“Yes, yes. All of that.” Gaia huffed, glaring at her sister.
Karma just chuckled.
“Anyway, I managed to find a way to make everyone happy, including myself. I do love my modern muses. They address problems the original muses couldn’t understand. Brandee is the muse of modern photography and videography.”
Brandee joined Bliss at the front of the room and said, “I’ve had to do everything from rescuing photographers from dangerous situations to making it difficult for people to upload certain recorded acts of stupidity, then whispering, ‘You might want to think twice about sharing that. You were told not to try it at home.’ Kind of like Bliss does with email.”
More chuckles filled the room.
Mother Nature smiled and said, “There are a few other modern muses who are not here, because they are paranormal and always were. Dragons Chloe Arish and Kristine Scott for instance. They both found paranormal mates—phoenixes Ryan and Jayce Fierro.”
“They also did not get dragged into your courtroom,” Fate reminded her.
“Right. That. However, as muses, they have been instrumental in helping me with modern problems that the old muses were useless at. Pardon me. I mean the old muses werestruggling with.” She looked to Aaron, and he nodded, smiling.
A witch whispered to her neighbors, “I think she’s trying to be nice now.”
“Nicer,” Gaia said. “I was always nice as long as humans cooperated with me. As they became less and less cooperative, I became less and less nice. But it seems as if my sisters were correct. Not only are my muses helping me and thus making me happier in this modern world, but finding Aaron has also helped tremendously. Looking around at all of you, I’ve become reacquainted with my own initial intentions when I invented love.”
Many of the couples gazed at each other or held hands or kissed.
“That said, I would like to introduce you to our newest modern muse, Gabriella Fierro. Gabriella, would you please come up here?”
The diminutive matriarch of the Fierro family stood and trotted up to the front of the room, joining Apollo, goddesses Karma and Fate, and minor goddesses Brandee and Bliss.
“She is taking over for Misty as my muse of modern parenting. It no longer ‘takes a village to raise a child’. Apparently now it takes playdates, pediatricians, parenting books, and a lot of Disney movies.”
Again, laughter filled the room.
“It was too difficult on my darling daughter-in-law, Misty,” Gabriella said. “She has her own tiny ones to birth and raise. I’ve raised seven sons and welcomed many daughters-in-law. And they all turned out beautifully. I couldn’t be prouder of my family. I hope to use what I’ve learned over the years to help parents deal with their own frustrations without taking it out on innocent children who are just being children.”
“And what about Misty?” someone said from the back of the room. “Is she going to be human again?”
“Well, no,” Gaia said. “Misty initially wanted to be the muse of dance, and I already had one of those. Terpsichore is her name.”
Another goddess appeared. She swirled around the room, holding her long, flowing skirt out on either side, dipping gracefully every few steps. “You called on me, Goddess?”
“Ah, no. But you can stay if you wish.” Gaia refocused on the group at large. “Apparently, there are whole new categories of dances. Some even involve acrobatics. And some of these new types can get dancers hurt! Misty is going to be the muse of modern dance. She’ll make sure people know when something is too advanced for them and suggest they try it only with expert supervision—or not at all.”
Misty rose. “I couldn’t be happier. Thank you, Gaia.” She turned to the crowd and explained, “I always wanted to dance professionally, but I developed MS, which spelled the end of my own dance career. I’m very fortunate to have been given the gift of complete health as my reward for taking the muse job. Now not only can I dance again, but I can enjoy watching others without envy or sadness. Again, Gaia, my heartfelt thanks.”
Gaia bowed slightly. “You’re welcome. It’s a pleasure to do things for those who appreciate it.” She gazed around the room. “And by the way, for those of you who thought I didn’t particularly like you—well, you were wrong. I love all my creatures, great and small and dorky.”
Aaron gave her a little side squeeze. “Perhaps now that you told everyone what you needed to, we can eat!”
“Oh! Yes, let’s get this party started!”
“Yay,” a few voices called out, and they dove into the sandwiches and sweets.
Chapter 14
“Hello, darling.” Aaron strolled up to Kizzy as she stood admiring the home Noah was building for them.
“Hi, Dad!” She gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
Noah walked out the front door. “Hey, look. Two of my favorite people.”
Aaron’s gaze dropped to the ground. At last, he met his son-in-law’s eyes. “I’m not sure why I’d qualify as one of your favorite people. I haven’t always treated you well.”
