Disclaimer: The Jackson kids are mine.
Author's Note: I love this story. I hope you too.
9. Percy
Last night, Hazel definitely spoiled me with an amazingly tasty chicken casserole. Annabeth has to get the recipe for sure. Hazel and I talked from our kids growing up to latest movies. She told me all about my little sister Zoey and sons of Jupiter, James and Taylor. All were orphans for the last couple of years. Zoey was rescued by Lupa when she was just 2 years old. I wondered that it would be my story if my mom didn't get together with Smelly Gabe. I must be thankful to that hideous guy. He kept me safe thought he was despicable.
Next day, we woke up early to start looking for Derek. As we were full of having breakfast and ready to travel, we walked calmly to the entrance to the mortal world. Before stepping out, I took a look to the city from far. The serenity of the city made me thought of Cora. How was my daughter? Was she adapting well to being a hunter? Did she miss me?
"Thinking of Annabeth?" said Hazel taking me out of my thoughts. We were already walking through the Caldecott tunnel.
"Cora, actually. She is a hunter now. I wonder how she is. I haven't heard from her since she left Alaska" I said with a big sigh at the end. Hazel gave me this scolding look and rolled her eyes at me.
"Well, call her" said Hazel almost giggling at me.
I scratched my head nervously as I said "I don't want to the suffocating dad. She is a teenager now" Hazel rolled her eyes again.
"Call Thalia then" said Hazel. I nodded.
I took out my drachma from my pocket. I made a rainbow using morning dew from our surroundings. I looked at sun and smiled hoping for hearing her voice. "O Fleecy, do me a solid. Show Thalia, hunter of Artemis"
Soon, the rainbow showed me Thalia in her tent staring at maps. She raised her eyes and smiled at us. I waved at her.
"What's up, Kelp Head, Witch?" said Thalia grinning.
"Hi, Thalia, how are you?" said Hazel.
"Been better" said Thalia shrugging.
"How is Cora?" I said. Thalia gave a worried look in a split of a second before smiling again.
"Great, she is still sleeping. We are in Chicago tracking a monster. Don't worry. Nothing dangerous" said Thalia. She was rambling, something was odd.
"Really?" I said incredulously.
"Of course" snorted Thalia before her whole face turned serious "How are you? Cora was worried" Then she grinned sarcastically "I was too only this much" said Thalia showing me a little a pinch with her fingers.
"I am New Rome, actually. Hazel and I are looking for Derek" I said and Thalia nodded.
"That's good. You finally stop mopping around. Any clue?" said Thalia.
"Not really. We must find him soon. Romans are preparing to defend the city. I have two days before the full moon to find him or they will" I said and Thalia gasped worried as she understood the last part.
"You will find him. I know" said Thalia hopeful making me smile.
"Thalia, thank you so much for your support. You have always been for us. I don't know what Annabeth and I would be or do without you" I said. Thalia looked at me probably taken back by my words. She seemed to want to cry, but I knew her. She wasn't the crying type.
"I love all of you, guys" said Thalia with a small smile.
"Any news of Annabeth or Derek?" said Hazel. Thalia looked at her and shook her head.
"Nothing worth sharing. We are looking for clues, any trace… nothing" said Thalia.
"Okey. Call me if anything" I said. Thalia nodded.
"Of course. Be careful, Kelp Head, you too Hazel" said Thalia.
"You too, Pinecone Head… take care of my little girl" I said and Thalia rolled her eyes snorting "Whatever" that was the last thing she said before the rainbow disappeared.
"Feeling better?" said Hazel and I looked at her.
"Kind of, I expected them to know something" I said shrugging.
"We will find them" said Hazel with a hopeful smile.
"Thanks" I said and Hazel hugged me. I felt better to have a good friend by my side.
"Maybe I could call Arion. He can help us to cover more terrain" said Hazel.
"We will lose sight of Derek if we go to fast" I said shrugging.
"Call Blackjack. It will be better from the sky" said Hazel. She was right. I thought the same thing about calling Blackjack. It's been years since the last time I saw him. I nodded to her and concentrated on my old friend.
Sooner than I expected, I saw the black figure coming closer from the East, from Camp Half-Blood, my old home.
"Boss" I heard Blackjack as he landed in front of us.
"Blackjack, I've missed you" I said and rubbed its hair.
"Yeah, right. I can smell other horses on you" snorted Blackjack making loud noises. Even Hazel got the sneer and giggled.
"Jealous, my friend?" I said.
Blackjack moved its head sideways "It depends. Can they introduce me to a nice cute mare?"
"Maybe" I said and Blackjack nodded. Hazel stroked his hair lovingly as she adores horses.
"Let's go" I said and helped her to get on Blackjack. I sat behind her ready to fly.
"Do you really think we will find him?" said Hazel with worried eyes. I smiled to her.
I sighed nodding "We better. We made a promise"
We flew back and forth until sundown. As we returned to Camp Jupiter, I felt hopeless. I really wanted to find Derek on day one but we weren't that lucky. If we only had a clue…
"We will find him tomorrow. Let's not lose hope" said Hazel patting my shoulder as we were getting closer to her home.
"Right. What are having for dinner?" I said as my stomach was growling angrily.
"Mmmm… leftover lasagna?" said Hazel after thinking for some seconds.
"Sounds great" I said.
Then, two caramel skin kids ran at us. Behind them, there was a brown haired guy with a big smile on his face.
"Mommy!" yelled the kids as they hugged Hazel's legs.
"Oh Gods. I've missed you" said Hazel surrounding them with her arms. Hazel was almost at tears. Her whole family had left to a trip to San Diego to visit their grandparents.
"Baby" said Hazel's husband as he hugged her.
"Adam" said Hazel and they kissed. I looked away to give them so privacy. Eventually, they pulled away.
"You must be Percy" said Adam as he shook my hand.
"Nice to finally meet you, Adam" I said and I shook their little hands "You two must be Marie and Nicholas". Marie was the oldest, 8 years old, Hazel's hair and eyes, while Nicholas, one year younger had Hazel's eyes but his dad's hair.
"Who are you?" said Nicholas.
"I'm a friend of your mom, from Alaska" I said
"So you are the Alaska dude, like Zoey" said Marie smiling at us.
"Yeap" I said making at pop at the end.
"Mommy, I'm hungry" said Nicholas pulling her mother's blouse. Hazel sighed rolling her eyes.
"Let's go home" said Adam taking her wife's hand. I felt like the fifth wheel.
"I'd better go…" I said walking away.
"Oh, no. You are coming too" said Hazel pulling my shoulder. She stared at me with worry and I nodded.
"Right!" I said and the kids cheered "Hurray!" jumping up and down the street.
We had a great dinner of leftover lasagna, casserole and salad. Hazel's kids are great. I really liked them and Adam, son of Bellona, is just perfect for Hazel. However, I felt homesick. Hazel had what I had once, a loving family by her side. I needed to make things right again by finding them soon before it was too late.
