Daughter Of Hera

A/N: Thank you all those people who reviewed on my previous chapter or even viewed it (I would have liked you all to drop a review but…)! It's really encouraging that you guys like my story at all! Please review and check out my other PJO story- Forever and Always or my Avengers story- Going Their Own Way!

Disclaimer: Seriously, by my writing, do I look like a freaking guy to all those idiots (no offense) out there? I'm just another nameless (not really), faceless (definitely not) fan…

Well, I present to you the next chapter of my third story so far!

Philia was smiling. As Hera, she'd only had feelings for Zeus which had lately been getting her down. Now, just thinking about that guy, Francois, made her heart flutter and butterflies fly about in her stomach. Reason, however, was holding her back a little. Do you really want to do this? After all, you had come down with only thoughts of revenge in your mind, a small voice in her head whispered.

She dismissed it with a mental wave of her hand. She was definitely starting to feel something for that dashing young man. How would he react when, or if, she told him her true identity? Would he be creeped out, thinking she was a delusional freak, and run away from her? Would he accept her for who she was?

She shook her head to dismiss those thoughts. Right now, she had to concentrate on getting ready for her evening out. Shower, check. Manicure and pedicure from salon, check. Moisturize and tone skin, check. Face mask and make-up, check. Now, for the clothes. Thoroughly, she ruffled through her closet. She mostly had pretty and feminine casual clothes: summer dresses, shorts, cropped trousers, light jackets, shirts and a few bikinis for the beach. But now, it was time to bust out her gem: an elegant white dress, one-shouldered with a slit down one thigh, line with ruffles at the neckline and hem. Few embellishments made it seem just enough to be feminine, sexy yet family-friendly.

Happily pulling it one and magically zipping it up (being a goddess had its perks); she contemplated what accessories she should pair with it. She finally decided on a simple yet elegant pair of diamond dangling earrings in the shape of hearts with a matching necklace. She finished off her look with a pretty pearl bracelet and satin clutch. Smirking, she stepped out in front of her mirror. She was just admiring how the look brought out her features and marvelous collar bones when the bell rang.

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For Francois, the drive to Philia's apartment had been nerve-wracking. Only after she had left the café had he realized what he had just done. Oh Gods, what was he going to do? He'd never been this nervous asking a girl out before; in fact, he'd never been nervous. Period. Then why, when he thought of her whisking her into his car, did he feel like burying his head in the ground like an ostrich?

He'd gone through the motions of getting ready mechanically, the result of planning every detail beforehand: shower, shave, get dressed, eat light meal, shut down flat, get into car, drive. When he actually reached her home, a pretty, well-maintained townhouse; he'd transformed into a bundle of nerves. He'd almost chickened out at her front door, raising his hand to ring the bell. But before he could haul ass, the door opened and his jaw dropped to the ground. There stood Philia; dressed like a… there was no other word for it… goddess, with her blonde curls framing her beautiful face like a halo. His breath hitched. He kept on staring until she giggled.

"Are you just going to gape like a codfish at me?"

"Wha-no! No, no, let's umm… let's go."Stammering, he led the way to his car. He opened the passenger door to his sports car and helped her in.

"Aren't you the perfect gentlemen?" Philia teased.

"Anything for the perfect lady." He grinned back. Suddenly, his tension evaporated. Just being in her presence alleviated all his worries; not that he had many. He quickly got in and started driving to the farmhouse. They made small talk all the way and the silences were comfortable. She felt like a kindred spirit. He felt like he could talk to her about anything and he hoped she felt the same way.

He turned down the lane and saw the field: strawberries. Exactly what Philia smelt like; mixed with lemon, cinnamon, vanilla, brownies and a hundred different good things that shouldn't have gone together but did. Wow, when did you notice that Frankie-boy?

He parked next to the other cars and got out, opening the door for Philia as well; the way his ma had drilled it into him. They smiled at each other and he led the way in. The sounds of loud music and dancing along with clinking glasses and plates greeted them.

"My family likes to do things the old-fashioned way; hence the family band and this." He gestured to the covered plate in his hands. "Everyone's supposed to bring something. I was charged with one of the three dessert dishes: lemon cake, incidentally also my favorite." He broke off grinning.

"YOU baked this? Mr. Hotshot-Interior-Designer?"She lifted her eyebrows disbelievingly.

"Yeah, I love cooking! Especially baking, I make stuff for friends and family all the time."

"Wow, that's awe-"She was cut off by a slightly plump, housewifely woman bustling up to them and hugging Francois hard. "Honey, what took you so long? Did you bring the cake? Oh, good, good. And who's your lovely friend?" She turned to look at Philia with a motherly smile.

"Good evening, I'm Philia. And you must be Francois' mom?"

"Yes dear. Come on in, have a drink. Francois, show her around the place and let her meet Nana. Here, give me that; you'll drop the plate." She shooed him off, shaking her head and muttering about boys.

"That's my ma. She's a handful; I have no idea how dad got her to marry him. I love her a lot and don't know what I would've done without her." He said to her sheepishly.

"That's really sweet Francois… you shouldn't be ashamed of it."

"I'm not. Anyway, it's time to meet my Nana. Best of luck."

"Why?"

"You're going to need it."

A/N: I love lemon cake! Anyone who says otherwise is a meanie! So, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Next one up soon hopefully *fingers crossed*