Aftermath-Percabeth

Chapter Sixty-Six

"Where are we?" Marina asked as they led her up yet another staircase. "It's huge!"

Annabeth laughed as she grabbed Marina's hands. "It's a hospital, Marina. Your Auntie Hazel is here. Same with Uncle Frank and their new baby."

Charlie, who had recently gotten his cast off, ignored them and looked around, wide eyed. "I don't like it here...."

"We know," Percy said, Charlie in his arms. "It'll get better. You sure we can't ride the elevator?"

"No!" cried Charlie, who flinched at the mention of an elevator. Annabeth glared at Percy.

"Okay, okay, just suggesting..." Percy murmured as he continued to carry Charlie up the stairs. "Are we almost there yet?"

"Yes, we're almost there," Annabeth said as she glared at her husband. "Please stop complaining, all of you."

Marina just shrugged and continued on, going faster than any of them and pulling Annabeth along with her. "Daddy's slow! And Charlie's a scaredy cat!"

"Hey!" Percy and Charlie protested in unison.

"I am not slow," Percy said defensively. "I'm just carrying Charlie!"

Annabeth groaned. "Percy, you're literally arguing with a six year old!"

The rest of the trip everyone was silent, which Annabeth was beyond grateful for. When they arrived at Hazel's room they were greeted by Leo, Calypso, Jason, Piper, Hazel, and Frank.

"What took you so long? You arrived before us," Piper asked Annabeth.

"Don't even ask."

They were introduced to Hazel and Frank's new baby, a girl they'd named Emily Zhang. After pleasantries they started to pass her around.

"She's adorable," Percy commented as he held her. "Marina, wanna see her?"

Marina nodded seriously and peered up at Emily. "Can—can I hold her?"

Annabeth frowned and lifted Marina up. "Oh, I don't think that's such a good idea, Marina."

"But you let me hold Charlie!" she protested. "And I didn't drop him!"

"I know, but this is Auntie Hazel and Uncle Frank's baby, not ours," Annabeth told her.

"Let her hold Emily!" Hazel said with a grin. "Come on, Annabeth. I trust her."

Marina grinned with triumph and thanked Hazel profusely. They sat her down on a hospital chair and practically covered her in pillows.

"Now if she's too heavy, tell us," Percy warmed as he handed her the baby. "And it's okay if she is. And if you want to stop, that's okay, too. And if she cries—"

"Just let her hold the baby!" Frank complained. "She'll do fine, Percy. After all, look at how serious she looks."

Marina gripped onto the baby and smiled. "She's cute! Cuter than Charlie."

"Hey!" Charlie prostrated as he walked over and peered at the baby. "I wanna hold her next!"

"No, me!" Romeo, Piper and Jason's child, declared as he joined Charlie in bugging Marina.

"She's popular already," Piper commented as she smiled. "Hey, bud, wait your turn."

The rest of the visit included several more turns of holding little Emily and crying when it was time to leave.