Percy and Annabeth-Their future

Sweet Baby, Paige

Nico looked from Thalia, to Paige, to me awkwardly standing there. I had no idea what to do or say in this type of situation. Paige's face was tear-stained, and Thalia cradled her in her arms.

"Just because you were living alone in California does not mean that you can just..." Nico just shook his head, the words not needing to be spoken.

"I'm sorry, Daddy, I didn't-"

"I don't want to hear it right now. You're turning 21 in a few months. That'll be the best birthday present you'll ever get, young lady."

"Nico!" Thalia frowned, Paige crying into her mother's shoulder. "She's beating herself up bad enough, you could at least try to be supportive!"

"But I don't support that type of thing, Thalia! A baby is a huge responsibility, and it shouldn't have to suffer because two people made the same stupid mistake!" The room fell silent. Paige ran down the hallway and slammed her bedroom door, her sobs echoing trough the house. Nico just grabbed his jacket and walked out the door. Thalia sank into a chair.

"What do I do?" She bit her lip, and I just sat down and hugged her.

"Paige really needs you right now. I don't know the whole story, but Paige isn't that type of kid. Maybe you should try... listening to her side of the story? Perhaps?" I handed her my Starbucks coffee. "I'll be right back."

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"Paige? May I come in?" I heard the door unlock, and saw it open up to Paige and a disaster zone. A suitcase was on the bed, filled with clothes and money. Papers were strewn throughout the room, and Paige just sat in the middle of it all.

"I swear on the River Styx, Annabeth, it was an accident and-" I smiled faintly and sat next to her, the door closed.

"I know, sweetie. You're not exactly the type of girl who goes around getting pregnant." She smiled a thin and dry smile, and turn to face the floor.

"I'm just scared that if I tell him, he'll leave me. I don't want that for my baby." She wiped her eyes with her sleeve and threw a shirt into the suitcase. "And my dad wants me to get an abortion or give it up for adoption, and I can't bare to do that."

I though about Paige, and about how she was as a person. Sure, she was young.... I mean, really young, to be having a baby- but she was the most capable 20-year-old I'd met.

"Have you called him, or tried to tell him?" I asked, then completely disregarded the question. "Actually, tell me about him." That brought a smile to Paige's sullen face.

"His name is Nicolas, and he is probably the best thing that has ever happened to me." She fished her phone out and showed me a picture. "He's tall, and handsome, and smart, and funny, and caring, and... perfect. He really is."

"I'm sure he is."

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**1 month later**

"Okay, Paige. Come on, you have to do this today." Paige had her face buried in the August edition of Vogue. Paige hated Vogue.

"Mom...." Thalia looked at me, as if my saying something would certify every word she spoke.

"Your mom is right, Paige. It has to happen one of these days." Paige was now about 8 months along, and she was really showing. She had been wearing really loose sweatshirts so it wasn't noticeable, but she was past that. Percy, Leo, Jason, Frank, and Grover had had a miracle talk with him... or maybe it was Thalia. No one really knew, but now he was really into it. He constantly asked if Paige needed anything, if Paige wanted anything, if Paige was comfortable, if Paige was hot or cold, etc.