Solstice - Chapter 06
Alex was sitting at the kitchen table the next morning. He had just finished his breakfast, and was getting a blowjob from his grandmother, Phoebe, when his father came to him. His mother, sisters, Alexandra and grandfather, Adonis, were also at the table.
"Alex, the men of the family have requested a meeting with you this morning," his father advised him.
"Any idea why?" he asked.
"As far as I know, you're the youngest Papas we've ever had. They have concerns."
"What type of concerns?" his mother asked.
"Di, they've requested only men in this discussion." Aphrodite nodded to him.
"When would they like to meet?" Alex asked.
"In about twenty minutes, if that's okay."
"Yeah, that should be fine. Am I supposed to dress a special way?"
"It's an official meeting with Papas. You should wear the green robe. It's in your closet," his father answered.
Alex came just then into his grandmother's mouth. When she quieted from her orgasm, he stood.
"I'm going to take a quick shower. I'll be back in a few minutes." Alex left the room.
Xander looked at Aphrodite. "I have a list of questions they gave me. Would you like to see it?"
She held out her hand as he offered her the folded paper. She read it and handed it back. "You'll be there with him?"
"I will. They've asked me to present the questions so they can remain anonymous."
"He'll be fine then. I have no doubt he'll make a good impression," Aphrodite replied.
"I think so too," Xander said.
Xander left to get the men together. Alex returned about fifteen minutes later, wearing the long green robe and his medallion.
"Alex, you still have a few minutes. Come with me. I'd like to talk to you before you go," his mother told him.
They walked to the bedroom. "Any idea what this is all about?" he asked.
"The men just want to get to know you better. When a new Papas arrives, they always have questions. Be yourself. Answer their questions honestly. You'll be fine."
"What type of questions will there be?"
"Questions you'll know how to answer. Relax and be yourself."
She kissed him and grabbed his butt, then sent him on his way. Alex walked out to the platform where the men were gathered. His father was standing on the platform waiting on him. As Alex walked up, his father gestured to the center chair. Alex stepped toward it then stopped and turned back.
"If it's okay with everyone, I'd rather sit here." He pointed to the top step on the platform. His father smiled and nodded. Alex looked at the men. Ages ranged from the oldest to the youngest of the adults. He recognized most of them. "Good morning," he said. "How can I be of service?"
"Papas...," his father began. "...Many of the men and their families have questions. The time period between becoming E'papas and moving to Papas is traditionally three years. That time is used to learn the role and responsibilities of Papas. With the Nea Archi prophecy, that time was shortened to just three months. As you can imagine that brings up questions," Xander said.
"I'm sure it has. I still have questions of my own."
"Our family has had its share of mostly good and a few not so good Papas. The men would like to know how you see your role as Papas," his father told him.
Alex looked at the men. "As Papas, I see myself as your servant. I inherited this title from my parents, along with the responsibility to uphold and continue our family traditions. I respect those traditions, each of you, and your families."
"Papas, twice, during the greetings yesterday, you broke with tradition."
"Yes, I did. In both instances there were young women who were here for their first time. They were shy and embarrassed about removing their robes. They were uncomfortable, as I was three months ago, at my first family celebration. I took it upon myself to allow them to forgo the nudity and customary greeting. I spoke with Mamas afterward and she approved of my approach. Are the girl's father's here?" Both men raised their hands. Alex pointed at one of them. "Your daughter is Astrae, I believe?" The man nodded. "Have you spoken to her about the incident?"
"I have. What you did was greatly appreciated. She's informed me that today, she will be celebrating with us, without hesitation or embarrassment."
"Thank you." Alex pointed to Selene's father. "And your daughter, Selene. How is she?"
"Papas, my wife and I pushed Selene to follow tradition against her will. You allowed her the freedom to ease into our 'unusual' lifestyle in her own way. You and Mamas took the time to make her comfortable. She'll be joining our celebrations from now on, in their traditional way, of her own free will."
"Thank you. So, as you see, my breaks from tradition were only temporary steps to allow our family to adjust to them. I'd do the same thing again if I felt it was the compassionate thing to do."
"As Papas, you have the right to take our wives and daughters at your will. Will you be exercising that right?" Xander asked.
"I understand that each of you love the women in your lives, as I love the women in mine. Women who come to these large celebrations do so with the approval of their men. I assume, by their presence, that they're willing participants. If I'm wrong about that, please correct me. I will never take your women. Outside of our family celebrations, I would only be with your wives with your express permission. If you say no, I'll respect that. If the woman says no, I'll respect that too. Women who are unattached have the ability to make their own decisions, but I would never take them against their will. I hope none of you would either. I've spoken to Mamas, and both E'mamas; their desire is that they be with me and my father, Xander, only. Should they change their minds and desire to be with another man, they'll come to me with that man to discuss it. If it is their wish, I'll grant it. My women are free to be with any of the other women. My consort, Alexandra, and I, have not had that discussion. I'd have to speak with her before granting permission. Mutual respect between all of us paramount in this family. Does that answer your question?"
"It does, Papas. Since you were prophesied by the Nea Archi, are you a God?"
Alex laughed. "No, I'm not a god. I was given gifts to help continue our family in its purest state, as it came from Gaia. I'm nothing more than a man. Just like all of you. I'm Alex, and prefer that you address me that way, unless we're in a formal situation within the family."
Xander spoke again, "The Nea Archi prophecy also says that you'll have equal status with Mamas. Our family has always been a matriarchal one. How will this change things?"
"Rather than having one mind, we have two now. Later today, we add a third, with Ariana becoming Mamas. In two years, Demi and Alexandra will also become Mamas, so there'll be five of us working and thinking together for the family. Aphrodite has been Mamas, and the voice of our family, for over twenty years. Her voice will still be the one we all rely on."
"Do you plan on changing our traditions?"
"Our traditions are thousands of years old. They seem to be working beautifully. My father once told me, 'Don't fix it if it ain't broke.' So, in answer to your question; no, I don't foresee changing traditions."
Xander turned to the men. "That's the last of my questions. Does anyone have anything else?" No one spoke.
"Dad, may I say something else?"
"By all means."
"Guys, I'm one of you. We're a family. I'm not a threat. My parents taught me to be respectful and considerate. I didn't ask to be Papas; but since I'm here, I plan to do it to the best of my ability, with our entire family in mind. I don't understand all the implications of the Nea Archi prophecy. I'm not sure anyone does. We'll learn more as we go along. I'm going to need your help, and your family's help too. I need you to talk to me. If there's an issue, let's address it, together. I'm counting on each one of you. Thanks for inviting me today."
Fingers began snapping, and as Alex walked through the crowd he was met with smiles and pats on the back. He went into the house and to his room to change clothes. His father returned a few minutes later, got a cup of coffee, and sat at the kitchen table with Aphrodite.
"How did it go?" Aphrodite asked.
