*Nico is 7 months preggo. Just to keep you updated if you can't be bothered to do the maths. Also, I'm gonna have it so that they're all at one of the McLean's giant houses. Cause. It's Christmas. And Chiron let them. So there. Also, it's Christmas all fucking year in the fandom. So there too!*

Will woke up when he heard soft murmurings coming from Nico's side of the bed. He rolled over, opened his eyes and found that Nico was hunched over his baby bump and whispering to it. He was whispering so quietly, Will couldn't quite hear what was being said, but caught snatches of: "We love you", "I'm sorry" and "You'll have a better life". He heard a sniffle and propped himself up on one elbow. Nico felt the change in the mattress and turned around. His eyes were slightly puffy and he had a single tear rolling down his cheek. Will opened up his arms and Nico rolled over into his embrace. They spooned for a while, Will's arms around the baby bump. He began stroking it and whispered into Nico's ear:

"We're doing the right thing. Someone else will give her a better life than we can" Will felt Nico nod. Suddenly he froze. 

"Nico..." Will began. Nico waited. "Nico... IT'S CHRISTMAS!!" he shouted and whooped. He got up and began dancing around the room and shaking his bum from side to side. "It's Christmas, it's Christmas" he sang as Nico watched on and smiled. 

Even though they were technically pagan, not Christians, the demi-gods still celebrated Christmas. It was an excuse to celebrate. Which they didn't get to do often. This year, Christmas had fallen on a Saturday, so the demi-gang had all piled into various vehicles and arrived at one of the McLean's houses on Thursday. There had only been one attack from some empousa, and they had gotten rid of them quickly enough. They had spent Friday relaxing - as much as they could - and had had a practical feast for Christmas Eve. And now it was Christmas day. 

Even though they weren't necessarily in the "main circle of friends", Hazel wouldn't come if her brother wasn't there. And Nico wouldn't come if Will wasn't there. But it turned out that Annabeth and Piper (who had organised the trip) were intending on bringing them along anyway - willing or no. 

So Nico and Will found themselves spending a previously planned quiet weekend (as quiet as was possible when the Stolls pulled their yearly prank on the Ares cabin. New Years was often spent eating popcorn and toasting s' mores on a bonfire. That may or may not have also been a sacrificial pyre for the Ares cabin attempting to kill the Stolls for their Christmas prank. Again) with the seven at one of the McLean residences. 

So here they were. Christmas morning. After Will finished his bum waggling and singing, he turned and helped Nico out of bed. 

•🌌•

It turned out that they were the last ones up. The seven were already downstairs in the dining room with a wide variety of food decked out before them. Will and Nico joined them and tucked in. Leo was bouncing up and down like a toddler, eager to get to the tree in the living room. Calypso swatted him and told him to wait. He sighed but piled his plate high with pancakes and cream. The pancakes, of course, were a pale shade of blue. 

After everyone finished breakfast, Percy and Leo leapt up from the table and bolted for the door to the living room. Everyone else followed suit, Nico needing a hand up from Will. Lucas gasped as he saw the large tree and all the presents under it. He giggled and clapped his hands some more. Everyone sat on various arm-chairs and foot-rests and even the floor. Then a game of pass the parcel ensued when everyone was passing around all of the wrapped gifts until everyone had at least one present with their name on a tag. Lucas started fiddling with the bow of his present and picking at the paper. Once everyone had a gift, Leo tore into his paper and pulled out...

"Socks!" he exclaimed, holding them up for all to see. He teared up. "Thanks, guys," he said, before checking the tag. 

To: Leo

From: Nico

Leo got up, walked over to were Nico was sitting and gave him an awkward hug around his baby belly. "This is my first pair of new socks! All my old ones were either from my mum or stolen from school lost property boxes. Thank you, Nico!" Nico smiled and hugged awkwardly back.

"You're welcome Repair Boy," he said, smiling.

Everyone else opened up various presents, *I'm sorry, I couldn't think of anything* exclaiming in joy every once and a while, getting up and hugging, kissing or jumping *cough, Hazel, cough* on whoever gave them that present. After everyone had opened all of their presents, Will handed a small box to Nico. Opening it, he discovered it contained a locket. It was a simple gold heart pendant on a golden chain, with a tiny diamond under the inscribed word of "Forever". Opening the pendant, there were two spaces for pictures. One was already full, with a picture of their baby's ultrasound. 

"How did you- Nevermind" Nico started but then thought the better of it. He turned to Will and gave him a passionate kiss. It got a bit salty, as they were both crying without realising. But they were happy tears, Nico was sure. Pulling away after a reasonable amount of time, Will gestured and said:

"This space is for a picture of bub when they're born" they smiled, and Will's arm found its way around Nico's waist. Many "aaww"s filled the room. 

•🌌•

Everyone went back to their rooms to change into sweaters, comfy socks, and all new gear before lunch at one. As they entered their bedroom, Will went into the en-suite to shave. Nico walked over the bed to change when he noticed a letter on his pillow, addressed to him. He decided to open the envelope. Sitting at the top of the page, in black, cursive ink, was the word:

Nicolo, -

He chocked. The last time he had heard his name like that was when his mother sang him and his sister to sleep the night before the explosion... A single tear escaped his eye and rolled down his cheek at the memory. He took a deep, shallow breath and continued.

My dear boy! You've come so far! Your mother and I -

Nico sobbed again. His mother. How long had he dreaded, loved, craved those words? His mother was gone. But she could see him. And one day, he would see her. 

Your mother and I are so proud of you! You and  William are obviously made for each other. Both your mother and I don't care that you like boys, as long as you're happy. Why, I must admit, even I have "dabbled in the male end of the dating pool" once or twice. Which god hasn't? 

Tears were flowing freely down his face now. But there was also a smile dancing on his lips. HIs mother accepted him! He had never told her, mainly because he hadn't come out to himself at that time, but he had still never told her. Even if he had, it was so frowned upon that he thought she would have rejected him. His maternal family had criticised her enough for having, not one, but two children out of wedlock, and for not having married her children's father, but having a gay son would have ripped their family apart. But now he realized it didn't matter. She still loved him. And that was what he had feared the most. 

Anyway, I just wanted to say Buon Natale *Merry Christmas in Italian* Nicolo, and congratulations! We respect your choices and are still proud of you no matter what. I will keep an eye on my grandchild for you. Ti Amo, Nicolo. Please don't forget that.

-Papà 

At the end of the letter was a scribbled note in a more flowery font that read:

Nicolo, Piccola mia! Ti Amo! -

- Mama xx

*Nicolo, my baby! I love you*

Nico's grin grew as tears splashed onto his knees freely. He knew that his father was taking a great risk, and an even greater one to let Maria write something to her son, but for some selfish reason, at that minute he didn't care. He was just happy that he had heard from them. He was about to put the envelope down and into the suitcase to take home when he stopped another piece of paper in the envelope. Pulling it out, he realized that it was a photograph. It showed Will and him standing in a luscious field, Will's arms around Nico's waist and his chin resting on his shoulder. Nico also had his hands around his stomach, and it showed off his pregnancy well. Turning it over, Nico saw the same cursive writing from the letter:

To keep your loved ones close, Nicolo

At that point, Will walked back into the room. Wordlessly, Nico smiled broadly, tears still streaming his face, and handed him the letter and photo. He would explain the significance later. But for now, he was tired. He decided that he was going to have a nap before lunch.

*Thank you all for bearing with me while I went offline for a bit. I am truly sorry! I had a bit of a writer's block, and only just got out of it. Funny story, My mum got me a new notepad and that sparked my creativity again! So anyway, I've been listening to this one song on repeat all the while I've been writing this. Which is to say, for over 2 and 1/2 hours. Same song. It's that good. I mean, it never gets old! I don't know if the link will work, but it's worth a try! I can't find the track on YouTube, but it's called Liftoff by Smooth Aviators. It doesn't have any lyrics, and *I think* it's jazz. But hey! It's good!*

https://smoothaviator.bandcamp.com/track/liftoff