Dreams and Night Terrors

[Persephone]

Alek: "How are my two babies doing?"

Looking over with an uncomfortable expression, she saw Alek smiling as he carried an arm full of food.

"The one is kicking the other's ass."

She quipped with a mild groan as she propped herself up onto the pillow.

"What's all that?"

Alek: "I brought: chocolate peanut butter ice cream, one spoon. And just in case a plate of some fresh fruit cut up and arranged from largest to smallest. And. A hot water bottle for your back. Mrs. Anastas swore by it."

Persephone smiled despite the discomfort, even letting out a little laugh at his apron.

"Thank you."

He came and sat next to her and Persephone sighed, seeing the look of sympathy on his face. He was trying so hard to help, but really, there was nothing he could do beyond taking care of Lily. The bed rest was driving her mad, not to mention extremely uncomfortable.

Alek: "How are you feeling baby? Want me to rub your back? Or maybe your feet? Can I get you anything?"

"How about take this child out of me?"

She joked before shaking her head.

"I'll be fine. I just want to get out of this damn bed already. I'm going stir crazy."

She admitted while brushing her fingers back through her hair. With Lily she was extremely uncomfortable, irritable, and just a plain bitch. With Lucas it was more exhaustion and discomfort. The worst part was having to stay in bed all day and away from her family.

Alek: "Lily is having fish fingers and green salad for dinner. What can I bring up for you?"

"Nothing...i'm not very hungry. But...."

Looking over at the water bottle.

"...that sounds amazing."

She smiled as Alek handed her the hot water bottle. She immediately placed it behind her back and let out a sigh like moan at the feel of it.

"I feel like he's going to coming soon, Alek. This is the worst discomfort i've felt....it's like he's pressing down on my lower back and not letting up."

She spoke through minimally labored breaths. Looking up at Alek, she took his hand. The last time they were in this situation the worst case scenario happened. She made him promise to do whatever it took to make sure their daughter was okay--to stay with her no matter what happened. And now that they were close to her giving birth? It was like history repeating itself.

"I need you to promise me....when I go into labor, ask Mrs. Anastas to watch Lily.....I don't want her at the hospital. Not until we know everything's okay."

The thought of Alek going through what he did killed Persephone inside. She couldn't let Lily think she was going to lose her mother.

"I don't want to scare her if--"

The doorbell rang and a stamped of footsteps could be heard as Lily and Catrina began to run downstairs. Persephone looked away from Alek, and she was secretly glad she didn't have to finish that sentence.

"That's Catrina's mother....you should get that."

Up until that point, Persephone had been fine. Going to her weekly doctors appointments, doing everything she instructed her to do. Hell, she only got out of bed to use the bathroom and take a bath. She didn't want to take any chances and was being extra precautious....But as the weeks soon became days until she was due to give birth, the reality of what could happen began to hit Persephone. And she was scared. Really scared.

 

[Berserker]

The Bedroom

Alek sat on the edge of the bed next to Seph, trying to see what he could do to make her feel more comfortable.

"How about take this child out of me?"

He gave her a leer.

"Sorry, I only put them in."

"I'll be fine. I just want to get out of this damn bed already. I'm going stir crazy."

He reached over her and rubbed the small of her back, leaning down to her stomach.

"Come on Lucas, be nice to Mommy."

He kissed her stomach gently, then raised his head, asking her what she wanted him to get her for dinner.

"Nothing...I'm not very hungry.

"Okay, but you're going to eat something later."

Seph accepted the hot water bottle he'd brought up, and he helped her place it behind her back. It seemed to him that it helped, which made him happy.

"I feel like he's going to coming soon, Alek. This is the worst discomfort I've felt....it's like he's pressing down on my lower back and not letting up."

He reached down to stroke her hair.

"I'm sorry, baby."

Seph reached out and took his hand. He smiled down at her, placing his other hand on top of hers.

"I need you to promise me....when I go into labor, ask Mrs. Anastas to watch Lily.....I don't want her at the hospital. Not until we know everything's okay."

He nodded.

"Of course."

He squeezed her hand.

"We know she doesn't like when Mommy screams at Daddy."

He joked, winking at her, trying to lighten the mood.

"I don't want to scare her if--"

The humor left his face, and he looked into her eyes with conviction.

"Everything is going to be fine. Just fine. And then there will be four of us."

The doorbell rang, but he didn't want to leave her. She looked away.

"Seph..."

"That's Catrina's mother....you should get that."

He nodded, slowly. Reluctantly, he got up from the bed, letting her hand go. He kept his eyes on her a moment longer.

"Love you."

And then he turned and headed downstairs to get the door, two excited six year olds running around like madwomen. He opened the front door, to find a smiling woman. He smiled and nodded to her.

"Mrs. Antoniou."

Mrs. Antoniou: "Celena, please. Oh, you cook too?"

She'd noticed his apron.

"Fish finger night."

He turned towards the inside of the house.

"Did you girls make sure Catrina has all of her things that she came with?"

Two little girls nodded.

Lily: "Yes, Daddy."

The two girls hugged dramatically, before Catrina followed her mother out to their car. Alek shut the door.

"Okay, go wash your hands and sit at the table, dinner should be ready."

Alek put some fish sticks and tossed salad on one of Lily's princess plates, and set it in front of her at the table. He filled his own plate and sat down next to her. Lily munched away, and he gave her a smile.

"Did you have fun playing with Catrina?"

Lily: "Yup! She's my best friend!"

Lily covered her mouth and giggled.

Lily: "Her mom thinks you're hot."

Lily burst into full out laughter then, and Alek wasn't sure if he should be insulted.

"That's nice."

He took another bite of fish finger.

"I wanted to talk to you about something little flower, while it's just the two of us."

Lily: "Okay, Daddy."

Lily took a big bite of salad. Like mother, like daughter.

"Well, it's almost time for Lucas to come. And when Daddy takes Mommy to the hospital to have him, Mrs. Anastas is going to come watch you. Is that okay?"

Lily scrunched her face up in thought.

Lily: "Will I get to see him?"

"Yes, sweetheart, as soon as he's born I will come get you so you can visit Mommy and Lucas."

Lily: "Then...I think it's okay."

He smiled at her warmly.

"Okay, good. And you know, when babies are just born, they can't do things for themselves. Someone needs to feed them, and wash them, and hold them a lot."

Lily: "I can do that."

He chuckled, and leaned over to kiss her cheek.

"That's very nice of you to offer, baby, but I just mean - in the beginning, Mommy will have to spend some extra time with Lucas, to do all these things for him. Because he won't be a big girl like you."

Lily rolled her eyes.

Lily: "Well 'course not, Daddy. Lucas is a boy."

"Yes, you're right. You're very smart. I just want you to know, that Mommy still loves you so so much, and if she's spending a lot of time with Lucas, it's not because she doesn't want to spend time with you. Okay?"

Lily: "Okay, Daddy."

"That's a good girl."

He leaned over and kissed her cheek again.

"Now eat up."

He watched her as they ate, wondering how they'd deserved such a terrific child. Every day she amazed him more and more. And he loved her so very much. It was hard to believe that one day soon there would be another person in their house, in their family. After dinner he cleaned up the dishes, then set Lily to coloring at the kitchen table so he could go check on Seph. He stepped into the room.

"Lily's had her dinner. Are you ready to have something?"

He took a few more steps into the room.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

 

[Persephone]

Alek asked if there was anything he could do to help with Persephone's discomfort, so she joking told him to get the baby out of her.

Alek: "Sorry, I only put them in."

Laughing at that, she smirked.

"And you do it so well."

Yet they hadn't done it in quite some time. A month to be exact, due to Persephone's bed rest. And unlike her last pregnancy where she didn't want Alek touching her, she missed his touch so badly. But she didn't want to think about that knowing it would only put her in a more sour mood, so she simply told him she was fine, just going a little stir crazy from being in bed.

Alek gently began to rub the small of her back as he leaned down to speak to Lucas.

Alek: "Come on Lucas, be nice to Mommy."

He kissed her belly then and Persephone smiled, running her hand back through Alek's hair.

"He's a stubborn little bear."

Persephone offered lightly while keeping her hand by his face, wanting to touch Alek--feeling like they barely saw each other since he had to take care of Lily and she was confined to bed. He asked her what she wanted for dinner and she declined, not particularly hungry. She told him she knew Lucas would be coming soon, she could feel the difference of discomfort and the positioning of him. Alek took her hand and looked at her sympathetically, apologizing for the pain she was in, but she shook her head while stroking his hand with her finger.

"It'll be worth it."

But Persephone wanted to talk about something a little more serious, telling Alek that she wanted Mrs. Anastas to watch Lily while they were at the hospital. At least until Lucas was safely delivered and they knew everything was okay.

Alek: "Of course. We know she doesn't like when Mommy screams at Daddy."

Persephone tried to smile at that--the joke that Alek always teased her about. But her mind was so stuck on the possibility that soon, she might be going to the hospital to give birth and not coming back. It terrified her. It terrified her at the thought of orphaning her children...of abandoning her husband.

Alek: "Everything is going to be fine. Just fine. And then there will be four of us."

Saved by the bell. Persephone could feel the tears well in her eyes as she looked away from Alek, so grateful for Catrina's mother and her impeccable timing.

"That's Catrina's mother....you should get that."

She felt Alek hesitate, squeezing her hand. It only made her want to cry, but she held it together until he stood and headed for the door. He stopped to turn around and she finally looked at him.

Alek: "Love you."

Giving him a faint smile.

"Love you too."

She whispered as he disappeared downstairs to the chaos of little girls and mom's. Persephone sunk into the bed and let the tears freely fall down her cheeks as her hand gently stroked her belly. The anxiety was overwhelming, almost as bad as the fear. She hated not being in control--not knowing what was going to happen. God she missed Alison and her foresight. But after some time, the tears finally stopped and Persephone laid on her side, arms tucked under the pillow as she stared at the television. The volume was low, and she really wasn't paying attention to it. She was mostly just lost in thought, that was until Alek came back into the room.

Alek: "Lily's had her dinner. Are you ready to have something?"

She shook her head as she reached for the remote control and shut the tv off.

"I'm tired...i'm just going to try and get some sleep."

Alek: "Do you want to talk about it?"

No.

Pushing herself into another position, Persephone felt the discomfort intensify as she tried to move to her other side, causing her to just give up in frustration and lay back down where she was.

"Catrina's mother is a nice woman."

She started.

"Lily likes her."

Persephone's mind going to the worst case scenarios.

"Apparently her parents are getting a divorce. With the way she looks at you..."

Stopping mid sentence, Persephone shut her eyes at the thought, feeling the familiar burn of tears building behind her eyes. Finally she looked at him, the tears falling down her cheeks at what she was about to say to him.

"Lily needs a mother, Alek. And so will Lucas."

 

[Berserker]

The Bedroom

He joked that he couldn't help her with getting the baby out, because he only put them in.

"And you do it so well."

"Hey, I'm up for Irish twins if you are."

He grinned at her cheekily, pretty sure she was going to punch him for even thinking that. He rubbed her back for her, leaning down and telling the baby to be nice to her.

"He's a stubborn little bear."

"Takes after his mama."

He smiled widely. Seph told him she didn't want Lily at the hospital while she was giving birth, and he tried to reassure her that everything was going to be okay, but he could tell she wasn't buying it. Unfortunately, Lily's friend's mother arrived then to pick her up, so he had to go see to that, and then get Lily her dinner, so it was a little while before he was able to come back upstairs to Seph.

He asked her if she was ready to eat, but she said she was going to try and sleep instead. He asked her if she wanted to talk about it, knowing that she was worried about her delivery.

"Catrina's mother is a nice woman. Lily likes her."

"I suppose."

Why was Seph making small talk? Who gave a crap about Catrina's mother?

"Apparently her parents are getting a divorce. With the way she looks at you...Lily needs a mother, Alek. And so will Lucas."

Tears were running down Seph's cheeks. What the hell? It took him a moment to realize what she was saying. His confused expression turned to an eyeroll and a tilt of the head.

"You cannot be serious."

He came over to the bed and laid down next to her, putting his arm over her.

"If you want a threesome, baby, all you had to do was ask."

He leaned over and kissed her cheek.

"But seriously: hormone alert. Lily and Lucas already have a mother. You. And I am not under any circumstances marrying Celena Antoniou. She laughs like a hyena."

He wiped the tear tracks from her face.

"You are the only woman I will ever be married to. And everything is going to go just perfectly, I know it. So don't marry me off just yet."

 

[Persephone]

She hated to say it. To even think it. But the possibility was real. She might die, and she didn't want her daughter and son growing up without a mother. Alek rolled his eyes at her words, but she was serious.

Alek: "You cannot be serious."

"I almost died, Alek."

He climbed into bed behind her, his arm wrapping around her. Persephone sniffed in, grasping his arm tightly.

Alek: "If you want a threesome, baby, all you had to do was ask."

She knew he was trying to lighten the mood by making jokes, but Persephone let out a small cry, shaking her head. Maybe he didn't understand just how scared she was, but her mind was racing about all of the possible outcomes, pair that with insane hormones, and she was pretty distraught.

"I'm serious, Alek."

She wept out.

Alek: "But seriously: hormone alert. Lily and Lucas already have a mother. You. And I am not under any circumstances marrying Celena Antoniou. She laughs like a hyena."

That made her laugh through her tears, her head turning to look back at him. She felt the backs of his fingers wipe the tears from her cheeks.

Alek: "You are the only woman I will ever be married to. And everything is going to go just perfectly, I know it. So don't marry me off just yet."

Looking into his eyes, he believed it so much that it made her believe it as well. Exhaling out a shaky breath, Persephone gently nodded.

"Okay...okay."

She said twice, once for him and once for herself. Turning onto her back, she felt a cramping pain as she adjusted herself and slightly winced before bringing her hand to his face.

"Thank you for everything you've done. You've been amazing this past month...."

Kissing his lips gently, she rested her forehead against his.

"I don't know how I would have gotten by without you."

He had stepped up so much with Lily, it was incredible. He was Mr. Mom and it was more than Persephone could have ever asked for. Her eyes were shut as she stayed with her forehead resting against Alek, just enjoying the moment of comfort. That was until the cramping started again, but it was more intense now. Hissing in, Persephone's hand went low onto her stomach and face scrunching in discomfort. That wasn't cramping....that was a contraction.

"No, not yet baby boy..."

She wasn't ready. She needed more time. But Lucas was more than ready, her water breaking making that abundantly clear. Persephone's mouth was agape in shock as she looked up at Alek with wide eyes.

"My water just broke."

If Lily's birth was any indication of how quickly Lucas was about to come, they needed to leave, and quickly.

 

[Berserker]

The Bedroom

He refused to entertain the idea that Seph might die. She'd survived Lily's birth, and she would survive Lucas'. She was a goddess for fuck's sake. Goddesses didn't die in childbirth. Not going to happen. Seph took a calming breath as he laid next to her.

"Thank you for everything you've done. You've been amazing this past month...."

"Well I'm not the one growing a human inside my body, so I'm pretty sure the amazing award goes to you."

She kissed him, resting her head against his. He smiled, running his finger down her cheek.

"I don't know how I would have gotten by without you."

"Good, cause I don't you picking out any new husbands either."

Seph's hand went to her stomach.

"No, not yet baby boy..."

"Is he kicking?"

He moved his hand to feel her stomach when she announced that her water had broken. Alek was slightly less panic-stricken this time.

"Okay, okay, we can do this."

Luckily they were both dressed, so he went to the closet and found her packed bag and her shoes, pulling out his cell phone at the same time to call Mrs. Anastas. Luckily they didn't live far, and she assured him she would be right over to watch Lily.

He came back out and dropped the bag by the bed, helping Seph sit up, and then kneeling to help her get her shoes on. He slung the bag over his shoulder then helped her stand.

"Here we go, mama. Nice and easy."

He put one arm around her waist, and the other held her hand. They carefully went down the steps together.

"Lily!"

His voice sounded a tad more panicked than he intended it to.

"Come here sweetheart."

He heard the kitchen chair slide out from the table and then her footsteps running into the foyer. Lily looked from him to Seph with wide eyes. He knelt in front of her.

"Lily, honey, it's time for Lucas to be born. Mrs. Anastas is on her way over to stay with you while I drive Mommy to the hospital, okay?"

Lily nodded.

"Now let's go give mama a kiss. The next time you see her Lucas will be here!"

He scooped her up and flew her over to Seph, letting Lily give her a kiss and put her arms around her neck for a hug. At that moment the doorbell rang, and Mrs. Anastas came through the door, her key to the house in her hand.

Mrs. Anastas: "I got here as quickly as I could. Now get out of here, go bring that baby home!"

"Perfect timing - thank you for doing this."

Alek gave Lily a kiss and set her down.

"Now you be good for Mrs. Anastas. I'll see you real soon, little flower."

He picked up Seph's bag again and started to help her to the car.

 

[Persephone]

Alek was being so wonderful as he held her and kissed her reassuringly. He may have played off how much he had done throughout her pregnancy, and especially the last month, but Persephone knew he did more than most men would have. In that moment she just wanted to lay in his arms and fall asleep. To forget the fear that plagued her knowing she had a little while longer before Lucas were to be born. But apparently, he had other ideas.

Persephone hissed in at a contraction.

Alek: "Is he kicking?"

Persephone shook her head, her eyes wide at the familiar warm feeling of her water breaking.

"My water just broke."

Alek looked way more calm than he did when she told him Lily was coming, which was a good thing because all the fear that they tried to lay to rest immediately overcame Persephone again. Her eyes filled with tears as she began to breath erratically with short breaths.

Alek: "Okay, okay, we can do this."

She nodded quickly while sitting up. Alek grabbed the packed back and her shoes, helping her put them on before helping her stand. They slowly began to walk downstairs, Alek calling for Lily as they reached the landing. Persephone looked over at him hearing the panic in his voice, her hand clutching around his waist at the fall of his calm facade. She could hear Lily running to the foyer and Persephone immediately smiled, putting on as calm of a face as possible so she wouldn't scare her. Within that time, Alek had called Mrs. Anastas to ask her to come and watch Lily.

Alek: "Lily, honey, it's time for Lucas to be born. Mrs. Anastas is on her way over to stay with you while I drive Mommy to the hospital, okay? Now let's go give mama a kiss. The next time you see her Lucas will be here!"

Alek picked Lily up and zoomed her over to Persephone. That made the dam walls break as Persephone let out a small cry as she took Lily's face within her hands and kissed her cheek before hugging her. She kept herself quiet in that moment, holding onto her daughter for dear life. But her face expressed everything she was feeling inside; tears fell down her cheeks as she shut her eyes.

"I love you, baby. I love you so much."

Trying to keep her voice as steady as possible, it was hard to hide the fear in her tone as her voice cracked just a bit. This could be the last time she saw her daughter. This could be the last time Lily ever hugged her mother. It was heart wrenching and she didn't want to let her go, but she had to. She had to let her go.

Lily: "I love you, mama."

Lily softly said as Mrs. Anastas entered through the front door and Persephone had to pull away from Lily. She gave Lily a smile, brushing her hand down her cheek before Alek sat her down on the tiled floor.

Alek: "Now you be good for Mrs. Anastas. I'll see you real soon, little flower."

Lily nodded, holding onto Mrs. Anastas' leg as she watched Persephone and Alek leave the house. Alek helped her into the car and the pain that had taken a back seat to saying goodbye to her daughter suddenly came back tenfold. Groaning out, Persephone shut her eyes tightly holding her breath for a few long seconds before exhaling it out in an uncomfortable tone.

"They're getting closer."

Holding her stomach, her breathing began to pick up as her fear began to rise.

"I can't do this...I can't do this again...I can't...I can't..."

She cried through the pain. Hunching forward, she let out a small shriek.

"It hurts....I hurts really bad..."

Trying to breath through the pain, they made it to the hospital in record timing. Alek had pulled into the ER, a nurse already running out with a wheelchair as Alek helped Persephone into it. Then a big contraction hit, Persephone wailing out while clutching her stomach.

"FUCK!"

Doctor: "So we meet again, Mrs. Hallbjorn! Look like little Lucas decided to come a bit earlier than we thought."

Gasping in through the pain.

"Get. Him. OUT."

The doctor looked over with amusement at Alek, gently patting his arm.

Doctor: "She'll be fine. [to the nurses] Lets get her into room two."

Grasping tightly onto Alek's hand, she probably would have broken any normal mortal's bones by how hard she was squeezing it, panting out through the pain as the nurse began to wheel her into the room. The nurse kept telling Persephone to breath, sweetly....too sweetly, like she didn't realize a fucking elephant was about to come out of Persephone's vagina. She was young, probably a fresh out of school. As another contraction hit, the nurse kept telling her it was going to be okay and to just breath. Rage filled Persephone's eyes as she grabbed Alek by the shirt and pulled his face to her.

"KILL HER."

She growled lowly through gritted teeth. But Persephone let go, clutching her stomach again as the contraction intensified, both Alek and the nurse helping her onto the bed.

Doctor: "You're contractions are very close together. This baby will be coming out soon, don't you worry."

Laying back on the bed, the nurses and doctor began draping blankets, hooking up monitors, and getting prepared for deliver. Persephone grasped Alek's hand, a small reprieve from the pain as she looked up at him, tears falling down her sweaty face.

"I just want him out....I just want him in my arms..."

She cried, the emotions paired with the pain overwhelming and exhausting.

 

[Berserker]

The Car

Alek got Seph into the car, and ran around to the driver's side, just managing not to burn rubber as he pulled out of the driveway. Seph was making noises like she was in a lot of pain, and he kept taking furtive glances at her out of the corner of his eye.

"They're getting closer."

"We're almost there."

But as they drove, a very familiar route - everything familiar - he felt the terror rising inside of him. He'd tried to pretend like he didn't have Lily kiss her mother just in case. But the truth was, the truth that he had been in denial about for the entire pregnancy, this could be the last time he was ever alone with his wife. He reached out and took her hand, and gave it a squeeze.

"I can't do this...I can't do this again...I can't...I can't..."

He squashed his fear down, way down inside him. Seph needed him to be strong now. He couldn't afford to lose it. He made sure conviction came out of his voice in spades.

"Yes you can. You've done this before. You are a goddess. You are fucking queen of the Underworld. You can have this baby."

She doubled forward in pain, and he had to bite his tongue to keep from shrieking out with her.

"It hurts....I hurts really bad..."

"Breathe baby, just like we practiced."

Alek started doing it, pulling into the ER loading bay at about mach 2. He had called ahead this time to the hospital, and a nurse was waiting with a wheelchair for Seph. Alek was already out of the car and on her side, opening her door and helping her out and into the chair. He saw the orderly who had parked his car the last time and tossed him his keys again with a head nod.

Another contraction came, and Seph cried out in pain. Alek looked down at her, this time yelling with her. He took her hand as the doctor who had delivered Lily made the scene.

Doctor: "So we meet again, Mrs. Hallbjorn! Look like little Lucas decided to come a bit earlier than we thought."

"Get. Him. OUT."

Alek shared a look with the doctor, who patted his arm.

"Doc- you need to take care of her."

Doctor: "She'll be fine. [to the nurses] Lets get her into room two."

He kept tight hold of Seph's hand as they moved down the hall to her room, the nurse pushing Seph's chair and telling her to breathe. Another contraction hit, and Seph grabbed him by the shirt, her eyes dark as midnight.

"KILL HER."

Oh-kay.

"Later. Let's have the baby first. We might need her."

She let go of his shirt, clutching her stomach again. The nurse helped him get Seph into bed.

Doctor: "You're contractions are very close together. This baby will be coming out soon, don't you worry."

Alek swallowed hard, but then put on a cheery voice.

"Hear that? He's almost here."

The medical personnel were doing their thing, getting ready, so Alek sat on the side of the bed, putting one arm around Seph's shoulders and holding her hand with the other. When she looked up, there were tears running down her face.

"I just want him out....I just want him in my arms..."

He leaned down to kiss her lips softly. When he pulled back, he looked her directly in the eyes.

"You can do this, baby. I know you can. Just a little bit longer."

 

[Persephone]

The nurse was fucking obnoxious. Barney level obnoxious. Like they found her on Sesame Street. Oh, she needed to die. And if Persephone had half the wherewithal to do it herself she would have, but she was in too much agony. She told Alek, in no uncertain terms to kill the bitch.

Alek: "Later. Let's have the baby first. We might need her."

Persephone groaned out as they helped her into the bed. They began to rush around prepping her as Alek sat next to her on the bed wrapping his arm around her shoulder while grasping her hand tightly. There was a moment of no pain, a moment Persephone took advantage of. She looked up at Alek, tears falling down her cheeks and flooding her eyes.

"I just want him out....I just want him in my arms..."

She wished there was a magical means of getting Lucas out. Teleportation or a spell. It wasn't the pain she wanted to stop--although it was horrible. But she remember this so vividly from the last time. Everything was going smoothly, and as soon as Lily was out, the world around her went black. She didn't want to deliver him in fears of it happening again....but she wanted so badly to hold her baby boy in her arms.

Alek: "You can do this, baby. I know you can. Just a little bit longer."

Shutting her eyes, Persephone gasped in as another contraction hit her. Crying out, she squeezed Alek's hand through the wave of pain, trying to catch a decent breath.

Doctor: "Persephone, I need you to breath. The next contraction you need to push."

It was happening. It was actually happening. Looking back up at Alek, the fear was evident in her tear filled eyes. She used her free hand to hold his cheek, gently grasping at his beard.

"I love you. I love you so much."

And he would know that she was saying goodbye. The monitors began to beep indicating another contraction was about to hit.

Doctor: "Alright! Lets deliver this baby! [to the nurses] Stand by, I need clamps and gauze in case of bleeding. Keep an eye on her blood pressure. [to Persephone] Okay....I need you to push...PUSH!"

Just as the contraction hit, Persephone instinctively bared down, crying out as she began to push. She was straining, trying to push for as long as possible until collapsing back against Alek. Panting out labored breaths, her body was trembling and her skin coated in sweat.

Doctor: "Good! Good! I see the head. Another big push!"

Shaking her head, she was so tired. The thought of pushing again seemed impossible. But as the contraction came, Persephone cried out as she began to push again. It felt like time stopped...and she remembered this familiar feeling before.

Nurse: "Her blood pressure's dropping!"

Laying back on the bed, she was gasping in for air, her eyes shut with exhaustion. The doctor looked over at the monitor. There was no excessive bleeding, and with the shallow breathing and accelerated heart rate, the doctor knew the drop in blood pressure was due to her anxiety and not properly breathing rather than the physical birthing itself.

Doctor: "Persephone, breath...you heart rate and blood pressure are dropping because you're not getting enough oxygen. You need to breathe for me. Just breathe....big breaths..."

The doctor began to do a show of breathing, Persephone opening her eyes and watching tiredly. She began to mimic her and Alek, taking as deep a breath as possible before slowly exhaling it. She did it again and again until the monitors stopped beeping.

Doctor: "Good girl. Now, one more push and he's out."

Persephone kept concentrating on her breathing until she felt the contraction. The doctor yelled for her to push and Persephone gripped Alek's hand, baring down once again. She gritted her teeth, silently straining. But the silence broke as she cried out before collapsing back, heaving in breaths of air. The doctor smiled while cleaning out Lucas' nose and mouth.

Doctor: "Welcome to the world, Lucas!"

The doctor wrapped a blanket around Lucas before putting him onto Persephone's chest. Crying with tears of joy, Persephone held Lucas against her, never getting to experience this with Lily. She didn't get to hold Lily until hours later....but now? Her baby boy was in her arms.

"Hi baby...you're so tiny..."

She whispered through her tears.

"I"m your mama....and this is your daddy..."

Looking up at Alek, she smiled before kissing him. They had done it. They had their little boy, and he was safe and beautiful and strong.

 

[Berserker]

The Hospital

Alek held Seph's hand tight through the contractions.

"You're doing so good baby."

He kissed the side of her head as her body relaxed.

Doctor: "Persephone, I need you to breath. The next contraction you need to push."

He smiled down at Seph, his eyes filled with love. But her eyes were filled with fear. She reached up to touch his cheek.

"I love you. I love you so much."

The smile let his face.

"Don't do that. Don't you do that. Don't you say goodbye to me."

The monitors started beeping, and they knew it was coming. He leaned down and kissed her lips again.

"I love you, little queen."

And then the contraction came full force, and Seph was pushing with all her might before collapsing back against him.

"Keep it up, baby, you can do this."

He dabbed at the sweat on her forehead, then kissed it.

Doctor: "Good! Good! I see the head. Another big push!"

Holy shit! The head!

Nurse: "Her blood pressure's dropping!"

He looked at the doctor, the fear now in his eyes, the mask gone.

"What's happening?"

Doctor: "Persephone, breath...you heart rate and blood pressure are dropping because you're not getting enough oxygen. You need to breathe for me. Just breathe....big breaths..."

"Breathe with me, baby."

Alek started to do the same breathing the doctor was, trying to get Seph to.

Doctor: "Good girl. Now, one more push and he's out."

Alek smiled at her once again, giving her hand a squeeze. When the contraction his Seph squeezed back, hard, pushing with everything she had...and then the doctor was holding a baby. Their baby.

The doctor handed the baby to Seph, and she held him against her chest. It was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. He looked down at the little face, and leaned down to whisper into Seph's ear before giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"You did good, mama."

"Hi baby...you're so tiny...I'm your mama....and this is your daddy..."

"Hi Lucas, hi baby boy, little cub."

Seph looked up at him, smiling, and pressed her lips against his. Tears came to his eyes. He stroked her hair with one hand, the other going on top of hers where it rested under the baby. He looked into her eyes, his face filled with happiness but with a tinge of concern.

"Do you feel okay?"

 

[Persephone]

Alek was being so incredibly supportive throughout the entire delivery. He held her hand, wiped the sweat off her head, told her she was doing an amazing job. But the moment the doctor said she needed to push Persephone got an overwhelming need to say goodbye, just in case. She needed him to know how much she loved him--that he was her entire world. Looking up at him, she grasped at his face as he smiled down at her.

"I love you. I love you so much."

His smile left, and he knew she wasn't just telling him that she loved him.

Alek: "Don't do that. Don't you do that. Don't you say goodbye to me."

Shutting her eyes, she let out a cry of grief just as the monitors began to beep indicating another contraction was about to hit. This was it. It was time for their son to be born. Through each contraction Persephone began to push with all her might, the exhaustion unbearable and the pain a close second. But the all too familiar feeling of the world slowing down around her made her collapse back onto the bed, and the monitors began to go off. Her blood pressure was dropping and she heard the panic in Alek's voice even through the haze.

Alek: "What's happening?"

The doctor said something, Persephone only catching bits and pieces. But she kept telling her to breath. That she needed to breath. But it was so hard...it was so hard to get a breath in. She then heard Alek's voice, calm and soothing, telling her to breath with him. Looking up at him she slowly began to mimic his breathing raggedly. Then soon, the doctor told her to give one last push before all the pain was suddenly gone and Persephone collapsed back onto the bed once again. She could hear Lucas' little cries as the doctor cleaned out his nose and mouth before immediately putting him onto Persephone's chest.

Alek: "You did good, mama."

She heard Alek whisper as she looked down at Lucas' face, tears of joy falling down her cheeks as she introduced herself and Alek to him.

"He's so small."

Although he definitely didn't feel small coming out, but to have him in her arms, it was amazing how tiny he was.

Alek: "Hi Lucas, hi baby boy, little cub."

Smiling as she held him, even covered in after birth he was absolutely beautiful. And the little baby noises he was making? It was the best noise she'd ever heard.

Doctor: "We need to get him all cleaned up and measured. We'll bring him back as soon as we're done."

Persephone didn't want to let him go, giving him a light kiss on his forehead.

"We'll see you soon, Lucas. We'll be right here waiting."

She reassured him as the nurse took him from Persephone's arms. It felt like the bitter cold of winter swept over her body the moment he left her, watching as they carried him away to get cleaned up. Looking up at Alek, he was gently stroking her hair and placed his hand on top of hers while looking down at her. She could see the concern in his eyes, despite his best efforts to hide it.

Alek: "Do you feel okay?"

Persephone gently nodded.

"Really tired....but i'm okay."

She gave him a smile before softly kissing his lips.

"I love you...I couldn't have done this without you."

The nurses and doctors worked at cleaning Persephone up before transferring her to the recovery room where they brought Lucas in all wrapped up in a baby blue blanket and matching hat. He was in laying a clear bassinet that the nurse placed him next to Persephone's bed and Alek's chair. Smiling over at Alek, she wanted so badly to hold Lucas, but she also wanted to see Alek hold his son for the first time. Something he had wanted for so long.

"Baby...you hold him. I want to see him in your arms."

 

[Berserker]

The Hospital

Alek kept his arm around Seph as they both looked down at the little baby that was their son. The doctor wanted to take him for measurements and tests, and it was Alek's first reaction to growl and tell her that if she laid a finger on their child he'd tear her arm off. But that passed quickly, and the medical team took Lucas away to do what needed to be done to make sure he was as healthy as he seemed.

Alek smiled at Seph and continued to stroke her hair, but when they were alone his smiled faded to concern, as he asked her if she was feeling okay. It seemed as if she had gotten through the delivery just fine, but he wasn't about to have something surprise him now.

"Really tired....but I'm okay. I love you...I couldn't have done this without you."

She smiled at him, and kissed his lips, something her gratefully returned. He buried his head in her hair for a moment.

"I love you with all of my heart, baby. I'm never going to let you go."

When he pulled back, he gave her a warm smile.

"And I would never have married someone else. Never."

The medical staff returned to help get Seph cleaned up, and then moved her to the recovery room. After what had seemed like ages (but wasn't very long at all) they brought Lucas back in to them a bassinet. He was sitting in a chair next to the bed and he stood up to look down at the little face, and bundled up in a blue that matched his eyes.

"Baby...you hold him. I want to see him in your arms."

He looked at her for a minute, and then he smiled. A bit of the butterflies he had felt before holding Lily for the first time returned, making him hesitate just a moment, before reaching down and very carefully picking up the little bundle. He bounced side to side just slightly, rocking the baby in his arms, looking down intently at his face.

"Hello. Yes, hello baby. You're our son. Yes."

Lucas yawned and Alek's eyebrows raised and his mouth opened as he mimicked it, about the cutest thing he'd ever seen.

"Seph, he's so beautiful. He's perfect. Just perfect."

He came over to her bedside, and sat on the edge of the bed, leaning in so Lucas was between them, and then after a moment handing him to her. She had gone through the pain to have him, she should get to hold him. He put his arm around her her shoulders again, putting his other hand under the baby, helping support him. He leaned over and kissed her forehead, then the baby's.

"Tell me when you want to try and get some sleep, and I'll take him."

 

[Persephone]

As they took Lucas away to get cleaned up, Persephone looked up at Alek before gently kissing him. She couldn't have done this without him. He was her rock and she appreciated it so much.

Alek: "I love you with all of my heart, baby. I'm never going to let you go. And I would never have married someone else. Never."

Persephone smiled at that, bashfully looking down with a light shake of her head. In the moment she was terrified for her life, wanting to make sure her family would be taken care of. But now that she was safe and healthy, it did seem pretty ridiculous what she had asked before.

"Good."

Looking back up at him.

"Because I would have had to haunt the bitch."

She joked her smile turning into a grin. The nurses soon moved Persephone and Alek into her recovery room before finally bringing Lucas back in, all cleaned up and dressed. He looked so small, like a little blanket burrito laying in the bassinet. She wanted so desperately to hold him, but she wanted to see him in Alek's arms more. Alek picked Lucas up, holding him so carefully it made Persephone's eyes fill with tears.

Alek: "Hello. Yes, hello baby. You're our son. Yes."

Smiling, the tears of happiness fell down her cheeks as she watched Alek interact with Lucas, looking so natural...so happy.

Alek: "Seph, he's so beautiful. He's perfect. Just perfect."

She nodded, wiping the fallen tears from her face.

"He really is."

Alek came over to the bed and sat down next to Persephone, holding Lucas between them. Persephone gasped in at how absolutely gorgeous he was. His hair dark like Lily's was, and his eyes just as blue. Persephone smiled through her blurred vision.

"He looks so much like Lily did when she was born."

Alek gently handed Lucas over, Persephone carefully taking him against her chest. Lucas looked up at her with his brilliant blue eyes, eyes that mirrored Alek and Lily's impeccably. She couldn't have asked for anything more perfect. She felt Alek's lips against her forehead before seeing him dip down and gently kiss Lucas' head as well.

Alek: "Tell me when you want to try and get some sleep, and I'll take him."

Persephone nodded. Lucas didn't seem to enjoy that comment, his little face scrunching up as he let out the cutest little cry. Persephone couldn't help but softly laugh at how adorable he looked.

"Are you hungry my sweet boy?"

Persephone loosened Lucas' blanket a bit and unbuttoned her gown so he was more comfortable to feed. He immediately latched on like a pro and began to happily suckle.

"You've had such a journey, yes you have..."

Gently stroking her hand down his head as he ate, Persephone let her head rest back while looking over at Alek with a tired smile.

"You should call Mrs. Anastas. I'm sure Lily is impatiently waiting to come here."

 

[Berserker]

The Hospital

He promised Seph that he never would have remarried if something had happened to her.

"Good. Because I would have had to haunt the bitch."

"I would expect nothing less."

He grinned, then leaned down to plant a soft kiss on her forehead. They got Seph moved into a room, and brought Lucas back in with them. He picked the baby up, cooing and making faces at him, and then brought him over to Seph so she could hold him.

"He looks so much like Lily did when she was born."

"That darn mailman again."

He kissed Seph, and the baby, the two of them looking so perfect together. She started to feed him, lying back and looking at him with tired eyes.

"You should call Mrs. Anastas. I'm sure Lily is impatiently waiting to come here."

He chuckled.

"She's probably running circles around Mrs. Anastas. We'll find her tied to the kitchen chair."

That's my girl.

He told Mrs. A that mother and baby were both healthy and happy, and that he would be home soon to fetch Lily. He thanked her again for staying before hanging up. He went back and sat down on the edge of Seph's bed.

"I'll go pick her up, unless you want me to stay with you?"

They both knew how excited Lily was to see her baby brother, so they decided he would go and get her. He started to go, then leaned down and kissed her tenderly, before putting his hand over hers that held Lucas, and hugging them both.

"I was so scared."

He held them a moment longer before releasing them.

"I love you."

He reached down and stroked Lucas' little cheek.

"I love you too, little boy."

Alek gave Seph another smile before heading out of the room and out to the car. He drove home, a giddy feeling in his chest, and when he came through the door her called out for Lily.

"Lily! Where are you little flower?"

He found her in the living room watching Sponge Bob with an incredibly patient but bored looking Mrs. Anastas. Lily's eyes got big when she saw him.

Lily: "Daddy!"

Lily scooted off the couch and ran over to him, he knelt down for a hug, and squeezed her tight.

"I missed you, baby girl."

She leaned back and looked at him.

Lily: "Is Lucas born yet?"

"Yes he is, and guess what?"

He tickled her tummy, then scooped her up into his arms and stood up.

"He looks just like you."

Lily practically screamed with excitement.

Lily: "He does?"

Alek nodded.

"Do you want to go meet him? And see Mommy?"

Lily: "Oh yes please! Can we go now?"

"Do you want to take Lucas his special bear that you got him?"

Lily nodded excitedly, so he set her down so she could run up and get it. In the meantime, he thanked Mrs. Anastas again and saw her to the door. When Lily came back down clutching the bear she had picked out in the toy store, Alek locked the front door and got Lily all strapped into the car for the drive back to the hospital.

 

[Persephone]

Persephone watched lovingly as Lucas fed, knowing she could literally sit there all night watching him and be absolutely content. But she also knew that Lily was dying to meet her little brother, and since it was early enough in the evening, she suggested Alek give Mrs. Anastas a call.

Alek: "She's probably running circles around Mrs. Anastas. We'll find her tied to the kitchen chair."

Lightly laughing, she did a little shrug and nod.

"She is you're daughter."

Persephone teased with a smirk.

Alek: "I'll go pick her up, unless you want me to stay with you?"

She really did want Alek to stay with her, but Mrs. Anastas was already helping out so much that she didn't want to ask the poor woman to drive Lily to the hospital too.

"We'll be fine....right Lucas? We're just gonna be sitting here eating while you're gone."

Persephone spoke in a sweet voice, smiling down at Lucas who didn't have a care in the world at that moment. Looking at at Alek as he prepared to leave, he then leaned down and gave her a kiss that even after birth, gave her butterflies. Smiling as they parted lips, he leaned over and hugged both of them.

Alek: "I was so scared."

Persephone's brows furrowed sadly. He had kept it together so well, but she knew he had to have been reeling inside the whole time. He would never know how much his support and calm demeanor kept her sane. It meant everything to her.

"I know, baby....I know.."

She softly murmured as he pulled away and Persephone gave him one more kiss, letting it linger for a few moments before he stood.

Alek: "I love you."

"I love you too."

Alek: "I love you too, little boy."

Persephone smiled, mouthing goodbye as he left the room. Letting out a long sigh, Persephone looked down at Lucas who was still enjoying his first meal. She sat like that for the half hour it took for Alek to get Lily and return, never taking her eyes off him. By the time Alek and Lily walked through the hospital room door, Lucas was already asleep in Persephone's arms.

Lily: "Mama!"

"Shhh...."

Lily was overly excited, as any six year old would be. She gave a cute apologetic expression while standing on her tip toes trying to get a look at Lucas. He must have known he had visitors because despite only being asleep for ten minutes, Lucas opened his eyes causing Persephone to smile.

"Come here sweetheart....come meet your baby brother."

Alek and Lily walked over to the bed, and with Alek's help, Lily climbed up next to Persephone. Her eyes were big as she looked down at Lucas in awe. She began to softly whisper as she spoke, being overly careful not to scare him.

Lily: "He's so little..."

Persephone nodded, gently nudging Lily with her shoulder.

"You were this little when you were born. Actually...you were a even smaller than him."

Lily looked up with shocked eyes at that revelation before smiling and looking back down at him.

"You want to hold him?"

Lily nodded eagerly.

"Alright, sit back sweetie. You need to be gentle....support his head...."

Persephone instructed delicately as she moved Lucas into Lily's arms. She made sure to keep one hand under him just in case, but for the most part, Lily was holding him on his own. Looking up at Alek with a smile, Lily was just staring down at Lucas completely mesmerized. He even opened his eyes and looked up at Lily and she gasped, looking at both Alek and Persephone with such excitement in her eyes.

Lily: "He has blue eyes like me!"

She exclaimed quietly before looking back down at him.

Lily: "Hi Lucas. I'm Lily."

Persephone's eyes filled with tears as she looked up at Alek. Her first born holding her second....her two babies together--her entire family together...it was perfection. Persephone mouthed I love you to Alek, the tears of happiness falling down her cheeks as she looked back down at Lily and Lucas with a smile.

 

[Berserker]

The Hospital

Lily was SO EXCITED in the car on the way over, and Alek tried to manage her expectations, letting her know that Mommy was going to be tired, and Lucas wasn't going to be able to play right away. But she chattered and bounced in her seat the entire way to the hospital. He parked the car and held her hand as they walked into the wing where labor & delivery was. When they entered the building, Lily got quieter, sticking close to his side and holding tightly to his hand. But as soon as she saw Seph, all her excitement returned.

Lily: "Mama!"

Seph called her over. As he helped lift Lily onto the bed, he saw that Lucas' eyes were open, and he smiled down at him, making faces. His two girls whispering about how little Lucas was warmed his heart, and Alek surreptitiously snapped a picture of Seph holding Lucas with Lily next to her. Then another as Lily held her brother.

Lily: "He has blue eyes like me!"

Lily was almost bursting from excitement, but she kept her voice low, being such a good girl.

"I told you he looked like you."

Lily: "Hi Lucas. I'm Lily."

Seph looked up at him, getting emotional and mouthing I love you. I love you too, he mouthed back, and got a little emotional himself. He smoothed down Lily's hair.

"You're doing such a good job. Isn't she, Lucas? She's a great big sister already."

He smiled warmly down at her, proud at how she was handling all of this.

"Our little family, together at last."

 

[Persephone]

Persephone watched Lily be so incredibly gentle and sweet with Lucas, like she were an old pro at handling babies. Lucas looked up and smiled, making Lily smile even bigger.

Alek: "You're doing such a good job. Isn't she, Lucas? She's a great big sister already."

Lily turned her head up to Alek, her smile still firmly on her face.

Lily: "I've been practicing with my dolls."

She said proudly before looking back down at Lucas. Persephone let out a small laugh before leaning over and giving Lily a kiss on the head.

"It's been paying off my little flower. You're doing so well."

Looking over at Alek, she noticed he was holding the bear that Lily had picked out for Lucas when they first found out she was pregnant.

"Look Lucas....I think your sister brought you a teddy bear!"

She exclaimed softly. Lily perked up as Alek placed the bear next to Lily so Lucas could see it.

Lily: "I forgot! Here Lucas...I got your a teddy bear because you're a bear like us. It's really soft and cuddly."

Lucas smiled.

"I think he likes it, Lily."

Lily nodded happily. They all sat like that for a little while longer until Lucas finally fell asleep and the nurse insisted that Persephone get some rest as well. In the weeks that passed after Lucas' birth, Persephone's time was pretty much monopolized with him mostly due to feedings. However she made sure to make some time for Lily, knowing it was probably a little different than Lily thought it would be once Lucas was home. She was less enthralled with him, finding him a little boring because all he did was sleep and eat, but she was still being an amazingly supportive big sister and daughter.

Much like after Lily's birth, Persephone bounced back amazingly, looking as if she hadn't just given birth three weeks earlier. And much like after Lily's birth, she wasn't allow to be intimate with Alek which was extremely difficult considering unlike her pregnancy with Lily, Persephone actually wanted to be physically with Alek but wasn't allow to due to her bed rest. So it had been nearly two very long and agonizing months since they were together. It was agonizing for her, but she didn't want it to be agonizing for him. She made sure he was satisfied, although he always insisted he was okay and that he could wait. But she knew he was only saying that because he hated not returning the favor. But there was no use in both of them being miserable, plus it gave Persephone just as much pleasure knowing she could make him feel good. However now that she had the go ahead to get back to intimacy, swimming, horseback riding, and all the other activities she wasn't allowed to do, Demeter insisted on taking Lucas and Lily for the weekend to give her and Alek some time together.

Persephone was in Lucas' nursery packing up the remaining items he needed. She wasn't as nervous this time around giving him to Demeter, having been through this entire process before.

Lily: "Mommy!"

She heard Lily calling from the hallway as she ran from her room into Lucas'.

Lily: "I can't find my teddy bear! The white one dressed up like a pirate!"

Lucas began to cry and Persephone went over to his crib, picking him up.

"Did you check under your bed?"

Lily: "Yeah."

Bouncing Lucas, he was extremely fussy and probably needed to eat before Demeter came.

"Did you check your toy chest?"

Lily: "Yeeeahhhh."

Persephone sighed, Lucas getting more impatient and upset.

"Lily, baby....go ask daddy to help you find your bear. I need to feed Lucas before your grandmother comes."

Lily sighed, sounded exactly like Persephone just did, and rolled her little eyes before storming off down the hall and yelling for Alek. Persephone softly chuckled before sitting down on the glider to breast feed Lucas. He was all packed up, and as soon as Lily found her missing bear, they would both be ready for Demeter to pick them up.

 

[Berserker]

He was going to get laid. He was rushing around the house, making sure the kids had everything they could possibly need for the weekend. Because he was going to get laid so fucking hard.

It had been two months. Two months of pretending it wasn't torture to not get to sleep with his wife. True, Seph had been terrific about pleasing him, but it just wasn't the same and always left him feeling like such an asshole. So at the moment, he was campaigning for Demeter to be named queen of the gods because she had offered to take Lucas and Lily for the weekend. Yes, it creeped him out that his mother-in-law knew exactly why she was removing the children from the house, but at this point he didn't care. Junior needed Seph's love muffin.

He was packing bottles of milk into an insulated bag, thinking about which part of Seph's body he would put his mouth on first, when he heard a yell from upstairs, snapping him back to daddy-mode.

Lily: "DADDY!"

Lily came stomping down the stairs and he walked over to meet her at the bottom.

"What's wrong?"

Lily: "I CAN'T find Captain Jack Bear-ow."

Alek honestly wasn't all that sorry to see him go. HE had not purchased said bear. Bears did not dress up as pirates.

"Sweetheart, can't you take a different bear to grandma's? We can look for him when you get back."

Lily stomped her foot, which made Alek visibly recoil, because Lily NEVER did things like that.

Lily: "NO, I only want him, and I'm not going without him!"

"Well, let's look for him then."

They looked all around: in the kitchen, under the sofa, on the couch. They finally found him under the dining room table, however he had gotten there. Alek left Lily playing downstairs while he went upstairs to bring down the last of the kids bags that would go with Demeter. Alek went into Lucas' room, where Seph was feeding Lucas. Shit, her breasts were fucking huge now.

"Call off the search, the bear has been found. No tears, but there was foot stomping."

He crossed the room and picked up the tiny suitcase that had Lucas' clothes in it.

"Anything else that goes?"

 

[Persephone]

Persephone racked her brain to see if she forgotten anything because the last thing she wanted was for her mother to show up while she was fucking her husband. Because really, that's all they were going to do the entire weekend.

Alek: "Call off the search, the bear has been found. No tears, but there was foot stomping."

He said as he entered Lucas' room. Laughing, Persephone lifted Lucas to her chest and gently began to pat his back to burp him.

"I guess she reserved the eye rolling for me."

She joked, although it was a little unusual that Lily was acting so bratty lately. She was usually such a sweet and considerate little girl, but Persephone attributed it to the sudden change in the household. Standing from the glider, Persephone gently bounced Lucas as she made her way over to Alek who grabbed the suite case.

Alek: "Anything else that goes?"

"Nope. Everything's packed and ready to go. We just need my--"

Lily: "GRANDMA!"

She heard Lily shout all the way from downstairs. Persephone smiled.

"--mother to show up."

It was perfect timing because Persephone could barely keep her eyes off Alek's flexed biceps as he lifted the suite case. His muscular body that hid behind his tight shirt. She wondered if he purposely wore a small shirt because damn, she never remembered seeing that particular shirt before on him. Focus. Following Alek downstairs, Persephone greeted her mother with a hug and a kiss, Demeter immediately taking Lucas out of Persephone's arms and bathing him with little kisses. Lily noticeably rolled her eyes and folded her arms. Kneeling down, Persephone tucked Lily's long hair behind her ear, looking at her eye level.

"Be good for grandma, okay?"

Lily: "I will."

"And listen to what she says. I don't want to hear about you exploring Olympus on your own again."

Lily smiled at that.

Lily: "Okay."

Pulling Lily into a hug, Persephone held her for a long moment before pulling back so Alek could say goodbye. Giving Lucas some kisses and a hug as well, she felt a pang of sadness knowing he wasn't going to be in her arms the rest of the weekend. The motherly bond with a newborn was something that was incredibly hard to overcome, but she knew he would be happy and have fun with Demeter, much like Lily did when she first went to Olympus. Finally, after everyone said their goodbye's, Persephone smiled as Demeter disappeared in a tornado of lights leaving only herself and Alek alone.

It was so quiet. No cartoons. No stampedes of footsteps. No giggling or crying. Exhaling out, it was the first time they had been alone in the house in months. She remembered the last time Demeter left with Lily, Persephone damn near mauled Alek. Looking over at him, her eyes were dark and she subconsciously licked her lower lip as she smiled.

"I'm really restraining myself right now."

She lightly joked, knowing how he poked fun at her the last time. Persephone's chest visibly rising and falling at the anticipation as she stepped over to him and ran her hands down his chest and stomach.

"Really restraining myself."

She whispered, the words coated with a seductive yet desperate need. It may have been a joke the first time, but not anymore. Persephone needed him. Her heart was racing at the feel of him; her body pulsing and wet knowing this time she wasn't going to touch him and not feel his touch in return. Her lips connected with Alek's, tongue penetrating deep into his mouth as her arms slid around his neck and her body pressed against his. He felt like a tall glass of water on a hot day--like she was coming home to him. Her body aching for him endlessly for months and finally getting it's reprieve.

 

[Berserker]

The House

Lily let them know exactly when Demeter arrived, yelling "Grandma" so loudly they could hear it upstairs.

"She gets her volume from you."

Which we will be demonstrating later.

He gave her a cheeky look, picking up Lucas' suitcase and carrying it downstairs and setting it next to Lily's.

"Demeter, good to see you. Thanks for letting the kids visit for the weekend."

Seph hugged and kissed her mother, handing the baby off to his grandmother, who was fawning all over him already. Seph told Lily to be good, and listen, then hugged her goodbye.

"Come here, little flower."

He crouched down so she could give him a hug, and he rubbed her back.

"I am going to miss you so much."

He looked her in the eyes and smiled, taking her hands and squeezing them.

"Now you have lots of fun this weekend, okay?"

He stood up and went over to where Demeter held Lucas, and kissed his tiny head.

"We'll see you in a couple of days little cub."

He waved to Lily again as the entire entourage disappeared into a tornado of lights. Seph gave him a look, and he could feel himself coming to attention. They were NOT going upstairs for this.

"I'm really restraining myself right now. Really restraining myself."

He crossed the space between them.

"Why the hell are you doing that?"

Her hands were on his chest and stomach, feeling him through his shirt, and her mouth pressed against his. His hips instinctively pressed against her, and he broke the kiss to pull his shirt over his head, before his mouth attacked hers again. His hands went to his fly, unbuttoning his shorts and letting them fall. He lifted her up, his hands sliding under the hem of her dress and under her ass, audibly moaning as he realized she wasn't wearing panties. He pulled her onto him in one swift motion, not able to wait to have her.

"Fuck, Seph, you're so fucking tight," he said, thrusting into her. You'd never know she had two children - it was fucking amazing. She felt so good, and his dick was so hard, he could have stood there holding her against him all day. His mouth went to her cleavage, but he needed more access to her swollen breasts, so his teeth grabbed the fabric of her dress and pulled, shearing off the buttons to her waist. His mouth was instantly on her nipples, sucking and licking them, taking the mounds into his mouth.