Hey guys! I'm here with another chapter! I'm sorry that it took so long to update everyone! Life has been crazy this year! And this chapter was probably one of the hardest to write for the story. I don't know why, but when I was typing out the date for this chapter it just hit me like a ton of bricks; this story is taking place currently a little less than a hundred years in the past! Isn't that nuts! (Yes, weird things hit me at random times. Like how Akilina is old enough to be my great grandmother; don't tell her I said that though. I really don't want her to give me the killer glare. And she would too lol). I want to thank each and every person who has read, followed, favorited and reviewed this story! You all make this worth putting aside some of my crazy life to bring these chapters to you all! You'll never know how much it truly means to me! As always I want to thank my amazing Betas Jade Young and lareinaSelena! You guys are the best! I also want to thank my friend meowlove99. She helped me a ton to get this chapter to what you're reading now. Now onto the reviews!
Kitty of 2 kingdoms: Thank you so much for always coming on here and leaving a review! It really means a lot! I know! You can cut the tension with a knife! Well my dear the wait is over! You'll just have to see ;) Please let me know what you think in a review!
Icbacteria: You're back! Yah! I'm not giving anything away. You'll just have to read to find out ;) Please tell me your thoughts in a review!
Marzz: Thank you for reviewing! You're welcome! I'm so delighted that you enjoyed the wedding! Oh no, you've figured out my secret! ;) I do stay awake some nights thinking up ways to throw drama into my stories; kind of the same thing ;) What! I had to leave it on the cliffhanger XD Well, hopefully this chapter revives you! And please let me know what you think of it in a review!
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lareinaSelena: Thank you darling! I know, aren't they adorable! Well, had to make people tear up some way ;) All I'm going to say is this chapter is going to be a bit interesting XD LOL Great idea as always! Please leave a review of your thoughts for this chapter!
Renee: Thank you so much for your continued support of this story! I know you've been waiting for this reunion for a long time. Hope you like it! Yes I am continuing this story! Don't you worry dear! Life has just been a little nuts.
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LadyRedStar: Thank you for reviewing! It's funny I hadn't thought of Etta and Charlie together right away either, but then I saw Wonder Woman a second time, and I saw them embracing at the end of the movie and thought they'd be good together! Well, you'll just have to read to find out ;) And, as always please leave your thoughts in a review!
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LovelyFandomLover: Thank you for reviewing! Ohmygosh! I'm overjoyed to hear that you're obsessed with my story! What gave it away to you that she was going to have twins?! ;) I think I've mentioned this before, but when I was writing the babies birth, I just kept thinking and wondering what things would be like from Steve's POV. And then when I sat down to write it, it just came to me without hesitation. It is probably my favorite chapter that I've written for the story yet; though I have a few more planned that I'm dying to write and explore! You didn't see that coming huh? Well, I have to add drama of course. ;) Well, here is the next update for you to enjoy! Can't wait to hear your thoughts!
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Paris, France
August 27, 1919
Opening the door, she stepped in only to be completely shocked at the sight before her. Her mother, Queen Hippolyta of the Amazons, stood in her small apartment living room with a nervous looking Renee.
"Oh good, you're back," Renee exclaimed as she quickly got off the couch.
Diana was unable to speak as the brunette greeted her. Her eyes never left her mother's form.
"Diana, who is this?" Chief asked beside her.
It didn't take a lot to see that this woman wasn't like most of the world of men. Her clothes alone would have alerted anyone that this woman wasn't from this place or time. She stood in a greek toga that showed off her strong, defined arms, and the crown upon her head shined in the dim candlelight. Her straight and regal posture showed that she was a woman born and/or placed in a rank of high standing. This woman was from an era of Gods and Kings.
Words couldn't form in her mind, let along escape her lips, as Diana continued to stare at her mother. Her mother eyed her up and down, but rested on the bundle that Diana held tight to her heart. A soft whimper sounded from Akilina's tiny mouth. The sound broke Diana from her trance.
"Oh it's alright, my love," Diana cooed down at her tiny daughter.
"So it is true," Hippolyta finally remarked.
"Diana," Chief addressed her once more. Diana turned her attention towards him and away from her mother for a moment. "Who is this?"
Diana turned her full attention towards her mother once more. She saw the unwavering stare that her mother gave her. It was one of hurt, confusion, and yet the smallest hint of understanding. Somehow she had known. How could she have known?! Instead of dwelling on the answer, Diana decided to answer Chief's question. She knew full well that it was only one out of the many to come that night.
"This is my mother," she explained.
"This is your mother?" Renee asked from behind Hippolyta.
"Yes, this is Queen Hippolyta of the Amazons," Diana clarified.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, your Highness," Chief greeted sheepishly.
Silently he walked past her, going over towards the baby bassinet that Renee and Diana had set up in the living room, and gently placed baby Steven down. Once he made sure that Steven was still asleep he moved towards Diana's roommate.
"Renee, how about I make us some coffee?"
"Yes, um that would be great."
"Yeah I think this situation calls for something a little stronger than tea," he muttered under his breath.
Both headed towards the kitchen.
"Did she just say that her mother is a Queen?" Renee whispered.
A small wail sounded from Akilina's small mouth. Diana bounced her gently to calm her, but she didn't stop. Hippolyta had moved from her spot, and now was right in front of Diana looking down at the bundle in her arms.
"Hush, my love. I've got you," Diana cooed to Lina.
The baby responded with another loud wail.
"She is hungry," Diana announced to her mother.
"Then you must attend her. I can wait," Hippolyta stated simply.
Diana gave her mother a look of gratitude, and then made her way towards the couch. Quickly, she positioned herself in such a way to modestly breastfeed her baby while looking at her mother. The Queen of the Amazons looked no less out of place there than in her own palace, though the room looked too small for her large presence. Her mother looked around the small room; her eyes landed briefly on every single piece of furniture, not taking her sharp eyes a long time to do so.
It took a little while before Lina was blinking her eyes slowly, nearly asleep. Diana humed to her softly to help her drift to sleep effortlessly. Her mother gracefully sat next to her on the couch, and gently brushed the hair on Akilina's forehead. Her hard eyes melted a little when the tiny baby sighed in contentment and fluttered her eyes shut. Waiting till she was completely asleep enough not to wake at the slightest movement, she placed her in the bassinet with baby Steven.
Hippolyta looked over towards the bassinet, as though to make sure they also were sound asleep before she remarked, "I suppose you did not wish to inform your own mother of your pregnancy."
Diana winced as though she had been slapped. Her mother's words cut deep. But, one thought broke her from her guilt and she turned towards her mother, her head held high and replied, "I have thought of you so much since I've been gone. I wanted to tell you about me being pregnant. However, you told me I couldn't return. I had no idea or way to return to Themyscira. What was I supposed to do?"
"I said that because I didn't want you to go, Diana," her mother replied.
Faded memories of Steve and the war clouded her mind. Her mother talking to her the last time on the dock at Themyscira. "I'm going mother. I can not stand by while innocent lives are lost. If no one else will protect the world from Ares than I must. I have to go," she had said, her head tall and proud. "I know, or at least I know I can't stop you," Her mother had replied. "You know if you leave you may never return?" "Who will I be if I stay?" Diana had responded to her mother.
"Ste-Steve," she shuttered, "is the twins' father. We lost him while fighting Ares. He was very brave. He-" Tears trickled down Diana's face.
Hippolyta softened. "The young man from the beach?"
"Yes," came the response, short and breathy.
Her mother reached out to stroke her daughter's face. Her touch was tender and forgiving. "I am sorry I let bitterness into my heart, Diana. We have both had our share of losses." She leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
Once they had broke from their embrace, Diana held her mother's hand and the two simply sat in each other's company. Several moments past before Chief came over towards them.
"Queen Hippolyta, would you like a cup of coffee?"
"Yes," Hippolyta replied. "Thank you," she added as an afterthought.
"Diana, how about you?"
"Yes, I'll take cream and sugar."
Chief turned nervously to Hippolyta.
"Black," she supplied.
The native American returned to the kitchen. While he was getting their drinks, Hippolyta's eyes landed on the bassinet. Her stony expression melted as she watched baby Steven suck his thumb as he slept.
"They have gotten so big these past few weeks. It hardly seems possible that they were once so small," Diana remarked, hoping to draw her mother into conversation.
"Yes, children come to us so small and yet they grow so fast. It seems like only yesterday when I first held you in my arms."
Words that Ares had said to her came flooding back to her. She was the daughter to both Hippolyta and Zeus. And her mother had never told her. She felt no anger about it, simply confusion. Why didn't she just tell me? Would it have changed things?
"I know you wish to ask me something," Hippolyta asked knowingly.
"Why didn't you tell me that I was the daughter of Zeus?"
Hippolyta sighed and took a long moment before she answered, "I'm assuming Ares told you."
"That does not matter. What I want to know is why didn't you tell me?"
Chief walked back into the room with two steaming mugs of coffee. First, he handed one carefully to the Queen of the Amazon's. Then he handed Diana the other. The milky liquid twirled in the mug as she looked down. She took a sip of the burning drink and savored its hint of bitterness mixed with both sugar and cream. Chief made it perfectly. Looking over towards her mother she watched as she sipped from the mug, and then rested it down in her lap. Diana's eyes wandered to Chief; his face showed sympathy and his willingness to support her. He lowered himself into the rocking chair, and his eyes silently asked her if she wanted him to remain. She nodded her head, and looked to her mother once more. Her mother was sipping slowly from her cup, and looked reluctant to reply.
"Chief knows," Diana assured her.
Hippolyta sighed. She appeared hesitant, but eager for a chance to get what she was about to say off her chest.
"Diana, I wondered many times if I should tell you, but I wanted to protect you," she said and then paused. Diana reached for her hand, and the contact seemed to give the Queen of the Amazon's the strength to continue. Her eyes were filled with tenderness when she spoke once more, "The truth would have endangered us all. You were a mere child when we left the world of men. Had Ares found out that you're his half-sister, that you were a threat to him, he would have destroyed you. I wanted to protect you for as long as I was able. I had hoped that I could completely shield you from it all. You are a mother yourself now, perhaps you understand?"
Hippolyta looked pleadingly into Diana's eyes, "Ares abhors the thought of being less powerful than anyone, most especially a woman. I promised your father, Zeus, that I would keep your powers a secret, and that I would keep you safe."
Diana smiled sadly at her mother, and gently squeezed her hand, "I think I understand. There is little I wouldn't do to protect my own children. I just wish I had known the threat I would have to face. When I found out that he was my brother, it was hard to do what I had to."
"I didn't want you to be faced with that burden."
Diana nodded her head and smiled while her mother gently cupped her cheek.
"Did you love him, my father?" Diana asked.
Hippolyta dropped her hand to her lap and looked down before meeting Diana's gaze, "I had strong feelings for your father. I think now, upon looking back, that perhaps it was simple lust. But, in the moment I had never loved anyone more. That is, until I had you. Despite what happened between your father and I, I want you to know that he did love you very much. What I said about promising him that I'd keep you safe is true. He wanted more than anything to protect you. I think that is partly why he created and entrusted me with Themyscira. It was a safe place that I could raise and look after you, for as long as I could."
"I wish… I wish I could have known him."
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