Apostolos I Summon You to Human Form

Chapter 13

Accalia Alogo stood in the kitchen ofher parents home in one of the outer suburbs of Seattle. She wascutting vegetables in preparation of Stifado, a family favorite Greekbeef stew meal. It was a comfort food that also tantalized – itcooked best in a slow cooker all day, which meant the smells ofspices and vegetables wafted through the house. When Kae and hersisters were younger, they'd always start begging Sabra to servedinner early. When one's nose caught the whiff of Stifado close toready, it acted like an index finger beckoning one closer. The lasthour was agony, with stomachs loud and impatient.

Today marked it a week since Accaliahad seen Ash. Memories of that Sunday morning drifted through hermind while she worked.

They had slept in. Well, Acheron did.He was never a morning person, and even slept through Accaliacompletely rolling over to face him. He held her body flush with his,and she soaked in the intimacy and trust. To sleep in Acheron's armssounded like a dream, yet she knew, thankfully, that she wasn'tsleeping. She twirled a small strand of his hair around her finger,in awe she had the privilege to. She glanced to Acheron's peacefulface. He had a calm expression, and his breathing was deep and even.

Accalia slowly, carefully maneuveredher hand out from between their bodies so she could trace the shapesof his face. A finger followed the slight curve of his aquiline nose,brushed over the bright ruby stud sitting in its side, and traced theshape of his lower lip. Gods, were those lips delicious andever-enticing. At her touch, the corners of his mouth perked upslightly in a barely-there smile. It was enough to give herbutterflies.

"I love you," she whisperedsoftly, and closed her eyes. She could have sworn his arm around herhad tightened just a little. She lay there until he woke up,appreciating him and radiating with admiration.

Accalia craved mornings like this as adaily occurrence. Down to the depths of her soul, she wanted nothingmore than to call Acheron hers, and vise versa. No ownership, but amutual and equal partnership. He made her consider marriage for thefirst time in her adult life. Children, too. While she wanted toestablish a career before entertaining large life changes. WithAcheron, she'd hopefully have an immortal life to study history.Hell, Acheron was history. The man pre-dated currently knownrecords of human society. Further, she knew without a doubt that hewould make an amazing father, and he'd be more than enthusiastic toshare in the responsibility and work of raising their children. Ashhad access to unlimited wealth, so they would never need or want foranything, and with Acheron's powers, their safety was almost surelyguaranteed.

It was decided, Accalia thought, thatthe moment she returned home she would make an appointment to haveher IUD removed.

"Do you think we could have baklavatonight, instead of cake?" Accalia's younger sister Kleio asked,bringing Kae's mind back to the kitchen.

"Uh, sorry?" she asked sheepishly.

"Would you mind making baklava?Instead of cake?" There was a hopeful tone in Kleio's voice. TheGreek pastry was her absolute favorite, a sweet that was to die for.With a variety of nuts and sweetened with honey, Kae had to agree.

"Of course," Accalia smiled. "I'llget to it right after I start the slow cooker."

"Yes!" Kleio said to herself, andthen to her sister said, "Thanks, Kae."
"No problem,"Accalia answered automatically.

"Is Acheron coming?"

Accalia glanced to her sister. WhenAsh dropped Kae off that Sunday afternoon, Klieo was enthusiastic ininviting Ash to join the family for a small celebration of Klieo'sbirthday. Acheron had graciously accepted. Being included in theirfamily felt like such an honor to him.