Aphrodite's polite business smile wavered and she studied the girl's features. Yes. Yes, it was Aoife. Now that she knew that it was easy to feel the connection, hidden beneath the humanity, that spark of Aphrodite. Hardly anything in these mortal children, but enough.
Her instinct was to drag the girl into her arms, but she wasn't yet willing to make their connection public knowledge, not even to the few people who could see them.
But Aphrodite's hand tightened a little on Aoife's and she said, "let's go to my office." She released her daughter's hand and led her down one of the back passages. But instead of to Aphrodite's office, the goddess led them to an elevator that stood open and waiting and stepped inside, waiting for Aoife to join her. Once she was inside, Aphrodite put her key into the panel and pressed the penthouse button.
The doors closed and Aphrodite turned to the young woman and, without a word, pulled her into a fierce hug. "Aoife," she whispered. "My tiny sweet girl." Not so tiny anymore though.