It was a pleasant trip back to the village now that Gabrielle had put her insecurities about not being good enough behind her. She smiled to herself as she leaned her head against Xena's back and lightly squeezed her arms a little tighter around Xena's midsection, watching the scenery they slowly made their way through as they rode Argo across the open valley. Feeling the extra pressure, Xena smiled and lovingly ran her hand over Gabrielle's arm, knowing for certain that Gabrielle must've been feeling better now. She glanced back at Gabrielle as they continued seeing a much more peaceful and relaxed expression in her eyes than what Xena had seen there in a while.
GABRIELLE
I can't wait to get back home.
XENA
Me too. But unfortunately, it's gonna take an extra day or two than our trip up due to the addition of our injured new friend here.
Xena and Gabrielle looked back to see the horse that Gabrielle had rescued and named Arrian following behind them as they rode.
GABRIELLE
Yeah, but I think we'll manage. Besides I couldn't just leave him.
XENA
I know. You did a good job dealing with that whole situation too. I'm sorry if I don't say stuff like that to you enough. I'll try and be better about that.
GABRIELLE
It's okay. I don't necessarily need you to do that, but thanks. I really appreciate that.
Xena smiled as they continued home. After several days of travel, the two finally arrived back in the village. After dropping the horses off in the field with the others from the village, Xena and Gabrielle headed straight to Skyla and Clover's house. Once there, Gabrielle and Xena held Aurora as the baby giggled, happy to see her mother's. Skyla and Clover smiled at the little family that were all so happy to be reunited.
SKYLA
(Joking tone) Darn, now that you're back we can't keep her.
Skyla looked at Clover and smirked.
SKYLA
(Joking tone) I told you we should've taken off with her before they got back Clover.
Clover gave Skyla a nudge and a disapproving look.
CLOVER
You shouldn't joke about that Skyla. Don't you remember? Aurora WAS kidnapped.
Skyla immediately felt terrible for the joke as she remembered what Xena and Gabrielle had gone through during that time. As well as what happened afterward due to the injuries that Gabrielle had suffered in their efforts to get their daughter back.
SKYLA
Gabrielle, Xena, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. You both have become two of my closest friends, I swear I would never do anything to...
GABRIELLE
It's okay Skyla. We know you didn't mean anything by that.
SKYLA
Still, I shouldn't have made such a careless joke like that. Especially after everything that the two of you have been through.
XENA
Yes, but all of that is behind us now. So there's nothing to worry about.
Xena gave Gabrielle a look as she spoke and Gabrielle knew that the statement was really meant as a question for her and smiled.
GABRIELLE
Xena's right. It's all in the past. So everything's fine now. Really.
Seeing the calm demeanor that Gabrielle now had, Xena was convinced that she was telling the truth. Then their attention returned to their conversation with Skyla and Clover who were relieved that they weren't upset with Skyla for the joke she said without thinking. After thanking Clover and Skyla again for looking after Aurora while they were gone, Xena and Gabrielle took Aurora out and went home. On the way they ran into Cora who congratulated them again on completing their tests and told them that they could come see her the next day, figuring that they would want a day to rest after their long trip. That night Xena and Gabrielle slept soundly. Happy to be home and no longer having any ill feelings towards one another, they had returned to the comfort of sleeping in one another's embrace on the trip home and continued doing so as they had before.
CORA
You two look happy this morning.
GABRIELLE
What's not to be happy about?
Cora smiled as she sat across from Gabrielle and Xena on the floor as the mid-morning sun beamed in from the windows of her small house.
CORA
Fair point. I suppose you do have good reason to celebrate on this beautiful day, don't you?
XENA
You can say that again.
Xena and Gabrielle smiled at each other before the three women heard a cheerful coo from Aurora who was sitting in Xena's lap and smiled at the very adored little girl. They talked for a bit about what had happened on Xena and Gabrielle's trip.
GABRIELLE
So now that all of that's done, what do we do? Can we finally get married now?
CORA
Actually, there is something else that you need to do first?
Xena scowled.
XENA
(Slightly Irritated tone) I thought you said that was the final test.
CORA
The final test yes. However, now you have another very serious job to attend to before you embark on your nuptials.
Xena growled in annoyance as Gabrielle placed her hand on Xena's knee and got her attention.
GABRIELLE
It's okay Xena. Whatever it is I know we can do it. Together.
Xena's expression softened as the irritability she'd been feeling only a moment ago disappeared.
XENA
I know.
Xena and Gabrielle returned their attention to Cora as Xena sighed.
XENA
Okay, Cora. What's this final task we have to complete that you failed to mention before?
Cora smiled.
CORA
Why planning your joining ceremony of course.
Xena gave Cora an evil smirk.
XENA
(Half joking) Cora if I didn't have the baby in my lap, you'd be laid out on the floor right now for that one.
Cora let out a nervous chuckle, as she looked at Gabrielle for help but only got a smile and a shrug from her in response.
CORA
I'll be sure to make a mental note of your sense of humor in the future.
XENA
(Joking) Probably a good idea.
With that Xena and Gabrielle said goodbye and left with Aurora, leaving Cora to think very carefully when she opted to use humor when dealing with things involving more emotional affairs in the future.
CORA
(Thinking to herself) That woman can be very intimidating when she wants to be.
The next month or so was busy for Xena, Gabrielle, and the rest of the village as the preparations for the wedding were put into motion. While Xena and Gabrielle had told the others that they didn't need to do anything big, everyone else insisted on going all out for the ceremony and after-party. So despite technically being in charge, Xena and Gabrielle knew that they didn't really have much choice in the matter and decided to let their extended Amazon family do what they wanted and give them a big, beautiful wedding. Time seemed to fly by as before long it was only a few days before the Ceremony.
GABRIELLE
Look that must be them.
Xena and Gabrielle stood by the waterfall's secret entrance to the village as a horse-drawn wagon came over the horizon. Before long it pulled up in front of them and came to a stop. Both Xena and Gabrielle smiled as they came over to the wagon and the people inside were told that they could now remove their blindfolds.
LILA
Gabrielle!
Gabrielle watched as her sister was the first one out of the wagon and the two walked quickly towards each other and hugged.
LILA
It's so good to see you. I've missed you.
GABRIELLE
I've missed you too. It's been far too long.
The sisters separated as Lila got a good look at Gabrielle and noticed the vast difference in her appearance since they had seen one another last.
LILA
Wow, you've certainly changed a lot since the last time I saw you.
Gabrielle smiled.
GABRIELLE
You have no idea.
Lila gave her sister a confused look.
GABRIELLE
It's a long story, I'll explain later.
Gabrielle then greeted her parents who were both very happy to see her again. Meanwhile, Xena hugged her mother after her brother Toris helped her out of the wagon.
XENA
Hi mother.
CYRENE
Oh, it's so good to see you, Xena.
Xena smiled as she was finally released from her mother's grip.
XENA
Same here. I'm really glad you could come.
CYRENE
Don't be silly Xena, I wouldn't have missed your finally marrying Gabrielle for the world.
TORIS
I'm just surprised that it took so long.
Xena rolled her eyes as she saw her brother climb down from the wagon and smirked.
XENA
(Joking) Don't start with me Toris or my boot will end up somewhere that'll make you have to stand for the whole ceremony.
Cyrene chuckled and shook her head at her adult children as Xena and Toris laughed and shared a quick hug. Meanwhile, Gabrielle's parents were now out of the wagon and Gabrielle hugged both of them.
HECUBA
I can't believe that my little Gabrielle is getting married.
HERODOTUS
If someone told me when you left home to go follow Xena around that I'd be attending the wedding between you two I would've been more than a little skeptical.
Gabrielle smiled. It had taken a long time but her family finally had accepted the fact that Xena hadn't taken Gabrielle away from them and that Gabrielle was happy and exactly where she wanted to be. So she was glad that her family had grown to like Xena and were happy to be there with her when she married the one person that Gabrielle knew that she was meant to spend the rest of eternity with. After Xena and Gabrielle greeted one another's families they accompanied the women into the village and let Toris and Herodotus be shown where they would be staying outside of the village. After a tour of the village Xena and Gabrielle brought Aurora, their mothers, and Gabrielle's sister to the inn where Toris and Herodotus were each given a paid-for room for the duration of their stay. Everyone then gathered together for a lively dinner as they ate and caught up on the various goings on in all of their lives. Afterward, once it was getting late, Xena and Gabrielle decided to head home. Knowing that the next day was going to be a busy one for them. Even though they were welcome in the village, Cyrene, Hecuba, and Lila decided to stay at the inn instead. Saying that they didn't want to be a hassle for Xena and Gabrielle when they had plenty of other things to deal with.
XENA
Are you sure you don't mind staying here? You know that we have plenty of room for you in the village.
Cyrene smiled.
CYRENE
I'll be just fine here Xena. Everyone is already so busy, I'm sure they don't want some old woman to get in the way.
XENA
You're not old and you could never be in the way.
Cyrene laughed.
CYRENE
I'll be fine here, really.
Cyrene looked over at the table where Toris And Herodotus were having a casual chat.
CYRENE
(Joking) And besides you know what kind of trouble you're brother can get into at times. So I'd rather stay here and make sure he makes it to the ceremony.
XENA
(Joking) Not as much as I can get into.
CYRENE
True. It seems like all of my children ended up being quite the handful. It's a shame that Ly...
Cyrene stopped herself from finishing, not wanting to bring up Lyceus's death and bring down what was supposed to be a happy occasion. But Xena knew what her mother was about to say.
XENA
I know. Mother I know that I've apologized for what happened I don't know how many times, but I never meant for...
CYRENE
No Xena. There's no need to apologize for that anymore. That was a long time ago and so much has happened since then. I only mentioned him because I know he would have been so happy for you.
XENA
I know he would've.
CYRENE
And he would've loved Gabrielle.
Xena smiled.
XENA
Definitely.
Cyrene smiled at Gabrielle who was next to Xena.
CYRENE
Though I suppose that's not saying much given that I'm sure everyone does.
Gabrielle chuckled.
GABRIELLE
You'd be surprised.
Cyrene raised a surprised eyebrow that made Gabrielle realize exactly where Xena had gotten that specific trait of hers from. Not knowing what had happened with Ares's jealousy and manipulation in an attempt to get rid of Gabrielle and take Xena for his own. Valassca's hatred and resentment of Gabrielle being queen instead of her. Then Celine's quest for vengeance against Xena and Gabrielle for the death of her mother Valassca. Or the other names that had accumulated over Xena and Gabrielle's time together.
XENA
I'll have Gabrielle fill you in some time.
Gabrielle shook her head in mock disapproval but smiled knowing that both Xena and herself were well aware that Gabrielle rarely turned down the opportunity to tell a good story.
CYRENE
I look forward to it.
The conversation continued to happier subjects as Cyrene and Gabrielle's parents doted on Aurora. Happy to have some time with their grandchild. This led to another story of how Xena and Gabrielle had ended up with her. Leaving everyone completely shocked but extremely happy for them as they wondered how two people could possibly live such unpredictable lives. Then with a sleeping Aurora in her arms, Gabrielle stood up as she and Xena said their goodbyes to their families until morning. The two then returned home and put Aurora to bed before climbing into their own. Gabrielle sighed contently as she felt Xena's arms around her and the two drifted to sleep. Both were filled with joy and excitement for the next day that they knew would become only the first day of the rest of their lives and whatever came after together.
TO BE CONTINUED...