Well. *smiles deviously*. I'm back demigods! Did you like the last chapter? I did promise you a Frazel engagement, after all. I need ideas for Piper & Jason's wedding DESPERATELY, so please send in whatever you've got. This next chapter is a compilation of Percabeth telling various people that they're pregnant. I had a bunch of ideas so I just wrote them down and put them in order. I'm also inserting some time jumps into this chapter, so following this update, I'll be handling the Jasper wedding. If you have Caleo or Frazel ideas, let me know! Leo did promise that when Frank proposed, so would he—and now he's about to follow through. So how would Leo Valdez propose? Let me know what you think! I'll be checking my inbox as much as possible. Thank demigods! *mwah*
Sally & Paul
In the first couple weeks of August, they went up to New York to spend the weekend with Sally and Paul. It was a slow time at Camp Half-Blood, what with the summer session coming to a close, so this was purely a family-oriented visit. They were going to celebrate Percy's birthday a little early, since his actual party was going to be held back in New Rome.
They arrived with plenty of hugs, laughter and baked goods. Sally promptly sat both of her children down and insisted they tell her absolutely everything about the weeks since the wedding, with a few exceptions, obviously. Paul went around in a cheesy apron making his world-famous enchiladas, discussing history in earnest with Annabeth, and trailing Sally to make sure she sat down and stopped fussing. Sally whapped him with a spatula and told him she was allowed to fuss over her extremely lethal half-god child as much as she liked because goodness knows he never can stay out of trouble. Annabeth laughed so hard at this statement that she almost cried, while Percy turned pink before getting up and hugging his mom.
Night fell on New York City until its blaze of bright lights lit up the night sky, and all was well in the apartment. They ate dinner and Paul told Percy all about the Greek plays he was putting on at Goode while Sally had an earnest discussion with Annabeth about the apartment back in New Rome. Afterwards, they gathered in the kitchen. Annabeth sat at the kitchen table and Paul leaned against the wall while Sally washed dishes and Percy dried, occasionally flicking bubbles of water at Paul and then laughing at him when he tried to swat them off.
Annabeth caught Percy's eye. They'd agreed that he could tell his own parents, and seeming to get the message, Percy announced, drying a plate, "So guess what, Mom?"
"What?" She asked, pausing to smile up at her extraordinarily tall son.
"Annabeth's pregnant," Percy said casually, drying his dish. He waited, barely suppressing a massive grin, as his mother froze in place.
Sally dropped her rag. "No," she gasped. "No. Really? Are you really?" She whirled to face Annabeth, who had started to laugh. Percy started laughing, too, and Paul just stared and shook his head. Sally started to jump up and down. "You are not!" she cried again, clearly ecstatic, this time directing her question at Annabeth, who, laughing, pulled an ultrasound scan from her doctor's appointment the week before from her back pocket. They'd already framed a copy of their own and hung it in the soon-to-be-nursery, but hadn't told anyone else yet. Sally grabbed the picture and stared, her eyes filling. She looked up at Percy, her hand pressed to her mouth.
"Are you happy?" Percy asked, grinning.
She nodded, speechless, then threw her arms around him, then Annabeth, then Paul for no apparent reason.
"Really?" She kept asking, thrilled. "Really?"
"Really," Annabeth promised, laughing.
"I'm so happy," Sally exclaimed.
"Congratulations," Paul said, not for the first time, although his wife's reaction had overpowered his own considerably.
"Thanks," Percy said, grinning. "We'll have to get you a World's Best Grandpa mug, or something."
"Man, I feel old," Paul mumbled, half to himself.
"I'm going to be a grandma!" Sally exclaimed, ecstatic, kissing Paul for no real reason.
"You're going to be the world's most amazing grandma," Annabeth said sincerely.
The Seven & Significant Others
On Percy's birthday, the Seven, Calypso, Nico and Reyna piled into Percy and Annabeth's apartment for blue cake, ice cream, and only slightly in-appropriate party games.
"We got you all gifts," Annabeth announced. "Because we're great like that."
"Thou art a blessed saint," Leo drawled, slightly intoxicated.
"You guys are so sweet," Hazel exclaimed. "You didn't have to."
"Oh, we know." Percy grinned at Annabeth, who was seated on the arm of his chair. "We're just awesome."
Jason snorted dramatically, then made a show of turning it into a badly-covered-up cough. "Sorry, bro," he said, clearly fake-acting. "Allergies."
Piper whacked him as her package landed in her lap. Everyone had packages roughly the same size and shape, and Annabeth insisted they all open them at once.
"One, two, three," she announced, and everyone tore into them.
There was a thirteen second pause as people took in what said on the shirts each had received.
"No. Way," Jason said first, breaking the silence as he stared at his World's Most Staticky Uncle t-shirt. "NO WAY!"
"You have got to be joking," Nico mumbled, but he was shaking his head and suppressing a smile as he took in his pitch black World's Most McDonald's-Happy Uncle shirt. Hazel, pink-cheeked and speechless, was fanning her face so hard her hand might've fallen off. Her shirt read, World's Best-Aged Auntie. Frank was staring, and Piper was laughing, and Calypso was just shaking her head and grinning. Leo had spontaneously burst into flames, repeating, "You have got to be kidding me," over and over. Reyna looked torn between laughing, scolding, and laughing harder. Annabeth and Percy were in stitches.
"ARE YOU PREGNANT?" Hazel yelled, staring at Annabeth, who nodded breathlessly between fits of laughter. "OHMYGODS," Hazel yelled, leaping to her feet. "REALLY?"
"Look," Piper exclaimed, holding up her t-shirt and laughing. "I'm World's Most Persuasive Auntie!"
"Or you're going to be, anyway," Percy pointed out, grinning.
"Really?" Hazel exclaimed again, pink-cheeked and beaming.
"Why does everyone keep saying that?" Annabeth exclaimed, but she was smiling.
"Hey, I'm World's Best Lost & Found Auntie," Calypso laughed.
Leo stared. "Wait a minute. Did you know?"
"Maybe," she said mischievously.
Piper's mouth dropped open. "I didn't know you knew!"
"You knew?" Jason yelled.
"Why do you think I sent you for apple juice at the wedding?" Piper said without thinking, then clapped a hand over her mouth.
"You've been pregnant since the wedding?" Reyna yelled at Annabeth, the praetor already wearing her BOSS AUNT shirt.
Annabeth flushed. "Well, yes."
Frank looked deeply uncomfortable. "Let's not go into details."
"Isn't it wonderful, though?" Hazel exclaimed, clearly ecstatic but still fanning her face.
"You're creating a draft, sis," Nico said, but he was smiling.
"Tell me everything," Reyna demanded. "Details, Jackson, details!"
And they obliged.
Tyson & Grover, Rachel Dare, Thalia Grace, Chiron
To say it was a busy fall would be an understatement. As soon as the golden haze of August disappeared, campers scattered in all directions, scampering home from Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter at top speed. New Rome was suddenly largely devoid of teenagers, occupied instead by university students and families, as well as Senate members, camp officials, and the ever present lares. With the influx of campers gone, New Rome's "off season" had begun, and the officials decided now was a good time for construction of both the museum and other projects. New Rome was expanding, and Reyna and Annabeth made a lengthy presentation to the Senate arguing the merits of an additional barracks for Camp Jupiter on top of the three housing projects going up on the outskirts of the bustling city. Security had to be increased, too, which was Frank's division—he could be seen running around the city having earnest discussions with various incarnations of Terminus about additional border security and talking to long-standing citizens about where they felt extra safety measures should be put into place. Percy was cornered by both Reyna and Frank on two separate occasions asking for his help on the new security project. Combat was quite likely, weird critter experience was a must, and all things considered he was well qualified. Percy thought it was a great idea. Jason was roped into the project, too, although he was more part-time, what with having a year of university to finish up.
It was the security project that gave Percy and Annabeth an excuse to travel up to New York in mid September. The Senate wanted to know if Camp Half-Blood wanted some extra security as well, and if the measures being put up around New Rome were welcome there, too. Percy eagerly volunteered to go up to New York for a weekend.
They spent Friday night with Sally and Paul and the new dog, the ironically named Sisyphus, a beagle Paul had begged for since he and Sally got married. Then they went up to camp, and were greeted by, of all people, Thalia Grace and Grover Underwood.
"What are you doing here?" Annabeth exclaimed, ecstatic, as she and Thalia hugged.
"Passing through," Thalia grinned, punching Percy hello. "Chiron said you were coming so we stayed an extra day. How was the honeymoon?"
"Warm," Percy said ruefully, gazing at the drizzly September weather. Grover grinned. "We can't all live in warmth, buddy. Missed ya."
"Tyson, Ella and Rachel are here," Thalia said, grinning.
"You're kidding!" Annabeth exclaimed, hugging Grover hello.
"Nope. Got in from Delphi last night. I swear, that is the weirdest harpy I have ever met," Thalia said as they started towards the Big House. The huntress was dressed in black and silver, a circlet in her spiky hair and various pins scattered over her ripped up jacket.
"You can hardly blame her," Grover pointed out, ever the faithful wildlife protector.
Camp was moderately busy, Hunters and year-round campers scattered around the lawn, cabins, and canoe lake. Percy felt like he was coming home. He couldn't stop grinning—especially when Tyson came barrelling towards them and nearly killed Percy with an over-zealous hug, shouting, "BROTHER!"
"Missed you, big guy," Percy said, grinning as Tyson enveloped Annabeth in another eager hug.
"Save some for me, Tyson," Rachel said, appearing on the porch and smiling. She was very tanned and freckled; her clothes paint-splattered and her hair messy. She was a sight for sore eyes, to say the least. Ella fluttered nervously about the porch, clearly excited to see Percy again, rambling about the head of Medusa and the original Perseus and spouting bits of prophecies. Chiron appeared in wheelchair form, smiling at them all as they hugged and chattered. There was a sadness and a joy in his gaze; as if he were remembering all the heroes who had not made it this far, and rejoicing in those before him, who had. Percy climbed the steps and stood before his trainer, grinning.
"Chiron," he said. "It's good to see you."
"And you, my boy," Chiron replied, smiling up at his pupil. "Tell me everything."
"Is Mr. D around?" Annabeth asked as they all went in, she lingering next to Chiron as they walked.
"Not today," replied the centaur. "Business on Olympus."
"Everything okay?" Percy asked, trying to hide how glad he was as they all sat around the hearth.
"Perfectly fine, my boy, aside from the usual. Only three quests this summer, you know."
"How was Delphi?" Annabeth asked Rachel.
"Warm," Rachel said. "And extremely confusing." Her eyes were bright with a fresh challenge. "Very inspiring for my paintings, though. Tyson seemed to like it, didn't you, big guy?"
"It was surrounded all sides by the warmest sea," Tyson said enthusiastically. "The fishies were very nice. Rainbow gave us a ride."
"Rainbow the hippocampi," Thalia mused aloud, tasting the words. "Now that's a phrase you don't hear every day." Grover choked on a laugh.
"Better than Bessie the Ophiotaurus," Percy offered, green eyes dancing.
"Don't remind me," Thalia exclaimed, laughing. Grover echoed emphatically.
"If we've got you all here," Annabeth said, taking one of Percy's hands, "we might as well tell you something. Percy?"
"We're repainting," Percy said blithely.
Annabeth whacked him. "You're hopeless, Seaweed Brain."
"What?" Percy exclaimed innocently, grinning. "Did you want me to tell them that you're pregnant?"
Rachel shrieked, leaping to her feet. "You're pregnant?"
"Traitor," Thalia exclaimed, but she was grinning. Tyson had gone wide-eyed and Ella was fluttering about, rambling, "baby, child, infant…" Annabeth laughed. "That was not how I wanted to tell you, but yes, we're having a baby."
"I'm going to be an uncle!" Tyson yelled, leaping to his feet. Grover was so excited he started bleating and shaking everyone's hands but Percy and Annabeth's, much to Ella's nerves' chagrin.
"Congratulations, Jacksons," Chiron exclaimed, smiling. "You've quite the adventure ahead of you."
"Yeah," Percy said, grinning at Annabeth. "This one, though, I think I'll actually like."
The Chase Family (including Magnus)
It probably wasn't the best thing in the world, to tell Annabeth's family last, but Annabeth wanted to do it in person. By then, she'd been pregnant since late May, and it was already the first week of October: she was a full four months along. It wasn't like Annabeth's family lived particularly far away, but a blend of conflicting schedules, travelling on both ends and Frederick's absentmindedness delayed the visit a full month. By then Annabeth had resorted to wearing hoodies and sweaters everywhere she didn't want to be obviously pregnant, and they'd had it confirmed that it was a girl.
To say Frederick Chase took it well would be stretching things. Actually, he looked like he didn't know what to think. Annabeth's stepmom was clearly excited about it, chatting animatedly with her stepdaughter as she poured tea, and Annabeth's half-brothers also seemed pretty pleased. Frederick seemed unnervingly speechless. It wasn't until Percy and Annabeth were leaving that, without a word, he enveloped Annabeth in a hug that rivalled the embrace of Tyson the Cyclopes.
That seemed to answer any questions pretty well.
Finally, Annabeth tracked down Magnus long enough to tell him to meet her in San Fran. Percy was not invited to the meeting, and Annabeth would not say a word about it when she returned. She was in good spirits, though, laughing to herself and humming as she helped Percy make dinner, wearing one of her first maternity shirts; a pretty blue thing that made her eyes spark.
As it happened, Magnus had sworn Annabeth to secrecy on account of his accidentally climbing back into the World Tree, then reappearing with an exasperated Samirah al-Abbas, who congratulated Annabeth, extinguished Magnus's flaming eyebrows, and started a friendly debate about American presidents. Magnus, in an attempt to live down his surprise, congratulated his cousin, but got over excited about it and accidentally did it in ASL. Finally, after much laughing and shawarma, they managed to hug it out and get in a nice, cousin catch up with Sam running monster interference.
How they told everyone it was a girl:
"Ready?" Annabeth asked, grinning.
"Yes," Piper practically shouted for everyone. She was filming; Annabeth was brandishing Percy's sword, and Percy was standing next to her, shaking his head and laughing. From the ceiling hung a dragon-shaped piñata, and the living room was full of friends and family.
"Go!" Percy exclaimed, grinning. Annabeth swung Riptide into the piñata and it burst in a shower of bright pink confetti.
"It's a girl!" Hazel yelled ecstatically, tossing a handful of confetti into the air, her engagement ring sparkling. She and Frank were thinking early spring as a potential wedding date; Leo had yet to ask Calypso The Question, but he seemed to be working up to it. Jason and Piper's plans for a January wedding were in full swing, although it seemed to be near impossible to keep the thing small and simple. Piper's mom kept interfering and dropping by with overly enthusiastic tips.
"I win!" Reyna crowed, laughing, turning to Nico, who had confetti in his hair. Smiling, he forked over a couple of denarii. Leo accidentally ignited some of the confetti and Percy got overenthusiastic in his fore extinguishing, until everyone was damp and the pink confetti stuck to everybody. They all fell laughing into their seats and talked until the sun went down, then video-messaged Sally and Paul, who were ecstatic. Annabeth sent the video to her parents, and after dinner, they walked along Temple Road burning pink confetti at various altars to officially let the Olympian parents know.
"I guess we'll have to buy blue and pink now," Annabeth told Percy.
Percy's eyes widened. "I hadn't though of that!"
Annabeth laughed and kissed his cheek. "I'm sure we'll manage."
The sun set on a quiet New Rome.