Kindred Spirit Lodge Presents
Sequel to Three in
a Bed;
What Happens Now?
by MerryAngel
2004
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DISCLAIMERS: I just borrowed the characters of Xena and Gabrielle. They belong to Renaissance/MCA/Universal, and are used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended. The rest of the tale is mine with all copyrights thereto.
Subtext/Love Disclaimer: Yep. They are in love with each other. There is a bit of lesbian sex and a bit of hetro-action. If you are under 18, or it is illegal in your state/province, or you don't like this type of story then please move on.
PWP Disclaimer: This is a plot? What Plot? story. Well, this one actually has a plot... it's called life after pregnancy... :-)
Timeline/Spoilers: This takes place after my previous story "3 in a Bed", runs through the rest of the season 6 and makes definite references to 'Path of Vengeance' and 'A Friend in Need'.
Thank yous: To everyone who e-mailed me with their feedback. To many bards for being my inspiration. While I'll never be a T.Novan or a Missy Good... It's good to know that at least some people are reading my work... :-) Thank you to those who let me know that they are.
You can e-mail me with your comments, questions, concerns, criticism, or whatever at: MeryAngel@aol.com
What Happens Now?
By MerryAngel
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Xena awoke a candlemark later, anxious for her lover. Gabrielle looked peaceful on her back, arms wrapped protectively around Xena. The Warrior leaned up and rested her chin on her Warrior-Bard's breast bone. The movement stirred Gabrielle from her sleep. "Hey," Xena murmured.
Gabrielle smiled, "Hi."
"How are you feeling?" Xena asked, a bit worried her partner might become jealous once the baby started to show.
"I'm fine. I think the question is, how are you feeling? Do you think it took?" Gabrielle whispered, not wanting to disturb Ares who was asleep next to them.
"I don't know. I feel fine. But only the next few weeks will tell," Xena matched her beloved's whispering tone. "Gabrielle, I'm concerned for you. I want us to go through this together... all the way..."
"We will, Xena," Gabrielle interrupted. "I'm right with you. I won't ever leave you again," Gabrielle vowed.
"No, Gabrielle, that's not what I mean. I want you to have a baby as well. You would be a great mom. We could raise our family together."
"And just who would the father be?" Gabrielle asked giving her soulmate a raised eyebrow, a pretty fair approximation of Xena's "the look".
For an answer, Ares stirred beside them. He turned in his sleep to face them. Xena and Gabrielle saw the peace on his face and knew instantly that he'd make a great father to their children.
Ares, sensing eyes on him, slowly blinked his orbs open. "What?" he asked the two women.
*********
As the weeks went by, Ares adjusted to life as a mortal. He still longed for his godhood back but was content for the moment. He had his "mommies" as he affectionately referred to Xena and Gabrielle, and life was good. Neither woman had started to show yet but he could hardly wait to meet his offspring.
Xena and Gabrielle had heard that sense Aphrodite's fall into mortalhood, love had started to leave the hearts of human-kind. They needed to get love back on the mend. Each woman took on a task and they separated to carry out their duties. They know their love would never die but the only way to get love back was to return Aphrodite to goddess-status.
But something in the back of Xena's memories kept haunting her. It was something Ares had told her at Caligula's...
"Without the god of war to balance her love is..."
She knew that meant trouble, especially for her and Gabrielle. She'd wanted so much for a more normal life where they would be able to raise their children and not constantly battle for every moment of their lives. She feared what Ares would do to hers and her bard's babies. Would he play favorites and make her child immortal? Would he care for both children equally since both came from him?
While Gabrielle had started out as the peace-maker, she'd come into her own these last few years. Her fighting skill, though different, were almost equal to Xena's. She knew, had Gabrielle taken Ares up on his offer to be Xena's successor, she would have ruled the world. Gabrielle had an innate sense of the greater good about her. She would have conquered the world with grace and style, making each person in her realm feel important just to be alive. Alas, she knew Ares should be returned to his mantle as god of war.
As they retrieved the golden apples, her seductive side came out to play. She knew Gabrielle was watching. She hoped it'd turn her on and hoped they'd get a chance to play that night.
All went well, Ares and Aphrodite were returned to their thrones on Mount Olympus. And Xena got her play time that night. What Xena couldn't know was Aphrodite still had that golden apple and would soon make them an offer they couldn't refuse.
**********
All things culminated on the boat to Egypt.
Aphrodite appeared before Gabrielle, who lovingly held Xena's ghostly body. She learned from Ares that Xena was carrying his child and so was Gabrielle, who was just starting to show.
Xena had not lost her baby when she died because Ares had made it immortal if Xena could be with her bard forever. If she chose to stay dead, however, the baby would be born but as a ghost. Only visible to herself, her soulmate, and the gods.
"Gabrielle," Aphrodite approached the bed. "I have an offer to make..."
Gabrielle tightened her grip on Xena who's head rested over her left breast. She didn't like getting help from the gods anymore. They never seemed to listen when she felt she really needed them and their gift offers always come with too high of a price. But Aphrodite had become a friend over the past few seasons, so she listened. "What is it?" she whispered, not wanting to disturb her lover.
"Ares told me about your family arrangement with him..."
"Yes," Gabrielle interrupted. "Well, that's a moot point. Xena is dead and her baby along with her."
"No. That's what I came to tell you. Her baby is still in her a soul. If you both ate from the golden apple, she would come back and you both along with your children would be immortal..."
"Aphrodite, I don't want to be a god and neither does Xena," Gabrielle maintained her whisper and her hold on her warrior.
"Good, because you wouldn't be. You'd just be immortal. But Xena's baby already is..."
"What do you mean?" the bard tensed, making Xena stir.
"Gabrielle?" came the sleepy voice.
"Shh. It's all right, love. It's just me and Aphrodite talking," the bard soothed.
Xena sat up a little in the bed, her naked state becoming obvious. The goddess eyed her appreciatively. "Now, Xena, before you get upset, I need to say my peace, ok?"
Xena sat back and let her talk. Aphrodite told them how Akemi had lied to her about Xena needing to stay on the other side just to free those souls. And carefully told her about Ares making her child immortal. Xena of course got upset but, as usual, only her bard could calm her. They listened to the plan to bring Xena back.
*********
As they brought Xena back, Gabrielle ran into her love's arms for the long awaited embrace in mortal bodies. They kissed a passion-filled suckling. As they pulled apart, Ares flashed into the chamber of love. In Xena's aroused state, she allowed him to caress her back as Aphrodite joined them. "Ares, I know what you did to my child. I want you to take it off..."
Ares looked to protest but she stopped him with a raised hand. "Or..."
With a flick of the war god's hand, Gabrielle felt the warming of his touch. "Already done," he said.
Gabrielle looked at her lover's blue eyes. "Xena?" she asked with concern in her voice.
Xena's grip around her lover's waist tightened as she held her dearly. "It's okay, Gabrielle. My "or" was to make your baby with the same immortality," Xena told her as she caressed the bard's growing stomach.
*********
As the weeks closed in on "the day", Xena and Gabrielle found nervous "daddy" Ares and giddy "Auntie" Aphrodite by their sides more often. They had gone back to the farm house on the outskirts of Amphipolis. There was a lot of belly caressing going on when they rested at night or while making dinner or any time one got close to the other. Xena lovingly stroked Gabrielle's belly, while Gabrielle returned the favor. They laid side by side, facing each other, and rubbed over the babies. The babies seemed to sense their other mothers' touch and rolled around, reaching out to them.
Aphrodite and Ares made frequent visits until the day of the babies birth. Gabrielle had noticed a difference in her partner right away. Xena had awakened with a start that morning and Gabrielle, holding her lover, woke with the motion. Both women glowed from the near-ending of their condition.
As they continued their day, Ares made an appearance to help Xena in the barn with the horses. "Xena, you shouldn't be doing this in your condition," he pleaded.
"Ares, the horses still need to be fed. I can't let them starve just because I'm pregnant and about to..." Xena stopped ranting as she bent over in pain, noticing the fluid running down her bare legs.
Ares snapped he fingers, whisking them away to a large room with 3 healers waiting for her. "Ares!" Xena barked through the pain. "Gabrielle and I..." Xena stopped as she heard the painful wail of her partner in the other room. "Gabrielle?!" Xena waddled into the next room to find her partner in the process of giving birth.
Aphrodite had popped in to help her favorite immortal bard only to find her curled on the floor in a puddle of bloody water. So she zapped her to Mount Olympus to give her a more comfortable place to have her baby.
As one, the two pregnant women, cried out in pain. But it only took a few moments and soon, both women were holding beautiful babies. Gabrielle's was a boy with a full head of midnight dark hair. She gently rubbed the dark cap and giggled at the babies gurgles. As any other mother would, she counted all his fingers and toes. Then looked at Xena who was busy with a bundle of her own. The cap of light sandy blonde hair, caused Gabrielle to pause and think of another sandy blonde child of Xena's. The warrior, sensing her change in mood, looked up from her counting.
"Gabrielle?" she queried.
The bard was pulled from her musings as a tear slid down her cheek. "I'm so sorry about Solan, Xena."
Xena shifted her daughter to her outer arm as Gabrielle did the same with her son, and they cuddled in a warm embrace. "No, Gabrielle, I'm sorry. Sorry I didn't understand how much you were hurting after..." she paused on the name. "Hope. I should not have asked you to give up your child like that. No one knows how things would have been if I'd have... if we'd have talked things out."
Gabrielle was pleased that they had another chance... both of them. "Do you think that Solan is watching over us. And knows I'm sorry... sorry he had to leave his mother so soon in this life?"
"Yes, Gabrielle, I do." She cooed at the baby in Gabrielle's arms, "What are you going to name him?"
Gabrielle thought about it for a minute. "I don't know." she peeked at her partner. "Would it be all right with you, if I named him Solan."
Xena smiled, "I think that would be wonderful. I think Solan would love it, too."
In the Elysian Fields, a forever young, tow-headed boy watched from the portal and whispered a greeting to his name sake. "Hi, baby Solan." He watch the two women whom he had considered friends then later potential mothers and let the tears fall for lost times. "I love you, mom and Gabrielle. Thank you for letting me live on in your son." The boy wistfully turned away, heading home to the father he never got a chance to know until his death.
"How are Xena and Gabrielle doing, Solan?"
"They are well, father. They just had their babies. Gabrielle named her son after me," the boy beamed. Borias hugged his son and bade him to eat his dinner. It was just another day in the Fields.
********
Solan and Alisa were the pride and joys of their parents. Ares and Aphrodite returned the warrior and bard to their farm. It was shaping into a nice little area to raise children. The nearest town was far enough away to give the family peace but close enough for them to return frequently to trade and attend festivals. Now and again there would be cause for the mommies to leave and help rid a nearby town of raiders, or other vermin. While Auntie Aphrodite and Daddy watched over the children.
They were three, now, and more rambunctious than any 20 three year olds could be. They had spirits of immortals and the energy to go with those spirits; but Xena and Gabrielle, being immortals themselves, were able to keep up.
It was their birthday and the unusual family was down at the lake celebrating. Ares had taken a liking to little Solan. They had the dark hair and brown eyes in common. Little Alisa had her mommy's spit-fire attitude and seemed more organized than her brother. Both seemed equal in their gentler side as well.
Both mothers swam with their children, making sure each had a chance to learn all kinds of ways to swim. Solan was best at floating on his back while Alisa loved to swim underwater, kicking and squirming her way around Xena and Gabrielle.
Ares and Aphrodite had to return to mount Olympus to attend to God-things but promised to return in a few days. The kids said their good-byes to daddy and Auntie before returning to the water.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" a familiar voice came from behind them.
Xena grinned and turned to hug her long-time friend. "Hercules! How have you been these past few years?"
He returned her hug and gave Gabrielle a hug as well. "Well, I've been wandering around and hearing some amazing stories. Something about you dying and coming back again?"
"Oh, that old story?" she grinned back at him. He was being flirtatious with her and she was returning the favor.
He heard children laughing and looked over to see two three year olds, one a boy and one a girl, playing in the water. "Are those... your... children?"
He saw the nodding heads from the women and raised both eyebrows in question. "Solan! Alisa! Come here and meet your Uncle Hercules!" Gabrielle called to her children. The toddlers waddled out of the water and bounded to their mothers, each picking their 2nd mother as a target.
Xena picked up Solan and introduced them, "Solan, this is Hercules, a friend of our family. He's been away for a couple of years."
Solan shook the man's hand in a very grown-up way, saying. "It's nice to meet you Uncle Herc. Mommy Gabby has told us all about your adventures with Uncle Iolaus. About fighting with Hydras, and Echidna, and that spider-woman. What was here name Mommy Xe?" Xena whispered into his ear, getting a giggle and a squirm as her breath tickled. "Oh, yeah. Arachnid."
Hercules took all this in. Xena had changed in the years that he was mourning the loss of his Iolaus. Just after Xena and Gabrielle had come back from yet another near-death experience, the one which left Eve to grow up in the Roman Empire, they had heard that Iolaus had passed. He and Hercules were on yet another routine adventure to save another village when an archer got lucky. This time Iolaus wasn't allowed to come back. And Hercules mourned his loss for the next four years. It was time enough to get through their children's 3rd birthday. Now here he was... hoping to have a chance with Xena, hoping that she and Gabrielle had had enough time together so that he could ask Xena for a bit of her time... away from Gabrielle... time for just them... two immortals, creating a new family of immortals.
"And this is Alisa," Gabrielle said, interrupting his musings. "Alisa, this is your Uncle Hercules. Say hello," Gabrielle prompted when the shy girl turned and buried her face into her Mommy Gabby's shoulder.
"Hi, Alisa," Hercules said as he patted her soft blonde hair. She looks so much like Gabrielle. I wonder who her father is, Hercules thought as he turned his attention back to Xena.
"Xena, can I talk to you for a bit?" Hercules asked.
"Sure. Would you like to go for a walk?" she suggested.
"I'll put the kids down for their N-A-P..." Gabrielle started but got a whine from both children as they recognized the word. Putting Alisa down and taking Solan from Xena's arms and putting him down as well, Gabrielle kissed towards Xena's cheek, which the warrior shifted slightly, turning it into lips.
She had a feeling she knew what Herc wanted to talk about and knew Gabrielle knew it too. But the warrior wanted the message clear. She and Gabrielle were together... in every way... on every level. Hercules got the message and squirmed a bit as he turned away from them to start the walk.
"Be back in a bit," the warrior leered.
"Yeah, well, what you just started will have to be finished... tonight!" the Bard shot back as she, Solan and Alisa, headed up the path, leading to the farm.
"So, Herc, what did you want to talk about?" Xena asked nonchalantly.
He squirmed again, remembering Xena's little display a few moments ago. "Well, Xena, I think it's a moot point now..." He paused to regain his composure. That little display was bringing his mind some wild fantasies. "I was hoping you and I would have a chance together now that you and Gabrielle have decided to settle down."
"Well, Herc, as you can see we're settling down quite nicely with each other..."
"I know," Hercules said sadly. "I guess I'll just have to wait until Gabrielle's time has past. She won't live forever, you know. I can wait a little longer."
"Hercules, what is this all about? You've known that Gabrielle was and is my soulmate. She's going to be with me for eternity."
He stopped and turned to her, "What?! But she's mortal and you're not. I've known that you are an immortal for a long time now Xena. Gabrielle is only with you now, because you were both trapped in that ice cave. But eventually she will die... you will not. I want you to have someone with you who won't break your heart." He put all his cards on the table. "Xena, marry me. We can live out the next few millennia as the couple we were meant to be."
Xena caressed his cheek, "I'm sorry Iolaus died, Hercules. I'm sorry you've been in such pain these last few years. And I wish there was something I could do, but..."
He pulled her in for a passionate kiss. "Marry me, Xena. We could have beautiful children together... As many was we want."
She gently pulled out of his embrace. "I can't. I love Gabrielle. She's my soul, my love, my very reason for being. She completes me."
"She can't give you children, Xena. I can. Why won't you marry me?"
"Herc, you are a good friend. I love you very much but my choice is and always will be Gabrielle. And we will be together for eternity. Aphrodite made her immortal. And we are raising our own family of immortals. Alisa and Solan are immortal as well."
"Were they a gift from Aphrodite, as well?" he asked in a controlled angry tone.
Xena decided that she didn't want to have this out with her friend and left it with, "No. But they were a gift." Xena sighed sensing his upset. "Now, you can be a man about this and accept that I love Gabrielle... And that no one will ever take her place..."
Hercules sighed in defeat ,"Or?"
"Or... We can part company... right here right now."
Hercules didn't want to part company with this remarkable woman and her equally remarkable companion.
"Now if..." Xena continued. "If you can accept the fact that where I go..."
"I go," the familiar voice of her soulmate interrupted. At Xena's concerned look Gabrielle explained... "Aphrodite is watching over them."
Xena smiled and took her partner's hand, "If you can accept that where I go, she goes, and vice versa. Then maybe... maybe, we can work out a deal so that we can have that family of immortals like you want."
He peeked at Xena, "I can never be alone with you?"
"I don't share in that type of capacity," Gabrielle answered for her lover, wrapping her arms possessively around the lithe body.
He looked at Xena to Gabrielle and back to Xena again. "I don't share in that capacity. I can't expect her to."
He sighed again, nodding his head and accepting their future offer.
"Would you like to stay for dinner?" Gabrielle invited. Hercules shook his head... after what he had just heard, he needed time to reflect. Lost another love again, he thought.
Reading the look on his face, Xena grabbed his hand. "You haven't lost me, Herc. But you will have to accept that it will be the three of us."
He looked at Gabrielle, nestled in the arms of the woman he wished he could be in. The bard's hair had grown out again and she did look beautiful, he had to admit. Even in her possessive state she looked beautiful. But to him, Xena would always be more beautiful, more desirable, more... His libido awoke, giving him a new insight to his inner self.
As Xena and Gabrielle started to walk toward the house, Hercules caught their attention again. "On second thought, maybe I will join you for dinner. That sounds nice."
And as the three of them went up to the house, he realized that this could be the start of a new and refreshing life, loves and friendships. He had a family again.
***********
In the heat of a summer evening, children's laughter could be heard. Solan and Alisa played around in the pool. Auntie Aphrodite watched over them, loving the energy the five year old twins had. "Hey, Solan! You think Mommy Xe and Mommy Gabby will give us a brother and sister to play with?"
"I don't know. Uncle Herc said that he would love to be a daddy again and loves us like his own children," Solan related his secret "man talk" he had with Hercules to his sister.
Aphrodite, hearing this conversation, interrupted, "Alisa? Solan? What are you two talking about?"
"Uncle Hercules wants to be our daddy. And wants us to have more kids to play with," Solan explained. "He told me so."
Aphrodite loved the idea that her bro was with her two love bugs. Xena and Gabrielle had been her best advertisements for true love and soulmates concepts but she knew this new twist would do just that to her other brother's shorts.
Ares and Hercules never got along but lusted after the same woman. Her Gabrielle's Soulmate, Xena. She knew that Herc didn't really want to be with Gabrielle and that Herc had always wished that it was him and Xena, while Gabrielle would have gone off with Iolaus. The little blonde studmuffin loved the feisty bard and if this was a "straight" world, he surely would have gotten his way. But this was the real world... their world. Xena had a habit of making any situation turn her way.
She and Gabrielle had gone out on several short trips to save villages, solved more amazon problems that the Goddess of Love cared to count and took family outings to see Lila or sometimes Virgil. But they always came back to the little farm. It was a wonderful little family dwelling and as Solan and Alisa grew, Xena and Gabrielle expanded the house to make extra rooms for each child.
Xena and her bard had seen Hercules one other time in the last two years but was just to catch up on things, have dinner and say hi.
The Love Goddess didn't know that her bro was looking to become a daddy again. He was handsome enough and there were several village girls who just swooned over him but he never really saw any of that... Now she understood why. He still held a candle for the Warrior babe. She hoped that he would be kind to Gabrielle and not try to take Xena away from her.
As she listened in on their romantic night, she understood that maybe things would be alright.
Hercules groaned as he thrusted again. But it was Gabrielle's moan that sent all three of them over the edge. Xena sat up from her inclined position. Gabrielle had been going down on her and she loved the bard's last little nibble on her clit as Herc's seed was released. All that was heard in the room was very heavy breathing as Gabrielle lay curled in Xena's arms. Hercules lay on the other side of Gabrielle and watched the two women touch and caress each other while they reveled in their lovemaking. It was a poignant moment to watch and the big guy felt humbled and privileged to watch this side of both women.
The sweat slicked warrior kissed her bard's head. It had not moved from it's spot on her shoulder... but the licks, nibbles and teeth scraping across her nipple had told her that the bard was not asleep. She was getting aroused again.
Someday, Aphrodite knew she would learn not to look in on them when they were like this. It was rude to eavesdrop and it only incited her own arousal. Though, she knew many men and women who would jump at the chance of bedding her, she felt the loss of Hephastus deeply and had become only a voyeur ever since. She knew she should get out of that funk and enjoy the fruits of her labor but she wasn't sure just how to do that yet. Maybe she would talk with her favorite duo and get their ideas.
"Hercules," Xena whispered as she saw him watching them. "Thank you. We know what it is to be in love with someone and not have that love returned or at least not think that love is returned."
"We do love you, Herc," Gabrielle chimed in.
"I know. But you two are soulmates and that's just the way it's supposed to be. I'm glad I got a chance to help increase your family. For both of you."
Xena smirked. "Confident, isn't he?" she asked Gabrielle who simply smiled as she continued to caress Xena's torso.
They had made love numerous times that night after the initial "getting to know you" session. Hercules had to learn what aroused Gabrielle, which Xena was more than willing to help with.
Now the three of them laid in a tangle of arms and legs. Xena was meshed between them as Gabrielle lay holding her partner and Hercules had his head resting on Xena's belly. His legs hung over the side of the bed while Xena caressed his long hair. Gabrielle continuously stroked her partner's sides, sending goose bumps up and down her body. Of course, she was also being caressed by the large soft hands of the demi-god. He stroked her shins and thighs. With this much stimulation, Xena was surprised she and her two lovers weren't at it again.
"Where is Solan and Alisa?"
"With Aphrodite on Mount Olympus. She said she'd watch them all night if we wanted her to," Gabrielle said.
"I told her it was probably best," Xena informed them. "That I was pretty sure we'd want to spend the night together. That is..." Xena looked at her lover behind her and then at the demi-god in front of her. "...if you both want. We could call her back here and have the kids here tonight."
"Nah. Let her be with them. I think she really wants to spend time with them," Gabrielle said as she ruffled her lover's bangs. Xena smiled up at her and they both looked at Hercules. "What do you say, Herc? Want to go another round?"
He stared at each woman in amazement. "You're both ready to go again?"
They grinned at him. Xena reached up and pulled Gabrielle's head down for a loving kiss. It turned passionate very quickly and Herc sat up, watching them make love all over again. He was ready in pretty short order. 'Watching them go at it like two rabbits in heat...' he thought. 'Is enough to make any man horny.' His manhood agreed as it became erect again.
**********
Solan and Alisa were having fun. Auntie Aphrodite loved listening to them tell stories. Solan was good at it while Alisa was more physical in her tale-telling. She did more demonstrations while Solan told the story. "Then mom went like that!" Alisa demonstrated the sword thrust that felled the bad guy. "And mommy fought right by her side." Alisa demonstrated the sais motion her mommy had used on the group of fighter who tried to destroy the village they were staying in.
"And the village was saved," Solan finished the tale.
"Well done," Aphrodite clapped as the two children took their bows. "So, tell Auntie 'Dite, what do both want to be when you grow up?"
Solan shrugged. "I'm not sure. I think I'd like to do something with horses. You know, keep them healthy and well shod."
Alisa plopped down next to her Aunt. "What about you, Sweetpea? What do you want to do?"
Alisa was more sure. "I want to be a healer. Mom's been teaching me about herbs. She said it's never too late to learn."
At that moment Ares popped into the room. "So, how are my little ones doing?" Both children ran at the war god and leapt into his arms.
"Daddy!" they yelled, simultaneously.
He caught them up and hugged them with equal measure... after all, his daughter came from the lust of his life but it was the bard that gave him a son. So, he didn't think the blonde was very irritating anymore. Anyone who fought by his warrior princess for as long as the young woman had and still lived couldn't be all bad. Besides, the warrior-bard had been coming into her own these last few years. He noticed Aphrodite sitting on the divan in the chamber.
"Are you playing babysitter for my horny girls, tonight, 'Dite?" he asked, as he set the kids down.
Aphrodite wasn't sure what to say or if to tell Ares anything. She decide, "Well, yes, I am. Xena and Gabrielle brought the kids up here and asked me to watch them and that they didn't want to be disturbed all night. Actually that was the warrior-babe's idea. I guess she just really wanted her warrior-bard to herself all night."
"But, it's not..." Alisa tried to add but the love-goddess put her hand over her niece's mouth so she couldn't say anymore.
Ares turned to them suspiciously. "What's going on, Aphrodite?"
The love-goddess knew she was in trouble any time Ares used her whole name. He had taken to calling her what his family did - 'Dite - for most things. But when he was mad or she had done/knew something he didn't like, he called her whole name.
"Uh-oh," the goddess whispered. "It's nothing. The babes just wanted to spend the evening together, that's all. You know how they get. They're my best ads for love."
"Yeah, but Alisa and Solan wouldn't be here if that's all they wanted. They're with someone aren't they?" Ares was getting jealous. He didn't want any other man to be his family's stud. He was the one they said they'd call on if they decided to have any more children. Then it hit him... The only other man alive who would love to be with his warrior and her bard babe.
He turned and flashed out of the room with a wave of his hand, determined to put a halt to their little tryst with his half-brother.
"I really think we blew it," Solan told the two females in the room. They both nodded in agreement.
**********
Hercules had spilled his seed again this time in the other woman. But he just couldn't keep up with Gabrielle and Xena. They were still making love and he was left by the side of the bed.
They seemed to not even notice when Ares entered the room. Xena stiffened with yet another climax. Then her senses brought on the knowledge of a new party in the room. Gabrielle panted, catching her breathe but keeping her fingers in the love nest where she adored to keep them all night some nights.
Xena, in all her naked glory, smirked at the war god standing next to Hercules. "Hello, Ares," she drawled.
Gabrielle turned in the guys' direction, noticing them for the first time since Hercules had removed himself from the bed and allowed them to finish their last session.
"Well, Xena, you couldn't leave it with the three of us, you had to go and add him to the mix," Ares spat out, stressing the word 'him'.
"Ares, we didn't have an exclusive arrangement. Yes, you may father more of our children in the future but Hercules is a good man and our friend. He needed us, just as you had. We are very grateful for our children, Solan and Alisa."
"But as Xena said, it wasn't an exclusive agreement," Gabrielle backed her lover up.
"I said arrangement, love," Xena teased, getting a gentle belly slap and a passionate kiss for her efforts.
Neither woman was afraid of Ares and it showed. And they were content with their nakedness in front of both men. "All right, let's have this out," Xena said as she got up and handed Herc his pants. She kissed him then went to Ares and gave him a kiss, too. Both men were surprised by this action. But she continued on and got dressed herself. Gabrielle followed suit. Giving each man a peck on the cheek.
In the main part of the farm house, Xena lit the fire, preparing for the long talk. Gabrielle set tea on and went to stand next to her soulmate. Both women took the long seat opposite the fire place. It was a cozy little place that the two of them often snuggled in. Gabrielle wore her after love-making robe. It was the one she wore when roaming the house in the evening just before bed or in the morning when she just wasn't ready to get dressed. It covered her completely with a tying sash, but gave Xena ample access if the warrior felt a need to touch her bard. Xena wore the same. Each woman's robe was the color of her lover's eyes.
Ares entered as the water began to boil. Gabrielle got up to make four cups of hot tea. As she left the couch, Xena caressed her exposed thigh. Their hands clasped and released as Hercules took his seat across from them. Ares stepped to Gabrielle's vacated seat but was stopped by a growl from the warrior-bard, "Don't even think about it, Ares. That's my seat and we both know it."
He was in the mood to tweak someone, so, it might as well be her. She made the cups, allowing him to sit there for the time being. Xena just smirked. She knew what was coming. She handed a cup to Hercules and set another one down next to what would soon be Ares seat. Then returned with hers and Xena's cups. The warrior held the cups while Gabrielle bodily removed the war god from her chair and placed him in his own.
The god of war was so surprised that all he could do was gawk at the younger woman as she seated herself again. Hercules had to hide his smile behind his hand.
"She may be little but she's feisty, we have to give her that, Ares," the demi-god told the god of war. The other man just hurumphed his answer, as Gabrielle took the cup Xena handed to her and took a sip of the warm liquid.
Xena surprised the two men by starting the conversation. "We have to get this settled, once and for all. Gabrielle and I love both of you. And each of you may be father to our future children. Right now, Ares, it's Hercules turn. We are hopefully both pregnant again. We both want a large family, now that we've settled down," Xena stated. She and Gabrielle held each others' hands. The warrior didn't like being without contact with her warrior-bard any longer than she had to. Especially for a conversation like this.
"And as for you, Herc. Realize that this arrangement is a double deal. If we ask for your services again, it will be on a dual basis. I do not share Xena just as she doesn't share me. We are a team," Gabrielle chimed in, referring to the big guy's last attempt to bed Xena alone.
Xena nodded her agreement. She put her arm around her bard, pulling her closer to her. Most couples didn't seem to need this much closeness but these two women were unique, not only in their joined lives but in their relationship as well.
**********
Aphrodite put the two children to bed and went to the looking-glass bowl. It was a place she would check up on one love interest or another. Tonight, it was focused on a little farm house where her two charges lived. She wanted to eavesdrop on the conversation taking place since she was part of the reason they were having this little talk.
She noticed Xena had sensed her presence and looked up at the roof of her home. 'I hope the children are doing all right Auntie 'Dite. They rarely fall asleep right away,' the warrior thought to her, not wanting to interrupt this long-overdue talk but sending fair warning about children and their mischievous ways.
The love-goddess took the hint and stayed with her niece and nephew until they were fast asleep. She knew she could ask Gabrielle about the talk later. The bard was more inclined to talk with her about these things than the warrior.
***********
They had finally agreed to the plan, though both men really just wanted alone time with Xena. They thought the bard was cute but no way in Xena league of gorgeous. Xena had informed them both that if Gabrielle could give her children alone and vice versa, neither man would be needed. So they agreed to the final arrangements, glad to at least be in the warrior's life and bed once in a while.
Now with that settled, Xena and Herc were in the field matching off against each other with staves. Gabrielle, Alisa, and Solan were watching from the great oak, a bench that Xena had carved under a large shade tree just for this purpose. She and the bard had been out here a few times since Solan's and Alisa's births, to keep in shape. When the babies became old enough to sit up and actually watch, Xena had created the seat for them. Now her family sat and watched her sparring with her long time friend and recent reacquainted lover. Gabrielle held onto each youngster to keep them from going out into the field and getting hurt during the match.
Xena thrust the end of the staff at Herc's mid-section barely hitting him as he jumped out of reach. Both were now immortal and Xena had been recently made a demi-god by Ares. He had offered the same gift to the bard but she gently refused, stating that being immortal and able to live the rest of her life with her partner was enough. Xena had always had the speed and longevity of a demi but now she had the strength as well. She was now a match for Hercules in all aspects.
"Come on, Herc!" Xena taunted as the big guy had tried to get inside her defense and failed. "You can do better than that!" The demi-god grinned and went for the warrior's mid-section, missing completely as Xena flipped over him and escaped his blow with ease.
Xena reflected that she needed to keep him away from her belly. She knew there was a little life growing in there and it would not do to have it cut short before it ever had a chance at life. She remembered when she and Gabrielle had gone back to bed after the long talk with Ares and Hercules. They had snuggled and talked, both enjoying the other's company. Then it hit. They both glanced at the other and ran for the nearest bush to empty their breakfasts, the morning sickness had set in, which could only mean one thing...
Both knew that last night was not the time. They had experimented with Herc a few weeks ago to see if he would be able to handle being with both women. It was an unusual night to say the least.
But here they were now, Morning sickness had set in. "I've never been so happy to be sick in all my life, my love," the warrior had husked into Gabrielle's ear as they both took a breath from being sick.
"Sorry, but I don't share that delight. I'm happy to know I'm going..." the bard paused and amended,"...we are going to have more children but I could do without this part of the experience." Gabrielle was whining, which made Xena grin all the more. Her bard was so cute when she was like this.
Hercules hadn't been told about the successful pregnancies yet. Xena knew that if she had told him, they would not be sparring right now. While they had cuddled some more after all the retching, Gabrielle begged the warrior to tell the big guy about his impending fatherhood. She wanted him to know that he would soon be a double daddy. Xena absolutely refused to tell him until after the session he had promised her that afternoon. Though she did promise her partner she would be careful and keep her mid-section well protected.
They clashed staves again and again, neither taking the upper hand as they were presented. Xena knew she could beat Hercules, now but wanted to toy with him a bit longer. Her taunts were getting to him, the tall man admitted to himself, exasperatedly.
Every time she would jab him with her stick and egg him on with, "Come on, Herc. My mother could hit harder than that," or some such like it, he would want to slam his staff down on hers and make it rattle to hurt her hands.
Finally after hours of fighting, both combatants were sweaty and tiring. Xena looked over at her family. Gabrielle had the kids playing a little hand game, rock, scissors, parchment to keep them occupied. She was nearly taken down by Hercules because of this little distraction. But she wasn't and the big guy made a critical error. Xena saw her advantage, as bright as the warm summer day they were enjoying, and pressed it.
She swung around in an arching move, taking the large man's feet out from under him. As he went down, Xena took the staff from his hands with another graceful sweep of her own staff. She caught it as it came back down, just before it would have hit Hercules in the chest.
He lay there, looking up at her. "Nice catch," he panted.
Gabrielle and the kids cheered Xena on for her win. They raced out to meet the two fighters. Xena helped Herc to his feet. "Shall we go have dinner?" the bard asked, as she came up to join them. Alisa and Solan ran at the two taller adults and leapt into their arms. Solan into Herc's and Alisa into Xena's. Gabrielle walked contentedly between her two lovers. All walked in silence for a bit toward the farm house.
"So, when were you going to tell me?" Hercules surprised the two women with the question.
"Tell you what?" Gabrielle asked, feigning innocence, which was a little harder to do now that she was a wise woman of the world.
"I'm not deaf. I heard one or maybe even both of you gagging this morning," he replied.
The two women looked at each other and grinned. "Oh, that," Xena said, casually. "It's nothing. We probably caught a bug or something. Really, Hercules, it is a little too early to tell if we're with child. We were just with you last night."
"Yeah," Gabrielle chimed in. "It usually takes a couple of weeks to know if we are..." The bard left the thought hanging.
Herc knew the women were tweaking him and decided to play along, "Or... something... huh?" he grinned.
"Yeah," Xena continued the game.
Gabrielle playfully slapped her warrior on the belly. "Xena, be good."
The warrior leaned into her partner's ear and whispered, "I'm always good, my bard. And if you're really lucky, maybe tonight I'll show you just how good."
Gabrielle giggled, her lover's breath tickling her ear. Herc couldn't hear what was said but if the younger woman's blush was any indication, he could guess and it was not fit for little children's ears.
He loved how sexy they both looked. Xena had a very radiant glow about her. He had noticed the bard had a glow, too, but wasn't sure if it was from her natural lust for life, or Xena's close body and words, or from being pregnant. He decided he didn't much care. They were both happy and that made him very happy.
Life was good. And he intended to keep it that way.
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The End... (for Now) - by MerryAngel