Chapter 3

A couple of nights later Porthos went out for drinks with Athos, d'Artagnan and Aramis. Things had changed quite a bit and the four friends had left the tavern mostly sober. d'Artagnan left early to return to the garrison and Aramis followed a short time later claiming an early morning.

Porthos walked with Athos to his house where he and Sylvie lived with their son. Elodie was there with Marie already.

Porthos walked along the dirty streets smirking.

"Something you'd like to share, my friend?" Athos looked amused.

"Time was I was dragging your sorry drunk arse back to your rooms," Porthos said. "And look at us now; wives, children."

Athos nodded. "It certainly isn't what I had expected in my future."

"Happy?" Porthos asked.

"I am," Athos' smile said all that needed saying.

"Good," Porthos wrapped his arm around Athos' shoulder.

They made it to the house greeting their wives. The two women were sitting on the floor with the children.

Athos walked through the little house coming back a minute later. "Sweatheart, have you seen my pipe?"

Porthos saw Sylvie give a roll of her eyes releasing a heavy sigh. "What's it worth to you?" She crossed the room coming up to him smiling sweetly.

Athos reached out pulling Sylvie up next to him causing her to release a squeal. He kissed her lingering longer than was probably proper given their company.

To Athos' surprise Sylvie pulled out the pipe from behind her back after he released her looking pleased with herself.

Porthos exchanged an amused glance with Elodie.

"Papa," Marie was standing with a little support from her mother holding up her hands.

"That seems to be her favorite word," Elodie tried to look put out, but couldn't help her pleasure.

Porthos chuckled picking Marie up in his arms.

"Pama," Raoul babbled out from where he lay on his stomach.

Sylvie sat down on her knees on the floor picking up Raoul. "He's been trying."

Athos sat down next to her leaning in kissing the top of his son's head.

It thrilled Porthos to see Athos so happy. He and their friends worried most for Athos.

"Take that thing outside," Sylvie suddenly said.

Porthos looked to see what she was talking about. Athos was fiddling with his pipe.

"Porthos?" Athos left his question partially unfinished as he got up from the floor.

Porthos stood up as well and followed Athos outside.

"Sylvie doesn't care for the smell of my pipe," Athos said when they were outside.

Porthos took a deep breath looking up to the sky. It was difficult to see all the stars with all the city's lamps lit. "Nice little house you have," he said.

Athos nodded "It works for us. Sylvie balked at the idea of a cook, but she admitted her skills lay in organizing plans and teaching people to read and write," Athos looked over his shoulder briefly. "I love Sylvie deeply, but-and if you tell her I said this, I'll deny it-but she is a terrible cook."

Porthos bit his lower lip doing his best not to laugh. "You have my word."

"How have you been settling in?" Athos suddenly changed the subject making Porthos' head spin slightly.

Porthos took a moment to think about it. All in all things seemed ok. In some ways he was more settled than he had been when they had returned from the front two years earlier. Still there were some things. "Feeling a little hemmed in," he admitted. "Had to go outside during the night last couple of nights."

"There's a house not too far from here you and Elodie may like," Athos pointed off in another direction.

"I'll tell Elodie, see what she thinks," Porthos said relieved at the change of subject this time.

"What are you telling me?" Elodie came up next to Porthos holding Marie. For all his look of surprise, Porthos knew very well his wife had been approaching. Sylvie came out as well holding Raoul and stood next to Athos who put out his pipe.

"Athos mentioned a house a little ways away. Thought we'd take a look at it tomorrow if you were interested," Porthos said.

She looked considering. "Until then we need to get this little one to bed."

Marie was sound asleep resting her head on Elodie's shoulder. They said their goodnights to their friends and headed back to the garrison.

TM

Later that night Porthos lay in bed restless. Checking Elodie was undisturbed; Porthos got up and dressed before heading outside again. It wasn't long before d'Artagnan appeared like the last two nights. Few words were spoken between the two men.

After about twenty minutes d'Artagnan had gone and taken a circuit around the garrison before coming back to say goodnight to Porthos. Porthos pulled over a chair sitting on the catwalk. He nodded off a few minutes later where Elodie found him the next morning.

TBC