Chapter 38: The Perfect Stranger
Xena stirred in Ares' arms, her back stiff and sore from the awkward position she had slept in. She let out a soft moan, prompting Ares to wake up beside her.
"Are you okay, love?" Ares asked.
"My back is just so stiff," Xena explained. Ares could hear her discomfort in her voice.
"It's getting harder to find a comfortable position these days." Understanding her struggle, Ares gently helped her adjust into a more comfortable position.
"Just a little longer, and our little one will be here," Ares reassured her, placing a comforting hand on her belly. The delicious aroma of breakfast cooking soon filled the air, drawing their attention downstairs to the kitchen where Ashley was busy fixing their plates.
"Morning, sleepyheads," Ashley greeted them with a smile as they entered the kitchen.
"Morning, Ashley," Ares replied with a grin.
"Thanks for breakfast." As they sat down to eat, Ares mentioned his plans to return to work to train the new girl, Amber.
"I'll make sure everything's taken care of here," Ashley assured him.
"Xena's in good hands." Xena nodded, grateful for Ashley's support.
"Just be sure to call Ares if anything comes up," she added. Ashley nodded in understanding.
"Don't worry, Xena. I've got it covered."
As Ares left for work, leaving Xena and Ashley to finish their breakfast, the morning was soon interrupted by the arrival of a delivery. The sound of the doorbell rang through the house, prompting Ashley to answer it with her usual warmth and grace.
When she saw the bundle of large boxes being delivered, Ashley knew they contained the items they had ordered for the baby.
"Excuse me, sir," Ashley said sweetly to the delivery driver, stopping him before he could leave.
"Would you mind bringing these boxes inside for us? Our owner is heavily pregnant, and it would be such a great help if you could assist." The delivery driver scratched his head, looking uncertain.
"I really shouldn't. I've got a tight schedule today." She moved closer, her hand gently caressing his cheek.
"And we really need a nice... strong... man like yourself to help us out here." The driver hesitated, glancing at the towering stack of boxes.
"Well, I guess I could make an exception this time. But just this once."
"Thank you so much!" Ashley beamed, giving his arm a grateful squeeze.
"You're truly a gentleman." With a nod, the driver followed Ashley inside, ready to lend a hand.
With a smile, Ashley led the driver to the baby's room, pointing out where each box should go.
"Thank you so much for your help. You're a lifesaver," she said, expressing her gratitude.
"No problem at all. Glad I could help out," the driver replied, setting down the last box carefully.
"Take care now."
Once the driver had left, Ashley turned to Xena with a triumphant grin.
"See? Easy peasy. Now we've got everything we need for the baby's arrival." Xena nodded, grateful for Ashley's resourcefulness.
"Thank you for handling that. I don't know what I would do without you."
"Xena, do you know where we keep all of our tools?" Ashley inquired, a hint of excitement in her voice. Xena looked up from her seat on the couch, a small smile forming on her lips.
"Yeah, we have a toolbox in the garage. It should be on the shelf by the door."
"Perfect! I'll go grab it," Ashley exclaimed, eager to get started.
As Ashley disappeared into the garage, Xena leaned back against the cushions, contemplating the day ahead. Soon enough, Ashley returned with the toolbox in hand.
"Got it!" Ashley exclaimed, setting the toolbox down by the stairs before hurrying back inside.
Xena watched her go, grateful for the help but also wondering what had sparked Ashley's sudden interest in their tools. Nevertheless, she appreciated the assistance as she prepared for the tasks that lay ahead.
Before heading upstairs, Ashley paused to ask Xena about lunch.
"What time would you like your lunch, Xena?"
"Noon works for me, thank you," Xena replied, sipping from the cold water bottle Ashley had placed in front of her.
Upstairs, Ashley got busy putting the crib together and setting up the baby's room. After a few hours, she came back down to make lunch, whipping up a fresh chicken Caesar salad.
"So, Xena," Ashley started, trying to strike up a conversation, "how did you and Ares meet?"
Xena smiled softly, taking a bite of her salad.
"Oh, he sort of just popped up one day." Ashley raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Popped up?"
"Yeah," Xena confirmed with a nod.
"Like out of nowhere. But it feels like I've known him forever." Ashley nodded, processing the information.
"And how long have you two been married?"
"Almost three months now," Xena replied, smiling at the thought.
"But it feels like a lifetime." Ashley hesitated for a moment before speaking again.
"I hope you don't mind me saying, but Ares is quite... noticeable." Xena smiled tenderly, waving off any concern.
"Oh, not at all. Trust me, most women are attracted to him." She took another forkful of salad and added with a smirk,
"And I can't blame them" Ashley laughed, relieved at Xena's response.
"Well, he is hot," she admitted. Xena grinned, agreeing wholeheartedly.
"Very." They shared a laugh, enjoying the light-hearted moment as they continued to eat.
"So, Xena," Ashley ventured after a moment of hesitation, "do you love him?" Xena's smile softened as she considered the question.
"Yes, I do. With all my heart." Ashley nodded, pleased with the answer.
"That's wonderful to hear." Xena then decided to shift the focus back to Ashley.
"And what about you, Ashley? What are your hobbies? Any talents you'd like to share?" Ashley's eyes lit up with enthusiasm at the opportunity to talk about herself.
"Oh, I love photography."
"And I play the guitar, though I'm still learning."
"I've just had an idea," Xena said thoughtfully,
"Would you be interested in taking the baby's newborn photos?" Ashley's eyes widened with excitement at the offer.
"Oh, wow! I would absolutely love to!" she exclaimed, unable to contain her enthusiasm. Xena smiled warmly at her reaction.
"Thank you so much for the opportunity, Xena. It would be an honor." Their conversations flowed effortlessly as they continued to enjoy their lunch together, bonding over shared interests and getting to know each other better.
Once lunch was over, Ashley checked in with Xena.
"Is there anything else you need, Xena? Bathroom breaks or anything?" Xena shook her head.
"No, I'm good for now. I can actually handle the bathroom breaks on my own. The restroom is just a few feet from here. Thanks, Ashley." Ashley went back upstairs, leaving Xena to wonder what she was doing. Then, a text from Ares popped up on Xena's phone, checking on her and asking about Ashley.
How's everything going on your end, Xe? Xena smiled at his response.
It's going okay. Ashley's been a big help today. She even sweet-talked the delivery guy into bringing all those heavy boxes inside. Oh, and she fixed a delicious chicken Caesar salad for lunch. But she's been upstairs doing something for a while now, and she won't tell me what. There was a brief pause before Ares replied,
Hmm, okay, I'll find out when I get home. Thanks for letting me know, Xena. Love you.
Love you too, Ares.
~XA~
As Ashley busied herself in the kitchen preparing dinner, Xena still wondered what she had been doing all this time. However, she decided not to pry, assuming Ashley was still settling in. Just as the savory aroma of dinner filled the air, Ares walked through the front door. His eyes immediately found Xena, and with a warm smile, he made his way over to her, pressing a tender kiss on her lips, savoring the taste of her. Ashley continued cooking while she watched the affectionate exchange between them.
Once they all settled around the dinner table, Xena discussed the topic of her morning routine, expressing her desire to spend time in the garden each day and needing Ashley's help. Ares=directed his attention to Ashley, inquiring about her activities upstairs.
"So, Ashley, what have you been up to upstairs? Care to enlighten us?" Ashley paused, a hint of mischief dancing in her eyes as she replied,
"Well, I've been working on a little surprise. If you're interested, I could show you both." Ares raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the prospect of a surprise.
"Well, I certainly wouldn't say no to that. Lead the way," he said with a grin, gesturing for Ashley to go ahead. Ashley noticed a smudge on Ares' face. Without hesitation, she approached him and gently wiped it away with the back of her hand.
However, instead of stopping at his cheek, she continued the motion, trailing her hand up to his hairline and then back to herself. Neither Xena nor Ares thought much of the gesture, assuming it was simply a friendly act.
Ares helped Xena upstairs. He had her wrapped in a protective embrace.
"You doing okay, love?"
"Yeah, just a bit tired," Xena replied, leaning into him for support.
"I'm here for you, always," Ares reassured her, his words echoing in the quiet hallway. She knew, without a doubt, that he would always be there to catch her if she were to fall.
Ashley led Ares and Xena to the baby's room. With a gentle push, she opened the door, revealing the transformed space. Xena and Ares stood in shock. Their eyes widened with surprise at the sight before them.
"Oh, wow," Xena breathed, taking in the scene. Ares's jaw dropped slightly as he surveyed the room, amazed by Ashley's efforts.
"I-I don't know what to say," Ares stammered, struggling to find the right words.
"It's beautiful," Xena added, her voice filled with emotion. Ashley beamed with pride, pleased to see their reaction to her hard work.
"I wanted to make sure everything was ready for the little one's arrival," Ashley explained, her eyes shining with excitement. Xena and Ares exchanged a glance, their hearts full with gratitude for Ashley's thoughtfulness.
"Thank you, Ashley," Ares said.
"Yeah, thank you so much," Xena echoed, her smile warm and genuine. With a final glance around the room, they knew their baby would be well taken care of in Ashley's care.
As Ares and Xena made their way to their bedroom, peace settled over them, knowing that their baby's room was now ready and waiting for their little one's arrival.
"I can't believe how amazing Ashley is," Xena remarked, breaking the silence as they reached their bedroom door.
"Yeah, she really went above and beyond," Ares agreed.
Xena made her way to the dresser and suddenly winced, closing her legs tightly. Ares rushed to her side.
"Are you okay? What's wrong?" he asked urgently, his hands hovering over her. With a reassuring smile, Xena straightened up slowly, placing a hand on her belly.
"It's just the baby applying a lot of pressure down there at the moment," she explained, her voice calm despite the discomfort.
"I'm fine, really." Ares exhaled a relieved sigh.
"Let me help you," he offered, gently guiding her to the bed. Together, they carefully navigated the task of getting Xena changed for bed, Ares's touch gentle and attentive as he assisted his beloved wife. As Xena settled onto the bed, Ares tucked the covers around her, ensuring she was comfortable before joining her beside her, ready to offer whatever support she needed throughout the night.
