Chapter Fourteen

I Get Big News

I was a Marine Biologist sort of person. Annabeth had convinced me to study that for my college degree. It worked out great. I worked at the Marine Rescue and Research Facility here in New York. I got to work with sea animals, naturally, and that was a good thing for me and the animals. Today, however, I was filling out boring paperwork. A co-worker of mine slipped inside my office.

"Percy? Johnson wants to see you."

I put my pen down.

"Thanks. I'll be right there."

Mark Johnson was our boss. He was very friendly, but I always got jittery whenever I conversed with him. I knocked.

"Hey, Boss, you wanted to see me,"

"Yes, yes. Come in, shut the door! Percy, I am planning on retiring at the end of this year, and I would like for you to take over as CEO here."

I was bewildered. I didn't know if I could do this. It was a huge responsibility.

"Me?"

"Yes! You seem to have...a way with the animals here. Instead of being assigned to one station, you can head all the projects, decide what animals to rescue, if and when to release. It will be a great experience for you. What do you say?"

He held out a hand.

"I am honored."

"Training starts next week, Percy. Take the rest of this one off-including today. Merry Christmas."

I nearly danced the entire way home, but I refrained myself. I always walked to work because it was close, and faster than riding in New York traffic. The trees seemed to be greener than ever. Annabeth would be elated, and Andrea could completely forget my episode last night. I was nearly home, when I spotted something behind a building. I have a habit of glancing down alleyways for monsters. On this particular street, there was a young girl curled in a ball by the dumpster. I frowned and cautiously approached her. I kicked a can hidden by the snow, causing a racket. The girl looked up fearfully. She scooted back but couldn't run. Her feet were completely purple. She wore a ragged shirt that looked more like a ripped burlap sack.

"D-d-don't hurt me!" She chattered. Looking back on it, I probably could have approached in a less creepy way.

"No! Don't worry! My name's Percy. Percy Jackson. What's yours?"

She eyed me warily. I guess she decided she was defenseless anyway.

"M-m-mmmMatilda"

"That's a pretty name. I have a daughter, her name's Andrea. Do have somewhere to go?" I crept closer. She crouched into the corner. "Do you want me to take you home?"

She jerked away when I asked that.

"N-n-n-n-NO! P-please don't make me g-go back there!" She tried to wrap herself in her pitiful excuse for clothes. Her pants were just the withered remains of oversized yoga pants.

"Okay! Okay!" I held my hands up in surrender. I wanted to help. "How old are you?"

"Ssssssix" her teeth clattered together. I mentally cursed and took my jacket off. I handed it to her. She took it, carefully, and covered her legs.

"T-thank you" Her green eyes studied me. Her brown hair was dirty and greasy, like she hadn't had a bath for years.

"So. How long you been here? Why are you here?"

"A f-f-few days"

Subconsciously, she rubbed at her arms. That's when I noticed bruises and cuts on them, half-hidden by makeup. That's when it dawned on me. She had been abused. It made me angry.

"Do you want to come home with me? My wife can make you some soup. And hot chocolate. What do you say?"

"I-I don't know." She attempted to warm her hands. I removed my gloves and gave them to her as well.

"Look, either you can come with me, or I'm calling someone to come pick you up. But I'm not leaving you out here."

I could see she was conflicted. I decided to make the choice for her. I lifted her up bridal style, and headed home. Only then did I realize how cold it was.

"So, uh what's your last name?"

She choked on the name, like it was lava. "U-U-Ugliano"

I nearly fell over. It had to be a coincidence, but that was the name of my abusive step-dad I had before Paul. I dismissed the idea and trudged on.

"How do you like the name Matilda Jackson?"

"It sounds nice." She was warming up to me.

"Good."

I flung open my front door and shuffled inside.

"Percy, that you? Home early?"

"Yeah, I'm back."

Andrea skittered into the foyer.

"Daddy!" She had outstretched arms. I gave a lopsided grin and set Matilda in a chair. I snatched Andrea up, and gave her a big kiss on the cheek.

"How's my Baby doing?"

"Great...who's that?"

"Matilda. We're taking her into our family right now, okay?"

Andrea studied her.

"Okay. Do you like ponies, Matilda?"

Matilda seemed taken back.

"I guess."

"Awesome! I've got the complete Pony World collection! Let me get them!" Andrea ran in her room.

"Why are you home so early, Percy? Was there a-" she stopped when she saw Matilda. "Holy, Hades! Styx, you look bad!"

Annabeth gave me a questioning look. I shrugged. I'll tell you later, I mouthed.

"Why don't you stay right there? I'll make you some soup and hot chocolate."

"Thank you... M, m, m-Mr. Jackson said you would."

Annabeth gave me a sly smile.

"Did he know? Ah, he knows me too well!" She motioned for me to follow her to the kitchen. Andrea came back with her play box.

"This one's name is Angelica..."

I met up with Annabeth, wrapping my arms around her, cradling her stomach. I gave her a peck right next to her lips. She opened a can of soup and poured it in a bowl.

"What's the story? Were you fired?"

I withdrew my touch.

"What? No! Honey, I got a promotion!" I proceeded to tell her everything, up to the point when I arrived here.

"Well, that's great, Percy! Did you say that her name was Matilda...Ugliano...wasn't that the name of..."

I had mentioned Gabe to her before. I never went into detail. Even my mom didn't know some of the ways Gabe had hurt me.

"Yeah," I answered dryly. Annabeth licked her upper lip. She did that a lot when she was thinking of something to say. I guess she decided against talking and she picked up the fresh food and served the child.

"Here, Matilda. I'm Annabeth. I don't know if Percy told you that. He's very forgetful. Aren't you, Seaweed Brain?"

I blushed. Truth was hard to disagree with.

"Shut up, Wise Girl," I mumbled. Annabeth laughed, then knelt next to Matilda's feet. She rubbed them, making Matilda flinch.

"You don't have hypothermia. Gods, it's close though. Your feet might prickle some, but you'll be fine in a few minutes," Annabeth concluded.

"Yes, Ma'am"

"Please, call me Annabeth."

She didn't respond, but instead finished her lunch.

"Do you want to play with me?" Andrea asked.

Matilda nodded, seemingly thinking she shouldn't deny anything.

"Yes"

Matilda had played the game. She was a natural, making the ponies gallop alongside Andrea's. I offered to join but kept messing up. My imagination wasn't working, I guess. Matilda ripped a Pony from my hand, giggling.

"No, Mr. Jackson, you're supposed to do this!"

Suddenly, she dropped the toy, and lurched back.

"N-n-no! I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! Don't hit me, please! I'm sorry!"

Annabeth, Andrea, and I were all taken aback. Matilda cowered in the carpet.

"Hit you? Why the H...why would I hit you?"

A tear trickled down her cheek. She tried to hide it.

"M-my father. H-he said that adults knew everything, a-and that I should never question or correct them. Please don't hit!"

I laughed, trying to ease her worry. Anger started to well up inside me.

"Your Father obviously never met me! I hardly know a thing!"

Annabeth laughed wholeheartedly as well, with even Andrea joining in.

"Oh, that's for sure!" My wife agreed.

"Annabeth!"

She giggled (she doesn't giggle-her pregnancy, I guess) and kissed me. I returned it. Our lips fit perfectly. I deepened it, Annabeth smiled into it. Andrea spoke up.

"Daddy, it's gross when you do that!"

We broke it up, and I laughed, ruffling her hair. She huffed indignantly, like she always did when I touched her hair.

"Just wait until you get a boyfriend!" I told her. "You'll be begging for a chance to kiss him!"

Then, I realized what I was saying.

"And, of course, you won't be allowed to."

"Percy!" Annabeth chided. I leaned back on hands and gave Matilda a look.

"Welcome to my family," I said. She actually cracked a smile.

I kissed Andrea goodnight, and settled Matilda in.

"Listen, uh, Matilda. Me and Annabeth-"

"I, Percy! Use your grammar!" Annabeth called from our room. I rolled my eyes. "And don't roll your eyes at me!"

"Damn, how does she do that?"

"And watch your language!"

Anyway," I continued, "We were going to try to start the adoption process tomorrow, if you wanted, so...goodnight."

I hit the light switch.

"Mr. Jackson!"

"Yeah?"

"Do you, by any chance, have a...have a nightlight?"

That was a simple request, but she seemed so scared to ask it. Her eyes and been scanning everything the entire night. She was nervous to be alive.

"Yeah! Annabeth, do we have an extra nightlight?" I hollered.

"No"

I cursed.

"Perseus Andrew Jackson! What have I said about your language?!"

"Sorry...I-I didn't know it was a bad word!" I fibbed terribly.

"Yeah, and I'm a fish!"

"I could make you one!"

Annabeth groaned. I chuckled at our banter. Gods, Matilda must think we were weird.

"I'll go grab one from the store," I said.

"Oh, no! I couldn't ask you to do that!"

"No, really, babe, it's fine." I mentally kicked myself for calling her babe, but it slipped out. I was used to using affectionate names for everyone. I left in the car. When I got back from Walmart, I plugged the light in, receiving a nasty electrical shock.

"Ow! What the Hades? That wasn't funny, Zeus." If Matilda didn't think we were crazy now, she never would. I awkwardly said goodnight and went down to lay with my already sleeping spouse.