Chapter 4
Athos helped Sylvie out of her coat hanging it up with his own.
"Would you like some tea?" He asked her.
"Yeah, sure," she said sitting down on the couch.
Athos went into the kitchen glad he had something to do for a minute.
"Oh God, my mother," he heard her practically crying. "How am I supposed to tell her this?"
Athos returned to the living room and sat down next to her taking one of her hands in his. "She'll be fine," he said.
"She's not going to like this. It doesn't fit in with her grand plan for me," she said.
"Sylvie, I know she can be difficult, but she does love you," he said. "Remember what she was like after my case with Grimaud was finally closed."
"She wouldn't leave my side for a week," she said. "She spent the whole time telling me how to reorganize my kitchen."
"Sylvie, do you know what you want to do?" He asked.
"I know this is probably not the best time," she said. "It's not just my decision though," she looked Athos in the eye.
"I used to think about being a father when I was married," he said. He had told Sylvie everything about his ex-wife a couple months ago. She had been found guilty of his brother's murder. At the time he believed duty to his brother came first even if he never got along with Thomas.
Five years after his death his ex-wife was exonerated for Thomas' murder. Those five years turned her angry and bitter. She left town and he hadn't seen her since.
"It terrifies me, but I would love to have a child with you," he said. "And if it's this one or one down the road, I'll support your decision."
She suddenly sagged against his side. He wrapped his arms around her. "Are you all right?"
"I want this one," she said.
"You don't want to think about it?" He asked.
"No," she said.
"Then it's settled," he wrapped his arms around her holding her close until he heard the tea kettle.
TM
It was the middle of the night and Sylvie was sleeping peacefully next to Athos. Unfortunately he was not resting so peacefully. He had been the strong one this day. Sylvie needed that.
Now in the dead of night there were too many thoughts running through his mind. Too many fears. What kind of example had he really had growing up for him to be a good father?
He really needed to pull himself together. Sylvie was counting on him as was their baby.
God, was he really capable of raising a child? He rolled onto his side facing Sylvie. He looked at her sleeping face. All the stress from around her eyes had disappeared. He was relieved she was finally getting some sleep.
Athos reached out gently wrapping his hand around hers and tried to get some sleep.
TM
Athos and Sylvie each returned to work the next day. Both were distracted. They could see it in each other's eyes as they got ready for the day.
"Athos, what are you doing today at work?" She asked.
"Serving an arrest warrant," he said.
"How bad is this person you're arresting?" She asked leaning back against the kitchen counter.
Athos stopped spreading butter on his toast and turned to Sylvie. He wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her against his chest. "It'll be fine. It's nothing serious."
"You're distracted," she looked at him, a challenge in her voice and in her eyes.
He sighed. "I suppose I am, but it won't interfere with my work. I won't let it."
She frowned, but couldn't think of anything else to say…except. "Are you sure you want this?"
"Our baby?" He asked and she nodded. "Of course, Sylvie. I love you and I am going to love this baby," he shrugged. "It's just an adjustment. I'll be fine," they kissed for a long while before finally separating needing to get finished for work.
TM
"What the hell happened out there?" Aramis' voice carried through the bullpen and he hadn't even walked through the door yet.
"What's going on?" Constance stared at the group walking in. She stayed at the precinct while the others went to apprehend their suspect. As the four men appeared they looked like they had been through hell.
"Athos nearly got his head blown off," Aramis said.
"What?" Constance stood up.
"I'm fine," Athos said. He continued walking through the room until he was seated at his desk.
"You weren't paying attention?" Aramis continued walking over and staring down Athos.
"All right," Porthos stepped in. "That's enough."
"Thank you," Athos said.
"You be quiet," Porthos said.
"Athos, what's going on?" d'Artagnan calmly asked.
"It's nothing," Athos said. He and Sylvie agreed to wait a few more weeks before telling their friends about the pregnancy, but those plans might have to be changed. Up against these four detectives, Athos didn't have a chance.
"Is this anything to do with Sylvie's arrival here yesterday?" Constance asked.
Athos' phone rang saving him from having to answer just yet. "Sylvie?" There was a pause as the others looked on curiously. "Oh he did?" His head came up a moment later and he was glaring at Aramis.
Porthos glared at Aramis mouthing, "what did you do?"
Athos sighed. "I'm fine. Are you sure? All right, I'll see you for lunch then?"
"What's going on?" Porthos asked a few moments later when Athos finished with the call.
"Aramis texted Sylvie telling her what happened," Athos said.
For a brief moment attention had shifted back to Aramis and they were not pleased with him.
"All right," Athos got their attention. "Sylvie's pregnant," he said.
"Oh my god," Constance nearly shouted coming over to Athos and pulling on his arm. He got the hint and stood up so Constance could give him a hug.
"That's wonderful," Aramis said resting a hand on his shoulder.
"Congratulations, mon ami," Porthos slapped Athos on the back after Constance was done hugging Athos.
"Athos?" d'Artagnan looked at Athos seriously. "Is this what you want?"
The others had been so pleased they hadn't noticed the look on Athos' face. It was tight and pensive.
Athos realized d'Artagnan asked him a question. "Yes. It was just a big surprise," he was smiling at all of them trying to reassure them. "We hadn't plan this is all."
"But you are having it?" Aramis asked.
"Yes," Athos said. "I'm just terrified," he smiled self-deprecatingly.
"You and Sylvie will be excellent parents," d'Artagnan said.
The others agreed whole heartedly.
"Let us take you out for a drink," Aramis said. "I'm buying."
Athos shook his head and rolled his eyes. "All right, but not too late and only one drink."
Constance went over to her desk making a call. "I'll see if Sylvie's up for something tonight," she said.
TBC