Deianira

Chapter 3

May 10th, 2020: Six Months before The Great Fall

Matthew Greenwell

Matthew approached his home for the first time in a month. The white picket fence still stood proudly marking off his home from the others around it. The warm lights inside his home told him his family was still awake and waiting for his return. A glance down at the silver watch told him that it was way too late in the evening for his liking, he still had more work to do. Matthew stood there for a moment longer looking at his hand, and then his body. To him, his body was not of meat and flesh, but a planet. With continents and oceans. Clouds swirled gently over the planet. To him, he was a planet not a person. I know it isn't real. You are Matthew. A husband, and a father. A planetary scientist. I am not a planet. The affirmations did not change him back into a human. I am a planet just like Olympia.

He took a moment to collect himself, to ignore his body. He must not pay attention to himself. He lazily adjusted his glasses before opening the front door and was immediately greeted with a pair of small hands wrapped around his waist, "Daddy! You're home!" With a chuckle, Matthew set down his items from work and scooped up the small boy in his arms, kicking the door shut in the process. "Oli, my boy! I missed you so much little one. I'm sorry this adventure took longer than I had planned."

The head of curly caramel brown hair and round hazel eyes on the boy mirrored Matthew's own, but his olive-colored skin matched his mother's much to Matthew's pleasure. The smell of apple wafted through the home, a scent that could really only be tied to his daughter. His wife preferred the scent of rose or eucalyptus. When did Birdie come back from college? Oliver Squirmed in Matthew's arms attempting to get onto his shoulder's, "What adventure did you go on today?! Did you show him who's boss? Did you expose his ass?" An audible gasp could be heard from the kitchen before the woman of Matthew's dreams rushed from the kitchen and immediately pulled Oliver from his arms. "Oliver Percy Greenwell! Where did that mouth come from?"

Matthew forgot to tune into the scolding the woman was giving the poor boy as he examined her. God she is always perfect. Her deeply tanned olive skin was complemented by her rich brown hair and eyes of amber. Currently, her wavy hair was tied up into a bun that was practically spilling out of the hair tie and a scarlet red headscarf laid gently on her head. A matching scarlet dress fell all the way to the floor, intricate striped details sewn into the skirts. A deep purple scarf with floral patterns crossed around the top of the dress which was slightly loose and touched the top of her thighs as she knelt to Olivers height. The large golden hoop earrings paired well with the golden necklace that hung from her neck. This was Matthew's favorite outfit of hers and he knew she did it on purpose. She always did everything so purposefully.

Seeing her this beautiful and dressed up for him sent Matthew back to the first time he met her. Her bright smile as she danced the night away to music Matthew didn't know and the same red dress billowing as she danced. Her hair was wild and full. The breeze of summer just right and the sunset just ending as the lights of that small town lit up the town square. She was positively glowing and when they made eye contact he knew he was done for. That even the scientist that dreamed to see planets through SPACE's telescopes would give up that dream to live in this small town with the woman before him. That decision was made even more clear to him when she pulled him to dance. Even though she ended up being the one leaving that little town.

He was so lost in thought that he didn't notice her standing in front of him with her hands on her hips. Blinking a few times he brought himself back to reality, "Sorry, what was that?" Her annoyance dropped for a minute as she paused, "Love, are you okay? I've been talking to you for a minute now. I asked if you really told Oli that you were going to 'hand Knash's ass to him'? You know how I feel about him saying words like that. He is too young to use those words properly."

Matthew only smiled and drew her in by her hips and placed his nose in her hair. Oliver made a fake gagging sound and ran into the kitchen. A few seconds later the soft sounds of a conversation floated from the kitchen. Drawing a hand up and through her deep brown hair Matthew moved so his head rested in her neck and spoke in a whisper, "I'm sorry starlight... You're right, I was must've let it slip when I came home from work one time. I'm alright I promise, just tired. Seeing you in this dress brings back memories. Did you wear this just for me?" Her arms pulled up and around his shoulders as her hands tangled into his hair, "I suppose I can forgive you this time love and... yes I figured it might be a nice surprise for you. It's been two months since you've been home after all." Silence fell between the two for a few heartbeats. Only the sensation of their warm bodies pressed together and the tenseness of knowing. Matthew knew how the last conversation with Eliza went when she wanted him to stop going into work as much. He swore his ears still rung from how loud their conversation got. Conversation, never an argument, not when Matthew was part of it.

Matthew pressed a kiss to her neck, "When did Birdie get home from college? I thought she had another week or two." Eliza pulled on Matthew's caramel hair which told him the previous tension was not going to be smoothed over with a new conversation, but she spoke anyway, "She came back early. She said her finals are all projects or papers so she doesn't need to be on campus for them. She's smart just like you. I can't understand some of the words she says sometimes..." Matthew felt her withdraw from his grasp to glance at the kitchen. A far off sorrow rested on her face. Matthew's head swarmed again. I need to continue working. Continue working. Continue... He pulled Eliza back into him again. The thoughts quieted, "You could always teach her Greek or Latin. Have her speak to you in your way." Eliza only scoffed and shook her head, "I told you why I never taught them greek when they were younger."

Yes, she did tell Matthew why. Did he like it though? No. He always found Greek to be a beautiful language, and he wanted to hear it from his children just like he heard it from his wife. She told him that her children will not have to face the trouble of understanding two languages at a young age. Of picking up an accent and struggling through school like she did. Eliza's parents moved to the US from Northern Greece when she was just a little girl, and due to this Eliza's first language was modern greek so she knew better than most what it was like to grow up in school where the curriculum was taught in English. Eliza still wrote and read almost everything in Greek but could still be seen occasionally with an English book in her lap. Matthew thought she spoke perfect English, but he knew she disagreed. "αστροφεγγιά, my dear, I know why you didn't and I respect that decision even if I don't agree, but surely she is okay to learn it now that she is older and fluent in English."

He pulled away long enough to glance at her face. Every time she contemplated something her nose scrunched and her eyes squint slightly in concentration; just another thing Matthew loved about her. His eyes followed her hand as it reached for the golden cross at the center of her necklace and traced it a few times. Finally, she placed that same hand on Matthew's heart and she spoke resolutely, "You're right. I'll ask her during dinner if she is interested." Matthew only nodded as he pulled away.

Without another word Matthew drifted up the stairs and into the master bedroom to change out of the suit he has worn every other day the last month. The suit was the classic sleek black and white that made him feel like a boring office worker with no control over his life. The amount of times Knash adjusted Matthew's tie or smoothed over the lapels of his suit only amplified the feeling. He hasn't even been able to analyze the planet further in months. Knash has kept him so busy with world meetings and project development that the only time he's had was spent on reading other planetary scientists' analyses and predictions. Since when did his job become paperwork and public speaking? I need to get back to work. He had a little set up in his garage that he could properly take a look at the approaching planet... Yes.

Striding back down the stairs and through the kitchen he made his way to the shed in the backyard. He did not hear the call of his family who were setting up dinner. He didn't see his daughter's face shatter only for a mere moment as she gazed after the man she hadn't seen in nearly a year. All he heard was the call of Deianira, Olympia was a silly name for a planet anyway.

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αστροφεγγιά: Starlight

# of Times Edited: 1