Seeking Happiness

Here I am eight months into this pregnancy and I'm starting to feel like an elephant. Im huge! Just a few days ago Annabeth and I were walking to the mess hall when she dropped something. Naturally I stopped to pick it up, but I couldn't. It took some maneuvering and it was so frustrating. Eventually I just gave up and called one of the younger campers over to come pick it up. A couple days before that I was backing up to let a chariot pass and Leo thought it would be funny to make beeping noises like I was a truck. I gave him a glare that said if I wasn't currently carrying a child he would be in deep shit.

Dont get me wrong being pregnant is great especially when I can experience it with my best friend, but its starting to take its toll. I'm always hungry and for the weirdest things. My feet are swollen and they always hurt. I throw up any time I smell any kind of greasy food. I'm a total horn dog and my wits are scattered to the wind. Poor Jason had been so stressed out. He's nervous about being a dad, about raising a demigod child in world full of demigod hating monsters, about having a half crazy pregnant wife walking around a camp full of an assortment of dangerous weapons of varying sizes . I feel bad for him, I do; but he's not the one who's carrying a bowling ball around under their shirt so he can deal with it.

Annabeth is dealing with all of this a lot better than I am, granted this is her second pregnancy and her first one was with twins. She’s been really helpful through all of this and I could never imagine this journey without her.

As helpful Annabeth has been for me, Percy has been even more helpful for Jason. He’s constantly taking him on “father fishing trips”. He says he’s preparing him for fatherhood. I don’t know what he’s doing but Jason always comes back relaxed and happy. Speaking of which he should be due home any time now.

I heard the front door open and the clash of his keys dropping into the bowl. He walked into the kitchen where I was attempting to make dinner. I’ve gotten better, but I still wouldn’t say I’m actually any good…yet. I plan to be a master chef by the time our son into the world.

Jason came up behind me and wrapped me in a warm hug kissing the back of my head. He held me for a few moments before sliding his hands down to cup my stomach. “How little Storm doing in there?”

I leaned into him with a smile, “He’s just as restless as his father. He hasn’t stopped moving around all day.” Jason moved around and got on his knees so he was eye level with my swollen belly. He looked at it was fondness and wonder before placing his ear softly a little bit above my belly button.

“Oh yeah, he sure is moving around all right.” He subconsciously rubbed small circles on my belly. “He must be so excited to meet everyone.” He gave me a cheesy grin, “I mean with such a beautiful mom who wouldn’t be excited to come home.”

I playfully swatted at his shoulder, “As cute as this is, I need to finish dinner.”

He just chuckled and kissed my belly, “Goodnight Storm, See ya real soon buddy.” He then stood up gave me a quick peck on the cheek and went to go wash his hands to help me. As much as I hate to admit it… Jason is actually a fantastic cook. He usually just floats through the kitchen and fixes whatever dish I’m messing up.

He turned on the sink and went to wash them off but as soon as he tried to put his hands under the water it cut off. He gave the faucet a confused look and pulled his hands away. As soon as his hands left the sink the water started to poor again. So he stuck his hands back in the sink just as the water cut off again. I was naturally very confused be he just started laughing.

“Percy! Stop it man! I know you’re here somewhere just let me wash my dang hands already!” I immediately felt like an idiot for not putting two and two together, but what can I say… pregnancy brain.

Next thing I knew Percy and Annabeth walked in hand and hand through the front door. Trailed by the twins who are now not only walking but running on their own. They ran towards Jason and tackled him. To their delight he pretended their assault actually hurt before he started to tickle them. The whole scene was adorable. I hadn’t eve realized I was crying until Annabeth handed me a tissue. “Damn these hormones!”

Annabeth giggled, you might want to start trying to cut back on the profanity. As Percy has learned the hard way, kids are basically parrots. They will repeat anything they hear you say.” She turned her head to Noah, “Watch this. Hey Noah what does daddy say when we go out on the lake?”

Little Noah looked up from Jason and giggled, “Boats and hoes”. To which Gracie smacked him hard across the thigh, “Naughty!” Noah’s grew huge as he stared at his sister, “But Mommy…..” then he groaned and just went back to playing with Jason.

Percy just laughed, “I feel like that’s how their relationship is going to be for their rest of their lives. Noah doing naughty things to which Gracie calls him out for.”

I just rolled my eyes, “Remind you of anyone?” Everyone laughed. I watched the twins running around the house and I just couldn’t wait to bring my little boy home so he can play with them. Not to mention little Odys growing inside Annabeth. I really hope they all grow up to be best friends.

Notes

this chapter is a little rough. but i figured you guys needed a little something!