Aftermath-Percabeth

Chapter Forty

Annabeth smiled as she entered the kitchen, a small blue cupcake in her hands. In the kitchen sat Percy, who was gently feeding Charlie.

"There we go....just eat the airplane!" Percy cooed at his son, spinning the spoon around causing Charlie to laugh.

"Happy Birthday, seaweed brain," Annabeth murmured into his ear, causing him to smirk. "You're officially old now."

Percy turned around and accepted her cupcake. "I'm going to pretend you didn't say that and eat my cupcake in peace."

Annabeth rolled her eyes and shook her head. Then she pulled up a chair next to Charlie's high chair and finished feeding him while Percy ate his birthday cupcake.

"Twenty-eight. Gods, that just sounds old," he said with a shudder, causing Annabeth to hold back her laughter, making a choking snort sound. "Thanks, wise girl. You're older than me!"

"I age well," she replied softly. Percy bit his lip. "Oh, come on. You know I'm teasing you."

Annabeth finished feeding Charlie and stood up, ruffling Percy's untidy hair as she walked over to their sink, placing the dish inside it.

"Big plans for tonight?" Annabeth asked him while filling the bowl with warm water. "Total blowout planned, right?"

Percy snorted as he peered at Charlie, who laughed along with him. "Oh, yes. Big party ahead. I'm thinking we'll even watch a PG movie!"

Annabeth raised her eyebrows. "PG? That is wild, Jackson. Try not to stay up too late, like eight thirty!"

"The scandal!" Percy replied before finishing his cupcake. "Maybe, if Charlie's feeling generous, he'll gift me him sleeping through the night."

"Unlikely," Annabeth said with a shrug. "But, is it's before midnight when he wakes up, I will handle him for you. My birthday treat."

Percy nodded and tousled his hair. "Perfect gift, how thoughtful. But after midnight?"

She walked over to him and kissed his cheek. "All you."

"Great," he replied, turning back to Charlie. "You'll sleep tonight, right?"

In response Charlie giggled, which Percy took as a good sign.

Then a sudden knock on their door caused him to bolt out of his seat. He peered at Charlie, who was still giggling. Then, with one hand in his pocket tightly clenching Riptide, he opened the door.

"Hey! Surprise!" the familiar voice of Leo Valdez said. "Happy Birthday, man."

Percy grinned with relief as he peered at his visitors. Leo and Calypso stood before him, wearing matching grins. "Thanks. What brings you two here?"

He ushered them inside, closing the door behind them. "Oh, sorry for the mess. Yeah, you can just step over that...."

He guided them through the messy kitchen over to where Charlie was impatiently waiting for them.

"How's little Charles?" Calypso asked, immediately choosing the seat besides him.

"Good. Cries and giggles a lot," Percy said, resting in one of the other chair. Leo followed his example.

"Percy, who was at the door?" Annabeth asked, walking into the kitchen. Then her eyes spotted Calypso and Leo and her face immediately went red.

"Hey, Annabeth!" Calypso called with a grin.

Annabeth peered down at her own outfit of a pair of sweatpants and one of Percy's old high school sweatshirts. "Hey, you two! I, uh, didn't know you were coming over or I would've—"