Chapter 12
Athos walked at a brisk pace down the hospital hall. He looked to his side realizing he may be going a bit fast for his fiancée.
Sylvie smiled at him taking hold of his hand.
They were approaching the waiting room when Athos noticed inside they were all sitting in a semi-circle. Anne and Elodie had joined them and were sitting on the ends with Aramis and Porthos hunched over between them.
It was when they were closer to the group that they saw d'Artagnan was at the center of the. Athos' stomach plummeted. He felt Sylvie's hand tighten around his and he heard a whimper come from her.
Anne looked up seeing them and got up to grab more chairs.
"What's going on?" Athos kneeled down on the floor as Sylvie took a seat next to Anne. He looked to Aramis and Porthos for help.
"They had to perform an emergency c-section," Porthos explained.
Athos swallowed down the lump in his throat.
"We don't have news yet," Aramis added.
Athos shook his head and looked up at d'Artagnan. His elbows were leaning on his legs, his hands supporting his bowed head.
"d'Artagnan," Athos reached out wrapping his hand around the other man's wrist.
Eventually d'Artagnan lifted his head to look at Athos. His eyes were red and puffy with circles under them.
Athos pulled over a chair sitting facing d'Artagnan. He placed the palm of his hand over the back of d'Artagnan's glancing up to Porthos and Aramis. Without saying a word they each placed a hand on top of the others.
"All for one," Athos' voice was nearly a whisper as he locked eyes with each of his brothers starting with Aramis, then Porthos and landing on d'Artagnan.
D'Artagnan nodded and Athos brushed a kiss over his temple. Their youngest brother sat up straighter taking a deep breath. The four men stayed in their little circle. Porthos and Aramis each had a hand on d'Artagnan's shoulder. Aramis held onto his rosary beads silently praying. And Athos still held one of d'Artagnan's hand.
TM
It wasn't much longer, although it felt like an eternity, when Constance's doctor finally appeared.
D'Artagnan abruptly stood nearly losing his balance. "Doctor?"
"d'Artagnan, your wife and daughter are doing just fine," she said.
"I have a daughter?" d'Artagnan's voice was filled with wonder as tears slipped down his cheeks. "They're all right?" He looked seriously.
"Yes," the doctor smiled. "We just want to keep them for a couple more days than we would have for observation, but I don't foresee any more troubles."
"Can I see them?" He asked.
"Just give them a few minutes to be settled and a nurse will take you to them," the doctor said.
D'Artagnan fell back down on his chair as his legs buckled.
"Whoa," Porthos grabbed onto his arm making sure he made it down safely.
"d'Artagnan?" Athos said.
He took a deep breath. "I'm okay," he said.
The three men shared a laugh. None of them were very good admitting they weren't all right.
TM
A few minutes passed and a nurse arrived taking d'Artagnan to see his wife and daughter. Once he was gone everyone took a collective sigh of relief.
Athos moved his chair so he was sitting next to Sylvie. He reached over taking hold of her hand and kissed her temple. He let his forehead rest against hers. "Have I told you how much I love you, lately?"
Sylvie hummed. "I'm sure you must have," she smiled.
They turned their heads slightly noticing Porthos and Aramis were having a similar moment with the women they loved.
It was about a half an hour later when d'Artagnan appeared looking amazed. He told them they could come in to see Constance and her and d'Artagnan's daughter, but only a few at a time.
Sylvie, Elodie and Anne looked at the three men they sat next to and spoke as one. "Go!"
"Right," Athos was the first to stand and Porthos an Aramis finally followed suit.
Athos followed d'Artagnan as the other two came up from behind. They entered the room quietly looking around. Athos walked over to the bed where Constance lay slightly propped up. She looked exhausted, but happy.
"Hello," Athos leaned down kissing the top of her head.
"My God, she's beautiful," Aramis said from the other side of the bed where the d'Artagnans' baby lay sleeping.
"How are you feeling, Con?" Porthos asked standing next to Athos.
"Tired," she said.
Porthos leaned over kissing her on the forehead as well before moving over to Aramis' side to see their niece.
Finally Athos walked over to join his brothers as d'Artagnan settled on the edge of the bed.
She was indeed beautiful, Athos thought. She had her mother's eyes.
"Well, we should probably leave you to get some sleep," Athos said.
"Is Sylvie still here?" Constance asked.
"As well as Elodie and Anne," Aramis said. "Are you up to seeing them?"
"For a minute, yes," Constance said.
They said their goodbyes letting them know they would be back in the next day.
Aramis gave Constance a quick kiss as well before they headed out. But before they left the room Aramis and Porthos each wrapped an arm around d'Artagnan and Athos came up from behind loosely wrapping an arm around his neck.
D'Artagnan was hugged tightly between them and left with a kiss on each side of his face and one on the back of his head. When they finally released him he stood looking at them as they had lost their minds. The three men left to the quiet sounds of Constance's laugh and d'Artagnan's equally quiet complaints.
TBC
Not sure how I feel about this chapter, but I don't know what else to do with it.