The winds and snow were harsh on New York this time of year; huge bundles of snowflakes crowding the streets and sidewalks, roads covered in slick ice.

But not even snow could ruin Percy Jackson's upbeat mood as he thanked his cab driver, walking out of the dinged up yellow car.

He smiled at his apartment, peering up at the grimy windows. He knew Annabeth was already home, waiting for him, and he couldn't wait to talk to her and tell her his news.

Having no regards for anything, he pushed open the doors and bounded up the stairs, their apartment's elevators out of order, as they always seemed to be in New York.

His keys jiggled in the rusty old lock on their door as he pushed the door open, a habit as the door was old but solid, and often refused to open unless it had a great push.

We should really get a new place, Percy thought to himself as he closed the door quietly behind him, cautious not to wake the baby.

"Annabeth?" he whispered, tip toeing across the squeaky apartment floors. "Annabeth?"

He knew it was no hope, as Annabeth never heard him when he whispered. Only rarely had she actually been waiting for him, as the rare time she got to herself she usually spent sleeping.

Hesitantly, he cracked open their bedroom door, only to be greeted with an empty room.

"Wise girl?" he called, his voice rising in sound. It was unusual for her not to be in the bedroom. "Are you here?"

He heard the rushing of water and of footsteps. "I'm here, I'm here!"

She carefully opened the bathroom door, which adjourned their bedroom, a small look of terror in her eyes.

"Are you okay?" he asked as she pulled him into a hug.

She nodded and slowly readjusted her blonde curls. "Yeah, I think so. I actually have to tell you something rather important-"

"I got the promotion!" Percy proclaimed, unable to contain his excitement any longer. "Old Bob is retiring, and I get his job! After only a mere two years there! He gives it to me!"

Annabeth's face grew a warm smile. "Oh my Gods, Percy! Oh my Gods!"

She jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck, enveloping him in a kiss. "I'm so proud of you!"

His face turned a light pink. "T-thanks, Wise girl."

Annabeth grinned at the fact that she still made him flustered. "We need to celebrate. Tonight."

"Tonight? What about Marina...?" he started. Annabeth kissed along his jawline. "Okay, maybe tonight would work...."

"Call Sally," she whispered as she reached his ear. "She loves Marina and practically begs to babysit constantly."

"Alright, alright," Percy said as Annabeth pulled away, walking over to their closet. "I'll go call her but we better go quick. I don't want to waste one bit of this evening...."

~

After Percy called Sally, where she over-excitedly accepted-the two waited impatiently by the door.

Annabeth, who rarely dressed up, had worn a simple yet beautiful and figure-hugging black dress, which she'd paired with tights, tall boots, and a heavy winter jacket, in true New York style.

While Percy had been on the phone with Sally she'd made a reservation at a high-end restaurant for the two of them.

Once Sally arrived, the two quickly bounded out of their apartment, but not without graciously thanking Sally a million times.

The cab ride was quiet as neither knew what to discuss.

Once they reached the restaurant they quickly ran inside and sheltered from the slow and puffy flakes that had just started falling harshly from the sky.

The two laughed as they ran inside, their entire faces a bright red.

"After you, m'lady," Percy said, bowing and opening the door for Annabeth, who just rolled her eyes and pulled him inside with her.

Percy watched as Annabeth addressed the host, casually shaking snowflakes out of her blonde curls. He loved when it snowed in New York, even after Christmas.

"Table's ready," she said as she undressed herself of her winter gear, handing it to the host who graciously took it. "Ready?"

She outstretched her hand, and Percy graciously accepted. They followed a waiter to their table-a small one for two in a dimly lit corner.

"Romantic," Percy said as he slipped into a chair, the candlelight reflecting on his face. "I wonder if they have blue food here..."

Annabeth couldn't help but smile at her husband's remark. "I dunno, you'll have to ask a waiter. But this is a French place, so they may serve some....different food."

After introductions, the waiter left a drink menu at their table. He had a strong fake sounding French accent and a small aspiring mustache over his quivering lip.

"Wait! Sir!" Annabeth called. He sighed and walked over back to the table. "We only want waters."

Percy furrowed his eyebrows but shrugged. It's cheaper this way.

"Ah, but of course, Madam," he said, phony accent stronger than ever. He snapped the menu closed before walking away. "Silly Americans."

"Well then," Percy said with a small grin. "He's pleasant. So, tell me, how are you? Did you finish the bank's final plans yet?"

Annabeth, abrupt by Percy's knowledge in her job, could only muster a nod. "Yeah, how'd you know that?"

"You talk in your sleep," he replied simply as the water arrived. He half-heartedly thanked the water before taking a gulp. "It's rather cute, Wise girl."

"What else do I say?" Annabeth asked, a smile crawling on her face.

Percy shrugged and started playing with his silver wear. "I dunno. Some of it's nonsense, really. A lot of you worrying. I try not to mention it as I'm afraid I'll end up looking stupid as half of it is fake. Oh, did you finally manage to haggle that deal with a crocodile?"

Annabeth almost choked on her water. "I said that?!"

The two laughed and enjoyed each other's company until the topic turned to Marina, where it always ended up.

"Margot's pregnant again," Annabeth commented. Margot was the mother of a child at Marina's day care. "Looks like Eveline is going to be a big sister."

Percy tilted his head. "Really? That's great news. I'll ask her about it tomorrow. It's my turn to pick her up, right? You have meetings on Tuesdays."

"Yeah, but let's not talk about work," Annabeth said. "Let's talk about Margot."

"Okay....? Didn't know she was that important to you." He cracked a smile.

Annabeth shrugged. "Well, not really her. I'm just super happy for her. And, oh, Eveline will be such a good big sister. And so would Marina, don't you think?"

Percy nodded tightly, his shoulders suddenly getting tense. "Uh, yeah, I guess so?"

He didn't like where this conversation was going. He'd been trying to avoid this conversation ever since they had Marina. Babies were expensive, and although they both wanted another child, they couldn't afford it.

My promotion, he thought suddenly. Will it be enough? I think we should wait....

"Oh, our soup is here!" he said, relieved the conversion was interrupted. He instantly grabbed a spoon and shoved a bite into his mouth hastily.

"I'm pregnant."

His mouth burned as he spat the soup back out into the bowl, getting a glare from the fake French waiter.

"Owww...." he cried, fanning his mouth. "Hot, hot, hot...."

Annabeth got to her feet and poured him more water from the pitcher the waiter had left nearby and shoved it into his hands.

"Ahhh...." he said calmly, a small smile appearing on his face. "Thanks...."

The waiter approached their table, a nasty sneer on his face. "Will you, uh, be needing zomething else?"

"No, the food is just great," Annabeth said, shoving a great bite in her mouth. "Mmm...."

The waiter gave her a I hate my job face before refilling both of their cups and snatching his water pitcher back. "Pleaze, do not hesitate to, ah, contact me for more water."

Annabeth looked sheepishly at him. "Sorry, um, my husband, his mouth waz burning...."

The waiter sauntered away.

Percy burst out laughing. "I can't believe you started doing his French accent, he is so going to spit in our food."

Annabeth turned red and pressed her hands to her face. "I did?! Oh, Gods, I didn't even realize!"

Percy smiled and coaxed Annabeth to come out from under her hands. "Don't worry, I'm sure he'll only spit in your food."

"How is that better?" she asked with a laugh. The two of them glared down at the table, a smile vacant on their lips. "Did you hear me? Before?"

Percy stared down at his shoes. "Uh, yeah, I think so."

"And?"

He sighed and stood up. He walked over to her, helped her to her feet, and pulled her into a hug. "I'm so excited...."

The rest of the evening was spent storming up baby names and predicting how Marina would react. Percy's worries about money quickly drifted away.