Chapter 29:When is he coming?
Gabrielle POV
"Are you sure?"
"Sure I'm sure...ahhhhhh.."
I instinctively placed my hand on her arm trying to help her get up.
"Come on…you need to lie down on a bed."
"No, no, no..I can't…Ares.."
"Xena...you can't do anything in this state..You can't give birth and take care of him at the same time….It doesn't work like that…."
"Yes I can." She protested, just like a small stubborn kid.
"Xena, you listen to Gabrielle!" Cyrene commanded, knowing as well as I did just how strong headed her daughter could be.
"Come on…your water broke, you can't avoid this."
I tried again to convince her, but she withdrew her arms savagely out of my grab.
"Xena!"
"He could die...the fever…it could be an infection…no...I need to watch over him." She stated, shaking her head disapprovingly.
"Xena…please…"I insisted, but it was as if I speaking to a wall.
"X..Xena" Ares called her, moaning in pain.
"I'm…here…" She barely spoke, a new wave of pain ripping through her. She took his hand in hers.
"Xena!"
"Don't talk..aaaa.."
"Are you ok?"He asked her, struggling to open his eyes.
"Yeah...your son decided that it was about time to come out and explore the world!"
When he heard her his eyes instantly widened.
"Hey..."
She looked into his eyes.
"He is?"
Sweat was dripping from his body...She checked his temperature once again and frowned.
"Yeah."
She smiled forcedly.
"So what are you still doing here?" he asked worriedly, taking a second to look at her pained expression.
.
"I'm fine!" she lied but luckily, he could see right through her.
"No you're not. Hey Blondie!" he called for me, and for once, the nickname didn't upset me. "Take good care of her will you? And until she gives birth don't let her anywhere near this room. "
"What?" Xena broke out.
"You heard me " He made sure to add. "Cyrene will look after me."
"That's right" Cyrene jumped in, already heading for the bed.
"I'll be fine ok? I promise…...You've already fixed me didn't you? "Ares joked, trying to dissipate the tension.
"But..."
"Just go!"
His voice was now steely and commanding as if he were giving orders on the battlefield.
She had no choice and she knew it.
Before we got out she stopped and glanced back one last time, fear and anxiety washing over her.
"Don't even dare Ares...Cause I will break Tartarus apart and kick your ass right there and then!"
He gave her a weak smile.
The moment I placed her on the bed in the other room, she took my hand in hers and looked straight into my eyes.
"He'll be fine, Xena, I promise. Cyrene will know what to do! How many soldiers that passed by her tavern don't owe her their lives?"
"You're right. He has to be fine..."
"Now rest a bit before the contractions become unbearable …Focus on your baby! Leave all other thoughts and worries aside, will you?"
She sighed.
"Where's Evie?" She suddenly inquired, remembering that she hadn't seen her daughter in awhile.
"Cyrene put her to sleep…she is alright. Xena…..no worries ok? You'll have all the time in the world to worry later."
Hardly had I finished my sentence though, that Eve was bursting in the room.
"Mommy…"
Xena took her in her arms.
"Why aren't you in bed?" I mustarded her.
"Where is daddy?" She questioned, her eyes beginning to show tears.
"Sweetheart...listen to me…Grandma will take good care of daddy...He is…asleep...so you can't wake him.."
The little girl nodded bravely.
A moan escaped Xena's lips.
"Mommy are you hurt?"
"No sweetie...Your brother is coming.."
Eve started to smile.
"Yes...I will finally have someone to play with. When is he coming?"
We both laughed at that.
"Go now…"
Xena kissed her daughter and let her down."Be good and go to sleep in your grandma's room...ok?"
She got out running and happy.
Hours later, Ares' situation was still the same but a new joy had appeared in their lives. Cyrene's terrified voice calling my name made our hearts skip more than a beat though.