A/N- I apologize for the really late update. I've been busy with a lot of stuff, so s'il vous plait don't expect daily updates. To make up for my absence here's a special Luke perspective, kind of. I mean, it's 3rd person omniscient not 1st person but yeah. Okay. I hope you guys have been alright and stuff. Are any of you guys musicians?

Chapter 21 (Special Luke Perspective)

Luke doesn't know why he blurted it out like that, his plan was to slowly ease her into it. It didn't happen like that. He opened his mouth and quickly said, "Percy likes you." He shut his mouth and cursed inside his mind. She stared at him, mouth open.

He looked at her warily and when she didn't respond, he kept talking. "Percy likes you and I think you should tell him how you really feel."

Wow, that was not supposed to come out like that.

Annabeth folded her arms, "How would you know?"

"He told me," he said bashfully, rubbing the back of his neck.

Annabeth cocked an eyebrow, "And when did he tell you?"

Luke reddened, "Um, remember when I told you to go make drinks so I could talk to Percy?"

"You didn't," she deadpanned.

He nodded, "I did."

"And why would he tell you?" she prodded.

"I confronted him about it. He didn't deny it. At all. Confirmed it actually," he said honestly.

Annabeth buried her head in her hands and Luke wanted to go pat her on the back and tell her it was okay. "Why on earth did you do that?" she mumbled.

"Uh, I wanted you to be happy?" he questioned.

"I would've been happy if he didn't know!" she shrieked.

"Hey, I didn't say I told him that you like him too," Luke cried defensively. Annabeth slapped his arm and he knew it was going to leave a mark. "The look on your face says it all!"

She kept slapping him and he warded his face with his arms, "Annabeth, calm down! You both like each other. How is this difficult? Now, you can both be happy and all that crap."

Her expression turned scared, "Luke, you told him last week. He hasn't asked me out for a whole week. He probably just wants to get over it or maybe he lied to you. Guys lie a lot. What if he avoids me now, crap. Ugh, I can't believe you did that."

He rolled his eyes, "Stop freaking out and go tell him you like him and act all surprised and stuff."

She huffed, "It's 10 in the morning. On Saturday. I'm not going to do that."

He stood up and walked to the couch, hearing Annabeth follow him. She took the seat next to him and he placed his feet in her lap, like he used to do. She scowled at him but didn't make a move to remove them. He smiled smugly and plucked his baby. He watched Annabeth pluck her Taylor, propping the body on top of his ankles.

"Annabeth, how did you afford that? Aren't you, uh, broke?"

She smiled wolfishly, "I didn't pay for it. Mom and Dad did."

Luke buried his face into the pillows, groaning loudly. "Bananabeth, why are you such a trouble maker? It's a bad habit."

She tickled his feet, causing him to yelp, "Says you. You're the one who used to steal stuff and you got into a fight."

"I'm a reformed criminal. Plus, I only fought one time!" he cried indignantly.

"Sure, keep telling yourself that." She giggled and smiled widely. Luke coughed and adjusted his feet in her lap. She glared at him and set her Taylor down, gesturing at him widely.

"So, when are you going to tell Percy?"

"Why do you care?"

"Because I want you to be happy, is that such a hard concept to understand?" he sniped.

She flicked his toes, "Why would telling Percy help me be happy? What if he says it's a mistake or something?" Annabeth, usually so confident, sounded worried.

Luke poked her stomach with the heel of his foot, causing her to squeal and half-heartedly push his feet off. He stayed upright and nudged her again.

"Don't be stupid. Just go tell him, don't be afraid. Even if he rejects you, it's not the end of the world. I'll just tell you my brotherly instincts were right and I never liked him in the first place. And I could beat him up for you if you wanted me too."

Annabeth groaned and he could see the immense hesitation and fear in her eyes.

I never thought I'd have to push Annabeth to do something.

He removed his feet and crossed his legs, she looked at him and he took a breath.

"Okay, remember that time you were scared?" she opened her mouth and he continued, "Yeah, exactly, never. You don't get scared. So why are you scared now?"

She closed her mouth again and pursed her lips, staring at her clasped hands. He waited a couple of seconds before she turned to him, her eyes fierce. "You're right."

He nodded, "I am. As usual, I might add."

"You. Are. So. Full. Of. Yourself," Annabeth stated, enunciating each word.

He shrugged, "With good reason."

Annabeth sighed and relaxed against the slew of pillows, "I'll tell him sometime."

"Why 'sometime'? Why not Monday or tomorrow?"

"I'm not going to lie, I just want to relax right now. This divorce has been really hard. Being kicked out of the family is even more difficult. I just want some time to fully process it before I do something big and crazy. If Percy does happen to like me, then I don't want to jump into the relationship with an onslaught of problems. You know what I mean?"

"Yeah, I get it. Trust me kiddo, I know. Hey, I have one last surprise for you."

Annabeth's eyes crinkled, "What is it? I don't like surprises."

"I'm one hundred percent sure you'll like this one. Promise."

Annabeth sighed, "Alright. I know the drill." She placed a hand over her eyes and turned away from Luke. He got up towards the door, excitement pumping through his veins. He opened the door and silently let the visitors in and stood them in front of Annabeth.

"Alright Annabeth, open your eyes."

She sighed again, "Luke, if this is something stupid or crazy, I'm not in the mood." Reluctantly, she opened her eyes and gaped, her eyes bugging out of her head.

"Surprise!" Bobby and Matthew shouted.

"Holy shit!" Annabeth screamed. They stared at her in shock and turned to Luke, puzzled. Luke scratched the back of his head, dazed.

Isn't she supposed to be happy?

Just then, Percy stepped through the doorway, carrying two bags filled with food and movies. "So, how'd she like the surprise?"

Luke turned to him, shaking his head furiously to stop him from stepping into Annabeth's line of vision. Too late, she turned to him. "What are you guys doing here?!"

Percy set them down onto the nearest table and walked into the living room. "Um, to surprise you?"

Annabeth was red and her face was a mixture of disbelief, excitement, and confusion. She pulled Luke and Percy by the collars of their shirt, growling out a, "We need to talk. Now." Once she practically threw them into the kitchen, she paced back and forth in front of the stove, her fingers twitching. As her incessant mumbling heightened in volume and theatrics, Luke became increasingly worried.

Did I do something wrong? He sneaked a glance to Percy who just shrugged at him in reply.

Finally, Annabeth stopped and turned towards the both of them, face pale and drawn. Percy stiffened up and looked like he wanted to reach a hand towards her. Luke subtly glared at him and Percy backed down.

"I'm going to ask you this, one time. And one time only," Annabeth growled.

"Yeah?" Percy asked.

"What the hell were you two thinking?!" Annabeth screeched.

Luke furrowed his eyebrows, "Um, that you wanted to see the twins and so did I?" Percy nodded in agreement, confused as well.

Luke's sister continued on as if she hadn't heard them. "So irresponsible. How did you even sneak them past Mom and Dad? No, don't answer that. How are we supposed to get them back home? Mom is going to kill you, but not if I kill you first! Holy fuck, I can't believe you two did this without even asking me first. I appreciate the thought and effort but you can't just do this."

She whipped her head back towards them, eyes blazing. Luke saw Percy narrow his eyes and speak up. "Uh, we did think this through. Can you just chill?"

Luke wanted to bury his face in his hands. Percy is literally so stupid. Holy shit.

Annabeth stiffened and clenched her fists. "Chill?"

"Yes, chill out and appreciate something, for once in your life! Why do you worry so much?"

Luke almost shoved him off of the stool. Seriously? He's going to get us both killed. The sandy haired boy turned his head upwards and squeezed his eyes shut in an exaggerated motion of prayer. He slowly opened his eyes to see Annabeth staring blankly at the countertop, her mouth quirked downwards.

"'Appreciate something for once in my life'? Really, did you just say that to me? Who do you think you are? You have no right to say that. No right to assume things about me, when you don't know a damn thing. I'm worried for my brothers," Annabeth said lowly, "You have no idea what my parents are like."

Percy paled and looked like he heavily regretted his words. Before he could open his mouth, Luke leaned across the countertop and patted her hand, causing her to startle and look up. "It's alright. We really did take care of it. I promise."

"Fine," Annabeth replied curtly, and strode out the room, with Percy calling out her name. He saw the boy slump and turns toward him, eyes upset.

"She's mad at me."

Of course she is, seriously, dumb as hell.

Luke glared at the quailing boy and nodded. He turned towards the room, watching Annabeth play with her brothers. He turned back to the boy who was also watching her, with downcast eyes.

"Yeah. You fucked up."