Chapter 20, training for two/the talk

Once at Olympus Christine was kind of happy to be back home with her family again.

“Well welcome to my home…nice huh?” Christine smiled as she finally returned home...she was glad to be home again. She missed it a lot.

“Yeah a lot different than my world that’s for sure, uh you live here?” Alex was surprised and impressed that this was her home.

“This is my world, and I’m probably going to get in a bit of trouble for shooting Antonio, but there’s something else I gotta tell you…remember when I told you I was adopted?” Christine was nervous about telling him her full story.

“Yeah, but what about it I don’t understand?” Alex was getting confused. She was surprised he was just starting to get confused.

“If you didn’t notice by now, I’m like Antonio I’m half-human too but also a full goddess. With the training, I hope to make my god half stronger than my human.” Christine was hopeful that she would get more training

“Guess that’d be a good thing…you hear wings?” Alex was curious about what that noise was...

“Must be Hermes he delivers our messages.” Christine knew that noise anywhere and she smiled.

“Glad to see you back my lady, but I do have a message for both of you.” Hermes smiled as he greeted her again.

“Both of us how can that be!?” Christine was confused about why they wanted to see both of them.

“The both of you, is there an echo here? Anyway, Zeus would like to start both of your training right away and would like to see both of you right now.” Hermes getting slightly annoyed just wanted to tell the message and get going.

“Uh ok tell him we're on our way a little strange don’t you think?” Christine is still confused agreed with Hermes and let him go.

“Yes it is and now I'm off, he bows, my lady." And he flies off to deliver some other message.

“My lady? That’s a new one I haven’t heard that before.” Alex smirked at that but he kinda liked it. He had to remember that for next time.

“He does that to everyone, but I find it kind of sweet, but you heard the god we got to see Zeus.” Christine didn't want to leave Zeus waiting.

“Right behind you Christine.” 

“See if you can catch me this time Alex,” Christine smirked and lead the way to Zeus' temple

“Don’t get me started let’s just see what he wants,” Alex smirked back and followed her lead.

 “Aww, your no fun…fine let’s go.” Christine was a little scared of what Zeus wanted them for. She was more quiet than usual on the way to his temple. Alex could tell she was a bit scared so to comfort her he put his arm around her waist.

“Well here we are Zeus’ temple…here goes nothing.” She went in still frightened, but she didn’t want to show it. 

“Ah Christine, Alex yes come in, come in. It’s so good to see you. You two did amazing in your fight with Hades. Finally, someone strong enough to beat him, and Christine…” Zeus smirked as he recalled the fight with Hades.

“Yes sir?” Christine was confused since she had no idea where this was going.

“It was short, simple, and easy to remember I was going to do something along those lines anyway for what he did to you.” Zeus was going to start a storm while Antonio and the company were at sea, but at least her way no one else was going to get hurt.

“Sigh, really sir thanks I thought you’d be mad at me for shooting a fellow god.” Christine was worried about that...

“Your version was the modern way of what I was going to do…I was going to strike a bolt of lightning on him while at sea,” Zeus smirked and Christine was surprised.

“Your right, that is a modern version, but what’s the main reason we're here?” Christine was still confused about that.

“Besides congratulating both of you I wanted to start your training.” Zeus was happy for them and knew that she wanted more training.

“Training sir?” Christine was still confused by that. Alex was still confused about what was going on. He was still in shock that he was even here. He just thought it was just myths and legends course people thought werewolves were a myth too so he shouldn't be surprised, but he was.

“Your training to control your powers and Alex’s fighting training with Ares and Nemesis.” Christine was shocked and still confused.

“When do you want us to start training?” Alex always wanted more training. He wanted to be a good leader someday to a pack of his own, but for now, he'll be a good asset to Riff.

“Looks like we're already set up for both your training so why not start now?” Zeus looked near the training area and saw that targets were being set up.

“Sure, I’m ready for it!” Christine smiled and always was ready for a challenge.

“The fighting training may come in handy…sure why not.” Alex smiled too. He always liked the chance to show off his skills.

“Good Christine you stay with me and Alex, Ares and Nemesis are waiting for you in the courtyard.” 

“Ok bye, Alex kisses her cheek, see you later.”

“Bye Alex have fun.” After Alex left Zeus put Christine straight to work. When Alex met Ares and Nemesis…they knew they had a challenge with him being a young werewolf, but they continued with it anyway. In the first hour of training, Christine could control water. Alex was a swordsman not as good as Christine but that’ll happen with practice.

“Alright, Christine that will be all for today I do admit mastering water in an hour is impressive. Now you go to see your parents and Alex.” Christine was worn out by the training, but it felt good to be. Felt like she was able to accomplish something.

“Ok same time tomorrow Zeus?” Christine panted...she was ready to be done for the day. 

“Sure, now run along now.” Zeus smiled and let her go. He was proud of her for what she did today. Not too many young goddesses could master an element in one day.

“Thanks, see you tomorrow!” She did run to Alex as fast as she could…it was obvious they liked each other a lot. They’d spend every moment they could (when they weren’t training) together.

“Hey Alex, she kisses him, how was training?” Christine was curious about his day and wondered what he was up to.

“Fun Ares made me into a swordsman I’m not as good as you, but that will happen with time and practice.” Alex was proud of his new skill and wanted to spar with her sometime, but he knew that wasn't going to be for a while. 

“Of course, practice makes everything.” Christine smiled and tried to be encouraging. She remembered how hard she was on herself when she was trying sword training the first time with Ares.

“Have I told you lately that I love you?” Alex blushed and Christine smiled at him.

“Alex…I love you too.” 

“I want to give you this.” He gives her a mystery box which made her curious, so she opened it.

“Oh, Alex this necklace is beautiful! Will you put it on for me?” Christine turned around and let him put it on her. She started to get teary-eyed with this beautiful gift.

“I’d love to…but there’s more, I got matching earrings to go with the necklace,” Alex smirked as he gave her the second gift.

“Alex this is beautiful you’re going to make me cry!” He moves her hair and she held it for him…the necklace itself is a treble clef with a heart since she sang to him the day they met and the heart shows their love even matching earrings to go with it. It had diamonds in both (which Aphrodite made) in them.

“Happy 10-month anniversary Christine…you’ve made me the happiest I’ve ever been in a long time.” 

“Me too Alex…I haven’t been this happy in a long time finally I can say ‘I have a love’” he knew she meant it since she had tears forming in her eyes. 

“Aww Christine please don’t cry…sung, I’m here my words will warm and calm you.” Alex tried to calm her the best way he knew how.

“You know Phantom! That’s my favorite show…I’ve even been to the famous opera house.” Christine was so happy that they could just have fun together.

“Bet it was amazing like the singer who was in it.” Both were blushing a deep red rose color, but they didn't mind.

“Aww Alex continuing where you left off…sung, say you’ll love me every waken moment turn my head with talk of summertime. Say you need me with you now and always promise me that all you say is true…that’s all I ask of you.”

“Your safe no will harm you your fears are behind you.” 

“And you always beside me to hold me and to guide me.” He spins to a cradle position so he can look into her bright blue eyes.

“Everywhere you go let me go too… (Both) love me that’s all I ask of you.” They kiss as the instrumental of the song plays in their head.

“(Both) anywhere you go let me go too…love me that’s all I ask of you, and they kiss again. I must go they’ll wonder where I am, come with me, Alex.”

 “Christine, I love you…” He takes her hand as she guides him to her parent’s house. 

“Mom, dad we’re home back from training for the day!” Christine beaming with happiness from her day with Zeus and from her intimate moment with Alex.

“How was it, and we could hear your little musical number from here very sweet by the way.” Aphrodite smiled and knew that Christine was genuinely happy.

“Like you got the hearing of hawks; anyway, training went well I mastered water in an hour!” Christine was surprised that they could hear them, but they weren't exactly trying to be quiet either since they were at the rose garden Aphrodite had made.

“Nice work and how was it for you, Alex?” Apollo was curious about this young man...he had thought Antonio would be a good match, but that was Aphrodite's doing this was genuine love, and it made him proud of them.

“It was interesting and an experience I’ll never forget. Ares made me into a swordsman but I’m not as good as Christine who knows maybe someday, I will be.” Alex blushed as he talked about his day, not every day that he talks to literal gods.

“We’re glad you liked it, but I’d like to talk to Alex alone alright Christine?” Apollo wanted to get to know the young man without Christine hanging all over him. He chuckled at the thought but he kissed his daughter on her head and smiled.

“Sure, dad no problem take your time I’m going to clean myself up for dinner since I’m not real pleasant from training. I’ll show mom my new presents.” Christine gave Apollo a sweaty hug and went to her room to take a shower.

“OK, you do that right this way, Alex.” Apollo gestured to Alex towards the garden, and Alex followed.

“Yes sir.” Both Christine and Alex were kind of scared of what Apollo wanted to talk to him about. Both tried to stay calm but not sure if they did well. 

“Have a seat Alex when we first met, I could tell she was going to be happy, I never would have guessed it’d go this far. She never sings Phantom unless she cares for someone…and I knew you weren’t a werewolf yet, but it’s nice that you’d do that for my girl. I knew you meant it when you’d protect her even from yourself you’ve taken good care of her.” Apollo smiled as he knew that Alex had kept his promise to him.

“Well I told you I’d protect her, and no harm will come to her.” Alex smiled and relaxed a little. Besides the fact that he's a god, it was like he was talking to his dad.

“You’ve done just that and she’s happy which makes me happy.” 

“That’s good…Apollo would it be alright if- “ Alex worked up the courage to ask Apollo, but he knew what Alex was going to ask.

“If you asked for her hand, yes it’s alright by me…you have my blessing.” Apollo smiled and happily gave Alex his blessing.

“Thank you, Apollo! Are we going to tell Aphrodite?” 

“No, she’s a blabbermouth I love her dearly but if you want this to be a surprise don’t tell the girls.” 

“Ok, how are we going to get a ring without knowing what she likes?” 

“Leave that to me I got that under control. I might have something already. Since the ring Antonio gave to Christine is still technically on Will's ship I think you'll want a new one. Besides she doesn't want to remember Antonio anymore. She feels guilt that she ever fell for him...but without him, she wouldn't have met you...”

“What is it? Did you know it’d be this serious?” Alex was surprised and curious about how Apollo would know. He figured it must've been a god thing again.

“I had an idea here-it is a sapphire engagement ring…a sapphire in the middle with diamonds around it.” Apollo showed Alex the ring and Alex knew that she was going to be so surprised by it!

“Ooh it’s beautiful she’s going to love it!” 

“Now I got two ideas when you could ask either on your 1st anniversary or on her 21st birthday.” 

“Birthday sounds perfect she wouldn’t expect it!” 

“Exactly! Oh, hide it here comes Christine!” Alex quickly hides it in a couch cushion so she wouldn’t see her surprise. 

“Well glad my two favorite men got to talk, but let’s eat I’m hungry!” Christine now all cleaned up and in more comfortable clothing by wearing some lounging clothes, rejoined her family.

“Me too your mom made ribs rare around here.” Apollo loved it when Aphrodite cooked meat, which wasn't too often.

“They smell good.” 

“Shall we?”

“We shall eat.” Dinner tasted amazing which is kind of surprising for Aphrodite, and the guys' secret was kept from that night on.