Aurelia || SERIES ROMANA I

Chapter 71 ~ Flavia Domitilla

31st August 38 AD

They had been back in Tusculum for almost a month and this time Aurelia had no reason to be lonely. Of course, part of her would rather be by the sea than in the mountains, but everyone had assured her that the cooler climate was better for Julius. Besides, Gaius was against travelling so far with a new-born when they had a villa a day's journey from Rome with a similar recreational factor. Most of the senators had taken up their villas on the Gulf of Naples and very few had moved to travel to Tusculum when they noticed that the Julio-Claudian family was in the mountains that summer. Yet their suppers were rich with faces they knew from Rome, not least because their entire family had joined them. Even Vespasian had travelled from his estate in Cosa a few days ago.
Some days Gaius retreated to his study-to-study reports or answer letters and petitions. But most of the time he spent with Julius and her. Every afternoon they walked hand in hand through the meadows and gardens of the estate and Aurelia enjoyed not having to share her husband with all of Rome in those moments. They were just Gaius and Aurelia. Two new parents walking around their estates. Of course, their conversations revolved mostly around Julius. After three days, Aurelia was able to persuade Gaius to let her nurse her son from time to time. Before the birth of her child, she had successfully repressed the fact that breastfeeding mothers were not only unusual in the Roman upper class, but also frowned upon. It was not proper to breastfeed oneself if one could afford a wet nurse and Gaius had hired three wet nurses for her son. For days they had weighed all the pros and cons. Finally, they agreed that Aurelia would breastfeed Julius in secret, which allowed them to avoid unsavoury gossip. Nevertheless, it was infinitely difficult for her to hand Julius over to one of the wet nurses when he cried out with hunger as soon as they were surrounded by her friends or family. So, she increasingly withdrew from the others and spent most of her time with her son.
"What are you thinking about?", Gaius wanted to know, and she emerged from the world of her thoughts. Smiling, she blinked up at him and confessed that she had just been thinking about Julius and she couldn't wait to watch him grow up. To her surprise, Gaius became very quiet and stopped. Questioningly, she also paused and eyed him silently. The next moment he shook his head and smiled at her light-heartedly.
"Is this how you imagined your birthday?" she asked softly as he pulled her closer and buried his face in her hair. Gaius snorted in amusement.
"Honestly, I thought my birthdays would be a wee bit more exciting if I outlived Tiberius," he confessed, straightening up and resting his forehead against hers. Immediately she probed and he began to tell her about the games and day-long dinners he had planned to host in Rome. She frowned thoughtfully and his grin grew a shade wider. He had only meant to tease her. Indignantly, she slapped him gently on the upper arm and he laughed happily.
"I have everything I need," he assured her seriously and kissed her softly. The dull echo of hobnailed shoes caused them to reluctantly disengage. Gaius cast a quick glance over her shoulder and heaved a small sigh.
"What is it Suetonius?" he called out to the approaching man and Aurelia turned. While Clement had remained in Rome, not wanting to leave the city without protection, Suetonius had accompanied her to Tusculum. The praetorian prefect trudged towards them with firm steps. As soon as he reached her, he reported without mincing words, "A carriage has arrived at the gate with a woman who claims to have been invited by you, Aurelia."
Irritated, Aurelia frowned and quickly went through in her mind which of her friends were missing. But they had all arrived weeks ago. Thoughtfully, she inquired about the woman's name.
"She claims to be a relative of yours and her name is Flavia Domitilla," Suetonius quickly replied and completely taken aback, she exchanged a quick glance with Gaius. As they followed Suetonius back to the villa, Aurelia recalled everything she knew about this woman. It was frighteningly little. Probably the reason for her lack of knowledge was that Flavia Domitilla had died sometime before the year of the Four Emperors. With every step, her excitement and curiosity grew about this woman who had produced two emperors - one of whom had been murdered. Suetonius sent a slave ahead and instructed Flavia to put Domitilla up in one of the small guest rooms.