Prepare for it

Sitting in the chair next to d'Artagnan instead of the one behind his desk, Aramis took a deep breath. "The Queen is ill."

D'Artagnan's jaw dropped. "Don't tell me she has the white plague too."

"No," Aramis quickly said. "No, she is ill due to an, um, excess of love."

Cocking his head to the side, d'Artagnan's face scrunched up in confusion.

"And her skirts will need to be let out in the coming months," Aramis added. He knew he should have just come out with it plainly and straight away, but he wanted to put off seeing the disappointment on his brother's face.

D'Artagnan's eyebrows sprang up. "She's with child," he stated, figuring it out. "Your child?" he asked with a little uncertainty.

Aramis nodded. "But we can't admit to that. Our enemies might use it to cast doubt over the King's legitimacy and depose us all. We must minimize the risk and proclaim the child is the late King's."

"You slept with the Queen that soon after the King died?" d'Artagnan asked with a hint of reproach.

"How long was it that you wanted Constance to wait after Bonacieux died? How badly did you want to be with her after you returned from war? After all those years apart?" Aramis countered.

D'Artagnan raised his hands up in surrender. "So the council isn't aware of this yet I gather?"

"She hasn't even had it confirmed by a physician yet. No, you and Constance are the only ones who know. We wanted to be prepared before word starts to get out. That's why we didn't tell you and Constance together; we have to keep our distance, but publicly."

MMMMMMMMMM

At the sight of Constance, Anne dismissed her ladies from her bedside. Her friend looked worried at the sight of her still in bed, but said nothing as she let the women take their leave.

"Constance, the doors please."

Closing the doors, Constance then approached Anne. "Your Majesty, are you unwell?"

Anne waited for her to take a seat on the edge of the bed. "Oh Constance, I've been so foolish."

"Why? What is it? What's happened?"

"The herbs, I added them to my chocolate the night you gave them to me, and, well, it was wonderful to be with Aramis without having to worry, without having to remember to stop before…" Anne trailed off and thankfully a nod from Constance told her she understood what she meant. "But that's it. I didn't remember. Aramis was nearly killed the next day and I didn't remember to take any more. And now…"

"You're with child," Constance concluded.

"I believe so," Anne confirmed softly, looking down as she rested a hand on her stomach. "I've spent my whole life thinking about my duty to bear children; learning how often to sleep with my husband, what foods to eat, and what lakes to swim in to increase my chances of providing heirs and maybe a few daughters to make alliances with, not preventing me from having them." Taking a deep breath, she then continued, "Once I did remember, I didn't think it mattered. Aramis was still recovering and we had only slept together a few times before then. It had only taken one night the first time, but what were the chances of it happening so easily again?"

"Does Aramis know yet?"

Anne nodded. As much as she had wanted to put off hurting him, she had been resolute that he be the first to know this time. "I had to tell him even though I'm not sure. The sooner we act, the more likely everyone will believe this is my husband's child. That's what this is all for," she said, briefly lifting her hands to gesture at her bedridden self. "And if I'm wrong, if I'm not with child after all, then I'll simply say it was a passing illness or that I lost it. That would be even easier for them to believe."

"Is that why Aramis made a big show of coming down the stairs to greet us before sending me off to see you? So as not to raise suspicion that the child is his?"

"Yes, I suspect he'll be spending a lot of time with d'Artagnan in the coming days." Looking away from Constance, she bowed her head. "I'm sure he's glad to have a reason to avoid me, to avoid having to hide how disappointed he is with me," she quietly admitted.

"Nonsense," said Constance, quickly refuting the statement. "You couldn't have known all of this would happen. And I'm sure he wishes he was with you right now, ordering you soup and, I don't know, wrapping you up in blankets or making sure your pillows are properly fluffed. If that man is bad at anything, it's hiding how much he worries about you and the King." Constance leaned closer to her. "Don't you remember how he nearly blew his cover at Emilie's camp when you were threatened? How he tried to get Marmion to let the Dauphin and us women go, and got himself shoved out a window for it?" Taking her hand, Constance waited for Anne to meet her eyes. "Trust me, Majesty, the hard part will be keeping him away."

MMMMMMMMM

Now that the d'Artagnans were aware of what was going on, there was one more person to talk to before Anne raised her suspicions to Doctor Delorme, and this time, she thought it best to be straightforward.

"I am with child."

She thought she might have caught the slightest twitch of Milady's eyebrows, otherwise the woman only stared at her for several seconds before blinking. "I know a woman, I will see if she's still in Paris, but rest assured, Majesty, I'll get you what you need as soon as possible."

Anne's own eyebrows knitted together. "What do you mean?"

"Surely you can't risk suspicion that the King is also Aramis' son, and I doubt a prolonged absence from court to have the child in secret would go over well either."

Anne lowered her gaze, understanding her meaning. If this had happened later on, she would have had to consider that option, and it made her wonder how or why Milady knew such a woman, but those were questions for another time.

"I carry my late husband's child," Anne corrected her. Looking straight into Milady's eyes, she further clarified, "As I will explain to the council, we were together before he passed."

Raising her chin slightly as understanding washed over her features, Milady then bowed her head. "Of course. Forgive me, Your Majesty, I did not realize how far along you are," she said, easily going along with the change in direction. "What do you need of me then?"

"I need you to spread the word. I will not make a public announcement until the child quickens as is tradition, but I want the people to be aware of my condition sooner. I want to be in control of the gossip." The people did not know the truth about her and Aramis' relationship as Milady did, but Anne did not want to rely on their ignorance and the assumptions they might come up with on their own.

"I see. Well then, I would advise keeping things simple and vague, but is there anything specific you would like me to include?"

"Our grain of truth is that the King visited my apartments in the weeks before his death and we reconciled. Servants can attest to leaving us alone. Build on that. Embellish it. Make it romantic. He knew he was dying and so we started trying for another child, a new heir for France. He named Tréville regent so that I could focus on our children. Something like that." Something to make it sound like he loved her.

"As you wish, but may I suggest something?" said Milady, and after Anne nodded, she continued, "If you don't want anyone to suspect that Aramis is the father, then allow me to start spending some time with him."

"You mean to make everyone think he is sleeping with you and not me?"

"Indeed." She crossed her arms in front of her. "Believe me, I have no intention of stealing your lover from you. All it would take is me being seen entering or leaving his rooms, perhaps a few tokens of affection, and they'll be calling me a-well, names, in no time."

As uneasy as the thought initially made her, she had to admit that it did sound like a good plan the more she considered it. "You would do this for us?" she asked. She supposed the woman might seek an increase in pay for this, but still, to volunteer to put herself out there and sacrifice what remained of her reputation for a fake relationship was no easy thing, at least not to Anne.

"I wish you all to keep your heads on your shoulders."

MMMMMMMMMM

"It's actually quite a good idea," Aramis conceded while he got into bed that night. His immediate reaction had been aversion, but Anne was quick to explain how they could pull off the illusion, and, well, since it was coming from her, she clearly already approved of and trusted Milady's intentions. "So far she hasn't been seen with you, but if she's ever caught sneaking around the palace, they'll think she's here for me and not on your orders."

Anne leaned up on her pillows and rested her head against her hand. "And I suppose you do have a reputation to uphold."

Aramis snorted. "I think my time as a monk shot some holes in that."

"What, were you planning on keeping your vow of celibacy?"

He chuckled even louder at that. "I think it's a bit late for that, don't you?" Turning onto his side to fully face her, he brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. "You have always superseded my vows," he said earnestly. "And I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe."

MMMMMMMMMM

"What's all this?" d'Artagnan questioned as he and Constance reached the top of the stairs and saw the small crowd of people standing at the end of the hallway leading to Aramis' quarters.

"Her Majesty has been feeling unwell as of late, a minor cold most likely," they heard Aramis announce, and Constance had to stifle a laugh, knowing full-well that what ailed the Queen was no minor cold. "Come back later and I'll have found out whether she'll be up to receiving anyone today."

As the crowd of murmuring courtiers made their way to the stairs, Constance and d'Artagnan stepped aside to let them pass, and caught the odd comment as they went by.

"Shooing us away to return to his bed most likely," one said with a shake of his head.

"Couldn't look in a mirror before coming out?" said another.

Constance chuckled softly, and exchanged an incredulous look with d'Artagnan. That didn't sound like Aramis. What did the first comment mean though? Did he look like he just rolled out of bed? His hair always looked somewhat of a mess, albeit an artfully disheveled mess that many women found dashing-or so she'd heard.

"Look!" someone whispered sharply, bringing the crowd to a halt.

Turning their heads in the indicated direction, Constance saw a dark-haired woman with her back to them, walking in the opposite direction of the courtiers.

"Is that...?" d'Artagnan wondered beside her.

Before going down another hallway, the woman turned and Constance watched as Milady de Winter put her fingers to her bright red lips and blew a kiss in the direction of...in the direction of Aramis. And now that the crowd had cleared, not only could she see him blow a kiss in return, but she could see that his hair did look more ruffled than usual and he had...he had a pair of bright red lips stamped right in the middle of his cheek.

Her feet moved on their own accord, swiftly going after Aramis' now-retreating figure.

"How could you!" she called out as she caught up to him just outside his office. How could he do this to Anne? Does pregnancy make her less desirable? Is she too busy, too tired to fulfill his needs?

Aramis whirled around, his eyes widening at the sight of her. "Constance, wait-" but before he could say anymore, Constance punched him square in the face.

"Constance!" she heard d'Artagnan shout behind her as she clutched her throbbing hand.

Ignoring him, as well as the pain, she began to berate Aramis as he straightened, a hand covering his face where she hit him, though she had already caught sight of his own red-stained mouth and could even now see the outline of lips that marked his neck and, oh God, even the patch of skin where his shirt opened was not unmarked. It made her want to punch him again, or perhaps kick him where it mattered. "I ought to tie you down and-"

"Get in!" Aramis pleaded from behind his hand. Grabbing her by the elbow with the other, he practically dragged her into his office just as Anne came through the doors connecting to Aramis' bedroom. She was wearing just a robe over her chemise and her hair was down.

"What...?" Anne asked, looking slightly alarmed. She held up a white cloth in her hand and it had a red smear on it, the same colour as the lips that stamped Aramis's face and neck...the same colour that still partially remained on Anne's own lips.

Constance heard the office door close behind her before d'Artagnan spoke up, "Can someone please explain what's going on."

Aramis groaned in pain. "You broke my nose!"

Whipping her head around, she saw Aramis with his head thrown back, fishing his handkerchief out of his pocket. Pulling his hand away from his face, she saw the blood on it, and the streams coming from his nostrils and spreading into his reddening mustache.

Anne immediately went to him, offering the cloth in her hand and guiding him to a chair d'Artagnan quickly pulled over.

"Constance, there's a basin of water in his bedroom, could you fetch it?"

Snapping out of her stupor, Constance unrooted her feet from the ground to fulfill Anne's request. Minutes later, once the bleeding had stopped and Aramis was somewhat cleaned up, Anne and d'Artagnan stood on either side of the small mirror Aramis held up to examine his nose.

"Nothing looks out of place," said d'Artagnan. "I don't think it's actually broken, or at least, not badly."

Anne hummed in agreement. "Still straight, though I do believe it's started to swell."

Letting the hand holding the mirror drop to his lap, Aramis closed his eyes and sighed but Constance couldn't tell whether it was out of relief or discomfort. When he opened his eyes again, they slid over to her.

"How's your hand?" he asked.

Constance shook her head. "It's fine," she answered, flexing her fingers. Her hand was aching but she felt too guilty to say so. "Surprising considering how thick your head is." The corner of his mouth lifted in a half smile and it made her relax some. "I am so sorry Aramis," she began, turning serious. "I shouldn't have thought-"

Aramis put up a hand to stop her before accepting the wet cloth d'Artagnan offered him. "You thought exactly what we want people to think. And if we fooled you, we can fool anyone," he told her, and then placed the cloth on his nose.

Anne smiled at her sympathetically. "We were going to tell you our plan, that's why we summoned you both, only you arrived earlier than expected."

"To be fair, Majesty, I think your thoroughness in the, um, application of certain cosmetic touches took longer than expected as well," Aramis added with a suggestive lift of his eyebrows, to which Anne glanced over to the bright red stain of rouge that peeked out from the opening in his shirt, a faint blush then creeping up her neck as she avoided the eyes of the room's other occupants.

Once she had taken a breath and composed herself, Anne looked to Constance. "It warms my heart to know you would defend my honour so fiercely, Constance, but I'm afraid we'll have to come up with a different excuse for Aramis' injury."

Aramis softly groaned. "I'll be needing your powders then, Majesty."

"To cover up the bruising?"

"Mhm, and then d'Artagnan can re-break my nose."

MMMMMMMMMM

Using the secret passage, Anne returned to her room and called for her ladies, who were doing their embroidery on the other side of the doors. She announced that she felt well enough for a walk out in the gardens and wished to be dressed.

Constance was admitted once they were nearly done. "Your Majesty," she curtsied. "D'Artagnan and I have just been with Aramis. He said you were still unwell?"

"I am, but I'm feeling well enough for a walk outside now. Would you join me?"

"Of course. If I may, I'll just run and let d'Artagnan know and join you out there."

"Is he still with Aramis?"

"Yes."

"Then we can stop by his office on our way out," Anne decided, "deliver the message myself that I'm feeling better."

They made their way to Aramis' office, with Anne's two ladies in tow. When they turned the corner at the final corridor, Anne asked in a clear voice how work on the garrison was progressing, knowing that Aramis and d'Artagnan were listening for a sign of their approach. Sure enough, a clatter was soon heard, a chair being knocked over, she supposed, and she brought her entourage to a stop.

"She was the King's mistress!" came d'Artagnan's voice from inside the office.

"A noble, courageous woman who helped save the King's life on more than one occasion as I recall," countered Aramis in a raised voice. "Now I must ask you to leave, d'Artagnan, I really don't have time for this."

Footsteps sounded and d'Artagnan stepped out of the room before swiftly turning around. "You know she's only interested in you because of your position!"

Aramis appeared, leaning his forearm against the doorway, effectively blocking his nose from view. "And who I decide to sleep with is really none of your concern. Just because you couldn't keep her in your bed doesn't mean I can't enjoy her comp-" Aramis was unable to finish his sentence though as d'Artagnan had pulled his arm back and punched him in the face, or at least that's what it looked like from their obscured view.

Anne and her ladies gasped and Constance called out her husband's name as Aramis stumbled backwards into his office.

"Enough!" Anne commanded. "What is the meaning of this!"

"Your Majesty!" d'Artagnan exclaimed. He looked back and forth between her and Aramis's office before hastily going into a deep bow. "Forgive me, I didn't know you were there, I-"

Anne cut him off: "I think we've all heard quite enough, Captain, and I believe it's your wife you owe an apology to, fighting over a woman in front of her."

D'Artagnan remained bent over in half and staring at the floor. "Yes, Your Majesty." He peeked up at his wife. "Constance-"

"Not now," said Constance.

"Is the First Minister all right?" Anne asked, feigning impatience.

"I'm fine, Your Majesty, though I warn you my nose is bleeding," called out Aramis. Straightening out of his bow, d'Artagnan stepped aside and Aramis came out into the corridor holding the bloodstained cloth to his nose.

"This is most disappointing, messieurs. I expect better from men of your positions, especially from two of Tréville's musketeers."

With the cloth still held to his nose and his head tilted back, Aramis went down on one knee, though he attempted a quick bow of his head nonetheless. "My most humble apologies, Majesty," said Aramis.

"I took a great risk in naming you First Minister, but I can easily un-name you. You as well, Captain," she said, looking between them. "My son, the King, has lost his father, he looks to the men around him to learn from, and I will not tolerate such behavior being exhibited anywhere near him. Now go and get yourself cleaned up, Minister, and make sure your private affairs stay private; I will not have my son's court turned into a laughingstock." Anne turned on her heel then, and her open-mouthed ladies quickly tore their eyes from the scene and lowered their heads in deference. She would dismiss them early tonight, and give them plenty of time to do their gossiping.

MMMMMMMMMM

He had to think of this as any other mission. He had to stay calm, collected, and prepared for anything once those doors opened.

He and all the council members had been waiting for at least a quarter of an hour for her now, but that was the plan for this morning; they all had to see him there, and she would come directly from her apartments to the meeting, with or without Doctor Delorme in tow. There would be no chance for her to go off and see Aramis or pass along any message and tell him the results of the examination.

There was little doubt in his mind that Anne wasn't pregnant, but this would make it official, no going back and figuring out a different plan. And if she came through those doors alone? He wasn't sure if he would actually be relieved.

Aramis and those men who could still hear well perked their heads up at the sound of approaching footsteps, and he restrained himself from turning around to stare at the doors. Soon they were opening though, and the other men began to rise from their seats, indicating that Anne had finally arrived.

"My apologies," he heard Anne say as he stood. He turned around then, and saw her, but she would not look at him...and following a few steps behind her was Delorme. With his back to the other council members, and all eyes on Anne, he let out the breath he was holding, and then steeled himself to react to the news.

"I've just been with Doctor Delorme and have an announcement to make," Anne continued, and looked expectantly at Delorme. "Doctor," she prompted.

Delorme bowed his silver-haired head at Anne before looking to the rest of the council. "I have just attended to the Queen Regent and, after conducting an examination, can confirm that Her Majesty is with child."

Faint noises of surprise rippled along the table.

Aramis finally allowed his lips to curve into a soft smile and looked to the others to say something, but when none of them did, he turned back to Anne. "Your Majesty, what joyous news, congratulations," he said, and then led the room into applause; the role reversal with the late King and the Cardinal not escaping his notice.

Once the applause died down, Magistrate Bellavoix spoke up. "Joyous news, indeed, Your Majesty, especially given the recent losses to the House of Bourbon."

Aramis shifted on his feet and willed his smile from wavering at the possible suspicion in the statement.

Anne didn't bat an eyelash though. "It is truly a blessing," she said. "My beloved husband had hoped to fight off the disease long enough to see the line of succession secured but alas," she paused, bowing her head and placing her hands over her stomach, "God giveth, and God taketh."

They all followed suit and solemnly bowed their heads in remembrance of the late king.

"I intend to continue to perform my duties to the best of my abilities and up until my confinement," Anne began once Delorme was dismissed and they were all sitting, "but my health and that of the child is of the utmost importance. I hope you will all understand if I need to cut back on my appearances and allocate some of my responsibilities elsewhere."

"Of course, whatever Your Majesty needs. We all-" Aramis looked down the table "-live to serve you and your son, the King."

"Perhaps this was part of the reason Tréville was named regent; in hope that you would be with child," said Bellavoix.

"I think it was," Anne replied. "After so many years of disappointment but for the birth of the Dauphin, I am ashamed to admit I did not think we would be so blessed again. I did not have his faith. In those last several months, he had turned to God; going on pilgrimages and granting such favor and forgiveness unto his brothers. He had faith that this gift would be bestowed upon France, and saw to prepare for it."

Now Aramis found himself having to suppress his smile as the men around the table nodded, and murmured praise and blessings upon the late king. Milady's gossip had reached at least one member of the council, and Anne had them all eating out of the palm of her hand. Watching her carry this out with such poise made him sit straighter, made him want to match her level of ease and confidence.

"With that being said, I cannot forget or deny my past," she continued, briefly lowering her gaze, "and I ask that my condition not be brought up to the King until the child quickens. His Majesty has experienced such loss over the past few months and I don't want to get his hopes up yet."

"As Your Majesty wishes," Aramis declared, and the rest of the council nodded in agreement.

"I have hope though, that the child should quicken sometime before the end of the year and a public announcement can be made on either Christmas or New Years Day," said Anne, deftly slipping in a reference to how far along she was. Sure enough, he could see some of the ministers mentally calculating the numbers to figure out when the child had been conceived. "It would give the people such joy and hope going into the new year," she added, and then smoothly moved the discussion onto the harvest and winter supplies, forcing everyone, including themselves, to think about something else, at least for a little while.

MMMMMMMMMM

That evening, Anne sent one of her ladies to Aramis with a message that she would be forgoing their small council meeting and retiring early. She would spare the both of them what would surely be an awkward meeting where they would have to sit apart and refrain from discussing the baby beyond further congratulations and inquiries about her health, to refrain from discussing how relieved they were. The council knew now. They had cleared the first hurdle.

A baby. She was going to have another baby. With Aramis. Despite knowing for weeks now and having it confirmed, she could hardly believe it. So many years spent trying to have a child with Louis, enduring the false hope and inevitable disappointment month after month, and then for it to happen without even thinking, and this time while even trying to prevent it. She thought back to what Aramis had said when she told him she was pregnant again. Meant to be. All this time, she was just waiting for Aramis.

After peeking her head into Louis' room to make sure he was asleep, she made her way through the secret passage to Aramis' rooms. Stepping into his office, she found it empty, and so she walked over to his bedroom where she saw him kneeling at his prie dieu, praying.

She stood there in the doorway, not wanting to disturb him. She knew this situation would be the hardest on him, to be by her side as she grew big with their child yet have to deny paternity, to deny his family. But he would always be a soldier, both in spirit and in practice, for he knew she was there, and when he pushed off the prie dieu he greeted her with the brightest smile.

"You were incredible," he told her as he gathered her up in his arms, hugging her tightly. "You convinced them all."

"I had to protect my family," she simply answered, pulling away to look into his eyes. Her lips stretched into a smile. "Our family."

He matched her smile with his own and then leaned in to kiss her. She went to deepen the kiss, but in her eagerness pressed against his bruised nose, eliciting a soft grunt from him.

She broke away, cringing slightly as she raised her hands towards his face. "Sorry, sorry."

"I'm fine," he assured her, briefly touching his fingers to his nostrils, "it's just a bit sore."

Sighing, she rested her hands on his chest and shook her head. "What a pair we are. You're the walking wounded and I'm a pregnant widow."

He laughed and brought her closer, pressing his cheek against her hair as he stood there holding her.

"Tell me again," he said after a short while.

"Tell you what?" she murmured into his chest.

He went and sat on the end of the bed. "Pretend that you haven't told me yet, about the baby."

She gave him a puzzled look and then shook her head. "All right." She fiddled with her hands a few times before looking up at him. "Ready?"

He nodded. "There was something you wanted to tell me, Ana?"

"Yes, I-" walking up to him, she took his hands in hers, and looked into his eyes. "I'm pregnant."

Blinking, his lips slowly curved into a smile. "Really?"

She nodded. "The doctor confirmed it this afternoon."

He brought a hand up to cup her face and grinned as a soft laugh escaped him. "That's wonderful." Jumping to his feet, he enveloped her in another hug. "That's wonderful," he repeated, and began peppering her face with kisses as the joy she had been keeping buried inside her bubbled up and turned into laughter.

MMMMMMMMMM

"I can understand it towards the end when the baby is nearing the size of a melon and pressing on things," she said a few weeks later, walking back to the bed, "but I've never understood having to relieve myself a dozen times a day at this stage."

Anne stopped in the middle of a sunbeam to kick off her slippers, and the morning light illuminated her silhouette beneath the white fabric of her chemise, revealing the slight curve to her stomach.

"Don't move," he told her, sounding more urgent than intended.

She froze. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, just…" Crawling over to her, he sat back on his heels, and with one hand gathered a fistful of her chemise at the back and pulled it taut. "You're showing." He grinned and brought his other hand up to cup her belly.

He glanced up to her face and their eyes met before she looked back down. She laid one hand on his shoulder and then with the other touched the top of her belly with the tips of her fingers. In a straight line she traced them down to where his hand still cupped the small swell. "I suppose I am." She gave a sweet, almost bashful smile, and then covered his hand with hers.

Raising himself up, he met her halfway for a kiss. And after pulling her back into bed, laid his head in her lap while she sat back against the headboard.

"I'll have to tell Porthos and Athos about the baby," he said while she ran her fingers through his hair, her other hand resting on her stomach. "I don't want to keep this a secret from them, but it's not something I can put in a letter. I'll have to go to them, though I don't know if I'll come back in one piece."

Anne's hand stilled and he looked up to see her pouting.

"Porthos may want to castrate me," he explained. "Athos is in no position to tell me off since he's the one who set this up-not to mention he has his own little surprise on the way-but he might volunteer to hold me down."

"Don't worry, my love, I wouldn't let them do such a thing," she assured him.

"Could you put that in a missive for me to show them?"

"No need, I'll be there to tell them myself."

Turning over, he leaned up on his arm. "You'd want to come?"

"This is our baby and I want to tell the rest of our friends together. I'd also like to see how they're doing in their new lives. Louis can come too. It can be a little tour, a chance for the people to see their new king."

"Will you be well enough for such a journey?"

"The tiredness and the nausea should hopefully abate soon, and I won't be uncomfortably large yet so it should be fine...so long as you're all right waiting another month or so to see them."

"If it means you and Louis can come with me," Aramis shrugged his shoulders, "then I can wait." It would mean having to bring attendants and guards, and making stops in various cities or estates, but he assumed they would be able to leave that all behind when they visited Athos at least, and both Porthos and Athos were in the same direction as Douai...

Laying his head back on her lap, they laid there and discussed the possible tour for a while longer until Anne had to leave and return to her own bed.

With a turn of his head, he placed a quick kiss on her belly before pushing himself up and moving to sit back against the headboard to watch her go.

"Ana?"

"Yes?" she responded, stopping in the doorway.

"One more look?"

Smiling, she turned sideways and cradled her tiny bump.

MMMMMMMMMM

After the council meeting, Aramis and d'Artagnan walked back to his office together to further discuss the small tour Anne had proposed.

"She started showing, did you see?" Aramis asked once he closed the door behind them. He half-heartedly tried to mask the excitement in his voice.

"Is she?" D'Artagnan frowned and shook his head. "No, I didn't notice."

"No?" Sitting down behind his desk, he leaned back in his chair. "I suppose it's harder to tell with all the layers she wears."

D'Artagnan crossed his arms. "Yes, well, I'm very happy for you both, but do be careful about letting on how you've seen Her Majesty, um, without so many layers."

Historical background/inspiration:

-"In the latter part of September 1643, Anne fell ill...jaundice brought on by the vexations she had endured for the past several months, said the courtiers. Rumor had it that it was nothing of the kind, however, and that the queen was pregnant by Mazarin. It could hardly have been true jaundice, for she was recovered by the end of the month, but neither did she turn out to be pregnant. At the relevant time, Mazarin himself set down in his current notebook the cryptic phrase 'jaundice from excess of love'" -Ruth Kleinman, Anne of Austira