| Part 35 Joxer watched Ares pace with Bliss, worried that he was flinching every time they heard Cupid scream. He knew it was mostly concern for his son, but it was also concern about his own pregnancy. *Ares?* Ares stopped pacing and glanced at his husband. *It�ll be okay* said Joxer. *For Cupid and for you* Ares sighed and sat back down next to Joxer. *I know, love. It�s just, I didn�t quite expect this* *Me neither* Joxer winced at another pain filled howl from Cupid. � What is taking so long?!� Eris jumped off her chair in frustration. � I don�t remember it taking this long with Strife.� � Oh please, you were hours with Strife, and bawled like a baby the whole time as I recall!� Ares exclaimed. � Fuck you!� Eris growled. She ignored his glare. � You wait and see.� Ares continued to glare at her, � What did I tell you about your language? Now will you please relax!� Eris glared back, � Relax, he tells me,� she muttered. She plonked herself in Autolycus� lap, staring just a little defiantly at Ares and Joxer. Wisely, they didn�t comment, especially when Autolycus� arms wrapped round her and she actually snuggled into them. Joxer sighed wishing he could do the same. But Ares was too heavy for him, and his pregnant husband�s lap was already occupied. He reached out and took Ares� hand, squeezing gently at another scream from Cupid. Ares smiled gratefully at him. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ � You�re nearly there Cupid, keep pushing,� said Hera. � I can�t!� Cupid grunted, panting harshly. � You can sweetie, come on, just a little more,� Aphrodite tried to encourage her son. � A little more?!� Cupid gasped. � You�ve been saying that for, AGH!� Another contraction ripped through him. � Hours,� he finished when he�d recovered. Strife swapped hands again, giving the crushed one a chance to recover. � It�s okay, baby,� he whispered. � Sure, for you,� Cupid snapped. � Cupe, I can feel it too,� Strife whispered. � Oh. Well, good,� Cupid�s face twisted with pain. � That�s it, that�s it, her head is coming,� Hera said. Cupid howled and Strife felt his hand break again. � What�s happening?� he asked anxiously. � This is the worst part Strife, don�t worry, it�s nearly over,� said Aphrodite quietly. After a long, drawn-out period of agony for both parents, Cupid and Strife�s baby girl was finally born. Hera waved her hand to cut the cord and clean her, then she handed her to Cupid. The proud father�s breath hitched and he kissed his little girl gently. Strife sat on the bed next to him, tears pouring down his face, and pulled them both into his arms. � She�s so beautiful,� he murmured, kissing her, then kissing Cupid. She was tiny and pale with a shock of dark hair, perfect little, black wings and a small pair of horns on her forehead. � Our future Goddess of Pleasure,� announced Hera proudly. � She�ll get on well with Bliss then,� Strife chuckled, cooing at his daughter. � What shall we call her?� Cupid asked. Strife looked blank and shrugged. � How about, Volupta?� said Aphrodite. Cupid grinned, � Thanks Mom, that�s great.� He glanced at Strife, who nodded. � Can Pops and Bliss come in now?� � Yeah, and Mom,� said Strife. Hera nodded and crossed the room to open the door. � Tell Jox and Auto they can come in too,� Cupid called out. He wanted to show off his daughter. Hera smiled at the anxious group outside and waved them into the room. Ares strode over to the bed with Bliss. � Daddy!� called Bliss excitedly. � Hey sweetie, come and meet your new sister,� Cupid grinned at his son. Strife took Bliss from Ares and held him so he could see the baby. � Ooh, she�s lickle,� Bliss cooed, reaching out to stroke her tiny hand. � Just like you were darling,� Cupid laughed. � Me big now,� said Bliss proudly. � Yeah, you�re a big brother now. You�ll take good care of Volupta won�t you?� asked Strife. � �Lupta? Me take care of �Lupta,� Bliss grinned. Ares smiled at the new parents, � She�s beautiful,� he said quietly. They smiled at him. � Mom?� Strife spotted his mother lingering nervously in the doorway. � Do you want to meet your granddaughter?� Eris swallowed and nodded, making her way over to the bed. Cupid held his daughter up so she could see. � Oh,� said Eris quietly. � She looks like Strife.� She smiled suddenly and stroked her granddaughter�s soft, downy hair. Without the horns and wings, Volupta could indeed have been a miniature, female version of Strife, with her dark hair, pale blue eyes and pale skin. Strife looked uncertain, � I was hopin� she�d inherit more of Cupe�s looks than mine.� Cupid frowned, � Why? You�re gorgeous, and so is our little girl!� He resisted the urge to smack his husband, and stroked his arm reassuringly instead. Joxer came over and stood by Ares. � She is, gorgeous I mean. Well done guys.� � Thanks Jox,� said Cupid with a grin. � She�s very good, � Eris commented, � Not like Strife, he never stopped bawling.� � Mom!� Strife exclaimed in annoyance. It was true though, Volupta hadn�t cried once. She just lay in Cupid�s arms, eyes darting around curiously. � Cupid was a very quiet baby,� said Aphrodite. � I suppose we should be getting back,� said Ares regretfully. � I�m sorry about ruining the wedding, Pops,� said Cupid. � You didn�t ruin it,� said Ares with a smile, � It just topped off a wonderful day.� Cupid grinned at him. Ares squeezed his son�s shoulder, � You rest, we�ll see you later.� He and Joxer left the room with Hera and Aphrodite, after the two Goddesses had hugged the new parents. Eris lingered for a moment staring at her granddaughter. Then she quickly hugged Strife and bolted. Autolycus looked uncomfortable. � Congratulations guys,� he said then quickly followed her. � She hugged me,� said Strife wonderingly. Cupid grinned at his husband, � I know.� |