This is part of my AthosxSylvie series Getting to Know You. It jumps ahead a bit from the previous story, Getting To Know Her, which I will hopefully get back to finishing.

Selling Memories

Chapter 1

It was a warm night, the bed clothes were shoved to the foot of the bed. Sylvie rolled over trying to get comfortable. Stretching out her hand, she realized she was alone in bed.

She took a moment deciding she needed to pee again. She pushed herself up off the bed and walked into the bathroom patting her protruding stomach.

Sylvie was nearly nine months pregnant with her and Athos' second child. Olivia was nineteen months. She wondered when it was normal to stop referring to your child's age by months.

She exited the bathroom when she was finished and walked out of the bedroom down the long hall to the library. She and Athos were spending the weekend at Athos'-their chateau-she reminded herself.

She found Athos sitting at the old grand desk that had been his grandfather's. Athos's head was down, glasses on intently examining some papers in front of him.

"Athos," Sylvie said.

Athos startled looking up embarrassed. "What are you doing up, sweetheart?" He asked her.

"I could ask you the same thing," she said.

Sylvie leaned against the armrest of his chair.

Athos removed his glasses dropping them down on the desk and turning to Sylvie. He wrapped an arm around her waist pulling her close to him. His other hand reached over resting over the swell of her stomach.

"Something's wrong," she said. She sensed something had been bothering Athos since they had left the city. They left Olivia with Sylvie's mum. The main reason for going to the house according to Athos was to check on some repairs that were needed. He tried to make a trip to the house every couple of months at least.

Athos sighed kissing the side of Sylvie's head. "I'm afraid we're probably going to have to sell the house," he said.

Sylvie pulled away looking at Athos confused and saddened. A sudden thought came to her and she felt hurt. "How long have you known?"

Athos fidgeted in his chair.

"Athos," she said.

"About a month," he said.

Sylvie huffed. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" She asked.

"I didn't wish to burden you right now," he said. "I'm sorry, it was wrong of me."

Sylvie returned to Athos' side wrapping her arms around him. She tucked his head under her chin brushing her fingers through his hair. She didn't hear it, but she felt the sob go through Athos' body and the tears that fell onto the front of her t-shirt.

TM

The next morning Athos went to speak with the caretaker of the house, Albert. Sylvie took that time to call her mum and check in. She sat on the couch of the great room holding her phone to her ear. "Mum," she said. "How's everything going?"

"Everything's just fine, dear," Carol said. "Olivia is having a play date with Emilie."

"That's great," Sylvie said.

"Is everything all right, dear?" Carol asked.

Sylvie debated what to say. "Mum, we may have to sell the house."

"Oh, honey," Carol said. "How's Athos with all of this?"

"He's hurting," she said. "This house holds his best memories from his childhood. He was so close to his grandparents."

Her mum did her best to console Sylvie asking her to let Athos know she was thinking of him. Eventually they hung up and a few minutes later she heard the front door open.

Athos entered the room where Sylvie sat as comfortably as she could considering how far along she was. He sat down next to her looking tired and wrecked.

"Albert took the news badly," Athos said. "Not because of loss of a job, but for the loss of the house. He and his wife have worked for my family long before my grandparents could no longer stay here."

Sylvie leaned her head against Athos' shoulder wrapping her hand around his arm.

"How long do you think it will take to sell?" She asked.

Athos didn't immediately answer and Sylvie felt tension seep into his body. "Athos?"

"My father knows some people who have vocalized some interest in the house," he said.

"When did you speak with your father?" Sylvie asked.

"The day before we came here," he said. "I'm sorry," he turned to look at Sylvie wrapping his arm around her shoulders pulling her close. "I'm just trying to keep him out of our lives as much as possible. Guess I'm not doing a very good job at that."

Sylvie shook her head looking up seeing the self-deprecating smile on his face.

TBC