Hades paced backwards and forwards outside Maria's room where she was giving birth to Nico. He's just tucked Bianca in her bed and was now worrying about her. Bianca's birth had been 3 hours. Maria had been in there now for 8 hours. He's gotten Hera and Artemis to come and help. Nico had been more difficult to carry as Bianca was different. She was quite light for a girl weighing 6 pound 7 ounces. So, she didn't require much feeding. Nico, he was different. Bianca was a small bump and Maria barely gained any extra weight. Nico, is a huge bump. Maria gained about 8 extra pound's! After about another hour of pacing, he heard a baby scream. He knocked on the door of Maria's room and heard Hera's voice, "You can come in now!" Hades opened the door and saw Maria about to pass out and Hera helping Artemis clean something. A baby. His baby. Artemis smiled as she walked over to Maria. She sat up and was handed a bundle of blankets. Hades stood by the door awkwardly. He coughed. Maria looked up and smiled. "Hades, venite a vedere tuo figlio." He walked over and sat next to Maria's bed and she handed him the bundle. Nico shifted in his sleep and his eyes fluttered open. They were a dark shade of brown and big. He had his mothers nose and face. The slightly pink lips and perfect nose. He was the small, male version of Maria. Baby Nico shifted again and started to cry. Hades' eyes widened and he handed the bundle back to Maria, who gently bounced him up and down and Nico calmed down as he stared at his mother. "Mummy? Daddy? Cos'è quel rumore divertente?" Hades turned to the door and saw a very sleepy Bianca. She was rubbing her eyes and was holding her blanket as she wondered into Maria's room. Maria laughed and beckoned Bianca in. She shuffled in still rubbing her eyes and Hades picked her up. She sat on his lap and stared down at Nico. Who stared back with wide eyes. "Mummy, Cos'è?" Maria laughed and said, "Bianca, that is your baby brother. Nico." Bianca looked down at Nico again and he did the same. She looked up at Hades and said, "Papa, can I hug him?" Hades looked to Maria and she nodded. She passed the bundle to Bianca and Hades helped her hold Nico. She smiled and laughed as Nico squirmed in the blankets.
~1 YEAR LATER~
Nico was now 1 year old and Bianca 3. This was the best part of Hades' memory. Hades was holding Nico as Maria tucked Bianca into bed after reading her an Italian bedtime story. Nico was close to falling asleep, and Hades swapped him over to a different angel and Nico whimpered quickly and grabbed Hades hand in his own tiny fist. He made a noise of comfort and snuggled into Hades chest. Once Bianca was asleep, Hades and Maria headed off to Nico's room. Maria sat down and took Nico from Hades' arms. Nico started to whimper and Hades frowned. Maria chuckled and said, "Hades, mia cara, vuole s you." Maria passed Nico over to Hades and he stopped whimpering and Hades gave him his bottle. Nico's eyes grew heavy as he drank the milk and he fell asleep. Hades placed him in his cot and kissed his head. Then, he kissed Maria goodbye and said, "I'll be back soon. Hopefully." He walked into Bianca's room and did the same. He then left for the underworld.
~TRANSLATIONS~
venite a vedere tuo figlio-come see your child
Cos'è quel rumore divertente-What's that funny noise
Cos'è- What is it
Mia cara, vuole s you- My dear, he want's you