Chapter 38

Paphos, Cyprus – Two Years Later

Dionysus leisurely walked along the shoreline. His jacket was off and his trousers rolled up. The gentle waves lapped against his bare feet as he made his way towards an isolated cottage in the distance. He smiled to himself as he gazed on the picturesque scene in front of the house. A beautiful young mother was laughing and playing with a small child in the waves. It seems so innocent, so full of joy that it could have been a picture postcard. It was deceiving though, for as he stepped closer, the mother suddenly whirled around to face him. She was poised and ready for trouble, a golden dagger glimmering in her hand.

"What are you doing here," she demanded, ushering the small child protectively behind her.

"I came to see you, Aphrodite," he said with a warm smile.

"Who else knows I'm here?"

"No one. They all believe you are hedonistically indulging yourself in the mortal world."

"Why would they think that," she asked wearily.

"Well, on one of my infrequent visits, I might have given them that impression," he admitted.

"So you've told no one I'm here?"

"No."

Aphrodite seemed to relax at this, but didn't lower her weapon.

"I should make you pay for what you did," she warned.

"Yes, I suppose so, but I don't think you want the little one to see you gut her uncle, do you," he asked with a smile. Aphrodite seemed to relax now, as she gazed down at her tiny daughter peaking out from behind her. She put the dagger away and picked up the child.

"No, I would never want that," she said softly, a warm smile spreading across her lips as the child wrapped its little arms around her neck. Dionysus had to admit Aphrodite surprised him. Here she was adorned like the women in the small neighboring town's fish market in a simple white linen dress and sandals, her golden curls pulled back into a ponytail, her skin tanned from the sun, yet he didn't think he'd ever seen her looking so radiant. If it was possible, she was even more beautiful. His eyes shifted to the small child in her arms and a smile came to his face. She had inherited all of her mother's beauty, yet when she shyly looked over at him, he saw those sky blue eyes that signaled who her father unmistakably was.

"And who is this little one," he said, tickling the little girl. The most innocent, happy giggle came from her lips as she wiggled in her mother's arms.

"This is Chara," Aphrodite laughed.

"Ah, Chara, Greek for Joy, how appropriate."

"More than you know," she said, looking down at her child. "You're my little bundle of joy, aren't you sweetie?"

Aphrodite tickled the child under the chin.

"Mama," said a little voice between the giggles. Dionysus watched Aphrodite's face light up like he'd never seen before at that one simple word spoken by the child.

"Are you going to introduce me," he asked. Aphrodite looked at him for a moment and then whispered to her daughter.

"This is your uncle Dionysus, Chara. Can you say hi?"

"Hi," Chara said and then buried her face in her mother's shoulder bringing a laugh from both Dionysus and Aphrodite.

"She's a shy one, isn't she," Dionysus commented.

"Yes, she is, she doesn't see too many people way out here."

"She doesn't get that shyness from her mother, does she," he asked.

"No, no she doesn't," Aphrodite quietly said. They stood there for a moment, neither saying anything, until she finally broke the silence.

"Well, since you're here, why don't we go up to the house?"

He nodded and then followed her as she strolled up the sand. When they reached the front steps, Aphrodite set the little girl down.

"Mommy's going to talk to your uncle for awhile, so why don't you go play," she said to her daughter. The little girl smiled and started towards the water on wobbly legs. "Not too far! Stay where I can see you, honey!"

If the little girl heard her, she made no acknowledgement and began to dig in the moist sand. Aphrodite smiled and then gestured for Dionysus to have a seat on the steps. He spread his coat out on the top step and then sat on it, as she gracefully went up to the porch and retrieved a bottle of wine and two glasses. Her eyes never left her daughter for a minute. Aphrodite sat down next to him and raised the wine bottle.

"Do you even have to ask," he said and she poured them both a glass. They sat there watching the little girl play, the only sound was the waves rolling gently in.

"You seem happy," he finally ventured.

"I am," she replied.

"I take it she has a lot of do with that," Dionysus added, pointing to the little girl.

"More than you could ever imagine."

"You, frankly, surprise me, Aphrodite."

"Why?"

"All this," he gestured around them, "living as a mortal out here."

"This is close to the location that I arose from the sea."

"That explains why you came here at first, not why you stayed," he pointed out.

"I suppose," she admitted.

"And why as a mortal?"

"We've lived countless lives by mortal standards. Living one as they do doesn't seem that much of a hardship," she replied. "Besides, the life span of a mortal is just a blink of the eye to us."

"You're never done it before," he commented.

"No, but I never had her before," she countered, her eyes still locked on her daughter.

"You've had other children," he countered.

"The offspring I had with Ares are monsters, I think we both know that. I'm as much to blame as he is, but it's still the truth. Chara's different, she's an angel," Aphrodite said, smiling as she mentioned her daughter's name.

"So she's the real reason you're here."

"Yes, you know Olympus is no place for her or any child, for that matter. Plus her life would be in danger and I couldn't risk that, ever."

"You seem different, some how, more mature, I guess," he observed. She laughed at this and looked at him for a moment.

"I suppose," she agreed. "It's ironic, really, I came here because this is the place I rose from the sea, fully grown. I was never a child, so I always just assumed I was acting like an adult. When I held Chara for the first time, I realized how selfish and childish it all seemed."

"You aren't the only one among us that's acted that way," Dionysus gently said.

"I suppose, but when I look at her, it all seems so unimportant."

"You sound like you're in love," he smiled.

"I am, desperately, with her," she said, her voice filled with emotion. He watched her, sipping his wine, waiting for her to continue.

"I've been the Goddess of Love for eons, yet it wasn't until I lived as a mortal that I truly understood it. I've always been worshipped and adored; yet I never knew the heartache and sadness that sometimes comes. I was loved, but I was never in love before. When I look at her I feel unconditional love towards her and from her. When she looked up at me that first time and smiled I felt as if my heart were going to burst with joy. I had tears in my eyes I was so happy. Now that I have her, I can't imagine a life without her."

"She's a beautiful little girl, Aphrodite and she's happy. You're a wonderful mother."

"I'm still working on that," she laughed. "I don't know how mortals do it. It's so much work and worry."

"You seem to be managing," he replied.

"You should have seen me those first months," she said with a shake of her head. "No one told me about diapers. I thought I would pass out the first time I had to change one."

"You're a Goddess, remember? Why didn't you just magically change it?" He laughed.

"No, I decided that I wanted her childhood to be as normal I could make it. I had to take the good with the bad, just like a mortal would. I needed to experience all the frustrations, pains, worry that any other mother did."

"That seems rather earthy to me," Dionysus said, making a face.

"It is," she admitted with a laugh, "but it makes the other moments so much better."

"Does this have anything to do with who her father is," he gently asked. She looked at him for a moment before replying.

"Yes, but not the way you think. He has all the powers that you and I have; yet he's nothing like us. He's humble, honest and cares for mortals far more than any of us on Olympus ever did. I believe that comes from how he was raised. He had a regular childhood growing up as a mortal would. I found that's something I want for Chara, to grow up normal."

"But she's hardly normal, Aphrodite," he pointed out.

"True, she will have all of his gifts and none of his weaknesses, but right now, she's just a little girl. All those other worries and concerns will come eventually, but right now I want her to just be a happy little girl."

"What about her father," he said, broaching a sensitive subject.

"What about him?"

"Are you going to tell me about her?"

"Eventually, when she's older, yes," Aphrodite said.

"He would want to know."

"I understand that, but I wanted to give him and Diana some time together alone."

"You're not angry with her," Dionysus asked.

"No, you were right, even though I hate to admit it," Aphrodite said, smiling at him. "She's been our Champion, yet we took her for granted. I was her patron, yet I didn't hear her prayers, as I was too caught up in my own desires."

"That's quite the enlightened view, I must say."

"It didn't happen overnight, believe me," she admitted. "I was hurt and angry when Kal-El chose her over me. I couldn't accept it at first, but over time I've come to see the truth of it. They were in love from the moment they meet. He never lied to me about his feelings and she was always honest with hers, so I couldn't stay angry with them. I'm not Ares or Zeus; I can't hold a grudge forever. I couldn't punish them for falling in love. After all, I still am the Goddess of Love, remember?"

"I never forgot it," he smiled.

"I want them to be happy. They have a long life together ahead of them, probably much longer than they realize. Let them cherish these first few years together and revel in their love. Conflicts and challenges await them, but the bond they form now will get them through," she said to him.

"She's still angry at you, Aphrodite," Dionysus gently said.

"I know, and she has a right to be. I wasn't there for her when she needed me most. I have tried to make amends for that," she said.

"How?"

"I've lifted the magic that doesn't allow her to have children. After I had Chara, I knew I could never deny Diana that," she informed him. He watched as a smile spread across her face and then felt something wet against his hand. Looking down, Chara was standing in front of him, holding out her tiny hand towards him.

"For me," he smiled, opening his hand to receive her gift. A clump of wet sand and three seashells were dropped into it as if they were the most valuable jewels in the world.

"Thank you," he managed to say, his heart filled with happiness as he gazed down on the beautiful, innocent child in front of him.

"What do we say, Chara," Aphrodite gently whispered into her daughter's ear.

"Welcome," her little voice said. Dionysus beamed, as he began to understand the joy Aphrodite had been talking about. He felt a lump in his throat as Chara giggled and then raced as fast as her little legs could carry her back to play in the sand.

"We have to make sure she's safe, Aphrodite," he seriously said, looking from the daughter to the mother.

"I know," she nodded, her own eyes wandering to the little girl.

"Does anyone, I mean anyone else, know about her and that you are here?"

"I told Hephaestus, but he is the only one," she answered.

"Your estranged husband? I'm surprised you would confide in him, why?"

"I needed a weapon," Aphrodite explained, drawing the golden dagger out again. "A weapon that could kill a God."

"Why would he make such a weapon for you? As I recall, you two aren't on the best of terms," Dionysus asked.

"That is true and at first he declined. I was desperate to have this, so I brought him to see Chara. He relented and crafted this. I swore him to secrecy and he pledged to warn me of any dangers that might come," she said.

"I must admit that is unexpected he would do that for you," Dionysus replied.

"I don't think he did it for me, Dionysus, he did it for her. I believe my daughter has captured his heart," she admitted with a small smile.

"I can understand that," he said, gazing down at Chara.

"It's actually quite amusing really. He stops by occasionally in mortal form to play with her. I'd never heard him laugh before, yet when he's around her he seems transformed."

"Well, now you have two protectors of the little one," he told her.

"What? You," she said in surprise.

"If you'll have me."

Aphrodite leaned down and kissed him on the cheek. A smile spread across her beautiful lips and a tear threatened to spill from her eye.

"Thank you, brother," she sincerely said to him.

"Well, a lame God and a drunk God, aren't much, but it's a start," he joked.

"I couldn't ask for better patrons for her."

The both smiled warmly and then turned to watch Chara innocently play in the sand. They both knew the dangers the little girl's existence posed from others, but silently they pledge to do everything in their power to protect her.

"So what now," he softly asked.

"Now it's time for dinner," Aphrodite said, standing up. "Chara, time for dinner! Come on, honey!"

As the little girl came racing back towards the house, Aphrodite turned towards Dionysus.

"I would invite you to stay, but I'm sure you have some party to go to."

He watched Aphrodite's smile grow as she held out her arms for her daughter. The little girl joyously giggled as her mother picked her up into her arms and kissed her.

"I think I could skip a party tonight if the invitation is still open."

"Of course, but I must warn you, I don't make any of the fancy things you're used to," she informed him.

"You cook," he said in surprise.

"Barely," she admitted. "It's just simple things, salad, lamb with rice, that sort of thing."

"Well, then this is your lucky night, Aphrodite," he smiled. "I'm not just the God of Wine and Song, but also of the Feast. I don't get to use those gifts much, but if you allow, I will prepare dinner for all of us."

"No magic, none around Chara," she said.

"I don't need magic to create something wonderful," he laughed.

"Well then by all means," she replied, with a laugh of her own. "If it's any good, it might get you invited back more often."

"You won't be disappointed," he joked, tickling Chara as they went inside. Her laughter was the only thing besides the gentle waves that could be heard. For tonight, it seemed all the dangers and issues were a million miles away as the three shared dinner together like countless other mortals were doing.