With haste, I walked into the room and woke Thalia. She smiled, and looked at me with warm eyes. It pained me to spoil that sweet gaze. When she finally took in my expression, she sat up and looked around.
“What is it?” Trying to see a threat around us.
“They’re coming, love. It’s time.” She looked at the babies, still asleep, completely unaware what was coming for them.
“I don’t want to leave them.” She stood and walked over to the sleeping babes in the portable bassinet that we brought. She bent down to softly run her fingers through their hair.
“We have to do this, for them. It’s the only way.” And it was. She looked up with me with a tear coming down her cheek. My heart was shattering. I was torn about leaving the children too, but she was heartbroken. I prayed right then that this would be over soon. The longer she was away from them, the worse she would get. She launched herself into my arms and nodded.
“Okay.” When she pulled back, she had the look of determination. She’d dug deep and found her strength.
“Aphrodite. It’s time.” Seconds after she called out to her mother, Aphrodite appeared, dressed in exercise clothing. She was dressed to run, to run away with our children. Her face said she knew how hard this was. The babies slept peacefully while Thalia picked up each one up and hugged them close, kissing their little faces, showing them all the love she possessed. When she handed them to me, I did the same. Their little faces were serene. I prayed they never knew the pain that we were feeling right now, giving them to Aphrodite.
