The Wrath of Aphrodite - Book 2

All Grown Up

A few weeks pass of Eros and I simply working together.

Ares does not return, and we assume that another war is entertaining his attention. Eventually, to my displeased surprise, I find that I am pregnant with another of his children.

Eros was not pleased with this revelation either, as he believes I have entangled another part of my life to him regardless of whether or not he chooses to stand by me. This child is his to access, his to ask about, and his to visit. Even with Eros, I know he may not be initially there, but show up ten years from now, finally curious to meet them just after the soreness in my heart has healed.

We both simply accept it instead of feeling anger at a man that is not even aware the child exists.

But, soon, I will show, and in perfect timing, I will be invited somewhere for everyone to see my showing belly. The rumours will fly, and Hephaestus will give me dirty looks from across the room as he witnesses my unchanged behaviour.

Right now, I feel shame.

I wish I could simply feel excited whenever I am expecting a child.

Now, it just is not likely.

* * * * *

On one scorching and bright morning, a knock on the door goes ignored for two continuous rounds of knocking before I finally am irritated enough to get up from my bed to answer it.

I ignored the dread of possibly seeing Ares on the other side and open the door. On the other side lay another abandoned past lover, Hermes.

With widened eyes, I spit out a greeting and hug my robe around my waist. I was not showing yet, but I felt the paranoia that I should hide any possibility of showing anything.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Hermes scowls and hands over a familiar envelope with the typical stamp of an invitation to Olympus.

"Lovely, thank you." I rip open the envelope as he makes his quick exit without a goodbye.

I scowl at the empty air in front of me, where he was previously standing, and then let my eyes turn down to the letter.

You are duly invited to the marriage celebration of Dionysus and Ariadne, taking place at Olympus, tomorrow at 4 p.m. Please confirm your attendance by this evening.

- Hera

I look up to the sky in the general direction of Olympus and scowl once more.

"So, I can receive an invitation from Hera for someone else's wedding now? Not directly from the couple themselves?" I say aloud to myself. However, she is the Goddess of marriage and does carry some relevance to arranging the spectacle. I also assume that this particular couple likely cares very little about my attendance, but it is an expectation for me to come and since I am less judged for my previous actions in Olympus now that some time has passed, I better act excited about it. 

I also seem to recognize the names and will have to inquire with Eros later about this match. I have a suspicion this was his work. If that is the case...I should be proud that his actions have led to this kind of success: an Olympus wedding!

I return inside and call for Eros immediately. "Son! We're going to Olympus. It's time that you come!" 

Eros swiftly appears, having previously been invisible sitting at the kitchen table. 

I slam the invitation against my thigh, unimpressed. "You know I despise that." 

"Practicing, mom!" Eros responds defensively. "My work is getting spotty if I appear and disappear randomly. I need to control it flawlessly from now on." 

"Not in my kitchen, then." I plop the paper down in front of him. "Is this your work?" I gesture to the image of the happy couple and Eros smirks. 

I give a slight smile as we both silently agree that it was him. "Well...then, good." I let some moments of silence pass before I inevitably ask what he fears I will ask. "When did you decide to do this?" 

"Last month," Eros answers neutrally. "I thought it was the right decision." 

It likely was, but the concept of him working on his own is becoming more and more possible. The reality of this is practically already here, and I am face to face with it. 

He doesn't need my help to decide these things anymore. He doesn't need my supervision or help. 

He doesn't need me. 

"It was. So, let's go to Olympus and see it for ourselves, shall we? Introduce my adult son to the world while I am at it?" I suggest quietly. 

"If that is what you wish." He replies carefully, assessing my reaction. He's more than intelligent, that much is clear. He knows how sensitive I am to losing him or exposing him to things that may take him away from me. He learned as much when Ares tried for a split moment to enter his life. Since then I have been blissful, believing that the danger is now over for the time being. 

I insist that it is indeed what I wish, and continue to make tea for both of us...a tea we soon after pretend to enjoy in silence. 

Finally, soon after, I tell Eros much more about the Gods and Goddesses he will soon meet in person, rather than simply in my stories. How Hera will deliver her pleasantries at the door before giving you a secret stink eye for the remainder of your stay, how Zeus will attempt to keep the peace for his marriage's sake - but only while they have guests, and act completely otherwise when not in the presence of his wife, how Poseidon is obsessed and desperately needs a true partner down there with him in the sea, how Hades will make comment at my pregnancy if he decides to show at all, how Demeter will avoid us at all costs, and finally, how we should act around the man I choose barely to speak of...my previous husband, Hephaestus. 

"We must be completely polite to him. The drama is over." I tell Eros tiredly. "I am sorry for all that I have done. I am apologetic, but I cannot tolerate the hate people feel for me for it any longer. I have paid for it all, and I am done paying for it. I am not taking any more angry comments from him especially, so we will be civil, so incredibly civil he will be insane to treat us with anything but kindness." 

"He's always been kind. Why are you so worried of how he will act and how we should treat him? You tease him all the time with no fear of what he has to say." Eros is rightfully confused. 

I sigh sadly, "With you, it may be different." 

"Why?" 

"...Because he knows where you came from, and what that represents, is everything that has destroyed him and our marriage. He may hate you even more than he hates Ares and I."