p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Chapter 7/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" Their little girl was perfect. Any time Annabeth looked at her daughter, her heart lit up. And when Amaya opened her sea green eyes, Annabeth was done for./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" Amaya was a sweet baby. She slept peacefully, only waking Annabeth when she needed to eat. When she was awake, she was just curious. Her eyes darted around whatever room they were in. Annabeth would talk softly to her daughter all day long. Amaya would rarely cry, calmed by her mother's words./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" Every night, Amaya would be lulled to sleep by Percy's stories. Often, Annabeth would stay listening to her husband's words. It was sweet to hear him tell their daughter about their lives./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" Every day Percy would call. Sometimes it would be at odd hours. Sometimes Amaya would be sleeping, but he was content staring at her sleeping form./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" Annabeth could tell how much his heart ached. His heart was out of his body thousands of miles away./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" Annabeth could see the toll it was taking on her husband. Some days, it would take a moment for his eyes to light up upon seeing Annabeth and Amaya. On other days, he only held sadness. He worked day in and out trying to find a solution to no avail./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" Amaya was six weeks old when Percy came to visit again. He was hesitant to come, not wanting to risk Amaya's safety. Still, Annabeth convinced him a quick visit would be alright./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" A soft knock pulled Annabeth out of her book. She set it down to open the front door. She hadn't had time to properly take her husband in before he wrapped his arms around her and pressed a kiss to her lips./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" Annabeth giggled as Percy lifted her up. He pressed her back against the wall and deepened their kiss. He moved his kisses to her jaw and to behind her ear./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" "Percy!" she laughed./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" He pulled away; his eyes gleaming. "I missed you. I don't think I've ever missed you more."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" "Love," Annabeth ran her hand down his cheek./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" Suddenly, a soft cry on the baby monitor pulled their attention away. Percy's whole body stilled./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" "She's waking up from her nap," Annabeth said./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth grabbed her husband's hand and pulled him along to the nursery. He followed in a daze./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth slowly opened Amaya's door./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Amaya, I have someone special here to see you," Annabeth ran her finger down Amaya's cheek./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"The little babe let out a yawn and her mother picked her up slowly. Percy's breath hitched. Seeing her on a screen was too different from seeing her in real life. He held himself back from touching her soft skin as she settled into Annabeth's arms./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""She's getting so big," Percy's eyes didn't leave his daughter./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth smiled. "She is, isn't she?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Annabeth settled into the rocking chair. "I have to feed her, but then you can hold her."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"In their little routine, Annabeth unbuttoned her shirt and Amaya latched on. Annabeth rocked back and forth and mumbled softly to her daughter. Annabeth glanced up at her husband./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""You can come closer," she laughed./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy frowned. "I," he shook his head. "Gods, Annabeth, you're so good with her. You're amazing."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Amaya pulled away before latching on again./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""She makes it pretty easy," Annabeth said rubbing Amaya's head which had grown more blonde hair. Annabeth glanced up and furrowed her brow at her husband who had yet to come any closer. "Percy?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""I," then he darted out of the room./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth didn't make a move to follow him until Amaya was done with feeding. Then she grabbed a burp cloth and rested Amaya on her shoulder, tapping her back softly. When Amaya got a few burps out, Annabeth mumbled to her./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Let's go see what your daddy is up to," Annabeth said as she cradled her daughter in her arms./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"It didn't take long for Annabeth to find Percy. He stood outside in the July sun, hands gripping the railing. Annabeth sighed and slid the door open to join him. Amaya gurgled happily excited to be in the sun./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy's shoulders relaxed slightly as Annabeth rested her head on his shoulders. His grip loosened on the railing, eventually wrapping his arm around Annabeth's waist and pulling her close./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""It's all moving too fast," Percy mumbled into Annabeth's hair and he pressed a kiss into it. "Amaya is getting big in front of my eyes and yet I've only held her two days of her life."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Percy," Annabeth pulled away. "We knew this was going to be hard. We have to relish in the moments we have together." Annabeth extended Amaya out. "Hold her."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy hesitated. "I don't want to break her."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth laughed. "Percy, she's little but not that little."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Can I just sit down first?" Percy said./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth nodded and followed her husband inside. Percy sat on the couch and Annabeth gently lowered Amaya into his arms. She squirmed in her father's arms. With no one knowing about Amaya, Annabeth hadn't had any visitors since she gave birth, so Amaya only really knew her mother's arms./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy stayed stiff as Amaya continued to shift, unsettled by the new presence. Percy pulled his arms away from his chest./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Take her, she doesn't, she can't," Percy shut his eyes. "She doesn't know me. She's not comfortable."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth sat by her husband but didn't take their babe. Amaya continued to shift, but she settled more./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Keep talking," Annabeth whispered as she put her finger out for Amaya to grasp on to. "She might not know your touch, but she knows your voice. We listen to your stories every night."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""I don't," Percy's green eyes stayed distressed./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth leaned over and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "I promise. Love, just talk."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy gulped before he began to take in his baby. "Hi, little girl." Amaya stopped squirming. Percy continued to coo. "Gods, I think you're the prettiest baby ever. Hard not to be when you look so much like your mom."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth rested her head on Percy's shoulder. "I think she looks like you."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"He smiled. "We'll have to get our own baby pictures to compare."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Amaya stared up curiously at her father. Percy couldn't hold back his smile this time, no matter how nervous he was. Percy directed his attention at his wife./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""While I'm here, is there anything I can do? Make some food, clean, do laundry, or," Annabeth cut him off with a kiss./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""You really are a pretty perfect husband, you know that?" She smiled but shook her head. "I really don't have much to do. Amaya is a perfect baby. She doesn't cry much, sleeps, and eats well. She gives me time to emdo /emthings. It might pick up when I go back to work though."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth's maternity leave ended in the next few weeks. She would still be able to work from home though. Neither of them wanted to risk getting a gorgon or other monster disguised as a babysitter. Thankfully, Annabeth's work had flexible parental work hours./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy nodded, looking back at their baby. "What if you do need help?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth shrugged. "We'll make do. Thalia can visit and I thought about joining some mom groups."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy let out a small chuckle. "Mom groups?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth nodded. "Like, mommy and me music class." Percy gave her a side eye and Annabeth threw up her hands. "What?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Annabeth Jackson at mommy and me music class?" Percy smirked./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""If you were here, I'd make you do it," Annabeth set and Percy went silent, the twinkle immediately disappearing from his face. "Babe, that's not," Percy cut her off./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""I know," Percy answered. "I was kind of asking for it. It's just if you had told me at twelve that someday the golden blonde princess in front of me was going to be taking our own princess to music class, I never would have believed it." He sighed. "But that'll be good for you. Amaya can make some friends too as she gets older."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy's progress was slow. He didn't want his wife and daughter's lives to stop because of the attacks. They had already been affected too much./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""I don't mind taking classes with Amaya. Someday, it'll be at camp teaching her how to use her dagger," Annabeth remarked./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy scoffed. "She'll totally be using a sword."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Or maybe she'll surprise us and take up archery," Amaya gurgled as Annabeth laughed. "Just kidding, with your dad's genes, there's no way."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""And someday, I'll teach her how to swim," Percy smiled. "Do you think she'll have water powers? Obviously not as much as me, but..." he trailed off./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Gods help us all if she does. Brains and water? She'll be unstoppable," Annabeth said./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy held his child closer to his chest. "We're always going to have to worry after her, aren't we?" He sighed. "Even if we figure out this bounty business, it won't stop. She has big three blood in her and we have so many enemies," Annabeth leaned over to kiss her husband's cheek./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""No better people to protect her than us who took all those monsters down before," she gripped his arm./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy shook his head. "I had never thought about it before. Our enemies will be her enemies, gods, sometimes I wish I could hide her forever."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth in turn, shook her own head. "Not when she'll have so many people watching her back. Speaking of," Annabeth trailed off. "Frank and Hazel's wedding is coming up next month." Percy adjusted Amaya in his arms. "We both are still invited, right?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy nodded. "Frank suspects something is up, so I think he held off making Hazel pull me off the guest list. Hazel won't speak to me though and I avoid Frank in case he's suspicious."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth's mouth tightened. "I know they are your friends too, but what if I just go?" Annabeth ran her fingers through her blonde hair, pulling out loose strands. Amaya loved to pull on it. "It'll be nearly a year since I've seen everyone. The baby weight is coming off," Percy interrupted her./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Which you don't need to worry about."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth rolled her eyes. "I do if it looks like I just gave birth! Still," Annabeth bit her lip. "The bridesmaid dresses are loose enough to cover everything. I could go. No one would be suspicious. It's just one night. You could stay here with Amaya."br / Percy frowned. He understood what Annabeth's plan meant. Even if they had broken up, she would not have fallen off the face of the earth. She needed to show everyone she was okay. Maybe even moving on./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"But if Annabeth went to California for the wedding, that would mean his next visit, he wouldn't get to see her. He loved his little girl more than he could imagine, but he felt ill-prepared without his wife by his side./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy swallowed. "You think I can watch her by myself?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth laughed. "Percy, you are her father. Plus, you were watching Estelle by yourself when she was in diapers."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"emBut mostly with you by my side, /emPercy thought, but he didn't press the issue. Amaya was his daughter. His child. Annabeth spent all day every day taking care of Amaya. Percy could handle one night alone with her./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""But just the night? I don't want to attract any monsters here by being here too long," Percy said. He began to shift in his seat. emWas he there too long already today?/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""I'll be quick. Fly there in the morning and be back by the end of the night," Annabeth paused. "Unless you really want to go. You were friends with them first and-" Percy cut her off./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""No, you're right. This is a good way to show everyone you're okay," Percy said./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth leaned over and let Amaya latch onto her finger. "I'm more than okay." A single tear slipped down her face. "Just no one can know how happy I am with our little girl," Annabeth turned her husband's face. "The only way I could be happier is if you were here with us."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth leaned in and gave her husband a slow, passionate kiss. That was until their daughter left out a high pitched squeal. They pulled away laughing./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Oh?" Percy rocked Amaya as she let out a few more shrieks. "You don't like sharing your mom, do you?" She let out another cry before settling back into her father's arms./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth smiled. "She's really such a good baby," tears welled up in her eyes and she quickly tried to push them away./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy should be able to see her more. He should be able to see her always. Annabeth knew that if Percy was with Amaya and her every day, no doubt Amaya would be a daddy's girl./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy continued to cuddle Amaya as Annabeth's phone went off. She lifted it quickly to see it was a text from Hazel./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"emStill coming to the wedding? I want you by my side and we haven't seen you in a while/em, Hazel wrote./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Time to play the disgruntled divorcee. emIs Percy going to be there? /emAnnabeth replied./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Who's that?" Percy asked./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Hazel, almost like she knew we were speaking about her and-," Annabeth was cut off by a text from Percy's phone./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Can you check that, love?" Percy asked, not wanting to lift his arm up from holding Amaya./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth rolled her eyes. "It's Frank, emcoming to the wedding?/em" Percy had been one of Frank's groomsmen but had stepped back even before their supposed break up. He didn't want to make any sort of commitment in case the monster attacks ramped up against him, which they had./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth replied on Percy's phone. emCan't, sorry dude./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"emIs this about Annabeth? /emFrank replied. Annabeth showed Percy the text./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy raised his eyebrow. "Dude? Do you think I text like that?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"His wife raised her hands in defense. "I don't know! Most of your texts to me contain some sort of emLove, /emor emdearest, /emor embabe /emor something!" Amaya gurgled spit bubbles in response. Annabeth leaned down and wiped it up while tickling her cheek. "Your dad is a bit of a lovesick charmer."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Even after all these years," Percy kissed Annabeth on her cheek. "And you can say whatever, he isn't going to be happy about me missing his wedding. It's Hazel and his most important day of their lives but," he trailed off looking at his daughter./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""We have more important things to protect," Annabeth finished for him, gazing at Amaya./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Everyone hates me, anyway, I doubt they'd want me there. They'd rather have you," he said dismissingly./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth frowned as she typed back. "I'm still mad you did that."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Anything for our little angel," he said./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"emAnnabeth should be there. Hazel is still mad at me, I'm not going to ruin your big day./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"I emwant you there, Percy. You wouldn't ruin it, /emFrank replied./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"emEnjoy your day, /emwas all Annabeth said back. Not a moment later, Hazel texted Annabeth back./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"emPercy won't be coming, /emHazel said./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"emI wouldn't miss it for the world, /emAnnabeth replied./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"As she sat contemplating how her first night away from Amaya would go, as Percy had to spend every night away, a loud noise filled the air. The stink followed after./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth laughed. "I think our little emangel/em needs a diaper change."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth leaned over to grab Amaya, but Percy was already standing up. "I got it."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"She had to admit, it was nice having help. Even if it was just not having to change one poopy diaper, she cherished the help. It wasn't Percy's fault, but she was practically a single mother, and it took a toll. The only people she could talk about it to were Thalia and Grover, and that was sparingly. Thalia traveled with the hunters too often to casual chats and Grover was preparing for his own baby. She certainly couldn't talk to Percy about it. He would have done anything to help her if it didn't put Amaya in jeopardy./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Perhaps Percy could tell how tired Annabeth was. How happy, yet exhausted she was as a new parent. The rest of the day, although he held Amaya with a sense of utmost fragility, he did everything. Changed her diapers, burped after feeding, gave her a bath and put her to bed. It gave Annabeth time to take an actual shower for a change without a sleeping baby in the next room that could need her at any second./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"When she stepped out of the bathroom clad in one of Percy's old tshirts, he softly shut the bedroom door. Annabeth practically swayed on her feet from exhaustion as she bit back a yawn. Percy came over and wrapped her in his arms. He kissed her wet hair and she almost fell asleep right there./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"He continued to hold her as he spoke, "I have to go, but we should talk about what you need."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Need?" Annabeth tried to step back but Percy held her tight./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""I know Amaya is a great baby, but you need support. You're almost sleeping standing up, recovering from pregnancy and childbirth." Percy continued. "You breastfeed her at all hours of the day and night while also single-handedly taking care of this home. You need to rest too, my love."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth let a single tear escape. emI need you,/em she thought. But she could not let that thought escape. Percy felt guilty enough as it is./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy gave her a gentle kiss. "Think about what you need, love."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth's mind drifted as he tucked her in, just as he had their daughter. She was sound asleep before her head even hit the pillow./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"strongHey friends! It's been a VERY long time since I've updated. But I started medical school and to get me through my long days of studying, I'm trying to write to give my brain a break. Hope you like this fluffy little chapter. I was maybe going to make it longer, but I need to get back to studying and wanted to post something :)/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" Their little girl was perfect. Any time Annabeth looked at her daughter, her heart lit up. And when Amaya opened her sea green eyes, Annabeth was done for./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" Amaya was a sweet baby. She slept peacefully, only waking Annabeth when she needed to eat. When she was awake, she was just curious. Her eyes darted around whatever room they were in. Annabeth would talk softly to her daughter all day long. Amaya would rarely cry, calmed by her mother's words./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" Every night, Amaya would be lulled to sleep by Percy's stories. Often, Annabeth would stay listening to her husband's words. It was sweet to hear him tell their daughter about their lives./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" Every day Percy would call. Sometimes it would be at odd hours. Sometimes Amaya would be sleeping, but he was content staring at her sleeping form./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" Annabeth could tell how much his heart ached. His heart was out of his body thousands of miles away./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" Annabeth could see the toll it was taking on her husband. Some days, it would take a moment for his eyes to light up upon seeing Annabeth and Amaya. On other days, he only held sadness. He worked day in and out trying to find a solution to no avail./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" Amaya was six weeks old when Percy came to visit again. He was hesitant to come, not wanting to risk Amaya's safety. Still, Annabeth convinced him a quick visit would be alright./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" A soft knock pulled Annabeth out of her book. She set it down to open the front door. She hadn't had time to properly take her husband in before he wrapped his arms around her and pressed a kiss to her lips./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" Annabeth giggled as Percy lifted her up. He pressed her back against the wall and deepened their kiss. He moved his kisses to her jaw and to behind her ear./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" "Percy!" she laughed./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" He pulled away; his eyes gleaming. "I missed you. I don't think I've ever missed you more."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" "Love," Annabeth ran her hand down his cheek./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" Suddenly, a soft cry on the baby monitor pulled their attention away. Percy's whole body stilled./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" "She's waking up from her nap," Annabeth said./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth grabbed her husband's hand and pulled him along to the nursery. He followed in a daze./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth slowly opened Amaya's door./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Amaya, I have someone special here to see you," Annabeth ran her finger down Amaya's cheek./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"The little babe let out a yawn and her mother picked her up slowly. Percy's breath hitched. Seeing her on a screen was too different from seeing her in real life. He held himself back from touching her soft skin as she settled into Annabeth's arms./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""She's getting so big," Percy's eyes didn't leave his daughter./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth smiled. "She is, isn't she?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Annabeth settled into the rocking chair. "I have to feed her, but then you can hold her."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"In their little routine, Annabeth unbuttoned her shirt and Amaya latched on. Annabeth rocked back and forth and mumbled softly to her daughter. Annabeth glanced up at her husband./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""You can come closer," she laughed./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy frowned. "I," he shook his head. "Gods, Annabeth, you're so good with her. You're amazing."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Amaya pulled away before latching on again./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""She makes it pretty easy," Annabeth said rubbing Amaya's head which had grown more blonde hair. Annabeth glanced up and furrowed her brow at her husband who had yet to come any closer. "Percy?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""I," then he darted out of the room./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth didn't make a move to follow him until Amaya was done with feeding. Then she grabbed a burp cloth and rested Amaya on her shoulder, tapping her back softly. When Amaya got a few burps out, Annabeth mumbled to her./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Let's go see what your daddy is up to," Annabeth said as she cradled her daughter in her arms./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"It didn't take long for Annabeth to find Percy. He stood outside in the July sun, hands gripping the railing. Annabeth sighed and slid the door open to join him. Amaya gurgled happily excited to be in the sun./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy's shoulders relaxed slightly as Annabeth rested her head on his shoulders. His grip loosened on the railing, eventually wrapping his arm around Annabeth's waist and pulling her close./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""It's all moving too fast," Percy mumbled into Annabeth's hair and he pressed a kiss into it. "Amaya is getting big in front of my eyes and yet I've only held her two days of her life."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Percy," Annabeth pulled away. "We knew this was going to be hard. We have to relish in the moments we have together." Annabeth extended Amaya out. "Hold her."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy hesitated. "I don't want to break her."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth laughed. "Percy, she's little but not that little."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Can I just sit down first?" Percy said./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth nodded and followed her husband inside. Percy sat on the couch and Annabeth gently lowered Amaya into his arms. She squirmed in her father's arms. With no one knowing about Amaya, Annabeth hadn't had any visitors since she gave birth, so Amaya only really knew her mother's arms./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy stayed stiff as Amaya continued to shift, unsettled by the new presence. Percy pulled his arms away from his chest./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Take her, she doesn't, she can't," Percy shut his eyes. "She doesn't know me. She's not comfortable."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth sat by her husband but didn't take their babe. Amaya continued to shift, but she settled more./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Keep talking," Annabeth whispered as she put her finger out for Amaya to grasp on to. "She might not know your touch, but she knows your voice. We listen to your stories every night."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""I don't," Percy's green eyes stayed distressed./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth leaned over and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "I promise. Love, just talk."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy gulped before he began to take in his baby. "Hi, little girl." Amaya stopped squirming. Percy continued to coo. "Gods, I think you're the prettiest baby ever. Hard not to be when you look so much like your mom."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth rested her head on Percy's shoulder. "I think she looks like you."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"He smiled. "We'll have to get our own baby pictures to compare."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Amaya stared up curiously at her father. Percy couldn't hold back his smile this time, no matter how nervous he was. Percy directed his attention at his wife./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""While I'm here, is there anything I can do? Make some food, clean, do laundry, or," Annabeth cut him off with a kiss./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""You really are a pretty perfect husband, you know that?" She smiled but shook her head. "I really don't have much to do. Amaya is a perfect baby. She doesn't cry much, sleeps, and eats well. She gives me time to emdo /emthings. It might pick up when I go back to work though."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth's maternity leave ended in the next few weeks. She would still be able to work from home though. Neither of them wanted to risk getting a gorgon or other monster disguised as a babysitter. Thankfully, Annabeth's work had flexible parental work hours./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy nodded, looking back at their baby. "What if you do need help?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth shrugged. "We'll make do. Thalia can visit and I thought about joining some mom groups."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy let out a small chuckle. "Mom groups?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth nodded. "Like, mommy and me music class." Percy gave her a side eye and Annabeth threw up her hands. "What?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Annabeth Jackson at mommy and me music class?" Percy smirked./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""If you were here, I'd make you do it," Annabeth set and Percy went silent, the twinkle immediately disappearing from his face. "Babe, that's not," Percy cut her off./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""I know," Percy answered. "I was kind of asking for it. It's just if you had told me at twelve that someday the golden blonde princess in front of me was going to be taking our own princess to music class, I never would have believed it." He sighed. "But that'll be good for you. Amaya can make some friends too as she gets older."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy's progress was slow. He didn't want his wife and daughter's lives to stop because of the attacks. They had already been affected too much./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""I don't mind taking classes with Amaya. Someday, it'll be at camp teaching her how to use her dagger," Annabeth remarked./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy scoffed. "She'll totally be using a sword."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Or maybe she'll surprise us and take up archery," Amaya gurgled as Annabeth laughed. "Just kidding, with your dad's genes, there's no way."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""And someday, I'll teach her how to swim," Percy smiled. "Do you think she'll have water powers? Obviously not as much as me, but..." he trailed off./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Gods help us all if she does. Brains and water? She'll be unstoppable," Annabeth said./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy held his child closer to his chest. "We're always going to have to worry after her, aren't we?" He sighed. "Even if we figure out this bounty business, it won't stop. She has big three blood in her and we have so many enemies," Annabeth leaned over to kiss her husband's cheek./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""No better people to protect her than us who took all those monsters down before," she gripped his arm./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy shook his head. "I had never thought about it before. Our enemies will be her enemies, gods, sometimes I wish I could hide her forever."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth in turn, shook her own head. "Not when she'll have so many people watching her back. Speaking of," Annabeth trailed off. "Frank and Hazel's wedding is coming up next month." Percy adjusted Amaya in his arms. "We both are still invited, right?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy nodded. "Frank suspects something is up, so I think he held off making Hazel pull me off the guest list. Hazel won't speak to me though and I avoid Frank in case he's suspicious."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth's mouth tightened. "I know they are your friends too, but what if I just go?" Annabeth ran her fingers through her blonde hair, pulling out loose strands. Amaya loved to pull on it. "It'll be nearly a year since I've seen everyone. The baby weight is coming off," Percy interrupted her./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Which you don't need to worry about."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth rolled her eyes. "I do if it looks like I just gave birth! Still," Annabeth bit her lip. "The bridesmaid dresses are loose enough to cover everything. I could go. No one would be suspicious. It's just one night. You could stay here with Amaya."br / Percy frowned. He understood what Annabeth's plan meant. Even if they had broken up, she would not have fallen off the face of the earth. She needed to show everyone she was okay. Maybe even moving on./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"But if Annabeth went to California for the wedding, that would mean his next visit, he wouldn't get to see her. He loved his little girl more than he could imagine, but he felt ill-prepared without his wife by his side./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy swallowed. "You think I can watch her by myself?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth laughed. "Percy, you are her father. Plus, you were watching Estelle by yourself when she was in diapers."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"emBut mostly with you by my side, /emPercy thought, but he didn't press the issue. Amaya was his daughter. His child. Annabeth spent all day every day taking care of Amaya. Percy could handle one night alone with her./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""But just the night? I don't want to attract any monsters here by being here too long," Percy said. He began to shift in his seat. emWas he there too long already today?/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""I'll be quick. Fly there in the morning and be back by the end of the night," Annabeth paused. "Unless you really want to go. You were friends with them first and-" Percy cut her off./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""No, you're right. This is a good way to show everyone you're okay," Percy said./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth leaned over and let Amaya latch onto her finger. "I'm more than okay." A single tear slipped down her face. "Just no one can know how happy I am with our little girl," Annabeth turned her husband's face. "The only way I could be happier is if you were here with us."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth leaned in and gave her husband a slow, passionate kiss. That was until their daughter left out a high pitched squeal. They pulled away laughing./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Oh?" Percy rocked Amaya as she let out a few more shrieks. "You don't like sharing your mom, do you?" She let out another cry before settling back into her father's arms./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth smiled. "She's really such a good baby," tears welled up in her eyes and she quickly tried to push them away./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy should be able to see her more. He should be able to see her always. Annabeth knew that if Percy was with Amaya and her every day, no doubt Amaya would be a daddy's girl./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy continued to cuddle Amaya as Annabeth's phone went off. She lifted it quickly to see it was a text from Hazel./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"emStill coming to the wedding? I want you by my side and we haven't seen you in a while/em, Hazel wrote./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Time to play the disgruntled divorcee. emIs Percy going to be there? /emAnnabeth replied./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Who's that?" Percy asked./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Hazel, almost like she knew we were speaking about her and-," Annabeth was cut off by a text from Percy's phone./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Can you check that, love?" Percy asked, not wanting to lift his arm up from holding Amaya./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth rolled her eyes. "It's Frank, emcoming to the wedding?/em" Percy had been one of Frank's groomsmen but had stepped back even before their supposed break up. He didn't want to make any sort of commitment in case the monster attacks ramped up against him, which they had./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth replied on Percy's phone. emCan't, sorry dude./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"emIs this about Annabeth? /emFrank replied. Annabeth showed Percy the text./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy raised his eyebrow. "Dude? Do you think I text like that?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"His wife raised her hands in defense. "I don't know! Most of your texts to me contain some sort of emLove, /emor emdearest, /emor embabe /emor something!" Amaya gurgled spit bubbles in response. Annabeth leaned down and wiped it up while tickling her cheek. "Your dad is a bit of a lovesick charmer."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Even after all these years," Percy kissed Annabeth on her cheek. "And you can say whatever, he isn't going to be happy about me missing his wedding. It's Hazel and his most important day of their lives but," he trailed off looking at his daughter./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""We have more important things to protect," Annabeth finished for him, gazing at Amaya./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Everyone hates me, anyway, I doubt they'd want me there. They'd rather have you," he said dismissingly./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth frowned as she typed back. "I'm still mad you did that."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Anything for our little angel," he said./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"emAnnabeth should be there. Hazel is still mad at me, I'm not going to ruin your big day./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"I emwant you there, Percy. You wouldn't ruin it, /emFrank replied./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"emEnjoy your day, /emwas all Annabeth said back. Not a moment later, Hazel texted Annabeth back./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"emPercy won't be coming, /emHazel said./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"emI wouldn't miss it for the world, /emAnnabeth replied./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"As she sat contemplating how her first night away from Amaya would go, as Percy had to spend every night away, a loud noise filled the air. The stink followed after./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth laughed. "I think our little emangel/em needs a diaper change."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth leaned over to grab Amaya, but Percy was already standing up. "I got it."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"She had to admit, it was nice having help. Even if it was just not having to change one poopy diaper, she cherished the help. It wasn't Percy's fault, but she was practically a single mother, and it took a toll. The only people she could talk about it to were Thalia and Grover, and that was sparingly. Thalia traveled with the hunters too often to casual chats and Grover was preparing for his own baby. She certainly couldn't talk to Percy about it. He would have done anything to help her if it didn't put Amaya in jeopardy./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Perhaps Percy could tell how tired Annabeth was. How happy, yet exhausted she was as a new parent. The rest of the day, although he held Amaya with a sense of utmost fragility, he did everything. Changed her diapers, burped after feeding, gave her a bath and put her to bed. It gave Annabeth time to take an actual shower for a change without a sleeping baby in the next room that could need her at any second./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"When she stepped out of the bathroom clad in one of Percy's old tshirts, he softly shut the bedroom door. Annabeth practically swayed on her feet from exhaustion as she bit back a yawn. Percy came over and wrapped her in his arms. He kissed her wet hair and she almost fell asleep right there./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"He continued to hold her as he spoke, "I have to go, but we should talk about what you need."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Need?" Annabeth tried to step back but Percy held her tight./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""I know Amaya is a great baby, but you need support. You're almost sleeping standing up, recovering from pregnancy and childbirth." Percy continued. "You breastfeed her at all hours of the day and night while also single-handedly taking care of this home. You need to rest too, my love."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth let a single tear escape. emI need you,/em she thought. But she could not let that thought escape. Percy felt guilty enough as it is./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Percy gave her a gentle kiss. "Think about what you need, love."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Annabeth's mind drifted as he tucked her in, just as he had their daughter. She was sound asleep before her head even hit the pillow./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"strongHey friends! It's been a VERY long time since I've updated. But I started medical school and to get me through my long days of studying, I'm trying to write to give my brain a break. Hope you like this fluffy little chapter. I was maybe going to make it longer, but I need to get back to studying and wanted to post something :)/strong/p