Ever since the accident a few weeks before, Alexander had been working on a new crib for his son. Hephaestion knew of this, but Alexander insisted that he not see it until it was complete. Finally, Alexander deemed it satisfactory for his son.
"Oh my Gods..." Hephaestion put a hand to his mouth in shock as he was led by Alexander into one of the many empty rooms of the palace, that he had previously taken as his "carpenter's shop." Hephaestion's eyes closed and his mouth began to silently move, as if praying to the gods as thanks for this wonderful gift and an even greater husband.
The crib itself was made of sturdy fir wood, but that was not what had Hephaestion almost in tears. On every available surface to be had on the crib, Alexander had handcarved every god that he believed to be in part responsible for his son's miraculous birth. Which meant every god and goddess known to the Greeks was painstakingly carved and then sanded down into the wood to remain forever.
"For you, my handsome boy," Alexander took Darko from his mother's arms and set him on his back on the goose feather bedding, where he quiet stayed, observing each of the carved figures with calm eyes.
"He loves it," Hephaestion declared happily, clapping his hands together once at his waist, where they remained joined, "I love it. It's-" he searched for a word that fit the occasion, "There are no words! Alexander, you truly are a great man."
"I omly hoped to create a gift befitting a prince, as you have created a gift befitting a king and beyond," Alexander stroked his son's cheeck, and his own stormy eyes fell upon him, "A gift befitting the gods."