Dreams and Night Terrors

[Persephone]

Persephone watched with a smile as Alek walked around the bike, looking at it with an appraising eye. She didn't know much about motorcycles aside from how to ride one, but according to the man at the dealership this was the best of the best. So as Persephone nibbled her bottom lip in hopes that Alek wasn't just humoring her and Lily, finally he looked up with a huge smile on his face.

Alek: "This is amazing!"

He exploded with joy, picking up Lily and swinging her around before kissing Persephone.

Oh thank God.

She thought to herself, happily expecting the kiss with a smile.

Alek: "Thank you girls, my beautiful girls!"

Lily: "You're welcome, daddy!"

"I'm glad you like it!"

Persephone watched as Alek climbed on the bike, setting Lily down on his lap. Damn did he look gorgeous sitting on that piece of machinery. Maybe Persephone was a little selfish in knowing how hot it would be having him ride a motorcycle....but he did say he wanted one before. Either way, win/win in her eyes.

Alek: "I can't believe you did this!"

"Believe it, baby. She's all yours."

Lily: "Turn it on, daddy!"

The engine roared as Alek turned it on and revved it. It sounded beautiful.

"Although you better share! I want to test her out too."

Persephone shouted over the sound before winking. She definitely wanting to take the bike out for a ride at some point. Persephone waved for Lily to come to her.

"Lily, baby, let daddy take the bike out for a test drive while we clean up breakfast."

As Alek helped Lily off the bike, she ran over to Persephone before turning back to Alek and waving with a smile as he headed down the dirt road taking his birthday gift out for a test drive. Persephone and Lily went back inside and cleaned up the dishes and put the extra food away before heading upstairs to change for the day. Persephone could hear the roar of the motorcycle getting louder indicating that Alek was almost home while brushing her teeth. She then heard Lily running out of her room and bounding down the stairs, shouting as she went.

Lily: "I'm gonna watch TV until daddy comes back!"

Persephone was still in the bedroom, just getting done washing her face as she heard Lily.

"Don't--"

Lily: "Go outside alone, I know mommy!"

"And she's growing up way too fast."

Persephone quipped to herself as she dried her face and slipped out of her night shirt to get changed.

 

[Berserker]

The Driveway

He couldn't believe it! That Seph had remembered him saying how he wanted a motorcycle, for one, but also that she'd bought it, and got it here to the house, without him knowing. And without Lily spilling the beans. He thanked them, pure joy on his face. There really is nothing like a surprise, especially when it's something you really wanted.

"I'm glad you like it!"

"I love it, baby. Really, I do."

He let Lily sit in front of him on the bike, and she clamored for him to turn the ignition, so he did, the bike roaring to life. Lily laughed and clapped her handed excitedly.

"Although you better share! I want to test her out too."

"You can ride on the back."

He stuck his tongue out at her with a cheeky grin. Seph called for Lily to get off the bike and help her clean up breakfast. He picked her up, giving her another kiss on the cheek as he set her down on the driveway.

"Thank you, baby girl."

He slipped on the helmet (they did have a six year old watching) and pulled out onto the drive, waving back at Lily until he was out of sight. The back country roads, deserted like always, were the perfect place to test out the bike. The morning air was crisp and clean, and the sun bright and beautiful. It was going to be a terrific day. The bike handled like a dream, and though he loved it, this was a day he wanted to spend with his girls. So he headed back to the cabin. There would be plenty of time to ride.

Coming inside, he saw Lily watching tv and waved to her.

"Where's your mom?"

Lily: "Upstairs."

"I'll change and then we can head out, okay?"

Lily: "Okay, Daddy!"

He smiled at her and ran up the steps, heading for the bedroom. He came up behind Seph, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her neck.

"Did I mention I have the best wife ever?"

 

[Persephone]

Persephone had slipped on her black sports bra and panties in preparation of spending the majority of the day fishing and being outside for Alek's birthday. She had grabbed a pair of black workout pants from the drawer when she felt Alek's arms wrap around her from behind, making her smile instantly. She tilted her head to the side allowing his lips more access to her neck.

Alek: "Did I mention I have the best wife ever?"

She playfully contemplated that.

"Ehh...once or twice."

Lightly laughing, Persephone turned around and tossed her pants onto the bed so she could drape her arms around Alek's neck. Giving him the kiss she wanted to give him earlier, she pulled her body against his, deepening their embrace for a long while until finally Persephone broke it.

"So..."

She started with a smirk, her lips now traveling down his neck.

"I want you to think of exactly what you want to do to me later, baby...."

Her tongue caressed the his skin as she moved across his throat and to the other side of his neck.

"Anything you want....any where...any way...any place....anything."

Persephone finally lifted her head so her eyes could meet with his, showing the dark desire behind them.

"My body's your playground tonight..."

And she was more than serious. Alek could do whatever or ask whatever he wanted of her, no limitations. Costumes, striptease, rough fucking, slow, gentle, role play, it didn't matter. She would fulfill any fantasies he wanted that they may not have done or haven't done in a while. Persephone's hands slid around his shoulders and down his chest, her lips finding his once again for a heated kiss. She moved her one hand with a purpose down his stomach, her fingers slipping past his waist band and down into his sleep pants, grasping ahold of his dick and slowly stroking down the length of it.

"Care for a preview?"

A salacious smirk spread across her lips as she looked past Alek's shoulder to see that he wisely shut the bedroom door behind him when he came upstairs to change. They didn't have much time with Lily downstairs watching tv waiting for them, but Persephone knew she could give the birthday boy a very happy morning quickly. Lowering herself to her knees, she pulled his sleep pants down as she went, her mouth taking him immediately.

 

[Berserker]

The Bedroom

Seph turned in his arms and put her arms around his neck. He smiled and she pressed against him, kissing him like they were the only two people in the world. And, of course, that made him think of nothing else but wanting to thank her properly for the gift. Her lips were on his neck, making it very hard to concentrate, and even harder to tell her that he was supposed to be getting dressed to go fishing.

"So...I want you to think of exactly what you want to do to me later, baby...."

He closed his eyes at her tongue on his throat.

"I rarely think of anything else..."

"Anything you want....any where...any way...any place....anything."

She looked up at him like she was going to throw him down on the bed right then and there. And he would have let her.

"My body's your playground tonight..."

He swallowed hard, and she lifted her lips to his again, her hand trailing down his body. He gasped in sharply when her hand slid down the front of his pants and grasped him.

"Care for a preview?"

"Oh yes...yes please..."

There was only a fleeting thought to the fact that their daughter was downstairs. Because really, it was already too late. Seph knelt, and when she took him into her mouth he had to muffle the moan he wanted to let out.

"Shit, Seph...you're so good at that...so so good..."

 

[Persephone]

Today was Alek's day and she wanted to give him whatever he wanted, including herself. But there was the little issue of their daughter waiting for them downstairs to go fishing, so Persephone decided to give Alek a preview of what was in store for him later that evening. Getting on her knees, she immediately took him into her mouth, sliding down the length of him over and over, making tasty noises as she did so. Her hands slipped behind his ass, pulling his hips to her as she quickened the pace, sucking him hard and long. Her tongue swirled along the tip before her mouth moved to the hilt.

Alek: "Shit, Seph...you're so good at that...so so good..."

"Mmmmm...."

Running her tongue up the length of him, she sucked he tip before plunging down over and over again, picking up her pace so it was quick, hearing his moans becoming louder. She knew he was close, and in record time. She kept her movement and pace consistent until finally she felt him release, taking every drop. Smiling, she kissed her way up his stomach and chest as she stood, bringing her mouth to his and kissing him.

"Happy Birthday."

She purred against his lips with a smirk. Giving him one last peck, they had to get dressed as much as she would have rather him throw her on the bed and fuck her all morning long. Slapping his ass as she walked passed him, she grabbed her work out leggings and began to put them on.

"I'll meet you downstairs."

Throwing on a warm zip up fitted sweatshirt, it was still a little chill as they transitioned from winter to spring. Pulling her hair into a pony tail, she opened the bedroom door and headed downstairs, smiling as she saw Lily sitting contently on the couch watching Sponge Bob.

"I'm gong to pack some snacks for the lake. Daddy should be down in a second."

 

[Berserker]

The Bedroom

Seph was giving him an unselfish preview of what he could expect later on, and he couldn't really think of anything better than what she was doing right now. Her hands were on his ass and her mouth was on his cock, and he thought his body might explode. He had gotten hard as soon as he was in her mouth, and she quickly brought him to fruition. He couldn't stifle his moans any longer and grunted out as he came. He thought he might fall over as she stood up, and he circled his arms around her waist as her mouth found his.

"Happy Birthday."

"Best birthday ever," he managed to get out, still breathing hard.

She grabbed her clothes and told him she'd meet him downstairs. Shit, he had to get himself together because after that? He was in no state to fish. He grabbed jeans and a flannel and slipped them on, then ran a hand through his hair. He found something to pull it back with, then went downstairs to find his fishing vest and his boots. Once he was dressed he headed into the living room with a smile.

"Okay, who's ready to fish? Who has the poles?"

Lily jumped up, all ready to go.

"Grab a jacket, miss."

It wasn't summer yet, and it would be cold on the water. He collected the fishing poles and the tackle box, and the three of them headed down to the lake. There was a small dock, and they sat side by side with feet dangling over the water. He kept stealing glances at Seph, and smiling down at Lily. He had taken her fishing plenty of times before, but still he instructed her now and then, helping her bait her hook and untangle her line. It wasn't long before Lily jumped up in excitement, feeling a pull on her rod.

"Reel it in!"

He stood behind her, making sure she didn't fall in, and when she had a beauty of a fish dangling in front of her, he grabbed the net. He helped her take the fish off the hook and toss it into the bucket.

"That's a real beauty, Lily."

He smiled proudly down at her.

"Now the rest of us need to pull our weight!"

 

[Persephone]

Persephone had packed a small lunch bin of different snacks and drinks so they didn't have to keep running back and forth to the cabin. As Alek came downstairs dressed and ready to go, Lily was already turning the tv off in anticipation.

Alek: "Okay, who's ready to fish? Who has the poles?"

Lily: "They're at the back door!"

"I've got the food."

Persephone added holding up the lunch bag of goodies. Alek told Lily to get her jacket on to which she quickly ran to to the front door unhooking her coat and slipping it on. Persephone pulled on her coat as well before they all headed down to the docks. It was a gorgeous day, not a cloud in the sky. They all sat on the dock laughing and having a good time, Persephone leaning into Alek every now and then to kiss his cheek.

Lily: "Daddy!"

Lily exclaimed, her pole bending at the end indicating she got a bite on her line.

"Good job, Lil!"

Alek: "Reel it in!"

Alek stood behind Lily to help her reel in her fish, and sure enough, she caught a nice big one. He netted it and helped her unhook it from her line being tossing it in the bucked.

Lily: "That's the biggest I ever caught!"

Alek: "That's a real beauty, Lily."

Lily beamed with excitement, looking up at Alek like he were the only person that mattered in the world. Persephone smiled, watching them interact.

Alek: "Now the rest of us need to pull our weight!"

Just then Persephone felt a tug on her line.

"Oh! I think I got something!"

She began to reel in her line, and sure enough she caught a fish just a bit smaller than the one Lily had just caught. Holding up the line with the fish at the end, Persephone smiled a Lily laughed.

Lily: "Daddy! We're beating you!"

"Daddy gets a free pass for his birthday."

Persephone teased, taking the hook out of the fish before tossing it into the bucket.

Lily: "And he's getting old."

Persephone opened her mouth in shock before laughing out loud, Lily giggling at her own statement.

 

[Berserker]

The Cabin

He and Seph both admired the fish Lily had caught, and soon Seph had one of her own.

"Good job, Mommy!"

He smiled at her, glad that she was the type of person who would enjoy doing this with them, instead of just sending he and Lily off while she stayed at the cabin. It made the day that much more special.

Lily: "Daddy! We're beating you!"

"The morning's not over yet - I still have time to bring home the bacon."

"Daddy gets a free pass for his birthday."

"Hey, I don't need a free pass, alright? I'll catch something here any minute."

Lily: "And he's getting old."

"Oh, am I? Well little bear I'm not too old to...tickle you!"

He reached out and tickled her sides mercilessly, laughing as Lily giggled uncontrollably. Finally he let up, giving her a kiss and a hug before sitting back down and putting fresh bait on his hook.

"Now let's see what your old dad can do."

They fished for a while longer, then took a break and sat in the sun on the dock and ate the snacks that Seph had brought, then they fished some more. They all had a good haul in the end, and they even saw some turtles to Lily's delight. When they had enough fish for dinner, they headed back to the cabin. Alek cleaned the fish outside, then brought the fillets inside and put them in the fridge. He washed up, and then it was time for the second part of his birthday wish. He sat down on the couch, and waited while Lily got one of her books to read to him. She was already a pretty good reader, even though she was so young. She came downstairs from her room and curled up next to him, pulling her feet up on the sofa.

"So, what book did you bring to read?"

Lily: "The viking book!"

She held it up, and he saw it was the book of norse mythology he had bought when she was a baby. He had read it to her, and now she was starting to read it to him.

"That's perfect, little flower."

He put his arm around her and squeezed her.

Lily: "I want to read you the story about the valkyrie."

 

[Persephone]

Both she and Lily each caught a fish before Alek and Lily didn't hesitate to say they were beating him.

Alek: "The morning's not over yet - I still have time to bring home the bacon."

Persephone grinned, deciding to tease him.

"Daddy gets a free pass for his birthday."

Alek: "Hey, I don't need a free pass, alright? I'll catch something here any minute."

Persephone smirk, nodding as if to say 'yeah sure' playfully. Lily then jumped in just out right saying he was getting old. THAT made Persephone laugh out loud and Lily to giggle uncontrollably.

Alek: "Oh, am I? Well little bear I'm not too old to...tickle you!"

Lily: "NO! AHHH!"

Lily screamed with delight as Alek began to relentlessly tickle her. She literally collapsed into his arms laughing hysterically, wiggling around trying to avoid his tickles. Persephone laughed watching them play until finally, Alek let up and table the tickle monster until later. Alek threw in his line once again, ready to show both of them that he could catch some fish too. The day continued with all of them bringing in quite a few fish, eating some snacks, then finally heading back up to the cabin. As Alek cleaned the fish, Persephone helped Lily clean up and change clothes.

Lily went outside to finish watching Alek clean the fish as Persephone took a shower, and by the time she got out and changed, they were already downstairs on the couch preparing to read a book.

Alek: "So, what book did you bring to read?"

Lily: "The viking book!"

Ascending the stairs, Persephone watched as Lily showed Alek the book that Alek had first bought for Lily when Persephone was still pregnant with her. It was amazing to think that he used to read that to her as a baby and now she was capable of reading it to him.

Alek: "That's perfect, little flower."

Lily: "I want to read you the story about the valkyrie."

Persephone stopped mid step, her eyebrow lifting as Lily opened the pages of the book.

"Valkyrie?"

Slowly stepping off the last step and into the living room, Persephone's eyes shifted to Alek.

Lily: "Yeah! The valkyrie is my favorite! She's so strong and pretty!"

Lily turned the book around to show Persephone a picture of the valkyrie, beautiful with long blonde hair and blue eyes. The image looking almost identical to Ashley.

Lily: "She even has blue eyes like me!"

Persephone didn't look amused or impressed as she looked at the picture. Pressing her lips into a hard line, she slowly nodded, trying to temper her growing anger. He had been reading this to her since she was a BABY? And from the sound of it, now Lily emulated her. Perfect. She was pissed, but more than anything, she was hurt.

"Is that right?"

Lily: "I wanna be a valkyrie and have wings! It's so cool!"

Lily smiled, turning the book back around as she snuggled into Alek unknowingly throwing salt into Persephone's wound. Slowly shifting her dark eyes over to meet with Alek's, she wanted to scream at him and punch him in the balls. But she remained stoic for their daughter's sake.

"Enjoy reading to daddy, Lily."

Persephone turned and headed back upstairs, closing the door behind her as she disappeared into the master bedroom.

 

[Berserker]

The Cabin

They had a lovely time fishing, and then not too long after Alek and Lily were snuggled up on the couch getting ready to read a book. Seph had gone up to take a shower while he was keeping an eye on Lily. He had told Lily she could pick anything she wanted to read to him, and she had chosen a book he had bought for her as a baby that had tales from Norse mythology in it. He thought that was the perfect choice and told her so, thinking how thoughtful it had been of her to choose something she thought he would like.

She told him she wanted to reach the story of the valkyrie, one of dozens in the book. But it just so happened that that was the exact moment that Seph decided to come back downstairs.

"Valkyrie?"

Lily: "Yeah! The valkyrie is my favorite! She's so strong and pretty!"

He saw Seph's raised eyebrow, and the way she was looking at him.

"It's just a storybook, Seph."

Lily showed Seph the picture from the book.

Lily: "She even has blue eyes like me!"

Alek cleared his throat, avoiding looking at Seph, really wishing she hadn't said that.

"Is that right?"

"You got your blue eyes from me, sweetheart."

Lily: "I wanna be a valkyrie and have wings! It's so cool!"

And he really wished she hadn't said that. He raised his eyes to look at Seph, and he could practically feel her anger roiling off of her. But she kept her cool in front of Lily, turning around and heading back upstairs. But he knew he was going to get it later. Shit.

He didn't want Lily to think she'd done something wrong, though, so explaining to Seph would have to wait. He smiled down at Lily as she snuggled against him and began to read the tale of the warrior valkyrie and how she decided the battles of the great armies and brought the brave soldiers to Valhalla. When Lily finished, he kissed the top of her head.

"Your reading is getting so good, little flower. This made my birthday extra special."

She reached up and hugged him tight, and he hugged her back.

"Lily, baby, do you think you could read here by yourself for a few minutes? I need to go talk to Mommy about something."

Lily: "Sure, Daddy."

"And remember-"

Lily rolled her eyes.

Lily: "I know. Don't go outside alone. I won't, I promise Daddy."

"Good girl."

He kissed the top of her head again and got up from the couch, feeling like a man about to face a firing squad. Actually, a firing squad might be less painful. He walked slowly up the stairs, absolutely no idea what he was going to say. When he got to their bedroom, the door was closed. He knocked and then opened it.

"Seph? Baby?"

 

[Persephone]

Persephone disappeared into the master bedroom, shutting the door behind her. All she could see was the light behind Lily's eyes as she held up the book about the valkyrie, so excited at the prospect of looking like her and wanting to be like her. Wanting wings. Persephone let out an aggravated growl, her midnight eyes filled with anger and tears. She tried so hard, SO hard, to make sure Lily knew all about Alek's culture. To make sure she understood her norse side so she could bond with her father and respect the mythologies of it. But for her to want to be a valkyrie? To be drawn to a person that Alek had a heated past with? To find her more interesting than her own mother? It made her skin crawl with the rage of a thousand suns to know he was feeding her those tales since she was an infant.

Persephone sat in the arm chair next to the fireplace, reviewing an online version of the norse book that Lily was reading downstairs on her iPad. The rage hadn't settled as she read how the book portrayed them as valiant and brave for ushering the dead to Valhalla.

"Bullshit."

She hissed, shutting off the screen of the iPad. It was then she heard a soft knocking on the bedroom door, Persephone looking up as Alek opened the door.

Alek: "Seph? Baby?"

"Don't baby me."

Her voice sharp but low, not wanting to raise it until he shut the door. Thank God for sound proofing, because once he did, Persephone stood up the rage boiling out.

"You've been reading this to her since she was a BABY?!"

She shouted, standing up from the chair, unlocking her iPad and opening up the page of the ebook that had the image that looked almost identical to Ashley. She turned it around for him to see, her eyes seething with anger.

"She has blue eyes like me."

Persephone's black eyes glassy.

"I want wings just like her."

She threw the iPad onto the bad, not wanting to look at it any longer.

"Here's an idea. Why don't you go find your EX and introduce our daughter to her since you love reading about her so much."

Persephone turned away, shaking her head.

"Unbelievable."

 

[Berserker]

The Bedroom

Alek knock on the bedroom door before opening it, and taking a soft and cautious tone with Seph.

"Don't baby me."

Fuck. He was in trouble. He didn't want to shut the door, because he knew once he did, she was going to let him have it. And oh, she did.

"You've been reading this to her since she was a BABY?!"

"It's just a storybook Seph."

She showed him that she had been reading the book, showed him the picture of the valkyrie.

"She has blue eyes like me."

"Lily does have blue eyes. She doesn't mean anything by it."

[qutoe=Seph]"I want wings just like her."[/quote]

"Kids want to be able to fly. It's a phase."

Seph threw her ipad onto the bed, and Alek felt incredibly grateful that she hadn't thrown it at his head.

"Here's an idea. Why don't you go find your EX and introduce our daughter to her since you love reading about her so much."

"I do not-"

He took a deep breath.

"I do not love reading about her. That story is not about her. "

He sighed out.

"The Santorini book store had one children's book on norse mythology. I didn't even know that story was in there when I bought it. I swear. And I read her the whole book. It's not like I only read her that story."

He cautiously took a step closer to her.

"It's a myth. And it's mostly about how the immortal woman falls in love with the mortal man. I thought- I thought it was a little bit like reading her our story."

He reached out to touch her arm.

"I'm sorry, okay? I didn't do it to hurt you."

 

[Persephone]

Persephone was furious, but more than anything, she was jealous. Jealous that Lily didn't want to be like her. The jealousy pissed her off even more because she NEVER got jealous, about anything. But when it came to her daughter? It was a whole new emotion to her and it hurt. She turned away from Alek, telling him to go find his ex and introduce Lily since he loved reading about her so damn much.

Alek: "I do not- I do not love reading about her. That story is not about her. "

"Really? Could of fooled me."

Persephone snapped, turning around to glare at him for good measure.

"Is Ashley blonde? Does she have blue eyes? Does she have fucking WINGS, Alek? Is she a VALKYRIE?"

Persephone already knew all the answers to these questions because she had obviously met Ashley before AND seen her in her 'true' form.

Alek: "The Santorini book store had one children's book on norse mythology. I didn't even know that story was in there when I bought it. I swear. And I read her the whole book. It's not like I only read her that story."

She scoffed out.

"It's her favorite, Alek. She said it herself."

That pained her to say, the words bitter on her tongue.

Alek: "It's a myth. And it's mostly about how the immortal woman falls in love with the mortal man. I thought- I thought it was a little bit like reading her our story."

Persephone narrowed her eyes while shaking her head.

"DON'T. Don't try and say this is anything like us."

He took a step forward toward her trying to put his hands on her. She shrugged away at his touch, taking a step back.

"Don't touch me."

Alek: "I'm sorry, okay? I didn't do it to hurt you."

Her eyes were now filled with tears of anger and frustration.

"I have tried so hard...SO hard since DAY ONE to make sure your culture and history and life was never left out--was always front and center. I wanted her to be PROUD of where she came from. To be PROUD of her norse side. The bond you two have? It's nothing i've ever seen before. She ADORES you, Alek. She absolutely adores you."

Tears fell from Persephone's eyes as she gestured out with her hands, letting out a cynical laugh.

"She loves everything about you....and now she'd rather be like your EX than her own mother."

She angrily wiped away her tears, pissed at herself for letting them fall.

"And you were worried about her favoring her Grecian roots."

Letting out another short cynical laugh, Persephone shook her head and walked past him into the bathroom, grabbing a tissue. She wiped her cheeks, crumpling the tissue in her hand as she leaned with both hands against the counter, letting her head hang and closing her eyes.

"Just...go back downstairs to Lily. I'll be down soon."

 

[Berserker]

The Bedroom

This just kept getting worse and worse. He couldn't help that valkyries were a part of norse myth, or that one happened to exist in reality. He tried to tell her that the story was not about Ashley.

"Really? Could of fooled me."

"There were thousands of them, Seph."

That didn't help - Seph turned around and glared at him.

"Is Ashley blonde? Does she have blue eyes? Does she have fucking WINGS, Alek? Is she a VALKYRIE?"

He held up his hands.

"I never saw her wings."

He told her that it wasn't like he'd only read her that story, and how could he have known when he bought the book?

"It's her favorite, Alek. She said it herself."

He tried to tell her that even though it was a norse story, it was about a immortal who loved a mortal, and how that was like their story, but she wasn't having any of that. He tried to take her arm but she wasn't having that either. She was really hurt by this, by something that meant nothing to him. He told her how sorry he was.

"I don't love her, Seph. I love you."

And now she was crying. But he could tell she was still angry. What the hell was he supposed to say now?

"I have tried so hard...SO hard since DAY ONE to make sure your culture and history and life was never left out--was always front and center. I wanted her to be PROUD of where she came from. To be PROUD of her norse side. The bond you two have? It's nothing I've ever seen before. She ADORES you, Alek. She absolutely adores you."

He was taken aback by that, and just stood there, staring at her. She didn't really think that Lily loved him more than her? Was that what this was about?

"She loves everything about you....and now she'd rather be like your EX than her own mother. And you were worried about her favoring her Grecian roots."

Alek nodded slowly.

"Oh, I see. It's not my affections you were upset about. It was hers."

He sighed out, running his hand through his hair. He realized that did hurt him, that she didn't get jealous because she thought he was harboring feelings for Ashley. But all he had to do was look at Seph, to see how she was hurting, and he didn't care about himself.

"I'm her playmate, Seph. But you're the one she wants when she's scared, or hurt. You're her mama, she loves you."

Seph went into the bathroom to wipe her face.

"Just...go back downstairs to Lily. I'll be down soon."

He stood there for a moment, and then spoke with determination.

"No."

He followed her into the bathroom.

"I am not going to leave you like this."

He leaned against the counter so he could look at her face instead of in the mirror.

"Your daughter loves you so much. She might look like me, but she is you. You can see it every time the two of you share a joke or a smile. And she is so proud that you are her mother."

He reached out to take her hand but then pulled back.

"Did you ever stop to think that the reason - the only reason - she identifies with a character who looks like her is because she's trying to come to terms with the fact that she doesn't look like you? You are a goddess, Seph. And she's known it since she was two years old. She wants to be like you so much, strong and beautiful, and powerful. And she just wants validation that she can be that, even though she has my blue eyes."

 

[Persephone]

Alek: "There were thousands of them, Seph."

"Only ONE of them was your ex, Alek."

Persephone snapped as he tried to placate her and the fact that there were thousands of Valkyries out there. She didn't care about the thousands, she only cared about the ONE. The one that HE was reading to their daughter about. The one that HE dated and loved. And the fact that he wanted to share that with Lily. She told him as much, describing Ashley and how she was exactly like the picture in the book.

Alek: "I never saw her wings."

"Oh! Well that makes everything better!"

She sarcastically bit back. He didn't realize the relationship she had with Lily and how much she adored him. Persephone tried so hard to make sure they had a bond together and that Lily understood and loved her norse side of her. And now she did...and loved Alek's ex as well. Even going as far as aspiring to BE her.

Alek: "Oh, I see. It's not my affections you were upset about. It was hers."

"I'm upset about EVERYTHING, Alek! I just heard my little girl say she wanted to be like Ashley--YOUR ex lover. And now i'm questioning WHY you're even reading to her about Ashley in the first place! Was it really a mistake? Or am I just a PLACEHOLDER for her [Ashley]?!"

Tears fell from her eyes as she brushed passed him into the bathroom, grabbing a tissue. Persephone's mind was racing with jealousy over Lily, but now she was thinking even more about Alek in the equation. Was he really happy with her? Or was she just a person to fill the void? The mother of his child? A child who could so easily assimilate into a world with Ashley as a mother figure. Over my dead BODY.

Her head hung as he leaned against the counter, not wanting to look at Alek or even think about him at the moment.

"Just...go back downstairs to Lily. I'll be down soon."

She needed to calm down before going back downstairs. But Alek walked into the bathroom leaning against the counter.

Alek: "No. I am not going to leave you like this."

"Just go."

She pleaded without looking at him.

Alek: "Your daughter loves you so much. She might look like me, but she is you. You can see it every time the two of you share a joke or a smile. And she is so proud that you are her mother."

Persephone shook her head.

Alek: "Did you ever stop to think that the reason - the only reason - she identifies with a character who looks like her is because she's trying to come to terms with the fact that she doesn't look like you?"

That finally made her look up, taken aback by what he said. Her glassy eyes met with his, but her brows were furrowed with disbelief.

Alek: "You are a goddess, Seph. And she's known it since she was two years old. She wants to be like you so much, strong and beautiful, and powerful. And she just wants validation that she can be that, even though she has my blue eyes."

"She is all of those things. I tell her that every day....Yet she still wants to be like her..."

Her daughter not wanting to be like her was like a knife to the heart. But what was ripping it apart was thinking that Alek still harbored feelings for Ashley and that was the reason why he was really reading to Lily about the Valkyries. He had a bond with Ashley that she could never have with him. They came from the same culture, the same background. They believed in the same Gods and stories. There was a connection there that she could never have with Alek. Persephone felt more alone in that moment than she ever felt in her life....not to mention vengeful. She wanted to hunt Ashley down like a pig and gut her until she squealed.

Tears fell down Persephone's cheeks as she looked at Alek, point blank asking him if he truly wanted to be with Ashley.

"Do you?"

 

[Berserker]

Seph was so angry, and it seemed like she was moreso about Lily liking valkyries than about he and Ashley. And he said as much.

"I'm upset about EVERYTHING, Alek! I just heard my little girl say she wanted to be like Ashley--YOUR ex lover. And now i'm questioning WHY you're even reading to her about Ashley in the first place! Was it really a mistake? Or am I just a PLACEHOLDER for her [Ashley]?!"

Alek looked at her, incredulous.

"You can't be serious."

She went into the bathroom and he followed her, disregarding her request that he go back downstairs.

"She is all of those things. I tell her that every day....Yet she still wants to be like her..."

He got exasperated. This was insane.

"She doesn't KNOW her, Seph! She's never met her! It's a story, in a book. All Lily sees is a woman with blue eyes who can fly. She's a child, Seph."

She was so upset, and it felt like there was no talking to her. He hadn't thought about Ashley in a year, at least. And certainly not in the way Seph was suggesting he did. Her daughter loved her, idolized her, but for some reason one story blotted all of that out and had made her go crazy.

"Do you?"

"How can you even ask me that, Persephone? Do I want to be with Ashley? No. I don't love her. How many times do I have to say it?"

HE was getting angry now, having to defend himself over something so stupid.

"If I wanted to be with her, I would have, long before this. She came to see me at Hellfire, did you know? Threw herself at me, and I kicked her out. Because I don't love her. I love YOU. Even when you're being ridiculous. I didn't leave Hellfire for Ashley, I left for YOU. I have a child with YOU. YOU are my world. I don't care anything about HER."

He turned away from her.

"And I can't believe you would think I did, after everything we've been through."

He walked out of the bathroom and headed for the bedroom door, putting his hand on the knob.

"I'm going back downstairs with Lily. Maybe we'll read Frozen and then you can accuse me of secretly having feelings for the snowman."

He opened the door, breaking the cone of silence, and walked out and down the stairs. By the time he got to the bottom, he made sure to have a smile on his face. He crossed the room and sank down next to Lily, putting his arm around her and hugging her to him.

"So, should we read more or do something else?"

Lily: "Where's Mama?"

"She'll be down in a minute. Listen, sweetheart- why did you pick that story to read to me?"

Lily: "It's your birthday and I thought you would like it. Didn't you like it?"

She looked up at him with big eyes, that but for their color were so like the expression Seph made when she wasn't sure about something she'd done.

"No, baby, I loved it. I would love anything you read to me."

He smiled at her and she reached up and put her arms around his neck.

Lily: "I love you, Daddy."

"Love you too, little flower."

Lily took her arms from around his neck and opened the book in her lap again to the picture of the valkyrie.

Lily: "She's a lot like Mama, don't you think? Strong and brave. Maybe I could be like that some day?"

"Oh, baby girl, you are so strong and brave already. You are just like your mother."

Lily: "Really?"

"Absolutely. That's why I love you both so much."

He reached down and pulled her into a hug, and he didn't let go right away.

 

[Persephone]

Alek: "She doesn't KNOW her, Seph! She's never met her! It's a story, in a book. All Lily sees is a woman with blue eyes who can fly. She's a child, Seph."

Persephone was blowing everything up out of proportion. She saw the picture of the Valkyrie that looked like Ashley and immediately felt the urge to withdraw and lash out from pain and jealous. She knew logically Lily was just a little girl who wanted to be whatever the books and tv shows and movies were portraying at the moment. Today a Valkyrie, tomorrow a Power Ranger. But she knew if the roles were reversed, Alek would have reacted the same way.

"Don't minimize the way I feel, Alek. If I were reading her tales of Hades you would be upset too."

Never would she pick up a book that had images or stories about her ex husband. Moreso because he was a monster than anything else. She never thought of Hades, not even for a second. But she wondered, did Alek ever think of Ashley. Did he still want to be with her?

Alek: "How can you even ask me that, Persephone?"

"Just answer the question, Alek."

Alek: "Do I want to be with Ashley? No. I don't love her. How many times do I have to say it?"

Persephone pushed herself off the counter, turning away.

"Maybe the novelty of being with the Rook has worn off, I don't know."

She said with an exasperated tone.

Alek: "If I wanted to be with her, I would have, long before this. She came to see me at Hellfire, did you know?"

Persephone turned around to that, looking at him with disbelief. She didn't know Ashley had gone back to him when they were there.

Alek: "Threw herself at me, and I kicked her out. Because I don't love her. I love YOU. Even when you're being ridiculous. I didn't leave Hellfire for Ashley, I left for YOU. I have a child with YOU. YOU are my world. I don't care anything about HER."

And then the realization of what she was saying hit her like a truck. She was being ridiculous. About everything. Was she still hurt about Lily idolizing a valkyrie, yes. But she had let her emotions take control of her commonsense and built up everything inside her head as a huge conspiracy. And now, she was lashing out at Alek for no reason whatsoever....on his BIRTHDAY no less.

Alek: "And I can't believe you would think I did, after everything we've been through."

He turned away.

"Alek..."

Alek: "I'm going back downstairs with Lily. Maybe we'll read Frozen and then you can accuse me of secretly having feelings for the snowman."

He walked for the bedroom door, Persephone following.

"Alek, wait--"

But he shut the door behind him, leaving. Persephone shut her eyes.

"I'm sorry."

She finished with a sigh. Rubbing her eyes roughly with the palms of her hands, what the hell did she do? And how the hell was she going to fix it? She couldn't do anything at the moment with Lily downstairs awake, she would have to wait until she took a nap. But she also couldn't hold up in the bedroom because Lily would know something was wrong. She was too damn smart for her own good. So Persephone inhaled a few deep breaths, taking a moment to calm herself. Finally, she headed for the door and exited her room.

Lily: "She's a lot like Mama, don't you think? Strong and brave. Maybe I could be like that some day?"

Persephone heard Lily say as she stood at the top of the stairs looking down at her snuggled close to Alek with the page open to the valkyrie.

Alek: "Oh, baby girl, you are so strong and brave already. You are just like your mother."

Lily: "Really?"

Alek: "Absolutely. That's why I love you both so much."

If there's one thing Persephone hoped Lily wouldn't get from her was her tendency to jump to conclusions. Slowly ascending the stairs, Lily finally looked up from the book and smiled big.

Lily: "Mommy! Come and sit with us!"

Persephone gave her a little smile.

"I'm going to start lunch, sweetheart. But you keep reading, okay?"

Lily: "Okay....do you want help?"

Persephone's eyes move to meet with Alek's for a second before blinking back to Lily.

"Nooo, honey, you spend time with your daddy. It's his birthday!"

She tried to sound as normal as possible, but she could tell Lily was skeptical. Lily nodded anyway, turning back around and looking down at her book. Persephone went into the kitchen and pulled out the fish they had all caught earlier from the fridge.

Lily: "Is mommy okay? She doesn't look happy...."

Lily turned around to look at Persephone.

"Are you guys fighting?"

Persephone looked at Alek sadly. Again, way too smart for her own good.

"No, baby....we had a misunderstanding, that's all."

Lily: "A misunderstanding? So you are fighting?"

 

[Berserker]

"Don't minimize the way I feel, Alek. If I were reading her tales of Hades you would be upset too."

"That is NOT the same thing and you know it!"

Hades brutalized Seph. And he knew she would never read Lily tales of Hades that were complimentary in the slightest. He didn't know how to get her to see that what he was reading to Lily was a part of her culture and not a story about his ex girlfriend. And why was she so concerned about his ex now? She forced him to tell her again that he didn't love Ashley. And frankly, he had told Seph ages ago that she didn't really love him either. She loved a ghost.

"You never questioned my feelings about Ashley before."

"Maybe the novelty of being with the Rook has worn off, I don't know."

His mouth hung open. He honestly couldn't believe the things that were coming out of her mouth.

"You were never a novelty, Persephone."

His feelings were hurt, and then he said something nasty as he went out the door that he immediately regretted. But he put a smile on his face and went down to rejoin Lily. They talked about why she liked that story about the Valkyrie, and Lily said how much she thought the Valkyrie was like her mother and how she wished she could be like that.

He saw Lily look up crom the book and smile big, and he knew Seph had come downstairs. Lily called to her to come sit with them, but she declined. Alek looked into Seph's face with sad eyes.

Lily: "Is mommy okay? She doesn't look happy...."

Alek looked wistfully at Seph in the kitchen, then squeezed Lily's shoulders.

"She'll be fine, don't you worry."

Lily: "Are you guys fighting?"

"No, baby....we had a misunderstanding, that's all."

Lily: "A misunderstanding? So you are fighting?"

Alek patted her hand.

"We're not fighting. Daddy hurt Mommy's feelings, and now he has to make it up to her so she feels better."

He took the book out of her lap and closed it.

"Why don't you help Mommy with lunch? I can't imagine a better birthday than to have lunch prepared by my two favorite girls."

He leaned down close to Lily's ear and whispered to her.

"And I'll bet a hug from you would make Mommy feel a lot better."

He smiled at her and nodded for her to go.

"I'll go outside and collect some wood for the firepit."

 

[Persephone]

Lily looked over at her with concerned eyes. Way too concerned for a six year old to have. She asked if they were fighting and Persephone tried to smooth it over by saying it was a simple misunderstanding. But Lily didn't believe it.

Alek: "We're not fighting. Daddy hurt Mommy's feelings, and now he has to make it up to her so she feels better."

Lily: "You hurt mama's feelings? But how?"

Persephone sighed out at that, gently shaking her head to the negative.

"Alek..."

She said softly in protest but then stopped herself not wanting to further upset Lily. If anyone was in the wrong it was HER for overreacting to a situation that needed no reaction at all.

Alek: "Why don't you help Mommy with lunch? I can't imagine a better birthday than to have lunch prepared by my two favorite girls."

She watched as Alek leaned into Lily before she nodded, hopping off the couch and running over to the kitchen. She wrapped her arms immediately around Persephone's waist, hugging her tightly. Persephone gave her a gentle smile, running her hand down her head before kneeling down and scooping her up in her arms.

Alek: "I'll go outside and collect some wood for the firepit."

Persephone watched Alek as he walked out the back door. Shutting her eyes, she never wished for Lily not to be present with them, but damn did Persephone hope Lily would fall asleep after lunch she could have an actual conversation with Alek didn't didn't involve them screaming at each other.

Lily: "Mommy?"

Sitting Lily down on top of the counter, Persephone tucked a long strange of Lily's dark brown hair behind her ear.

"Yeah, baby?"

Lily: "Are you and daddy going to get a di...di...div..."

Lily was struggling to say a word she probably heard once but didn't quite understand.

"Divorce?"

Lily nodded and it broke Persephone's heart. Running her hand down Lily's cheek, she looked at her with sympathetic eyes, wishing she didn't have to deal with her parents fighting.

"No baby, me and daddy aren't getting a divorce."

Lily gently nodded, looking down at her hands.

Lily: "Because this girl in my class....her mommy and daddy got a divorce....and now her daddy doesn't live with her anymore..."

Persephone brushed back Lily's hair, leaning in and giving her a kiss on the forehead. Putting her index finger under Lily's chin, she raised her line of sight so her blue eyes met with Persephone's.

"Ellaria, that's never going to happen with me and your daddy, okay? Sometimes mommy's and daddy's have fights over stupid things. And that's what this was, baby....just a stupid, stupid thing that blew up for no reason. Daddy's never going to leave us."

Lily's eyes were a little glassy as she listened to Persephone explain that this fight wasn't going to break up the family.

Lily: "And you're never going to leave...right, mommy?"

"No, baby."

Persephone scooped Lily back up into her arms, holding her tightly.

"I'm never going to leave you or daddy."

She could feel Lily's grip on her tighten and Persephone felt absolutely horrible for even creating the situation that they were in. Gently rubbing her back, Persephone gently bounced Lily in her arms making her pull back to see Persephone smiling.

"How about we cook daddy big lunch feast? Does that sound good?"

Lily finally smiled and nodded happily. Sitting Lily back down on the counter, they began to prepare the fish they caught for lunch, and soon enough all of them were sitting at the table eating. Persephone kept face while Lily was there, but she knew her and Alek needed to talk. And lucky for her, as soon as Lily was done eating, she was yawning up a storm and Persephone took her upstairs into her room to tuck her in for a nap. Sitting with her until she fell asleep, she gently gave her a kiss on the forehead before shutting her door.

Walking down the hall, Persephone looked over the banister that overlooked the grand room seeing that Alek wasn't anywhere in sight. Heading to the master suite, Persephone pushed open the cracked door.

"Alek?"

She called in, seeing that he was in fact there. Pressing her lips together, she gently shut the door behind her before finally looking at him apologetically.

"I'm sorry...."

Shaking her head.

"I don't know what came over me. I just.....I saw that picture that looked so much like Ashley....and Lily saying she wanted to be her? I just...I got jealous. And then it all brought up insecurities I haven't had since I first started dating you....and I just blew up."

Taking a step forward toward him, she reached out wanting to grasp his hand but stopped herself, bringing her hands back to herself.

"I'm so sorry, Alek..."

 

[Berserker]

The Cabin

Lily was concerned that they were fighting, and he tried to assuage her fears, but she just wanted to know more. Finally he suggested she help Seph with lunch, while he went out and collected wood for their fire later. He came back inside to a lunch feast, and he praised Lily's cooking and told her how good the food was.

Seph took Lily upstairs for her nap, and Alek went upstairs to their bedroom, sitting down on the bed. He was in a somber mood when he wasn't putting up a front for Lily's sake. He didn't want to hurt Seph, but he also wanted her to believe him when he told her he loved her and only her. Hadn't he proved that? Every day since they'd left New York? It felt incredibly unfair to be challenged now.

"Alek?"

"Here," he said softly.

"I'm sorry...I don't know what came over me. I just.....I saw that picture that looked so much like Ashley....and Lily saying she wanted to be her? I just...I got jealous. And then it all brought up insecurities I haven't had since I first started dating you....and I just blew up. I'm so sorry, Alek..."

He looked up at her. He could tell she was genuinely sorry, but...

"No, don't do that. Don't take the blame on yourself so you can smooth things over between us."

He stood up.

"There's obviously something bothering you. More than the book, more than Lily liking the valkyrie. So, tell me."