Chapter Text
“So, girl, were you gonna tell me about that next baby of yours, or were you really gonna make me wait to fun out until I came back up top next year to find you with another baby?” Persephone teases, swirling the glass in her hand as she locks eyes with the young girl tending the bar, a slight smirk coming to her face. “And don’t try to lie to me. I can tell.”
“What are you- what do you mean you can tell .” Eurydice’s eyes are blown wide as she drops the rag she was wiping the counter with, leaning in close to whisper in hushed voices. She hadn’t thought it was obvious yet, that loose dresses had done enough to conceal a secret they weren’t quite ready to share. “Did Orpheus say something?”
“Did Orpheus say what?” His soft voice calls, as his arm appears around her with a snack sized bowl of bar pretzels, placing it beside her before kissing her cheek. His hand rests on her side, thumb drumming right on the curve of her hip.
“How are you, Lady Persephone?” He asks, reaching out and grabbing the bottle of wine and topping off her drink, nearly dropping it when the next words rolled from her tongue.
“I’d be better if you weren’t tryin’ hide that baby from me.” She picks up the glass and glances back towards the little area of the bar where Ophelia and Winter toddled about, playing with some flowers Demeter sent with Winter. “I’ve got one, I know, you ain’t hidin nothing.”
“Seph.. we’re just- i’m scared something could happen to it, okay?” Eurydice explains, resting her arms ontop of the one Orpheus has wrapped around her waist. “We don’t want to tell anyone, especially Ophelia, and then something happens to it.”
Persephone pauses to catch Winter as she runs by, picking up the newly one year old and holding her on her leg. “I understand, but your little secret is safe with me.”
She watches as Ophelia ducks behind the bar to her parents, little arms going up immediately to them both. “Up, mama?”
Orpheus responds instead, pulling his two year old right to his hip, kissing her forehead as she reaches her hand down and steals a handful of pretzels for herself.
“Besides. Everyone knew you two were working on making another.” Persephone tells them, resting her head on top of the curls covering her daughter’s head. “You two aren’t very good at hiding your...affection.”
Orpheus gasps as Eurydice snaps her head up, catching the eyes of the smirking goddess.
“What are you talking about…” Orpheus stammers, trying to distract Ophelia as she shoved handfuls of pretzels into her mouth.
“We weren’t-“
“You gave me Ophelia at Winter’s party and disappeared into my mama’s field. You ain’t the only two who ever dissappeared into that field. I know what you did.” Persephone shook her head, taking another quick drink. “We’ll be excited to meet her this spring when we come home.”
Spring
“Well, tell me all about that baby of yours!” Persephone throws her arm around Orpheus’ shoulder as they leave the train station, nearly two year old Winter toddling about infront of them. “Boy? Girl? How’s Ophelia holding up, now that she’s sharing you two.”
“No baby yet…” Orpheus admits, with a heavy sigh and the shake of his head. “I feel so bad for her, she can’t get off the bed, she won’t stop working even though I can see she doesn’t feel well.. i’m so worried about her..”
“What do you mean there's no baby yet, that was-“ Persephone pauses, counting back in her head, “nine months. Winter’s birthday was nine months ago! It can’t stay in much longer.”
“I’m scared for her.” He admits, slinging her suitcase over his shoulder. “What if something happens to her, I can’t… i can’t lose her again.”
“Don’t you worry about that. If anyone can do this again it’s her. Don’t forget how she had Ophelia. She’ll have you this time, she will be okay.” Persephone assures, touching his cheek gently. “I promise.” Her attention is drawn away by the sound of Winter’s high pitched squeals. “Winter you better not tear that dress-“
That night, the first night of spring brought forth the usual party between the bar and Demeter’s newly planted fields.
The people welcomed Persephone with open arms, all ready to meet and be greeted by the goddess on the first day of her season. Her daughter ran about with Ophelia, the two of them squealing with the delight of being reunited for their third season together. The atmosphere was light and joyous, warm wined veins bringing even the oldest of the group
To smiles.
Save for, of course, one mortal girl.
Persephone found her working behind the bar as usual, though she worked at a glacial pace in comparison to the hummingbird speed at which she usually poured drinks. She does not interrupt as Orpheus whispers to the girl, his hand on her lower back as she furiously shakes her head at whatever whispered suggestion he gave. He kisses her cheek before grabbing his instrument and heading towards the little performance space.
Persephone sees the way Eurydice sighs, leaning over the makeshift bar and resting her elbows on it. She approaches the girl,
Sliding into the barstool directly infront of her.
“Well don’t you just look ready to burst.” Persephone taunts, leaning forward to look at Eurydice fully. She watches the way she rocks on her toes, swaying her hips just slightly as she stood. “And why on Earth are you still working on your feet like this. Actually.. I’ve never seen you pregnant before have I?”
“I know, thanks for pointing it out.” Eurydice snaps, straightening her arms but not standing fully. “I worked on a factory floor until probably three hours before I has Ophelia, a bar is nothin’. It’s money. It’s work. It’s..money.” She whimpers a little as she stands, before going back to slowly pouring drinks. “I wasn’t this big with Ophelia. And I had her before you came back. But no..I just..I wasn’t healthy enough with Ophelia.”
“You think Hermes would ever let you two struggle, you’re the hardest worker he’s ever had, I don’t think he’ll be too pleased if you have that kid on his bar floor.” Persephone points out, reaching out to grab Eurydice’s hand. “You need to sit down at least.”
“I’ll work until I can’t, I can’t ask for handouts and We need as much as we can.” Eurydice explains, lifting her head to look at Persephone, with fear sketched in her eyes. “We to be able to provide for our children, they rely on us, and I can’t let them be left needing things.”
“Eurydice. You are the last person in the world that I worry about being able to provide for your children. You have proven to everyone the lengths that you two are willing to go for each other.” Persephone assured, squeezing her hand.
Eurydice gives a weak smile, leaning again on the bar as she watches Orpheus settling in to Perform, Ophelia sitting on his lap with a wide smile on her face.
“They’ll have everything they need. You and Orpheus and plenty of love. Now sit down, you’re making everyone nervous.”