Beyond Tartarus (A Percabeth Fanfiction)

Chapter 48 - The Time Has Arrived

Please Note: This chapter takes place a few months following Chapter 47, I hope you enjoy.

Percy

Annabeth's contractions had been worsening, along with her mood, and I had no idea what to do. They seemed to become increasingly more painful as the days dragged, as I inferred based on her soft yelps of pain which grew less quiet. Soon enough, she was groaning out of extreme discomfort, and I felt useless, knowing that there was nothing I could do but comfort her. She was nearing the end of her third and final trimester, as her stomach clearly demonstrated, and we knew that our baby girl was awaiting her upcoming arrival any day now. Just when, exactly, was the bigger question. The doctor had estimated a specific date, but it passed four days ago, and I knew for certain that Annabeth could not handle much more, considering how long it had already been. She deserved to have some relief, but that wouldn't happen until our daughter's birth, when finally the weight of another human being would be released from her. Until then, it was my duty to support her and the baby, as best as I could, and boy, I tried.

Every night, I helped Annabeth into bed, her soft grunts indicating her displeasure at the fact that I was helping her, and also because, let's face it, it's pretty uncomfortable sleeping during pregnancy. At least, I could imagine. Just the thought of bearing a child for nine months, dealing with everyday difficulties, astounded me. Annabeth was doing a fantastic job, as I figured she would, and I wanted nothing but her to be happy and comfortable, despite the ever-present human developing inside her. Man, women do not get enough credit for the things they have to deal with, my gods. Experiencing it second-hand made me realize how truly grateful I am for my own mother, and all the sacrifices she had made, for me. Annabeth, too, had given up so much, during her time of pregnancy. Her business was on hold, her entire days spent caring for our child. There seems to be no greater sacrifice than that of creating and nurturing new life, and I admired all mothers, and soon-to-be mothers, for that.

As I helped Annabeth settle into bed, placing two pillows underneath her bulging stomach, I gave her a kiss on the forehead and said, "You're doing great, Annabeth. It's almost over, so keep hanging in there, and I'm going to try and help you as best I can."

She smiled, "Thanks for the encouragement, even though you have no idea how ready I am to give birth to this baby." I laughed.

"But thank you, Percy, for taking care of me, I really do appreciate it. I mean, after all, I am carrying your baby, so clearly what you're doing is more of a requirement rather than a moral good deed. Now that I think about it, I really shouldn't be thanking you, should I?"

"Now you're just making me feel bad." I frowned, and she laughed wholeheartedly. I slipped into bed next to her, and she gave me a light kiss on the cheek.

"Just kidding, I love you. Now let's get to bed." I turned off the light on our nightstand, adjusted Annabeth's pillows, and tried to get some sleep.

Annabeth

I awoke with a start, a sharp pain hitting me abruptly. The pain over the last two days had become far more sharp and consistent, and I knew that soon enough I'd be going into labour. I just didn't know when the contractions would reach the point that I knew the baby was ready to be delivered. Well, I did now. I felt the water begin to leak, more than yesterday, and I immediately knew it was time. A sudden sense of fear struck me, and I shook Percy awake, my eyes heavy and my body anxious and tired, as I furiously cried out to wake him up.

"Percy! Percy! " He rose quickly, his eyes still half-closed, as it was nearly two in the morning.

"Annabeth! W-What's wr-"

"The baby's coming, Percy, I need you to take me to the hospital, please." I cried out the final word as another intense contraction overtook me.

"Oh my gods!" Percy whispered, as he quickly threw aside our bedsheets, picking me up, and helping me to my feet.

"Do you want me to carry you to the car, or?" He looked at me anxiously, and I shook my head, "Don't worry, I can manage downstairs on my feet, just help lead me in the dark, if you can." He nodded, and we made our way down the stairs, my heart racing, and my insides churning with anticipation.

We drove through the streets of Manhattan as quickly as possible, but downtown was just as busy at two in the morning as it was midday. I felt myself hardly focusing on the road ahead and my body quaked, the wetness increasing, furthering my worries. I tried to calm my breathing during the ride, but it was difficult, my mind trying desperately to mentally prepare me for the challenging obstacle ahead.

By the time we reached the hospital, it was nearly forty after two, and my soft grunts grew into loud cries, the pain escalating as I entered the hospital. I was rushed to a room where my labour was to be conducted, assisted by two nurses, who helped me into bed. The room bustled with activity, as medical personnel set up equipment and helped me prepare for my delivery. I could feel myself panicking, my breathing irregular, as the two nurses tried continuously to calm me down, but it seemed like it would not stop. My pulse pounded through my ears, and I closed my eyes, trying to relieve myself of the scared feeling gnawing at me.

"Percy," I blurted out, and I felt a large hand take hold of my own, as my eyes remained shut. Chaos continued around me, but I opened my eyes, trying to relax despite all the commotion. Nurses began to help me prepare for the process of labour, and the battle had begun.

Six hours later. Sweat clung to my skin in heavy layers, as I calmed myself following the exhausting labour I had just endured. Yet, it was worth every minute of pain and sweat, as I stared affectionately at Percy and our tiny infant in his arms. He was crying, gazing at me and constantly muttering, "I can't believe she's here", and, "Oh my gods, she's so tiny, I love her".

Percy was completely mystified by our baby, and she was just as amazed of him. She gazed at him with intense curiosity, her green eyes gazing back and forth between Percy and me. Soon enough, she was handed back to me, and I began to whimper when her weight returned to my arms. Her sweet, angelic face, caused a heat of emotion to come over me, and tears collected in my eyes as I stared at her so tenderly in my arms. I was a mother, and I couldn't believe it, no matter how much I tried to convince myself that I was. It had seemed like it would never come, but it had. All the effort, all the events that had led up to this birth of new life, had provided the greatest outcome ever imaginable. And I was incomprehensibly grateful for the beautiful gift I had received for it all; the greatest prize conceivable, my daughter. I continued to smile at her as Percy wrapped his arms around the two of us, kissing my forehead as I sighed, and then continuing to gaze at our little girl.

"Welcome to the world, Sophia," I said, for the first time as the proud mother of my baby, Sophia Merissa Jackson.