A/N: Hello reader! I got this idea for their road trip after reading TON, and it honestly made me so happy to get the OG trio back. I haven't decided if I would add multiple chapters, but if I do, it would probably follow more of a series of one-shots on their road trip, instead of a complete story line. Let me know what you think! Happy reading and hope you have a nice day! :)

Annabeth caught the last pair of sweats I had flung into my suitcase and quickly folded it up nicely, tucking it underneath the stack of my clothes. Still kneeling, she turned around to roll her eyes at me.

"You know, Percy, I'm not going to have our apartment to be so messy on its first day."

I grinned. The words "our apartment" set my toes curling with excitement. I took two strides across my room, stepping over my suitcase then leaned down to kiss her. She sighed softly.

"Don't worry, I'll clean up nicely once we get there." I promised, putting my fingers under her chin to lift her face up. Her grey eyes were shining and her long blond hair now flowed in waves past her shoulders. She was wearing these little seashell earrings I had gotten her a few weeks ago, and she looked so pretty in them. I could only guess if she was as excited as I was about our road trip, and then to finally start our college semester in New Rome.

Wow, college.

Annabeth and I had been through a lot, what with two Great Prophecies in the way. And as a demigod (yes, her mom is Athena, Greek goddess of wisdom, and my dad is Poseidon, Greek god of the sea - just thought I'd throw that out there), we never expected to live long happy lives. I, for one, was not even supposed to be born. But now, knowing we were finally out of high school and could even start college and our lives somewhere, it made me insanely happy. Nervous, too, but ridiculously happy.

That twisted expression must have been on my face because Annabeth laughed. "Come on, Seaweed Brain. Let's finish packing. Grover's probably waiting for us."

We packed up the rest of my belongings and a few extra items - nectar and ambrosia (standard for demigods in case of emergencies), and Annabeth insisted on bringing along mortal medicine too. I tried to argue that the nectar was enough, but she reminded me of that cold I had gotten from the nosoi just a few months ago when I was helping out the sun god Apollo as a human (long story, maybe another time), and I knew better than to argue with her.

When we finally got my luggage out of the room, Grover was already lying comfortably on my couch, chewing on Coca-Cola can.

"Percyy," he bleated and ran up to give me a hug.

"Hey man!" It felt good to see him again. It felt even better knowing he was coming along for a part of the road trip, just until we dropped him off in Ohio where he was going to hit some nature reserve as part of his duty in the Council of Cloven Elders. It was going to be just the three of us again, like good old times and dangerous life-threatening quests.

A plea of giggles erupted in the hallway. Paul, my stepdad, walked out carrying my baby sister Estelle in his arms. I quickly went over and took her into my embrace, and she squealed in delight, reaching out her sticky fingers to touch the sides of my face. I made a funny face at her, then rubbed my nose onto hers. She blinked at me once in shock, then burst into another fit of giggles. Her audience, including me, laughed along with her. Her spirit was just so... infectious. Man, I was going to miss her so much.

In the corner of my eye I spotted Annabeth smiling and looking at me. I caught her eye and mouthed "What?", but she just shook her head and continued smiling.

My mom, who's the best person in the world by the way, came out of the kitchen. Estelle made a bubbling sound with her lips while my mom dried her hands on her apron. "Well sweetheart," she looked at me with a nervous glance. "Are you all ready to go?"

I walked over to my mom and kissed her cheek. "Yea, we're all packed. And don't worry mom, we'll be fine."

My mom rolled her eyes. "Oh yes, my only son is going on a road trip across the country to a hidden Roman city and won't be back for the next few months but I shouldn't be worried."

"Well, it's not the first time I've been across the country - " I faltered when she gave me her stern mom look. "And anyway, we'll call when we can."

My mom started to blink back her tears, pulling me and Estelle into a hug. She smelled like warm cookies. "Oh Percy, my boy's finally going off to college. I am so proud of you."

I won't lie, I was feeling pretty choked up too. For years before Paul came into our lives, my mom and I depended on only each other. We were never able to plan so far ahead to our future when we didn't know what my life was going to be - dead at some monster's feet, or at the hands of some prophecy. I totally understood her feelings; to her, me being able to start living my life like a normal teenager (as normal as New Rome was) was the biggest miracle we could have. That, and having Paul and Estelle in our lives.

Paul clapped my shoulder and my mom released me. He pulled me in for a hug too, then pulled back to firmly grasp my shoulders. "Percy, your mom is right. I don't even know half the things you've been through, but I am so proud of you too."

"Thanks guys." My voice felt thick. Estelle giggled in my arms and I pressed a kiss on her forehead.

"Well," my mom said, wiping her eyes and sniffling into a tissue. "You guys should get going, don't want to hit the road too late you know."

I handed Estelle back to Paul as my mom hugged Annabeth, whispering into her ear. When they pulled apart, Annabeth was tearing too.

Grover gave my mom a quick hug, then helped me lug our bags into the Prius downstairs. The rest of them came down with us, and my mom handed Annabeth a paper bag. "Blue cookies," she promised. "For the trip."

Grover dove into the backseat and Annabeth settled for shotgun. I turned back to my family, my throat choked with emotion. My mom gave me a teary smile. I gave her another hug, and she kissed my cheek. Then I clapped Paul on the shoulder, and leaned down to Estelle and kissed her hand. She stared at me with her huge eyes quietly.

Before I could start bawling, I forced myself to turn and got into the car.

"Oh wait," my mom exclaimed as I buckled myself in. She pulled out her phone and smiled. "I want to take a picture of all of you. You know, for memories."

I started to groan loudly but Grover hit the back of my head and stuck his tongue out. Annabeth grinned and leaned towards me, wrapping her arms around my neck. "Come on, Percy. Just take the photo." She gave me a look until I resigned and looked out the driver's side window with a smile and a thumbs up. It did make for a good memory.

After a few more teary goodbyes, my mom finally let us go. We waved as I pulled out onto the street, and we continued waving until I could no longer see them from the rearview mirror. I let out a sigh, and Annabeth slipped her hand into mine and gave it a squeeze. Grover clapped me on the shoulder and gave me a grin through the mirror.

I smiled and breathed in deeply. Then I gunned the accelerator.

Our road trip has now begun.

A/N: Please leave a review on whether I should make this a series of one-shots, and follow if you do! It would be much appreciated :)