Chapter 4

Athos had just stepped out of Sylvie's hospital room. It was the next day and the doctor wanted her and the baby to stay in the hospital a couple more days. Their friends had left for Paris an hour earlier.

As he walked down the hall of the hospital he caught sight of Sylvie's mum Carol carrying Olivia. Athos met them halfway eagerly accepting Olivia into his arms.

"Papa," his daughter squealed.

Athos kissed the top of Olivia's head. "Were you good for grand-mere?"

"Uh-huh," Olivia said.

"She was a perfect angel. She and Emilie had a wonderful time together too." Elodie had picked up Emilie earlier this morning from Carol. "Now, Athos, how are my daughter and grandson?"

"They're doing fine. The doctor wants them to stay a couple of days. It was a quick birth."

"Maman," Olivia said.

"Yes, cher, let's go see maman and your new baby brother," Athos said.

Olivia looked at her father curiously. He wasn't sure if she was pleased with this new information. They came to the door and Athos knocked before entering. "Sweetheart, you have visitors."

"Who?" Sylvie's tired voice drifted towards them.

Athos stepped in farther revealing the guests. Sylvie beamed stretching out her hands.

"Careful," Athos gently placed Olivia down on the edge of the bed next to Sylvie. She was too sore to take all of her weight.

"Mum," Sylvie accepted kiss on her head from her mum.

"So, do you have a name yet?" Carol asked. "And when can I see him?"

"I'll take you down to the nursery in a bit," Athos said.

"And we named him Raoul Hubert," Sylvie said.

"Oh my dear, your father would have been so proud of you and he would have loved being a grandfather," Carol said wiping a tear from the corner of Sylvie's eye.

"Mum, did you buy Liv another dress?" Sylvie asked looking at her daughter's dress and watching Athos keep the toddler still as she squirmed in the clothing.

"Yes," Carol said. "It took some work getting her into it."

"Mum, she hates dresses. We're not going to force her into dresses if she doesn't want to wear one," Sylvie said.

"Really Sylvie, every little girl likes to dress up," Carol said.

"Mum." Sylvie looked at Athos for some help.

"Carol, how about we go see that grandson of yours," Athos said. "Olivia, how would you like to see your little brother?" He picked her up leaning her down for Sylvie to kiss her and then gave his wife a brief kiss at the corner of her mouth.

"Of course," Carol said giving Sylvie a kiss on her cheek before following Athos out.

TM

Athos returned to the chateau later on with Olivia and Carol. He took Olivia up to her room to change her into something more comfortable. His phone rang in the middle of changing his daughter's clothes. It startled him, he hardly ever got an actual call and out here in the country cell service was sketchy at best.

With one arm around Olivia's waist keeping her in place he answered his phone. "Father?" What did he want now?

"Olivier, I wanted to apologize for yesterday. I should have confirmed you were available. Is it possible to set up a time to show the house?"

Athos couldn't respond too shocked at the words he was hearing. Did his father just apologize?

"Olivier." The tone of that single word pulled Athos back to reality.

"I'm going to have to get back to you," Athos said. "My wife just gave birth as you may recall. You have a grandson, by the way."

"Of course," his father said. "I'll wait for your call. Take your time."

The call suddenly ended and Athos was left feeling off balance. Eventually his attention was returned to his daughter. She was squirming and giggling in his arms. He smiled pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

TM

Two days later they returned to Paris. Carol was with them helping as Sylvie was too sore to lift anything. Athos carried Raoul in his carrier and Carol had Olivia. They entered the apartment surprised when Constance and d'Artagnan were there waiting.

They carefully hugged Sylvie who immediately collapsed on the couch.

"Uncle d'Art," Olivia squirmed out of Carol's arms and was accepted into d'Artagnan's arms.

Constance fawned over Raoul for a few minutes before sitting down next to Sylvie. "d'Artagnan made you dinner. It's in the refrigerator, it just needs to be heated up."

"Constance, you are a lucky woman," Sylvie said. "You found a man who can cook."

Constance chuckled at her friend.

"I'm afraid it's nap time for these two," Athos said picking up Raoul.

"Three," Sylvie said.

"No," Olivia said.

"Yes," Athos said.

"Come on," d'Artagnan said to Olivia. She buried her face in crook of d'Artagnan's neck. He followed Athos into the children's room.

They really needed a new place. They couldn't continue having both children sharing the same room.

TM

Later that night as they lay in bed together Athos told Sylvie about his odd phone call from his father a few days earlier.

"Something's happened," he said. "What if he's dying?"

"How do you feel about a possible reconciliation?" Sylvie asked.

Athos shrugged his shoulders. "It's not that I wanted it this way, but I always thought he'd go to his grave with nothing changed."

"Did he ever say who this potential buyer is?" Sylvie asked.

"David Brown. He's English. He worked for my father twenty-five years ago while he was attending law school. My father seems to have nothing but praise for the man." It turned out David Brown was closer to fifty than forty as Athos had originally thought.

There was a long silence before Athos continued. "I sound jealous. Maybe I am a little," Athos said. "My father was ignoring me while putting all his energy and attention to this kid he barely knew. My brother came second and I was third."

"It's understandable," Sylvie said. "We all want our parents' approval."

Raoul's cry interrupted them. Athos kissed Sylvie. "I'll get him," he said.

TBC