Chapter 37: The Interview
Ares and Xena sat side by side, laptops open, as they dove headfirst into the exciting world of online shopping for baby essentials. Ares squinted at the screen as if he were strategizing for battle.
"What exactly is the advantage of a '3-in-1 convertible crib'?" he asked, eyebrows raised.
"Can it transform into a battle chariot or something?" Xena laughed, shaking her head.
"No, it just turns into a toddler bed later. You know, for when our child grows up not to be a warrior." Ares scoffed playfully.
"We'll see about that." As they scrolled through endless listings of cribs, rocking chairs, and nursery decorations, Ares clicked on an ornate, dark wood crib that looked more like a royal throne than anything.
"Now this—this says power." Xena shot him a teasing look.
"This says 'baby overlord,' not 'newborn.'" They shared a laugh, imagining their child ruling over the nursery, tiny crown and all. Ares dramatically suggested battle-themed decor with tiny shields and swords, only to have Xena oppose it, in favor of something a little more... calming. Still, they were having fun—deciding on items for their soon-to-arrive bundle of joy.
"You know," Xena said, her hand resting on her belly, "if someone told me years ago I'd be doing this with the god of war, I'd have laughed in their face." Ares grinned.
"Life's funny like that."
~XA~
They went outside to relax by their backyard lake. Ares made sure Xena was settled in the comfiest chair he could find. It was so plush, it practically swallowed her whole.
"I'm pretty sure this chair will eat me before the baby arrives," she teased, adjusting herself. Ares snorted.
"I'm only sparing you from the war zone that is back pain." As they held hands, the breeze lightly swirled around them, and the lake sparkled under the late afternoon sun. The peace of the moment was every they had hoped for together. Xena absentmindedly reached for a snack—Ares had come prepared with an abundant amount of treats, naturally.
"You're going to be the world's most intense dad, aren't you?" she said, munching on a slice of apple. Ares smirked.
"What, you think I'll be handing out battle drills at age two?"
"With you? I wouldn't be surprised if our kid starts doing push-ups in the crib," Xena replied, grinning. They laughed together, feeling both the excitement of becoming parents and happiness. Xena leaned back, her fingers lightly tracing circles on her belly.
"You know, we're going to be that couple," she said.
"What couple?"
"The ones who start every conversation with, 'Well, the baby...'" Xena replied. Ares raised an eyebrow.
"I'm okay with that. As long as I get to occasionally throw in, 'Back in my day, I led armies into battle." Xena sighed shaking her head.
"As long as you leave me out the story, we have a deal." Ares kissed her cheek.
"Can't make any promises, sweet." She playfully smacked his arm.
~XA~
Xena sat at the kitchen table, typing up an ad for a nanny. Ares stood behind her, reading over her shoulder with his usual intense focus.
"Must be trustworthy, experienced... and not a spy from Athena," he added, a gleam in his eye. Xena shot him a look, half-amused, half-exasperated.
"Pretty sure I'm not putting that last part in the ad."
"I'm just saying, you never know." She laughed, shaking her head.
"We'll screen for 'no spies' during the interview process." With a satisfied nod, Ares leaned back.
"Good plan."
After finalizing the ad, Xena hit 'post,' and they both took a moment to imagine what it would be like to bring someone new into their tight-knit world.
"What if they try to baby-proof everything?" Ares asked, eyes widening dramatically.
"Well, they are supposed to." Ares crossed his arms, playfully
"But what if they try to bubble-wrap my sword collection?"
"Your sword collection? I'm more worried about them bubble-wrapping you," Xena teased, a smile dancing on her lips.
~XA~
The dining room was bathed in the soft glow of candles, the flickering flames reflecting off the elegant dinner setup. Ares had gone all out—fresh flowers, fine wine (non-alcoholic for Xena), and a meal fit for a queen. The moment Xena walked in, her eyebrows lifted in surprise.
"Ares, when did you become the romantic type? You have been surprising me lately and I'm...impressed."
"Let's just say I've learned a few things about priorities," Ares said, stepping behind her to pull out her chair.
"And right now, you're the only thing that matters."
Xena sat down, rolling her eyes slightly but clearly touched by the effort. The dinner was perfect—delicious food, playful conversation, and that ever-present connection they shared. As they talked about the baby, the future, and old war stories (because Ares couldn't resist), the atmosphere felt warm and intimate. Then, with a grin, Ares pulled out a small box from his pocket and slid it across the table. Xena raised an eyebrow.
"What's this?"
"Open it." Xena opened the box to reveal a delicate necklace—a simple yet beautiful pendant symbolizing their family. She smiled softly, her fingers tracing the charm.
"It's beautiful."
"Just a little reminder," Ares said, his voice tender. "Of what we're building together." They shared a look that said more than words ever could. Xena stood up and walked over to him, leaning down to kiss him softly.
"Thank you," she whispered.
~XA~
Xena laid back on the examination table, her hand resting gently on her belly. Ares stood by her side, his usually fierce gaze softened by the moment. His eyes were full of anticipation. The doctor placed the cold gel on her belly, sending a chill through her, and the monitor flickered to life.
Then it happened—the steady, rhythmic thump of their baby's heartbeat filled the room. Xena's face lit up instantly, and Ares' expression transformed from blank to pure joy.
"There it is," Ares muttered, his voice full of awe.
"Our little warrior's heartbeat." Xena smiled up at him, her eyes twinkling with the same joy.
"Sounds strong, doesn't it?" Ares grinned, puffing out his chest slightly.
"Of course. Look at the parents." The doctor laughed, nodding as he adjusted the monitor.
"Everything looks great. The baby's healthy and growing as expected," he reassured them. But then his tone turned more serious as he added,
"Xena, I still recommend continued bed rest for the remainder of the pregnancy. We want to avoid any unnecessary stress on your body." Xena sighed, already feeling the weight of her restlessness setting in.
"Bed rest," she muttered, glancing over at Ares with a small, wry smile.
"That's like telling a lion not to hunt." Ares laughed softly, nodding.
"It's torture, I know." The doctor held out his hand to help Xena off the examination table. But before she could reach for it, Ares quickly stepped in.
"I got her, Doc," he said smoothly, sliding his arm around Xena with a gentleness that always surprised her. His strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her up from the table as if she weighed nothing at all. Xena leaned into him,
"What would I do without you?"
"Let's not find out," Ares replied with a wink, his hand resting protectively on her lower back as they made their way out of the office.
~XA~
Xena laid back on their large, plush couch with a stack of pillows supporting her back as she scrolled through her tablet. She was looking into different birth plans, trying to find something that connected with her. Ares sat nearby, his eyes flicking back and forth between her and his own laptop, though he kept one ear open to anything she might say.
"Home birth," she mused aloud.
"What do you think about a home water birth?" Ares raised an eyebrow.
"Like... in a pool? In the living room?" Xena laughed, shaking her head.
"Not quite. But something like that. With a midwife. It's supposed to be calming and natural." Ares closed his laptop and leaned forward, his attention fully on her now.
"If that's what you want, I'm all for it." He reached for her hand, pulling it to his lips and kissing it softly.
"Xe, I want you to know that I'll never leave your side during the delivery. Not for a second." Her heart swelled with emotion at his words. She knew he meant it. There was no battle too dangerous, no situation too perilous for Ares to stand by her side. This was no different.
"Thank you," she whispered, squeezing his hand tightly.
"Knowing you'll be there with me... it means everything." Ares leaned towards her, his lips brushing hers in a tender kiss.
"I promised to stand by you through thick and thin," he muttered against her lips. "And I intend to keep that promise." Xena smiled softly, her heart warm and full.
"You know," she teased, leaning back with a smirk, "there's no sword fighting or ambushes in childbirth, right?" Ares grinned, unfazed.
"Please, I've fought centaurs and the Furies. How hard could this be?" Xena gave him an innocent look.
"Oh, you'll see."
~XA~
The next day, Gabrielle arrived for her visit. Xena greeted her with a warm smile, grateful for the company of her best friend. They settled into the cozy living room, where Xena shared the news.
"We've already received a lot of replies to our nanny ad and I've setup a few in home visits for a midwife as well." Gabrielle could see the excitement in her eyes.
"We're going to interview them all today and I would love if you could stay and help." Gabrielle nodded eagerly.
"Of course! I'm here to help with whatever you need, Xena." Xena smiled gratefully.
The first applicant arrived, a young woman in her early twenties. Ares greeted her warmly and escorted her to the dining table, where Xena and Gabrielle were already seated. Ares took a seat beside Xena.
"So, tell us a little about yourself," Xena asked gently. Maria smiled nervously, glancing between Ares and Xena.
"My name is Maria. I just graduated from college, and I'm passionate about childcare."
"That's great," Gabrielle said encouragingly.
"Do you have any experience with children or working in a home?"
"Yes," Maria replied eagerly.
"I've babysat for families in my neighborhood and helped care for my younger siblings. I'm comfortable with meal prep, light housekeeping, and helping where needed." Xena exchanged a quick look with Ares before asking,
"And what are you hoping to gain from this role?"
"I want to gain experience and be part of a loving, supportive family," Maria said, her smile growing. Xena and Gabrielle continued asking about her skills and availability. Despite her nerves, Maria's enthusiasm and willingness to contribute shone through. However, Xena couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
She noticed how Maria's gaze lingered a little too long on Ares, her cheeks flushing whenever he spoke. It was subtle, but enough to raise a red flag In Xena's mind. After the interview ended, Ares walked Maria to the door, thanking her for her time. Once she was gone, Xena turned to Gabrielle with a troubled expression on her face.
"What did you think?" Gabrielle asked, mirroring Xena's concern.
"I'm not sure," Xena replied honestly.
"She seemed qualified, but there was something about her demeanor. Did you notice how she reacted around Ares?" Gabrielle nodded thoughtfully.
"I did. It was a bit… flirtatious. I just don't know what you and all these other women see in him." She sighed, "Maybe we should keep looking." Xena blushed and nodded in agreement. She knew exactly what she saw in her overly handsome, cocky husband.
"Definitely."
They prepared to interview the next applicant, determined to find the right fit for their family without any unnecessary issues. Thirty minutes later, the doorbell rang again. A well-dressed lady in her mid-thirties, wearing high heels, stood at the entrance. Ares courteously escorted her to the interview table, where Xena and Gabrielle were waiting.
As they began the interview, the woman answered their questions with confidence and grace. However, as the conversation progressed, she handed them a list of demands. Xena frowned in disbelief as she scanned through the list. The list outlined tasks the applicant refused to do, including changing soiled diapers, cleaning toilets, washing dishes (she would only if a dishwasher was available), any form of lifting, and can-do laundry (with the condition that clothes must already be separated).
Xena exchanged glances with Ares and Gabrielle. It was clear that they were taken back by the audacity of the demands presented to them. Xena passed the list to both Ares and Gabrielle to review. The paper carried a strong scent of the applicant's perfume, which Xena found nauseating. Ares couldn't help but snicker at the situation, while Gabrielle remained silent, her expression reflecting her disbelief.
Politely, they escorted the applicant to the door, thanking her for her time. It was clear to all three of them that she was a hard pass, given the unreasonable demands she had presented.
The next applicant rang the doorbell, Ashley. As Gabrielle welcomed Ashley into the house, a soft breeze seemed to follow her, catching Xena's attention immediately. The breeze felt cool and refreshing as it seemed to hug Xena. Throughout the interview, Ashley seemed to hit all the right notes, confidently answering their questions and even sharing personal tales about herself. Xena couldn't help but be intrigued by her.
"So, Ashley, tell us about your experience in childcare," Xena asked.
"I've been a nanny for five years, working with children of various ages," Ashley replied warmly. "I focus on creating a nurturing environment for them to thrive."
Gabrielle nodded. "That sounds great. How do you handle emergencies?"
"I stay calm, assess the situation, and take action to ensure the kids' safety," Ashley said confidently. "I've managed quite a few situations successfully."
"That's good to hear. I'm on bed rest, so I'll need help with tasks throughout the day."
"Of course," Ashley said, nodding. "My priority will be your comfort and helping wherever needed."
Ares then asked, "If Xena went into labor while I wasn't home, what would you do?"
"I'd make sure she was safe and get her to the hospital as quickly as possible," Ashley assured him.
"And if she needed help during labor?" Xena added.
"I've been trained in basic medical care, including childbirth. I'd assist in any way to keep both of you safe," Ashley replied.
Ares nodded, satisfied. "Thank you. We appreciate that."
As they wrapped up, Xena smiled warmly. "Thank you for coming, Ashley."
"We'll be in touch." The interviews after Ashley's seemed to blur together for Xena. None of the applicants had the same spark of confidence and compassion that Ashley had displayed. As the last candidate left, Xena sighed, feeling disappointment settling in. Ares noticed her mood and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"You liked Ashley, didn't you?" he asked softly, already knowing the answer. Xena looked up at him with a smile, her eyes shining.
"Yes, I did. She just seemed… right, you know?" Ares nodded in agreement.
"I felt it too. Let's get in touch with her and see if she's available to start soon." Relief washed over Xena as she leaned into Ares' embrace.
"Thank you," she whispered, feeling grateful for his understanding and support.
"You know, I was thinking… one of the women we interviewed today might be a good fit for the front desk at the gym."
"That's a great idea," she agreed, feeling the weight of their responsibilities beginning to lift.
"It would be perfect to have someone reliable helping out there while we focus on getting ready for the baby." Ares nodded in agreement.
"I'll reach out to her and see if she's interested. With Ashley helping us at home and a new employee at the gym, we'll be in good hands." Xena smiled. With Ares by her side, she knew they could handle anything that came their way.
Xena settled on the couch as she waited for the midwife she asked to come visit. They had invited Gabrielle and Aphrodite to join them, knowing they would play important roles in the birth of their child and wanting their input on the decision.
As they waited for the midwife, Xena and Ares discussed their hopes and fears for the birth. Xena fidgeted nervously with her hands. Gabrielle smiled warmly, offering words of encouragement.
"I'm really excited for you both. It's going to be amazing." Aphrodite chimed in, her enthusiasm infectious.
"Totally! And I'll make sure everything is extra serene and peaceful." Before long, the midwife arrived, greeted by the expectant parents and their supportive family.
"Hello, everyone. Thank you for having me. Let's talk about what a home water birth entails." The midwife sat with Xena and Ares, answering their questions and offering insight into the home water birth process. With each response, their confidence grew, excitement bubbling up.
"I've read a lot about it," Xena began, "but how exactly do we set up the birthing pool?"
The midwife smiled. "We'll need a spacious, private area in your home. I'll help guide you through everything."
Ares chimed in. "And what about safety? Any risks?"
"For low-risk pregnancies like yours, home water births are safe," the midwife assured them. "I'll be there to monitor everything closely."
Gabrielle raised another question. "How do you manage pain in a water birth?"
"The water itself provides natural pain relief, but we'll also create a plan for other options, just in case," the midwife replied.
Xena exhaled, feeling reassured. "Thank you for explaining everything. I feel so much better now."
The midwife smiled warmly. "It's my pleasure. I can already feel the love here, and I'm honored to be part of your journey."
Xena, her eyes gleaming with determination, turned to the midwife. "We're ready to move forward with your services."
"That's wonderful," the midwife joyously replied. "I can't wait to help bring your baby into the world."
Ares placed a hand on Xena's shoulder, his pride shining through. "We're grateful to have you with us. Thank you for your guidance."
Gabrielle nodded. "We're here for you every step of the way," she said, and Aphrodite added with a grin,
"This is going to be an amazing experience. I can't wait to meet your little warrior!" Xena raised her eyebrow at Aphrodite teasingly.
~XA~
Ashley arrived at Ares and Xena's home with a warm smile. She had all of her belongings with her. Ares greeted her at the door and extended a welcoming hand.
"Welcome, Ashley. We're so glad to have you here," he said warmly. Xena, seated on the couch, smiled warmly as Ashley entered.
"Yes, welcome, Ashley. It's great to have you," she added, her voice filled with genuine warmth. Ashley returned their smiles.
"Thank you both so much for this opportunity. I'm excited to be here and to help out in any way I can," she replied sincerely. As Ashley settled into her new living quarters, Ares and Xena made sure she felt right at home. They showed her around the house, familiarizing her with her duties and responsibilities. Ashley expressed her eagerness to get started, and they could sense her genuine enthusiasm.
With Ashley's presence now a part of their household, Ares and Xena were relieved to know they had found someone trustworthy and capable of assisting them during this crucial time. They looked forward to the days ahead, knowing that with Ashley's help, they would be better prepared for the arrival of their baby.
