Becoming a Father

Chapter 2

A/N: Chapter Two is out!

Frederick Chase picked up his daughter Annabeth, and placed her inside the baby seat part of the grocery cart. He had been unsuccessful in his search to find anything like baby food in his house, so now he was going shopping. He had gotten the child to fall asleep by feeding her water with an eyedropper. Now here was the question: What was everything he needed to take care of a baby?

Frederick had spent about an hour already babyproofing the house, removing tiny things Annabeth could put in her mouth, and taking down breakable statues.

"Excuse me." he said, tapping a young woman who was wearing a uniform on the shoulder. "What aisle do you keep baby supplies in?"

"Is that your first?" the woman asked, leading him to the aisle.

"How did you know?" he wondered out loud. The woman smiled slightly.

"I have seen many new parents before." she explained. "My siblings, their children, and many more besides that. You may call me Hestia."

Hestia. The greek goddess of family and the hearth. Frederick thought.

"Like the greek goddess?" he questioned.

"Yes," she said, smiling brightly. "Exactly like the greek goddess."

—

Later that day, Frederick drove home with a wide assortment of clothes for Annabeth, baby food, toys, and everything essential to a baby's care. Including books on how to be a good parent. This time, when Annabeth cried, he was going to know what to do.

—

3 Months Later, October 15, 1993

Frederick watched as his daughter lay happily on her baby mat, playing contentedly with her animal toys. She giggled as they she dropped on top of each other.

"Look, Annabeth." he said, pointing to the stuffed animal. The baby turned her head around. "It's a cat."

"Dada." said Annabeth. She giggled, apparently pleased with herself.

Was it his imagination? Or did his daughter just talk? The books said she wouldn't start talking until at least six months, but she was a daughter of Athena, so things might be a little different with her.

"Annabeth?" he questioned. "Did you just talk?"

"Dada." Annabeth said again. So Frederick was right. His daughter had just said her first word.

"Congratulations, Annabeth." he said. "You just talked!"

Annabeth looked a bit bored. She yawned.

"Would you like me to read you a story?" he asked, placing Annabeth in his arms. "How about The Art of War? Well, actually, that one may be a bit advanced for you. I know! The Odyssey."

Frederick pulled it off the bookshelf and began to read.

"Book I." he read. "The Gods in Council- Athena's Visit to Ithaca." Annabeth giggled.

"Dada." she said. Her father chuckled.

"Not exactly." he told her. "Athena is your Mama. I'm your Dada."

She giggled, trying to move her lips in the way he did. Frederick continued the story.

Half an hour later, Annabeth fell asleep. Frederick carried her upstairs and placed her in her crib.

"Goodnight, Annabeth." he whispered. "Your mother would be proud."

A/N: And that concludes Chapter 2! So how was it? Good/bad? I feel like Annabeth would talk early, being a child of Athena and all.