Our first few weeks in Troy were restful and full of happy times with my family. The children all got along well and played together like they had known each other from birth. We spent time with my aunt and uncle, talking about how proud the were of our family and how happy they were to see me blessed in my new life with my husband and sons. Achilles and I mentioned that the family should come visit our home in Phtia sometime in the future and everyone seemed excited by that idea. Helen, Andromache, and I would sit together in the mornings with the children and just talk about our experiences with bearing our children and other things sisters talked about. During the afternoons, I would nap while Leo and Jason went down for their naps as well. Life almost became as comfortable in Troy again as it had in Phtia. I was happy to be with my family again and to know that everyone was safe, content, and living life.

Achilles, Paris, and Hector arranged a hunting trip for the three of them about a month after we arrived. So, the wives were left to their own devices for a week's time. Helen, Andromache, and I went into the market to shop one afternoon. It was one of our favorite things to do together as it provided time for us to spend together without our children. The nurses kept the children in the bigger nursery to entertain them while we were gone. The three of us shopped for several hours, looking at jewelry and clothing that we considered buying. I found a dress that I ended up buying just for the simple thought of entertaining Achilles when they came home from their trip. It was the same shade of blue as his eyes, with a silver ribbon running down the sides. It tied around my neck, leaving my back exposed, which was one of Achilles's favorite spots to kiss me. I knew in an instant that he would love the dress on me. After purchasing the dress, we decided that it was time to stop and rest for a while. We stopped by the fountain in the middle of the market. It was a beautiful place to sit and talk with my sisters.

"I had almost forgotten how beautiful it is here."

"It has not been the same without you though." Andromache said.

"Everything is exactly as I remember it, even down to the shops and their owners."

"The very first time we came shopping without you, it almost felt like there was this shadow following us around the entire time." Helen began to laugh. "We thought you had sent something to haunt us for trying to shop without you."

I began to laugh as well. We sat there for a while longer, thinking about times past and showing off each of our treasures that we had found. Helen had found several bangles to wear around her wrists and ankles, many with beautiful turquoise and ruby stones in them. She had also found a purple silk scarf to wrap around her waist. Andromache found a new dress to wear just as I had. Hers was a light shade of red with gold thread running through the seams. It was the type that rested on one shoulder, leaving the other one exposed, which I knew would drive Hector mad. Enticing our husbands was easy for we knew what would set them off in a minute.

After showing our treasures to one another, we decided that it was time for us to go back to the palace to see our children. We set off for the palace, happy with our day out. It was times like this that made me miss Troy the most-when I was with my family. But, nothing could make me ever want to leave my life with my husband and sons in Phtia. We were happy there and had a wonderful life. I thought of how many times I had walked this path to and from the market with Andromache when we were children and later Helen as well when she came to Troy. I thought of how different my life could have been had I never met Achilles. I would have never married or had my sons. I would still be a priestess of Apollo in the temple and never know the complete bliss of being with a man. In my heart, I knew that I would never want another life than the one I had now. There was no other option for me but Achilles because I loved him deeply and completely.

When we arrived back at the palace, most of the babies were asleep already. However, my sons were the exception to that. Leo was playing contentedly with his toys on the floor of the nursery while one of the nurses was attempting to rock Jason to sleep. I knew she was never going to get him to sleep because Achilles and I were the only ones who ever rocked him to sleep at home. So, I came over and relieved her of her duty and took my son in my arms. As soon as he saw me, he immediately calmed down because he knew that I was there and was not going to leave him. I began to hum his lullaby softly as I stroked his head, smoothing his dark hair forward. His eyes began to droop a few minutes later until he could not fight sleep any longer. He fell asleep in my arms and I kissed his forehead softly. When I knew he was sound asleep, I went over and put him in a cradle that Andromache said we could use while we were visiting. As soon as I put one son down to bed, the other came running over to me. I picked him up and kissed the top of his head. I walked over to a nearby chair and said down with Leo in my lap. He laid his head on my shoulder.

"Story mommy?" he asked, his little voice pleading with me.

"Alright," I concended and began to tell him the story of how brave his father was fighting the hundreds of Greeks away. Stories about Achilles were his favorite.

Soon enough, he was fast asleep in my arms. I picked him up and brought him to the smaller bed that was near Jason's cradle and put him under the covers, tucking him in and kissing his cheek. I looked one more time at my sons sleeping in their beds before leaving to go to my own room. The room was dark and quiet, except for the few candles that remained lit for me to see around the room. I slowly got ready for bed myself, missing Achilles almost every moment. This was the first time since I was with child before Leo was born that we had been apart. Though there were only a few more days left before he would return home, I missed having him come behind me and kiss my neck when I was getting undressed. I sat down at the vanity to take off my jewelry. When I opened the drawer, there was a piece of parchment inside with my name written on it. I picked it up and saw that it was sealed. I opened it and began to read...

Briseis,

My dear wife. I am writing this letter because I know that over the course of the next week while I am gone, you will probably miss me terribly as I will miss you. Just know that I love you and will be thinking of you and our sons while Paris, Hector, and I are out on our trip. I hope to one day bring our sons with me so that I can show them all the things I want to teach them. You are the most beautiful woman alive and I am proud to have you for my wife. When I return, I shall make it up to you for every lonely night you spend without me. I love you.

Achilles

I smiled and refolded the letter. When I brought the letter to my lips, the parchment smelled just like him. He knew how lonely I would be without him and did something to take away some of the lonliness. My husband was far sweeter than anything he ever let others know. I could not wait for him to come home so that I could tell him how much I loved his thoughtfulness. I put the letter back in the drawer and finished getting ready for bed.

As I layed in the bed that night, hugging his pillow next to my heart, I had a very familiar dream. It was the same dream I had long ago when Achilles and I were still in the tent on the beach. The same little girl in the pink dress was running toward me on the beach. When she got to me, I picked her up and twirled around giggling with my daughter. She was absolutely beautiful, the perfect blend of Achilles and I. Her golden curls and blue eyes looked exactly like Achilles's while her nose and facial features were mine. I held her close. She was perfect in every way. A little goddess in human form. She looked at me with her ocean blue eyes and I kissed her forehead softly. Her skin was warm to my touch and soft. Much of her features were still very infant like and her eyes were full of innocence. When I put her down, she grabbed my hand and we began to walk along the beach together. She wanted to show me all the sea shells she had found and even a pearl that had washed ashore. It was peaceful just being with her and spending time walking down the beach.

My comforting dream ended ubruptly when I woke with a searing pain in my abdomen. I immediately shot up, terrified and in pain. I pulled the covers back and screamed.

A/N: Sorry to end on a cliffie here, but I thought it best that the next chapter be reserved in its entirety alone. Hope this quick update will make up for it. Review please. :)