Chapter 14
The boys had the following Friday off and Athos invited Aramis and Porthos over to help paint the nursery. Sylvie would be at work so she wouldn't be exposed to the fumes.
They arrived at the apartment just as Sylvie was leaving. "Good luck," she said brushing a quick kiss over Athos' lips. "Boys," she kissed them both on the cheek.
The door closed and Athos looked at his friends. He took a deep breath wondering if this was such a good idea. He and Sylvie had the colors chosen and Sylvie's instructions were very clear.
This wasn't the first nursery they had worked on, Athos had never painted one. The first was Porthos and Elodie's daughter's. Athos and Aramis had to work, but Constance and d'Artagnan were available to help Porthos. Elodie had gone into work.
They managed to get the painting done within a timely manner. And Porthos and Constance worked on the crib together while d'Artagnan was tasked with going out get them some food.
D'Artagnan and Constance hadn't painted their nursery, but they did need help with the furniture. Constance left for a few hours that afternoon to go out with Sylvie for some shopping. The boys were instructed to put together the crib.
When Constance returned with Sylvie they heard bickering from four men. They walked into the nursery and found the crib in an interesting shape. Unfortunately it wasn't the shape meant for a baby.
Eventually they got the crib put together while Constance and Sylvie sat out in the living room chatting.
Athos led his friends into the nursery feeling great trepidation. He had never painted a room before. But he knew Porthos and Aramis had had some experience in this. Athos would be leaning heavily on their guidance.
TM
Sylvie released a heavy sigh. A co-worker had picked her up this morning and dropped her off now that she was too far along to be driving. She reached her apartment door managing not to drop her keys.
She entered the apartment taking stock of her surroundings. She heard the shower running down the hall and some quiet talking from the kitchen.
She picked the kitchen first. Aramis and Porthos were standing around leaning against the counters beer bottles in hand. She looked them over and noticed very little paint covering them. She was impressed.
"Hey," she said pulling out a chair from the kitchen table and taking a seat.
They greeted her careful not to get any paint on her.
"Is that Athos taking a shower?" She asked.
Aramis and Porthos exchanged a look. It was obvious they were trying to stifle laughter.
"All right, give," Sylvie said.
"Let's just say Athos had a bit of an incident with the paint," Aramis said.
"Are there pictures?" She asked.
"No," Athos changed and clean stood in the doorway glowering at his friends.
Sylvie sighed disappointed. Then a thought came to her. "Did you get the room finished?"
"Yeah," Porthos said. "Wanna see it?"
"I'd love to," Sylvie took the hand Porthos offered her and stood up following the others.
Wainscoting wrapped around the nursery walls. It was to be painted in a soft yellow over the wainscoting and above it was to be a light green.
Sylvie stepped in feeling Athos at her back. She looked at the walls. She felt a tear slip down her cheek.
"Sylvie?" Athos looked at her over shoulder. "Sweetheart, we can change it if you don't like it."
"No," she shook her head grabbing Athos' hand. "I love it," she was crying more. She knew she was blubbering, but she couldn't help it.
"It's alright," Porthos said next to her squeezing her hand.
She looked over at Porthos smiling who was giving Athos what looked like a reassuring smile over her head.
Aramis suddenly appeared around Porthos holding out a box of tissues. "Madame," he smiled.
"Thank you," she took a few tissues wiping her eyes and nose. "All of you did a wonderful job."
"We should probably get going," Porthos said.
"Oh, do you have to?" Sylvie asked.
"Yeah, I have to pick up Marie-Cessette from my Mum's," Porthos said.
"And I have a date with Anne," Aramis said.
"Well, thank you again," Sylvie said hugging Porthos and Aramis as best she could with such a large stomach sticking out.
"We were happy to help," Aramis said.
"I'll walk you out," Athos said kissing the top of Sylvie's head.
Sylvie stayed in the nursery. She looked over seeing the wooden rocking chair and sat down. She rested her hands over her stomach feeling the baby kick.
"Are you certain you like it?" Athos returned kneeling down on the floor next to her.
Sylvie took hold of Athos' hand. "It's wonderful. We still have a few things left to complete though," her eyes wandered over to the box that held the crib.
"I hear Porthos is good at putting cribs together," Athos said.
She looked over at the straight face from Athos and laughed. She had heard the same.
TBC