Choosing Family

Chapter Thirteen

The father and daughter quickly made their way through the streets of the Isle toward the Underworld. Hades tried to make sure he kept his pace to one that Mal could match without seeming like he was slowing down for her.

Thankfully, the streets were empty wherever they went. Whether that was because someone had spread the word that Hades was coming or if it was because they were worried about upsetting Maleficent, Hades didn't know. Nor did he particularly care. As long as they didn't impede him from getting Mal to the Underworld, they could go dress in drag and do the hula for all Hades cared.

Though now the image of Hook and Gaston potentially doing that was seared into Hades' brain...it was a good thing Gaston thought himself too manly to actually do that or Hades would have to kill him. The God would have no choice in the matter.

Should I be worried that Mal's so quiet? Hades thought about halfway through their trek. Mal had been keeping pace with him quite nicely but she had been quiet. Maybe she's worried about slipping up? Saying something that someone else might hear? I mean, I want her to be proud to be my daughter. I just don't want the potential target on her back. She's already got one simply by being Maleficent's daughter, she doesn't need another one.

Though I'd love it if Maleficent came after me for this. Give me the chance to give her a piece of my mind about how she's been treating my daughter.

Hades let out a soft sigh. There was no way Maleficent would actually confront Hades about this. She would never actually do her own dirty work. That was left for her goblin minions after all.

Though, the poor souls who crossed her last just opened up a coffee shop. Cause that's what people want—coffee made out of the junk Auradon sends us. Who in their right mind wants curds in their coffee? Because that's what people would get if they put in the month old milk we're lucky to get.

That formula Steph had brought over back when they had Mal had been a lifesaver for a lot of the kids Mal's age and younger. Since Steph had brought over a six month supply under the guise of helping the infants of the Isle, it wasn't doing much good just sitting in Hades' kitchen after Maleficent stole Mal from them.

Slowly yet surely, Persephone had made it available to the other new parents of the Isle. Some, like the Evil Queen, turned it down; claiming all the formula would do was make her daughter fat. Others, like Gaston, turned it down as they considered it an insult that Persephone was implying they couldn't produce food for their kid.

Thank the Gods for Claudette and Milah, Hades thought as they continued to make their way to the Underworld. They at least accepted some of the formula for when Gaston foisted Gil off onto her so he could get drunk with LeFou and Hook. That way, Harry had something to eat too. I almost wish we had still had some of the formula when CJ was born but with Milah's death, there was no way Hook would have accepted it.

There were a few parents, mainly the lower ranked villains, who were more willing to accept the formula. Though, since it obviously came from Auradon, they took some convincing that it was actually good to consume. Normally they'd be accused of being overly paranoid but one look at what the adults had to eat said otherwise.

Sighing, Hades shook his head a little to clear it of such thoughts. He was about to re-introduce Mal to her step mother.The last thing he needed was memories of Steph crying on the couch in the den because another infant died running through his head.

"Steph?" Hades called out as he entered the Underworld, Mal in tow.

"Steph?" Mal repeated softly, looking at Hades in confusion, but Hades didn't hear her.