A/N: Sorry about the wait, but here we go.

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Chapter 5

Motherly Advice

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"Sorry," Piper apologized.

"No, no, I'm sorry," the guy she bumped into said. He bent down to clumsily pick up a phone he must have dropped. Piper couldn't help but notice that he was wearing a silver cuff with a large turquoise. "I really should've been paying more attention…." He trailed off after he stood back up.

He was not much taller than her. He also had very curious eyes, neat, feathery dark hair, and reddish skin. And he was cute, the daughter of Aphrodite thought.

"I'm sorry," the man said. "I just wasn't expecting you to be…" he cleared his throat. "You're a Venusian, aren't you?"

That was what most New Romans called children or the legacies of Aphrodite/Venus. Piper thought it must've been some sci-fi nerd to come up with that. Especially for Ares/Mars children, who are called Martians. Poor Frank.

"Yeah, Aphrodite is my mom," she responded.

An epiphany popped on his face. "You're Piper McLean."

Piper sighed. She loved her fans—really she did—but there were times when she didn't want to deal with their fawning, pesky questions, or selfie requests. Today was one of those days. "Yes, the popular movie star—"

"No, no, not that—I mean, I have seen some of your movies. What I mean is you were Jason Grace's girlfriend."

Piper blinked for a moment. It was weird how some stranger knew that from ten years ago.

"I'm Parker. Parker Begay," he said. "Jason was like the big brother I never had. When I first came here, I was shy and a clumsy mess—I know, shocker, right. But then he told me the typical believe in myself thing and trust my fellow Romans. And oddly enough, it helped. I made it through the army and archery, and then I went to med school to be a doctor."

Piper had to smile. She was glad to hear that Jason had such an impact on someone. And she was loving the amount of passion this Parker was speaking with.

"I was distraught for finding out that he died when my father, as a mortal, brought his body to Camp Jupiter," Parker lamented, looking at the floor of the temple.

Nodding her head, Piper looked back up at him curiously. "Your dad is Apollo?" She shouldn't be surprised. Apollo spread his seed far and wide, almost as much as Aphrodite.

"Yeah," he said. "I inherited his medical aspect, and I got a talent for poetry from him." He held up his phone that was opened to a writing app. "And as a son of Apollo, I'm glad there are more Native actors in the performing arts. I'm Navajo, so…."

"I agree, but I prefer to think of myself as just an actress than an Indian actress."

"Okay, I get that."

They both exited the temple together. They chattered a little more. Piper found Parker interesting to talk with. He spoke so thoughtfully and with such zeal.

"So, what kind of doctor are you?" she asked.

"I'm a pediatrician at the moment, but I'm also a physician for legionnaires," he replied.

"And you said you were a poet?"

His face turned a deep red, which was kind of cute. "I'm an amateur novelist who writes in a poetic style."

"Interesting. Are you published?"

He shook his head. "Oh, no, no, no. None of my work is ready. If I publish now, it won't get a good reception. I don't think I can take that kind of blow."

Piper placed a hand on his shoulder. "When you think it's ready, it'll be ready," she told him encouragingly. "And if you want, I am kinda famous. If I mention your work on Instagram and Facebook, with some well-placed charmspeak, you could get plenty of readers."

Parker had a thoughtful look on his face. "That would be nice."

Piper giggled. "Anyway, nice talking to you. I got somewhere to be."

"Yeah, I have to get back to the office too. But hey, if you need a demigod checkup, New Rome General is not that far."

"I just might."

Later that day, Piper joined Percy and Annabeth to visit Percy's parents. They lived in a pastel blue modern house big enough for a small family. Still, with a big front porch and a lovely backyard with a firepit that acts as a second kitchen, campsite, and ceremonial brasier—that last one was a secret.

Out from the front door ran the ten-year-old Estelle, jumping at her big brother. "Percy!"

"Hey, squirt!" Percy picked her up and carried her like a sack of potatoes on his shoulder.

Entering the house, they were greeted by Sally and Paul Blofis. Paul's hair was distinguishably gray, while his wife's hair was dyed her natural brown.

Once inside, everyone properly greeted each other.

"Hi, Piper," Sally said, pleasantly surprised, before giving her a quick hug. They had called her beforehand to let her know of the extra guess.

Percy was right. His mom was the best person ever. Piper should try to be more like her.

She was there for a reason, but it was too big to start off by walking in the door. It was better to wade it in slowly. Some small talk first, and then the big questions.

Eventually, she spotted the tension in the younger woman's eyes.

"Something's troubling you, dear?" she asked.

Piper breathed and sank into the couch. "I need some advice," she said, tugging on the hem of her skirt.

"Advice for what?"

"I'm pregnant… and the father is Jupiter."

Before she could explain further, Sally stopped her. "You don't need to make any excuses. There's no judgment here. I've been there before. Falling in love with a god is not easily avoidable. Although I think you would've been happier with Poseidon, but that's just me."

"So… any advice?"

And so, she went into an extended explanation of what to expect in pregnancy. "Expect the baby to be overdue. Percy was."

"But should I also be prepared in case it's early? Just in case?" Piper asked.

"Sure." Then she got into the afterbirth stuff. The normal baby stuff. She even gave some strategies for some things, such as late-night stuff. Just leave all the necessary things nearby for when they are needed. Feedings, changings, etc. One good idea for when the kid starts eating solid foods is to wear protection for her shirt when they spit up.

Then came the demigod stuff. That was a long discussion filled with dread of the known and unknown. The kid was going to be a Roman. That means he or she will have to spend time at the Wolf House, which sounds like a fairytale nightmare. And then endless military discipline at Camp Jupiter.

It was all so scary, but Sally was so supportive and reassuring. "It's all worth it in the end," she said.

Percy and Annabeth, of course, offered their help.

They then had lunch. Tofu stir fry. Of course, the dessert was blue cookies. Sally was such a great mom. Piper hoped she could be as good as her. Although, she thought of dying the cookies a different color. Red was one of her favorite colors.

After they had eaten, Piper decided to leave early to go home. She would have to go back to work soon, but for now, she wanted as much time to herself.

A/N: The Parker Begay character has more story to tell. Inspiration for him came from a book I read in college, Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac. That book incorporates Navajo culture, and I liked it. So, I decided to bring in a little more representation for Native Americans. I recommend that book. You can learn what it was like for Indians during World War II and before. Navajo culture is very fascinating.

How about we get into some needed Percabeth for the next chapter?