Aftermath-Percabeth

Chapter Forty-Two

"Could you not breathe so loud?" Annabeth complained from across the room. "Charlie can't sleep."

Percy rolled his eyes. "Sorry. You want me to just quit breathing?"

Annabeth sighed before peering down at the alert baby in her lap. "Maybe for a few minutes. I mean, it wouldn't hurt."

"Oh, be quiet," Percy murmured before placing his head back down on the pillow. "Marina got to bed just fine. My breathing wasn't a problem for her!"

"That's because she's heard it so much she's probably deaf!" Annabeth whispered harshly. "I'll just bring Charlie to his room."

She stood up and walked over to Charlie's room, which was almost immediately right next to the living room.

She sighed as she awkwardly placed his down on his crib that took much of the space in his room.

"Why is this room so small?" she said with a curse. "And I can still hear that damn breathing...."

After finally getting Charlie to sleep, Annabeth walked back into the living room where Percy sat waiting for her.

She sat across from him and picked up a nearby book, finally finding time to read.

"Oh, now my breathing isn't a problem for you?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

She blinked hard before placing her book down. "You're right, I'm sorry. That was rude, I'm just feeling cramped here."

Percy's eyes widened in surprise. "I guess you're right. Our apartment is pretty small. I mean, we've had it since, what, every since we moved back to New York since college?"

"Yeah, I thought we'd have moved out by now," Annabeth admitted. "I mean, Charlie's one now. I thought we would move after one kid."

"Me too," Percy admitted, clearly defeated. "I guess we just got a little busy raising two kids and all...."

Then Annabeth decided something. "You know what? We have some money now. How about we find an apartment big enough for us?"

"Or a house," Percy suggested.

"I've never really considered that," Annabeth admitted. "Moving to the suburbs could be good, though. Closer to Sally. And didn't Hazel and Frank just buy a house out there?"

Percy nodded. "Yeah, I think so. Maybe we should pay them a visit tomorrow, see if we like the feeling there."

"It's a date."

~

The next morning the two demigods packed their kids into the car and drove to the address of Hazel and Frank's new house.

The two had decided to move to the suburbs before they had kids and before they were even married.

"Hello?" Annabeth called as she knocked on the door. "Anyone home?"

The door swung over to reveal Hazel, who was wearing a grin on her face. She immediately pulled them all into a hug before leading them inside.

"Sorry for the mess!" Hazel said, her cheeks turning a light pink, although neither Percy nor Annabeth could detect a mess anywhere.

"Who was at the door?" Frank asked, rushing into the spacious living room. Then, when he saw them, his face lit up. "Percy, Annabeth! What brings you two here?"

Annabeth peered up at Percy, who quickly explained their dilemma.

Hazel's face lit up. "Oh my goodness, you two should totally move next to us! I could see if any of our neighbors are leaving—"

"Oh, that's not necessary," Annabeth replied. "We're still considering."

"I can check if any are old if you'd like," Hazel said, causing Percy, Annabeth, and Frank to frown. "It was just a suggestion!"

Percy laughed uneasily. "No thanks, Hazel. How about we continue this discussion somewhere with seats? Marina and Charlie are getting a little squirmy...."

Frank nodded and led them to their back patio that led to their fenced in yard.

"I could get used to this view," Percy admitted as they sat down and peered at Hazel and Frank's bright green lawn.

"I hope you don't mind, I've invited over Calypso, Leo, Piper, and Jason," Hazel said. "I thought a little reunion might be in order. After all, we just told them we're engaged."

Although Leo and Calypso's wedding had been several months prior, the two still thought it was impolite.

"That's great," Annabeth said, a small smile appearing on her face. "Maybe we can get the others to weigh in on this...."

Shortly after their conversation, Leo and Calypso arrived, both overly excited about something....

"I heard we were having a little mini Argo II reunion party at Hazel and Frank's new crib," Leo said as he joined them outside. "I can't say no to that...."

"Nothing fancy," Hazel replied. "Just a little get together. Piper and Jason should be here soon...."