#apollo grant

[queeniecook]

May 27- Part 2

The last thing I was expecting as we were getting ready to put Este to bed tonight is a visit from my baby brother.

Not that I'm complaining. I'm always happy to see him and Este was excited to see her "Unca Poewoe".

But, I knew he didn't just simply drop by this late at night to say hello. So while Caleb was putting Este to bed, I pulled him into the family room.

"What's going on, Apollo?" I asked him point blank. He stared at me for a bit, trying to figure out how to say his news. I knew it had be important.

"You know how Naya has been interviewing some famous vampire lately?' Apollo asked me.

I made a face but nod. It's almost all Naya talks about when I message her. That and AJ.

"It's Inna Cents." Apollo stated.

I stood there, frozen. My mind trying to process his words. Of course, nothing stays secret when you drop a bombshell like that in the room next to a vampire.

Caleb came storming in there, at vampire speed, demanding answers. I haven't seen him this worked up in years.

Apollo launches into telling us how Naya has been interviewing Inna but had no idea that Caleb had turned Inna. That there was any connection between her and Caleb at all.

"She just happened not to tell Naya all this, hmm?" I asked, wondering what her motives are.

Apollo scratched the back of his head repeatedly. "Yeah. Naya said Inna never said anything about Caleb officially....but did ask a few questions about him off the record."

"What questions?" Caleb asked, his voice tense.

"I didn't ask, to be honest. I booked the first flight I could get to come here." Apollo admitted.

Caleb went silent. The kind of silent I haven't seen from him since before we got together. He was brooding. Angry. And I don't blame him. I'm mad too but not at Naya. Clearly Inna figured things out and used these interviews to gather information on Caleb and his life.

I just don't know what - if anything, that we are going to do about it.

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[queeniecook]

May 27- Part 1

Apollo and Naya Grant are using a rare day off together to hang out at one of Sulani's many beaches, since AJ is spending time with his best friend, Alora.

Naya has been busying telling AJ about how she's just finished up her interview series and it'll be published next week.

"I still can't believe I got to interview Inna Cents, she rarely gives interviews. This is great for my career." Naya gushes happily.

Apollo freezes at that name. "Inna Cents?"

Naya raises an eyebrow at her husband "Yeah...the one and only."

"This is a huge problem." Apollo sighs, feeling horrible for his wife and dread because he's going to have to tell his sister and brother-in-law about this development.

"What? Why?" Naya asks getting angry. She worked hard on these interviews and doesn't understand the issue.

"Because. Caleb turned Inna. Without her consent." Apollo says softly.

Naya curses under her breath as all the interviews play through her head. She's mad but it's at Inna. "She didn't tell me that."

"I'm not surprised." Apollo states, stroking his chin in thought. He has to warn Vera and Caleb. Quickly.

"I can't just not print the interviews though. I'd get fired." Naya says slowly, She feels torn. She doesn't want to possibly hurt her in-laws by publishing the interviews but she also doesn't want to lose her dream job. "Inna never mentioned Caleb officially...but she did ask a few questions about him, off the record."

Apollo remains silent for a moment. "Let me tell them first."

Naya nods. At least the interviews aren't supposed to be published until next week. Hopefully things can be settled down - somewhat- by then.

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[queeniecook]

Outtakes

Este, being the only responsible one facing the actual wedding. Way to go adults.

Slaaaaaaaaaaay

We get it. Your boobs are marvelous. But don't try to melt your chin into your chest.

.......sure.

Vera does her own thing. *nods*

Caleb has developed a new vampire power apparently.

Vera glued Edgar Allan to her. Just to be on the safe side.

[queeniecook]

In an alternate land far away...

Lilith is attending a Spooky Day get together with her friends from college - Apollo, Dakota and Jillian. She's also excited to see her younger half brother Caleb again. Ever since he started dating his girlfriend, he hasn't been around much.

"Hey, when is your lady gonna get here?" Dakota asks Apollo.

"Oh she'll be here in a bit. She was making sure her makeup was just right and her hair and....you know how Jilly can be." Apollo responds before looking at Lilith. "So Caleb's girlfriend...she's a bit intense, isn't she?"

Lilith sighs, intense is one word for it. "I rather not talk about it."

The trio can look out the barn door and see how wrapped up the couple is in each other. It's almost unnatural. Lilith really does not like the woman, there's something off about her. She can feel it with everything in her being but Caleb won't listen to her.

Sadly, Lilith ends up being right.

Two things came to light that fateful night. Vera is a vampire.

Lilith discovered she's a witch yet it was too late to save her brother from the jaws of a monster.

[queeniecook]

"Growing Pains" - Part 2

“MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!” I heard from upstairs. I ran up the stairs, two at time. Vera rarely yelled for me or her Dad.

When I got there she was climbing out of bed, scared. “What’s wrong?” I asked her, worried. Apollo was amazingly asleep.

“I had a bad dream and then there was a noise under my bed.” Vera told me, on the verge of tears.

I hugged her close to me “It’s okay, sweetie. It was just a dream and it was probably Sabrina under your bed. You know how she likes to get into things.” I explained to her, still hugging her.

“Can you check?” Vera asked softly.

I released her from the hug and nodded. I got down on my hands and knees and checked under the bed. “All clear.”

I got Vera back into bed and stayed with her until she fell asleep. That was the first time that had happened and it made me a little sad. I didn’t like my babies being upset.

To cheer her up, though I think she had forgotten about the dream before I did. Also to help her deal with us remodeling the room to make it more for both a boy and a girl. We got her a small laptop she could use for school and to play games on. She liked it a lot.

“You know, it won’t be long before Apollo is a child.” I told Pak one evening, I had been looking through the calendar and realized how close it was coming.

“That’s not the only birthday coming up.” Pak told me.

“Ah yes, I had realized that too.” I said, grumpily.

“You’re always going to be beautiful to me, ku’uipo. Even with silver in your hair and wrinkles. Pure beauty.” He said, caressing my cheek.

I melted. He still knew what to say to me and somehow knew I was worried about how I’d look, vain yes. But you get that way a bit in my line of work.

“I love you, Pak.” I told him, pulling him close and hugging him. I felt a bit better about my upcoming birthday after talking to him.

“I love you too, Evie.” He replied, hugging me back.

I shifted some focus back to my career. I didn’t really have to do much anymore. Release a video now and then. Make charity appearances – those were important to me. It was the main reason I kept my name in the spotlight. I loved being able to help others.

Soon it was time to make Apollo’s cake. My youngest was having his birthday and I realized, he was most likely my last baby. I was sad about that for a few seconds before realizing how blessed I was to have him and Vera.

I got dressed and caught my husband coming in the door. He had been somewhat secretive lately. He was up to something. But I didn’t jump to the usual conclusions, I trusted him.

“So what have you been up to, my handsome hubby?” I asked, flirting with him and batting my eyelashes at him.

“You’ll see when the time is right.” Pak told me. He was not budging.

I went and got Apollo. He actually let me help him blow out his candles, I was surprised but pleased.

Pak went out before Apollo’s birthday and got him a science set. The first thing he did with it was blow something up. I wasn’t too sure the set was a good idea, but Pak thought it was. So I kept quiet.

At least Apollo was really good with the cats. As is Vera, teach them early and teach them right when it comes to handling pets.

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[queeniecook]

February 14 - Part 2

In Sulani at the Grant home, AJ is doing his homework with one of his best pals Alora Prescott.

His other best pal, Mew Mew,  is "helping" them with their math problems.

Apollo and Naya are spending time together on the beach. They built a sandcastle together before watching a bonfire Apollo lit. While the couple still have tension between them at times due to Naya's work schedule, things have been calmer between them. They've agreed to put it all aside and just enjoy each other's company.

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August Lewis surprises his wife, Aubree, at her job in the city at lunch time. Aubree takes a long lunch and they go to a poetry reading at the Stargazer Lounge in San Myshuno.

It's bit brisk, to put it mildly, for the couple to be out and about but they enjoy themselves nonetheless. August surprising Aubree at her job reminds her of one of the reasons she loves her husband. He used to surprise her with romantic gestures all the time but things change a bit when you have twins at home.

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Rahmi Watson is out tending her chickens in Henford-on-Bagley when she hears a familiar voice call her name. Her heart skips a beat as she turns and sees him.

Ukanipo has been missing her since she left Sulani and their, in his mind, date.  He knows this is Rahmi's first Love Day as a single woman and he wanted to do something special for her so she isn't feeling down. Before he gave it much thought, he was booking his flight to go see her. He has no regrets on his choice.

Rahmi is overjoyed to see him. She's been worried that things would be awkward between them once they saw each other again after what happened in Sulani, but her worries had been for nothing. The two spend the day watching movies together and talking since all her kids, even Rashidah, had agreed to go visit Thomas in Chestnut Ridge for a few days since her youngest two are on a small break from school.

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At times, being married as long as Garrett and Denise Ambrose have been can make it hard to come up with something romantic for a day such as Love Day.

Garrett's surprise of cooking dinner and presenting his wife with chocolates and wine has done the trick. After a day of work Denise is more than ready to unwind with her husband and enjoy his company.

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[queeniecook]

January 20

There's a gentle rain falling upon the island of Sulani as the Grant household wakes up for the day. It's a Saturday which thankfully means no school for AJ.

"Can't I do this later? I want to go talk to Rahmi. She has fun stories about her farm." AJ says with a sigh. 

"It's best to get it done and out of the way. Then you have the rest of the weekend to have fun." Naya tells him, she's helping him with his homework while her husband stares at the TV, watching the ending credits of some movie he found to watch. 

By the time Rahmi gets up and gets ready for the day, the rain had cleared up - almost like magic one could say. According to her weather app, it was supposed to rain all day. She leaves the house to go meet Ukupanipo at Sand Simoleon Beach.

"Is the weather around here always so unpredictable?" Rahmi asks after they've gotten in the water. She still isn't used to seeing her friend in his merman form. There's a certain ethereal beauty to him when he's in the water - in his element - but she won't be sharing that thought anytime soon. 

Ukupanipo's face breaks out into a huge grin. "When you have those of us who can change the weather, yes it can be. Normally I don't meddle with nature but I did tell you I'd bring you here today..."

Rahmi's eyes grew wide "You...stopped the rain?"

He nods his head "We can summon clear skies, among other things." He doesn't want to give away all "secrets" yet. 

"Well...thank you." Rahmi says with a smile, she feels a warmth spread through her chest at the idea of someone doing something like that for her. 

After their swim, they grill out fresh fruit for their dinner. Tomorrow she would be spending time with AJ and Apollo while Naya is at work. The guys want to take her to a local museum so she can see some of Sulani's history.

The duo eat their dinner, chatting here and there about their lives.

"Since you go back soon, there's one more thing I'd like to show you." Ukupanipo announces to his companion. He isn't sure if she'll agree to it or not. 

"Oh?" Rahmi asks, putting down a piece of fruit to look at him.

"I work at the island's bar and well, I'd like to take you there. Not while I work obviously but I'd like to give you a taste of the Sulani nightlife scene." 

Many things filtered through Rahmi's mind in that moment. Is he asking her out on a date? Or is this just a friend thing? Then her emotions kicked in. Panic and happiness were the main ones. "Sure."

Night begins to slowly creep in and Rahmi finds herself putting on some warmer clothes she brought with her. The fact that it's wintertime and she's been at the beach most of the day while her kids are dealing with snow back home isn't lost on her. She's been keeping in touch with her kids and they seem to be doing well, from what they're telling her anyway.

The pair spend time around a bonfire someone built on the sand until it gets late and they part ways.

Once Rahmi returns to the Apollo and Naya's house, she goes to Vera's old room and finds Naya sitting on the love seat.

"Did he ask you out yet?" She asks, almost giddy. Despite her own struggles in her marriage lately, Naya is a fan of love. She loves love and seeing people in it. 

"No. Yes...I don't know." Rahmi says, staring at the blonde. She tells Naya what happened at the beach.

"That's totally a date! Don't worry, I got your outfit covered." Naya beams. It's not often she gets to dress someone up. Apollo let her play dress up on him once and that was it - but that story is for the bedroom only.

[queeniecook]

"Growing Pains" - Part 3

My birthday arrived.

“I feel like Salem is judging us again for making love.” Pak told me quietly.

I looked over and Salem was starting Pak down. I had to laugh. Salem had done that off and on during my whole relationship with Pak.

“He’s just letting you know who the man of the house is.” I said, joking.

Pak chuckled a little bit “There’s a diving suit in the bathroom for you, ku’uipo. Put it on. There’s a boat outside that’s waiting to take you to a diving site.” Pak told me.

So that was some of what he had been up to.

I spent an hour diving. Pak did it all the time for work, I could see why he liked it. Granted he had an advantage I didn’t. He is a mermaid. He could do it without the gear, I couldn’t. I enjoyed it though.

The boat brought me back home and Pak texted me, telling me to change into my swimsuit and meet him in the water.

I swam to him and wanted to ask who was watching the kids, but he didn’t give me a chance to. I knew he wouldn’t leave them unattended, so I put that out of my mind.

He took me frog hunting by the waterfall. I had hunted frogs before, but never in the water. It was a different experience. It was more fun.

After frog hunting, we splashed around in the water like little kids.

Naturally with the two of us, things turned romantic. We weren’t strangers to the waterfall.

“This has been a great birthday, thank you.” I told him before heading back towards the house.

“It’s not over yet.” Pak told me in a playful tone.

So there was more.

When we got back to the house, Pak started grilling fruit. One of my favorites. I went inside to change into my workout gear, I was going to do a little yoga before dinner.

Sabrina stopped me though. She kept meowing at me, which she rarely did. She kept pacing and meowing until I paid attention to her. That seemed to calm her down for a few minutes before something started happening.

Ares and Xena were born. They looked a lot like their Dad, I got all giddy and kept squealing about how cute they were. I got kittens on my birthday, not a bad gift from the cats.

Vera congratulated Salem on becoming a Dad by giving him attention and cuddles.

We all ate dinner together out on the patio. It was perfect to me.

I still had to age. I blew out the candles on a Sugar Free Carob Coconut Cake. The same exact kind of cake that I made for Pak during his first birthday with me. The fact wasn’t lost on me. He did it in purpose. A reminder of all the time we had been in each other’s lives.

My birthday wasn’t so bad after all until…

We lost Salem that night. We had gained Ares and Xena. It was a sad night. Vera wasn’t there, she had gone to Dominic’s house for a sleepover after I blew out my candles. I wasn’t sure how to tell her.

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