This is the end of this story. The ending will be something that you either did or not expect.
"Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye."
-H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
Everything could've been avoided, according to Reyna. However, fate is an unknown vortex that decides, whether one decides to or not-it is fate who decides. It is a fate that Venus set up for entertainment. Why else would she allow all of this to happen?
Staring at the mirror, she sees those obsidian eyes that have seen so much. That tan skin isn't so tan anymore in comparison of once having been under the sun for long hours. Crow feet have gently grazed the corner of her eyes. She never considered herself a beauty but someone of worth. She remembers Nico's word when he said that she is a warrior and not a beauty queen when she would have intimate conversations with him. Those were the days when she thought all her worries were over.
Her mistake.
She puts on her new attitude when she puts on her suit jacket. All her personal details like the issue with Jason, are drawn to a close for now. She has a jury to convince that she is right, no one else. That is her fate.
Walking through the Elysium is nostalgic for Luke. The scent of barbecue tingles his nose, the sound of laughter fill his ears, and the sight of happy people bring sorrow. He has had no clue that his mother is here, once so close to him.
He sees the familiar Greek houses, the Roman mansions, and the Victorian villas. Home is not here but in the mortal world with all his friends.
"You scared," Nico snickers.
"Yes," Luke quietly admits. He hasn't seen his mother in a long time, the last time he saw her was when he was preparing himself to be possessed by Kronos. That was another lifetime, literally.
They approach a small Victorian home that looked gloomy, depressing, and alone. He knows. Each step becomes heavier than the one before.
"I'll be back in an hour," Nico says, giving his friend and encouraging smile. He vanishes.
"Luke!" a woman excitedly says.
His head snaps to the person in front of him. "Mom?"
Reyna washes the dishes as she sees Andrew approach her home. She once thought that he's arrogant, materialistic, and a womanizer. He is more than what meets the eye, an undiscovered gem.
She quickly finishes and heads to the door. Andrew steps in without a word and pins something in her hair, a hibiscus flower. She knows the smell without even looking at it. "What brings you here?" she asks, careful not to sure that she really liked the flower.
"My offering for a free car ride today with you," he says with a smirk on his face.
"I'm about to head off now. Alison isn't here because she had to go finish a project. Where is Nick?" she ask, looking behind Andrew and seeing no one.
"Doing the same thing. Shall we go so I can win this court battle already?"
Reyna's fighting skills are not to point as they have once been, but she can give a good gut in the stomach real quick.
Nico is not a stalker, granted that he has entered the apartment but it's not like he has stolen panties from there. Come on, it's his sister. He sees his sister calmly begin her morning routine: wake up, turn on the news, shower, dress, breakfast and read court documents. She lives with no worries of checking if her brother ate or if he's well. She lives for herself and Nico can't blame her for that. All he can do is to stay hidden in the tree and watch her through a window. All he can do is to keep her safe.
No. He can do so much more for her as he steps down from the tree and slowly makes his way to the door. She isn't his mom but his sister that he would do whatever to protect her. Slowly, he lifts his hand to knock the door. His mind comes into play, he retreats his hand and begins to step away. Briefly, he thinks that his mind is playing tricks as he sees Bianca opening the door and engulfing him in an embrace.
Maybe Jason looks pathetic right now as he knocks on the door. No sound. He knocks again but again to no prevail. No sound.
They probably left early, he assumes. He looks down at the bag of Reyna's favorite pastries and wonders what he's going to do with them. Bobby and Dakota already left for work, the pastries would've gone stale by the time they get home. He starts his shift later so he might as well empty his mind by going to the park and feeding the birds.
"Who knew drawing a dang chicken would be so hard," Jean complained as she erased the chicken's head for the 50th time.
"You did and that's why you told us that you would do it," Nick says, going over an essay for grammar mistakes.
"The man has a point," Alison agrees, looking over the same essay and making sure every fact is supported.
They're at the library finishing a project about chickens because they all forgot they had a project due today. Procrastination is key to all students.
Jean sat across the table as Nick and Alison corrected the essay on a computer. She noticed how close Nick and Alison were sitting, leaving Alison with the capability of leaning her head against Nick. Meanwhile, Nick would often glimpse at Alison and continue his duties.
Just date already, she wants to scream, This is worth than seeing my K-pop biases not dating!
Alison leans her head on Nick's shoulder and says, "This is tiring," as she closes her eyes.
"All roads of success came from hard work. Come on, I think we can pull a B," he assures her as he grabs her hand. Alison looks at him with confusion but doesn't question him, at least not out loud. Her heart pounds in her chest and she looks across the table to see a smirking Jean doing something completely inappropriate. Alison smiles and sticks her tongue out at Jean. Looking back at Nick, her heart begins to melt once more. She squeezes his hand. He squeezes back.
Andrew heads off to the closest coffee shop as Reyna waits for him at the park. Mother ducks happily swim as their ducklings follow behind, Reyna's nostrils aren't so thrill.
During the car ride, Andrew tells her the story as to how Nick came into his life-conveying how much of a blessing Nick has been in his life. He continues on by telling her past flames who never took him seriously except his credit card. All Andrew wants is to be taken seriously, to show that there is more that meets the eye. Why did he tell her all of this? He wants to tell Reyna how lucky she is in life to have amazing friends who would do just about anything for her, a daughter that loves her very much, and a successful career. What Reyna doesn't have is someone to share it with, someone to share all her joy and sorrow with. He doesn't try to convey this in order to have her pick but to realize that the world is not against her. Yes, she had gone through a lot and has sacrificed so much but perhaps the gods are now in her favor. Perhaps her fate was never meant to turn out cruel but a test of her character to see if she deserves the best in life. In truth, she does.
Who can she share her life with? Can she forgive Jason and make things work again? In truth, she still loves him and always will because he has been her pain and happiness. Perhaps their tastes are different and are no longer compatible, that's the only thing they long for: youth that comes along with being reckless. Luke has always been her rock. He has faithfully been by her side and has helped raise Alison. Should she be with him out of appreciation? She loves how he can be understanding and always knowing what to say exactly to her. In a sense, he has been the courage that Reyna lost for a while. He gives her courage to laugh, to smile, and to live life to the fullest. Luke Castellan is the sunshine in her life. For that, she will always love him. Andrew brings normalcy in her life. They argue for weird reasons and has his ways of making her laugh. Best of all, he is far away from a path Reyna wanted to leave behind. She has no regrets of being praetor, she is glad that she protected her family. However, a bird has to leave the nest someday and Reyna has left that nest for some time now.
"And you seem to be deep in thought," a voice says, a voice that she knew too well.
"It's been a while that we've talked," she stares at the lake and back at the person, "Nico."
"You seem to be in a tough cookie then," she says, pouring her son a cup of tea.
"Yeah, it all came back at me like bricks. I thought I had left for goods but apparently not. Thalia still hates me and Annabeth is just Annabeth," Luke says, sipping the tea and puts it down after realizing how disgusting it is. You would think that death would give out better tea for all eternity.
"She's just Annabeth? Luke, we both know that sweet spot you will always hold for her. How can you have room for that Reyna girl if she is just Annabeth?" his mom stirs her tea.
"How do you know about Reyna?" he asks, bewildered that he even knows about her.
"Nico occasionally pops in here every once in a while and your dad makes some visits when he's down here doing deliveries," Ms. Castellan casually says, basically confessing that she spies on her son's personal life. Luke sends letters but never talks about his romantic affairs.
"She's brave and very warm but closed off to those that do not know her well."
"But do you love her for who she is or do you love her for what she has done for for, Lucas?" Yeah, being a cursed oracle can bring up some deep questions. "You don't have to tell me. Just figure it out, honey."
It took many years to build up the relationship between mother-and-son. Countless of letters and gifts exchanged are worth it for moments like this. Once, Luke's heart was infested with hatred towards her and his dad. He made her this way and she didn't do anything to stop it.
"I did love her. She was my little sister until she no longer became my little sister," he chuckles, "I know that she feels guilty from everything that happened to me. She thinks that she could've done something to prevent my death. However, she doesn't need to feel guilty anymore because I'm back in the mortal world but I know I'll have to return before they hunt me down for leaving." It is a miracle that Luke has been allowed to live this long, but he thinks Nico has something to do with this.
"Thanks, Mom."
"Anytime, sweetie."
It's one of those rare moments when Reyna initiates a hug, truly a blessing. It is truly a blessing when Reyna punches you in the chest.
"Nice to see you again," he wheezes, hunched over as he catches his breath.
Her friendship with Nico is one of the oldest relationships that she holds dear to her. Heck, Nico was the first person whom she told about her dad.
Reyna sees the few silver hairs peppered in his hair. She knows she is not the only one aging. With grace? She doesn't think so.
"Is someone on a breakfast date?" he teases as he plop down next to her. That smirk on his face can be knocked out in two seconds if she wants.
On the hand, that blush creeping on Reyna's face deepens his smirk. "How was seeing Jason?" he asks, not beating the bush but straight to the point. "Is he as hot as always to you? To me, he looks like he hasn't aged at all."
"When the cat is away, the dog will play?" she asks, keeping a stern face.
"If I have some catnip then I can see myself all over that cat if you know what I mean," he winks and causes Reyna to laugh, only a few can achieve.
"He looks great for his age. He really does. Seeing him brings back things that I do not want to remember anymore, a whole life I thought I left behind."
"Going back with him doesn't mean you'll be dragged into the demigod world. Besides, you're retired. You've done your service and go get some action," he encourages, knowing that she'll won't do but has to at least try.
"But is he the love of my life? I still love him. I think I will always love him and perhaps still willing to give up my life for him. Why? I felt loved, truly loved. It was a feeling that I have never felt at that period in my life. We were praetors so it was natural something would happen, and I just assumed we would be together. I remember we went on that quest together. Soon after, he was taken away and placed on someone else's arms. He led me on during that time but never said anything about it. I hated him the most because that was the time I felt the most betrayed by my closest friend. What was I to do? Percy comes right in and I try hitting on him for the sake of Rome, I feel embarrassed for just thinking out it," Reyna hunches over and covers her face.
"No one blames you. You had to deal with personal issues while being the head of Rome when Jason was gone." He pats her head.
"But is he worth going back to? What about Luke? What about that Andrew guy?"
There he is, feeding the ducks. He sees mother ducks lead their ducklings. From what he knows of biology, he sees no male ducks. No male makes his heart yearn because it reflects him. Nothing is worst than not being in your child's life. That bond was not strengthened but loosened throughout the years. He should feel angry at Reyna for denying him all these years but he doesn't. Instead, he feels guilt for failing both of them. Had he know Reyna was expecting then he would've tried to get her back and restore their family. Had he known then Reyna wouldn't have lived a difficult life raising a child on her own. Everything would've been different. Had he begged the gods more they would've told him where she was and be with her again, especially if he had begged Venus more. He always thought fate would bring him back but he wasn't sure if it would at this late in the game.
Throwing away the plastic bag, Jason decides that he should probably go to work. He begins walking up a hill and hears a laugh that he knows too well. He ducks and hides behind a tree and sees Reyna laughing. He sees the way she smile and how her ponytail swings from side-to-side. He feels his heart burning and not from that meal he ate yesterday. It hurts but it feels good to see her smile like that. Usually, it took her a few tries to make her smile yet seeing her now made it seem like it comes naturally.
It was there when Jason realizes that he is no longer the guy that can make her laugh like that but the guy that brings her the most pain. He never meant to be that guy but fate has it in a way that he is.
Aaron doesn't consider himself a patient person given that his dad isn't the most patient human being in the world. Therefore, this not patient person is waiting at an ice cream shop so he can see his friends. Being Mr. Romantic, Aaron buys a single rose from the lady selling roses outside. He thinks that he should probably confess to Alison and shouldn't wait around like the way his dad and Jason did. Although, in their case, they were out saving the world and didn't really had time for all that romance stuff.
However, seeing Nick and Alison walk in with their arms looped together can cause some heart break. Ouch.
Case closed. Reyna and her team won the court case and Mary Lee Stuart was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Turns out that the gardner is clean and Mary Lee wanted him to be the scapegoat so she can avoid a sentence.
"Case closed. How about the girls go get our nails done in celebration?" Silena happily suggests, a typical suggestion from a daughter of Aphrodite.
"I got plans with Nico soon," Bianca says.
"You're now talking to Nico again?" Charlie asks, taken aback since Bianca would always express how shackled she felt with Nico.
"About time," Luke says, "have I not given you that heads up then Nico would've been staring at you from the window like always."
"Thanks, Luke," Bianca softly thanks, looking at him sincerely with her crazy black eyes. Not quite sure what came over Luke but that look causes him to become flustered. That causes a bunch of teasing from Charlie and Silena; that daughter of Aphrodite sees a wedding.
As they tease him, Reyna can't help but open her arms and hug him. She feels warm and like pudding in his arms. She smells his cologne and lives in the moment, wanting to have it etched onto her mind. "What do we have here?" he teases, lifting her chin.
"My sign of thank you for always being here with me in every step of the way," she says, releasing herself from him. "Actually, thank you to all of you," she whispers, "I want to thank you for being that extra push when I felt like I was about to give up."
"I have make-up on, don't make me cry," Silena wails, wiping her eyes.
"What brings all of this up? You aren't leaving us, right?" Bianca questions.
"Never. You all are my family. I just wanted to say how I feel."
"Are you okay?" Charles touches her forehead, and flinches. "I believe something is wrong," he tells Luke, "Prince Charming, what do we do?"
"We must rescue the maiden," Luke affirms, hugging Reyna and as she pulling away, he plants a sweet kiss on her cheek. Without saying anymore words, they look at each other and affirm everything. They were brought together for a reason but that doesn't mean they have to be together. They just have to cherish all the moments that they have with those they call family. That's all. She will always love him and perhaps be her greatest what if.
Well this certainly catches Aaron Jackson off guard. He feels like he's on The Bachelor and a plot twists happens, his mom loves watching that.
"What's with the rose?" Jean asks, sitting down at the table.
Play it cool, he thinks. "I saw the lady selling flowers and just decided to buy one," he says, twirling the rose in his hand just like his imagination.
"You happen to buy it for someone didn't you?" Alison teases, taking a generous spoonful of ice cream. He sees her smile as she savor the sweetness of the ice cream. Dang, she can be a lioness and a kitten real quick, he thinks.
"She's either one cursed or blessed girl," Nick nonchantantly says, knowing well who that rose is suppose to belong to. In reality, he has nothing against the guy but appreciated the fact that the guy has a big heart. Had Alison chosen Aaron, Nick wouldn't have any hard feeling because he can see how sincere Aaron is towards Alison.
People often times say that Aaron Jackson is the exact carbon copy of his father: annoying, persistent, stupid and more stupid. However, this is a moment where he looks a lot like his mom as Aaron briefly gave a death stare with those sea-green eyes. Much like his mom, she is not one who shows her feeling but plays it suave. "I can say the same for you," Aaron says, looking at Nick and Alison, "I do not want to see you guys making out in front of me."
"Really?" Nick teases, gulping water.
"I can make you die with that water, just saying," he replies with a slight ting of annoyance. Aaron is okay with the kid but he really knows how to push buttons. Afterwards, Nicholas Williams made the obvious deduction that his death can actually happen.
It was there that Aaron made an unconscious choice that perhaps Aphrodite might approve of: he gives the rose to Jean but not in the most romantic manner. He throws it at her and Jean captures it, leaving her confused. "You don't want it?" he asks, hurting his man pride that Alison rejected him and doesn't want another one.
"I'll take it since you'll feel bad," Jean sighs and twirls the rose, looking as if she has taken on a huge burden.
"Believe me, he'll feel better," Alison comments, earning laugh. Her eyes meet Aaron and all is well.
Being the great neighbor that Reyna is, she decides to drive Andrew home. Her friends have agreed to meet up at her place for some drinks, or as the boys would say, to the point of eating horse dung.
"Are you seriously not bitter?" she asks him for the 50th time in the car.
"No. I'm not bitter towards you. To be honest, I thought she was innocent until I started learning about her where I thought holy moly she is some work. It's not like I could back down, I already agreed to become her lawyer and don't go back on my word," Andrew seriously says. When he speaks seriously, he can be quite a charmer.
"I like that. You're a man of your words. You don't see a lot of them these days," she seriously says, thinking of Luke and Beckenford as good examples.
"This is a quality that like?" sparking an interest in the conversation for Andrew.
Knowing well the direction this conversation can do, Reyna replies, "I like that in people."
"But in guys? Tell me what-"
"Guys that balance me out. Someone who knows how to handle situations with me. Someone who I can build a life with," she openly says, not really minding this conversation at all. Nico pretty much won't leave her alone until she answers this question. Overtime, her taste has change from a once athletic smart guy to just a smart guy who has a funny bone. On the other hand, Nico has an exquisite taste.
The car goes to a stop and the ride is over.
In life, one needs to be a bird and fly away from one's comfort zone. Reyna thinks back to what Venus said her, that the love of her life is not a demigod-making her believe that he is mortal or descendant of gods-and that her soulmate is someone else. Venus added that someone else is the distraction of these two. So who is who?
She takes a deep breath.
"You want some coffee?"
Nico is across the street, watching Jason approach Reyna's house with something in his hand. Fate has its time and that's why he didn't mess with it. Darkly chuckling, he recalls doing this when he would visit the Greek and Roman camps. He saw two different worlds and still felt like a misfit for a period of time. Had he spoken about these worlds earlier then chaos would've came earlier when it was not the right time to introduce both camps to each other.
Then something happened to Jason and Reyna. No lie, he had the temptation but he knew Reyna would feel betrayed. Plus, why would he help the cheater of his best friend. However, he still feels bad for lying all these years to Jason. Everyone has changed but those foundations are still there, they will always be there. He knows that those two will always have a soft spot for each other-they have a kid together and had a love story. You never forget your first love. Early memories of Percy resurge in Nico's mind and he smiles, no longer feeling odd or embarrassed for how he feels. He has grown up. He has embraced it, like his life.
Jason gently places the gift on the doorstep and leaves, never turning back: leaving behind a big shell.
"It's probably the ring," Nico wonders out loud, remembering the ring Jason always wore on his neck. His phone rings and he picks up. "You ready for our date?"
"You better hurry. I'm waiting outside and I swear I'll talk to the praetors of not letting you back into Camp Jupiter," the voice threatens.
"Calm down, Octavian. Daddy is coming," he jokes, laughing of what came out of his mouth.
It was a all some sort of twist in fate that led to this...
The End.
So this is the end of this story. Sorry if there are mistakes, I tried. Writing this chapter has awoken an aspect of me that has been dormant for the past few years: my love for writing. I might even complete "A Typical Night at Camp Jupiter" if I can make the time for it. Reading past chapters has made me realize that my writing is terrible. I'm sorry if this writing is not a huge upgrade but it's not suppose to be a piece of literature. Lol.
So who do you think is the soulmate? I got the idea from watching "Boys Over Flowers." Since the beginning of writing this story, Reyna was always going to end up with Andrew-simple as that. Why? He balances her out and is not part of the demigod world which has brought her so many hardships and has forced to her make sacrifices.
Also, I'm not sure if you have noticed, Nick is a demigod. I will let you guys guess...
Thank you for the encouragement to get me to write again. Percy Jackson will always be a part of me, just like this community has formed into various wonderful memories for me.
I'm writing this as I make a last check of things before I pack them up for college. Wish me luck. :)