CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR: FOUR YEARS LATER, 1466

Time is what passed. It's been four years since then and what's arose from the time passing, is a rebellion nobody wanted. Catherine and Thomas were gifted a castle nearby, a recently built castle for them. They lived there for the past two years now. She walked around the garden, as she carried her newborn daughter Margaret. She watched as Thomas sat on a grassy ground, with baby George who was now three years old. Thomas showed a flower, trying to impressed baby George who only giggled.

"'Mother?" She turned to the side seeing Arthur who was now seven years old. He already had dark-brown eyes, he began to his showed features. He started to resemble Edward mother, Cecily.

"What's wrong, my love?" She asked. Arthur tugged her dress, with a uneasy face. "When can I see father?" That's when, she tensed up. She always made sure Arthur knew who his real father was. She wanted one of her children to remember Edward unlike the rest of her children. "Arthur, what did I say? Edward is traveling his kingdom, he'll promise me he'll come back to see you, your his son." She bend down kissing her firstborn forehead, who only shrugged it off. She admits Arthur, out of all her children definitely has a unique personality.

Suddenly, Arthur was pushed towards her when someone ran pass him. She help her son find his balance. She already knew who this person was.  "Eliza!" She hissed. She watched as her five year old daughter, turned back. She definitely looked like Edward, with her long blonde locks, sharp-tongue.

"Hi! Mother!" She giggled running after Thomas. She watched from afar how she jumped into Thomas embrace, hugging him. She could definitely tell that Eliza loved Thomas very much. Like a father.

"There is my princess," he spoke. "Hello, father." She began to speak, giggling. She turned to see Arthur unable to say anything. "Come on now, Arthur. Let's go see Thomas." Thomas had only turned one year old but due to some circumstances Thomas is very difficult child. For once, Thomas did not grow attach to her. The wet nurses have to nurse him and feed him from their own breast. She hated that feeling but she knew her little boy had rejected her and needed to feed.

She began to make her way back to the castle as Arthur followed along. She actually loved this feeling, she had a home and wonderful husband and children but somehow, apart of her still lingers for Edward. She had heard that Queen Elizabeth has given birth to her fourth baby girl, she already had three daughters. Elizabeth, Cecily and Mary.

Alice, her maid came in. She handed baby Margaret to her. "Would you please set her to bed?" She asked. Alice nodded taking baby Margaret, gently rocking her in her arms. As soon as they left, she turned to her son.

"Now, my love. Let's go see Thomas." Arthur smiles brightly, taking her hand. They both began to walk towards the nursery. Once they entered, Arthur immediately ran in, she looked to see her baby boy in the crib sleeping. Julie appeared.

"Lady, Catherine. He was just put to sleep." Catherine nodded showing a smile, she called out for Arthur. "Come, Arthur." she quickly asked as her Arthur ran towards her in gloomy mood. She held onto her hand, as they began to walked down the halls.

"Why can't father see me, now?" He asked. She gulped holding her breath. "Arthur, I told you, Edward is busy. We mustn't speak of this." Arthur suddenly stopped causing her to halt looked back at her so.

"What is it?" She asked. Arthur refused to looked.

"It's no fair." He began to say. "Why can't I lived with father?" He asked. When she was about to speak, she heard a voice.

"You're already living with me." They both looked up to see Thomas, carrying baby George in his hands. Eliza walking beside him. "What do you mean, Arthur?"

Catherine looked at Arthur with a uneasy look. She was hoping he wouldn't say much. "Elizabeth take, Arthur away." Catherine ordered causing Elizabeth, to freeze. Catherine knew very well, she never called her Elizabeth. It was always Eliza, or Lisa. She looked as Eliza grumbly marched towards Arthur taking him away leaving her and Thomas alone, with baby George.

She walked over towards Thomas taking baby George from his hands. "There is my baby boy," she spoke, softly. She carried him in his arms as her little boy began to giggled. "Catherine was he talking about Edward?" She heard him speak. She held onto baby George, she than looked at him.

"It's nothing. I'll must." Catherine began to walked with baby George, the opposite direction.

"Catherine, I asked you a question?!" She heard his voice get louder.

"Catherine!"

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With the help of baby George, she turned around. Her son began to giggle loudly that the halls were fill of her son laughter. "Look, Thomas. Our baby boy, laughter always brings goodness in our hearts." She held her son, in her arms getting closer to Thomas, who widened his eyes, of George laughter.

"He is adorable." He whispered, watching their son. Catherine gulped, continued to gently rock her son. Her baby boy, George somehow already had wisps of jet-black hair growing, her baby had already inherited dark-blue eyes. Which was strange to her, she didn't have blue eyes.

Over the next few days, a letter was send. Thomas was getting ready putting on armor. "Please don't leave," she asked, softly. Thomas has wore his golden armor, had a horse ready. "Edward needs me. He says there will be a carriage for you and the children and some servants to take. Edward has urged me that he'll keep you safe with Elizabeth. He needs me, Catherine." He spoke, walking around their chambers.

"Has the rebellion really begun? Has Warwick really betrayed Edward?" Catherine spoke, trying to figured out what is going on. Thomas looks at her for the last time.

"Does it matter? Edward has wrote to me, to help him with this battle. He has assured him a carriage will be here at dawn for you and the children, to get to safety." Thomas leaned forward to kiss her on her forehead. Catherine looked up trying to keep tears from falling down her cheek.

"May the god bless you, Thomas." She pulled him for a hug, she held onto his warmth and embrace. She doesn't want him to die. Thomas leaned back showing a smile proceeded to walked out of the room. Catherine began to hold her cries and sobs inside. She is Catherine of Lancaster, she doesn't bow to no men.

She gathered all her children, Alice, held baby Margaret in her hands. While, Julie held baby Thomas, covered in blankets. It was freezing, dawn was setting in. She held her baby boy, George. As they waited outside the castle for the carriage to arrived. She watched as Eliza and Arthur were jumping and running around them. "Stop it! Eliza!" Arthur hissed who began to throw dirt onto Arthur.

"Stop it!" She demanded, she looked around. Nobody was coming.

"Lady Catherine, what should we do?" Julie asked holding baby Thomas, who began to let out cries. She bit her lip, as she continued to hold her son, who was sleeping.

"Edward promise Thomas, there is going to be a carriage. I trust Thomas judgment. I trust, Edward." She admitted still looking ahead the woods, hoping there was small sign.

Suddenly a carriage appeared with a man riding in front. He wore sliver armor, kept running forward with his horse. She backed away, she knew who it was. The man jumped out of his horse, taking his helmet off.

"Catherine," he breathed out. They both stared at each other, without any words. When he was jumped by Arthur.

"Father!" She watched as Edward picked Arthur up, holding him. "My firstborn, my little prince." He whispered. Arthur wrapped his arms around Edward shoulders hugging him. He made his way towards her till he stopped. Catherine noticed he spotted Eliza, who had her blonde locks messy, dress full of dirt.

"Eliza?" He asked. She watched as her daughter smiled making her way towards Edward with a hug. "Hello, father," Eliza whispered. Catherine knew her little girl, wouldn't forget her biological father. She always told stories of him. Edward smiled ruffling her hair till he turned to look at her.

"Catherine, I've come to see you and take you to safety. With our children." She looked at him widened, she gently rocked her baby boy in her arms, as she felt him fiddling in her embrace.
"What's wrong?" He asked.

"Baby George?" He asked. "Could I see my baby boy?" He asked. "Father!" Arthur chimed in. Edward smirked.

"Edward he is sleeping. For the love of god, why did you come?" She asked. Edward suddenly leaned forward surprising her with a peck on the lips, the kiss lasted more than five seconds. They both leaned back gasping for air, Arthur had covered his eyes, in disgust. Edward laughed it out. "Cheer up, Arthur. One day you'll have a girl of your own."

"Edward!" She scolded. Edward smirk while Arthur gaged he didn't like the idea of girls.

"Edward, tell me. What's going on?" She asked once turning serious.

Edward sighed.  "Lord Warwick has betrayed me!" Edward exclaimed in an angered tone, "And so has George! I hear he has married Isabel against my clear command. Warwick's plan must be to put George upon the throne instead of me. God damn them both!"  He spoke, frightened Arthur.

Edward noticed it. "It's okay, Arthur. You know I'll fight to protect this country. I'm fighting for my crown and one day the crown is going to be yours. This is your kingdom, my little boy." Arthur began to smiled than proceeded to lay his head on his shoulder.

"Mama!" She looked down to see Eliza, in dirty clothes, whimpering. "It's too cold."

Catherine widened her eyes. "Edward be rational!" She scolded him. She than turned to Eliza, giving ushering smile. "It's okay, my love."  Edward held his other hand for Eliza.

"Come on, my little girl." Eliza jumped forward holding his hand. Edward send Catherine short smile. Edward begin to walked towards the carriage, she held her breath in. She didn't care or mind but she secretly hoped Thomas had returned.

"My lady Catherine?" Alice appeared next to her. "Go on! Go follow Edward." She told them. They began to walked towards him carrying little baby Margaret and baby Thomas. She appeared closer to the carriage. She watched as Julie, slowly began to gently rock baby Thomas.

"Whose this one?" Edward looked back staring at the child, Julie had. "It's my son."

Edward looked at her, holding his breath. "My little brother child. I supposed his name is Thomas." Catherine nodded holding baby George, who fiddled in her arms.

"Let me hold my son," he asked. Julie than went in holding Thomas sat next to the children.  She gently handed baby George, who was now wide awake. Edward watched as George, fiddled in his arms but didn't scream. "My little prince. My baby boy, my blood and flesh. I'll come back for you, I'll always will." Edward whispered. Catherine looked at him awe starstruck, she loved him Edward at that moment. He truly loved his sons.

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The next morning, she had woken up to be located in a castle. They arrived three days later, it was fairly quiet. She has given her own chambers which was strange usually Edward will accompany her but he didn't. This rebellion surely was so serious. She had made sure Alice, had taken baby Margaret and Eliza,  while Julie, is taking care of baby Thomas, and Arthur. George was given his own nursery, which was strange.

She had dress up herself and began to walked around the castle. "Catherine, my love!" Her eyes lit up ready to see Edward. She walked in to see Thomas, standing beside Richard. She looked to see, to find Edward wearing his armor already, on a table looking at some paper. She ran into Thomas embrace hugging him, she could feel someone eyes on them. She turned around to stand beside Thomas only to see Edward directly looking at them, once their eyes met, she turned away.

"Edward are you alright?" She asked.

"No! I'm not!" Edward replied, banging his hand against the table. "I'm lost. How can my brother, George betrayed me." Catherine widened her eyes, no wonder Thomas had urged to go. Edward really needed his other brother by his side, since one decided to joined the opposite side. "With Warwick, the man you thought of as your greatest friend," Richard remarked, earning a small scoff from Edward.  "And who else betrays us with them, huh?" Edward ranted to the group of four in a furious tone, "Our mother isn't here. She's surely gone to attend their wedding... George is her darling, after all."  Silence was in the room. Till, Elizabeth walked in clearly hearing the talk. "Why would she back George instead of you?" Elizabeth suddenly asked, causing Richard and Catherine to exchange an uneasy look. There were two reasons. "The old story. Whether I am my father's son," Edward exclaimed furiously, "Whether, I am legitimate."  Catherine watched Edward closely as he roughly slammed his fists against the table.

Thomas placed his hand around her waist, pulling her closer. "George is saying that I am a bastard and that would make him the true York heir," Edward explained, turning to glance at Catherine.

"I needed to bring everybody here. Elizabeth and Catherine should be here and there going to be safe." Catherine widened her eyes. "I'm not queen. Why would you need me?"

"Haven't you heard?" Edward asked. Catherine blinked twice. She than turned to Thomas who held his breath. "They wished to bring you back. There has been plans to bring you back home. We have discovered many plans within the castle of a possible kidnapping."

"What?" She asked horrified. "By who?"

"Not sure. There are rumors." Edward spoke, she than began to put her attention on him. "What are the rumors?"

"Some say, your still expected to married the Prince of Scotland. Your mother arranged it. Than there are rumors, your mother had order the kidnapping of you, so you could marry George. It was more of Warwick plan." Catherine couldn't believe. "This is stupidity. I'm married. I have children." She explained standing close to Thomas side.

"It doesn't matter. You haven't heard that your mother keeps spreading lies that the children are bastards." Edward grinned clearly looking angry. She bit her lip, unsure what to say. She couldn't possibly believe Warwick and her mother had device a plan to kidnapped her so she could marry George. There is missing piece, she didn't know what it was.

Days later, when it was time for Edward to leave with his army, he said goodbye to Elizabeth as he stood before the public.  She stood by Thomas side, who kissed her on the cheek. "Forgive, I can't say goodbye to the kids." She nodded. She couldn't spit out saying Edward had already spoken to Eliza and Arthur, promise them he'll come back for them.

"One last kiss?" Thomas asked. Catherine nodded slowly leaning forward to kiss him on the lips for one second till she pulled away. She quickly noticed Edward studying them from the distance.

"Go to the city of Norwich with Elizabeth. You must help her rule as queen." Catherine sighed.
"Thomas?!" She whined. "It wasn't me who suggested it." She raised her eyebrow, confused. Edward.

"I will," she admitted.

Thomas leaned in kissing her passionately before being forced to pull away. "It breaks my heart to have to leave you and our children," He confessed in a whisper, "But I must. I love you," Thomas replied, kissing her one last time before she was forced to pull away. She than nodded quietly clearly shocked by his words. He stood there expecting that she'll say something but she didn't.

"I'll wait for you," she whispered, she began to walked away leaving him alone. She stood back when Edward approached her. "You heard everything didn't you?" She asked. Edward smirked. "It's shame, you didn't say it back."

"That's none of your concern." She grinned. Edward sighed. "I'll be back, please take care o Elizabeth. Help her rule, she doesn't know it but I know you can help her." Catherine rolled her eyes. How can he expect to ask her this?

"You'll be my queen till my death. Catherine, I'm mad for you." He cleared his throat confessing his feelings. Catherine looked up, shocked. "Edward-I"

"Don't. I'll just want you to know that. I'll be fighting, I don't want to die without telling you my feelings. I love you, Catherine. I always had and will." Catherine began to hold her tears back. "I love you, too." She whispered, slowly. Edward showed a smile but proceeded to walked away, to joined his brothers on the other side. She looked afar seeing how the York's brother began to jumped on their horses. She truly didn't know now. What has she done? She watched as Thomas turned back to take a look at her with hurt expression. She held her tears in. Her heart truly belong to Edward. What was Thomas for? She watched ahead as Edward took a look at her. Both men turned to look at her with solemn face. She loved Edward. She will always love him. She closed her eyes, refusing to see them any longer. How stupid was she? She got herself into this mess. This stupid mess. She watched as Edward rode off with his army, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. She loved Edward and didn't want anything to happen to him. He is the father of her children but Thomas is the father of her little baby boy, Thomas. Her son, her precious son. Truly her feelings were all over the place.

AUTHOR NOTE
Alright, you had peek into the kids lives. I mean, Arthur seems like a more sensitive kid and Eliza is brave and loud spoken. Baby, George, Baby Thomas, Baby Margret are all little kids, that can't say anything yet. You see, I'm excited because after this chapter, loyalties are going to broken! Secrets will be revealed, and will shattered someone heart. Anybody have some guesses? This was long chapter, I'm sure there is some mistakes. I'll fixed them soon.Please don't be silent reader, comment below.