Don't Think So Much Annabeth
Chapter XIV: Flutters
Week Twenty
Officially half way through her pregnancy, Annabeth's stomach was impossible to hide at work any longer. Hannah, true to her word, took care of the announcement. It was a small affair in the break room, and to her surprise even her bosses came to the lunch to congratulate her. Once that was over with, it was a relief not worry about her clothes and just focus on her work.
Most days her hair was pulled up into a bun or a ponytail, and she pretty much exclusively wore dresses or stretchy pants that doubled as yoga and dress pants. A few of the other women has complimented her on her new wardrobe choices, gushing over the dresses and how it accented her baby bump. She wasn't sure if the attention was because of her new style or the baby, but either way she took the compliments in stride.
Right after the announcement to their friends, and with a few probes from her therapist, she wrote a letter to her Dad and Susan asking if they could get together for dinner. Everyday she asked Hannah if anything had came back, but she always got a solemn shake of the head in response.
Today, she had a feeling she would get the letter. Whether that be a return to sender or a response, she wasn't sure, but considering she'd stepped in a puddle and soaked her flats, and gotten drenched running across the parking lot just on the way in, she wouldn't be surprised if she got her original letter back with a giant red RETURN TO SENDER stamped on the front. If the whole building crumbled she wouldn't be surprised. It was just that kind of day.
"Annabeth?"
Hannah was standing in her door way, a non conspicuous envelope in her hand. Her heart pounded hard, and she felt her stomach roll. With a shaky hand, she reached out for it. Hannah handed it over with a reassuring smile, and shut the door as she left to give her privacy.
"At least they wrote back." She muttered, digging for her letter opener.
Annabeth took a deep breath, pausing for a moment and slowly letting it out before yanking it free from the envelope and opening the letter.
My Dearest Daughter,
I was thrilled to see a letter from you, and even happier you want to get together for a dinner. Susan and I would love to treat you to a dinner at Le Grenouille this Friday. Please bring Percy— he sounds like a wonderful young man. I can't wait to see you again.
Love,
Your Dad
This wasn't the letter she was expecting, but she still found herself crying. Tears stained the letter, the writing running as it slid down the page. It was probably due to amping herself up over this, expecting a flat out refusal to even see her, but maybe that was dramatic. Plenty of teens didn't get along with their step parents, or even parents, and reconnected later in their adult years.
Hannah shot her a text with a question mark, and she replied with a thumbs up and asked her to clear her calendar for Friday and plan to work from home.
When she trudged through the door to the apartment that evening, her down mood seemed to linger. Maybe she should call her therapist? The insurance covered unlimited calls and texts to her. Percy wasn't home, so there wasn't any harm in at least trying.
The phone rang a few times before Dr. Terrant's voicemail picked up, so Annabeth left a short messages saying it wasn't an emergency, but she needed to talk if she had the time. Just that action made her feel slightly better, so she took a deep breath, imagining the stress leaving her body and dissipating into the air.
She could feel her heart rate was elevated, so she laid flat on the couch with her feet up over the arm. Caressing her stomach, she continued what Dr. Terrant called square breathing, and pictured herself relaxing deep into the couch.
"I can't control what others do or think, I can only control my own. Right now, we're calm and happy. Aren't we?"
It felt strange to talk to her stomach, but the books all said her baby could hear her, so it was worth a try. She hadn't given it much thought, but after noticing other pregnant woman in public, she didn't caress or talk to her bump like they had. She knew everyone was different, but the guilt still ate at her sometimes.
"Are you comfy in there? I feel like you would be cramped, but you're still not very big. Then again, your Daddy is so tall, you might be above the growth percentile already. Just promise me you won't get stuck? I've read a few things on that and I'd much rather you tell me before and we do a c-section. One way or the other, got it?"
A small flutter, similar to what she'd been feeling for a week or so, started where her hand was. She smiled, rubbing the area. "Can you hear me? Can you feel my hand?" A small tap, almost passable as muscle spasm, touched her hand. She sucked in a breath hoping to feel it again. Sure enough, another small tap and she screamed with excitement.
Almost on cue, Percy burst through the door, his backpack slinging into the counter so hard she thought his laptop might break.
"Annabeth! Annabeth I heard you scream, are you alright? Do I need to call a doctor?"
"Come here, come here! Hurry!" She didn't move, afraid to break the magic, and motioned frantically with her free hand.
Percy stumbled through the living area, sliding on his knees to reach her at the couch. His hands hovered frantically as if she were bleeding out, so she grabbed one and slid it under hers to press firmly against her belly. Confusion clouded his features, until that light flutter started once again and followed with a nudge. He looked confused for a second until understanding dawned.
"They kicked! My kids moving! Our baby moves!" He shouted, jumping around the living room and punching the air.
Annabeth sat up from her position, keeping her hand on her belly and staring lovingly as Percy jumped around.
"Propose to me." The words came out unbidden, but she didn't regret them. One day, when their child asked how they got engaged, she couldn't imagine a better moment to relive.
"Really?" His hair was mussed and his suit crumpled from his antics, the lop-sided grin giving away his hopes.
"Really." She giggled.
Percy sprinted to the bedroom, taking a moment longer than she expected, but came back looking tidied and confident. She adjusted her own clothing, making sure it was straightened before scooting to the edge of the couch in anticipation. Her heart fluttered as Percy kneeled in front of her, opening the ring box to reveal a familiar ring.
"Is that your Mom's ring?" She asked, tears cracking her voice and blurring her vision.
Percy nodded and said, "Yeah, we had a long talk after she met you and insisted I take it after the cookout. She had a replica made she's been wearing since."
He took her hand, placing the ring on her finger. It fit perfectly, the gems glimmering in the light. To her surprise, the halo around the diamond matched her earrings. She wiped her eyes and looked at Percy with all the love she could feel and hoped he could see a fraction of it.
"Annabeth Chase. From the moment I first saw you, I knew you would be an important person in my life. If Thalia hadn't interfered, I'm not sure I ever would have gotten the courage to talk to you. You're gorgeous, fearless, and you're one of the kindest people I know. We may be doing things out of order, but I believe everything happens for a reason. There's a reason I met you in that club, and we got drunk on cheap wine on the roof. There's a reason you decided to come back here, and now you're giving me a family of my own. I hope I can be the man you need through life, and the best father possible to our child. I promise you, until my dying breath, I will love you and show you that I love you every day."
She was full on ugly crying now, but she didn't care. She was trying to commit his speech to memory and never forget this moment. She threw her arms around him, crying heavily into his shoulder. Percy nestled his head into the junction of her neck and shoulder and she could feel his tears too.
"I love you so, so much. Thank you for everything Percy."
"I love you too. Wanna go get eloped in Vegas?"
"Percy!" She sputtered, pulling away laughing and slapping his shoulder.
"I'm joking! Mom would kill me if I did that. Besides, I want to show off my beautiful bride." Effortlessly, Percy tugged her up into a close hold and started slow dancing with her in the living room. There was no music, she had mascara running down her face, but she never felt more beautiful and content than she did twirling around their living room with the love of her life.