Chapter 37: Party day
Melanie's POV
When I woke up, Leila had snuggled between her father and me while all our hands were resting on top of my stomach, careful not to disturb our little James. She had her other hand close to her mouth, something that let her thumb slip between her lips making her finger a pacifier. Liam on the other hand, had a wide grin playing on his lips as his fingers moved across the skin of my bell under my nightshirt.
Trying to avoid waking them up, I carefully got off the bed and waited to see what their reaction would be. Instead of waking up when their hands left my stomach, they just snuggled together and kept on with their sleep. Leila turned toward her daddy, as he wrapped his arms around her, and she changed thumbs before sighing in content. I loved watching them like that. It happened every Saturday when Liam didn't have to be at the office.
I observed them for a few moments, like I always did, before the bathroom literally called to me and I had to go. Freshening up and changing was next and then I finally went downstairs where I found Annabeth and Percy sitting in the kitchen lazily drinking their coffee.
"Good morning." I greeted kissing Percy's cheek before going to Annabeth to do the same. They had grown to be my parents, but not just because I was married to their son. They stood by me even before I met Liam. When I first came to Camp Half-Blood chased by those dracaenae. They were there through my training, through everything. So I did consider them my parents.
"Good morning to you too, Mel." Percy said looking up from his newspaper. How could sports catch the interest of this great hero was beyond me.
"The other two are still sleeping?" Annabeth asked offering me a seat and went to serve me some breakfast. I guessed we wouldn't have our breakfast in the pavilion today.
"They always sleep a little more whenever Liam is home late in the mornings." I said right when Annabeth presented me with a plate full of blue pancakes, a recipe of Percy's mom.
"Does that remind you of anyone, Seaweed Brain?" Annabeth asked giggling while Percy straightened his glasses.
"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about, Wise Girl." He replied seriously. Even after so many years of them being together, calling each other those little nicknames came so natural and right that it honestly amazed me.
"In case you didn't know, Mel, your father-in-law here, after Alex was born for a good three or four years would be exactly like that with his little girl." Annabeth said and looking at Percy for confirmation I saw him blushing.
"So it's a father-daughter thing?" I asked unsure. My dad never did that to me, but then again, he was always on call.
"Or a Jackson-father-daughter thing." She replied winking at me.
"When do you think they'll be up? The last touches to the party have to start soon." Percy said uncomfortable never averting his eyes from the newspaper.
"I don't know. Normally they're up by ten. What time is it now?" I asked with my mouth full.
"Almost ten.?" Annabeth replied.
"Then they'll be up in a few." I paused to take another bite. "If not, I'll just wake them up." As if on queue, the scream of Leila echoed around the house shaking us up. Annabeth and Percy, who hadn't previously experienced that, shot up drawing their weapons in incredible speed for 53-year-olds and looked up worried.
"What the hell was that? Why is she screaming." Annabeth asked and they both made a move to go upstairs, but I stopped them.
"She's screaming because he probably tickled her or something. She's just a loud one." I said and they visibly calmed down. I couldn't blame them for getting worried, because it was the first time we spent in a years and my goofs started acting like that only a few months ago. Previously they'd just cuddle up close and keep sleeping till I woke them up with breakfast not giving them any chance to act like that.
"Are they always like this?" Percy asked turning Riptide back into a pen and put it in his pocket.
"They have been for the past few months." I answered as we heard the light footsteps down the stairs before Annabeth was nearly knocked out of the chair she was sitting in.
"Good morning, Leila." We said hearing her pants and heavy breathing while Annabeth wrapped her arms around her invisible granddaughter. Some short seconds later she turned herself visible again though.
"Where's your dad sweetie?" Annabeth asked ruffling Leila's hair a little.
"He was after me..." She trailed off looking at the door probably expecting Liam to pop out or something. "He was tickling me..." She said pouting. Anyone used to it, like me, wasn't affected by it, but Annabeth caved...
"Awwh... want me to scold him when he comes?" She asked smiling down at the little child. Leila had everyone wrapped around her little finger so much, one could say she was an offspring of Aphrodite.
"Yeah. I couldn't breathe from laughing, grandma." She said bringing her hands to her neck. Percy and Annabeth were too enchanted to notice how her eyes beamed.
"LIAM!" Percy yelled and i couldn't help but giggle. My husband walked into the kitchen a few seconds later in some shorts and a white t-shirt.
"Yeah dad?" He asked walking over to me so he could kiss me.
"Why were you tickling Leila?" Percy asked seriously. I was having way too much fun to interrupt this little dialogue.
"I didn't know I'm not allowed to tickle my own daughter." Liam said raising his eyebrows.
"She couldn't breathe from laughing though." Annabeth added as our mischievous daughter smirked and Liam rolled his eyes. I decided to save him then.
"Leila, sweetheart, what did you do before daddy started tickling you?" I asked and she gasped.
"I was trying to wake him up." She said in a low voice.
"How were you doing that?" I questioned and she blushed.
"I might have splashed him with water." She answered and her grandparents gasped realizing how they got fooled at by my little girl.
"Just might?" Annabeth asked nudging her.
"Just might." She confirmed smiling widely. I didn't pay any more attention to them because my husband sat in the chair next to mine wrapping his arms around me.
"Thanks for saving me from my enchanted parents." He whispered in my ear kissing right behind it which of course made me shiver like always.
"Don't mention it, baby." I said and turned my head back so I could kiss him properly. During our short kiss, his hand went to my stomach rubbing on it lightly as our son kicked underneath the skin.
"Did you tell them?" He asked and it didn't take much to realize what he meant.
"Nope. I thought we should do it together." I said and let my hand join his. "Should we do it now?" He just nodded.
"Leila?" He breathed catching our daughter's attention, who was then in her grandfather's lap. I figured he wanted to tell her first since she was forever asking if she'd get a brother or sister.
"Yes, daddy...?" She asked twinkling her eyes at him.
"Remember when you were asking what the baby will be? Boy or girl?" I asked then fully catching everyone's attention and interest.
"Yeah. Did you find out?" She asked jumping from Percy's lap and coming to place her little hands next to ours on my skin.
"We did and you're having a baby brother." Liam announced and the three people in the room squealed. From the four-year-old, a squeal was understandable, but the 53-year-olds making such a sound? That was weird.
"Hey, hey, we didn't tell you about his name..." I trailed off and the sounds momentarily stopped.
"You've already picked a name?" Leila asked, but seemed a little disappointed. Maybe she'd want a say in her brother's name... When we nodded, she said: "So...? What will it be?" How could that child from disappointed turn to excited in mere seconds was beyond me.
"Your brother's name will be James Perseus Jackson." I answered and looked at Percy who couldn't stop grinning after I announced my son's second name.
"After his grandfathers." Liam added and I could hear the pride in his voice.
"James Jackson... JJ... Jamie... Sounds nice." Leila said nodding.
"So you approve?" Liam asked seriously.
"I do." She answered rubbing my belly. "Welcome to the family, Jamie." She said smiling and place a slight kiss on top of my stomach.
"That's so cute..." Amanda said coming in from the front door with Mike on tow. "How's my niece?" She asked as Leila ran into her arms laughing.
"I'm goodie!" She exclaimed and we laughed. We let them have their little talk and Mike came to sit with us.
"Shouldn't we go help with the last minute preparations?" He asked looking at Liam.
"We probably should. Do you know where the Rodriguez brothers are?" My baby asked placing his head on my shoulder.
"At the pavilion most likely. Arranging the music with the Apollo kids and stuff." Annabeth answered.
"Thanks for the info, mom. Mike, how about we head there right now and lend a hand?" Liam asked and slowly got up making me curse under my breath. I didn't want him to go anywhere yet... Even if he had to...
"Sure man. We actually have to after all." Mike responded and followed my husband's example getting up.
"Hey princess, wanna come with me and uncle Mike down the pavilion?" Liam asked our daughter, who left Amanda's arms, and skipped over to her father that lifted her up on his shoulders. "I'll take that as a yes then. I'll see you later, baby girl." He said and bent down to kiss me before following Mike out of the house leaving me alone with Annabeth, Percy and Amanda.
"So what did you get Clay for his birthday?" Annabeth asked us excitedly clapping in the process.
"Later, aunt Annabeth. Come on, Mel." Amanda said trying to dodge, successfully might I add, the question. She hurriedly got me up and after I lifted my shoulders apologetically at my parents-in-law I was dragged out of the house.
"Where are we going?" I asked straightening my outfit.
"To Alex and Clay. Abby's already there." She answered and I nodded before we slowly made our way to the Rodriguez family house where Ben, Alex and Clay were staying with Clarisse and Chris. But half-way there...
"Melanie..." My mom's voice called from the side making both me and Amanda to stop dead on our track and turn to look at her.
"See you inside Mel. Lady Nyx..." Amanda bellowed taking a bow and headed inside the house.
"Hey mom." I said hugging her tightly.
"How's my little girl?" She asked pulling back.
"I'm fine, mom. Just a little tired." I answered shrugging.
"If you hadn't stayed up watching them sleep, you wouldn't be tired..." My mother scolded lifting her finger up in my face. Did I act like that towards Leila too?
"Sorry, but I couldn't help it. They're so cute together. Especially when they're asleep." I said bringing my hands to my stomach like I had caught myself do may times.
"I know, baby, but you shouldn't exhaust yourself. Think about the baby. Oh and by the way your dad was overjoyed when he found out what Liam suggested last night. He is deeply touched, you know." She said with a sad smile playing on her lips.
"He already knows about the name?" I asked in surprise.
"Yes, I told him a few hours ago. Of course he knew about the idea of that as it's been playing in Liam's mind since the first time you were pregnant with Leila, but now that it's official..." She trailed off.
"So he's happy about it...?" I asked hopeful.
"Happy doesn't even describe it. He's all about how his little princess is having another baby and is naming her son after him. I think he's getting on everyone else's nerves." She said giggling and I couldn't help but join in. I knew how annoying my dad could be when he got excited.
"At least I know he's happy about me and Liam." I said trying to force out a smile. I missed my dad and it was no secret. Especially after finding out the truth behind his death, I had started missing him more...
"It helps being part of the supernatural, huh?" She asked nudging me.
"At times like this, it really does." I said as we reached the door. "I really love you mom." I admitted hugging her tightly again. Blame the hormones or the fact that we were talking about my dad, but I was really emotional in that moment.
"I love you too, sweetie. Your dad does too." She said, pulled back and whipped away the tears. "Now go your friends. They need you for the day. I will see you this evening at the party, dear." She said and disappeared like she always does leaving me standing at the porch. I knocked on the door and after a faint "come in" was heard, I pushed the door open before I walked inside to the living room where the birthday boy was sitting on the floor with his two aunts and his mother around him clapping as he showed them his toys. Just like Leila and Joey used to do in that age.
"Hey, Mel. Take a seat." Abby said patting the space on the sofa behind her which was closer to little circle formed by the,.
"Good morning girls. How's the birthday boy?" I asked giving Clay one of his toys.
"As you can see, he's pretty excited." Alex said smiling down at her son, who looked a lot like her with Ben's hair and eyes.
"How about you tell them about your own baby?" Amanda suggested knowing both about the gender and the name of my son.
"Tell us what?" Abby asked, curiosity storming her black eyes.
"You know about our appointment with my OB yesterday, right?" I asked and they nodded. "We found out the baby's sex." I announced.
"And...?" Alex trailed of expectantly.
"We're having a boy. My mom wanted to tell me how amazing it made my dad feel the fact that we'll name the baby after him." I said smiling and knowing Amanda had told them who kept me up. Abby and Alex rushed to my side to hug me while Clay started clapping and laughing even though he had no clue what was happening.
"So his name will be James Jackson?" Abby asked.
"Partly. His full name will be James Perseus Jackson." I answered and Alex, especially, couldn't help but smile.
"I bet dad couldn't keep the grin of his face." She said lifting Clay up and gave him his pacifier.
"Nope. He couldn't." Leila couldn't either." I replied.
"How about we watching a movie of something until we have to go get ready?" Alex suggested and we agreed. Halfway through the film, Clarisse brought Leila and Joey home so that the guys could finish up the last touches to the party and we were forced to change movies. Under Leila's request, we watched Hercules, the animated movie, and I don't think anyone had a problem with that.
When it was time to go home and get ready, I took my daughter's hand and went to Alex's old room, which was used as Leila's room this weekend and where her little blue dress was kept. She had personally asked for it when we had gone shopping the previous week. When she was ready, I let her go downstairs to her grandfather who was also ready and went to Liam's room, where I found him buttoning up his shirt. I just stared a little till he was done.
"Hey baby girl. How do I look?" He asked turning to face me.
"Amazing as always." I sad, kissed him and went to his closet where my own outfit was. A simple and elegant dark blue dress that wouldn't apply any pressure on my stomach so Jamie wouldn't be uncomfortable and wouldn't show the baby bump so much. Ending a little below the knee, strapless with some random silver patterns along the side. It wasn't much, but I still loved it. I changed quickly and went to the mirror to check myself when I both saw and felt Liam's arms sneak to the front and his hands rest on my stomach as I applied some light make-up.
"You're gorgeous, Mel." he said kissing my neck lightly.
"Thank you." I said smiling and turned around in his arms when I finished with the make-up and straightening my hair a little. Despite the little space between us, because of our son, he leaned in a little so he could kiss me. It really helped that he was taller than me.
"Ready to go?" He asked pulling back.
"Not really." I replied and let my hands go from behind his neck to the front to fix the knot of his tie. Once I was done I stole another quick kiss and pulled back saying: "Now, I am."
"Let's go then." He said chuckling and took my hand in his before he grabbed his jacket and went downing where Annabeth, Percy and Leila were waiting. Our little girl skipped over to us.
"You look pretty mommy." She said wrapping her little arms around me as much as she could.
"Thank you, sweetie. How about we go?" I suggested and gave her my hand while Percy and Liam took the presents for Clay. One from us and one from the grandparents. We walked towards the pavilion where instead of the usual tables, there was all the equipment for a playground. The whole pavilion had turned into a large playground and the youngest of kids were already playing.
"Can I go play?" Leila asked tagging on my dress a little.
"Sure you can. Have fun baby." I said and she went to kiss her dad before she was off to play with the other kids.
"We'll go put these in th box and come back. You should go sit at our table." Percy suggested and Annabeth and I nodded before kissing our husbands and they left while we went to our table, where our family was already sitting, plus the Gods related to us. Soon our men joined us as well.
Each of us on the table took a hold of baby Clay for the official happy birthdays. We wished Alex and Ben well for their son's first birthday, called Leila in, ate and then the three daddies took their kids and went to play in the massive playground leaving me, Abby and Alex behind watching them with identical goody grins on our faces.
It was funny seeing them like that. Liam was on his hands and knees with Leila and some other kids she called up on his back crawling around like our little girl wanted. I had seen it happen in our house, but I was always either just her or her and Joey. Never before had I witnessed him carrying about five kids on his back...
The Rodriguez brothers had it easier since Joey and Clay weren't old enough to make them do anything like Leila made her father do. So all they had to do was help their sons down the slide, holding them so them don't fall off and pushing them on the baby swings. Liam, except all that, had to watch Leila as she climbed the little "rock climber", when jumping up and down on the trampoline, sit on the other side of the seesaw and things like that.
When they came back, Liam was obviously exhausted, but the squeals and laughs coming from Leila made him smile despite his state. He let her down and she immediately climbed on my lap telling me everything her daddy did and even though I had seen it, I still acted all surprised and amazed. Liam too his seat next to me again at some point and when Leila finished with her story, she jumped in her father's lap, kissed him on the cheek and snuggled to his side. In that moment, Annabeth and Clarisse brought their grandson's cake, so everyone gathered around our table to sing the never-changing "Happy Birthday" song to Clay, who looked around at the so many people and laughed clapping his little hands from his mother's lap.
At nine, after a good four hours of running around, playing with kids, eating and everything, Leila cuddled up to her father and fell asleep. We stayed there for a couple more hours , just going over the day's events. Liam and I even told the ones that didn't already know about Jamie and I told him about my talk with mom. Everything went quiet and just like we wanted it, so Clays first birthday was a pure success, which of course couldn't make Ben and Alex any happier.
So after a full day, Liam and I took our daughter and went to his old house. Changed and tucked her in, before going to our room and getting changing ourselves. He helped me with the zip of the dress all the while trailing kisses along my neck and back. When we dressed for bed, I lied down on my side of the bed and Liam snuggled behind me bringing his arms to the front and resting his hands on my stomach. It didn't take much time for me to fall asleep like that.
Sorry for the delay, but the stressing hours and the number of hours we spend out of the house weren't helpful to our update. Hope this pleases you :)
Catherine & Tony P.