Chapter XXIII

There was something trailing on his chest, going up and down then moving from right to left in an irregular pattern. The touch was soft and caring. It woke him up slowly. When he finally opened his eyes, the first things Aramis saw were the long blonde curls hiding Elise's face as she was looking at her fingers on his naked flesh. He raised his hand to put the curls behind her ear.

"Good morning, Aramis's wife." She smiled, bending down to give him a kiss. He pulled her closer, his warm hand resting on her lower back.

"Is this my new name?"

"I like calling you my wife. It makes it even more real."

"Wasn't last night real enough for you?"

"Of course, it was. I slept like a baby thanks to you." Stroking her back, he remembered the way she had looked when they had been truly united and she had giving herself to him. He could still feel her hands clutch his shoulders and grab his hair. The memory made him smile. "How are you feeling?"

"I am feeling extremely good. I must admit that I quite enjoyed it."

"That's the whole point of it. You'll see, it will get even better."

"Can it?" Elise had spent an incredible night after the first moments of apprehension. Being in his arms was the best feeling in the world as far as she was concerned. He had looked at her with such adoration that she could have melted in the bed.

"Definitely." Aramis pushed himself up so she was lying under him, his body pressed against hers. Elise bit her lip as he put his hands on both sides of her head, his mouth closing in on hers. "I was a bit tired yesterday, but now that I am completely rested..."

She laughed when his moustache tickled the sensitive skin of her neck before moving to trail between her naked breasts. Her laughter soon turned to soft whimpers.

A few hours later, they both managed to get out of bed and dressed. The house felt cold and impersonal at the moment, but Elise would make a point to change this as soon as she could. Earlier in the month, when they had decided to sell her parents' house, Captain Tréville had sent some of his men to Orléans to retrieve whatever they could from the mansion, a task he could not do when he was looking for his nephew. They had brought back most of Elise's clothes, much to her delight. There were books piled in many wooden chests gathered in one of the rooms. She could not wait to take them out to have her own library. They were pieces of her old life so it was comforting to have them in Paris. Wandering around the house, she finally sat down on a sofa near an empty fireplace.

"It will keep me busy for some time, turning this into a warm home."

"I remember this couch," Aramis stated, securing his braces on his shoulders. He opened the nearest window, letting some air in.

"You should. I was lying on it when you've intoxicated me for the first time."

"A necessary evil. We'll have to make new memories on it to help you forget this first impression." He grinned broadly at her. There was so much peace in his heart right now that Aramis could not see how anything could go wrong in his world ever again. His life had changed so much in the past year that he was actually quite amazed it had turned out so well in the end. "I should report for duty. I fear that wedding you does not grant me a day off."

"My uncle would not be angry with you if you arrived a bit late."

"You may be right, but he would probably assign me to the stables for weeks as a punishment. It is not something I am particularly looking forward to."

Elise laughed when he wrinkled his nose with disgust. She stood up and went to embrace him, tiptoeing to reach his cheek.

"You better get going then. I will be here when you come back." She watched him put on his uniform, securing his sword and his pistols on his hips. He put his hat on his head, smiling back at her.

"How do I look?"

"Like I expect my Musketeer husband to look like: incredibly handsome."

"Excellent!" Aramis tipped his hat at her. "Madame."Her laughter followed him as he opened the front door to leave. She looked around her wondering if she would spend the rest of her day, daydreaming about her wedding night or getting to work. Sighing, she opened the closest chest to inspect what was inside.

Before going to see Captain Tréville, Aramis made a detour by the stables to check on his horse. He had been neglecting the animal lately. The horse neighed when it recognized its rider. The Musketeer grabbed some rye in a nearby bucket, offering it in his open palm.

"There, there, my friend. We'll get you back on the road soon enough, do not worry. Aren't you a beautiful thing?" he asked out loud, stroking the horse's side.

"Does you wife know you pay this sort of compliment to your mount?" Athos was leaning against the doorway.

"Any exciting development since I've been gone?" His friend rolled his eyes.

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news but the Garrison does not revolve around you."

"That's a shame."

"Although Porthos complained that you were not here to share his breakfast. But that was two hours ago. He may have moved on now."

"Should we go find out?"

"He's with Tréville. The King has deemed the weather decent enough to go on a hunting party again. We are all going with him. It seems he remembers how great a shooter you are."

They joined their companions in the Captain's office.

"You have finally made it out of bed, my friend!" Porthos exclaimed, neglecting to listen to what his commanding officer was saying to go slap Aramis's shoulder.

"Porthos, I was talking!"

"Of course, Captain. Please go on. So, how was it?" he asked, loud enough for all of them to hear.

"Porthos! It is hardly the time or the place!"

"Right. My apologies." Tréville shot him a dark look. The imbecile had managed to make him think of his niece and what had necessary happened between her and the Musketeer who had joined them. He shook his head, wishing for the thought to go away.

"As I was saying...The King intends to take up residence in Versailles for quite some time and it looks like the Queen has decided to join him. So I will need all of you to look after the royal family. His majesty has requested you to join him personally, Aramis. He said you bring him luck. Whatever it means."

The Musketeer bowed his head, acknowledging the unspoken order. The Dauphin would have to come with his mother. There would be hunting as well. He would enjoy such an assignment. It bothered him a little to leave Elise in Paris so soon after their wedding, but he had warned her it might happen. She would have Constance to keep her company.

"When are we leaving?"

"At the end of the week."

When they had finished discussing all the delicate details such a mission would entail, the four Musketeers were dismissed. Aramis's eyes crossed his Captain's as he left the room. The silent stare was enough to convey what they had to say to each other. It was better to keep their exchanges strictly professional.

"So...Are you going to say anything?" Porthos pressed once again.

"My Lord, you sound like you have never slept with a woman," d'Artagnan complained and Aramis could not agree more.

"Besides, I will not tell you anything. It is my wife you are referring to. Show some respect."

"Ooooh, I'm scared," Porthos joked, shaking his hands excessively. He jumped to the side to avoid the punch Aramis intended for his stomach. His friend missed and Porthos lunged to grab his arm. They ended up wrestling in the corridor until they tripped on each other's feet and fell to the floor. They rolled around, trampling their hats.

"Should we do something about it?" d'Artagnan asked Athos. The other shook his head, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall.

"They are merely finishing their drunken fight from two nights ago."

"I won that fight!" Porthos exclaimed before Aramis pushed his hand on his face and stopped him from talking. The Musketeer bit down on the fingers.

"Ouch! You idiot! That hurt!"

"It was the point!"

Aramis eventually managed to break free by repeatedly hitting the other's knee until he groaned out in pain. He stood up, dusting off his uniform, and watching Porthos hold his leg.

"Now, I win."

"Please, I let you win. Elise would never forgive me if you came back with a bloodied nose and broken ribs." They stared hard at each other for a few seconds before bursting out laughing. Aramis held out his arm to help his friend to his feet. Porthos was limping a little, comforting the other Musketeer in the idea that he had done some damage. His own hand quite hurt, though. He could see teeth marks on it.

"I hope you don't have rabies."

Porthos pushed his shoulder in response as they left for the armourer's.

Elise had had quite a busy day and she did not see it go by. There were so many things to put away, so many things to arrange around the place. She may also have lost an hour or two when she found a book she particularly cherished and ended up sitting down to read some of it. One of her new neighbours had noticed that the house was occupied once again so she had paid Elise a quick visit, mainly to introduce herself and the myriad of children hovering around her. The young girl counted at least five, but she was not certain. They would not stop moving and they looked too much alike to differentiate them.

When Elise had explained that she needed to go to the market to buy some food as there was hardly any in her kitchen, Delphine had offered to show her the way. A suggestion which was gladly accepted. So, with the children in tow, the two women had gone a few streets down to shop. Her new acquaintance marvelled at the news that Elise's husband was a Musketeer. Her own husband was a carpenter so he was often away to work on different building sites.

Even though she would have preferred to spend the first day of her married life with her husband, Elise had rather enjoyed it. She had managed to light a fire in the kitchen in order to cook some soup. The old cook at the Garrison had taught her many of his recipes throughout the months she spent there. She hoped hers would be as good as she remembered it.

It was late afternoon when Aramis came back home. He did not expect to have visitors so early, but Captain Tréville and his nephew were sitting at the table with Elise.

"Captain," he greeted his superior, taking off his hat before sitting down as well. It smelled good inside.

"Aramis."

"Uncle came to tell me that you are both leaving with the King." She looked saddened by the news.

"His Majesty does love hunting. It happens quite a lot. But we'll be back soon. You should not worry."

"I agree with you but in the meantime, I suggest that Christophe stays here with her. I do not want to leave him at the Garrison by himself and as his sister, she will keep an eye on him. Just to make sure he stays out of trouble. And she will not be by herself."

Aramis glanced at the boy on the other side of the table. Christophe did not seem so pleased with the decision, but by now, he had learned better than to talk back to his uncle so he gritted his teeth and brooded in silence. The Musketeer shared the same feeling: he was not excessively happy about Tréville's suggestion, yet, it would reassure him to know that Elise was not alone in the house.

"It makes sense. Is there a second bed in this house, though?" Tréville stared at him coldly and Aramis threw his hands in the air. "I just moved in! How can I know?"

"Yes, there is a second bed," Elise confirmed. "You will not have to sleep on the sofa and you will even be able to help me tidy the house!" she added for her brother's sake. He looked delighted by the idea as he glared in her direction.

"Very well, it is settled then. Aramis, I will see you tomorrow." Captain Tréville stood up, ready to go.

"Don't you want to stay and share our meal?"

"I have important matters to settle at the Garrison. Another time, perhaps?" Aramis was glad for his superior's answer. He could not wait to be alone with Elise.

"Did you miss me?" he asked as soon as they were alone. He grabbed her by the waist, bending his head to kiss her.

"Yes, I did. And I am not at all happy to know that you will be gone in a couple of days."

"You knew it was bound to happen, Elise."

"Yes, of course, but I was hoping to enjoy time a little more time with you before you had to leave." She was attempting not to show how truly upset she was, but she failed. Aramis was starting to know her too well to ignore the expression on her face. He took her in his arms just as he had done the previous day. Elise could not help but giggle.

"We still have four long days and nights before I have to go. I will give you plenty of time to enjoy!"

"What about the soup? It will grow cold."

"Then let it be. I heard it is rather excellent that way." Aramis strode upstairs.