Percy's P.O.V
I knew something was up with Piper, she and Annabeth had always been quite close so I made up a reason to leave the two of them to talk. I knew Annabeth knew I hadn't really forgotten anything.
As I entered our home I started to unpack all the things I had hidden, things Nightshade would need. I was really glad Annabeth liked her, sure we had Mrs O'Leary my pet hellhound but it wasn't really the same thing.
I placed a water and food bowl on the floor of the kitchen. I put her bed in the lounge with a few chew toys. I placed Nightshade on the floor of her new home and let her explore. I watched as her tail wagged so quickly it was like a blurred fan. She seemed happy to be here, I picked up one of the toys and offered it to her and we began to play tug of war.
Little Nightshade lasted a few hours before collapsing for a nap. I picked her up and placed her in her bed and turned on the TV. Annabeth found us in the same place when she walked through the door. I held a finger to my lips and pointed to her new pet. She looked down and there was so much love in her eyes for this puppy already. She smiled and walked over and sat next to me before leaning into to kiss me.
"Thank you" she said "I didn't really say that earlier, so, thank you"
"You're welcome Wise Girl, I just wanted to do something special for you" I said looking into her grey eyes I could see how much she loved me.
"How did I get so lucky?" She asked me
"I think I'm the lucky one" I replied and it was true, she pondered that for a moment.
"Yes, I guess you are Seaweed Brain" she teased me and nudged my shoulder.
"Is Piper ok?" I asked her and she sighed "I think that maybe she's missing Jason and our engagement stirred up a lot of old feelings for her. She'll be okay though, I asked her to help Malcolm out she said it would help her heal"
"I hope so, I didn't realise she was still hurting" I said ashamed that our friend was in pain and there wasn't anything I could do to help. Annabeth, I could tell had picked up on how I was feeling.
"Seaweed Brain, it's not your fault" she said.
"I know, at least she has Thalia" I said and she agreed with me. "How is Thalia dealing with it all?" I asked her.
"Really well actually, I think it has something to do with her immortality" she said and I guess it made sense.
"I'm sorry" I said and she shook her head at me and smiled.
"Don't ever apologise for caring Seaweed Brain" she told me before leaning in and kissing me. Gods I loved this woman.
Nightshade started to stir from her nap and I got up to put food in her bowl and feed her. Annabeth sat stroking her while she ate and I asked her why she did it.
"It's so she doesn't feel threatened if someone touches her while she eats. It was something Dad did with -" she cut herself off I knew talking about her old dog was painful for her. "Anyway it stops her snapping at people or children mostly if they touch her while she eats and drinks. We'll need to do it when she drinks too"
"Okay" I said and we hadn't really discussed having children but I knew it was something I wanted. Just the thought of a mini me and a mini Annabeth running around the house really made me smile. I could feel my heart fluttering at the thought of them racing around playing games together and just generally enjoying life.
"Where did you go just now?" Annabeth asked as we sat back in the lounge she had Nightshade on her lap stroking her ears.
"Children" I said and I could see her cheeks flushing with colour, I also felt heat rising to my own cheeks.
Annabeth's P.O.V
"Children" He said and I could feel my cheeks flushing with colour, Percy also blushed. But, I hadn't missed the huge smile on his face as he'd been thinking about it. I listened as he described a small boy that looked like him and a small girl that looked like me. His descriptions were so vivid I could almost see them running around the lounge with Nightshade. The more he spoke about it the more I wanted that for us, I had no idea if I'd be a good mother, but I hoped I would be.
Percy went up to bed not long after we finished talking, it was pretty late but I had so many thoughts spinning through my head that I just couldn't go to bed yet. I went into my study and picked up an empty sketchbook and started sketching the images Percy had put in my mind's eye, until eventually I started to fall asleep.
I woke up to crying and I knew it was Nightshade needing to go out. I let her out into the garden and waited for her to come back. I looked at the clock it was 3am, my neck was stiff, I wished I'd had the sense to stop sketching and go up to bed before I fell asleep but I knew I was kidding myself if I thought that would ever happen. Nightshade came back inside and nuzzled at my legs, I stroked her head as I led her back to her bed. I headed up to bed, Percy was out cold and he looked so at peace. I watched him sleep once my head hit the pillow and my last thought before I drifted off to sleep was that he would make a great dad.
Malcolm's P.O.V
After breakfast I made sure all the campers in my cabin got to their first activity after they'd cleaned there bunks ready for inspection. I was just straightening up the last few things when there was a knock at the door. I looked up and Piper walked in, it was her turn to perform inspection this morning.
"Hi Piper" I said in greeting, I knew her and Annabeth were close. Annabeth used to be our head counsellor but had stepped down to have a life with Percy outside of quests and wars. If anyone deserved that, it was Annabeth and I was really happy she was getting to live out that dream of hers.
"Hi Malcolm" she said as she entered our cabin with the inspection scroll "your cabin cleans up nicely as always" she said smiling at me.
"Thank you, we certainly try" Piper and I we among some of the oldest demigods who still lived with the campers. Sure we could have moved into the Greek village like Percy and Annabeth but without someone to do that with it didn't feel right to me. Especially, if I could help those who were training to go off on quests.
Later in the day I bumped into Piper again on my way back to cabin six from the sword arena.
"Hey" I said as I past her on my way back to grab my towel, she waved in response looking at me in a curious way. I'm not sure why but my stomach felt like it was going to bring back my breakfast. Okay so maybe I had an idea why, I'm a son of Athena, but I wasn't sure what to do about it so I just pushed it down smiled back at Piper and carried on back to my cabin.
Percy's P.O.V
I woke and Annabeth wasn't next to me. What time was it? I rolled over to look at the clock and it was 9:15am. I haven't slept in like this since, well, probably before I met Annabeth.
I got up and threw on a pair of jeans and a random t-shirt, before walking down stairs. I found my Wise Girl in the lounge playing with Nightshade. She looked so content teaching her to sit and to give a paw for treats. I leaned against the banister watching the two of them and I knew, one day hopefully not too far in the future that she'd make an amazing mom. I knew I was smiling.
"Stop staring at me Seaweed Brain" she said not even looking up from what she was doing.
"I can't help myself sometimes" I said walking over to her and kissing her forehead before ruffling the top of Nightshade's head. "Have you eaten?" I asked.
"Yeah, I had cereal earlier" she replied "I'm sure Demeter would be proud" she added and I chuckled.
"Indeed - I'll just grab something quick" I said. I decided on a cereal bar it wasn't the healthiest of breakfasts but it would get me through to lunch.
I sat down next to Annabeth and Nightshade came over to me earning me a glare from Annabeth, albeit not a serious one, for interrupting her training.
"What do you want to do today?" I asked her.
"I hadn't really thought about it" she replied and I did like a mock fainting next to her. "Seaweed Brain!" She sighed exasperatedly at me and I can hear the smile in it. "Just because I'm a daughter of Athena doesn't mean I spend all my time thinking."
I smiled at her and I got one of her stunningly beautiful smiles back because she knows I'm only playing around.
"What about sending out a few Iris messages and seeing if people want to hang out this afternoon?" I asked and I can see her thinking about it.
"That would be nice we've not done it in so long" she replied, I picked up the pile of Golden drachmas and we headed outside to the salt water fountain. We contacted Piper, Malcolm, Thalia, Frank, Hazel, Grover & Juniper, and Clarisse & Chris. Grover and Juniper were busy but the others said they'd arrive for about two o'clock.
"I suppose we best get things ready, I thought Thalia might be too busy to make it. But, I suppose if you save Olympus you get a few leniencies even if you're a hunter" I said.
"I think Lady Artemis has a bit of a soft spot for Thalia" she told me.
"Perhaps, works out well for us" I said
"I also think she has a soft spot for you, which considering you're a man says a lot" I pondered that for a moment and I have to admit it felt kind of nice.
"Well, I know she's not a massive fan of men but I hope I have enough favour not to be turned into an animal on site at least" I smiled. "Did you want to use the new theatre room today?" I asked her, she nodded at me.
One of the many amazing things about having your future wife design your house is that you can literally get exactly what you want. Okay, okay so some of my ideas were shot down but the secret room for a theatre room was one she kept. With all the work she's been doing on Olympus it was the last rooms in the house to be completed. There wasn't much I helped with in terms of design or creation but decorating I helped with. If I do say so myself I'm not half bad with a paint brush but, Annabeth insisted on doing everything in the secret theatre room as it was a surprise add on to the construction as I'd jokingly suggested it. Wish I'd jokingly suggested a pool in the back garden too but with the sea so close it didn't seem worth it. A thought occurs to me while I'm setting everything up.
"Should we have asked Reyna?" I asked Annabeth who is grabbing snacks out of the cupboard.
"I was going to but Hazel said she's already got plans - she's got a date with someone." She replied.
"Oh I hope it goes well" and I genuinely meant that Reyna deserved someone who really cared for her and I hoped she'd find that.
"Me too" she told me and then frowned.
"What are we missing?" I asked
"You always know - we don't have any popcorn, but I could've sworn-" I grinned "you ate it didn't you?" She asked noticing my grin.
"I did, I'm sorry, I'll run to the village shop and get some more. Do we need anything else?" I asked. She wrote me a quick list and I headed out to the shop. The shop was only about five minutes from our house so it didn't take me long to get there. I found that I was really looking forward to this afternoon.
Annabeth's P.O.V
I finish putting all the snacks that we have in the theatre room, Nightshade following at my heels. I loved the little puppy so much; Percy was so thoughtful to get her. I can't wait to teach her tricks and take her for walks. I grabbed her bed from the lounge and placed it in the theatre room though I imagine she'll spend most of her time with Thalia who's a huge animal person.
I picked up Nightshade and sat in the lounge with her in my lap stroking her as she nuzzles my stomach affectionately. I'm so content that I didn't even hear Percy come home.
"Wise Girl?" I look up and he's standing in the door way to the kitchen.
"Sorry Percy, what did you say?"
"I asked if you wanted me to put the rest of this in the theatre room ready but you were so zoned out with Nightshade I don't think I got through. Where did you go?" He asked.
"Nowhere, I was just here with Nightshade almost in a bubble. I'm sorry Seaweed Brain; I'll help you put the rest of the snacks in the theatre room ready." I said getting up with a sleepy Nightshade, walking over to Percy. He leaned in and kissed me before saying
"I'm so glad you like her" I sighed contently and smiled.
"I really do."
We'd just placed the last of the snacks in the theatre room when the door went. Nightshade was asleep but awoke at the sound of knocking on the door and went bounding up behind Percy, ready to defend our home. Thalia was first to arrive and as suspected as soon as she saw Nightshade she scooped her up.
"Hello, and who might you be?" She asked Nightshade who affectionately licks her face.
"Hey Thals, this is Nightshade, Nightshade this is Thalia" I said by way of introduction. Still holding Nightshade she gave Percy and me a half hug before settling on the sofa.
"I think we've lost her for the afternoon" Percy said to me.
"You might be right" I said to him.
Piper and Malcolm were next to arrive, followed shortly by Clarisse and Chris. Last to arrive were Hazel and Frank.
"Annabeth you need a bigger lounge" Thalia said to me.
"No we don't" Percy said grinning at me "we've got the theatre room"
"What theatre room?" She asked "I've been here loads of times, there's no theatre room"
"Well actually-" I started "it's kind of a secret room, but I've only just finished it, so you guys are getting first use. This way" I said leading them through the kitchen and pushed a notch on the wall and the door slid open.
"You've been holding out on me" Thalia said chuckling and taking Nightshade in, the others follow behind her.
"So, how is everyone?" I asked looking around at our friends it's been so long since we've been gathered together like this.
"We're good" Clarisse said "Chris and I have decided to retire to the village."
"I can't wait" Chris said smiling "still going to help out at camp, just have our own place and that"
"Nice, congrats guys" Percy said "Hazel, Frank how about you guys?"
"Well actually-" Frank started blushing so Hazel carried on.
"I'm pregnant" she said smiling and Frank smiled at her.
"Oh guys that's amazing news" I said getting up to give Hazel and Frank a hug "how many weeks?" I asked.
"Twelve weeks" Frank said beaming and I can tell he's really excited to be a dad.
"Congratulations guys, when is he/ she due?" Percy asked.
"January 15th" Hazel answered.
"You must be so excited" Thalia said smiling at them.
"Yeah we are, partially terrified, but excited" Frank said.
"You'll be great parents" Piper said smiling at them.
"Thanks" Hazel said "how are you Piper, Malcolm?"
"Good thanks" they said at the same time.
"What about you Thalia?" Chris asked. Thalia looked up from Nightshade.
"Oh yeah, I'm good thanks, I'm debating taking this puppy back to the hunt with me, she's so adorable"
"Hey! No way she's mine" I said throwing a cushion off one of the sofas at her. I missed and she poked her tongue out at me.
"Percy only got you it, so that I'm guaranteed to visit you more" she responded.
"That wasn't actually why I got her" Percy grumbled and I couldn't help but laugh and soon we were all laughing.
"I think even Thalia knows that Seaweed Brain" I said before leaning over and kissing him. "So what are people in the mood for? Games or a film?"
We settle on games and then a film afterwards, we start with Cluedo.
~Author's Note~
I hope you enjoy this chapter, let me know what you think.
Bdarwin85 Thank you so much for your review, I'm really glad you love it
