A/N: Hey, guys. Sorry about the delays. I've been super busy. It's my midterms week right now (joy) and I needed to take a break…so I decided to write!
Here's the epilogue!
I own nothing!
NOTE: Not edited. It's late, I have to study, so here:
~Epilogue~
The little girl peered from behind the wall. Her green eyes stuck to the man and did not move, mostly from excitement, rather than fear. Uncle Hades never let any gods in the his palace! Let alone Zeus! What was Zeus doing here?
Before she knew what was happening, a disappointed sigh came from behind her. She squeezed her eyes shut, knowing she'd been caught, and knowing the voice that called out, "Aleeka!" She whirled around, her little black dress floating as she knelt. "Auntie Persephone! You are back, I see, for the Winter months."
Aleeka looked up, smiling at her little sister in their Auntie's arms. Persephone smiled. "Baby doll, you know better than to eavesdrop." Persephone reached out her open arm and held her hand out, signaling for the child to get up. She did, brushing off her knees, and grabbed her aunt's hand.
"Where are we going?" Aleeka asked, her piercing eyes darting around as she turned her head to get one last look at the two gods talking. "Are you finally gonna let me meet my momma?"
Persephone's smile slid down her face. "No, Leeka, your momma is very busy. That's why Uncle Hades and I watch you, darling."
She pouted. "I don't even know her name."
Persephone stayed silent, but quickly picked the four-year-old up with her other arm. Wrapping her arms around the goddess' neck, and twisting her legs around her torso, Aleeka rested her head against her aunt's as Persephone, struggling, carried the girls in either arm. "Leeks, your sister's been dying to see you. She missed you when she was up on Olympus with Auntie Demeter."
"Ooh! How is Auntie Athy? Is she almost finished writing that book for me?" Aleeka questioned, rising her head up in excitement.
Persephone hated lying to the girls. She really did, but it was necessary. Athena didn't know they were hers. Poseidon didn't, either. And it would have to stay like that forever. That's why Aleeka couldn't go to Olympus. The one-year-old daughter of Athena could, however, as Athena was away, and Poseidon was undersea. That, and she was too young to know what was going on, anyway. "No, sweetie, Athena's been away for a while. She's taken some personal time."
For what, no one knew, but Athena had been adamant about going off for something.
Aleeka's head dropped back down to the crook of Persephone's neck. "Oh."
The one-year-old bounced. "Ah! Sissy!" She reached her arm behind her aunt's back and gave a great tug at her sister's long, dark hair.
"Yeowch!" Aleeka huffed. "Aurora, don't do that!"
Athena hadn't been able to name the child. She hardly had known she was pregnant. But the fates had not intended for either of their strings to be caught, so they saved both of their souls, but Aurora's price was being raised in the Underworld with Persephone. She was extremely premature; luckily, they had accelerated her growth with Apollo's magic to six and a half months, but they could go no more. She'd survived, though. Being a goddess, like her sister, and all. It was just the matter of it, to make sure she'd be healthy.
So, Persephone had named her. She'd loved that name. Aurora. And it started with an "A". Following the trend. Dubbing her as "Rose", inspired by the fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty, where they called Aurora "Briar Rose", Aurora had grown to respond to either names. While Persephone preferred calling her Rose, after one of her flowers, Aleeka liked Aurora. She thought it was a pretty name.
"Rose," Persephone said, chastising the child. "Apologize. That wasn't nice!"
Aurora lowered her gray eyes. "Sorry," she whispered.
Persephone's eyes darted to Aleeka. She rolled her eyes and said back to her sister, "It's okay."
She carried the girls into the next room and set them down. Aurora ran off, wobbling on her lags she's just learned to run with, and plopped down in front of the play castle. Aleeka reluctantly moved away from her aunt and watched as she left, telling them to behave.
"Lee Lee?" Aurora called, beckoning her sister over. Aleeka smiled and ran to her.
"What is it, Rory?"
A silly grin spread across Aurora's small, pale face. "I know who momma is."
Aleeka leaned forward.
-:-
Persephone entered the living area and sat next to her husband. "Zeus," she acknowledged the god.
"Persephone, lovely to see you again. Did you enjoy your visit?" Zeus asked.
"Yes, thank you. Olympus was very lovely, as ever."
"Enough small talk," Hades interrupted. "I was telling Zeus that, quite frankly, I'm done with the girls. They need their real mother."
Persephone nodded.
"You're wonderful with them, really," Hades said, picking up his bottle. "But to be honest, I'm tired of kids."
"Hades, I ask you to do one favor. Athena and Poseidon can't know of this!" Zeus reminded his brother and niece.
Persephone crossed her leg over and reached for the tea pot on the table. "Zeus, I have no problem with Aleeka and Aurora. They're angels. Athena blessed them with her intelligence and gracefulness. They are much less needy than regular children, and smarter than the average five year old." She set the pot down, having a cup full. "But I am not their mother. When I was taken from my mother," she glared at Hades, and he staid stoic as ever. She continued, "When I was taken from my mother, I was heartbroken. At least I get to see her half of the year. They only get to see their mother thinking she is their aunt, and only at the Winter Solstices! Aurora was lucky to come over the summer. Aleeka never got that chance."
Zeus, like his brother, showed no emotions at what she had said. "No, Persephone, and that is final."
Persephone scoffed. "Excuse me, but what would you do if Athena had been taken away from you?"
Zeus narrowed his eyes. "This is not about me. It's about Athena and Poseidon—"
"The god and goddess who could've actually gotten along had you kept their memory, Zeus! They were in love! Yes, Athena broke her vow, but unknowingly! You shouldn't punish her for it. If anything, it was Arielle." Persephone retorted, dropping her glass in anger.
Hades rubbed his temples. "Zeus, restore my niece's memory, and our brother's. All of the Olympians! They wouldn't care. And worst case scenario is that Athena and Poseidon don't talk to each other. They would know better than to fight the way they do with their daughters running around." He paused, looking at his wife. "Persephone, take the girls with you. I want you back on Olympus this Winter."
Her eyes widened. "That's against—"
"Persephone, I want you to go. Athena will need you. And really, I get six more months off from your jabbering."
Persephone shot a disapproving look but agreed nonetheless.
"No. I will not allow it."
"What's wrong about it, brother?" Hades asked. "Athena and Poseidon will know their children. It's been six months. I think it's time you let them know their daughters."
Persephone nodded, her arms crossed. "I am going, Zeus. And I'm taking the girls with me. Whether or not you tell them, I will. As soon as Athena gets back, I'll speak to her about this."
"See?" A little voice whispered to her older sister. She looked up, grabbed her sister's hand, Aleeka carried her back to the playroom. "I knew it."
A/N: Well…I guess I lied. I'm sorry. I think I'll be writing another story. Yay or nay?
Don't expect it right away with midterms, guys. I'm sorry….
Well. Yes or no? Continue or start a whole new thing?
Continue = Pothena and family
New = something fresh, whether it be about Athena and Poseidon or Percy and Annabeth
Lemme know!
I love feedback more than Aphrodite loves love!
~Suzie
