!Happy birthday to you, Percy!

I know flashback 1. Is unnecessary.

I rolled out of bed. Paul kept snoring. Not in an annoying sort of way; calm and comforting. I walked over to Percy's room and slightly opened the door. He lay sprawled on the bed. I smiled. He had been sleeping with a closed door since he was five. There was a story behind this, of course.

*flashback #1*

Percy and I walked home to our apartment from the park. There was a letter in the letterbox. A termination letter. A stack of other letters was there too. None of them were friendly. Only reminding me of tax.

I groaned and took them inside. Percy followed. I was in a bad mood today. I had just lost my job. I was pretty sure Percy saw a monster and would tell everyone at school. Hestia reminded me I have to cover Percy's scent. Life. Is. Hell. We had chips and sugar wafers for dinner. Percy enjoyed himself, but as a mother, I didn't approve of the dinner.

Five minutes later, I tucked him into his cot. He had been using it since he was born. I walked out to the sofa. Loads of letters to read. ''Close the door, Mama.'' Percy said. ''It scares you.'' I told him. He looked at me in the eyes. "I want to be your hero. I want to be brave. You're always crying.'' My eyes watered at that. "I love you Percy" I whispered to my hero.

the next day I got a new job.

I smiled at that memory and walked into the kitchen. Paul was sitting with mugs of coffee. ''Big day'' he said, pushing a mug towards me. ''Yep'' I replied. It's gonna be a long day with two lovebirds, one ADHD birthday boy, ten ADHD demigods who love to party, and two adults who could easily become teens again. ''I'll go wake up Percy. Tradition.'' I said. Paul nodded. ''Go right ahead.''

I knocked on the door. My son stirred. ''Happy birthday'' I wished him. I started with my story.

*flashback #2*

''It was your fifth birthday. It was your first one when you actually had a cake and a gift. I saved up for a month leading to your special day. For your cake, I begged my bakery manager to have a free cupcake. I nicked a candle. You were so excited to see your cake. You had quite a bit on your nose. Then, I took a 7-eleven bag and you opened it and inside was….. Ni-Ni the finding Nemo!''

''Great story Mom. Can I go back to sleep?'' I looked at my son. 'you cannot. Get up.''

I made Percy get in the shower and walked back to the kitchen. Paul shot a look at me. ''Operation Blue Waffles with Ice-cream on Top is a go!''

The children came just as Percy sat down at the counter. Percy's groggy eyes lit up as soon as he saw the neat bundles of presents and waffles. 'Ooooohhhhh….presents!" he tried to snatch a few. Annabeth stuck out her tongue at him. Everyone sat down and started eating. Then we played a few games. Had a completion to see who could have the most ice-cream without getting a brain freeze, which is impossible. Surprisingly, Hazel won with twelve bowls. She wasn't even sick afterwards. At three thirty, Annabeth finally agreed to present opening.

Annabeth got him a photo album of the memorable moments.

Grover, a green t-shirt.

Thalia: watch that turns into a clock that tells you how far away monsters are.

Nico: blades to sharpen riptide

Leo: machine that washes dirty underwear and socks. (I thanked him for that)

Piper: sweatpants that are extremely comfortable to fight in

Reyna: a bag of blue jellybeans

Hazel: a pen that can write underwater

Frank: jacket

Me and Paul: a new stuffed animal. Tradition since he was five. It was an electric eel this time. Paul gave him a coupon to McDonalds and a box of cupcakes

Posidian: he sent a beautiful seashell wall hanging. He sent me a seashell serving tray and a note. I was more surprised when he knocked on my door. He and Paul got along like milk and cheerios.

We cut the cake. Courtesy of Posidian. At the end of the day. ''BEST BIRTHDAY EVER. GROUP HUG!''

And being suffocated was awesome.

Sensitivity: Internal & Restricted