Hercules's instincts were correct. Harmonia and then Megara soon saw their energy fade, and it was time to bring them home. He settled them in for the night while Megara chattered with less and less coherence the more exhausted she became. But she kept going as long as the light remained in her eyes.
She was asleep within fifteen minutes of returning home, with Harmonia huddled against her.
This was his chance.
Hercules crept downstairs to the family shrine where Harmonia had been dedicated to him less than a year ago. His heart thrummed, remembering how Hades had intruded on the ceremony, but he had to remain focused. This wasn't about him.
He burnt incense at the altar and whispered into the fragrant smoke. "Grandmother Rhea. I call upon you for assurance and peace of mind. I must ask you whether I've doomed my wife with my selfishness."
The night air swirled with the heavy scent of the incense, and Rhea's voice answered him from the smoke. "The creation of life is a blessing."
He couldn't see his grandmother's face, but he sensed her calming presence. It wasn't quite calming enough. "But she barely survived Harmonia! It took her so long to recover! What if this time she doesn't get better? What if... she doesn't make it through?"
The smoke from the incense formed the shape of his grandmother, who inclined her stately face toward him. Having a face to focus on was such a relief! "Does she seem sicklier than the first time?"
"No, she's in perfect health for now. But the situation is unpredictable. She could get worse at any time. Add Moni on top of this new one, and that's got to overwhelm her just a little."
"It's never an easy process, but no woman in the Greek world has the support she has in you. As your grandmother, your concern makes me proud. I ask that you have faith in me, your mother, and your wife. Your children will be delivered safely and bring Megara glory."
"My children as in... Every child we have after this one? You foresee us having more?" More would mean she survived. It would mean she was safe.
"With the way you two are together, does this surprise you?"
"No... But the way you said it makes me wonder... Do you mean that she's going to deliver children this time? As in twins?"
"Maintain your composure. All is well."
"That's not a no. Is it how I think it is? Is she carrying twins? What have I done?"
Rhea laced both hands on his shoulders. "Hercules, you must maintain your faith. You've always seen the way through troubles to victory. Recall that your wife is a twin herself, which means her mother underwent this ordeal before her."
"They weren't demigods! Moni took almost everything she had! Now she's burdened twice over?"
"She has you to aid her in carrying that burden, Hercules. Not to mention, Harmonia helped her prepare. She is more like the two of you now. Give her this one last battle to win, and then both of you will claim your prize."
"What does that mean? One... last battle?" The hairs on the back of his neck felt like dozens of needles pricking into his skin. "Last usually means..."
"You've had your brush with death, and then what happened?" Rhea asked patiently.
Slowly, the realization dawned on Hercules and staggered him. "Do you mean...?" He didn't want to be the one who said it. It might not come true if he said it aloud.
"Let her carry on as she would. She must not know that it is possible to achieve apotheosis in this way, or it will taint her motivations. This is her choice. You must allow her to make it. Be there for her and grant her anything she needs in the meantime. It's as I've said before. All is well." Rhea dissolved into the same incense-laden smoke that had summoned her, leaving Hercules alone in the house.
This was not going to be an easy conversation.
Slowly, he tiptoed up the stairs, loath to wake her before she could enjoy her rest.
As he peeked into the room, he saw that Megara and Harmonia were still safely in bed, curled together in pure serenity. He joined them as carefully as possible.
Rather than wake, Megara squirmed backward to settle against Hercules and sighed in her sleep.
He kissed her hair, then breathed in his favorite scent.
He couldn't lose her again.
The next few months played out in his mind's eye. How much greater of a burden would carrying twice as many children be? Would Moni help or weigh her down more?
His mind cast back to the night they'd resumed their physical relationship, trying to imagine himself doing something else that wouldn't lead to twins.
It was all his fault.
Harmonia woke from her sleep with a low cry.
Megara shook herself awake, as well. "Moni… shh…" she whispered.
"It's my fault," Hercules said. "I spoke to Rhea, and I'm still… concerned with what she told me."
"How about you talk about it in the calmest way possible so this little fear sponge can relax?"
"Sorry…" Hercules rubbed Harmonia's back. "Rhea told me that this pregnancy will be different for you. I'm so worried for you, Meg, I–"
"None of that, Wonder Boy. Remember the little one. Be careful. Calmly tell me how it will be different."
"There are… two of them. It's twins. It's twice as much!"
Megara stared into nothing, but unlike Hercules, she remained perfectly serene. "So be it, then."
"But… but do you know what this means?"
"I'm a twin, myself, Herc. I'm pretty sure I know how it works. They'll be best friends forever, and I will not give them matching names. We'll be fine."
"Are… are you serious? When have you ever been so sure?"
Megara shrugged with a yawn. "My brothers came back to be with us. Our curse is broken. Hades is an impotent sack of failure. Go back to sleep."
She did a better job of following her directions than he did. He lay awake, forcing himself to temper his own anxieties. If Meg weren't going to be the anxious, hyper-prepared one this time, then he'd do it himself.