Deep breathes. That's all Annabeth could do. She needed to take deep breathes.
8 weeks. Two months and she finally felt mostly settled into her new house. She refused to call it her home. Home was where Percy was, and he wasn't here. He couldn't be.
Annabeth stared down at her large stomach. She was 20 weeks pregnant. Her baby was the size of a banana.
Okay, she was settled in everything besides the nursery. She held onto the insane hope that Percy would be able to figure everything out before the baby was born and she could go back to New York. She could go back and be surrounded by everyone she loved and not do this alone. But she knew that couldn't happen. Not yet.
Annabeth walked around her house. And yes, it was a house, not the small apartment Percy and her shared in New York. Athena hadn't skimped when she picked a house for Annabeth. The house wasn't huge, but it had everything she needed. Three bedrooms. One for her, one for baby, and one for an office. A kitchen with a large island and granite countertops she could make blue cookies in. A backyard with grass and a pool. Annabeth smirked when she had seen that. Even Athena accommodated the grandchild of her sea god nemesis.
Thalia had stayed for a week to help Annabeth move in, but she had to get back to the hunters. The tear in Tartarus mostly let out monsters targeting descendants of Poseidon, but there were a few stragglers the hunters helped to track down. Thalia had to do her part to protect her niece or nephew too.
So, Annabeth fell into her new routine alone. She got a job at a local architecture firm. Nothing as fancy or cushy as her job in New York, but it would suffice her craving to create. Well, that and the baby she was creating in her. She would get up for the day, go on a light run (her doctor said it was okay), shower, then head to work. After work, she would unpack more of her things. Then, maybe read about the baby's development or parenting books. And she always ended the night with a story for her baby.
She read books sometimes, but her dyslexia mixed with pregnancy brain only made her more frustrated. So, she told stories instead. Percy wasn't there, so most of the stories featured him. Their baby knew all about him. How they met. The great hero he was. All he was sacrificing. That was the only way Annabeth could sleep at night. Dreaming of their future baby and thinking of Percy.
Annabeth's friends called time-to-time, but mostly she said she needed space. There was only so much lying she could do. She was too far away, and it hurt too much to talk to her friends. She would need to soon, but for now, she avoided it. That was until Sally called.
Annabeth was settled in. It was the end of a long work week and she stared at a new ultrasound of her 20-week baby. She wished someway she would be able to get it to Percy, but it was too risky to even try. Gods, she hoped he would visit soon. Or at least call. The baby had been moving, but she hadn't been able to feel a solid kick yet. She hoped the sound of his voice would help it.
Suddenly, her phone rang (calls were appropriate and monster-proof with a Leo Valdez secured cell phone). Annabeth's heart leaped at the thought of it being her husband. Her heart leaped in another direction when she saw the caller ID. Sally Jackson. Shit. Could she do this right now?
Annabeth knew the longer she waited, the harder it would be. Pausing the TV and with shaking hands, she answered her phone.
"Hello?" Annabeth almost questioned as she breathed out.
"Annabeth," Sally's voice was hoarse. There was a pause. "Oh, Annabeth, dear."
"What has he told you?" Annabeth knew she was too quick.
Her voice was without emotion. But she had no idea when and what Percy had told his mom. She couldn't get their stories crossed.
Annabeth swallowed, trying again. "I'm sorry. I just," she paused. "I don't know what he told you. We aren't talking so I can't ask."
"Annabeth, you know you're my child too." Sally sighed. "Can you come over and talk? I know Percy can't with the whole monster thing and he didn't mention where you are. I assumed still New York with your job and camp and—" Annabeth cut her off.
"I left New York," I answered abruptly.
"Oh," Sally said. "Percy, he, he messed up. He hurt you. I'm so sorry."
Gods, he had told her. He'd told her what everyone at camp thought. She thought maybe he'd tell his mom they were falling apart. That they fell apart. But the fake cheating? Gods, he really was all in.
"We were over a long time ago," as if arguing against her, the baby in her stomach moved a little bit as if to say, hey mommy! You and daddy created me in love. It's not over. Don't tell my grandma that.
"He told me not to call you," Sally continued. "He said you needed space. He only told me last week."
"How," Annabeth hesitated. If she asked, would it seem wrong? "How is he?"
Sally sighed. "Not good. Grover gives me updates, but it sounds bad." Sally corrected herself. "Not that what he did was right, at all. He's just so alone."
Annabeth didn't say anything. How could she?
"Anyways, Annabeth, I just wanted to check-in. You are always going to be a part of this family, no matter what. I—" another voice cut in.
"Is that Annabeth?" Estelle's voice echoed through the phone line. Sally didn't respond. "Can I talk to her?"
"Estelle, I don't know," but Annabeth cut Sally off.
"She can talk to me," Annabeth pushed.
Another pause. Then a shuffle of the line. "Hey," Estelle said in a soft twelve-year-old voice.
Annabeth had known Estelle since before she was born. She was there when Sally and Paul told Percy Sally was pregnant. He'd been stunned, but excited. That night, he'd asked Annabeth about their hypothetical future children. Not so hypothetical anymore.
Annabeth had been the fourth person to hold Estelle, after Sally, Paul, and Percy. Annabeth had never held a newborn before, and she'd had no idea what to do with herself. She was 17 and been through two wars. But holding that squirmy little infant, Annabeth had finally seen hope for the future.
Now that infant was twelve. She'd always known them as Percy and Annabeth, not one or the other. She'd been the flower girl at their wedding, and she called Annabeth her sister. This 'break-up' had to be hard for her too and she probably didn't understand it all.
"Hi, Stellie," Annabeth was the only one who called her that and as much as she objected at first, Estelle loved it. "How are you?"
"Will you still come to visit us?" Annabeth could tell Estelle was on the verge of crying. "I know my brother hurt you. Like, so much. But I'm not talking to him. I love you sissy 'Beth," Estelle was the only one who could call her that. "Please, don't leave us."
Annabeth couldn't hold her tears in. Estelle didn't know everything about the world of gods and monsters. Percy had wanted to sit her down when she was twelve and explain some of what her brother went through. Why he had to go away randomly at times. Who his father was. But with the attacks, he couldn't. He'd had to vanish out of her life. They went from going to everything of Estelle's. Her dance recitals, her soccer games, her school talent shows, to attending nothing. Not even Sunday night dinners. She didn't understand 100% why. And now Annabeth was vanishing too.
"Baby," Annabeth swallowed her tears. "I'm sorry. I had to go away for a while. You're right. Percy did hurt me and everything in New York reminds me of him. I can't be there right now."
"Then I'll come to you. I'm twelve now. I can fly on my own, I'll," Annabeth let out a laugh.
"I know Stellie. You're a big girl. But I need to be on my own for a while," then, Annabeth felt something curious in her stomach. She reached down and pressed her palm against her bump. "I love you so much. And Stellie," she paused. "You can talk to Percy."
Estelle let out a breath she had been holding. Annabeth knew she hadn't wanted to make Annabeth upset, but Estelle adored her brother. Not talking to him was probably killing her.
"Okay. I love you too," and with that, she hung up the phone.
Annabeth let out the sob she had been holding in the whole phone call. She'd been crying a lot lately. She didn't know if it was the hormones, the loneliness or both. That was until she felt something.
She gasped as she felt it again, a smile forming on her face. "Did you just kick me, little banana?"
Annabeth lifted up her shirt to talk to her bump. She ran her hand around it as she talked.
"That was your grandma, Sally, and Aunt Estelle. Your daddy's mom and sister. They don't know about you yet. They are some of the people we have to keep you a special secret from, but they are going to love you," Annabeth laughed. "They are going to spoil you and love you so much. Just like your daddy will."
The baby kicked in response.
Four weeks later, Annabeth got her very first visitor. A knock came on her door and Annabeth's heart raced the whole walk to it. She hadn't seen any of her friends in three months. She hadn't seen her husband in three months.
Annabeth swung open the door and tried to hide her disappointment when her husband was not standing there. Instead of her husband, Annabeth's best friend stood there.
"Thalia," Annabeth pulled her friend into a hug. "What are you doing here?"
"I was in the neighborhood and thought I would check-in," Thalia smiled as she walked into the house. "I love what you've done with the place."
Thalia had helped Annabeth move her stuff into the place but hadn't stayed long after that. Honestly, Annabeth needed space and she wanted to feel safe. At least a little bit. Thalia could visit more than Percy, she didn't have the Poseidon bounty on her, but she was still a daughter of Zeus. Her scent was more powerful than most demigods and that would draw monsters.
Thalia looked around and then looked at her best friend. "Gods, Annabeth, you're huge!" she gawked.
Annabeth let out a small laugh. "Thanks, Thals. That's what every woman wants to hear."
Thalia rolled her eyes. "You're growing a baby. You're going to get big." Thalia reached her hand out but hesitated. "Can I?"
It took a moment for Annabeth to realize what Thalia was asking. She wanted to feel the baby. No one had done that yet. Well, Percy had but the baby still had a lot more growing to do. Now, baby Jackson would move in response.
"Yeah," Annabeth said softly.
Thalia cautiously placed her hand on Annabeth's stomach. In response, the baby gave a sharp kick. Thalia drew her hand back concerned.
Annabeth laughed in response. She grabbed her friend's hand and placed it back on her stomach. The baby kicked again.
"The baby likes you. He or she is kicking," she smiled.
Thalia pulled her hand back and started to look around the house. "He or she? Haven't you already found out the baby's gender?"
Annabeth bit her lip. "I didn't want to do it alone."
Thalia's eyes softened. "Oh, Annabeth."
"Have you seen him?" Annabeth swallowed. "I haven't had any contact from him. Sally called last week."
"Did you tell her about the baby?" Thalia asked.
"No. She was just checking in about our 'breakup'. But Thalia, she sounded concerned about Percy. Should I be concerned?" Annabeth asked.
Thalia sighed. "I haven't been able to visit camp yet, but I've been talking to Grover. Most of Percy's moods are for show."
"Most?" Annabeth asked.
"He misses you like crazy and he's pissed at Poseidon." Thalia smiled. "You know him. Percy would want to be with you and the baby. He'd want to be with you at every doctor's appointment. He'd want to find out the baby's gender with you. But just because he isn't here doesn't mean you have to stop living." Thalia squeezed Annabeth's hand.
"I know, gods, I know. It's just," Annabeth tried to stop the tears from coming. She blamed it on the hormones. "I just wish he was here."
Thalia hugged Annabeth. "I know." Thalia let go of Annabeth and they continued further into the house.
They walked upstairs and Thalia rushed over to the room nearest Annabeth's. Annabeth's eyes widened.
"Thalia, don't," she tried to stop her friend, but it didn't work.
Thalia opened the door and frowned at the empty room. The only thing in the room was an envelope by the door.
"Annabeth Jackson. Please tell me why your nursey is completely empty," Thalia crossed her arms.
Annabeth sighed. "I've been waiting for Percy. And I was hoping," Annabeth broke down. She collapsed in a fit of sobs against the nursery wall. "I was hoping I wouldn't have to decorate it. That Percy would figure out a solution before the baby was born."
"Oh, Annabeth," Thalia sat down next to her friend and slung an arm over her shoulders. "We don't know that he won't find a solution. But you need to plan as if he won't." Annabeth began to protest, but Thalia continued. "Annabeth, you need to plan. The baby will be here before you know it."
Thalia picked up the nearby envelope marked baby Jackson gender. Annabeth's eyes widened.
"Thalia, no."
"Annabeth, you aren't alone right now. I'm here with you," Thalia smiled. "Start planning."
Annabeth bit her lip and faced her friend. "Okay."
Thalia ripped open the envelope. She held her poker face for a moment but couldn't help her grin as read the gender.
Annabeth hit her friend. "What is it?"
Thalia smirked. "Percy is so screwed. You two are having a girl."
Tears came again to Annabeth's eyes as she ran her hand over her stomach. "A girl?" she asked happily.
"Yes. Now let's go shopping for my little niece."
Six weeks later, Annabeth sat crying in her baby's nursery. There really wasn't any good reason to cry. It's just she had been doing it a lot lately. She blamed the baby girl in her stomach.
After Thalia and Annabeth had gone shopping, Annabeth finished off the rest of the nursery buying. She bought all the basics. Baby clothes, a rocking glider, a changing table stocked with all the necessities, and this stupid crib. The crib that Annabeth sat on the ground crying as she struggled to put it together.
"Need some help?" a low voice asked behind her.
Annabeth's heart leaped in her chest. If possible, she cried even harder. His green eyes darkened as he promptly sat on the ground next to her. Carefully, he swept her up into his lap. She sobbed into his chest as he kissed her hair.
"Percy," she sobbed. She pulled back and he pressed a soft kiss into her lips. "Gods, I've missed you." The baby kicked in response as if to say she missed her daddy too.
"Hey Wise Girl," he kissed Annabeth again. Then he pressed his hand over her huge stomach. He pressed a kiss to her stomach. "And hey baby girl."
Annabeth laughed. "Thalia told you?"
He nodded. His eyes sparkled. "Something about a possible new hunter recruit." He laughed and ran his hand over her stomach. The baby kicked in response. Percy's eyes glistened. "Was that?"
Annabeth nodded. "Our baby girl is just saying hi."
"Hi," Percy leaned down in amazement. "Gods, Annabeth. You're," she glared at him waiting for him to say the next word. "Beautiful. I was going to say beautiful."
"You were going to say big," Annabeth grumbled. "And that's fair. I'm huge."
"With our baby," Percy's smile said it all. He leaned in and rested his head on her shoulder. "Gods, I've missed you so much."
"I think we've missed you more," Annabeth replied.
Percy pressed another kiss to her neck and her eyes fluttered shut. He mumbled how much he loved her and the baby against her skin. At one point, he lifted Annabeth's shirt up and placed his hand on her bare stomach. The baby kicked eagerly in response.
Percy pulled away; his brow furrowed. "Does it hurt when she kicks like that?"
Annabeth laughed. "No, not right now. She has kicked me in the ribs a few times and that doesn't feel great." She placed her hand over Percy's in the silence. "I love you."
He pressed a soft kiss to her lips. "I love you too."
Then swiftly, he picked her up in his arms. Annabeth squealed in response. Percy set her down gently on the rocking chair.
"I'll build the crib. You sit there and look amazing," Percy smiled.
Annabeth rolled her eyes but didn't object. Her feet ached and it felt good to set them up on the glider. And to have Percy take care of her.
"Do you need anything before I get started?" he asked.
Gods, she loved this man.
"I have a cup of tea brewing in the kitchen," she said.
Percy pressed a kiss to her cheek before hurrying to get her tea. A minute later, he came back up with the mug and a photo in his hand. As she approached, she realized it was her latest ultrasound picture.
Percy handed her the mug and asked, "Can I keep this?"
Her eyes softened. "Percy, of course." Tears began to well in his eyes.
He began to work on the crib. "Sometimes, it's hard to remember you aren't actually mad at me with how everyone treats me at camp."
Annabeth took a sip of her tea. "How is camp?"
Percy shrugged. "Everyone ignores me for the most part. I train by myself, sometimes with Adrian. I've been researching ways to stop Echidna but haven't come up with any so far." He paused.
"That must be lonely," Annabeth empathized with her husband. She could go to work and go out, but she didn't have any friends here. It was really just her and the baby.
Percy's shoulders tensed. "I have Grover, at least. He told everyone he's on my side, that someone has to be. But he'll have his hands full soon," Percy turned and smiled at Annabeth. "Juniper is pregnant."
Annabeth grinned. "Oh, that's amazing."
Percy smiled. "She's early, but Grover couldn't wait to tell me."
"Does Juniper know about," Annabeth cupped her stomach.
Percy shook his head. "Grover knows the more people who know, the more dangerous it is for our baby girl."
"We'll have to thank him for that. I can't imagine having to keep a secret from you," Annabeth said.
Percy let out a small smile. "Me either."
They spent the rest of the afternoon talking and laughing. Percy finished the crib right as Annabeth's stomach rumbled hungrily for dinner. They ordered pizza and watched a movie together. Well, they had a movie on as Percy leaned down and talked to Annabeth's belly.
As the movie ended, Annabeth let out a yawn. Percy sat up and frowned. He cupped her cheek.
"I think it's time for me to go," Percy said.
Annabeth sighed. "You can't stay longer?" She knew the longer he stayed the more dangerous it was, but it would be hard to part with him.
He shook his head. "Athena said I could come for the day but had to leave before the end of the night."
"My mom sent you?" Annabeth asked.
Percy nodded. "I've been too worried to come and visit. I didn't want to risk it. But she sent me a dream saying I should come to see you for a little bit."
"I'll have to thank my mom then," Annabeth said. Percy began to stand up, but Annabeth snatched his hand. "Wait," he paused. "Can you stay with me? At least until I fall asleep. I've been having trouble sleeping without you."
He leaned down and kissed her. "Of course," then he slipped his arms under her and held her.
"Percy," Annabeth laughed. "Set me down. I'm too big for this."
He kissed her cheek and started walking upstairs. "You are not."
Percy carried her up to her bedroom and got her ready for bed. Annabeth felt like a child, but she let him help her as she was already dozing off to sleep. She slipped under the covers and Percy lay next to her. She sighed, her back against his chest. She felt his heartbeat in a rhythm that lulled her to sleep.
The next morning, Annabeth woke to a cold and empty bed. Yesterday felt like a dream, one that was gone too soon. Slowly, she made her way out of bed and headed down to the kitchen to begin her morning routine. As she passed the nursey, she smiled at the newly formed white crib in the center.
Annabeth cocked her head at the table. Sitting there was a small gift bag with baby elephants around it. Annabeth waddled over and picked the card up.
For our baby girl. -Percy
Annabeth slowly took the tissue paper out of the bag. She took out the contents. There was a white onesie with gold lettering saying hello world on it. There was also a soft pink tutu and a flower headband. Annabeth smiled, knowing this would be the outfit they brought their baby girl home from the hospital in.
Annabeth ran her hand over her stomach. "Your daddy got you a new outfit, sweetheart." The baby kicked in response. "I can't wait until you come out in the world to wear it." She smiled as she began to count down the days her baby girl got here.
Hope you all enjoyed it! A little late to update with the craziness of the holidays. Please read and review. Thank you all for reading!