The Glory That Is Rome (a Percy Jackson AU)

The Promise of a Future

   Hazel was excited to tell Frank the news. She spent all day cooking an elaborate dinner to break the news for him. She wanted to see his face light up as she told him the news he desired most of all.

     Before Frank came home, Hazel made sure the food was out on the table and then changed from the tunic she had been wearing to the linen sheath she had finished weaving the day before. She put the beads in her hair, lined her eyes with kohl, and placed the ankh necklace Frank had bought for her around her neck.

    She dabbed some kyphi on her neck and admired the effect of the outfit and paint in the mirror near the washing basin. Her eyes looked like large, golden coins against the black kohl. The linen dress made her skin look warm and luminous. Hazel usually did not care that much about her appearance, but she had fun dressing up every so often and tonight was supposed to be special.

     Hazel heard footsteps and realized that Frank was home. She quickly made her way to the dining room. Frank was gaping at the meal. 

   "You made a feast that even Zeus couldn't complain about!" he said.

    Hazel smiled and kissed her husband on the cheek. Since the shopping trip, the two had grown more and more intimate. One thing Hazel liked about Frank was that he was always gentle with her and wouldn't force her to do anything.

     "Well, it's for you," Hazel said. "Unless you think you are above Zeus."

    Frank smiled at her cheeky comment and sat down. He looked at the snails she had cooked in vinegar in wonder before piling it on his plate. Hazel had gotten out his best plates and goblets. Hazel poured some Egyptian-style beer for Frank and herself and the two used straws to drink the thick beverage.

    "This meal is amazing," Frank said. "What's the occasion?"

    "Do I need an occasion to spoil my handsome husband?" Hazel teased.

    Frank colored. He might have a physique that would make Heracles quake in fear, but he was as sweet as the stuffed jackal toy Hazel had as a child. 

   "I did make this dinner for a special occasion," Hazel admitted after the two had eaten honeyed dates for dessert.

    "And what occasion is that?" Frank asked. 'It's not any holiday that I know of."

   "I'm with child," Hazel said after she had cleared the dishes.

   Frank's face lit up and he picked up Hazel and spun her around. Then, he gently set her down and kissed her forehead. He looked down at her stomach and smiling, asked, "How far along?"

    "Three months," Hazel said proudly and Frank whooped.

   "You are the queen of my heart and soon you'll be the queen of the house," Frank said.

   "Aren't I already?" Hazel teased.

  Frank blushed and said, "Well, you'll have a child to boss around when I'm not home."

   Hazel swatted Frank lightly and the two laughed. Frank picked up his wife and carried her to their bed. He left the room and returned with a figurine of Diana, the protector of pregnant women and young girls. He placed it in Hazel's palms and her smile grew as wide as the full moon blazing above Rome.