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Thalias pov

Summer came and went pretty quickly and now fall was here. More accurately, September. Me and Nico were at his cabin after school, him helping me with my algebra. Sometimes it felt so normal, then I looked around. I was in a cabin decked out in black, there was a worship worthy statue of Hades in the corner, and there were monsters howling in the woods. Oh yeah, and I was pregnant with a baby that those monsters wanted to maul. Which in return would kill me. Uh huh.

Being four and a half months pregnant now, I had a small bump on my stomach that, at least I thought, was cute. That bump reminds me of my responsibilities and filled me with love each time I caught a glimpse. As soon as Nico saw it for the first time, he was so happy. He rubbed his hand over the hill, making sure it wasn't his imagination. Yesterday, we even drew a smiley face on it, bringing it to life. I still have light black marks on my stomach from where some of the Crayola marker wouldn't come off, I didn't want to rub to hard. I still haven't jumped in maternity clothes yet, I don't know how happy I'll be when that day comes, mostly old t-shirts. They're comfortable and sat nicely on the small bump that's formed. I didn't care now, all of the people here now I could call friends.

Everyone left before I started showing, so I guess it was a good thing. The next time everyone comes back for Christmas, I'll be almost 8 months pregnant. I can't see this small bump becoming gigantic, but I knew it would probably happen.

"So X equals 72?" I asked, still a little skeptical.

"Exactly. You earn one kiss," He answered, leaning over the kitchen island between us. One right answer equals one kiss, its been like that ever since we started dating, almost 2 years ago. Maybe that's why I have good grades, because of kissing. I'm sure Chiron would love to hear about that.

He kissed me lightly and pulled back, looking at his phone. "Hey, we have to be at the infirmary in ten minutes for the ultrasound," he announced.

"So I guess we should be leaving," I added, getting up and stretching. At least sitting up and down was something I was allowed to do. Lately, everyone's been freaking out when I do anything. Nico cooks dinner and cleans for me, which is a good thing. But at school, I'm not allowed to give out papers, get things on the top shelf, or anything because of all my classmates, Nico, and Chiron. I guess I should be appreciative, but its just annoying.

If you didn't know, all demigods staying during the school months have to take classes with Chiron or Mr. D. Honestly, I think there harder than any real school could be, but how could I know? Me nor Nico have anyone to go home to and a boarding school doesn't sound like to much fun. I would rather stay here at my home during my senior year. Not only that, but a pregnant girl going to a new boarding school? At least the people here understand and accept it.

I turned off all the lights while Nico grabbed his jacket. Here in September, it was rainy and cool most of the time. Nico was always complaining of how cold he was, even when it 70 degrees. Being the son of Hades probably makes your blood a little cooler than others. Me, on the other hand, was always hot. What could I say, I had lighting in me.

The infirmary wasn't to far from the cabins, probably so people could conveniently visit or be transported. We made it there five minutes before we were suppose to, but Amanda was already ready for me. The ultra sound machine sat beside a normal infirmary bed and the gel was ready for applying.

Amanda was, obviously, a daughter of Apollo and was really nice. By day, she was my friend. By night, my OBGYN. She had sandy blond hair that was really straight and went down to her shoulders. Her bright blue eyes shined with compassion and she always wore casual clothes. T-shirts and jeans were her specialty. Today she was dressed in a grey v-neck that hung off her body a little and dark wash skinny jeans.

"Hey Thalia, Nico. I set up early, I was bored with only Caitlyn and Jackson in the cabin," she explained, patting the chair. I eagerly sat down while Nico took a seat next to me. We were both anxious, today we would find out if it was a boy or a girl.

"I bet your ready for today," she sing-songed, laughing.

"You know it!" I said enthusiastically. My dad that when we found out the gender, we could begin decorating the babies room. All expenses paid by the gods. And it would be nice to know if I was having a boy or a girl, just for my own selfish reasons.

All three of us jumped into a conversation about school while she prepped me for the ultrasound. If you just heard us, you wouldn't be able to tell she was rubbing gel all over my bump and taking the x-ray tool in her hand. More like three teenagers in a pizza place, laughing about there history teachers bald spot.

Nico grabbed my hand and I held on, flashing him a smile. Of course, he sent one right back. He, oddly enough, loved coming with me to these things. He hasn't missed one since I dragged him to the first one.

When she began rubbing the tool over me I laughed like usual. I was so ticklish even though the coldness of the gel did help. Every time this happened, Nico and Amanda would laugh too, unable to stop themselves. I guess it was funny, even if slightly embarrassing.

"Alright, so there's your babies head," she said as she pointed to a large circle to the side. Oh, and there's his little feet," she cooed, not even flinching when she said 'his'.

"Ummmm did you say 'his'?" Nico asked, giving Amanda a goofy smile.

Amanda laughed, "Yes, I did. That's what it seems like to me. You see this," she directed to the babies waist area, "there's something there. Looks like boy parts to me. I'm about 95 % sure about this, remember, I'm new. But I did a lot of research about this with the help of the Athena cabin. I'm almost sure it's a boy-"

"Oh yes, I believe it is a boy," a voice interrupted by the door. Apollo and Chiron stepped in. Apollo, the speaker, shot us his signature goofy grin and nodded. Chiron looked happy as usual, showing Apollo around I guessed.

"Hey dad!" Amanda greeted, smiling. Apollo came over to us to hug Amanda and shake Nicos hand. He smiled and waved at me, avoiding a hug since there was goop on my stomach.

"Like I was saying," he continued after greetings were exchanged, "that's a boy. A healthy little boy who smells terribly of demigod. Good job Amanda."

"Thanks dad, its kinda hard to tell since his legs in the way," she replied, smiling even wider since being praised. Standing near each other, you could tell Apollo and Amanda were closely related. They had the same flashy smile, the same sandy blond hair, and the same look of unreasonable joy in there eyes.

Before they could get in a detailed doctor conversation, I interrupted, "So were having a baby boy? A little boy…"

Nico squeezed my hand and I squeezed back, turning around to look at him. I guess he stood up while I was turned around because now he stood over me. He kissed my head and whispered so no one else could hear, "We created a little boy."

I shuddered at the proximity of his voice. No one noticed, the other three were to deep into a conversation about our sons life story. Of course, no it all Apollo kept rubbing it in the faces of the others he was the god of prophecies. But I didn't get to caught up in the conversation because of the sudden pair of lips on mine. I kissed him back, thrilled at my life right now. I was surrounded by caring friends/gods/directors and I had a perfectly healthy son according to Apollo. I couldn't be happier.

Nico pulled away and we noticed all eyes on us. "Ummmm anyway, who wants to hear the heartbeat?" Amanda asked, looking around the room. Chiron had come and joined the circle now forming around the bed. We all nodded.

She wiped off all the gel, leaving my stomach feeling cool and sticky. She then put some sticker things on both sides of my bump. It was silent for a moment as she moved back to her monitor, pressing some buttons, then a slow, steady heartbeat filled the room. I could tell Apollo was proud of his daughter for knowing how to do this, even though she always said how easy it was.

"Is it suppose to be that slow?" Nico asked as a concerned parent. I looked between Amanda and Apollo, wondering who would answer the call.

Amanda looked at Apollo and smiled, urging him on. Clearing his throat, he replied, "It's totally normal, I promise."

We both sighed, relieved, and I decided now would be a good time to rub my stomach. I felt the side Amanda told me was where his head was and tried to imagine really stroking his face. I then moved over to his teeny little feet, pretending to move his toes around.

Everyone was looking at me, but I didn't care. I was sure it wasn't in a what-the-Hades-is-she-doing kinda way. More of a Awwwww-that's-so-cute-and-sweet kinda way. Nico was behind me playing with my hair when Apollo broke the silence.

"You guys will be great parents. Your asking questions in concern, your showing affection, and your in love," he mentioned, touched. We both blushed, but a thought popped in to my head.

I wondered if my mom ever did that to me when she was pregnant. Did she ask questions, get filled with love each time she saw he belly? Or was she bitter because Zeus was gone? The second option was probably the truest. But I couldn't help thinking of my beautiful mother, stroking her large stomach as she watched TV or something so normal.

I knew Nicos mom probably did, from Nicos few memories of her, she seemed so sweet and motherly. It hurt me when I heard my dad killed her, almost killed me inside. I couldn't help notice the pain in Nicos face when he told the sad story. It still haunts me about my father today…

I was jerked back in to reality when Amanda spoke, "I thought I should mention your sons sideways in your stomach right now. It's apparently really normal, so don't take it the wrong way. By the time its your due date it should be turned back downwards. But if not, you'll have to have a c-section. But don't worry, I honestly believe its fine."

We nodded, even though that was kinda nerve racking. I didn't want a c-section, I wanted a natural birth, minus Apollo's needle-less epidural.

Everyone soon scattered out of the infirmary. Apollo read his pager, groaned, said goodbye, then was gone in a matter of seconds. After congratulating us and announcing we should start buying baby things, Chiron left too. Me and Nico stayed behind a little longer than usual to help Amanda clean up. It was the least we could, her doing all of this work for free.

When everything was as it should be, all three of us walked out together, laughing about what Ryan did in class today. Being courteous for once, Nico asked, "Hey, Amanda, do you want to come over for dinner tonight? It's taco night in the Hades cabin!"

She laughed and replied, "I would love to but I can't. I already made dinner plans with Casey, Samantha and Jackson."

She looked truly sorry, but it was okay with us. Since Amanda was dating Casey and Samantha, Jackson, we figured it was a double date. She promised another time and then was gone. Me and Nico were then alone again, walking hand in hand in the Autumn night. The sun was barely visible over the horizon, casting a luminous light on camp. I sounded like a girl right then, but I didn't care. Especially since, beside me, Nico said the same thing.

"Shizballs," except he didn't use a nice word like shizballs, "I should just carry my camera everywhere with me. This is definitely a Kodak moment. Were holding hands under a beautiful sunset." Wow. Now who's the girl?

"I must ask. How would you get a picture of me and you holding hands under a sunset if your involved in the picture?" I asked with mock wonder.

He rolled his eyes and didn't answer, just kept walking along. It didn't matter though, we were already back to my cabin. I took a seat on the padded porch swing, patting to where Nico should sit. He smiled and sat closely, putting his arm around me.

This is, for both of us, our favorite seat. The one time I suggested maybe Nico should get one, he just gave me a look of 'your crazy'. Apparently it just 'wouldn't be the same as good 'ole Patty'. Yep, he names inanimate objects. And I'm the weird one.

Sometimes, he would come over with his guitar and I knew it was time for practice. There he would sit and sing on Patty (that sounds weird), entranced in his own sound. He was a brilliant guitar player so I would sit by the window and listen, amazed. If he wanted to, he would have a chance in Hollywood. But, because he's Nico, he would rather live the good life. Living in a small town, having a family, and retiring right there to watch his grandkids grow up. I agreed with him, that would beat fame and nearly 10 divorces.

Suddenly, I felt something stir inside me, and I jumped. For a minute I forgot I was pregnant and I immediately started mentally freaking out. I thought I had some strange disease where your spleen tries jumping out of your body. But then I relaxed when I remembered about my little boy. This all happened in a matter of two seconds. Nico was looking at me weird and I took my excitement out on him.

Hitting him on the shoulder I shouted, "He-He moved! I felt him move."

"Really? That's amazing," he laughed, placing his hand over my stomach, hoping for more movement. It was pretty weird. Usually after I hit him, he would wince and complain for about five minutes. I guess that raised his excitement by a lot.

Amazingly, as if the baby sensed his dads presence, he moved again, earning cold chills from me.

"Whoa," Nico muttered, shocked and so excited. I almost started crying right there, seeing him so utterly thrilled. Tears of happiness! Don't freak.

"Nico, he's real. He's not our imagination," I whispered, Nico putting his forehead to mine.

"I know," he whispered equally as quiet. I pulled myself up to his lips and kissed him passionately. I know, this was always happening. There was hardly a time when my lips weren't attached to his. I just…I loved him so much and I knew he felt the same.

"You know what I think?" I questioned after we pulled ourselves apart.

"What would that be?"

"I think he's moving because he's hungry," I answered, a smirk on my face.

He stood up, took my hand, and pulled me up. "Last one to my cabin is a rotten egg," he joked.

"Oh, you know I can't run!" I laughed as he sprinted down the stairs and onto his porch in about 10 seconds. But at the moment, I didn't even care. I just wanted tacos!