Story Summary: In this story, Ares is actually the father to Eve he does not remember his time with Xena and Xena is starting to feel guilty about him not being in their daughters life. The story takes place a few days after Amphipolis Under Siege.
Copyright Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended, I do not own Xena nor the characters of the Xenaverse. Characters belong to Renaissance Pictures and MCA/Universal studios.
Special Thanks: Again Special thanks to my sweet editor and muse Xentrya. I know helping me hasn't been easy, I really do appreciate everything that you have done for me and continue to do for me :D.
Shout Outs: To Strawberry14, Xentrya, and AresLover thank you for your lovely reviews :).
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"Ares, God of War as your Chosen I make you this offering not of blood but of innocence I'm giving you what you have desired from me for so long: a child."
And it was all she needed to say to get Ares' head spinning like a roundabout. His Princess offering him her child? What was that all about?
"Ok…cut the charade already, Xena, I'm definitely not in the mood! What are you up to?"
There was no response. Consequently, despite the fact that he didn't understand anything of what she was up to, it only took one look into her piercing eyes, that he slowly walked over to the altar, and, as in slow motion, he reached down and picked up the small bundle from her mother's arms.
Before he even looked at Eve's face he looked down at a still bowing Warrior Princess once again, to see if she held any objections. She didn't seem to have any so he delicately removed the makeshift cradle from Eve .
If he were mortal, he most certainly would have had a heart attack.
What Ares saw was the most beautiful baby girl he had seen in his entire immortal life…blue were her eyes, just like her mother's sparkling like two sapphires in the sunlight, and her hair was jet black and slightly curly, just like his own, looking at him defiantly, with a steely gaze that he could recognize anytime anyplace.
But Moments before,the little dolly had awoken and she was gurgling happily looking up at her father, reaching for his fingers…And the moment their hands touched, it happened: as in a dream, a magic a flood of memories came to him: the night he had shared with Xena, when Eve was conceived, their little dialogue in the woods, the night Aphrodite came to him with some weird tasting wine, and leaving with tears in her eyes….
"Sorry Ar, I didn't want to do this but Xena was really desperate…Maybe it's for the best…..Maybe you just need some time…"
After the memories stopped flowing, the God clumsily walked over to his throne. He really needed to sit down, and looking from the baby to his still bowing Princess and back, he said it a soft voice:
"Xe, is Eve really my…..our…..I can feel the connection with her, but I want to hear it from your lips."
Slowly rising and walking closer to Ares and Eve, Xena stopped within 4ft. She had knots in her stomach, and her eyes too held some sort of mixture of sadness and fear.
"Yes Ares, Eve is our daughter."
Even though Xena was scared of the God's reaction, she hoped she could lighten his mood. A beautiful teasing smile and a smirk appeared on her lovely face.
"You asked me to give you a child Ares, but I am already the mother of your child."
" I'm not quite ready for a second."
He looked at her in shock, but still, couldn't help smiling a little at her joke. She was the only mortal he knew, that could laugh in the face of chaos.
In the meantime, Eve was too busy gumming on his finger to even bother looking around her. He also had a slight laugh at that. Then she took notice to his ear ring, and suddenly Ares felt his ear ring being pulled down by some unknown force. Eve was reaching for it till...
"Evie stop pulling Daddy's earring before you pull it out of his ear."
Hearing her mother's harsh tone , the little girl instantly stopped trying to get her Daddy's earring, but with a look of hurt on her face she started to cry, loud enough as to brake any witness's heart, making Xena roll her eyes in exasperation.
The following scene made her jaw almost drop to the floor though, when, starting to rock her gently into his arms, Ares began talking to her.
"Shhh…There there, don't cry my little Princess, mommy didn't mean to snap at you…..she's just stressed and tired. She really needs some rest…" he added waving his hand for everything to be returned to it's former glory….well that and something extra, since in addition, a beautiful throne sat right beside his own.
The only thing Xena could do was stare opened mouth at him then he smirked up at her.
"Don't tell me after all this time I still manage to surprise you…"
That got Xena out of her little shock, then Ares gestured a hand to the Queenly looking throne beckoning her to sit. Xena careful sat on the throne.
"You have your moments" she replied rolling her eyes.
"She's so beautiful" The God couldn't help exclaiming analyzing little Eve's splendid features.
"She has such a cute little nose…..and those delicate, thin lips…and the eyes….I honestly think she's the most beautiful child I have ever seen, Xe. She looks a lot like you, you know? " he added.
Hearing his proud tonality, Xena couldn't help throwing a mocking line in his face, not even if she had wanted to.
"Yeah….wait till you start changing her diapers…..Plus, Gabrielle seems to think she looks a lot like you."
"Like me?...Well, I suppose the curly hair is the only hint that would indicate me as a father…."
And though the mood had lightened a bit, the moment her long chain of lines began invading his maind again, he felt a storm forming inisde his chest.
His next words were sour.
"Xe… why did you hide my child away from me?"
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Reviews and Suggestions are Highly appreciated :)