Don't Think So Much Annabeth
Chapter XII: Everyone Knows
Week Fourteen
After a week, Annabeth felt the dread in her stomach finally ease up. She'd been on edge ever since the dinner, despite how well it went, and had a feeling that it had gone too well. Something ridiculous was going to happen to spoil everything. What that something was, she had no idea, but it was too outlandish to wish for something strange to not happen.
Yet, she had the most uneventful work week in the history of her employment.
Her budget increase request for a private project was passed through without hassle, no one that came into her office was there on bad news or to pick a fight, and even Percy's lunch visit went by without question. Even her boss stopped by to check on the college project, but had no notes or anything to give her. Just a "good job" and then he was on his way.
She frowned, stirring the straw around in her cup of water. Percy had gotten her a custom tumbler cup with a metal straw a few weeks ago, and she found the noise it made as she stirred it to be soothing. Hannah knew the noise and popped her head in.
"Is everything okay? You've been out of it all day."
She couldn't just tell Hannah that she was expecting something bad to happen— that was psychotic. In a split decision she knew she would regret later, and could possibly be considered intentionally self destructive, Annabeth said, "I'm pregnant and I can't decide how to tell the office."
"What?" Hannah whispered loudly, looking into the hallway before quickly shutting the office door.
"I'm pregnant." She repeated.
Hannah looked like she was about to explode with questions, so Annabeth reminded her to take a breathe before launching into it. After a few moments to collect herself, Hannah finally returned to a normal color and took a seat.
"How far along are you?"
"I'm a little over fourteen weeks."
"How have you hid it this long? We all knew Carol was pregnant when she puked in the hallway, and that was before she told her husband."
She was a bit smug about that, considering how bad her morning sickness had been, and the fact she'd slowly worked in an entirely new work wardrobe she'd had to buy that was a far cry from her usual button ups and slacks.
"Luck, I suppose. I puked in front of Percy's mother the first time I met her, and didn't even know it was her. The few weeks I was off with the flu were actually bad morning sickness."
"It didn't even cross my mind you could be out for that. Either way, I'm so excited for you! Do you want to tell everyone else? There must be a reason you kept it a secret for so long."
Hannah knew all about her past traumas and her parents— after all she'd set up quite a few emergency therapy appointments for her.
"I"m afraid someone will tell Susan or people to judge me. Percy and I have only been together for, well, fourteen weeks. I don't know how to handle people thinking we're only together for the baby. I know that's not the case, and I know I can't control what people think or say about me, so it's a stupid fear."
"It's not stupid," Hannah interjected. "Any feelings you have regardless if they're positive or negative is valid, and ignoring them only makes it worse."
"You sound like my therapist." Annabeth joked.
Hannah laughed and said, "Well, I do have a four year degree in psychology. I just realized I like clerical work a lot better than four more years of school for a doctorate, and you pay better."
She felt bad that she didn't know that, so she made a promise to herself to get to know Hannah better. She was always so sweet and took Annabeth's bad moods with grace. Hannah had even talked her through some dark moods after a bad phone call.
"Would you like to come over for dinner?"
Hannah looked surprised, but nodded happily. "I'd love that. What brought this on?"
"I just realized I'm being closed off for no reason, especially to the person who's helped keep my life from descending into chaos since I started. You're more than just my assistant, you're my friend. Besides, I think the baby is going to need a better influence than just Thalia and Percy's Mom."
Tears welled up in Hannah's eyes, but before Annabeth could panic she was around the desk. Hannah's arms wrapped tightly around her, the warmth and pressure making Annabeth release the tenseness in her body.
After talking for a bit, Hannah offered to take care of the 'official' announcement by way of planning a surprise baby shower. Granted it wouldn't be much of a surprise since Annabeth knew about it, but Hannah believed it would be a good place for her to not only bond with some of their coworkers but also give them an opportunity to feel included in something. It also took any pressure off for an 'official' announcement. She agreed, and Hannah bounced out of her office practically vibrating with excitement.
Annabeth texted Percy a quick message, asking if they had any plans for dinner this week. She was in a sociable mood and wanted to get their friends together for an announcement dinner. Percy quickly responded they didn't have plans, so she asked him if he wanted to have a dinner. He thought it was a great idea and even asked to plan it. She typed back a response, agreeing and just asking that Thalia and Hannah be invited as well.
She sat back in her chair and stared at the blueprints sprawled out on the desk. Today was going too easy, and that suspicion everything was about to come crashing down around her crept back in. Maybe… Maybe it was time to set up an appointment with a therapist again? As much as she would like to just talk to Hannah, her secretary wasn't a licensed therapist and she wouldn't put her friend in that position to begin with.
She shrugged, and figured since she was on a role she might as well set the appointment up. Once that was done, she found herself exhausted. It was only two and she could think of nothing better than crawling into bed and napping until Percy got home.
"You know what, I'm at a good stopping point." She sighed, gathering her things. Coming into the office was only a formality, and as long as she finished her work before the deadline, it didn't matter if she worked here or from home.
"Hannah, I'm going to leave early. Do you need anything before I go?"
"Nope, go home and enjoy a nice long nap. I'll see you tomorrow morning." She replied with a wink.
Annabeth grinned and left the building feeling happier than she had in a while.
The air was a bit chilly, so she sat in her car for a few minutes to let the engine warm up and checked her personal email. Most junk filled her inbox, but a few bills had popped in since yesterday.
"I'll pay these when I get home, this one I need to run through the credit union, and… what's this?" She muttered.
It was from the local women and children's hospital, something that usually wouldn't mean anything, but if her information had gotten added to the list, even just for a mailing campaign, then it was only a matter of time before Susan found out.
