A/N ok guys last chapter and then the epilogue which will post up over the weekend thank you so much for sticking with this sTory you are all amazing! And thank you so much to ThorneOfAcre I owe you for your patience! Please keep reviews and thoughts coming

Chapter 25

Aramis took a deep breath as he fastened his last weapon onto his belt. He was ready to finally head back to work, though this time he had not argued with the Captain when he had ordered him to palace duty for a while, and only for a few days at a time. The rest was to be spent at the garrison slowly building up his strength. He sighed. It had taken him two months to get to where he was now and he knew he was still far from full health. But he couldn't stay off work any longer he needed to do something.

"I do love a man in uniform. Especially a handsome musketeer." His wife's voice caused him to look around seeing her stood in the door way holding his hat. He smiled fondly at her before wrapping her in his arms, leaning in to share a long kiss with her.

"Are you sure you are up to this Aramis? Captain Treville said you could have longer if you needed to," Marie asked as they pulled away. She cast her eye over her husband although she knew very well that he was fine, it didn't stop her from checking every now and then just to be sure. He was still weak and slightly pale. She wasn't so sure he was ready for duty even if it was just at the palace.

"I am sure. I need to do something." He replied, she just nodded in agreement, reaching up and placing his hat on his head, leaning in to kiss him again, her hands moving down his body.

"I do find it hard to resist you when you are in uniform," she whispered in his ear, as the pulled away slightly, Aramis's hands now resting on her ever growing stomach.

"You are going to have to try harder my darling, you need to take things easy," he told her, smiling slightly as he did.

"Difficult to take things easy when I am married to a musketeer," she pointed out, Aramis just hummed in agreement knowing he couldn't argue there.

"Anyway my love I must go. Duty calls. I will see you tonight. And please look after yourself," he begged, kissing her one last time.

"Only if you promise the same," Marie answered. Aramis raised his eyebrow in response causing her to frown slightly.

"I love you," he said flashing her a charming smile.

"I love you too. Be careful," she called to him but he was already gone. She shook her head at her husband, hoping that he wouldn't be an idiot for once and take it easy.

Anne wandered through the halls of the palace, her mind thinking back over all that happened in the last few months. It been a crazy time, and she was just pleased things had returned back to normal. She looked up spotting the familiar blue of a musketeer cloak. She was about to pass the man by before she did a double take when she realized who it was.

"Aramis?" she called, causing the man to look at her.

"Your majesty," he greeted her bowing, flashing her a smile as he brought himself back up to full height. She returned it warmly, happy to see him back at the palace.

"How are you?" she asked him, noting the he still looked off color and slightly frail underneath his clothing, but stronger than he had done the last time she had visited him at his house.

"I am better your majesty, I thank you for asking. Getting stronger each day," he replied honestly.

"Should you be here? Shouldn't you still be home resting?" Anne inquired. Aramis shook his head.

"I am only doing a few days of duty at a time, the rest of my days I will spend building my strength up, and letting Marie fuss over me, until I am completely well again," he explained.

"That's good, you shouldn't hasten into things. Marie would skin you alive if you relapse," she said, smiling. "Speaking of, how is Marie?" she asked, watching Aramis break into a grin, his eyes brightening as they always did whenever he thought about his wife.

"She is very well your majesty. Looking more beautiful each day as our child grows inside her. I am a lucky man I couldn't ask for anyone better to love me," he replied. Anne smiled fondly at him, knowing he meant every word he spoke of his wife: she was his world, what he lived for.

"She would like to see you. She would like your company again, she gets restless when left on her own. Constance can't always keep an eye on her." He said. Anne nodded.

"I would visit her soon, Aramis. For now though I must leave you as I have a meeting with the king. Pray take care and don't push yourself to much," she told him firmly, but there was a gentleness to her tone. Aramis didn't say anything but bowed instead.

"Till next time your majesty," he said smiling as she left him, before going to see where Porthos had got to.

"You okay?" Porthos asked seeing his friend approach. Aramis nodded stopping beside him.

"I will be," he replied smiling at him, Porthos smiled back knowing Aramis spoke the truth. He would soon be back to his full strength and the four of them would be back together properly.

'It's about time,' Porthos thought to himself before falling into easy conversation with Aramis, pleased for now to have his friend once again by his side even if it was for the simplest and most mundane of tasks.

Marie heard the door go and smiled on hearing two voices one belonging to her husband and the other to Porthos. She walked out of the kitchen seeing the two men remove their weapons, coats and hats.

"How was your day?" she asked them, following them into the lounge where they took a seat in front of the large fire she had started, knowing they would be cold.

"It was quiet. Never anything that exciting to report when you are posted at the palace," Porthos answered, holding his hands in front of the flames trying to warm them up. Marie looked at her husband noticing his uncharacteristic silence. He looked exhausted.

"You two stay and warm up, I have just finished a stew I shall bring you some, with some wine." She told them, Aramis looked up smiling at her.

"Thank you my darling," he said tiredly. Marie just nodded heading back in to the kitchen to prepare their food.

Later the night Marie headed into their room, Aramis had taken himself to bed almost right after he had eaten, tired from the day. She quietly got undressed and climbed into bed next to him turning on her side. Straight away he instinctively moved closer to her draping his arm over her, his hand resting on her stomach.

"Goodnight my darling. I love you," he whispered into her back, kissing her shoulders gently. Marie smiled placing her hand on top of his and bringing it to her lips kissing it softly. She should have guessed he wouldn't settle completely until she was with him.

"I love you too. Sleep well Aramis," she whispered back though she knew he was already asleep. Closing her eyes she settled into a peaceful sleep just glad everything was finally back to how it should be.