(( ...Yeah, I've realized just how terrible a person I am. *long sigh* I am so sorry it's been what, 5 months or so? Ehh, I don't really remember. ^^; I truly hope ya'll can forgive me for the HUGE writer's block! School stuff made me lose a lot of my inspiration to write. And yes, I had school up until last Friday. *beats head against cinder-block* But I can't really blame school for "everything", but still. Any whooooo ...I want to give a super-duper, fantastical, extreme thank you to "AndreaCherrypie". You are such a sweetheart, and I can't thank you enough for your encouragement. I was really losing motivation to continue this, and your comment just sent sparks flyin' in my head. And speaking of encouragement, I also want to thank some very Very VERY dear, internet friends of mine.
FuzziFox, KPFAN3617, Laughs4life, Xitan22, kitkat
I also want to thank my "guest" readers: VAH, BookQueen12321, i, lapierredx01, DisDee, FrozenFanatic, Guest, Bella101, and anyone who has spent there time to read this fan fic. I love you guys SO much! I'll hopefully start posting more often now that my summer has officaly started. Woo-Hoo! :D
God Bless! ))
At the villa; Phil hadn't stopped pacing, and Mrs. Korinna was just about to go mad sitting there. Hercules and Meg had both disapeared without saying a single word, and both were starting to think unlikely situations as to why.
Suddenly coming to a hault, Phil took a deep breath through his oddly round nose. "Okay ...Were probably ovah-reactin' here. The kids probably just ...went on one'a them evenin' strolls, or whatevah." He then waved his hands around before scratching his four o'clock shadow nervously. "And besides; Herc can take care of himself just fine, and we both know curly-que can stand her own."
Korinna just sat on the couch, looking to the ground, almost as if she was in some kind of strange trance. "...Do you have any children, Phil?" She asked, still not looking towards the satyr, or caring about how odd the question was in a situation like this.
Furrowing his brow; Phil turned to the woman, clearly startled by her random question. "Umm-" He began, actually not knowing what to really say towards that. "Well I ...I've always treated Herc like my own. But-" he then shrugged. "Nah, I nevah got to settlin' down. I was always too wrapped up in my work, trainin' students, and what-not."
Noticing his sad chuckle at the end, Korinna finally looked up. "Do you ...ever regret it?"
Slowly forcing himself to look away from Korinna's hazel eyes, Phil sighed. "Ya know, for a long time I did. With all the failures, and back-stabs ...it felt like I had wasted my entire life." A smile crept through the satyr's hardened exterior though, and he snickered at the memory. "Then some scraggly, klutzy, son 'a Zeus picked me right back up, and knocked some sense into me. Quiet literally, to be honest with ya."
To this; both Korinna and Phil shared a laugh. Once dying their chuckles down some, Phil turned more serious again. "So ...I'm not tryin' to be nosy or anythin', but ...why do you ask?"
Sinking back into the cushions, Korinna breathed a sigh. "I don't know. I guess I was just curious. I don't know much about you, and Olympus forbid I tell anyone about my past. Besides, there's nothing you can do about it now, so ...why bother with it?"
Phil raised his eyebrows again to Korinna, but she didn't seem to notice. She got up from the sofa, and walked towards a window. Now Phil was the one who was curious. He thought for a moment, wondering if he should just drop the subject, but his curiosity won out.
Walking towards her, he looked up into her saddened eyes. For once; Phil saw just how broken this woman was. He saw years of neglect, and pain shining through her tears. Tears she wouldn't dare let escape, for he was almost certain; it was the only thing she could hold onto.
"Korinna?" He began, almost hoping she would look to him, but she didn't. "Do ...do ya have any children?"
This finally caught her attention, and she looked towards Phil. He actually looked genuinely concerned. In the past; she would have lied through her teeth, but she actually felt convicted by this satyr. A satyr, of all things. She thought.
Not being able to look at him anymore, Korinna turned her attention back towards the window. "I did. Once...but it was long time ago."
Phil's eyes widened, he truly couldn't believe it. Not only her answer, but the fact that she was able to admit it. He wasn't usually one for pouring your heart out, nor was he interested most of the time. But he wanted to know this story, and he wasn't really even sure why.
"Wh-What happened?" Phil asked, half expecting her to dodge the question, but to his surprise; she continued. "I was madly in love." She then chuckled sadly. "I was also naïve, as most girls my age were. Unlike them, I was actually stupid enough to give into the pressure."
Without going into major detail, Phil could tell what she was talking about. And he could honestly say that he pitied her. Besides, we've all made mistakes. And for Phil, he's had his own fair share.
"When he found out about the baby, he ran for the hills. Looking back now; I can't say I blame him, but I certainly did then. My parents disowned me without a second thought, forced me to move out, and ...I quickly became the town harlot."
She sighed, saddened my the memories, and the many things people said to her. "...I was out on the streets the entire time, and nobody would hire me. Again, I don't blame them. But with no money, I had to steal what I could to make it through the day."
Korinna noticed that a couple tears had managed to escape, so she quickly wiped them away, and tried composing herself as best as she could. "When the time finally came; I was alone, and didn't know what I was doing ...I'm surprised she made it as long as she did."
Phil was speechless; he had his own theories as to why Korinna was always such a closed book when it came to things like this. But he certainly didn't think it was so deep. At a thought, he smiled. He wasn't sure whether it would help, or make things worse; but he surely wasn't trying to stop himself.
To his advantage, a small table stood beside the window Korinna was at. Hopping onto it - while still being careful not to knock anything over - he reached out, and took Korinna's hand into his own. She looked down, and found herself not trying to pull away, but actually slowly returning the gesture.
The satyr's smile soon changed into a smirk. "Alright, enough'a this sappy stuff. You're makin' me wanna go see a shrink, and start boo-hooin' about my pet rabbit that took a long walk of that short pier when I was a kid!"
As he was hoping, Korinna laughed at his strange humor. Tilting his head towards the kitchen, and while jumping off the table, Phil added. "Come on, how 'bout I make us somethin' hot to sip on while we wait for the kids to show up?"
With a sigh escaping his lips; Creon looked over to his daughters. At the moment, Astraia was introducing Chariton to Meg, and they were both laughing at something she must have said. He hadn't seen Megara in so long, let alone speak to her. He wanted to know how she was doing, and how this man - that he was currently talking to - was treating her.
"I know this must be hard for you to consider, Creon." Hercules began gently. "And I understand that you probably want to think about this a little longer. But I had to ask." He then smiled. "I love your daughter more than anything. And I'll do whatever it takes to prove that to you. I want your blessing in this, and I'm sure Meg would too."
Smiling back at the young man, Creon nodded. "I would like to have a moment with her before I give you an answer." Hercules nodded back. "Of course."
Moving past the hero, king Creon walked over to his girls. The three were laughing, but tried calming down once they saw their father coming towards them. "Would you mind if I stole your sister for a bit?" He asked, referring to Megara. The two girls smiled, and ushered her away.
"We'll finish up later." Astraia giggled, winking coyly at Meg. Meg just rolled her eyes, but chuckled none-the-less as her father guided her towards the balcony.
Once outside; both Creon and Meg breathed in the night air. With her fear of heights nearly gone, Meg walked over to the edge, and took in the scenery. The sun had already set, and the moon was shining, casting a soft glow over the garden below. The cool wind blew against the trees, taking a few of it's leaves and wilted flowers along with it, and the fountain reflected the stars above.
Feeling her father's presence beside her, Meg turned her attention to him. The moonlight casted it's glow upon him, intensifying his face, and she could see just how much he had aged within the years that had passed. He continued to smile though, and it seemed to bring one upon her own lips. "I've missed you so much ...you don't know just how happy I am to know you're alright." Creon whispered, kissing her forehead for the second time that night.
Although his words weighed heavily upon her heart; she had already cried once, so she wasn't planning on doing it again. "Papa? ...I'm sorry about everything that-"
"Sweetheart. That's not why I-" Creon said trying to stop her, but she interrupted right back.
"No! ...I need to say this." Meg whispered confidently, looking up at her father, and Creon forced his mouth to stay shut so she could speak.
Knowing he was going to allow her to continue, she began. "I'm sorry about what happened between us. About what I said. You ...you were right about Adrian. All along. And I was just ...too stubborn to listen! ...I-" she sighed, and looked away. "I've made ...a lot of mistakes since then. Some that's probably better left in the grave were they lay. But like many people have said ...I've certainly learned from them."
Creon took her pause as an opportunity to open his mouth again. "And Hercules knows of these things?"
Closing her eyes, and laughing sadly; Meg nodded. "For the most part ...yes. He probably knows more than he should actually."
He couldn't help but smile as he put a hand on Meg's shoulder. "You're not the only one who should be apologizing, my dear. I was in the wrong as well; not handling things the way I should have." He immediately pictured the moment he hit Meg all those years ago. He remembered when he went to touch her, and she flinched away from him.
Moving his hand up; Creon went to put it on her cheek - and this time - she didn't pull away. Instead; she seemed to realize what was going through his mind. Giving him a half smile, she put one of her hands on top of his own.
"You've become such ...a beautiful young woman. Inside and out." Creon began with a smile before gesturing back towards the others. "And that Hercules fellow seems to think so as well."
Even through the darkness of the night; Creon could still see the hint of red, glow upon his daughter's face. And her genuine laugh made him smirk with remembrance. He couldn't even place the last time he had heard it. Has it truly been that long? He thought.
Meg hummed a sigh, and looked towards her Wonderboy. Her stomach did flips just looking at him, and she couldn't help but smile at how giddy she was. "I don't know what he sees in me." She chuckled with a roll of her eyes. "...He sure is somethin' else, I'll give him that."
Creon chuckled back. "Well ...even though I might just be a bit biased because you're my daughter; I can honestly say that ...he certainly knows a good thing when he sees it. And by the looks of it, he's found someone even better than just good." He then paused, smirking. "...At least to his standards."
Playfully nudging him; Meg blushed again, but couldn't hold back her own smirk. Creon took a moment to indulge in her happiness before asking his final question; one he was almost saddened by, but at the same time, brought him delight. With a sigh, he looked to his daughter. "You really do love him, don't you?"
Glancing towards Hercules once more, and seeing him smile that wonderful smile that made her weak in the knees, she nodded without a second thought, knowing full well the answer to this question. "Yeah ...I really do."
Hearing how confidently she had spoken vanquished all of Creon's previous concerns, and much of the weights upon his shoulders seemed to just crumble and fall away. Taking Meg's hand, he tilted his head back towards the group inside. "We had better get back in there. I believe I interrupted something between you and Astraia."
Watching Creon and Megara walk back inside; Hercules wrung his hands together as he breathed an anxious sigh. His hands were sweating, and his heart was racing like a stallion, not to mention the fast pace of fluttering butterflies in his stomach making him even more nervous somehow. I don't think I was as worried facing the hydra as I am right now! Hercules thought, mentally slapping himself on the back of the head.
After what seemed like a lifetime; Meg finally stood in front of him, with her father a close distance away. She took his hand, and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek. To that, Hercules' worries all but melted away as he smiled down at her. She always seemed to make him feel like a million drachmas within seconds; no matter the situation.
Looking towards Creon for his answer; Hercules' heart nearly stopped when he saw the king nod his head in approval. Everything within him wanted to just leap for joy, but Hercules contained himself. He wasn't out of the woods just yet. Instead; Hercules thanked him with a smile, which Creon returned.
Holding his smile in place, Creon put his hand on Meg's shoulder protectively. "I presume you've been taking care of my daughter, and I expect you to continue doing so." He half threatened to the hero as most fathers would. Meg rolled her eyes and smirked at her father's choice of words.
"Papa? ...Wonderboy would never do anything to hurt me, I can assure you of that." She said holding onto Herc's arm with both of hers. Again, this seemed to ease Hercules of her father's threat.
Creon snickered, and hugged his daughter playfully. "Alright, I guess I'll just have to deal with him. Huh?"
Again, Meg looked sternly - with a hint of sarcasm - at her father. Her entire family was really something else. Although she could feel the awkwardness and tension during small moments, she had expected much worse from them today. So, she welcomed the amount of love she received whole-heartedly. When it came to her family; you treasured the ones that remained, mourned the ones that were lost, and moved on when the time came. Family was all they really had left.
Being of royal blood; you never knew if someone was a true friend, or if they were just waiting for the right moment to get what they wanted from you before stabbing you in the back. Like Adrian. After what he did; Meg grew bitter and shut everyone out. For the longest time; she believed that everyone she came across wanted nothing but to use her for their own desires. And once they had it in their grubby, conniving hands; they would turn and leave.
Then; out of practically nowhere - thin air to be more precise - Hercules came into her life, and flipped her entire world upside-down. Again; quiet literally beings that she lived in the underworld.
Her thoughts were put aside when she felt the brush of Hercules' breath tickling her ear as he whispered something to her. "Can I have a word with you as well?"
She turned to his smiling face, and nodded as she allowed him to pull her back outside. Going off the balcony was a flight of stairs leading to the garden below. Once walking off the last step, the couple headed down the cobblestone pathway leading towards the fountain.
Gingerly sweeping her fingers across the surface of the water, Meg sat down on the fountain's marble edge, quickly followed by Hercules. She looked up into the night sky, watching the stars come to life through their dancing movements. Her smile widened when she found her new come, favorite constellation. Wonderboy.
Hercules joined her star-gazing for a minute, sorting out everything he wanted to say while doing so. The conversation he had with his father did little to help ease his pure and utter nervousness.
"I want this to be special. I don't want to sound like some ...blubbering idiot!" Hercules proclaimed, lowering his head.
Zeus smiled as warmly as his cold, stone form could. "My boy?"
Hercules didn't seem to notice his father's words though. "What if she says no, and I ruin everything that's going on between us?! And what if-"
"Son!" Zeus said just loud enough to stop Herc's tirade. He looked up. "No matter what you say; Meg isn't going to love you any less, and I can most certainly guarantee she isn't going to say no. She loves you, doesn't she?" Zeus asked, raising a large, stone brow.
"Well ...yes, but-" Hercules started to say, but his father beat him to it. "So, why would you think she's going to reject your proposal?"
The young hero began rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "I dunno; I'm just ...worried Meg isn't ready for this. I don't want to push her into something she doesn't want just yet."
Nodding his head in understanding, Zeus smiled once again. "If you care about Megara enough to worry yourself over her desires in this, then you can care about her enough ...to give her time if she isn't ready. An that's only 'if' she wants to wait a little while longer." He chuckled, noticing his son bite his lip thoughtfully.
"I ...I guess you're right. But, that still doesn't help me find the right way to ask her if she'll marry me." Hercules added, waving his hands around dramatically.
Hercules' father only smiled wider; the concern and love his boy had for this woman, brought so much happiness to his immortal heart. He began lowering Hercules back to the flooring. "You'll know exactly what to say the moment you let your heart choose the words for you. As ...sappy as that sounds." He chuckled, adding one more sentence before departing from his stone form, and heading back to Olympus. "Good luck, son."
Hercules accidentally let out an audible sigh as he continued wringing his hands together roughly. A hand suddenly came over his, halting his actions. Meg's eyes practically twinkled like stars, shining brightly with happiness and amusement. "Thank you." She began, ducking under his left arm to wrap both of hers around his torso. "I'm ...I'm really glad you convinced me to speak to my father again. I never would have stepped foot in this place had it not been for you."
Letting himself relax for a moment; Hercules pulled Meg into a gentle embrace, shifting his head so that it lied against his love's. "I'm just glad it makes you happy."
Meg hummed a sigh, and her smile slowly began to fade with another thought. "Herc? ...I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the whole 'princess' thing sooner." She whispered, looking up into his eyes. "You're always so honest with me, even from the beginning. And I ...I just continue keeping things from you; my enslavement with Hades, Adrian, my family." She then lowered her head shamefully. "You deserve so much better than me."
Not a millisecond went by before she felt her head being lifted back up, Hercules eyes locking with her own.
Within that moment, he knew exactly what to say for once. Let your heart choose the words for you. "I don't want anyone 'except' you, Meg." He began.
"All my life, I've wondered where I belong. At first, I thought it was on Olympus with my family. Once I finally had it within arms reach, I realized something was missing. Then it hit me like one of my father's lightning bolts the moment I saw you...leaving me, so I could have my dream. You were willing to give up everything you had: your freedom, your life, and the thing I love most-"
He lowered his forehead against hers, kissing her briefly. "-Your heart, and all for me. I said it before, and I'll continue to say it until you believe me: a life without you ...would be empty."
"And I wish to spend the rest of my life with you. Meg?" Hercules took a breath to steady himself, and pulled something out of his tunic that he had kept hidden, and gently tossed it into the air.
Meg looked up to see what he had thrown just as it started to descend. With a swift motion; she caught the object, and gazed at it for a moment, confusion in her eyes. An apple?
She turned to Hercules who was now kneeling in front of her, a nervous grin on his face.
Creon stood at the edge of the balcony, watching the scene take place. From where he stood, he could make out Meg putting a hand over her mouth. Most likely to keep herself from gasping too loudly. And although he couldn't hear the words pass from the young hero's mouth; Creon knew what he had just asked. He couldn't hold back the huge smirk as he watched his little girl nod, and jump into her fiancé's arms as he spun her around joyfully, their laughter breaking through the silence of the night.
Look at the two of you dancing that way
Lost in the moment in each others face
So much in love your alone in this place
Like there's nobody else in the world
I was enough for her not long ago
I was her number one
She told me so
And she still means the world to me
Just so you know
So be careful when you hold my girl
Time changes everything
Life must go on
And I'm not gonna stand in your way
But I loved her first and I held her first
And a place in my heart will always be hers
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
And I prayed that she'd find you someday
But it still hard to give her away
I loved her first
How could that beautiful woman with you
Be the same freckle face kid that I knew
The one that I read all those fairy tales to
And tucked into bed all those nights
And I knew the first time I saw you with her
It was only a matter of time
But I loved her first and I held her first
And a place in my heart will always be hers
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
And I prayed that she'd find you someday
But its still hard to give her away
I loved her first
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
Someday you might know what I'm going through
When a miracle smiles up at you
I loved her first
((Hades is coming soon! :D YAY! Hope you all liked the chapter. The song, "I Loved Her First" is not mine! It's owned/sung by: Heartland. Oh! And in case anyone doesn't remember from chapter 6, tossing an apple was "possibly" how men proposed to women in this time era. Don't hold me to it though. XD Thank you for reading! Also, sorry for any spelling errors and such, I tried writing this as quickly as possible, and spell check doesn't always correct me. Until next time.))