Finding herself pregnant with her fourth child after her husband Roberts death was inconvenient. Fortunately, the timing of her pregnancy meant she could just about pass the child off as Roberts. Claim the babe was her husband's final gift to her before his unfortunate encounter with the boar. Cersei smirked at the thought. As if her oaf of a husband could have ever fathered children as beautiful as her and Jamie's. She was due any day now and couldn't wait to meet her fourth child, hoping it would bring some joy back into her life. Since Joffrey had taken the throne, he had stopped listening to her completely and his cruel streak was growing day by day. When she had told her children she was pregnant, Myrcella and Tommen had been excited. Joffrey had looked suspicious. She knew her eldest son had heard the rumours of her and Jamie, she knew he had ordered his men to kill Roberts bastards, and that was when she began to fear him. She wanted to think Joffrey was not capable of harming his family, but part of her knew that wasn't true.

Lounging back in her chair, Cersei absently rubbed her swollen stomach. Jamie had been by her side for the births of their three children, but this time he was held captive by Robb Stark. Her twin didn't know he was going to be a Father again, and Cersei feared he may never meet his child. In truth Cersei had never felt more alone. She could not control Joffrey, Jamie was gone and rather than her Father come to their aid he had sent the Imp instead.

Cersei ground her teeth as she thought of her younger brother. He kept telling her to rest and look after the baby, promising he would help Joffrey. As if she would trust that little monster near Joffrey. Typical that she was once again shouldering the entire family burden herself. About to birth a fourth Lannister child, ruling as Queen regent and looking after her three children all by herself. As always she had no help or guidance. No mother by her side to offer advice. A familiar flare of anger burned in Cersei at the thought of her mother. Killed by the twisted little monster that should never have lived.

Cersei summoned her hand maids to her chambers and prepared herself for tonight. With her baby's arrival imminent she had wanted a family dinner with her children before adding their new brother or sister to their world. Of course Joffrey had refused to come, claiming he had far more important things to do than sit with children and talk about babies. Part of Cersei was hurt, while the other couldn't help but feel relieved.

"Which gown would you like your Grace?" asked her young handmaiden

"Something loose" she answered "perhaps the deep red with the gold trim"

There was no point going too fancy. This pregnancy and Jamie's capture had left her more tired and irritable than usual. More than anything she wanted him here, to have a proper family dinner with the ones she truly loved. Shaking the thoughts from her head, Cersei glanced in her mirror.

'I am a lion. I will show no weakness' she thought

With the prospect of her family dinner being just her, Tommen and Myrcella, Cersei had invited Tyrion. Mostly to appease her children who had pleaded for their Uncle to come. Unlike Joffrey who hated his uncle as much as she did, her younger children loved to spend time with him and they were much more animated when he was with them. They'd clearly taken after their Father in that regard, but if it made them happy she would put up with her little brother. That's all she wanted for them. To be happy and full of joy. Besides, her mood wasn't particularly pleasant at the moment and Tyrion could keep the children entertained as he often did.

The table for dinner had been set in a small hall within the red keep, and numerous plates and dishes were on offer, although Cersei found she had no appetite for any of it. The Queen regent sat at the head of the table with Myrcella and Tommen on her left, her brother on her right. Her children hadn't noticed her lack of appetite, so engrossed they were as Tyrion recounted his escape from the Eyrie.

"Then what happened Uncle?" enthused Tommen

Tyrion leaned forward as if he was about to divulge a great secret "Then I threw my coin purse to the jailer as I left with Bronn. They were so shocked, I imagine they stood there the rest of the day with their mouths hanging open" he said pantomiming his own mouth hanging open, to peals of laughter from the children

"Why did you give the jailer the gold when he was mean to you?" asked Tommen, as if he couldn't fathom doing such a thing

"A Lannister always pays their debts" said Myrcella, before Tyrion could answer

"Clever girl" praised Tyrion with a grin, as Myrcella beamed at the praise

Cersei absently pushed some food around on her plate. Gods, she would kill for some wine.

"Are you ok Mother?" asked Myrcella

Following her uncle's praise, Myrcella had turned to her mother hoping for more; Cersei had only been half listening to their talk however.

"I'm quite alright, thank you" she said, smiling at her children

"You look rather pale" said Tommen, concern bubbling in his young voice

She could feel Tyrion's eyes staring at her, before he quickly distracted the children once more.

"Of course she is Tommen! I'm sure my tale of daring escape brought back how terrified your mother was of losing me to Lysa Arryn" he said with a grin, before the children quickly turned their attention back to their uncle

For this, Cersei was grateful. In truth she wasn't feeling well, and didn't want her children to worry for her. She was a lion, she would not show weakness. No matter how much control Cersei thought she had or wanted to have, her body had other ideas however.  She felt a small pop and the tell-tale trickle of liquid running down her leg and soaking her gown.

"Tyrion" she said, catching his attention. She didn't want the children to see the mess her water breaking had made but the time for the birth was clearly upon her.

Her little brother saw the look on her face and thankfully understood immediately.

"Come children! Your mother needs to get ready for your new sibling" he said jumping to his feet, as Cersei subtly gestured to her hand maiden what had happened

"Are you ok?" asked Tommen, unnerved by the sudden end of their meal

"Yes darlings. Nothing to worry about, it's time for your new brother or sister to come. Go with your uncle, I'll be fine" she said smiling at her perfect Lannister children

Tyrion herded the children to the door with promises of telling them both a bedtime story before turning back to her.

"Good luck" he whispered with a smile, before turning to leave

On an impulse, Cersei grabbed his arm and tugged him back.

"If anything happens, look after them" she hissed, digging her nails into him

"You know I would" he shot back, hurt flickering across his face before following the children out the door

Tyrion was the last person she wanted to rely on, but with Jamie and her Father not here she was left with little choice. As much as it pained her, Joffrey could not be relied on to look after his siblings. With her children out of the way, hand maidens descended to help her to her room for the birthing. Cersei felt the first of her contractions as she made her way to her chambers. She desperately wished her twin was here. Labour could be dangerous, and the memory of her mother's death had always brought back a primal fear of dying the same way and leaving her children behind.

There was no point in fear, she reminded herself. What's done is done, and Cersei comforted herself with the thought of presenting Jamie with a new child when he returned.

The birth was long and rather painful, but Cersei was getting older and this was her fourth child. The stresses of motherhood were sure to be felt more now than when she had birthed Joffrey. The Maester, a wet nurse and her handmaids rushed around her preparing for the birth. Finally, she pushed the babe out and the panic in her melted as she heard the infants cries. She had done it. The baby was alive and so was she. Cersei relaxed in her bed, feeling the familiar bliss her children brought her.

"Seven save us" she heard the Maester mutter to the wet nurse, shattering her peace

"The child?" Cersei asked, trying to hide the panic they'd sparked

"A son, your grace" said the Maester, though he made no move to pass the crying infant to her

"Give him to me" she ordered, stiffly moving herself to sit up more in her bed

The Maester hesitated a moment, before passing the squirming bundle to her.

"I'm so sorry, your grace" he said, bowing his head and stepping back

Carefully, Cersei peeled back the blanket they'd hastily wrapped the baby in, and her heart stopped. The baby seemed to be smiling at her, with his Lannister blond hair and green eyes. He was just like her brother. The wrong brother.

Just like Tyrion.