Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter One -
Henry was gone. He was gone. Catherine was free from his abusive clutches.

Catherine awoke to five or six servants preparing her things for when she had woken up. The one thing that caught her eye was the specific dresses they were searching through to find one for Catherine. Her important matters dresses.

“Good morning Your Majesty we were ordered here by the Dauphin to help you prepare for this morning,” Her favorite servant, Samantha had spoken. Then it hit her. They were looking over Henry’s will to see the secrets he had prepared for Catherine and her family to endure. After the servants had gotten her dressed, she walked gracefully to the throne room.

Mary and Francis were there as well as the rest of her children, Diane de Poitiers, Henry’s past Privet counsel, and of course Sebastian. She rolled her eyes at him, strolling over next to Mary. Her being a head taller than Catherine, Mary let her rest her head on the top of her shoulder. Catherine smiled, looking up at Mary, and commenced the meeting to start.

“Let this…wonderful…meeting commence” She gritted her teeth, glaring at Diane and Sebastian. Lord Stephane Narcisse, Lord Chancellor of France, sighed and picked up Henry’s will. Reading over every demand, Catherine started to zone out. She snapped out of it when she heard Diane yell,

“ABSOLUTELY NOT. MY SON WILL NOT MARRY THAT WHORE!” Catherine jumped when Diane yelled.

“What the hell is going on here!” Catherine yelled. Mary looked at her like she had five heads.

“Catherine, are you deaf?” She questioned.

“No, I just zoned out…” Stephane handed her the will and pointed to something with Henry’s signature on it. Which means that it was an order and it had to happen.

(could not insert the picture of Henry's will lmao)

Catherine’s jaw dropped seeing this.

“Catherine? Do you know who this person is? Is she a relative of yours?” It was Catherine’s turn to look at Mary like she had five heads. She nodded and Diane scoffed. Glaring at Diane, Mary asked,

“Who is this woman Catherine? Who will be the next Queen of France?”

“That…is my full name in Italian. Caterina Maria Romula de’ Medici.” Bash’s head whipped around to face Catherine, face bright crimson red. When Catherine noticed this a light pink blush coated her face. Diane rolled her eyes and Mary muttered ‘shit!’. Francis was having a mental breakdown.

“My mother will not marry him!” Francis shouted. Diane nodded her head in agreement. Catherine stood there frozen, cheeks pink and eyes wide.

“Francis calm down. It's got Henry’s signature, which means it's an order. It HAS to happen dear” Mary explained to Francis. He did not care. Francis ran at Bash, hands wrapping around his neck.

“FRANCIS!” Catherine shouted, pulling her son off of her as of today's fiancé. Francis, in a fit of anger, smacked his mother leaving a red hand mark on her right cheek. Mary gasped, grabbing the ribbon of her dress, tying back her husband's hands, and kicking him to the floor.

Bash ran to Catherine, her small form frozen on the floor, his hands grazed her cheek and she winced in pain. He pulled her close and she settled into the corner of his neck, softly sobbing.

Bash soothed Catherine, stroking her strawberry blonde locks gently. He gave Francis a cold glare as the Dauphin struggled against the bonds his wife had tied around his arms.

“Meeting. Dismissed.” Catherine struggled to say. The nobles did not move an inch.

“Well? She said ‘Meeting dismissed’ so meeting dismissed! Be gone with you!” Bash shouted as the nobles ran faster than they heard of cows getting chased by a sheepdog. He gently lifted Catherine into his arms bridal style and carried her to Nostradamus.

“I’m sorry,” Catherine whispered in Bash’s ear halfway to the court healer. He stopped dead in his tracks and looked at the small woman in his arms.

“What are you sorry for Catherine? Why are you sorry?” Catherine took a deep breath which took a minute because of the condition she was in.

“I’m sorry for the way I treated you as a child, I’m sorry for how I have treated you just because of your parents, I’m sorry that you will have to marry an old hag of a woman. When I die I hope you find another to love like you couldn't love me.” Bash was speechless.

“Catherine never say that about yourself again. I don’t know how to say this but every time since Father died you have become a little more beautiful to me. I’m in love with you, Catherine de Medici.” He smiled, catching her lips in a passionate kiss that she returned immediately. They kissed until they came apart for breath.

“And I can’t blame you for the way you treated me when I was a kid. Your husband, who you were in love with had just went to another woman and had a child with him. Do not blame yourself for what HE did, ok?” She nodded slowly, becoming tired and laying her head in the corner of his neck.

He took this as a signal to continue heading to Nostradamas. Catherine was ok, she was just shaken and Francis’ rings left long and deep scrapes on her face.

Chapter Text

Catherine was stressed. And I mean pacing around her chambers at the same speed as a horse trotting. Mary and her Ladies were watching this happen and Kenna facepalmed, walking out of the room but not before Mary stopped her.

“Kenna stop. We were ordered by Francis to help Catherine get ready for the wedding.”

“I’m not helping that old hag.” Kenna spat under her breath. Mary gasped and slapped her Lady across the face.

“Kenna, she will be your queen soon. You cannot say that about her” Mary glanced at Catherine to make sure she was still pacing. She, in fact, was still pacing now faster than before. Then she whispered,

“I know you love Bash but you cannot show it at all,” Kenna whispered back,

“That's why I’m going to convince him to let me be his mistress” Catherine stopped dead in her tracks, smiled, and yelled,

“Guards! Lead Lady Kenna back to her chambers and make sure she does not leave them.” Kenna scoffed and left the room with four guards flanking her and Catherine went back to pacing. Lola had enough of that, picked up Catherine's bridal style, and set her down on the chaise.

“No. More. Pacing Catherine. You hear me?” Catherine nodded, pouting like a child. Greer chuckled at this, earning a matching glare from Catherine and Lola. Mary walked over to Catherine, putting her hand on Catherine’s. She scowled and looked away, again like a grumpy child.

“Catherine, I'm sorry about Kenna. She’s-” Mary sighed and hugged Catherine, her face softening a bit from her daughter-in-law's hug.

“Never mind, let's get you in your wedding dress.” Mary and Greer hopped up to grab it and Lola jumped for joy, clapping her hands with glee. (because she made it). Carrying it carefully, Mary and Greer brought out a beautiful white floor-long dress, with purple flower trim around the neckline, and her veil had a silver diamond tiara to attach it to her head.

“Do you like it!?” Lola squealed and asked the older woman. Catherine just nodded in pure shock at what she was seeing.

“It's… gorgeous, Lola thank you.” Lola clapped her hands gleefully and helped her up to put on the beautiful dress.

~ With Bash, Leith, Narcisse, Francis, and… Claude? ~

“It’s MY half-brother's wedding, to MY OWN MOTHER” Claude scoffed, crossing her arms. Bash rolled his eyes, smiling from ear to ear.

“She’s fine, Leith. I have pants on.” Bash laughed and nudged Leith’s shoulder. Narcisse chuckled under his breath.

“Alright, she can stay. Bash stop fooling off, this is your WEDDING for the pope's sake.” Leith shouted at Bash as he was popping in and out from behind the mirror to make Francis’ son, John, laugh. The 9-month-old giggled with glee every time Bash popped out from behind the mirror.

“Oh please, Catherine is probably fooling off with Mary, Greer, and Lola.” Bash scoffed going to put on his jacket for the wedding which had purple and white embroidery along the front and sides.

~Back with Catherine, Greer, Mary, and Lola~

Greer and Lola were waiting for Catherine to walk out in her gorgeous dress. They did not want to wait.

“Catherineeeeeee! How long does it take you to get in a dress?” Lola whined impatiently. Greer nodded in agreement with Lola instantly. They both whined for a few more minutes until Catherine walked out from behind the dressing wall. Their jaws dropped in shock at Catherine.

“I don’t know how to thank you enough Lola, it's gorgeous.” She breathed out in utter shock at the wedding dress Mary’s lady had made her. Her eyes welled up with tears as Mary, Greer, and Lola gave her a huge hug before adding her veil and giggling with Catherine at the sight of the beautiful dress.

~Timeskip: Bash is at the altar~

Bash was nervous, standing at the altar with Francis, Leith, and Narcisse. His mind kept going over things like,

‘Will she actually love me?’

‘I don’t want us to be like her and Father.’

‘What if she thinks I will treat her like Father? I will never treat her like a Father.’

He was lost in thought until Leith tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention. He snapped out of it to see Catherine walking down the aisle to him. She looked like a dream, her hair in a loose braid spun up and pinned to the top of her head.

She was in this stunning white dress with purple lace around the neckline. Bash gaped at his bride and looked back at Francis, mouthing,

“That created you?”

Francis just rolled his eyes as Catherine stood across from Bash. Her eyes sparkled as she looked into Bash’s ocean-blue eyes. She looked like honey against the bright lights that stood before them. She smiled at him and Bash thought he was in heaven.

~Timeskip to when they say I do cuz I’m LaZy~

“Do you, Caterina Maria Romula de Medici, take Sebastian Henry de Poitiers as your lawfully wedded husband?” The Priest spoke in a calm voice, turning to Catherine.

“I do. I, Caterina Maria Romula de Medici take Sebastian Henry de Poitiers as my lawfully wedded husband. Through sickness and health, darkness and light, through ups and downs, and together we will reign.” Bash smiled, slipping the ring on Catherine’s slender finger.

“Do you, Sebastian Henry de Poitiers, take Caterina Maria Romula de Medici as your lawfully wedded wife?” Bash grinned turning to Catherine and speaking,

“I do. I Sebastian Henry de Poitiers take, Caterina Maria Romula de Medici as my lawfully wedded wife. Through sickness and health, darkness and light, through ups and downs, through childbirth and miscarriage, and together we will reign.” When Bash added the last part, Catherine's eyes lighted up with love as the Priest spoke,

“Very well. You may now kiss the bride” Bash pulled Catherine in and they finally kissed, a sweet but passionate one, full of love for each other and their union.

Chapter Text

The guests all cheered as Catherine and Bash ran into the hall after the ceremony. She giggled as he picked her up and spun her around, her wedding dress floating as she twirled in his arms. Catherine felt like she was dreaming. She had all her children with her, a husband who loved her, and she had grown to have some actual friends at her own court.

“Bash! Put me down!!” Catherine protested, full of giggles. Bash set her down, holding onto her waist to steady her as they walked to Mary and a grumpy Francis.

“Aww my goodness!” Mary squealed at the sight of Bash holding Catherine while Francis just scoffed. Catherine just rolled her eyes and smiled at her oldest son, kicking his shin and thanking Mary.

A flash of maroon and lime green whooshed past the guest's eyes as the colors focused back to Greer and Lola, attacking Catherine with a hug so hard she fell back onto Bash from the impact of the hug. He caught her and the girls detached themselves from the bride. Dance music started as Bash, Mary, Greer, and Lola dragged Catherine into the middle of the ballroom, Mary coming back for Francis.

“Come, my dear, let us dance” Bash started as he and Catherine started to follow each other in a circle, hands intertwined. Bash picked up Catherine and spun her around. Starting a waltz, they continued until the dance was done. At the very end of the dance, Bash smirked and spin-dipped Catherine, pulling her up into a kiss.

The rest of the guests that were not dancing, cheered and clapped their hands together for the future King and Queen of France. That is except for Kenna, who had been released from her chambers by Bash after hearing where she was put. Not knowing that Catherine had put her there herself.

“Bash! Can I talk to you for a moment?” Kenna waltzed up to Bash when Catherine was distracted and walked off to talk to Mary about something. Bash just shrugged and walked out of the ceremony to talk to Kenna.

“Catherine, where is Bash?” Greer and Lola said in unison, walking up to the two monarchs in front of them. Catherine pointed to where Bash was standing when she left to talk to Mary, but he was not there.

“He’s over there- wait where is he?!” Catherine shouted, suddenly panicking and searching for her husband. She ran up to the nearest guard and he bowed to her presence.

“Alan, have you seen my husband?”

“No, your majesty, I have not seen him.”

Catherine asked about three or four other guards before her favorite guard (and bestie she spills all the tea to) Christophe walked up to the four women telling them,

“I saw Bash leaving with Kenna. I had Leith follow him just to be sure though.” Catherine’s jaw dropped. She had put Kenna in her room for the wedding.

She stormed out the giant double doors and into the hall. Mary, Greer, and Lola followed behind swiftly. They walked for about a minute before finding Kenna pressed up against Bash, her lips inches away from his.

Neither of them noticed the four women standing there as Bash pushed Kenna off of him and yelled,

“Kenna stop! I don’t want you to be my mistress, I am married to Catherine and I intend to stay loyal to the woman I love. And YES, I do love her, I love her with my whole heart and would die for her.” Kenna had noticed Catherine and the girls at that point but Bash had not.

“Bash…” Catherine whispered tears in her eyes.

“BASH!” Catherine shouted, running into Bash’s arms and he picked her up spinning her around, their hug ending in a loving kiss. Kenna stormed off, pissed at Catherine and Bash. She would get her revenge.

Chapter Text

A dark shadow moved toward Catherine, distracted by a book she was reading. Bash tried to warn her but it seemed like there was a glass box around him and she continued to read as the dark figure moved closer and closer to her. Its cold hands grasped her neck and she screamed, a high-pitched shriek as the shadow pulled her away into the dark.

“Bash? Bash!? BASH?!” He shot up in bed, body shaking and face caked with gleaming sweat. Catherine sat next to him, hair messy and nightgown off of one shoulder. He shook, grabbing a hold of his dear wife and muttering,

“I won’t let them take you. I won’t let them take you. I won’t let them take you. I won’t let them take you.” Catherine took him into her lap, kissing his head and shushing him softly. He sobbed into her chest, muttering those same words over and over.

“Bash, I’m right here. No one has taken me, my love. It was just a dream” She quietly whispered in his ear until his breathing calmed and his body stilled. He sat up, kissing her plump, sleepy lips softly. She smiled into the kiss, grateful that her husband was ok.

“But-but they took you, I-I don’t want you to l-leave m-me.” He stuttered, clutching to his wife with all his strength. She stroked his hair and sang softly in his ear, calming him and his breathing.

“It was just a dream Bash, you are ok, I am ok.” She spoke in a calm voice, pulling him into a short and sweet kiss. He sat up to face her in bed, eyes and face wet with tears.

“You will have your privacy while changing or in the washroom, but at any other time you will have guards surrounding and protecting you at all costs.” Catherine’s eyes widened and she tried to protest but Bash would not budge.

“Sebastian, it was just a dream. I don't need guards following me at all times.” She complained but Bash would not listen to her, talking to Leith, who had been summoned by him about his demand as future king. Catherine lay back down and pouted.

~Two days later~
“Good morning Bash, my son, Catherine.” Diane walked into the throne room ‘gracefully’. She curtseyed in front of Bash and Catherine, who were sitting on their thrones hand-in-hand, while Catherine was reading a book. Suddenly Kenna ran into the room shouting,

“BASH! There is something wrong with your horse in the stables its going crazy!!” Bash leapt from his seat only to be told by Kenna that they would need guards to calm him down too.

“Mother, Kenna you stay with Catherine, guards come with me.” The guards followed Bash to the stables while Catherine stayed reading… Little did Bash know that the book Catherine was reading was the book she was reading in his dream.

The last thing Catherine saw was a huge hand on her mouth, shielding her screams and shrieks as Diane, Kenna, and the third person dragged her into the secret passageways.