A World Caving In

The First Steps

A lot would happen in the coming months. A few ups and downs here and there and a baby! A delicate baby boy born on the 2nd of September with brown hair and bright emerald green eyes that shined like the bright sky. Named after the God feared by many in the battlefields, Ares. Ares Smith, that was his name, the most precious thing in their world, he meant so much to them. The touching first moment when he wrapped his fingers around Mace's. Mace remembers it so vividly, how he went from throwing a tantrum from getting his diapers changed to him sleeping so gently in her arms.

As the seasons change, the leaves fall and grow, and the sun changes positions. What was once a mere baby is now able to crawl and stand on his own. The leaves changing color symbolizes the coming of Autumn, and also Ares's birthday. The days leading up to his birthday were only filled with pure enthusiasm, their first born's turning one soon. As the moon rises, so does the boy's bed time. Little baby Ares had fallen asleep in Jean's arms. After a day filled with joy and fun, one would definitely be tired. "Jean, do you want me to pick him up for you? " "In a second, Mace. I just, I just want to stay like this for a little longer." He says with his eyes still on the sleeping baby. "If you say so, I'll be waiting for you downstairs then."

Jean quietly places Ares in his crib, he was truly the cutest when sleeping. He then heads to the old wooden rocking chair and with only the two of them left, a thought came into his mind. When was the last time he felt this peaceful? This happy? The battlefields weren't exactly the calmest places to be. All the noises, the sounds of grenades being launched, the gruesome screams of soldiers begging to be spared, and of course, the bodies... "No, that was all in the past," A battle was going on in his mind "I'm married now, a family man, aren't I? I'm not the same man I was back on the battlefield," "but the deeds I've done, the men I've slaughtered.." As the memories came rushing into his mind, a voice reached out, "Jean, honey, I made drinks for us." Mace. Of course it was her, it was her and only her. The only person who could calm him down.

As Jean heads down the stairs, music starts playing. The record player, an item Mace gave him for his birthday, also the day he confessed. Mace had always loved drinking liquor, a habit she developed in the army. As she sips her whiskey, Jean leans in closely to her ear," Now that we have Ares, are all your wishes granted, princess?" He says cheekily. Mace, clearly flustered, almost spat out her drink "Oh Jean, my boy's clearly tipsy. I should've known this would happen, he's always been a light drinker" Mace sighed, he'd always been like this, it was silly in a sort of way. Oh how funny it was seeing the stern Lieutenant acting like a toddler when he drank too much, this scene had become a daily occurrence at their base. As she reminisced, a thought popped up.

"Dance with me, will you?" "Hm? Oh, sure." As they've done tons and tons of times before, Jean grabs her hand delicately and escorts her into the middle of the living room. With their favorite song playing in the background, their bodies slowly sway to the music. Oh how much does she miss this. between the missions and deployments, it was hard on the both of them. But now, it's just the two of them, together, just like the old days. As the moon reaches its peak, the moonlight begins to descend on their bodies. "Jean, you stepped on my foot!" "Oops, my bad." Bodies sway in sync, hearts merged as one, longing for each other.