Persephone

58. Dead Leaves ✔

Persephone

He took a hard knock after Hecate and Tyson tried to put him down, and he was out for a good three days. I told him everything and that I had forgiven and sent Minthe away to my mother. He took it well.

He seemed happy that she wasn't going to bother us anymore and so was I. As much as I didn't like her, I wished her the best and something told me that she was going to be safe with my mother.

Today we are preparing to give my baby Rose, an amazing send-off, in the underworld. It was bittersweet, as much as we wanted her to be alive, Hades and I both knew that it wasn't going to happen.

I was getting ready for the funeral and Hades was waiting for us in the castle bedroom, our guests were waiting for us in the hall. I have on a white silk dress and a red rose flower crown, no make-up.

I walk out of the closet and Hades is dressed in all white, and he had a rose flower crown on his head.

"Are you ready?" he asks, as he pulls me into his arms and kisses my forehead.

I nod, "Yeah, are you?"

He shakes his head.

I wrap my arms around him and squeeze him tight.

"Everything will be okay baby. She's home now."

He sobs and I hold him for a moment, ever since she passed, I don't think he's had a moment to cry and mourn our baby. I had to give him that chance to be vulnerable. I knew he blamed himself for it all, but I didn't, this wasn't his fault. It was just part of the journey sometimes you win some and sometimes you lose some and sometimes you win some.

"It's not your fault baby, she was the sacrifice we had to make so that we could start over,"

I feel him move his head on my shoulder and I assume that he is agreeing. After a few moments he lifts his head, I wipe his tears and kiss him.

He sniffs, "I'm sorry,"

I cup his face in my hands, "There is no need to be sorry baby. You needed this. There is nothing wrong with being vulnerable, there is strength in vulnerability."

He kisses my forehead, "I love you, Perse."

"I love you too, Hades."

I wait for Hades to collect himself before we make our way to the castle hall, where everyone is waiting for us. I had kindly asked our guests to dress in white and I made flower crowns for everyone to wear. I was happy to see that everyone had followed instructions.

We take our seats in the front on our thrones and Hecate leads the ceremony, when all the proceedings are over, we move to the outdoor ceremony where we are going to send our baby off but before we do that, Hades and I say our final words.

Hades starts tearing up.

"Dammit Rose, I'm never gonna live this down with your uncle Don."

"Damn right," I hear Don holler from the back, and everyone laughs.

"My baby Rose, I love you. The moment I knew you existed I was scared. Your mother and I had just gotten married, and we barely knew what we were doing. I had zero experience on how to be a parent, let alone your father and the world around me was so chaotic. But as you grew, I started learning a lot, about patience and how weird pregnancy cravings could get,"

Everyone laughs.

"But most of all you taught me, love, I learnt to love your mother in many ways and losing you taught me that we have to love even more in times of darkness. I know you would have made an amazing deity, but the gods had other plans. I love you and may your soul rest in peace."

Everyone claps and it's Persephone's turn.

"Oh Rose, your father has said it all, I don't know what more I can say. I love you, my precious baby, I enjoyed every minute I carried you, especially when it gave your father some grief," I say, "I'm glad you came home, I love you, my princess, rest in power."

And with that we release her ashes go, a wind blows, and it carries her ashes, and the most magical thing happens, her ashes turn into red rose petals. Hades grips me around my waist, and I smile, and tears fall from my eyes. Hades kisses the side of my head and I feel at peace.

After watching for a few minutes, we make our way back to earth, for the garden lunch with an open bar. It was a funeral, but it was a celebration of life and Don thought it would be a great idea to have an open bar.

Hades and I are standing near the black roses, talking about Amphi and Don, when they approach us.

"Hey guys," Amphi greets, "That ceremony was amazing."

She was on the brink of tears, and I found it weird and then it clicked in my head, I look at Hades and he nods.

"Thank you so much Amphi, we appreciate you guys being here and supporting us," I reply as I give them both a hug.

Hades hugs his brother, "Thank you, Don, for everything."

"Anything for my favourite Lil bro," he smiles.

"So, when is the baby coming?" Hades asks.

Don spits his water, and it sprays in Hades' face, I can't help but giggle.

"What?" Don finally asks and then he turns to his equally shocked wife.

Don picks up Amphi and spins her around, Amphi laughs and kisses her husband.

"We are having another baby!" Don announces and everyone cheers.

I look up at Hades, "How can you tell these things?"

"I was once a doctor," he says with a smile, "And, I can smell new souls the moment they are created."

I chuckle, "Wow, okay Doctor Wilson. I just can't believe she's expecting again, how will she manage with triton?"

"She'll manage," Hades shrugs.

I sigh, "It sucks we can't have kids anymore."

Hades kisses the side of my head, "I know baby, at least now we can fuck with no consequence."

I hit hades on the chest and giggle, "You nasty."

He grabs my ass, "You love it."

And indeed, I did. To be honest, I was happy that I couldn't have children anymore. The underworld was no place for a child, it was dark and dangerous, so it was best that way. I found joy in Hades and that's all the joy, I'll ever need.