Forever and Always

Another baby

The fluorescent lights buzz softly above us in the baby store as my friends and I weave through aisles of tiny onesies and pastel blankets. Laughter fills the air as Alya, Y/n, and I enthusiastically argue about the merits of stripes versus polka dots for baby clothes. My heart is full in this moment, surrounded by my best friends—Calypso, Miranda, Katie, and Marinette, all engaged in this joyous task of preparing for our new arrivals.

I glance at the massive cart overflowing with tiny garments, rattles, and a few plush toys. At home, my eight-month-old son, Charlie, is probably bouncing away in his crib, and Piper's two-month-old daughter, Chandler, is nestled safely with our husbands. Percy and the others can handle a few hours of baby duty, I think to myself, feeling a mixture of pride and relief in leaving them in charge.

Then, out of nowhere, Miranda, our steady anchor in this whirlwind of chaos, suddenly freezes. I catch the furtive glances exchanged between Calypso and Katie, their expressions shifting from carefree to concerned. Before I can inquire, Miranda's face twists into an expression I only recognize from the movies—pain mixed with disbelief.

"Annabeth," she gasps, her hands gripping her belly, "I think—"

And just like that, reality slides in as if a switch has been flipped. The store continues to buzz around us, but our tight-knit gaggle of friends goes still. I am standing in the middle of a baby shopping trip, and my best friend is about to give birth.

"Miranda, are you sure?" I demand, my voice a mix of excitement and urgency. Alya, who usually keeps calm under pressure, is alert, eyes wide.

"I'm not kidding! I think this is it!" Miranda gasps between breaths, her face flushed.

With remarkable synchronicity, Katie pulls out her phone and dials Connor, Miranda's husband. As we gather around her—each of us is instinctively preparing as if it's some sort of military operation—Alya takes charge. "Okay, we need to get Miranda to the hospital pronto."

Across the aisle, I spot Marinette and Calypso, panic flickering in their wide eyes, and I can't help but chuckle a little even in this situation. "Focus, ladies! She needs us!" I remind them, knowing all too well how quickly things spiral out of control.

Katie's phone goes to speaker as Connor's frantic voice fills the air. "Miranda, are you serious? What do you mean you're in labor?! Where are you? Should I come home?"

"Stay calm, honey! I'm at the store," she reassures him, though her grip on my arm tightens and she grimaces slightly.

"Are you—are you okay? Are you breathing? Should I call an ambulance?" Connor's voice is a mix of panic and impending fatherhood. I can almost picture him pacing back and forth at home.

"We're fine! Just get over here. We're going to help Miranda!" Alya yells, glancing around for the keys to one of our cars.

This isn't how I imagined our baby shopping trip would go. I thought we'd laugh about sleepless nights and discuss our birthing plans over coffee. But now, as the reality sets in, the air fills with adrenaline and a fierce sense of solidarity. Every one of us is here for Miranda, preparing to rally around her—just like we always have.

Miranda lets out a grunt, and all our eyes widen momentarily, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. "Calypso, you're driving! You've got the fastest car, right?" I declare, jabbing a finger in her direction.

Calypso is already steaming ahead, gathering her things. "Let's move! It's time to make a baby!" she shouts, and for some reason, it bursts forth as a rallying cry rather than a command, igniting the energy back into our group.

Moments later, we're tumbling into the bright sun outside, racing towards Calypso's car, laughter and shouts mixed with exclamations of "I can't believe this is happening!" and "Don't forget your purse!"

I catch sight of Adrien and Luka, who have just pulled up, lingering near each other with palpable tension. This could be amusing on another day, and I shoot them a brief glare of warning. Now is not the time for their rivalry to erupt and distract us from our mission.

"Stay in the car, you two!" I yell as I hop into the backseat beside Miranda. Granted, I'm not sure they'll listen, but my focus is on my friend. "Miranda, you're doing great! We're going to get you to the hospital!"

As we roar down the street, our collective excitement and nerves merge into something indefinable—hope, love, and a hint of madness that characterizes our friendships. Moments like these remind me of why I cherish these girls.

In the midst of chaos—tiny clothes scattered, husbands fretting, and a baby on the way—I catch a glimpse of what's truly important. We're not just shopping for baby supplies. We're weaving a tapestry of memories, and no matter what life throws at us, we will face it together, just as we always have.