(no subject)

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

Characters: Erato, Achilles, also guest starring Richard and Gina Keefe
Date/Time: Morning of Saturday, May 5th, 2011
Location: Starting in Erato's dorm, later in Olympia
Rating: TBD
Warnings: Possible language, emotions running high
Summary: Erato's moving home for the summer, and it's time to break the news to her parents.

The day had finally come. Time for Erato to move back home for the summer. She'd worked hard getting everything all packed up and ready to go home--she just needed a few stronger muscles to get it all loaded into the vehicles. That was where her dad and Achilles came in.

She was also nervous. Today was going to be the day that she told her parents that she was expecting. She hoped they would take it well...

Comments

[akhilles-heel.insanejournal.com]

When Achilles was alone he could ponder the repercussions of events that had happened. One of which left Erato with child. He'd never been a successful father in the past, only in name. He was not sure what he could be now, especially to such a young woman that pulled out emotions he was unsure he'd ever feel again.

He came in his usual cargo pants and jacket. It was very obvious when he approached what he was to Erato. Her parents wouldn't likely be pleased of the news they would receive later today, but they had best not be vicious. Achilles would never stand for that.

He helped the girl with the heavier pieces, loading them almost effortlessly without much of a word.

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

Oh, yes, Erato's love for Achilles was clear from the moment they greeted each other. However, she introduced him only by his mortal name and rank. "Boyfriend" didn't seem to quite cover their relationship, nor did "sweetheart," "significant other," or "lover." And as for "hero"... it just wouldn't make sense without a lot of explanation.

Being writers, the Keefes were more than willing to chatter over his silence. Still, Richard was sure to tell Achilles, "Good job" and "Thanks" for helping with the larger items. Erato beamed with pride.

After all the moving was finished, it was time for the dinner to celebrate. Which also meant it was time for smalltalk.

"So... Andreas... Why don't you tell us a little about yourself?" Gina asked casually.

[akhilles-heel.insanejournal.com]

It was strange slipping back into this role as Andreas when Achilles was around Erato. She emitted so much energy, that he could find himself slipping into the little world they'd created for themselves.

With her earthly parents here it felt odd. As the proud soldier he was he spoke freely of himself without giving too many heart to heart details. That was meant for those he trusted.

"I come from a militant family. In Italy. My parents uprooted me from there to make a life here where I joined the Army at eighteen." It was obvious there was a strength about this boy that most this day in age had lost. Achilles hadn't gone into the military lifestyle because of peer pressure or for the love of his country (or the new one he was in). It was a personal preference to make a name for himself. The Achilles inside him had pushed him forward and for no other reason than glory.

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

"Oh, is your family still here in the US, then?" Gina asked.

"Or are you going to have to take Rosie to Italy to introduce her to your parents?" Richard said, half-teasing.

"Dad!" Erato protested. "We haven't even talked about that yet!"

"Hey, it's a legit question," her father said with a shrug. "You two seem pretty serious, just looking at you."

Erato blushed.
"Yes, well... We are. In fact..." She twined her fingers with Achilles' for support. "...there's something we should tell you..."

[akhilles-heel.insanejournal.com]

"No," Achilles responded. "They are back in Italy." He gave Erato's mother a soft nod respectfully. His words were rather clipped short with the soft banter between the family. He wasn't even sure the last time he'd spoken to his mother, it had been a while since this whole mess of immortality and unseen forces were breaking light into his life. He hadn't quite found the way to break any sort of news to her.

Just as quickly as that thought had entered his head, Erato began her opening speech. He clutched her hand under the table softly, giving a gentle squeeze.

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

"What is it you need to tell us?" Both of Erato's parents were looking at them curiously from across the way.

Erato gave Achilles a grateful smile, and took a deep breath.
"Well... we..." She cleared her suddenly tight throat delicately. "...We're going to have a baby."

For a moment, her parents just stared at her blankly.
"Oh, honey. You always did have a sense of humor," her father said with a weak laugh.

Erato shook her head more firmly.
"No. No, I mean it. I'm due in December. Right before Christmas," she insisted. "Here. Here, I even have..." Suddenly, she was rummaging in her purse, and pulled out a small, slightly curled piece of glossy paper, about the size of a postcard. She smoothed the black-and-white image in front of them. "That's the ultrasound photo Dr. Oram gave me. See? There you can see his head... and those are the feet over there..." She pointed at the grainy details, highlighted with digital pointers and text.

Again, her parents were staring, this time at the photographic evidence right in front of them.

"Sweet Mary, Mother of God," her mother murmured breathlessly.

"You're pregnant? By this guy?" Suddenly, her father was glaring daggers at Achilles. "Have you lost your mind? What about your schooling? Have you even thought about the consequences? Are you getting married? I thought I taught you better than--"

"I asked him to!" Erato interrupted, hectic pink spots flaring on her cheeks. "It was my idea! You... you can't forget, I'm not just a regular girl! You know who I really am. Yes, normally there would have been more planning, but when the Equinox came, there were only 24 hours to strike while the iron was hot! It had to be then. Otherwise, I couldn't be guaranteed my baby would be special. But he will be. He will be. He will accomplish feats the likes of which haven't been seen since Alexander the Great--and his will be greater. I'm sure of it."

[akhilles-heel.insanejournal.com]

Achilles remained calm. He wasn't going to let his temper run off unless he felt threatened. Right now he would not be a loose cannon, but it was evident his veins were boiling already. As Erato explained it was obvious her parents knew of her true identity, but it did not mean they would let her use it as an excuse.

"A child born from my lineage is one of greatness." The attention was on him now. It would keep them from throwing daggers at her. He locked eyes with her father. "I am Achilles." That was all they needed to know.

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

Erato's parents stared at Achilles as if he'd just announced he was a native of Mars.

"Achilles," Richard mumbled, "With the heel."

"And the greatest hero of all time," Erato said stubbornly, folding a protective hand over her not-yet-rounded belly, "Our baby is guaranteed for great things. A hero in the making. What's going on... it's bigger than all of us. The future depends on this little one's rise to greatness. That's why..."

"I--this is just too much for me," her mother said, looking a bit tearful and more than a little overwhelmed.

"I know it's a lot to take in, but--" Erato tried to explain.

"Your mother is right. This... all this... it's too much," Richard sighed. "Your things are still packed up. Maybe... maybe you should take them elsewhere. Not move back in with us here."

Erato stopped short, speechless.

[akhilles-heel.insanejournal.com]

His own parents knew nothing. He hadn't seen them in years. He was certain though they would believe him. Erato stood strong against her father, but the man's blatant disrespect to him made Achilles stand in anger. It rolled off him in a fire. His lips were tight, his fist clenched at his side.

"Are you mocking me?" He could shove him into the wall easy, and his strong temper only fueled him. Like any war veteran, he carried a lot of baggage. Even more frustrating was the way they were ready to toss theory daughter aside. "You would push her away when she is a perfectly capable woman who destroyed your own values? And what petty ones they are if she means so little to you. I came from a time where girls were disposable. When they were slaves to their own country. Don't be just as degrading to your own flesh and blood." He'd left for war for greatness never once seeing his son, but family was important to Achilles. His real mother, Thetis had instilled that much of her within him.

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

Erato looked between her father and her beloved. Normally, her powers helped to diffuse tensions, but... she wasn't sure it was working now. Damn the fact she couldn't control them. Quietly, she took his hand again, in part to see if she could soothe his temper before things got too far out-of-hand, and also as a wordless demonstration of where her loyalties won out.

"Mocking you? No. Look, maybe this is easy for you, but seeing our little girl like... like this..." Richard shook his head.

"We don't have any room to accommodate a new baby as it is," her mother added, "Maybe it would be best if the two of you found a little love-nest together... and gave us time to... to work through everything."

"I'm with you," Erato whispered to Achilles, "Always."

[akhilles-heel.insanejournal.com]

"Then don't become a problem," Achilles demanded with a thin-lipped reply. This was new for him as well, and he was certain he had no idea how to be a father. But he had a lot of years on him now, more than any of the mortal beings here could understand. He wasn't sure what he could offer Erato, but he was not going to leave her to the wolves.

"Just be her family." He wad telling them what to do, regardless of who they were to her.

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

"We'll be her family... but it seems she has chosen you first," her mother noted.

"Are you planning to take care of them?" her father demanded.

"...I'm sure our care will be more than adequate," Erato said with a glare.

[akhilles-heel.insanejournal.com]

"I wouldn't be here now if I had no intention of taking care of her." That's what he did with his women.

"She is a grown woman now, she can do as she wishes. She is a goddess." These mortal forms were just temporary.

[roseredheart.insanejournal.com]

"...don't remind me," her father grumbled, "Go ahead, then. Take her with you. She's all yours."

"I always was," Erato announced, a little smugly, to tell the truth. Her fingers were firmly locked with those of Achilles. She had given him her blessings, her gifts. He was her hero, and she was his Muse.