Three years later...

Anticipation

Aramis and D'Artagnan were sitting in the Captain's office with Brujon rereading the letter over and over again. Porthos was coming home. Only for two weeks the letter said, but still enough time to reunite with thier friend properly. The young solider had to start his journey back to the front tomorrow, so Aramis set him up with rooms in the Palace. He knew now his duty was to tell the Queen of the great news.
"He'll be here in four days," Brujon informed the Captain and Minister.
"Thank you Brujon. And good luck out there," D'Artagnan replied. "Send our good fortune to all those who fight." Brujon and D'Artagnan shook hands before the former and Aramis made their way to the Palace. Aramis showed Brujon to his rooms and the Musketeer bid goodnight. Aramis then made his way to the Queen's quarters. He knocked on the door and she answered promptly.
She let him in and waved her ladies in waiting away so the two of them were left alone.
"Your Majesty, I gave great news. General Du Vallon, Porthos, is to return home with news from the front. He will stay two weeks before returning."
"Good. How happy I will be to see my old friend again, and even more so for you."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Aramis turned to go.
"Aramis?" Anne said. The First Minister turned to face her again. "I truly am happy," she said walking closer to him. "For both of us. Everything as it is right now is the way it should be. Our son is growing strong and handsome, like his father."
"And wise and kind like his mother," Aramis remarked. Anne leaned into Aramis and they kissed, something they'd been able to do more freely since the death of Louis. Still in privacy, but they weren't anxious about being seen. No-one would walk in on them. The Dauphin was now nine. He enjoyed horses and fighting, like all Kings did, his predecessor in particular.
"When is Porthos to arrive?" Anne asked.
"Four days' time. D'Artagnan already knows and Brujon delivered the message. He is to return tomorrow."
"How is D'Artagnan doing? I know I see him but it's mostly official business."
"Good. He has a new group of cadets, one of which I knew from a previous life."
"I'm glad he settled into the role of Captain well. It was a big ask after Treville and Athos had been there previously, but especially being so young, he's done well." Aramis smiled at Anne before bowing and leaving the room.
Of the other three, Porthos had been Aramis' best friend. They had the closest relationship and likewise with D'Artagnan and Athos. Athos had guided the youngest Musketeer more than the others and the four of them had become the greatest Musketeers of all time.
Aramis kept his old uniform in his quarters and took it out from time to time, ran his fingers along the intricate designs, reminded himself of the many missions he'd been on with his brothers and the many beautiful women who'd touched his leather. He was past all that now though. There was only one woman he was involved with and three quarters of the four were about to be reunited. He was content, happy.
It had taken him the first year in his new position as First Minister to make the transition from a Musketeer to the position he was in now. There would be times when he would walk to the Garrison and stand at the entrance, watch D'Artagnan training the young cadets and wondered whether he had made the right decision. He knew in his heart he had but being a Musketeer had been what he lived for. Then, at those times, he remembered that just before he left, Athos had reminded him that he would always be a musketeer at heart, just not as an occupation. Aramis had held onto that belief and he knew D'Artagnan welcomed him at the Garrison whenever he wanted to make an appearance. He was glad he still had one of the other three residing near him, involved in his life. He would have felt totally alone, if after all the years he'd spent with his brothers, they all left and he was the only one still in Paris.
He would be visiting the Garrison more often now though. Now that Luc, the boy he had fathered for four years, was a cadet. He was grateful to the Captain for thinking of the boy. During Aramis' time at the monastery, Luc had always been headstrong and a born leader. D'Artagnan had obviously seen these qualities and had acted upon them. Aramis was always fond of the young cadet, no matter how much he got on the ex Musketeer's nerves.

Four days later
Aramis woke, knowing what today was and who would be coming. He had cancelled all of his meetings and visits today. Today was devoted to the friend he had not seen for years. The Queen knew of this and agreed with Aramis that that was what he should do. Aramis would greet Porthos at the palace and then take him to the Queen before the two of them headed off to the Garrison to see D'Artagnan. Aramis had been anticipating this day for three years. The last words he had uttered to the General before he left were: "You'll be back." And he had been right. They were going to be reunited at last.