It had not been easy, but Lexi arranged for her friends in Olympus to receive permission to attend her birthday party in the underworld. The fact that all the attendees were interested in joining the temporarily suspended legacy council was the most difficult aspect to justify, but as it happened, Poseidon convinced the council to grant all ten requests, acting at the behest of Odessa. Hades detested the idea of Lexi being in Poseidon's debt in any shape or form, and it was only the fact that Poseidon had become completely enamored with Odessa that Hades relaxed his vehement stance on the matter.

Seven weeks had passed since Lexi enlisted the help of the palace nymphs to prepare for the party, and the big day was finally upon them. Lexi had awoken to breakfast in bed in honor of her birthday, but the tray could not rest easily over her lap, having grown to accommodate the two gods sharing space inside her. Hades saw it as an opportunity to feed Lexi everything on her plate by hand. This was followed by a fragrant bath and full body massage, performed again by Hades with great relish. His fingers continually gravitated between her legs until she had achieved enough orgasms to carry her through the week.

Lexi had picked up maternity clothes on her last visit to Nova Scotia, but Blythe insisted on sewing a summer dress for her to wear on her birthday, so Lexi also picked up a modern sewing pattern. The fabric she bought in Olympus, purchased from Kade's daughter, Lisbon, who co-owned a shop with her sisters. She, too, had a knack for creating striking designs with fabric, but it was widely known that Lisbon's singing voice was her true gift.

Lisbon was on Lexi's guest list, and as Lexi pulled her daffodil yellow dress out of the wardrobe, she remembered the day Lisbon helped her choose the fabric. With very little prying, Lexi discovered Lisbon had not seen Hades in ten years, which occurred on a visit to the French Riviera. Lexi also learned that Lisbon had never been to the underworld, which was true for every god on Lexi's guest list, apart from Jules and Gunther, although they had not returned since the incident with the spear.

Blythe and Lacy helped Lexi slip into her dress, arranging it over her ample curves before accentuating it with silver drop earrings and a sapphire pendant Hades had purchased from the same Boston jeweler who made her engagement ring. The sapphire bracelet she received on her seventeenth birthday completed the look, and the nymphs outfitted her hair with dried lavender after arranging it into an elegant fall of ringlets.

"Gaia was truly inspired when she created you, my lady," Hades said as he stood in the doorway, one hand holding a goblet while the other rested on the frame. He had dressed himself in a white collared shirt and heather gray pants, and his usually tousled hair had been managed with a dollop of gel. True to his reputation, he resembled a devilish rogue, especially when his gold eyes twinkled with mischief. "I hope you will finally put your planning worries behind you and enjoy the fruits of your labor."

Lexi turned and offered a curtsy, taking care not to lose her balance from the added weight of her protruding belly. "The nymphs deserve most of the credit. Without them, I could not have managed half of it - the invitations, the menu, the decorations..."

"You mustn't forget your contributions, Lady Lexi," Lacy pointed out as she buckled Lexi's sandals. "You came up with the idea to have the guests participate in a scavenger hunt. I have no doubt everyone will enjoy themselves as they collect the treasure."

Lexi wished the nymph had not brought up the topic of the scavenger hunt, and she watched Hades' expression as Lacy spoke. The idea had come to her after weeks of thoughtful consideration, and she decided the hunt was the best way to give the young gods a taste of the underworld without making it seem like a history lesson. At least, that's how she viewed it. Hades saw it as a threat to the gods of Olympus. Correction, he knew the gods would see it as a threat. Of course, Lexi would never tell Hades her underlying reason for attempting to endear her friends to the underworld, and she would guard her secret until Hades figured it out for himself, if ever.

"I am here to deliver a message," Hades said, giving no indication he was dwelling on the same thing she was. "Your first two guests have arrived."

"Oh, that would be Odessa and Tara," Lexi said as she leaned over her dressing table and applied a light coat of peppermint lip balm. "Odessa promised to arrive early so she could help me greet the guests. I thought it would put their minds at ease since she has known them much longer than I have."

"Prudent thinking on your part," he said, before tipping his goblet over his lips. "We should also be ready to offer them a glass of wine. I am sure once they meet Hecate and Thanatos at the gates they will be ready for a beverage with sedative properties."

Lexi chuckled as she made her way over to him, planting a peppermint-infused kiss on his lips. He tasted like he had been sampling the sedative beverages. "That is exactly why I asked Hecate to welcome them. Thanatos is merely eye candy."

Hades' eyebrows tweaked as if they had been insulted, and she kissed him again, deeper this time.

"Don't give me that look," she said. "As far as eye candy, you outdo them all. In fact, I have already prepared myself for some serious jealousy testing. All the goddesses on my guest list, apart from Lisbon, have never met you before."

"Sight unseen, none can hold a candle to your exquisite beauty and grace, my lady. May I escort you downstairs, and we shall greet your friends together." Hades proffered his elbow, and the gesture was magnetic, drawing her to him like shield and sword. He wooed her so well.

"Your flattery may be your undoing, sir," she said. "And if you ever stop, I will make you sleep in the study."

Hades pretended to be shocked by her threat, but she knew he was remembering the occasions they used the study for play time.

* * *

"You look radiant in yellow, Lexi," Odessa announced as she wrapped Lexi in a hug. After which she greeted Lexi's belly with a wave. "Hello, little ones."

Odessa's blatant enthusiasm for Lexi's pregnant state had Tara rolling her eyes, but Odessa didn't appear to notice. Her attention had been usurped by the handsome god standing next to Lexi. Who could blame her?

"Odessa. Tara. I would like you to meet my fiancé and the father of our future offspring - Hades, lord of the underworld."

Lexi caught Hades suppressing a smirk, probably in response to her flowery introduction. "It is a pleasure to meet you both," he said, making a show of bowing regally. "Lexi speaks highly of her friends in Olympus. Now, I can put faces to names."

Odessa took a moment to indulge herself in Hades' godly perfection before she spoke. "You have a lovely palace, Lord Hades," she said as she waved her arm at the foyer like a real estate agent. "The angels on the spires are a nice touch. I never envisioned angels in the underworld, but it makes perfect sense."

"The angels were Hestia's idea. She helped me design my home. I believe a palace tour is on the birthday agenda."

"Oh, speaking of agendas, will there be time to revisit ours today?" Odessa captured Lexi with her lively brown eyes and Lexi nodded.

"I will open a roundtable discussion after dessert. The nymphs have planned something wonderful and decadent, something involving a heavily-iced cake, I think."

"Cake isn't really on a runner's diet," Tara said, shooting a pointed glance at Odessa.

"But Tara has agreed to make an exception for me today because I helped our team win four medals this year." Odessa smiled at Tara, and this appeared to soothe her. Lexi was not surprised. Odessa had that kind of smile.

Sella arrived in the foyer with a tray of goblets, some filled with wine and some with water. Lacy followed close behind, waving a platter of Fiona's delicious spinach puffs under their noses. Napkins and goblets were claimed, and puffs were eaten before Lexi could make her first inquiry.

"What do you think of the underworld so far, you two? Is it anything like you imagined?"

"Not at all," Odessa offered. "I think the other gods attending will say the same. Of course, we all know it is not the dark, dreadful place portrayed by mortals, but the texts in Olympus are not much better. They describe it as without sun or moon, and home to the vicious monsters of Tartarus."

Hades visibly cringed before covering his reaction with a long swig from his goblet.

"Obviously, that isn't true," Lexi said. "Which is why I wanted my friends to see what the underworld is really like. There is more life here than death, and I have learned that even death is a prelude to birth. Every soul who passes through here is reborn."

Lexi smiled at Hades and he returned the gesture, saluting her with his goblet. "Well stated, my love. I could not have said it better myself."

Odessa pressed her hands to her cheeks as she gushed. "You two are about the cutest couple I have ever met. I hope you don't mind if I take notes while I'm here."

Tara snorted but Odessa didn't seem bothered by her roommate's critical feedback, and Lexi took the opportunity to give Odessa a supportive pat on the back. "Anything I can do for the cause."