The Glory That Is Rome (a Percy Jackson AU)

Accepting Change

      Hazel missed Frank. She had felt fine when she had woken up beside from the kicking in her stomach, but when she was slipping on a tunic, a bolt of pain had caused her to drop it. She had yelped and Frank had looked at her in concern. When the pain worsened, Frank had gently set her down on their bed and fetched her a glass of water and rubbed her forehead. The pain had only increased and Frank had ran off to fetch a physician.

    Hazel was unsure of why the pain was so bad. She hoped the child wasn't coming already. She was only seven months along, but her stomach was already so large that she could not leave the house without hearing a million comments about it. Men would praise her for fulfilling her "duty to Rome" while women would mock her figure. 

     "Protect me Diana." Hazel whispered.

      She was thankful when she heard the door open. She had never felt so scared or lonely. She lifted her head and saw Frank striding into the room. Hazel smiled at the sight of it. Her smile widened when she saw Frank's companions. She had not expected Nico to accompany the physician.   

    Hazel gave a scream. The pain in her stomach was killing her. The blonde physician ran forward, introduced himself as Will, and gently examined her. He looked up at Frank and his face was calm as he said, "She's in labor."

      "But it's too soon!" Frank said.

     "Keep it together," Nico snapped. "Hazel needs you to be strong. Fetch the birthing chair."

    Frank looked at Nico in surprise, nodded, and then ran off. Will squeezed Hazel's hand.

    "Keep strong," he said. "You can do this."

    His words were steady, but his eyes were darting around the room quickly. He's just as nervous as I am, Hazel realized. Somehow, that thought was comforting.

    When Frank returned with the birthing chair, Will undressed Hazel and placed her on the chair. She moaned. The pain was becoming unbearable. She noticed Nico praying under his breathe and she hoped that the gods would listen to him.

    "When the pain comes, I need you to push," Will told Hazel. "I will be ready to catch your baby."

   Hazel nodded and then screamed as another spasm of pain rippled through her body. She arched her back and pushed. The pain increased and Hazel realized that the spasms and bursts of pain were closer together now. She hoped that the labor would just hurry up. It was god-awful.

    The pain became more intense and Hazel closed her eyes as she pushed and screamed. She felt Frank holding her hand and she gripped it tightly as the pain quadrupled. Then, it lessened.  

     "It's a boy!" Will said. "Small, but healthy."

    Hazel wanted to respond, but another wave of pain gripped her. She screamed and pushed. Will caught the baby and the pain lessened. Hazel relaxed; she felt as drained as a legionnaire after a long battle.

    "A boy and a girl," Will said. "The gods have blessed you."

    Hazel smiled as Will presented the children to her. Both of the children were small and had curly hair, but the girl was smaller.

    "The girl will be Bianca and the boy will be Sammy," Hazel decided.

   With her eyes she asked Frank if that was alright. He nodded and she smiled. She was a mother now.