A minute after they were done and during final announcements, Artemis walked in holding a very teary and pouty Phoebe by the armpits.

Artemis smiled at Delia, "Oh, there's the sweetest girl I've known. And, this is your demon child."

Artemis said, dropping Phoebe in Apollo's lap.

As if to prove a point, Pheobe patted him on the chest and smiled at him.

"I thought you said she was a year old?" one of the women asked.

"She is," Apollo said.

"She's just tiny," Artemis said. "Takes it from Apollo. He used to get lost in mother's skirts."

Apollo blushed, "I did not!"

"You so did!"

"You can leave now, dear sister"

"No, I think I'll stay"

Apollo grabbed an apple off the table and hit her in the forehead with it from across the room

"Out! "

Artemis just laughed, walking away and flipping him off. He sighed, turning to Phoebe

"Was the crying really necessary? "

She nodded seriously, cuddling up to his chest. A few people laughed

"So these are your kids? " the therapist asked, amused

"..... Yep"

"They are adorable"

Delia beamed at him and Apollo ruffled her hair

"The problem is that they are aware of it"

Delia and Phoebe both smiled lovingly, acting innocent.

They finished up the announcements, the girls playing together while they waited.

"For a final thing," the therapist said. "As adorable as they are, we prefer to keep family seperate."

Apollo smiled, "I know. I'll be more careful with them."

"It was Phoebe's fault," Delia offered. "She got bored and forced us to go out. And, we can't go out without daddy."

"No!" Pheobe argued.

"Yes," Delia said.

"No!"

"You can't just say no and not make it true."

"No!" Pheobe argued, pouting.

Delia rolled her eyes, "Daddy, Pheobe is telling lies."

Pheobe sat down on the ground and started crying.

Apollo picked her up while the group laughed. He struggled not to join them

"Come on, little one. We can go to the store later"

Phoebe looked up, eyes watery

"Tore? "

"Yep. Store. You can harass the people there"

She buried her face in his chest and he kissed her head, rolling his eyes

"I think this is the happiest I've seen you" The therapist observed

"..... Being inconvenienced by my toddlers. Truly thrilling"

He smiled

"I'm not a toddler," Delia argued. "Pheobe is. She's annoying."

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but you are a toddler," Apollo said.

"No."

Apollo sighed deeply, "Than what are you?"

Delia thought about it, "I'm a teenager."

"In six years."

"No, now. I'm a teenager now."

"Dada," Phoebe interrupted. "Tore. Animals."

Delia perked up, forgetting her arguments, "Can we get rats?!"

"Your mother already said no, but we can go see the animals."

"Okay, but mama doesn't remember that," Delia said in the same way one might say important information.

"We're not using your mother's injury to our benefit," Apollo deadpanned.

"Why not?!" Delia asked, looking up at him as if he betrayed her.

"I'm loyal to you because I'm your father. I'm loyal to your mother because I'm her husband."

Delia crossed her arms, "Husbands are overrated. I want a wife."

"I...we ....you are allowed to marry who you want when you're older."

Delia nodded seriously

Apollo stared at the wall, eyes dead

"Don't want a gay daughter? " One person teased

"I couldn't care less about that if I tried" Apollo shook his head "I'm just not having that conversation with my 5 year old right now"

They all left a while later, Apollo carrying both toddlers to the car

A few people said goodbye to Apollo or more accurately, Apollo's daughters.

Audrey smiled at him as he handed her Phoebe.

He sat in the backseat with Delia,

"Never do that again," he said to the entire car. "Please."

Artemis started the car, looking proud with herself. Audrey smiled apologetically.

"Delia didn't leave us with a choice."

"Nope," Delia agreed.

Apollo leaned his head against the window, overwhelmed. They got take out for lunch and went home

The kids ate while Apollo stared at his food, nauseated by the grease. He got the kids down for their naps and cuddled with Audrey on the couch

"You didn't eat," Audrey said.

"No...I'm not hungry"

"You sure?"

Apollo hesitated for a second, "I..there was a lot of..grease on the food."

"Oh," Audrey said softly. "Oh, um..we can get something less greasy..maybe?"

"We don't have to, it's fine."

"But, you're hungry."

"I'll be fine sunshine."

"I can stand on my feet. Help me to the kicthen and I'll make you something."

"That's not necessary-"

"I want to. And, you're hungry."

"I'm really not. I had coffee"

"That's not food"

He sighed and she lightly glared at him

Apollo helped her to the kitchen and sat her on the counter while he made a bagel

"Back to those, huh? " Audrey teased

"Hey. Don't judge me"

"I'm only slightly judging"

He smiled, kissing her forehead

Audrey smiled at him, "Come on, food is good for you."

"Says me."

"Fair enough."

"Look at you listening to my every word. What a good boy."

Apollo choked on his coffee, face going red

"Stop-"

"Nah. You look so good when you blush. My pretty boy"

Apollo pressed his face into her shoulder while she giggled, stroking his hair

"Good boy"

Apollo held her a little tighter, "Stop."

"Why? What are you going to do about it?"

Apollo huffed, hugging her middle.

Audrey stroked his hair idly, "That what I thought."

"You're hurt"

"Do I sound like I care? "

"Audrey.... "

"Shhhh"

Apollo shut up and she smiled

"Good boy. Doing what he's told. So good"

"Stop teasing me."

"Okay," Audrey said, kissing him.

Apollo held her closer. Audrey leaned into him, looking for every piece of closeness she could get.

Apollo moaned, picking her up. Audrey laughed.

"Your sandwich."

"Later," Apollo said, kissing her again.

"No. You need to eat"

"Oh I plan on having something in my mouth. Just not bread and cheese"

Audrey let out a startled laugh as he carried her upstairs

Apollo placed Audrey gently on the bed, smiling at her. She dragged him down by the edge of his sweatpants.

Apollo didn't mind, following her movement.

Apollo kissed her cheek, trailing kisses to her neck. Audrey melted, grabbed onto his shirt or wherever she could easily grasp.

"Promise me something" He whispered, kissing her jaw

"Anything"

"You'll tell me if I'm hurting you"

Audrey nodded

They looked up an hour later, hearing the kids stirring. Apollo laughed into her hair

"Glad I locked the door"

"Mhm"

They cuddled until the kids knocked and Apollo got dressed, making sure Audrey did the same before letting them in

Audrey patted her hair down as Delia and Phoebe came in.

Delia scrunched her nose, "It smells bad."

Apollo and Audrey looked at each other.

"How about we sit in the living room then?" Audrey asked.

Apollo quickly opened the windows before taking everyone downstairs. Once they were sitting and watching a movie, he rushed upstairs and threw their bedsheets in the laundry.

He made dinner while the kids and Audrey watched a movie, bringing everyone plates before getting his own

Audrey held his hand, making him eat with them. He kissed her forehead

"Mama," Delia said.

"Yes sweetheart?"

"Can we have rats?"

"Rats?"

"Rats."

Audrey thought about it, "Why would you want rats."

"They're cute."

"They're rodents."

"They're cute!" Apollo defended.

Audrey turned to him, eyes wide, "Okay. We have strong feelings about rats. Your snake?"

"We'll keep the rats and snake seperated," Apollo said.

"Okay," Audrey said. "We aren't getting rodents. A hamster once Phoebe is older."

"Why?"

"I don't want my child torturing a hamster."

"Then get rats. They are one of my sacred animals"

".... I'm not so sure.... "

"Please, sunshine? "

Apollo and Delia both gave her puppy eyes and she started to crumble

".... This feels like an attack"

"You won't have to see them"

"This isn't fair"

"They are fuzzy babies"

Audrey sighed

"Clearly, you two have strong emotions about rats."

"Yes," Apollo and Delia asked.

"Okay, give me three minutes and I'll give you my honest reply. Come on eat."

They both did while Audrey pulled out her phone. She kept it hidden for the whole three minutes.

Once they were up, she smiled at them. Apollo and Delia listened with interested, both anticipating the 'yes'.

"Since we have strong emotions about rats, I've decided that we will take a family trip to the zoo. I asked Aphrodite and Ares to accompany us as well as Liz and Jack and Artemis, Dionysus and Ariadne. So, it's a full trip."

"And after we'll get rats? " Delia looked up at her

"..... We'll see"

Apollo snickered at Audrey's expression, kissing her head

"We won't get rats," Audrey told him that night. While they were getting ready for bed. "Absolutely not. They're tiny and terrifying."

"They're adorable," Apollo said, organising clothes into the closet.

"I'm not arguing with you," she said, cuddling her blanket. "Say, our anniversary is soon."

Apollo thought about it, "Beginning of march, yeah..Why?"

Audrey shrugged, "Well we've been married for seven years. Is that not something worth celebrating?"

"I guess"

"Apollo."

He turned to her, "Yes, sunshine?"

"Our anniversary. Are we not celebrating? It doesn't have to be big."

"We just never...really celebrated before."

"We haven't?"

"No..with Delia and everything...no not really," he said, going back to his organisation.

"In seven years, we haven't celebrated our anniversary once?"

"No."

Audrey faltered, "But, İ want to celebrate."

"So, we'll celebrate."

"Well, I was hoping you'd actually be interested," Audrey said, upset at his dismissal. She huddled in bed, closing her eyes.

Apollo turned around, hesitating, and went over. He stroked her cheek

"Can you look at me, sunshine? "

Audrey slowly opened her eyes and he smiled, kissing her forehead

"If you want to celebrate, then we will"

"I want you to want to"

"You're right. I'm sorry. I genuinely do want to"

"But it's not important to you"

"It doesn't have to be. It matters to you and that's what's important. How about we spend a week on Delos? I'll show you everything you don't remember"

Audrey smiled a bit

"... Really? "

"Really. I promise it matters to me. And you are right. Our years together should be celebrated. I'm sorry"

"Well, I got mad," Audrey said, smiling slightly. "So, we'll call it even."

Apollo smiled, turning off the lights and cuddling with her. Audrey laid her head on his chest, holding his hand.

"Will you show me our house?" Audrey asked. "On Delos?"

"Ofcourse," Apollo said. "We have a lot of rooms there. But, outside of our room we didn't really decorate."

"What if we do?" Audrey asked. "Turn it into a summer house?"

"That sounds nice."

Audrey smiled, "I love you."

"I love you too, sunshine."

He kissed her forehead, stroking her hair until she fell asleep. He lay awake for a while until he eventually rolled onto his belly and joined her

Apollo woke up at 2am, head aching, and unable to get back to sleep. He silently took some pain killers and curled around Audrey

Audrey turned, looking at him, "Sweetheart?"

"Shh, go back to bed."

Audrey nodded, closing her eyes.

Apollo wrapped himself around her, falling asleep too.

By complete accident, Audrey found herself on Olympus again

She asked around a bit, eventually being pointed in the direction of Apollo's rooms. She was let inside

Apollo was curled up in a large bed, wrapped around a pillow as he stared blankly at the wall

"You ok? " She asked

He jumped, head snapping to look at her

"Hey.... Sunshine.... "

"Hey. What's going on? "

Audrey sat on the bed and he pulled her next to him, kissing her forehead and stroking her hair

"Nothing. Just... Headache that I can't seem to shake"

"You take meds? "

"Yeah, when I got up earlier. It's probably a mental thing since it transferred here"

She nodded and he kissed her cheek

"So...this is my power."

"It's a neat trick," Apollo said.

Audrey shrugged, "I don't know. İt feels odd. Would I be able to do it to a human?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe."

Audrey hummed, "So,.what do you do here while you wait for morning?"

"Usually just lay around."

Audrey smiled, pushing him back onto the bed and making him laugh. She laid beside him, holding onto him.

Audrey linked their hands together, placing them under the light to inspect their rings.

Strangely even the rings seemed brighter and grander, shining beautifully under the light.

They woke up several hours later, curled around each other in the early morning sunlight. Apollo pressed his face to her hair

".... Hi"

"Hey"

He kissed her cheek and she giggled

After dropping off the girls both Apollo and Audrey had therapy appointments.

They got coffee before it, sitting in a quiet cafe beside each other.

Audrey leaned against Apollo slightly, holding his hand.

Apollo kissed her cheek.

"Apollo? " Audrey eventually asked

"Hm? "

"Why don't you like therapy? "

Apollo hesitated, taking a sip of coffee

"I.... I don't like feeling vulnerable"

Audrey nodded, "I see."

"Yeah," Apollo said. "I just...it's not my favourite."

"But, isn't that a good thing? Being vulnerable?"

"I suppose..."

"And, it is helping no?"

"It is...I just don't like it."

She kissed his cheek

"I'm proud of you for not giving up. I know it sucks. I don't like it either"

"Is your therapist helping? "

"Yeah. She's been going over memory exercises and things we had talked about before the accident"

"Good. I'm glad"

Apollo kissed her, stroking her hair

Audrey smiled, holding his hand.

They parted ways when Audrey's therapy session was about to start.

Apollo lingered, but went his own way.

Audrey smiled at her therapist, "What's for today doc?"

"I want to go over your trauma with your mother."

"Oh okay, just get right into it."

"I find that to be your way too."

"Usually."

Apollo was called in a while later and he took his usual spot. His therapist smiled

"How have you been? "

"I've been"

"How's group going? "

"It's going"

"Well don't give too many details. I may get overwhelmed"

Apollo almost smiled, looking away

"It's.... Fine. I still hate going. Delia and Phoebe ran in the last time and spent a few minutes with us, which was unpleasant"

"Why was it unpleasant exactly?"

"I don't...want them to see that. I don't want want them to think differently of me."

"You don't want them to know that their father is actively working on himself and getting better?"

"It's not just that. It's...a group for addicts. It's..there were so many eyes on me..So, many people who I...didn't want them to know that part of my life"

"Have you not been sharing in group?"

"I have. I talk. Just not...about my family."

"Apollo, it's not an interview or a show."

"No, but it is 9 people who know me from my career."

"Have they treated you differently? "

"Not really.... A few people have asked questions about how I behave differently in interviews, but nothing outside of that and certainly not hostile"

"That's good. I've heard nothing but good things from that group"

"Yeah, wouldn't want to ruin their reputation."

"That's not what I meant. We both know that."

"I'm just being a dick. Sorry."

"It's okay. Can I ask,are there problems at home? You seem quieter than usual."

"Just...normal things. Audrey got mad at me because well she wants to celebrate our anniversary and it was never that big of deal for me. I will celebrate it. For her."

"Why don't you see it as a big deal? "

"I'm just.... Time blind I guess? I don't really see 7 years as a lot"

"To most people, it very much is"

"I know. I'm taking her to our house on Delos. She doesn't remember it so I think it'll be nice for her"

"That's good"

Apollo smiled, "We haven't gotten into a normal fight like that in a while...it's stupid. But...I don't know..I didn't like it in the moment. I hurt her and that was awful...but, after a while I just realised it's been so long since we just argued like a married couple."

"Between all the choas, you enjoyed the peace of normality. That's normal."

"It's shitty because I shouldn't. I shouldn't enjoy a moment where I hurt her."

"You hurt her yes, but you made ammends. And , again, it's a moment of peace in all the choas."

"More like a moment of normal chaos in a time of forced peace"

"You think the peace is forced? "

"I think both of us have no idea what's going on and are walking on egg shells"

"That's understandable"

“Is it?”

“I think so.”

Apollo sighed, “It’s…I love her. I always will. Nothing will ever make me not love her.”

“That’s nice to hear.”

Apollo nodded, desperate to change the topic, “My brother left.”

“Oh?”

“Maybe it’s selfish of me but I wish he didn’t. Everything happening too fast and he…he just leaves us…I wish he stayed.”

A minute after they were done and during final announcements, Artemis walked in holding a very teary and pouty Phoebe by the armpits.

Artemis smiled at Delia, "Oh, there's the sweetest girl I've known. And, this is your demon child."

Artemis said, dropping Phoebe in Apollo's lap.

As if to prove a point, Pheobe patted him on the chest and smiled at him.

"I thought you said she was a year old?" one of the women asked.

"She is," Apollo said.

"She's just tiny," Artemis said. "Takes it from Apollo. He used to get lost in mother's skirts."

Apollo blushed, "I did not!"

"You so did!"

"You can leave now, dear sister"

"No, I think I'll stay"

Apollo grabbed an apple off the table and hit her in the forehead with it from across the room

"Out! "

Artemis just laughed, walking away and flipping him off. He sighed, turning to Phoebe

"Was the crying really necessary? "

She nodded seriously, cuddling up to his chest. A few people laughed

"So these are your kids? " the therapist asked, amused

"..... Yep"

"They are adorable"

Delia beamed at him and Apollo ruffled her hair

"The problem is that they are aware of it"

Delia and Phoebe both smiled lovingly, acting innocent.

They finished up the announcements, the girls playing together while they waited.

"For a final thing," the therapist said. "As adorable as they are, we prefer to keep family seperate."

Apollo smiled, "I know. I'll be more careful with them."

"It was Phoebe's fault," Delia offered. "She got bored and forced us to go out. And, we can't go out without daddy."

"No!" Pheobe argued.

"Yes," Delia said.

"No!"

"You can't just say no and not make it true."

"No!" Pheobe argued, pouting.

Delia rolled her eyes, "Daddy, Pheobe is telling lies."

Pheobe sat down on the ground and started crying.

Apollo picked her up while the group laughed. He struggled not to join them

"Come on, little one. We can go to the store later"

Phoebe looked up, eyes watery

"Tore? "

"Yep. Store. You can harass the people there"

She buried her face in his chest and he kissed her head, rolling his eyes

"I think this is the happiest I've seen you" The therapist observed

"..... Being inconvenienced by my toddlers. Truly thrilling"

He smiled

"I'm not a toddler," Delia argued. "Pheobe is. She's annoying."

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but you are a toddler," Apollo said.

"No."

Apollo sighed deeply, "Than what are you?"

Delia thought about it, "I'm a teenager."

"In six years."

"No, now. I'm a teenager now."

"Dada," Phoebe interrupted. "Tore. Animals."

Delia perked up, forgetting her arguments, "Can we get rats?!"

"Your mother already said no, but we can go see the animals."

"Okay, but mama doesn't remember that," Delia said in the same way one might say important information.

"We're not using your mother's injury to our benefit," Apollo deadpanned.

"Why not?!" Delia asked, looking up at him as if he betrayed her.

"I'm loyal to you because I'm your father. I'm loyal to your mother because I'm her husband."

Delia crossed her arms, "Husbands are overrated. I want a wife."

"I...we ....you are allowed to marry who you want when you're older."

Delia nodded seriously

Apollo stared at the wall, eyes dead

"Don't want a gay daughter? " One person teased

"I couldn't care less about that if I tried" Apollo shook his head "I'm just not having that conversation with my 5 year old right now"

They all left a while later, Apollo carrying both toddlers to the car

A few people said goodbye to Apollo or more accurately, Apollo's daughters.

Audrey smiled at him as he handed her Phoebe.

He sat in the backseat with Delia,

"Never do that again," he said to the entire car. "Please."

Artemis started the car, looking proud with herself. Audrey smiled apologetically.

"Delia didn't leave us with a choice."

"Nope," Delia agreed.

Apollo leaned his head against the window, overwhelmed. They got take out for lunch and went home

The kids ate while Apollo stared at his food, nauseated by the grease. He got the kids down for their naps and cuddled with Audrey on the couch

"You didn't eat," Audrey said.

"No...I'm not hungry"

"You sure?"

Apollo hesitated for a second, "I..there was a lot of..grease on the food."

"Oh," Audrey said softly. "Oh, um..we can get something less greasy..maybe?"

"We don't have to, it's fine."

"But, you're hungry."

"I'll be fine sunshine."

"I can stand on my feet. Help me to the kicthen and I'll make you something."

"That's not necessary-"

"I want to. And, you're hungry."

"I'm really not. I had coffee"

"That's not food"

He sighed and she lightly glared at him

Apollo helped her to the kitchen and sat her on the counter while he made a bagel

"Back to those, huh? " Audrey teased

"Hey. Don't judge me"

"I'm only slightly judging"

He smiled, kissing her forehead

Audrey smiled at him, "Come on, food is good for you."

"Says me."

"Fair enough."

"Look at you listening to my every word. What a good boy."

Apollo choked on his coffee, face going red

"Stop-"

"Nah. You look so good when you blush. My pretty boy"

Apollo pressed his face into her shoulder while she giggled, stroking his hair

"Good boy"

Apollo held her a little tighter, "Stop."

"Why? What are you going to do about it?"

Apollo huffed, hugging her middle.

Audrey stroked his hair idly, "That what I thought."

"You're hurt"

"Do I sound like I care? "

"Audrey.... "

"Shhhh"

Apollo shut up and she smiled

"Good boy. Doing what he's told. So good"

"Stop teasing me."

"Okay," Audrey said, kissing him.

Apollo held her closer. Audrey leaned into him, looking for every piece of closeness she could get.

Apollo moaned, picking her up. Audrey laughed.

"Your sandwich."

"Later," Apollo said, kissing her again.

"No. You need to eat"

"Oh I plan on having something in my mouth. Just not bread and cheese"

Audrey let out a startled laugh as he carried her upstairs

Apollo placed Audrey gently on the bed, smiling at her. She dragged him down by the edge of his sweatpants.

Apollo didn't mind, following her movement.

Apollo kissed her cheek, trailing kisses to her neck. Audrey melted, grabbed onto his shirt or wherever she could easily grasp.

"Promise me something" He whispered, kissing her jaw

"Anything"

"You'll tell me if I'm hurting you"

Audrey nodded

They looked up an hour later, hearing the kids stirring. Apollo laughed into her hair

"Glad I locked the door"

"Mhm"

They cuddled until the kids knocked and Apollo got dressed, making sure Audrey did the same before letting them in

Audrey patted her hair down as Delia and Phoebe came in.

Delia scrunched her nose, "It smells bad."

Apollo and Audrey looked at each other.

"How about we sit in the living room then?" Audrey asked.

Apollo quickly opened the windows before taking everyone downstairs. Once they were sitting and watching a movie, he rushed upstairs and threw their bedsheets in the laundry.

He made dinner while the kids and Audrey watched a movie, bringing everyone plates before getting his own

Audrey held his hand, making him eat with them. He kissed her forehead

"Mama," Delia said.

"Yes sweetheart?"

"Can we have rats?"

"Rats?"

"Rats."

Audrey thought about it, "Why would you want rats."

"They're cute."

"They're rodents."

"They're cute!" Apollo defended.

Audrey turned to him, eyes wide, "Okay. We have strong feelings about rats. Your snake?"

"We'll keep the rats and snake seperated," Apollo said.

"Okay," Audrey said. "We aren't getting rodents. A hamster once Phoebe is older."

"Why?"

"I don't want my child torturing a hamster."

"Then get rats. They are one of my sacred animals"

".... I'm not so sure.... "

"Please, sunshine? "

Apollo and Delia both gave her puppy eyes and she started to crumble

".... This feels like an attack"

"You won't have to see them"

"This isn't fair"

"They are fuzzy babies"

Audrey sighed

"Clearly, you two have strong emotions about rats."

"Yes," Apollo and Delia asked.

"Okay, give me three minutes and I'll give you my honest reply. Come on eat."

They both did while Audrey pulled out her phone. She kept it hidden for the whole three minutes.

Once they were up, she smiled at them. Apollo and Delia listened with interested, both anticipating the 'yes'.

"Since we have strong emotions about rats, I've decided that we will take a family trip to the zoo. I asked Aphrodite and Ares to accompany us as well as Liz and Jack and Artemis, Dionysus and Ariadne. So, it's a full trip."

"And after we'll get rats? " Delia looked up at her

"..... We'll see"

Apollo snickered at Audrey's expression, kissing her head

"We won't get rats," Audrey told him that night. While they were getting ready for bed. "Absolutely not. They're tiny and terrifying."

"They're adorable," Apollo said, organising clothes into the closet.

"I'm not arguing with you," she said, cuddling her blanket. "Say, our anniversary is soon."

Apollo thought about it, "Beginning of march, yeah..Why?"

Audrey shrugged, "Well we've been married for seven years. Is that not something worth celebrating?"

"I guess"

"Apollo."

He turned to her, "Yes, sunshine?"

"Our anniversary. Are we not celebrating? It doesn't have to be big."

"We just never...really celebrated before."

"We haven't?"

"No..with Delia and everything...no not really," he said, going back to his organisation.

"In seven years, we haven't celebrated our anniversary once?"

"No."

Audrey faltered, "But, İ want to celebrate."

"So, we'll celebrate."

"Well, I was hoping you'd actually be interested," Audrey said, upset at his dismissal. She huddled in bed, closing her eyes.

Apollo turned around, hesitating, and went over. He stroked her cheek

"Can you look at me, sunshine? "

Audrey slowly opened her eyes and he smiled, kissing her forehead

"If you want to celebrate, then we will"

"I want you to want to"

"You're right. I'm sorry. I genuinely do want to"

"But it's not important to you"

"It doesn't have to be. It matters to you and that's what's important. How about we spend a week on Delos? I'll show you everything you don't remember"

Audrey smiled a bit

"... Really? "

"Really. I promise it matters to me. And you are right. Our years together should be celebrated. I'm sorry"

"Well, I got mad," Audrey said, smiling slightly. "So, we'll call it even."

Apollo smiled, turning off the lights and cuddling with her. Audrey laid her head on his chest, holding his hand.

"Will you show me our house?" Audrey asked. "On Delos?"

"Ofcourse," Apollo said. "We have a lot of rooms there. But, outside of our room we didn't really decorate."

"What if we do?" Audrey asked. "Turn it into a summer house?"

"That sounds nice."

Audrey smiled, "I love you."

"I love you too, sunshine."

He kissed her forehead, stroking her hair until she fell asleep. He lay awake for a while until he eventually rolled onto his belly and joined her

Apollo woke up at 2am, head aching, and unable to get back to sleep. He silently took some pain killers and curled around Audrey

Audrey turned, looking at him, "Sweetheart?"

"Shh, go back to bed."

Audrey nodded, closing her eyes.

Apollo wrapped himself around her, falling asleep too.

By complete accident, Audrey found herself on Olympus again

She asked around a bit, eventually being pointed in the direction of Apollo's rooms. She was let inside

Apollo was curled up in a large bed, wrapped around a pillow as he stared blankly at the wall

"You ok? " She asked

He jumped, head snapping to look at her

"Hey.... Sunshine.... "

"Hey. What's going on? "

Audrey sat on the bed and he pulled her next to him, kissing her forehead and stroking her hair

"Nothing. Just... Headache that I can't seem to shake"

"You take meds? "

"Yeah, when I got up earlier. It's probably a mental thing since it transferred here"

She nodded and he kissed her cheek

"So...this is my power."

"It's a neat trick," Apollo said.

Audrey shrugged, "I don't know. İt feels odd. Would I be able to do it to a human?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe."

Audrey hummed, "So,.what do you do here while you wait for morning?"

"Usually just lay around."

Audrey smiled, pushing him back onto the bed and making him laugh. She laid beside him, holding onto him.

Audrey linked their hands together, placing them under the light to inspect their rings.

Strangely even the rings seemed brighter and grander, shining beautifully under the light.

They woke up several hours later, curled around each other in the early morning sunlight. Apollo pressed his face to her hair

".... Hi"

"Hey"

He kissed her cheek and she giggled

After dropping off the girls both Apollo and Audrey had therapy appointments.

They got coffee before it, sitting in a quiet cafe beside each other.

Audrey leaned against Apollo slightly, holding his hand.

Apollo kissed her cheek.

"Apollo? " Audrey eventually asked

"Hm? "

"Why don't you like therapy? "

Apollo hesitated, taking a sip of coffee

"I.... I don't like feeling vulnerable"

Audrey nodded, "I see."

"Yeah," Apollo said. "I just...it's not my favourite."

"But, isn't that a good thing? Being vulnerable?"

"I suppose..."

"And, it is helping no?"

"It is...I just don't like it."

She kissed his cheek

"I'm proud of you for not giving up. I know it sucks. I don't like it either"

"Is your therapist helping? "

"Yeah. She's been going over memory exercises and things we had talked about before the accident"

"Good. I'm glad"

Apollo kissed her, stroking her hair

Audrey smiled, holding his hand.

They parted ways when Audrey's therapy session was about to start.

Apollo lingered, but went his own way.

Audrey smiled at her therapist, "What's for today doc?"

"I want to go over your trauma with your mother."

"Oh okay, just get right into it."

"I find that to be your way too."

"Usually."

Apollo was called in a while later and he took his usual spot. His therapist smiled

"How have you been? "

"I've been"

"How's group going? "

"It's going"

"Well don't give too many details. I may get overwhelmed"

Apollo almost smiled, looking away

"It's.... Fine. I still hate going. Delia and Phoebe ran in the last time and spent a few minutes with us, which was unpleasant"

"Why was it unpleasant exactly?"

"I don't...want them to see that. I don't want want them to think differently of me."

"You don't want them to know that their father is actively working on himself and getting better?"

"It's not just that. It's...a group for addicts. It's..there were so many eyes on me..So, many people who I...didn't want them to know that part of my life"

"Have you not been sharing in group?"

"I have. I talk. Just not...about my family."

"Apollo, it's not an interview or a show."

"No, but it is 9 people who know me from my career."

"Have they treated you differently? "

"Not really.... A few people have asked questions about how I behave differently in interviews, but nothing outside of that and certainly not hostile"

"That's good. I've heard nothing but good things from that group"

"Yeah, wouldn't want to ruin their reputation."

"That's not what I meant. We both know that."

"I'm just being a dick. Sorry."

"It's okay. Can I ask,are there problems at home? You seem quieter than usual."

"Just...normal things. Audrey got mad at me because well she wants to celebrate our anniversary and it was never that big of deal for me. I will celebrate it. For her."

"Why don't you see it as a big deal? "

"I'm just.... Time blind I guess? I don't really see 7 years as a lot"

"To most people, it very much is"

"I know. I'm taking her to our house on Delos. She doesn't remember it so I think it'll be nice for her"

"That's good"

Apollo smiled, “We haven’t gotten into a normal fight like that in a while…it’s stupid. But…I don’t know..I didn’t like it in the moment. I hurt her and that was awful…but, after a while I just realised it’s been so long since we just argued like a married couple.”

“Between all the choas, you enjoyed the peace of normality. That’s normal.”

“It’s shitty because I shouldn’t. I shouldn’t enjoy a moment where I hurt her.”

“You hurt her yes, but you made ammends. And , again, it’s a moment of peace in all the choas.”

A minute after they were done and during final announcements, Artemis walked in holding a very teary and pouty Phoebe by the armpits.

Artemis smiled at Delia, "Oh, there's the sweetest girl I've known. And, this is your demon child."

Artemis said, dropping Phoebe in Apollo's lap.

As if to prove a point, Pheobe patted him on the chest and smiled at him.

"I thought you said she was a year old?" one of the women asked.

"She is," Apollo said.

"She's just tiny," Artemis said. "Takes it from Apollo. He used to get lost in mother's skirts."

Apollo blushed, "I did not!"

"You so did!"

"You can leave now, dear sister"

"No, I think I'll stay"

Apollo grabbed an apple off the table and hit her in the forehead with it from across the room

"Out! "

Artemis just laughed, walking away and flipping him off. He sighed, turning to Phoebe

"Was the crying really necessary? "

She nodded seriously, cuddling up to his chest. A few people laughed

"So these are your kids? " the therapist asked, amused

"..... Yep"

"They are adorable"

Delia beamed at him and Apollo ruffled her hair

"The problem is that they are aware of it"

Delia and Phoebe both smiled lovingly, acting innocent.

They finished up the announcements, the girls playing together while they waited.

"For a final thing," the therapist said. "As adorable as they are, we prefer to keep family seperate."

Apollo smiled, "I know. I'll be more careful with them."

"It was Phoebe's fault," Delia offered. "She got bored and forced us to go out. And, we can't go out without daddy."

"No!" Pheobe argued.

"Yes," Delia said.

"No!"

"You can't just say no and not make it true."

"No!" Pheobe argued, pouting.

Delia rolled her eyes, "Daddy, Pheobe is telling lies."

Pheobe sat down on the ground and started crying.

Apollo picked her up while the group laughed. He struggled not to join them

"Come on, little one. We can go to the store later"

Phoebe looked up, eyes watery

"Tore? "

"Yep. Store. You can harass the people there"

She buried her face in his chest and he kissed her head, rolling his eyes

"I think this is the happiest I've seen you" The therapist observed

"..... Being inconvenienced by my toddlers. Truly thrilling"

He smiled

"I'm not a toddler," Delia argued. "Pheobe is. She's annoying."

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but you are a toddler," Apollo said.

"No."

Apollo sighed deeply, "Than what are you?"

Delia thought about it, "I'm a teenager."

"In six years."

"No, now. I'm a teenager now."

"Dada," Phoebe interrupted. "Tore. Animals."

Delia perked up, forgetting her arguments, "Can we get rats?!"

"Your mother already said no, but we can go see the animals."

"Okay, but mama doesn't remember that," Delia said in the same way one might say important information.

"We're not using your mother's injury to our benefit," Apollo deadpanned.

"Why not?!" Delia asked, looking up at him as if he betrayed her.

"I'm loyal to you because I'm your father. I'm loyal to your mother because I'm her husband."

Delia crossed her arms, "Husbands are overrated. I want a wife."

"I...we ....you are allowed to marry who you want when you're older."

Delia nodded seriously

Apollo stared at the wall, eyes dead

"Don't want a gay daughter? " One person teased

"I couldn't care less about that if I tried" Apollo shook his head "I'm just not having that conversation with my 5 year old right now"

They all left a while later, Apollo carrying both toddlers to the car

A few people said goodbye to Apollo or more accurately, Apollo's daughters.

Audrey smiled at him as he handed her Phoebe.

He sat in the backseat with Delia,

"Never do that again," he said to the entire car. "Please."

Artemis started the car, looking proud with herself. Audrey smiled apologetically.

"Delia didn't leave us with a choice."

"Nope," Delia agreed.

Apollo leaned his head against the window, overwhelmed. They got take out for lunch and went home

The kids ate while Apollo stared at his food, nauseated by the grease. He got the kids down for their naps and cuddled with Audrey on the couch

"You didn't eat," Audrey said.

"No...I'm not hungry"

"You sure?"

Apollo hesitated for a second, "I..there was a lot of..grease on the food."

"Oh," Audrey said softly. "Oh, um..we can get something less greasy..maybe?"

"We don't have to, it's fine."

"But, you're hungry."

"I'll be fine sunshine."

"I can stand on my feet. Help me to the kicthen and I'll make you something."

"That's not necessary-"

"I want to. And, you're hungry."

"I'm really not. I had coffee"

"That's not food"

He sighed and she lightly glared at him

Apollo helped her to the kitchen and sat her on the counter while he made a bagel

"Back to those, huh? " Audrey teased

"Hey. Don't judge me"

"I'm only slightly judging"

He smiled, kissing her forehead

Audrey smiled at him, "Come on, food is good for you."

"Says me."

"Fair enough."

"Look at you listening to my every word. What a good boy."

Apollo choked on his coffee, face going red

"Stop-"

"Nah. You look so good when you blush. My pretty boy"

Apollo pressed his face into her shoulder while she giggled, stroking his hair

"Good boy"

Apollo held her a little tighter, "Stop."

"Why? What are you going to do about it?"

Apollo huffed, hugging her middle.

Audrey stroked his hair idly, "That what I thought."

"You're hurt"

"Do I sound like I care? "

"Audrey.... "

"Shhhh"

Apollo shut up and she smiled

"Good boy. Doing what he's told. So good"

"Stop teasing me."

"Okay," Audrey said, kissing him.

Apollo held her closer. Audrey leaned into him, looking for every piece of closeness she could get.

Apollo moaned, picking her up. Audrey laughed.

"Your sandwich."

"Later," Apollo said, kissing her again.

"No. You need to eat"

"Oh I plan on having something in my mouth. Just not bread and cheese"

Audrey let out a startled laugh as he carried her upstairs

Apollo placed Audrey gently on the bed, smiling at her. She dragged him down by the edge of his sweatpants.

Apollo didn't mind, following her movement.

Apollo kissed her cheek, trailing kisses to her neck. Audrey melted, grabbed onto his shirt or wherever she could easily grasp.

"Promise me something" He whispered, kissing her jaw

"Anything"

"You'll tell me if I'm hurting you"

Audrey nodded

They looked up an hour later, hearing the kids stirring. Apollo laughed into her hair

"Glad I locked the door"

"Mhm"

They cuddled until the kids knocked and Apollo got dressed, making sure Audrey did the same before letting them in

Audrey patted her hair down as Delia and Phoebe came in.

Delia scrunched her nose, "It smells bad."

Apollo and Audrey looked at each other.

"How about we sit in the living room then?" Audrey asked.

Apollo quickly opened the windows before taking everyone downstairs. Once they were sitting and watching a movie, he rushed upstairs and threw their bedsheets in the laundry.

He made dinner while the kids and Audrey watched a movie, bringing everyone plates before getting his own

Audrey held his hand, making him eat with them. He kissed her forehead

"Mama," Delia said.

"Yes sweetheart?"

"Can we have rats?"

"Rats?"

"Rats."

Audrey thought about it, "Why would you want rats."

"They're cute."

"They're rodents."

"They're cute!" Apollo defended.

Audrey turned to him, eyes wide, "Okay. We have strong feelings about rats. Your snake?"

"We'll keep the rats and snake seperated," Apollo said.

"Okay," Audrey said. "We aren't getting rodents. A hamster once Phoebe is older."

"Why?"

"I don't want my child torturing a hamster."

"Then get rats. They are one of my sacred animals"

".... I'm not so sure.... "

"Please, sunshine? "

Apollo and Delia both gave her puppy eyes and she started to crumble

".... This feels like an attack"

"You won't have to see them"

"This isn't fair"

"They are fuzzy babies"

Audrey sighed

"Clearly, you two have strong emotions about rats."

"Yes," Apollo and Delia asked.

"Okay, give me three minutes and I'll give you my honest reply. Come on eat."

They both did while Audrey pulled out her phone. She kept it hidden for the whole three minutes.

Once they were up, she smiled at them. Apollo and Delia listened with interested, both anticipating the 'yes'.

"Since we have strong emotions about rats, I've decided that we will take a family trip to the zoo. I asked Aphrodite and Ares to accompany us as well as Liz and Jack and Artemis, Dionysus and Ariadne. So, it's a full trip."

"And after we'll get rats? " Delia looked up at her

"..... We'll see"

Apollo snickered at Audrey's expression, kissing her head

"We won't get rats," Audrey told him that night. While they were getting ready for bed. "Absolutely not. They're tiny and terrifying."

"They're adorable," Apollo said, organising clothes into the closet.

"I'm not arguing with you," she said, cuddling her blanket. "Say, our anniversary is soon."

Apollo thought about it, "Beginning of march, yeah..Why?"

Audrey shrugged, "Well we've been married for seven years. Is that not something worth celebrating?"

"I guess"

"Apollo."

He turned to her, "Yes, sunshine?"

"Our anniversary. Are we not celebrating? It doesn't have to be big."

"We just never...really celebrated before."

"We haven't?"

"No..with Delia and everything...no not really," he said, going back to his organisation.

"In seven years, we haven't celebrated our anniversary once?"

"No."

Audrey faltered, "But, İ want to celebrate."

"So, we'll celebrate."

"Well, I was hoping you'd actually be interested," Audrey said, upset at his dismissal. She huddled in bed, closing her eyes.

Apollo turned around, hesitating, and went over. He stroked her cheek

"Can you look at me, sunshine? "

Audrey slowly opened her eyes and he smiled, kissing her forehead

"If you want to celebrate, then we will"

"I want you to want to"

"You're right. I'm sorry. I genuinely do want to"

"But it's not important to you"

"It doesn't have to be. It matters to you and that's what's important. How about we spend a week on Delos? I'll show you everything you don't remember"

Audrey smiled a bit

"... Really? "

"Really. I promise it matters to me. And you are right. Our years together should be celebrated. I'm sorry"

"Well, I got mad," Audrey said, smiling slightly. "So, we'll call it even."

Apollo smiled, turning off the lights and cuddling with her. Audrey laid her head on his chest, holding his hand.

"Will you show me our house?" Audrey asked. "On Delos?"

"Ofcourse," Apollo said. "We have a lot of rooms there. But, outside of our room we didn't really decorate."

"What if we do?" Audrey asked. "Turn it into a summer house?"

"That sounds nice."

Audrey smiled, "I love you."

"I love you too, sunshine."

He kissed her forehead, stroking her hair until she fell asleep. He lay awake for a while until he eventually rolled onto his belly and joined her

Apollo woke up at 2am, head aching, and unable to get back to sleep. He silently took some pain killers and curled around Audrey

Audrey turned, looking at him, "Sweetheart?"

"Shh, go back to bed."

Audrey nodded, closing her eyes.

Apollo wrapped himself around her, falling asleep too.

By complete accident, Audrey found herself on Olympus again

She asked around a bit, eventually being pointed in the direction of Apollo's rooms. She was let inside

Apollo was curled up in a large bed, wrapped around a pillow as he stared blankly at the wall

"You ok? " She asked

He jumped, head snapping to look at her

"Hey.... Sunshine.... "

"Hey. What's going on? "

Audrey sat on the bed and he pulled her next to him, kissing her forehead and stroking her hair

"Nothing. Just... Headache that I can't seem to shake"

"You take meds? "

"Yeah, when I got up earlier. It's probably a mental thing since it transferred here"

She nodded and he kissed her cheek

"So...this is my power."

"It's a neat trick," Apollo said.

Audrey shrugged, "I don't know. İt feels odd. Would I be able to do it to a human?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe."

Audrey hummed, "So,.what do you do here while you wait for morning?"

"Usually just lay around."

Audrey smiled, pushing him back onto the bed and making him laugh. She laid beside him, holding onto him.

Audrey linked their hands together, placing them under the light to inspect their rings.

Strangely even the rings seemed brighter and grander, shining beautifully under the light.

They woke up several hours later, curled around each other in the early morning sunlight. Apollo pressed his face to her hair

".... Hi"

"Hey"

He kissed her cheek and she giggled

After dropping off the girls both Apollo and Audrey had therapy appointments.

They got coffee before it, sitting in a quiet cafe beside each other.

Audrey leaned against Apollo slightly, holding his hand.

Apollo kissed her cheek.

"Apollo? " Audrey eventually asked

"Hm? "

"Why don't you like therapy? "

Apollo hesitated, taking a sip of coffee

"I.... I don't like feeling vulnerable"

Audrey nodded, "I see."

"Yeah," Apollo said. "I just...it's not my favourite."

"But, isn't that a good thing? Being vulnerable?"

"I suppose..."

"And, it is helping no?"

"It is...I just don't like it."

She kissed his cheek

"I'm proud of you for not giving up. I know it sucks. I don't like it either"

"Is your therapist helping? "

"Yeah. She's been going over memory exercises and things we had talked about before the accident"

"Good. I'm glad"

Apollo kissed her, stroking her hair

Audrey smiled, holding his hand.

They parted ways when Audrey's therapy session was about to start.

Apollo lingered, but went his own way.

Audrey smiled at her therapist, "What's for today doc?"

"I want to go over your trauma with your mother."

"Oh okay, just get right into it."

"I find that to be your way too."

"Usually."

Apollo was called in a while later and he took his usual spot. His therapist smiled

"How have you been? "

"I've been"

"How's group going? "

"It's going"

"Well don't give too many details. I may get overwhelmed"

Apollo almost smiled, looking away

"It's.... Fine. I still hate going. Delia and Phoebe ran in the last time and spent a few minutes with us, which was unpleasant"

"Why was it unpleasant exactly?"

"I don't...want them to see that. I don't want want them to think differently of me."

"You don't want them to know that their father is actively working on himself and getting better?"

"It's not just that. It's...a group for addicts. It's..there were so many eyes on me..So, many people who I...didn't want them to know that part of my life"

"Have you not been sharing in group?"

"I have. I talk. Just not...about my family."

"Apollo, it's not an interview or a show."

"No, but it is 9 people who know me from my career."

"Have they treated you differently? "

"Not really.... A few people have asked questions about how I behave differently in interviews, but nothing outside of that and certainly not hostile"

"That's good. I've heard nothing but good things from that group"

“Yeah, wouldn’t want to ruin their reputation.”

“That’s not what I meant. We both know that.”

“I’m just being a dick. Sorry.”

“It’s okay. Can I ask,are there problems at home? You seem quieter than usual.”

“Just…normal things. Audrey got mad at me because well she wants to celebrate our anniversary and it was never that big of deal for me. I will celebrate it. For her.”

A minute after they were done and during final announcements, Artemis walked in holding a very teary and pouty Phoebe by the armpits.

Artemis smiled at Delia, "Oh, there's the sweetest girl I've known. And, this is your demon child."

Artemis said, dropping Phoebe in Apollo's lap.

As if to prove a point, Pheobe patted him on the chest and smiled at him.

"I thought you said she was a year old?" one of the women asked.

"She is," Apollo said.

"She's just tiny," Artemis said. "Takes it from Apollo. He used to get lost in mother's skirts."

Apollo blushed, "I did not!"

"You so did!"

"You can leave now, dear sister"

"No, I think I'll stay"

Apollo grabbed an apple off the table and hit her in the forehead with it from across the room

"Out! "

Artemis just laughed, walking away and flipping him off. He sighed, turning to Phoebe

"Was the crying really necessary? "

She nodded seriously, cuddling up to his chest. A few people laughed

"So these are your kids? " the therapist asked, amused

"..... Yep"

"They are adorable"

Delia beamed at him and Apollo ruffled her hair

"The problem is that they are aware of it"

Delia and Phoebe both smiled lovingly, acting innocent.

They finished up the announcements, the girls playing together while they waited.

"For a final thing," the therapist said. "As adorable as they are, we prefer to keep family seperate."

Apollo smiled, "I know. I'll be more careful with them."

"It was Phoebe's fault," Delia offered. "She got bored and forced us to go out. And, we can't go out without daddy."

"No!" Pheobe argued.

"Yes," Delia said.

"No!"

"You can't just say no and not make it true."

"No!" Pheobe argued, pouting.

Delia rolled her eyes, "Daddy, Pheobe is telling lies."

Pheobe sat down on the ground and started crying.

Apollo picked her up while the group laughed. He struggled not to join them

"Come on, little one. We can go to the store later"

Phoebe looked up, eyes watery

"Tore? "

"Yep. Store. You can harass the people there"

She buried her face in his chest and he kissed her head, rolling his eyes

"I think this is the happiest I've seen you" The therapist observed

"..... Being inconvenienced by my toddlers. Truly thrilling"

He smiled

"I'm not a toddler," Delia argued. "Pheobe is. She's annoying."

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but you are a toddler," Apollo said.

"No."

Apollo sighed deeply, "Than what are you?"

Delia thought about it, "I'm a teenager."

"In six years."

"No, now. I'm a teenager now."

"Dada," Phoebe interrupted. "Tore. Animals."

Delia perked up, forgetting her arguments, "Can we get rats?!"

"Your mother already said no, but we can go see the animals."

"Okay, but mama doesn't remember that," Delia said in the same way one might say important information.

"We're not using your mother's injury to our benefit," Apollo deadpanned.

"Why not?!" Delia asked, looking up at him as if he betrayed her.

"I'm loyal to you because I'm your father. I'm loyal to your mother because I'm her husband."

Delia crossed her arms, "Husbands are overrated. I want a wife."

"I...we ....you are allowed to marry who you want when you're older."

Delia nodded seriously

Apollo stared at the wall, eyes dead

"Don't want a gay daughter? " One person teased

"I couldn't care less about that if I tried" Apollo shook his head "I'm just not having that conversation with my 5 year old right now"

They all left a while later, Apollo carrying both toddlers to the car

A few people said goodbye to Apollo or more accurately, Apollo's daughters.

Audrey smiled at him as he handed her Phoebe.

He sat in the backseat with Delia,

"Never do that again," he said to the entire car. "Please."

Artemis started the car, looking proud with herself. Audrey smiled apologetically.

"Delia didn't leave us with a choice."

"Nope," Delia agreed.

Apollo leaned his head against the window, overwhelmed. They got take out for lunch and went home

The kids ate while Apollo stared at his food, nauseated by the grease. He got the kids down for their naps and cuddled with Audrey on the couch

"You didn't eat," Audrey said.

"No...I'm not hungry"

"You sure?"

Apollo hesitated for a second, "I..there was a lot of..grease on the food."

"Oh," Audrey said softly. "Oh, um..we can get something less greasy..maybe?"

"We don't have to, it's fine."

"But, you're hungry."

"I'll be fine sunshine."

"I can stand on my feet. Help me to the kicthen and I'll make you something."

"That's not necessary-"

"I want to. And, you're hungry."

"I'm really not. I had coffee"

"That's not food"

He sighed and she lightly glared at him

Apollo helped her to the kitchen and sat her on the counter while he made a bagel

"Back to those, huh? " Audrey teased

"Hey. Don't judge me"

"I'm only slightly judging"

He smiled, kissing her forehead

Audrey smiled at him, "Come on, food is good for you."

"Says me."

"Fair enough."

"Look at you listening to my every word. What a good boy."

Apollo choked on his coffee, face going red

"Stop-"

"Nah. You look so good when you blush. My pretty boy"

Apollo pressed his face into her shoulder while she giggled, stroking his hair

"Good boy"

Apollo held her a little tighter, "Stop."

"Why? What are you going to do about it?"

Apollo huffed, hugging her middle.

Audrey stroked his hair idly, "That what I thought."

"You're hurt"

"Do I sound like I care? "

"Audrey.... "

"Shhhh"

Apollo shut up and she smiled

"Good boy. Doing what he's told. So good"

"Stop teasing me."

"Okay," Audrey said, kissing him.

Apollo held her closer. Audrey leaned into him, looking for every piece of closeness she could get.

Apollo moaned, picking her up. Audrey laughed.

"Your sandwich."

"Later," Apollo said, kissing her again.

"No. You need to eat"

"Oh I plan on having something in my mouth. Just not bread and cheese"

Audrey let out a startled laugh as he carried her upstairs

Apollo placed Audrey gently on the bed, smiling at her. She dragged him down by the edge of his sweatpants.

Apollo didn't mind, following her movement.

Apollo kissed her cheek, trailing kisses to her neck. Audrey melted, grabbed onto his shirt or wherever she could easily grasp.

"Promise me something" He whispered, kissing her jaw

"Anything"

"You'll tell me if I'm hurting you"

Audrey nodded

They looked up an hour later, hearing the kids stirring. Apollo laughed into her hair

"Glad I locked the door"

"Mhm"

They cuddled until the kids knocked and Apollo got dressed, making sure Audrey did the same before letting them in

Audrey patted her hair down as Delia and Phoebe came in.

Delia scrunched her nose, "It smells bad."

Apollo and Audrey looked at each other.

"How about we sit in the living room then?" Audrey asked.

Apollo quickly opened the windows before taking everyone downstairs. Once they were sitting and watching a movie, he rushed upstairs and threw their bedsheets in the laundry.

He made dinner while the kids and Audrey watched a movie, bringing everyone plates before getting his own

Audrey held his hand, making him eat with them. He kissed her forehead

"Mama," Delia said.

"Yes sweetheart?"

"Can we have rats?"

"Rats?"

"Rats."

Audrey thought about it, "Why would you want rats."

"They're cute."

"They're rodents."

"They're cute!" Apollo defended.

Audrey turned to him, eyes wide, "Okay. We have strong feelings about rats. Your snake?"

"We'll keep the rats and snake seperated," Apollo said.

"Okay," Audrey said. "We aren't getting rodents. A hamster once Phoebe is older."

"Why?"

"I don't want my child torturing a hamster."

"Then get rats. They are one of my sacred animals"

".... I'm not so sure.... "

"Please, sunshine? "

Apollo and Delia both gave her puppy eyes and she started to crumble

".... This feels like an attack"

"You won't have to see them"

"This isn't fair"

"They are fuzzy babies"

Audrey sighed

"Clearly, you two have strong emotions about rats."

"Yes," Apollo and Delia asked.

"Okay, give me three minutes and I'll give you my honest reply. Come on eat."

They both did while Audrey pulled out her phone. She kept it hidden for the whole three minutes.

Once they were up, she smiled at them. Apollo and Delia listened with interested, both anticipating the 'yes'.

"Since we have strong emotions about rats, I've decided that we will take a family trip to the zoo. I asked Aphrodite and Ares to accompany us as well as Liz and Jack and Artemis, Dionysus and Ariadne. So, it's a full trip."

"And after we'll get rats? " Delia looked up at her

"..... We'll see"

Apollo snickered at Audrey's expression, kissing her head

"We won't get rats," Audrey told him that night. While they were getting ready for bed. "Absolutely not. They're tiny and terrifying."

"They're adorable," Apollo said, organising clothes into the closet.

"I'm not arguing with you," she said, cuddling her blanket. "Say, our anniversary is soon."

Apollo thought about it, "Beginning of march, yeah..Why?"

Audrey shrugged, "Well we've been married for seven years. Is that not something worth celebrating?"

"I guess"

"Apollo."

He turned to her, "Yes, sunshine?"

"Our anniversary. Are we not celebrating? It doesn't have to be big."

"We just never...really celebrated before."

"We haven't?"

"No..with Delia and everything...no not really," he said, going back to his organisation.

"In seven years, we haven't celebrated our anniversary once?"

"No."

Audrey faltered, "But, İ want to celebrate."

"So, we'll celebrate."

"Well, I was hoping you'd actually be interested," Audrey said, upset at his dismissal. She huddled in bed, closing her eyes.

Apollo turned around, hesitating, and went over. He stroked her cheek

"Can you look at me, sunshine? "

Audrey slowly opened her eyes and he smiled, kissing her forehead

"If you want to celebrate, then we will"

"I want you to want to"

"You're right. I'm sorry. I genuinely do want to"

"But it's not important to you"

"It doesn't have to be. It matters to you and that's what's important. How about we spend a week on Delos? I'll show you everything you don't remember"

Audrey smiled a bit

"... Really? "

"Really. I promise it matters to me. And you are right. Our years together should be celebrated. I'm sorry"

"Well, I got mad," Audrey said, smiling slightly. "So, we'll call it even."

Apollo smiled, turning off the lights and cuddling with her. Audrey laid her head on his chest, holding his hand.

"Will you show me our house?" Audrey asked. "On Delos?"

"Ofcourse," Apollo said. "We have a lot of rooms there. But, outside of our room we didn't really decorate."

"What if we do?" Audrey asked. "Turn it into a summer house?"

"That sounds nice."

Audrey smiled, "I love you."

"I love you too, sunshine."

He kissed her forehead, stroking her hair until she fell asleep. He lay awake for a while until he eventually rolled onto his belly and joined her

Apollo woke up at 2am, head aching, and unable to get back to sleep. He silently took some pain killers and curled around Audrey

Audrey turned, looking at him, "Sweetheart?"

"Shh, go back to bed."

Audrey nodded, closing her eyes.

Apollo wrapped himself around her, falling asleep too.

By complete accident, Audrey found herself on Olympus again

She asked around a bit, eventually being pointed in the direction of Apollo's rooms. She was let inside

Apollo was curled up in a large bed, wrapped around a pillow as he stared blankly at the wall

"You ok? " She asked

He jumped, head snapping to look at her

"Hey.... Sunshine.... "

"Hey. What's going on? "

Audrey sat on the bed and he pulled her next to him, kissing her forehead and stroking her hair

"Nothing. Just... Headache that I can't seem to shake"

"You take meds? "

"Yeah, when I got up earlier. It's probably a mental thing since it transferred here"

She nodded and he kissed her cheek

"So...this is my power."

"It's a neat trick," Apollo said.

Audrey shrugged, "I don't know. İt feels odd. Would I be able to do it to a human?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe."

Audrey hummed, "So,.what do you do here while you wait for morning?"

"Usually just lay around."

Audrey smiled, pushing him back onto the bed and making him laugh. She laid beside him, holding onto him.

Audrey linked their hands together, placing them under the light to inspect their rings.

Strangely even the rings seemed brighter and grander, shining beautifully under the light.

They woke up several hours later, curled around each other in the early morning sunlight. Apollo pressed his face to her hair

".... Hi"

"Hey"

He kissed her cheek and she giggled

After dropping off the girls both Apollo and Audrey had therapy appointments.

They got coffee before it, sitting in a quiet cafe beside each other.

Audrey leaned against Apollo slightly, holding his hand.

Apollo kissed her cheek.

"Apollo? " Audrey eventually asked

"Hm? "

"Why don't you like therapy? "

Apollo hesitated, taking a sip of coffee

"I.... I don't like feeling vulnerable"

Audrey nodded, "I see."

"Yeah," Apollo said. "I just...it's not my favourite."

"But, isn't that a good thing? Being vulnerable?"

"I suppose..."

"And, it is helping no?"

"It is...I just don't like it."

She kissed his cheek

"I'm proud of you for not giving up. I know it sucks. I don't like it either"

"Is your therapist helping? "

"Yeah. She's been going over memory exercises and things we had talked about before the accident"

"Good. I'm glad"

Apollo kissed her, stroking her hair

Audrey smiled, holding his hand.

They parted ways when Audrey's therapy session was about to start.

Apollo lingered, but went his own way.

Audrey smiled at her therapist, "What's for today doc?"

"I want to go over your trauma with your mother."

"Oh okay, just get right into it."

"I find that to be your way too."

"Usually."

Apollo was called in a while later and he took his usual spot. His therapist smiled

"How have you been? "

"I've been"

"How's group going? "

"It's going"

"Well don't give too many details. I may get overwhelmed"

Apollo almost smiled, looking away

"It's.... Fine. I still hate going. Delia and Phoebe ran in the last time and spent a few minutes with us, which was unpleasant"

“Why was it unpleasant exactly?”

“I don’t…want them to see that. I don’t want want them to think differently of me.”

“You don’t want them to know that their father is actively working on himself and getting better?”

“It’s not just that. It’s…a group for addicts. It’s..there were so many eyes on me..So, many people who I…didn’t want them to know that part of my life”

“Have you not been sharing in group?”

“I have. I talk. Just not…about my family.”

“Apollo, it’s not an interview or a show.”

“No, but it is 9 people who know me from my career.”

A minute after they were done and during final announcements, Artemis walked in holding a very teary and pouty Phoebe by the armpits.

Artemis smiled at Delia, "Oh, there's the sweetest girl I've known. And, this is your demon child."

Artemis said, dropping Phoebe in Apollo's lap.

As if to prove a point, Pheobe patted him on the chest and smiled at him.

"I thought you said she was a year old?" one of the women asked.

"She is," Apollo said.

"She's just tiny," Artemis said. "Takes it from Apollo. He used to get lost in mother's skirts."

Apollo blushed, "I did not!"

"You so did!"

"You can leave now, dear sister"

"No, I think I'll stay"

Apollo grabbed an apple off the table and hit her in the forehead with it from across the room

"Out! "

Artemis just laughed, walking away and flipping him off. He sighed, turning to Phoebe

"Was the crying really necessary? "

She nodded seriously, cuddling up to his chest. A few people laughed

"So these are your kids? " the therapist asked, amused

"..... Yep"

"They are adorable"

Delia beamed at him and Apollo ruffled her hair

"The problem is that they are aware of it"

Delia and Phoebe both smiled lovingly, acting innocent.

They finished up the announcements, the girls playing together while they waited.

"For a final thing," the therapist said. "As adorable as they are, we prefer to keep family seperate."

Apollo smiled, "I know. I'll be more careful with them."

"It was Phoebe's fault," Delia offered. "She got bored and forced us to go out. And, we can't go out without daddy."

"No!" Pheobe argued.

"Yes," Delia said.

"No!"

"You can't just say no and not make it true."

"No!" Pheobe argued, pouting.

Delia rolled her eyes, "Daddy, Pheobe is telling lies."

Pheobe sat down on the ground and started crying.

Apollo picked her up while the group laughed. He struggled not to join them

"Come on, little one. We can go to the store later"

Phoebe looked up, eyes watery

"Tore? "

"Yep. Store. You can harass the people there"

She buried her face in his chest and he kissed her head, rolling his eyes

"I think this is the happiest I've seen you" The therapist observed

"..... Being inconvenienced by my toddlers. Truly thrilling"

He smiled

"I'm not a toddler," Delia argued. "Pheobe is. She's annoying."

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but you are a toddler," Apollo said.

"No."

Apollo sighed deeply, "Than what are you?"

Delia thought about it, "I'm a teenager."

"In six years."

"No, now. I'm a teenager now."

"Dada," Phoebe interrupted. "Tore. Animals."

Delia perked up, forgetting her arguments, "Can we get rats?!"

"Your mother already said no, but we can go see the animals."

"Okay, but mama doesn't remember that," Delia said in the same way one might say important information.

"We're not using your mother's injury to our benefit," Apollo deadpanned.

"Why not?!" Delia asked, looking up at him as if he betrayed her.

"I'm loyal to you because I'm your father. I'm loyal to your mother because I'm her husband."

Delia crossed her arms, "Husbands are overrated. I want a wife."

"I...we ....you are allowed to marry who you want when you're older."

Delia nodded seriously

Apollo stared at the wall, eyes dead

"Don't want a gay daughter? " One person teased

"I couldn't care less about that if I tried" Apollo shook his head "I'm just not having that conversation with my 5 year old right now"

They all left a while later, Apollo carrying both toddlers to the car

A few people said goodbye to Apollo or more accurately, Apollo's daughters.

Audrey smiled at him as he handed her Phoebe.

He sat in the backseat with Delia,

"Never do that again," he said to the entire car. "Please."

Artemis started the car, looking proud with herself. Audrey smiled apologetically.

"Delia didn't leave us with a choice."

"Nope," Delia agreed.

Apollo leaned his head against the window, overwhelmed. They got take out for lunch and went home

The kids ate while Apollo stared at his food, nauseated by the grease. He got the kids down for their naps and cuddled with Audrey on the couch

"You didn't eat," Audrey said.

"No...I'm not hungry"

"You sure?"

Apollo hesitated for a second, "I..there was a lot of..grease on the food."

"Oh," Audrey said softly. "Oh, um..we can get something less greasy..maybe?"

"We don't have to, it's fine."

"But, you're hungry."

"I'll be fine sunshine."

"I can stand on my feet. Help me to the kicthen and I'll make you something."

"That's not necessary-"

"I want to. And, you're hungry."

"I'm really not. I had coffee"

"That's not food"

He sighed and she lightly glared at him

Apollo helped her to the kitchen and sat her on the counter while he made a bagel

"Back to those, huh? " Audrey teased

"Hey. Don't judge me"

"I'm only slightly judging"

He smiled, kissing her forehead

Audrey smiled at him, "Come on, food is good for you."

"Says me."

"Fair enough."

"Look at you listening to my every word. What a good boy."

Apollo choked on his coffee, face going red

"Stop-"

"Nah. You look so good when you blush. My pretty boy"

Apollo pressed his face into her shoulder while she giggled, stroking his hair

"Good boy"

Apollo held her a little tighter, "Stop."

"Why? What are you going to do about it?"

Apollo huffed, hugging her middle.

Audrey stroked his hair idly, "That what I thought."

"You're hurt"

"Do I sound like I care? "

"Audrey.... "

"Shhhh"

Apollo shut up and she smiled

"Good boy. Doing what he's told. So good"

"Stop teasing me."

"Okay," Audrey said, kissing him.

Apollo held her closer. Audrey leaned into him, looking for every piece of closeness she could get.

Apollo moaned, picking her up. Audrey laughed.

"Your sandwich."

"Later," Apollo said, kissing her again.

"No. You need to eat"

"Oh I plan on having something in my mouth. Just not bread and cheese"

Audrey let out a startled laugh as he carried her upstairs

Apollo placed Audrey gently on the bed, smiling at her. She dragged him down by the edge of his sweatpants.

Apollo didn't mind, following her movement.

Apollo kissed her cheek, trailing kisses to her neck. Audrey melted, grabbed onto his shirt or wherever she could easily grasp.

"Promise me something" He whispered, kissing her jaw

"Anything"

"You'll tell me if I'm hurting you"

Audrey nodded

They looked up an hour later, hearing the kids stirring. Apollo laughed into her hair

"Glad I locked the door"

"Mhm"

They cuddled until the kids knocked and Apollo got dressed, making sure Audrey did the same before letting them in

Audrey patted her hair down as Delia and Phoebe came in.

Delia scrunched her nose, "It smells bad."

Apollo and Audrey looked at each other.

"How about we sit in the living room then?" Audrey asked.

Apollo quickly opened the windows before taking everyone downstairs. Once they were sitting and watching a movie, he rushed upstairs and threw their bedsheets in the laundry.

He made dinner while the kids and Audrey watched a movie, bringing everyone plates before getting his own

Audrey held his hand, making him eat with them. He kissed her forehead

"Mama," Delia said.

"Yes sweetheart?"

"Can we have rats?"

"Rats?"

"Rats."

Audrey thought about it, "Why would you want rats."

"They're cute."

"They're rodents."

"They're cute!" Apollo defended.

Audrey turned to him, eyes wide, "Okay. We have strong feelings about rats. Your snake?"

"We'll keep the rats and snake seperated," Apollo said.

"Okay," Audrey said. "We aren't getting rodents. A hamster once Phoebe is older."

"Why?"

"I don't want my child torturing a hamster."

"Then get rats. They are one of my sacred animals"

".... I'm not so sure.... "

"Please, sunshine? "

Apollo and Delia both gave her puppy eyes and she started to crumble

".... This feels like an attack"

"You won't have to see them"

"This isn't fair"

"They are fuzzy babies"

Audrey sighed

"Clearly, you two have strong emotions about rats."

"Yes," Apollo and Delia asked.

"Okay, give me three minutes and I'll give you my honest reply. Come on eat."

They both did while Audrey pulled out her phone. She kept it hidden for the whole three minutes.

Once they were up, she smiled at them. Apollo and Delia listened with interested, both anticipating the 'yes'.

"Since we have strong emotions about rats, I've decided that we will take a family trip to the zoo. I asked Aphrodite and Ares to accompany us as well as Liz and Jack and Artemis, Dionysus and Ariadne. So, it's a full trip."

"And after we'll get rats? " Delia looked up at her

"..... We'll see"

Apollo snickered at Audrey's expression, kissing her head

"We won't get rats," Audrey told him that night. While they were getting ready for bed. "Absolutely not. They're tiny and terrifying."

"They're adorable," Apollo said, organising clothes into the closet.

"I'm not arguing with you," she said, cuddling her blanket. "Say, our anniversary is soon."

Apollo thought about it, "Beginning of march, yeah..Why?"

Audrey shrugged, "Well we've been married for seven years. Is that not something worth celebrating?"

"I guess"

"Apollo."

He turned to her, "Yes, sunshine?"

"Our anniversary. Are we not celebrating? It doesn't have to be big."

"We just never...really celebrated before."

"We haven't?"

"No..with Delia and everything...no not really," he said, going back to his organisation.

"In seven years, we haven't celebrated our anniversary once?"

"No."

Audrey faltered, "But, İ want to celebrate."

"So, we'll celebrate."

"Well, I was hoping you'd actually be interested," Audrey said, upset at his dismissal. She huddled in bed, closing her eyes.

Apollo turned around, hesitating, and went over. He stroked her cheek

"Can you look at me, sunshine? "

Audrey slowly opened her eyes and he smiled, kissing her forehead

"If you want to celebrate, then we will"

"I want you to want to"

"You're right. I'm sorry. I genuinely do want to"

"But it's not important to you"

"It doesn't have to be. It matters to you and that's what's important. How about we spend a week on Delos? I'll show you everything you don't remember"

Audrey smiled a bit

"... Really? "

"Really. I promise it matters to me. And you are right. Our years together should be celebrated. I'm sorry"

"Well, I got mad," Audrey said, smiling slightly. "So, we'll call it even."

Apollo smiled, turning off the lights and cuddling with her. Audrey laid her head on his chest, holding his hand.

"Will you show me our house?" Audrey asked. "On Delos?"

"Ofcourse," Apollo said. "We have a lot of rooms there. But, outside of our room we didn't really decorate."

"What if we do?" Audrey asked. "Turn it into a summer house?"

"That sounds nice."

Audrey smiled, "I love you."

"I love you too, sunshine."

He kissed her forehead, stroking her hair until she fell asleep. He lay awake for a while until he eventually rolled onto his belly and joined her

Apollo woke up at 2am, head aching, and unable to get back to sleep. He silently took some pain killers and curled around Audrey

Audrey turned, looking at him, "Sweetheart?"

"Shh, go back to bed."

Audrey nodded, closing her eyes.

Apollo wrapped himself around her, falling asleep too.

By complete accident, Audrey found herself on Olympus again

She asked around a bit, eventually being pointed in the direction of Apollo's rooms. She was let inside

Apollo was curled up in a large bed, wrapped around a pillow as he stared blankly at the wall

"You ok? " She asked

He jumped, head snapping to look at her

"Hey.... Sunshine.... "

"Hey. What's going on? "

Audrey sat on the bed and he pulled her next to him, kissing her forehead and stroking her hair

"Nothing. Just... Headache that I can't seem to shake"

"You take meds? "

"Yeah, when I got up earlier. It's probably a mental thing since it transferred here"

She nodded and he kissed her cheek

"So...this is my power."

"It's a neat trick," Apollo said.

Audrey shrugged, "I don't know. İt feels odd. Would I be able to do it to a human?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe."

Audrey hummed, "So,.what do you do here while you wait for morning?"

"Usually just lay around."

Audrey smiled, pushing him back onto the bed and making him laugh. She laid beside him, holding onto him.

Audrey linked their hands together, placing them under the light to inspect their rings.

Strangely even the rings seemed brighter and grander, shining beautifully under the light.

They woke up several hours later, curled around each other in the early morning sunlight. Apollo pressed his face to her hair

".... Hi"

"Hey"

He kissed her cheek and she giggled

After dropping off the girls both Apollo and Audrey had therapy appointments.

They got coffee before it, sitting in a quiet cafe beside each other.

Audrey leaned against Apollo slightly, holding his hand.

Apollo kissed her cheek.

"Apollo? " Audrey eventually asked

"Hm? "

"Why don't you like therapy? "

Apollo hesitated, taking a sip of coffee

"I.... I don't like feeling vulnerable"

Audrey nodded, "I see."

"Yeah," Apollo said. "I just...it's not my favourite."

"But, isn't that a good thing? Being vulnerable?"

"I suppose..."

"And, it is helping no?"

"It is...I just don't like it."

She kissed his cheek

"I'm proud of you for not giving up. I know it sucks. I don't like it either"

"Is your therapist helping? "

"Yeah. She's been going over memory exercises and things we had talked about before the accident"

"Good. I'm glad"

Apollo kissed her, stroking her hair

Audrey smiled, holding his hand.

They parted ways when Audrey’s therapy session was about to start.

Apollo lingered, but went his own way.

Audrey smiled at her therapist, “What’s for today doc?”

“I want to go over your trauma with your mother.”

“Oh okay, just get right into it.”

“I find that to be your way too.”

“Usually.”

A minute after they were done and during final announcements, Artemis walked in holding a very teary and pouty Phoebe by the armpits.

Artemis smiled at Delia, "Oh, there's the sweetest girl I've known. And, this is your demon child."

Artemis said, dropping Phoebe in Apollo's lap.

As if to prove a point, Pheobe patted him on the chest and smiled at him.

"I thought you said she was a year old?" one of the women asked.

"She is," Apollo said.

"She's just tiny," Artemis said. "Takes it from Apollo. He used to get lost in mother's skirts."

Apollo blushed, "I did not!"

"You so did!"

"You can leave now, dear sister"

"No, I think I'll stay"

Apollo grabbed an apple off the table and hit her in the forehead with it from across the room

"Out! "

Artemis just laughed, walking away and flipping him off. He sighed, turning to Phoebe

"Was the crying really necessary? "

She nodded seriously, cuddling up to his chest. A few people laughed

"So these are your kids? " the therapist asked, amused

"..... Yep"

"They are adorable"

Delia beamed at him and Apollo ruffled her hair

"The problem is that they are aware of it"

Delia and Phoebe both smiled lovingly, acting innocent.

They finished up the announcements, the girls playing together while they waited.

"For a final thing," the therapist said. "As adorable as they are, we prefer to keep family seperate."

Apollo smiled, "I know. I'll be more careful with them."

"It was Phoebe's fault," Delia offered. "She got bored and forced us to go out. And, we can't go out without daddy."

"No!" Pheobe argued.

"Yes," Delia said.

"No!"

"You can't just say no and not make it true."

"No!" Pheobe argued, pouting.

Delia rolled her eyes, "Daddy, Pheobe is telling lies."

Pheobe sat down on the ground and started crying.

Apollo picked her up while the group laughed. He struggled not to join them

"Come on, little one. We can go to the store later"

Phoebe looked up, eyes watery

"Tore? "

"Yep. Store. You can harass the people there"

She buried her face in his chest and he kissed her head, rolling his eyes

"I think this is the happiest I've seen you" The therapist observed

"..... Being inconvenienced by my toddlers. Truly thrilling"

He smiled

"I'm not a toddler," Delia argued. "Pheobe is. She's annoying."

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but you are a toddler," Apollo said.

"No."

Apollo sighed deeply, "Than what are you?"

Delia thought about it, "I'm a teenager."

"In six years."

"No, now. I'm a teenager now."

"Dada," Phoebe interrupted. "Tore. Animals."

Delia perked up, forgetting her arguments, "Can we get rats?!"

"Your mother already said no, but we can go see the animals."

"Okay, but mama doesn't remember that," Delia said in the same way one might say important information.

"We're not using your mother's injury to our benefit," Apollo deadpanned.

"Why not?!" Delia asked, looking up at him as if he betrayed her.

"I'm loyal to you because I'm your father. I'm loyal to your mother because I'm her husband."

Delia crossed her arms, "Husbands are overrated. I want a wife."

"I...we ....you are allowed to marry who you want when you're older."

Delia nodded seriously

Apollo stared at the wall, eyes dead

"Don't want a gay daughter? " One person teased

"I couldn't care less about that if I tried" Apollo shook his head "I'm just not having that conversation with my 5 year old right now"

They all left a while later, Apollo carrying both toddlers to the car

A few people said goodbye to Apollo or more accurately, Apollo's daughters.

Audrey smiled at him as he handed her Phoebe.

He sat in the backseat with Delia,

"Never do that again," he said to the entire car. "Please."

Artemis started the car, looking proud with herself. Audrey smiled apologetically.

"Delia didn't leave us with a choice."

"Nope," Delia agreed.

Apollo leaned his head against the window, overwhelmed. They got take out for lunch and went home

The kids ate while Apollo stared at his food, nauseated by the grease. He got the kids down for their naps and cuddled with Audrey on the couch

"You didn't eat," Audrey said.

"No...I'm not hungry"

"You sure?"

Apollo hesitated for a second, "I..there was a lot of..grease on the food."

"Oh," Audrey said softly. "Oh, um..we can get something less greasy..maybe?"

"We don't have to, it's fine."

"But, you're hungry."

"I'll be fine sunshine."

"I can stand on my feet. Help me to the kicthen and I'll make you something."

"That's not necessary-"

"I want to. And, you're hungry."

"I'm really not. I had coffee"

"That's not food"

He sighed and she lightly glared at him

Apollo helped her to the kitchen and sat her on the counter while he made a bagel

"Back to those, huh? " Audrey teased

"Hey. Don't judge me"

"I'm only slightly judging"

He smiled, kissing her forehead

Audrey smiled at him, "Come on, food is good for you."

"Says me."

"Fair enough."

"Look at you listening to my every word. What a good boy."

Apollo choked on his coffee, face going red

"Stop-"

"Nah. You look so good when you blush. My pretty boy"

Apollo pressed his face into her shoulder while she giggled, stroking his hair

"Good boy"

Apollo held her a little tighter, "Stop."

"Why? What are you going to do about it?"

Apollo huffed, hugging her middle.

Audrey stroked his hair idly, "That what I thought."

"You're hurt"

"Do I sound like I care? "

"Audrey.... "

"Shhhh"

Apollo shut up and she smiled

"Good boy. Doing what he's told. So good"

"Stop teasing me."

"Okay," Audrey said, kissing him.

Apollo held her closer. Audrey leaned into him, looking for every piece of closeness she could get.

Apollo moaned, picking her up. Audrey laughed.

"Your sandwich."

"Later," Apollo said, kissing her again.

"No. You need to eat"

"Oh I plan on having something in my mouth. Just not bread and cheese"

Audrey let out a startled laugh as he carried her upstairs

Apollo placed Audrey gently on the bed, smiling at her. She dragged him down by the edge of his sweatpants.

Apollo didn't mind, following her movement.

Apollo kissed her cheek, trailing kisses to her neck. Audrey melted, grabbed onto his shirt or wherever she could easily grasp.

"Promise me something" He whispered, kissing her jaw

"Anything"

"You'll tell me if I'm hurting you"

Audrey nodded

They looked up an hour later, hearing the kids stirring. Apollo laughed into her hair

"Glad I locked the door"

"Mhm"

They cuddled until the kids knocked and Apollo got dressed, making sure Audrey did the same before letting them in

Audrey patted her hair down as Delia and Phoebe came in.

Delia scrunched her nose, "It smells bad."

Apollo and Audrey looked at each other.

"How about we sit in the living room then?" Audrey asked.

Apollo quickly opened the windows before taking everyone downstairs. Once they were sitting and watching a movie, he rushed upstairs and threw their bedsheets in the laundry.

He made dinner while the kids and Audrey watched a movie, bringing everyone plates before getting his own

Audrey held his hand, making him eat with them. He kissed her forehead

"Mama," Delia said.

"Yes sweetheart?"

"Can we have rats?"

"Rats?"

"Rats."

Audrey thought about it, "Why would you want rats."

"They're cute."

"They're rodents."

"They're cute!" Apollo defended.

Audrey turned to him, eyes wide, "Okay. We have strong feelings about rats. Your snake?"

"We'll keep the rats and snake seperated," Apollo said.

"Okay," Audrey said. "We aren't getting rodents. A hamster once Phoebe is older."

"Why?"

"I don't want my child torturing a hamster."

"Then get rats. They are one of my sacred animals"

".... I'm not so sure.... "

"Please, sunshine? "

Apollo and Delia both gave her puppy eyes and she started to crumble

".... This feels like an attack"

"You won't have to see them"

"This isn't fair"

"They are fuzzy babies"

Audrey sighed

"Clearly, you two have strong emotions about rats."

"Yes," Apollo and Delia asked.

"Okay, give me three minutes and I'll give you my honest reply. Come on eat."

They both did while Audrey pulled out her phone. She kept it hidden for the whole three minutes.

Once they were up, she smiled at them. Apollo and Delia listened with interested, both anticipating the 'yes'.

"Since we have strong emotions about rats, I've decided that we will take a family trip to the zoo. I asked Aphrodite and Ares to accompany us as well as Liz and Jack and Artemis, Dionysus and Ariadne. So, it's a full trip."

"And after we'll get rats? " Delia looked up at her

"..... We'll see"

Apollo snickered at Audrey's expression, kissing her head

"We won't get rats," Audrey told him that night. While they were getting ready for bed. "Absolutely not. They're tiny and terrifying."

"They're adorable," Apollo said, organising clothes into the closet.

"I'm not arguing with you," she said, cuddling her blanket. "Say, our anniversary is soon."

Apollo thought about it, "Beginning of march, yeah..Why?"

Audrey shrugged, "Well we've been married for seven years. Is that not something worth celebrating?"

"I guess"

"Apollo."

He turned to her, "Yes, sunshine?"

"Our anniversary. Are we not celebrating? It doesn't have to be big."

"We just never...really celebrated before."

"We haven't?"

"No..with Delia and everything...no not really," he said, going back to his organisation.

"In seven years, we haven't celebrated our anniversary once?"

"No."

Audrey faltered, "But, İ want to celebrate."

"So, we'll celebrate."

"Well, I was hoping you'd actually be interested," Audrey said, upset at his dismissal. She huddled in bed, closing her eyes.

Apollo turned around, hesitating, and went over. He stroked her cheek

"Can you look at me, sunshine? "

Audrey slowly opened her eyes and he smiled, kissing her forehead

"If you want to celebrate, then we will"

"I want you to want to"

"You're right. I'm sorry. I genuinely do want to"

"But it's not important to you"

"It doesn't have to be. It matters to you and that's what's important. How about we spend a week on Delos? I'll show you everything you don't remember"

Audrey smiled a bit

"... Really? "

"Really. I promise it matters to me. And you are right. Our years together should be celebrated. I'm sorry"

"Well, I got mad," Audrey said, smiling slightly. "So, we'll call it even."

Apollo smiled, turning off the lights and cuddling with her. Audrey laid her head on his chest, holding his hand.

"Will you show me our house?" Audrey asked. "On Delos?"

"Ofcourse," Apollo said. "We have a lot of rooms there. But, outside of our room we didn't really decorate."

"What if we do?" Audrey asked. "Turn it into a summer house?"

"That sounds nice."

Audrey smiled, "I love you."

"I love you too, sunshine."

He kissed her forehead, stroking her hair until she fell asleep. He lay awake for a while until he eventually rolled onto his belly and joined her

Apollo woke up at 2am, head aching, and unable to get back to sleep. He silently took some pain killers and curled around Audrey

Audrey turned, looking at him, "Sweetheart?"

"Shh, go back to bed."

Audrey nodded, closing her eyes.

Apollo wrapped himself around her, falling asleep too.

By complete accident, Audrey found herself on Olympus again

She asked around a bit, eventually being pointed in the direction of Apollo's rooms. She was let inside

Apollo was curled up in a large bed, wrapped around a pillow as he stared blankly at the wall

"You ok? " She asked

He jumped, head snapping to look at her

"Hey.... Sunshine.... "

"Hey. What's going on? "

Audrey sat on the bed and he pulled her next to him, kissing her forehead and stroking her hair

"Nothing. Just... Headache that I can't seem to shake"

"You take meds? "

"Yeah, when I got up earlier. It's probably a mental thing since it transferred here"

She nodded and he kissed her cheek

"So...this is my power."

"It's a neat trick," Apollo said.

Audrey shrugged, "I don't know. İt feels odd. Would I be able to do it to a human?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe."

Audrey hummed, "So,.what do you do here while you wait for morning?"

"Usually just lay around."

Audrey smiled, pushing him back onto the bed and making him laugh. She laid beside him, holding onto him.

Audrey linked their hands together, placing them under the light to inspect their rings.

Strangely even the rings seemed brighter and grander, shining beautifully under the light.

They woke up several hours later, curled around each other in the early morning sunlight. Apollo pressed his face to her hair

".... Hi"

"Hey"

He kissed her cheek and she giggled

After dropping off the girls both Apollo and Audrey had therapy appointments.

They got coffee before it, sitting in a quiet cafe beside each other.

Audrey leaned against Apollo slightly, holding his hand.

Apollo kissed her cheek.

"Apollo? " Audrey eventually asked

"Hm? "

"Why don't you like therapy? "

Apollo hesitated, taking a sip of coffee

"I.... I don't like feeling vulnerable"

Audrey nodded, “I see.”

“Yeah,” Apollo said. “I just…it’s not my favourite.”

“But, isn’t that a good thing? Being vulnerable?”

“I suppose…”

“And, it is helping no?”

“It is…I just don’t like it.”

Phoebe got hungry once everyone finished their breakfast. Apollo got her a proper breakfast, smiling as she actually ate something.

She shared half her pancakes with Delia and gave one to Audrey.

"I don't want any," Audrey said, trying to return it.

Phoebe looked up at her, her huge eyes staring into Audrey's soul.

Audrey stopped her movement, smiling lovingly at Phoebe, "Thank you,sweetheart."

Phoebe smiled, digging into her own pancakes.

"Is it still altruism if she's threatening you?" Dionysus asked.

"No," every adult on the table replied.

They went back to the house and Apollo put on a movie for the kids, smiling as they were immediately glued to the screen. Audrey was situated on the couch with James and Lillian

Artemis and Dionysus stood with Apollo in the kitchen, watching as he quietly cleaned

"What?" Apollo asked.

"Nothing," they replied in unison.

Apollo turned to them, "What?"

"Nothing."

"Clearly it's something."

"How are you doing? " Artemis asked

"I'm fine"

"Really? You seem kinda stressed"

"I'm always stressed. It's who I am"

"More than usual"

"I'm just tired. I'll nap later"

".... Okay"

"I'm serious"

"I believe you"

"You aren't acting like you trust me."

"I do," Artemis said.

"Can you two just be honest?"

"You seemed stressed," Dionysus said.

"Okay? And?"

"That's it."

"Well, I'm fine."

"Go sit with your wife," Artemis said.

Apollo hesitated, "No."

"Why? "

"She's with James right now"

"And you aren't allowed to be near her? "

"Arty, if you have something to say to me, say it" He snapped, frustrated

"Okay. Fine. You're stress cleaning"

"I'm not"

"You absolutely are. You always do that when you're upset about something, usually paired with you hiding in another room. Either to avoid a situation you're not comfortable in or to avoid being alone with yourself"

"..... I.... "

"Mhm. Thought so. Now tell me what's wrong? "

".... I don't know"

"Okay," Artemis said. "Can you stop stress cleaning so we can figure something out for you?"

Apollo sighed, "Fine."

"Thank you."

As soon as Apollo put away the clanging supplies, the living room erupted into choas. Audrey called for Apollo, clearly scared.

"Daddy!" Delia called after a second, running into the kicthen. "Phoebe vomited on the ground."

He let out a sigh

"..... Alright. Lia, why don't you, Phoebe, and everyone else go play outside while I take care of it"

Everyone went outside while he cleaned the living room, unfazed, before washing his hands and joining them outside. He kissed Phoebe's head

"And that's why we don't eat straight orange peels"

Phoebe looked up at him, pouting

Audrey cooed, holding her close.

"Sorry for leaving you alone with that."

"It's no issue," Apollo said, sitting down beside her and Phoebe.

Phoebe looked up at him, "Dada?"

"Yes?"

"Happy? Not?"

"I'm not angry," he said.

Phoebe nodded seriously, before hiding as much as she could in Audrey.

He kissed her little head

Delia ran around in the yard with James, Phoebe eventually joining them followed by Artemis. Apollo watched, amused

"Sunshine? "

"Hm? "

"I'm thinking of going back to the gym. Would you want to come with me? "

".... Seriously? "

"Yeah. Strength training might help. Worst case scenario it's something to get you out of the house"

"Yes. Absolutely. Please"

Apollo smiled and kissed her cheek

Audrey smiled at him, squeezing his hand.

"I have physical therapy again."

"Tomorrow. I know."

"How do you manage to keep track of so many dates?"

"Superpower."

"I'm serious"

"So am I. After enough years of crippling control issues and tight schedules, you learn to keep track"

"Huh. I mean I appreciate it"

Apollo smiled when kissed her, making her giggle

"Stop being disgusting," James yelled at them. "Your kids are right there!"

Apollo sighed, whispering to Audrey, "I'm going to kill him."

"But, that'll make me sad."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Ugh, fine."

She giggled and Apollo kissed her again to spite James. He threw a pillow at them, making Apollo laugh as he blocked it

The kids went down for their naps and Apollo made the adults food

"Thank you for feeding us," Dionysus said as he sat down.

Artemis rolled her eyes, "Thank you, Apollo."

"You're welcome," he said, smiling at them.

Audrey sat next to Apollo, walking with James' aid to the table.

He kissed her forehead, making her giggle as he sat beside her

That night, everyone went to bed. Apollo carried Audrey to their room and she started reading the journal again while he showered. He cuddled her when he got back

"You wanna stay up? "

"No, I'll stop. Hang on"

"Don't worry about it. You take your time"

Audrey hesitantly nodded, watching him fall asleep quickly while she continued to read. She smiled

Audrey finished an hour later, before she put the journal down and slept.

She cuddled up to Apollo, holding onto his arm.

When she slept, she dreamt of beaches and sunsets. A house she didn't recognise on an island she didn't know.

She woke up a few hours later, the image stuck in her mind. Audrey hesitated for a while before slowly grabbing Apollo's iPad

When Apollo woke up, he saw her drawing something

"What's up? " He mumbled, half asleep

"Sorry.... Had a weird dream and needed to draw it.... Do you mind? "

"Of course not. Anything I can help with? "

"Yeah, actually.... What's this? "

Audrey held up the drawing and Apollo stared at it for a minute

"Oh. That's our house on Delos"

"We... Have a house on Delos? "

He nodded, laying his head on her belly

"You're being really nonchalant."

"We've had it for nearly seven years. A wedding gift. From Hades."

"Hades?!"

"Yes."

"I thought you guys didn't really get along? "

"We..... I can't say made up, but he and Seph stopped hating me. You actually got along pretty well with them"

"Huh"

"Yep. We can go in a while if you'd like"

"I would... It looked nice"

".... I just realized you don't know my mother"

"Wait, what-? "

Apollo smiled, "I'll reintroduce you."

"Aphrodite mentioned her," Audrey said. "But, it was so quick I didn't...she's alive?!"

"Yes. But, she rarely leaves her house in Delos. I can show you so many things."

Audrey smiled, "Alright."

He kissed her cheek and went back to cuddling with his head on her belly. She stroked his hair, making him smile

"You're warm" Audrey said

"So are you. Feels nice"

She giggled and he pressed his face into her skin

That afternoon, Hermes visited them for the first time in months.

Apollo didn’t ask questions, immediately welcoming him in. He ignored the sober look on his face; a decision already made.

Hermes hugged him and Audrey tightly. He played with the girls. Chatted with Artemis and Dionysus.

When it was time for the girl’s bedtime, he asked to take both of them to bed.

No one argued.

Hermes came back down after thirty minutes, sitting next to Audrey.

“So, how’s life been?” Audrey asked him, smiling.

“Good. Reconnected with Peitho…it’s been ages since I last saw her.”

“That’s nice.”

“Yeah…suppose you don’t remember much.”

“I remember you, Hermes. You’re quite unforgettable.”

Hermes smiled, “I missed you.”

“I missed you too.”

Phoebe got hungry once everyone finished their breakfast. Apollo got her a proper breakfast, smiling as she actually ate something.

She shared half her pancakes with Delia and gave one to Audrey.

"I don't want any," Audrey said, trying to return it.

Phoebe looked up at her, her huge eyes staring into Audrey's soul.

Audrey stopped her movement, smiling lovingly at Phoebe, "Thank you,sweetheart."

Phoebe smiled, digging into her own pancakes.

"Is it still altruism if she's threatening you?" Dionysus asked.

"No," every adult on the table replied.

They went back to the house and Apollo put on a movie for the kids, smiling as they were immediately glued to the screen. Audrey was situated on the couch with James and Lillian

Artemis and Dionysus stood with Apollo in the kitchen, watching as he quietly cleaned

"What?" Apollo asked.

"Nothing," they replied in unison.

Apollo turned to them, "What?"

"Nothing."

"Clearly it's something."

"How are you doing? " Artemis asked

"I'm fine"

"Really? You seem kinda stressed"

"I'm always stressed. It's who I am"

"More than usual"

"I'm just tired. I'll nap later"

".... Okay"

"I'm serious"

"I believe you"

"You aren't acting like you trust me."

"I do," Artemis said.

"Can you two just be honest?"

"You seemed stressed," Dionysus said.

"Okay? And?"

"That's it."

"Well, I'm fine."

"Go sit with your wife," Artemis said.

Apollo hesitated, "No."

"Why? "

"She's with James right now"

"And you aren't allowed to be near her? "

"Arty, if you have something to say to me, say it" He snapped, frustrated

"Okay. Fine. You're stress cleaning"

"I'm not"

"You absolutely are. You always do that when you're upset about something, usually paired with you hiding in another room. Either to avoid a situation you're not comfortable in or to avoid being alone with yourself"

"..... I.... "

"Mhm. Thought so. Now tell me what's wrong? "

".... I don't know"

"Okay," Artemis said. "Can you stop stress cleaning so we can figure something out for you?"

Apollo sighed, "Fine."

"Thank you."

As soon as Apollo put away the clanging supplies, the living room erupted into choas. Audrey called for Apollo, clearly scared.

"Daddy!" Delia called after a second, running into the kicthen. "Phoebe vomited on the ground."

He let out a sigh

"..... Alright. Lia, why don't you, Phoebe, and everyone else go play outside while I take care of it"

Everyone went outside while he cleaned the living room, unfazed, before washing his hands and joining them outside. He kissed Phoebe's head

"And that's why we don't eat straight orange peels"

Phoebe looked up at him, pouting

Audrey cooed, holding her close.

"Sorry for leaving you alone with that."

"It's no issue," Apollo said, sitting down beside her and Phoebe.

Phoebe looked up at him, "Dada?"

"Yes?"

"Happy? Not?"

"I'm not angry," he said.

Phoebe nodded seriously, before hiding as much as she could in Audrey.

He kissed her little head

Delia ran around in the yard with James, Phoebe eventually joining them followed by Artemis. Apollo watched, amused

"Sunshine? "

"Hm? "

"I'm thinking of going back to the gym. Would you want to come with me? "

".... Seriously? "

"Yeah. Strength training might help. Worst case scenario it's something to get you out of the house"

"Yes. Absolutely. Please"

Apollo smiled and kissed her cheek

Audrey smiled at him, squeezing his hand.

"I have physical therapy again."

"Tomorrow. I know."

"How do you manage to keep track of so many dates?"

"Superpower."

"I'm serious"

"So am I. After enough years of crippling control issues and tight schedules, you learn to keep track"

"Huh. I mean I appreciate it"

Apollo smiled when kissed her, making her giggle

"Stop being disgusting," James yelled at them. "Your kids are right there!"

Apollo sighed, whispering to Audrey, "I'm going to kill him."

"But, that'll make me sad."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Ugh, fine."

She giggled and Apollo kissed her again to spite James. He threw a pillow at them, making Apollo laugh as he blocked it

The kids went down for their naps and Apollo made the adults food

"Thank you for feeding us," Dionysus said as he sat down.

Artemis rolled her eyes, "Thank you, Apollo."

"You're welcome," he said, smiling at them.

Audrey sat next to Apollo, walking with James' aid to the table.

He kissed her forehead, making her giggle as he sat beside her

That night, everyone went to bed. Apollo carried Audrey to their room and she started reading the journal again while he showered. He cuddled her when he got back

"You wanna stay up? "

"No, I'll stop. Hang on"

"Don't worry about it. You take your time"

Audrey hesitantly nodded, watching him fall asleep quickly while she continued to read. She smiled

Audrey finished an hour later, before she put the journal down and slept.

She cuddled up to Apollo, holding onto his arm.

When she slept, she dreamt of beaches and sunsets. A house she didn't recognise on an island she didn't know.

She woke up a few hours later, the image stuck in her mind. Audrey hesitated for a while before slowly grabbing Apollo's iPad

When Apollo woke up, he saw her drawing something

"What's up? " He mumbled, half asleep

"Sorry.... Had a weird dream and needed to draw it.... Do you mind? "

"Of course not. Anything I can help with? "

"Yeah, actually.... What's this? "

Audrey held up the drawing and Apollo stared at it for a minute

"Oh. That's our house on Delos"

"We... Have a house on Delos? "

He nodded, laying his head on her belly

“You’re being really nonchalant.”

“We’ve had it for nearly seven years. A wedding gift. From Hades.”

“Hades?!”

“Yes.”

Phoebe got hungry once everyone finished their breakfast. Apollo got her a proper breakfast, smiling as she actually ate something.

She shared half her pancakes with Delia and gave one to Audrey.

"I don't want any," Audrey said, trying to return it.

Phoebe looked up at her, her huge eyes staring into Audrey's soul.

Audrey stopped her movement, smiling lovingly at Phoebe, "Thank you,sweetheart."

Phoebe smiled, digging into her own pancakes.

"Is it still altruism if she's threatening you?" Dionysus asked.

"No," every adult on the table replied.

They went back to the house and Apollo put on a movie for the kids, smiling as they were immediately glued to the screen. Audrey was situated on the couch with James and Lillian

Artemis and Dionysus stood with Apollo in the kitchen, watching as he quietly cleaned

"What?" Apollo asked.

"Nothing," they replied in unison.

Apollo turned to them, "What?"

"Nothing."

"Clearly it's something."

"How are you doing? " Artemis asked

"I'm fine"

"Really? You seem kinda stressed"

"I'm always stressed. It's who I am"

"More than usual"

"I'm just tired. I'll nap later"

".... Okay"

"I'm serious"

"I believe you"

"You aren't acting like you trust me."

"I do," Artemis said.

"Can you two just be honest?"

"You seemed stressed," Dionysus said.

"Okay? And?"

"That's it."

"Well, I'm fine."

"Go sit with your wife," Artemis said.

Apollo hesitated, "No."

"Why? "

"She's with James right now"

"And you aren't allowed to be near her? "

"Arty, if you have something to say to me, say it" He snapped, frustrated

"Okay. Fine. You're stress cleaning"

"I'm not"

"You absolutely are. You always do that when you're upset about something, usually paired with you hiding in another room. Either to avoid a situation you're not comfortable in or to avoid being alone with yourself"

"..... I.... "

"Mhm. Thought so. Now tell me what's wrong? "

".... I don't know"

"Okay," Artemis said. "Can you stop stress cleaning so we can figure something out for you?"

Apollo sighed, "Fine."

"Thank you."

As soon as Apollo put away the clanging supplies, the living room erupted into choas. Audrey called for Apollo, clearly scared.

"Daddy!" Delia called after a second, running into the kicthen. "Phoebe vomited on the ground."

He let out a sigh

"..... Alright. Lia, why don't you, Phoebe, and everyone else go play outside while I take care of it"

Everyone went outside while he cleaned the living room, unfazed, before washing his hands and joining them outside. He kissed Phoebe's head

"And that's why we don't eat straight orange peels"

Phoebe looked up at him, pouting

Audrey cooed, holding her close.

"Sorry for leaving you alone with that."

"It's no issue," Apollo said, sitting down beside her and Phoebe.

Phoebe looked up at him, "Dada?"

"Yes?"

"Happy? Not?"

"I'm not angry," he said.

Phoebe nodded seriously, before hiding as much as she could in Audrey.

He kissed her little head

Delia ran around in the yard with James, Phoebe eventually joining them followed by Artemis. Apollo watched, amused

"Sunshine? "

"Hm? "

"I'm thinking of going back to the gym. Would you want to come with me? "

".... Seriously? "

"Yeah. Strength training might help. Worst case scenario it's something to get you out of the house"

"Yes. Absolutely. Please"

Apollo smiled and kissed her cheek

Audrey smiled at him, squeezing his hand.

"I have physical therapy again."

"Tomorrow. I know."

"How do you manage to keep track of so many dates?"

"Superpower."

"I'm serious"

"So am I. After enough years of crippling control issues and tight schedules, you learn to keep track"

"Huh. I mean I appreciate it"

Apollo smiled when kissed her, making her giggle

"Stop being disgusting," James yelled at them. "Your kids are right there!"

Apollo sighed, whispering to Audrey, "I'm going to kill him."

"But, that'll make me sad."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Ugh, fine."

She giggled and Apollo kissed her again to spite James. He threw a pillow at them, making Apollo laugh as he blocked it

The kids went down for their naps and Apollo made the adults food

"Thank you for feeding us," Dionysus said as he sat down.

Artemis rolled her eyes, "Thank you, Apollo."

"You're welcome," he said, smiling at them.

Audrey sat next to Apollo, walking with James' aid to the table.

He kissed her forehead, making her giggle as he sat beside her

That night, everyone went to bed. Apollo carried Audrey to their room and she started reading the journal again while he showered. He cuddled her when he got back

"You wanna stay up? "

"No, I'll stop. Hang on"

"Don't worry about it. You take your time"

Audrey hesitantly nodded, watching him fall asleep quickly while she continued to read. She smiled

Audrey finished an hour later, before she put the journal down and slept.

She cuddled up to Apollo, holding onto his arm.

When she slept, she dreamt of beaches and sunsets. A house she didn’t recognise on an island she didn’t know.