Thank you all so much for the reviews I received! I hope your liking this new thing I'm doing, answering to each reviewer. All you have to do to earn yourself one is to review and tell me what you think.
Alexandriarulzforeva- Awwwww thanks.
ANGIE- I'm so glad you love it, thanks!
No-percabeth-is-no-life- The Luke part was totally random, came to me all of a sudden. I thought it would add a twist. Thanks!
Ffsah1- Thanks, that's my favorite line too! And no, I haven't but I hear it's a great time. Have you?
Sportschic5646- Haha thanks! And probably, I have a few ideas for it.
Fowlmaniac- Pshhh, yeah! 483 emails is a lot to process, I would be on there for hours. I'm glad I could put a smile on your face with words, I love to do that. Have fun on vacation!
Thalicolover4ever- Thanks for the tip! I wasn't sure how to spell it so I best guessed because I was to lazy to go and search in the book.
I'mDifferent-GetOverIt- I love Luke even if he, ya know, turned in to Kronos and nearly destroyed the world. Thanks.
Skylar. Daughter of Thanatos- I love reviews! Especially ones like that. Thank you.
Numbuh 006- Awwwww thank you. You enlightened my day.
Bable631- I would but I have no idea what Overlord 2 is. If any of my other readers are reading this, I encourage you to read bable631's story about the game even if I don't know what it's about. J
Anonymous- That's the best review I could ask for. There's so many good thalico stories out there, it's an honor. Thank you ever so much!
Thanks guys! Enjoy your chapter…
Disclaimer: I don't own anything so I would appreciate it if you didn't sue me.
Thalias pov
"Nico, time to wake up," I shook my fiancé as he moaned. Me, being a natural early riser, was already up, dressed, and holding Rowan in the arm not hitting Nico. This was a morning ritual.
"Do I have to," he whined.
I sighed, "If you want to get yelled at by Chiron again and shocked by me, then you can stay in bed all day. But, remember? Today's my first day back since Rowan was born and you promised to help."
He grumbled some incoherent things then threw off the covers to reveal his black and white polka dotted boxers. He staggered off to the bathroom and closed the door. A few seconds later I heard his iPod turn on and the shower start. Satisfied, I went to dress Rowan.
It had been a month and a half since we visited the underworld and Rowan was one month and three weeks old. He was growing a lot but still small for his age. Five pounds had turned to ten really fast so now his clothes didn't hang off of him, which was a good thing. His hair was coming in more and I could tell it would be black and curly. If possible, he was even cuter than a month ago.
Now, with the start of the last nine weeks, Chiron urged me to come back for a couple months. I was doing fine with Nico teaching me the things he learned, but it wasn't enough. I really didn't want to leave Rowan, I was happy spending every waking hour with him like the past couple months. Yet, maybe some separation would do us both some good. We wouldn't want to develop separation anxiety. So I hired a babysitter for really cheap and I was ready to start my day, even if Nico wasn't.
As soon as Rowans tiny pants were on I heard a knock on the door. I scooped him up from the changing table and went to answer. Standing before me was Juniper, Rowans new babysitter.
"Hey! Thanks for doing this again," I smiled.
Juniper loved Rowan and Rowan loved Juniper, it was only logical. We didn't even have to ask her, she volunteered to do it for free. Even though it was a good offer, we insisted we pay her some, it wouldn't be fair. So here I was paying Juniper five dollars a day to watch my son. It was perfect.
"No problem. What else am I going to do? I'm a tree," she joked. Rowan reached for her and I gave him up. He started playing with her long, chocolate curls.
"True. So here's his basic routine. I just fed him but he'll need to be fed again at 10:00, then at 1:30. He usually takes a nap between 10:30 and 12:30, so you'll have a slight break there. He loves playing with his Bounce 'n Spin and Jumperoo but you could sit him in his swing, turn on cartoons, and he would be fine for a few minutes if you need to do something. You have me and Nicos number so if anything goes wrong you can just call, Chiron would understand. I think that's about it. Oh yeah, and you and Grover aren't allowed to get all hormonal in front of my son " I chuckled.
She laughed, "I got it, I promise. You can trust me. Me and Grover will behave."
"Thanks again, you're a life saver. I'll be right back, I should urge Nico along," I told her then disappeared in to the bedroom. The shower had stopped, but that didn't mean he was ready. I walked in without knocking and, even though he was completely naked, he didn't react. Sometimes it was like we were already married.
"Someone's getting frisky," he chuckled.
"Please don't use that word, it creepy to hear that come out of your mouth," I demanded. He rolled his eyes and I returned the gesture. Nico pulled me into a kiss, oddly in a good mood for early morning. Awwwww, he did want me back at school.
When he pulled away, I grabbed his boxers, Clifford the Big, Red Dog ones to be exact, and he got the idea. "Hurry up," I sing-songed, kissing him on the cheek, then leaving again.
When I came back in the living room, Juniper had Rowan laying on the floor, in-between her legs, tickling him. He was squirming and smiling, his tongue sticking out. I swear, he's the cutest thing. I wonder if Nico looked like this when he was a baby a hundred years ago.
"He is so sweet, Thalia," Juniper squealed.
"Oh that's what you think now. But when he's screaming and crying and won't stop you'll be thinking otherwise," I joked, "But I'll miss him so much. I've spent every waking hour with him for a couple months, it's gonna be weird."
"I bet. I hope one day me and Grover can have one as cute as Rowan," she added. I knew it was a touchy subject with her. The two had been married for three years and ever since been trying for kids. But when you're a nymph mating with a satyr it's not easy. I hoped they could too, it's not fair for us to be able to so easy, by accident and they can't at all.
"I hope so too, Juniper, you'd make a great mom," I encouraged. She smiled at me but before she could say anything, Nico burst into the room.
"I'm ready!" he announced. Wow, ten minutes before school started, that's a new record. He was wearing black skinny jeans, a Secondhand Serenade t-shirt from Hot Topic, and his DC's. His hair was slightly wet but I knew it would be dry before we got to school. He just had some strange but sexy hair.
"Good for you. So is everyone else," I remarked, raising my eyebrow. He smiled a big cheesy smile then went to pick up Rowan.
"Hey buddy," he said once he was inserted in his arms, "Looks like I get to spend time with mommy today, but Junipers cool. I'm sure you too will have lots of fun. Daddy will miss you like usual. I'll see you tonight, I love you."
He kissed him on the forehead then I took him into my arms. He fit so perfectly there, I just had the thought to keep him there forever, "Hey, Rowan. Mommy misses you already. Be good for Juniper, okay? No obnoxious crying. I love you, I'll see you after school."
I tickled his stomach, gave him a kiss on the forehead, then set him gently back on the floor in front of Juniper. He was kicking and moving his arms, so smart for his age.
"Good luck Juniper. If you need anything-"
She interrupted, "Call, I know. It'll be okay, Thalia. He's in good hands."
I smiled then picked up me and Nicos bags from the couch. After one more goodbye, we walked out the door together, hand in hand.
School was about two minutes away, so we would actually be early today. That revelation was a shock in itself. We're always the kids who show up late and get away with it.
"Are you ready for your first day back?" Nico asked.
I shrugged because I honestly wasn't sure. I missed everyone at school and I wanted to be apart of all the senior year memories, but I knew I would miss Rowan. I was his mom, it was my natural instinct to want to help him and nurture him. When I was away, even if I was just going to the store and Nico was home with him, I missed him. I didn't want to miss anything in his life, he would only be this size for a short amount of time.
I explained this to Nico and he nodded, trying to understand. He went to school, came home for a whole two minutes, then went to work. He wasn't home until 5:30 on a good day, so he was use to the separation. I definitely wasn't.
"Thalia, I know it must be hard to be with a baby 24/7. I help as much as I can but I have a job and school, your with him constantly. Take this as a break, enjoy yourself a little even if it is school. He'll be there when you come back," he encouraged, making me feel a little better. And even if I wanted to turn back, I couldn't of, because we entered the Big House.
For the first time, no one was sitting on the porch playing cards. Both Mr. D and Chiron must be in the back getting everything ready for the day. We walked through the den, up the stairs, and heard lots of voices from the rooms in the back. Our first class was in the room on the left so we walked in, still holding hands, to see Chiron and about ten classmates.
"Thalia," Amanda exclaimed, "We missed you."
Everyone else quickly agreed except Clarisse who just looked at me freakishly. Ahhh, it's good to be back.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
It was now 2:45, the time Chiron dismisses us from class. I was so ready to be home again, and Nico could see that. He was eyeing me to make sure when he did make the announcement to leave I didn't dash out like a madman. I had been texting Juniper during the day, like Nico suggested just to see what was going on. Apparently Rowan had been really winy today, which wasn't good. He didn't want to do anything, so I was a little worried.
"Okay, class, you may leave. Thalia, can I talk to you first," he announced. I groaned inwardly while everyone else picked up there bags and left. Some sent me smiles and thumbs up's, then they were gone.
Nico grabbed my thumb and twirled it in his hand, "I'll go see what's going on with Rowan. Meet you at home." Then he was gone too.
I walked up to Chiron's desk and he smiled warmly at me as I approached.
"Thalia, you've done really well today. It must be hard to come in after two months of no school and get right back into the swing of things, especially with a baby at home," he told me.
"Thanks, it was rough, but Nico and all my friends helped a lot."
"Oh, I know. It probably helps a lot to have such a huge support group. So how's Rowan doing? Nico talks about him so much and I see him every few days, but I would like to hear what you think," he asked, turning the attention to something I love to talk about.
"He's great. Junipers watching him while I go to school so I hope that works out well. And he's such a smart kid, he can do things like kick and move his arms and smile now. He's growing so much everyday," I ranted.
"That's wonderful, I'm glad he's doing well. But, Thalia, I think you're a little distracted in class. I know you have a lot on your plate and all, but school is something you should take seriously. You didn't drop out for your families future, but not paying attention isn't doing you any better."
Even though I knew he was right, I was a little mad about it, "I have so much on my plate. I mean, even though I know were luckier then most teen parents, it's still hard. I'm worried about finances and the future even though Nico makes good money at the private school he's working at. It's not enough and I still need to find a good job that doesn't need a college scholarship. And I worry about Rowan being a demi-god and being the son of two kids of the big three. All the power he possesses, the drama of being one of us, all the responsibility he'll have with it."
"I know Thalia. But two more months is all I ask of your attention then your free. But let me remind you, you don't have to worry. The gods are, obviously, on your side. They'll help you through the rough patches. Now go, see your son."
I thanked him then rushed back to my desk. I shoved my folders and book into my hobo bag, a gift from Annabeth, made note of my homework, then quickly left.
Being ADHD, walking home alone is way to boring for a mind like mine. I grabbed my phone and entered my Facebook app, looking at all the new statuses. Katie and Travis were about to go to the pier after school, Percy was on his way to work at AT&T, and Nico was about to go home and see his little man. Looks like he had the same idea. After commenting on Nicos status and changing mine to, 'Looks like it's back to school for the mommy', I slipped my phone away and entered the house.
Inside was total peacefulness. Rowan was in Nicos arms while the two adults talked casually on the couch. The TV was on low, playing Blues Clues and, almost unnoticeably, music played from somewhere. Everything was under control. When they noticed my arrival they immediately asked what Chiron had wanted.
"He just told me that I needed to pay attention in class more. Now where's my baby?" I cooed, picking Rowan out of Nicos arms. I smiled at him and played with his hands, making little sounds. He grinned and started kicking his feet. Man, how was I going to keep leaving him, "How was he today?"
"Great, wonderful. After his nap he was a new kid. Now what was that about paying attention?" Juniper added with a frown, Nico nodding beside her.
I sighed, "It's all alright, okay? I have a lot on my mind right now, that's all. But I'll do better, I promise. If not you can punish me."
Neither of them looked convinced but took my answer anyway. After a little more discussion about our days, we said goodbye to Juniper and she set off down the road towards the woods.
"Looks like I have to go too," Nico announced. I nodded, I was completely use to this by now.
I wished that Nico, Rowan and I could just run away. Live in a little beach house and never have to worry about life outside. No jobs, no money worries, nothing, just each other. The two people I love the most would always be with me. Of course, I knew that was impossible, but I could still dream.
"Okay, have a good day. Put those rich kids straight," I joked.
Laughing, Nico replied, "Will do, babe. I love you," he kissed me then turned to the bundle in my arms, "And I love you too."
After kissing Rowan on the forehead, he shadow traveled away to the alley behind the private school.
Rowan yawned and I knew it was time for yet another nap. In fact, mommy could use a nap too. What, with me and Nico both being up a good potion of the night. But it wasn't time for that. I laid him down in his crib, turned on the monitor, then moved on to the kitchen. Instead it was homework time.
Luckily, Chiron wasn't to much of a homework giver, so I only had one algebra worksheet from him. Mr. D, though, he loved giving out homework. I had two worksheets for English, detecting mistakes and a project me and Nico are doing together for science. And here's my dose of reality.
Since English was my favorite subject, I breezed though it, knowing I did everything perfect. But math was a totally different story. Usually Nico helped me or I just cheated off of him, but ever since he started working he's been copying off me. So I suffered through it, relying on my textbook for examples and helpful tips.
Luckily, by four thirty I had finished it and was pretty satisfied with my answers. Rowan, on the other hand, wasn't to happy. I could hear him whimpering and moving around his crib restlessly. I checked on him, making sure he wasn't choking or something horrible, but he was okay, just winy. I left him, he wasn't crying and maybe he would get some more sleep. I still had to get started on this science project and maybe start supper.
I rushed back to the kitchen table and reread our prompt for science. Which acne medication can really zap that zit? Create a project that dictates which works most efficiently. Did one work better on one type of skin and not on the other? Explain why you think your analysis is true.
Figures we would get one like this. Now we have to get a lot of people together, people with many different types of skin, get them to try different acne products, and then write about it. Wonderful. So now where to get these people….
I got a sheet of notebook paper out of my folder and began writing things down I needed to do. Get people, buy acne products. Ok…
My thoughts were interrupted by a loud noise coming from the baby monitor. I jumped, lost inside my own world, then realized it was just Rowan crying. I sighed, so much for letting him sleep any longer, then went to get him.
He was still screeching when I opened the door, but quieted when he saw my face pop above his crib. Since it was almost five, he was probably hungry. I scooped him up from the bed and brought him to the living room.
I forgot all about the crud I had thrown across the table and decided, first, I would make his bottle. I sat him down in his swing, turned it on, and went back to the kitchen. Thank gods I was Zeus' daughter, I wouldn't know what to do if I didn't have my kitchen. It wasn't much, but it was a life saver.
While I was making his bottle, perfecting the temperature, he started crying once again. These are the times I wish Nico was home, so we could have two people helping with Rowan. Alas, it was only me, so I had to suffer through letting him cry, the sound I hated the most. I quickly grabbed the now made bottle and took it to him.
When I picked him up, his cries automatically turned to little whimpers. He just wanted his mommy, sometimes annoying but always sweet. I plopped down on the love seat with him cradled in my arms, then stuck the bottle in his already open mouth. He started sucking the nozzle like it was the best food in the world. I sighed contently, this was my life now.
Looking at Rowans face, I drifted in to my own world. Talk about never having time for myself. I was constantly busy with other things; school, taking care of Rowan, cleaning, cooking. And even if I did find the chance to get away, I couldn't. My son has me wrapped around his finger.
I wish we had waited, that this little boy could've come about seven years in the future. At least then I could've given him so much more than me and Nico can. We are lucky, it's true, we have so many people rooting for us, it's still hard though. I just wanted to give him the live, the mom and dad he deserves, not this mess.
And Nico… I still love him more than I thought I could love a man. But it's a rare day when I see him for more than three hours. That's one of the hardest parts for me. I could deal with no sleep, no time to myself, so much responsibility; demi-gods deal with hard stuff on a daily basis. Yet, Nico makes all of it worthwhile, I miss him. And yes, I know that sounds selfish since he's at work making money for our future, but it's so true.
I was brought back to reality when I realized the bottle was now empty and Rowan was just sucking air. I held him up to burp him, grabbing a random towel strung on the back of the couch on the way, when Nico popped in.
"Hey, your home early. How was work?" I asked, a little surprised. He usually didn't come home until at least five thirty.
"Yeah, all the kids got picked up early. Apparently there's some kind of parade going on and all the parents got off work early to take the kids….anyway, pretty good. I didn't feel the need to hit any kids today, so that was nice. How are you two?"
His 'buddy' burped on my shoulder and I took him off, seeing a satisfied grin on his face. We both laughed as Nico scooched in next to me, putting an arm around my back. "Well I did homework while Rowan took a nap. I got through most of it except that project we have to do, I have two things on the list. Add some more if you like. Then he woke up and here we are."
"Cool," he added, "I was thinking about what you said earlier, about missing Rowan when you went to school. And I want you to know that I miss both of you. I mean, look at him, I'm missing him grow up and I hate it with all my heart. And then you…how could I not miss you? Your everything to me. Both of you are my world."
Awwwww, you couldn't ask for a better time to say that. "I miss you too. It feels like I never see you anymore. I guess school will help but…it's not the same as before. And I guess we have to get used to it, it'll never be the same again," I sighed, putting my head on his shoulder. Rowan was in my arms, looking at the two of us with my eyes.
"Your right," he made a grab for my left hand then, when he had it, started playing with my engagement ring. That one action spoke louder than anything he could've said. I could hear it in my head, I love you, and always will. And in a couple years, I'll prove it to you by marrying you and we'll be a real family.
In reply, I kissed him softly and lovingly. I only hoped he knew what I meant too.
The rest of the night was perfect familyness. I cooked our meatloaf dinner while my boys got some father-son bonding done. I then helped Nico with his English with Rowan on my hip, talking about pronouns and adjectives. I talked to Annabeth about the wedding, which was quickly approaching in September, via facetime. We gave Rowan a bath, which was like giving a kitten one. He hated the water, I guess it was only expected. After we were all clean and showered, I put Rowan to bed and me and Nico had a little bonding time before I fell asleep.
I fell asleep with a smile on my face, ready to do it all again tomorrow.
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