Chapter 656 Ripples of Change
Grace looked up at me as everyone ate the sweets that Breya brought, and suddenly I was standing on open plains with my beautiful angel standing before me.
"You can relax, you know that right? Taking this time to yourself is a path that will lead you to where you need to go. Yet, the future shifts because a small part of you wants to go and snuff out the other connections Kadeon has in this world. If you do that, you will lose people that you care about, and I don't want to see you hurt like that," Grace said with a smile that I returned.
"Your sense of time is amazing, you know that? And you even seem to know me better than some of my friends, haha!" I laughed, but then let out a sigh. "Yes, you are right, and I think it is time I took it easy for a while, but that was the plan anyway."
"I see. That is good because I know that momma is going to make you make lots of sweets! I had to make sure that you were going to stay on this path, and not just dip out after like some degenerate creature calling himself a father," Grace said as she crossed her arms and turned away from me, turning her nose into the air.
"Huh?!! I am really that bad to you?!" I demanded, throwing my arms out in front of me.
"Probably worse if I factor in the number of women that you call wives now," she said, and I flinched as I was stabbed with the truth. "If I were to also include what the future might hold, it almost makes me want to disown you as my father! Thankfully for you, you seem you have a set number of children so I will be one of the lucky few who get to call you Dad. Just be sure you never neglect your children, no matter how many wives you get. Remember, fatherhood is a privilege, not a right."
Her declaration left me stunned, but I couldn't help but smile. "Understood, my wise and wonderful daughter. I promise I'll never neglect you or any of your siblings. I am, and will always be, your proud dad, no matter what."
The one thing I loved about Grace is that she never hesitated to offer her honest insights. They were often full of wisdom, even if sometimes, they stung a bit. But I needed those reminders. It's easy to get lost when you have so many things and so many people to look after.
Grace's sudden seriousness gave way to a gleeful smile as she beside me once again. We ended up spending most of our time chatting away, the sweetness of the dream calming my worries about the coming event.
"So, you are going to see some people before we go with Mom?" Grace asked, and I nodded but tipped my eyebrow.
"Can't you see?"
"I can see events, but I am nothing like what Uncle Truth must be like. According to you, he can see all points of time at once, and now you have his girlfriend, Aunty Akasha, right?" Grace asked, and I winced and then sighed. She talked about two of the most powerful beings in existence like they were just some regular friends of mine, but I suppose in our unusual family, they were just that.
"Truth and Akasha are something else, certainly," I chuckled, looking a little sheepish. "But yes, I'll be visiting a few people. Not just anyone —"
"Friends?" Grace offered innocently, interrupting me.
"Yes, friends," I confirmed with a small smile. "And acquaintances. Those who hold a special place in my heart, and those who still need to learn a few lessons."
Grace chuckled, her starry eyes sparkling with amusement. "You mean those who've tried to cause trouble in the past?"
"Are they a part of these lessons?" she wondered.
"Perhaps," I replied mysteriously, offering her a teasing grin.
Her pout was replaced by a thoughtful frown. "Regardless of what happens, remember what I said. Your role as a god may be important but never forget what we mean to you. We're not just a job or task. We are a family."
I Pulled my grown-up little girl into my arms and kissed the top of her head. "I know, and I am sorry I had to be away for the first week you were born, but I will be around a lot more now!" I laughed, and she hugged me back.
"Just be careful, Dad. Let everyone else take some of the responsibility for a while," She said, and then the two of us were back sitting on the couch as the women talked around us.
Grace smiled her cute little face up at me and then cuddled into my chest like nothing had happened. It was nice talking to her from time to time like this, but it made me wonder if my other children were going to have the same abilities? If that was the case, they could really upset the balance of the world, but I was probably getting ahead of myself.
Eliza peeked around from where she was animatedly arguing with Claire and Tallia about the Goddess Games' arrangements and noticed our moment. "Galio, you're spoiling her with all this doting!" she teased, smiling at our father-daughter moment.
I chuckled at her remark. "All right, all right, I'll have you lot know that I'll spoil each of you equally with my affection – children, wives, and wives-to-be!" I declared, resulting in a round of laughter and protests.
The camaraderie between us was apparent, the room radiating warmth that we all shared. Looking around me, my gaze landed on each one of them—a beautiful variety of goddesses and beings that made up my family. However complicated and intricate our relationships were, it didn't change the fact that we were all a part of this unique web.
"I am going to leave Grace with you all, but I think that you and I should have a talk," I said, looking directly into Tallia's eyes. "Things have changed after going to the underworld, and I would like to discuss it with you and your mother. It would also be nice to check on the Winds and Cancer," I said, and Tallia nodded, before turning to Breya.
"I will make sure to visit during this week so the two of you can have some time alone before the games," Tallia said as Eliza came over to take Grace from me.
"Don't forget that you can ask me any time you want to watch this little munchkin! I hope that we might get a chance to try one day!" Eliza laughed, and I smiled.
"Besides my current goddesses and Breya, I couldn't imagine having another child with another person but you," I smiled, making Eliza light up, but then I put up a finger. "You will have to wait in line, or convince the others to let you go first," I chuckled, but Eliza just grinned with Grace in her arms, who had the same determined look with a clenched fist.
"If that is all it will take, then I will make sure that I am the next one so my little girl can grow up with this little cutie!" Eliza declared and, despite knowing her temperament, I found myself chuckling at her competitive spirit. Indeed, it seemed her love for Grace was far from just friendly affection; she saw her as part of our potential family.
"All right, all right... No need to start a commotion," I hastily intervened, effectively halting a suddenly heated disagreement churning between the goddesses. "We still have a week to work things out, let's first focus on the Goddess Games."
My reassurances seemed to calm the environment, and I felt a surge of gratification that flowed from their consent. My heart swelled with happiness as I gazed around at the faces so dear to me.
"Well, Tallia, let's get going," I said, and she nodded. I got up, and Tallia followed suit, and the two of us made our exit, promising to be back later.
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