Usual disclaimers apply.
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Chapter 43
"Ready to go?" Mama's deep voice asked as I finished packing my things for the trip home.
I looked around the cavern bedroom that had been mine for the last few days and nodded. "I think I am," shouldering my bag I smiled briefly at Mama. "I'm going to miss this place. I've felt so much peace since coming here. I hope we can visit again."
Feeling her arm around my shoulders Mama smiled down at me, "I think that can be arranged. After all, the twins are already wanting to visit their new friend, and Trouble has said something about needing to show Gracie the, how did she put it, oh yeah, the coolest kid sized waterfall ever."
I laughed and nodded, "Yeah, you'd have thought we'd been able to invent indoor plumbing future style by her reaction to that mini waterfall."
"You have to admit it was fun," Mama agreed. "And damned if I didn't feel better after playing with the girls there all afternoon."
"Mom said she did too," I grinned once more at the picture of Mom holding on to Emily by one hand and Zoe with the other while Eve slouched on the floor near Grace in the baby seat Mama had created to help keep her calm. "There must be natural healing elements in the water or something."
"Yeah, I guess." Mama moved from me and scooped up Emily in her arms. "So, Emmygirl, you ready to head back home?"
"I am," Emily looked intently at Mama. "I need to check on Argo."
"Why's that?" Mom asked.
"Because she says that she's too old for the mess she got into," Zoe piped up.
"What mess?" Mom asked.
Emily shrugged, "We're not sure. Something about a wild stallion she met."
"Okay then," Mom interrupted as Mama snickered. "Let's get this show on the road." Turning to me Mom grinned. "Okay, Sammy, go ahead. Get Aphrodite to zap us all back to the village."
"About time," Eve stood up and looked at me shrugging, "What? I'm bored, okay? There's only so much I can teach a baby."
Noticing the looks of panic that passed between my mothers I giggled before mentally asking Aphrodite to zap us home. The scent of roses was my answer and the next thing I knew we were standing in the middle of the village in what had to be one of the biggest outdoor parties the Amazons had ever seen.
"Happy birthday!" Echoed over the scene and I merely shook my head as I noted all of our bags disappear in a poof of pink flowers. Grinning at Auntie's forethought I slowly turned around and then ran my hand down my face.
"Whose idea was the giant effigy of the Roman?" I asked seeing what seemed to be a Roman soldier dangling above us.
"It's a piñata, my little warrior bard," Auntie came forward and rolled her eyes at me. "As if I'd let them hang an effigy on your big day. Well your almost big day past one." Hugging me Auntie pointed to the young Amazons lined up near the piñata with chobos to use as sticks. "I filled it with dried fruits and things, but I think they're going to have so much fun breaking his head open. Amazons love to break skulls."
"They do," Artemis smiled as she approached me. "Happy birthday, Samina."
"Thank you, Artemis."
"I hope that you don't mind the party we've prepared. After all it's not every day the princess turns sixteen."
"I think it's wonderful," I admitted noticing a game of dodge ball already in progress among the younger girls. "Is that dodgeball?"
Artemis laughed, "It is. Eponin finally discovered what it was thanks to Rory and she has deemed it a new repertoire in the training of all Amazon warriors."
"Yes!" Grinning I heard the groans behind me and merely continued to smile.
"I will talk with you later, Samina." Artemis continued before kneeling down in front of Eve who had been staring up at the goddess and tapping her foot rather impatiently.
"And you, Eve. Is there something you'd like to say?"
Eve nodded and leaned close to the goddess, "Would it be okay with you if I used Grace's bow until she's big enough to use it?"
"Eve!" Mom's voice was drowned out by Artemis's laugh.
"Now why would you want to do that when I have something special waiting for you when you get home tonight."
"You do?" Eve made to turn towards our hut Artemis stopped her.
"You need to wait just a little bit, Eve. We're putting the finishing touches on that big gift your sister wanted. Remember?"
Nodding Eve looked up at Mama and Mom. "We're good here. I'm going to go see if I can kick some butt at dodgeball." Taking off running Mama groaned as Emily and Zoe escaped as well and tore off as fast as their legs would carry them after their big sister.
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Tossing the ball back and forth in my hands I spied my target across the field. Eve had easily won her age division for dodge ball and seemed to have the love and affinity of the game that I did. I had bested everyone in my age group and the one above and there was just one Amazon standing. Mom. Sizing her up I knew I'd have to be quick and ruthless. I might have had issues with that in something else, but this was dodgeball. And dodgeball knows no weakness.
Finally seeing my moment, I threw the ball and heard the collective gasp from the crowd as Mom managed to not only dodge the ball but do a flip that allowed her to kick it back to me with no hesitation. Using all of my skills I tried to avoid the oncoming projectile but wasn't fast enough. As the ball slammed into the side of my head I groaned in frustration as I landed on the ground.
Cheers erupted around us and I gladly took Mama's hand in my own as she helped pull me up. "Tough break, little one, but I warned you about your mom and dodgeball."
"You did," I rubbed the side of my head and brushed the dirt off my clothes. Still, that was one hell of a match, wasn't it?"
"It was," Mama laughed hugging me close. "Best I've seen since your lifetime ban."
"That. Was. Awesome!" Eve's voice could be heard over the din as she ran at me. "You and Mom," stopping she turned and twirled a few times. "I love dodgeball! Why have we never played this before?"
"A question I've asked myself since discovering it, Trouble." Eponin answered before Mama or I could. "A great game of warfare, skill, and aim."
"And it's damn awesome!"
"Language!" Mom's command to Eve brought nothing but laughs and she finally shook her head. "Warriors," she muttered quietly as Eve merely shrugged her shoulders and took off at a run towards the still unbroken and moving piñata.
"You know you're not going to break that!" I hollered.
"Maybe not, but I get to use chobos to hit it," Eve yelled back. "That's fun too!"
Shaking my head, I hugged Mom as she walked towards me. "I never figured Auntie would enchant that piñata to last this long."
"I think Artemis talked her into doing that," Mom winked at me. "Apparently it will explode towards the end of the party and the goodies inside will fly all over the village."
"Cool." Feeling myself sandwiched between my moms I sighed happily. "This has been a good day."
"It has," they agreed.
"And wait until the cakes." Turning I was hugged by Aunt Hestia. "I think my little imp as well as her big sister will enjoy the cakes this year."
"Cakes?" Mama looked down at Aunt Hestia, "As in more than one?"
Aunt Hestia nodded, "That's exactly what I mean, Xena."
"Praise Aunt Hestia," Mama bent down to give the goddess a kiss and then ran off towards Eve shouting to her about the new development.
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"Sam why are we standing here?" Mom looked at me as Eve and I grinned at each other. We had brought the entire family to the spot Mama and Mom had chosen for our new house to be built in the spring. However, I had had another idea and managed to get one of the best birthday presents ever from not only my goddess mother but a few other gods as well.
"Now, Auntie!" Eve and I hollered at the same time and a bright light and the heady smell of roses surrounded my family.
"That's why," I pointed in front of us and heard Mama's whistle.
"Is that?" Mama asked.
"It is," I confirmed. "Our house." I shrugged as Mom stood speechless, something I never thought possible. "Well as close as we could get it anyway. There are a few more bedrooms," I shrugged again. "And we've managed to create indoor plumbing. That took forever, but I think it will work out well."
"Can we go in now?" Eve demanded pulling my hand. "I want to see my new room."
"Sam," Mom's voice stopped us from moving. "Exactly how many bedrooms are there?"
"Well, let's see," I began listing. "Yours and Mama's room, mine, Eve's, Zoe and Emily's room, and Grace's. So five right now. I figured by the time Zoe and Emily might want their own space I'll be out of the house."
"And the rest of it?" Mom asked.
"Come look," I took Mom's hand in one of my own and then one of Mama's hands. "It's not identical but it feels like home."
Walking through the front door Mama stopped short, "Sam?"
"I asked for a little help with the moving." I explained our things already in the house. "And as of right now our house has been turned into Aunt Ephiny and Aunt Eponin's." I shrugged again at the look Mama and Mom gave me. "What? They needed a bigger place and what better place than the one we just moved out of. Rory is thrilled to have her own room again."
"I bet she is," Mom pulled me into a hug. "Thank you, Sammy."
Hugging Mom back I pulled away from her a bit and looked into her face, "You're welcome, come on, I want you to see your version of a study here."
"Mama!" Eve's voice came from the top of the stairs, "This is so cool."
"What is, Trouble?" Mama asked as she headed towards Eve with the twins scrambling behind her and Grace still asleep in her sling.
"Come and look!" Eve called again and ran towards the bedrooms.
"Sam?" Mama's eyebrow raised and I shook my head.
"I have no idea, but I do know that Aunt Hestia took on Eve's room by herself."
"Oh the gods," Mama muttered as she moved a little faster towards the stairs while Mom and I walked arm and arm towards her new study.
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"But why can't I ask Sentacles for a copy of Artemis's favorite bow and arrow?" Eve asked for the fifth time that morning.
"You're too young," Mom sighed as she pulled Eve onto her lap. "You know that you aren't even to pick up that weapon until you're ten."
"Besides," I commented. "You'll shoot your eye out, kid."
Mama's snort on her drink caused Mom to look at the both of us as we broke into wild laughter. "At least it doesn't have a compass on it," Mama managed.
"And you have to reload it yourself." I added as I began to laugh with Mama.
"Mom?" Eve's bright eyes looked at us and back at Mom. "Have they lost it?"
Mom shook her head and then could no longer stop the smile, "No, they haven't lost their minds, Eve. They're remembering a favorite Christmas movie from the future."
"You mean the Solstice you had before Sam came here?"
Mom nodded as Mama and I began quoting our favorite lines; egging each other on until we were both gasping for breath.
"Alright, you two, that's enough." Mom's voice finally registered with me and I nodded.
"Gosh I miss movies," I said wiping the tears from my face. "Fra-ge-lay." I looked at Mama as I said it and we were gone once more while Eve and Mom just looked at each other and sighed.
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Hope this chapter was enjoyed.