Chapter 46: Family
Xena stirred in Ares' arms, the warmth of his presence surrounding her, their connection stronger than ever. The darkness still lingered outside, and the moon's light filled the room, casting soft shadows across their faces. She knew her husband was back, and a wave of completeness washed over her. Ares tenderly kissed her earlobe, his whisper sending shivers down her spine.
"I've missed you too, Xena," he murmured softly.
"And I will love you forever."
Moved by his words, Xena pulled him closer, their lips meeting in a tender kiss as she ran her fingers through his hair. Ares, overcome with guilt, apologized for his absence during their most precious moments. Xena reassured him all was forgiven, understanding the grip of Alti's curse that had held him captive.
She shared how Aphrodite, Gabrielle, and Hercules were all present for Austin's birth and had never missed a day with him. The thought of their unshakable support warmed her heart, but her thoughts quickly shifted to the family she and Ares were building.
As they exchanged tender words, Xena shared with Ares the weight of their baby. Ares replied with pride,
"A strong, healthy boy indeed."
"Yea, and a pain coming out."
Ares wrapped his arms around her, pressing his lips gently to the top of her head. His touch was soothing, grounding her in the present moment.
"Thank you for our son," he whispered, his voice low and full of emotion.
Xena's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she gazed up at Ares, her heart running over with excitement. Sensing her energy, Ares returned her gaze with equal affection, his heart swelling with love. The quiet intimacy between them grew, filling the space with an unspoken understanding of the life they had created.
With a gentle smile forming on her lips, she leaned in closer to him, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I have a surprise for you."
Ares' eyes widened with curiosity, his love for Xena shining brightly in his gaze. He leaned in slightly, his lips curling into a soft smile.
"What is it?" he asked eagerly, his heart beating a little faster in anticipation.
Xena held him close, her breath warm against his skin as she spoke.
"Austin is going to be a big brother."
Ares' eyes widened in delight, his heart swelling with joy, and a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. His pulse quickened as the news sank in, and his voice faded with excitement.
"Are you...?" he began, his gaze searching hers, unable to hide the happiness that radiated from him.
Xena nodded, a smile spreading across her face as she confirmed the news. The weight of the moment lingered between them, two souls already bound by a shared purpose and now united in the knowledge that they would soon have another child.
Ares pulled her into a tight embrace, lifting her off the bed slightly, as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
"I can't wait to meet our new baby and bond with Austin," he exclaimed. His voice was filled with a warmth and tenderness that Xena had longed for, a promise of a future full of love and family.
Xena felt overjoyed knowing that she was about to share this special moment with the man she loved more than anything in the world. It was a future they had both fought for, and now it was theirs to build, side by side. As they held each other, Xena allowed herself to dream of what was to come, her heart overflowing with gratitude and love for the family they had created and the one they would continue to grow.
~XA~
As Xena slipped into her form-fitting blue dress, she couldn't help but admire her changing figure in the mirror. The soft swell of her newest baby bump was barely noticeable beneath the fabric, yet it filled her with anticipation and joy.
Beside her, Austin fidgeted excitedly in his blue overall shorts, his matching shirt and hat completing the adorable ensemble. With a satisfied smile, Xena reached out to adjust Austin's hat before turning to face Ares, who stood watching them proudly. His gaze lingered on Xena, his eyes filled with longing as he took in her radiant appearance.
Together, they made their way to Ares' gym. When they entered the busy space, the coworkers gathered around in surprise, their eyes widening at the sight of Austin in his charming outfit.
"He's adorable!" Amber exclaimed, bringing out nods of agreement from the others. They crowded around, eager to get a closer look at the newest addition to the family.
The excitement only grew when they noticed the soft swell of Xena's baby bump beneath her dress. Gasps of surprise filled the air as realization dawned on them, followed by a chorus of congratulations. Nancy's whispered comment drew a playful smile from Xena.
"Seems like you two have been busy," she replied with a grin, casting a loving glance at Ares by her side. Xena and Ares exchanged proud smiles as they took in the warmth of their coworkers' excitement.
After leaving the gym, the family went to the baby store. They were greeted by the sight of rows upon rows of baby items, from cribs and car seats to adorable onesies and soft blankets. Austin gazed wide-eyed at the colorful displays, his tiny hands reaching out to touch everything within reach. Ares swiftly lifted Austin into the stroller. Xena stepped forward, ready to take over pushing the stroller, but Ares's hand rested firmly on the handle.
"I got it, Xena," Ares insisted, his tone soft but determined. Xena hesitated, her fingers still lingering on the stroller handle.
"No, Ares, let me," she countered, her voice equally gentle yet firm. A brief tug-of-war took place as both parents fought for control of the stroller. Xena's determination matched Ares', their playful banter echoing through the aisles. Finally, Xena gave up, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She was tired of the looks they were getting as people passed by them.
"Fine, you win," she conceded, her hands raised in the air. With a triumphant grin, Ares took hold of the stroller handle. Xena stepped back, watching proudly as Ares guided the stroller through the store, Austin happily babbling in response to the colorful sights around him.
After dinner was over later that evening, Xena felt the time was perfect for her and Ares to finally exchange vows in the presence of their loved ones. With a tender smile, she expressed her desire to Ares.
"Ares, I think it's time," Xena murmured, her gaze locked with Ares', her hand gently caressing his.
"I want us to have our wedding, surrounded by our family and friends, before my belly gets any bigger." Ares' eyes sparkled with warmth and affection as he nodded in agreement, a soft smile gracing his lips.
"Absolutely, my love," he replied.
"I've been waiting for this moment as eagerly as you have." With their decision made, they began to plan their dream wedding.
~XA~
The backyard of Ares and Xena's mansion was transformed into a breathtaking scene of elegance for their wedding ceremony. A golden altar stood majestically at the center, decorated with cascading flowers and shimmering fabrics, catching the sunlight in a dazzling display.
Gabrielle walked down the aisle before Xena, her steps light and confident as she made her way to the front of the gathering. She took her place by Ares' side, her eyes shining with pride and happiness for her dear friend.
Ares, standing tall and regal at the altar, was accompanied by his brother, Apollo, who stood beside him as his best man. Although there was some initial reluctance, Apollo stood confident as he watched his brother prepare to exchange vows with the love of his life.
He tried to not to roll his eyes in disgust, as he felt suffocated with mortals. Ares had made it clear that Hercules wouldn't be a part of their wedding ceremony, so Apollo put this on his list of things that Ares owes him for.
Ares closed the gym for the day, ensuring that all the employees who wished to attend could be present for the joyous occasion. The wedding was filled with not only staff members but also numerous gym members who had grown fond of the couple.
In the audience, Aphrodite sat in the front row, bouncing little Austin in her arms. Beside her sat Hercules, as they witnessed the union of their family and friends.
As the ceremony began, the golden altar glowed in the sunlight. With heartfelt vows and tender embraces, they pledged their love to each other, surrounded by the warmth and love of their cherished family and friends. When they exchanged rings and sealed their union with a kiss, the air was filled with applause and jubilant cheers.
The reception unfolded into a joyous celebration, Xena and Ares found themselves lost in the magic of their wedding afterparty, which was held in a large tent on their property. The air was alive with laughter and music.
With a playful twinkle in her eye, Xena tossed her bouquet into the air, and Gabrielle reached out to catch it with a delighted grin. The DJ's voice boomed over the speakers, announcing the much-anticipated moment:
"Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the bride and groom to grace the dance floor!"
Steam rose from the floor as Xena and Ares stepped onto the dance floor, hand in hand, their presence commanding the attention of all who watched. With effortless grace, they moved as one, their bodies swaying to the rhythm of the music. As they danced, bathed in the soft glow of the evening lights, Xena and Ares seemed to symbolize the very essence of romance and devotion. Their movements were mesmerizing, drawing the eyes of their guests and leaving them in awe of the bond they shared.
As the music faded into a softer melody, the DJ's voice boomed over the speakers once more, stirring up excitement among the guests.
"Alright, ladies, who's ready to dance with the groom?" In an instant, the room erupted into a chaos of activity as women rushed to their feet, eager to join the line and share a dance with the breath-taking groom. Chairs were overturned, and laughter filled the air as guests raced for position, each waiting for a chance to dance with Ares.
With a proud smile, Ares stood at the center of it all, his gaze sweeping over the eager crowd before him. He had a cocky grin on his face as he watched the women break their necks for his attention.
Xena rolled her eyes playfully as she observed the activity surrounding her husband, shaking her head in disbelief at the chaos he seemed to cause wherever he went.
Despite her teasing, there was a hint of affection in Xena's eyes as she watched Ares, proud of the man he had become and grateful for the love they shared. And as the evening continued to unfold, she knew that their bond would only grow stronger, guiding them together through every twist and turn life had in store.
After Ares finished dancing with the women, he returned to his seat beside Xena, a smug smile on his lips as he settled in next to his wife.
As the music changed and the DJ announced it was Xena's turn to dance with the guests, she rose gracefully from her seat, her eyes sparkling with excitement. With a twirl of her dress, she made her way to the center of the dance floor, ready to charm the men waiting eagerly in line.
Underneath the table, Ares conjured a small fireball, its warm glow illuminating their secluded spot. Xena shot him a warning look, her eyes silently pleading for him to behave. Reluctantly, Ares extinguished the flames, though the mischievous glint in his eyes remained.
Ares watched the men possessively as they lined up to dance with Xena. With a sneer, he eyed each guest as they approached, silently daring them to try and win Xena's favor.
Despite the long line of eager guests, Xena danced gracefully with each one, her smile never fading as she charmed and captivated them all. Although Ares felt a flicker of jealousy at the idea of anyone else holding his wife, he couldn't ignore the joy of seeing her so happy and radiant in the spotlight.
With the wedding celebrations coming to an end, Ares had arranged for a crew of workers to handle the cleanup, ensuring that neither he nor Xena would need to worry about the aftermath of the festivities. As the guests said their goodbyes and left for the night, the workers moved quickly through the venue, taking down decorations, clearing tables, and cleaning up the space.
Xena walked over to Gabrielle and Hercules, offering them a guest room for the night. They gladly accepted, appreciating the thoughtful gesture.
Gabrielle offered to take care of Austin for the night and Xena expressed her gratitude, thanking her dear friend. Hercules then asked Gabrielle if he could join her, wanting to spend some time with Austin too, and Gabrielle happily agreed, welcoming his company.
Ares took it upon himself to pamper Xena after the long day's events. He ran a warm bath for her, ensuring it was just the right temperature, and added fragrant oils to soothe her tired muscles. With care and tenderness, Ares helped Xena into the bath, guiding her gently as she settled into the water.
As Xena relaxed in the comforting embrace of the bath, Ares began to massage her sore muscles, easing away the tension and fatigue that had accumulated throughout the day. With each gentle touch, Xena felt herself melting into a state of blissful relaxation.
Once her bath was complete, Ares escorted Xena to their bed, where he tucked her in with loving care. Crawling in beside her, he wrapped his arms around her.
"How are you feeling, my sweet?" Ares asked, his voice smooth as his fingers lazily traced playful shapes on Xena's barely round belly. Each touch sent a pleasant warmth through her.
Xena smiled and turned in his arms, her eyes meeting his. She reached up, her fingers sliding through his dark curls, tugging lightly. "I'm feeling... like I could use a little distraction," she replied mischievously.
She pulled him into a kiss, her lips brushing against his with teasing slowness. Ares deepened the kiss, his hand slipping to the small of her back, holding her firmly against him.
Her hand wandered down the hard muscles of his chest, savoring the way they tensed under her touch. She traced the lines of his body sensually, taking her time as her fingers traveled lower, eventually wrapping around his growing arousal. He let out a low growl, his breath hitching as she stroked him.
"Do you want me, war god?" Ares' eyes darkened with desire, a wicked grin spreading across his face.
"Very much so," he rumbled.
Without wasting another second, he positioned himself between her legs, his hands gripping her thighs as he leaned over her. With a snap of his fingers, their clothes vanished, leaving nothing between them but the heat of their bodies. Xena gasped softly at the sudden coolness of the air against her skin, but her focus quickly changed as Ares pressed against her, his body warm and solid.
He slid into her in one smooth motion, and both of them let out a low, satisfied moan. Xena arched her back slightly, her hands gripping his shoulders as he began to move, each thrust slow and passionate, drawing out every sensation. His lips found her neck, kissing and nipping at her skin as their bodies moved together.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Neither Ares nor Xena heard it at first, too caught up within their joining. The knock was harder this time. Ares slammed his fist on the bed, annoyed that he would be interrupted now, and materialized his pants back on as he walked to the door. As he cracked the door, he saw Gabrielle standing there holding a cranky Austin.
"He won't stop crying." Xena rushed to the door at this news, taking Austin into her embrace. Gabrielle walked in behind Xena.
"He won't eat either." Xena closely examined her son. He didn't have a fever. She opened his mouth and saw a little piece of tooth trying to break through his gums.
"One of you, go downstairs and grab his teether out the freezer and bring an ice cube." Ares turned to leave to get the requested items. He returned within a flash and handed them to Xena. She put the teether into his mouth, but he whined and turned his head, not accepting it. Next, she took the ice cube and rubbed down his gums. He slowly took to that and before they knew it, he was happy and cooing again.
"He's teething early, and his gums are sore. Ares, I need some baby Orajel please. It's in his room." With a snap, he materialized it, and Xena massaged his gums. Knowing that was the only issue with him, Gabrielle happily took him back with her. Once Gabrielle closed the door, Ares pulled Xena in his arms and said in a low deep voice,
"Now, where were we?" Xena put her hand on his chest and said,
"Going to sleep," crawling into bed, underneath the covers. Ares ran his hands through his hair, annoyed. Xena laughed inwardly as she drifted off to dreamland.