Small Twists of Fate

Chapter Twenty Seven

Hades smiled softly as he watched Persephone lay their daughter down in her bassinet for the evening; the two of them about ready to head to bed themselves. It was truly exhausting being new parents, even if they did have tiny helpers clamoring to do just that.

Honestly, Hades was more worried of tripping over the little Hooklings than he was he'd hurt his daughter. Hence why nine times out of ten, the child watching duties were given to Virgil much to Harriet's displeasure. It didn't exactly please the always anxious toddler either but Hades also knew he could trust the half-imp to stay in one spot.

Harriet was like one of those bouncy balls Persephone had brought back from Boreadon and while Hades knew it was no fault of the Hookling's (she was after all a toddler and mortal toddlers apparently had no 'off switch'), he still felt better having the less energetic toddler watch over his daughter.

"There you go Mali, all nice and comfy," Persephone cooed as she wrapped a blanket around their daughter. "You get some shut eye, mama and papa will be right here if you need us."

A small coo was the only response the young Godling gave but it was all either parent needed. Persephone smiled as she crawled into the bed next to Hades, the older God wrapping his arms around her and holding her to him.

"It feels weird to think about so many citizens of the Isle becoming parents," he murmured.

"What do you mean?" Persephone asked, looking up at her husband.

"Well, you already know about Ursula giving birth to her squidling," Hades said. "But then there's young Harry of course, rumor has it Gothel's got a kid—."

"Another one?"

"Another...oh you're referring to Cassandra?"

Persephone nodded. "Of course, she's the only other volunteer to come to the Isle other than Daniel."

"Funny you should mention him," Hades said.

"Hades, what did you do?"

"Why do you assume I did something?" Hades asked, tilting his head slightly as he looked down at his wife.

"Because that's usually what you say before you say something that you think I'd disapprove of," Persephone told him.

Hades chuckled and shook his head. "While that's true, I promise, I haven't done anything to Evil Queen's boy toy. It's just he fit the topic of Isle residents becoming parents."

"He...Oh, Regina and Daniel had a child?" Persephone asked, a smile coming to her face.

"I'll never understand how you learned Evil Queen's first name but yep," Hades nodded. "They've got a little sunspot. A girl, actually. She was born in April, a few weeks before Harry."

"Oh that's great! Malinoë will have an ally outside of the family," Persephone said.

Hades shook his head. "As much as I want her to have allies outside of the family, I wouldn't go near EQ right now."

"Why not?"

"We're entering into another round of Evil Queen attempting to take power from Maleficent," Hades explained. "I don't want Malinoë to potentially be impacted because we decided to make allies with Maleficent's arch rival. I know we can take anything Maleficent can dish out because, well, we're Gods and she's a powerless lizard in a human form, but still. I'd rather not risk our daughter."

Persephone smiled and gently reached up to kiss Hades on the cheek. "That's very sweet Hades."

"Not only that, but it might put the Hooklings and Smeeling at risk as well," Hades added. "I'm not about to risk our alliance with the Hooks and the Smees just to add an alliance with Evil Queen."