Chapter 21
Percy lay awake in bed waiting for the tell-tale sign that his wife was asleep by listening to her breathing. Sliding his arm from underneath his love he quickly got out of bed and got dressed into some jeans and a v-neck. Quickly checking one last time that his wife was asleep he left, backing down the hallway before stopping at his daughter's room and checking that she was asleep.
She was not. "Kalli what in the world are you doing up so late?!" He said going and sitting on the edge of her bed by her feet.
"Dad I'm not six anymore. I'm a grown woman who's engaged, I can stay up as late as I want." She said petulantly sticking her tongue out, but loving that her dad was still watching out for her.
"Well you're in my house so my rules little princess. So why are you up sweetheart?"
She sat thinking. Trying to figure out why she was up. She thought nerves from being kidnapped. No that wasn't it. She knew her dad would rescue her no matter what. Her getting married soon. No. Mom being pregnant and the baby due any day now. Still not that either.
"I just couldn't sleep dad. I've been feeling really…. I don't know. Restless I suppose. I don't know why, and it's a little bothersome, it happens every once in awhile. But this time it's been the worst. Normally two days at most. But I've felt this way for almost three weeks now."
At this Percy smirked. He'd felt theses same emotions and had trouble dealing with it when he was younger. It had only stopped after her and Annabeth had married. For some reason having someone lying in bed with him calmed him.
"You want to know why you're so restless?" She nodded and so he continued. "Well my beautiful little hurricane. The ocean flows through my veins, even more so now that I'm a god. But it rages through this body of mine. And not just mine. But your grandfather's, AJ's, even Anna's though she'd never admit to it. She loves being like mother too much. It flows through you too. And the sea. Well it's a restless and mysterious thing. It can't be controlled. Unless it wants to. It bows to father and I and all of you little ones because we care for it. We have a love of the ocean that rarely any have. It knows we love it, and will protect it. And because of that it wants to protect us too."
Pausing here he looked out and Kalli could just imagine him picturing being in the water right now. It was her and his favorite place to be. Even as a baby when she'd get restless and couldn't sleep he'd take her and sit on the ocean floor singing to her softly and rocking her as sea animals came by to see the little princess. And as she grew up, he'd always know where to go to find her. The ocean. She could never hide from her dad. And that's something she's glad of. She loves her mom. But she doesn't quite understand her love of the sea. But dad. Well he just got her, and he was always there for her.
"You know Kalli. They say the ocean knows and fortells of coming storms. And It's been leaving me messages enough that something is happening. A storm's on the way. And it apparently thinks you need to know as well. That's it's way of showing you it's restless, will not be contained, but it also shows it's love by this. This small warning. Heed it little one. But that's why. It's a warning, and reminder. So it flows in you well. I had this same conversation with AJ when he was younger as well. Anna never had that problem. But books speak to her more than the sea does. So much like her mother. If you want to calm go sit in the sea pool upstairs. Being in the water will help calm you. If you fall asleep not to worry. The sea will care for its own. And believe me my little sea angel. You are of the ocean." With these words he kissed the top of her forehead and hugged her tight.
With that he left heading downstairs and who knows where.
Hugs she thought. That was the one thing she'd never be too old for from her dad. When he hugged her she felt like a little girl again. But also safe. If there was any place in the world she knew she was safe from harm, it was her father's embrace. Quietly getting up she went upstairs to the pool, slipping into the depths of the ocean and fell asleep floating in the current. Silently watched by creatures of the deep protecting their youngest princess. As well as an old soul who had felt when his blood slipped into the water and so left to find and watch over her.
"For the ocean takes care of its own, doesn't it Percy. Hello little one. Sleep tight and know I will watch till you waken." Poseidon spoke looking lovingly at his granddaughter, and admittedly his favorite. With a smile he sat down and waited.
After Percy left the room he went downstairs and listened softly. Waiting for the quiet footsteps of his youngest heading to the pool. Smiling when he felt her slip into the water, knowing his dad had felt it too. With a shake of his head he went outside and sat waiting for Jason to arrive.
He didn't have to wait long as Jason showed up not five minutes later smiling himself. "Our lives may have sucked when we were younger. But I wouldn't have it any other way. To be here. Married to the most wonderful woman, with children I love. It doesn't get much better you know?" He said clasping hands and hugging his friend.
"I have to agree with you there. Now. The note you received?"
The two had woken before their wives found the notes and hidden them agreeing to discuss them in private first.
"What's yours say again Percy?"
"Young god. I am Astreaus Titan of dusk and stars. If you wish for an ally. Or at least knowledge then seek me out in a place where you and I have already met."
"That doesn't make any sense. You've never met nor fought this Titan have you?" Jason asked scratching his head.
"Not that I remember…" They sat thinking before Percy chuckled to himself. "Oh you are a sly and clever one aren't you? He and I have not met. But our domains have. The stars touch the water at night. Every night."
At this Jason smiled. "Had to make it easy didn't they? Now for mine. I am Eos Titan of the Dawn. And in you I see a new beginning. Wait for me where dawn meets sky and water."
"He must mean the same place as Astreaus, so they are working together then?" Percy said trying to figure out who these two where and if this was just another scheme to distract him and Jason.
"It adds up. But is it our best move? Leaving Annabeth and Piper alone even for a short time right now is not wise." He stated looking up at Jason who was deep in thought.
"But if this is real, we can't afford to not be there. They could be the help and knowledge we need. Perhaps if we called AJ and Gale put both girls at your or my house have AJ, Gale, Anna, and Calli all there to watch her as well as the Queen's Brigade, they should be safe enough. We can even add Luke and Thalia."
"Alright. Jason you call the others here now and I'll go carry Annabeth over. Let's head out as soon as we can. Dawn approaches and I have a feeling tardiness won't be as funny to them as our college professors."
At that Jason could only nod his head and chuckle thinking of their antics in school. "Meet in fifteen" And with that the two gods left.
When Annabeth awoke she immediately noticed two things. One. Percy was missing and this wasn't her bed. Two. Someone WAS in bed with her, and they were big. Quietly turning her head and looking she chuckled to herself seeing a snoring Piper.
But the chuckling stopped as soon as she realized something… Piper should not be in bed with her. Quickly sitting up… well quickly for a very pregnant, pregnant lady she looked around. She soon realized she was in Jason and Piper's house in their own bedroom.
Poking Piper in the side she waited. "Ten more minutes babe. I'm not feeling so good this morning."
"Piper. I'm not your babe… you really need to get up right now." Annabeth said stifling a giggle.
Sitting up with a confused look on her face Piper started taking in her surroundings, her eyes widening when she realized who was in bed with her. "Annabeth…. I don't mean to be rude but… uh…. Why are you in my bed? And Where's Jason?"
"I was going to ask you the same question. It seems I've been moved in the night. Where are those two they shouldn't be going anywhere. Especially with the baby's so close." Annabeth grunted standing up and going to try and help piper up as well.
To say they were surprised when they stepped out their doors to see Malcolm, Connor, Travis, and Clarisse would be an understatement.
"You know Annabeth. I'm too keen on waking up in the morning with a ton of people in my house that shouldn't be there." Piper said dryly whilst looking at her friends.
"Sooooo guys. Mind telling me why you all are here, and why I woke up in Jason and Piper's bed?"
"Not really." Clarisse responded which was followed with laughs from Connor and Travis.
"Jason and Percy received letters from the Titans Eos and Astreaus asking to meet them privately. They didn't want you two worried, nor unprotected. So they carried you into the same room, and called us in, the rest of the Brigade is all downstairs and posted around outside the house."
"THEY WHAT!" Both women yelled in unison.
"They may be powerful, but to go alone is stupid. SeaWeed brain what are you thinking."
"Air head. You can tell me. We've been together now for ages. Surely…. I mean..." both girls sat upon the bed one confused and one angry.
"Annabeth, Piper, you guys should probably calm down some. I mean. Yeah they should have said something. But you two are close to the due date. So you should probably…."
"Malcolm. Brother or not, and pregnant or not I will still kick your butt. Shut up." Annabeth vehemently aimed at him. But her anger didn't last long as she felt something she definitely didn't need to be feeling right now. Her water break.
"Damn it. Not good Not good. Malcolm I need you to go call Thalia and Luke. The baby's coming and they aren't waiting for daddy." She said grunting as spasms rocked her body.
"Oh not. This cannot be happening. They need to be here. What if someone attacks again, I can't defend myself well like this." Piper said soon breathing shallowly and quick.
"Piper calm down or you'll… Never mind it's already happened" Clarisse said exasperatedly beside Annabeth as Piper's water broke as well. "You've got to be kidding me. This some sort of joke dad?! Not funny. Connor, Travis quit your laughing, call your wives we may be doing a house call I don't think they can make it to Olympus and Apollo. Get Solace, he's downstairs directing everyone. MOVE!"
"Geez Clarisse no need to yell we're on it."
"Yeah! Not like we're kids anymore." They said dejectedly pulling out drachma and heading for the fountain downstairs and calling for Will.
"Percy. I love you babe. But you need to hurry and get here. You haven't missed a birth yet. Don't start now Love." Annabeth said before she couldn't speak anymore.
"This is the spot Percy. We'll wait here. Their Titans, and I'd like to think we are at least strong enough for them to sense and meet us here." Jason spoke as he and Percy stopped where they were Jason floating in the sky, and Percy standing on the water.
"Well. Well. Well. Are they foolish? Brave? Or just plain desperate to actually show up Eos?" Astreaus called as they floated down from above the two young gods.
"How about wise to not pass up a chance for an alliance, or ally's?" Percy said willing the water to raise him up to be equal to his friend, standing back to back ready for a fight.
"Oh calm yourselves. You young gods. So ready to start a fight. Truly I say. We are here to talk. And give some advice. First. Introductions are in order. I am Astreaus, Titan of Dusk, Stars, and the planets. Creator of Astrology. And tired of all this fighting, greed, and scornful living. I have left the company of both my brother Kronos, My mother Gaia, and the foolish gods that currently rule." Astreaus spoke looking harshly at the two young gods before him.
"And I and Eos, Titan of the dawn, daughter of Hyperion, and I too have broken company with my family. I have watched over the Greeks, and their hero's. And I have watched you grow from babies to children, from children to heroes. And from Heroes to gods. And still at every turn you surprise me. I can never get over you two. And your wives for that matter. You are the new dawn on the horizon, you've defeated Kronos, slain Gaia, and changed the very gods themselves. Humbling them, bringing them closer to their family, and yet. Your most dangerous fights are still ahead of you."
"We are part of a small group of deities. Gods, Titans, even Primordials, who are tired of this fighting. We have stayed out and watched from a distance for centuries. But we have seen something, something that may be enough to pull us out of our neutrality. You." Astreaus said looking at the two gods before him who though looked relaxed he knew were ready for a fight. And a fight they could probably win.
"We have not decided yet. We shall wait and watch for now. But in place of that, we have a few things for you. First. Though we will not reveal your enemy. Know that they can be beat. And only you and your families will be able to do it. Strength is needed. Faith, love, and trust as well. Prepare yourself." Eos started.
"Second, we would like to, shall we say, bless you. In the morning blueprints will appear upon your smith's desk. The items entailed will be specifically for you and your children. When finished they will receive a blessing of power from being allied with us, be they god, titan, or primordial. This is what we have decided to do for now. Perhaps more later."
"And finally. You should get home. Your children aren't waiting for you to come back. They want out." Eos finished after Astreaus wish a smile gracing her lips as the two gods looked in shock at each other quickly flashing away.