I didn't know how to address this. It simply couldn't be happening, maybe it was all just was just a dream. Raising my face and chancing a peak through my fingers I groaned and pressed my knuckles to my temples. I couldn't believe this, sitting on the couch of my small living room apartment were two goddesses which wasn't anything new really but the sleeping baby was. How did this happen?
"You freaked out even though the baby came with a card explaining everything. After minutes of walking around in circles you began to pray nonstop for me to come and it was really annoying. To sum it all up again the Fates told me I had to have another child this year and as one of my friends who owes me a favor I chose you." Athena said plainly not even bothering to look up from the t.v, watching an old Spanish show called Chavo del ocho. "Didn't mean to overstep but you're thinking too loud to not overhear." Frowning I thought you could at least look at me! She ignored me and Nike stared at me from the corner of her red wine eyes worried. Athena laughed at something the actor said and Nike kicked her in the shins.
"How are you taking this?" Nike asked. When I was a senior and throughout college, Nike would often go with Athena to my place and read a military book lying on my bed while me and Athena used the desk to study. We didn't really associate until I told her I liked sports; she started to come over to my dorm on weekend bringing pizza and dragging an unhappy Athena who would just glare at me for sharing this information with Nike.
"You know real friends don't ask such life changing favors!" I told an unwavering Athena who only briefly glanced at me with her grey eyes.
"I spent six years helping you, not to mention finding a cheap way for you to go to college." Athena reminded me and I thought very loudly low.
"How did this- you're a VIRGIN goddess." I stressed out tugging my sandy blond hair.
"I've seen mushrooms and teeth turn into people and I breathed life into Pandora. There are hundreds of ways to make people." she said brushing black hair off her face.
"I can't take care of her." I said firmly. I regretted phrasing it like that because Athena set her jaw, gave Nike the baby aware of her strength, and stood up going to me. I couldn't help but flinch; we were friends but Athena was still a goddess with a temper. She noticed my fear and stopped in front of me.
"She is a gift. I'm not allowed to raise her and I'm sorry for forcing her on you out of the blue. All I ask is for you to protect her for six years and I'll send a stayr to come get her after that if you don't want her," she spoke slowly letting it sink in " but Fred she will be somebody you can be proud of." I believed her.
"You only say that because she's like your clone." I said smiling.
"I designed her DNA and she might be a fragment of me but she's not completely a clone. Physically speaking she has 70% me, 25% you, and 5% Nike. I did give her a piece of my soul when I breathed life into her but the soul will grow into its own person. I think I did a pretty good job, I mean look at her," she said smugly and Nike face palmed rocking an awake baby. I felt like a sperm donor.
"Greek fans would be so surprised to see how self-centered you are." Nike said seriously.
"Hey I'm a goddess, I can't help it sometimes." Athena defended herself and I smiled at their antics. It was true I met Athena when she was inspecting my high school seeing what needed improvement and she was all stoic and intimidating. I soon realized after befriending her that her I'm working personality and I'm done working personalities were very different.
"Hey if she came out of your head does that mean she hatched out?" I said teasingly.
"First of all that was a lame joke. Second, bleeding profusely from your head isn't easy." she pointed to her bandaged head.
"Annabeth no! That's not a toy." The baby grabbed one of my model airplanes and put it int its mouth. Nike pried it out of her chubby hands and the baby began to cry. Athena made a Binky out of thin air and gave it to her who happily sucked on it.
"Annabeth?" Athena asked amused. Nike handed me the baby to carry showing me how to place my arms.
"Problem?" she said radiating a dark aura.
"None." Athena answered quickly and I snorted making Nike glare at me.
" It's a cute name, very lovely." I said with my hands up. "I guess I'm keeping her."
"Excellent, great." Athena beamed and started to walk away to the door when Nike grabbed her by the dark hoodie, pulling her back scowling.
"Whats the rush?"I asked.
"I have a long overdue vacation waiting for me. Come on Nike." she said and quickly went for the exit until Nike again pulled her back again.
"You know" Nike said thinking.
"No I don't and whatever it is I get the feeling I don't want to know." Athena said glancing at their linked hands.
"You have a five-year vacation to do whatever you want." she said giving me a knowing look. "Maybe you should make sure Fred knows all he needs to know before ditching him."
"but... China is nice this time of year and he can google anything he doesn't know." she whined. Nike placed her hands at her hips and Athena sighed defeated unable to deny her soul mate anything. I mouthed a thank you to Nike.
"One month." Athena said.
"Two years." Nike shot back. It was bit funny, Athena was a head taller than Nike and yet Nike was winning. After 10 minutes we left it at four year and three months because Athena had to show me how to change Annabeth's diaper. Nike promised me she would raise the deadline.
"We'll have to go shopping tomorrow." Nike said behind us.
"We? Don't you have work tomorrow?" Athena said turning her head to look at her.
"Can I trust you two not to get distracted." We both cringed. The closest mall had a weapons store, a book store, and everything else imaginable.
"After work then." I said.
