Chapter 8
D'Artagnan and Constance were the first to arrive the next day. Sylvie got up and greeted them hugging Constance first. They shared a laugh when their stomachs got in the way. "In another month, we won't be able to hug at all," Constance said.
Constance walked over to the couch dropping down hard. "I'm going to need two of you to help me up when I'm ready," she said.
Porthos and Elodie arrived with their daughter Marie-Cessette and Porthos' mum Marie who they named their daughter after.
Elodie sat on the couch with Constance and Sylvie while little Marie sat in her lap. The little girl was eighteen months now and getting quite mobile.
Porthos' Mum sat with them as well.
Eventually Aramis arrived with Anne and her young son Phillip.
"Sylvie, is that what I think it is?" Constance nearly shouted.
This caught everyone's attention and Sylvie shared a look with Athos. They grinned at each other and Athos nodded.
"We're engaged," Sylvie announced.
Congratulations were given all around.
TM
"What's wrong?"
Athos had opened the refrigerator door to grab a bottle of water. He stopped for a second seeing a bottle of wine. Most of the time he could drink a glass of wine with no problem; but there were a few things that could set him off sending him into a binge. He jerked his hand back when Porthos' voice came from his right. He turned around to find Aramis and d'Artagnan surrounding him.
"Gentlemen," Athos said.
"Something is bothering you," d'Artagnan said.
"Athos, you've never been happier than you have been for the last six months," Aramis said. "But something is bothering you."
Athos put the bottle of water down leaning back against the counter. "My father showed up yesterday."
His three friends let out several expletives. Porthos and Aramis had seen the man twice while d'Artagnan and Constance had only met him once. Athos' father was a self-important, egotistical jerk.
"What the hell did he want?" Porthos asked. He was no stranger to lousy fathers.
"The house," Athos waved his hand around the general area.
"Your grandparents left you the house," d'Artagnan said.
"Thank you for stating the obvious, d'Artagnan," Athos said. "Look, there's nothing he can do. I told him very clearly I was not giving up this house." Athos picked up his bottle of water trying to step around his friends to return to the great room.
"Did he say anything to or about Sylvie?" Aramis asked.
The bottle of water began to collapse in his as water was springing out from the pressure.
"Shit, Athos," Aramis said.
"He suggested I get a pre-nup if Sylvie and I were to ever marry," Athos said. "He's been keeping tabs on me," he hesitated. "He knows we're having a baby."
"Was he threatening you and Sylvie?" Porthos asked.
"No," Athos said. "This war of attrition between us is exhausting."
"Come on," Porthos wrapped an arm around Athos' shoulders guiding him out of the kitchen.
The ladies were sitting together on the couch clearly conspiring. Athos sat down on the arm rest of the couch next to Sylvie. She turned and looked up at him smiling and he couldn't help but return it.
TM
"So, what were you ladies discussing when we returned from the kitchen?" Athos asked later that night laying bed next to Sylvie.
"Anne and Elodie want to throw Constance and me a baby shower. Either together or separate," Sylvie said.
Athos turned on his side facing Sylvie. He wrapped his arms around her pulling her close to him. "Sounds great."
Sylvie snorted. "I'd prefer not to be the center of attention."
Athos kissed her cheek. He then rolled over further so he was looking down at her face. He kissed her lips while one hand crept under her pajama top. His kisses moved down to her throat and then her chest. His other hand reached for the buttons of her pajama top.
The hand not trying to remove her top slid up her side tickling her. Then his kisses went down further and she could only gasp.
"How do you like being the center of attention now?" He asked hovering over her.
She smiled brightly at Athos. "I could probably get used to it."
Athos smiled down at her and continued to make Sylvie the center of his attention.
TM
The next day they worked on the tree. Lights and tinsel were put on first.
Aramis and Anne helped Philip add ornaments. Porthos and Elodie did the same with little Marie-Cessette with rather comical results.
"Guess she's a bit young for this yet,"Porthos laughed.
D'Artagnan and Aramis volunteered to do most of the cooking during their holiday. By the time they completed the tree it was lunch time and d'Artagnan was setting the table.
Later that night after Marie and Philip were put to bed the adults went about adding gifts under the tree.
Most of the gifts were for the children. Sylvie and Constance received the bulk of the gifts after the children.
The couples would exchange gifts between each other and amongst the five Musketeers, they had drawn names.
Sylvie's mother would be arriving in the morning. Athos and Sylvie had a couple gifts for her as did Elodie and Porthos for his mother.
"I suggest we get a good night's sleep," Athos said. "Tomorrow is going to be a long day."
Everyone parted for their beds; awaiting Christmas morning.
TBC