Day 1

- Leto's POV -

He was so young.

My son was curled up in my arms snoring away, still wrapped in the cloth from Sally Jackson's dress. I saw no need to remove it. It exuded love and comfort, with a hidden undercurrent of protectiveness.

I would have to pay a visit to Sally Jackson. Her kindness had saved my son from nonexistence. She had MORE than earned my blessing.

Nonexistence... the thought terrified me. My son had nearly ceased to exist. And I hadn't even known about it.

I'd been watching Apollo's quest since the beginning, begging and pleading with Zeus to help him, to make sure that he lived. After Apollo had stabbed himself with that arrow, I was afraid to sleep. If he died while I was taking a nap, I would never forgive myself. Luckily we gods don't NEED much sleep, though it is better if we do.

I watched as my son's essence was extracted from him, heard his screams of agony, watched him sob as that brave young pandos sacrificed his life to buy Apollo time. I would have gone down there, SCREW Zeus's rules, SCREW the danger. That was my SON. Zeus held me back. I screamed at him to let me go, to let me save our son. He just looked at me, completely stony-faced.

I continued watching until Apollo was safely above ground. I could not take my eyes off him. I had to assure myself that yes, somehow, he had survived. That he was alive. That I would one day be able to talk with him again, to hug him again.

Zeus left me after Apollo returned from the Labyrinth. An hour or so later, he returned. He looked at me tenderly and handed me a draught of some warm drink. It smelled nice.

"My dear," he purred. "Our son is strong. He will live. I'd never send him on this quest if I didn't think he could complete it. But if it makes you feel better, I'll help him from now on. With my blessing, he's sure to be fine."

I cried from relief. Zeus was finally listening to reason! Seeing Apollo almost be disintegrated must have changed his mind. This was the man I fell in love with.

"But for now, why don't you share a drink with me?" Zeus asked, smiling. "It'll calm your nerves."

Like an idiot, I believed him. I trusted him. I should have known better than to accept a drink from Zeus. He had tricked Kronos into regurgitating his siblings by endearing himself to the court, becoming Kronos's cupbearer, and then poisoning his drink, after all.

I took a sip of my drink.

Immediately my mind clouded over. The world became fuzzy. The last thing I heard Zeus say was "By the time you wake up, this'll all be over."

I slept for a long time.

I woke up to Apollo's young companion, Meg, and my daughter standing next to me. A baby was napping in my daughter's arms.

Apollo was napping in her arms.

I blinked the sleep out of my eyes. "Whaaaa...? What happened? Why is Apollo a baby?"

Wait.

Apollo is here.

APOLLO. IS. HERE.

I shot up, wide awake. I held my trembling arms out towards Artemis. She gently transferred him into my embrace.

I stroked his soft, wispy curls and listened to the quiet sound of his breathing. I looked deeper. His essence was small, but strong, and growing stronger. It felt a lot like it had when he was first born. Which meant that he was a god again. I didn't have to worry about my son dying anymore.

I broke out in quiet sobs. I made sure that none of them fell on Apollo. I didn't want to wake him up.

After waiting a few moments for my sobbing to lessen, Artemis spoke. "You were asleep for a long time, mother. Several months in fact. A lot has happened."

She and Meg explained what had happened while I was unconscious, about all the pain Apollo had suffered and all the friends he'd made. Of how he had defeated Python, but died in the process (I had to stare at Apollo the entire time Meg was telling me that part. I had to reassure myself that he was alive and safe). And finally, of how Meg had brought both herself and Apollo back from the abyss, and of Zeus's punishment.

"Meg..." I stared at her. I gave Apollo back to Artemis, and then walked over to Meg. I drew her into an embrace. She stiffened for a moment, and I was afraid that I had done the wrong thing. Then she relaxed and returned my hug.

"You saved my son. You saved him so many times. Even when he was on the brink of nonexistence, you found a way to bring him back. I can never repay you for all that you have done. I would be honored to consider you family, if you are okay with that. If you ever need ANYTHING — anything at all — don't hesitate to ask."

Meg quivered as I spoke. A moment later, I heard her quietly sob, "Yes."

We stayed like that for a minute longer, and then separated. Artemis spirited the three of us away to Delos.

Apollo's eyes fluttered open.

I snapped out of my reverie.

For a moment he stared at me, as if he couldn't believe his eyes. A slow, bright smile spread across his face. Then his face contorted and he started crying, holding his arms out, asking for a hug. I cuddled him close as he sobbed.

"Shh... Shh Apollo, it'll be okay. I'm here now. Your sister and Meg are here. It's okay. You're safe."

I sang a lullaby to him, one I'd sung when he was young the first time. His sobs quieted.

My son was here. He was safe. He wouldn't be torn away again.