Disclaimer: Sorry!
Author's Note: Thank you!
7. Percy
I got home in a taxi almost at dawn. Yesterday was Derek's birthday. I tried to be here sooner but I couldn't get an airplane ticket here. I had to take some connections and some extra bucks to get here today and not days later like it was planned. I really hate to fly but I had to be here fast.
I walked inside my home. I saw Cora sleeping in the sofa bed. That's weird. Maybe we had visits. Maybe Annabeth's parents are here. After all, yesterday was their first grandson 15th birthday.
I sat next to Cora. She stirred and woke up staring at me.
"Dad, you are here. I missed you so much" said Cora. She was still sofa lying down. I leaned and hugged her.
"Yeah, I'm here, kiddo. How was your brother's birthday?" I said. Cora looked away making me worried.
"Have you talked to mom or Thalia?" said Cora.
"Is Thalia here? That's why you are sleeping here?" I said.
"Sort of. Dad, something happened. I don't know if I should be the one to tell you" said Cora biting her bottom lip.
"What happened?" I said really worried. Was the prophecy already happening?
"Percy!" said mom from behind us. We turned to see Annabeth waking into the room. I stood up and hugged her. We kissed like teenagers.
"Mom, dad, gross!" said Cora behind us as she was standing up.
"It's good to be back" I whispered in Annabeth's ear. She smiled at me and kissed me chastely in the lips.
"It's good to have you back. How is your mom and everybody in New York?" said Annabeth as we held hands. She knew I visited my mom.
"Paul is finally retiring. Mom is writing the sequel of her novel, and guess what? Sarah is dating. I met the guy. He's cool… I went to Camp and…" I said and stopped. Do I really have to tell her right now?
"And?" said Annabeth intrigued and leaned closer to me.
"We will talk after breakfast" I said and kissed my wife again.
"Sure. Cora, did Derek go to his morning run?" said Annabeth. Cora was folding the sofa bed and stopped at the question.
"Mom…" said Cora and looked away again. She was hiding something.
"Cora?" I said walking to my daughter. Her eyes started to water and we looked at each other. My daughter was worried. I saw in her eyes what was wrong. I wiped her tears and kissed her forehead.
"It's not your fault, kiddo" I said.
"Percy?" said Annabeth. She was starting to pant hard and loud. She sat on the nearest armchair with difficulty. She started to sob uncontrollability. I walked to her and took her in my arms.
I heard steps walking downstairs. Soon, I saw my wife's best friend staring at us.
"I told him to wait, but he didn't listen, that kelp head. I wonder who remains to" said Thalia slightly upset and teary.
"What happened?" I said looking at Thalia. She wiped her tears before coming down. She braved herself with a sight.
"It's a long story… over breakfast, Cora help me with some waffles" said Thalia. Cora wiped her final tears and followed her godmother to the kitchen.
Annabeth and I stood there. I held Annabeth while she cried. Derek was gone. The song had already passed and Derek followed it. I could only hope to protect the heart… was it Cora? Her name means heart too. I could hope that my son would make the right choice.
The house started to fill with the wonderful smell of waffles making my mouth watered. I was really hungry. The day before yesterday's breakfast at my mom's was my last proper meal.
"Is it really happening?" said Annabeth softly with face on my chest.
"I think so…" I said and sighed.
"We were happy for some time at least" said Annabeth and met my eyes.
"More than happy. This time with our kids was Elysium. I couldn't ask for more happiness next to you. I love you so much. Whatever happens, I want you to know that we couldn't be happier" I said and we kissed. I wanted just to hold her to the end of the world which was coming fast. This was just the beginning.
"Mom, dad, breakfast is ready" said Cora loudly in the kitchen. I kissed Annabeth one more time and we walked holding hands to the table.
Cora had everything ready to eat from the plates to the syrup. Annabeth sat and I kissed her before sitting next to her.
We started to eat without saying a single word. I was glad. I felt my whole word crumbling down. The two prophecies were connected and there were only two outcomes: peace or me dead. As long as Annabeth stays in Alaska, there was hope that I would stay alive.
"It's my fault, mom. I should have stopped Derek" said Cora with tears in her eyes. I dropped my fork noisily and stared at my daughter. She was heartbroken.
"Baby, it's not your fault. When I was at camp, Rachel told me that this was going to happen… Cora, you can't fight the fates. Derek was going one way or another. We can only hope he will choose to protect instead of destroy" I said.
"What exactly told you the Oracle?" said Annabeth with determination in her eyes. I could see her thinking in plan to save everybody. My beautiful and strong wife was on duty now.
"Exactly, the song shall find the sea legacy to retrieve the dark Lady torches. The heart will be lost, stolen by a promise of revenge. In the cold land, a decision will be made to save or destroy the place of the gods' offspring" I said.
"What does it mean?" said Cora frightened and shaking with her cheeks stained with tears.
"Aria was meant to find your brother. They will find Hecate's twin torches. An old enemy will stole the heart and your brother will make a difficult decision" said Annabeth and looked at Thalia.
"What heart? From who?" said Cora. Annabeth and I looked each other. We thought the same thing: Cora was in danger. She was our heart, our precious girl that grounded us and tied us together. Derek would anything for Cora even destroying Camp for her.
"We don't know" said Annabeth.
"I will follow Derek. I will find my sisters first. We might need backups" said Thalia.
"Mom, I'm going with Thalia. I will become a hunter to help Derek" said Cora standing up. I felt Annabeth's fear. Cora could leave us. She would be in the open and unprotected.
"You can't mean that… It's too dangerous and you are too young… Are you really sure you want this? Immortality is a burden more that a blessing" said Annabeth and new tears were in her eyes.
"Mom, ever since I was 4, I knew this was my destiny. I will help Derek from Thalia's side" said Cora.
"Cora…" said Annabeth softly. She was shaking scared and worried as any mother would if her 12 year old wanted to fight.
"This is who I am... I love you, mom, dad, but I know I was born to serve Lady Artemis" said Cora. Deep down, I knew my daughter was saying the truth. That's what Rachel said about Cora being special. My Cora is meant to be an eternal maiden.
"I won't let you. You are still too young. Please, stay until you are at least 14, please?" said Annabeth begging to her. Cora's resolution quivered. She wiped her tears one more time and sat down. Annabeth reached for her daughter's hand. Cora looked at Annabeth's hand holding hers.
"Mom… It's Ok, I will stay for you. I will wait if you really want me to, but I won't be happy" said Cora and smiled sadly at us.
"Thank you" said Annabeth.
Thalia stood up. She hugged us as we were sitting on our chairs. She kissed my cheek and I was really startled. That was a first.
"I will go now. Cora, next time then… Annabeth, everything will be fine. I love you" said Thalia as she hugged her best friend for over 20 something years.
"I love you too, Thalia. Be careful" said Annabeth and they hugged tighter.
Thalia waved goodbye and left us in the table. I heard the door closing and I sighed. My appetite was gone and my wife was looking down fighting her tears. Cora stood up and hugged us. I promised myself to protect them.
