So, I would be the one waiting and worrying. I distracted myself by helping Re plan our wedding. Invitations had already been sent, and everyone who had been invited had RSVP'd that they'd attend. Everyone. The event would be held in Aaru; specifically in Osiris and Isis' territory which they'd be opening to the members of other pantheons for the first time in history. I think the chance to see the fabled Kingdom of Osiris was drawing more gods than the wedding itself. Although, the wedding of the head of the Egyptian Pantheon was nothing to sneeze at either.
Which is why Re was freaking out about it.
“Lala, which do you prefer; the narcissus or the jasmine?” Re asked with deadly seriousness.
I yawned, and he narrowed his eyes at me.
“I think narcissus would probably be more appropriate,” I said; mimicking his tone.
“Are you trying to make a joke about my narcissistic tendencies?” He asked.
“Yes.”
“Narcissus it is,” Re wrote it down as I chuckled.
“You have your dress, I have my suit, the cake has been chosen, the menu selected, a team is organized to prepare the palace, the band is hired, and now the flowers are done.” Re sighed deeply. “I believe that's it.”
“Really?” I perked up. “What about an officiant?”
“Osiris will perform the ceremony,” Re said. “He asked for the honor, and since he's allowing us to use his palace, I made an executive decision and agreed without consulting you. I hope you don't mind.”
“No; that's fine,” I said.
Honestly, I didn't care who married us; I just wanted all the planning to be over.
Re smirked; seeing right through me. “You haven't enjoyed this at all, have you?”
“If I had my way, we would have gotten married in a private ceremony with only our family there to witness it,” I said. “This is a lot.”
“I have a large family, Lala,” Re said. “A small wedding isn't possible.”
“I know, and I get it—all of it,” I said. “But it's exhausting. I wish the whole process wasn't such a headache.”
“I've tried to lessen the ache for you,” he said.
“I know.”
“I could try harder,” Re's voice became a purr as he slid his hand onto my thigh. “I know the best ways to relieve aches of all kinds.”
I was leaning toward Re—our lips just an inch apart—when Hades came striding into the dining hall with Persephone and two other men. I glanced over at them and then turned away from Re. The Sun God groaned in irritation.
“Can't we have one day?” Re huffed.
“Welcome to my life,” I shot at my fiance before greeting my visitors. “Hey, guys, what's—oh, Donnie!” I paused in surprise as I recognized one of the other men. “Sorry; you look different in clothes.”
Re made a choking sound as Donnie—aka Poseidon—laughed his tight ass off.
“That came out wrong,” I stammered. “I mean; the last time I saw you, you were heading home.”
“I was strippin' to get to peacin'.” Donnie smirked at Re. “No worries, gold-man, nothin' dodgy goin' on with your feme. I wasn't charfing on her or anything.”
“Charfin' on me?” I muttered beneath my breath. That sounded disgusting.
“I just had to shed my pants before I shed my legs, you feel me?” Donnie went on. “It was like two seconds before I hit the glass; just a glimpse, not like I Playgirled it for her or anything raunch like that.”
Re gaped at Donnie.
“Re, this is Poseidon, the Greek God of the Sea. Donnie, this is Re, the Egyptian God of the Sun and my fiance,” I introduced the men.
“Righteous!” Donnie swayed his sleek body forward and held out a fist to Re.
Re gave me a wide-eyed look before he obligingly bumped fists with the Sea God. I wish I'd had a camera; that picture was priceless.
“Congrats, Dude.” Donnie beamed at Re. “Your girl is like totally frosted! She's real badass too; she had Zeus clucked.”
“Thank you very much.” I nodded at Donnie with a self-satisfied grin.
Being from Hawaii, I was able to piece together most of the surfer-lingo Donnie used, but even for me, it was difficult sometimes. I knew that Re must have been struggling to make sense of nearly every word. Oh, well; I'd explain it later.
“V, do you remember Donnie and Ami's son, Triton?” Persephone waved a hand toward the other man.
Triton had his father's gleaming white hair, but his fell to his shoulders in silken glory while Donnie wore his hair short. He also had some of Donnie's features—including his square jaw and prominent cheekbones—but where Donnie's eyes were a vibrant turquoise, Triton's were large and brown like his mother's. I did remember him, although, our initial introduction had been brief. I had also met Amitrite, his mother, right before we attacked Olympus.
“Yes, of course.” I stood and came around the table to shake Triton's hand. “Welcome to Pride Palace. Would anyone care for a drink?”
“Water,” Triton and Donnie said simultaneously.
Then they laughed.
“We dehydrate quickly when we're away from the ocean,” Triton explained. “Thank you for the offer; water would be appreciated.”
“Allow me,” Re said as he stood and then practically ran from the room.
“Damn, I hope he didn't think I was throwin' biscuits at him,” Donnie said as he watched the swinging door between the hall and the kitchen sway violently from the speed of Re's exit.
“Biscuits?” I asked. Yeah; that one had me stumped.
“Insults,” Triton translated for his father.
“Oh; he doesn't,” I assured Donnie. “If Re thought you were insulting him, he'd get gnar real fast.”
Donnie laughed at my
