Lassa

We get to the beach, and I see somehow Percy and Annabeth made it ahead of us.

"What are they doing here?" I ask Jesse. "Did Percy get hurt, too?"

"Not that I know of. They must have flown here on Blackjack to get ahead of us. Let's give them some space, it looks like they're having a moment." He says, and I slide off his back. Looking closer, I see he's right. Percy's sitting down in the sand and Annabeth's sitting on her knees in front of him, holding both his hands with a big smile on her face. Jesse and I keep walking the opposite direction of them until I hear Percy yell, making me start and turn back. He's on his feet with both hands pumped in the air, then he gets on his knees and kisses Annabeth hard, one hand on her stomach.

"No Way." I smile.

"You don't think…" Jesse trails off.

"That's exactly what I think." I tell him. Percy pulls back and sees us behind Annabeth. I blush, not meaning to have intruded on such a private moment, but Percy just smiles brighter.
"Lassa, Jesse, Get over here! I'm gonna be a Dad!"

…

Later that night, while everyone else is at the campfire, I sit on the coast to the beach alone, drinking a six pack of Coke Jesse smuggled me, Hermes kid he is.

I lay on my back as I finish one off, Staring at the sky. Out here at camp, the night sky isn't as affected by light pollution. I hear it has to do with some satyrs lobbying for more restrictions on light and energy at night here on Long Island, and recently having at least some success. We'll see how long it lasts, probably just until the next person who controls it gets into office. But for now, I enjoy looking at the Milky Way.

I think about Percy and Annabeth, and the little baby in her womb. They're going to be parents. I'm going to be an Aunt. Maybe one day, down the Road, Jesse will get to be an uncle. Maybe one day if things work out, We'll have a baby of our own.

Daydreaming has always been a problem for me. In moderation, it's fine. But sometimes I tune out to the world, and get lost in my head far into the future. It's probably not the best idea to be thinking about things like that with Jesse, at least not yet. It'll get me too attached before we're even really together. But I like thinking about it. I want to be a wife and mom one day more than anything else. And with Annabeth pregnant, it makes me think about what it'll be like for me to have a baby one day too. And who I'd want to have that baby with.

I think about Jesse and what any kids we'd have would look like. He has a square face with a sharp jawline, Straight and thick dark blonde hair with natural light highlights. He's tall. Since last year he's grown a solid six inches, making him a foot taller than me and about Percy's height. He's probably not done growing, so he'll likely top out over six foot. Like most Hermes kids, His features are sharp and almost elvish. His eyes are almond shaped and a light, sky blue.

I like coming out here with Jesse, but I also like just coming here alone, letting the ocean water tickle my toes as the tide comes in. It's a good place to just feel God's majesty. Sometimes, I'll wade in the water or walk along the shore singing some of my favorite worship songs, like Oceans or So Will I. Now that I know Jesse can sing, sometimes when he's out here with me I have him join in.

I hear a woosh beside me, and when I look over I see Blackjack with Percy on his back.
"Hey, Percy. What's up?"
"You need to come with me."
"Why?" I ask, getting up. "What's happening?"
"Not sure. Rachel says she needs to see you."
…

Five minutes later, Percy and I slide off Blackjack at the entrance to Rachel's cave and run inside. Rachel, Annabeth, Chiron, and Jesse are all waiting for us.

"What's going on?" I ask. Rachel looks over at me and stands up then takes a deep breath.

"It's a prophecy. Your Prophecy, Lassa. I felt it come to me and had to fight the spirit not to take me over during the campfire. I…I figured you'd want to hear it first before the rest of the camp." She says. Percy puts his hand on my shoulder. I reach up and squeeze it.

"Thank you, Rachel. You're right."

"Okay, then." She says and comes over to take my hands. Percy doesn't let go of my shoulder. Rachel closes her eyes and when she opens them, a green plume of smoke starts coming out of her body. When she talks, it's like there's three of her.

The Fate of all Half Bloods shall rest in her hands

The Earthshaker's daughter will quest foreign lands

The child of Hecate's magic runs deep

Invoked by Cain's spirit, a Mother to weep

Life is lost to save the rest

Monsters perish at the nest

The green smoke dissipates and Rachel swoons, Jesse and Annabeth catching her and helping her over to her bed to sit. I look at Percy, and then Chiron.

"That," Chiron says, "Was interesting."

"Interesting?" Jesse voices. "That's all you have to say? What the Hell does any of that even mean? What's even the goal? And all of our fates are in her hands? Spirit of Cain? None of it makes any sense!"

"Spirit of Cain isn't a Greek reference, it's a biblical one." Percy says from behind me. I catch a sharp breath, realizing he's right. "Cain and Able were the first two sons of Adam and Eve. Cain got jealous of his brother and killed him. His spirit is one of jealousy and rage."

"Why would a Greek oracle mix with that?" Annabeth asks.

"Maybe because it's Lassa's quest." Rachel answers. "It's her prophecy. I guess it's something she's meant to decipher, so it aligns with her upbringing? Just a guess."

"The best guess we have. But no matter. It mentions Child of Hecate. I suggest you head to their cabin before you leave tomorrow morning, see if any of them know anything." Chiron advises.

"Tomorrow?" I ask.

"It's best not to put quests off." Percy tells me, grabbing my hand and squeezing it then letting go.

"You have the right to choose your companions." Chiron says. "Three is the best number."

"I'll go." Annabeth, Percy, and Jesse say all at once.

"What?" Percy says, looking at Annabeth. "No way. You're pregnant. You're not coming on a quest."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know being pregnant means I'm also useless!" Annabeth spits. Percy sets his jaw.

"I did not say you were useless and don't try to pretend I did. But quests are dangerous, especially this one. Life is Lost to save the rest? There's no way I'm risking that life be you and our baby."

"It won't be. It doesn't say the life lost is one of ours. Don't try to interpret it."

"Annabeth, you're not coming and that's final." Percy says. Annabeth glares at him, but he doesn't back down.

"What happened to Never Again. You said we'd never be separated again, and Now you're planning to leave?" Annabeth shoots at him.

"Don't you Dare try and use that against me. You know that's not what my vows mean." Percy tells her.

"I need to be on this quest!" Annabeth yells. In my peripheral vision I see Jesse slip over next to me and slip his hand into mine.

"Let's get out of here." He whispers. "This looks like a physical demonstration of what happens when an unstoppable wall hits an immovable object." He says as they continue to argue. I'm about to agree when Annabeth turns to me.

"You need me. Percy is the greatest warrior alive, there's no doubt, but No one can think and strategize like I can. There's more to questing than fighting. And you don't have to only take two partners, I took four and we all came back alright."

"You can take me and Jesse, or me and Jason, or me and a Hecate kid since it seems magic will be involved. Hazel would be a good choice, she can come from New Rome by morning. Literally anyone else, Lassa." Percy tells me. I raise my hands and back up.

"This looks like a marital spat, and I am not getting in the middle of it. We'll see if we can get a starting point for our quest tomorrow when we talk to the Hecate kids. We'll travel on Pegasi. Percy and Jesse are my choices. Annabeth coming is up to Y'all." I say and grab Jesse's hand again, starting to walk out of the cave. I notice that Rachel and Chiron already snuck out. "Meet at the Poseidon cabin tomorrow at 10." I say and Jesse and I walk out.

"So what now?" He asks me. I take a shaky breath.

"I don't know. Let's just go back to the beach."