The celebration after the wedding was just as grand as the wedding. The new wedded couple decided to change into more comfortable clothes rather than being in their wedding ceremonial clothes. While they were changing, the courtiers from both French and English courts danced together in the middle of the throne room where there were long tables of food were set up for the celebration. At the big long table in front of the thrones, the French and English families sat together. Francis turned to Henry and said to him, "I do hope that my son and your daughter will be welcomed here in England, dear friend. The crowds today were rather hostile." Henry replied, "Don't worry, dear friend. All of that will soon pass. I assure you that the angry mobs weren't directed to your son and my daughter. Just the circumstances. Your son will be most welcomed and well taken care of during his stay in England." Francis smiled at his friend and said to him, "Thank you. The same will be for your beloved daughter when she comes to stay in England. Might I suggest that she would bring her sister Mary along? I understand that she hasn't seen her dear sister since her mother left." Henry didn't answer and he never got a chance to when the horns blared, announcing the arrival of the newly weds. The courtiers bowed/curtsied when the young couple entered the room and stood, applauding for them. James held out his hand for Elizabeth, smiling at her, and she took his hand, also smiled. The couple turned to the long table where their families sat and bowed/curtsied to them, smiling. The couple's families all smiled at the couple and their parents stood to go over to them. However, Anne stayed in her seat, worried that too much excitement could affect her pregnancy and the chance of having a son. She only watched with a smile at the girl who was her friend and now stepdaughter as the girl basked in the joy of the celebrations. She could only hope that Elizabeth's sister would soon realize that it would be better to follow in her sister's footsteps than stand her ground and cause friction with her relationship with her father.
Just as James and Elizabeth were about to dance together the first time as a married couple, Anne let out a gasp of pain as her pregnancy pains began. The celebrations came to a pause and Anne's ladies-in-waiting rushed to go help their mistress. Elizabeth went to go join her friend, now stepmother, but was held back by her husband. James said to her, "It will be alright, Ellie. She has her ladies and the court physicians." Elizabeth sighed and went back to look at the direction Anne had left. She turned to see her father with Anne's father and brother as they talked about the preparations to celebrate the birth of a royal child. Claude walked over to her son and daughter-in-law and said to them, "Well, the celebration of a wedding, now combined with the preparations of a royal birth, today will certainly be remembered." Elizabeth replied, curtsying to her mother-in-law, "I couldn't agree more, Your Majesty." Claude chuckled and said to her, "Please, dear child, call me Claude. We are family now, no need for formalities expect for in public, of course." Elizabeth smiled at her mother-in-law and replied, "Of course, Claude." Claude said, smiling then her smile turned into a worried frown, "Soon, it will be time for you to consummate your marriage. Are you ready?" James replied, as the color drained from Elizabeth's face at the thought of her having sex, "We will be fine, Mother. I assure you. We will go as slow and gentle as possible." Claude nodded and noticed Elizabeth's frightened look and gently pulled her aside, telling James that it was time for him to get ready. She whispered to the frightened girl, "I know that this all may seem terrifying at first, believe me, I really do, but you must do this. Not only is it your duty as a wife of a future King and future Queen of two kingdoms, it is your duty to show that you are a virgin with no doubts." Before Elizabeth could respond, Lady Eleanor came over to them and curtsied to them. She told the princess that it was time for the consummation.
Elizabeth curtsied to the queen and left the celebrations, with her ladies following her, as Claude's words echoed in her mind. Awhile afterwards, Elizabeth stood in her bedchambers as her ladies got her ready. She found herself in her nightdress in front of a selected few courtiers from both courts and four priests, two for James and two for Elizabeth. The princess turned when someone entered the bedchambers and her nerves excelled when it was James, followed by her father. Lady Eleanor and Lady Caterina helped make the bed ready for the couple while Lady Marian helped Elizabeth into the bed. The three ladies-in-waiting stepped aside when James made his way over to the bed. Henry gave his daughter and son-in-law a smile and said to them, "May God help guide you through your long and happy bliss of marriage and bless you with many sons." James said, "There is no need for company, Your Majesty. I believe that if it was just Elizabeth and I, her nerves will clam." Henry nodded and ushered everyone of the room, leaving Elizabeth and James to their privacy. James gave Elizabeth a warm and kind smile and said to her, seeing her fear, "It is just us now, Elizabeth. No need to fear. We are the only ones who matter here." He soon made his way over to the bed where they consummated their marriage.
The next morning, the couple were woken up by their valet and principal lady-in-waiting telling them that Anne had given birth. Elizabeth rushed to go get ready, as did James, and raced to the royal bedchambers. James followed after his wife and called out to her, "Elizabeth! Slow down!" The courtiers got out of the couple's way and bowed/curtsied to them as they passed. Elizabeth stopped in front of the royal bedchambers to see her stepmother holding a bundle of blankets in her arms. The young princess curtsied to Anne and made her way over to her. Anne never looked up from her child and said to the girl, "It's a girl. Your father was not pleased with the birth." Elizabeth only sighed, she knew that her father would be displeased, disappointed actually, with the birth of another daughter. She knew that he wanted a son and how Anne promised him a son but now, things didn't look so good. Elizabeth said, "What will you name her?" Anne replied, finally looking at the girl, "Elizabeth, after her stepsister. That is if it pleases you." Elizabeth smiled and nodded, proud that a sibling of hers would be named after her. Anne smiled and said to her, "Would you also join my sister as a godmother to Elizabeth? *Elizabeth nodded and wrapped her arms around the woman* You must promise me something. If something was to ever happen to me, keep Elizabeth safe and protect her. I will be forever grateful." If Elizabeth knew any better, it sounded like as if Anne was afraid that she was going to die for giving Henry a daughter. Elizabeth only nodded as she looked in Anne's eyes then looked at the baby girl. In the doorway, James watched the exchange between his wife and the Queen with a small smile.