[b]"No, I am not leaving just yet," Persephone assured Hades softly, "I can get away with a few more hours or freedom with you, & I want them to be special. Take me as yours once more before I leave, please. Claim my body with yours."

Persephone's steady gaze swelled with love as she seduced her husband & climbed into the sheets with him. He wouldn't deny her; he never did. Hades held a secret gentleness that Persephone knew no other being would witness, & more or less allowed his gentle wife to boss him around when they were alone. Out of any gift Hades had given Persephone, his complete devotion to her was what she treasured the most.

..._..._...

Lying wrapped in Hades' grip, Persephone battled with herself. She felt vulnerable after they made love, as she always did, but this time, something weighed heavy on her conscience. She didn't want to hide her plan from Hades; as much as it would thrill her to surprise him with her return later that week, she wanted his full support & to understand what shew was doing for him, what she was doing for them both.

"My love, I'm going to speak to my mother about living here permanently," Persephone told Hades with a quiet voice, "If she refuses to cooperate, I plan to eat another pomegranate from your gardens. It's been nearly 25 years since our marriage day; maybe that hasn't been long for us, but with humans, that is a huge accompishment. & I've only spent half of that time with you, my beloved husband."

Persephone turned to face Hades & gently stroked his cheek with her warm, soft fingers & gave him a reassuring smile. By the end of the week, she would be his completely. Tears stung Persephone's eyes, but she struggled to hold him back.

"I want to have children & be with you always," Persephone announced fervently, "& I don't want you to be alone anymore. You give me so much, & I can do so little to warm up your day. Please, let me confront my mother & end her silly little fit. I have been a woman far too long to allow her to control me like this anymore." [/b]