside of me. He or she kicks a lot now and I find it so amazing that there is a new life in here", she said, as she put her hands over her very large stomach. "Does it hurt when the baby kicks?"? Jacqueline asked her. "No, it doesn't hurt but sometimes when I am sleeping it wakes me up", she told her. "I think this baby will take after me, even if it's a girl, I am sure she will be a tomboy just like I was", Danielle told her. Both women giggled. "I can't wait to be carrying Laurent's child one day. We both want many children as well", Jacqueline said.

Danielle and Jacqueline were still talking as her sister busied herself in Danielle's room. "Laurent told me that the plans for the University are coming along nicely", Jacqueline told her. Yes, I cannot wait to see how it will all turn out, Danielle said, remembering how Henry came to her that day many months ago at Amboise to tell him of his idea and how it was all inspired by her.

A few weeks later

Henry had come back from his visit with his father and Danielle greeted him by the door just like she always would whenever he went away and came back. "How was your visit with your father Henry"? she asked him. "It was wonderful my love. I do believe that this University project will be fabulous for all the citizens of the province", he told her. "Father has been so supportive and has been listening to all that I have told him. He is a changed man and that is all because of you. We have been getting along splendidly", Henry told her. "No not totally because of me Henry. You see, you both had it inside of yourselves; it's just that it didn't come out until you met me. Both of you are very stubborn and proud men. When you met me, you finally found happiness and that changed your way of thinking. By you changing, your father also changed", she informed him. "Danielle, you are the wisest woman in the world", Henry beamed. "I think you are just a little bit partial my love", she chuckled. Hand in hand they started walking towards the gardens talking of their day.

Danielle went to bend down to smell one of the roses when a pain, the likes of which she never felt, ripped into her lower abdomen. "Ohhhhh God", she said, as she clutched her hand to her stomach. "What is it my love, what is wrong"? Henry asked her with so much concern in his voice. As Danielle began to tell him, she felt her legs and feet getting soaked. Her water had broken. With all her strength, and Henry's help, she was able to stand up and said, "Henry, it is time, I have gone into labour", she told him. Henry didn't know what to do. He was never around a woman in labour before. Danielle sensed this and told him, "Have Maurice send a footman over to the palace to get the doctor in case we need him. Danielle really didn't want any doctor delivering her baby. She wanted Louise since Louise was a midwife, but Henry insisted that a doctor be present just in case. Danielle let him have his way on that as well.

Henry shouted over to Maurice who was in the stable to have a footman take the fastest horse and ride like the wind to the palace and bring back the Royal physician. "Yes Your Highness, at once", Maurice told him, and ran to find a footman. Maurice, Louise and Paulette still had a very difficult time calling the Prince by his first name.

Meanwhile, Henry picked up his wife and carried her inside the house, her pains coming several minutes apart now. "Louise quick, Danielle is having the baby right now"! Henry exclaimed. Louise knew that first babies took a while to arrive so she wasn't in such a hurry. "Men are such children", she laughed to herself.

Henry carried Danielle up to their bedroom with Louise and Paulette following. Henry laid her down on the bed and said, "Alright, now what do we do"? He looked so pathetic standing there wanting to help his wife but not knowing what to do next. "You can leave the room. Birthing babies is women's work, Your Highness", Louise told him gently. "Leave the room!! Oh no, absolutely not! I am staying right here by my wife's bedside and nobody is going to tell the Prince of France to leave the room!!", he yelled. The Prince never once used his rank or yelled at any of the staff since he married Danielle. Louise, Paulette and even Danielle were taken aback. He looked over to them and sheepishly said, "I'm sorry, it's just that I am so nervous". "We know that Your Highness, Louise told him, but Danielle will be just fine. Please don't worry, women have been having babies since time began", she assured him. "Yes, I know, my wife politely informed me of that a few weeks ago", Henry said to them. "It's just that, Danielle's mother died giving birth to her and you always said how much Danielle looks just like her mother", the Prince said, with a bit of sadness in his voice. "She looks like her mother Your Highness, but she is much stronger than her mother ever was", Louise told him. "Nicole was not a physically strong person Sire, so that is where the similarity ends", Paulette chimed in. Henry felt a little bit better.

"Henry pull up a chair and sit down next to the bed", Danielle said gently and smiled. Henry slid a chair over to his wife's bedside and sat down wanting to help in any way that he could. "Danielle, come behind the screen child so we can get you into a nightgown", Louise told her. Danielle did as she was told and came out in a white linen nightgown as Henry helped his wife into the bed.

"Here it comes, another pain now", Danielle said, through clenched teeth. Henry took hold of her hand and told her to grip his hand whenever she felt a pain. "Ohhhh where is that damned doctor"?!, Henry roared. "Henry, calm down, please calm down, you are not doing any of us any good acting like this, Danielle scolded him. He looked into her eyes and said, "I will try my love but it's not going to be easy".

"I am going to have to tell you Your Highness, that having babies can be a very messy and bloody business. I hope you aren't squeamish"? Louise asked him, rather concerned that the Prince might faint. "I will go to the ends of the earth and die for this woman", Henry said to them, as he took Danielle's hand and kissed it. "A little blood is not going to discourage me Louise", he told her. "Alright Sire, I just wanted to make sure", Louise informed him. Danielle's heart felt like it was bursting from all the love that her husband had for her.

The doctor came two hours later. He ran into the room and bowed. "Your Highnesses", he said. "Doctor, I want to inform you that Louise here is a midwife and she will be delivering my child. I only need you, if God forbid something is wrong", Danielle told him. "As you wish, Your Highness", he politely told her.

Several hours had passed and they were timing the pains. They were now coming at two minute intervals. Danielle was sweating and Henry was right there to wipe the sweat from her face with a cool cloth. Danielle would fall asleep whenever a contraction would subside. "Breathe, just breathe", she whispered. "Are you alright, my love"? he asked her. "As well as can be expected when having a baby", she laughed. "I will be right here for you my princess", he told her. "Thank you", she simply stated.

"I feel a lot of pressure Louise, I feel like I have to push", Danielle said, as her face filled with pain. Louise carefully examined her and said, "Alright now, I want you to push". "Wait"!!, Henry exclaimed, "I want to help deliver my child". Louise knew not to say a word and let him do what he was going to do. It was totally unheard of for a man to be in the room with his wife when she was giving birth, let alone have him actually deliver the child. She was not about to argue with the Prince of France.

"Paulette, you go over by Danielle", Henry told her. Paulette went over to her and started wiping the sweat off of Danielle's face as Henry went to sit on the stool at the foot of the bed. "Your Highness, I must insist that you follow my directions in order for both Danielle and the baby to be alright", Louise told him. "Yes, Louise, I will listen to whatever you tell me", he grinned at her.

Danielle was moaning from the pains. Danielle I want you to give me a great big push now, Louise told her. Paulette was holding Danielle's shoulders as Danielle began to push her baby into the world. "Grrrrrrrrr", she moaned, as she fell back into the bed. A few seconds later she had to push again. "Push, my love, push; our child will be born very soon, Henry told her. "There's the head!!, Henry exclaimed, I can see the baby's head". "Keep pushing Danielle", said Louise. "Grrrrrrrrrrrrr", moaned Danielle, as her body felt like it was ripping in half. Danielle could feel the baby coming out of her body. "Your Highness, hold the baby's shoulder's gently but firmly and guide her out", Louise instructed. Henry did as Louise told him to do, all the while in total amazement that a new life was coming into the world. Henry guided the baby out of Danielle's body and yelled joyfully, "It's a girl!!, we have a daughter, I am a father!". The baby let out a very loud wail. The prince was acting very giddy. "Congratulations", everyone said.

"Your Highness, if you would go sit by Danielle now please, so I can clean Danielle and the baby up", asked Louise. "Yes, Yes", the prince beamed. Henry went over to his wife's side and bent down and kissed her, "Thank you for giving us a beautiful daughter Danielle. Do you know how much I love you my Princess?" he asked her, with tears in his eyes. "I think I have an idea, Sire", she said with a twinkle in her eye.

"I want you to rest now my love. I see how much work having a baby is", he told her. "I will not rest until I see our daughter", she told him. Paulette finished cleaning Danielle and the baby and brought this new perfect little baby wrapped up in a blanket over to her parents.

Paulette placed the baby in Danielle's arms. Both Danielle and Henry stared down at the little tiny pink face in awe, neither one having ever seen anything so small before. Danielle was gently rubbing the child's face with her finger. She looked up at Henry and with a smile said, "She is perfect Henry." Henry lovingly said, "Yes she is and she looks just like her beautiful mother". Danielle smiled.

We will leave the three of you to be alone now so you can all get acquainted, Paulette told them. "Thank you all for your help", Danielle said, smiling at them. "Ohh, and doctor, I am sorry that we made you come all the way out here for nothing. It was my husband's idea", she teased." Henry grinned at her. "It's perfectly alright, Your Highness", he said as he bowed.

"Since it's too late to ride back to the palace at this hour, please be our guest for the night", Danielle told him. "Paulette will speak to the housekeeper about seeing to your comfort", she told him. "Thank you My Lady", he said, as he and the others left the room.

The baby started to cry and both Danielle and Henry looked at this little child who had a very good set of lungs. "I think she is hungry milord", Danielle told her husband. Danielle lowered her nightgown to let her daughter suckle hungrily at her breast. "She certainly has your appetite", Henry laughed. "I think you are right, Sire, I think you are right", Danielle giggled.

"You know we never thought of what we shall call her", Henry said to Danielle. "Henry, if it would be alright with you, I would like to name her after my parents. I would like to call her Nicole Augusta", she asked him. "That is a wonderful name and it is perfectly alright with me my love. I now have two beautiful women in my life that I will cherish forever", he said, as bent to kiss his wife. Life was wonderful and they were going to live happily ever after.