Rick stared at the messenger god who stood in front of the doorstep with a checklist in his hand.
"Right," Hermes said, "this is your adoption certificate sign here please."
A bewildered Rick signed a bunch of documents as he stared at the person who was wearing a sloppy work shirt and shoes with wings.
Suddenly, Hermes dropped a cradle into Rick's arms as he stared gaping at him. "That's a baby," Rick said intelligently. Hermes flashed a smile at Rick, "It's your baby."
"W-What! I can't have a baby! I'm really busy teaching at the college and, and..." he trailed off when he saw Hermes looking at him sharply.
Hermes gave him a crooked smile," Well, it wasn't my decision but for some strange reason Athena thinks you would be the best mortal to take the responsibility of raising this child."
"Wait, Athena? As in Greek goddess Athena? She's real?" As Hermes nodded yes to each question Rick's face lit up. "I knew I wasn't crazy," he muttered.
"Well, anywho, I got to go, more parcels to deliver, more stuff to steal. Ὑπίαινε!"
Rick shook his head in disbelief as he waved goodbye to the messenger god. THE messenger god.
"Oh," Hermes said before flashing away, "nice watch by the way."
Rick looked down at the empty space on his wrist where his watch used to be.
"Never mind," he said bringing the baby in, "I shouldn't get mad at a god anyway."
•~•■•~•
Becky Riordan was baking cupcakes in the kitchen when Rick came in. She looked up as he gently put a golden cradle on the counter.
"Rick,"she said gently, "what is that?"
"Who," Rick corrected absently while running a hand through his hair.
Becky walked up to Rick and looked in the basket. She gasped.
"Oh, Rick,"she breathed,"you've brought back a baby."
Becky gently cradled the baby and it cooed. Becky smiled.
"We're keeping her aren't we?"
Rick nodded, happy not having to explain things.
Becky looked down at her new baby daughter. "Ella Riordan," she said.
Author's note
So Becky has named Hera's baby Ella.
Before you ask why Rick saw Hermes as Hermes it is because Rick is true-sighted and more will be revealed later.
Also Rick didn't want to explain to Becky because she can't see through the mist. And Rick didn't say much because he was starstruck.