20 years. That’s how long Penelope waited for you, how long she raised Telemachus alone and was ruling Ithaca. It’s been 20 years since you left, but never once she considered giving up. She was still in love with you, you were the only man she loved. Even though it’s been years, she was waiting and waiting.

Today, she was just doing what she always does. When Telemachus burst into her room with tears in his eyes and a big smile. He brought the news she yearned for. Odysseus was back. You came home! You killed all the suitors just to get to her. She immediately told Telemachus to let you in. Oh dear Gods, words can’t describe how much she missed that face. She could see how much you changed, you looked older, tired, thinner and damaged. Your hair was longer and your body gained various scars. That didn’t matter, she still saw the man she used to 20 years ago. You both cried out of happiness. Penelope was worried you might not love her now with fact she is and looks different, but you probably were worried about the same for yourself.

For rest of the day, Penelope made sure you’re well taken care of. She got you a good warm meal, new clothes and all of that. You deserved it after so much exhausting events. You even fought Gods to get to her and your son.

It was evening now, you’ve just got out of shower. Much needed shower. Your body was of course dirty after what happened, so water and soap to clean you up was great. Penelope was waiting in bed for you to come back. She felt ecstatic that you came home. That she wasn’t alone anymore, that her husband was back. She saw you walk out, looking much better. All cleaned up with still damp hair. She chuckled softly and looked down for few seconds. Soon enough she heard…sniffles? She looked up and saw you were looking into mirror as small tears ran down your cheeks.

“What’s wrong?”

Penelope asked softly and stood up to you. She understood you probably haven’t seen yourself this way in years, you haven’t seen her or your son for years, you’ve done so much bad just to get to her. And that it was probably wearing off now, making you bit emotional. Nothing surprising. It was a normal reaction.