Rome was fantastic. The shining streets, the glistening palaces. It's beauty even distracted Aemilius from his sadness. Although he still missed his parents I could tell he wasn't thinking about it as much.
Livia was ecstatic to meet him. She picked him up and kissed him, and I could tell how well they were going to get along well.
Livia was even happier to see me. She waddled over to me, and hugged me as hard as she could.
"I missed you." she said.
"I missed you as well my darling."
I stood there and embraced her. She smelled like flowers, a literal breath of fresh air after the bloodstained fields of Gaul.
"I'm sorry Livia, but I'll probably only be able to stay up to the birth. Then I'll have to go back to the front."
"It's fine. I guess."
"No it's not fine, I swear I'd give anything not to have to go back."
"No, I want you to go and win those wars. I don't want my son's to have to be taken away from me like my husband is."
"Honey-"
"Honey nothing, there is no more to say. Now let's go make up a room for Aemilius."
I could tell she was cross. I knew that she understood and wasn't really all that mad, but it stung all the same.
Over the next couple of weeks we worked on Aemilius' room. He got a cosy little cot right next to the babies bed. It was adorable to watch him sleep. Sometimes he'd waking up screaming for his mother, and I got the nagging feeling that he wasn't talking about Livia.
After 2 weeks Livia's water broke. She was rushed to a doctor and gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. They named him Romuli. Unfortunately I was required to leave soon after. I was only with Romuli a week before leaving. It was the happiest and saddest week of my life.
YOU ARE READING
The Adventures of a Roman legionnaire
Historical FictionThis is a story written from the memoirs of a Roman legionnaire in the 4th century b.c.e. I have taken the time to translate them for you. Please Enjoy Not finished with it yet, almost daily updates I promise!
