My Nephew, My King

A Death And A Birth

On the morning of Thomas Culpepper's execution, Charles noticed Katherine Howard standing near the scaffold. He saw that her eyes were red from crying and longed to hold and comfort her but feared that his advances might be unwelcome.

There was no trace of the usual smirk on Thomas' pale face as two guards escorted him up the steps of the scaffold. Instead, his eyes darted back and forth nervously, reminding Charles of those of a frightened animal just before a killing.

One of the guards read the charges against Thomas and asked him if he had any last words. Thomas shook his head, and the two guards pushed him to the block and shoved him into place. The executioner raised his axe and it quickly slashed down, ending the life of Thomas Culpepper with one swift stroke.

Katherine Howard screamed as Thomas' head fell into the waiting basket, and instantly Charles was there beside her, attempting to comfort her.

"He was so handsome and charming," she sobbed. "He wanted me to lie with him, but I thought it was too soon and became afraid. I knew that he was angry about my refusal, but I didn't realize he'd do something like this!"

"Please don't feel badly about it," said Charles. "It wasn't your fault. He was just a bad person who knew how to put on a false front. He could have fooled anyone."

"Perhaps I don't deserve a good man, after all," Katherine said softly.

"Why, of course you do! Why shouldn't you?" asked Charles.

"I have a past," Katherine admitted. "Before Thomas, there was another man, Francis Dereham..."

"To the right man, that won't matter," Charles assured her.

"You are so kind!" Katherine exclaimed.

"As are you." Charles smiled modestly. "You're very beautiful as well."

"Why, thank you!" Katherine exclaimed, blushing furiously.

And so on the day of a beheading, a new relationship began.

One evening when Anne of Cleves was about eight months pregnant, she retired to her chambers right after dinner, complaining of a severe stomachache.

"Do you need me to fetch the physician?" asked Edward, worried.

"Oh, no, that's quite all right," Anne replied. "I'm sure I'll be fine after I rest a bit."

Several hours passed, and Edward, having heard nothing more from his wife, went to check on her and got the shock of his life. There lay Anne, pushing and straining, red in the face from the exertion.

"Help me, Edward!" she cried. "The baby's coming, now!"

Edward quickly removed her underclothing and realized that he could already see the top of the baby's head between her legs.

"I have to push again!" Anne exclaimed.

"Do it!" Edward told her. "You're almost there!"

Anne gave a mighty push, and the baby's head emerged. After several more pushes, the baby's body was completely out.

"We have a son!" Edward said happily. "But something's wrong," he added, gazing at the tiny, blue, limp body.

"Edward!" Anne cried, distraught.

Edward gently picked the baby's body up and began to rub it between his hands. Its color slowly changed from blue to purple to pink, and it began to move its limbs and make tiny, mewing noises.

Edward and Anne both gave huge sighs of relief.

"He's alive!" Anne exclaimed joyfully. Tenderly she took her new son into her arms and held him to her breast.

"He's tiny, but he's perfect!" added Edward.

"I'd like to call him Andrew, if that's all right with you," said Anne.

"It's fine with me," Edward replied. As he watched his wife cuddle their newborn son, he knew that he'd never loved her more than he did right at that moment.