Chapter 47: Vacation
A few months had passed since their family wedding. Today, it was raining, however, there was no thunder, just the calm of the rain. Xena was relaxing, laying underneath her covered balcony outside, enjoying nature's song. Ares met her outside.
"Xe," Ares said, his voice full of mischief, "how about we take Austin on his first adventure?" Xena opened one eye, raising an eyebrow.
"Adventure, huh? This isn't going to involve battling rogue warlords, is it?" Ares smirked.
"Not this time. I was thinking Seattle."
"Seattle?" Xena asked, sitting up slightly. "Why there?"
"It's got everything," Ares said, leaning back against the wall casually.
"Mountains, water, and coffee strong enough to wake the dead. Plus, it's about time our boy sees what the world has to offer." Xena laughed, shaking her head.
"You and your grand ideas. Alright, let's do it. But if I see even a hint of trouble, you're handling it."
"Deal," Ares said with a grin. "Besides, I'll handle all the heavy lifting. You just relax and enjoy the sights." After a whirlwind of packing and planning, Xena ensured every detail was in place, from their flights to a cozy rental house.
As the plane touched down, Xena glanced at Ares, who was busy keeping Austin entertained.
"We survived the flight," she said, stretching. Ares grinned.
"Barely. If he keeps grabbing the seatbelt, he'll be the one flying the plane next time." Xena shook her head with a smile, lifting Austin into her arms.
"Let's grab our stuff and get out of here. I'm ready to see what this city has to offer." They made their way through the airport, anticipation growing with each step. The adventure was just beginning.
~XA~
The sun began to set over the landscape of Seattle and Xena couldn't resist the urge to capture the beauty of their surroundings through her camera. She eagerly pulled out her phone, framing each shot with care, making sure to include Austin in every photo, while Ares stood by, growing increasingly impatient.
"Xena, do we really need to stop every five minutes for another photo?" Ares exclaimed, frustrated.
"But Ares, look at this view! It's absolutely breathtaking. Just like when we were in Greece." Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she snapped another picture of Austin against the tree of the sun setting. Ares sighed, torn between his desire to indulge Xena's passion for capturing memories and his eagerness to continue exploring without constant interruptions. He struggled to understand her need to document every moment. She took yet another photo. When Ares heard the snap, he reached his breaking point.
"Xena, we've barely made any progress on this walk. Can't we just enjoy the scenery without obsessing over photos?" Xena's enthusiasm died down some when she sensed Ares' frustration.
"I just want to preserve these memories of Austin's first vacation," she explained. Ares could tell she was becoming disappointed and the last thing he wanted to do was make her upset on their vacation. He nodded and they continued walking. The trio took a few more steps and Xena stopped again to take another photo. That was it! Ares, turned to Xena frustrated,
"Just call me when you're done." Before Xena could even acknowledge anything he said, he disappeared with Austin still in his stroller. Xena figured Ares was just in one of his many moods, in which she'd grown accustomed to. She continued to walk deeper into the hills.
When she went to take another photo, her screen went dark. She looked at the notification bar and saw that her battery was on 5%. She knew something like this was going to happen, so she brought her portable battery charger. She reached around her side and remembered that she stuck that underneath Austin's stroller. The same stroller that was now with Ares. With a buzz, her phone cut off.
"Just great," she sighed and put her phone in her back pocket. Her throat was now dry, and she wished she had at least her water. Not wanting to deal with his stubbornness any longer, she knew it was time to call Ares. She went behind a few trees so no one would see him when he appeared.
"Ares." She waited a few moments. Nothing.
"Ares!" Nothing again. Xena was becoming frustrated as she paced back and forth behind the trees, calling out Ares' name repeatedly, each call growing more desperate. With each unanswered call, her irritation rose.
Glancing down at her dead phone, Xena's frustration reached its peak when she realized all her items, every single thing she needed, was attached to Austin's stroller. The realization only fueled her anger, intensifying with each passing moment of silence from Ares. Clamping her jaw shut in frustration, Xena continued to call out Ares' name, irritated, as she paced around the area, scanning for any sign of him.
~XA~
At the baseball game, his attention was focused on the game unfolding before him. Austin, nestled in his arms, seemed to enjoy the excitement as well, his bright eyes following the action on the field with curiosity.
Xena's calls for him echoed through his mind so he couldn't help but hear her. However, he chose not to respond, convinced that she only wanted his presence and not realizing the urgency of her situation. Determined to give Xena space, he continued focusing on the baseball game with Austin, hoping to avoid any potential arguments during their much-needed vacation.
As the innings passed by, Ares occasionally glanced at his phone, half-expecting to see a message or missed call from Xena going off on him. Yet, when no such notification appeared, he reassured himself that everything was fine and allowed himself to fully enjoy the moment with his son.
Finally accepting that Ares wasn't going to respond, Xena's anger boiled over as she stomped her way out of the national park. Each step was fueled by her frustration, her mind racing with thoughts of giving Ares a piece of her mind once she found him.
As she walked along the deserted path, she slowed down due to her growing exhaustion. When she finally made it out the park's entrance, she looked around, frustrated, at the empty road ahead. Her irritation lingered, dulling any sense of comfort she might have felt about leaving the wilderness behind.
With each step down the sidewalk, her determination to confront Ares only grew stronger. She rehearsed in her mind the words she would unleash upon him when she found him. She looked up and saw dark clouds quickly covering the sky as raindrops slowly began to fall.
As Xena dragged herself through the relentless downpour, her clothes clinging to her body and her spirit sinking with each passing step. She was so tired now and her feet were so sore, they felt almost numb. Her baby's kicks served as a painful reminder that she hadn't eaten dinner yet, adding to her discomfort and frustration.
Rain poured down relentlessly, soaking through Xena's hiking clothes. The warm drops offered no comfort as the damp fabric clung to her skin. She wrapped her arms protectively around her belly, shielding her child as best she could while trudging along the slick sidewalk.
Cars sped by, their tires slicing through puddles and sending waves of water crashing against her legs and sides. One particularly fast car splashed her from head to toe, drenching her completely. She gasped and clenched her jaw while the cold water seeped through her clothes.
Her legs ached, and each step felt heavier than the last. The city around her moved like nothing was wrong—people rushed by, hiding under umbrellas, their eyes away from her. No one stopped, no one noticed. She might as well have been invisible.
Ares' absence cut deep, leaving her with an ache she couldn't shake. She had been through battles and wars, but this loneliness? It hit different. She stopped under a bus stop's narrow cover, leaning against a cold metal pole. Water dripped from her hair and trailed down her neck. She was miles from the rental house, no real shelter in sight. Her hands rested on her belly again. It was the only thing keeping her grounded.
"We've got this," she said quietly, her voice steady even as her chest ached. The baby shifted, a small nudge as if to say, I'm here.
That tiny movement reignited her resolve. She wasn't completely alone. Straightening up, she stepped back into the rain. The storm wasn't letting up, but she wouldn't stop either. She'd get herself and her baby home, no matter what.
Suddenly, a glimmer of hope emerged as a car pulled over beside her. Startled, Xena looked up to see a kind-looking woman gesturing for her to stop. Without hesitation, the stranger jumped out of the car and wrapped a warm dry blanket around Xena's shivering body and guided her to the passenger seat of her car.
"Sweetie, you shouldn't be out here in this weather, especially not in your condition," the woman said. Xena didn't answer. She simply nodded in thanks and told the stranger the address of the rental house, touched by the stranger's compassion and generosity. As they drove through the stormy streets, the stranger offered Xena comforting words and reassurance. Her presence felt like a small light in the middle of Xena's storm.
Moments later, they arrived at the rental house. The stranger helped Xena out of the car and gave her a few more words of encouragement before driving off into the night. Left standing on the doorstep, Xena felt a small spark of gratitude in the middle of everything. She was thankful for the stranger's kindness when she needed it most.
Xena stormed into the house, her wet clothes sticking to her body. Her frustration filled the air. Ares saw her and rushed over, worry on his face. But before he could say anything, Xena pushed him away, her face tight with anger.
"Why didn't you call me?" Ares froze, his eyes widening as he took in her soaked clothes. His voice softened with shock and concern.
"Xena... What happened? Why are you drenched?" His gaze swept over her, unable to hide his surprise and worry. Xena's frustration boiled over. She moved quickly, slapping him hard across the face.
"I called you, countless times," she snapped, her voice cutting through the air. She pointed to the stroller, where her things lay abandoned.
"My phone died. Did you not see all my things on that stroller?" Ares's heart sank as the reality of the situation hit him. His eyes dropped to the stroller, then to her belly, where their baby moved. Guilt swept over him, knowing he hadn't noticed she was without her essentials. He took a step toward her, reaching out as if to help, but Xena backed away, her anger still burning bright.
"Don't touch me. Ever again," she said, her voice trembling with hurt. Ares stood still, a weight of regret pressing down on him. He hadn't realized how deeply his actions had cut her, and in that moment, he knew he had to find a way to make things right.
Xena made her way to the bedroom, each step a challenge as she rubbed her belly, trying to calm their restless baby. The weight of the day pressed on her, and her feet ached from the long walk in the rain. When she slipped off her shoes, she winced at the sight of blisters forming on her skin. She peeled off her wet clothes, shivering slightly. Thankfully, the rain had been warm enough not to freeze her. Wrapping a towel around her body for warmth, she walked to the kitchen, her stomach growling. She glanced at the couch and saw Austin, peacefully asleep, unaware of the chaos that had unfolded.
Ares had brought dinner and warmed it for her. Xena accepted the plate, and, without a word, she carried it to the bedroom. She closed the door behind her, seeking peace in privacy.
As she sat on the bed, her body sinking into the softness of the mattress, she savored the warmth of the food. Each bite was slow and comforting. For a moment, she allowed herself to forget the storm of emotions swirling around her, knowing tomorrow would bring its own set of challenges.
When she finished eating, Ares entered the room, moving cautiously toward her. His heart felt heavy with regret. He reached out, his hand hovering near her belly, longing to feel a connection with their baby. But Xena stayed silent, her gaze fixed on something far away. He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her belly, his lips lingering there for a moment, hoping she would feel the love he still had for her and their child.
Sensing her reluctance to talk, Ares decided to do something to ease her discomfort. He ran a warm bath, steam rising from the water, and laid out fresh clothes for her. Xena didn't resist as he gently guided her into the water, her body clearly tired from the day's strain. Ares stood by, watching her in silence, his heart heavy seeing her so worn out.
After Xena had bathed and dressed, Ares carefully helped her into bed. His movements were slow and soft, making sure she was comfortable. He gently lifted her feet into his lap and began massaging them with warm oil, trying to soothe the ache in her muscles.
"I'm sorry, Xe," he said quietly, his voice thick with regret. But Xena didn't respond, her thoughts hidden behind a wall of hurt and disappointment. She couldn't find the words to say, not yet.
Xena laid still, her body sinking deeper into the softness of the bed, but her mind remained restless. Ares continued to massage her feet, though he could feel the quiet distance between them. His touch was gentle, but it wasn't enough to bridge the gap that had formed. Xena's silence felt heavier than the rain that had soaked her earlier.
Ares hesitated, unsure of what to say or do. He had hurt her. He had left her to face the storm, physically and emotionally, without an explanation. The guilt gnawed at him, and he knew he had to find a way to fix it—but the weight of her disappointment was harder to carry than he had expected.
Finally, Xena shifted, her eyes closing as if blocking him out. Ares stopped massaging her feet, his fingers lingering on her skin as he waited for her to speak.
"You shouldn't have left me, Ares," Xena's voice was quiet, but her words cut through the silence like a blade.
"I needed you."
His heart twisted in his chest. He had known she was upset, but hearing it so plainly, so directly, struck him harder than he expected. He swallowed hard, his chest tight.
"I know," he whispered, his voice thick. "I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you."
But Xena didn't look at him. Instead, she stared at the ceiling, the pain in her eyes too clear to hide. Her hands lay flat at her sides, her body tense despite the warmth of the bed.
"You keep saying that," she murmured, almost to herself. "But saying sorry doesn't change what you did." Ares' hands hovered in the air, unsure. He didn't want to make things worse by pushing her too hard. He wanted to fix it, but he had no idea how to start.
"I know it's not enough," he said, his voice breaking a little. "I can't take back what I did. But I swear, Xe... I'm here now. I'll never leave you again."
Xena was quiet for a long moment. Ares wasn't sure if she had heard him, or if she was even listening. But then, just as he was about to pull away, she spoke again, her voice so soft it almost felt like a whisper.
"When I need you the most, you're never there," she said, her gaze hardening as she met his eyes. "It just makes me wonder if I'm enough for you."
The admission hit Ares like a punch to the gut. He couldn't hide from it, couldn't deny it. Her words echoed in his mind, and for the first time, he understood how deeply his actions had affected her. Without thinking, he moved closer, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.
"You are enough," he said, his voice firm. "You're more than enough, Xena. I've always been afraid of losing you. I didn't know how to deal with that fear. But I will do whatever it takes to make this right."
Xena didn't answer right away. Instead, she let out a soft sigh, her eyes fluttering open to meet his. There was no anger there, just sadness—a sadness that he had caused.
"I don't know if I can just forget it, Ares. I need time. I need you to show me... not just tell me."
Ares nodded, understanding. He had failed her before, and he knew it would take more than words to heal the wound he had caused.
"I'll show you," he promised. "Every day. I'll be here. I'll prove it to you."
Xena's expression softened, but the doubt was still there, clouding her gaze. She didn't say anything more, but as Ares leaned over to kiss her forehead, she didn't pull away either. It wasn't forgiveness—not yet. But it was something. And for now, that was enough.