A/N HAPPY NEW YEAR! I am back! Well this took longer then expected to get going due to real life getting in the way and admittedly writers block. But with Fab Four back on our screens in a new series inspiration has hit me in abundance and thus this is the result. I hope that you wonderful people who have supported me with my other three follow me on this final ride to tie up this mini series of stories I have written. So without further ado here is the first chapter...it will pick up I promise. Enjoy and please let me know what you think you know how much I love your comments!

Chapter 1

The summer was well and truly upon the streets of Paris as Emilie made her way through, smiling warmly at familiar faces and stopping to talk to a few as she headed towards the home of her friend. Reaching the door she noted it open and stood for a few moments enjoying the laughter that rang through the house. The laughter of a happy 4 year old. Smiling, she stepped in, calling out to both father and son.

"Thomas? Aramis? It's only me," she said, removing her cloak and heading towards the sound of voices, finding the pair in the garden enjoying the sunshine. Both were laying on their fronts with a book open. Thomas was concentrating on his words with Aramis jokingly helping him causing Thomas to giggle, swatting his father playfully on the arm.

"Stop papa! I have to get good!" Thomas chastised him. Aramis just grinned, dropping a gentle kiss on his head.

"Sorry little one. I shall behave myself now," Aramis promised as he looked up, feeling eyes on them then smiling warmly at his friend in front of him.

"Emilie! Forgive me I didn't hear you come out. How are you?" Aramis greeted her getting to his feet and walking to her before hugging her tightly. "I am well thank you. How are you?" she replied, sweeping a quick glance over the musketeer. Aramis sighed, fixing eyes on his son. "Thomas, Emilie and I will just be inside okay? You stay out here keep practising your words," Aramis told the boy. Thomas nodded flashing a toothy smile and waving at Emilie before returning to his book.

"He is a smart kid Aramis. You must be so proud of him?" she asked, following him into the kitchen and watching as he poured them both a drink before positioning himself so that he could keep an eye on his son. "I am every day. I am very lucky," he responded, flashing her a smile. Emilie returned it, again taking in the man in front of her.

It had been near on 4 months since Aramis started his long road to recovery after all that had happened to him. Physically his body was almost there but his mind was still weak and they all knew this. As did Aramis and it was this reason alone that someone always saw him each day. To keep his spirits up, to keep the light there if he even dared to fall back into darkness. Today though he looked…tired. Emilie frowned, placing a hand gently to his forehead thus causing him to pull away with a confused look toward her.

"I am sorry Aramis. You look tired. I just wanted to make sure you weren't sick," she apologised. Aramis sighed, taking her hand and kissing it gently before letting it go and finally dropping into a chair, running a hand over his face. Emilie took a seat next to him.

"I won't lie. I am tired, Emilie. Sleep is never easy for me and it seems to be even harder the last week…since…since Thomas finally moved back into his own bed. And tomorrow is the anniversary of when Marie and I were married. I don't think I am ready to face this without her. It would have been 6 years," he admitted, brown eyes meeting her own as his hands clasped round the ring that belonged to his wife, hanging on a chain close to his heart. Emilie sighed, wrapping an arm round his shoulders.

"Aramis I am so sorry. We are here okay. Don't do this alone," Emilie soothed, seeing the pain held in sad brown orbs "Why don't you go and get some rest?" she suggested. "I will get Thomas to help me make dinner. The others are coming over when they are finished." Aramis held her gaze for a moment longer before dropping his eyes and nodding. "Thank you," he responded, his tone full of gratitude to the young girl. She leaned in, planting a gentle kiss to his cheek. "You have nothing to thank me for. It's why we are here Aramis. You don't have to face anything on your own!" she told him firmly. The musketeer nodded silently.

"Go get some sleep. I will go find the little one." Emilie said pulling him up and pushing him to his room, watching as he removed his boots and shirt before dropping down onto the bed and to her relief, he was asleep in seconds.

"Uncle Athos!" Thomas grinned jumping off the chair he was stood on where he had been helping Emilie make a broth. Athos grinned catching the little boy in his arms and hugging him tightly, planting a gentle kiss on his cheek.

"Hello trouble. Have you been behaving yourself?" he asked. His nephew giggled whilst he nodded. "Yes I have been helping Emilie make dinner" he answered before looking at Athos with bright blue eyes. "Papa isn't well he is in bed so I have to help," he added. Athos frowned, glancing at Emilie as he placed Thomas back down. She shook her head, smiling at Athos slightly.

"Don't worry too much. Aramis is just exhausted. He hasn't been sleeping well so I sent him for some rest. He's quite down Athos; tomorrow will be his and Marie's wedding anniversary. He is struggling with accepting it alone," Emilie explained, watching realisation dawn in her lover's eyes as he remembered the date. Athos nodded.

"For my own mind I may just go and check on him," Athos stated. Seeing the look on the girl's face he added "Don't worry I promise if he is settled, I won't wake him. The others will be here soon." He kissed her gently on the lips before heading for his friend's room.

Standing silently at the door, Athos watched his brother sleep. With his shirt off, the tell tail signs of recent events were still very much present on Aramis' body. The wounds although heeled had left scars that were visible against his skin and his frame, though naturally slight, was still thinner then Athos would have liked. No matter how much they had been feeding the younger musketeer up, Aramis' tendency to worry and the lapses he would occasionally have was stopping the weight staying on him. Sighing, Athos carefully took the thick cloak, once his sister's, the one the queen had had made for her, and placed it gently over Aramis. He watched his friend curl into it, responding to the warmth and beginning to relax, if only slightly. Athos reached out and ran a hand gently through his brother's curls sensing his dreams being plagued with horrors. He wondered if Aramis would ever find peace in his sleep.

"Rest Aramis. Marie and Thomas are safe." Athos soothed, smiling as he saw the man's body finally relax completely. Nodding to himself, he got up and left the room, closing the door behind him as he decided that Aramis was best left to sleep as long as he needed to.

"So come on then what is that you have been wanting to tell us?" D'Artagnan questioned Athos as the 6 of them sat themselves down for dinner later that evening. Aramis was yet to wake and none of the friends felt the need to disturb him.

Constance glanced at Emilie over the table and saw her blush slightly at D'Artagnan's question. She smiled turning back to preparing Thomas's dinner while the little boy chatted happily to Porthos. Athos looked at Emilie who just nodded, encouraging him to answer.

"I asked Emilie her hand in marriage," Athos finally replied, watching the faces of his two brothers. To his relief, they both held matching smiles. "Congratulations both of you! Though I can't say I am surprised," Constance said. "I cannot wait to plan another wedding!" she added with a grin. Emilie returned her smile, grateful for her support.

"Does Aramis know?" Porthos asked, taking a bite of food. Athos sighed shaking his head. "No not yet. We were planning on telling you all together," he replied. Porthos just nodded. "He will be happy for you both. You know that," D'Artagnan assured them just as Thomas jumped up from his chair "Papa!" he cried, flinging himself into Aramis' arms.

"Hey little one. I hope you have been behaving?" he asked, placing a gentle kiss to his son's forehead before putting him back down in his chair and taking a seat himself next to Thomas. "I have helped Emilie cook dinner," Thomas told him. "It's nice Papa. Taste it!" the little boy added enthusiastically, holding his little spoon up and making Aramis take a mouthful of the stew. "That is good buddy. I might just have to have some myself," he grinned at the child, who, in return, smiled happily at his father's praise then returning back to his own meal.

"How are you feeling?" Porthos asked, handing him a bowl. Aramis smiled a thank you as he took a spoonful of food. Though he was not feeling hungry, he did not want to worry his friends. "I am okay," he replied simply. Looking around the table, he frowned slightly. "What have I missed?" he questioned, placing the spoon back down, training expectant eyes on his friends. Athos shifted slightly wondering how his friend would take the news, especially with the heartache the following day would bring. "Athos?" Aramis prompted.

"I have asked Emilie to marry me and she agreed," Athos told him, watching him drop his gaze as he nodded slowly. "But of course she agreed," Aramis responded. Returning soft brown eyes onto his brother, he smiled a little. "I am so happy for you both. You, of all of us, brother, deserve the happiness love brings. You have my blessing and my prayers for a happy marriage." Aramis said sincerely though Athos felt his heart clench at the hint of sadness to Aramis's words.

"Thank you, Aramis. Your blessing means so much to us," Emilie finally spoke up, causing the hurting man to look to her. Aramis nodded. "It would be what Marie would want. She will be looking down on you both with extreme happiness." Emilie swallowed heavily at the words just spoken. "Aramis…" But she was stopped by him shaking his head and getting to his feet.

"I am not hungry tonight. If you will excuse me. I am tired. I think I will just head back to bed," he muttered, leaning down to place a kiss upon his son's head. "You be a good boy Thomas and go to sleep when you are told okay? Papa loves you," Aramis told him. Thomas looked at his father sadly. "Are you not putting me to sleep Papa?" he asked, his eyes locked on his father. Aramis shook his head. "I am not feeling too well tonight little one. I will see you in the morning." Thomas nodded. His understanding of his father's suffering was incredible for a four year old and it still surprised the others of his acceptance to it all. But the bond…the love held between father and son ran so deep and strong that it anchored that acceptance. "I love you papa." Thomas whispered as he hugged Aramis tightly before kissing his father on the cheek. Aramis smiled hugging him again. Letting him go he glanced his friends.

"Good night." He said quietly as he left the room. Athos sighed deeply as he felt Emilie squeeze his hand gently. "He doesn't begrudge you Athos. It's all still so raw for him. He will be okay. Just give him a bit of time to let it sink in." Constance told him gently. The older musketeer just nodded deciding he would stay the night, ready to support Aramis when the dawn broke.