Hades and Persephone

Chapter 30: Epilogue

Persephone gazed out the window of the new cottage she lived in with her mother on Olympus. It was bright and sunny, birds chirping. Another beautiful day amongst the gods. There was a knock on her door and Demeter stuck her head in.

"Are you all ready?"

Persephone smiled. "I was ready days ago."

Demeter sighed. "I know." She stood up straight and cleared her throat. "I'll miss you, daughter."

"I know. I'll miss you too." She stood up and gave her mother a small hug. Their relationship was nowhere near where it was when she was younger, but they had worked on improving it. 

"Let's go then."

Demeter and Persephone stepped out of the cottage into the garden that surrounded them. The dryads all came over. Tears fell from their eyes as they huddled together.

"We'll miss you," they all chorused.

Persephone smiled at them. "I'll miss you too. Don't worry, the time will go by quickly." She motioned for them to give her a hug. 

The young goddess turned to her mother. "It's time."

Tears leaked from the corners of Demeter's eyes. She nodded. "Best do it now. The longer it drags out the worse it will be."

Persephone gave her mother another quick hug. 

"Good bye, I'll see you again soon."

Demeter stepped back, arms wrapped around herself.

Persephone gave them all one last tiny wave before she vanished with a pop.

Hades sat in his garden. Her garden. It no longer belonged to him. He sighed as the Underworld slowly grew lighter. It was day. Or at least, what passed for day. He got up. Time to get to work. Another day, another drachma. Each day blended together with the last. 

He slowly walked up to the palace. Thanatos stood at the top of the steps. He bowed his head. "My Lord."

Hades inclined his chin in acknowledgement.

"My Lord you have a visitor."

"Tell them to go away. I don't want to see anyone."

"Lord Hades, I think you should see them."

"No. Send them away."

A figure in a deep hooded cloak strode forward. 

"Oh come now Hades, is that any way to speak to your wife?"

Hades' eyes grew wide as the figure pushed back their hood.

"Persephone!"

"Hello Hades."

She stood there smiling at him. Her hair had grown a little, but her wild curls were still fairly short. Several flowers were twined in her braids. Her eyes still sparkled and it was her same smile. He couldn't believe it.

"Has it been six months already?" he asked, grabbing her hands.

She nodded. "I've been counting down the days."

"I couldn't sleep, couldn't eat. My life was a misery without you in it, my love."

"Say that again."

"My life was a misery --"

"No, the last part."

Hades smiled. "My love." He kissed her on the cheek. "My love." He kissed her on the other cheek. "My love." He finally kissed her on the lips. 

She smiled back and threw her arms around him. "I'm home," she sighed in his ear.