Chapter 5

Porthos and Aramis were off collecting another round of drinks. Athos was sitting next to d'Artagnan. He looked over at the other man hesitantly.

"Athos?" d'Artagnan looked over at him. "Is there something you need?"

Athos sat up straighter and looking at his friend. "How do you do it?"

"Do what?" d'Artagnan raised an eyebrow.

"Not lose your mind knowing in a few months you'll be responsible for a new life? How do you deal with Constance being pregnant and still working in a dangerous job?"

D'Artagnan shifted in his seat to look at Athos. "Believe it or not I have had a few meltdowns in the last couple of months. But I have Constance to pull me back from the ledge. And to be fair, she's had a few of her own.

"And as far as her being a cop," he shrugged. "I worried about her when she wasn't pregnant and she worries about me, but we agreed we were not going to let that fear control us and," he said with a self-deprecating shrug, "I was not allowed to tell her when to stop working." Athos couldn't help the grin at that last sentence. "You know, you can lean on Sylvie a little, she won't break," d'Artagnan said. "And she's probably got some of the same fears as you. Except she's the only one worrying about their significant other's job."

Athos didn't say anything, but dropped a hand on d'Artagnan's arm giving it a squeeze.

Porthos and Aramis appeared carrying their drinks and placing them down on the table. "Look who we found," Porthos said pointing his thumb over his shoulder.

Constance and Sylvie were heading over to their table just a few feet behind. D'Artagnan and Athos quickly found a couple more chairs moving them over to their table.

Constance sat down between d'Artagnan and Athos while Sylvie sat on the opposite side of Athos.

"I hope you haven't had too much to drink," Sylvie said.

"Just one pint," Athos said.

"We made sure he wasn't getting drunk tonight," Aramis said.

Athos raised an eyebrow at Aramis; he hadn't quite forgiven him for texting Sylvie earlier yet.

"We didn't expect you," d'Artagnan said, but looked pleased as he leaned over pressing a quick kiss to Constance's lips.

"It was just the two of us tonight," Constance said. "We figured we'd check on you boys," she grinned.

Athos looked over at Sylvie. She seemed worried, or anxious. He reached over squeezing her hand lightly. She gave him a smile, but it was small and didn't quite reach her eyes.

"I think it's time I head home," Athos said. He looked at Sylvie. "Are you ready to go?"

She nodded. "I have my car," she said. Constance and Sylvie drove separately to the pub so they could drive d'Artagnan and Athos home respectively. Aramis had driven the four of them to the pub as their designated driver and would drive Porthos home.

Sylvie and Athos said their goodnights and left their friends at the table.

TM

They walked into Athos' apartment not having said much on their way.

"Athos, what the bloody hell were you doing today?" She turned and around looking at him furious.

Athos deflated. He had all the excuses in the world, but he couldn't say a single one. "You're right, I allowed myself to be distracted today. I can't apologize enough for it."

"I don't need your apology," Sylvie said. "I need your assurance that's never going to happen again!" Her voice was rising the longer she spoke.

"Aramis told me quite vividly what happened today," she said. Athos started to speak, but she cut him off. "This is not about Aramis, so you can forget about blaming him."

"All right," Athos spoke softly. He walked up to Sylvie reaching out and resting the palm of his hand over her cheek brushing his thumb lightly over her soft skin. "I promise I will do better."

Sylvie leaned her forehead against Athos' closing her eyes. She reached up wrapping her hand around his wrist connected to the hand cradling her cheek.

Athos brushed the side of his nose against hers before their lips met in a sweet kiss. "Let's go to bed," he said. "I think we are both tired."

She agreed taking the lead to his bedroom.

When they lay together in bed in the dark Athos began to speak. "We should move in together," he said.

"All right," she yawned. "We'll discuss the details tomorrow."

Athos relaxed incrementally. That was one issue they could agree on at least. There was of course the question of where they would live; who would move to whose place. Or maybe they would get a new place all together.

"Love, go to sleep," Sylvie said. "You're thinking too much."

Athos grinned before holding Sylvie just a little tighter before he slipped off to sleep with her close behind.

TBC