Don't Think So Much Annabeth
Chapter XIII: Clear Your Plate
Week 16
"So, tell me a bit about yourself."
Annabeth shifted nervously, tugging at the sweatshirt out of habit, despite the overly large garment's ability to hide her bump with ease. Not that she needed to hide it— this therapist wasn't going to judge her for being pregnant. She was familiar with how a therapist's office worked after she began college and sought out the school's free counseling program, but despite knowing she would leave feeling better, something kept her from letting go and telling Dr. Terrant everything.
"I'm not quite sure where to start." She admitted.
"That's alright, I booked you for a couple hours today so we don't have to rush. Do you want to start with your answers to the intake form?"'
Dr. Terrant peered at her nose through the bottom of her glasses and said, "You recently got a big work project, you're in a serious relationship, unmarried, and having a baby."
Annabeth knew the unmarried remark was just part of the intake form, to get a better gauge on the clients. Dr. Terrant herself was unmarried, with three kids and a long term partner.
"Most recently, yes. My old college where I got my Masters in Architecture, contracted me to redesign their School of Architecture building. I was close with the Dean while I was in school, so I'm really excited about this project. I'm even working with a few of the students on it to give them some real world building experience on a building they have a connection to."
"Percy is my boyfriend, and I'm just past the first trimester so we've only recently started telling people. We've told his parents, who are amazingly supportive and I know will be wonderful grandparents, and I've told my best friends Thalia and Hannah."
"What about your parents? Are they around?"
Annabeth felt her joy talking about it drop along with her facial expression. Dr. Terrant scribbled something down and set the pad to the side.
"You can tell me as much or as little as you want, either way, I'm here to listen to you."
For some reason, that set Annabeth off. She started crying, her hair becoming more and more unruly as she talked about her life and raked her fingers through it angrily. She started from the time her Mom abandoned her, and finally ended with her fears of revealling her pregnancy.
"It sounds like you have a fear of rejection, tied to how you present yourself to the world around you. If you're anything less than 'perfect' in your own mind you're uncomfortable, or when you get a negative reaction from someone, you immediately assume it's because of you."
That did it. The last shred of the dam holding back her tears shattered and she sobbed into her hands. Her step mother always criticizing how she looked, Luke leveraging the affection he showed her based on her performance in their relationship, and now the fear of general criticism for being an unwed mother, despite that stigma being mostly gone in society.
"Is there anything you need to hear from me in this moment? You can be honest with me and I'll afford you the same courtesy."
"I want someone to tell me people won't leave me if I'm not perfect." She blurted out.
Dr. Terrant didn't waste a moment and surged forward to hug Annabeth. She had a feeling that this wasn't normal for therapist, but she squeezed the woman back regardless. This was exactly what she needed after being so vulnerable.
"I can't tell you that with certainty, but I can give you tools to cope with when people do, so you can surround herself with people who won't. That way instead of feeling overwhelmed at the possibility of a negative reaction from someone you can process your emotions instead of internalizing them. Does that sound okay?"
"I like solutions. I hate feeling helpless."
"I had a feeling you would. Let's talk some more about a few past events, and I can send you home with some tools today. How does that sound?"
She felt like a little kid, but in a way, it was refreshing. Annabeth had been the overachieving child that grew into the responsible adult— she never had a chance to sit down and let someone explain things to her in a way that didn't assume she has her shit figured out.
By the time she got home, she had a new book stuffed in her purse from her therapist and a smile despite her red eyes. Percy rushed over from his place at the stove as she walked in the door, but slowed as soon as he saw the smile on her face.
"How'd it go?" He asked cautiously, taking in her ruffled appearence.
"It was great. I cried a lot, but I think I needed it. Dr. Terrant explained some of my habits to me and gave me some coping tools to fix the ones that are hurting me."
Percy smiled and gave her a firm hug, careful to mind her stomach. Annabeth tightly returned the hug, and made a promise to herself to try and hug him more often, as well as the people close to her.
When the small party to announce her pregnancy to their friends rolled around, she felt ready to tell them, even excited. Hannah and Thalia would be here to support her, both who already knew what the party was for, and of course Percy. He'd been a darling the entire day, making sure she took a nap while he mopped the floors, and not letting her touch a single plate of food as he set the table and the buffet off to the side.
After a long and luxurious bubble bath, she slipped into the wrap dress she'd bought specifically for this occasion. It was a pale beige fabric made from cotton, and when she tightened the long pieces of fabric to wrap around her waist it showed off her bump in a way that made it unmistakable she was pregnant. For now, she would wear it loose enough to still hide the bump, and then later tighten it right before the announcment.
Her hair was giving her some trouble, but instead of worrying about it, she simply tucked it up into a messy bun at the base of her neck and left a few face-framing curls loose. It was so different from her usual look of sharp dress pants and button down blouses, but she loved it.
"I got you something for tonight, Gorgeous."
She jumped, not hearing Percy come in the bedroom.
"Percy! You didn't have to get me anything, you've been so wonderful today already." She protested.
Percy just shrugged, giving her that crooked smile that melted her heart a little more everytime she saw it. "I can't help it when something pretty catches my eye. Plus I saw these earrings and thought they would go wonderfully with your dress."
She laughed at his joke, and took the box from his outstretched hand with a soft smile. They were gorgeous bluish-grey gemstones surrounded by a halo of smaller clear gems, dangling from a delicate looking hoop.
"Percy... They're gorgeous, thank you so much!"
"I saw them when I was out and thought they looked like your eyes, so..." He trailed off awkwardly and she quickly put them on and pulled him in for a deep kiss.
Percy reciprocated, grabbing her hips and pulling her flush against him. She groaned at the contact, feeling his quick growing excitement. Right as she contemplated telling everyone to come later, the doorbell rang.
She pulled away reluctantly and tucked her face into Percy's neck to give herself a moment to cool down.
"Hey! I'm not standing in the hallway while you two have sex!" Thalia hollered, loud enough the entire hall could hear her.
Percy sprinted to the door, the red on his face reaching clear to his ears. Not much could embarrass him, but Thalia had a knack for it and knew exactly how to get Percy moving. She barged in as soon as the door was unlocked, the door swinging hard enough to smack Percy and knock him over. Thalia strode in, unphased her cousin was half conscious, and went straight for Annabeth.
"Where's the woman of the hour? I bought her something."
Annabeth cringed at her words, adjusting her curls and her dress before exiting the bedroom to greet her.
"There she is! How's my cousins baby mama doing? I feel like I haven't seen you in forever!"
"Hi Thalia, that's because we haven't. You were on a tour." She giggled, hugging her friend tightly.
Thalia pulled out a bag of sour gummies from her bag and Annabeth almost started crying as she snatched the bag and ripped into it. Percy looked confused at her reaction so she explained,
"These are only made in California and they don't ship them! Thalia, you're the best!" She hugged her again, laughing as Percy muttered about getting her gummies instead of jewelry next time.
As their guests trickled in, she felt herself relaxing and getting more and more excited to make the announcement.
Percy introduced Piper, Hazel, Frank, and Jason and they hit it off immediately.
They all sat at the table, playing card games while eating their food and learning about each other. Piper was the daughter of a famous actor, but chose to use her influence to bring attention to climate change and a few personal projects she was working on. She had been dating Jason, Percy's doppelgänger in personality, but they broke up and now remained close friends. Jason worked with Frank in the research division of Poseidon Industries, and Frank had been friends with Nico for years. When Nico discovered he had a half sister, he introduced Frank and Hazel, and they had been a couple ever since. Nico and Will had a prior event to attend, so they would find out with everyone else via video chat.
They told stories and chatted about the glory days of college, but Annabeth didn't feel left out like she usually did. These people weren't trying to one up each other with experience, and were open enough to tell her about their past troubles. Even Hannah's presence didn't deter them, and to her surprise she noticed the brunette sitting squished between Piper and Hazel chatting happily about something as the night went on.
Once the food was mostly gone and everyone was nursing a glass of champagne, except herself of course, Percy gave her a questioning look. She understood, and nodded before standing up and clearing her throat. The idle chatter stopped, all eyes coming to focus on Pthe couple. A sudden grip of nerves made her legs shake, but Percy's warm hand on her hip steadied her enough that she could speak.
"So, Percy and I wanted to get everyone together for more than just to introduce you all."
Eyes darted to her bare left hand hanging by her side, so she took the opportunity to tug at the bow holding her dress and tighten it. Eyes darted over to the now very visible bump protruding from her abdomen and then the room exploded in noise.
"Oh my god congratulations you guys!"
"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god! I can't wait to buy you guys baby clothes!"
"I can't believe this, I'm so excited!"
"Please tell me you're having a baby shower, I want to do the photos! Can I do your maternity pictures?"
"Dibs on best aunt!"
"No, I'm gonna be the best aunt!"
"Not if I'm the best uncle!"
Her cheeks hurt from smiling so much, and when she glanced at Percy she could see the pure joy in his eyes. She bumped his hip, catching his attention so she could give him a deep kiss. Wolf whistles interrupted the chaos, and Hannah began handing out the cupcakes that had been to the side.
After another few hours, Annabeth could barely hold her eyes open. Thalia, never one to be shy, announced she was leaving so Annabeth could get some sleep, and the others quickly followed suit. She hugged everyone as they left, thanking them profusely for not only coming but for being such an important part of Percy's life and now their baby's.
"Feel better?" Percy asked, pulling her into another hug.
She melted into him, humming her agreement. "Yes. Our baby is going to have such a big family and be so loved."
"Yes, they are. They loved you too, you know."
"I know."
Now, she just had one more thing to do.
