Chapter Thirty-one
Pescadero
It was still dark out when Ariston woke me. Truth be told, I was still exhausted from our long night together, but I did not complain as we showered and dressed.
I choose a cap-sleved cotton dress in navy blue; it had a scoop neck and a flair skirt with a ruffled hem. I slid on navy blue suede Christian Louboutin pumps and put my hair up in a high ponytail with a jeweled hairband. For jewelry, I fastened a Gucci horse bit bracelet and matching earrings with little diamonds in them, then added a pale blue cardigan over my dress, since it would be a cool day in Pescadero.
Ariston walked into my dressing room with a smile on his face. He looked amazing in dark wash jeans with a leather belt, a dark blue shirt that had buttons down to his chest with a few undone and a leather jacket over it. I have rarely seen him dress so casually, and he looked incredible as he took my breath away.
"You look perfect." Ariston said.
"As do you." I replied, walking up to him and taking hold of the collar of his jacket, the leather was soft and supple.
He placed his arms around my waist, holding me tenderly to him. I gazed into his eyes until he leaned down and kissed me; I pulled him to me with the grip I had on his jacket and his arms tightened around my waist as we deepened the kiss. When the kiss ended, our breathing was ragged, our lips still close. I laughed and he joined in as I treasured the sound.
"We really should be going." He said in a soft voice.
I nodded and kissed him again, loving the warmth and tingles flowing throughout my body. Ariston finally had to end the kiss, to my disappointment.
"Are Vrontos and Luna on the trailer?" I asked when I could somewhat think clearly again.
"They are, and our luggage is loaded up." Ariston answered.
"You do work fast." I said and he laughed.
He took my hand and we walked out of our home together and into the dark of our front yard; the sun had not risen yet. His black Land Rover was in the meadow of our front yard, the trailer attached. I looked back at our home once more before we reached the SUV. I went in the side door of the trailer and said hello to Vrontos and Luna, who were happily eating hay from the hay nets, then went to the passenger side of the Land Rover. Ariston held my door for me before getting in himself. He started the engine and began driving as teleported us to the outskirts of Pescadero, California.
It was already afternoon in California and it took but a moment for my tired eyes to adjust to the light. I looked out the window, watching the rolling hills go by. My mind was everywhere.
"What are you thinking of?" Ariston asked, feeling my excitement on one subject. I smiled.
"The engagement ring." I told him. His smile grew.
"You will see it soon enough. I do ask that if you do not like it you will tell me. You are going to be wearing this ring for a very long time; I want you to love it." He asked of me.
"My love, you have great taste, of course I will love it." I told him and kissed his cheek.
"Will you tell me of your dress?" He asked, glancing at me with those ancient eyes of his.
"It is strapless and has a sweetheart neckline. It is white and has little flowers with diamonds at their center." I did not want to give too much away.
"Is it a ball gown?" He asked.
"Almost, but more A-line." I told him.
"You should get another dress." He said. I was immediately defensive of the gown that meant so much to me.
"Ariston, I love the one I have." I told him. He chuckled.
"I was speaking of a second dress, my love. The one you have sounds beautiful, but when we are dancing after the ceremony, I want to be able to hold you close and kiss you all night." He explained. I smiled at the idea.
"Alright. I guess Kallisto and I will have to go shopping again." I said.
"She is going to love that." He told me with that beautiful crooked grin of his.
"How does the ceremony work for gods?" I asked him.
"A pledge and a kiss, that is was seals a union in my world, that and the consummation of course. You will walk down the isle to me on your fathers arm and he will place your hand in mine. We will face my father, or a love deity, and kneel them, he will bind our hands with the cloth and we will recite our vows to each other. Then, we kiss with our hands still bound. After that we will be husband and wife." He explained. I smiled.
"I like that." I told him and watched his smiling face for a time.
Ten minutes later, we were driving down Stage Road, which is the main street of Pescadero. It is the perfect little country home town.
"There is Duarte's." I said excitedly about the red stucco building on the right. "I cannot count the times I have eaten there with my friends and family." I pointed out other places on the way to my parents house.
Minutes later, we stopped at the white wooden gates of the property my parents live on, even though the gate was open. Ariston looked into my eyes and kissed me; I held him close.
"For luck?" I asked breathlessly. He shook his head.
"For love." He said.
I smiled and kissed him again and a few minutes later he began driving down the dirt road.
"I do not know how you can focus." I said, my mind still spinning from our kisses. He laughed.
"It is not without its difficulty." He admitted.
I saw my parents as we pulled up to the stables. I have always taken after my mother in my looks; we have the same golden blond wavy hair, the same violet eyes and many of the same facial features. She had faint laugh lines just beginning to show around her eyes, but they only served to make her all the more beautiful. My father is the rugged type; he is good looking but by no means a 'pretty boy.' I got out and ran to hug them as soon as the car stopped.
"Mom, dad!" I exclaimed as I hugged them both.
"Oh honey, we have missed you so much." My mother said.
"It is so wonderful to see you again." My father said, I could hear in his voice how much he missed me.
I let go of them and took a step back. I felt Ariston behind me, I turned and walked over to him. I took his hand and we walked towards my mother and father together. They were both visibly shocked.
"Mom, dad, this is Ariston." I introduced them.
"It is wonderful to finally meet you both." Ariston said with an outstretched hand. My father was fuming.
"Twenty-five?" My father asked, looking at Ariston.
It was obvious Ariston was older than that. Ariston let his hand drop and I felt him preparing, a part of me was preparing for my fathers reaction as well.
"I realize I am not what you expected," Ariston began, though his calm voice did nothing to extinguish the fury in my father's eyes. "There is much you do not know. We have much to discuss with you, I would like to put the horses away first,"
"You are not putting your horse anywhere." My father was furious. "What the hell do you think you have been doing with my daughter? You are more than twice her age! She is only seventeen for Christ sake!" He yelled.
"Dad," I said, appalled at his behavior. But his eyes remained fixed on the man I love.
"I want you off my property. Mera, get inside." My father commanded. I had never seen him so angry in my life, and he had never ordered me around as he was doing now.
"No." I said, my voice barely a whisper, my eyes losing focus on what was around me.
I felt shaky. This cannot be happening, it cannot be my father whom takes Ariston away from me. My father was still screaming, but I made out none of the words. I clutched onto Ariston's hand for dear life. Fear was surging within me, my mind spinning as the wind blew stronger and a little light seemed to leave the world. I was shaking; I was petrified as memories of that dream ran through my mind, a world without Ariston…
Suddenly Ariston had my face in between his hands and I was looking into his sky blue eyes. Those eyes became an anchor for my soul, bringing me back, though my mind was still spinning.
"Mera, no. They will sense it." Ariston softly warned me. I looked at him, not understanding what he was talking about. "The storm, Mera. You have to stop."
The wind, I am making it blow like that, I realized. But I had no idea how to stop it; I was not even certain how I started it.
"I am here. I am not going to leave you." Ariston said with such conviction that I knew it to be true.
I was still fearful, but Ariston leaned down and kissed me, a soft sweet kiss that melted my troubles away. When our lips parted I looked into his eyes, feeling calmer than before. The wind had stopped and things were brighter, Ariston wiped away the tears that I did not realize I had cried.
Did you truly believe I would let you go that easily, He thought to me with a smile.
I shook my head with a slight smile. He released my face and I wrapped my arms around Ariston's torso and laid my head on his chest. We held onto each other tightly, and I heard Ariston's voice speaking to my father.
"You can hate me all you like, but I am not leaving her, George." Ariston calmly stated. "Nothing is going to take me from her side so long as she wants me in her life. I made a promise and I intend to keep it."
"Mera?" My fathers voice was calmer.
I looked up at him with tears in my eyes and knew what he was seeing. He has rarely ever seen me cry, not even when I was a baby, but nothing has ever mattered to me like Ariston does. I have never loved anyone as I love him and the thought of him being taken away from me…
"I will not be parted from him." I stated, meaning every word. My father nodded.
"Alright. Lets put the horses away and we will all talk." My father said. I nodded.
We unloaded the horses from our beautiful trailer; Ariston led Vrontos and I led Luna. She kept asking me what was wrong, wanting to know if someone had hurt me.
"I am fine Luna." I told her as I wiped away my tears.
"Is that your horse?" My father asked, clearly trying to strike up a conversation. I remained silent.
I would not speak to him, I could not, not after the way he treated Ariston. Luna muzzled me and I stroked her nose. I brought her into the stall and took her halter off. I hugged her neck and she hugged me back with her head to comfort me. I kissed her neck and let her go when I felt Ariston's presence behind me. I ran to him and he held me. I held him so close, treasuring his scent and warmth.
"I thought…" I said in a shaky voice, my cheek against his.
"I know, my love." Ariston spoke softly into my ear. "Your father does not have the power to keep me from you." I held him tight. "He was just shocked at my age." I chuckled.
"Just wait until he finds out the rest." I said. Ariston chuckled and I smiled as he kissed my cheek tenderly.
"Do not be angry with him. He was only trying to protect you." Ariston said.
I nodded and pulled back to look into his eyes. I put my arm around his waist and held onto him, I was determined not to let him go. Ariston put his arm around me and we went out of the stall and closed Luna's door. I watched my feet as we walked, my shoes stuck with bits of fine shavings. A soft breeze blew, one that only seemed to fine my feet, and the shavings drifted away. I smiled and met Ariston's eyes in a thank you for the small gesture.
We walked back to my old home in silence. My parents walked beside us but did not talk; thankfully it was not a long walk. The house I grew up in was a little two-story house with wooden shingles for siding, dark blue shutters and a dark roof. We approached the back of the house with its deck and sliding glass door that lead into the kitchen.
My grandmother came out to greet us. She may be seventy-three, but Marie Vandenberg looks closer to forty. She has always been strong, both of spirit and of body and has lean muscles. Her long silver hair was pulled back with a clip, as was her fashion, and a few strands hung beside her wizened face. She smiled, her hazel eyes shining. She shook her head when she saw me and I smiled.
"Hello, Mera." She hugged me. "You look wonderful!"
"Thank you, grandmother." I returned the hug with one arm, my other arm still around Ariston. I was about to introduce her to Ariston when my grandmother beat me to the chase.
"Hello, Ariston." My grandmother hugged Ariston as if they were the oldest of friends. "I have missed you, old friend." They kissed each other's cheek.
"It is good to see you again, Marie," Ariston greeted her as they let go of each other. "I was sorry to hear of your husbands passing." She nodded.
"He is in Elysium now and I am not all that far behind him." She said, then looked between the two of us. "Whom would have thought, you and my granddaughter." She laughed.
"Stranger things have happened." Ariston reminded her and the two of them laughed.
"True, true." My grandmother said.
"You two know each other?" My father asked before I could, my grandmother looked at her son.
"There is so much I have not told you George, and I am sorry for that." My grandmother told my father, her son. "Come inside. I made tea."
We followed my grandmother into the house. We entered the little kitchen then went through the door on the right to the little living room. A fireplace sat on the long wall and a love seat and sofa were around it, along with my father's chair. Ariston and I sat on the love seat. My parents and grandmother sat across from us on the sofa. My mother and father were looking between Ariston and I.
Speak to him, your silence is killing him, Ariston thought to me. I looked up to Ariston.
He deserves it after the way he spoke to you, I thought in reply. Ariston's eyes were soft and a smile appeared on his lips.
I have been called worse, he thought.
That does not make it right, I thought back.
I agree, but I am willing to forgive him, are you? Ariston asked. I sighed and turned to my father.
"Dad." I began, looking at my father. "I am sorry for not telling you that Ariston is so much older than I am, but I knew how you would react. I knew how you would see him, and I could not bear for you to hate someone I love so dearly. My life has changed so drastically in the past few months but I am happy with Ariston, with the life we are building together. There is so much I have to tell you, not all of which you may be ready to hear, or even able to understand."
"Can I ask one question before you begin?" My father asked. I nodded. "You are not… pregnant… are you?" he asked. I looked to Ariston with a raised eyebrow and we both almost burst into laughter. The only reason this situation was funny was because of the bet. I gave him a look to say that I would take my payment later. "Dear god you are, aren't you?" my father asked. I smiled and shook my head no.
"No, dad, I am not." I told him. He sighed in relief.
How do I describe this? What Ariston is, what I am? I looked up to Ariston for help he smiled and nodded, knowing what I was asking for.
"George, Anne." Ariston began. "It seems there is no time to ease you into this truth, so I will just come out with it. I did lie to you about my age when we spoke on the phone. I am currently five thousand and sixty three years old." My father stared at Ariston with a furrowed brow, trying to decide whether or not Ariston was to be taken at his words. My mother wore a similar expression but my grandmother Marie simply sat there watching Ariston as he spoke. "You will find this hard to believe, but it is nonetheless the truth. I am a god. My father is Zeus, King of the Olympian gods, Lord of the Storm."
"You expect me to believe this?" My father asked.
"No, I do not. But it is the truth." Ariston replied.
"Prove it." My father said after a minute.
"Gladly." Ariston replied.
I watched as he became glowing golden light, showing his true from. His sky blue eyes shined through. I smiled, I was used to seeing him in such a way, he takes on his true form whenever he teleports and when we reach those heights together as we make love and he can no longer hold his form. My parents gasped, and a moment later Ariston settled into his usual form.
"Good god." My father breathed and I had to laugh. Ariston looked at me with a smile before looking back to my bewildered parents.
"That is only the beginning of what I have to tell you." Ariston said. "George, Anne, you are descended from the gods, my family. When a god has a child with a mortal, the child is born a Demigod. When a Demigod has a child with a mortal, that child is a Descendant." Ariston paused, letting this sink in before continuing with the next piece of information. "Descendants carry the divine gene within their genetic structure and it is passed down through the generations. If the gene is active, then from the time of their birth, the children are trained through their dreams in the arts of war, in order to protect themselves from what is out there.
"When the time comes, they are offered a place in the Army of the Gods to fight against the evils that plague the earth. Mera is such a Descendant; even though the gene is not active within either of you, it is active within her. Through the both of you, Mera is the Descendant of the Twelve gods of Olympus which are the ruling family, and of my sister Pandora. She has a great destiny, and with her help we will win the coming war." Ariston explained.
"This cannot be true." My father said.
"It is true." Said my grandmother to her son. "You and Anne were brought together by the Moirae to bring Mera forth. She is the prophesized one, the chosen one. With her help, the gods will win the coming war and restore peace and balance to the Earth." She paused. "I was part of the army Ariston spoke of; he was the one whom came to recruit me when I was fifteen. I served in the army for fifteen years. That is where I met your father. We were in the same unit."
My father was silent for a long time, as was my mother while she took this in. The enormity of it was enough to put most anyone into shock.
"Why didn't you tell me this." My father asked his mother.
"The gene was not active within you or your brother. Why do you think we always asked you about your dreams? We grew up without them. The life we lived is as dangerous as it was extraordinary. We did not want you to want a life you could never have." Grandmother told him. "Even though the divine gene is within you, you are human and you and your brother had to be raised as a mortal, and not a Descendant. Your thoughts had to be here, in this world, to be able to accomplish the things set before you. I am sorry we hid this from you; we did what we had to." My father was still in a state of shock when he looked back to me.
"How long have you known about this?" My father asked.
"Ariston told me the truth a month ago." I told him. "But I did not realize that grandmother is an active until just now."
"You should have told us." My mother said; she was not upset.
"Oh right," I said. "I can just imagine being on the phone and saying 'Oh and by the way, I am on Olympus right now and the man I am in love with is a five thousand year old Greek god. And to top it all off, I am Descended from the Twelve Olympians." I laughed once.
"Certainly sounds ridiculous." My father said, taking a deep breath before meeting Ariston's eyes once again. "Will you show me again?" He asked
It does not cease to confound me how people can deny within their minds what they just witnessed with their eye. Ariston whispered into my mind, before nodding his head to my father.
The impossible has that effect on people, I replied. Ariston smiled as he regained his form.
My parents had just been awakened to a truth that went back beyond the Earth itself. Somehow, I knew that look; they were desperately grasping at straws, subconsciously deciding wither to believe this new truth, or refute what they have now witnessed not once, but twice. After they had been silent too long, I had to speak.
"I wanted to tell you, so much so." I told them. "Mom, dad, the life I am living now is what I have always wanted. I am going to change the world for the better. I have a destiny and Ariston is a huge part of that."
We sat and talked for the next few hours as Ariston and I told my mother and father about the gods, the Nameless one and who I am. I had talked to Ariston earlier and asked him not to tell them what happened to the other descendants of Pandora and what could happen to me. I did not want them to worry about me when there may be no need to. Luckily, my grandmother said nothing about that either, even though I was sure she knew.
"What about school?" My father asked, and I knew that question was something he needed to ask. He needed to speak of something normal while he was finding his footing in this new world.
"Olympus has one of the best schools in the world." I told him. "They will give me a degree, when I have earned one. Right now, I am focused on training and learning all knowledge I need to learn at the moment." He was silent for a time "Dad, I have what I have always wanted."
"Ariston?" He asked, I chuckled.
"Yes, I have him but there is something else, something I have always wanted and now have. A purpose." I told him. "The work I am doing means something. I will be doing my part in not only saving this world but changing it for the better; you must realize what that means to me." I hoped he could see in my eyes the truth of my words. He nodded but said nothing.
"Well I do not know about you, but I am starving." My mother said, clearly wanting a change of topic while she lets these things sink in.
"I will get started on dinner." My father said, getting up from the couch.
"I should get our luggage." Ariston said. I looked at him, not wanting him to leave. "I will be right back." He promised, I nodded and kissed him.
I watched Ariston walk out the front door with one last smile to me. I decided to go and talk to my father. He was chopping vegetables in the kitchen when I entered.
"Ariston is a good man." I told him.
"So you keep saying." He said as his earlier irritation came back. "But what am I to think when a man his age goes after a seventeen year old girl?"
"It was not like that." I sighed, annoyed that he could not see past this. "Ariston is from a different time. Ennina was married when she was my age and the day after tomorrow I am going to be eighteen years old." He glanced at me then kept chopping.
"He is too old for you." He stated.
"Dad, will you just take age out of the equation for a moment and see this man for who he is?" I asked of him and he met my eyes. "You do not know the first thing about him, or what he has been through. He did not seduce me… well not on purpose." I blushed. "He was there for me when things ended with Aaron. He made sense of things and comforted me." My father gave me a look. "Not that kind of comfort," I said with a blush. "We talked and he held me. It made a world of difference. We healed each other."
"So you two are not…?" My father trailed off, obviously not feeling comfortable asking if I was sleeping with Ariston.
"No, we are." I told him, I have always told my father the truth and I was not about to start lying to him now. He sighed and looked away as he put his chopping's into a bowl and began chopping more. "From the beginning, Ariston was very insistent on waiting until we were married or at the very least engaged; you do not know how many times he stopped himself. He was more than willing to wait for marriage, no matter how much he wanted me. But that was not what I wanted. I wanted him in every way a woman wants a man, and I still do. I do not regret the decision I made; I was ready and knew what I was choosing."
"Would it really have been so difficult to wait?" My father asked and I almost burst into laughter.
"Yes, it would have been." I told my father. "This is not some crush. This is the real deal it comes with strong feelings. It was difficult enough just waiting as long as we did." I told him, then realized that there was something else I should tell him. "Also, you should know that Ariston and I have been living together for the past month." My father was silent for a time as he chopped a carrot before he finally spoke.
"Even though this is difficult to hear, I appreciate your honesty, Mera." He said. "Have you two talked about the future? Where all of this is going?" My father asked. I smiled thinking about the future Ariston and I had in mind.
"Yes we have. Ariston wants to talk to you about that." I told him. He looked at me for a moment before going to get the chicken from the fridge.
"Does he now." He said.
"Ariston is the one dad, my one, my soul mate." I smiled. "The way we love each other…" I could not even begin to put it into words. My father looked at me, seeing something in my face, before he shook his head.
"You really are in love with this man, aren't you?" My father asked, already knowing the answer.
"More then I could ever hope to put into words, and he loves me as much as I love him." I told my father, my eyes pleading with him to understand just how much this wonderful god means to me. "All I ask of you is to put aside judgment until you know who he is. He is a wonderful man, and you will see that if you will only give him the chance he deserves."
"I will do as you ask, but only for you. Just do not think you two will be sleeping in the same bed under my roof." My father stated. I nodded and tried to hide my smile. He was not aware of Ariston's ability to teleport. Ignorance is bliss.
I looked up when I felt Ariston. He walked in carrying a bottle of wine and five glasses, placing a sweet kiss on my temple that made my smile grow.
"A gift for you and your wife; my brother Dionysus' brew." Ariston said, handing the bottle of wine to my father.
My father took the bottle and looked it over as I went to Ariston and he lovingly wrapped his arm around my waist. I rested my head against his shoulder, feeling more at ease just being in his presence.
"Thank you." My father said to Ariston about the wine. "I hear there is something you wish to speak to me about?" My father said, looking at Ariston.
"There is." Ariston said; both of them seemed to understand what it was.
"Tomorrow then. I want to get to know you anyways. How do you feel about working the barn with me tomorrow?" My father asked.
"I would be happy to." Ariston said with a smile.
When dinner was cooked, we went into our small dining room and sat down. Ariston brought the bottle of wine in and poured us each a glass. Looking into Ariston's eyes and holding his hand made me feel more at ease.
"Thank you." I smiled to Ariston as he handed me a glass.
"He gives you wine?" My father asked, obviously not to happy about that fact.
"From time to time." I told him. "Are you trying to tell me that you did not drink at all at my age?" I asked, already knowing the answer. My father shook his head.
"Things always have a way of coming back to bite you." My father said. "It is difficult to tell your children not to do something when you did the same exact thing at their age." Ariston laughed.
"I know what you mean; it was the same way with my sons." Ariston agreed. "Having children certainly made me feel guilty about what I put my mother through." My father cracked a smile at that and I looked to Ariston; he had told me many stories from his youth.
"I just cannot imagine you being like that." I told Ariston. "You are so warm, and genuine, and grounded."
"I was a different man then. More of a boy than a man." Ariston told me. I shook my head and took a sip of my wine.
"Pomegranate?" I asked.
"Just a hint." Ariston said.
"I take it you have been married, Ariston?" My father asked, breaking Ariston and I out of our moment. Ariston smiled and nodded.
"Once, long ago. Her name was Elianna. She was a noble of Dion and she was witty and beautiful. She loved weaving and hated dancing." Ariston and I laughed a bit. "She was the first woman I ever truly loved. We had a long and truly wonderful marriage and had four wonderful children; our sons Sophros, Elijah and Solon and our youngest, our daughter Kallisto." Ariston paused. "Even though I loved Elianna dearly, we were not soul mates and so she was not granted immortality. I was not the same after she passed of old age, and when our sons followed her not long after… it was too much to take. Only my daughter Kallisto ascended to immortality after she passed. I do not know what I would have done without her.
"Even with my daughter, I was a shell of a man after they died." Ariston went on. "It was not until I met Mera that I truly began to feel again." He looked at me with such undying love and gratitude in his eyes, that I thought my heart might burst. "She saw into me and brought forth the man I thought was gone. I will forever be indebted to her for that, and for loving me as she does."
He brought my hand, which he held, to his lips and kissed it and I gave his hand a squeeze. A moment later we realized where we were and turned back to my parents and to dinner, all eyes were on us.
"I invited Kallisto and Aaron to come to my birthday dinner; I hope you do not mind." I told my parents.
"Aaron? I thought you two broke up?" My father asked, clearly confused. Ariston and I smiled to each other.
"We did, but we are still good friends." I told him. "Aaron and Kallisto are seeing each other now." He was clearly surprised by that.
"Really?" My father asked. I nodded.
"They seem happy together," Ariston said with a smile. "We had them over for dinner when the renovations were finished a few night ago."
"Renovations?" My mother asked.
"Mera and I are living in our home on Olympus. It needed updates, there was still a caldron in the kitchen." Ariston explained.
"At least there were no chamber pots." I said and we both laughed.
"Give us some credit." Ariston said in a teasing way. "The gods do have a bit more innovation than that." I laughed.
"It only took a day to renovate almost the whole home!" I told them. "Ariston and I walked around our home and I did a sketch of each room and what we wanted, then we went to the Market and choose the materials. The next day they came and by sunset it was finished." I told them.
"Do you have any photos?" My mother asked.
"Of course, let me get my iPad." I said. Ariston handed it to me and I smiled to him.
I went into the photos and blushed at some of the first ones, the ones Ariston and I took of each other in bed a few days before we left for Olympus. I glanced at Ariston and he smiled to me. I finally got to the ones of our home; I had taken many of the outside and of each room.
I got up and walked around the table to show my parents, my grandmother came over to see.
"That is amazing!" My mother exclaimed. I smiled.
"This is the meadow in front of our home," I flipped to the next photo. "Here is the library. Ariston says the scrolls are older than the Parthenon; we have added a few modern books as well." I showed them the other rooms.
"Now that is a kitchen!" My father said.
"I agree! It is wonderful to cook in." I said with a smile. I flipped through a few more. "This is our bedroom, Ariston decorated it. And this is our bathroom." I flipped forward.
"My goodness!" My mother breathed.
"This is my dressing room," I flipped forward and my mother gasped. "And this is my closet." I showed various photos. "I have not even filled an eighth of it." I laughed. "It was another gift from Ariston, he had it designed and built for me, along with this." I showed them my art studio and the rest of the house.
"That is a beautiful home." My mother said.
"Thank you." Ariston and I said at the same time and smiled to each other.
Many questions were asked over dinner; we stayed at that table for hours catching up, laughing and learning things about Ariston, most of which I already knew.
As I watched Ariston interacting with my family, I began to hope that he would be accepted into my family. It goes without saying just how much that meant to me, and to my betrothed.
