(Summary:)
Ever since Percy looked into the eyes of little Persephone, he knew they would be inseparable. Everyone could tell too. It's not exactly everyday where you would see a college student hanging out with a little girl in the woods because he wanted to. Percy loves Persephone and he could never imagine a life without his little sis. That is until she dies. His life comes crashing down, and Percy is blaming himself. He could never go back to the woods again.
Annabeth is in love. Well, with architecture anyways. Ancient Greek is her specialty. Her dream is practically to discover Original greek architecture buildings. No one has yet, but Annabeth knows she will. She just has to find the right place. Then she finds something in the little woods by her new house. She wants to dig closer, but why won't the guy next door let her? And why does she find his mysteriousness attractive?
Prologue
"Is she here yet?" Percy asked his dad for the hundredth time. His dad laughed. "Nope not yet," he says (for the hundredth time), "Just hold on and wait for a few more minutes. Babies don't just pop out son. We have to wait for the contractions to start first."
Percy groaned. "Ugh...why does it take so long? Why do we even have to wait outside? Why won't they let us in already?"
His father's eyebrows rose up as he started to scratch the back of his neck looking quite uncomfortable at his question. "Well...when it does start Percy...and if we were to be in the room, there would be some sights that….might be a bit disturbing to you and inappropriate and...I don't think...well, what I mean is…you see-"
"Dad I know what you mean!" Percy said before his father could go on. He rolled his eyes at his father's obliviousness. Of course Percy knew what his father was getting at. He was thirteen after all, and have been to the dreaded class (known as health class) that some kids have tried to avoid. Percy stuck his tongue out and wrinkled his nose in disgust. Ew. He wasn't even thinking about that when he asked the question. He was just excited to see his sister.
His soon-to-be sister. His soon-to-be baby sister.
Percy shook his head to make sure he was alive, and looked up at the posters lined up at the wall across from him. Even though nothing has happened yet, the nurses made them sit in the waiting room until the baby comes, and it was driving him nuts. The baby pregnancy magazines, the baby posters, and the white hospital walls kept reminding him that this was a real delivery and that everything would change once he sees her.
Her. Percy was surprised it was a her. He was hoping for a little brother, but when he heard it was a girl, he somehow felt even more excited. He could just see it now. He would play the protective brother and make sure her first kiss wouldn't happen until she was thirteen like him. Then, he would teach her how to play video games so she would be cool and wouldn't end up like those snobby popular girls (because he knows she would be pretty enough to be one if she wanted to). Next, he would teach her how to play guitar like him because he knows she would be talented. After that, he would help her get through school drama and homework so she would become smart and get in a good college. Then, when the time comes….he would cheer her on as she walks down the aisle. They would grow old together and as he dies, he would hold her trembling hand and tell her everything would be all right.
Percy smiled. He was such a sweetheart he made himself sick sometimes. His friends Jason, Nico, and Grover sure teased him about it though.
Suddenly, the doors burst open and a nurse walked up to them with an accomplished smile. "She's here," she announced. "Wait...seriously?" Percy asked. The nurse nodded. He couldn't believe it. He looked at the clock and saw that time flew by quickly. "Can we see her?"
The nurse nodded again. "She's in room 204, but please be quiet since-"
Percy and his dad didn't even wait to hear the rest of the sentence. Percy was excited. After nine months of dealing with mom's cravings and mood swings, the end result was finally here. He couldn't wait to see his new sister. He ran so fast he ran too fast and his sneakers screech against the floor as he tried to stop in front of the door.
He looked through the door window and saw a sleeping figure with a little crib-box-thingy by the bed. Percy let out a deep breath and turned towards his dad with a finger to his lips to tell him to be quiet. Then, ever so slowly, he turned the silver brass knob.
The screech from the wooden door woke up the sleeping figure. The woman looked around for a bit, trying to remember why she was here. Then she turned towards me. Immediately, her sparkly blue eyes lit up making her even more beautiful than she already was. Even after giving birth, Percy's mom still looked happy and not at all tired. She is a strong woman. No wonder his dad got attracted to her.
Percy walked up to her open arms and hugged her very gently. He didn't know if women are fragile after birth. Next, his dad hugged her, whispering words into her ear making her laugh. Percy rolled his eyes. Parent love is great and all, but no one wants to see their parents all lovey-dovey.
After a few more minutes of seeing that, Percy couldn't take it anymore. "Can I see her now Mom? I've been waiting for forever!" Mom laughed at her ridiculous son and gave them the gesture to go ahead.
"Be quiet though," Mom warned. "She's still sleeping."
Percy nodded and walked towards the little hospital crib where his new baby sister slept. he looked inside, and saw her little body, all curled up into a ball. His first thought was that she was tiny. Her fingers were wearing little tiny mits and her little tiny toes curled in and out, like she knew someone was watching her. Her head was wearing a very thin layer of black hair and her button nose scrunched up like something was happening in her dream.
Then, her head turned towards Percy's face and opened her eyes. They were blue like her mother's. Percy was shocked. They stared at each other for a while until her hands rose up and covered her face with her mits. She's shy, Percy thought. That won't do if she ever goes to school. She needs to be more confident. So gently, he used his thumb and pointer fingers (since he was afraid he was going to crush her hands, that's how small they were), and moved her hands away from her face. Her eyes looked back up at him.
And she smiled.
Percy smiled back.
They were going to be inseparable.
