Expect better updating soon. Sorry everybody, I've kind of stopped writing. But don't worry, school's almost over and that means time and inspiration.

52. Test

Reyna raises an eyebrow. "He didn't believe you, did he?"

Annabeth shakes her head and purses her lips in exactly the same way Sally Jackson does when she's more worried about something than she'll let on. "He thinks because of Tartarus- because of everything… he thinks it will somehow affect her. He worries."

"Hey," Reyna puts a hand on Annabeth's wrist lightly. "Even if her life is like ours was, she's yours and Percy's daughter." She smiles and raises an eyebrow, daring Annabeth to contradict her. "Anything with both of your DNA will be fearsome to behold. She'll be revered at the camps and no monster will dare to mess with her because the Jackson family will come after them."

Annabeth smiles but this time it's genuine and happy. "Thanks Reyna."

She pulls away slightly, uncomfortable with the sudden emotion in the room, but turns back to chopping vegetables. "No problem," she says lightly.

They work in quiet for a while, the soft sounds of music coming from the radio, until suddenly someone else enters the room. "Hey guys!"

It's two someone else's in fact, and Piper and Hazel both take turns hugging them before going about and helping out.

The four of them have a system, one they'd worked out quickly. The boys and girls alternated making the food. This time it was the women's turn -funny how it was usually them who cooked the larger meals. Piper did drinks and setting the table because no one trusted that girl to cook. Reyna did vegies and salads. Annabeth did the main courses. Hazel made the desserts.

The boys on the other hand….

From what Reyna had gathered from the times they cooked, each of the boys just bought different types of takeout and set it on the table, along with cases of beer and anything else they might want.

Reyna knew from a fact that each of the guys had made their wives home cooked meals. Yet none was willing to do it around the others.

Weird how that worked.

"So," Hazel said casually as she took out her pan of famous Oreo Fudge Brownie Bars. "How're you all doing?"

A chorus of fine's went around the room.

"And the guys?" Hazel asked.

"Good, fine, great." Were the answers.

Reyna asked. "What about you and Frank?"

"Oh, you know." Hazel shrugged. "Pretty good, considering we got engaged last night."

Piper dropped the forks and Annabeth straightened up from looking into the oven much too fast for a pregnant woman.

Reyna's breath caught. "Really?"

Hazel smiled and held up her left hand, where a diamond ring glinted softly. "Really, really."

And then suddenly Annabeth was squeezing the life out of Hazel and Piper was dancing around the kitchen and Reyna couldn't stop smiling and gods be damned, she was not crying!

Then the four of them were hugging, forgetting the food. Piper pulled away first.

"What do we think, girls?" She looked at Reyna and Annabeth. "Does he pass the test? Do we deem him worthy?"

Reyna looked at Hazel, who looked happier than she had ever seen before, and nodded.

Annabeth blinked rapidly, trying to get the tears out of her eyes. ("I'm pregnant, okay?") "Yes," she says.

And then they're hugging again and mostly laughing but partly crying because they're all so happy and have been waiting on this for a while and Reyna, the least emotional of the four (yes, even worse than Annabeth) pulls them tighter.

"I'm so glad we're family." Is what she says.