Persephone

11. Pomegranates ✔

Hades

I go back downstairs and walk back into the kitchen to find my brother and his wife, making out on my kitchen counter.

"Not on the freaking counter you animals, how many times do I have to tell you," I yell.

Honestly, I do not know anymore.

"Sorry, she wanted some," Don says, fixing his pants.

I pinch the bridge of my nose, "You're lucky we're related Don, so damn lucky."

"We are sorry Hades, he was only trying to help," Fifi says softly.

"Couldn't you go upstairs to one of the spare rooms?" I ask furiously.

"Hades you do not raise your voice like that to my wife!"

He is right, "I'm sorry."

I take my cigarettes out of my pocket and go outside for a smoke; I am stressed out but that did not mean I had to lash out at her like that.

I light my cigarette, take a big pull, and blow sweet relief. I look out into the garden and walk to the table that is in the middle of the garden, I need to think. The thought of poisoning Persephone did not sit well with me, what if she really died, I would have killed her all for nothing and that would ruin me, yet again, I did not have much of a choice.

I had to think of something. Poseidon!

I groan, shit now I must go apologies to that idiot.

Poseidon!

What do you want shrimp?

You that is not nice to call me a shrimp, I am more of a shark.

Start talking before I block you, shrimp.

I need your help; I spoke to the council.

Within seconds he was sitting in the chair across from me, he is dark blue eyes looking into my soul, I hated it when he did that.

"You have to poison Persephone," he says before leaning back on his chair.

I nod, "Yep, apparently it's part of the process."

"Sounds just about right. Well, I'll mix the potion and all you have to do is give her the drink," he says

"You're seriously going to help me with this," I question, "I can't hurt her, I can't let you hurt her."

"Hades, you know damn well you need to do this or else."

"Fuck" I mumble, "Fine, I'll do it."

"Good." he smiles, and he uses his telekinesis to bring the picnic baskets outside and starts setting up.

I get up and finish smoking my cigarette before going back inside to get Persephone. I walk up the stairs and stand in front of her door and before I could knock, she opens the door and there she was in all her glory, she was wearing a yellow floral dress, with a matching curly wig and pumps.

"Wow."

She smiles, "You like?"

"I love it, you look so beautiful." I smile.

She blushes, "Thank you."

I take her hand and we go outside to join Fifi and Don.

"Thank you for joining us, Persephone," I say as we walk to the garden.

"My pleasure. What's the occasion though?"

We get to the picnic table, "That's a surprise."

"Persephone," Fifi greets and pulls her in for a hug.

"Hey Fi, how are you?" she asks.

I walk over to Don, "So is it done?"

He nods, "She'll sit next to Fifi on the left. Fifi already has the drink ready."

I stay quiet.

"Everything will be fine Hades, just stay calm."

Fifi brings her to the table and sits her down, Fifi sits next to her, exactly where Don said she would sit. I sit beside Persephone and smile at her.

Fifi and Persephone start up a conversation while I help Don fire up the grill for the burgers, I am nervous, I am about to kill Persephone, well not really but still, I am going to watch her die.

"Hades if you don't stop freaking out in that little head of yours, I'll kill you."

He is not helping me.

"Of course not, you moron! You're a man but you're acting like some hormonal teenage girl." he spits.

Fifi and Persephone look over at us and I give them a faint smile.

"Would you please keep it together?" I whisper harshly.

I pick up the plate of burgers and go over to the table, Don joins us, and we start making burgers. I make two for Persephone, asking her what she liked on them, she places her plate in front of her and kisses me on the cheek, and my cheeks heat up. It is difficult to keep a straight face with her, I am always smiling, not what you expect from the evilest bastard in the world, right?

Once everyone is done dishing their food, Fifi starts pouring drinks, she gives Persephone hers and she pours a glass for Don and me and then she pours herself a glass of water.

"So, we have an announcement to make," Fifi says excitedly, Don smiles at his glowing wife.

"After three years of trial and error and being told that I wouldn't be able to do it, I have defied the odds," Fifi says.

"Come on tell us already, I'm dying to know," Persephone laughs impatiently.

"We are pregnant," Don grins.

Persephone squeals and hugs Fifi, "Congratulations guys, I'm so happy for you."

"Thank you, Persephone," Fifi giggles.

"Let's raise our glasses," Don says.

Everything just seems to be happening in slow motion, I watch as she picks up the glass with a smile, she raises it and looks over at me with the most beautiful smile she had ever given me.

"We'd just like to thank the gods for blessing us and we hope that they continue to do so," Don says, "Cheers."

"Cheers," Everyone says.

She takes a sip of her drink and moans, "This is so good."

"My secret recipe," Don smiles.

He is enjoying this, why?

She gulps down the rest of it and I watch, waiting for something to happen but nothing happens.

I sigh in relief.

We carry on with the picnic and when it's over, we walk over to the pond and I pull her close to me, I look at her plump lips and lick my lips and I lean down and kiss her.

I pull away and she smiles at me and then her eyes turn black, and she goes limp in my arms.

"No, Persephone."

I shake her body, "Persephone please."

I check her pulse and there is nothing.

"Persephone!"