The next morning I wake up earlier than usual and I look at my window, is still dark outside and I turn to the clock on Hades's wrist and is only three in the morning. I try to get a bit more sleep but as I can't I roll out of bed and go to the kitchen. I take a bowl of ice cream that's still unopened and I start eating it. When I'm about halfway done with it I hear Hades calling me.
Ha-My love?
-On the kitchen.
Ha-Is something wrong? Why aren't you at bed?
-I couldn't go back to sleep and I got hungry and I didn't want to wake you up either.
Ha-You know I wouldn't mind it if is for you or the baby.
-I know.
I eat a mouth full without thinking and I get a chill that goes down to my bones and I shiver at the feeling as I put a finger to my forehead.
-Uh, brain freeze.
I save the ice cream and wash the spoon before I sit back down at the table. Hades sits at my side and he takes me on his lap and gently rubs my belly. I place one hand on top of his and give him a short kiss before I pull back to look at him.
-Let's go back to bed.
He nods and he lifts me up like a princess and gets us to bed.

A couple weeks pass and I'm on my fifth month of pregnancy. Hades and I are stretched out on the couch watching a movie on his laptop. The laptop is on my lap and I'm on his. He has his left hand on my belly with mine on top and my right hand is on my belly with his on top. We laugh at a scene on the movie when I feel a slight kick. I stop laughing and I feel as it kicks again and again. I look at Hades and I know he felt it too by the look on his eyes.
Ha-Was that what I think it was?
-Yes, is the first time it kicks.
He gives me a kiss on the cheek and the baby kicks more and more and we both laugh.
-If it kicks like this before being born I can't imagine how it will be after is born.
Ha-She will run in the Olympics.
After a couple minutes feeling our baby move I start to get a little pain on my back and I shrug a little bit uncomfortably.
Ha-Are you okay?
-Yeah, just the common pain that comes.
Ha-Anything I can do?
I take his left hand and link it with my left hand so we can see our engagement rings. I cuddle on him hiding my face on his neck.
-There is something you can do.
Ha-Yes?
-Forget it, it's too silly and childish.
Ha-Tell me, I won't judge and I will do it. I'll do anything for you.
-Do you think maybe, you could sing me a lullaby?
Hades laughs a bit and I bury my face deeper in between his neck and his shoulder. To my surprise he does start singing skillfully with a calming voice.

Sometime halfway I feel myself being lifted up and I squeeze in alarm when I hear him talk.
Ha-Easy, just getting you to bed. You were falling asleep.
-Okay.
I cuddle in his arms as he gets me to bed to sleep more comfortably. The next morning I'm woken up by Hades cursing and I search for him on the bed to calm him down but as I find an empty bead instead I call to him.
-Hades?
Ha-Ugh, down here.
I go to the edge of the bed and I see him lying on the floor rubbing his arm and the side of his head.
-What are you doing down there?
Ha-That's my alarm, to wake up.
-Wake up or wake down?
He laughs at my joke before getting up and giving me a kiss. He sits on the bed and pats for me to accommodate for the daily back massage he gives me everyday now that I'm pregnant. I put my back to him and he starts working on my shoulders from the outside in to my neck and then goes back. I smile and I take the cushion he bought me when we first knew about my pregnancy. I look at it lovingly and I start humming a lullaby that mom used for me when I couldn't sleep. When Hades is done with the massage he hugs me and gives me a kiss on the cheek as he starts talking to our baby.
Ha-You hear that baby? That's the sweet sound of your mommy's voice. With that same voice she will say she loves you and that she will protect you and you'll know that those are promises that last forever. She might scream scared but she'll still protect you above everything else. And I want you to know, that I love her because she gave me you, whom I love before I met. I love you, both.
He gives me a kiss on the lips and I feel as our baby moves and I laugh.
-She says she loves you too. I love you.
Ha-I love you too.
-You know, I'm pretty sure that our baby will be a girl.
Ha-How are you so sure?
-A feeling, I just know it.
Ha-So, it's Karai then?
-Pretty sure. Oh, the lullaby you sang last night for me. I love it. Maybe you can sing it to Karai too after she's born.
Ha-Sure, I would be happy to.
-Can you get me my crosswords book please?
Without a word he stands and goes get me my book and a pen to do them. We move to the living room and I stretch out on the couch and start doing them as Hades moves to the kitchen to do breakfast. After a couple minutes I can smell it and I smile and not long after Hades cones out with a tray for me. I sit straight and when I see the breakfast.
-Oh, Hades.

Ha-You like it?
-Yes. I'm almost afraid to eat it. So cute.
Ha-For you only.
-I'd hate to destroy it.
Ha-Take a picture. It'll last longer.
I take a picture of the dish and then I take one of him before I start eating it.
-I love you.
Ha-I love you too.

A couple months pass and I'm already on the last month of pregnancy and Hades and I are on our way to a baby shower that Persephone organized to gather all the gifts that everyone has for our baby and to congratulate us and gives us some tips. About halfway there I feel something wet between my legs and then a growing pain and I reach out and grab Hades's arm tightly.
-Hades.....the baby.....
Ha-Now?
-Yes now.
Ha-Hold on.
He drives away from the baby shower and to the hospital and I can hear him talk but I can't register what he's saying as I concentrate on breathing and keeping calm. When we get to the hospital he parks on urgencies and he goes around the car and takes me on his arms and as soon as he crosses the doors I'm already on a bed and being taken away. He holds my hand until they take him away. I can see as he looks over the shoulder of the nurse that is keeping him outside. The second I'm out of sight I hear his voice telling me that he loves me and I smile fondly at that.
Hades POV
I watch as they take her away and when she's out of sight I call for her.
-I love you.
I stay there a bit after she's gone before I hear my phone ringing.
-Yes?
Pe<Uncle, where are you? Everyone is here waiting for you.>
-Cancel everything and, no, better yet, get them to the hospital. Is going to be born, they just took her away.
Pe-<Really? I'll inform everyone here but I'll be there immediately.>
-See you soon.
I hang up and save my phone in my pocket as I start to pace around the waiting room. I look at the time almost by the second and by the hundredth time that I check the time I hear Persephone's voice. I look up and see her hurrying towards me. She gives me a hug before she takes my hand.
Pe-Is it born yet? Where is she? What have the doctors said?
I shush her with a finger.
-Is not born yet, not that I know. She's inside and nobody has told me anything yet.
Pe-So we wait then?
I sigh frustrated and she takes my hands and pulls me to a seat. I sit down but I start passing my hands through my hair a couple times before I stand and start pacing again around the waiting room.
Pe-Uncle, calm down. Everything's fine.
-She's been there far too long. Why haven't they told me anything yet?
Pe-Uncle, I'm.....
Before she can finish a doctor interrupts her.
Doctor-Relatives of Hera?
I go to the doctor hurriedly.
-How is she? How's my wife? How's my baby? Are they fine? Is everything fine with them? Did anything happen?
The doctor looks at me a bit shocked at me.
-Well?
I shake him a bit on the shoulders and he blinks a couple times before speaking.
Doctor-Everything went well, is a baby girl that is strong and healthy and also, we had to give the mother painkillers. Right now she's resting from exhaustion but everything is well. Nothing bad, no side effects at all.
-Can I see them?
Doctor-I just need your signature here and you can go see them.
I sign the papers and give them back to him.
Doctor-Take a right turn here and is the third room to the right. Room 333.
I nod and I take Persephone with me to the room. When I open the door I see my wife sleeping on the bed and by the side of the bed is a crib with our baby and I feel as a single tear rolls down my face. I see as Persephone takes her on her arms but I'm too stunned and overflowing with happiness that I can't seem to believe or process the moment fast enough. I can't find the right thing to do first, I don't know what to do.
Pe-Uncle, look. A precious baby girl, what's her name?
-Karai.
Pe-Why don't you charge her?
-Can I?
Pe-Is your daughter. Here, go with daddy little Karai.
She puts her in my arms and I tense up a bit. I look as she wakes up and starts crying and I shush her and accommodate her better on my arms. I see as she calms down and I smile with a soft laugh at her. I take her little hand and I feel when she squeezes my finger tightly for a moment. I give her a kiss on the forehead and I pass it back to Persephone.
-Here, I have to do something and I can't do it here. Be right back.
She nods and I go upstairs to the roof and when I get there I look at the blue sky over me and smile widely. I laugh and enjoy the feeling before I scream to the whole world.
-I'M A FATHER!!!! I'm a father, I'm a father.
I run back downstairs to the room and when I get there I see that the guardians are here as well as her brother and they're all hovering over Karai and when I turn I see that Hera is awake as well.
Hera POV
I'm watching as my brother and Cerberus and his brothers hover over Karai on Persephone's arms. I see as Hades comes in and I laugh as no one notices him entering. He walks to my side and gives me a kiss before he sits down at my side.
-They love her.
Ha-Is hard not to. She's adorable.
-Did you charge her yet?
Ha-Yes, and she hold my finger.
-They don't even notice that I'm here as well and that you entered the room.
Ha-They forgot us.
-Yes.
I look at Hades and I look closely at him and I notice that his suit has like a wet part on his left arm.
-Hades, what's that on your left arm?
Ha-What?
-Here, look. What's that?
He looks and touches it and he shrugs carelessly.
Ha-Must be when I carried you inside the hospital. No big deal.
-Okay. If you say so. I haven't charged her yet.
Ha-Do you want me to get her for you?
-No, I'll have her later but they only get to charge her and that for special occasions like now.
Ha-Fair point.
We keep doing chitchat until I hear a lot of groaning from the guys mostly. I look and I see as Persephone puts Karai back on the crib. Josh is the first to turn to me. He hugs me and gives me a kiss on the top of my head.
Josh-Congratulations little sister. She's as cute as you are.
-Aww, thank you. Did Karai got tired of you?
Josh-She just got sleepy. But I didn't forgot about you so don't worry. Is just, she's too cute.
-Then she looks like her father.
I hear as Hades clears his throat uncomfortably and I laugh a bit at his reaction.
Josh-What do you think about that Mr. H?
Ha-I didn't really paid attention to that when I charged her.
C-And when did Hades got here?
Ha-If only you knew.
-A while ago, you were so absorbed adoring Karai that you didn't hear him come in.
N-Congratulations, you'll be a fine mother.
O-The best, I'm sure of it.
C-And she's going to be as cute as you are.
-Thanks you guys.
C-We got you some gifts. This time is one from each of us instead of one from the three of us.
Nemean gives me a little set of clothes that are a red skirt with a white shirt. Orthrus gives me a storybook and a CD to play at bedtime and Cerberus gives me a little stuffed dog for Karai. I look at him knowingly as it usually a teddy bear what people give.
C-Three different gifts but you can still use them at the same time.
-Figures. You didn't have to do that, we have enough. But I still appreciate it.
I feel tears prickle at my eyes and I rub my eyes a bit.
-Now look what you did you lot.
I start sobbing and Hades hugs me laughing.
C-Are you crying? But I didn't insult you.
-No, you were too sweet and kind with your gifts. They're so thoughtful.
Ha-Thanks for the gifts. Really.
C-But we're not finished, we still have one last thing to do.
Hades stands on front of Cerberus and I think I know what's going to happen but I stay silent.
Ha-And that is.
C-This.
Cerberus takes Hades into a big, crushing hug. He lifts him up and his brothers join as well. Cerberus put Hades down and I watch as Nemean and Orthrus pull him down gently and then Cerberus jumps on his back.
C-Congratulations style guardian for the new father.
Ha-Get off.
-Wait, stay like that for a moment. But in silence, we don't want to wake Karai.
They all turn their heads to Karai who's still sleeping and they laugh a bit. I snap a picture of them like that and I save my phone.
-You can keep playing, silently.
They turn to me and the guardians keep bothering Hades until he slips down and goes between his legs and stands behind them fixing his clothes and his hair nicely. Cerberus makes a move to go again but Hades throws him a dead serious look that stop him on his tracks. Hades smiles and comes back to my side.
C-Well then, we did everything we came to do. We leave the proud parents alone to enjoy their child. Bye.
-Wait, where's Josh?
O-He left like about five minutes ago.
-He left?
They nod and I turn to Hades.
-I'm gonna kill him.
Ha-There's no need to take drastic measures.
C-I'll tell him about it.
And with that they go away and we are left alone. Hades stands and takes Karai on his arms and he turns to me with a smile. I smile back as I watch him charge her so gently and I'm surprised when he gives her to me.
Ha-I believe is your turn to charge her.
I take her on my arms and I look at her with adoration.
-She really is cute. She does takes from you. You're the one born with divine beauty.
Ha-Divine blood, the beauty is a matter of opinion.
-You're handsome for everyone. But only love, always will be here.
I point to myself and smile at him and he smiles and pulls me close so our foreheads touch. We separate as Karai makes a few noises as she wakes up.
-She's awake now.
I look at her as she opens her eyes slowly. I'm amazed at the color of them, one is brown while the other one purple.
-Wow, Hades look.
Ha-Yes?
-Her eyes. They're, beautiful and unique.
Ha-That, definitely from both of us.
-I guess she couldn't choose one or her own.
I pass the back of my hand by the side of her head and she moves a bit her hands making small fists again and again. I laugh and then she laughs and then we're all laughing until she yawns sleepily and I get her to sleep. By the time I manage to get her to sleep I'm sleepy myself.
Ha-Here, I got you covered.
He takes Karai and pulls me back to the bed. He puts Karai at my side and I look at her sleepily as Hades covers me with the blankets. Before I know it I'm completely asleep.