Chapter 24

Sally Jackson looked up from where she was sitting, setting the book to the side as she heard the knock at the door. At this hour of night there was only one person who it would be. So she was already smiling before she opened the door to reveal Percy on the other side "You're later than usual."

"I know- I got a little side tracked," Percy replied, grinning as he stepped through the door into the house. Without saying anything else, Sally hugged him tightly for a moment, before stepping back to look at him.

"How is it you seem even taller than the last time you were here?" Sally couldn't help but reach up to ruffle his hair a bit. He was slightly taller than her now, she was sure it wouldn't be long before she had to stand on her toes to reach his hair.

"I'm pretty sure I haven't grown in the last three days," Percy replied, laughing a bit. After a second he moved farther into the house so he could close the door and set his bag down on the table.

"Sit down, I'll make tea," Sally offered, smiling at him for a moment before moving to grab out a kettle, but Percy stopped her before she could get much farther.

"I can't stay long- I told Annabeth I would meet her," Percy had taken out a book and a few packets of tea from his bag to set on the table.

"I see," Sally couldn't help but smile a little more at that, turning back to Percy as she did so "You've been going to visit her a lot lately."

"We're friends," Percy replied, shrugging a bit "And now that I've finally convinced her that me sneaking out of the castle isn't a risk she's more willing to actually meet up."

"Still, that's twice this week," She raised an eyebrow a bit at him "And didn't you say you see her almost everyday now? She helps you with your studies?"

"Which is why I'm going to see her tonight," Percy protested, laughing slightly "The king was actually impressed with how much my studies have advanced. I'm hanging out with her tonight to thank her."

"And I take it whatever else you have in that bag is for her too?"

Sally couldn't help voice became teasing as she asked it. Part of her couldn't help but wonder if Percy really was just this oblivious or if he was trying to ignore his feelings because of everything that was happening. If it was one or the other she hoped it was the former. She supposed there was the chance that him and Annabeth really were just friends, but that seemed unlikely.

"We're celebrating," Percy sounded slightly exasperated at that.

"Alright," She couldn't help but laugh slightly, but let it go, just looking at him for a moment. He seemed so grown up, more than he had seemed only months ago. She hated how much of his life she was missing, but she couldn't let it show, especially not while Percy was there. She knew sixteen really wasn't that young to be away from home, people got married at sixteen, but somehow this felt different.

"The king said he's going to let me see you soon," Percy said after a moment, looking up to smile at her "As soon as I do better in my studies- which Annabeth is going to help me with."

"I'm glad, but don't worry to much about that, these night visits are enough for me," Sally replied, smiling softly at him to try and keep him from worrying.

Part of her couldn't help but wonder if the reason Poseidon was so reluctant was more because of her than anything to do with Percy. The reminder of his missteps, of the summer he had spent with her rather than his wife. Sally wasn't deluded enough to think they would ever be anything again, but maybe Poseidon didn't want to think about the memories. Especially after the queen's death.

They had been young, and in love, or so they had thought. Sally hadn't known he was a prince, she had never seen anyone in the royal family before. All she had known was that he was rich, handsome, kind, and she had felt immediately drawn to him. By the time the truth had come out, they had been completely in love.

"He promised," Percy replied simply, as if that was the end of it, before more seriously adding "Also Piper would like to meet you-"

"I would like that," Sally assured, smiling a bit at him, though she wasn't sure how she felt about the marriage at all. At least Piper seemed nice, and Percy enjoyed spending time with her. Sally wanted more than that for him though. She knew all to well what it was like to take the marriage you had to instead of the one you wanted. "Now go on, you don't want to keep Annabeth waiting."

Percy nodded, moving around the table to hug her quickly again "I love you, mom. I'll be back soon, I promise."

"I love you too," Sally replied, smiling as she hugged him back, waiting for him to pull away before adding "Tell Annabeth that even when you're not around she's welcome to come round if she need a break from her family."

To be honest, she was rather lonely since Percy left, and she loved Annabeth, and missed having her around like she had been the last few years. Plus she couldn't help but feel bad about the whole situation she was stuck in.

"I will," Percy assured, smiling at her for one more moment before turning to duck out the door.

When Percy noticed the light on in the kitchen, he swore slightly under his breath. Really it wasn't a big deal, but he wa feeling impatient. He didn't want to wait, he just wanted this to all hurry up so he could see Annabeth and they could spend time together, but there was nothing to do but slip into the little alcove and wait.

"You can't keep avoiding this," The voice of Annabeth's stepmother, Andrea, drifted through the window, piquing Percy's interest a bit.

"I'm not avoiding it," Frederick protested, sounding slightly exasperated at that "I just don't think we need to push this. There is still plenty of time before we have to start worrying about it."

"She's sixteen, she's not a child anymore." That made Percy give the conversation his full attention.

"I know how old she is, and I'm not saying she shouldn't be thinking about it, I just don't think we need to push her on it quite yet."

"How old was her mother when you married her?"

Percy caught his breath a bit. Marriage. It shouldn't have surprised him, it made sense. He was being forced to start thinking about being married, and Annabeth was a few months older than him. Some people they knew that were their age were already married, most thinking about it. Still, he didn't like the idea of any of this. He just couldn't picture Annabeth married, it felt wrong, and for some reason made him uneasy.

"Seventeen," Frederick replied, though before Andrea could say anything else he added "And she was eighteen when she died in childbirth. I would prefer not having to worry about losing my daughter to the same for a little while longer."

Percy held his breath a bit, but a moment later let it out when he heard Mrs. Chase, albeit bitterly, say "Alright."

There was another pause before he heard Frederick suggesting they head to bed, leaving Percy to sit, head still spinning as he waited for Annabeth to appear.