Part Four

The next day, Joxer woke up bright and early. He looked over at Gabrielle who seemed to be glowing as she slept. He leaned down to give her a morning kiss. Gabrielle slowly woke up and smiled beautifully up at him. Suddenly her eyes widened and she burst from underneath the bedcovers and ran out the door. Joxer sat up in the bed and patiently waited for her to return. After a short while, she came back and sat on the bed next to him, looking drained. "You okay?"

Gabrielle looked at him blearily. "Yeah, I love doing this every morning. Joxer, the next time we decide to have kids, you are going to have them, not me."

"Uh Gabrielle, if I could I would."

Gabrielle smiled, "Thanks Joxer. So, what do you want to do today?"

"Well, Maria wants to meet you."

"Maria? Oh, you mean Ricky's mother! I would love to meet her."

"Good. Why don't we get dressed? Then we can head over there."

"Okay. Is it all right if Xena comes with us?" Gabrielle asked as she pulled off her nightgown and reached for the shift she was using to clothe herself since her normal clothing no longer fit her.

"Sure. If she wants to," Joxer said as he pulled his tunic over his head and tucked it into his pants.

Gabrielle nodded as Joxer finished dressing. He turned around and smiled, walking over to give her a kiss. "I'm going to go talk to Jace for a while. You have fun at Maria's and I'll meet you over there later." He smiled and walked from the room.

Gabrielle returned the smile as she watched him leave, and then she went downstairs for breakfast. Gabrielle felt the babies move and she sighed deeply. She wondered what they would look like. Xena came in and stared at her. "Dinar for your thoughts," she said as she sat down next to Gabrielle.

"Oh hi, Xena. I was just thinking about the babies," Gabrielle said. "Xena, I wasn't pregnant that long with Hope and I was wondering - when does it get bad?"

"Gabrielle, it doesn't get bad. Having a baby is the most wonderful thing in the world. Yes there's the morning sickness, the weird food cravings, your feet swelling up and having to go to the bathroom all the time, but once you hold that sweet bundle of joy in your arms, you don't even remember the pain you felt while you were in labor." Xena held her close. "Are you scared, Gabrielle?"

Gabrielle placed her head on Xena's shoulder. "Maybe a little," she admitted. "Xena, I would like our children to be born in the Amazon village."

"Did you talk it over with Joxer?"

"Not yet. I'm not sure what he will say."

"Gabrielle, you need to talk it over with Joxer, not me. He's your husband."

"I'm not sure if Joxer will understand."

"You won't know until you talk to him."

"I know. Thanks, Xena. Oh, by the way, we've been invited over to Maria's. Would you like to come?"

"Okay. When?"

"Any time, I think."

"Let me get a bite to eat and then we'll go."

Jace looked up from his makeup table and stared at Joxer. "You want to know what?"

"What do Amazons do with a male child?"

"Why do you want to know this?"

"I've got a funny feeling in the pit of my gut that Gabrielle wants our children to be born in the Amazon village. I know how they feel about girls, but I don't about boys and I can't ask Gabrielle. She might get mad or something."

Jace frowned. "Joxer, I really don't know except for centaurs. I've never seen a male child in a village."

"Do you think Arose might know?"

"I don't know. You could ask her. Sorry I couldn't be more help."

"Thanks, Jace. I think I will." Joxer left Jace and found Arose. She was making a wreath of flowers for her and Eve.

"Hi Oxer!"

"Hi Eve! So, what do you have there?"

"Something pretty for my hair. I'm going to show Mommy! Bye!"

Joxer and Arose watched as Eve ran off to find Xena. Arose looked at him curiously. "So what's up?"

"Do you remember what Amazons do to a male child?"

"Gee, it's been so long ago. As a matter of fact, I don't even remember ever seeing a male child in the village."

"That doesn't make sense! There have to be male children. No one can control what they have, can they?"

"Look Joxer, only an Amazon can answer that. I have no idea."

"But you are an Amazon."

"Was, Joxer. I'm not any more."

"Arose, you'll always be an Amazon, but thanks for the help. I think I know what I must do."

Joxer turned around and walk away. "Joxer, where are you going?"

"To ask an Amazon."

Arose ran over to him and put a hand on his shoulder. "Where are you going to find an Amazon?"

"I'm not sure, but I will. Arose, I have to know!"

"Joxer, going to an Amazon village without permission is just asking for trouble. Please think of something else!"

"Arose, I understand what you're saying, but I have to know. Wonder if they destroy a male child?"

"Joxer! How can you even say that? Amazons aren't barbarians!"

"I'm sorry, Arose. I'm just worried, that's all."

"Okay, I forgive you." Arose leaned up and gave Joxer a kiss. She then saw Jace and a tall girl coming towards them. Jace came to a stop in front of them.

"Gaia, this is my brother Joxer and he needs some answers."

The tall red haired woman looked at Joxer then back at Jace. "You owe me, Jacey."

Jace smiled. "I always deliver, Gaia."

"Later, hot stuff." She then turned to Joxer, whose mouth was wide open. "Hey sweetie, close the lid before flies decide to make a home in there."

Joxer quickly closed his mouth. "Who are you?"

"Like Jacey said, I'm Gaia. I'm an Amazon. Nice to meet ya. Now what's the problem, sweetie?"

"Well, my wife's going to have twins and I have a funny feeling she wants to have them in the Amazon village... Uh, the one she knows."

"And?"

"I want to know what happens to a male baby."

Gaia smiled at him. "We eat them."

Joxer's face suddenly turned green. Gaia stared at him. "Hey easy, sweetie! I was just pulling your leg! Sheesh, I can't believe that you thought what I was saying was for real! You need to get out more."

Joxer stared at her angrily. "That wasn't funny! How in Hades am I supposed to know if that was true or not? I've never seen a male child in an Amazon village!"

"Point taken. Now listen, sweetie. You don't need to worry. You and your wife aren't part of the Amazon Nation."

"Gabrielle is."

"Does she live there?"

"No."

"Well then if you did, here's what would happen. The shamaness would deliver the babies and if they're both girls or if only one of the twins is a girl, they or she will be fussed over. If they're both boys or just one is a boy, they or he will be given to you immediately and it's up to you to take care of him or them. If any male born is weak, he's left in the woods to die."

"WHAT? NO WAY!"

"Calm down, sweetie! I said that's only if you were living there and part of the Nation and obeyed the rules without question. But since you aren't, a close Amazon friend would deliver the babies but either way the girl would be made welcome more than the male."

Joxer stared at her. "It's not fair!"

"Sorry, sweetie. It's the way things are," Gaia replied.

"Well, no way! I won't have any of my sons treated like they're worth less than my daughters. Thank you for the help."

"Anytime, sweetie. Wish I could have been more help. Now I've got to find Jacey."

"Uh... Excuse me. Jace is... well... he's... uh... not like other men," Joxer stammered, blushing.

"Oh sweetie, you can say that again!"

Joxer stared and Arose laughed as Gaia ran off to find Jace. Joxer turned to his sister. "Jace never fails to amaze me. Did you know?"

"Yeah. I should have told you," Arose said through her laughter. Joxer smiled and headed back to Gabrielle, wondering how he was going to approach this without upsetting her.

Gabrielle and Xena stood outside waiting for someone to come after knocking on the wagon door. Soon, a plump woman with her black hair put up in a bun answered. "You must be Gabrielle and Cena."

"Uh, that's Xena," Gabrielle pointed at her friend.

"Oh. Isn't that what I said? Please, please come in! Come in! Make yourself at home! Oh, it is so good to have someone to talk to. Would you like some green tea? It's soothing to the stomach."

"Yes, please. Xena, do you want tea?" Gabrielle looked over at Xena, who shook her head.

"I'm not fond of green tea, but thank you," Xena said.

Maria nodded. "Yes, of course. Jace doesn't care for it either. I guess you just have to have a taste for it."

Xena smiled. "Yes, I guess you do."

Maria then turned her attention on Gabrielle. "Is this your first child?"

Gabrielle looked at Xena, wondering what to say. She didn't want to tell a stranger about Hope.

"This is Gabrielle and Joxer's first child. Well, two children," Xena answered easily.

Maria seemed satisfied with that answer. "Oh, I bet you are so excited! Do you know the sex of the babies?"

"No. Joxer and I decided to wait and find out."

Maria stood up. "Oh nonsense! I have just the thing that will tell you what you will have. I will go and get it."

Xena stood up and gently but forcefully placed her hand on Maria 's arm. "They want to wait."

Maria looked at Xena and her arm then smiled politely. "Yes, of course. I'm sorry, I just got carried away with myself."

Xena let go and returned the smile. "I'm glad we have an understanding."

Maria walked over to the stove. "Please join me for brunch."

"We already ate breakfast," Gabrielle said.

"Good. Then you will enjoy brunch. Besides, you are eating for more than yourself, are you not?"

Gabrielle nodded and looked at the food. It did look good. It smelled even better, and she was suddenly hungry again. "I think I will have something after all. Thank you."

After eating, the three women sat around the fireplace. Maria stood up. "I will be right back."

Xena and Gabrielle watched her leave the room and she came back shortly with a box. She placed it on the table and slowly and carefully opened it. She held her breath as she took out a white gown. "This was what my Ricardo wore when he was presented to our Gods. I would be honored if you would accept this gift for your baby if you were to have a son."

Gabrielle took the garment and held it in her hands. It felt so soft. It had been well taken care of. Even though it was old, it was still as white as the day it was made. She wondered how Maria kept it so white. She ran her fingers through the lace embroidery. "I can't take this! It's so beautiful."

"To not accept would be an insult. My son Ricardo and your sister-in law will be married soon, I hope, and we will be family. Please, I want you to have it. It would make this old woman so happy to see it be used again."

Gabrielle kissed Maria on the cheek and smiled. "I do accept it and thank you."

"No. Thank you, Gabrielle. Joxer was right about you. You are truly an angel."

Gabrielle smiled. "No, I'm not an angel. Joxer is. He's put up with me all these years and still loves me. If anyone's an angel, he is." The two women left Maria and Gabrielle looked down at the gift she had been given with tears in her eyes and a smile curling her lips.

Part Five

Joxer saw Gabrielle and Xena coming from Maria's wagon and headed towards them. "Hi Xena," he addressed the warrior princess before turning to his wife. "Gabrielle, we need to talk." He looked at Xena. "Alone."

Xena held her hand up. "Okay, I get the message. I'll see you two later. Gabrielle, I'll take the gown back to the tavern. You two have fun."

Gabrielle watched as her friend walked away before turning back to her husband. "Joxer! Why did you send Xena away?"

Joxer gazed at Gabrielle with a very serious look on his face. "Gabrielle, we need to talk and like I said, alone. Xena understands."

"Sorry, Joxer. So, what do you want to talk about?"

Joxer stared at the gown that Xena carried in her hands as she walked away from the two of them. "What's that?"

"Maria gave it to me. It's for the baby."

Joxer answered in a distracted voice, "That was nice of her."

"Joxer, you said we needed to talk," Gabrielle reminded him.

"Yeah, we do." Joxer paused for a moment before he turned around to face her and asked very softly, "Gabrielle, do you want our twins to be born in the Amazon village?"

Gabrielle looked at him and saw the concern in his dark eyes. "I'd like them to be, but if you don't, I understand."

Joxer placed his arms over her shoulders gently as he drew her close to him. "You know I'd never deny you anything. If I can make it happen, I'll do it with all my heart." He stopped for a moment, looking down into her eyes. "It's just that I don't want our sons to be treated less than dirt."

Gabrielle's eyes lit up in understanding as she moved closer into his embrace and he wrapped his arms around her tightly. "Joxer, I promise that our sons will be treated as equally as our daughters. I - no, we will make sure of it."

Joxer leaned down and kissed her. She hungrily returned the kiss, growling low in her throat with pleasure. Joxer then moved away slowly and she gazed up at him, puzzled. "Why'd you stop?"

"We've got to start packing if we're going to go to the Amazon village," Joxer replied, reaching out to caress her cheek tenderly.

Gabrielle threw her arms around Joxer, laughing happily. "Thank you, Joxer. I love you!"

Joxer returned the hug. "I love you too, Gabrielle. C'mon." Joxer slid his arm around her shoulder and she slipped her arm around his waist and together the two began walking towards Cyrene's tavern.

As they walked towards the tavern, Gabrielle chattering excitedly, Joxer couldn't help but feel worried inside. He kept his misgivings to himself and laughed in delight when Gabrielle placed his hand over her swelling stomach to feel the babies moving underneath it.

"Hello you two," Cyrene greeted the couple with a smile as they walked inside the tavern. She served a traveler his meal and a mug of mead before walking over to them. "Xena was just going to get Eve from Arose. I think that your sister will appreciate the break from babysitting the little monkey," she said with a wink to Joxer, who smiled.

Gabrielle laughed in response. "She's definitely kept Arose on her toes, that's for sure," she agreed.

Joxer cleared his throat. Cyrene gazed at him curiously. "What's the matter?"

"We've made a decision that the twins should be born in the Amazon village," Joxer responded.

Cyrene blinked in surprise. "Oh. So, when are you planning on going?" She began wiping down a table where an earlier customer had spilled some ale.

"We should be ready to go tomorrow," Gabrielle said.

Cyrene nodded. "It's been good having all of you here, but you must do what you feel is right for the children and yourselves."

Gabrielle raised her eyebrow. "Even though I totaled your pantry?" she asked with a blush.

Cyrene smiled wryly at that. "Maybe you did me a favor. The new shelves are twice as sturdy as they were before!"

Joxer laughed softly as Gabrielle's face grew scarlet. He leaned down and kissed her as Xena came into the tavern holding Eve's hand. Arose, Ricky, and Jace followed behind them.

"Uncle Oxer!" Eve cried out as she ran over to the couple. Her blue eyes shone with happiness as Joxer lifted her up and whirled her around. "See what Auntie Arose made for me?" she giggled, pointing to the now-tilted flower wreath on her head and the two flower garlands around her neck. She leaned over and gave him a loud smack on the cheek.

"Yes, Evie. They're very pretty," Joxer smiled as he returned the kiss and rubbed noses with her.

Eve giggled and reached out for Gabrielle, who took the child in her arms and laughed as Eve repeated what she did to Joxer. Gabrielle then put her down and Eve ran back over to Xena.

"Gabrielle and Joxer were just telling me that they've decided to go to the Amazon village for the birth of the twins," Cyrene looked up from washing the table.

"Really? When?" Arose asked curiously.

Jace said nothing but gazed at Joxer carefully, trying to see how Joxer really felt about the whole thing. Joxer's face never changed expression and he frowned at this.

"We should be ready to leave tomorrow," Gabrielle said with a smile.

"Good. I've been getting kind of itchy, to tell the truth," Xena admitted. "Not that I'm not glad to visit with you, Mom," she added in quickly, turning in Cyrene's direction.

Cyrene smiled wisely as she gazed at her daughter. "I know, Xena. I'm surprised that you managed to stay for this long!"

"Very funny," Xena growled before a smile emerged and she laughed. "You've always known what's on my mind."

"I'm your mother. I'm supposed to know these things," Cyrene said smugly.

Everyone laughed at that and Gabrielle, Joxer, Xena and Eve went to their bedrooms to start packing for their journey to the Amazon village.

Ricky, Arose, and Jace left the tavern and began walking back to the wagons. "Jace, something's bothering you. I can see it in your eyes," Arose said. "What's the matter?" She slipped her arm around Ricky's waist and Ricky slid his arm over her back.

"I don't think that Joxer really wants to go to the Amazon village," Jace replied, biting his bottom lip. "He'd never tell Gabrielle, though. He doesn't want to disappoint her." He paused for a moment before he looked at Arose curiously and saw that she seemed to be troubled too. "What did Gaia say to him?"

Slowly, Arose repeated what Gaia had said to Joxer about Amazon customs regarding babies born into the tribes. "...And that's pretty much everything," she concluded with a sigh.

Jace nodded. "I can see why Joxer's concerned. Has anybody told Gabrielle?"

"I think she has an idea, but I don't think that she knows everything," Arose replied.

"Maybe someone should tell her," Ricky said softly.

"I don't think that Joxer would like that. He'll think that we're butting into their business," Jace disagreed as they arrived at his wagon. "The only thing we can do is support their decision." His dark eyes suddenly began to twinkle.

Arose's eyebrows rose up. "Jace, what are you thinking of doing?" she asked suspiciously.

"Well, I am an honorary Amazon after all - and you're an Amazon yourself. There's no reason why we shouldn't be there when the twins arrive," Jace replied with a smile.

Arose slowly returned the smile. "Jace, I like the way you think."

"Yes! I like the way I think, too. I'm so bad!"

Arose giggled. "Wait! What about Ricky? I can't leave him!"

Jace smiled. "Ricky can come. He's your consort."

"Oh yeah!" She turned to Ricky. "Do you want to come?"

Ricky answered her with a kiss and Jace slapped him on the back. "Okay, you two lovebirds! We've got much to do. Let's get packing."

Early the next morning, Xena, Gabrielle and Joxer along with Eve were ready to go. Cyrene gave Xena plenty of food and water for the journey. "Joxer, you take real good care of her."

"I will, Cyrene!" Joxer replied then under his breath, he finished with, "If I can get near her!"

"Little brother, little brother! Wait!" They turned around to see Jace pull up with his wagon and that Arose and Ricky were with him.

Joxer growled, "Will you stop calling me that? I hate that!"

"Take it easy, Joxer," Gabrielle murmured. "Jace, what's the matter?"

"We're coming too. After all, you will need your Amazon nursemaids!" Jace said cheerfully.

"Our what?" Gabrielle asked with a frown. "I've never heard of that tradition!"

"Amazon nursemaids," giggled Arose. "Jace made it up! We'll help you on your journey and if you get tired of riding on Sugar, you can ride in here."

Eve let out a squeak as she tried to get down from Argo. "Me! Me! Me ride in wagon! Please, please, me ride!"

Xena laughed. "Eve, you ride with Mommy okay, so I won't be lonely."

"Okay, Mommy!"

"You know, my back sort of hurts. Joxer, do you mind if I ride in the wagon?"

"Of course not!" Joxer dismounted Sugar and helped Gabrielle down. He then helped her into the wagon and reached out to caress her cheek when she was settled in comfortably. "If you need anything, let me know."

Gabrielle covered his hand with hers. "Thanks, Joxer. I will."

Joxer watched as Gabrielle closed her eyes for a little rest. Jace placed his arm over Joxer's shoulders. "I know you're worried, but it'll be okay."

Joxer nodded as they walked away from the wagon. "Can you ride? I need someone to talk to. An older brother."

Jace's eyes lit up and he smiled. "Sure, I can ride and I'd be glad to talk to you!"

The group waved and called out their goodbyes to Cyrene, Maria, and Mario. "Behave yourself, Ricky!" Maria called out, wiping a tear away from her eyes. "And be careful!"

"Yes Mama!" Ricky called back, turning around for a moment to wave goodbye to his parents before turning back around to drive Jace's wagon. "Are you okay back there, Gabrielle?" he asked the warrior bard.

"I'm fine. Very tired though," Gabrielle answered in a sleepy voice. "I'm going to try to sleep a little."

"Okay," Arose replied. She moved a little closer to Ricky and sighed happily as she watched Xena laughing at something Eve had said. Her eyes then turned to her brothers and she saw the very worried expression on Joxer's face and she sighed sadly.

"He'll be all right, Arose," Ricky tried to reassure her.

"I don't know. Some Amazon tribes can be pretty strict regarding what customs they follow and how they're followed," Arose replied. "I have a feeling that we're going to have some trouble once we get to their settlement."

"Maybe not, Arose," Ricky said as he guided the two horses around a narrower section of the road.

"I hope you're right, Ricky."

Jace rode next to Joxer on his own horse, named Dancer. "So, what's on your mind?" he asked with a smile.

Joxer sighed. "Arose told you what Gaia said about babies born into the Amazon tribes, didn't she - and especially what's done with male babies?"

Jace's smile fell from his lips. "Yes, she did. Yet you still agreed to go to there anyway."

"I love Gabrielle too much to disappoint her. She really wants this for the twins," Joxer said quietly and the two fell silent for a while, lost in their own thoughts.

"You're afraid that you're going to get shoved aside by the tribe, aren't you?" Jace asked suddenly.

Joxer nodded, miserable. "Sometimes, Gabrielle really gets caught up in their 'traditions' and she'll agree to anything that's suggested to her. I don't know... Am I being selfish?" he whispered, gazing down at the reins tightly entwined in his fingers.

Jace thought for a moment before replying. "I don't think you're being selfish, Joxer. This is a very special time for the two of you and of course you want to be involved. It makes perfect sense that you do. I don't blame you for being worried and concerned over Gabrielle and the twins too - and how the babies will be treated by the tribe."

Jace paused again before continuing. "But, I also think that you might not be giving Gabrielle enough credit either." Jace's eyes were gentle as he gazed at Joxer. "I'm not trying to hurt your feelings, Joxer, but Gabrielle's perfectly capable of telling anybody to go jump off a cliff if she wants to."

Joxer smiled a little at that. "That's very true."

Jace returned the smile. "Now, that looks much better!" he chortled.

"Actually, I feel a little better than I did before," Joxer admitted.

Jace gazed at Joxer with a very serious expression on his face. "You know, I'm always willing to listen if you need someone to talk to."

Joxer nodded. "I might be doing a lot of talking with you then." He raised his eyebrows. "It's always great to talk with Gabrielle or Xena about different things, but sometimes, there's stuff that only can be said between brothers, you know?" he said quietly.

"Yeah. I know," Jace reached out and patted Joxer's shoulder.

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