CHAPTER 70: [70] MY MOM, MY GODDESS, AND OTHER DISASTERS

The three of them sat in the living room, bathed in the blue glow of the television. On screen, a man chased a woman through an airport terminal, dodging security and leaping over luggage in his desperate pursuit of love.

"Run faster!" Calypso urged. "She’s going to get on the plane!"

"He should have told her yesterday," Elaine said, shaking her head. "Men always wait until the last possible second."

Xavier scooped up the last bit of his mint chocolate chip and set the empty bowl on the coffee table. "It’s not real," he reminded them. "The screenwriters deliberately made him wait for dramatic effect."

"Shh," both women hushed him simultaneously.

Xavier’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, glad for the distraction from "Love Takes Flight," which had to be the most predictable movie he’d ever seen. The group chat with Luka, Sayuri, and Beppo was active again.

Beppo: Guys I hit 900K followers today!!! The Thalia video pushed me over the edge!

Luka: CONGRATULATIONS MY FRIEND! THIS CALLS FOR CELEBRATION!

Sayuri: That’s wonderful, Beppo! You’re so close to a million now!

Xavier narrowed his eyes at the screen. Beppo was still riding high on the video he’d posted of Xavier’s interaction with Thalia, which had spread across campus and beyond.

Xavier: Congrats. Planning to exploit any other private conversations for your next milestone?

Beppo: Come on, X! People love you now! Check the comments!

Beppo: [link to video]

Xavier clicked the link, scrolling through the comments while on screen the man finally caught up to the woman just before she boarded her plane.

"Kiss her already!" Calypso shouted at the TV.

The comments on Beppo’s video were surprisingly positive. Many praised Xavier’s boldness in speaking to Thalia as a person rather than a legend. Several female commenters defended his approach, calling it refreshing. One comment from "ThaliaStan4Ever" read: "I’ve watched this 27 times and I’m still not over how he just SAW her when everyone else just sees The Last Echo."

Xavier: Fine. You’re forgiven. This time.

Beppo: YES! Xavier Valentine forgiveness arc unlocked!

Luka: EXCELLENT NEWS! NOW WE CAN ALL BE FRIENDS AGAIN!

Sayuri: I’m so glad! I was worried you two would stay mad at each other.

Xavier shook his head. He wasn’t really forgiving Beppo—he just knew when to pick his battles. Besides, he had plans for getting even eventually. Xavier Valentine had always been patient when it came to revenge.

Luka: WHAT IS EVERYONE DOING TONIGHT? I AM TRAINING UNTIL MIDNIGHT!

Sayuri: Drawing gate diagrams for Professor Rousseau’s assignment...

Beppo: Content planning! Got to capitalize on my new followers!

Xavier glanced up at his mother and Calypso, who were now openly crying as the on-screen couple embraced.

Xavier: Watching a terrible movie with my mother and Calypso. They’re emotional. I’m bored.

Luka: YOUR MOTHER IS VISITING? WONDERFUL! FAMILY IS GREATEST TREASURE!

Sayuri: That’s so nice! I miss my parents. Give her my best!

Beppo: Pics or it didn’t happen! Your mom is probably gorgeous!

Xavier snorted and put his phone away without responding. On screen, the credits began to roll, and Elaine wiped her eyes with a tissue.

"That was beautiful," she said. "They were meant for each other."

"It was so predictable I could have written the dialogue for you," Xavier said.

Calypso threw a small pillow at him. "You have no romance in your soul."

"I have plenty of romance in my soul," Xavier protested. "I just prefer it when stories surprise me."

Elaine yawned and checked her watch. "It’s getting late. Calypso and I can share the bed. It’s plenty big enough."

"Are you sure?" Calypso asked. "I don’t want to impose."

"It’s settled," Elaine said, standing up and collecting the empty ice cream bowls. "Besides, it’ll give us a chance to talk. Woman to woman."

Xavier tensed. "What does that mean?"

Elaine smiled innocently. "Nothing for you to worry about, sweetheart."

As Elaine carried the dishes to the kitchen, Xavier leaned toward Calypso. "Don’t tell her anything," he whispered.

"Like what?" Calypso asked.

"You know what. No divine stuff."

"I’m not stupid, Xavier," Calypso said, her voice low. "I’ve been dealing with mortals for centuries."

"Just be careful. My mother is more perceptive than most."

Elaine returned from the kitchen, drying her hands on a dish towel. "What are you two whispering about?"

"School stuff," Xavier said smoothly. "Calypso’s worried about Professor Valdez’s practical exam next week."

"Well, I’m sure you’ll both do fine," Elaine said. "Now, I’m going to take a shower before bed."

As Elaine disappeared into the bathroom, Calypso shrugged. "Stop worrying so much."

Xavier ran a hand through his white hair. "I can’t help it. This whole situation is..."

"Complicated?" Calypso offered.

"Exactly."

They sat in silence for a moment, the television now playing previews for other romantic comedies. Xavier picked up the remote and switched to the news. A reporter stood outside a Tier-3 gate in Argentina, the same one they’d seen on TV days earlier.

"The Hunter Response Team successfully cleared the Buenos Aires gate this morning," the reporter said. "A-rank hunter Elena Ortega led the operation, which resulted in zero casualties and a significant crystal yield."

The footage showed a Hispanic woman with honey colored hair giving a brief statement to cameras, her team standing proudly behind her.

"Do you think we’ll ever be that good?" Calypso asked.

Xavier studied the hunters on screen. "Better," he said. "We have to be."

The bathroom door opened and Elaine emerged, wearing a pair of Xavier’s sweatpants and an oversized t-shirt.

"Hope you don’t mind," she said, gesturing to the clothes. "I forgot to pack pajamas."

"It’s fine," Xavier said. "They look better on you anyway."

Elaine smiled. "Such a charmer. You always did know just what to say to women."

Calypso snorted. "You should hear what he says to me."

Did... did she just say that in front of my mother?

"I can imagine," Elaine said dryly. "Calypso, bathroom’s all yours if you want it."

Calypso stood and stretched. "Thanks. I’ll just be a minute."

As Calypso disappeared into the bathroom, Elaine sat next to Xavier on the couch. "So," she said, "how are you really doing?"

"I’m fine, Mom. Really."

"You look tired," she said, reaching out to brush his hair back from his forehead.

Xavier nodded, leaning into her touch. Part of him wanted to tell her everything—about dying, about being reincarnated, about being bound to a goddess. But that was impossible. Instead, he asked, "Are you happy, Mom?"

The question seemed to surprise her. "What brought that on?"

Xavier shrugged. "Just wondering. You work so hard, and it’s all for me."

Elaine’s expression softened. "I’m happy when you’re happy, sweetheart. That’s how being a parent works."

"That doesn’t seem fair."

"Life isn’t fair," Elaine said simply. "But seeing you at that academy, working toward something important—that makes everything worth it."

"I’m going to make you proud."

"You already do," Elaine said, squeezing his hand.

The bathroom door opened, and Calypso emerged wearing a pink nightgown that fell to mid-thigh.

"All done," she announced. "The shower’s amazing. So much better than the communal baths in Olympus."

Xavier shot her a warning look, but Elaine just laughed.

"You Greeks and your mythology references," she said.

Xavier exhaled slowly. Crisis averted.

"Well, I’m ready for bed," Elaine said, standing up. "Don’t stay up too late, Xavier. You look like you need the rest."

"I won’t," he promised.

"Goodnight, then," Elaine said, kissing the top of his head. "Calypso, coming?"

"Right behind you," Calypso said. As Elaine headed for the bedroom, Calypso leaned down and whispered in Xavier’s ear, "Don’t worry, I’ll be good."

"You’d better be," Xavier murmured back.