Chapter 194 - Racing forward (1/2)

”So, what have the two of you decided?” Poseidon asked as he walked into the kitchen of the suite, Shelly following closely behind him.

Jos still sat with her legs folded under her. Her eyes moved from Arei's to the two individuals now standing in the small, conjoined room. ”I want to move forward with this. Arei suggested we wait until after my first hearing, but knowing what the most likely outcome will be, I thought it best that we start now.” She bowed her head slightly to the sea god. ”We will follow your advice on moving ahead.”

Poseidon chuckled as his eyes moved from the slightly bowed silver strands of Jos's head to his son's troubled and irritated expression. ”Well, I can definitely tell this was your idea verses my son's. He would never trust my opinion on such matters. In fact, he has always made it a point to do the complete opposite of anything I ever suggest... unless I demand it.”

Arei rolled his eyes. ”I agreed to hear what you have to say, I didn't say I would go along with it.”

Poseidon shrugged. ”Fair enough.” He retrieved two drinks from the fridge. ”Um... How do you drink this?” He asked Shelly.

Jos pushed up from the sofa and walked over to the kitchen. She took a straw from one of the drawers and held her hand out for the can. ”All you have to do is put this in the can and set it down for her.” Jos informed.

Poseidon smiled as he watched her. He handed her his drink before turning and taking another. ”So, my dear, what ideas do you have... other than timing?”

She glanced back to Arei. ”I'm not sure. I... I thought I'd hear what you had to say first.”

He nodded. ”Alright.” He took the can with the straw from Jos and walked over to the armchair and sat down. Tossing a cushion onto the floor beside him, he placed the can in front of it and waited until Shelly had settled before he popped open his own drink.

Jos held the drink up to Arei. ”Would you like one? I believe I'll start those teas tonight.”

Arei frowned at the mention of the tea. ”Sure, I'll take it... Are you sure you don't want to wait to drink the tea? What if it keeps you up all night?”

Jos shook her head. ”Stop trying to talk me out of it. This is happening whether you like it or not.”

Poseidon chuckled, hiding is wide smile behind the brim of the can. ”It's always a great day when your most defiant son meets his match. How does it feel, Son?”

Arei narrowed his eyes, ”Aren't you supposed to be working out this all-wins plan of yours?”

Poseidon's smile faded. He set his drink down and began stroking Shelly's head. As a second thought, he turned his attention to the wolf as he stilled his hand. ”I'm sorry child, I keep forgetting you're a person under all that fur. Is it alright that I pet you?”

Shelly arched a wolfish brow. She'd gotten so used to everyone petting her, she hadn't even though it odd at this point. She nodded her head in approval.

His tight expression softened, and he let out a breath. ”Ah, thank you child. I had worried you'd refuse. I find the act somewhat soothing is all.” He turned his attention back to the other side of the room where Arei watched intensely as Jos sat down beside him with a small coffee cup full of hot water. Both men and the wolf's eyes followed the seed as it was dropped into the cup. They all watched as the seed began to blossom in silence until it had finally blossomed into a magnificent white flower. ”Well, drink up dear. The sooner that is in your system the less of a worry Zeus's tricks become... and I'm rather curious how fast it works on those lost memories.” He winked at Arei as he said the last part.

”Get on with it, Father.” Arei growled in irritation.

He held Arei's gaze in a heated stare as he ran his fingers through Shelly's fur. ”As I've said, the longer the claim takes to process the greater chance of interference. I propose the two of you announce that you are in fact together, that you've been together since Florida secretly as to not upset the kid, but that he found out the night of the fight and was angry... That will clear the kid from all this mess and with any luck keep him from this building until everything is finished including the trials.” His eyes shifted to Jos. ”It will also keep you from facing harsher punishments because of your involvement with the kid along with helping the claim go through ten times faster. Agreed?”

Jos sent Arei a questioning look. ”What do you think?”

Arei searched her eyes before finally letting out a heavy sigh. ”What the two of you are asking of me is absolute torment. What am I... we to do? Pretend we are in a relationship? Then what happens after?”

Jos shrugged. ”I honestly don't know. I stand by my word that I'll not abandon Russ. If he willingly chooses his people as I've begged him to consider many times before then maybe, we could give this thing we have a second try... once my memories return...” She shook her head. ”But as I said, until then... until I know how I felt and how I feel... I can't give you a straightforward answer. Russ,” She turned her attention to Shelly and nodded toward her. ”And Shelly both will always be part of any future I have regardless of the capacity.”

Arei nodded. ”I understand that. I've done more than my fair share of dealing with the boy and I would rather cut off my right arm than turn my back on Shelly.” He smiled toward her. ”I mean unless she's just as mouthy as her brother in human form.” He sent her a wink. He couldn't help the burst of laughter at the wolf's indignant expression.

Jos giggled. ”I mean, she can be a handful in her own ways, that's for sure.” She patted Arei's shoulder. ”Say goodbye to all your favorite tee shirts once she shifts back.”

Arei pointed a finger at her. ”Now listen here, take any of them you want except my punny horse one!”

Jos arched a brow. ”Punny? Horse shirt?”

Arei turned toward her and nodded. ”Yes, you got a problem with that?”

She laughed, ”Maybe. I just can't see you wearing something with silly sayings on it.”

He shrugged. ”It was a gift from my sister several years back.”

Poseidon smiled. ”I'm not sure which gives worse gifts Cheri or Ry.” He shook his head in mock disapproval. ”You wouldn't believe some of the gifts I've gotten from the two of them over the years.” He shook his head. ”Anyway, back on task. I really don't see that what I ask of the two of you be any different than what you already seem to have. I just ask that you continue the way you do normally. I doubt there will be any question to the authenticity of your words after the other night's... events...” He focused his attention on Arei. ”After what you did in front of most of the council, I doubt there will be any question of your feelings.” He crossed his leg over one knee. ”I will begin the paperwork first thing when I get back to the palace, in the meantime you will probably do well to inform your brothers of this plan. See if you can talk him into meeting you outside the Embassy once he and that kid leave Calypso's island. Peg and Andy can help you guys choose a location that will increase chances of some of the council seeing you. We need to show a united front right now for everyone involved.”

Jos nodded. ”We will call them as soon as you leave.”