Chapter 2
They entered the garrison in their wagon. Athos stopped in front of the stable. He looked around impressed at how it looked. It was almost as if the garrison hadn't been nearly completely destroyed almost a year ago.
"Captain!"
Athos looked around for d'Artagnan before he realized the voice was speaking to him.
"Brujon," Athos said looking at the young Musketeer. "What are you doing here?"
"Broke my leg, Sir," Brujon said as he stood up from the bench grabbing a pair of crutches.
"It's just Athos now, Brujon," the former captain climbed off the wagon and walked to Sylvie's side who handed Raoul into his arms.
"Brujon, I've told you to stay off that leg."
"Constance," Sylvie met the other woman at the bottom of the stairs after Constance made her way down.
They hugged tightly. Sylvie felt some of the tension in her shoulders relax.
They parted as Athos came over next to them with Raoul. "Raoul, this is your aunt Constance," he turned the baby in his arms so Constance could have a better look.
"Oh he's beautiful," Constance reached out touching the baby's head.
Athos let Constance hold the boy who was surprisingly quiet as he was held by a new person.
"It's good to see you both," Constance said.
"Where's the captain?" Athos smiled.
"At the palace," Constance rolled her eyes and laughed at Athos' raised eyebrow. "d'Artagnan and Aramis…pardon me, Minister Aramis are a couple of children."
"You don't think the Minister would mind a surprise visitor?" Athos asked.
"Not at all. You should have no trouble getting into the Palace either."
"Why don't you take Raoul with you," Sylvie suggested.
"Are you sure?" Athos asked.
"Go," Sylvie took Athos' hand squeezing it and pressing a kiss to his lips. "We'll talk later," she was smiling trying to communicate to him that she was all right, they were all right.
"Very well," he agreed accepting Raoul back from Constance. "Constance, it's good to see you, I knew the two of you could put this place back together again," he leaned forward with one hand on her shoulder he brushed a light kiss to her cheek.
After Athos had left Sylvie could feel Constance's eyes on her. She hesitated not sure what to say.
"So, is everything all right between you two?" Constance asked.
Sylvie sighed. "I'm exhausted," Sylvie blurted out. She hadn't really planned on starting with that.
"Well then, let's get you settled in a room," Constance took Sylvie's arm in hers leading her up the stairs.
"The wagon and horses," Sylvie said.
"Will be taken care of by Jacque," Constance nudged her forward.
TM
Athos knocked on Aramis' office door. He heard what sounded like grumbling voices. A scuffle? And the door opened.
Two heads stuck out of the doorway and Athos looked at them both before chuckling. They looked like two boys caught with their hands in the cookie jar.
"Athos!" d'Artagnan came forward first hugging the man and baby.
"Oh my God, let me have him," Aramis looked over d'Artagnan's shoulder reaching out with both hands.
"It's good to see the both of you, brothers," he followed them into the office.
Aramis still had his hands out making grabby hands.
Athos looked at d'Artagnan who only shrugged. Huffing, he finally let Aramis hold Raoul. "Raoul, I just want you to know you should not listen to a thing your uncles say," he kissed the top of his son's head as he let Aramis hold him.
"Hey," d'Artagnan looked indignant.
Athos smiled wrapping an arm around each of them.
TBC
