But more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.
Rascal Flatts, "My Wish"
Annabeth's POV
"We're going to call her Ana." I said sternly, leaving no room for arguing. I just went through labor, you're agreeing with me, period. Speaking of periods, I'm just so excited to start getting mine again, like not!
Percy rolls his eyes at me, "of course Annabeth. She's ours sunshine, Ana sounds perfect."
I can't help but smile through my tired, larbor-pained façade. Her face is chubby, just like every other baby. But darling Ana is not like every other child. She's a demigod, second generation, but she's also mine, and Percy's. She's ours, and the world seems brighter. Like the lights were always dimmed, waiting for our daughter to brighten up our world, just like I always knew she would.
It's fantastic, sitting in a hospital, feeling tired and achy, yet paying such close attention to the bundle of joy in my arms. Percy's sitting next to me, his left arm wrapped around my waist, the other stroking our daughter's fuzz that's suppose to be hair some day. That left arm, the man next to me, still makes my stomach flutter, still makes my face light up. But my face is glowing, because he's here, and she's in my arms. My eyelids grow heavy even though I don't want to lose sight of this beautiful picture. I gently put Ana in Percy's arms, leaning against his shoulder as all of our friends come in quietly.
Their silent, muffling their gasping and squealing, because this moment needs to be perfect, and it is.
Percy's POV
I could feel Annabeth nodding off against my back, my chest aching in the good way, she needs her sleep. It took a lot of work to bring our daughter into this world. I can never thank her enough. Our friends gaze at the pink bundle, the stars in their eyes. No one's eyes were as bright as Annabeth's. She held Ana in her arms, and I watched as she found that one missing piece. I found my missing piece, and then I discovered the piece I had all over again.
Annabeth's not a piece, she's my whole existence, and now I have a part of Annabeth, and part of me, to make the world glow. Ana will be so beautiful, and smart, and perfect, because that's what daughters are, the apple of your eye. Unconditional love. Plus, with Annabeth's brain and my face, Ana will be irrisistable. To boys, with only one thing on their mind. Oh gods, boys, and parties, and alcohol, and the internet (there are some bad websites out there), the world will corrupt my beautiful daughter. Wash her out...
Five minutes into parenting and I'm already panicking. Seeing my stress, my mother reaches out her arms to hold Ana, her granddaughter. My mom's a grandmother, everything is just so shocking right now. My mom quickly hands Ana back, sprinting out of the room to go to the bathroom.
Paul follows behind her, grabbing coffee for himself, my mom, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Chase. They head down to the break room. The room is crowded with nine demigods, including me and Annabeth, oh and ten with beautiful Ana. Let's not forgot Calypso, and the satyr, and the cyclops. Everyone is smiling, laughing quietly, watching Ana give me googly eyes.
She's awake, silent and breath-taking. Her warm chocolate-brown eyes invite you in, swallowing you whole with warmth. Never a more beautiful brown-eyed baby girl. Annabeth was stirring behind me, kissing my shoulders and feeling down my arms until she reached Ana. We all gaze at Ana and Annabeth, who were gazing at each other intently.
None of us got blinded by the flash that came bay the door, or was it two consecutive flashes? We all look up, knowing what to expect, but not imagining anything like this. Athena and Poseidon standing semi close to each other, smiling. At me and Annabeth, and Ana. Their smiles fade slightly when put under the strain of our questioning stares.
"Annabeth" says Athena
"Percy" says Poseidon
"Ana" they say at the same time.
"Mom..." Annabeth says, her voice quavering slightly. Athena gazing at her with an expression I didn't know she used, happiness, respect, even love. I turn to Poseidon, and I find pride glittering in the depths of his eyes.
"Dad." I say, the word sounding something between a laugh and a cry, relief. It's a magical moment when the two come closer to our trio. In the back of my mind I think about how this might be the last time we see them, but you have to live in the moment, right? I still don't regret the peace they let us take, let all of demigod "vets" take.
Annabeth's POV:
Athena is a gallant warrior, a caring mom, and my heart's breaking backwards. Stitch. A hole is sown up when she smiles at me. Stitch. Another hole, Percy and her are shaking hands. Imagine that. Stitch. I hand Ana to her, and the air turns magical, Ana cooing madly, and I hope the little baby is cherishing this moment, because this may be the only moment she gets with her origin.
I don't care that they'll both be gone tomorrow, because we still light a fire for food offerings, and Baklava is always good. Athena hands Ana back to me, and I hand her to Percy, who hands her to Poseidon. The beautiful thing is getting passed around like a basketball. I turn back to Athena, feeling like the moment between Percy and Poseidon is private.
Athena's eyes glitter gray, reflecting mine. She reflects me, in personality and looks. I get almost everything I have from her. I thank the gods that I got Percy despite her. She's my past, but she'll always live in my future. My future. It's the baby in my arms, and the husband at my back. Daughter and father. My life.
Percy's POV
Poseidon, who gave me everything, is walking out the door, and I'm waving goodbye. Not even chasing for even a step. My life right here is too precious. Annabeth and Ana are too beautiful, heck, leaving for the bathroom is physically painful. I need them like I need air, or water. My past, melting into my present.
I'm going to dive into the future like a crazed person, because Annabeth makes me feel crazy. Good crazy, and then, I can already tell, Ana will be the force pulling me back from crossing the border to mentally ill town. Two forces working like opposites in perfect harmony, and we have our whole live to let the balance tip and sway in the good way.
A/N: Well? Gooey enough? Meaningful enough? Feedback please! I'm running around in the dark here. Also, remember to check out Wind-Carried Vows: lots of fluff about the wedding! I just felt bad about not including it! So here I am! Please read it! Just click on my profile!
A/N#2: The next chapter will be about Annabeth Percy telling preteen Ana about their demigod past! I'll try to ease into Ana as a character as smoothly as I can! PLEASE REVIEW!