10. Family Weekend
October 2009
Olympus
His hand was firmly placed on my waist, not even sliding down an inch down. Our hands were grasped tightly in the straight-out in air, as we twirl effortlessly in the ballroom. My other hand grasped up my skirt a little as it glided through the air as we did the well-rehearsed steps of a waltz. I felt ridiculous.
Other dancers swirled around in synchrony, I quickly made eye contact with Amphitrite with my father. She gave me a small smile and winked in encouragement. I strengthen my position and turn my attention back to Jason. Eventually, the song ended so we stop to give a round of applause to the musicians.
"Would like to go for a walk?" He whispered in my ear, barely able to hear over the applause. I nodded yes, eager to avoid another dance.
We walk by each other as we exit the ballroom and into one of the gardens.
"I felt as if we couldn't breathe in there with all those eyes watching us. So let's do this again. I'm Jason," he held out his hand for me to shake. I laughed loudly, relief that he was as kind as his eyes. And silly.
"Hi Jason, I'm Bella," I shook his hand, "It's nice to meet you…again."
"Yes, again." He joined me in a chuckle.
"So how do you feel about all of this? Gaea? A whole other camp, did you knew about us? Because we had no idea that Roman camp existed. I mean up until last month I thought we're the only camp fill with demigods," I vent which left me breathless, dang this corset.
"Woah, woah. Breathe okay. I can't have you fainting. I don't want your Dad or your brother to drown me." He said worriedly, but I couldn't stop chuckling at his words.
"Sorry, it's the corset. I hate it and I can barely breathe as it is," I inhaled deeply and I gesture for him to talk.
"No, we didn't know about your camp, and I'm the only one that does know actually. And about Gaea," he paused, "I still can't believe it. We just finish one war, barely had any time to enjoy the victory."
Never have there been such truth behind words, we were still mourning the losses of the last war. I've been having these nightmares ever since. And I fear that there are getting worse.
"I know exactly that you mean," I said, my voice shook slightly.
"How did you react, when they told you?" He asked after a period of silence, an owl could be heard off the distance.
"Which part?" I responded with a smirk. He chuckled weakly. "Confused, mainly. Angry, that they hid it from us. And betrayed, I guess, that Dad hid it from us for so long. What about you?"
We turned a corner and found a stone bench in front of a rock fountain. We sat down and took in the sight of the fountain. Fireflies flew around us, dazzling in the night.
"About the same, and shocked. I couldn't believe what my dad told me," Jason answered.
"Things are going to get complicated again, huh?" I commented dryly.
"Yup."
It was then that the reality of the situation hit us, that our lives will be filled once again with quests, running, and fighting. Monsters at every corner, traitors lurking in the shadows, and so we doubt those we trust the most. That's no way for teenagers to live, but that was our lives. The lives of heroes.
It took a while for our breathing to return to normal. We laid on the wrinkled and crumpled sheets, my head was on his bare chest as fingers trailed up and down my arm. It was peaceful, blissful in this large room, the curtains around the bed encompassed in a bubble. I know that we'll need to leave this room eventually and face our family. We already missed breakfast. But for right now, no matter how little time we had left, I was going to relish this moment.
"How are you finding Forks?" He muttered softly and began to play with my hair.
"It's okay, my first day was the worse. It's been easier," I whispered to him, as I rubbed his chest.
"What happen on your first day?" He asked me with concern and shifted a bit to look at me.
Placing my chin on his chest to look at him, I said in a tone barely above a whisper, "I don't want to talk about that right now. I'll tell you later."
He looked into my eyes for a minute, searching for something. And after a period of silence, he accepted my answer with a nod. His lips pecked my forehead tenderly, and I couldn't stop the smile that formed on my lips.
We were silent once more in each other arms. Only our soft breathing was heard with curtains shuffling in the gentle breeze that came from the balcony. I snuggled deeper into his arms and press a kiss to his peck as he tightened. I wish we didn't have to go to lunch. I just knew that moment we stepped out of this bubble, crude jokes will be made non-stop. I could already hear Ares' crackling laughter at our expense. A loud horn was heard outside, calling us for lunch in the garden.
And I groaned in annoyance while Jason only chuckled and rubbed my bare back in comfort. I sat grumbly; wondering if we could just have lunch in our room. I scrubbed my face then wrapped my arms around my legs. The thin sheet fell around my waist; I felt Jason sitting up behind me, started a trail of kisses from my back to my neck. A moan escaped from my throat, my breath quickened, and so I lean my head to the side to give him more room. He tilts my head back to capture my lips in a kiss.
Shifting around, I straddled him to deepen our kiss, one hand on with his jaw while the other plays with his hair on the nape of the neck. Strong hands pressed onto my back to pull me towards him. Our breathing grew hollow as the air around thickened. But before we can go any further another horn was heard. Now it was Jason that groaned in annoyance while I giggled breathlessly.
"They really want us to go to lunch," I muttered as I tried to tame his hair.
"They really have bad timing," he grumbled like a toddler and I laid a kiss on his forehead while he rubbed my thighs smoothly.
"I know, but we wouldn't want to get your father angry. We already skipped breakfast. C'mon, get up."
I climbed from the bed to headed to take a quick shower, leaving a frustrated Jason behind. Once showered, I went to my vanity to brush my hair, pinned half of it up, and finished with a gold diadem. I applied a small amount of makeup on my face, following Aphrodite's advice so carefully. Finishing with tinted lip balm, I turned to see Jason still in bed, pouting.
I went to him and gently raked my fingers through his hair. After a while, he grabbed my hand to kiss my palm. He languidly sat up only a little, resting on his elbows, and wrapped one arm around my waist. He gazed up at me with a pout and I bend down to kiss him.
"Get up or we'll be late," I whispered and he nodded with a huff. He buried his head into my chest and grumbled loudly before he rolled over to get up.
I change into the teal-blue peplos dress that was situated at my waist with gold details and thin straps. Jason came out from the dressing screen, just as I finished strapping on the sandals. The fabric fell on his shin with a piece of purple fabric draping over one shoulder with a belt at his waist.
"Ready?" I asked him as I fix the purple fabric to meet the length of the chiton.
"Do I have a choice?"
"No," I said with a big smile and patted his shoulder before walking over to the door.
He let out a sigh in defeat, joined me by the door, and opened it for me. His expression still hasn't changed since I got out of bed. I knew how much he dreaded for lunch. I peck his lips with a grin, hoping that it will lighten his mood, and walked away hastily. When I looked back, he arched an eyebrow, scoffed, and quickly ran up to catch up to me. I giggled loudly and sped up to get further away from his grasp. His carefree laughter echoed behind me as he chased me down the hallway.
I was worried that we might be late, the last ones to show up. And that would only give more ammo to make crude jokes. But in the end, we were one of the first ones there. Percy was awkwardly sitting down at the empty table, and looked over to us when we got closer. He rose from his chair and spread his arms excitedly for me. I rushed forward and laughed freely as I hugged him tightly.
"I've miss you so much," I murmur, tears threatened to fall.
"Me too, you have no idea how much I've miss you," He told me softly, and hugged me tighter.
"I think I do," I replied with a smile. "So, how things in New York?"
"Same old, same old," Percy answered and we all sat down. "What about you? How's that small town treating you?"
I exhaled, "Nothing like New York, it's been an adjustment."
"At least you have Mike and Jessica there," he commented, his voice rang with relief.
"Yeah, they've been great. I honestly don't know what I would've done without them," I told him quietly as the Cullen family crept into my thoughts. Jason gently squeezes my hand to get me out of my thoughts. "How's mom? And Paul?"
We chatted to pass the time and slowly, one by one, gods began to appear from different directions. Artemis threw Jason and me a wink, which caused me to blush a bright red. I could even feel the tip of my ears grow warm. It took longer for everyone else to arrive, and even some don't appear, Aphrodite and Ares were noticeably missing from lunch.
"I wonder what they're up to," Artemis sarcastically commented once lunch was served. "Bella? What do you think they're doing? Since you and Jason missed breakfast, I'm sure you might have a clue."
I chose to ignore and just continued to chew my food. Hoping that she would just drop the subject, but then again, this is Artemis. I sneaked a glance at Dad, but since he's on the far end, he didn't hear a word she said. Percy, on the other hand, did hear every word. And by his expression, he really wished he hadn't.
"Jason, do you know what they're up to?" Artemis asked him, a playful smirked deeply rooted on her lips. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she looked at us.
"No clue," Jason said coolly and took a sip of his water. His stiff posture and somber tone left no room for discussion, so Artemis just rolled her eyes and started to talk with Athena.
I sneakily slipped my hand to Jason's lap, where his left hand rested and gave it a gently squeeze in gratitude. He gave a squeeze in return.
The rest of the lunch ran without any more problems, laughter and chatter filled the air as every help themselves to bountiful amounts of food with ambrosia and nectar. I mainly stick to the Mediterranean pasta salad with grilled chicken and shrimp, but I tried some other dishes that were near me. Even after we finished eating, no one left the table; instead, they all made themselves comfortable into their chairs and continue to talk.
I leaned back on the chair, full; it felt as if I was going to burst if I took another bite. Percy huffed next to be as he slumped back on the chair.
"I'm so full," Percy moaned as he closes his eyes. "A nap sounds really good right now."
I hummed in response as I sipped my water, Jason leaned back with a groan and patted his stomach. We shared a grin as he took my hand in his, our elbows rested on the armrest, he gently kissed my ring. We stayed like that for a while, talking. At that point, almost everyone else was also just lounging in their seats, talking, chatting, and drinking. I made eye contact with Zeus at one point, looked at our intertwined hands, and raised his goblet in my direction. I simply nodded back.
For about an hour, we stayed gather around the table in the garden as the sun shined on us. It felt nice. This is the most relaxed I've seen anyone from Olympus, it felt normal.
"Well I feel like going for a swim. Anyone want to join?" Apollo announced brightly and stood up.
"I'll join you. I've been wanting to swim," I told him and got up from my chair. Jason followed in-suite and decided to join us for a swim. Percy's mouth was slightly open with small trail drool on the corner of his mouth. I slapped the back of the head to wake him, and he sprung forward in shock. But sleep was still heavy on his face.
"What? What happened?" His voice was thick with drowsiness.
"We're going swimming. Want to come?" Jason asked him.
"Um…sure, but I'll think I'll take a nap first though," Percy muttered as he stretched and stood, a yawn escaped him.
"You know what, Percy, a nap does sound great," Apollo stated as he came around to us. "I'll take a nap first; meet you guys at pool in an hour. Or more, who knows."
And then he walked away, and we just stare at him as retrieved further away. Percy follow behind him and headed towards his room. Shortly afterward everyone begins to disperse in their direction until we are all alone. Jason looks at me with a questioning face, as if to say what do we do now?
I bit my lip as stepped closer to him, and he smirked at me in return. I slowly raised my hands his biceps and felt a shiver underneath my palms. Lightly crossed them behind his head, lightly rubbed his neck. I locked eyes with him as I inched closer to his until our noes grazed each other. His breath washed over me.
"Well, I can think of one or two things we can do. To pass the time," I whispered breathlessly and press my lips to his.
He lips to dance with mine as he fists my dress at my waist with one hand while the other hand pressed my head against his. Our breathing grew thin as our lips fought for dominance. My heart raced and my skin tingled when he bit my lips and did a hard tug. I moaned a little too loudly.
"My lady, Lord Zeus has requested your presences," A voice said that made us jump apart.
My heart leaped to my throat; I held back a scream as I look at the unfamiliar man. Jason furiously wiped his mouth and combed down his hair.
"Huh?" I asked dumbly as I tried to control my frantic heartbeat.
"A moment to speak with you, in private. He waits for you in his study."
I swallowed down my scare and said, "Yes, shouldn't keep him waiting."
The man wordlessly turned around and began to walk off. I start to walk off but not without looking back Jason, who gave me a confused look. I only shrugged my shoulders in return.
It took a couple turns and two flights of stairs to arrive at Zeus's study, the man knocked loudly when we reached his door. From the inside, Zeus's voice echoed for us to enter. The man swiftly opened the door for me, and I took in a deep breath before I took a step inside the room.
He sat on the sofa in front of the desk, and my father sat across from him.
I held my head up and said, "You wanted to speak with me?"
"Yes, sit down," Zeus motioned to the empty chair next to my dad. His was voice cold, empty of any emotion. "Hermes a rather interesting comment during lunch today. That you were entertaining… vampires in your home."
Oh, crap.
"I'm sure I don't need to inform you how absurd and ridiculous that you associated with those…savages," he spat furiously. "Monsters that have hunted down my children, your siblings and cousins for their blood."
My blood went cold, mouth dried as my heart dropped to my stomach.
"I'm sure there a reason for this," Dad stated in an even tone when I stayed silent. "Do you have anything to say, Bella?"
"Still trying to defend her? Her actions have spoken enough," Zeus irately stated.
"I-I can explain…" I inhaled deeply to stop myself from stuttering. "They go to my school, while their leader works at the hospital. He is a doctor; his wife stays at home. They don't hunt mortals; they're different from the rest of their kind. They survive off of animals. They haven't hurt anyone in the two years they lived there."
"How can you be so sure? You've only been there less than three months. Did you blatantly take their word? You are a naïve child," Zeus shook his head.
"I am not naïve! Or a child! There's proof-" I was cut off by Zeus.
"Really? Where is this proof?"
"Who has live in Forks almost their entire lives; Jessica and Mike," I snapped angrily. "They've known about them for two years, watched over them. They have never hurt them or any other resident of Forks."
Zeus stayed silent and shared a look with my dad. After a minute, Dad sighed and look at me. "So, they've purposefully withheld their presence from us and camp for two years."
Damn.
"Um, yes?" I squirmed in my place. "But they only did that because they didn't want any problem for them."
"How considerate of Mike and Jessica," Zeus commented drily.
"Maybe they shouldn't have withheld that information, but what's done is done. But I can promise you, that they won't cause any problem in Forks."
Dad stared pensively as I switched between them.
"And what about you? Are okay living in the same town as them?" Dad asked me. Concern painted his face while Zeus still looked annoyed. "You can move to New York, if you want."
I thought about his offer; this was a way out. I could leave Forks, leave behind the Cullen family. And come back home, to my mom, and Percy. But then I remember why I moved to Forks in the first place. "No, I'll stay in Forks."
It took a bit more convincing to calm down Zeus and Dad. Told them that the moment I got back, I would get in writing that they won't kill, hurt, or drink our blood or any mortal. A contract of some sort.
I exhaled out in relief the second the door closed behind me. My steps echoed in the long corridor as I walked back to my room. I was turning a corner when I collided straight onto Jason. He started to gushed out an apology but I quickly shut him up by smashing my lips to his. His shock faded rapidly and returned my kiss enthusiastically.
I tore my lips away from his, panting, I grab his arm and dragged Jason back to our room. I threw open the door and he slammed shut. He pressed me up against the door as our kisses grew heavier, I could still taste nectar on his lips. Kisses trailed down to my neck, leaving a path of the fire, I swallowed heavily and moaned.
His hands tightly gripped my thighs and hoisted me up. My back slammed harshly against that door as wrapped my legs around his waist. My breath left completely as he trailed further down to my chest, he slipped off the straps and chiton slithered down to my waist. With my breast now exposed, so he took a nipple into his mouth and tugged, hard. I hissed sharply and bit on my bottom lip hard. My body quivered in pleasure by the way his tongue whirled on my breast. I grasped his hair and yanked him back so I could attack his lips again.
Once again, he released my lips with a small tug and he smirked before kneeling and hooked my legs onto his shoulder. He looked up, gave me a wicked grin before he disappeared underneath the fabric. My eyes closed as I rested my head on the door, my back arched when I felt his lips on my inner thigh. I could feel myself moisten as he inched closer to where I wanted him. When his lips finally made contact with my clitoris, my body hummed.
"Oh my," I moaned and Jason grunted which caused vibrations. I squealed. "Jason!"
I was overcome with pleasure as he kissed me passionately. I whimpered loudly, lost in a wave of ecstasy as his mouth and tongue did wonders to my clit. One of my hands fisted his hair to press him closer to me, my spine arched as I felt a pressure begin to build. I heard myself moaning and whimpering, loudly. Heat raised within me, my skin tingled as Jason increased his pace.
"Oh! Oh my!... I can't!" I panted loudly as pressure continues to build and build until, finally I cried out in a sweet, glorious release. My body rode out the orgasm in absolute bliss. I felt myself slipping away, my bones giving out so the hand that was supporting me on door fell. Jason swiftly caught me and I rest my head on him as we kiss languidly and I could taste my fluid on his lips. I smiled lazily at him and he returned it before picking me up with my legs wrapped around his waist.
He carried me back to the bed, kissing as we discharged the rest of my chiton along the way. He sat me on the bed and bend down to remove my sandals, grumbling and complaining about the tight knot on the laces. I giggled as he cheered loudly when he managed to untie both of them. I pushed myself backward, further into the bed as I stared at him undressing. As the fabric pooled on the floor, he crawled onto the bed, strong yet slow movements like a cheetah. Until his body covered mine completely, I embraced the heat that emanated from his body. And entered the realms of pleasure and desire once more.
The cool water flowed freely around as my body moved effortlessly to push forward. I swam in a loop in the large pool, the largest I pool I ever been in, from one end to the other. I never have seen such a beautiful pool, deep and long with a fountain on one end that it could surpass the Trevi Fountain in Rome. I didn't hesitate to remove my cover-up to jump in the pool. Jason followed behind me in the same matter, and we swam around for a while, with the occasional kiss underwater.
I felt weightless, and free when I swam like I was finally able to breathe. I used the water around to maneuver myself to the surface. When my eyes broke through the water, I saw Jason tanning on the lounge chairs with his eyes close. I grinned wickedly and formed a large water bubble over him. Percy sneakily appeared next to me.
Do it! He told me with a glint in his eyes.
I released the water, and it gushed down all over Jason. Caught completely off guard by my surprise, he gasped and coughed loudly. He continued to splutter and cough while Percy and I watched in amusement. He jumped off the chair and wiped his eyes to looks at us laughing our asses off. Percy immediately pointed at me before ducking under the water and swimming away. Jason growled and shook his finger at me as he stepped towards the pool.
"You are so going to regret that," He threatened with a grin and elegantly dived into the pool. I smiled at him before push myself away from him, his head popped out, whipping it around to look for me.
I giggled and gave him a wave from my new location. He growled in annoyance before swimming furiously catch to me. But I move out of reach just as he gets close enough to almost catch me. We play this little game for a while; I move, he exclaims, swims, and I move away again. While he growled every time but I knew that he was having fun. Enjoying himself, like an actual teenager. At one point Percy exited the pool for a lounge chairs under a tree and promptly fell into a nap. Apollo was completely distracted, flirting with a nymph, so I moved under one of the waterfalls and waited for Jason to follow.
His hand lighting crept up my legs, a light feather touch, I giggled at the sensation as his head darts out. He hugged me at the waist with one hand and tilting my head up with the other for a kiss. It's a soft kiss, gentle that causes butterflies in my stomach.
"I caught you," He whispers on my lips when we separate.
"Only because I let you catch me," I murmur with a grin, pecking his lips.
He chuckles because he knows it's true.
"So why bring me here?" He asks me.
"I just want some privacy," I tell him simply with a shrug. "Because I know that after this we'll need to get ready for dinner. And I leave after that, so now it only time I talk you in private."
"Why not wait until we get to our room," He retorts and I give him an implied look, He gets the hint, chuckles, and nods. "So what do you want to talk to me about?"
"About my first day of school, remember?"
"Aw yes. You said didn't want to talk about it," He said and lifted me out the water so to sit on the edge. He placed his head on my thigh and I begin to play with his hair. It looked darker when it was wet, looking at reminded me of Paris. When we caught in the rain by surprise one night waking the Pont Neuf bridge over the Seine river.
"I said that I'll tell you later," I pointed out, looking down at him.
"Your right," He told me and pressed his lips to the skin in a gentle kiss.
"Aren't I always," I bend down to kiss his hair. "I had a panic attack on my first day of school."
"What?!" He lifted his head so suddenly and quickly that I didn't have enough time to move out the way. Resulted in his head hitting my chin which caused my head to snap back and bit my lip in the process. "Oh shit!"
"Ouch," I muttered and touched my lips where I felt the sting. I saw a small droplet of blood on my finger but before I could look on it for too long. Jason grabbed it and took it to aside, washing the blood away with some water from the pool. "Thanks"
"I know you hate looking at blood," He said with a shrug. "Let me look at your lip."
The small nick healed almost immediately, leaving only behind a small trail of blood. Jason wiped my lip of any residue blood with his thumb and lifted himself to kiss my lips. I smiled into his lips and return gesture happily.
"There, all better now," He said after releasing me from his kiss.
"My hero," I swooned, exaggeratedly. "Even if you're the one that cause it."
"I only cause it because you caught me completely off guard," Jason pointed out, with a raised eyebrow. Shit, he's right.
"Fine, you're right," I pouted.
"Aren't I always," He repeated my words back to me, causing me to scowl at him, and he laughs. "Anyway, why did you have a panic attack?"
I sighed and began to tell him of the first day, of how I was completely caught by surprise by the Cullens' gold eye. How I automatically assume that Kronos has somehow manage come back, took over all their bodies. That I ran away from the cafeteria and hid in one of the janitor's closet. How it was so hard to breathe and I could stop crying. Jason rubs my thighs in comfort, listening to me without interruption.
I go on about Mike came in after we must have seen me enter the closet and calm me down for the rest lunch period. Just realizing that he must have not eating anything so he can look after me, now I feel terrible as I recall the rest of the events. Finishing when Mike told me about the Cullens and what they were.
"Vampires, really?" He comments and I nod. "And how are they? Have they cause any problems?"
"They quite, mainly keep to themselves. They haven't cause any problems, and don't worry about them having me for dinner. They feed off animals, they want to live in peace with mortals."
"Animals? Huh… that's different," He looks to be deep in thought. "But as long as they don't hurt you or attempt to hurt you. Everything should be fine."
"Yes, we even gather at one point to discuss our situation rationally before things got out of hand. We talk, and while it got a bit dicey at one point, things ended on a good note."
"I'm proud that you manage take control of the situation. Like a true queen, " He told me with a smile. "So what's their names?"
"Well there Carlisle and his wife, Esme, they are the parents of the family, one can say. Carlisle being the leader of the family/clan, then there is Rosalie and her husband, Emmett. Alice, which by the way, can see the future."
"Really?" His eyes widen.
"Yes, but her visions are based on mortals' decisions so if they change their minds, the visons changes. I honestly don't think its reliable, always having to be keep an eye on their decisions."
"You're right. Imagine during a battle, relying so heavily on a vision that you based your entire strategy. So it can fall apart if they change their mind," Jason pointed out with a small frown. "I mean, if they change their mind, at least you have a heads up about. Anyway, let's move on from that."
"Exactly, there's pros and cons to her gift." I told him. "So then there's Alice's husband, Jasper, his gift is to read people emotion and manipulate. And lastly, there is Edward, who can read people's mind."
My mind flashed to Edward's face, his eyes burned in my mind. But I needed to stop thinking about him, focus on Jason, my fiancé who was right in front of me.
"A mind reader, now that can come in handy," He commented, lost in thought.
"I know," I muttered.
"How do you know all of this anyway?" He asked me, face full of curiosity. His hands felt nice on my thigh, the gentle touch soothed me.
"I've actually befriended them," I told him. "Hang out with them."
"Does they know about me?" He inquired, as his right eyebrow arched.
"They know I'm engage and that your name is Jason," I answered him simply with a grin and placed my hands on either side of his neck. My thumbs rubbed his jaw softly.
"Well, the less they know that better," He raised again to kiss my neck. "We should be go back though; we've been hiding here for a while."
"Your right, and we thought lunch was bad," I slid back into the water, took his hand before diving back underwater and swam back out.
