The Glory That Is Rome (a Percy Jackson AU)

Sammy Valdez

    Leo was walking back from the market when he heard a cry. He thought of Calypso and his heart sunk to the ground beneath him. For the past three days, she had cried herself to sleep. Leo had to feed her like she was a baby and she hardly got up. Leo was afraid that she would have survived the childbirth only to die of grief. He couldn't bear lose her. He had already lost his mother and his daughter.

    Another cry pierced through Leo's mind. He looked towards the source of the sound and he saw a swaddled baby. Leo found himself picking up the baby and carrying it home.

   Leo was surprised to see Calypso sitting up on their marriage bed as he entered the house. Her face was wet and her hair was messy. She looked up dully as he walked over to her. Leo thought he saw some luster behind the dull wall of her gaze.

   "What do you have there?" she hiccuped.

    "You mean who," Leo said. "This is Sammy Valdez. I found him on the streets of Rome."

   Calypso held out her hands for Sammy and Leo gingerly handed the baby over to her. Calypso stroked his head of curly hair. The baby began to whimper and cry and Calypso nursed it, softening its cries. 

    "He's cute," Calypso said. "We're keeping him."

    "Of course, sunshine," Leo said. "I'll get to work."

   "I'm glad I still have milk," Calypso said.

    It was true. Every morning their bed had been wet from their tears and her leaking milk. She had become a shell of her former self the past three days, but her body still produced milk. Leo was glad that the midwife had been able to save his wife. She may be barren now, Leo thought, but she makes my life more fruitful.

     Leo stoked the fire of his forge and thought of his small family with a sad smile on his face. When his mother died in the fire, Leo had given up hope of ever having a family again. Now, he as a husband and a father. Life and love had given him blessings and pain side by side. 

    After his work day, Leo sat on the bed beside Calypso as she cared for Sammy. Sammy appeared to be a few months old and Leo wondered why anyone would abandon him. He was a boy, so there was no future dowry for parents to worry about. He appeared to be healthy, though small, and quite friendly. When Leo stroked his head, Sammy looked as soft and happy as a stuffed animal.

    Even Festus liked the new baby. He sat near the bed and was quieter than usual, but his thumping tail revealed his happiness. Leo patted his faithful dog. Festus had once saved Calypso and now Sammy had saved her. Leo felt a burst of happiness, though the lingering loss of his daughter remained. 

    "My beautiful family," Leo whispered. "I am the luckiest man in all of Rome."

    Calypso smiled through her tears. Leo put an arm around her as she cradled Sammy. Festus laid his head on Leo's knees. Yes, Leo thought, the gods have blessed me.