Hey everyone! I'm so sorry this took me so long to update – I was working so hard to get back to school, and now I am at school! I just finished my first week, and I absolutely love it so far! I made it into one of the top choirs and we are doing a special concert with the orchestra in March! So I've been really busy. But I finally have time to sit down and update this story!

Thanks so much to everyone that reviewed the first chapter! I'm so glad you all liked it :)

Disclaimer: After all this time, I still don't own Percy Jackson/Heroes of Olympus.

Annabeth – Surprise

Note: this takes place a few weeks after the wedding

"Laurel, use your fork please." Annabeth said to her daughter one morning.

Laurel pouted, widening her big green eyes. "But mom!" she whined, "I like licking the syrup off of my fingers!" She proved her point by picking up a small piece of French toast smothered in syrup, popping it into her mouth and sucking the syrup off of her fingers.

"I know you do," Annabeth said patiently. "But it's not polite table manners."

Laurel glanced toward her twin brother, who was using a fork. "But we don't' have any guests over! Why do I still have to use table manners if we don't have any guests over?"

Percy laughed as he came out of the kitchen, holding his own plate of breakfast. "Sorry, kiddo – Mom's the word." He ruffled Laurel's blonde curls as he passed by her and sat next to Annabeth. "But one time when I was about your age, I did the exact same thing and –"

"Percy," Annabeth sighed, with a small smile on her face. "Don't encourage her."

Percy shot her one of the adorable half-smile, half-smirk things that she loved. Annabeth could feel her cheeks turn red. It's crazy how that man still gives me butterflies, she thought to herself as she began eating her French toast. Miles and Laurel were now arguing about using a fork, while Percy watched in amusement.

Annabeth let out a huge yawn; sleep had been an absent friend of hers. It didn't make sense: she was eating right, exercising, and going to bed at a decent time. And yet, sleep refused to come to her. At first it seemed a bit logical; even with Percy beside her at night she still worried about his well-being. No matter how many times she tried to reassure herself that he was safe, there was a part of her that simply would not rest. She sighed, forcing a smile on her face; sleep would come sooner or later.

She had only taken the first bite of her French toast when her stomach lurched at the taste of cinnamon. Annabeth dropped her fork, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. She swallowed hard, forcing the small piece of food down. She reached for her glass of water and washed the taste of cinnamon out of her mouth. Annabeth leaned back in her seat, taking deep breaths. She normally loved the smell and taste of cinnamon; maybe she was coming down sick? She smiled at her family and talked with them as she waited for her stomach to settle. After a few minutes she hesitantly took another bite.

The results were disastrous. Her stomach cramped immediately as her mouth watered. Don't throw up, she pleaded with her body. Don't throw up…she was vaguely aware of Percy asking if she was alright before she bolted from her seat and ran to the nearest bathroom. She made it to the toilet just in time, gagging at the taste of vomit spewing out of her mouth.

A familiar pair of hands pulled her curls away from her face and started rubbing her shoulders. "You alright?" Percy asked worriedly.

Annabeth waited until she was sure there was nothing left in her stomach before flushing the toilet. Every muscle in her body ached as if she had run a full marathon. "It's probably just a stomach bug…" she said weakly, leaning against the bathroom wall.

Percy brushed her bangs out of her face, tucking them behind her ear. "I'll drop the kids off before I go to work. Don't even protest!" he said as Annabeth opened her mouth to argue. "You need to go back to bed. I'll call Jason and see if Piper can pick up the twins from school." He helped her up from the bathroom floor and gave her a gentle push towards the stairs. "Go back to bed, Wise Girl. I'll take care of things."

"Don't you have an important meeting this morning?" she asked Percy.

Percy nodded, running a hand through his thick black hair. "Yeah, but I'll make it on time. Don't worry about it; just focus on getting better."

Annabeth could only give Percy a weak nod as she made her way up the stairs. Percy had already started ushering the twins to get their jackets and shoes on. Miles looked up at his mother with worried eyes. "Mommy, are you going to die?" tears were perched on the edge of his lashes.

Annabeth smiled at him gently. "It's just a stomach bug, sweetheart. I'll be fine."

Soon afterward, Percy left with the twins and the house was silent. Annabeth lay down on the bed, the cool sheets feeling good against her skin. She drifted off for a little bit, but woke up afterwards to throw up again. She got back underneath the covers, thinking hard. As tired as she was, she tried to figure out what was going on. That's so strange; I've never thrown up that suddenly. I'm tired all of the time, my mouth is dry, I'm getting more prone to headaches…she shrugged to herself as she snuggled underneath the covers. It's probably a 24 hour flu or something.

The assumption rested easy on her mind until she suddenly realized one thing: wait a minute. Throwing up, exhaustion, headaches…Her eyes widened as another thought came to her: Wasn't I supposed to have my period a few days ago…?

Suddenly she had more energy than what to do with. She scrambled out of bed, temporarily getting tangled in the sheets before making a run for the bathroom. Annabeth opened a cabinet and reached on the top shelf, her fingers searching for a small box. She pulled it out, her hands shaking as she tore the box open.

Annabeth did the usual procedure and waited impatiently for the results. Her mind wandered: she and Percy did talk about potentially having more kids when he got back, but this soon? It was almost too fast. They still needed to get back in the swing of things, get emotionally/financially prepared for more kids and then try to conceive. Of course Percy would be happy; he was ecstatic when she told him she was pregnant the first time. But Annabeth felt very much like she did during the first pregnancy: scared, a bit happy and in no ways prepared.

After a few minutes had passed she looked at the test. Two lines: positive. She sighed, resting a hand against her abdomen. Despite the fear in her heart, she smiled. She couldn't wait to tell Percy.

The front door downstairs opened. Annabeth glanced at a nearby clock in confusion; Percy should be at work by now. She placed the test back on the counter and walked out into the hallway. She leaned on the banister to get a better look. Percy was standing in the doorway, a dark look on his face. He kept running his hands through his hair, which was something he always did when he was frustrated or stressed. He shut the door behind him, letting out a deep sigh. Percy then looked up at noticed Annabeth standing there.

"What's wrong?" they asked each other at the same time.

Annabeth figured she might as well go first. "Well…I'm not exactly sick." Percy raised an eyebrow in confusion. "I'm pregnant." She finished, smiling.

Percy didn't leap for joy or scream like he did last time. His face went pale as he leaned against the front door. "A-Are you sure?" he stuttered.

"Um, yeah," Annabeth said slowly as she descended the stairs. "I just took a test." Percy rubbed his forehead, looking upset. "Percy, what's the matter?" she asked as she approached him and put a hand on his shoulder. "Are you…upset?"

Percy shook his head. "No, not at all…it's just…" he met her gaze, his green eyes filled with worry. "That big meeting this morning was to fire me, along with a whole bunch of other guys. My boss said something about the company expanding and not needing me anymore. So, I'm out of a job, you're pregnant and we have two little ones to take care of." He shut his eyes tightly. "Annabeth, I don't know what we're going to do…"

Annabeth felt like she had been punched in the stomach. She wanted to lean on Percy's shoulder, have him nurse her worries; but for now the tables were turned. The person she loved more than anyone in the world was in pain and desperation. She pulled him into a hug, smoothing down his messy hair. "Percy, I still have my at-home architect job. That will be enough until you find work. We have food storage and enough in our savings account to hold us over for a while." She pulled away from him and looked him in the eyes. "We'll find a way, Seaweed Brain. I promise you."

Percy swallowed hard and nodded, forcing a small smile. "How in the world did I ever get so lucky to get you?"

Again, I am SO SORRY FOR THE LONG WAIT! Please forgive me…I love you guys so much! Have a wonderful week! I'm here to talk if you need anything.