*Two Months Later*
Angelica and Nyx sat side by side looking out to their family. “Old friend, I would have never imagined years ago we would have ended up here,”
Nyx smiled. “You mean two souls serving eternity with their husbands and one another? I thought that was always the plan. You may have gotten there a bit earlier than me, but you were foolish to think you could get rid of me that easy.”
Angelica chuckled and then patted Nyx’s lap. “So much pain, so much suffering, and I do hope we’re finally in store for happiness, because we all deserve to finally have some sense of peace.”
“What are you two over here talking about?” Evie asjed as her eyes gleamed.
“Just taking in how beautiful everything looks, including you.” Her face beamed at her mother’s compliment. Being reunited with her meant the world. It was yet another thing her amazing husband had given her.
Walking up to Thanatos, she wrapped her arms around his waist, and he leaned down and kissed her forehead. They looked over to Kore, who had Hades in a headlock.
“That’s what you did to me when I first met you.” He teased.
“I DID NOT!”
Thanatos shook his head. “May have well had. You came, kicked my ass, and carried me home over your shoulder as proof of your victory of war.”
She laughed. “You weren’t complaining.”
He pointed to her behind. “I had a very distracting view.” Evie pulled him closer and looked him in his eyes. Sensing his wife's mood change, his own darkened. “Whatever’s on your mind, I suggest you stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re undressing me in the courtyard.”
She laughed, “And if I were?”
Shaking his head, he whispered in her ear, “Don’t go down the rabbit hole Poppet…..”
Eyes the color of moss, she whispered back, “Why not Reaper? All the best people are a little mad.”
Derrick tilted his head at Romulus’, “How are you feeling?” His husband gave him a huge smile in return.
“Incredibly happy. Everyone is safe and being here together really is a blessing. And I keep thinking that things could have gone another way.” He pointed to his son and Aphrodite. “But look at them. The way he looks at her-we-we did the right thing. I know it.”
Derrick nodded his head. “I have to say, I should have known having you as a father would have made him a bit of an overachiever.”
“What do you mean?”
He laughed. “You do realize we have a kid who killed Zeus, and multiple Gods, AND is tied to a Goddess AND graduated with honors in his spare time.” He rolled his eyes playfully, “I mean really. He’s protective, loving, and genuine…how much more awesome can a kid get?”
Romulus scrunched his nose, “Well, he has your um…shoulders.” Derrick scoffed and he and Romulus kissed before toasting their lemonade laughing.
“I let you win because we’re in front of your family, and your mother terrifies me.” Hades said, breath ragged.
“My mom’s nicer than my father and you love him.” Hades looked over to Thanatos who interrupted him before he could reply.
“Don’t start with me today Hades. I will have the souls escort you back to Hell.”
Hades smirked, “You still pissed about the hug two months ago? Now look who can’t let things go.”
Breathing in sharply, Thanatos turned to Aphrodite, “Have you decided about what to do with the people in the cities surrounding Olympus?”
She sighed and nodded her head, “I just can’t believe all those people…all their poverty and destitution hidden from us, while Zeus pillaged everything from them.” She looked down at the table. “I ask myself constantly how I could have been so oblivious to the truths of the world right around me, and I’m forced to admit that I wasn’t, I just didn’t want to see it for what it was.” Adam rubbed her back and Derrick looked at her sympathetically. “Having Apollo’s powers coursing through me, has also made me face the realities of life and I hope that my new understanding will work in my favor as I return to Mount Olympus.” Everyone’s eyes widened.
“Y-you’re going back?!” Romulus shrilled.
“Yes. I need to be there for my people. They need a new place, a better place than they have that they can call home. It's going to be hard, but I want to show them they do have someone who cares about their wellbeing.” She turned and gave Adam a small smile. “Adam has been gracious enough to accompany me for some time and then return back here-”
“I changed my mind.”
Aphrodite's face fell. “What?”
Adam folded his arms to his chest, “I know we talked about this and you made compelling points about how I have family here and responsibilities and all that good stuff-but the truth is, they’re your family as much as mine and I’m sure they’re going to miss you too.”
She looked out to everyone nodding in agreement. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way. You all mean so much to me. With Adam being here I guess I hoped it would give me an excuse to come back to see you all without overstepping.”
“Or you can just come to see us Aphrodite,” Romulus smiled. “Like my son said. You’re family and we love you. We’d love to see you anytime.”
Aphrodite grinned. “I love you all too.”
Adam slammed his hand to the table. “Great! So it’s settled! We’re getting married and I’m moving with my wife to Mount Olympus to take care of our people.” He smirked as her eyes grew larger. “What? Did you really think I wouldn't ask with the way I feel about you?” He grabbed her hands in his. “I’ve adored you from the first moment I saw you.” He felt her hands shake.
“Me too.”
Their hands clasped, he used them to point at her. “Then Goddess Aphrodite, I wish more than anything for the woman I’m in love with to agree to become my wife. That is-if she loves me as much as I her.” Leaping into his arms, Aphrodite cried into Adam’s neck as she murmured out a yes.
Romulus stood and jumped up and down. “OH MY! OH MY! I ALREADY HAVE TO COLOR SCHEME IN MIND! WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT-” His face flushed, “Sorry…how presumptuous of me to assume anything.”
Standing Aphrodite, hugged him close, “I would be honored if you planned the wedding and if…. we could have it here.”
----------------------------------------------------
“Brought you some hot cocoa,” Kore said grinning at Hades.
“Kore…do you really think the God of the underworld likes cocoa?”
She smirked, “I put the mini marshmallows in it.”
He looked up to the ceiling. “This. It is things like this that make me fall in love with you more and more each day. Who else would make hot cocoa in the middle of summer while sitting in hell?” Relaxing with one another, the two sipped their cocoa and Hades look at her seriously. “How are you feeling about today’s announcement?”
She placed her mug on the table. “I already knew. Adam told me his plans before everything happened. He was worried I’d be upset.”
“Are you?”
She grinned and shook her head no. “I’m proud and happy for him. I know how much he and Aphrodite love one another. They should be by each other’s side.”
“Kore I-I was hoping you’d maybe consider-”
“And plus that will aid in my dad and I work on earth. It’s perfect!” Hades swallowed his spit, and she leaned her head on his shoulder.
“I can’t believe my Da-Dem is getting married!” She bounced up and down making him laugh. “I’m sorry. I’m just so excited! You think he’ll ask me to be his best man?” She scrunched her face, “Woman?”
Hades pulled her to him and breathed in deep. “I think he would be foolish to desire anything less than having you by his side.”