Chapter 6
Athos and Sylvie discussed living arrangements and came to decision to find a new place for them to live together. Until they found a place Sylvie was going to stay at Athos' while subletting her apartment to a friend.
The next thing on Sylvie's agenda was telling her mother she was pregnant.
"We'll invite her over for dinner," he suggested.
TM
Sylvie was certain her stomach was going to rebel at any moment; it was inevitable, her mother was going to be arriving soon.
"Relax," Athos pulled her to his side wrapping his arm around.
There was a knock on the door and Sylvie jumped slightly. Athos pressed a kiss to her temple before going to the door.
"Carol, it's a pleasure to see you," he said letting her in.
"Thank you for the invitation, Athos," she said.
"Sylvie, are you all right?" Carol asked.
"Oh…" Sylvie turned quickly rushing to the bathroom.
"Athos?" Carol looked at him worried.
"I'll go see if she's all right," he said.
The rest of the evening was not a complete disaster, but it was a near thing. Sylvie found she couldn't keep anything down.
"Athos, do you have some crackers and ginger ale?" Carol midway through their dinner.
"Yes," he stood up and went to the kitchen to get the items Carol asked for.
"How far along are you?" Carol asked.
Sylvie nearly let out a groan, but managed to hold it in. "Four months," she said.
"Well, I hope you're not planning on raising my grandbaby in that tiny little apartment of yours," Carol said.
It took her a moment of surprise as she realized her mother had guessed. Sylvie couldn't be sure, but she didn't detect a hint of judgement in her mother's voice. In fact, when she looked at her mother she thought she saw a smile trying to break free.
"Maman, I know this isn't exactly what you planned for me, but I'm happy," Sylvie said.
Carol's hand stretched out and rested on the top of Sylvie's hand. "Sylvie, I'm sorry I've always been hard on you; I just didn't know any other way. Your father and I didn't work out. I guess I could never quite overcome my mother's influence, but I did love him. I'll always love him in my own way and I don't regret having you. And I'm glad you found someone who loves you," Carol said.
Sylvie grasped her mother's hand in both of hers as tears fell down her cheeks.
It was a moment later when Athos appeared with the requested items. Eventually they moved to the couch. Sylvie knew her mother would still have her moments of disapproval, but things between them had finally turned a corner.
TM
As the next few weeks progressed Sylvie suddenly found it difficult to get into her favorite pair of jeans. There was a definite baby bump. She stood in front of her full length mirror with her jeans hanging open. Pulling up the hem of her shirt she looked at the small barely noticeable bump.
Constance, who was already at the maternity clothes stage, had suggested they go shopping for maternity clothes when Sylvie was ready. It looked like she was nearly ready.
"Sylvie," Athos came up behind her not looking at her as he was distracted by some file in his hands.
"Hhmm?" She responded distractedly.
Athos looked up staring for a moment before tossing the file aside and wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. His hand came to rest on slightly protruding belly.
Sylvie settled into his arms pouting at her reflection. "I can't get into my jeans."
"I see," he said leading her to lightly smack him on the arm.
"What was that file about?" She asked.
"Just some apartments we might like to look at."
"Do we have to look at today?" She asked.
"If you're interested," he said.
"If I can find something I can fit into," she said.
Eventually she did find something to wear. They put on their winter coats. Winter seemed to be early this year.
They arrived at the apartment building liking what they saw from the outside. They just hoped the inside lived up to its outside. They were led around the apartment. It was a two bedroom. The rooms were descent sized and the second room was a good location in relation to the master bedroom.
It was the best size they had found so far. There were even some of the little extras Sylvie had not so secretly hoped for. Athos had managed to cajole out of her what those things were.
"What did you think?" Athos asked holding Sylvie's hand as they walked back to his car.
"It was the best one we've been to," she said. "Can we afford it?" It felt a little too good to be true.
"I believe we can," he said.
"So, you can afford it," she said without ranker. She didn't begrudge the money he had. Most of the time she hardly noticed his money as he lived a very financially conservative life style.
His house in the country was probably the only true reminder of his financial status. And most of the upkeep of that house came from a trust left by his grandparents.
"Christmas is a few weeks away," Athos said as he drove them back to his apartment.
"Didn't you once suggest we have everyone over at the chateau for Christmas?" She asked.
"You remember?" He looked at her surprised and maybe just a little embarrassed when she reminded him he had said 'we' at the time.
"You remember?" She shot back laughing.
He grinned. "So, what do you think?" He asked.
"If everyone is available then I say we do it," she said.
Entering the apartment Athos took off his coat taking Sylvie's from her to hang them up. "I better make some calls to get things ready."
"You're not going to have that whole house decorated, are you?" She asked.
"No, but we can have a tree up in the great room with a little decoration and maybe a little of each of the bedrooms that will be used," he said looking for her approval.
"Sounds reasonable, but we should all decorate the tree together," she said.
"Agreed," he pressed a quick kiss to her lips. "I believe there are some Christmas decorations stored somewhere in the house. My grandmother loved Christmas."
"I'd like to invite my mother," Sylvie said.
"Sounds good," he said. "I think Porthos' mum is coming in during the holidays."
"Let's call them," Sylvie said.
Athos grinned following her to the couch where their phones sat.
TBC