To all those who added this story to their alerts/favs or added me to their author alerts/favs: xSilverTeardropx3; liliesandroses; jahfreenalam; ();Vampireaddict98; twinkletoes1718; waterpoloplayer ();CoolWater123; general zargon; LoveTheNight; MegamanSora; Goddess of Discord and Cookies; NoraHalliwell; ilovethesonshine; ARedRose4Me; Bookworm213; xx Annabella Princess xx; DiamondDragonFang-Pertemis; canislupis13; xXPercidiaJacksonXx; nbf4eva; Yume Li; Twilightgirl123456; LoveAngel91; McKenzie8463; ka137; ARedRose4Me; OXOXPoisoned-AngelXOXO; BeautyandtheBeast101575; aliceandjasper; SilverLily1; Wednesday Grimm; speedyteeny
A shout out to jahfreenalam, who guessed that the baby was Nancy Bobofit, who got it 19 minutes after I posted the chapter; and more shout outs to those that also guessed correctly on Nancy being the baby: DiamondDragonFang-Pertemis; ARedRose4Me; ilovethesonshine; LoveTheNight; twinkletoes1718; speedyteeny
I know, I know. It's been such a long time since I last updated. But no worries, I'm back, and I think I found my writing pen again.
Anyway, couple of things to get cleared off my chest:
1. the number of reviews for the last chapter? I couldn't believe it! Thank you so much! It really warms my heart, even if you just leave something like "good job". It tells me that there actually are people who like my writing.
2. I am a complete stranger when it comes to pregnancies, so please, bear with me. I only wrote from the little knowledge I know.
3. this chapter is slightly darker than my other ones, seeing as it talks about Sally in high school. I think it may be a bit too OOC, but then again, she was in high school back then. We all do weird things in high school, right?
I hate really long ANs, so, enjoy!
Dear Poseidon
Sally Jackson has always loved Poseidon. Even when they parted, even when she gave birth to Percy, even when she married Gabe. She's never lost touch of Poseidon, either. Read her letters to the sea god about life, work, Percy, and her love.
"Congratulations, Ms. Jackson, you have a baby boy." Sally Jackson, four and a half months pregnant, rolled her eyes as the nurses around her gushed. She knew from the strange Dr. Forearm that she was pregnant with a son, but she felt that she had to check with more… normal citizens. Mythological beings don't exactly bring much comfort to a mortal's state of mind, especially if that specific mortal can see creatures that should only belong in thick, dusty textbooks and is carrying the offspring of a Greek god.
Poseidon. Sally sighed. It's been four months since she last contacted him; four months since he knew anything of his son. He didn't even know anything about that encounter with the Forearm doctor. She'll tell him in the next letter, she told herself. He is, after all, a god. He would know about Forearm, right?
Somehow, despite her desperate need, she felt a slight tingling in the back of her mind; her conscious told her that most likely, he wouldn't. Why would that be?
Either way, the boy she was carrying would always be hers, no matter what. No Greek mythological being could take him away from her, no one. Not even Poseidon. She just hoped that he would grow up in a far better life than her, so that he would know and enjoy the beauties of life and cherish it, not despise it like as if it was a curse. Now, Sally didn't feel like it was a curse. She was given a baby boy, and she will love him, feed him, care for him, and be there for him, just like what her parents used to do, before she, apparently, "grew up".
Deep down, Sally harbored negative feelings for her parents, Jim and Laura Jackson. Until she was 15 years old, her parents would drop anything for the sake of keeping her safe. They loved her dearly, and she did too in return. Even now, she still loves them. But she could never forgive them for what they did: leaving her.
Eight years later, Sally Jackson remembers every single second of that day in bright and clear detail. When she asked if he knew why, Poseidon simply replied, "You can see through the Mist. You see and remember clearly."
Then again, she is 23 years old, unknown of the world around her, and he has a couple millennia's worth of knowledge on her.
Quite the stretch, no? She thought wirily. Hey, age is nothing but a number.
And being abandoned in a terrible situation is nothing but adversity.
Finally! Sally Jackson was 15 years old, old enough to hang out with the cool kids, known as the Hot Pack. Her best friend Rebecca is with them all the time, and like her, Sally wanted to be a "swagger" like them. They were looked at for the latest trends, gripping suave words, and looks. They were perfect, in school or activities, or whatever. Every kid at their school wanted to be just like them. Even more, every kid at their school wanted to be one of them. Simply being within a five- feet radius was amazing. To join them would mean that you'd be a part of the hottest clique in town, and instant popularity. Sally was quite popular by herself, but she couldn't help but feel intimidated by their power, not to mention the fact that she had a huge crush on the hottest boy, Darrin.
On the night of her birthday, the group invited her to a birthday party they had set up for her. Rebecca had told them of Sally's "coming of age", and they had agreed to welcome her in with open arms, after all, she was an attractive teenager that caught the eye of many boys in the crowd. The minute she showed up, she was showered with multiple gifts and congratulations, even a few phone numbers that she discarded later. Her first night as a member of the Hot Pack went fabulously, but there was a dark catch seeping through every single one of the party-goers: the punch was spiked.
As the clocked inched closer to the stroke of midnight, Sally was cornered by Darrin. His breath carried a certain odor, but she was too awestruck by the fact that he was talking to her that when he grabbed her, she acted accordingly, not even paying attention to what was happening.
When Sally Jackson woke in the morning, she was horrified. What did she do? She was in someone's room, and her clothes were scattered all across the floor. Next to her, Darrin was sleeping peacefully, his back bare. She was a smart girl; it didn't take long for her to piece two and two together.
Sally dressed quickly, and ran home, not caring about whose body she stepped on in her rush to get out and away. The minute she got home, her parents rounded in on her. They demanded to know where she was, and, being the- usually- good girl that she is, Sally told them. To her utter horror, they were ecstatic. They were glad Darrin forced himself into- into her. Right after that, her own father, her idol all these years, went to congratulate Darrin for popping his daughter's cherry, and even dared to have the audacity to pay the sick kid!
On the day when Sally had to return to school after her birthday party, she felt so embarrassed. Parents are supposed to stick up for their kids, not be proud that their only child- a teenage girl, that is- had lost their virginity to a complete stranger. The Hot Pack was thrilled with this as well, and by lunchtime, poor Sally was being offered open beds, tiny, scandalous clothing, and "free time".
It was the worst mistake of her life, she believed.
Sally remembered Poseidon's expression when she told him this. At the time, she was inwardly kicking herself, asking why she was telling him. It felt right at the time. In a way, she was glad Poseidon knew. She hated keeping secrets from people, especially people she really cared about.
Of course, though, being the all-powerful mythological god that he is, Poseidon decided to beat the crap out of Darrin, a cashier at a local grocery store who was loved by everyone. It went straight to the news- how a strange man appeared out of nowhere and brutally assaulted the people's favorite cashier without a second thought. Even to this day, no one knew who would "do such a thing", as the grocery's boss tearfully put it.
She remembered telling Poseidon off for recklessly attacking an innocent man- though inside she was thrilled that the cretin had that happen; he deserved it- and she remembered Poseidon's simple argument to her scolding:
"He deserved it."
"I know, but still, you shouldn't-"
"-Have done it? I agree."
"So then-"
"Because I love you." And he kissed her. A short, sweet kiss. Just like he was.
Sally sighed. Usually normal people fell in love with normal people, normal humans. Not someone who is typically thought of as a myth. Not someone whose life requires them to live deep down, undersea. Nonetheless, she'd always love him, just like he'd always love her, and like how she'd always love her unborn baby boy.
Nothing could stop that; nothing. A mother's love between mother and child is always the strongest bond. No one could break it. Sally Jackson was determined about that.
Later, at her fifth month of the pregnancy, Sally decided to find a new place to stay. It was getting ridiculous, she concluded, to live in a place of such low conditions when you were pregnant. After all, a couple doors down from hers, there resided a group of teenagers who smoke weed. Next to them was a man in his late 50s or early 60s who, oddly, felt very paranoid all the time and had a gun at every nook and cranny. Sally suspected he used some type of drug, such a meth or something, but whenever she was near him, he reeked of the most awful stench one could possibly imagine. Right next door to Sally's place contained a schoolteacher who constantly brought home men, and often times some of those men would get the address wrong, so Sally would have to deal with half to fully drunk sexist men looking for a "fun, good time". It reminded her so much of her time in high school; the idea repulsed her so much.
But as a pregnant woman, Sally knew that she had to be more alert. One danger can lead to disastrous consequences for her, or, even worse, the baby. Luckily, she had the backup support from her coworkers, so she wasn't entirely alone. Mary even volunteered to take a day off to go looking for a decent place with Sally.
Mary wasn't that bad of a person, Sally decided. Sure, she was a tremendous gossiper, but if you really got to know her, she actually had a heart full of gold. She listened to you if you really needed someone to listen, gave useful tips and advice, had a wardrobe full of pregnant women clothing, and her –used-to-be-fiancé-but-now-husband could cook the most fabulous foods that young Ms. Jackson had ever tasted. Out of their whole building, Sally was closest with Mary, which made sense, seeing as Mary was getting closer to her due date than Sally was.
"So, I was thinking," Mary started as they got into her small BMW convertible. "Who is the father? I mean, I know this is really rude of me, but still. I'm extremely curious, Sal- you always seem to steer clear of the mystery man."
Sally smiled and shook her head softly. "Sorry, Mary, but we've been through this. I don't really like talking about him."
After all, how could she? It's not like she could just say; "Well, you see, my lover is the Greek god of the Seas, Poseidon. That myth? It actually exists! And there are monsters that roam this city like crazy, and I can see all of them! I'm special like that." Yeah, like that's so believable.
"I figured as much. You must be so much in love with the guy to not tell me. Man, if your kid grows up to be like you, I feel sorry for your man." The two moms cracked a smile at that.
One half hour later, they stopped at a couple of places, some townhouses, some apartments. Luckily for Sally, Mary's husband was a real estate agent, and because of her friendship with his wife, Sally didn't have to pay him a full agent fee.
"Just think of it as a supporting hand." He told her, when she argued about paying him fully. "It's not like skipping out some moola is going to hurt us much."
So when Sally finally got a cute, but tidy apartment in the heart of Manhattan Island, she was beyond happiness. It was big enough to raise a kid in, and stay there for an even longer time. Mary was gushing how perfect it was to their coworkers, and it took Sally all of her willpower to run and hide from the embarrassment. Even the boss was glad.
"Well, it was high time you moved out of that dump you called a place." He joked, but the relief shone in his eyes. He, like everyone else, was concerned about her living conditions. That place was often in the area where a lot of gang activity happened. Moving to a place in the city would ease everything out. She'd be at quick and easy access to wherever, not out of the way like her original place.
And, even though she didn't admit it, she was glad, too.
It was a sunny, April Fool's Day where Sally and Mary were chatting and having a good time at good ol' Starbucks. Sally had chastised Mary for drinking caffeine when she was due in a week's time, but Mary waved her off good-naturally.
"Relax, Sal." She told her. "My kid's just about done forming. If she ends up anything like me, then so be it."
"Speaking of kids… what are you two going to name her?" Sally asked. She couldn't help it; she was curious. She was at five and a half months now, but she still didn't know what to name her boy. Maybe Poseidon would know… oh, GODS. She hadn't written Poseidon in so long; surely he'd be mad at her. What kind of person was she? Sally hated herself right now. She felt terrible.
Mary contemplated for a bit. "Honestly, Sal, I don't know. I was thinking more of a name like Clarisse or Silena, but my hubby's leaning closer to Nancy for our baby girl. What do you think?"
"Wha-what? Mary, why are you asking me?" Sally was surprised.
"Sal, you're my friend. I'd like to hear your opinion. I mean, this is important. I don't want to have a kid named something stupid like Strawberry Shortcut."
"Shortcake."
"Whatever."
Sally didn't realize that Mary liked her that much that her name preference had to be brought in as well. She should have no say in it, but she did.
"Mary, just name her whatever you feel is right. If you think it's right, then it'll be right."
Mary smiled. Her friend was so smart. Whoever her boy-toy was, he was one lucky man.
As she was finishing up the remnants of the coffee in her cup, Mary felt a strong pain. She's never felt it before, and another followed. Sally's eyes widened, and both women didn't need to talk. Within a minute, Mary and Sally gathered their stuff, and Sally grabbed some napkins to clean up the mess Mary was leaving behind.
"Sorry, she's delivering." Sally told a horrified register girl. The girl nodded mutely, mostly from shock. Sally didn't blame her- if a women's water broke while Sally was at work, Sally wouldn't know what to do either.
Mary climbed into the car awkwardly, and Sally got behind the wheel. She drove to the hospital as fast as she could- without being caught by the cops for speeding- and handed Mary off to the nurses nearby. They took one look at Mary and immediately understand what to do. Sally gave them the contact information to call Mary's husband and waited in the waiting area.
The next few hours were a blur. After Mary gave birth, her parents showed up, held their granddaughter- who, to their delight, was named Nancy- and Sally also got to meet her friend's baby. Sally remembered crooning over the adorable Nancy, how her tiny fingers would clasp around Sally's finger. Babies are so cute, she concluded, hoping the same happy time would happen to her when she had to deliver.
All she hoped for was for Poseidon to be there when she delivered. That way, her baby would know his father, even if his father was away.
A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth as she watched, from outside of the room, as Mary's family gushed over Nancy.
When she got home, she took out a pen and a piece of paper. Smiling softly, she began to write, informing Poseidon of what has happened to her since her last letter.
Dear Poseidon,
I don't know if you remembered, but today's April Fools. Don't worry, this isn't a joke letter. I wouldn't do that to you. What I would do to you, however, is tell you about a new friend I've made. Her name is Mary, and she works with me at Disney Hyperion Book Publishing Co. Like me, she's pregnant. Unlike me, she delivered today.
Oh, Poseidon, you should have seen it- the happiness on her face, on the faces surrounding her. It looked so peaceful, so surreal. I know I shouldn't be one to brag or get jealous of, but I can't help it. I can't help watching them, knowing that I want this kind of thing could happen to me. My parents are already dead- thank god for that plane crash- and I have no other relatives. All I have left is you, and when I give birth to our boy, I really wish that you can be there. I want you to see your child. I want your child to see and know you, even if he wouldn't.
I really shouldn't tell you about my friend giving birth; it'd be a waste of paper. Allow me to inform you that I have moved into a new place. Yes, really. I grew sick of that horrid building, and it most definitely isn't an environment that will be safe for a pregnant woman. As of that, I have moved into a quaint, yet cute apartment in the heart of Manhattan Island. Truthfully, I love it here. Everywhere is in such a close and easy convenience for me. It's no longer a long drive (or walk) away.
Have I mention yet the changes in my work? The boss has been going fairly easy on my workload- apparently when his wife was pregnant for the first time, her boss went simple on her too. Thank you boss that his wife worked for. In fact, boss has actually been relatively nice to me. I wonder why, but oh well. Everyone at work has been so supportive, giving me advice on what to do or such. In a way, I'm quite glad that Mary gossiped to them that I was pregnant. I'd rather have them know that I'm pregnant than have them think that I've begun to turn fat, which I know for a very sure fact that I'm not.
I'm terribly sorry that I haven't written to you in such a long time; I've been rather busy, as I'm sure you've assumed by now. I do hope you forgive me. I don't think that having you angry at me would go well. Of course, I wouldn't know, seeing as you've never been mad at me, or to my knowing.
Whenever it shall be when I see you again, just know that I will always, no matter what, love you Poseidon.
Love,
Sally Jackson
This time, when the letter came across the ocean's surface, it sunk down to the bottom, as if the piece of paper knew who it was to be sent to. Before Poseidon knew it, it brushed his finger, and he looked down, surprised.
"Wha-?"
Delphinus chirped from Poseidon's side. For you, my lord.
Ah. Sally.
"Thank you." Poseidon replied. His eager fingers reached out and grasped the envelope. He quickly tore through and began to read, his eyes absorbing every single word.
As usual, Amphitrite stiffened. Her again. She was so hoping that the mortal would have forgotten Poseidon. Poseidon had become rather moody during the long period of time. Amphitrite enjoyed it immensely. It meant that the sea god would spend more time and attention to her, not moping about around a silly human. Behind her, Triton swam in.
"Mother?" he bowed. "What's got Father in such a twist?"
Amphitrite said nothing, but jerked her head at the letter in Poseidon's hands. Triton's eyes grew cold as he spotted it.
"I thought the mortal gave up on him?"
"I thought so too, son. But it seems unlikely." Her voice was tight, anger wound up behind it.
"Why must he fall for mortal women? Why not you?" Triton asked.
"Why must he? I do not know. Perhaps, being the immortal fool he is, he has forgotten that I am to be his wife forever."
Triton nodded his head eagerly. That must be it.
Amphitrite sighed. "My lord," she announced. "I will be in my chambers."
Poseidon didn't look up; he just waved her off. Amphitrite's face grew purple with rage. He! How dare he! How dare he just brush her off, with absolutely no care by doing so! She wanted to scream. Triton grabbed his spear, but one look from his furious mother stopped him.
Curse Father. Curse him.
And so mother and son left their god, steam almost blowing out of their ears.
Poseidon, on the other hand, was glad that Sally wrote to him. When he looked up, he saw an absence of two. "Delphinus." He called.
The god of dolphins swam forth. Yes, lord?
"Where did the Lady Amphitrite and Triton go? I do not see their presence."
They left, sire. The lady has retired into her chambers, and her son followed. You said it was okay for them to do so.
"Ah, okay, thank you." To tell the truth, Poseidon remembered absolutely nothing of this. He remembered some annoying buzzing sound –like pesky bees? - but he didn't remember giving Amphitrite permission to leave the council. Oh, well.
Well... you know the drill. Let me know what you think! Constructive criticism, suggestions, and ideas are appreciated.
DiamondintheDark
(formerly Alidei)
