Chapter 42: The Welcome
Relief washed over Xena once she pulled up to Gabrielle's cottage. The familiar sight of the quaint cottage nestled among the trees brought a small measure of comfort, a sanctuary away from the turmoil that now plagued her life.
Gabrielle and Hercules stood waiting at the door, their expressions filled with concern as they helped Xena out of the car and guided her towards their welcoming embraces. Despite the weariness that weighed heavily upon her, Xena managed a weak smile of gratitude, her heart swelling with appreciation for their friendship.
With Hercules' strong arm supporting her, Xena made her way to her old bedroom. As she laid down, exhaustion engulfed her like a tidal wave, pulling her into the depths of sleep. Hercules lingered in the doorway, his eyes dark with anger as he watched Xena sleeping.
The pain inflicted upon her by Ares stirred a fury within him, an urge to seek revenge. If he had the Hinds Dagger in his possession at that moment, he wouldn't hesitate to drive it through Ares' heart. His rage burned with an intensity that threatened to consume him.
"Rest now, Xena," Hercules murmured softly.
"We'll take care of everything. You're safe here." With a final glance at Xena, Hercules stepped back from the doorway, his mind consumed with thoughts of vengeance and justice. As he walked to the living room, his anger grew, and he clenched his fists, ready to confront Ares and make him answer for the hurt he caused their close friend.
~XA~
A sudden pain pulled Xena out of her sleep, making her wake up with a start. She groaned, placing her hands on her belly as another contraction hit her.
"Oh no, baby, not now," Xena muttered, her voice shaky with both worry and determination. Her hands trembled as she grabbed her phone and set a timer to track her contractions. The hours dragged on in a blur of pain and exhaustion as Xena struggled through each wave alone. Realizing the birth was near, she texted her midwife, urgency in every word. The reply came quickly, but the midwife told her that she would take much longer to get to her since she was much further away now.
As another contraction hit her body, Xena rose from her bed with gritted teeth. When she stood up, she felt the warm water rush down her leg. She managed to make it out of her bedroom before another contraction took over her body. Gabrielle and Hercules raced to her side. Hercules reached her first, his strong arms scooping her up and carrying her back to the safety of her bed.
"Is it time?" he asked, his voice filled with worry.
"Yes," Xena replied, her breath coming in ragged gasps as another contraction gripped her. Gabrielle hurried to gather the necessary items for the delivery. Aphrodite materialized beside Xena, her presence a comforting presence amidst the chaos.
"Push, Xena, push!" Gabrielle's voice echoed through the room, urging Xena onward as she bore down with all her strength. Hercules positioned himself behind her, offering his support as she braved each wave of pain. Aphrodite paced nervously, biting her nails.
"You've got this, Xena," she muttered, her voice a soft whisper of encouragement. The baby began to slowly crown, and Xena felt her strength fading, her determination pushed to its breaking point. Despite the support surrounding her, somehow, she felt alone. Tears ran down her face while she leaned back into Hercules' arms for support.
"I can't do this anymore," she gasped, her voice strained with the effort. Hercules held her legs open, so she wouldn't use any extra strength doing so. His voice was a soothing murmur in her ear as he whispered words of encouragement.
"Yes, you can, Xena," he reassured her.
"You're stronger than you know. You've got this." With a deep breath, Xena summoned every ounce of determination within her, her muscles trembling with exertion as she prepared to push once more. A scream tore from her throat as she bore down with all her might, the baby's head inching closer with each agonizing second.
"Come on, Xena, you can do this!" Gabrielle's voice rang out, a beacon of encouragement in the midst of the storm. Her words gave Xena the strength to keep going. Xena pushed with all her might, hearing Gabrielle's voice steadying her through the hardest part.
"Xena, the head is out!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement and anticipation.
"The baby is loaded with curly black hair." With each passing second, the anticipation rose, and the room was filled with an electric energy that crackled in the air. Xena gritted her teeth against the pain, channeling every ounce of strength within her as she braced for the delivery. With one final push, she screamed out Ares' name. Suddenly, the room echoed with the joyous cry of new life.
"It's a boy, Xena, it's a boy!" Gabrielle exclaimed, her voice filled with joy as she gently placed the newborn onto Xena's chest.
Tears streamed down Xena's face, joy and sorrow mixing together as she cradled her son. She held him close, his tiny body warm and fragile against her. His soft cries filled the room, but for Xena, the sound was a symphony—one that both mended and shattered her heart at the same time. Her fingers stroked the delicate skin of his face, committing every inch of him to memory. But as she stared at her son and realized he was a mini version of her husband, her heart shattered. A raw emptiness tugged at her.
Ares wasn't there.
Their recent events plagued her mind. The thought of Ares not sharing in this moment, not seeing their child take his first breath, became too much to hold back. The knot burning in her throat threatened to be released. She had tried to be strong, but now, the dam broke. Sobs bubbled up from her chest, unstoppable, and she clutched her baby closer. Gabrielle's joy changed when she saw the pain in Xena's eyes. She knelt beside her friend, wrapping her arms around Xena's shoulders.
"Xena... you're not alone," she whispered, her own voice breaking.
"We're all here." Aphrodite, who had been silently watching with tears of her own, sat on the other side of the bed. She kneeled beside Gabrielle, placing a hand on Xena's back, offering comfort in the only way she could—just by being there.
"You know he would have been here if things were normal," Aphrodite said softly, her voice filled with tenderness.
"You know he loves you." Hercules wrapped his arms tighter around Xena.
"Xena, you're strong," he said quietly, "but you don't have to carry this pain alone. We're with you."
Surrounded by her closest friends, Xena allowed herself to fully break down. Gabrielle, Aphrodite, and Hercules held her tightly, creating a protective circle around Xena, shielding her from the depth of her pain. Together, they gave her the strength she needed when her own seemed to falter.
Although Hercules was comforting Xena, seeing her in this vulnerable state ignited a fury deep within him, far stronger than what he had felt the night before. His hatred for Ares, already well-established from years of conflict, swelled to the point of nearly boiling over. Ares had always been reckless, selfish, and thoughtless, but this—leaving Xena alone in one of her most fragile moments—was a new low. It felt like a personal betrayal, and Hercules couldn't shake the image of Xena's tears, her sobs cutting through him as he held her.
Hercules' jaw clenched, and his hand tightened its grip on Xena's shoulder, though he quickly softened his touch so she wouldn't feel his growing rage. His eyes darted toward the door, where part of him longed to storm through, hunt down his half-brother, and make him pay for the pain he had caused. His mind filled with visions of confronting Ares, dragging him back to this very room to face the consequences of abandoning the woman who had risked everything for him time and time again.
Hercules could feel his pulse quickening, each beat a reminder of the anger coursing through his veins. The urge to confront Ares, to make him suffer for the heartbreak he had inflicted on Xena, was almost overwhelming. How dare he? The question repeated in his mind as if it were fuel for the fire.
He looked down at Xena, still cradling her newborn son, her tears now quieter but still present. She had been through so much already. She didn't deserve this. She deserved better than the fleeting promises of a god who cared more for his ego than for the people in his life. Hercules had watched Xena rise from every battle, but this—watching her break from emotional pain—hurt him more than seeing her bruised or bloodied from physical combat.
This isn't what you deserve, Xena, he thought bitterly. Not from him, not from anyone. As Xena's sobs softened, Hercules found his determination hardening. Ares would pay for this—one way or another. Whether it was today, tomorrow, or in the distant future, he would make sure Ares understood the weight of what he had done. But for now, Hercules stayed by her side, determined not to leave Xena alone—not like Ares had.
The midwife arrived to check Xena and the baby. He weighed a healthy 9 pounds and 5 ounces, eliciting congratulations from everyone present. Hercules proudly cut the cord. Aphrodite approached Xena with a tender smile, her eyes sparkling with affection.
"May I hold him, dear?" she asked, her voice filled with warmth. Xena nodded, a soft smile gracing her lips as she carefully handed the wrapped bundle to Aphrodite. With a gentle cradle, Aphrodite held the baby close, her heart swelling with love at the sight of his tiny form.
"He looks just like..." Aphrodite's voice trailed off, her gaze clouding with emotion. After a moment's hesitation, she whispered Ares' name softly, her eyes meeting Xena's in a silent apology. The baby, nestled in Aphrodite's arms, gazed up at her with wide eyes, his features a perfect reflection of his father. Hercules gently inquired about the baby's name. Xena's heart sank as she admitted that Ares was supposed to choose the name, but he hadn't shared it with her. Aphrodite, still holding the baby, proposed a suggestion.
"Why don't we take him to see Ares?" Her eyes pleading with Xena.
"No!" Xena, Gabrielle, and Hercules immediately replied in unison.
"If that bastard gave a damn, he would have been here," Hercules angrily replied.
"Yea, he's right," Gabrielle agreed, "I don't think he would even care to meet him."
"I promise, I won't let him hurt the baby." The room was silent as all eyes fell on Xena. Reluctantly, Xena agreed, her heart heavy as she watched Aphrodite materialize with the baby.
As Aphrodite materialized into Ares' condo, she was met with his irritated glare.
"Why did you bring that brat here?" he demanded, his tone sharp and dismissive. Aphrodite stood her ground.
"He's not a brat, Ares. He's your son." Ares' frown softened slightly when she approached him with the baby. With a gentle motion, she pulled back the blanket, revealing the newborn's face to him. With a brief glance, he took in the sight of his son, his features softening as he recognized the familiar features.
The baby yawned as he locked his big brown eyes on Ares. He took note they even shared the same dimple. With his defense at an all-time low, he slowly reached out to touch the baby. He felt his Olympic aura radiating off him. He pulled his hand back and took a seat.
"Why don't I remember making him?" his voice barely above a whisper. He continued,
"I don't remember his mother. Nothing about her." Aphrodite gave him a sympathetic glance.
"We'll figure something out, Stud Muffin, I promise. I have to get him back to his mother before she chops me into pieces. Do you happen to remember the name you picked out? Xena said you were supposed to name him." Ares shook his head no.
"Well think of a new one, like duh!" They both let out a small chuckle as she disappeared.
~XA~
Xena anxiously waited on for Aphrodite's return. 15 minutes had gone by, and she wasn't back yet.
"What do you think is taking them so long?" she worriedly asked. Gabrielle placed a comforting hand on her shoulder as she spoke,
"Maybe he's interested in seeing him," she said, looking at Hercules for backup.
"Yea." Hercules said dryly as he went to Xena's other side. At that instant, Aphrodite materialized back into the room.
"Warrior babe, I'm so sorry that took so long." She hurriedly gave the fussy baby back to Xena. Xena put the infant to her breast so he could feed.
"What did Ares say?" Xena asked softly, never breaking her gaze from her son as she rubbed his head. He sucked hungrily and cooed while he ate.
"He still doesn't remember you, but he does think that this is his son. He touched him and all. I'm just at a loss trying to come up with a solution for his memories. It's like he's cursed." Aphrodite shrugged and took a seat in one of the chairs in the room.
"Xena, where are all the baby's items? We went through your suitcases and we found maybe two outfits for him," Gabrielle advised as she began to make space in the dresser's drawers.
"His stuff is still at home. Ares pulled his clothes out his closet and..," she stopped, not wanting to make anyone in the room too upset.., "put them on our bed."
"Well were going there to get all his stuff right now!" Hercules spoke up. Gabrielle nodded in agreement.
"Xena, can we use your truck?" Gabrielle asked while grabbing her keys off the nightstand.
"That's no problem but Ashley is still there in the house." Xena grabbed Gabrielle's hand, bringing her closer.
"Promise me you'll get out of there is Ares shows up." Hercules spoke up,
"Ares will be my problem if he shows up before we can gather his items."
"Most of his items are still in his room. Grab as much as you can, I'm not sure how long we'll be here." Gabrielle ran her fingers through Xena's damp hair.
"Xena, we will all get through this. Don't worry about it."
While Gabrielle drove toward Xena's house, she glanced over at Hercules.
"I feel so bad for Xena. I mean, she's just had her baby, and instead of settling in, she's stuck in this mess because of Ares and Ashley. She doesn't deserve any of this. I swear, I feel like killing him right now." She stressed. Hercules sighed, looking out the window.
"Tell me about it." Gabrielle nodded, gripping the wheel a bit tighter.
"I just don't understand how Ares could do this to her. They were supposed to build a life together, and now she's left picking up the pieces." There was a brief silence before Hercules spoke again.
"After we get all the baby's things from Xena's house, I need to swing by my place." Gabrielle shot him a surprised look.
"Why? Are you planning to stay at the cottage?" Hercules gave a firm nod.
"Yeah, for as long as she needs me. This whole situation is because of my half-brother, and Xena and her baby—well, they're my family. I'm not going to let her go through this alone. She deserves better, and I'm going to be there to help her, no matter what." Gabrielle smiled softly.
"Xena's lucky to have you, Hercules."
~XA~
Gabrielle and Hercules arrived at Xena's house. Before Gabrielle could enter the code into the door to unlock it, Ashley pulled it open.
"Ah, Xena's little bitch," Ashley said lowly in Gabrielle's ear as she pulled her inside the house.
"Welcome to the doghouse." The hairs on Gabrielle's arm stood up. That phrase. She's heard it before. But from who? Hercules broke the tension.
"Look Ashley, we don't want any trouble. We're just here to grab a few of the baby's items and we'll be gone. The last I checked, you weren't the lady of this house anyway." Ashley walked to Hercules and lifted her hand to rub his head, but he grabbed her hand before she touched him and said,
"That won't be necessary."
He looked at her as he began to go up the steps. Gabrielle snickered as she walked behind Herc. Ashley glared at them as they disappeared out of her sight.
Gabrielle and Hercules' faces dropped as they entered the baby's room. It was a wreck. Gabrielle picked up as many boxes of diapers her short arms could carry and Hercules grabbed clothes, hygiene items, and whatever else he thought could fit in the truck. Before they left, Ashley approached Gabrielle and handed her a seal letter.
"See that Xena get this," she said in her usual happy voice. Gabrielle snatched the letter out her hand and they left the premises.
~XA~
Xena was asleep once they returned. Aphrodite had the baby in the front room. She ran to them once she heard the door unlock.
"How did it go guys?"
"We got most of the baby's things. Ares has completely destroyed his little room. Luckily, he didn't show but Ashley was there. How's Xena?"
"She's resting right now. I have little guy with me so he won't disturb her. I had to beg her to let me take him. She loves him so much." Hercules walked over to the baby and picked him up.
"I will name him if things don't go the way Xena wants them." Hercules told them as he rocked the baby in his strong arms. Gabrielle's phone went off. It was Xena.
"Well mommy is not sleeping anymore." Gabrielle and Hercules made their way to Xena's room with jr in tow. Xena held her arms out for him.
"Xena, the strangest thing happened. Ashley greeted me in the weirdest way. Here, she wanted me to give you this." Xena took the letter from her and read it:
"I wanna tap into the—heart of darkness—the
Sheer naked will behind all craving—the hatred—and violence.
I'll become—the face of death itself—capable of—destroying
Not only—a person's body, but their soul."
