Chapter Sixteen
A/N: I do not own anything other than my OCs when they come out to play. Everything else belongs to either Disney or the Greek Myths.
*ducks incoming projectiles* I know, I know! This is far overdue! Unfortunately, if you've been reading Choosing Life, you know a family emergency occurred back in July and I've slowly been able to get back into writing. I'm hoping there won't be too many more delays but with a couple of vacations coming up, no guarantees lol :D
Katt Kiki: Oh thank you! I hope you enjoy! :D
OceanBlueSeaEyes: Oh I'm so glad you like it! Oh man the schooling Athena could give would be unmatched considering I doubt the Isle has the best education system!
Isabelly Silva Sousa: I couldn't resist a little Easter egg for one of Hades' children in the original myths while also giving a nod to Sleeping Beauty's French roots (since Mal's canonically Maleficent's daughter)!
miranda88: It certainly does!
61394: Hey sometimes you gotta change it up :D As for Hook, he might just think every child he has is going to be a boy lol
Bluebird: Yep, Mal's on her way!
AmethystDagon14: Yay! Of course it's Mal! How can I have a Descendants story with no Mal? Lol! I do go back and forth myself on Demeter but then I remind myself she's not Maleficent, she's not Beast, she's not Leah, and she's not Zeus. Granted that's a low bar but a bar nonetheless!
LotusQuil: Oh I'm so glad you liked it! Yeah it's a fluff riddled fic but compared to my other ones, I think it's needed! Aww! That sounds adorable! Also, don't die of the cuteness before I post lol
jedblack1997: Yep, Mal's on her way just with a different full name!
CrystalKaouri: So glad you enjoyed the chapter! That can definitely be a possibility—let me see if I can fit that in!
BriarEvans: I'm so glad you liked it!
danifan3000: That's a good point, however this Mal will at least have a mountain of Gods to remind people why that's an idiotic assumption!
Flaresouth: Grandkids can melt even the most stubborn of hearts!
twilightgirl587: Hey, Mal's got to get it from somewhere :D
Ruth Reyes: I'm so glad you liked it!
Hope you guys enjoy this chapter! Let me know what you think! :D
Before Persephone knew it, it was the last week or so of March and it was time once again to return to Auradon and Olympus.
"Are you going to be okay?" Hades asked as they made their way to the portal. Persephone already had said her goodbyes to the others, and even promised Milah that she'd make sure to bring a baby blanket for the new baby. Even though they had two baby blankets from Jess and Harriet, Milah wanted the baby to have something that would be theirs.
Persephone had already made the promise that the blanket would still be red, no matter what. Okay maybe she only made the promise to herself but she still made the promise. The color red was the color of the Hook family and she wouldn't take that away from the new baby.
"I'll be fine Hades," Persephone said, giving her husband a gentle smile. "And I'll be on the portal every day so you'll always see me."
"I know," Hades said with a small sigh. "It's just…"
"I get it," Persephone said and she hoped her smile was reassuring enough for her husband. "You want to be there with me. But I promise, mother and I will work to make sure you're there for the birth."
"What if Zeus refuses the request?"
"Then I'll go to Eric and Ariel. The last thing they'd want is for a pregnant woman to be stressed about this. Plus mother can always just threaten another winter like the first one she gifted the mortals. Both Zeus and Eric would jump through hoops to avoid that."
Hades sighed but nodded. "Okay, I get it. But that doesn't mean I'm not still worried though. The baby's had a majority of its gestational time on the Isle and under the barrier. What if that prevented their development?"
"Then the baby comes later than we thought. Mother's made me an appointment with the Baymax robot when I arrive and then I'm to go to Olympus."
"I still think you should see a doctor who's not robotic as well."
Persephone couldn't help but give Hades a small smile. "And you should check in with Ursula. You know she gave birth last week."
"I'm aware, yes," Hades nodded. He'd asked the Fates to keep an eye on the squidling's life thread while Ursula was in labor. Not out of any familial bond with his niece but because he knew that Posideon would feel guilty if Ursula suffered any loss while on the Isle.
And Hades hated making Posideon feel bad, even if it wasn't anything Hades had done.
"You know, you didn't have to go visit Ursula as soon as you got the news," he told Persephone. "Especially not—."
"Hades, if you said that I shouldn't have gone because I'm pregnant, then I will…I don't know what I'll do right now but you'll regret making me do it," Persephone said. "Besides, you know as well as I that Posideon would want a picture of Uma."
"My brother is strange," Hades said, shaking his head.
"I think it runs in your family," Persephone teased before gently kissing Hades on the cheek. "I love you."
"I love you too," Hades said and gently returned the kiss before helping Persephone through the portal. He nodded at Demeter who was on the other end, gently helping Persephone through to the other side.
"I'll let you know as soon as I have a true due date," Persephone promised as she turned around to look at Hades in the portal. "And I'll talk to you every day."
"Not every day," Hades said. "I don't want you to stress about getting to the portal, Steph. Your health matters more right now."
"Hades, I'm a Goddess," Persephone said, not noticing the slightly surprised look on Demeter's face.
"You're a Goddess who's under a magic suppressing barrier half the year. Who knows what that does to you?" Hades countered.
Persephone sighed but nodded, the unsaid 'and who knows what that would do to our child' was heard loud and clear. Despite her best efforts and the efforts of the Tremaine women (well minus Drizella), there were still plenty of stillbirths on the Isle.
The last thing Persephone wanted was to know that pain. Goddess or not.
"I'll make sure she's taken care of," Demeter said, pulling Persephone's attention back to the conversation at hand.
Hades nodded, not trusting himself not to make a catty comment. He knew how much Demeter cared for Persephone. However he also knew everything Demeter had attempted to keep him and Persephone from being together.
There was a fair chance that his wife could have been a tree had she not made it to the Underworld in time.
Don't, Hades thought, mentally shaking his head to clear his thoughts. Don't think about that right now. Steph is pregnant with your child and the last thing she needs is to be stressed out because of you.
"Hades…." Demeter said and both Persephone and Hades looked over at the Goddess of Agriculture, Hades more than a little wary. "She's in good hands. I promise, I would never let anything happen to my daughter or grandchild."
The unsaid 'even if they happen to be your child as well' hung in the air before Demeter spoke again. "I'll let you know what the decision is upon you possibly attending the birth of my grandchild."
Hades nodded and Persephone sent him a small smile as she realized Hades didn't bite back over her mother calling their child her grandchild.
Thank you…both of you, she thought. This separation would be hard enough without the two of them constantly at each other's throats.
"Go on," Hades said softly as the portal glowed for a brief moment; its magic turning itself solid for the next six months." You don't want to be late for your appointment."
"Right," Persephone said though her eyes never left Hades'.
Hades gave her a small smile. "I'll be fine Steph. I'll be so busy helping Hook keep the girls from being underfoot with Milah that I'll probably never notice the time fly by."
Persephone couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped her lips. "Do let me know if Milah has another daughter or if James was right about his predictions about this child being a boy?"
"You know I will," Hades promised. "You take care okay?"
"I'll be fine Hades," Persephone promised. "I'll see you soon."
Hades shot her a smile which Persephone returned as the connection to the portal went dark. Persephone couldn't help but sigh and gently rub her stomach. Her child was now in Auradon.
"Persephone?" Demeter asked, her voice gentle yet strong enough to pull Persephone out of her thoughts.
"Oh right," Persephone nodded. "The appointments."
"I hope it's alright but I made an appointment with another doctor for you after the Baymax scan," Demeter said as they made their way to the car that awaited them, courtesy of High King Eric.
Demeter didn't know exactly what teleporting while pregnant would do to a Godling who spent some of their gestational time under a magical suppressing barrier but she wasn't going to find out with her grandchild. And if letting it slip to Ariel that she was about to get a cousin helped prevent that knowledge…well who was Demeter to complain?
"Oh…no that's alright mother," Persephone said. "…It's not with Apollo is it? It's okay if it is but it might be awkward considering he's Zeus' son."
"No, no, it's with a different member of staff," Demeter shook her head.
"Then that's fine," Persephone said and smiled as she looked out the window at the passing view. "Gods…I always forget how beautiful Auradon is when I'm on the Isle. I don't regret my time with my husband of course but still. The grey and bleak atmosphere does take it out of you at times."
"And that can't be a good area to raise a child," Demeter said, trying to sound as nonchalant as she could.
Persephone looked over at her. "Don't, mother. If my child is born in Auradon then I will still take them with me when I go to the Isle. My child has the right to know their father and Hades has the right to see his child."
"Okay, okay," Demeter said, holding up her hands as if to indicate surrender. "I just thought hit might be better to raise the child in Auradon. I have plenty of room on my farms."
"Mother, I'm sure Hebe and Eileithyia have told you that newly born babies can't even be away from their mothers for about six months to ensure proper bonding. I'm not leaving my child in Auradon by themselves."
Demeter nodded and Persephone sighed. "I apologize for snapping," she said. "I know you were just suggesting what you thought was best for the baby. But mother, please remember, this is my child. Not yours."
"I'm aware Persephone," Demeter said. "I was only trying to help."
Persephone sighed once more because she knew that. However she also knew that one of the things she'd tried her hardest not to think about was someone preventing her from seeing her child for six months. Of someone preventing Hades from seeing his child.
"Excuse me, your Ladyships? We've arrived," the driver said as he parked the limo, preventing Persephone from spiraling deeper into her thoughts.
"Thank you," Demeter nodded and both she and Persephone made their way out of the limo and into the hospital where they were quickly whisked into their own private room.
Hey, sometimes being a Goddess came with perks after all. Plus they didn't have that much longer to wait.
"Hello. I am Baymax, your personal healthcare companion," the white puffy robot said as he walked into the room.
"And I am Eileithyia, your super excited sister!" Eileithyia said, jumping out from behind the robot to Persephone's shock.
"Eile? What are you doing here?" Persephone asked as she got up to hug her sister.
"I'm the Goddess of Pregnancy and you're in a hospital, what do you think I'm doing here Persephone?" Eileithyia said with a small chuckle. "Also, I hope you don't mind but mother spilled the beans. It's why I made sure I was free when I saw you had a Bayamax scan scheduled. No one but I will treat my niece or nephew!"
"Isn't that unethical?" Persephone asked. "As we're family?"
"We're Gods. Who's going to argue with us?" Eileithyia asked.
Persephone opened her mouth and then closed it as she realized that her sister had a point.
"Eileithyia, it's good to see you," Demeter said. "Though I see you still have that ridiculous feather in your hair."
"Mother, what I do with my body does not impact you," Eileithyia said but gave Demeter a small smile. "Why don't we catch up over to the side while Persephone gets her scan done? Then I can look over Persephone and then the three of us can head back home."
"I think that sounds good," Persephone nodded, thankful for her sister playing interference with their mother.
"Alright," Demeter said and walked over to the side with Eileithyia as Baymax walked over to Persephone.
Is everything set up? Demeter thought to Eileithyia as they positioned themselves off to the side.
Of course mother, I know how to set up a baby shower after all, Eileithyia thought back. The only Goddess of the Pantheon who won't be attending is Hera however she did include a gift.
Honestly, the Hercules debacle was years ago! You'd think Hera and Zeus would be over it by now and it wasn't even Persephone who was responsible for that mess.
Mother, were you not the one who introduced the mortals to winter when Persephone went to live with Hades?
And speaking of partners, ill-suited or otherwise, Eileithyia, when will you be settling down? You know I would welcome more than one grandchild in the family.
Oh look at that, mother, I think Bayamax is done with his scans! Let me go ahead and look over Persephone! Eileithyia thought before scurrying over to her sister.
"I knew you couldn't last more than five minutes," Persephone whispered.
"Hush you," Eileithyia whispered back as she started looking over her sister. As Godly blood, or ichor as it was called, was highly coveted, Eileithyia knew she couldn't perform a blood test to see how her niece or nephew was faring. However, there were other ways to check.
"Are you sure that's safe?" Demeter asked as Eileithyia had an ultrasound pulled in.
"Mother, Persephone was just scanned by our Baymax robot," Eileithyia said. "The ultrasound is the same thing only it's not lovable and squishable."
"I was built to have a non threatening appearance," Baymax chimed in. "I did not detect anything wrong with either mother or child, however I do know the gender of the baby if you wish to—?"
"No! No thank you," Persephone said, cutting the robot off. "I…this is my first child and so I want my husband to know if we're having a boy or a girl at the same time I do."
"Understandable, I will put that note in your file for future visits," Baymax said. "Would you like a lollipop? They sometimes help with nausea which can occur throughout pregnancy."
"…You know what? Sure," Persephone said as Eileithyia looked over the ultrasound. "What flavors do you have Baymax?"
"I have blue raspberry, grape, cherry, buttered popcorn—."
"I think I'll go with grape," Persephone said and took the lollipop from the robot. "Thank you Baymax. I am satisfied with my care."
Getting up, she looked over at her sister. "Were there any concerns?"
"The baby looks smaller than they should be at this stage but not so much that you have anything to worry about," Eileithyia said, looking at Persephone's chart. "I'll monitor the baby's status closely while you're here and according to your Baymax scan, your due date is in fact sometime in June."
"Oh how wonderful," Demeter grinned. "Now, why don't we all get home? I'm sure there's plenty of people excited for the news."
"Mother, you and I both know that Zeus will avoid me like he always does when I first arrive in Auradon," Persephone said as the three of them made their way to the limo. "Though that reminds me, I have something for Posideon so I hope he's on Olympus when we arrive."
"He might not be but I'm sure he'll be there throughout the six months you're here," Eileithyia said. Persephone shook her head but sat back as the limo drove them to Olympus. One cloud ride up to the top later, Persephone refusing to look down due to her hatred of heights which she did acknowledge as being ironic considering she was from Mt. Olympus, the trio of Goddesses found themselves in front of the golden gates of Olympus.
"Always good to see those gates," Demeter smiled as she opened them.
"Surprise!"
Persephone jumped as Aphrodite almost enveloped her in a hug. "Gah! Dite! What are you doing?"
"Celebrating your baby shower of course!"
"My…my what?"
"Oh I guess pregnancy brain really does affect Goddesses," Aphrodite chuckled. "Demeter and Eileithyia said you'd talked with Demeter about it. Remember? Chicken and strawberry cravings?"
"Oh! Oh right," Persephone nodded and smiled as she saw the Goddesses in attendance. "Where's…"
"You really thought we'd invite Dionysus to a baby shower?" Eileithyia asked.
"…That's a good point," Persephone said. "I just thought…we wouldn't be as rigid as the mortals with not having the men…"
"Having the men would mean having my brother," Artemis spoke up. "Would you really want that?"
"….That is another good point," Persephone said. "Hestia, would you mind handing me that bowl of strawberries? Just the faint smell is causing my little one to kick like crazy."
Hestia chuckled. "Of course Persephone, and congratulations by the way. Oh and we have gifts for you and your young one too."
"You…you do?"
"Of course! Whenever you're ready, you can open them at your leisure."
Persephone smiled. "Well thank you…and please excuse me. I see Amphitrite over there and I have something for Posideon."
"Of course," Hestia nodded and Persephone gave her one last smile before making her way to her fellow 'Big 3 Wives Club' member.
"Persephone, it's so great to see you!" Amphitrite said, going in for a gentle hug.
"It's great to see you too Trite," Persephone said, returning the hug. "How's Posideon?"
"Busy as always though he's tried to make time to visit Ariel as much as possible. You have heard that she's pregnant?"
"I have, yes. Seems our little ones will be about the same age. And the other great-grandchildren, how are they?"
"Jamie's doing well though she primarily lives with her father, having been born in her human state if you could believe it!"
"…Really? Even though you said Andrina gave birth as a mermaid?"
"Yes! Apparently human and merfolk genetics mixing does unusual things to the offspring. Thankfully there haven't been any issues with Adrian or Arabella, though I know Ariel's worried for her baby."
"Any word on whether they're a boy or a girl?"
Amphitrite smiled. "They're having a girl. They're going to name her Elle."
"That's a beautiful name," Persephone said, a smile of her own gracing her lips. "Oh! Before I forget, I have something for your husband if you don't mind me giving it to you?"
"Of course not…but what is it?"
Persephone smiled and reached into her bag to pull out the photos she had in an envelope as to avoid them getting damaged. "I know Posideon covets pictures of the grandchildren and great grandchildren and I know Ursula is on the Isle…she has a daughter now. I didn't want you two to go without," she said, handing Amphitrite the envelope.
"Oh Persephone…" Amphitrite said, her voice soft but filled with gratitude. "Thank you! We…we had heard from your sister that Ursula was with child, what with her book and all, but we…we didn't think to ask…"
"I would have done it anyway," Persephone promised.
"There's a gift for her child with your gifts," Amphitrite said. "I hope it's alright but Posideon wanted to give our new grandchild a small thing. Well, her and her half-sister."
"Of course it's alright," Persephone told her. She wasn't entirely sure who Freddie's mother was but most people knew her as the daughter of Facilier. "I included some photos of Freddie in there as well."
Amphitrite grinned. "Oh good! Posideon's practically adopted the girl as another granddaughter, says he hopes to be able to meet them one day."
Persephone couldn't help the slightly sad smile that pulled at her lips as she heard that. I hope so too, Posideon. I hope so too.
"Well…you said I had gifts?" Persephone asked, hoping to change the subject.
"Oh yes, yes!" Amphitrite nodded. "But first please eat! I'm sure Hades would have my head if he found out I prevented you from eating. To say nothing of your mother!"
Persephone shook her head but started eating from the plate that had somehow ended up in her hand. Yes she had asked for the bowl of strawberries but it had been replaced with a plate that was almost overflowing with all sorts of food.
And of course chicken and strawberries.
"…Honestly mother," Persephone sighed, more than slightly amused as she dug into her food. Her baby seemed to enjoy it as Persephone could feel the little flutters that she assumed had to be the kicks.
Oh you're going to be an active one aren't you? Please be good for your mother and don't get into too much mischief, she thought. Then again…you are your father's child too. Mischief should be expected I'd think. Not to mention what you'll get up to with the Hook kids and Sammy.
"Persephone?" Demeter asked as she walked over to her daughter.
"Mother?"
"I just wanted to make sure everything was okay. You were over here alone and I…"
Persephone gave her mother a small smile. "I was talking with Amphitrite but she must have walked off while I started eating. But everything's fine, in fact it's perfect judging by my little one's reaction."
"Well I'm glad to hear it," Demeter said.
"And mother? Thank you," Persephone said. "Don't think it escaped my notice that there was a bit more blue in the decorations than I thought there'd be. I appreciate it."
"…This is your first child, of course I'd do anything for you and them Persephone," Demeter said. "Now then, have you gotten enough to eat? Some of the Goddesses are eager to see you open your gifts."
Persephone chuckled. "I might nibble a bit here and there but let's go ahead and open my 'loot' as young Harriet would say."
"That's the daughter of one of the families staying with you correct?"
"That's right, James'…I mean Captain Hook's youngest daughter."
Demeter shook her head. "Do you think it wise? Having pirates in your home? You know what they did to Triton's wife after all and you are Posideon's sister-in-law."
"Just because pirates killed Triton's wife doesn't mean we can't be allies with Captain Hook," Persephone said. "Especially when not being allies might have meant the death of a young girl had Milah been stressed enough and another young girl raised by someone who has no right to raise a child."
Demeter sighed but nodded. She wasn't going to press the issue, not while Persephone was pregnant herself.
"Now then, gifts?" Persephone asked, prompting a subject change.
"Yes, yes," Demeter nodded and led Persephone to the pile where a chair was waiting for her. "There's no order, open whichever one you want."
Persephone chuckled. "Well then I think I'll start with this one that's obviously from you and Eile, mother."
Taking the box, Persephone carefully removed the wrapping paper and opened the gift. She couldn't help but smile as she saw what was inside.
"Is that…a music box?"
"Designed to play whatever song you request of it," Eileithyia said as she moved to stand next to her sister. "Anything at all though future music is out of the question. And the heating pad is to help you when you get to the later stages of pregnancy, even us Divine beings still get a bit of pain during the process. Just ask Zeus how his head fared when he birthed Athena."
Persephone chuckled and shook her head as she looked at the other item. The baby monitors could have only come from her mother.
"They're designed so that the batteries never run out of power so you don't have to worry about them dying," Demeter said.
"Thank you mother," Persephone told her. "These'll come in handy."
"Ooh, open mine next," Hestia said with a smile as the other Goddesses came milling around. "It's a joint gift with Athena."
"Alright," Persephone nodded and took the gift that Eileithyia handed to her. Opening it up, Persephone smiled as she saw what it was.
"Did…Athena, did you weave a tapestry for me?"
"Hestia thought it'd be a good thing to put in your child's room," Athena said. "She thought it would be a good idea to have the reminder of your family and that you can rely on us since it likely won't be easy being a single parent."
"Thank you," Persephone said. "Both of you. It's beautiful."
It truly was. Woven on a background of beautiful green fabric were the images of all the Gods standing before a figure holding a bundle in her arms. Persephone was not vain enough to assume the figure was her but after hearing Athena's explanation, there was only one person it could be.
"And before you ask, yes there is another copy for your rooms in the Underworld," Athena said. "No use in making you lug a tapestry every six months when you've got a child to transport as well."
Persephone gave Athena another smile. "Thank you."
"You're welcome…there's also a small gift from me in that pile."
"Athena, I think you might be spoiling me."
"Yeah Athena, let her open someone else's present," another Goddess spoke up.
Persephone shook her head. "Artemis, please tell me that bow and arrow set isn't from you?"
"Who else would it be from?" Artemis asked. "Oh and Hephestus sent the sword for when the little Godling grows into it. I'm pretty sure there's a gift from my brother in there as well but be warned, he said he'd give you some poetry."
"…I appreciate the warning," Persephone shook her head. Well, the Hooks will be jealous…I wonder if I can't keep that sword on Olympus…
"This one's from Eric and Ariel," Eileithyia said, pulling Persephone out of her thoughts as she handed her sister a small bag with purple and green tissue paper.
Persephone smiled as she read the note. "Can't wait for you to be part of our world, little cousin…oh how sweet!"
She opened the bag to pull out a photo frame that was decorated with shells and even had a painted on fork here and there. Persephone knew this was one gift that would definitely get plenty of use.
"Oh! That must be Posideon and Amphitrite's gift," Persephone said as Eileithyia handed her yet another gift, one that looked as though it came straight from the sea with the bits of seaweed wrapped around it. Quickly opening it up, Persephone smiled as she saw the Cerberus plushie, the Hippocampus plushie, and the dreamcatcher.
I'll make sure these get to the right recipients, she thought as she gave Amphitrite a thankful smile. To anyone else, it just looked like an uncle spoiling their new niece or nephew.
But Persephone knew otherwise—however the last thing she wanted to do was make anyone feel awkward so she would keep mum.
"This must be your other gift Athena," she said instead as she was handed a small, flat gift that felt like it could be a book. She chuckled as she unwrapped it. "A book on strategy? Is this for me or my child?"
"You never know when you'll need to plan a strategy and if the child finds the information useful, they can certainly use it," Athena said.
"Well thank you," Persephone said, though she hoped her child would never need to use the knowledge in the book.
"Oh honestly," Demeter sighed and Persephone looked over at her mother holding one of the gifts. "I would have thought Hera better."
"What is it?" Persephone asked and took the gift from her mother. Opening it up, Persephone found a lone green and blue rattle in the box.
Hestia tried to smile as she saw it. "At least she's acknowledging it! That's progress right?"
"A single rattle though? Considering what Hades tried to give to Hercules during his celebration?" Athena asked.
Persephone sighed. "Could…could we please not talk about that? Hera was kind enough to send a gift, that's all I can ask."
"Of course," Hestia nodded. "And you've more gifts to open!"
And open them she did. When Persephone finished, she found that her child would not be lacking in outfits, that was certain. She especially liked the one that appeared to be a Cerberus onesie though she had to wonder how practical the other two heads would be flopping around on the side.
"Thank you all," Persephone said as she looked at all the guests before looking over at her mother. "And thank you mother. This was…it was more than I could have imagined."
"As I've told you Persephone, anything for you," Demeter said and returned the smile her daughter was giving her. All in all, it had turned out better than she had expected it to. Even with that minor hiccup of mentioning the past.
But at least now, they could look forward to the future.