Just as Lucy had predicted, Zeus showed up at Theodore's doorstep the following evening. He was expecting him and even if Zeus did not come, he would have gone looking for him. The young man looked just like he did in the picture that Lucy showed him. More than that, Theodore felt as though he was looking into a mirror that reflected his past self. This was indeed his son!

"It's nice to finally meet you, father." Zeus managed a smile.

Even the voice was the same! Theodore was speechless for a moment before he finally remembered to show his son in.

"Would you like something to drink? Beer perhaps?" He asked, to which Zeus nodded. Hence he brought several cans of beer to the living room. The two of them sat opposite each other with almost no conversation.

Downing the remnants of his second can, Theodore sighed. "I can't believe meeting my son is this formal. It's almost bordering on awkward." All he knew about meeting one's kids was receiving a wailing newborn from a nurse—it was the happiest moment one could ever hope for.

While he was happy, this was different. This was a son whose life he had missed. More than two decades! He should have killed Lucy last night when he had the chance.

Zeus didn't find the awkwardness strange. "It happens when two people have been away from each other all their lives. But that doesn't make me any less of your son, does it?"

"No it doesn't." That was for sure. "I'm ready to pick it up from here if I'm not too late."

"It's never too late to have a father." He smiled, which melted Theodore's heart. Well, at least that devilish woman knew not to feed their son with lies about his father rejecting him before he was born.

Having heard a little about it from Lucy, Zeus could guess what his father was thinking. He twirled his can. "I know it probably doesn't matter anymore but some decisions had to be made."

Theodore caught his hint and frowned. "She kept my son away from me. How was that inevitable?"

Zeus shifted in his seat. "Think about it this way, father. If you knew that I existed, you would definitely battle it out with her in court. What would happen then?"

"I would be with both my children." He completed the supposed puzzle, giving what Zeus thought of as the wrong answer.

"In the present, yeah. It's very common for little children to be separated from their mothers lately with surrogacy on the rise. But in the past, the court would automatically give me to her. You would have more chances of winning Zaria. In the end, nothing would change. I would still be away from you for at least eighteen years, before I would be allowed to stay with the parent of my choice."

His heart ached just thinking about it. "Perhaps that would happen but something would change. I would know my son is alive somewhere. I would write to you. I would be there when you needed me." When he thought about Zaria's childhood, he felt even more hurt. He had accompanied her wherever she wanted to go and patted her when she was bullied. He had been there for all her school events that required his presence. Heck, he had even been there for her mother-daughter events as the only father. He had made sure his daughter had nothing to complain about. Then there was his son, who had probably been the butt of his playmates' joke for not having a father. His hand trembled. "I'm sorry Zeus."

Zeus shook his head. "You don't need to be. I always knew you would take care of me if you knew about me. But I don't blame mother. She had to."

"If you say so." He knew that all bets were off when it came to a bond formed over two decades.

"Hey, let's not drown in the past, okay? Are you up for a game?" Zeus suggested. This tense atmosphere was not working for him either.

"Chess, scrabble, ludo?" He suggested some of the indoor games that Zaria liked buying.

"I guess that'll have to do. Let's play chess." He rolled up his sleeves.

Theodore had a servant bring the chessboard and placed it on the table between them. "We can play basketball next time."

"Yeah."

It felt like an odd combination at first but chess and beer was a magical combination. They didn't talk much but it felt as though they had caught up on everything that happened over the years.

Zeus finally knocked out a knight from Theodore's side. "I haven't had a nice conversation in ages. Let's talk about the two women that we both love."

"The what?" Theodore initially thought that Zeus was going to mention his girlfriend but when he made sense of his words, he was puzzled. What two women did they both love?

"Obviously, Zaria and my mother." Zeus clarified.

Theodore frowned. Someone had definitely sent his son on a mission to mess with him. "The only woman I love is my daughter."

___

At the same time, Zaria had been invited for dinner with Lucy. The latter was yet to finish cooking so they ended up in the kitchen together, chatting as they cooked.

"This is your secret spice? What is it made of?" Zaria observed a glass spice bottle with a dark-colored powder, which had been labelled "secret". She had seen Lucy use it to garnish the meat.

"If I tell you its contents, would it still be a secret spice?" Lucy teased.

"I guess not." Zaria chuckled and returned it to its holder.

"Don't worry. I blend it myself. I will make you some later so you can use it when you cook at home." Lucy promised.

"I would love that." She cheered.

"Zeus isn't home?" She observed. Knowing the fool, he would jump on any opportunity to cling to her and complain nonstop about how Desmond bullied him. It was so out of character for him that she couldn't get used to it.

"He went to meet your dad." Lucy answered.

Zaria knew that the father and son would meet some day but she was a little worried. "Do you think they will get along?"

Lucy rubbed her forehead just thinking about them. "They look like hot oil and water to me—explosions might happen if we squeeze the two of them into the same frame."

"And you still let them meet on their own?" Zaria's eyes widened in horror.

"Theodore wouldn't want me to be there. I'm his worst enemy right now." She sighed. "But I know he will not reject Zeus. They might get along after all."

"Mother…" She wanted to say something to comfort her, knowing it hurt that Theodore hated her for something she had no choice but to do.

"It's okay. It doesn't matter. All that matters is that I finally let him meet his son. He will no longer have a reason to blame me." She dismissed the topics.

The oven dinged and Zaria wore a pair of mittens to take out the tray of baguettes. The aroma made her want to take a bite.

"I like my baguettes a little cool." Lucy used it to change the topic.

"What a coincidence. Me too." Zaria placed the tray on the counter to let them cool.

"Great. While they cool, let me show you some embarrassing pictures of Zeus." Lucy excitedly pulled her away.