Surprise

[xena_warrior]

Xena sat on a porch of the house, thoughtfully playing with the box which has been wrapped up in a beautiful packing paper atop of which the tape with a bow has been tied. It was the gift for Hope which she till now has not dared to put in her christmas stocking

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[_call_me_snake_]

Snake had been up for awhile. He had spent sometime wrapping gifts but hunger started to hit him. With a smile he headed out onto the porch to ask Xena if she wanted to eat. He stepped out deftly dodging the puppies that were trying to bite his boots.

Baby, you want.... Snake's voice trailed off when he saw the boy with her. At first he was stunned realizing there was only one person that could possibly be. Snake finally found his voice again.

Do you two want some breakfast?

Snake was trying to play it off like he was ok but the shocked expression was still there.

[xena_warrior]

How do you appeared here?
Xena asked him, her voice still shivered for excitement.
Solan behaved more with restraint though it was appreciable on his expression, that boy is excited too.
Only do not speak, you are not glad to see me, Mum!
She touched him to be convinced, that its not dream.
But you have died...
She pressed the hand to her mouth cannot finish a phrase.
Boy smiled slightly playfully.
Rumors about my death are slightly exaggerated.
The voice of Snake has forced him to turn back. Solan raised eyebrow, feeling like slightly awkwardly in presence of this man.
Thanks. I have got hungry.
He looked at mother who still looked stunned.
Unless are dead hungry? Hmm?

[_call_me_snake_]

Snake heard the word "mum" and things suddenly clicked.

Lilith.

Snake smiled at the boy. He'd waited so long to see him. He definitely had his mother's eyes like Snake had imagined but the blonde hair was a bit of a surprise. Still he could see Xena in the boy.

Don't know about the dead but I'm starving. Snake could see the boy's nervousness and was trying to relax the situation though he doubted that would happen.

[xena_warrior]

Solan smiled and shaken the head.
No, my name is Solan.
Xena blinked, trying to brace herself, then put her hand on son's shoulder and looked on Snake.
Why it seems to me, what you know about it more than I?

Solan looked confused and murmured unwillingly.
Actually, mum, I am dead, you are right. I hope, you do not become angry on me because of it...
Xena sobbed, having tousled his hair.
How can you even speak so, Solan!

[xena_warrior]

Xena looked at the son, not knowing how to begin her story.
It is the long story, Solan, - she has told, continuing to hold his hand, - If to be brief... We are in other country now, both two thousand years and ocean lay between it and our Greece.
Gabrielle and other our friends... They has stayed there. But we can see them if we will wish it.

Solan was silent, observing as Snake has got fruit from fridger.
And are there any Centaurs?
He asked, at last.

[_call_me_snake_]

Snake let them talk as he prepared the food.

I saw one once with Dionysus but that's the only one.

[xena_warrior]

The boy sighed, obviously upset with these news, but then his eyes have opened widely in surprise when he has seen how Snake prepares the food.
Solan would like to ask him about many strange things which he saw here, but he did not know, whether it will be polite, to pry into another's affairs...

[_call_me_snake_]

Snake's brow raised at his expression. Out with it. What do you want to say?

[xena_warrior]

Solan eat slowly at first, not wishing to look too greedy and ill-bred in opinion of mother but when he tried waffles, he could not restrain himself and eaten some pieces before come round and looked at Xena with the guilty expression.
It seems, I have gorged on, - he said, wiping the lips smeared in jam. - And why you do not eat?
Xena looked at him, having put the chin on the palm.
Because I had breakfast before, - she has told a lie, not having blinked at all. - You are very thin, Solan, you know it? If you will peck the food like the whimsical little girl, you never will become the strong warrior.
She moved the plate with waffles to him.
Solan smiled, but not touched meal.
Let these girls whom your husband spoke about, will be treated too, - he said politely.
Xena looked at him, having raised an eyebrow.
Say, are you always so obstinate?
Solan nodded, having smiled with corner of mouth.
Yep...

[xena_warrior]

Xena wanted to answer him, but footfall above and slamming of the door in the bathing room forced her to turn back.
Solan sat silently, observing for her.
It seems, they have woken up, - he has told.
They have heard silent crying in the bathing room and have exchanged glances.
At last, Xena has told quietly, tapping with fingers on the table.
It seems, I have acted correctly, having decided to wait a little with delivery of my gift to her...
Solan looked at her in perplexity.
Why does she cries? Someone has offended her?
Xena shrugged shoulders.
I do not know, honestly. Sometimes I do not understand, why she cries.
Xena sighed, having looked down. She hoped, that Snake can calm her...

[xena_warrior]

Solan sat silently some time, listening to that occured upstairs, then looked at mother and has told cautiously.
So... You have the husband now.
Xena taken his hand, having smiled, though her heart has stood for one instant.
Snake is good man, I think, you will get on with each other.
Solan remained alert.
Perhaps. But I thought...
He faltered, then asked having made a deep breath
So means, you do not love my father any more?
Xena bitten a lip, selecting words.
Solan... it is not easy to explain... The love is a complex thing.
He shrugged shoulders.
Perhaps, I could understand. However, I see. I know, I had some illusions... But I so wanted to believe...
He broken off, having lowered a sight.
I thought, my father meant for you even something.
She began to be nervous.
Solan, please!

[sinful_girl]

Hope held Snake's hand all the way downstairs and towards the kitchen, but the moment they got to the doorway she stopped and looked up at him, then over at Xena and the boy there.

She didn't want to go in there, she didn't want them to not like her more.

[xena_warrior]

... I only want to know the truth, - Solan fingered with edge of cloth, - you spoke me about my father. Spoke about his valour and wisdom. I knew, that you not always agreed with each other and even were at war against each other...
She put her hand on his palm.
Solan, I loved your father. Is it all that you wanted to know?
He nodded, but then looked at her in perplexity.
But if you loved him how you could fall in love with another man?
Xena rubbed the forehead, having sighed.
Solan... It is hard for me to speak about it... But...

Steps behind a door have made her quiet. Xena turned back, having seen Hope and Snake on a threshold. Solan stood up, welcoming them.

[sinful_girl]

Hope held onto Snake's hand a little tighter and shifted a little, moving towards Snake and hiding ever so slightly.

[xena_warrior]

Xena risen too and put a hand on the shoulder of her son.
Good morning, Hope, - she said with a smile. - Your breakfast is ready for a long time. I am afraid, it have absolutely cooled down.
She made a deep breath and looked at Solan.
Solan, it is Hope. Our daughter. Hope, its Solan. My son.
Her voice was quiet and affable.
Solan looked at Hope in confusion which always had him at girls presence, and then, having got up courage, he specified to a chair near to himself.
Do you want to try some waffles? - he murmured, blushing