"Athos, don't be so stubborn!"

"How many times do I have to tell you I am not hungry?"

"And how many times do I have to explain to you that you are fevered and your body needs a great strength to fight it off?"

"I can fight without food."

"I am afraid your sword won't work this time."

Athos opened his mouth to give a sharp reply but the marksman shoved a spoon in it, shutting him up instantly. The glare Athos gave him was so fierce that Aramis almost regretted his action. However, an idea stuck in his head, causing a small smile cross his face. His grumpy friend would eat the entire bowl!

"Aramis, get that away from me!" – The swordsman growled.

"Come on, Mon Ami, do it for your daughter. You'll make her happy if you eat.

"She's a baby. She can't understand a single thing that is going on here." – Athos rolled his eyes.

"I wouldn't say that if I were you." – Aramis gave him a meaningful look gesturing at Olivia's crib. Athos turned his head towards it, a scowl freezing on his face upon noticing his daughter's strange expression. That strange look again! She was definitely trying to tell him something but what? He didn't know.

"I think she wants you to eat more." – Aramis said, as if reading Athos' thoughts.

"I thought an "eye talk" was my prerogative." – The swordsman murmured.

"Less talking more eating." – Aramis brought the spoon to Athos' lips once again. The former count grimaced at first but then began to eat.

As soon as he was done, he looked at Olivia to find her smiling. A tiny, childish smile that she knew her papa adored.

"You bribed her." – The former count narrowed his eyes.

With a chuckle, the marksman pushed the bowl away and went to soothe Olivia who was squirming in her crib. Athos' eyes followed his every move with an incredible longing. How he wished to be in Aramis' place.

The marksman took her in his arms, kissing her cheek.

"See, sweetheart? Papa's bowl is empty. Are you happy?"

Olivia laughed excitedly, lips parting to reveal toothless gums. She looked so cute and innocent that Athos wanted to cry from happiness.

Aramis kept bouncing her in his arms, having a secret conversation with her. The former count rolled his eyes but couldn't deny the cuteness of the moment. Several minutes later Olivia extended her arms towards her papa, squirming in Aramis' arms.

"Now, now, angel, papa is ill, you can't be near him for a while." – Aramis murmured, hoping she would understand but Olivia's squirming turned into a loud cry, extending her arms further, almost jumping out of the marksman's arms. Aramis barely managed to catch her, clutching her tightly to his chest.

"Hush, little one, your papa will get well soon and then we both will play with him." – No matter how hard he was trying, Olivia kept crying, her tiny face twisted in a tight grimace.

Sighing audibly, Aramis looked at Athos helplessly. The swordsman ran a hand across his face, musing quietly.

"Angel," – The former count's rich voice filled the room. He knew the only way to calm her down was a long talk. Olivia's head immediately turned towards the source of the voice, curiosity claiming her features. – "What did I do to deserve you? You changed my life. I used to be a poor drunkard with a terrible past and blur future. God only knows how many times your uncles dragged me home. D'artagnan even got a stab wound once because of me but I haven't heard a single complaint from his mouth. Porthos carried me home every day while Aramis busied himself with taking care of me. I understand you miss me, trust me I miss you too but you should calm down, my little kitten. You are safe with uncle Aramis as he loves you no less than I do. Make papa happy and stop crying, all right?"

Aramis blinked several times, feeling the little one stilling in his arms. Looking down he found her smiling up at him and couldn't help but smile back. Some children dreamed of having one father while Olivia had four at the same time. She was indeed a lucky baby.

"Lord above, I've never seen such bond between father and daughter. You own the biggest treasure, my friend."

"I wonder how a sinner like me could get a gift like this." – The swordsman mumbled quietly, lowering his head.

"God knows better, Mon Ami." – Aramis smiled at him and put the baby in her crib.

In the following days Athos finally recovered and returned to light duties. Olivia was staying at the palace with Constance who had agreed wholeheartedly to look after her. Madame Bonacieux soon discovered that Olivia sensed Athos' presence when he was nearby. The little one could even recognize his footsteps and was almost jumping out of her crib just before Athos could enter and gather her in his arms. It amazed her. She had seen plenty of children with their fathers but none of them shared such a deep, strong connection. Constance also sensed some changes in the swordsman's behavior. He wasn't drinking anymore, started smiling more often and spent the majority of his day cuddled with his daughter, talking to her quietly or just enjoying the feeling of her tiny body in her arms, her head rested in the crook of his neck, their hearts beating in unison. Constance could swear she had never seen Athos happier. He had finally found the reason to keep living. Life had changed its colors in his eyes and he welcomed them wholeheartedly. However, he still couldn't suppress that nagging feeling in his heart which ached fiercely, longing for his wife's presence. Athos often dreamt of her by his side with Olivia between them, sitting near a huge fireplace, drinking tea and having a normal family-like conversation. He could die like that, surrounded by love and innocence.

One day Treville sent Athos to deliver an important letter to the king's sister who lived in Savoy. The swordsman understood his captain's choice. He was the only one suitable for that duty as his friends had bad memories about the place.

"Captain, I'd do it without hesitation but there's a problem."

"What problem? Are you still unwell?" – Treville said in concerned voice.

"No, the problem is that Constance is ill and I can't leave my daughter alone."

"She can stay with Porthos."

"He's on a stable duty."

"Then with D'artagnan."

"He's busy looking after Constance and training when she's sleeping."

"And Aramis?"

"I don't know about him…"

"Then it's decided. I'll free our dear marksman from every possible duty for a few days so your daughter can stay with him."

"I don't want to disturb Aramis."

"He'll be more than happy to avoid washing dishes whole day."

Athos had never seen a bigger smile on Aramis' face by the time he was done with his request. The swordsman had some difficulties with handling his bawling daughter who, as usual, refused to be held by someone else in his presence. After a good twenty minutes of talking, Athos finally managed to give Olivia to Aramis. The marksman chuckled as his beautiful crucifix caught Olivia's attention right away.

"Be careful with this one, it's a gift from a very special friend of mine." – He whispered in her ear as soon as Athos left.

Two days later Aramis startled awake as soon as Olivia's bawling filled his ears. He ran towards the crib, still half asleep and cradled her to his chest, using Athos' way to soothe her.

"Hey, little kitten, you miss your papa? I wonder where he is, how he is... He hadn't said a word about his whereabouts. To be honest, I am concerned. Your papa is a stubborn one you know? He's always trying to avoid getting us in trouble that's why he goes alone whenever he can. You saved him, sweetheart. If it weren't you he would die from drinking too much. He had lost the reason to live and now he found it in you. I thank god for your existence. You are truly a miracle in our lives. We love you no less than your father does so please, don't forget that."

Despite his light, melodious voice, Olivia's cries got even louder. Aramis frowned, confusion written on his face.

"You are the first one who is unaffected by my voice. It works with everyone… Oh, forgive me, I forgot whose daughter you are…" – The marksman chuckled but his laughter died in his throat when he felt a light punch in his chest. Looking down he found Olivia frowning at him. He felt like the little one was seething. No, she was accusing him in something he couldn't understand. It bothered him. A long talk usually worked with her. What went wrong this time?

"I wish you could talk... No, I wish your father was here. He seems to be the only one who's able to understand what you want." – Aramis sighed. He was about to continue but nearly jumped out of his skin from fear when someone banged on the door.

The marksman gasped audibly, his feet freezing at the doorstep as he saw Athos beaten and bruised, barely standing on his feet.

"I need a drink." – The swordsman said casually.

Too shocked to reply, Aramis just stepped aside, letting his friend in. He finally understood the reason of Olivia's discomfort. She sensed that Athos was in danger and blamed Aramis for not feeling it as well. The swordsman got out of his doublet and sprawled on the sofa, clutching his left arm. The protective instinct of a brother woke up in Aramis, making him rush to his injured friend.

"What has happened to you?" – He asked in a husky voice.

"Someone tried to rob me on my way back." – Athos shrugged but regretted it as soon as he felt a fierce pain spreading in his arm.

"The letter?"

"I delivered the first one successfully and brought the reply to Treville before I came here."

"Are you shot? Wounded? Stabbed?" – Aramis got nervous, his hands hovering over Athos' upper body, trying to lift his shirt up.

"One of them stabbed my left arm otherwise I am fine." – Athos mumbled, covering his eyes with his good arm. – "How is my little angel?" – The swordsman turned his head towards the crib. Olivia was suspiciously quiet.

"She's all right but I can't say the same about her papa." – Aramis said strictly.

"As soon as her papa gets his well-deserved drink he will be great.

"You are human, Athos, not a pitcher." – Aramis didn't even flinch at the alarming look on his friend's face. He got used to it long time ago. – "Now, stop talking and let me see your arm."

An hour later Athos' arm was bandaged and he himself was lying in a bed with Olivia on his chest, her hand fisted in shirt and his good arm wrapped around her protectively.

"I love you, angel." – Athos smiled, kissing the top of her head.

A.N. Happy new year my dear readers! Here's another chapter, I hope you enjoy reading it. This story won't last for long. Only one or two chapters are left. Please leave reviews as it's really important to me to know your opinions.