The ball of fire appeared peeping from behind the grey clouds which had taken over the blue sky, threatening to pour down anytime soon. The cool breeze was turning into stronger wind. The trees in the central park swayed to it as the people enjoyed the serene weather, a detour from the hustle of routine.

Percy sat on the stairs of the central library watching people, trying to block the memories of the person who overwhelmed him with emotions. This was her favourite place, her 'evergreen oasis in the dreary deserted life'.

Coming here was not the wisest of choices but Percy was annoyed. It had been more than an year and a half since she had left his life for good but he was yet to erase her from his thoughts. Shouldn't he be hating her for being the reason of his girlfriend's life being in jeopardy for an year, when everyone in the world thought she was dead? Then why couldn't he just despise her and be thankful that she is gone?

The train of thoughts were interrupted by a voice- his girlfriend's.

"What are you thinking about?" Calypso asked, handing him a cone of blueberry ice-cream and sitting down beside him.

"Nothing in particular. Just about life. So much has happened in the past 2 years. Thinking about it makes me wonder how we endured it all."

"Yeah." There was moment of silence before Calypso spoke again. "But what matters is we made it through. We are here now. And it is time we move on and embrace life as it comes with a smile."

This was what amazed Percy so much. Being strong and optimistic, accepting and fighting every difficulty life throws at you is not easy and Calypso was all about it.

With her cinnamon smelling caramel hair, almond shaped eyes, delicate facial features and a slender figure, people would pass her as kind, caring and shy. But she was just as strong and feisty.

"Yeah" Percy smiled at her and licked his ice-cream.

Silence settled on them as they enjoyed their ice-cream.

Calypso hugged his arm and leaned on him as he wrapped his other arm around her shoulder.

"The weather is so beautiful, isn't it?" she said.

"Yes very much. Just the get away from everyday drain one would like to have on a weekend. And what makes it better is you.'

"Aw Mr. Jackson. Flattering me, are you?"

"No my dear. Why would I? You already are mine."

She just stared at the man beside her and beamed wide as he kissed her softly.

Just then, as if to ruin their moment Percy's mobile rang and they had to break apart, much to her dismay.

"It's Thalia."

"Hey Thals!"

"Percy! Where are you?"

" I am here at the Central Park with Calypso. We just came here for a walk. What happened? You sound rushed."

"Sorry to disturb your romance Kelp Head but you need to come here now. There's something you need to...someone... . Ugh. Just come here as soon as possible."

" Here where? Your apartment?"

"No. Piper and Jason's."

"Okay. But what happened? Why are you so panicked? Is everything fine?"

"You Idiot! Don't ask questions. Just come fast."

Thalia screamed into the phone and the line went dead.

Percy's expressions must have been given as the most confused and worried as Calypso asked,

"What happened?"

"Don't know. But Thalia is on a major freaking mode. She wants us to come to Piper and Jason's as soon as possible"

"Oh. Well then. Let's go."

"Yeah."

Percy and Calypso stood outside Piper and Jason's penthouse waiting for the door to be opened.

Piper. Her best friend. She was the one who had saved her the from going to jail the first time. Percy had detested her too but now he understood where she came from and has moved on. Loyalty is his fatal flaw too.

As a friend he had grown to like her. Except that Piper is or was her friend, she was a nice person and hard not to like.

Piper, an actress and Jason , the heir to the billion dollar company of Olympus Airlines, were perfect for each other and Percy was glad his best friend and cousin had found his soulmate. This was the only good thing to happen because of meeting her.

Piper opened the door and gave a tight smile.

"Hi guys. Come in"

"Hey Piper." Calypso and Percy greeted her as they went in and walked to the living room.

It was a penthouse after all. Brilliantly designed, it would leave every visitor in awe. The seating area was recessed and only accessible by steps on either side. A spacious sectional sofa allowed people sitting on either side to get a gorgeous view out of the windows with the middle section offering the best view to watch television. Recessed lighting framed the arrangement and kept it bright.

"Thalia called. She sounded panicked. What happened?" Percy asked just as they trotted through the passage and into the living room where he could see all his friends.

Jason , Nico and Frank sat at one end of the sofa facing the windows, engaged in a heated discussion. Thalia and Hazel were seated on the middle one with another girl. She had glossy long hair that she wore in a single braid and as she turned, Percy could see her piercing obsidian eyes boring into him . She had regal and beautiful Hispanic face but her gaze was as if she could take on any challenge. She reminded him of her. Her poise of command and strong demeanour.

"Uh.. guys?" Piper said as six pairs of eyes turned to them and a moment of silence took over. Percy could feel the air growing heavier with tension. And so he spoke,

"Hey people. What's going on?"

"You my cousin have an explanation to do." Thalia said as she folded her hands in front and stared at Percy. Her gaze was threatening.

"Thals. Let's take this slow." Piper said as she came forward and introduced the girl.

"Percy this is Reyna. Reyna this is Percy and Calypso."

"Hi" Calypso and Percy greeted the girl as her expression turned cold and she mumbled to herself,

"If it weren't for you Annabeth..."

Hearing her name caught Percy off guard. It filled him with all kinds of emotions at the same time. Despise, Pity, Anger, Warmth.

He just stood there confused as to who she was and how she knew her.

"You.. you know her?"

"She is my friend. And she is missing."

Percy laughed.

"We know that since the past 19 months. She ran away. Good thing. After all she had destroyed, she had no business left here."

The girl surged forward as if ready to smack him but refrained and stopped in front of him.

Looking at him dead into the eye, she said seriously pointing a finger at him

"Do not dare to insult her. You know nothing about her and certainly have absolutely no right to speak of her."

Hazel and Piper pulled her back and tried to calm her down as Jason and Nico came forward to stand beside Percy while Calypso stood beside him holding his hand.

Percy was shocked at her reaction.

Before Percy could decipher and react to the situation, a cry sounded from the bed room. A baby's cry. Wait. How did a baby come here?

Piper went in hurriedly with Hazel. Percy shook the shock off and said,

"What do you know about her and me to say that? You don't know how she cheated me, betrayed me. I have every right to say ...' Percy couldn't finish as Reyna shouted

"I SAID NOT A WORD AGAINST ANNABETH FROM YOU"

She was heaving hard, taking deep breaths trying to control herself. Just then Piper and Hazel entered cradling a crying baby in Piper's hands and trying to calm him down.

Percy attention was now on the baby. He looked very much familiar.

The baby would not be even an year old. He had jet black hair. Percy couldn't see his eyes first as they were clutched close while crying. But as Piper calmed him down and the baby opened his eyes, Percy stared at the similar orbs of grey.

"Who is he?" Percy asked.

Reyna replied with a steel stare.

"Your son Mr. Jackson. This is Zale Aidan Chase."