About a week after the bat incident, Hephaestion was washing the dishes when he suddenly felt pain go across his lower back. He dropped the plate he had been washing on the floor, where it shattered. Darko, who was sitting in a chair eating dry cereal, startled and then looked at him questioningly.
"Go get Daddy..." Hephaestion leaned against the basin, "Tell him Mumma needs him. Now. Don't step on the glass!"
Heeding his mother's words, Darko made it safely outside, where Alexander was milking the goats. Within minutes, Alexander came running, following his son into the house.
"Is it-?"
"I don't think so. Sure feels like it though. Ow! -!" he swore in pain.
"Mumma!" Darko chastised. His parents had taught him what words not to say as soon as he could talk.
"I didn't mean it, Darling. I'm sorry. OW!" tossing his head back, Hephaestion deliberately stepped on Alexander's foot, causing the man to yelp in pain and hop on one foot for a minute.
"What was that for?!"
"That was for putting me in this situation again, you -!" he mouthed the last word, "You, my dear husband, are sleeping on the grass mat tonight."
"But the grass mat is itchy!" Alexander complained, "I won't get any sleep!"
"Exactly," Hephaestion hissed menacingly, "Maybe next time you'll think with your upstairs brain before you come near me again!"
However that night, Alexander found himself with a companion on the mat.
"I can't sleep without you. I'm so uncomfortable. Can you ever forgive me?" Alexander couldn't see Hephaestion, but he could imagine his big, blue puppy dog eyes.
Alexander turned over, looking up at his blooming, beautiful partner, "Of course I forgive you. I know it is not your fault. What hurts?"
"My back!" the sobs were strong and came quick.
"All right, hush. Hush, Love. Into my arms. Oh yes," within minutes of Alexander massaging Hepheastion's lower back, Hephaestion began to purr like a cat.
Alexander grinned at this. He loved when Hephaestion was like this. His lioness. His well-taught hands traced his lover's body, following the growing curve that was his child. His cub. His little girl.
Hephaestion moaned loudly as his lover kneaded the underside of his belly, close to where his legs joined. Suddenly the babe kicked, hard enough to make Hephaestion bite his bottom lip to keep from gasping aloud, and for the spot to bruise. Alexander stared at the bruise in disbelief.
"She does that all the time," Hephaestion gasped, his voice strained, "She has her father's strength..."
"And her mother's spirit! My gods! Are you all right?"
"Fine," Hephaestion smiled, "Can you get the jar from the stand next to the bed; helps with the bruising."
"But not the pain, surely. Ohh..." Alexander leaned down to kiss the circular blemish.
"I will be fine, I promise you. Just leaves me a little breathless is all. The salve, Love."
"Yes, of course! A moment, Love!" Alexander got up and ran to the bedroom, opening the table's door and rummaging inside.
"Xander, please be quiet, I'm resting."
On his way back to his lover, Alexander somehow made more noise than he intented.
Hephaestion gasped, and then rubbed his belly, "You startled her! Poor thing..."
"I'm sorry, Love. Here," Alexander knelt down gently and rubbed the raw honey salve on Hephaestion's bruise to help it heal, "There. All better," he smiled at his husband.
"Oh no you don't," and Hephaestion pulled Alexander into a heated kiss, "I love you... I'm sorry for getting angry and stepping on you."
Alexander laughed, "It was no fault of yours. I'm fine. Besides, I'm half god, remember?"
Hephaestion laughed with him, "Oh yes, I forgot. Gods, your mother," he shook his head, "What was she thinking?"
"She was thinking I was the best child on Earth. And at first I didn't understand it-"
"You hated it," Hephaestion grinned.
"But now I do."
"You do?" Hephaestion looked confused.
"I do. Because our children- all three of you- are the best thing that has ever happened to me."
"Oh Xander..."
Alexander kissed Hephaestion lightly on the lips, "Get some rest, Love. I've got you. You'll always be safe with me."