Page 16 of Charmed By Apollo

Without a word, he dropped the bags by the door and made his way over to Geri. She stood up, her heart aching with sorrow, and he pulled her in a tight embrace. She leaned against her brother, feeling the warmth of his presence, and the strength of his embrace slowly eased the pain that threatened to overwhelm her.

They stood there in silence for a long moment, sharing the weight of their grief and finding solace in each other’s arms. Geri felt the tears streaming down her cheeks begin to dry up.

She looked up at her brother, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips despite the heaviness in her heart. “So, how’s it going?” she quipped.

Cade smirked at his sister, his green eyes softening with affection. “Well, it’s Sunday, family day,” he replied, his tone gentle. “I brought lunch.”

“Right,” Geri said, her voice thick with emotion. “That sounds nice.”

Cade nodded, his smile widening. “I’ll go ask the nurses for a table and chairs,” he said, moving towards the door.

As Geri murmured “Sunday family day” to herself, memories flooded her mind, transporting her yet again back to her childhood. She remembered the countless Sundays spent with her grandmother and brother, moments filled with laughter, love, and the occasional scolding from Grannie.

One memory in particular stood out vividly in Geri’s mind. She recalled a time when she had been eavesdropping on a conversation between Grannie and Cade. She had heard Grannie scolding her brother, demanding that he spend more time with Geri, insisting that she needed him.

“Cade, you need to make more time for your sister,” Grannie’s voice had been firm. “She looks up to you and needs your guidance and support.”

Cade had tried to brush off Grannie’s concerns. “Grannie, she’s a tough kid. She doesn’t need me hovering over her all the time,” he protested.

But Grannie had put her foot down, her voice growing even more determined. “It’s not about hovering, Cade. It’s about being there for your family when they need you. Geri needs her big brother, whether she realizes it or not. And it’s high time you started acting like one.

“Even though you’re a big college man now, I demand that you spend Sundays with us. Geri needs her brother, and you need to be there for her.”

Cade had chuckled in response, his playful demeanor shining through even in the face of Grannie’s seriousness. “I know, Grannie, I know. But you can’t drag me to church with you. I’m not going to pray to dead gods or even to those lousy Greek ones either.”

“You will come and spend Sunday afternoons with us, and we’ll do something together,” Grannie declared, her tone leaving no room for argument. “I know your father instilled the importance of putting family first. He was my son, after all.”

Cade’s expression softened at the mention of their father, a hint of nostalgia crossing his features. Geri could see the internal struggle in his eyes, torn between his desire for independence and his love for his family.

“You’re right, Grannie,” Cade finally conceded, his voice filled with sincerity. “I’ll be here on Sundays, I promise.”

They continued to spend Sundays together, honoring their grandmother’s wishes and cherishing their time as a family. They shared meals, went on outings, and made new memories together, each moment strengthening the bond between them.

But there came a time when the traditions and expectations of the pack started to bear down on them. Arranged marriages were common among their kind, often forged for political alliances and the preservation of bloodlines. And then, Geri found herself caught in the crosshairs of such an arrangement.

Ever the dutiful brother, Cade urged Geri to consider marrying Asher, a shifter she knew and couldn’t stand. Asher was a respected member of another pack, his family holding significant influence within the shifter community. But to Geri, the idea of marrying someone she didn’t love felt like a betrayal of everything she believed in.

She also couldn’t shake the deep-rooted fear that gnawed at her heart. It wasn’t just about her distaste for Asher or the arranged nature of the marriage—the tragic fate that befell her parents haunted Geri’s every thought. She couldn’t bear the idea of opening herself up to love only to be left shattered and alone as her parents had been. The pain of their loss was a constant reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating consequences of allowing oneself to become too vulnerable.

Her grandmother had seen the turmoil that churned within her. Grannie encouraged Geri to embark on a journey of self-discovery, urging her to find her own path in life, independent of the expectations and pressures of their pack.

“It’s not about finding love, my dear,” Grannie would say, her voice soft and reassuring. “It’s about finding yourself. Only when you truly know who you are can you find happiness and fulfillment, whether with a mate or on your own.”

Inspired by her grandmother’s words of wisdom, Geri boldly decided to leave behind her pack’s familiarity and strike out on her own. She moved to New York, drawn to the energy of the city and the promise of new beginnings.

And it was there, in the heart of the city, Demeter and her daughter Persephone welcomed Geri with open arms, offering her guidance and support as she navigated the challenges of her new life. As Geri tended to the lush greenery of the plant shop, she felt a sense of fulfillment and contentment, knowing that she was finally on the path to discovering herself and her true purpose in life.

She fondly remembered the day she first met Demeter, a chance encounter that would shape the course of her life. Geri had ventured into one of the greenhouses on her family’s estate to gather tomatoes for dinner.

To her surprise, she found her grandmother in the greenhouse with Demeter. Mary introduced Geri to Demeter, whom Geri instinctively referred to as “my lady” out of respect for her grandmother’s esteemed guest.

However, Demeter gently corrected her, insisting that she should be addressed simply as “Demeter.”

From that moment on, Geri was captivated by Demeter’s presence. There was an air of mystery and wisdom about her, and Geri found herself drawn to her gentle demeanor and profound knowledge of the natural world.

Cade returned, pulling her out of her reverie, and they gathered around the makeshift table, the scent of lunch filling the air with delicious anticipation. Despite the sad circumstances that had brought them together, there was a sense of familiarity in being reunited with family. The food was delicious, and as they ate, soft conversation filled the room. Geri caught up with her brother and all the goings-on of their pack.

The machines in the room began beeping loudly, and when medical staff rushed in, panic gripped Geri’s heart like a vise. With tears streaming down her cheeks, she cried out, “No, Grannie!”

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