Eternal Souls Love's Clear Sight Chapter Seven

The next morning GHerc awoke with Marianna still cradled in his arms. He looked upon her adoringly. She looked so sensually sweet. He wanted her all over again but he resisted the temptation to waken her. The night just passed had been momentous for both of them. She needed her rest.

GHerc pulled on his pants and then decided not to bother with his vest or boots. He padded barefoot out into the kitchen area of the cottage. It was filled with an assortment of delights. They included cheeses, bread, wine and a variety of fruits. He picked up some grapes and laughed in delight as he remembered the time Sal had finagled him into posing for an art fair, with only a few bunches of them for cover.

His mood turned introspective as he realized thoughts of his family and friends, no longer brought pangs of loneliness and loss. All his memories were now of the happy times he'd shared with them during his time on earth. "Hey" he thought. "Marrianna is an artist, perhaps I should offer to model for her." A big grin lit GHerc's face.

He took the grapes and an apple and poured himself a glass of sweet smelling nectar. He'd only have a snack as he wanted to have a special first breakfast with Marrianna. He'd prepare it later, then serve it to her in bed.

GHerc brought his food and drink into the lounging area and sat down on some thick comfortable pillows arranged on the floor. There was a huge window and it looked out over a beautiful vista of water falls and rainbows. He'd never seen this side of Mt. Olympus before. It reminded him in a way of earth, yet it was even more lovely and spectacular than anything he had seen there.

He closed his eyes and breathed deeply and practiced some of the techniques that he had learned from his guides in Ere. He slowed and listened to the beat of his heart. It's rhythm seemed different, stronger somehow. He credited a great deal of it to Marrianna. She was the one who had truly brought him back to life with the gift of her heart. But there was something more happening to him.

GHerc reopened his eyes and shook his head. Perhaps now wasn't the time for analyzing the past or the future. For once in his life, he should be only in the present. Let himself enjoy this very special moment in his life, without asking too many questions.

He looked around the room and noted a leather case. With a sixth sense he could only attribute to that "god thing" he knew it contained the images Marianna had made of the statue. The ones she had sacrificed her mortal life to paint. He hated to invade her privacy, but his sense of curiosity overwhelmed him. Besides after all they had shared, he didn't think she'd mind. He quickly crossed the room and picked up the case.

GHerc carefully eased the artwork out of the protective covering. When the works were finally revealed to him, his shock was so tremendous that he fell to his knees and leaned back against a chair. The statue had been of a father holding his infant son. And even though these paintings were second generation, artist to artist, the clarity of its message still shown through. Nothing had been lost in the interpretation or translation. Marrianna and the original sculpture both had managed to convey the love shinning from father towards the son. The artists had captured it, but they had not created it. It was too overpowering to be anything but real.

GHerc had finally found the answer to the question that had troubled him so deeply throughout his life. Zeus truly did love him after all. GHerc realized he had been wrong thinking he had to prove himself to win his father's love.

It had been his all along, from the day he was conceived. GHerc couldn't understand all the reasons, why they had disappointed one another so often. Perhaps he never would. But this one answer he'd discovered today would go along way towards filling the void, he'd always felt where his father should have been.

He found a paper and a quill and wrote Marrianna a note in case she woke. He wanted to make sure she was reassured that he would be back and let her know how much last night had meant to him. He didn't add the words "I love you" because he wanted to deliver that particular message in person.

GHerc snuck back into the bedroom. She was still sleeping. He set the note on his empty pillow and then quickly but quietly completed dressing. He was off to find Zeus. They needed to talk.