A/N: Hey! :D I don't think it's been too long, but I'm sorry for the wait. I've been swamped with homework lately (that's High School for you). Here's Chapter 6!

Chapter 5:

Demeter

**8 years old**

"Elizabeth, do you want to go see Grammy and Gramps today?" Linda set the milk carton on the table. "I'll get you a thermos of hot cocoa, Lizzy." She offered. I nodded and quickly shoveled the rest of my Cocoa Puffs into my mouth. "Okay Dad." I said, after I swallowed. "Thanks, Linda." I smiled.

Linda grinned and kissed the top of my head. "I'll go get your coat. Michael, do you want to take Matt too? I have to take John and Bekah in to see Dr. O'Conner for their flu shots." Dad nodded. "Sure, I'll take Matt off your hands today." Dad kissed Linda and grabbed his coat. "Liz, can you wake up Matt? I'll be down here with your coats. We'll be walking into town today."

"Okay Dad," I ran up the stairs and into Matt's bedroom. "Matt! We're going to Grammy and Gramps today!" Matt opened his eyes slightly. "Don't wanna go," He muttered sleepily."

"If you want to stay at home, fine by me….all alone." Matt's eyes flew open. "A-alone?" he whimpered. I grinned. "Mom's taking John and Bekah to the doctor's office today. Dad's taking us into town to see Grammy and Gramps. Mommy's getting us hot chocolate to go."

Faster than you could say 'macaroni', Matt ran to the bathroom. I laughed. I felt like I was older than Matt, the way he acted sometimes. "Matt's coming," I called down the stairwell. "He's going to the bathroom, so he might take a while." I said, coming down. I took my shoes from their cubby-hole and un-did the laces. I set Matt's Spider-Man Velcro ones by his jacket.

Matt came speeding down the stairs, pushing me out of the way. "Can we get ice cream while we're out, Dad?"

"Ice cream?" Dad laughed. "It's 40 degrees out there!"

Matt furrowed his eyebrows. "So we're getting ice cream?" I smacked him upside the head softly. "No, you dolt, that means we're not having ice cream!"

"That hurt!" Matt complained. "Dad, Liz hit me!"

"He was being a doofus!" I defended. "So I knocked some sense into his brain. Well," I said doubtfully, "at least I hope I did. It would've been a waste of time and energy if nothing in his head changed."

Dad rolled his eyes. "Whatever, Liz. Let's just go. I…I feel like we really need to go into town today." Linda kissed Dad's cheek and handed him the thermos full of hot cocoa. "Be quick, love. I have a feeling...something is going to happen that will change our lives."

"I'll be back soon," Dad promised her.

I opened the door, and Matt rushed in to greet Dad's grandparents. "Matt, Elizabeth! You two have grown so much since last saw you!" Grammy exclaimed. I smiled and squeezed Dad's hand. For some reason, his parents were careful about what they said to and about me.

"Hello Mother," Dad hugged Grammy tenderly, as if she might break at any moment. "How are you? And where's Dad?" Grammy laughed. "I'm fine, Michael. Doctor gave me a new prescription, and I swear my vision's getting better every time I take a pill! Your father's in the back, talking with...her." She glanced at me, and I pretended to be interested in the gardening gloves (I actually was—a new print came in last week).

"Can I talk to you honey?" Grammy asked me softly. "What about?"

"Oh, nothing really. How your garden's holding out, school, that type of stuff."

"Okay." I followed Grammy to the back room, where she and Gramps kept the extra dirt pellets and seeds. Grammy pulled out two chairs from a corner and sat down. "Lizzy, has your Daddy ever told you about your mother?"

"Yes. I love to hear about her family. They're all named after the Greek gods and goddesses, Gramma!"

Gramma smiled, tight-lipped. "Yes, dear. What else do you know about Demeter?"

"Daddy said she was very pretty, and smart, and had a great sense of humor."

"That she did," Gramma agreed. "Demeter loved this place, Elizabeth. I'm not sure if..." she shook her head. "Never mind. How is school, dear?"

"It's fine, Gramma. I wish they would have classes where we learn about mythology. Dad said he took mythology classes while he was still in college. Before Mom died."

Gramma forced a smile. "But you like Linda, right Elizabeth?" I grinned. "Linda is amazing, Gramma. But…"

"But what, dear?" Gramma took my hands in hers. "Is she treating you fairly? Are you alright?" I shook my head. "Nothing like that, Gramma. I just don't feel like I belong. Linda makes me feel like one of the family, but I…" I shook my head again. "I don't know, Gramma, but I feel like I'm missing part of myself."

Gramma clasped her hands together. "I know what you mean, child," she whispered. "My own mother died when I was young, my father remarrying a few years later." Tears welled in my eyes. "Elizabeth, I should probably tell you something about your mother. Something your father is too afraid to say." I scooted closer to Gramma. "What is it, Gramma?"

"Elizabeth, your mother-"

"Is right here, listening, Helena."

Standing in the doorway was a tall, beautiful woman, staring sternly at Gramma. Gramma stood up, staring defiantly at the young woman. "Demeter, no! Elizabeth-" Dad stopped in the doorway, staring, horrified at me. "Elizabeth, come with me." Dad pulled me out of the room, despite Gramma's protests. "She has a right to know!" Gramma shouted. "She's eight years old now, Michael; Elizabeth shouldn't be hidden from the truth!"

"It isn't your secret to tell!" Demeter yelled. "I was going to send her to the Camp in three year, Helena! Now that she knows who she is…" Demeter's face drained. "Helena, you were there for the Prophecy's reading at Elizabeth's birth. You know how powerful she is- and will be."

I remembered that Mom's name was Demeter. Then could this be…"Mom?"

Demeter turned around, her anger seeping away. "Elizabeth," she whispered. Dad touched Mom's arm and whispered in her ear. She shook her head. "I can handle this, Michael." Mom said.

She kneeled in front of me, her eyes darting over my face. Mom smiled. "Hello, Elizabeth,"

"Hi Mommy,"

Mother smiled tearfully. "Hey baby,"

Nicole: Awwww! :'D So cute...

Me: IKR!

Elizabeth: Umm, guys, I'm right here...

Me: :D And how Demeter hinted at Elizabeth's powers...

Nicole: That was so cool! :D I can't wait to know what happens next!

Elizabeth: Really, guys, I'm right here. Please don't talk to me like I'm not.

Nicole: And OHMYGOODNESS she's just so CUTE! And Matt? He's just hilarious!

Me: YES! :D Wait...*thinky face*

Nicole: What?

Me: How is Matt Elizabeth's older brother, if their dad was with Demeter first?

Nicole: 0_o