Chapter 1
Three of the four children stampeded into the house causing an involuntary flinch from Sylvie. She just needed to get through today and tomorrow they would be returning to Paris.
"Madame Sylvie, what are we doing today?" Esmee, the oldest child at eleven asked. She was a bright girl taking the lead and taking care of her younger sisters and brother.
"I thought we might continue your reading lessons, how would you like that, Esmee?"
The girl nodded vigorously.
TM
It was an hour later and seven year old Raimund was running around the living room chasing his chasing five year old Gabrielle who was squealing.
"Raimund," Sylvie called out while she held two year old Mirabelle.
A cry came from the bedroom and Sylvie cringed. She debated what to do next. She thought she had at least an hour before Raoul had to be fed again.
"I have him," Athos came out of nowhere and immediately disappeared into the bedroom.
Sylvie climbed up from the floor with Mirabelle still in her arms. "Raimund!" She shouted cringing again.
The boy froze and stared at Sylvie.
"Raimund," Sylvie's voice was calmer. "You know my rule of no running in the house."
"Yes, Madame," he looked contrite.
Esmee apologized for all of them pushing the boy and second youngest girl onto the rug where they would often gather.
The rest of the day was filled with more chaos as Raimund forgot more of the rules.
"Raimund," it was Athos this time, his commanding voice low and deceptively calm.
Raimund swallowed and looked up with frightened eyes.
Athos kneeled down to the boy's level and proceeded to speak to him calmly and quietly. Sylvie couldn't hear what Athos was saying to Raimund, but it seemed to be affective. She smiled as she continued to watch.
Finally the discussion seemed to come to an end and Athos reached up ruffling the boy's hair before turning him around and swatting his backside sending him along.
Sylvie walked over to Athos and surprised him pressing a gentle kiss to his lips. She was smiling at him when she heard giggles coming from the other side of the room. Gabrielle and Raimund were the little culprits.
TM
"I could hire a wet nurse."
It was the middle of the night and Sylvie had barely gotten any sleep.
"No," she spoke firmly settling Raoul back in his crib. "It's my job to feed him."
Sylvie returned to their bed settling down next to Athos. He slid down to lay facing her and reached out with one hand on her shoulder. He could feel the tension in her shoulder. He worried she took on too much. He worried he didn't do enough.
He felt her move closer to him resting her head on his shoulder. He wrapped an arm around her back feeling the lines of scars left from the Red Guard's whipping.
"Athos," she scolded, but didn't move from her resting place.
"I wasn't doing anything," he couldn't help sounding a little petulant.
"It's over," she said.
The anger at those men, at Marcheaux would creep up on him every once in a while and Athos was the tense one now.
"Just sleep for a little while," Athos said. "We'll be back in Paris before you know it."
He felt some of her tension recede into sleep.
TM
Sylvie sat with Raoul in her arms on their bench in the front yard as Athos finished up packing the wagon. He had insisted she sit and let him finish. It rankled a bit, but she had to admit she was tired.
"Are you ready?" Athos called to her.
She blinked trying not to fall asleep.
"Why don't you take a nap in the back with Raoul," Athos said.
She thought about saying no, but saw the nice nest of blankets and pillows Athos had made for her and their son. "All right," she handed him Raoul so she could climb in. He set the baby down next to her in his own secure cocoon of blankets and pillows.
TM
It had taken all day to get to Paris. The sun was already down. They decided to find an Inn that was hopefully decent.
They settled Raoul between them on the bed and fell asleep.
Morning came and neither of them was in a good mood. They didn't talk much as they got dressed and had some breakfast.
"So, the garrison?" Sylvie asked.
He nodded his agreement as they left the Inn.