Chapter Seven

"Are you sure you can't come with me back to Amphipolis?" Xena asked.

"Yes, I'm sure." Rameses said."My father needs help with the crops this year and my brothers have there own."

"Alright, the baby and I will see you next fall I hope than."

"Yes, I will set out for Amphipolis as soon as the Harvest is done."

"Well write me before you set off, so I know." Xena said.

"I would if I could write." said Rameses.

"Oh right, well draw a circle to represent the harvest moon and than a stick figure, than I'll know its you."

"Ok, but how do you draw that?"

"Yea, you know what just come when you can." Xena said.

"Yea, I think that is a good idea." Rameses said. Ephiny and Xena set off for Greece. They stopped in Cornith to visit Hercules and heard about the rumors that had been spread about Xena's pregnancy. Some people thought the baby a phophet or something. She found herself assuring people at every village along the way that the baby was normal. She left Ephiny at the Amazon village and continued on to Amphipolis helping people along the way.

"Ok baby I'm stopping." Xena said rubbing her stomach. She found a clearing and set up a proper camp. She hunted and ate. After that she gave Argo a good brushing and went to sleep. She was awoken in the middle of the night by a searing pain in her lower back.

"Ow." Xena said. It felt like a contraction, but she was only seven months along. She kept a mental note on how far apart the pains were. Soon they were only five minutes as she prepared to give birth early. She sat up against a tree. When it was time she pushed. She pushed all night and when the sun was just peeking over the tree tops the baby was born. Xena cleaned off its premature body, and cut the umbilicol cord. She tied it off, and kissed her baby's forehead as it cried. Once she had settled it and got it to nurse did she check the sex. It was a baby girl just like she thought.

"Your grandmother is going to be thrilled when she sees you in my arms, and your daddy will be too when he sees you in the fall." Xena said. The baby suckled contently as she ran a fist through her black locks of hair. Her skin was very light, but Xena could see she would darken to a skin tone closer to Rameses. She rested there for a week with her daughter before she deemed herself and her baby healthy enough to travel.

"Let's see how do you like the name Acacia." The baby made a face and Xena laughed. It was good to see her responsive being she'd been born early and had a difficult birth to top it off.

"Ok, which one Lexie or Kallie?" Xena asked. She just stared at her.

" One yawn for yes, and a cry for no." Xena said. She shifted her daughter into a more comfortable position.

"Now Kallie?" Xena asked. She yawned and Xena smiled."I was hoping you'd go for that." From than on the baby was named Kallie.