A/N: GAH! I'm skipping months again...She's now nine months pregnant. You can only imagine what comes next, can't you? Hehe...:) Also, something unexpected will happen down through her, and I hope it's a shocker! :D

Me: So...who's you're favorite?

K: My favorite of what?

Me: Anything that you wa -

K: BANANAS!...She doesn't own PJO.

Annabeth's POV

I lowered myself to the couch, it becoming increasingly harder now that I was nine months along. Hayley was due any day now - in fact, she was supposed to be born yesterday. She missed her own birthday! Amazing, she's already got Percy's timing.

I pulled my legs up underneath me, and started reading my book. Percy, once again, was at work. Sadly, Artemis had called Thalia back two weeks ago, so I no longer had a babysitter. Sure, Malcolm and even Thomas came by occasionally, but mainly I was on my own.

And I'd done pretty good at staying in the house all day. I mean, I had to completely decorate Hayley's room, and then I had to make the playroom look good, and I've been cleaning non-stop. It was one way to pass the time.

But, now, I finally had a moment to relax, and I was going to take it. I started back to my reading, a fave I've had forever - Gone With the Wind, an original copy, too, signed by the author. Don't ask how I got it; that's a whole story in its self.

I smiled as she kicked for the umpteenth time that day. "What's the matter, Moon?" I questioned, resting my hand on my stomach. "You okay?" There was another rough kick in response, but I didn't think too much of it. I mean, hey, it's not like she's going to come in the next ten minutes, right? I continued my distracted reading, not even realizing the time.

As I sank deeper into the world of Tara and Scarlett O'Hara, something just wasn't sitting right with me. Something was off, I could just feel it.

Maybe I'm just hungry, I thought. That's it.

I stood and walked to the kitchen, my book still in my hand. I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to eat - maybe some of that stuff I've been eating lately? What was it? Something to do with taco shells and strawberry pudding. Hmm...no. I didn't want that. Pizza, maybe? I think we have some in the fridge. I opened it and it examined its contents.

Nothing. Not a thing that was going to stiffle whatever this was suddenly coming over me. Maybe I was having another bout of morning sickness? Sure, I'd gotten over it months ago, but that doesn't mean it couldn't happen again. At least, I don't think it does. Right? Right?

"I'm probably just tired," my mind was trying to come up with anything except what I was really thinking this was the onset of. I mean, it couldn't be, could it? I did feel a little hot, but I knew it was cooler in here than in most places. Were my feet and hands swollen?

I looked down at my feet. They were swollen, terribly, which I had first just dismissed as part of the pregnancy, but then realized it could be something far worse, something I'd read about in all the books, but never thought would happen to me.

Then again, I don't guess most people would expect it to happen to them, either. What was my blood pressure? I wasn't sure, but I was surely starting to feel a lot more hot.

"I just need to lay down," I mumbled. "I'll be better tomorrow. Surely I will." I sat down on the couch, laying out. I tried closing my eyes, but that wasn't helping. It only made me feel worse.

And worse.

And worse.

I felt like throwing up. Was this really happening? If not, then wake up, Annabeth! Wake up now! I was just contemplating with myself which it was, when I heard the door crack open.

"Annabeth?" the voice was quiet, belonging to Thomas.

"You in here, sis?" Malcolm's voice followed. I couldn't answer. I couldn't do anything. I was eventually able to make a low groan. My eyes were squeezed shut tightly, but I managed to open them so I could see the worried looking faces of my half-brother and Thomas.

"Annabeth?" Malcolm said. "Are you okay?"

I started to nod, but my head was starting to ache. I gulped, and shook my head as best I could.

Thomas put his hand to my forehead. "Dear Zeus, Annabeth. You're burning up."

I nodded. "Malcolm, I need you to take me to the hospital. Please. Thomas, call Percy, would you? Ask him to meet me there, please." I started to sit up slowly, needing both of their helps to get up off the couch. I walked, trying my best to look strong for my brother, but had to stop short and gasp as I made it to the island. I grasped the side of it hard, my water breaking. I released it when it was over, and walked the rest of the way to the car.

I got in the side of Malcolm's, not even planning on driving. Malcolm got in the driver's seat, and only later would I realize the reason that Thomas hoped in the backseat, a phone to his ear.

"No - no, Percy, she's fine right now...We think that it might be...Look, she just told me to tell you to meet us there...Whichever hospital's closer, cause that's the one we'll be going to, Percy. Okay...okay, fine. See you there. Bye," Thomas finished his conversation, and then leaned back into the leather seating, sighing and running a hand through his hair.

"Coming?" I managed, my voice small-and-totally-not-me-like.

Thomas nodded. "Yeah, he's coming. He might be there before we are, with how jumpy he sounded."

"I doubt it," Malcolm said, suddenly speeding off down the highway. He was going to get us a ticket, I just knew it, not to mention I was now in labor in my brother's silver Chevrolet camero. We were at the hospital faster than I even thought was possible. Maybe he asked Mom for help? Maybe not.

Everything seemed to be put on fast-forward, like on a boring movie. It flashed from me and Malcolm walking in together, while Thomas ran inside. Before I even knew it, I was being wheeled down some long, narrowing hallways with a fast-paced woman pushing me. Next, I was in a hosptial bed, doctors of all kinds running tests on me. Time and volume and voices began to run together.

It was so confusing. I just wanted it to stop; to end, and then go back home, and get ready for whatever was supposed to happen on a normal day. But not this. I didn't want this to happen.

My last thought and vision right before I blacked out was Percy - where was Percy?

So. Cliffy, anyone? Now, I know you all must be wondering what exactly that it is wrong with her, but just wait 'til next chapter. It'll be shown then - just know that it happens to most pregnant women, sometimes, and can come rather rapidly, and after 37 weeks of pregnancy. So, I figured it just fit, and I wanted to give a little umph to the story! Hope you enjoyed, and look for the next chapter hopefully soon!

~Future