Aftermath-Percabeth

Chapter Thirty-Two

The night was cold with small flakes of snow slowly cruising throughout the sky, eventually landing on the busy streets of New York.

It was late. Too late for anyone in their right mind to be up, but that didn't matter. Not for Percy and Annabeth, anyways.

The two demigods were currently in the kitchen, silently moving about. Percy sat balanced on a barstool, casually sipping a cup of tea Annabeth had made him.

They had been awoken by their now four month old daughter, who was not yet accustomed to sleeping through the night.

Although it seemed unnatural to wake up at the ungodly hours in the morning, Percy and Annabeth didn't mind it. Annabeth would make them tea, and sometimes Percy would make them hot chocolate. It was their own little tradition.

Lately these early morning conversations had been on the topic of their daughter, but they weren't as pleasant as they sound.

They had been in reference of the not so recent monster attack, which the two scrutinized over daily.

Today was no different. Annabeth had taken out two mugs, filled them both with tea, and was now scouring the room for sugar.

"You know, it's really no good without sugar," Percy admitted as he placed his mug down with a clink. "I tried it, and I hated it."

Annabeth smiled warmly at her husband as she plopped down the box of sugar cubes she had found. "Here. Put some sugar in it."

Percy nodded and accepted the box, shoving multiple into his tea. He grinned as he hastily stirred it around in his drink, watching the mini tornado spin round and round.

"You're such a child," Annabeth chided him before taking a sip of her own sugarless tea.

"And that's why you love me," Percy said with a wink as his tea calmed down. "Tomorrow is hot chocolate day. I think we still have some left from our visits to New Rome...."

The last time the two had been to New Rome they had stocked up on dozens and dozens of packets of New Rome's treasured hot chocolate. They'd cut back on it, trying to reserve it the best they could, but the stuff was so good they could hardly succeed in that mission.

"I say it's time for another visit," Annabeth said wistfully, knowing that they surely couldn't. "Or we could have Hazel and Frank bring us some..."

Although Hazel and Frank were enrolled in college at New Rome, they often visited on Frank's praetor duties, bringing lots of goodies from New Rome to their friends.

Percy nodded. "I'm sure they'd be more than happy to. Maybe we should visit camp, see if they have any left. Or, you know, see if they can, uh, take us in."

Annabeth sighed. She knew their conversation would turn to this. It did every night, and now they were rapidly approaching the dreaded truth.

"I know," Annabeth replied. "I know we should. Do you want me to call Chiron? God knows only he would be up this early...."

Percy, although totally against moving, nodded, knowing it was the right thing to do. "I think that would be best, yes."

Percy watched as his wife pulled out her cell phone and went to her contacts. She clicked Camp and placed the phone to her ear.

After several rings, someone picked up. "Hello, this is Camp Half-Blood."

"Hey, Chiron," Annabeth said, knowing by his voice that it was him.

"Hello, Annabeth! What business are you calling on? I finally wear you down to be a trainer?" he asked excitedly.

Annabeth laughed. "Maybe, maybe. I was just wondering if Percy, Marina, and I could stop in tomorrow."