Green eyes met mine, and a hearty laugh accompanied it.
I squealed and jumped out of the man's arms. The man shook with even more laughter, and a gentle smile washed over his face.
"Child I'm not going to hurt you." He coaxed gently.
I gave him a look that I hoped said, 'I don't trust you.'
He smiled and got up, brushing the sand from his khaki shorts. "I'm your dad!" He threw his arms open, and gave me a warm smile.
Five seconds later, with no magical event occuring; he sighed and sat down on the log again. He patted the seat next to him, but being a rebel I sat at the opposite side.
He gave me a sad smile, but didn't try to change the seating arrangments. He turned his gaze to the sea, and so did I.
"I know you resent me. You grew up burdened, and filled with pain. We knew with two children of the sea that the two of you would be in danger. The best thing was to send you away. I was assured that the two that were chosen were very capable. We didn't predict you being able to feel a death connected to the sea. Only some demigods that are attached to that person can feel where they die if they in turn are connected to that place. Both your mother and my heart broke when you left. I'm so sorry that I put you through that. You and Percy both went through difficult child hoods because of me being a God." He stopped, and glanced at me. "I hope you can forgive a old man for making mistakes."
I sighed, and looked out at the sea. All those years of wishing that a mother or father would pop out of no where and rescue me. Take me to a soft bed, read me stories, hold my hand when I'm scared, and hug me during the times I cried rivers of tears. You finally have someone, you have a mother, a father and a older brother... You have people who actually might care for you. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Gaining every ounce of courage that I could hold.
"Dad, is it all right if I call you Dad?" He nodded, and I continued, "I don't know if I can ever trust you or 'Mom'. I know you think you know everything that happened, but you have no idea what I felt like, still feel like."
He looked sad, but understanding. I lowered my eyes down at the next part though.
"I'm willing to do my best to try though. To forgive what happened because all that made me strong, and being able to show empathy. I'm going to try to be the best Demi-God daughter you've ever had!" I finished with a hopeful smile on my face, and prayed with everything I had that he wouldn't laugh at me.
" It is time I claimed you, but we have to wait for our guests." He winked at me, and laughed at my confused expression. I began to hear my name being called out and loud footsteps.
"Pandora! There you are!" The woman in the cabin that claimed to be my mother ran forward and swept me in a hug. Completely ignoring the man beside me.
"We were worried sick! And-!" Her eyes then registered the large man the was at my side. Percy smiled and came up to join us.
"We were waiting for you. I would love to stay and chat, but I do have other priorities." He smiled at me, and with a responding smile of my own; his grew bigger.
" Pandora Hera Jackson! I, Poseidon, God of the sea and the earth shaker claim you as my daughter!" With that he walked right into the sea and disappeared.
"Hey Panny, you okay?" Nicko went up and gestured in front of my face. I responded with a slow shake of the head.
"No, not really. I've had one of the most emotional tiring days of my life. And I pray to whoever, that these don't happen often because I'm exhausted."
"Well, let's go get you settled in and we'll talk in the morning." My mother hesitantly touched my hair, and I smiled welcomingly at her.
"Of course. I'd really like to get to know my," I paused and a huge smile crept over my face, "Family."
I know, I know.. bring on the rotten tomatoes. :( I'm sorry for being gone, and hope you guys can forgive me. It took a while to get back in my grrove, but I finally have an ending in mind for this story. For those who've waited thank you, and I hope you enjoy this. :) I hope I can write the next one faster, and longer! But you never know with a mind of a writer. 3 Allie
