Taking care of a toddler was exhausting. Even for a god. He was grateful for the support he had; not just Jack's dads, also his friends and of course his parents. Jack had been back to his baby-self for about three weeks now and all of Olympus was fawning over him. The first god born in centuries. But far more importantly than that, he was a Jackson.
"He looks just like you", whispered Sally in awe, caressing Jack's cheek.
"Such a little cutie", agreed Calypso, making faces for the little one.
Percy had adjusted really well to Calypso living with his parents and so had she. She was going to college now and she truly enjoyed living in a normal family, having a normal life. It was good to see her happy; he had promised her to free her and he was grateful his lovers had made sure that promise would be fulfilled by the gods. She looked so much healthier and happier, with the new haircut and wearing jeans – she really liked that change in fashion. Not to mention all the friends she had made among the campers. Finally not confined to an island and one visitor every couple centuries. It helped her and Percy was very glad about that, that everyone had accepted her.
"...I liked him better before", admitted Tyson, watching carefully. "He's so... tiny and... breakable. What if I accidentally hurt him? You know I give tight hugs!"
Percy laughed a little as he ruffled his brother's hair. "I know you won't hurt him because you love him. He's your nephew. You'll protect him. Not hurt him."
"Percy is right! Tyson is gentle", agreed Ella with a smile.
It was family dinner at the Blofis-Jackson household – Paul, Sally, Tyson, Ella, Calypso and Percy all together to eat in peace. Spending so much time in the godly spheres or with the demigods on rebuilding their camps, it was good to have this grounding, normal human time too.
"Are you willingly leaving him here with me or do I have to hide him away to get him all to myself?", asked Sally playfully, looking at Percy. "You haven't left his side once since he got turned back to a baby. I talked to your father. He asked me to talk to you about it."
"He... did?", asked Percy with a frown as they all settled down for dinner.
"We understand why you worry about him. We really do", started Paul seriously. "Everyone does, really. But this is... not healthy for you anymore, Percy."
Sally nodded in agreement. "Percy, dear. You barely sleep, you really don't leave his side anymore. You take him everywhere, you barely even hand him over to anyone. Everyone is trying to help you, take him off you for a couple hours for babysitting. When was the last time you did something just for yourself, Percy? Because if I had to make a guess, I'd say three weeks ago. And even then it was scarce between you taking care of Jackie, helping out everyone who needed help and adjusting to being a god. Percy... Jackson is safe. Hera is gone. No one will dare harm him."
Percy took a shaky breath. "I can't believe that. He's... something new and powerful. Someone might want to take him away to use him against me or the other gods. I just... Every time I look into his face now, I flash back to when I first got to hold him so briefly before he got taken away from me and I'm afraid I will never see him again, mom..."
Sally heaved a sigh and looked him deeply in the eyes. "You could hover over him for the next eighteen to eight hundred years. Or you could start trying to... give him some freedom. At one point, he's going to be old enough to want to be on his own, be independent. Or at one point it will drive you crazy not to have your own life. As his grandmother, I demand to keep my grandson this weekend, Percy. You will leave him here today and you will not come back until Sunday. And when you will come on Sunday and pick him up, he will be sated and happy and healthy."
