From love and wonders

This one is for "Tidia" who wanted a story over d'Artagnan, who wishes for a child. I decided to let the story take place in S03 E06 "Death of a hero", because it just kind of fitted!
I apologize that it's kinda short, hope you like it though!

D'Artagnan and Porthos sat at the ground and leaned against the wall of the house which seemed to become their grave. They were outnumbered and surrounded by enemies. Every attempt of escape would have been suicide. "After all these battles, all what we've been through, I wouldn't have thought to die like this." Porthos admitted, knowing that there would be no way out of this situation.

"You know," the Gascon said, "I don't want to die now. I don't want to die without seeing Constance one more time. Without seeing the children we will have growing up." Porthos looked at his brother curious. "Thought both of you decided to not have children, you know, because of the risks in your job?" D'Artagnan got confused, as he couldn't remember ever saying this or even thinking about NOT having children. "Who told you that?"

"Constance. She said that a while ago. Thought it would be a decision you both have made together?" D'Artagnan's feeling were a mix of confusion, fury and disappointment as Porthos told him that Constance was scared of being a widow and having to raise a child all by herself. Of course the Gascon understood her concerns, but he would have wished that she would have talked to him about this. For d'Artagnan it was always sure that they would have plenty of children someday, running around the garrison. He would teach them how to ride and shoot and how to love. "I never knew this," he mumbled more to himself than to his friend, who tried to cheer him up again. "I'm sure she will change her mind someday. But for that, she'll need you back alive."

Both of them shared a short glance and grabbed their weapons. As if they've had went through this a thousand times, the musketeers shouted in synch:" We refuse to die!"

They tried to run out of the house to fight, as the sound of an explosion was heard. In the same moment the building started to brake down. It was hopeless. Another explosion in front of the door stopped the soldiers to escape, to save themselves. They felt how the wood and the stones fell down onto them, burying the men under rubble and ash.

An unnatural silence hang over the place as Grimaud and his men rode away, leaving the musketeers to die – if they weren't dead already.

No one knew how much time had passed as Athos, Treville and the other musketeers finally arrived. They screamed their names again and again, hoping to get a response. But there was none.

The cadets searched in the ruins of the house, but there was just so much wood and stone.

Porthos woke up, feeling dizzy. His head arched as if a horse stood on it as he opened his eyes. He needed a few moments to understand what had happened, until worry took hold of him. "D'Artagnan?" It was not more than a whisper what escaped the musketeer, as he was still hold hostage by the ruins of the building. He saw the Gascons hand sticking out of the stones and grabbed it carefully. "C'mon, D'artagnan, c'mon." Porthos squeezed his hand a few times until D'Artagnan returned the squeeze. A sigh of relieved left Porthos as he knew his brother was alive. "We refuse again!" They shouted once again. New hope and strength filled them.

Athos had heard the shout and started to search for his friends immediately. Just a few minutes later Porthos and D'Artagnan were out of the ruins, trying to catch their breath. "It's not our day," D'Artagnan said and smiled at Porthos slightly.

While Athos, Treville and the cadets decided to go on and search for Aramis and the king, the other two were dismissed for the day. Even though they wanted to help to find Aramis, they knew that they weren't a great help in the moment. Every muscle arched and breathing was difficult for both of them. So Porthos and D'Artagnan rode back to the garrison.

"What happened?" Constance asked in shock, as she saw the dirty and ripped clothes of the two musketeers. "I'll tell you later," the Gascon answered as he closed his arms around his wife. He kissed her head and closed his eyes. Porthos went to his rooms to give them both a bit of privacy.

"Are you hurt?" The woman asked concerned. "Just a few bruises."

They stood there, holding each other, for a few moments until Constance loosened the hug. "You have something on your mind, what is it?"

D'Artagnan sighed and nod. "You know, Porthos and I thought we – we maybe would not make it. And so I thought about you, about not being able to hold you ever again, not seeing your smile and about… about the children we would never have." Constance stayed silent as she looked at the grown, fumbling with her dress. "And then Porthos told me about your concerns. That you don't want to have kids. Why… you never told me about it Constance."

Madame d'Artagnan looked up with guilt in her eyes. "I didn't want to hurt you and you know, time have passed and maybe… maybe I've changed my mind. Of course I'm still scared that I will be alone one day, I'm always scared because of this. But I'm still looking forward for our little girl to grow up here in the garrison."

"Little girl?"

Constance smiled at him, took a hand of his and placed it at her stomach. "I feel it." She said and looked at d'Artagnan, waiting until the recognition snapped in. "You're pregnant. I'm going to be a father," he mumbled in disbelief. A feeling of joy and happiness, which he never had experienced before, full filled him. "I'm going to be a father!" He said once again, now louder. D'Artagnan took the face of his wife into his hands and kissed her. Then he turned around, a big smile on his face as he looked the other musketeers. "I'm going to be a father!"