Aftermath-Percabeth

Chapter Forty-Five

"Congrats!" Piper squealed as her, Jason, Percy, and Annabeth entered the cramped hospital room where Calypso was staying. "Is that her?"

Calypso smiled and nodded, lifting the baby in her arms up so we could see her.

She was small and barely able to open her eyes, which were a light hazel, not unlike Calypso's. The little tuft on top of her head was a deep brown and she wore a small smile on her face.

"Her name is Camellia Esperanza Valdez," Leo said, a permanent grin seemed to be fixed on his face. "Isn't she cool?"

Piper rolled her eyes and nodded. "She's the one thing you did right, Leo."

"Hey! I did most of the work," Calypso protested, causing Leo to shrug.

After several minutes of passing Camellia around, she promptly fell asleep, causing everyone to drop their voice to a whisper.

"You really don't have to stay," Calypso whispered. "When babies sleep they don't do much."

Percy nodded. "We know, but we want to be by you guys."

Leo shrugged and wrapped an arm around Calypso. "I think Calypso wants to sleep."

She laughed weakly. "I mean, it doesn't sound like the worst thing in the world...."

"I know," Piper and Annabeth said in unison.

"Let's let her get some rest," Piper advised, ushering them all out into the hall. "Good luck you two! She's perfect, by the way!"

The door clicked closed, leaving the four of them in the hallway.

"Are we free to go? Sally's watching the kids," Annabeth said, checking her watch. "I don't want her to have to stay too long...."

Percy shrugged and slipped his hand into Annabeth's. "She adores them, Annabeth. It's not like she's having a bad time or anything."

"True."

"Yeah, and Mr.McLean is watching Romeo. You guys down to get some dinner or something?" Jason asked.

Piper rolled her eyes. "Sure, but how many times do I have to remind you not to call my dad Mr.McLean. It's to formal!"

The two playfully bickered until they arrived at the restaurant and got seated.

"How is Romeo?" Annabeth asked.

"Good? I mean, he's a kid. And a boy," Piper commented. "Doesn't really tell me much about feelings. Although I know everything about the newest toys."

Percy laughed. "Tell me about it."

Then Annabeth's phone went off. "Oh, sorry about that."

Before she could reach her phone, Percy grabbed her hand. "Hey, take it. It might be a job offer or something."

Annabeth frowned before grabbing the phone and getting out of her seat. "Sorry, guys. I'll be right back."

She rushed to the front of the restaurant and out the door to get some privacy and less background noise. Then she answered.

"Hello, this is Annabeth Chase speaking," she said, and immediately judged herself on her too formal introduction.

"Hello, Ms.Chase," a deep voice said on the other line. "I'm calling in reference to your interview several days ago."

Annabeth nodded and moved her hair out of her way. "Oh, yes. I remember. Did I get the job?"

"Unfortunately, the position was recently filled," he informed her. She sighed. "But, our company finds your qualifications too advanced to let go of so quickly, so we are offering you a corporate job."

Annabeth's eyes widened and she gasped. "Really?! Thanks so much!"

"In California," the man answered. "Our corporate is set in Los Angeles, California."

Her smile dropped. "Could—could I call you back with an answer later?"

"You have two weeks to accept the job before we give it away."

"Thank you."

She hung up without another word.