"Mommy?..." Melinoe's voice rang out as Macaria helped her find you.

You were relaxing in the cherry orchard now, with a surprise.

"So early!" Macaria looked over and quickly ran over with her sister.

"Not so early." You smiled and turned around, showcasing the tiny little bundle in your arms. "Only a month or so I think."

"Name! Sex!" Melinoe squeaked.

"Zagreus. I was always fond of Z names for boys." You kissed his head and held him out for your daughters to hold. Melinoe's hands shot out and held the tiny newborn in her arms.

"I love him. I love him so much, Mommy." Melinoe cooes to the tiny thing.

"Zagreus... I like it." Macaria nodded as she hugged you. "Was it scary?"

"Was what scary, Macki?" You stroked her arms as you watched your younger daughter interact with your newest baby.

"Being alone. Doing all that..." She motioned to your stomach and lower area.

"Oh..." You stared off into the distance, remembering the horror that was the birth. "Yeah... it was... scary... I suppose."

"Yeah?" Macaria widened her eyes and looked at you.

"But not that bad! You shouldn't be scared! If you were thinking about it!" You shook your head.

"I am not!" She scoffed quietly with a smile as she held out her arms. "My turn."

Melinoe pouted but kissed her new brother and handed him over.

"Oh, Mommy." She stood over next to you and laid her chin on your shoulder. "Daddy ripped his wing off."

"I shouldn't be surprised, but that is unfortunate." You sighed.

"He threatened to kill me." Macaria mentioned off-handedly. She wasn't going to say anything, but it just slipped out.

"Nope." You turned to look at her. "He doesn't get to do that."

"Don't do it, Mother." She looked up at you quickly, bouncing Zagreus in her arms. "He wants you to give in and go see him."

"Watch your brother." You shook your head. "Don't let your father anywhere near him."

"Mommy, no." Melinoe wrinkled her forehead. "It's what he wants!"

"Good. Then, maybe he'll leave everyone alone. But he cannot do that. There is the line. He can cry and act pathetic all day long, but the moment he comes for my daughters, the line is drawn." You kept your voice low, not willing to make your son cry, but also irreparably furious.

After the hundreds of years it took... the difficultly of conceiving her... That he would even... That monster... You were furious. So furious.

"Would you like us to come with you?" Macaria asked.

"No. Keep Zagreus away from him. I don't want Satan anywhere near my baby." You took a deep breath. It wasn't really just your baby. It was Akira's baby...

Oh Akira... I miss you. I loved you so deeply. You would love Zagreus. Perhaps I would have named him Akira if you were still here... but he is not your baby, he is mine and mine alone now. My baby.

"I don't think it's a good idea, Mother." Macaria warned.

"Watch Zagreus. Do not follow me." You told her. "Melinoe, stay with your sister. Bond with your brother. I want you both to get to know him. He's so very calm, especially compared to how Melinoe was."

"Hey!" She protested with a giggle.

"It's true, Mel, you were a vocal baby." Macaria remembered. "Very well, mother."