Darko awoke from his nap to find his father and mother standing over him, gazing at him lovingly. Upon seeing them, he kicked his legs happily, in the process throwing off his blanket.

"Is my Darling happy? Did you have a nice nap? You woke up happy, didn't you?" Hephaestion cooed as Alexander hugged him from behind, contently watching their son.

"I want another one."

Hephaestion twisted in his husband's arms to stare at him, momentarily speechless. Then a smirk formed on his lips, "Good luck to you," he said sarcastically.

"Phaistion, don't you want a little girl someday?"

"Someday. But not now. Are we not enough for you anymore?"

Alexander spun him to face him, eyes filled with horror and sadness, his brow creased slightly in concern and confusion, "How can you think that? You and Darko are my world. Never say that again. Don't even think it."

"Then why do you want another baby already? Darko's too young, he needs my full attention. We almost lost him Alexander. And even if he is here with us, he will never be perfect. He will never speak, and he will limp."

"I never asked for him to be perfect-"

"Yes, you did! The minute you knew he was inside my belly, you declared him a miracle!" Hephaestion now had tears running down his cheeks.

"I said he was a miracle because that is what he is, Love. Men don't have babies. But you did. The gods defied nature for us and gave us a child of our own. You are perfect, and so is he."

"I am not perfect," Hephaestion bent his head, "My chest and stomach are not as they were."

"You are right," Hephaestion looked up, "They are not as they were. But they are this way now because of the life you so devotedly carried inside you for those eight months. They are what make you beautiful. Your flaws are what make you perfect to me. And it is the same with our son."

"Alexander..." Hephaestion whispered.

"Do you believe me now? You both are beautiful, in every way."

"I do. I love you, Alexander."

"And I you," Alexander kissed him briefly, and then leaned over the crib to kiss his son's forehead.