Disclaimer: So, Rick Riordan owns this universe... I have some kind of legal right on TJ and his friends... not exactly a big deal

Author's Notes: So Christmas has passed. I'm tired and full of good fattening food. 11,850+ views and finally out ranking other stories and it's now on 6th place of most views = Nice!

36. A Sad Day

My dad sent us home as he rode the ambulance with the paramedics and Grandpa. We walked slowly and dreading how to break the news to Claire. The snow wasn't falling hard just soft snowflakes. We didn't say a single word on our way. As we walked, I wanted to go on a different direction. I wanted to see Thalia, maybe she had a better answer of who was behind this. However, it was enough for one night.

At home, Claire was sleeping with her head on Lana's lap on the couch. The lights were out and Lana and Harry were watching TV really far from each other.

"Aida, what happened? You are a mess" asked Harry jumping out of the sofa.

"I'm fine. Thanks for staying. Can we talk tomorrow?" said Aida weakly and Harry hugged her quickly.

"Sure. Call me" said Harry "I will let myself out. Good night everybody" Aida's friend left us and we stayed quiet hearing the door closing and the steps walking down the stairs until there was silence.

"What happened?" asked Lana softly.

"I'm taking a bath. TJ, take Claire to bed" said Aida leaving us. She looked like she needed a moment alone to grieve. I sat next to Lana and I lowered my head. I touched my sleeping sister's cheek and I didn't know what to say, well, how to say it really.

"Theo, what happened? Where is your Grandpa?" asked Lana and I raised my eyes at her. Even in the TV glow light, she looked worried. I shook my head and she understood as I saw her eyes quickly filling with tears. She looked down and I saw her tears falling on my sister's hair. "I'm so sorry, Theo"

"I don't want to talk right now" I said deadpan and I stood up. I took my sister in my arms and I put her in her bed. She looked so innocent and happy. Tomorrow, her heart would be broken and it wasn't fair. We were just starting to be a family again.

When I was going out of my sisters' bedroom, Lana was by the door and I just took her in my arms hugging her tightly. I started to cry just like her. She didn't let me go as I cried. She didn't care that I smelled like sewer. Pain and sorrow were filling my senses. I thought the idea of losing them was awful until I felt the actual lost. I felt hopeless but Lana's tight grip on me kept me firmly to something good in my life: she. I softly pushed her against the closed bedroom door and my hands moved to her neck and cheek. She rested her hands on my waist touching just a little piece of skin and it felt incendiary. Her sea green eyes stared at me and I wanted nothing else but to replace the pain with her lips on me.

Lana saw my intentions and whispered 'No'. I wanted to plea at her but she was firm as I felt her body tensed and her hands leaving my waist. "Not like this, Theo" I nodded ashamed and pushed her softly as I opened the door. I went to my bedroom and sat on my bed still crying.

Minutes later, there was a knock on my door. I stood up fast and I thought it was Lana, but it was my sister with wet hair holding a towel.

"Get a shower" she said flat. I nodded and closed the door again. I gathered some clothes and I took a shower. I hoped for the water made me feel better but it didn't happen.

Aida slept with me as Claire and Lana stayed in the same bed. I guess my sister was glad of more space or she just needed to be close to me. She didn't cry in her sleep or nothing. I barely felt her move the whole night. I? I couldn't sleep. The image of Grandpa in the alley was hotly printed in my head.

It was the crack of dawn when my dad returned. I heard the noise of the bedroom opening and we looked at each other. He sighed and sat by the edge of the bed.

"I called everybody and the funeral home. Everything is taking care" said my dad.

"Have you slept?" I asked.

"No. I'm fine. I will take a shower. Lizzy is coming for Aida tonight. The convention is almost over" said my dad and stood up taking clothes for the drawer "You should sleep"

"I don't think I can" I said and sat on the bed. I rubbed my face with my hands. I was so tired but I couldn't sleep.

"Calypso is coming" said my dad "I told her to come fast with Kate. I haven't told her… I don't know how"

"I will if you want" I managed to say.

"No, it's okay. She will take it better coming from me. Have you told Claire?" said dad.

"Not yet" I heard from behind and my sister sat down on the opposite side of me. She yawned. "I was waiting for you, dad"

"I will tell her, just let me get a shower" said dad.

"I will make breakfast" said Aida "At what time is the wake?"

"After 7, funeral tomorrow at noon" said my dad and both of them left the room.

I was sad, really sad. I wanted nothing to crawl back to bed and let sorrow drowned me. Then I heard a light knock on my door. I thought it was Lana, but it was Claire peeking behind the door.

"TJ, are you fine?" asked my little sister.

"I'm now that you are here" I said and my sister walked to me. She hugged me tightly.

"I know of Grandpa" said Claire and she looked at me "I dreamed it" then she started to cry. I held her and we both cried together in a tight brotherly hug.

Minutes later, I heard Aida yelling "Breakfast is ready". Claire looked at me and gave a lopsided smile. She took my hand and we went for breakfast.

At the table, dad was there and he looked nervous. Claire sat by my side in front of dad.

"Claire" said my dad anguished and stopped. He didn't know how to say it.

"I know" she whispered.

In that moment, Lana came in. Her eyes were puffy and red. She must have been crying probably all night. Aida and dad looked at me and I think they thought Lana told Claire. We ate in silence. The only noise was the metal of the silverware, the porcelain of the dishware and sudden sob coming from Lana, Aida or Claire.

For the rest of the morning, Claire sat next to me at the couch with my arm around her shoulder. Lana helped my dad to make the necessary calls to Grandpa's colleagues while Aida was busy cleaning the kitchen and apartment.

It was almost noon when everybody started to show up at our door. I opened the door and Taylor jumped at me, behind him the rest of his family. There were hugs and more tears. I nodded and accepted their words but I felt so far away and just numb by the pain.

One hour later, the couch was filled with kids that didn't know what to say, some in tears, some in complete silence, like me. Lana sat by my side. She looked like she wanted to take my hand but Taylor was looking at us closely. Lana just ruffled my hair and stood up to help Piper and Aida to make lunch.

Then there was knocking in the door and I knew who it was even before my dad opened the door. Everybody's eyes went straight to the door. There was nothing but silence.

"Percy?" whispered Calypso. Kate quickly entered only to face our sad faces and black clothes. Behind Kate, Grover and his kids entered through the door.

Nobody needed to say a word because it was Kate that said "I knew it. Is it truth?" Claire and little Piper walked to Kate and hugged as she was now crying heartbroken. As for Calypso, she slapped my dad twice before hugging him in tears. I heard her whispering that it wasn't fair and things like that.

Before 3, we ate lunch in turns. The table was too small for the whole family here. The youngest ate first. I ate with Aida, Taylor, Lana and Calypso.

For the rest of the afternoon, I did nothing but sitting on the couch. My family took turns to talk to everybody. Taylor sat by my side for a while. He told me that Em and her family were coming tomorrow. I held baby Alan in my arms while Aunt Piper helped my dad with something.

It was probably around 6 in the afternoon when I felt the change in the environment. People started to get ready. It was almost time for the wake. I heard the grownups talking about taxis and who was going with who. I grabbed a taxi with Lana, Claire, Fanny and Lauren. Lana brought her bags with her.

The funeral home was filled with murmur and packed with people. I knew Grandpa was an awesome teacher but I never expected this crowd, rows and rows of former students. My dad recognized a couple of his classmates. As one of my Grandpa's closest family members, I followed my dad, Aida and Calypso at the door greeting the mourners. I stood there and I just nodded and tried to smile as they told us how great my Grandpa was as a teacher.

For the rest of the world, it was a typical hit and run situation. Nobody suspected or argued for hidden reasons behind the accident. It was something common, ruthless and coldblooded but at least once a week we heard news like that.

It was after 9 when a priest gave a mass in his honor. Until know, I had avoided my Grandpa's coffin. Most of my family had already seen him in tears and sobs. The most heartbroken ones were of course my dad, Calypso and Kate. The priest said nice things of Grandpa. The man was in charge of the AA meeting group my Grandpa participated.

After the mass was over, some started to leave. I sat at the end of row and I hoped to pass unnoticed. I was getting sick of pretending to be strong to people I didn't know, even to the ones I knew. I had my hands on my head as I was leaning on my knees when I felt Lana sitting next to me.

"How are you?" asked Lana.

I moved my head just enough to see her. I said "Still trying to let everything sink in"

She tried to smile but she couldn't. She nodded and said "Completely unrelated, but is your sister dating that guy, Harry?"

I looked up searching for my sister. Harry and she were against a wall talking. They looked close but anything closer than good friends. I said "Still unclear. He was babysitting Claire with Aida when Orion attacked Grandpa"

"He is nice. They seem pretty close" said Lana looking at them.

"Maybe with time" I said and Lana looked at me.

Her eyes softened and whispered hopefully "Yeah, maybe"

Then there was silence. We just sat close to each other. Lana moved her hand nervously in her lap as she was struggling to say something. Finally, she said "I really liked your Grandpa"

"He liked you too. He told me 2 days ago" I said and she smiled gratefully.

Again, we stayed in silence. I observed at the people around me. I have been in funerals before. Back at camp, there were only a couple because quests can always go wrong or there were accidents that not even ambrosia and nectar could fix. I was used to of seeing sad mourning people but it felt so strange.

"I called Ewan. He wanted to come but his mom wouldn't let him" said Lana trying to make conversation.

"Maybe it's better this way" I muttered.

"Maybe" said Lana. Her head fell on my shoulder and her hand sneaked around my arm until it found my hand. She lightly held my hand and I wanted to smile but I couldn't.

We both raised our heads quickly drawing distance from between us as we both heard Lizzy, Lana's mother, calling for her in the crowd. We both stood up.

"Hi. Sorry, TJ. Your grandpa seemed to be a lovely person" said Lizzy hugging me lightly and detached, just out of respect to our family.

"Thank you for coming and let Lana stay with us" I said politely.

"I should be the one thanking you" said Lizzy gratefully, so she looked at her daughter "Ready, sweetie?"

"Sure, mom. I have my bag over there" said Lana pointing to a corner where my dad was close talking to Piper.

Lizzy looked to the direction and said to "I will go for your bag and say goodbye to Percy" She left us alone.

Lana looked at me and I said "See you later"

"See you" said Lana and pulled me into a last tight hug "Goodbye, Theo"

I saw Lana and Lizzy saying goodbye and hugging my family. I sat again in the chair. I sighed deeply. Then I realized of something. Lana could be in danger, even if Orion was in Tartarus. This wasn't over yet.

I ran fast. I found them almost inside a taxi cab by the sidewalk. I yelled "Wait!"

Lana looked at me and ran to meet me. She touched my arm and asked worried "What's wrong?"

I took her hand and opened my palm putting a blue marble in it. I said "Take this"

"What is this?" asked Lana innocently as she was looking at it.

I said "A Poseidon's pearl. Stomp it in case of danger. It will take you away to somewhere safe"

"Okay" said Lana "Be careful"

"You too" I said and she kissed my cheek lightly. She joined her mother inside the taxi. I waved at them as they drove away.

For around the corner, Thalia was walking to me. She waved lightly as she was close.

"How are you?" I asked.

"It takes more to bring me down" snorted Thalia.

"If you say so" I said rolling my eyes. She hugged me and tried to be strong for us.

"Your grandpa was amazing" said Thalia in our embrace "He and Sally were… I envied your dad so much for years because he had the parents every demigod wants to"

"I know" I said.

"Is everybody in?" asked Thalia and I nodded. "Let's go" She took my hand and we entered back to the building.

My family immediately moved closer to hug and talk to Thalia. Aunt Piper was probably the loudest as she started to cry loudly. I wondered why, then I remembered that once Thalia had a brother, a roman named Jason. He dated Aunt Piper. Probably, the whole even reminded that.

I looked at the corner and I saw her. The quietest one was Calypso. Since we got here, she was sitting in the same place. I saw people hugging her and Piper and Hazel tried to make her talk or eat something but she just nodded absently. I sat next to her.

Before I could say anything, Calypso said angrily "Don't say I'm sorry. I hate it. Now I understand your dad and Paul when Sally died"

"I won't" I said.

Calypso sighed lowering her head. She asked weakly "Did he suffer?"

"No. I don't think so. It was fast" I said.

Her voice quivered as she said "Did he ask for me or Kate?"

"Yes, he told me to tell you he was sorry" I said.

"That idiot!" whispered Calypso and hugged and she cried.

One hour later, we left the funerary home and returned back home. I slept on the couch while Calypso and Kate slept in my bed. Dad took the floor in the living room after a heated conversation.

I will spare you the details of the next day. It's something I wish I could forget. It's seared in my mind how broken was Calypso when the first fist of dust fell on my Grandpa's coffin. My dad stayed mostly quiet and the grownups took glances at him expecting him to snap at any moment. However, he just sat there holding Claire's hand the whole funeral.

Em stayed most of the time by my side holding Taylor's hand. On her neck, she wore a Ruby ring in a silver chain, her favorite stone, and I guess her engagement ring. We never talked and I liked the silence. It was better than empty words of condolences.