Day had broken again over Mount Olympus. Hades had returned to the Underworld before everyone started to gather for their duties. Persephone laid on the sheets that had grown cold after he left. It was a bright and an early morning; the skies were blue as Zeus's eyes and Poseidon's tumbling seas with clouds that were fluffy and great. She deeply desired to lay all day right here and wait until midnight, but she knew she couldn't neglect her duties or life anymore. Persephone got off the bed like she promised Hades that she would and quickly freshened up to eat breakfast to meet her friends in Sicily.

First thing though, Persephone greeted Demeter in her bedroom. "Good morning, mom,"

Her mom's concerned eyes lifted. "Oh, sweetie," she ran over and hugged her daughter. "You're safe."

"Sorry, I worried you," she said.

Demeter let her daughter go just to smack Persephone's shoulder. "More like scared the immortality out of me," she scolded and then hugged Persephone again. "Don't you ever do that again."

Persephone snuggled in her mom's arms. "I'll try not to," she mumbled. "Come on, let's go eat."

Demeter laced her arm with her daughter's. "It seems like Hades was able to walk through your flowers," she stated. "It was quite a sight."

Persephone nodded. "I'm sure it was."

"Look, dear, I may not approve of this marriage-"

"Mom," interrupted Persephone.

"Let me finish," said Demeter shushing her daughter. "I don't approve of Hades because he will never be good enough for you. But if he makes you happy, then what more can I ask for."

Persephone's gazed at her mom with love. "He does make me very happy," she reassured her mom.

Demeter let out a harsh breath. "I won't stand in your way anymore," she said. "I just want my baby safe."

Persephone hugged her mom tightly. "Thank you, thank you, mom."

"Calm down," said Demeter. "I still despise that man for taking you without permission."

"I told him to-" Persephone sealed her lips and decided to end this matter before it got worse. "Let's go eat. I'm hungry and craving lots of cream and blackberries."

After her very large and weird breakfast, Persephone was even more eager to return to Sicily to meet her friends, the nymphs; Amadrya, Naida and Ilaria. She hadn't seen them since her wedding. Although, her head was slightly aching and her body felt heavy. She didn't know what it was, but she ignored it since she was so enthusiastic. Persephone had arrived at the small river where she knew Naida- the water nymph would be taking her afternoon nap. "Naida," she called out for her friend.

Naida's sapphire blue eyes found Persephone. "I can't believe my eyes," she said, "is it really you?"

Persephone shrieked from excitement and ran over to her friend. "I missed you, Naida!" They hugged each other.

"I missed you too," shared Naida. "It wasn't the same without you."

"Well now, I'm visiting for six months," said Persephone.

Naida frowned. "I heard-"

"Persephone!" Ilaria and Amadrya came running from the trees with open arms. Persephone braced for the impact when the two energetic nymphs slammed into the goddess for a warm welcome.

"I can't believe it," said Amadrya. "You're really back."

"For six months," said Persephone.

The nymph grew stern. "We heard about that," said Ilaria. "I'm sorry-"

Persephone waved her hand. "I got over it," she said. "I'm just trying to stay content with what I have now, since it was my fault."

Naida guided them to take their usual seats. "It wasn't your fault," rebuked Naida, fire in her blue eyes.

"She's right," agreed Ilaria. "You fell in love and fought for it."

"Not many do that," said Amadrya.

Persephone smiled. "Thanks."

"But now that you are back," said Ilaria. "We should celebrate and make this time fun for you."

Amadrya grinned. "But first-" her eyes turned wicked- "what is it like being married to Hades."

Persephone blushed and burst out laughing.

"I remember when we were sitting in this exact same spot discussing what a devil he was," reminded Ilaria. "And who would have thought our little flower would shackle him to her."

"I didn't know I had that in me either," said Persephone.

Naida chuckled. "Yes, you did," she retorted. "You knew what a viper you were."

Persephone smirked. "You guys were a bad influence on me," she defended herself.

Ilaria laughter was brighter than her golden complexion. "But now, we know who the real naughty one was from us."

Persephone shook her head. "Can we change the subject, please," she begged desperately.

The nymphs laughed. "We're just teasing," said Amadrya.

When suddenly, Ilaria grew stiff. "Are you feeling okay, Persephone?" The mood changed from playful to intense.

"Yeah, I feel fine," said Persephone. "Why?"

Ilaria gaped. "You don't know?" she asked.

"Know what?" asked Persephone.

"You're making me nervous, Ilaria," said Amadrya. "What's wrong?"

Ilaria's eyes dropped to Persephone's tummy. "You're with a child," she said.

Amadrya clapped her hands together. "Persephone!" she astonished. "Why didn't you tell us?"

Persephone was just as stunned. "I had no clue," she mumbled. "I'm pregnant?"

Ilaria nodded. "I just noticed myself," she said. "I was so excited to see you that I couldn't pick it up, or I would've told you earlier."

"Congratulations," Amadrya hugged Persephone.

Naida laid her hand on Persephone's shoulder. "It's normal to be nervous," she said.

"I'm not exactly nervous," she told the nymphs. "But it's so sudden. What do I even do?"

"You should probably ask your mom that," said Ilaria.

Persephone immediately uncrossed her legs and got in a more comfortable position. She had this fluttering feeling in her heart that was pumping really fast.

"Oh, no," said Amadrya with concern. "Are you cold? Do you want a blanket?"

"Calm down, Amadrya," said Naida. "Don't crowd the girl."

Amadrya got off her feet. "We need to get her some water," she astounded in panic. "Maybe she should go to sleep."

Persephone suddenly calmed down after seeing Amadrya panic so much. "Just sit down, Amadrya," she told her friend. "I'm only pregnant not dying, dear."

Amadrya plopped back on the ground. But she quickly worked on a moss blanket with her magic and laid the soft weighted moss on Persephone's legs. "We should get you home, so you can sleep," said Amadrya. "Sleep is the most important."

"And you need to eat. Eat a lot," said Ilaria.

"Make sure to relax and get some exercise," said Naida.

Persephone chuckled at the nymphs turning into physicians. "I'm pretty sure I'll get all of those tasks done with you guys around," she remarked. The nymphs continued discussing how to help Persephone through this pregnancy, but what Persephone was nervous about was how she was going to tell Hades and her parents.

-Hades POV-

After the long hard day in court, Hades dismissed the staff and retired for the night. Usually, he would've worked through the night and finished all tasks at hand. But, not anymore. Hades had to meet Seph again and he couldn't be more eager.

"Hades," Hecate called out for him before he could sneak away in a portal to meet his wife.

Hades groaned but composed himself before he turned to face her. "Yes, Hecate," he said. "What can I do for you?"

"Where you headed off to?" she asked him.

"Er-" Hades fumbled over his words and whether to lie or not. "I was going to my room."

Hecate crossed her arms. "Your room is that way," she pointed behind her.

"I know that-" he inwardly groaned at his pathetic self. "Okay, you caught me. I was going to go see-"

"Persephone," interrupted Hecate. "I know."

Hades tilted his head. "You do?"

"Actually, it's not only me," she said. "Aeacus, Minos, Rhadamanthys, Mono and practically all of the Underworld knows."

Hades groaned. "Ugh, you guys pay way too much attention to me," he complained.

Hecate chuckled. "Oh, did you not know?" she asked pompously. "You're our main source of gossip."

Hades rubbed the ache in his head. "Did you need something, Hecate?" he asked. "Because if you don't mind, I want to go see my wife."

Hecate's grin lifted, she looked at sly as a regal cat. "Persephone is going to give you a surprise tonight," she said. "So, don't be an idiot and screw it up."

"Huh?" Hades raised a brow. "What are you saying, Hecate? Be clear with me, will you."

"It's not my part to say in the matter," she said. "I just want to tell you to think with your heart and not with that brain of yours."

Hades left the goddess feeling confused. But he soon forgot about it when he used the portal to travel back to Mount Olympus where his Seph was. The door creaked open exposing the dark bedroom, the windows were wide open letting the tranquil breeze cool the room. Locking the door behind him, he spotted his wife sleeping on her stomach, tangled between the satin sheets. Hades approached her quietly, his hand skimmed up her bare calf that was exposed from under the sheets. Seph almost instantly sensed his presence.

"Did I fall asleep?" she mumbled.

Hades kissed her head. "Sorry, I woke you," he whispered.

"No, don't be," she said as she scooted over on the bed and made room for him. "I must have been really tired."

"What did you do?" he asked as he slipped in next to her.

"I went to Sicily and caught up with my friends," she said. "Huh, I didn't do anything really. Who knew chatting exhausted you so much."

Hades chuckled. "It's good to see you back on your feet," he said.

Seph smiled. "Mom has accepted you into the family," she revealed.

"Did she, now," he remarked. "She really took her time with it."

Persephone lifted her head off the pillow and sat facing him. "I have to tell you something."

"If you tell me to play nice with Demeter, I will ignore that request," he said. "I can't stand that woman, Seph-"

"I'm pregnant, Hades," she announced.

Hades froze. "What?"

"We're having a baby," Seph repeated. "I just found out."

"This is what Hecate meant," astonished Hades.

Seph titled her head. "What?"

"Hecate told me that you were going to surprise me," he told her.

"How did Hecate find out?" she asked him, but he was just as stumped as her. "Well, what do you say?"

Hades sat up and faced her. "Seph, I couldn't be happier," he said. "Nothing changes just because we're having a child. We still take care of her and love each other just as much."

Seph eyes filled up with tears, but they didn't fall. "How do you know it's a girl?" she asked with a giggle.

"It must be a girl," revealed Hades. "I want mini Seph's running around everywhere."

"Well, I want a boy," she protested. "I want him to look exactly like his father."

Hades took a moment to let that notion set in. "Thank you, Seph," he said, "for making me a father."

"Thank you for making me a mom," she matched his smile. Hades pulled her in towards him and kissed her breath away.

A nudge on the door interrupted them. "Persephone!" A very familiar voice interrupted their moment, bursting it like a bubble. "Why is your door locked, honey?"

"I'm going to kill her," growled Hades against Seph's lips.

"Mom! Just a minute," shouted back Seph. But Hades didn't let go of her. "Hades," she begged him to let go, but he wasn't that easy.

"Persephone!" Demeter shouted behind the door. "What are you doing in there?"

Hades teased Seph as his hands skillfully pulled her nightgown up her legs, his lips kissed down her throat.

"Hold on, mom!" Seph was breathless and too distracted with Hades. "Just give me a moment with her." she pleaded with him.

Hades kissed down Seph's cleavage. "Just tell her you're busy," he whispered.

"She's probably concerned," said Seph as she held his hands from continuing down their wicked path.

Hades lifted his head. "You told her?"

"Is that Hades?" Demeter asked from the door, undoubtedly alarmed.

"No, it's not, mom," shouted Seph before she pouted for Hades to get off her. He finally gave in and let her off the hook.

Seph unlocked the door. "You didn't sleep yet, mom?"

"Let me in, child," said Demeter but Seph blocked her mom's path.

Hades stood behind the open door and could see the sheer panic on Seph's face.

"I'd really like to be alone right now, mom," Seph yawned falsely. "I'm really tired and can't talk for too long."

Hades held up his thumb, giving Seph a reward for such a good lie and for getting herself out of this sticky situation.

"Okay, sweetheart," cooed Demeter. "I brought you some hot milk. Drink it before going to sleep."

Seph grabbed the glass. "Thanks, mom."

"Go to sleep right away," ordered Demeter. "And don't be on your feet for too long."

Hades heard the love in Demeter's voice for her daughter. He didn't like to admit it, but this woman really did love her daughter above anything else.

"Goodnight, mom," said Seph before she closed and locked the door again. She let out a breath of relief. "That was a close one."

Hades took the glass from her and put it on the table. Quickly returning to her side, he swept up his wife in his arms.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Didn't you hear your mom?" he retorted. "You can't stay on your feet anymore."

Seph chuckled. "Great, I've got two of her now."

Hades smirked. "I may not like her, but I don't disagree with her advice." Hades came back to her bedside where he placed her and handed the glass of warm milk.

"Do you want to share this?" she asked. "It tastes really good."

Hades took a sip and then forced it back in her hands. "Drink."

All night they talked about the child they had no idea would take them by a storm. It wasn't something Hades thought of a lot, but now that it had happened, he couldn't think of a better time. Even though the separation would be a pain, but it wasn't so bad anymore. Seph would be with her mother during the process, and then, when the child would be born, Seph would be with him back home.

"I am truly blessed," said Hades.

Seph smiled over the rim of her cup. "Yes, we are."