Darkness's Flower: Pulling It Together

Chapter 60: I Am Okay

~Lilly~

Nico and I followed Susan to a cafe. Nico put his arm around my back as we neared the middle-aged man. He looked very nice and happy.

"Bonjour! Are you miss Lillian?" he asked.

"Yes, I'm Lillian. And this is my husband Nico," I said.

"Welcome to Paris!" He kissed my hand and shook Nico's. "It's very nice to meet you both. Demigods?"

"Yes, sir. I'm the son of Hades and she's the daughter of Demeter," Nico said.

"Hades and Demeter, very nice. I'm the son of Apollo. The name's Louis."

"It's very nice to meet you, sir," I said.

He smiled. "Sit! Join us! This cafe has amazing food I think you would like."

Nico, being the gentleman he is (only being nice because of being in front of people), pulled the chair out for me. I sat down and he sat next to me. Susan sat across from me and Louis across from Nico. We all ordered gods know what, and talked. After we ate, we left them and started walking around together.

"Hop on my back, babe," Nico said.

"Why?" I asked.

"Just because. This is the same sidewalk we were on when I was carrying you on my back when we were here before."

"Alright."

I went behind of him and jumped. He caught my legs and held me up as I wrapped my arms around his neck. He started walking again.

"Whoa. Lills, I don't want to sound mean or anything by this, but have you gained a little bit of weight since the last time I gave you a piggyback ride?" Nico asked.

I didn't say anything at first. Of course I've gained weight, I'm two months pregnant! But I can't say anything yet, it's not the right time.

"I'm not sure, maybe. I believe, if I'm correct, the last time you gave me a piggyback ride was when we came back home after the quest when we met Nick. That was a long time ago. I'm not sure if that was the last time or not, but it's still been a long time since the last time," I said.

"Okay. It could just be me. I need to start working out again."

I giggled. "Babe, you haven't worked out since the Underworld. Have fun getting back into that routine!"

He stopped. "I will have fun, thank you very much! You never work out, what's your excuse?"

"I'm pre...tty much just too lazy. Plus, I don't really want to work out."

Dear gods, that was close. I really need to be way more careful.

"Why'd you pause during the word pretty?" Nico asked.

"I forgot what I was gonna say," I lied.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

I sighed. "I'm fine! If you keep asking me that, I won't be okay!"

"Alright, alright! Don't be grumpy with me, Lillian di Angelo!"

I smiled. "I haven't really thought of that."

"What? That your name is Lillian di Angelo?"

"Yeah."

He stopped and dropped me, then put me against the nearest wall of a building. His hands squeezed my sides and he tilted his head to put his forehead against mine.

"It has a nice ring to it. Now why don't we get some food to go, take it back to the house, and have a little fun there?" Nico asked with a grin.

I bit my bottom lip. "What kind of fun are you talking about?"

He played with the bottom of my top. "Just some fun. Snuggle. Kiss a bit. That sort of stuff."

"Um...okay. And I know we just ate not too long ago, but I'm starving."

He looked at me weird. "Starving? Are you kidding me? You had all kinds of food at that place!"

"I know! I'm sorry, but I'm really hungry still. Leave me and my food alone."

He put his hands up in surrender. "Okay, okay! Calm down! Sometimes I think you love food more than me."

"Aww, Nico, I could never love anything more than you. I love you more than absolutely anything. If I didn't, I wouldn't have married you."

"Awesome. Now come on. I want to kiss you and not be standing here."

I stood on my toes and pressed my lips into his. He smiled some as I pulled away.

"There. I kissed you, let's go," I mumbled.

"Well aren't you just a big ray of sunshine today..."

I rolled my eyes. "Now he's making references to Will Solace. Great. My husband is still-"

"Lillian! That wasn't a reference-"

I pushed past him and started walking away from him.

"Lilly! Lilly! Come here!" Nico yelled.

He ran up to me and grasped my shoulders, turning me to face him. "Lillian, that wasn't a reference to Will! You know I'm never gonna be like that again! You are my wife for crying out loud! What's your problem?"

I started crying. I don't even know why. But he pulled me to his chest and held me, slipping into the showdowns of the evening. We appeared on the couch of the house he rented. I cried into his chest.

"Shh... Lillian, everything is alright. I don't even know why you're crying, but it's okay," Nico whispered.

I pushed away from him and wiped my face off. "I'm okay. I'm sorry, I don't know what's been going on with me. I'm fine, I promise. Can I please go to bed? I'm tired and I think sleep might help."

He smiled. "Of course. Do you want me to-"

"Yeah. Don't leave me. After all, this is our honeymoon."