#dptrades

Just past seven in the morning, Trish was awake. She stared silently at the hotel ceiling, not entirely ready to make a sound and call attention to herself. She just wanted a moment, a moment of silence and reflection about the day that was slowly unfolding before her. George slept, softly snoring, on the other bed in the room. He had taken her from the comfort of her apartment the night before and insisted that she spend the night away from her husband-to-be. Of all the traditions that man had in him, she was actually a little bit surprised that this was one of them. It was a nice thought, though, she didn’t argue one bit. She did miss Hades, however, even though she’d be seeing him later that day. It was just the tiniest bit upsetting not to wake up in his warm embrace. At least she wouldn’t have to worry about that for more than one day. Not long now, she thought to herself as she mentally went down her list to make sure she had taken care of everything. Luckily, she did have a safety net when it came to events like this. George was spectacular. For such an intimidating man, he had impeccable planning skills – in hindsight, the intimidation is probably how he got everything done so perfectly. He made sure everything was in order, the venue was set, the dress was delivered, the decorations perfect. It would’ve been easy to just do all of this herself, but having him around was a godsend.

The sound of someone’s throat clearing made her eyes drift over to see George sitting on the edge of his bed, staring her down with a knowing look, “Butterflies?” Trish smiled softly, this man could read her mind, “More like bats, but they are tiny.” The smile he gave her in return was one she only assumed was reserved for daughters from their fathers on their wedding day. She wasn’t blood-related, but for all intents and purposes she was his family – he had made that clear from the moment she met him. “Come, it’s time for you to get up. Big day today,” he extended a hand out to her and pulled her out of bed and pushed her in the direction of the restroom to get ready. After taking a quick shower, she got dressed in a simple outfit of yoga pants and a t-shirt. There was no use in making too much of an effort yet, as that was the point of the rest of the day. She’d be getting pampered and taken care of in all imaginable ways just to get ready for the night. Of course, she could have gone and done her own styling and make-up and looked just as great but there was a special thing about one’s wedding day – it was a day meant for having everything done for you. She met George by the door where he was holding the large black garment bag that contained her dress. That dress was perfect, she’d spent a sizable amount of time finding the perfect one and then an equally sizable amount of time having it fitted and refitted so it was absolutely perfect in every single way. It was probably the one thing for this wedding that she was the most nit-picky about. It had to be perfect, and after the fourth fitting, it was.

Trish spent the first half of her day in thoughtful silence as various people were flitting around her. She wasn’t usually the type to keep so to herself, especially on a day full of attention directed her way, but she couldn’t keep her mind from drawing her back into that quiet space. Today was the day that she’d be legally paired with one man for the rest of her life. It wasn’t something that she had always pictured for herself, she was never that little girl who had dreams of her wedding day. There were no play ceremonies with stuffed toys as her audience. There was no veil made from a bed sheet. She had imagined becoming a famous artist, or for a fleeting and very short lived moment – a ballerina. Being a bride was always in the picture, but it was never the immediate thing on her mind. Even now, she didn’t see it as the main point of the day. Today was about becoming Mrs. Aidoneus, not about being a blushing bride. She took another deep breath and exhaled slowly, something she’d been doing periodically through the day. Just another way to calm the flutters that entered her system at the thought of finally getting exactly what she wanted. In their hearts, they already knew that they were meant to be together in every way. Getting married was just a way to put it into writing for the rest of the world to see, they weren’t to be swayed. They couldn’t be. Hades would be waiting for her at the end of that aisle today, ready to join her on their continuing adventure as a couple. An excited chill ran up her spine as a grin spread across her lips, a couple of hours away from being right where she was meant to be and she almost couldn’t believe it was real. “You know,” she finally broke her self-induced silence at lunch, addressing George and the girls that had just arrived a few minutes before, “I think marriage is a very good color on me.” Kida chuckled, her familiar raspy tone tinged with happiness for her friend, “I think a married Trish is also a bit more terrifying than an unmarried one. Just think of the ego.” The rest of the table, including Trish, laughed.

After a leisurely lunch, the group of four headed to the venue on the all too familiar beach. Upon arrival, Trish smiled serenely as the memories came flooding to the surface. This place had many memories and it was only right that it would hold this one as well. Before hiding herself away in the cabin to get ready, she took her chance to get a good look at the decorations. The reception area was beautiful with crisp whites and deep blues, at night it would look like a sparkling beacon with the fairy lights draped carefully around. Her heart leapt into her throat as she stood at the end of the aisle, facing the spot where she’d see Hades later on. She gently touched a rose petal on the nearest bunch as there were tons upon tons of them around. George’s voice sounded from behind her, “Is it everything you wanted?” His tone was light, but she knew for certain that if she said it was anything less – he’d go find someone to beat into fixing it. “It’s perfect,” she murmured as the sheer realization of where she was standing washed over her. She turned as she heard a car approaching and before she had a chance to actually check to see if it was Hades, George had ushered her in the direction of the cabin, “Nope. Not yet, you’ll see him later.” Trish laughed lightly, “You’re a very weird man, you know that right?” He pushed her into the room and pulled the door closed slightly before stopping, “I am, but you’ll thank me later. It’s all about the reveal,” and with that, he closed the door and stood guard.

She didn’t have long to dwell on the random parts of George’s life that actually had a weird normalcy to them, this tradition of not seeing the bride included, as she was pulled away and started to get ready for the ceremony. It was almost as if this was the final performance after several trial runs, her make-up and hair were done quickly. Both very simple with a little bit more finesse than her usual look. Her curls had a little bit more shine to them, small jeweled pins were placed strategically to hold curls into place as well as give the impression of stars in the night sky. As she stepped into her dress and held the bodice in place, she heard a familiar but mildly unexpected voice, “Move aside other blonde, I’ll be securing this dress for my queen.” Trish grinned at the reflection of Zoe in the mirror, watching her push the younger and taller blonde out of her way playfully. She rolled her eyes, “I was beginning to wonder if you were going to show up.” Zoe shrugged, beginning to pull the satin corseting into place, “I wouldn’t miss this. And you know it.” Trish only smiled in response, if she were being totally honest she was glad Zoe could make it. She wanted everyone who was important to her here, and with the arrival of her old friend – they all were. Slowly but surely, the bodice was tied tightly and securely in place. It cinched in all the right places, even though she really didn’t need cinching. The dress was molded perfectly to her body in every possible way. Trish smiled at the image in the mirror, of her flanked by Am, Kida and Zoe. This was one of the many moments she’d remember for a lifetime.

The music started and she looped her arm around George’s, suddenly all the nerves she’d been doing such an amazing job at pushing down came bubbling to the surface. She closed her eyes and a voice in the back of her mind soothed her. She knew better than to assume it was a telepathic link, but the voice sounded a lot like Hades calming her down, breathe Cara Mia. Taking a deep breath, she felt George squeeze her hand comfortingly. Smiling lightly down at her as he started walking her to the head of the aisle, he muttered, “Don’t trip.” Trish laughed quietly, “I would never.” They rounded the corner and suddenly all she could see was Hades. Nevermind the fact that she was fully aware that all the eyes were on her, the only ones she cared about were his. A light pink crept onto her cheeks as she made her way towards him, the look in his eyes was one she would never forget. Her emotions flitted between complete and total awe, smugness and a tiny bit of bashful. When they reached the end of the aisle, George reached his hand out to shake Hades’ and in a low voice stated, “You don’t hurt her.” Trish shared a knowing smile with Hades as George kissed her on the cheek and took his seat. Stepping forward, she gently placed her hand in Hades’ grasp as they stood before friends and family. Trish shifted to face Hades as he stated his vows, her heart swelling at the words. When it came to her turn, she could have turned to Am to hand her the paper but she, much like he did, felt as if she could do this without the words in front of her since they were in her heart so fully.

She squeezed his hands softly before taking a quick calming breath. The vast amount of emotions clouded her voice as she looked into his eyes. The familiar blues made her smile before she spoke, “I could probably spend a lifetime standing before you and telling you every reason that I love you. I could tell you that those reasons keep evolving and changes. All of this would take so long so I’ll just tell you this: you make it so easy to fall in love with you more and more everyday. You are my other half. From the moment I met you, I knew we’d be in each others lives, it just took me a small while to realize in what capacity. I am marrying you today, but I already knew that we’d be with one another even without the title. I love you with all of my heart, body and soul. You are my everything and more. I am proud to be yours and have you as mine. I look forward to being your wife, living our life and seeing our future unfold. I love you,” she smiled at him, happy tears welling up in her eyes but not falling, “I love you so much. Now, and until the stars go out.”

After the ceremony and before the reception - taken by the wedding photographer

It didn’t take long for the world of Disney Prep to get lackluster after the pair was done with its offerings. Trish never really needed the teaching job, something she’d repeated over and over. She stayed to watch the students she’d grown fond of get out of that place. She stayed long enough for Hades to finish the schooling he wanted to accomplish. Once that goal was met and after convincing George that he did indeed want to watch a cat and two dogs for the foreseeable future, they began to travel the world – just the two of them, just as they were always meant to. The newlyweds made their way far from the states, stopping first in Greece – a place they’d longed to revisit after that first time. It was a place that held so much significance though they weren’t sure quite how much at the time. Trish kept up with her art easily, finding inspiration after inspiration with every location – always with a steady stream of buyers. Hades joined the world of professional fighting and they followed the path that took them, never once wavering in their stride.

As the years passed them by, their love remained true. It had been a long while since there were people speaking out against them because the interesting thing about passing time was that suddenly, the difference didn’t seem so big in the grand scheme of things. Trish’s penchant for health and strict skin care kept her looking as gorgeous as ever, a fact that she quite enjoyed but didn’t matter in the same way it used to. Yes, she had her beauty still but the fact that her husband still looked at her with that same awe filled glance was enough for her. The fact that she knew it was true, made it sweeter. Her hair still retained its natural raven color, she could still stop a man in his steps with a glance, she was still radiating with confidence and there was no stopping it. Her self-assuredness had hit an all-time high the moment she held her daughter for the first time.

------

It had only been a couple of years since they’d left DP,  when they’d finally realized that returning to Greece more than a handful of times meant it was where they belonged. Their home was close to Athens for ease of city interactions, but far enough away that noise pollution didn’t dampen their little paradise. Trish and Hades were celebrating another big win for him, another commission for her and they were just enjoying their beach front property on the coast of the beautiful country. She had a bit of news for him and waited until they were accompanied only by the sound of the waves upon the shore. His warm body was pressed against her back, his arms wrapped securely around her as they always were. Her voice came out on something only slightly above a whisper, but he’d heard it, “I’m pregnant.” Everything that came in the next moments seemed to be in slow motion. He stilled behind her and slowly turned her to face him, searching her eyes for any sign of a lie. She smiled softly, encouraging him. He fell to his knees, simultaneously hugging her at the legs and pressing his lips to her still flat belly.

Hades and Avery take a nap - taken by Trish

That moment was permanently engrained into her memory. The pure elation of her husband and the simple excitement of being future parents were the only thoughts on their minds. And several months later, they brought Avery Lillian Aidoneus into their lives. She was an image of her mother though with her father’s piercing blue eyes. Though they had been each other’s for so very long, finally they were a family of their own. Hades chose a job that didn’t take him far from home any longer. Trish continued with her art, occasionally collaborating with her husband, and invested in a small but lucrative Art Gallery in the heart of Athens. Her own work, as well as some selected works from other artists, hung on those walls. Not long after the birth of their first born, a second – a boy – was on the way. Their little family of three quickly rounded out to a foursome as blonde brown-eyed Adrian Nolan Aidoneus entered the picture.

Hades and Adrian, a man and his son - taken by Trish

Ten years in the past, Trish could have told you two things with great certainty. She was going to be with Hades. And she was going to be happy. Both of those things were absolutely true, there was no better life than the one she had. And they were only getting started.

Ten years down the line:

Avery Lillian – 6 - Godparents : (Aurora & Kida)

Adrian Nolan - 4 - Godparents : (Jane & Steele)

Other extended important family: George, Aunty Am,

His fingers laid under her chin and then tilted her head back so she could stare right at him as he stared at her back. Even when she was so hurt he couldn’t help but find her incredible looking. Hades brushed a few strands out of her face and then gave a small smile. “Trish, he isn’t worth it. You are worth so much and if he couldn’t see that then someone else will. You will be one man’s treasure,” he whispered before laying his lips on hers.

Melting into his kiss, she grasped the fabric of his shirt and pulled him closer. The kiss remained sweet and tender and just about everything that they’ve never done. But it wasn’t a normal kiss for them. This wasn’t their usual need. This was reassuring and comforting. It was caring. Her hand trailed up and cupped the side of his face, pulling away barely enough to talk. They remained nose to nose, “Thank you,” she murmured against his lips. She’d missed him so damn much.

***

“Whenever I stare into your eyes, I catch a glimpse of heaven in those glistening eyes of yours. I find my paradise.” Hades leaned down slightly to press a soft, loving kiss on her lips before pulling back to smile over at her. “That’s why I like, I mean love looking into your eyes,” he whispered.

He was genuinely in love with her, he wasn’t playing her. And each and every day he proved as much and more. Her eyes flickered away from his momentarily, a small bashful moment before she regained eye contact, “That’s interesting…because I see everything in yours.”

***

Hades halted his steps and caught how her dark hair blew casually against the passing wind while the ends of her light jacket fluttered around playfully. When she turned around he almost fell to the ground with how weak his knees became within seconds of her sight. The way her eyes glowed so brightly, her skin shone flawlessly under the right amount of light hitting her, and the overall way her face expressed such happiness. Hades made his way towards the balcony and wrapped his arms around her before placing a very soft, passionate kiss against her lips. “It’s sinking in slowly though I find myself distracted by you then anything else,” he explained with a small chuckle.