3 years after the "adoption"
Annabeth excitedly lifts the candy coated cake up into the air and twirls around. She sets it down on the table, making bits of M&M's fall off.
"Happy birthday Harry!"
She watches happily as the four year old boy grabs a fist of candles and smashes them down into the blue cake.
"Great. Now it's deformed."
Annabeth shoots an annoyed look at Percy while he bends down to ruffle Harry's hair.
"Make a wish!"
Annabeth sighed with exasperation.
"Honestly Percy, you haven't even lit the candles yet. And there's seven candles in the cake? He's turning four, not seven!"
Percy smirked and patted her head.
"Always the wise one aren't you?"
He took the lighter from the table and carefully lighted four of the candles, and discarded the rest.
"There. Is that perfect enough for you?"
Annabeth bent down and pretended to observe every little edge of the partly crushed cake.
"Hmph. I guess it's alright."
Percy stuck out his tongue at her.
"Now then. As I was saying... Make a wish, son."
Harry turned to look at Annabeth with those wide innocent green eyes.
"Any wish?"
Percy grins down at him.
"Any wish. And as an extra birthday present, I'll grant it for you!"
Harry clapped his hands excitedly.
"Promise?"
"Promise!"
Annabeth frowned at Percy. How was he supposed to keep a promise like that? But looking down at the laughing four year old boy, she decided to let it go just this once.
"Go ahead."
Harry grinned at Annabeth, showing two empty holes where his front two teeth were supposed to be. He then turned around slowly.
Percy smiled at leaned down.
Harry laughed again and puffed out his cheeks. He then let all of the air out, impressively blowing out all the candles at once.
"I wish..."
Percy and Annabeth simultaneously leaned forwards to get a better view.
"I WISH I CAN MEET ALL OF MY FAMILY, LIKE MY GRANDPARENTS AND UNCLES AND STUFF!"
Percy and Annabeth looked at each other with shock on their face. They had both expected him to wish for something else...like a new toy train for example. But this? How were they supposed to keep this promise?
Annabeth glanced at Harry with a smile, who was staring back at her with a expectant expression on his face.
"Sorry Harry.. I'm just going to talk to Daddy for a second, okay?"
Harry nodded quickly. "Okay!"
He ran out of the room quickly, leaving Percy and Annabeth alone.
As soon as Harry was out of sight, Annabeth let the fake smile leak off her face and grabbed Percy's arm.
"I can't believe you made a promise like that!"
Percy laughed awkwardly. "I can't believe you let me make a promise like that."
Annabeth slapped his arm.
"This isn't funny! Now Harry's expecting us to fulfill an impossible gift!"
Percy tipped his head sideways.
"It's not impossible."
Annabeth snorted with disbelief and sat down on a nearby couch."
"Oh sure. Yeah. Why don't you round up all the gods, monsters and titans who are related to us, and convince them to attend a four year old mortals birthday party. Easy!"
"Well...When you say it like that..."
Annabeth turned around.
"Thousands. That's how many relatives we have. No. Millions."
"Let's just tell him."
Annabeth leaned forward and gripped the couch.
"Tell him what? That? Hey Harry! Sorry, I forgot to tell you but you were adopted by two demigods who helped save the world and the world is actually full of Greek gods and monsters. Oh! And you were rescued from a friendlyish giant that said you are the chosen one! Would you like pasta or sushi for dinner? Yeah right!"
Percy put his hand on her chin and gently lifted it upwards.
"Wise girl...We're going to have to tell him sometime."
Annabeth shook his hand off and glared at him.
"Well that time is not now. And for right now, lets just round up at least Poseidon and Athena. He should at least meet his grandparents."
Percy puffed out his chest proudly.
"No need! I already contacted them! They should be arriving any minute now."
Annabeth stared at him.
"WHAT? Why didn't you tell me?"
Percy nervously averted his eyes.
"Um..surprise party guests?"
Annabeth opened her mouth to retort to that but was interrupted by a clapping noise.
"Yay! More guests!"
That was Harry...but who was he talking to?
"My...So you must be the birthday boy everybody is talking about!"
Oh gods. Her mother was here. And judging by the smell of salty oceans that had suddenly drifted into the room, Poseidon had probably arrived at the same time.
Annabeth and Percy exchanged a look and ran into the living room where Poseidon was picking up Harry in his arms.
"Well aren't you a fine little mortal...boy!"
Athena turned her attention to Annabeth and then to Percy.
"Oh. I see you're still here."
Percy nervously started nodding but stopped abruptly when the god and goddess suddenly jerked back.
Poseidon set Harry on the floor with a hurry.
Then the two straightened up and with a strangely calm face, they turned to face Annabeth.
"What is this?"
Annabeth shared a confused glance with Percy.
"What is what?"
Athena set her penetrating gaze on her daughter.
"This aura. I've never felt it before."
Percy stepped forwards and faced Athena.
"What the heck are you talking about?"
Poseidon glanced at Percy, his eyes suddenly wary.
"I've felt this before. This aura only comes from a different world."
Annabeth furrowed her eyes.
"What?"
With a serious expression, Poseidon slowly lowered his gaze to the floor.
"Percy...
This boy is no ordinary mortal... he's magic."