Chapter One

“Father are you sure you’re going to be all right?” Calla asked as she stuffed items of clothing into an olive drab duffel bag. “They’re not quite settled in here yet and they’re still a bit on edge.”

“We will be fine.” Ares told her for the fourth time. “I’m looking forward to spending a few days with my grandchildren.”

“It’s just that, well, we’ve imposed upon you not that long ago and……”

“Impose?” Ares asked and grabbed both of her wrists in one of his hands. “These are my grandchildren. Look at me, daughter.” Calla turned her worried eyes to gaze upon the handsome face of her Father. “I love spending time with them they make me feel young again.”

“You’re not old.” She said quietly.

“Ah!” Ares smiled wide. “And this is why I love you so much.” He wrapped his arms around her. No one, not even her Mother, ever felt this good in his arms. Waiting for Jackson to kick off was turning out to be sheer agony. Ares didn’t know how much longer he could patiently sit on the sidelines waiting for her husband to die. In his hold Callas’ petite body disappeared to the onlookers view. If one were to walk in the room they might just think he was hugging nothing more than air, unless, that was, they could see the tendrils of auburn hair beneath his forearms. “I am ancient but never in your eyes.”

“In my eyes you will always be young and virile.” She replied and nuzzled her face into the black cashmere sweater to feel the taunt fuzzy space between his chest and belly button against her cheek.

“Sometimes I think you should remove those rose colored glasses.” His big mitt ran across the side of her head. “Then again,” Ares left the words hanging in the air around them.

Although the part of her which was Calla Jackson knew they were too close and that she should pull away from him she did not. However, Calla Jackson did not wish to pursue the subject any further either and so she did what she always did; she changed the subject. “You’re sure you’ll be all right, Enya will help you?”

“I’m positive.” In his arms she let out a sad sigh. “What troubles you? You don’t want to do this?” He asked from above her. “You don’t have to, you know?”

“I do have to go.” Calla confessed. “It’s very important.” The Real World called and called and called until she finally pulled away and looked up at him. “The Ambassador himself invited me in front of everyone.” Calla groaned the last word and pulled away completely. Ambassador Omar, she thought and let out a little laugh, how the world has changed. “I would rather stay here.” The heavy words were long and deep while she went back to packing the bag.

“Well, no matter.” Lord Ares felt himself pull back into Father Mode. “You will be home soon and this world should get down on its knees and thank you but it won’t.” Ares quipped. “It’s a new experience, you should welcome it.”

“Oh yes, I know.” Calla moaned. “Growth, Change, Conflict…..I’m well aware, Father.” Looking up at him she smiled widely. “How could I ever forget?”

“Calla?” Daniel called as he came up the stairs. Intruding unannounced on time spent between Calla and her father wasn’t something Daniel liked to do because he was never sure what he was going to walk in on. Calla always declared there was nothing going on between them and Daniel couldn’t say that there was. Everything he’d ever seen--if he got his mind out of the gutter--pointed to nothing more than a concerned father looking after and caring for his daughter. Although it killed him to admit it, one day Daniel hoped to have as a good of a relationship with Colleen and Nicholas.

“Up here, Daniel.” Calla didn’t think she could stuff anything else into the sack and so she cinched it tight. “All ready I guess.” She said as he walked through the door.

“Hello, Ares.” Daniel held out his hand.

“Jackson.” Ares returned the outstretched hand and smiled. It didn’t take a medium to feel the tense vibes in the air around them.

Whenever they were in the same room Calla was on edge. She never knew what was going to happen. Always was there friction bubbling just below the surface of those fixed smiles and well thought out chit-chat. So far they’d managed not to come to blows, however many harsh volleys of words had passed between them over the years.

Daniel turned his attention to his wife. “I see we finally found a uniform that fits.” He remarked and took in the sight of her in olive drab and combat boots.

“It’s hideous.” She complained and turned around for him. “Tell me I don’t have to wear this at the celebration dinner.”

“No, you don’t.” In front of her father he ran his hands through her hair and laid a kiss on her lips. “It’s just for our arrival; after we’re there you can change.”

“Unless you fall into combat.” Ares remarked from behind them. “Then you might be want to be in uniform, Callestah.”

“Father,” She began in protest. Why couldn’t he just stop? Why does he always have to poke at Daniel?

“There isn’t going to be any combat.” Daniel turned and gave his father in-law a stern look. “We’re invited guests, Ares.”

“Whatever you say, Jackson, but you’d better bring her home in one piece.”

As if some God somewhere had heard her silent plea for mercy Enya along with Nicholas and Colleen appeared in the doorway. Anxious to get their good-bye hugs and kisses, Nicholas tackled his mother while Colleen took on her father. “Gonna miss you, momma.” Nicholas said as he rubbed his head against her lower thigh giving it a big squeeze with both hands.

“Love you, Daddy.” Colleen whispered to her father. “Come home soon, ok?”

“Ok.” Daniel agreed and kissed her forehead. Leaving them was always so fucking hard. “Come over here and give the old man a hug.” He said to his son. They exchanged children.

“Be good for Umpa and Enya while we’re gone.” Calla told them while Daniel picked up the pack on the bed. “We’ll be home in a few days.” She stooped down on her knees for one last hug and kiss from each of them. “I love you, both of you.”

“Love you, momma.” They echoed in return.

On the drive to Cheyenne Mountain Daniel turned and looked at his wife while he drove. “Doesn’t it ever bother you?”

“What?” Calla asked as she returned his gaze.

Guess it doesn’t. “The fact that your dad’s new squeeze looks so much like you?”

“She’s hardly his ‘new’ squeeze, Daniel. Enya has been Father’s Consort for several years now. Don’t you like her?”

“You’re avoiding my question.” Typical, instead of answering him she just asked him another question thereby leading him off toward changing the subject. Daniel turned off the highway toward the base.

“No,” she huffed and turned her stare to the window. “I never noticed that she looks like me at all.”

What a crock! “You missed that…..how exactly?”

“The day is nerve racking enough,” she turned to look at him, “could we please talk about Father and Enya some other time?”

End of Chapter One
Daughter of the Gods: Departure
Continue to
Chapter Two