Persephone always dreaded the six months away from her husband. But this time, she would not be riding back with Hermes. There was going to be an Olympian Ball held on Mount Olympus the night that she was to return back to the underworld, the first day of autumn, which would be tomorrow night. So she would meet Hades there and return with him on his chariot to their home. That night would be even more special than just attending a ball, because they already hadn't seen each other for six months.

Persephone had Lydia with her this time on Earth so she was going to be sent to the Underworld a day early so Hades could see her and Charon would be able to watch her during the ball.

Persephone was holding Lydia's hand walking with her away from the cottage to the nearby hill. Demeter had already said her goodbyes to her and was waiting in the cottage's doorway.

"So why do I have to go home early, Mommy?"

"Well, you are going home because tomorrow, Mommy and Daddy are going to a ball on Mount Olympus. And Charon is going to watch you. We will be home tomorrow night so it won't be long."

"How am I going to get back? I can't go all by myself."

"Oh, of course you won't be going alone. Hermes will bring you back. You like Hermes."

"Oh, okay," she had a hint of excitement in her voice. Hermes always made her laugh. He was good to her.

"Lydia, look," Persephone had pointed toward the sky in front of them to find Hermes flying his shining silver chariot low toward them. He came to a halt right in front of them on top of the hill, "Hello Hermes, good to see you again," Persephone said cheerfully.

"Thank you, Persephone. It's good to see you too. My, Lydia! Aren't you getting big!" Lydia smiled at him as he winked at her mother. "Ready to go?"

"Yep!" Lydia immediately climbed onto the chariot, turned around and waited with her arms open toward Persephone. She came over to her daughter to give her a very tight hug. "I love you, Mommy."

"I love you too, darling. I shall see you tomorrow night," and she gave one last smile to Lydia as Hermes held on to her about to take off. "I'll see you at the ball, Hermes!"

"You sure will!" He smiled and took off toward the sky onward in the direction of the entrance to the Underworld. Persephone couldn't help but be jealous, wanting so much to go to Hades at that moment. But she knew she'd see him at the ball. Although she had no idea what he was going to wear, so she had no idea which one would be him. But there was a voice deep inside her saying 'You'll know.'

Down in the Underworld, Hades was in the front hall of the palace calmly waiting for his daughter to arrive whom he hadn't seen for six months. He then heard horses outside and he perked up immediately walking toward the giant front doors. They opened upon his presence and he saw Lydia bounding through them right toward him. He kneeled on the ground opening his arms with a giant grin on his face as she ran into them. He embraced her tightly, "Hey! How's my beautiful girl! I've missed you so much!"

"I missed you too, Daddy!"

"How's Mom?"

"She's sad because she couldn't come with me," she smiled and giggled a little.

He playfully smiled back, but inside he was sad as well. He longed for his beloved wife more than anything now that he had Lydia. Persephone was the missing piece. He couldn't wait until tomorrow night when he could hold her in his arms again. For now, he had his other treasure, Lydia. The little piece of Persephone that he had in his life.

"Well, then let's go see if we can get you something to eat, sweetheart. Thank you, Hermes," he smiled at the messenger of the Gods.

"It was my pleasure, Hades. I'll see you at the ball." And he left the palace back to his chariot.

Hades walked through the front hall toward the kitchen talking to his daughter and she was telling him all that had happened during the summer. But all he could think about was tomorrow night.

The next day, Persephone awoke quite rested. And then she realized what day it was and gasped with a smile, "The first day of autumn!"

She sprang out of bed and immediately ran outside into the sun. The weather had a slight cold bite to it, but otherwise it was perfect. She felt the breeze flow all around her and through her hair. She couldn't hold in her excitement.

"Persephone, it's time to start getting ready for the ball!" Demeter's voice carried.

Just the words she wanted to hear. Within a few hours, she would be holding the love of her life in her arms. She ran back into the cottage to her bedroom. She opened her closet and went straight to the back. She took out what was the most beautiful dress that she had ever seen.

As she wore it, she looked into the mirror to see how it looked. It was a rich sky blue color, lined with silver that hugged her shoulders and came down with a slight V-shape. It fit tightly around her waist and then flowed outward to the floor from her hips. This was the first time that she felt that she actually looked like a queen. Her long flowing wheat hair was pulled back into a gorgeous bun. She wore a beautiful silver necklace that accented her neck with small beautiful earrings, also silver. The only piece of jewelry on either of her hands was her beautiful wedding ring that Hades had given her. She was now ready.

Persephone and Demeter rode with Diana and Iolaus in their chariot up to Mount Olympus.

"Persephone! You look beautiful!" Diana smiled at her best friend.

"Thank you, Diana! You are absolutely gorgeous yourself." Diana was wearing a beautiful deep purple silk gown and Iolaus matched her a little with his light purple and white tunic. "You look very handsome as well, Iolaus."

"Why thank you, beautiful goddess," he smiled and helped her into the chariot followed by her mother. "Hello, Demeter. You look dazzling this evening."

"Thank you Iolaus," Demeter smiled back, "Now let's go have some fun!"

Everyone laughed and agreed while Iolaus took off toward the kingdom of Zeus. They soared through the crisp night sky ascending to the clouds. As they burst through to the top of Mount Olympus, they saw the towering golden gates in the starry night reflecting the metallic symbol of Olympus inlaid upon them of . Hermes was at the gates helping to escort parties inside. He led them through to the palace of Zeus where all the Gods and Goddesses had gathered. All Persephone could think about was where Hades was. She frantically looked around the room, but some gods had masks on, which did not help in the slightest. She was sure that he would make himself known to her if he were there. She figured he hadn't arrived yet. So she remained with Diana and the others.

After about ten minutes, she grew impatient to see her husband. Iolaus took Diana's hand and led her to the dance floor, both of them beaming. Persephone smiled after her closest friends happily. Then Zeus came over to ask Demeter for a dance and she delightedly accepted following him onto the dance floor as well. She was now alone and upset that Hades hadn't showed up yet. So she continued to wait, smiling at everyone who walked by her.

But all of a sudden, Persephone felt like she was being watched. She could feel someone's eyes upon her, so she looked around. After what felt like forever, she looked straight ahead of her watching the dancers, wondering who within them was watching her. Just as a dancing couple twirled past her gaze and parted, she saw him. Hades was wearing a bright red suit with black boots and a black undershirt complete with black gloves. She knew it was him because he slicked back his dark brown hair and was wearing a mask in the shape of a skull, for he is the King of the Dead. It was fitting. She felt nothing but his penetrating gaze on her as he nonchalantly leaned against the far wall crossing his arms with a slight smirk on his face. She smiled in return and started toward him slowly. He stood up straight and also responded by walking toward her. They both met in the middle and he was full on smiling now. She immediately threw her arms around him for a long over-due kiss accompanied with a very tight hug.

"Hello to you, too," he laughed.

"Just like always, I still can't bear six months without you. I've missed you so much." He then maneuvered her hands into the position of a waltz with one of his hands gently resting upon her back and they started to slowly dance.

"I completely agree. Just ask Charon how cranky I get around the palace. He has to put up with it every time you leave me. I wish it wouldn't have to be like this still."

"I know, dear, but I believe it keeps our passion alive. If we were around each other every day for eternity, who knows if we'd still be like this after a few hundred years."

"I don't know about you, but having you by my side every minute of every day for eternity would be a blessing, and I'd be the happiest god on Earth—or beneath it," they both laughed again and she kissed him.

"I love you." She had her arms wrapped around his neck now.

"And I love you, more than anything in this world," he leaned in and softly kissed her, but passionately.

"Have you been here this entire time?" She smirked.

He just smiled, "Yes. I have been watching you from the time that you arrived," he winked and continued, "I love gazing at you from afar—especially when you're not aware of my presence."

"What am I going to do with you?" She jokingly scowled at him, but it quickly faded when he dipped her.

"You are the only thing worth looking at, my dear." And he smiled again.

He slowly lifted her up with his hand sliding gently up her back. "What an interesting mask you're wearing, Hades. Let's just say that it wasn't hard to pick you out of a crowd."

He laughed, "Oh really? Then why did it take you nearly fifteen minutes to find me?"

She suddenly remembered, "Oh, right. There were dancers in front of me, but once I saw the skull mask I knew."

"How do you even know that it is truly me?"

"Because only my husband, Hades, can make my heart flutter with just his voice," she lightly touched his throat, "or even his breath," she touched his lips with her fingers, "That includes the penetrating stare of his attractive dark eyes that capture me every time I gaze upon them," she moved her hand to the side of his masked face up near his eyes. He stood staring at her with his mouth slightly open a little and he breathed slowly and deeply. He was caught in her words. She took his hand, put it gently over her heart and spoke softly while smiling, "See? You must be him."

He didn't waste one second as he took her in his arms and kissed her so long and hard that they both felt like they had melted into each other's embrace. They pulled slightly away from each other, and he knew that he never wanted to let her go again. They just smiled at each other, completely in love all over again.

"Then you guessed right by the mask," he laughed again, "God of the Underworld wears death." She joined in his laughter. "I couldn't wait to see you here just as beautiful as you are now so I could take you home with me."

"I was ready the day Hermes dropped me off the first day of spring. I was in a craze all day today just waiting to see you."

But they were all of a sudden interrupted by Iolaus and Diana. "Hades! Good to see you, my friend!" Iolaus shook Hades' hand and Diana gave him a hug.

"How are things down in the Underworld?" Diana asked him.

"Oh, just the same Diana. A lot of judging taking place. But very gloomy the last six months," he looked at Persephone at this and winked as she smiled back.

"Aw. We must come down and visit soon," Diana said as Iolaus put his arm around her shoulders.

Persephone spoke at this, "Oh, please do!" She came over to her husband again and he instinctively put his arm around her waist.

"Yes we would love it if you came for a visit," Hades said.

"We'll talk soon Persephone," and Diana gave her best friend a hug. "We probably won't be seeing you for a while."

At her words, Iolaus realized as well and also came over to give her a hug. "We shall miss you, Persephone. Take care of Lydia and that guy over there," he pointed and they both laughed.

"I sure will, Iolaus. Thank you."

He gave Persephone a quick kiss on the forehead, and he stole his wife away to enjoy the rest of the ball.

Persephone and Hades immediately wasted no time in coming back together for another dance. She rested her head on his chest as he kept his protective embrace around her and he rested his head on top of hers.

After a few more songs, he looked at her, "Are you ready to go home?" He smiled.

She responded perking up, "Yes."

He put his arm around her waist and led her toward the door to his chariot. Persephone couldn't find it anywhere, "Where did you even put your chariot? I can't see it."

He giggled and said, "That was the whole point. I put it in the shadows so that you wouldn't be able to see it once you arrived."

"Oh, you." They laughed and he helped her in as he climbed on behind her holding her close. She couldn't help but just close her eyes taking in the moment because this was her favorite part; flying away from Earth to their home underground. It may be gloomy but it was her sanctuary.

To him, it felt so right having her there. "I've missed being able to hold you while I drive my chariot. It gets so lonely."

"Well, I'm here now. And I wish I could stay here forever with you."

He looked down at her and smiled as he yelled, "Yah!"

The chariot took off into the night sky and they flew straight through the clouds back down to Earth. Persephone felt so proud and happy to be able to wrap her arms around Hades' torso again. She suddenly felt whole. They enjoyed the romantic silence of the beautiful night feeling the air flow through them as they soared above the Earth. They came upon the cliff side that was the entrance to the Underworld, and she was never more excited than she was at that moment. He tightened his grip around her because he knew as well. The chariot took a quick dive into the steaming, fiery entrance and Persephone immediately felt the change from cool night air to warm rock that was her home.

They flew over the River Styx, past Cerberus, and landed firmly on the ground of luscious grass. They rode past the River Lethe and before them stood the most beautiful sight in Persephone's eyes; the dark yet beautiful palace that was her dwelling with her king. The dark steeds halted by the towering front doors, and Hades jumped off. He held open his arms and he lifted his queen off of their chariot. He carried her up the stone steps and through the doors into the front hall. He gently set her down and stood facing her, "Welcome home, my love," he smiled.

She grinned back, and gazed into his eyes. He removed his skull mask of death to reveal what she had been waiting to see for six months; her husband's face. He leaned in and kissed her gently while still holding the mask in one hand. He slowly dipped her again with his lips still locked on hers. She laughed as they touched foreheads and he laughed with her. He brought her back up and she replied, "Thank you, darling. It's good to be home again."

As they gazed at one another they heard small running footsteps coming toward them. Hades responded to them first and looked in the direction of the long hallway. "We are about to be greeted by our very small welcoming committee." They both giggled and watched as their precious Lydia came sprinting toward them.

"Mommy! Daddy!"

Persephone knelt to the ground as her daughter ran into her arms and she stood back up. "Hey sweetie. Did you have a good time with Daddy last night, just the two of you?"

"Oh, yes! He told me stories about you two before you met, and Diana and Iolaus, and how they met too!"

Hades gave her a look that she was leaving something out. "Oh yeah. He also told me your story; about how you and Daddy fell in love." Hades winked at her and Persephone looked at him. "Oh he did, did he?"

They all giggled together and they began to walk through the large marble hallway to their chambers with Lydia still chatting away.