The Next Chapter of Our Lives

Birth and Afterwards

Warning: Semi-Graphic birth scene, and feel hits in the end.

Persi's P.O.V.

I glanced at the four other people in the room, sweat beads formed on my forehead as another contraction hit. Ow. I heard them say something about 5 centimeters, but I couldn't focus. A voice came into focus, Apollo.

"Do you want some water?" I nodded my head. He made a move to get up, but I reach for his hand.

"No, stay, please." He sighed and glanced up. I heard shuffling behind me and a door open and close.

Another contraction came, but this one came faster laster longer and hurt 20 times more than the others. They called out the dilation, but I didn't hear them, the pain was nearly too much. I didn't notice the death grip I had on Apollo's hand until the pain washed away, and I was left waiting for the next one.

"Sorry," I rasped.

Apollo shook his head, "No." I looked away for a second. "Hey, you're doing great, ok? 3 more centimeters to go, ok?"

I nodded and braced myself as the next contraction crashed into me. This time I let out a scream.

It felt like forever, contractions coming and going, drawing closer and lasting longer, they got progressively more painful, and each time I let out a low scream, cursing nearly anything. All three offered praise and encouragement, but I glared at them when I wasn't in the middle of a contraction and screamed for them to shut up when I was.

My contractions were closer together now, and stronger. They checked me anew, and when the pain subsided for a sweet blissful moment, Artemis told me something I wasn't sure I was ready for.

"On the next contraction, we're going to need you to push." I did, and it was terrible. For over a minute, I pushed, it felt like I was squeezing a watermelon through a hole the size of a lemon.

"I'm gonna kill you, 'Pollo," I screamed at him. "When this is over, you're a dead man!" I heard him gulp loudly beside me, I felt some pride in paying him back. When the contraction finally stopped, I did too. I panted, too tired to do anything but drink the water they gave me, and wait.

Forty seconds seemed too short, but eternity as well. The fuss around the room stressed me out a little, not like I wasn't used to a ton of people, but the Will and Kayla ran around the room and collected supplies while Artemis helped me and Apollo held my hand- despite me breaking it more and more through every contraction.

Contractions lasted 90 seconds, with a 40-second rest between each one. I was disoriented and doing what was told. I was drawing on Apollo's power (accidentally, of course) for strength to squeeze a watermelon through my- ahem- parts. I screamed for what felt like the billionth time and killed Apollo's hand too.

All three were gathered around now, Will knelt between my legs, Kayla handing him what he required, and Artemis preparing everything one last time. They were talking, but I couldn't pay attention, but when the contraction hit, I pushed, but it felt unusual this time, though, more comfortable and less painful. Then I heard wailing- a baby's cry- so loud it probably reached the deepest darkest parts of the universe.

"Congratulations, Persi! It's a girl!" Will called out. Apollo and I looked at each other, the tear falling from my face, once of pain, were now mixed with joy, the latter outweighing the former. Despite already knowing our baby's sex, hearing it out loud- hearing her aloud- made it all the more real.

Apollo got up and cut the umbilical cord, I completed the birth process while holding her. Apollo put one arm around me and the other with my arms holding our newborn baby. I kissed her goop covered head and reluctantly handed her to Kayla so she could be cleaned. I told Will to go away and let Artemis handle my aftercare while Apollo went with our baby.

"You guys have any names yet? If not, she'll just name herself," Artemis jokingly asked.

"Marisol," I told her as I relaxed into the crappy infirmary bed. She grabbed a bottle of water and poured it on me, I grimaced slightly at the feel.

"Meaning the sun and the sea," She said approvingly, "You had a small tear, which is now healed, and now you have two options, shower or drink some water."

"I think I'll shower, I feel like I'm filthy." Artemis nodded and helped me up, taking me to the shower. The bathroom on the infirmary had rails in strategic spots to help demigods who are weak and/or healing.

When I gripped the rail, I told her to go help Apollo with Marisol to which she nodded, and hesitantly, let me go. My body was weak from the energy I used to get through four and a half hours of pain, all worth it for the outcome of a new deity who would, hopefully, help the universe in vaster ways than I did. I turned ou the water to the shower and hoped in, I could never feel whether it was cold or hot. I anxiously washed up and got out. With a snap of my fingers, I was dried and clothed while I found Apollo's signature in the Big House and went there.

The sight horrified and infuriated me, Apollo laid on the floor in a pool of golden blood with my daughter in the arms of a stranger with a terrible aura. Will and Kayla were nowhere to bee seen, and Artemis was trying to fight the people trying to take my baby. With a war cry, my Chaotic Silverswords appeared in my hands, and I attacked. I put a shield around Marisol swung my swords at the intruders. They fought well and almost survived, but they were dead within 10 minutes.

I picked Marisol up and held her close to my chest before running to Apollo. I checked his pulse, gone. I slumped on the floor and pulled our daughter in tighter. My eyes alight with a fire that so rarely saw except for in wartime. Artemis put her hand on my shoulder, compassionate and empathetic.

"I'm taking her to Void, they can protect her while I'm in Tartarus," I told her.

"What?" I turned around swiftly.

"I'm getting him back, whatever it takes. I shouldn't be gone for more than a day, but you should tell the others."

"Persi, you have to stay with her-"

"And leave him down there? Dammit Artemis! I know what that place does to people, and I'll be dammed if I let that happen to him! Be glad I'm not going after the rest of those sons of b*tches right now. How'd they even get in here anyway, isn't this place supposed to be protected against threats?" I walked out the door and opened a portal to Void. 

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As promised, here is a brand new chapter at 3 AM! Are any of you sad about Apollo? Don't worry, you'll see him again soon. 

Also, the name Marisol was kinda awkward for me to write 'cause that's my mom's name, but you gotta do what you gotta do am I right?

I dare you to comment, ghost readers are no fun *pouts*

Alright, till next time, BYE!!