By T.Novan
TNovan@aol.com
First in the Melosa Series
Disclaimers: MCA/Universal own the rights to Xena and company. This is a piece of fan fiction and no profits are being made and no copyright infringement is intended.
Subtext: Yes. Sex is implied, not seen. This portrays the relationship between to consenting adult females. If this isn't you thing that's okay, just leave now. If it's illegal where you live, move.
Violence: Nope. Not even one little bit.
Sitting on the floor, next to the bed with my head resting on my hand. I watch them sleep, both of them. My wife and our newborn baby daughter. I can feel the smile that plays on the edge of my lips as I gently brush back a few strands of hair from Gabrielle's forehead. She doesn't even stir at my touch. She's simply too exhausted. There's a look of total contentment of her face that I have never seen before. Even in her sleep she looks so happy.
Cradled securely in the crook of her arm is our daughter, less than two candle marks old. Her dark hair peeks out from under the blanket and her hand jerks involuntarily as she is held closely to her mother. I reach over and stroke her little hand, curled tightly into a tiny fist. I can't help but let out a quiet laugh. My big, rough hand reaching for this little one and then when we make contact her hand opens and wraps tightly around my finger. For a moment her blue eyes open and she looks at me.
Silent tears begin to fall from my eyes as I realize I have just lost my heart to another. This small innocent creature has captured my heart and soul just as her mother before her. I will give my life for them if need be but now I hope it doesn't come to that. I want the rest of my life with my family. I want to watch her grow and become the fine young princess she is destined to be.
I look back up at Gabrielle, my partner, my lover, my wife, and my queen. She still sleeps. I know she's tired and I don't begrudge her, her rest. I just miss her. I miss her even when she sleeps. I look at her beautiful face and I remember the night our child was conceived….
Gabrielle left for the temple today. Her yearly purification ritual. I know it's necessary I just hate being away from her for three days. She always so happy and content afterward. It's good for her, so it's good for me, for us.
I manage to do without her just fine during the day. I spent my time on the practice field training the young warrior's. Ephiny tells me that secretly they hate this time of the year. Apparently I'm a little tougher on them than normal.
Nighttime however, brings an altogether different set of circumstances. I've become so accustomed to being with her I find it very hard to sleep without her. I spend my nights wandering the village. Most of the time I end up outside the temple, setting on the steps. One year Solari actually found me asleep on the steps the next morning. She's never quite let me live it down. Now I always make sure I leave before I think I might actually sleep.
As I walk through the village tonight, the Priestess comes to me and tells me that my presence is required in the temple. My first thought is that something has happened to Gabrielle. My throat constricts and there are no words. The Priestess must see the fear in my eyes. She assures me that all is well as she escorts me to the doors of the temple. She smiles at me, opens one of the doors and I step inside. The door closes behind me.
As I look to the front of the temple, the only light is from two candles on either side of the altar. I move forward and finally see Gabrielle on the large bed that is always placed here for her during the ritual. She smiles at me and motions for me to come to her. I kneel next to the bed and take her hand.
"I've spoken to Artemis Xena. I have told her of my greatest desire. To have a child." She says softly as I stroke her hand. My heart stops for a moment. She wants the one thing I can not give her. I always knew this day would come and I wondered how I would react. I want to make her happy so I realize I'll do anything to see it happen.
"What do we have to do?" I ask hoping my voice doesn't betray me.
"Make love to me Xena. It's part of the ritual." She leans over and kisses me with passion I have never before felt from her.
Our lovemaking that night was more passionate than it had ever been. We both seemed possessed. At one point we both found our crests at the same time, and I swear to this day we became one with each other. I could hear her in my mind, feel her in my body and her heart was beating with my own, our souls merged. So after we both fell into an exhausted sleep. The bard right where she belonged tucked into the crook of my arm.
Later I awoke. I'm not sure why. I knew Gabrielle was gone from the bed. I started to get up when I realized that she was at the altar talking with someone. My urge to protect my love brought me further up, and then I realized she was speaking with Artemis. The Goddess smiled at Gabrielle and placed a hand on her queen's stomach.
"A fine baby girl shall be born to you and the warrior. Tonight I have seen her love for you and your love for her. A purer love has never existed between two mortals. Your child is a precious gift. A part of you both. Now return to your warrior, she is concerned for you."
I watched in stunned silence as Artemis disappeared and her words sunk in. Fine baby girl…part of us both… Gabrielle returned to the bed and slid in, wrapping her arms around me as we lay back down. Neither of us spoke. We just lay there together with the moonlight streaming into the temple from the windows above us. I had never felt so calm and at peace in my life then I did at that moment…
A little gurgle brings me back from my memories and I return my gaze to my daughter who is becoming fussier by the moment. "What's the matter little one?" I ask softly trying not to disturb Gabrielle.
"She's probably hungry."
I look up. The bard smiles at me as she adjusts to her side and begins to feed our daughter for the first time. I feel the breath leave my body and I try to find words. I can't. Tears begin to form in my eyes. This is the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. It's almost enough to vanquish all of the horrible things my eyes have seen. I rub my eyes before the tears spill from them and then I reach out and push a stray lock of hair back behind my wife's ear.
"She's beautiful Xena." Gabrielle whispers as she looks down and caresses the small cheek, tears slip from her own eyes. I don't need to ask why. I already know.
"Yes, yes she is. So tell me what are we going to name her?"
Without looking up "If it's alright with you I'd like to name her Melosa."
"Melosa it is then."
I sit back for a moment and look at them both, my wife and my daughter, the two most important people in my life. There's no doubt now, they've got me right where they want me, I'm wrapped.
End.
The Raising Melosa Series Continues with In A Queen's Eyes