Page 14 of Charmed By Apollo

With trembling fingers, she answered the call. “Hey, Cade. What’s up?” her voice seemed steady despite the unease churning in her stomach.

Cade’s voice crackled through the line, his tone grave. “Geri, you need to come home right away.”

Her breath caught in her throat, her mind racing with a million terrible possibilities. “What happened?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“It’s Grannie,” he replied, his voice tight with tension. “We need you here.”

Grannie.

In all the scenarios she’d imagined, this was the worst.

She nodded, even though he couldn’t see her. “Okay,” she whispered, turmoil raging inside her. Their beloved grandmother was the backbone of their family and basically the only family they had left. The thought of something happening to her filled her with a sense of dread.

“What happened to Grannie?” Geri asked, her voice trembling with concern.

“She’s been taken to the hospital. It’s serious, Geri,” Cade’s reply was solemn. “A car is coming to pick you up and then take you to Teterboro airport.”

She sighed. She hated using the pack’s private jet. It just seemed so extra. “I can fly commercial,” she tried to protest.

“Absolutely not,” her brother growled. “You need to get here fast. Ryan will be waiting for you when you land in Anchorage.”

She knew she wouldn’t be able to change his mind. “Okay. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Geri’s hands trembled as she ended the call. She took a deep, steadying breath, trying to quell the rising tide of fear and anxiety threatening to overwhelm her. The thought of her grandmother, the woman who had been a pillar of strength and love throughout her life, lying in a hospital bed sent a shiver down her spine.

Grannie had been there for her through every hardship and every loss. She had helped raise her and Cade after their father’s death, offering love and guidance when the world felt like it was crumbling around them. And when their mother passed away months later, Grannie had been her rock, her unwavering support in the face of unimaginable grief.

Now, faced with the possibility of losing her, she felt as though her world was crumbling once again. Grannie was more than just family—she was Geri’s confidante, her mentor, her best friend. The thought of facing life without her was almost too much to bear.

But even as fear threatened to consume her, Geri knew she had to stay strong. Grannie had always taught her to be resilient and face challenges head-on with courage and determination. And now, more than ever, Geri needed to summon that resolve for both herself and for her grandmother.

She squared her shoulders and wiped away the tears that stained her cheeks. She couldn’t afford to fall apart now—not when Grannie needed her the most. Taking a deep breath, she set her jaw and prepared herself for the journey ahead, determined to be there for her grandmother every step of the way.

But first, she had to tell Demeter.

She took a deep breath and called out for Demeter; the ethereal presence of the goddess of the harvest materialized before her with a concerned look etched upon her features. With her gentle demeanor and deep understanding of the natural world, Demeter had always been a source of comfort to Geri in times of need.

“Demeter, I need to talk to you,” she began, her voice trembling slightly with emotion. “My grandmother is in the hospital. Cade didn’t tell me why, but it sounds serious.”

Demeter’s expression softened as she listened to Geri’s words. “Oh, dear, I’m so sorry to hear that,” she said, her voice filled with compassion. “Mary is one of the strongest women I know.”

“Thank you, Demeter,” Geri replied, her voice tinged with gratitude. “I just wanted to let you know, and I’m confident that Adonis can help out here at the shop while I’m away.”

Demeter nodded in understanding. “That’s very thoughtful of you, Geri. But please, don’t worry about the shop right now. Your family needs you, and that’s where your focus should be.”

She smiled weakly, touched by her reassurance. “Thank you, Demeter. I’ll do my best to be there for my grandmother.”

With a final nod of encouragement, Geri made her way out of the shop, her mind filled with thoughts of her grandmother and the uncertain future ahead.

Geri stepped into the hospital room, her heart heavy with apprehension. She’d rushed straight here as soon as the plane landed in the private airfield just outside Anchorage. Despite the posh and luxurious surroundings, an undeniable sense of unease hung in the air like a heavy fog. The sterile smell of antiseptic assaulted her senses, and the soft hum of medical equipment provided a haunting backdrop to the room.

Her breath caught in her throat as she approached her grandmother’s bedside.

Mary lay still, her eyes closed and her breathing shallow. A monitor beside the bed beeped rhythmically, its sound a stark reminder of the fragility of life.

She pulled a chair close to the bed and sank into it, her eyes fixed on her grandmother’s face. She reached out and gently took Mary’s hand in her own, the coolness of her grandmother’s skin causing a chill to run down her back.

“Grannie,” she whispered, her voice barely above a murmur. “It’s me, Geri. I’m here.”

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