Chapter 75
Annabeth
There were quite a few things more I needed to catch Percy up on, but he and the kids were sleeping late. I summoned coffee and hit the shower and when I came out Percy had arisen and hit his own. The kids were still out of it.
"Hey" I whispered as he came out. "Are those new clothes? They look like they actually fit your scrawny butt." I giggled. He was just skin and bones, but thanks to Piper and her mother he had his color back and looked good. A few pounds and some muscle and he would be back to his old self.
"Yeah, I set up my tent and took them out of one of the foot lockers. It was either that or sneak off to an all night mall, and there are no all night malls. Why? Do I look bad?"
"No, you look amazing. I actually like the gray in your hair, it reminds me of us after Atlas, but Piper said it would go away once you got your health back."
"Right, but in the mean time I can buy beer!" He laughed. Neither of us drank so it was obviously a joke.
"Percy, you're twenty two. You can already buy beer." I snorted as I giggled.
"Oh yeah. I... forgot I guess." He smiled. "So you want some pan cakes?"
"Bru pan cags. Da best!" Caly mumbled, her face half buried in a pillow.
"Sure, but lets let the aerials make breakfast this morning. Caly and Tee will be awake in a minute, I want to show you around. Come on."
"Uh, I mostly remember where everything is."
"Well, yeah, but.. Okay you know the bedrooms across the parlor and down the hall?"
"The guest rooms?"
"Future children's rooms. Try to get it right Percy, but yes those rooms. Anyway, most nights Rachel stays in the one on the left and a lot of the time, when she is in New Ionia late with Frank Hazel stays in the one beside it. The suites across the hall are still just future children rooms."
"Uh"
"When you were gone they basically moved in with me, to help keep me going, and never really have had the need to leave. And, uh, well they are away for a couple days to give us some space, but I kind of like having them here. I mean, once Frank and Hazel get married she will move in with him, they have a home here."
"I was wondering why Hazel didn't live there now, she owns the place too. I mean, I'm totally cool with it, I adore them both but"
"Our Hazel? Stay under the same roof with a single man she's not married to? We are talking about the same Hazel, aren't we?" I asked.
"Right. Got it. And Rachel?"
"Oh she just doesn't like living alone. She is staying with Piper and Jason to help Piper out this weekend. Everyone is so excited about Caly and Tee's cousin arriving."
"Uh, not really cousin but"
"Might as well be. Anyway, the kids are kind of dependant on them being here, if that's okay, I mean if you want"
"Totally okay with me. Move everyone in for all I care. You know how I feel about our friends." He smiled.
"Great. I don't want to hit the kids with too many changes. Now, lets get breakfast and go for a swim, okay?"
"Yes!"
And so we did. We spent the morning in the pool playing with the kids who were both really good swimmers for their age.
"You father helped teach them." I said, anticipating Percy's question.
Eventually the kids tired of swimming and Percy did laps while I took them to the play room.
Percy can swim laps forever I think. The water invigorates him as he tires, but he has to remember to stop or when he gets out and dries off the exhaustion hits all at once. In his current condition an hour was too long, and he was sore and achy for a couple hours after.
There was a furious knock on the door as we ate lunch, this time pizza which Caly pointed out was good even if it wasn't blue. I answered the door to find Rachel in hysterics.
"She's in labor, come quick!" Rachel shouted before she tore off down the street.
"Percy, can you watch the kids?"
"Sure, love to! You go on, is she having him at home?"
"Yes, I mean, that is the plan. I'm sure Will and Jennifer are already there. You and the kids should join us in an hour or so. Loveyoubye!" I shouted as I took off.
Percy stayed and played with the kids, I arrived at pretty much the same time Jason Jr. did, so I sent Percy a patronus with the message "Come in and meet the newest Grace! He's beautiful!"
Rachel led Percy and the kids in and finally into a room where Piper, Jennifer, Jason, Will, myself and Jason Jr. were. The child was wrapped up in a blue blanket and held in his mother's arms as everyone, including my kids, were fawning all over him.
"What do ya think Percy? I did good didn't I?" Jason laughed.
"He's amazing. I'm guessing he gets that from you Piper?"
"Mmmm hmmmm" She smiled.
"Rachel, Jennifer and I are going to take turns staying with Jason the next few nights so Piper can rest, if that's okay." I said.
"Sure, as I recall we need to return the favor from a few years ago. And Jason Jr. is a mouthful. Can I call him 'JJ'?"
"Uh, I'll have to think about that Percy, not sure I like the sound of 'JJ'" Piper grinned.
"He's so beautiful!"
"Thank You Caly." Piper replied.
"Calypso." Percy smiled.
"Okay!" Piper laughed, "JJ is fine, unless we come up with a better nickname."
"I'll get Nico on it. He thinks it is his job to distribute nicknames to the children." Will said.
There was a knock at the door and Percy was closest. "Percy, would you get that and lead them back?"
"Sure" he replied as he handed Caly off to me. Percy went to the front door but no one was there, then heard the knock again from an interior door that looked like one of Leo's, just outside the maternity room. He opened it to find a soldier there, fresh from battle and wearing fatigues and a World War II era American helmet. It took a second to recognize Piper's father.
"You... I thought you were dead."
"I got better." Percy smiled. "Seems to happen a lot with me."
"I was about to go on set when the dove arrived at my trailer, is Piper okay?"
"Seems great, see for yourself. You have a handsome grandson now too!" Percy turned and began to walk back.
"Uh, I have to be invited in."
"Oh! Of course, please, come in." Percy smiled and Tristan rushed through the door and past Percy. By the time Percy got back to the room Tristan was seated on the edge of the bed and holding 'JJ' which despite Piper's misgivings became his nickname.
The room was getting crowded fast as more and more people came by, including Piper's mother and the entirety of the former demigods, DA 1, II and the Order. Rachel was in command as the acting hostess and we excused ourselves to give everyone else a chance to see the couple and their newborn. We would be back later that night to play nurse and ensure that mom and dad could rest, although Caly, Tee and Percy left early to go to sleep. The kids piled into bed with their father again, and when I arrived about midnight or so, all were sound asleep.
Leo sent a patronus canceling the cook out, and I sent one canceling the board meeting that had been set for the morning. We would meet the following day instead. Leo, being nearly addicted to grilling out, cooked steaks for everyone anyway and delivered them to Jason and Piper's, and as a result Percy got to continue his gluttony for another day.
Percy woke in the middle of the night as I slid into bed.
"Hey, how is Piper?"
"She's resting and almost as happy as we were when the kids were born. Almost."
"Well logic dictates we were twice as happy." He grinned.
"Hmmm, didn't we decide the kids would sleep in their own beds tonight?"
"I had a dweam." Tee said.
"Tee had a dweam" Percy repeated with a grin.
"Percy..."
"What? I had a dweam too!" he smiled. "I dweamed I could snuggle up with the best wife and kids in the whole world. Wonderful dweam. Truwee." He giggled.
"I had a dream too, but it only involved me and the best husband ever. I can't really talk about it now though. Or act on it." I whispered as I grinned and closed my eyes.
"Oh."
"That's right. Oh. Now, lets get some rest, we have to spell Jennifer tomorrow afternoon."
Over the next several weeks Percy worked to regain his health and get back in the swing of things. After about a week he felt good enough to spar with some of the folks in training but that wasn't useful as although he wasn't as strong physically as when he left, he was much faster. Percy usually disarmed when his opponent first offered contact. He even bested Neville, myself and Chiron in record times, although Chiron was still tough. If anything, he was a better with a sword than before, and his spell casting was ridiculous. Percy still had a lot to learn about when and how to use spells for their best advantage but Sirius and Lupin were glad to assist him.
We toured Hogwarts, Camp Half Blood and Camp Jupiter, reviewing classes at each and sat on the review stand at Jupiter, overseeing with Hazel and Dakota the drills and games of the entire legion, around 800 strong now. Half Blood had nearly the same number, while Hogwarts stayed at around 700. All were much stronger as both magicians and warriors now as the company had worked hard to fulfill the demands placed on us by the pantheon. Their muggle studies were coming along too, they were at least as competent as the average muggle student of their age, but since they were assisted magically with learning they were able to do so by only expanding their time a modest amount.
Once Percy was able to walk for a reasonable period without exhaustion I insisted that he tour New Rome University with me. The nomaj part of the University had a program of study in Oceanography that I thought Percy would excel at, and on meeting some of the students and professors he agreed, so that became his first academic goal. We had lunch that day in a small off campus deli that had the best iced tea outside the south. I knew most of the regulars there and took pride in finally introducing Percy so that everyone would know that in fact I had been married the whole time I was in school. There were a few nomaj male friends there, and that got me thinking about an uncomfortable subject we had not touched yet.
"You've never asked me about that" I said when we finally got a table alone to ourselves.
"Never asked you about what?"
"Uh, The guys, that... well, remember when my mother, Piper and her mother sat me down a day or so after you came back?"
"You told me about it, I was sort of knocked out at the time I guess. Why?"
"Piper and her mother stressed that after all that time apart you might wonder about my faithfulness."
"Oh. No, that never occurred to me."
"Huh? Why? You don't think I could get another guy Percy?" I smirked.
"No, you can have any guy you want. You're... well you're the most beautiful, desirable and just... best person I know, I just figured, well, you're Annabeth. For whatever foolish, unwise reason, I'm the guy you want. No, it never entered my mind to be concerned about that. I mean, I'm sure you got hit on, a lot, but,"
"You have no idea. Even some of the gods... well, yes, and nomaj's and even some of the demigods, not from our friends of course, but, yes. I got hit on a lot. I shot them all down, either by telling them I was married, or with the nomaj's hitting them and whoever was close by with a love charm so they would leave me alone. I think I'm responsible for a few dozen same sex relationships among otherwise heterosexual men on campus."
"Well its college, kids experiment." He grinned.
"You really never worried?"
"No. We are in love, and not the sort of love that time and distance can effect."
"Hmmmm, good answer. Anyway, since I broached it, yes. I was completely faithful. I know you know that, but I like to brag." She smiled.
"I was too. Of course it was easier for me, the closest thing to female I saw had a golden metal leg, claws and fangs."
"Kelli the empousa? Did she hit on you?"
"No, I killed her . And her friends. A few times. I wish I had thought of the love charm angle though. I always thought her and Tammi would make a great couple."
"You're demented. I like that!" I laughed.
Percy and I had gotten the bedroom situation back where it should be, and if the kids were out with their aunts and uncles, pretty much the every other room in the house situation as well. Life was good, his health was returning, although he still was seriously underweight, he didn't tire easily anymore and was basically fit to resume his duties. Which was good as the solstice was coming up.
We left the university and visited Camp Jupiter where Percy got his first look at his statue in the Senate. He hated it, but at the same time got choked up at the honor bestowed on him. He had already seen the ones at Hogwarts and Half Blood, and hated those too. We joined Frank, Reyna, Neville and Rachel at the coffee shop overlooking the practice field while Hazel ran the troops like woman possessed. This day they were working strictly on Roman battle order and she expected absolute perfection. It was inspiring to watch and in many ways she was a stronger trainer than her soon to be husband, although he probably was a better battlefield leader. Together they were a formidable couple.
Speaking of formidable couples, Reyna and Neville, after chatting with us for a half hour or so, decided they needed to do something important and took off. Apparently they wanted to visit the home they left hours before and make sure their bedroom was still there.
Rachel had been so busy helping with JJ that we had not seen her much so it was good to catch up.
"So guys, question!" She said.
"Shoot!" Percy replied.
"Uh, well, since you're back, uh, do you still want me to stay there? Piper and Jason I think are about to take over on their own with JJ and"
"Yes." Percy answered before I could. "The kids miss you. Annabeth misses you. Yes. You are always welcome, come on back, the door is never locked."
"Are you sure? I mean, I have a house at the end of the street and"
"And its big and empty and ours is better with you in it. Seriously, Caly and Tee miss their Aunt Wocky." I answered.
"Wocky?" Percy asked.
"They have trouble saying Rachel, so Nico told them my real name is Rocky. They have trouble with the 'R'."
"Oh." Percy replied. "Either way, I've... well I need to thank you for taking care of my family while I was gone. You really went above and beyond... just... Thanks! I can't ever repay you. So, everyone else seems to be getting married, whats up with you?"
"Percy! You don't ask a girl that!"
"Oh its alright. Lets see, I.. well I've dated a few guys"
"A few?" I said sarcastically causing Rachel to blush."
"Yes! Just a few, but none of them have really stuck. I mean, the nomaj's I can't really share with my friends and my life, and the demigods, well, they're nice and all, but, well they aren't in the same league as the ones I hang out with and I think that intimidates them. Oh, and its hard to tell my parents I am dating a guy that studies Arithromancy without explaining what that is."
"Why can't you share the nomaj's with us?" Percy asked.
"Well gee, lets see... 'Hey! My friend is having a cookout on my street, we're going to teleport to my neighborhood using a magic door and you won't be able to see any of the homes there, but trust me, they are all really nice. Hope you like bowling!"
"Point taken." Percy said. "You'll find someone. I'm sure of it."
"Can I get you folks a refill?" Tim the waiter said.
"Oh hey Tim! I haven't seen you since the welcome back thing, How are you?"
"I'm good! One more semester at New Rome and I'm back to London. Are you recovering from your quest?"
"I'm getting there. You know Annabeth and Rachel don't you?"
"Uh, well Annabeth sure, but, I, I know we have met Rachel, I've seen you here before but, well, I'm Tim."
"Uh, I, well I am more welcome at the Greek Camp but I come here when I can, are you sure we have met? I would think I would remember you." Rachel replied to the tall, handsome Tim.
"Well, I'm sure I've seen you here or London before. I graduated Hogwarts and worked at a cafe in Diagon Alley before college. oh and at a casino in Vegas for a couple of summers. I'm about to finish up in Urban Planning and Construction Spells."
"Really? I just finished with Accounting and Nomaj relations."
"No kidding, what now?"
"I'm not sure, probably a Masters. I'd like to teach Nomaj and Muggle Relations eventually. Hey, Percy said you were at the Welcome Back Party, did we meet there?"
"Maybe, honestly it was my first trip to New Ionia. Do you go there often?"
"I have home there."
"Rachel is one of the Eleven." I told him.
"No kidding! Wow! I.. that's amazing. You know, I waited the table at the cafe the Sunday that Gringotts was robbed.!"
"Oh, it wasn't robbed. It was a burglary. Still unsolved?" Percy asked.
"Yes, and the worst kept secret in the world of magic." Tim laughed.
"Tim you should come over for dinner one night, our house is the first on the left coming from the training grounds. Rachel stays with us and helps with the kids. What night are you off?" I asked.
"Oh, well given the time change, you mean what day am I off. Lets see, Friday I'm off."
"Great! Plan on it!" Rachel exclaimed.
Tim's boss gave him the evil eye, literally, and he had to return to work.
"Are you trying to play matchmaker?"
"Yes. Yes we are." Percy smiled.
"What? No! But Tim is a great guy. I've talked with him quite a bit over the last four and he and Percy were good friends before... well, you know." I replied.
"And with a degree in Urban Planning your folks are sure to like him." Percy added.
"Hmmm, well he has possibilities. And he seems to have a lot of character and depth.
