Page 62 of Charmed By Apollo

“I’m ready,” she declared, her voice unwavering despite the nerves fluttering in her stomach.

Persephone’s touch was gentle yet firm as she reached out to grasp both of Geri’s hands in her own. There was a reassuring warmth in her touch, a silent assurance that they were in this together. And then, in the blink of an eye, they were no longer standing in the familiar surroundings of New York City. Instead, they found themselves in the Underworld’s heart in the Asphodel Meadows’s haunting beauty.

Despite having teleported a handful of times before, the sensation still felt foreign to Geri, like her very essence had been momentarily untethered from reality before being thrust into this new realm. She glanced around, taking in the landscape, her heart hammering in her chest.

Beside her, Persephone stood tall and resolute, her presence a beacon of strength in the stillness of the Underworld. With a reassuring smile, she squeezed Geri’s hands gently, offering silent encouragement in the face of the unknown.

“We’re here,” Persephone said softly. “Now, let’s find your grandmother.”

The Asphodel Meadows stretched out before them, a vast expanse of rolling hills and gentle valleys bathed in a soft, ethereal light. Despite its reputation as the realm where souls lived out the rest of eternity, there was an undeniable sense of serenity that permeated the landscape.

As they walked, Geri marveled at the beauty of their surroundings. The meadows were dotted with vivid flowers that swayed gently in the breeze, their petals casting a kaleidoscope of colors against the verdant greenery. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blossoms, carrying with it a sense of tranquility that seemed to seep into every fiber of Geri’s being.

The souls greeted Persephone with a sense of reverence and adoration, their faces aglow with happiness and love. Despite their ethereal forms, there was an unmistakable warmth in their presence, a sense of contentment that belied their existence in the Underworld. As they passed, the souls offered gentle smiles and nods of acknowledgment to Persephone, their voices carrying on the breeze in soft whispers of gratitude. It was clear that they held their queen in the highest regard, and their devotion was evident in every gesture and expression.

Despite the somber reputation of the Underworld, the Asphodel Meadows was a place of undeniable beauty and peace. The community garden nestled within it was a breathtaking sight to behold. To the left, flowers bloomed in a riot of colors, their petals swaying gently in the gentle breeze that swept through the garden. Tall trees stood sentinel, their branches reaching skyward and casting dappled shadows across the lush greenery below.

On the other side of the garden, neat rows of vegetables, fruits, and herbs stretched out in an orderly fashion. Leafy greens rustled softly in the wind while aromatic herbs released their fragrant scents into the air. The earth beneath their feet was rich and fertile, teeming with life and vitality.

Persephone led Geri through the garden, her steps sure and purposeful as she navigated the winding pathways that crisscrossed the landscape. Everywhere they looked, there was evidence of the care and attention that the souls poured into the garden, tending to the plants with love and dedication.

As they walked, Geri was struck by the sense of community that permeated the garden. Souls worked side by side, their laughter and conversation filling the air as they tended to the plants with gentle hands. And amidst it all, she felt that her grandmother was close by, her presence comforting in the busy garden. With each step she took, she felt her anticipation growing, her heart pounding with the hope of being reunited with her grannie once more.

They rounded a corner into a small orchard, and Geri’s breath caught when she saw her grandmother tending to blueberry bushes.

Geri’s grandmother turned from her task, her face breaking into a radiant smile at the sight of her granddaughter. She was a vision of warmth and kindness, her eyes twinkling with joy as she greeted them. Around her, the garden seemed to come alive with a newfound energy, as if the very plants themselves rejoiced at her presence.

“G-Grannie?” Geri’s voice trembled with disbelief. Her heart raced with a mix of emotions, her eyes misting with tears at the sight of her grandmother in this unexpected place.

“Geri, my dear child,” she said. “It’s so wonderful to see you.”

Geri rushed forward, her steps quickening as she closed the distance between them. “I can’t believe it’s you,” she whispered, choking with emotion. “I…I wasn’t able to properly say goodbye before you…before you passed,” Geri confessed. “I’ve been trying to figure out a way to get you back. I just…I can’t bear the thought of never seeing you again.”

The words hung heavy in the air, a weight of regret and longing that seemed to echo through the tranquil garden. She hesitated, her heart aching with the admission she had held within her for so long.

“Oh, my dear,” she said, a mixture of understanding and gentle admonishment in her eyes. “You mustn’t dwell on what could have been. My time in the Upperworld has come to an end, and I am happy here, surrounded by the beauty of the Underworld.”

Geri’s heart clenched at her grandmother’s words, the weight of her longing mingling with the bittersweet truth of her grandmother’s contentment. “But, Grannie,” she whispered. “I miss you so much. I just…I don’t know how to go on without you.”

“You are stronger than you realize, my dear,” she said, her voice a soothing melody against the backdrop of the garden. “You carry within you the strength and resilience of our ancestors. Focus on your life now, on living it to the fullest. That is the greatest tribute you can pay to me.”

Geri’s gaze fixed on her hands, her fingers twisting nervously as her grandmother’s words sank in. She felt a pang of recognition at the truth in her words, a realization that echoed through her being.

“You’ve always focused on other things,” her grandmother continued, her voice gentle yet firm. “You’ve been like this since you were little. Loving, loyal, and fiercely determined. But now, my dear, it’s time for you to open yourself to others. To be open to the possibility of other things happening in your life.”

Geri’s heart fluttered with uncertainty and longing. She had spent so long immersed in her own pursuits, her own dreams, that the notion of opening herself up to others felt both daunting and strangely exhilarating.

“But, how?” she whispered, her voice barely more than a breath. “How do I do that?”

“You start by letting go of the past. By embracing the present and all the possibilities it holds,” her grandmother smiled. “And by opening your heart to the people and experiences that come your way.”

Geri chuckled softly. “Well, I guess we’ll just have to see about that.”

“I have no doubt about it, my dear,” Grannie said warmly. “Once you set your mind to something, there’s no stopping you. You’ve always been stubborn that way. Just like your father,” she said with a cluck of her tongue.

“Was he?”

“Yes, that’s where you and Cade got it from. Your father was like a damned brick wall.”

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