Ceres: Happily Ever After?

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Uncensored version here (3 screens)

The gulls cawed at one another in a disgruntled sort of way. In her mind Ceres visualized it as a sort of “I’m walkin’ here!” kind of sound, and she almost found the strength to smile.

A clench in her stomach almost made her throw up. She needed a fix, she knew, and her rebellious stomach was one of the strongest indicators. The world spun for a moment, and bile rose in her throat.

She was already trembling, but that might have been the nerves she was feeling from straying too far from home.

“Home.”

Ceres had never thought she would ever call a shit hole like that her home, but there you had it. It was all either of them could afford—Ceres was officially cut off from her family from here on out, and Adlai’s father was working a business trip in Japan and had put a freeze on the accounts that Adlai had access to.

Her stomach rolled again. She hoped that Adlai was still sleeping. He was so protective of her, she was afraid of what he would do if he woke up and she was gone. He was always so worried about her going out in case she were to get hurt…

Uncontrollably her thumbs began twitching, as they tended to do when she needed another hit. It had been a bad idea to come out here, but it was so beautiful this time of the morning, and so private…

Without warning, a replay of last night’s argument zipped through Ceres’ head, making her wince uncomfortably.

He had been ripped, of course, as he had always been lately. She had been trying to lay off the junk lately, so she had not been high.

That had come afterwards.

But it had begun with Ceres answering a text message from Teresa. Adlai had demanded to see her phone to make sure that Teresa’s number in her phone matched her number in his. Ceres, annoyed, had snapped at him.

She had told him that it was none of his goddamn business who she was texting, and that she had never given him reason to not trust her. She said some pretty terrible things next, she admitted it.

She had thrown the pink-haired bitch in his face, reminding him that unlike him, she had always been faithful to him.

So it made total sense that Adlai would be mad, so when he started to yell at her she understood why. She had been a little brutal to bring that up again.

Ceres shuddered when she thought of what had happened next.

“You are mine, Ceres Wakefield, do you hear me? MINE! And if you ever question me again I will make sure you will NEVER FORGET IT!”

This was not the first time Adlai had revealed this side of himself to her, but it terrified her regardless. Each time he got this loud, this sinister, it scared her just as much, if not more, as the time before.

And unfortunately, this was not the first time that his brand of love had left its mark.

It was no wonder, what with the rough, unloving way in which he used her body after every fight, that he left bruises.

Ceres had grown used to detaching herself from these terrible, unfulfilling moments, moments that left her feeling broken and disgusted with herself for allowing it to happen.

These days moments of clarity for Ceres were few and far between, but right now was one such moment, however bleary.

Although she was far too stubborn to admit it to anybody aloud, Ceres missed her family. She missed them terribly. The last two years of marriage had been…an adjustment period, to say the least.

That terrible night which she had stormed out of the compound—screaming at her mother and father that she was no longer an Amazon—truly had been the last time she had seen either of her parents or her sisters.

She had wondered if she might run into Effie, but so far she had not. But then again, San Myshuno was a big city…and it wasn’t as though she really left the apartment much anyway, since Adlai preferred she stay home and take care of the home.

“Oh God,” Ceres moaned, ready to barf into the water if she needed to. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time.

Her forehead was slick with sweat. She needed to get home now, and hope that Adlai had restocked their supply…she knew they were running short after last night…

Quickly, Ceres shoved the thoughts of her family away. Most of the time they were tightly locked away in a secret, buried place, but sometimes, when she was feeling especially vulnerable…

Somehow, as she wandered up the sidewalk back home, Ceres found the irony in her life and smiled ruefully.

If Mom and the rest of the tribe had given Adlai a chance, she thought in place of those memories. If they had even tried to get us help if they thought we were using again…I probably wouldn’t be stuck in this mess of a life!

They should have looked into rehabs, she decided, or done more to help the situation. It certainly wasn’t Ceres’ fault that she had ended up where she was!

One last glance at the fresh sun rising over the bridge fueled the rest of the young woman’s trudge home. Rather than focus on her past, she tried to instead focus on what lay ahead—and she hoped that it consisted of a baggie of powder, her thumbs trembling more fervently.

Astoria and Skylar: 18 at Last

2 years later

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Astoria looked around the mostly-empty bedroom, laughing slightly to herself that Mom has taken the time to move out of her bedroom just for her.

“It’s the queen’s chamber, Astoria!” Mom had insisted when Astoria had told her she didn’t need to move. “As of last night, I’m not the queen anymore. I have no business occupying that room.”

“Mom, it’s just too much space,” insisted Astoria. “If you like staying in the Daughters’ Chamber, I mean I guess I can’t really object. But…”

“But nothing!” Mom said cheerfully. “You’re the queen now, Astoria. It’s your right.”

Astoria wanted to remind her mom that she was leaving for college in two weeks, so it really made no sense to leave her the room—but she felt it was probably more sensitive not to.

She understood just how important this rite of passage was for Mom, having been queen for years longer than she had expected to…and having had two daughters already turn down the title.

And so Astoria knew it was better to let Mom have these moments, even if they were a trifle unnecessary. Ah, well, it’s not like the room was terrible.

Of course, Astoria didn’t tell Mom the real reason she was hesitant to leave the other bedroom.

She wasn’t sure what she had been expecting to happen after she and Skylar’s little makeout session. Truth be told, she hadn’t even been expecting that much in the first place! One moment she was holding Skylar in her arms, consoling her, as she had done a thousand times before…

…and the next they were kissing each other, clinging to one another as though their lives depended on it.

It was fuzzy on who had started it, but it didn’t matter. What mattered was that it had been the easiest, most natural thing in the world. What could have potentially destroyed the course of their relationship had, instead, enhanced it. Their lips had joined and it was like a missing puzzle piece clicked into place.

They had “the talk” and had agreed that they were exclusive (of course), yet the dynamics of their relationship hadn’t really changed all that much. It was for this reason that they had both chosen to say nothing to the rest of the family. They had always been close, closer than the best of friends; kissing only seemed like a logical next step.

And now they were leaving for college.

Astoria swallowed hard as she looked at the stacks of boxes and suitcases on the floor. She would be going to the U of Oasis Springs, and Skylar had accepted an internship as a page for a congressman—across the country.

They had avoided talking about it. Knowing that the longest, farthest separation of their lives was looming before them was terrifying. Astoria was feeling anxious even now just thinking about it. She needed air.

As though compelled, the brand-new queen found herself walking down the stairs and outside, to the patio.

Splashing could be heard on the other side of the fence, and Astoria smiled to herself. She was not surprised to find Skylar herself swimming laps around the perimeter of the pool, her red ponytail flying behind her in a straight line. Astoria lowered herself to the edge of the pool, removing her socks and dipping her feet into the lukewarm water.

Noticing her, Skylar smiled and paddled over.

“Couldn’t sleep either?” she asked Astoria. The latter smiled.

“It’s weird being in Mom’s room,” Astoria confessed. “It doesn’t really feel like home, you know?”

Skylar nodded. “Right? It is so weird not having you in the bedroom with me. Without you, and without—without Ceres, it’s just empty and lonely.”

It had already been almost two years since Ceres had left, and nobody had heard a word from her since. They knew she was alive, at the very least (she occasionally posted on Facebook, plus Teresa kept the Reinas updated if she heard from Ceres), but not a word from Ceres herself. Mom had called and called, but eventually she had been forced to stop—she got an error message telling her that Ceres’ phone had been disconnected.

It wasn’t really forbidden to say Ceres’ name, but it always stung a little. Skylar pulled herself up beside Astoria.

Something they enjoyed in one another was the comfortable silence—not feeling the need to fill gaps in conversations at all times. They sat side by side for a long while, quietly kicking their feet in the water and listening to the crickets.

“What are we going to do, Sky?”

Astoria wasn’t even aware that she had spoken aloud until Skylar smiled and playfully tossed her hands up. “What are any of us going to do, Story? Our best, that’s what!” Astoria snorted, shaking her head and swirling her feet in the water. She knew that Skylar understood what she meant, yet was choosing not to.

Another silence. The fireflies were twinkling in the sky. Astoria watched them for a while before Skylar answered thoughtfully, “What else can we do, Astoria? It’s going to be awful. The worst thing in the world. But it’s us. I mean,” she smiled. “We don’t know how to be anything but who we are. Why should distance change that?”

There was a hole in her argument someplace, but Astoria didn’t want to fight it. All she knew was that she was going to be leaving her home, her sisters, her family. And worst of all, her Skylar.

Abruptly, Astoria stood up, water running off her legs. Skylar followed suit, watching her put her socks back on. Finally Astoria looked up at Skylar, feeling breathless. By the Goddess, what a stunning creature.

“Sky—look, our situation is weird. We both know that.” They both smiled shakily. “There are so many expectations, so many rules. What do you think if—God, I sound like Ross!—but what if you and I take a break while we’re away?”

“A break.” Skylar repeated the word, testing it on her lips. “You mean…like, break up?”

“I think that’s what I mean.”

The crickets sounded exceptionally loud. Astoria felt heat in her cheeks, her heart racing. Skylar closed her eyes for a minute, pausing before replying.

“What if, after those four years, we still…?”

“If we still want all this after four years, I think that’s a good sign.” Astoria spoke gently, smiling. “But we have always been ‘the twins,’ Skylar-and-Astoria. Maybe we need to figure out who we are away from each other.”

Skylar was quiet. “I think that’s fair,” she finally admitted. Tears glistened in her eyes. “I love you, Astoria.”

“I love you, Skylar.”

Effie: Falling In Love

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“I’ve been kind of thinking that…well, it would make sense for you to move in with me.” Charlie looked surprised at this. Nervously Effie hurried on.

“I mean, your dogs are already perfectly at home here.

Plus, you all spend most nights here anyway so…you know…one rent is cheaper if we split it down the middle…”

“Move in?” Charlie laughed, as though this were a silly idea. Effie felt her cheeks burning. This was a bad idea. It’s only been eight months and… “I guess moving in is one good, but I’ll do you one better.”

It seemed to be happening in slow motion. Charlie dropped to one knee, beaming, and reached into his pocket.

By the Goddess, it’s a ring. He already had a ring. He planned for this.

“Nefertari Diane Kelley-Reina…will you do me the honor of…” he laughed. “Well, I guess adding on a third last name? That is—if you want to, of course. Totally up to you. I mean, I believe that it’s your choice—”

“Stop it, you idiot, of course I’ll marry you!”

“You will?!”

“Yes!”

“Oh, thank God. I was real worried, like maybe this was a step too far, but…by the Goddess, Effie, I’m in love with you. And I want to be married to you.”

“I want to be married to you too.” Effie’s voice broke. “And I love you so much, Charlie. Yes. Let’s do this!”

She gasped when she got a good look at the jewel. “Charlie,” she whispered, her voice quaking.

“Do you like the ring?” he asked anxiously. “I had no idea what to get you, and the lady there was using all these words like clarity and Ritani and cathedral.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know, all I know is that I know you. And you’re a traditional lady with your own twist…”

“It’s beautiful.” Dreamily she stared at the ring, feeling giddy with happiness. She was quite truly the luckiest woman in the world. Suddenly she realized that her betrothed was still on one knee. “Get off the ground!” she laughed. “You know I would never have asked you to go on one knee!”

“Well, I guess I’m a romantic…” Charlie leaned in for a kiss, which Effie accepted happily.

When they parted, Charlie was grinning. “So…is this when you start planning a huge wedding and invite everyone we know?” His tone was odd, almost an oversweetened sort of plea, his smile rather forced-looking. Effie gave him a questioning look.

“When I start planning? First of all, it’s our wedding, not my wedding, and second of all…I’m not really sure I even want that kind of wedding, to be honest.”

“What do you mean?” he asked, almost cautiously.

“I suppose I never wanted a big, fancy wedding.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Or even a wedding at all, really. I mean,” she laughed. “As an Amazon, I never expected  to marry. I would even be happy getting married at city hall, when it all comes down to it.”

“Oh, thank God!” He had obviously been holding these words in, and he beamed with relief. “Effie, I am terrified at the idea of standing up in front of everyone and God. I don’t think I could if I wanted to!”

His bride-to-be laughed. “Yet another way that you and I are perfect for one another!”

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Author’s note: ‘Grats, kids! Since Effie isn’t a queen, marriage does not immediately make her a sacrifice to the Goddess. As a woman of the tribe, though, technically she should be banned…but the times, they are a-changing!

AJ & Nassor: No Longer Works for Us

The night Teresa confronted Adlai

“Men aren’t normally allowed here,” AJ said softly as Nassor headed to the rock beside her. Nassor shook his head, his face enraged.

“Darling, I love you and I love the Gods and Goddesses, but I need to speak with you as a parent, not as a slave.” He said sternly, though respectfully making a pious gesture.

AJ winced. “When have I ever addressed you as a slave, Nassor?” she asked quietly. “That’s not fair.”

“All right, I apologize. But you must know why I am here. Surely you heard a bit of what was said?”

“I heard the entire thing.”

Mother and father were silent beside one another. And then, as though a dam burst, Nassor began to speak. “I cannot stand that women are regarded higher than men,” he said bluntly.

“I believe that Ceres is so taken with this boy because she has never lived in a world where men are higher, let alone equals.” Rage flamed in his cheeks. “I don’t know if this is some psychological oddity or some such thing, but for whatever reason, I do believe that the whole concept is unfair and that her problems have stemmed from it.”

AJ’s throat went dry. She looked away, into the cold firepit. Some deep, secret part of her heard a ring of truth in what Nassor was saying.

And it scared the hell out of her.

Yet she couldn’t buy all of what he was saying. Her cheeks flushed in anger.

“How can you say that? First of all, Ceres has been raised exactly like the other three, and when did they ever started doing drugs or sneaking out late at night?

Secondly,” continued AJ, temper rising. “You can’t say with pure honesty that Ceres doesn’t know what it’s like for a man to be treated as an equal!” She glared in anger.

“You have been a staple in this household, and have watched your four beautiful daughters grow up. Don’t you dare tell me that you have not been treated equally!”

“By being segregated from my family every night? By being forced to hold the woman I love at arm’s length for the rest of my life? No, AJ. I have not been treated equally.”

The words cut her. She felt hot, angry tears beneath her eyelids, but damn it if she would let them fall. “You knew what this was when you agreed to it, Nassor!” she hissed.

“I told you exactly what you could expect. And from what I recall, you really liked the idea of your own space, ‘away from all the estrogen.’ How many years have gone by and you’re just now piping up?”

He quieted, thinking. “I didn’t know how difficult it was going to be.” His voice was soft. AJ frowned.

“Why didn’t you leave when you realized how much you disliked it, then?” she asked impatiently. “If you hated it so much, you could have left at any time!”

“No, AJ. I didn’t know how difficult it was going to be to think of leaving my children.” Nassor’s voice broke, and AJ looked away. “Love…perhaps our original plan isn’t working anymore? Perhaps what worked while the girls were growing up no longer works for us.”

“What are you saying?” AJ asked, a little more sharply than she had intended.

“I’m saying that I think perhaps, once Astoria and Skylar graduate high school and things settle down a bit with Ceres, I need to leave the compound.” Nassor spoke quietly. He fidgeted a bit before continuing. “I would never leave the women I love in such a crisis as this, but AJ, my dear…surely you can understand…?”

In truth, AJ was stunned. She had known that this situation with their daughter would obviously stress them out, but she hadn’t realized that Nassor had been living in quiet misery. On one hand she was guilty and horrified that she had put him through it—but on the other hand she was frustrated that he had chosen to live this way and never said a word to her.

But understand? She did indeed. She didn’t like it, but she did understand.

“Nassor…you know you’re still my best friend, right?” AJ’s voice was small and frightened, and she sounded too much like a scared little girl than the queen of a tribe. He smiled sadly.

“Aye, of course. And you’re mine as well, lass. And I could never owe you enough as the mother of my children.” He sighed and lowered his eyes.

“But this is no longer healthy for us. We both want happiness, for ourselves and for each other.”

AJ nodded, the unfallen tears still in her eyes. “May the Goddess bless us all,” she whispered to the velvet sky.

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Author’s Note: You might have noticed that the format is different–a lot more picture-heavy. Yeah, true. Generation 3 is coming to an end soon, so the next several chapters are going to be a series of timeskips with lots of pictures. It’s driving me CRAZY to focus on so many different characters, so I’m going to tie up some loose ends in other places.

As always, a big THANK YOU to anyone who reads my story. I know you are taking time out of YOUR life for me, and that’s huge! Much respect, crew! ❤