Where's Jinx?
By: Juju24
Disclaimers: I don't own Percy Jackson or Heros of Olympus. I only own the ideas. When I say Thalia's POV, I mean Thalia Grace, not baby Thalia Jackson.
Chapter 3
After Thalia left
Percy's POV
After I shut the front door, Annabeth and I headed up to the nursery where we had left the twins. They were just lying in the cribs, looking up at the ceiling. They were so adorable. My personal favorite was Piper. She looked the most like Annabeth. The only difference was that she had my eyes and nose.
"Aren't they adorable?" Annabeth asked out of curiosity.
"Extremely," I said as I wrapped my arms around Annabeth's waist. "We should probably have the twins take a nap."
We stood there for a couple of minutes admiring our babies before Annabeth unwrapped my arms and headed for Thalia's crib. Just as she was picking Thalia up, I headed for Piper's crib and picked her up. I started to going around in a circle with Piper in my arms while Annabeth started singing a lullaby and rocking Thalia. Once our babies were asleep, we put them back into their cribs and headed for our bedroom.
"I think we need to find a new way to get them to sleep," I said as we snuggled on the couch next to the bed.
"Why should we do that?" Annabeth asked. "They enjoy it."
"What's going to happen when they get older?" I asked in return. "Are we going to do that every night before they go to bed? We may be young now, but we are going to eventually going to grow old."
"You have a point," Annabeth said in her defeated voice. She moved around until she was lying on my stomach and facing me. "Could we at least sing a lullaby to them?"
"That would be perfect," I said in reply. "Do you think we should do anything else?"
"I can't think of anything else that won't turn into a bad habit," Annabeth said. She thought for a minute before snapping her fingers and saying, "We could read them stories!"
"Perfect," I said, loving the idea. "We could read them a story and then sing them a lullaby before tucking them into bed."
"I like it!" Annabeth said to my idea. She then lied her head down so I could stroke her hair. "Do you think we'll be good parents?"
"I think we'll be great parents," I said in reply, truly believing it.
"Would a good parent give their kid up for no other reason than the fact that someone else wants it?" Annabeth asked, obviously thinking of our deal with Cathleen.
"I don't know," I said, truly confused on if it was right to do. "In a way, we are helping someone else out. In another way, we are hurting ourselves. I guess it depends on how you look at it."
"I think we are being horrible parents," Annabeth said.
"Are you feeling okay?" I asked, wanting to know before I continued on with our deep conversation.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Annabeth said in a confused tone. "Why?"
"Just wanted to make sure before I continued on with the conversation," I said before adding, "Any reason for making us bad parents?"
"I don't think we should be giving our children away to someone we don't even know where they live," Annabeth said with force. She added, "I mean, what person gives their child away to someone they don't know anything about? Only psychos and emotionless people do that type of stuff!"
I thought about what Annabeth said as I continued to stroke her hair. The more I thought about it, the more sense she made. Who would do this to their unborn children? Why are we doing this? I decided to talk to Annabeth about our problem. "WHy don't we tell Cathleen that we would rather keep our children and she needs to find a different couple?"
"That's exactly what we should do when we see her in a couple of months!" Annabeth said excitedly as she jumped up from the couch and added, "You're a genius!"
"I'm told that everyday," I said before I get a smack on the back of my head and a long, passionate kiss from Annabeth. Once she was done with her kiss, I asked her, "Isn't somebody happy?"
"Yes, extremely!" Annabeth said in reply as she pulled me off the couch and dragged me down to the living room. Before I could ask what we were doing down here, Annabeth ran into the kitchen and quickly returned with two wine glasses and a bottle of wine. "Let's celebrate your genius!"
"Honey, I don't think that's the best thing for you right now," I said as I picked up the bottle and glasses and headed to the kitchen to put them away. Annabeth followed me and was about to start pleading when I said, "Honey, you're pregnant. It's not good to drink. It could affect the baby."
Annabeth thought of this and said, "Perc, you're right. I guess my baby hormones got the best of me."
"It's okay," I said as I took Annabeth's hand and led her to the couch. I pulled her down onto my lap and continued on to say, "I like the kisses that come with the baby hormones."
The earned me a soft slap on the back of my head and a kiss on the forehead. As Annabeth got comfortable, I turned on the TV and looked for the movie channels. After I found them, I looked for a good movie. Annabeth started putting her input on a move to watch. we finally agreed on Vampires Suck.
"God, this is such a stupid movie," Annabeth managed to say after she finished laughing until she started crying.
"I have to agree with you on that," I said as I finished wiping her face and started wiping mine. "What were they thinking when they made this movie?"
"I think they wanted to show how stupid the Twilight saga is," Annabeth said, a major Twilight hater. "I mean, what girl would actually obsess about one guy that she's willing to sit in front of her window for him?"
"I don't know," I said before jokingly saying, "You seem to do that all the time with me."
"That's because I'm waiting for you to come home from work so I can serve my delicious supper that I made for you and me," Annabeth said after punching me in the arm. "I meant, what girl would wait for a guy who's said he didn't want her for month after month?"
"No one I know," I said in reply, being truthful. I yawned and said, "How about we go to bed? The movie's over and I'm tired."
"So am i," Annabeth said as she stood up. We made our way to our bedroom and went to change into our pj's. We then settled into bed. Annabeth facing the couch and me having my arm around her.
"I love you, honey," I said.
"i love you too," Annabeth said before we both crashed.
A couple months later
Annabeth's POV
I looked around the dining room. Cathleen's personal assistant was sitting at the end of the table to the right of Cathleen, who was on the right of Percy. I was across from Percy with Thalia to my left.
"Okay, before we get started, who's your personal assistant?" I asked Cathleen.
Cathleen looked at her assistant. The girl seemed to be in her twenties and had long red hair that was pulled back into a ponytail and grey eyes that seemed to pierce your soul. She was wearing a black business suit and seemed to be pretty serious. Before Cathleen could say anything, her assistant said, "My name's Cara."
Thalia stretched her hand out and said, "Nice to meet you Cara. My name is Thalia, one of Percy and Annabeth's closest friends. I like to think I'm their favorite."
Cara shook Thalia's hand and said, "Nice to meet you. Is there anything we should know before we go on with the meeting?"
Percy stood up and said, "Annabeth and I would prefer not to give Cathleen our baby."
"You do know it's more than one child," Cathleen said calmly. "It's four children."
Percy, Thalia, and I all looked at each other with our mouths opened in shook. I was the quickest one to snap out of it, so I asked, "How did you know that?"
Cathleen seemed a little comfortable. "I don't know how, but all I know is that you are having four children, all girls."
I thought about what she said. Four baby girls. That would be a lot of work, compared to our two baby girls right now. Percy thought that was hard work, this would be even worse. Percy and I looked at each other of a quick second and knew what we had to do. I looked at Cathleen and said, "I guess it wouldn't be too bad having you take care of our babies."
"That's great to hear," Cara said, not even bothering to look up from her notepad that seemed to have an agenda on what we were going to talk about. She seemed to think and then looked up and me and asked, "WHen are the babies due?"
"August 24," I said, wishing it was sooner so I wouldn't have to live with the guilt of giving away what could be mine and Percy's prides and joys.
"Okay, so do you want us to take the babies right away, or do you want a year with them?" Cathleen asked, seeming like she actually cared.
"Take them right away," I said without even looking over at Percy. If I had them for a year, I would get attached and throw a fit when it came time to give them away. It would also get me out of taking care of them, which is always the hardest part.
"You sure about this?" Cara asked, seeming like she really didn't want Cathleen to take the babies before they turned one. "It's a huge thing to put your trust into someone you don't know."
"She said to take them right away," Cathleen snapped at Cara. "She wouldn't change her mind that fast Cara. Besides, the purpose of this meeting is so we can get to know each other."
I looked between Cathleen and Cara and realized they looked a lot alike. They acted like they were related. That could only mean one thing. Either Cara was Cathleen's sister, or Cara was Cathleen's daughter. I thought it would be best to ask so I couldn't make the wrong assumption. "Are you guys related?"
"As a matter of fact, Cara is my step-sister," Cathleen said. "We have the same father. Cara was a bit against being my assistant for this, but she decided it would have some perks."
"Like what?" I asked, curious.
"Like getting to see New York City and its amazing architect," Cara said. "I like this neighborhood. It's like a mixture of a modern house and a Greek temple."
"Thanks," I said without thinking. "I created it. Percy and I got this house for free due to the fact that I created it."
"That's so awesome!" Cara said, truly excited. Cathleen glared at her and Cara cleared her throat and said, "SOrry about the interruption. We should get back to business."
"First thing's first," Cathleen said. "WHat is your last name?"
"Jackson," Percy said. "Yours?"
"Olympian," Cathleen said, seeming uncomfortable. "What are your jobs?"
"I'm an architect in charge of my own business and Percy is a life guard and swim instructor at the YMCA," I said. "You?"
"I'm a stay-at-home mom and my husband is an advertisement maker," Cathleen said. Cara and Cathleen looked at each other and smiled, like they had an inside joke. "What are your plans for your futures?"
"i'm planning on continuing as an architect," I said. I looked over at Percy, hoping he had something good to say.
"I'm planning on being a father and husband as well as either becoming a counselor at Camp Half-Blood or continue with my job that I have with the YMCA," Percy said after a little bit of a pause for thought.
"What's Camp Half-Blood?" Cara asked, though she seemed to know the answer already.
"It's a camp for kids who have ADHD and dyslexia," Percy said without hesitation.
"Seems like a nice thing to do," Cara said as she turned to Cathleen. "Sis, what do you plan to do in your future?"
"Enjoy life, raise your kids the best way possible, and hope to become wiser," Cathleen said. Percy and i looked at each with a look of surprise. We were going to trust a woman who would rather do something to fulfill her life. She seemed to see our looks because she quickly added, "Basically, I'm going to be a stay-at-home mom. My husband makes enough money so I don't have to get a job. Who's the one who is controlling your relationship?"
"Why do you want to know that?" Thalia asked. We all jumped. We had forgotten for a moment that she was there.
"Because it is always good to know who 'wears the pants,' as you young ones call it," Cathleen said in reply.
I had to hand it to her, she could always find a good reason for asking a certain question, no matter how personal and random it is.
"It's equal," Percy said, which was so true. "Annabeth is in charge of some things, I'm in charge of others, and we agree on the rest. How about you and your husband."
"It's-" Cathleen started to say before Cara interrupted.
"Cathleen is in charge," Cara said. Cathleen seemed to be upset and about to say something rude, when Cara turned towards her and said, "Don't deny it. You are always telling Samuel what to do and how to do it!"
"I was going to say I was in charge!" Cathleen snapped. She and Cara seemed to change. In fact, their eyes were flashing gold, they seemed to be growing, and they had a certain godly glow around them. Percy, Thalia, and I seemed to have an understanding that something bad was happening because we jumped out of our seats and hid under the table. Lucky for us, we got under the table in time because there was a flash of blinding light and there seemed to be a war going on above us.
"What's going on?" I whisper yelled at Percy.
"I don't know," Percy whispered in reply. "I think they are some type of goddesses or something."
"That's it!" Thalia whisper exclaimed.
"What do you mean?" Percy and I whisper shouted at her.
"I mean, it makes sense that they are goddesses," Thalia whispered in a proud tone. when all she saw was our blank faces, she groaned, rolled her eyes, and continued on to whisper, "Think about it. You guys were easily convinced that having children for Cathleen would be a good idea, right?"
"Yeah, your point?" I asked.
"Why would you guys do that?" Thalia asks. "You want a big family."
"She seems like a trustworthy person who will take good care of our children," Percy said.
Thalia groaned in disappointment. "Think guys, think!"
I was about to say Thalia was crazy, when something in my mind clicked. "Oh my gosh!" I said, feeling like an idiot for arguing with Thalia. "You are so right!"
"What do you guys mean?" Percy asked, looking truly confused.
Thalia gritted her teeth and looked at me.
"I've got this," I tell her before turning to Percy to explain to him. "Honey, you know how sometimes we feel like we are being brainwashed whenever we are around Cathleen?"
Percy nodded his head.
"Well, what if I told you that she is brainwashing us, or, at least, controlling our minds? Would you believe me?" I asked, hoping he got the point.
"Oh, so you're saying Cathleen is actually a goddess who can control minds?" Percy said like he understood, but he had his I-can't-believe-this look on his face.
I took all of my energy not to hit him or start spazzing out on him. "honey," I managed to say after I took a deep breath. "What about Cara? Does she remind you of anyone?"
Percy looked like he was about to protest, but then seemed to understand what I was saying. "Oh my gosh!" Percy yelled. "Your telling me your mother is here!"
"Yep," I said, glad he finally got it. "Who do you think is Cathleen?"
"Well," Percy said, thinking. "Cathleen told us that Athena is her half-sister by their father and she has to be one of the new ones. Also, whenever I'm around her, I feel like my thoughts are wrong. I'm guessing she's Jinx."
"Exactly what I was thinking," Thalia said. "Did you see the way Athena exploded when Jinx was about to answer who was in charge of her relationship with her husband? Only a mother would act like that."
"You're so right," I said as I face-palmed myself, feeling stupid for not thinking about JInx's husband, Lucas, the god of deception. "Man, I feel bad for my half-brother. He has such a controlling wife. It must be hard for him to win any fights that they have."
"I feel like a bad person," Thalia said. "I'm related to a woman who only thinks of herself and not others."
"THat's not true," Percy said, startling me. Why would he defend the woman who is trying to take our babies? Percy must have seen mine and Thalia's faces because he quickly explained, "Don't forget, Lucas is my half-brother too. I know that a son of Poseidon wouldn't marry a horrible woman. Sure, he might marry one that's a little hard to handle, but he'll also marry someone who has their heart in the right place. After all, that's what I've done."
"Well, that you," I said, astonished that he would say something like that. "And what do you mean? Am I a little hard to handle?"
"When you're pregnant, yeah," Percy said without hesitation.
"I can see what you mean," I said. "Then I guess you have to agree that Poseidon's kids aren't all that bright in the head, Seaweed Brain."
"Yes, I can agree with that," Percy said with a smile.
"How are we going to get out of here?" Thalia said, snapping us back to our present problem.
"We could climb out from under here, hurry up to the nursery without being detected, grab the girls, hurry back down to the garage, and then take the van and get out of here," Percy said.
"Great idea," I said. "But Athena and Jinx are going to know we are trying to get away."
"It couldn't hurt to try, though," Thalia said, seeming desperate to get out of here.
"Fine, let's try it," I said, thinking of how could do what. "Okay, here's the plan. Thalia will crawl out and try to distract Athena and Jinx if they notice her. Percy and I will crawl out when Thalia tells us the coast is clear. Percy will then run up the stairs and get the girls while I go to the garage and start the van. When Percy has gotten the girls and is at the end of the stairs, he will then whistle to tell Thalia it is time to go. Thalia will then hurry towards the garage and we will hurry over to Percy's mom's house for the night."
"Sounds like a good plan," Thalia said. "Let's do this.
Sorry that I'm ending here. I thought this would be the perfect place to end it. I want to be able to have something to write about for the next chapter.