Gerald appeared before the doorway of the Hernandez house. It looked like traditional Spanish architecture with a red tile shingles on the roof and yellow stone walls. As he was about to enter a burst of light shone from behind him. He turned around to see his grandfather behind him, staring down at him.
"Hey grandad," said Gerald.
"Gerald, my grandson, you know you know the rules. No earth traveling unless in an emergency," said Zeus.
"But it was an emergency," said Gerald.
"Catching your sister with her boyfriend and not under any kind of harm is not an emergency," said Zeus, his eyes crackling with electricity.
"Sorry gramps, I won't do it again. Can I at least travel back when I'm finished meeting with my girlfriend's family?" said Gerald.
"Ah yes, the mortal girl. If the relationship goes any farther you know you'll have to tell her about our world," said Zeus.
"Yes," said Gerald. Zeus took awhile to answer.
"Fine, you may do it once, but this is the only time," said Zeus.
"Thanks grandad," said Gerald, hugging him. Zeus returned it and went back on his way ruling Olympus and the mortal world. Gerald stood outside her door, his hand fixed in the air as if to knock on the door. Truth be told, this was his first time meeting one of his girlfriend's family, and right now he was terrified. Unlike monsters, this problem sticks with you till you die.
Finally summoning up enough courage he knocked on the door. He heard someone coming to the door and open it, revealing his girlfriend in winter wear, meaning an all-red sweater that hugged her delicate form and grey insulated pants. She looked truly stunning.
"Gerald, you came," she said, hugging him. He hugged her back, smelling the sweet cinnamon in her long, flowing hair.
"You thought I wasn't going to show up?" he said.
"Well..." she said. He kissed her to stop her from saying anything else. She deepened it and his hands pressed her lower back, leaning her into him. When their kiss finished she had to push him away in order for her to not lose herself.
"Come on time, for you to meet mi familia," she said.
"Vamonos," said Gerald. She took him by the hand and led him into the house. Inside Gerald could see her entire family. There were two little boys playing a board game, an elderly woman with greying hair busily sowing a quilt of some kind, a teenage girl similar looking to Maria who looked around Danny's age was on the phone, a woman who looked a lot like his girlfriend, and a man with a shaved beard and brown eyes around the same height as him.
"Mama, Papa, this is Gerald," she said.
"Oh, so this is the infamous Gerald Stone we've heard so much about,"said her mother, coming over to Gerald and hugging him. He returned it, a bit stunned on her first impression.
"Gerald, this is my mother, Lucia, my sister Loretta, and my father, Javier. That's also my grandmother, Esmerelda, and my two little brothers, Angel and Julio," said Maria.
"Hola Gerald," they all said to him.
"Hola," he said back.
"Ah Gerald," said Mr. Hernandez, making the "g" sound like a "j", "I here you are quite the ladie's man at your school." Gerald blushed and rubbed the back of his head.
"It's okay. I see that my daughter has had an effect on you. Did you really get on top of a lunch table in front of the whole school just to ask her on a date?" he asked.
"Yes," said Gerald, embarrassed now.
"It's fine. You must have really wanted her, and I respect that in a man, doing what it takes to get his woman," he said, extending his hand out to Gerald. Gerald shook it gladly. Once he was finished introducing himself to the entire family he turned around to see Maria smiling at him.
"Wow, they like you already. You have no idea how long it took my dad to like my other boyfriends," she said.
"I must be lucky then," said Gerald. The rest of the day he spent learning about Maria's family. They were second-generation Americans. Mr. Hernandez's father had come to America after passing the immigration test, but he came to a world where many people didn't like people from Latin America because of their work ethic. Everyone thought he was a border jumper from Mexico when he was from Guatemala. He worked hard to provide for his family and soon they became successful. Though things were improving for Latino people, they still had sometime before they were finally given the respect they deserved.
Gerald like Maria's grandmother, Mrs. Lucia's mother, who told him stories about growing up in America. Gerald was grateful to here things most people would never hear in their lifetime. The best story was when she told him a story about Maria getting lost in Brooklyn and was set on by a guard dog outside a house. She ran all the way to the Bronx before the dog left her alone, and half her clothes were torn off. It was probably the best one he heard.
The Hernandez's were eager to here how Gerald's family functioned. Though he left out some details, about them all being part god, he was still able to describe them all to the best of his ability. He talked about how his dad was always happy and was rarely ever angry, about how nice and caring his mom was, how stubborn and wise June was, and how shy yet friendly his brother was. He often described the many adventures he and Danny went on together, and also his nature and personality. When Loretta asked of Danny was available, Gerald ad to turn her down, saying he was already deeply in a relationship, to which Loretta didn't seem too pleased about.
Dinner was served around six, consisting of chicken enchiladas, re-fried beans, fruits of all origins, and for dessert a Guatemalan dish called Tres Leches Cake. It was all a very good meal to Gerald, and the family always made sure he was well fed. In whole it was a marvelous experience for him. After dessert the family went into a mini siesta mode and reclined on either the couch or their rooms. Gerald and Maria had a couch for themselves and talked silently to each other.
"You have a wonderful family," said Gerald.
"Thanks," she said. "Your family is amazing too."
"True, but something about yours makes me feel more wholesome," he said.
"How's that?"
"Hearing what your family had to go through makes me see that my life is too easy. It reminds me of when my dad was with my mom. His dad died and his mom was...gone as well," he said.
"Gerald, I'm flattered for you saying this, but don't dwell on the past, only look for the future and what it holds in store for you," she said.
"You know I forgot how understanding you can be," he said.
"Well let me be a bit more understanding," she said, kissing him. He welcomed it as she kissed with more force as they slowly fell back, her on top of him. Just as his hands were about to slip underneath her shirt his phone rang. Groaning he answered.
"Hello?"
"Gerald, it's Danny. Me and your mom might need to stay a little longer at camp. We'll be there around twelve," said his dad.
"Okay dad," said Gerald.
"Where are you?"
"I'm at Maria's house," said Gerald.
"Okay. Check on your brother and sister if you have the chance," said Danny. That was easy: Danny and Alicia were probably screwing like no tomorrow and June, well probably the same thing.
"Got it dad," said Gerald before his phone went off.
"Got to go?" she asked.
"Not yet. I got maybe ten minutes left," he said.
"Where were we?" she said, her finger ghosting over his chest. His hands went back down to the hem of her shirt as they slowly lifted it up to allow him to slip his hands inside her shirt. He felt around her flat stomach, her smooth skin responding to his touch. She obviously liked where he was at as she softly grasped his chest. His hand dared to move upwards, massaging her skin as he went upwards towards her breasts. He felt the fabric of her bra at the base of her chest. Teasing her he tickled around her ribcage, her suppressing a giggle and a moan from escaping her mouth.
Feeling the bottom of her bra he teasingly traveled up until his hands enclosed around her breasts strained under the lace of her bra. She tried very hard to surpress a moan and nearly let out if Gerald hadn't sat up and kissed her to silence her. Just as they were about to move on Gerald's phone rang again. He groaned again and looked at the caller ID. It was June. He really didn't want to talk about it right now, but he had no other choice.
"Yes?" he said.
"Gerald we need to talk when you get home," she said.
"Tell me something I don't know," he said. "Where are you?"
"On my way there," said June.
"Okay," he said, hanging up the phone.
"Now I have to go," said Gerald. Maria looked like she didn't want him to leave, but she knew he probably had no choice.
"Okay, call me when you want to set up anything," she said.
"You know I will," he said, kissing her one last time on the lips before he got off the couch and left, waving goodbye to her.
"Oh Gerald, one more thing?" she said.
"What?" he asked. She lifted up her sweater to expose her chest to him, showing off her breasts covered by a lacy green bra. He felt his breathing cease and he stumbled to the door. She giggled at the spectacle as he blushed beet-red and went out the door. Once safely outside he smiled and pumped his fist into the air in victory. Stepping onto the pavement he traveled through the earth back to his house.
Danny and Alicia were entwined together, heavily panting from their last encounter.
"Danny, you're amazing," she said.
"I need to be if we did five rounds in a day," he said. He discarded the used condom, glad that it didn't break. They snuggled up together as they regained their normal heartbeat levels.
"Danny, I don't want to base this relationship on sex," she said.
"I know that," he said.
"So why did we just do it five times?" she said.
"Because I love you, a lot," he said. She smiled and snuggled into him more.
"Me too, I guess we're the kind of couple that says sex is a physical bond and not something you can just take for granted," she said.
"We can do it whenever you want to again," he said.
"Good, because I think I really need to rest before I start walking straight again," she said. She kissed up and down his neck before she lay back down on him.
"Danny, I'm deeply in love with you," she whispered.
"Me too," he whispered back. He and her shared another kiss before they lay back down on the covers. At that minute Alicia's cell phone rang. Groaning she answered it.
"Hello?" said Alicia.
"Alicia, is Danny there?" said Gerald.
"Yes. Why?" she said.
"You might want to get some clothes on 'cause June's on her way, and the way she is today, thanks to me, she'll overreact," said Gerald.
"Okay Gerald, thanks," said Alicia. She hung up and kissed Danny again.
"We need to get our clothes on," she said. Danny groaned, and she wanted to too, but they knew that June was in a bad mood and they didn't want her to break hell loose around the house if she saw them. Begrudgingly they got their clothes back on and made sure his room was lively again.
"You might want to hide those," said Alicia, indicating to the three used condoms in the trash can. Luckily Danny's window was right next to the garbage cans outside and all he had to do was open the window and drop them in there, closing the lid down. Alicia came up behind him and hugged him.
"Thanks for today," she said to him. He turned around and placed his hands on her sides.
"Thanks for saving my life, and for today," he said, kissing her again. They heard the door knock and knew it was June. Coming to the front door he opened it.
"Hey Danny and Alicia, where's Gerald?" she asked.
"He went to Maria's house to meet her family," said Danny. June noticed that Danny and her seemed a bit out of breath.
"You just went running?" she asked him.
"Yeah, you could say that," said Danny. June walked in and slumped on the couch in the living room. Danny and Alicia took to the other couch. June noticed before that they were close, but not too close when around people. Now they were practically all over each other as she lay her head on his chest and he stroked her hair. June also noticed that her hair was out.
"So what did you two do today?" she asked.
"Nothin' really, just hung out," said Alicia. June took a minute, studying over their facial features. She thought she could detect the slightest blush, but she decided to drop it anyway.
"At least your day was okay. You don't have to worry about your older brother barging in on you," said June.
"What? You mean you and Seth were.." said Alicia.
"Yes, we were having sex, or at least just finished. Gerald comes in out of nowhere and if Danny hadn't come he'd probably be in a casket right now," said June.
"I thought demigods get burned in a shroud?" said Alicia. June's eyes got wide and she looked at her.
"How do you know that? Danny did you.."
"Yes, she can see through the Mist June, it's alright. Anyway go on," said Danny.
"Oh, well you get the general picture," said June.
"June, you know he loves you," said Danny.
"Yes, but I don't need that kind of love in which he is constantly suffocating me," said June. Gerald walked through the door and stood in the doorway. Danny and Alicia sensed an awkward moment and got up to let their brother and sister vent. They didn't say nothing to each other for the longest, even when Gerald sat on the couch next to her.
"Well?" she said.
"Well what?" said Gerald.
"You know what Gerald. I can't believe you barge in like that. Do you know how embarrassing that is when you walk in your little sister?" said June.
"Yes, go on."
"Okay, yes me and Seth were dating," she said, getting up and standing over him, "and we also love each other. I swear to the gods Gerald, when it comes to me and a boyfriend you always go aggro for no reason! Danny I can understand, but he likes the idea of me and Seth, so how come you can't? For once i want you to stop treating me like a seven year old. I'm eighteen years old and I'm old enough to make my own decisions," she said, finishing her rant. Gerald just looked calm, relaxed, and actually a bit amused.
"Is that all?" he asked.
"Yes," she said, crossing her arms. Gerald smiled and stood up to face her.
"I know that June, but with you and me it's more than brother and sister. You're like my best friend. Yes I'm protective over you because that's the way it's been between us. And speaking for boyfriends I do remember that shit head hitting you and I went crazy. It's because, truth be told, I don't think anyone's good enough for my little sister," said Gerald.
"Really?" said June, her expression softening.
"Yes air head. I think Seth's a good match for you, but you know there's always a part of me that will rush in when you're in danger," said Gerald. June slowly smiled.
"Come here," she said, putting out her arms. Brother and sister hugged each other, sharing a rare moment.
"You know I'm gonna beat his ass if he breaks your heart," said Gerald.
"He knows that," said June. They let go, feeling better already.
"So what made you have this change of heart all of a sudden?" said June.
"Well I had a change of heart when I went to Maria's house. Her family really touched me, and then before that it was seeing Danny become a man when I saw him and Alicia in his room basking in the afterglow," said Gerald. June's eyes widened again.
"You mean they..." she said, her hands over her mouth. Gerald nodded. June squealed. She couldn't believe it.
"So what did you say to him?" she said.
"I really didn't say much. I just thought it was nice of them to experience it," said Gerald.
"Oh but you couldn't do that for me?" she said.
"It's my little brother," said Gerald, walking back to his room.
"That's such a double standard," June yelled to him.
At nine Alicia got a call from her parents to come back to her house. Sighing when she ended the call she looked at Danny.
"Time for me to go," she said. He hugged her, feeling her warmth wash over him.
"I love you," he said.
"I love you too," she said. She gave him one final kiss before she got on her coat and headed out the door. Danny watched her leave the whole way. June saw the whole thing.
"Miss her already?" she said.
"Yes, dearly," he said, walking back to the couch and sitting next to his sister.
"So how many times did you two do it?" she asked. Danny didn't even blush as he continued to stare out the door.
"Five," he said. June looked pretty astonished by that.
"You really do love her don't you?" she said.
"Yes," said Danny. June smiled.
"Well little brother, I think you and her are a wonderful couple," she said, hugging her.
"June, stop it," he said, acting like a kid was getting embarrassed by his mother.
"Come on Danny, you use to love this," she said, tickling his sides. Danny laughed and tried to escape, but June's hold was tight on him.
"When I was..(laugh)..four!" he said. Gerald came in and saw his little brother in trouble.
"Hang on Danny, I'll save you from the hydra," he said, joining in. He joined in and tackled June, getting all three of the Stones on the floor. They all laughed, remember old times. They were all truly happy being close like this.
Danny and Katie got back at around eleven, Danny shivering.
"Hey mom, hey dad," said the kids.
"What's wrong with you dad?" said Gerald.
"I was frozen in a block of ice for two hours before anyone found me," said Danny.
"We're sorry, it was dark and snowing," said Katie.
"You need anything dad?" said June.
"Nah, I'm fine. All I need is a scorching hot bath right now," he said. Katie helped him up the stairs, looking very sad.
"Will dad be okay?" said Danny.
"Dad's survived grandpa and an energy attack from a Gigante, a little frostbite won't kill him," said Gerald.
(Next week)
School was back in session once all the snow was moved out the streets, but large amounts of it still lingered on buildings.
Alicia was at her locker getting books out of her locker when she felt two arms snake around her waist. She smiled and leaned back into Danny's embrace from behind, kissing his jaw.
"Someone seems really giddy," she said.
"I'm surprised you're not, but you do have a certain glow to you now," he said.
"How could I not?" she said, beaming at him.
"By the way, you left this at my house," he said, holding the bra she wore last week. She blushed and gladlyfully took it from him, placing it hastily in her backpack.
"Wow, I must have forgot it after...yeah," she said, blushing heavily.
"I must have really made you forget if you forgot that," said Danny.
"Come on, you weren't that good," she said, though her blush told him that answer.
"Really, I vaguely remember someone singing, or should I say moaning a different tune," said Danny.
She punched his shoulder, but not too hard.
"Don't get so cocky Daniel, but yes you were," she said, hugging him. He hugged her back. He also noticed something else.
"You left your hair down," he said, pulling back just a little, her still in his arms.
"Yes, I kind of like it better this way, unless you preferred it with the ponytail," she said. Truth be told he liked her hair down, especially seeing it draped around her naked body. Besides the point he really liked it since it came down to the top of her back right after the neck line.
"No, this way is good too, I was just surprised since you mostly did the ponytail look," he said.
"Have you ever thought of shaving off your hair?" she said.
"Not in this lifetime," he said.
"Good, I love it like that," she said, kissing him lightly.
"So what was your favorite part last week?" said Danny.
"When you told me you loved me more than anything else in the world," she said. "Yours?"
"When you gave your body to me, along with your soul," he said. She smiled, a truly emotional deep one at that. He was always the sweet guy, even during nasty situations, but things were always going to be good between them.