Glad you all liked the next chapter, hope you enjoy this one! And as a warning, it starts off with a little skip in time from the last one.
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It was a cool, cloudy day nearly six months later. Andromache was currently sewing, enjoying the break from the stifling weather they'd been having lately. She was making herself a new cloak, a light one, because none of her other cloaks were airy enough for the heat that had been oppressing them for the past few weeks. She was hemming it, and only a little remained to be done.
Hector strode in that moment and came over behind her, kissing the back of her neck. "A dress?"
"Cloak," she answered, continuing her task. "It's almost done, but I can't finish it now. Briseis and I are taking advantage of the weather today."
"What are your plans?" he asked, resting his hands on her shoulder and gently easing the tension from her muscles.
"We're going riding in the hills," she answered. "She managed to cajole Paris into accompanying us. Would you like to come as well?"
"Not particularly," he confessed, kissing her neck again. She smiled and stood up, turning around to face him while putting some distance between them.
"Then I'll be back for supper," she said pointedly. He smiled and approached her, taking the soft fabric from her hands and setting it on the chair beside them. He gently took her hands in his own, rubbing his thumbs over the back of them.
"Must you leave now?" he asked, gently kissing her lips.
She turned her head so her lips were out of reach, but did not pull away. "Yes, they're most likely already waiting for me."
"What if we bargain?" Hector asked softly, gently tracing the line of her jaw with his lips. "Stay here with me, and I'll escort the two of you for a ride tonight. And I'll convince my mother to allow my sisters to come," he generously added, knowing her will was weakening.
Andromache closed her eyes, reminding herself that she had plans. "And if it rains?"
"It won't," Hector said confidently, repeating his action on the other side of her face and sliding his arms around her.
"If Briseis is angry you're taking the blame," Andromache warned, knowing very well her will had given out.
"I always do," Hector replied, gently bringing his lips back to hers, kissing her harder as he felt her respond. He leaned against her, slowly leading them both towards the bed, and Andromache felt her knees hit the back as Hector's weight against her forced her down on it. She pulled back for a breath and arched her eyebrow.
"Are you seducing me?" she accused, gazing up at him.
"Yes," he replied unashamedly, grinning at him. "And I'm very good at it."
She only smiled, acknowledging the truth of his statement as his lips found hers once again.
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A month passed and one day Andromache decided to visit her mother-in-law. Hecuba was in her room, as she often was in times of late. There was a tired look on her face, but she outstretched her hand to Andromache and sat her down on the bed.
Andromache kicked off her sandals, comfortably curling her feet under her, and opened her mouth to speak. "I think I'm with child again," she admitted, a bit apprehensively.
Hecuba's eyebrows rose in surprise. "You think?"
"Well, I'm sure," Andromache conceded.
"Congratulations, my dear! That's wonderful!" Hecuba cried, smiling warmly.
Andromache let out a breath. "Yes, only…"
"Only what?"
"I'm not quite certain what to do about it."
An amused smile came onto Hecuba's face. "You asked me the same thing last time."
"Nature will run its course, I remember," Andromache admitted ruefully. "But how do I tell Hector? I don't want to tell him; I don't want to raise his hopes only to dash them again."
"What makes you think you will?" Hecuba asked.
"I don't feel capable of bearing a child," Andromache admitted. "I've dreamed of it for so long, but I never thought it would actually happen."
"Whether you feel capable or not, that has no effect on whether you will."
"What do I do?" Andromache asked helplessly. "How can I prevent myself from losing it?"
"Eat much, rest often, and pray to the gods," Hecuba advised. "How long have you known?"
"For nearly three weeks," Andromache admitted. "And I'm one month pregnant."
"And when are you planning on telling your husband? After all, I'm assuming he had some hand in it," Hecuba teased her.
Andromache grinned, but shook her head. "I don't know. I don't want to tell him for awhile, in case something goes awry again."
"Some advice, love?"
"Of course."
"Tell him soon. You'll both want to enjoy this time fully."
Andromache let out a breath and nodded. "You're right, thank you."
"May the gods be with you," Hecuba said, pressing her hand.
Andromache smiled and stood up, quickly returning to her room. There was something she wanted to do before she told Hector. She took her crown of laurel wreaths, proudly placed it on her head, and ordered Niobe to escort her as she threaded through the busy streets, not caring about the looks she was receiving.
In Demeter's temple, it was quiet and calm. Niobe waited outside as Andromache walked in, humbling prostrating herself before the statue of the goddess of fertility. She'd prayed to her, many different times, and finally the goddess had granted her wish. When Andromache raised her head again to gaze on the statue, her cheeks were wet with tears. "Thank you," she whispered, rising and going over to one of the priestesses. The priestess saw the tears on her cheeks and smiled, nodding her head. She already knew the request.
"I'll sacrifice to her today," she promised, and Andromache thanked the woman and left. Niobe walked next to her, casting a glance at her face.
"Are you alright, my princess?"
Andromache nodded, a smile lighting up her face. "I'm wonderful."
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When she returned to her room, Hector was already there. He glanced up at her, then raised his eyebrows as he noticed the crown on her head. "Where were you?" he asked, intrigued.
"Demeter's temple," she answered, coming over to him. She threw her arms around him and kissed him. "Thank you."
He leaned back and looked in her eyes. "You're perfectly welcome. What did I do?"
She gently took his hand and laid it on her stomach. "That's what you did."
Confusion registered on his face, followed by shock and then joy. "Andromache," he asked slowly. "Why did you go to Demeter's temple?"
"To thank her and make a sacrifice of praise." A smile was lighting up her face and a grin was slowly appearing on Hector's.
"In earnest?" he asked, amazement all over his face.
"I jest not, love, I am with child."
Hector let out a shout and picked her up in his arms, swinging her around. "I'm going to be a father!" he shouted, planting a kiss firmly on her lips. "And you're going to be a mother."
She laughed out loud and hugged him tight, her heart flooded with joy. "And I promise I'll do everything I can to keep this baby."
"Oh, my love," he said tenderly, tilting her face up and smiling down at her. "Of course you will. Fear not, the gods have blessed us with a healthy child."
She smiled at him, tears in her eyes. "Thank you."
A teasing look came into his eyes. "It was no great difficulty, I assure you."
She swatted at him. "Not that. I just wanted to thank you, for never pressuring me and never blaming me."
He pulled her into another hug. "Always remember, you do not need a child to have my love. That is yours, with or without children."
"Thank you," she whispered, leaning her face into his shoulder and breathing deeply. "I love you."
"And I love you, Andromache. With all my heart," he said tenderly, images of being a father running through his mind. "And thank you."
"I had help," she said laughingly, her voice muffled in his shoulder.
"So you did," he said smiling. "So you did."