As Nico shadow traveled into the hospital room of New Rome, and the screams assaulted his ears. Ebony lay in the bed, sweat peppering her forehead, with her hands around her stomach. Ace stood next to her, holding her hand, and looked up at Nico in an panic.
The goth boy went over to her slowly, and put his hand on her forehead, "Hey, Eb..."
"...Hi..." She croaked out. The contraction came and she groaned. "Nico, can you...can you pick up Gael from New Mexico for me?"
Ace nodded, "Please! I don't want to have to go in with her!"
Nico looked at him, "Why not?"
"Vagina." Ace answered like it was obvious.
Nico groaned, "Seriously?" He turned and walked into the shadows to grab his sister's husband.
Gael was wearing khaki shorts and a muscle shirt. He was with Brian working in what would be the baby's room. Drop cloths covered the floor as both boys worked on painting the walls a light purple with fluffy white clouds.
Nico popped out of the shadows next to Brian nearly scaring the shit out of him. Then he turned to Gael, "Hey. You're wife is in labor."
Brian stumbled back, tripping over a paint can. Which, of course, his best friend didn't notice, "She's...We gotta go!"
Nico grabbed him and Brian by the wrists and pulled them into the shadows. They arrived back in the hospital, Gael ran immediately to Ebony while Brian stood there covered in purple paint.
Gael leaned over his wife, kissing her forehead, "Hey, love. It's okay. I'm right here."
Ebony took his hand and gripped it tightly, "Hi." She looked at Nico, "Thanks."
"No problem, sis." He smiled at her and made space as the doctor came into the room.
The son of Morpheus looked up at the doctor, "How is everything?"
"Everything is normal but she isn't ready to push yet. She's at 8 centimeters." The doctor smiled, "I'll be back soon."
Gael pet Ebony's hair, smiling, "Hear that, baby? Everything's okay."
Nico smiled out at them, as much as he hated to admit it, they were pretty cute together. He wondered if Hades was going to show up. He only had three kids and this was his first grandkid. Brian looked over at him, "So...who are you?"
"Nico, son of Hades." He said it as if the answer should have been obvious.
"Right...so, that's Ebony, obviously...and the blonde is Ace?" He guessed.
Nico nodded, "Yeah. And apparently Ace has a phobia of vaginas..." He laughed at the man.
"Isn't he married to a man? I mean...that would kind of make sense." Brian muttered. The mortal looked awkward surrounded by all the demigods. His dark hair had streaks of purple and white from the painting, and his blue eyes sparkled happily for his best friend.
Nico looked up when Eb screamed, "Oh my gods!" Her knuckles were white she was gripping Gael's hand so tight.
Gael winced, but gently caressed her cheek, "Shh, I've got you."
Nico walked over, "Hey, Eb. Um..." He felt so awkward, "Why don't you focus on something else? Remember your wedding..."
Nico was sitting at a table watching as his older sister danced with Gael. They looked so happy and there was some small part of Nico that secretly wanted the same thing. The happy couple twirled together.
Ace sat down next to Nico with Duke in his arms. The child was precious with Ace's blonde hair and red eyes while he had Leo's pointed ears and Hispanic tone. The legacy smiled at Nico, "Hey, having fun being gloomy?"
Nico shrugged, "Yeah. I guess." He looked at the baby, there was a slight urge that wanted to hold him but he knew he shouldn't.
One of Ebony's cries snapped him out of the day dream. He looked at his sister, concerned, "How are you feeling?" He looked down, "...Stupid question..."
She smiled gently, "It's fine."
Gael kissed her lightly, "Where's the doctor...?"
"I can go get him." Brian offered, before leaving the room quickly.
"Nico, why did you bring him?" Ebony looked at her brother.
"I don't know. He was there with Gael so I figured he should come along..."
Suddenly Brian came back in with the doctor, "Alright. Anyone who isn't staying for the birth needs to get out."
That was their cue. Ace, Brian, and Nico left in a hurry. The last thing they needed to see was Ebony pushing a baby out her vagina. The guys were sitting in the waiting room when Leo came running up. "Sorry. Sorry. How is she?"
"They're pushing." Ace answered, hugging his husband tightly, "Is Jason or somebody with Duke?"
"Yeah. Jason is with him." Leo sat next to Ace and held his hand. "You worried about your best friend at all?"
"She's strong." Ace answered, holding tightly to his hand, "She'll be okay."
"But you're still worried..."
"She's pushing a six pound, screaming baby out of her lady parts. Of course, I'm somewhat worried."
Nico stood, "Okay! I think that's enough talking about my sister and her lady parts. I'm going to get coffee." He left the waiting room and wandered down the halls. Hospitals were always the last place he wanted to be.
His other sister came rushing up with her boyfriend, "Nico, how is she?"
"Good I guess." He poured himself a cup of coffee.
They both looked worried, but Hazel more than Frank. He asked awkwardly, "Are we just waiting now?"
"Yeah." Nico stated. As usual, he wasn't in the mood for talking.
Frank poured another cup of coffee, before they headed back towards the waiting room. He sat next to Ace, and handed him the coffee before letting Hazel sit in his lap. The blonde smiled thankfully, he'd been living off of coffee lately, before cuddling into Leo.
About two hours later the doctor came out and told them everything went smoothly and that they could go in and see them if they wanted. Everyone smiled and hugged each other, then raced quickly down the hall to see the new arrival.