Disclaimer: Nope. I didn't write this series.

Chapter 25

I stared at her for a few moments, brain hastily trying to process the situation. Pieces clicking, I quickly bowed low, arms pinned to my side. "Lady Hera," I said softly, heart pounding in my chest. "It's an honor."

"My dear, no need for such formality," she told me, her hand coming to my chin and gently lifting my head up. "We're just family, having a small talk."

Right, and World War II was a minor disagreement.

"I assume you know why I'm here," she continued, fussing with my hair in a motherly way.

"Because of...what happened with the Hellhound?" It sounded small, fragile.

"Mmhmm." She sighed. "It was such a heartbreak, watching you go through all of this. Especially on top of the miscarriage. Such tragedies right on top of one another? Why, it's no minor miracle you didn't lose it completely."

"Thank you," I replied uncertainly, not knowing how else to respond. Was it even supposed to be a compliment?

"You were so strong through all this." If she heard the confusion in my voice, she ignored it. "The strength of a true mother. Seeing your courage was a heartening experience."

And it was a damn long experience since you took your sweet, sweet time intervening.

"Thank you." Against my common sense, I proceeded, "But...but just out of curiosity, why haven't you contacted me before? After it happened?"

"Well, my dear girl, I had to assure myself that you were a fit mother," she explained, still fiddling with my hair, and gods, did I just want to smack her hand away. "I mean, the sorrow you experienced after the miscarriage, that was an obvious indication of your desire. And the way you interacted with your students was so sweet and endearing. But after your...encounter with the Hellhound, well, restoring your ability to raise a child is a task I could not take lightly."

Right, because there aren't people every day having kids they aren't able to care for. And me practically losing my mind clearly showed that I was going to suck as a mom. Thanks for that clarification.

"So what convinced you?" I asked, barely managing to keep the anger and impatience out of my voice.

"Your father and Hermes, for one. Both pleaded with me to repair the damage." There was a gleam in her eyes, like she was relishing the fact that she'd been placed in a position of power. Probably because she was usually just the Olympian whose husband couldn't keep it in his pants. "Even Dionysius appealed to me. He's quite fond of you, you know."

Thanks for the update. Wanna get a move on the explanation?

"But even then, I had to make sure for myself that you would be prepared for the challenges of motherhood."

"Challenges?" I repeated. "Wait. So that stuff with Michael and Maggie and Andrew...you set that all up?"

"In a way, yes. The situations were willing to present themselves, I just pushed them to the surface a bit more quickly. And you, dear, passed with flying colors. Though the true test of character was the one I didn't even arrange. Nico's revelation was quite the perfect timing."

"His revelation? Him telling me he was gay counted as some sort of test?"

"Of course! Unwavering acceptance no matter. You didn't even hesitate to reassure him that there was nothing wrong with that."

"But there isn't; it really isn't a big deal."

She sighed again, sadder this time. "Not everyone sees it that way, my dear." Suddenly, she clapped her hands together, and a smile beamed across her face. "The point is, you've passed with flying colors. And it is my honor to enable you to be with child."

The breath actually left my body. "You...you mean I can get to be a mom?"

"Yes, Clarisse." She touched a hand to my cheek.

"Thank you," I said, barely believing this was happening, wondering if I was just going to wake in a cold sweat. "Lady Hera, thank you so much-"

"There is, however, one slight condition."

Of course there was. Because nothing could ever just be simple with the gods.

"A condition?"

"Yes. You see, I cannot completely restore your ability to reproduce. I can only restore the chance you once had."

I blinked. "What does that mean?"

"I can return David to you. But that is all."

I stared at her, not quite comprehending. "But...but he's with another family now."

"Yes, I know. And it will a tragic lose to her, but you will have your son back."

"Wait, wait, hold it." My mouth was painfully dry as I tried to wrap my head around what she was saying. "You...you would force this woman to have a miscarriage?"

"That's the only way, my dear. Your happiness for her sadness." She patted my hand, like I was a small child that needed reassurance. "But think about it this way: she'll be able to try again; David is your only chance. And you've gone through so much. And David will only be slightly traumatized."

I yanked my hand from her grasp. "Slightly traumatized? What is that supposed to mean?"

"Well, there won't be any recuperation time for him, like there was when you miscarried. And he will feel himself being torn from her uterus and being placed into yours, in a body not quite as formed as it should be. But he'll be born perfectly normally. So." Her smile broadened. "What do you say?"

"What do I say?" I bared my teeth, any restraint and cordiality obliterated. "I say you're nothing but a psychotic bitch! I don't care how much I want a kid, I'm not forcing a woman to go through a miscarriage, and I'm certainly not going to cause my son any pain. So you can take your sick offer and shove it up your ass!"

And yeah, this outburst was ridiculously stupid, even for me, and I expected nothing less than her turning me into a cow or a mosquito or a fricking rock, but what I got instead was a loving expression and a whispered, "You've passed."

"I've what?" I demanded, two parts angry and one part confused.

"This was your final test," she explained. "A true mother puts her child above all else, no matter her own wants, and she empathizes with other women in her situation. You wanted what was best for your son, even though that meant never having a child of your own. And your...fierceness is only a testament to your compassion." She took my head in her hands and kissed my forehead. "And that is why I am so proud to restore your motherhood."

"For real this time?" I blurted out.

She let out a small laugh. "Yes, for real."

"So I can start a family whenever I want? No time restraints?"

"No restraints," she promised. "Whenever you're ready."

With that, she rested her hand on my stomach. I felt a surge of energy course through me, running up and down my body, and when she pulled away, a slight glow glimmered for a few moments before fading.

"So...so this is real?" I asked quietly.

"This is real."

"Thank you. Thank you so much. I, I, Hera, thank you, thank you so much, thank you-"

"You are welcome, my dear," she said. "Now, go tell Chris the good news."

With one last thank you, I sprinted back towards the cabins. Halfway there, I slammed into Chris.

"Hey, Reese." He stood and extended a hand to me. "Are you-?"

I leapt to my feet and threw my arms around him. "We can be a family," I whispered. "Hera, she came, she fixed me, we can be a family."

The words took a few seconds to sink in, but when they did, he took no time in covering my face with kisses and telling me sweet nothings in Spanish, and I allowed myself to laugh as though no one could hear me.