"Your suite is ready sir," the clerk at the front desk says motioning the bellman over. "Please show Mr. and Mrs. Alexandros to the royal suite." The bellman takes the keys with a nod of the head then goes toward the elevator.
"Alexandros?" Athena whispers.
"We needed a last name didn't we," Thoth says with a smile.
When they enter the room, Athena goes to the balcony and looks out over the Mediterranean while the bellmen unloads their bags. As Thoth gives him a nice tip, the bellman says, "Please enjoy your stay at the Four Seasons Alexandria. If you need anything at all, please contact the number by the phone." The man then quickly exits the room.
"Well my beauty, what do you think?" Thoth asks.
"It's glorious," she says leaning her head against his chest.
"I wanted our wedding night to be perfect. I couldn't imagine any place else but the city your son founded in my country," he says.
"Our wedding night," she says with a smile, as she turns to face him.
"I know you have waited a very long time for this. I don't want to pressure..."
She stops him by gently placing a finger to his lips. Without saying a word, Athena leads him to the bedroom then closes the door.
Athena wakes the next morning to find Thoth sitting on the balcony watching the sea. There is a tray of fresh fruits, fresh bakes goods, yogurt, orange juice, anything she could want, on the dining table. She grabs a couple of strawberries, as she walks past, then goes out to her husband. "It has been far too long since I have seen that beautiful sight," she says kissing him then placing one of the berries in his mouth.
"It is amazing," he agrees taking her hand and bringing her onto his lap.
"Did you sleep well?" she asks, since he was up before her.
"Quite well. You?" he asks.
"Blissfully," she says kissing him again.
"Then you are comfortable with what we did last night?" he asks tightening his arms around her waist a little more. "I mean, you enjoyed it?"
"Oh, yes, I enjoyed it so much I thought we might do it again," she says smiling. Thoth stands up with her in his arms and walks back to the bedroom.
They have been sightseeing most of the day. Of course, being immortal gods they don't tire, so they have seen a lot of what the city has to offer. They stop at a little outside cafe for a glass of wine. While there, Thoth asks, "So what do you think of Thebes?"
"It is lovely," she says. "This Ramesses fellow was quite full of himself, yes?"
Thoth laughs, "He was a pretty outstanding guy. I'm not sure anyone who wasn't full of himself could have done all that he did. Carter and Sadie are descendents of his you know."
"Really?"
"Mother's side of the family. Their father is a descendent of Narmer," he continues.
"I remember him," Athena says. "He's the chap that unified upper and lower Egypt."
"Mostly. I would say his predecessor finished the job," Thoth says.
"I wasn't really paying that close attention," she smiles. "I am impressed with how your people buried their pharaohs. We have nothing to show of our kings, even though many were our children."
"We have Anubis to thank for a good deal of that, and Osiris of course."
"As we walk here, in Egypt, I can feel the presence of my son. At some point, I know he was here, in Luxor as well as Alexandria," Athena now tells him.
"I would assume so. Your son was quite inquisitive. He wanted to know everything about everything," her husband says.
"Takes it from me," she says to which they both laugh.
As Athena settles into the tub, Thoth hands her a glass of wine. "Thank you my love," she says taking the glass and leaning back against his chest. "So what is on the agenda for tomorrow?"
"If you are up to it, I want to take you to Memphis, maybe stop by Giza for a few minutes," he says.
"Memphis is your home isn't it?" she asks.
"Yes," he says, "At least it used to be. Things are so different today."
"I know how you feel. You should see my hometown," she says softly.
"Actually," he says prompting her to turn around. "We have reservations for the Electra Palace Hotel in Athens starting four days from now."
"Oh Thoth," she says kissing him, "You have thought of everything."
"This feels amazing," Thoth says.
"Heavenly," she agrees, as her masseur works on her neck and shoulders. "Have you ever done this before?"
"No. Have you?" he answers them moans, as his masseuse works on a tender spot.
"Does this mean we are not as smart as we thought we were?" she asks with a laugh.
"Complete idiots I'd say," he chuckles.
After their massages are complete, they sit together, still in their robes, sipping sangrias on their balcony. Athena finally sighs and says, "Not that I have not enjoy the past two days of sightseeing and sharing your country's history, but this has been the best day by far."
"Does that have anything to do with the fact that we have made love three time today, so far?" he asks with a laugh.
"I would say that might have a little to do with it," she says with a smile.
"Are you ready?" he asks, as she comes from the bathroom.
"I think I have everything," she says taking one last look around. "Are you going to tell me yet where we are going. Our reservation in Athens isn't until tomorrow."
"You shall see my love," he says then calls for the bellman. The bellman arrives in a matter of minutes, since they are in the royal suite. "Your driver is waiting sir," he says then starts loading their bags.
"Thank you," Thoth says then takes Athena's hand. "Come beautiful," he says then leads her toward the elevators.
They don't drive very far, in fact Athena thinks they could have walked that distance, but the cuddling in the limo was nice. Taking his hand, as she climbs from the car, he tips the driver then escorts her down to the pier.
"Mr. and Mrs. Alexandros," a man that appears to be a steward, greets them from the deck of a rather large yacht. "Welcome aboard."
"Thank you, Kafele," Thoth says taking the young man's hand.
"As soon as your bags are stowed, we will depart, please make yourselves at home," Kafele says showing them inside then goes to help the driver with their bags.
"You truly are the most intelligent man," she says kissing him happily.
"Lord Thoth," a man wearing a captains uniform says coming down to greet them.
"Benjamin," Thoth says taking his hand. "Thank you so much for agreeing to this. I don't think we could take this cruise without a magician from the House of Life. This is my bride Athena."
"My Lady," Benjamin says bowing to the goddess.
"You know who we are?" Athena asks.
"Of course. Kafele knows as well," the captain explains.
"He called us Mr. and Mrs. Alexandros," she says surprised.
"He could not take the chance someone would have overheard," Benjamin tells her. "We are ready to set sail for Athens. I will assist Kafele then we will be off."
"Thank you," Athena says then lets her husband take her into the sitting room.
Thoth and Athena are sunning on one of the ship's decks when Kafele comes to check on their needs.
"No sign of problems?" Thoth asks referring to sea monsters.
"We are tracking a ketos with sonar, but it has not gotten close. It probably senses that both of you are gods. Benjamin spotted a griffin, but it was flying in the other direction. Everything looks good," the steward says then takes an order for refreshments.
Once the magician-steward is gone, Thoth looks over at his bride and says, "I like the bathing suit."
"Thank you, I borrowed it from Aphrodite," she says with a smile.
"Did you really?" he says surprised.
"No actually it is Annabeth's," she replies. "I have never owned such a thing. Of course I have never cared to expose my body in such a way for a man, until you that is."
"Really, that's not what I heard," he laughs.
"What! What have you heard?"
"I heard you put on quite a good show for Paris," he explains.
"Just because the paintings show me as naked, does not mean..."
"I'm not talking about paintings. I heard it from someone who was there," he insists.
"Who?"
"Your stepmom," he grins.
"She is a liar," Athena tells him.
"So you didn't strip down to nothing for him?" her husband asks.
"No, but I hear Hathor did for you the other night," she says with a smile.
"You heard about that huh," he says with a pink flush coming over his face. "I didn't..."
"I am not mad," she tells him.
"You're not?" he asks surpirsed.
"Just do not let it happen again," his wife says now being serious.
"I promise it will not," he says then gets up, goes to her and gives her a kiss.
"So is she beautiful?" Athena now asks.
"Nowhere near as beautiful as you are, my love," he tells her then kisses her again.
It is late morning, but Thoth and Athena are still in their stateroom. When there is a knock on the door, Thoth throws on a robe and answers it.
"My Lord, I apologize for disturbing you, but I thought you would like to know we are coming into Piraeus. If you would like breakfast before we dock..."
Thoth looks to Athena who shakes her head. "That won't be necessary," the god says then Kafele nods and leaves them to get dressed.
"I am so excited to be back in Athens," Athena says quickly getting up from the bed.
"How long has it been since you've been here," he asks, as they both dress.
"I do not even remember the last time. I have been back only once since..."
"Since the explosion," he asks knowing it might be too hard for her to say.
"Yes," she says softly while putting clothing into her bag.
Athena makes a concerted effort not to look toward the Acropolis on their drive from the port to their hotel, so she will not get upset and start crying. When they arrive in their suite, Thoth again takes care of the bellman while Athena goes out onto the balcony. She can't help but look at this point, as they have a perfect few of Acropolis Hill from the presidential suite. Thoth joins her there after a couple of minutes. She is trying not to sob, but the tears are spilling down her cheeks.
"If this is too painful..." he starts to say.
"No. It is...I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I am just glad you are with me. I would not be able to stand it without you," she says turning into his chest.
"I have made arrangements to meet with the contractors in charge of the restoration. If there is anything you want..."
"I want it to look like it did when it was first completed, but that is not going to happen. Especially now that Greece is financially strapped," she says. They each take a seat on their private balcony.
"I will invest financially to give you all that you want," he goes on. "I wish I could just say some divine words and restore it instantly. I mean I have the ability, but it could not be explained."
"Just that you would offer means everything to me," she says leaning over and kissing him.
He takes her hand and brings her over onto his lap, and after a while asks, "Where, besides up the hill, would you like to go while we are in Greece?"
"I would like to go to Thermopylae to say a prayer for Leonidas and his troops, maybe Marathon to honor Miltiades," she suggests.
"What about Pella?" he asks. "Isn't that where Alexander was born?"
"No, it is not. He was born on Olympus, but he was conceived and raised in Pella," she says with a smile. "It would be nice. We could start at Pella, come back by Thermopylae then Marathon," she agrees.
"Well tomorrow we are meeting to discuss the Parthenon, so we'll go there day after tomorrow. That leaves today for just us. We have this private swimming pool, this private balcony," he says when she stops him.
"Why Lord Thoth, are you suggesting we go skinny dipping?" she giggles.
"Brilliant minds think alike," he says then starts undressing her.
"Today has been so much fun," Athena says, as she climbs into bed.
"You got a little too much sun," Thoth tells her caressing her shoulders.
"A little nectar will fix that right up," she says reaching for the glass he placed for her on the bedside table. "What about you?" she asks lightly toughing his pink nose. He reaches for her glass and takes a sip.
"Now, come here and let me hold you," he says pulling her to him, as soon as she puts her glass down.
"This is my favorite place in the entire world," she sighs.
"You mean Athens?"
"No. In your arms," she says and closes her eyes.
They stand right in front of the east pediment, and once again Athena is trying very hard to hold it together.
"Let it out," her husband says putting his arms around her.
"No, I'm a warrior. I should be able to hand this," she insists.
"This destruction is too personal," he says softly.
"Mr. and Mrs. Alexandros," a man says coming up to them.
"Yes," Thoth says. "You must be the contractor. Did you bring the plans?"
"Come with me. We'll step inside out of the sun," he says directing them to a trailer on sight.
They spend the next hour going over the plans. When they are finished, Thoth looks to his wife and asks, "What do you think?"
"I think it does not go far enough and is taking too much time," Athena says.
"I would agree with both comments, but it takes money," the contractor says.
"How much do you need?" Thoth asks.
"It is not that simple. Greece does not want private investors for such a precious monument," the contractor tells her.
"But it's..." Thoth grabs her hand before she can say it's her temple.
"I understand that, but we won't nothing in return. Actually it would be better if no one knew. We don't want any attention," Thoth says.
The contractor writes two numbers down on a sheet of paper. "The first number is what we need to complete the work already approved. The second number is what we would need to get it to where your wife wants," the contractor tells them.
"Who do we talk to with the government?" Athena asks.
"Start with her," the contractor says handing Athena a business card.
"Thank you for taking your time to meet with us," Thoth says shaking the man's hand.
"Good luck, I'd love to see then entire hill back to its original glory," the man says shaking Athena's hand as well.
"90 million dollars," the goddess says, as they walk back towards the Parthenon.
"I can come up with that, eventually," he says.
"How do you have that kind of money?" she asks curiously.
"Let's just say I was smart enough to store a lot of personal heirlooms," he says with a chuckle.
"You've sold artifacts?" she asks surprised.
"They were mine," he says in his own defense, "And they all went to Egyptian museums."
"I can't ask you to sell more," she tells him.
"Are you kidding, I have a whole warehouse in the Duat full the of the junk. It means nothing to me," he insists.
"I would have to contribute," she tells him.
"Well, they wouldn't sell as antiques, but your tapestry work would bring top dollar," he tells her.
"So we're going to talk to the government and try to get them to accept our help," she says.
"When we get back to the room, we'll give this woman a call," he says then they continue around the Acropolis.
"Athena," Thoth calls from the bathroom.
"Yes love," she calls back from the sitting room.
"I have run you a bath," he says coming into the room. "You've had an emotional day. I want you to soak and relax."
"You are too good to me," she says going in to undress.
"Never too good," he says putting his arms around her.
"Join me?" she asks with a smile.
"Do you promise to relax if I do?" he asks with a grin.
"Yes, I am too drained for anything else, but I want your arms around me," she says then steps into the tub. "Ahh, perfect."
Athena kneels in front of a statue of Alexander on his horse Bucephalus with her dear friend Nike in his hand. When Thoth joins her, out of respect for the former pharaoh of his own people, he kneels and bows his head as well.
"He was something," Thoth says when she finally stands.
"So is Annabeth, but no one will ever know," Athena says softly.
"From what you have told me, that is true," he agrees. "Why don't we have a statue of her created to place next to Alexander's in your garden?"
"She will protest," she says knowing her daughter too well.
"Then we won't tell her until it is finished," he says with a smile. "She could be sitting on Percy," her husband says with a laugh.
"Now that is an idea I like," she says laughing with him.
"That's what I like to see," he says pulling her into his arms. "That smile."
"I am sorry that I have been down since arriving in Greece," she says softly.
"Don't be, you have been responding with your heart and not your head. That is good for both of us now and then," he says then leads her toward the museum.
Athena wakes before Thoth on their last morning in Greece. She wants to wake him, but she is also enjoying watching him sleep. His perfect nose, long eye lashes, curly blonde hair, two day old stubble on his face. Finally it is his lips that she cannot resist. She kisses them.
"Good morning," he says once the kiss is finished.
"I am sorry I woke you. I was trying to restrain myself," she tells him with an smile.
"You may wake me like that any time you like," he says pulling her to him.
When they finally emerge from bed, they pack their bags and prepare to leave for Olympus, the one over New York.
"It will be nice to get home," he says tossing their swimsuits into the suitcase.
"Yes, I agree, nothing compares to our bed," she says running her fingers through his hair.
"I'm looking forward to spending some time with Mom, so I can get to know her," he says honestly.
"Me too," she says with a smile.