Faith
"Oof, ease up in there, would you," said Constance next to her, a hand rubbing her swollen belly. They were sitting next to each other on the lounge chairs by the pool at Anne's father's house while their respective husbands played in the water with the boys. Her father, meanwhile, was pushing little Ana on a nearby swing set.
While Anne made a noise of sympathy, a ball came flying out of the pool, and rolled over right by Constance's chair.
"Got it!" d'Artagnan called out, climbing over the edge of the in-ground pool with ease. Retrieving the ball, he threw it back in and then turned toward his wife. "You okay?"
"Yeah, your son's just using one of my kidneys as a punching bag again."
Leaning down, d'Artagnan spoke to her belly: "Hey now, be nice to your mother."
"D'Artagnan, you're getting me all wet," Constance chided.
"Oops, sorry love," d'Artagnan apologised with a grin, grabbing her a towel from the pile nearby.
"You two have any ideas for names yet?" Anne wondered.
"I thought we'd just go with Olivier again," d'Artagnan answered, shrugging. He looked down at Constance. "You didn't like any of the other suggestions for him and we could bring back using 'the Elder' and 'the Younger' like the Romans used to do."
Towel in hand, Constance whipped it at his legs. "We are not doing that, and I better not see you anywhere near a birth certificate eight weeks from now."
Chuckling, d'Artagnan put his hands up as he stepped back out of reach while calls for "Papa" and "Uncle d'Artagnan" came from the pool. "We'll see," he said, and then turned around, warning the others to be ready before doing a cannonball into the pool and making a big splash to the children's delight.
"Ugh, I miss being so limber and somewhat flexible," said Constance wistfully.
Reaching over, Anne patted her hand. "It won't be long now," she assured her.
"Yeah, but I don't bounce back as quickly as you."
Anne tutted, "You shouldn't compare yourself to me, or worry about 'bouncing back' to begin with. You'll have grown an entirely new human being for goodness sake." She paused. "Besides…" she began, lowering her voice, "before you know it, I'll be as big as you are now."
Shooting forward in her chair, Constance turned and gaped at her. "Are you pregnant again?"
Putting a finger to her lips, Anne shushed her. "Yes, but we haven't told my father or the kids yet so don't say anything." They were planning on telling her father tomorrow if not tonight.
Taking her hand, Constance squeezed it and gave it a little shake. "Oh my God, Anne! Congratulations!" she softly exclaimed.
"Thank you, Constance, and I'll tell you more later, but come on, let's get you in the pool, it'll make you feel better."
MMMMMMMMMM
The sun had set a few hours ago, but the water was still warm as Anne stepped down into the pool after Aramis. The children had all been put to bed, and the two of them had decided to enjoy the tranquillity of the water.
After making his way over to the side of the pool, he rested his head back against the edge. "Did you tell Constance our news?" he asked once she had come over and crossed her forearms over the edge next to him.
Anne grimaced. "I did. Were we that loud? René didn't say anything did he?"
Aramis shook his head. "No, no, I certainly didn't hear anything. No, I just noticed her grinning at us once she got in the pool, and, well, she hasn't been in a particularly smiley mood these days."
"Hmm, she was a bit smiley, wasn't she. That's why I told her, though, to make her feel better. I hope you don't mind."
"It's Constance, of course I don't mind," he replied. "As long as she doesn't tell anyone else," he teased.
"She wouldn't."
"Not intentionally," he countered. "You should have seen her face when d'Artagnan discovered those pregnancy tests she had gotten for you when you were pregnant with René."
"Her face? What about yours? I don't know if I'd have wanted to see either. God, what a farce that all was," Anne chuckled, shaking her head. "Me nearly getting sick over some pot brownies and then fainting at your feet meanwhile Constance was trying to sneak a couple of pregnancy tests right under your nose."
Aramis laughed. "Well, I do think we've all grown and learned some lessons now that we're up to our fourth baby. And speaking of growing…" he said, moving behind her and sliding a hand over her stomach, "I also think you're starting to show already."
"Already?" she repeated, automatically looking down at herself despite knowing she wouldn't be able to see anything clearly through the distortions of the water.
"It's very slight, I only noticed it now as you came in. It could just be the way the lights are reflecting off the water and casting shadows or something, but-" his hands moved to her hips, gently nudging and tugging for her to turn around and face him "-I also like to think I know your body well enough by now."
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she raised her eyebrows. "You do, do you?"
Pulling her closer, he simply hummed an "Mhm" as he kissed her.
"Would you like to put that theory to the test?" she asked once they had parted.
Now he was raising his eyebrows while a corner of his lips lifted into a smile. "Right now? What if someone happens to look out their window?" Judging by the way he was gliding his hands along her bottom he quite liked the idea, so it seemed like he was pointing it out for her sake.
Margaret had moved out a year ago but her father still lived there. He should be asleep though, everyone should be asleep. She glanced up at the house, the bedrooms being used on that side all dark except for the soft glow coming from the nursery in which Ana slept. Her eyes flickered over to the baby monitor they had brought down with them just in case she woke and needed them-all quiet.
She didn't often get the opportunity to be daring like this, and the thrill of it excited her.
She was decided. "Well, if you're as knowledgeable as you think you are, we'll be quick."
MMMMMMMMMM
When they arrived at The Garrison, Athos and Porthos were working behind the counter while d'Artagnan and Constance stood by with baby Isaac, chatting. She and Constance had plans to meet Elodie and Sylvie at the park before collecting René, Philippe, and Olivier from school.
After saying good-bye to Ana and then greeting the d'Artagnan's, Aramis joined Athos and Porthos behind the counter.
"Aramis, would you like to tell them our news?" she asked, smiling with excitement. She turned to Constance. "We got the results this morning."
Aramis had grabbed one of the truffles from the display, and after taking a bite out of it, turned his hand to show the pink filling.
"Ah, yay, another girl!" Constance joyfully exclaimed as she pulled Anne into a hug, the others voicing their congratulations and embracing Aramis on the other side of the counter.
Taking Ana's hand, Constance gave it a shake. "You're getting a baby sister, Annie, that's so exciting!" She looked back at Anne. "I love all my boys, of course, but we could use more girls in this family to balance out all the testosterone."
"Well I can only have so many babies, Constance. The others need to start contributing!" Anne joked, giving a pointed look to Athos and Porthos.
"Erm, about that," said Porthos, putting a hand to the back of his neck, and looking…bashful?
"Elodie's expecting."
MMMMMMMMMM
After putting all the children to bed, she and Aramis settled on the sofa together to watch a little television.
Stretching her legs out across his lap, she stroked her growing belly. "Do you know what you want to call this one yet?"
"No. You have any ideas?"
"Nothing in particular, but I named both the boys, you can name both the girls. You didn't have any secondary choices for Ana?"
He rubbed a hand along her leg. "I knew I wanted to name her after her amazing, beautiful mother."
"And you're not just keeping it a secret from me again?" she asked, giving him a knowing look.
He grinned. "I promise I'm not. I'll have to think about it." Leaning over, he placed his hand on her belly and spoke to the baby: "Don't worry, little one, I'll think of something equally beautiful for you."
MMMMMMMMMM
After getting into the car, Anne looked out the window at the hospital. She was leaving without her baby and it felt so incredibly wrong.
Aramis grasped her hand, giving it a squeeze. "We'll bring her home," he said. "Just not today."
She tore her gaze away from the building to look at him. There were dark circles under his eyes that spoke of his own stress and worry from the past few days since their daughter had been born premature and they hadn't been sure if she would make it through that first night.
She nodded. "I know," she said softly. She then turned her hand to lace her fingers with his, and he lifted their joined hands so that he could press a kiss to the back of hers before laying them in his lap.
"Ana and the boys will be happy to have you back, though," Aramis added.
"Just let me know when you're ready to go," said d'Artagnan from behind the wheel.
Anne took a deep breath. She did want to see her other babies, to be home and finish preparing the nursery. She took one final look at the hospital. Aramis was right, they would be back.
"I'm ready."
MMMMMMMMMM
Aramis and Anne were standing together in front of the viewing window of the nursery, looking in, when Athos and Sylvie arrived, little Raoul in tow.
"How is she doing?" Athos asked after they all exchanged hugs and hellos.
"Really well," answered Anne, nodding and giving a tremulous smile while Aramis rubbed his hand up and down her arm. "She's feeding well and gaining weight, they want to keep her for observation for at least a couple more days, but hopefully after that we'll be able to take her home."
"She's strong," Aramis proudly added.
"Like her parents," said Sylvie. "Do let us know if we can do anything else for you to help out." They, along with Constance and d'Artagnan, Porthos and Elodie, and some of Anne's family had been taking turns watching Anne and Aramis' other children and dropping off food among other things to help ease their burden and allow them more time for hospital visits.
"Thank you," replied Anne. "Really, you've all been so good to us."
"We're family," Athos simply said. He knew Aramis, Anne, and any of the others would do the same for them. Stepping forward and looking into the nursery, he lifted his chin and swept his gaze over the babies. "Which one is she?"
"Right in front here, second from the left. Once one of the nurses returns we'll take her out and sit with her and then you'll be able to get a better look," stated Aramis.
"Look at what, Papa?" asked Raoul.
"At Auntie Anne and Uncle Aramis' new baby," he answered, crouching down to pick his son up and then settle him on his hip. "She's resting in there right now," he explained, pointing, "but we'll get to meet her soon."
Raoul looked into the room, his brow furrowed in thought. "What's her name?" he asked.
He glanced over at Aramis and Anne. They both gave him warm, grateful smiles; it was him they had gotten the name from.
"Faith," he answered, and looked down at the tiny baby girl as her little blue eyes fluttered open. "Her name is Faith."
Historical background/inspiration:
-The real d'Artagnan had two sons, Louis (the elder) and Louis (the younger)
A/N: I hope you all enjoyed this little visit back to the Chocolateers universe and wish you all a very Happy New Year :)