Disclaimer: I do not own PJO, HoO, Poseidon, Athena, and any of the characters except the OCs.

dr3d3r: Thank you! Wish granted ;)

And thank you to MythFanatic who also reviewed!

Hello! I'm back with a new chapter. In case you haven't noticed, I changed the story's cover picture! It shows Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. To be honest, I imagine them as Poseidon and Athena; not the actors that portrayed them in the movies. :-) Anyways, enjoy the chapter!

Next chapter: We finally get to see the baby! And fluff and all. ;) Tune in!

And also, if you're wondering: I decided to update every Saturdays instead of Wednesdays. I'm incredibly busy during the weekdays due to school, so yeah.

Chapter Three

She rubs the soft swell of her belly soothingly, the fabric of Poseidon's t-shirt stretching as she does. She loves wearing his shirts over hers—they smelled and reminded her of him, and were bigger than her slowly tightening clothes. And he did not mind, anyways. The child inside her was growing incredibly fast, and finding clothes that suited her proved to be an arduous task. She had just entered her fifth month, and, due to Poseidon's incessant begging, had agreed to stop working. Not that her job was a hard enough task, anyways.

She still visited the library at times, whenever she felt bored at home or whenever she had extra time in hand. She would pick out books to borrow and read at home; and sometimes she would even seek Poseidon's help in order to carry all the books she had picked out home.

They had settled in nicely the past few months. Though finding a place to stay was hard—they had scoured apartment to apartment and house to house more times than they could count—they had eventually found the perfect one. Situated in a nice, quiet neighbourhood, the house they had rented was perfect for their family. It had two stories, and had two bedrooms, a bath, a living room, kitchen, and the like. It was cheap, too—they could afford to pay the rent each month with their job salaries alone. They had decided to put into a savings account the money that Artemis had given them, only to be used when they needed the money desperately.

They had found jobs as well—Poseidon helping out at a fishing boat and Athena part-timing at the town library during Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The job was easy enough for Athena, manning the desk and helping out whenever someone from town needed to borrow a book. And people rarely even visited the library, anyways—only if they really had to. The child tired her out constantly, however, which was why she had agreed to stop via Poseidon's protests. He was incredibly protective over her—over them. And while it irritated her at times, she was grateful and appreciative of all Poseidon's efforts. They constantly debated over the child's gender—whether it was a boy or a girl. They both wanted to keep it a surprise, so despite two ultrasounds Athena had gone to they did not have the doctor tell them what the child's gender was. They preferred debating and betting over it as they gave them both something to do at times. They hadn't chosen names yet, however.

She hears the door open and close behind her, and it does not take a minute for her to figure out that it is Poseidon. She lays the mug filled with hot chocolate she is holding on top of the coffee table in front of her, and stands to greet him.

"I've missed you." says she, and bends to put her lips on his. "And I you," He says.

"How are the both of you doing?" He asks.

"We're fine," She answers. "I felt him kick for the first time today."

"Right here." She says, taking his hands and putting it on top of her lower abdomen. It was a soft one—she barely even realized that the child had kicked. All she'd ever felt was fluttering. The doctor had told her it was normal, and she would be feeling the child finally move and kick within the month. And she finally did. What she'd felt had been enough to make her stop what she was doing and put her hands around her belly. She'd felt the child kick thrice since then, and each time it did had made her feel incredibly happy. And she knew Poseidon would too.

"Him?" He inquires. "How are you sure it's a boy?"

"I just feel it," She answers, "But sometimes I feel like it's going to be a girl. I-I don't know."

"Maybe it is," says Poseidon, "Trust your gut, Athena. Maybe it is a girl."

And, just as he finishes saying it, the child inside her moves and kicks the part where Poseidon's hands were. Her hands were atop his, holding them in position. His face is in awe. "Is that it?" He asks. "She agrees with me."

"Yes," She breathes. "This is the fourth time she's kicked ever since the first."

"She likes her father already, that's why." He boasts. "Maybe she'll like me more than you."

"She wouldn't," Athena retorts, spreading a grin wide on her face. "I'll make sure of it."

"Gods, I can't wait to see her," She then says. "Four months more."

"Me neither," He agrees. "She'll be so perfect, Athena. I can already see it."

"I love you," She blurts out.

"And I you, Athena."

"Which reminds me," says Poseidon, "I've got something to tell you."

He then proceeds telling her about how he had gotten an offer to work as a realtor at a business firm in town. Coincidentally, the fish boat that he was working on's owner had had connections to the business firm's owner—they were brothers, surprisingly. He had seen Poseidon's potential and had decided that he was worth more than just helping out on the boat and offered him a job at his brother's firm. It paid well, of course—extremely well, and the whole month's pay was more than enough for them both now, despite Athena not having a job anymore. It was considerably much easier than Poseidon's current job, which meant that he didn't have to go home exhausted most nights. He still loved the sea, of course—it kept him calm and collected; it felt like home, but the work was hard and tedious.

"That's great," Athena says with joy. "Are you going to take it, then?"

"That's what I was going to ask you," He replied. "I won't take it unless I have your permission,"

"You do now." She says with a smile. "You won't have to work as hard as, and you'll have more time for yourself and for me."

He merely smiles at her, and proclaims, "I will always have time for you, Athena." "I love you."

"And I love you too, Poseidon."

"And what if it's a girl?" Poseidon inquires as they walk through the plant-lined sidewalk. "What are we going to call her?"

"I've no idea," She answers. "I've got something, but I don't know if you'll like it."

They had decided to eat breakfast at a diner in town. She'd been too lazy to cook breakfast for the both of them, and there was nothing to cook inside the fridge anyways. Both were too lazy to do the groceries. They held hands as they walked, fingers entwined in his and her head leant on his shoulder. The baby inside her kicked and moved nonstop now, seemingly asleep in the morning and awake and active at night. It gave her an incredibly hard time sleeping, but she was grateful she could feel the child inside her now. Only two months left and the child would finally enter the world; she and Poseidon could hardly wait. She could feel all sorts of pains associated with pregnancy—back pain, hip pain, leg pain; and most especially her steadily swelling feet. Menial activities wore her out more than ever, and she is forced to spend most of the time curled up in the bed, either resting, relaxing, or napping.

"What is it?" asks Poseidon. "You haven't even told me yet, Athena. I'm sure I will."

"Okay then," She replies, her free hand rubbing the bulge of her belly lovingly. "Claire."

"French?" He proclaims after a minute of testing out the name. "It seems fine. Perfect, even. Why'd you pick that out?"

"I don't know," "It just felt like the perfect name for a girl."

"And besides, she was conceived in France, wasn't she?" "During our visit before the last, I think. In that squeaky, cheap motel. It seems fitting that we honour that, even if it were so."

They had chosen the name Lucas for a boy. It was not French-sounding, however, but they both agreed that it would fit their baby nicely (if it were a boy). They both considered the child a girl now, but they had not neglected the fact that the child might be a boy instead. They already bought clothes, toys, and other necessities for the child. They had even decorated the nursery the child would be staying at. They had more than enough money now, due to Poseidon getting the job at the business firm. They had even decorated the room the child would be staying at.

Poseidon talked to the child all the time. He'd kiss her and her swelling abdomen every morning before he would leave to go to work. She knew he'd be a good father despite all his doubts. He was already a good husband to her, and there was no doubt he'd be a good father to their child as well. He'd love it with all his heart, and take care of it when she wasn't there to. He'd protect it from any harm that may come. He'd be willing to do anything for the child; that was plain to see. He already loved the child despite it not being born yet.

"I'd've thought she would have been conceived at that five-star hotel we stayed at before the squeaky motel." He states, looking at her stormy grey eyes. "I had—"

"Dad?" A voice suddenly interrupts him. She looks to see Poseidon's son, Percy, standing in front of him. Annabeth, her daughter, was with him, and she was standing in front of her.

"Mom?" Annabeth says, "What are you doing here?"

"Why are you with Lord Poseidon? What—" Her questions cease when she sees Athena's hand on top of her swelling belly. Her jaw slacks, and her mouth is left open wide. Percy has noticed as well, and both are at a loss for words. She grips Poseidon's hand tighter, and her other hand clutches her belly even more. She feels herself leaning into Poseidon for support, and Poseidon releases her hand to put his around her waist. His other hand replaces as he takes her empty hand for her to hold onto it.

"... Mom?" Annabeth slowly says after almost a minute of silence. "Mom, are you-are you pregnant?"

"Are you... Are you and Lord Poseidon together?"

"I—" She starts.

"I think we should talk about this over food," cuts Poseidon. "We're famished, and suppose you two are as well, aren't you?"

Percy merely nods, and says, "Yeah, dad... I think we should."

Poseidon leads the way, hands still supporting Athena as they make their way to the diner. "We'll be fine, my love." He whispers quietly so as not to be heard. "Don't stress. It isn't good for you and the child."

This seems to calm her tense nerves, and she settles in nicely beneath him. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't know what to do. What to say,"

She hears the children talk in hushed tones behind them, seemingly caught up in their own conversation like they both were. They finally reach the diner, bells clanging when they enter the door. Poseidon deposits Athena on a seat before sliding in next to her. Percy and Annabeth take the seat across them, and Athena sees Rose, their usual waitress, walking towards them to take their order.

"What'll it be?" She asks with a big smile on her face. Her fiery red curls seem on point today, and she most definitely was in a good mood. "I see you've bought others,"

Poseidon nods, and says, "Would it be okay if you take our order later? Don't worry, we won't be long."

"Sure thing." Rose replies, the smile not leaving her lips. She surveys them before setting off, her low heels clacking quietly as she does. She slips in the kitchen, no doubt to take a short break. Both she and Poseidon have taken a liking to her, due to her cheerful and kind personality.

"I suppose you're looking for an explanation." Athena says, speaking before Poseidon could start. He had slipped his arm on her waist, pulling her closer to him. She feels safe within, and it gives her confidence to go on. A year ago she never would have let another man be the source of her strength; and now one is and it was Poseidon, out of all men. After eons of hatred she had finally managed to forgive him. Love him, even. She had even been willing to give up her godly powers for the sake of their child; born out of love from them both.

"Mom, I... I don't know what to say." Annabeth replies.

"You don't have to say anything," Poseidon says, "We'll explain everything."

"Before we say anything," Athena starts, "Please promise me, Annabeth, that you will not tell any of your brothers and sisters about my current... predicament."

Annabeth lingers for a moment before agreeing, saying, "Yes, mom. I promise."

They pause for a while before Athena starts speaking again. "To answer your question... yes, Annabeth, I'm pregnant. If it isn't obvious enough."

"How far along?" Annabeth asks.

"29 weeks."

"I suppose you're wondering why the child wasn't born out of my thoughts, unlike you and your siblings." She does not wait for Annabeth to answer before saying, "If you've connected the dots, then yes, you're right. I've broken my vow of chastity."

Poseidon's arm wraps tighter around her. "Poseidon and I have been in love for more than a year." She explains, "I was willing to give it up for him. I know that it is common knowledge that we both hate—loathe—each other, but that time has passed. We were able to reconcile our differences and forgive each other."

"I unknowingly got pregnant during one of our rendezvous in Paris. We were careless—we didn't care that I would get pregnant because we didn't think it was possible until it—"

"—happened." Poseidon finished.

"Zeus found out," He continues, "Because during our last stay in the city, he and Hera were supposedly there too. They saw us, and the next day they called up a meeting."

"We didn't know." Athena spoke. "It was traumatizing, to say the least. We couldn't deny—he saw us himself."

"He wanted to kill the child. He declared it impure." continued Athena, "But Hera wouldn't let him, because the baby was innocent and had nothing to do with any of our mistakes. She gave out our punishments; and made us choose."

"She gave out three: to live as exiles in the mortal world with our child, devoid of our powers; for me to carry the child full term and give it away as soon as it was born—and to cease our relations; and lastly, to terminate the child in the womb and to stop any relation the both of us may have."

"We chose the first, of course." said Poseidon. "We were willing to give up everything."

"We can only return to Olympus once we die. Our child—children, if it comes to it—follow, as well."

"Hera even married us," Poseidon added, showing them both the ring on his finger.

"... Wow." was all Percy could say. Annabeth was mute in her seat, still processing all of the things her mother and the former sea god had just said. "I guess that makes Annabeth and I brother and sister."

"Technically, yes," Poseidon agreed. "But don't let that bother you. No one knows except us, and the gods. And you have no blood relation of some sort, anyways."

"Now," said Poseidon, "Why are the both of you here? Aren't you supposed to be in camp?"

"Yes," Percy answered. "But we're old and enough to come and go as we please, and right now we're visiting a friend. So yeah,"

"Mom?" Annabeth then says, trying to find the words to say. "I-I never thought—"

"It's fine if you don't understand," Athena replied, her voice taking on a much softer tone. "I understand. I know it's a hard thing to take in. I—it's fine."

"I know you weren't expecting that this would happen. I was a virgin goddess, yes, and I swore that I would never give up my chastity—yet look at me now,"

"Mom—" Annabeth started, "—mom."

"It's okay. I admit that I don't understand, but I will in time. I promise. And you have my word, mom. I won't tell any of my siblings."

Athena sighs, and then flashes a smile at her daughter. "Thank you." "I know you won't fail me, Annabeth. I put my trust in you."

They stay in silence for a while, taking in what had just transpired. The child inside her moved relentlessly, kicking her hard in all places possible. It almost made her wince, but she resists doing so as Poseidon would most likely fuss over her and embarrass her in front of the kids.

"What would you guys like to eat?" Poseidon then says, lightening the mood. "I'm famished."

"Any day now." She whispers quietly as her hand rubbed slow circles on the swell of her belly. Annabeth was with her—she and Percy visited more often now, and they even had dinners every Friday if they could. Today only her daughter was present; and Annabeth had even asked her if she was willing to go to a café in town to spend time with each other. Her daughter thought she spent too much time at home, and had decided to accompany her out. From the corner of her eye, she sees Annabeth watching her as she did the act. She sipped from her hot chocolate, and looked to smile at her. If the circumstances were different, she would drink coffee, but, since coffee was a strict 'no-no' for expectant mothers, she could not.

She had just surpassed her 36th week, and on her last check-up the doctor had told her that the child was due to come very soon. She had explained that the labor pains may come any time, and if it did they were to come to the hospital immediately to get Athena ready. Poseidon had insisted she stay at home at all times to keep safe. She made an exception this time, since it had been a long time since she and Annabeth had had time to talk—with only she and her present. When she was a god, she seldom talked to her kids, only doing so whenever it was needed.

"Mom?" Annabeth starts, "Can I ask you something?"

She looks up and stares straight into her daughter's grey eyes, so like her own. She wonders whether her child would have the same eye colour as hers was, or if it would take after its father. "Yes," She answers. "What is it?"

"Mom," Annabeth slowly says, "Do you love him? Lord Poseidon, I mean."

Athena lingers for a moment before saying, "Yes." "Very much, Annabeth."

"If-if you hadn't gotten pregnant, would you have given up everything for him still?" Her daughter inquired. The questions must've been looming inside her mind for a long time, yet she had only worked up the courage to ask them now.

"I would. And I know he would, as well." "I love him, Annabeth. I'd be willing to do anything for him. I gave up my chastity willingly. He even denied at first, saying that we couldn't, and he respected me; but I finally convinced him after a while."

"We've hated each other eons, I know. But we managed to set aside our differences and get to know each other better." "We were more similar than we thought. We loved and loathed the same things. We had the same views on certain topics. I-We started seeing each other more and more, and after a while... it happened."

"He made the first move, of course—his lips touched mine, and I knew I wanted it. I kissed him back, and didn't do anything to stop it." "Everything after that was a blur. We would have rendezvous at my palace in Olympus all the time. Eventually we moved to the mortal world, where we thought the gods wouldn't see. The mortal world is a vast, vast place. We were wrong, of course."

"We started having sex a short while afterwards." "Don't look at me like that, Annabeth. You're old and mature enough to know. You're nineteen."

"I-I know, mom. It's just that it's so awkward to know. Your marriage technically makes Percy and I siblings, and in case you haven't noticed, you're talking about my boyfriend's dad. Somewhat sexually."

"I'm sorry," Athena apologized. "I thought you wanted to know."

"Don't get me wrong, mom," replied Annabeth. "I do. Really. Please continue,"

"Anyways," Athena said, "We never knew I'd get pregnant. I never expected. I found out from Eileithyia, one of Hera's daughters. She didn't tell anyone, thankfully. But what's done is done, isn't it? And Poseidon and I are happier than ever." "He won't leave me. I know you doubt him, but trust me when I say he wouldn't dare."

"Okay," Annabeth said. "I just wanted to make sure. I don't want him to hurt you, mom. Especially now."

"He won't," Athena smiled, and reached out to squeeze Annabeth's hand. "Trust me."

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