Epilogue

One year later

Ares POV

Today is the day I have been waiting for and the day where the rest of my life is supposed to start. A year and a half ago Hades invited me to a hole in the wall bar and instead of saying no that night as I usually did, I said yes. And on that day a sassy, brunette with killer legs walked in with Persephone. There was no one it could have been Aphrodite, but the beauty of her was to great not to be. The beautiful Aphrodite said not a word to me and when she did oh boy was I done for.

Aphrodite hadn't associated with Olympus in so long that is was astounding to see her in a bar. Yet there she was. Getting to know her was an itch that I couldn't shake. Even with small pieces of information I couldn't get the woman out of my head. Her infuriating attitude, presuming to know who I was. All I had to do was peel back a few layers and there she was. Kind and sweet not knowing what she deserved in life and scared to let anyone in.

Despite her best efforts I pushed back her walls and took her as mine, made her realize what she would've missed out on.

Now we are to be married.

And that blasted woman wanted a winter wedding.

The human guests shiver as they walk to the chairs on either side of the aisle, snow in their hair and fine clothes. Snow blankets the ground in thick white dust and the branches of the forest trees hang heavy with snow. A red carpet lays in the middle, the aisle in which I will see Aphrodite walk down.

Jez stands to the side with me, in a nice suit and tie, his curls wind blown. It's taken him a long time to recover from the death of his wife, but he realized joining the Rebel Angels wasn't the path he should've taken and has decided to leave just like me. We started our own garage and only racers and car collectors come in with their fancy beauties, giving us big money to supe up their cars and enhance their natural beauty.

Jez slaps my shoulder, grinning in a way I haven't seen in a long long time. "Damn man, can't believe you're really doing this. Gettin' hitched. Leavin' me for a woman, never thought I'd see the day." He bounces on his feet.

"I didn't either."

My words fall away when I see Zeus come in with Hera on his arm. He wasn't invited.

"Jez why don't you go check on the girls."

Without question Jez leaves and I stand tall, watching as the God of Gods approaches. "Congratulations, Ares." Zeus's words are stiff and stilted.

Hera smiles, patting her husbands arm. "I am sorry to crash your wedding, but Zeus wanted to offer you and Aphrodite your places back on Olympus.

My eyes widen, well fuck, if this isn't a turn of event I don't know what is. "I don't know what to tell you." Aphrodite and I are quite happy here. Olympus is nothing but toxic and before it was leeching our lives before our very eyes and there was nothing we could do to stop it. Not without fear of consequences.

"Say yes, Ares. Don't be a fool. There is nothing for you, either of you in the mortal realm. Olympus is where you belong," Zeus says as if the choice were obvious.

And it is. "No, we don't want to go back and if you hadn't banned us we would have left on our own. Olympus is no longer our home and it's not where we wish to be. Thank you for your offer, now I must ask you to leave."

Zeus's eyes go wide with anger and electricity spikes the air. "You fool, dare to say no to I? You are still a God, Ares. I am still your leader and this is not up for discussion, you will return, with Aphrodite in tow."

"No."

He seethes and Hera winces. "We will be on our way, congratulations again on your union, may it be a happy one."

With that Hera practically drags Zeus from the site and I can again focus on my wedding.

-~-

Once it is almost time for Aphrodite to walk down the aisle, I stand at the end, waiting for her with bated breath. Persephone insisted that Aphrodite stay with her and Hades with me the night before so I wouldn't see her. Hades and I just played poker while Hades assured me the girls where just watching chic flicks.

My blood sizzles, eager to see her again, touch her, smell her. She is my entire world and without her I can't function.

The music starts and first Persephone walks down with Jez, best man and maid of honor and once they take their places everyone stands. My heart slams in my chest I see the dark hair of Aphrodite in loose waves around her face, the veil trailing behind her, the dress has long sleeves and a full skirt with designs around the hem.

Her face shines with an inner light as her honey brown eyes meet mine and she smiles full and unrestrained.

Damn me to the underworld I would die for her.

She is is beautiful.

Aphrodite clutches yellow lilies in her delicate hands. My heart hurts looking at her as she slowly makes her way down the aisle. Once she makes her way to me, I have to restrain myself from grabbing her and crushing her to me. How can I resist the urge to hold her when she is right there?

She passes the bouquet off to Persephone and takes my outstretched hands, snow decorated her hair and her hands are still warm, the weather not affecting us as much as the poor humans. Her soft pick lips tilt in a smile, long lashes fluttering against her smooth cheek.

Damn, damn, damn. Have I already been damned? Probably, but I am damned all over again as those honey eyes look up at me, the sweet face so full of happiness, happiness I put there. That I am the cause of. Damn, I love her. If I didn't love her before, I sure as fuck love her now.

-~-

The ceremony was beautiful, but all I cared about was getting to kiss those sweet lips. I pull up to the house we have bought together, it's a small place, but it has a yard for Max to play in and eventually our children. Before she can get out I jog to her side of the car and scoop her into my arms, savoring the small squeal she lets out as I hoist her up.

She beams at me and I am struck all over again. She's going to kill me with that smile. I carry her into the house, her head nestled into the spot between my neck and shoulder, walking to the back where our bedroom is.

I had Hades leave the ceremony early to set out the candles and rose petals I bought. And hearing her intake of breath, I am glad I did.

"It's so beautiful," she whispers.

Standing her in front of our bed, I make quick work of her dress zipper and she takes off my suit jacket and shirt. I lay her our on the bed, hovering over her, admiring her naked body. She is mine and I am hers and this life is ours. I don't know how I could love her more, but I do, with each passing breath I love her more. It will only grow as time goes and I am powerless to it. There is no stopping this love and I would be a fool to try.

Laying into her soft body, I brush my lips over hers. "I will love you even when the sun expires and no one remembers our names."

She grins, pressing her lips against mine, accepting the weight of my body on top of hers. Her voice a soft whisper, "I will love you even when the sun expires and no one remembers our names."