If younger Annabeth could be here now, she’d be freaking out and cursing the gods. She wouldn’t know what to make of what 25-year-old Annabeth was facing right now. Her left hand with a shiny new diamond engagement ring and holding a positive pregnancy test. A decade ago, Annabeth never would’ve thought she’d be planning a wedding and starting a family with Percy Jackson.
Sure in her wildest dreams, she thought about it but despite her mentality of being six steps ahead of everyone else she never clocked in on his feelings for her. Too absorbed in hiding, and at times surprising, her own. At least until they were fifteen. Ever since they were inseparable. Of course, their friends would disagree because Annabeth and Percy had always come as a pair.
The bathroom door was locked and she was meant to be applying her makeup. Percy was probably playing games on his phone in their living room. But Annabeth couldn’t force herself to put the test down. She kept staring at it like the test would say “April Fools, no baby!” but it never changed.
They were meant to be going on a date but Annabeth knew if she stepped out of this bathroom and told Percy, they’d never make it to the restaurant. He’d probably pick her up and spin them around the living room. They’d cry happy tears together.
Damnit, she wanted to go on this date. She was already dressed up and in heels. So, she wrapped the test in some toilet paper and put it in a drawer. Annabeth grabbed her favorite eyeshadow palette and got to work.
Percy knocked softly, “Beth, you almost ready?”
“Mascara and lipstick then I’m done.” She unlocked the door and opened it. “We won’t be late, I swear.”
Percy was wearing a navy button down and a gray tie. He looked good. Almost good enough that Annabeth wanted to say “screw it, let’s just stay home.” It’s not like she could get more pregnant.
Then her stomach growled.
“Someone’s hungry,” Percy said, walking away laughing to himself.
Under her breath, Annabeth murmured, “yeah your kid.”
They made it to their reservation on time.
“Since someone,” he looked pointedly at Annabeth, “hogged our only bathroom, I’m going to use theirs. Order me whatever to drink.”
Their waiter came while Percy was gone.
“Two waters, a co*ke, and can you make me some sort of fruity mocktail?”
Anytime they went out to dinner, Annabeth usually got some sort of speciality co*cktail. She didn’t want Percy to get suspicious though knowing him as she did, he likely wouldn’t notice. On the off chance he did Annabeth didn’t want to risk it.
When Percy returned, their drinks were already there.
“What looks good?” He asked, “besides you of course.”
“You will not get inappropriate with me right now.” She blushed.
“What? Stop being lewd. All I meant was you look beautiful tonight.” He leaned closer, “though you do look good enough to eat…out.”
Annabeth could feel how warm her cheeks were.
Thankfully, they both turned their attention to the food, quietly looking over the menu and ordering. Their food came out quickly.
“I’ve been craving this potato leek soup all week,” Annabeth told their waiter when he asked how things had come out.
Briefly she wondered if it was too early on to be having cravings. Thankfully Percy couldn’t see her hands, she pressed her palm against her still toned stomach.
She was going to tell him when they got home.
Of course, Percy had other plans when they got home. Annabeth immediately found herself pressed against the front door, wrapping her legs around his waist, and Percy kissing her like it was his last breath. He carried them upstairs. Somewhere in the hall she kicked off her red heels and threw his tie to the floor.
Annabeth was in the midst of unbuttoning his shirt when Percy dropped her onto their bed causing several buttons to snap off. She barely heard them fall because Percy was kissing his way down her neck.
“Now can we be lewd?” Annabeth asked.
From between her thighs, his fingers tucked under her panties, Percy grinned.
It was nearing ten pm when Annabeth finally found the right moment. They were sitting on the couch, she had a mug of green tea in her hands.
“Good news and bad news,” she said.
“Bad news first,” Percy answered.
“Well, you know how we were looking to book that Montauk venue for the wedding next August?”
“They filled up!” Percy exclaimed, “the guy I talked to swore they didn’t book up until the end of November. I’ll call tomorrow and…”
“No Percy, they’re not booked up, it’s just we’re going to have to postpone a year.”
“Wait, why?” He asked, “I thought we decided we didn’t want to wait too long.”
He grabbed her left hand and straightened her ring. Honestly, Annabeth wasn’t really used to it yet. It was only a few months old but it didn’t feel odd being engaged to Percy. She had known for years now that someday they’d be right here, together.
“I know but there’s been a change of circ*mstances,” she replied, “good news is I’m pregnant.”
“Haha,” Percy said, dropping her hands, “very funny Annabeth it’s April first you got me good.”
“No I didn’t.”
“Sorry I figured it out too quickly. Look being with you has made me smarter I think.”
“No? Percy, I’m pregnant.”
He shook his head, “c’mon, give it up.”
Annabeth stood up and ran upstairs to the bathroom. She quickly pulled out the drawer and unwrapped the test. Percy was standing at the bottom of the stairs. So, she held up the test.
“I’m pregnant,” she said, quietly.
Percy froze and just stared up at her. “You’re pregnant.”
She nodded, smiling as she watched his face change. From shock to delight. He tripped up the stairs, Annabeth caught him on the last step.
“A baby?”
Percy pressed her face into his chest and squeezed her. They were rocking back and forth hugging for a long time before he pulled back to kiss her sweetly.
“I love you,” he said, pressing their foreheads together.
“I love you too.” She was tearing up.
“When did you find out?”
“Right before dinner.”
“You had a drink at dinner!”
She shrugged, “Mocktail.”
“A baby,” he kept saying.
Like repeating it would make it feel more real.
In the kitchen, washing their mugs. “A baby.”
Brushing his teeth, through the toothpaste foam, “a baby.”
Curling up beside Annabeth, lightly tickling her neck, “a baby.”
She thought Percy finally fell asleep because he had gone silent. Until she felt his fingers tapping her belly.
“You know, I thought Hera hated us.”
Annabeth chuckled, “I guess she got over it.”
