Our Own House | Closed.

“My entire pregnancy I never got any real sleep,” Artemis sniffled. “Even drinking Zack’s blood stopped helping.” The brunette clenched her eyes shut, covering her mouth to quiet the sob that escaped her lips.

Matt looked from Artemis down to Celeste who was still sleeping in his arms. “Did Hades trick you into killing Cole,” he asked.

Artemis shook her head. “I couldn’t function because I was so tired,” she mumbled. “He made me agree to give him Cole and when I went into labor I refused to push because he was there.” The brunette’s hands began to tremble and tears streamed down her face. “If I had just pushed when I was told to Cole would still be alive.”

Fae shook her head. “You couldn’t have known that would happen,” she said. “Pregnancy is such a huge deal, anything is possible. It’s not your fault.”

“I tried to save my baby and Hades took him anyways,” Artemis whimpered. “And now Zack is trying to take away the one person that’s keeping me alive right now.”

Matt walked over to Artemis, carefully moving some of her hair away from her neck, his eyes widening when he saw a partial hand print shaped bruises on her throat. “Did Zack do that to you,” he asked.

The brunette shook her head. “It’s none of your business,” she countered. “I deserved it.”

Fae frowned, biting her lip gently. “Hey Matt? Can I hold Celeste while you get me a glass of water please?” she asked softly.

Matt looked at Fae, slightly confused but realized she wanted to talk to Artemis alone. He carefully handed the infant to the blonde and left the room to grab her a glass of water.

“They’re both apart of the cult because of me,” Artemis spoke. “Hell Jimmy joined the cult because of me too. The cult getting stronger is all my fault.”

“It’s not your fault,” Fae said. She gave Artemis a reassuring look. “Who hurt you, Artemis? You can tell me. I promise I won’t say anything to anyone.”

“They both did,” Artemis mumbled. “So it doesn’t matter.” She refused to say Johnny’s name especially since she had a feeling Matt was listening in from the other room.

Fae frowned. She looked down at Celeste, gently rocking the newborn in her arms. “We won’t let anything happen to her,” she said. “Zack doesn’t deserve her.”

“If anything ever happens to me I want you to promise to take care of her for me,” Artemis mumbled.

“Of course,” Fae said. “I would never let her go motherless.” She gently handed Celeste back to Artemis. “I promise.”

“Thank you,” Artemis mumbled. She pressed a gentle kiss to her daughter’s forehead, beyond happy Celeste was such a well behaved loving baby.

“How are you?” Fae asked, looking up at Artemis. “How are you holding up?”

“Celeste makes things bearable,” Artemis replied.

Fae nodded her head. She smiled as she looked down at Celeste. “Seeing her makes me wish I could have a baby,” she admitted.

“It’s a lot of work,” Artemis mumbled. “And no matter what you read or get told to do you’re never actually prepared for it.”

“I can imagine,” Fae mumbled. “I don't want to have a baby until this whole cult mess is over with, and god only knows when that will be.”

Artemis looked down at Celeste, smiling at the infant. “She’s so perfect.”

“She is,” Fae said, smiling as she looked down at the baby. “I already love her as if she’s my own. You know I’ll do anything to protect her. And you, for that matter.”

“I keep feeling this horrible sensation in the pit of my stomach,” Artemis admitted. “I feel like the only way to stop the cult may be my death.”

Fae frowned and shook her head. “No, that can’t be,” she said. “I’m sure there’s another way.”