Artemis PoV

I was tired, sick, and had a massive headache.

After some thinking, I came to the conclusion that I was with child, a concept supported by my period not arriving.

My husband was carrying over a cup of nectar. "How are you feeling?"

"Sick," I replied. "A little nervous."

"Nervous?" He repeated. "Why?"

I bit my lip. "We haven't been using protection..."

"Oh," was Percy's response. "Are you...are you pregnant?"

"I don't know," I replied.

"Are you ready for that?" He asked gently.

I nodded. "Yes."

Percy cleared his throat. "Do, um, do you want me to go get a pregnancy test?"

Again, I nodded. "I'm coming with you." He nodded, seemingly grateful that he wouldn't have to go pick out one of the many different brands and styles.

I got dressed and put my arm through his, kissing my lover's cheek. "I love you."

"I love you too," he replied.

We made our way down to the small store and picked up a few pregnancy tests.

My husband waved the key/credit card and took my hand, squeezing it. "Should we grab some food from the buffet before we head back up?"

"No," I decided. "We can get room service."

Artemis PoV

The tests came back negative.

Honestly, I was relieved. I wanted kids, but I wasn't quite ready for them yet.

I couldn't tell how Percy felt when I told him, but he was still loving and his attitude toward me didn't change.

"I love you," he murmured in my ear. "No matter what. I'll always love you."

"Always and forever?" I asked.

"Always and forever," he repeated, kissing me.

"I'm feeling a little better," I murmured as he pulled away.

"So maybe if I just kiss you a ton, you'll feel better," Percy reasoned illogically.

Sipping from my mug of nectar, I leaned into his side.

"I have a secret to tell you," he stated childishly.

I nodded for him to continue.

"There's this girl I like," my husband explained. "She's gorgeous, intelligent, kind, strong, independent, and has high levels of overall badassery. I'm the luckiest guy in the world, too, because I got to marry her."

I kissed him. "I love you."

"The nectar doing its work?" My husband asked.

I nodded. "Feeling substantially better."

Percy kissed the top of my head. "Any idea what caused your being ill?"

I thought for a moment. "I haven't been exerting myself lately, I'm not pregnant, and there were no repercussions for losing my virginity. It might just have been something I ate."

The landline started ringing, and Percy picked up. "Hello?"

There was garbled speech from the other end and my lover nodded. "Yes, well, thank you for notifying us. Next time, just cook the food properly."

I looked up at him. "What?"

"Someone contaminated a large batch of salad, and several people have gotten sick from it," my husband summarized. "You should be perfectly fine by tomorrow."

"I'm cold," I declared.

Percy kissed my cheek and stood, grabbing the heated jug of nectar from the kitchen space and the extra blanket from the closet. "What movie do you want to watch?"

"Anything, really," I replied.

My husband sat down next to me, unfolding the blanket in an extravagant motion and cuddling up next to me.

"Better?" He asked.

I smiled, taking another sip from my mug. "Much."

Percy gazed at me with love and kindness, holding me close. "I love you."

"I love you too," I whispered, closing my eyes.

Percy PoV

Artemis was passed out in my arms on the love seat, and I figured she was in deep enough sleep for me to move her.

Other than a small groan of annoyance, there was no indication that she had awoken.

I set her down gently, pulling the covers up over her.

My goddess grasped my wrist as I withdrew.

"I'm not leaving," I soothed. "Just grabbing the nectar."

She relaxed a great deal when I slipped back into bed next to her.

Artemis had trust issues sometimes from her past, but I was okay with that.

I loved her, and I would never hurt her, so there was nothing for me to be concerned about.

My goddess rested her head on my chest and closed her eyes, murmuring something incoherently.

I woke at an unusual time, irritated by the light of my wife's phone.

Groaning, I placed a hand on her thigh. "What's wrong?"

Artemis put her phone down. "Nothing. I just can't sleep."

"Then lay with me," I responded, pulling her down with me.

She touched my cheek. "That's what I've been doing."

I put an arm around her waist, pulling her close.

My goddess leaned closer, straddling me as I sat up.

"Then wake me up so I can be with you," I replied.

Artemis placed her hands on my shoulders and kissed me.

Her hands ended up on my face, which she grasped tight as she kissed me.

My wife pulled away, and I gave a goofy grin. "What was that for?"

She just smiled at me, curling up in my lap.

Artemis PoV

The honeymoon ended, and my period began.

Fantastic.

Percy kissed my hand. "Anything I can do to help?"

"Love me," I mumbled tiredly.

My husband hugged me. "Already doing that."

I traced the fading marks on his neck. "I suppose I'll just have to add new ones."

Percy gave no complaint, only groaning softly as I kissed at his neck.

"Marking your territory?" He asked.

I bit down, sucking at the skin.

After I'd done this a few more times, my husband rolled so he was on top. "I guess I'll just have to do the same."

He began kissing at the sensitive skin on my neck, biting and sucking in certain areas.

I moaned softly, aroused by the contact. Percy growled in what seemed to be a possessive manner, annoyed at the summon received for a council meeting.

I touched his cheek. "I'll be back as soon as possible."

He kissed me lightly. "I love you."

"I love you too," I replied, disappearing to the throne room.

Percy PoV

While Artemis was at her meeting, I made blue cookies.

Her return was marked by the large bite taken out of one from the cooling rack.

"How was the meeting?" I asked.

My wife shrugged. "Same old boring crap."

She took another cookie from the tray. "I'm going to teach you how to shoot a bow."

"Okay," I replied. "When do we start?" Artemis took my hand and dragged me to this massive, field-type room with several complex targets.

She snapped her fingers, leaving one normal target in the middle of the room. I summoned a bow and a quiver.

"Show me what you can do," my goddess ordered.

So I went into my best stance, nocked an arrow, and fired.

I wasn't even close to hitting the target. Artemis laughed at me.

She took the bow and a singular arrow. "Watch my stance."

So I watched, and learned that I wasn't supposed to stand how I had been.

After hitting the centre, my wife handed the bow back to me. "Try again. Your stance seemed to be the main problem."

I tried to copy her stance, and she stepped in to correct it.

So I pulled back the string and released. The arrow flew, and it hit the black circle.

"Improvement," Artemis stated, kissing my cheek. "It will take practice, but you'll be able to shoot as well as my hunters in a few months."

I set down my bow and kissed her, seeing that loving look on her face.

A soft moan escaped my goddess. "We have a bedroom for a reason." She allowed me to continue kissing her.

My wife pulled away. "I don't want to do that right now."

"I don't want to do that either," I replied. "Just kiss you."