Chapter 15
"Sylvie," Athos called as he entered their apartment.
"In here," she yelled.
Athos walked down the hall sticking his head in their bedroom first and finding it empty. He took a few more steps down the hall reaching the nursery. His eyes widened. "Sylvie, what are you doing down there?" He walked over to her where she sat in the middle of the room on the floor.
"I've just been here a few minutes," she said. She scrunched her face up. "Athos, would you help me up?"
"The toilet?" He asked.
"No, umm, I think may have just felt a contraction."
Athos felt his stomach do flip flops as he helped her up off the floor. His panic levels were being sorely tested for the past week. They had had several false alarms.
She dropped the items she was holding grasping Athos' arms to steady herself. Once she felt steady she made a mental check. She let Athos lead her to the rocking chair.
"Anymore contractions?" He asked.
"No," she shrugged. "False alarm?"
"It wouldn't be the first," he said.
Athos left the room for a moment bringing in a chair sitting it next to her. He heard his phone alert him to a text. Sylvie had her phone out as well.
"Emily Charlotte d'Artagnan," Sylvie read aloud as they looked at their phones showing a picture of Constance and d'Artagnan's daughter.
"Finally, they came up with a name," Athos said.
"We really need to come up with some names," Sylvie said. "But first I need to go to the toilet."
Athos shook his head smiling as he stood helping her up.
TM
Athos held his phone to his ear. "I was beginning to think Sylvie and I were going to have a name for our baby before," he swallowed realizing he had never said it like that. Suddenly it felt very real.
"Athos," d'Artagnan said on the other end of the call. "Are you alright?"
"Hmm?" He shook his head. "Yeah sorry."
"Athos!" Sylvie called from the hall.
"d'Artagnan, I have to go," Athos ended the call pocketing his phone meeting Sylvie halfway between the bathroom and kitchen. "Sylvie?"
"More contractions," she said grimacing.
"Right," he froze for a second.
"Athos," she said.
He shook his head finally moving. He walked past her going to their bedroom to get her bag. When he came back out Sylvie was on the phone. "Yes, we'll be there soon," she said before ending the call.
"Ready?" He asked helping her into her coat.
"Yeah," she said. "Hospital is called."
They were exiting the apartment when Athos' phone rang. "Porthos, I'm a little busy."
"Athos, mate, everything alright?" Porthos asked.
"Sylvie's in labor," Athos said.
"Aramis and I are stuck working on the homicide of that noble woman, Louise d'Mantua," Porthos said.
"There's no rush to come to the hospital," Athos said getting in the car after Sylvie. "Would you mind calling d'Artagnan? I ended our phone conversation a little abruptly when Sylvie hollered at me."
"Will do," Porthos said. "Take care and we'll be there when we can."
Athos took a breath grateful for the friends he had in his life. He took a quick glance over to Sylvie and reached out taking her hand in his giving it a squeeze.
TBC