Chapter Nineteen

Merry (late) Christmas

PERCY POV

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"Hello?"

"Hey, Yeah, Percy."

"Oh, hey, Lucas, what's up?" I asked

"Uh, Andrea just went into labor, I just thought you'd want to know."

I didn't speak. Gods, it was finally happening

"Percy, you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. Thanks, Lucas, we'll be right there!" I snapped myself out of my trance.

I hung up, nearly speechless. It was one of those days I had been waiting for, expecting eagerly, but not believing it would really ever come.

"Annabeth! Guys! Andrea's in labor!"

"What did you say, Daddy?" Kate called.

"Andrea is having her baby!"

"Oh, my gods!" Kate squealed. "We'll be right there! Andrew, Will!"

I grabbed my coat and car keys and stood by the door.

"Annabeth? Did you hear me?"

She didn't respond. Exasperated, I marched to the bedroom.

"Annabeth?" I searched around. "Where the Hades are you?" I muttered. I continued walking through the house. Kate came running past me.

"Kate, have you seen your mother?"

"Is she not in your room?"

"No. Actually, I haven't seen her all morning, come to think of it." I mused. I scratched my head, trying to think where she could be.

"We'll have to find her later. Get in the car and I'll call her on our way over," I decided, pulling out my phone. The call went straight to voicemail. Now I began to worry. Had something happened to her? Why wasn't she in the house anywhere? It was New Years Eve!

Naturally, I had to park a few blocks out from the hospital. (That's New York for you.) I hustled the others inside.

"Okay, guys, go find Andrea. I'm going to try calling Annabeth again..."

I trailed off as I glanced to my left. What the Hades...Annabeth was entering a pub in front of a clean-shaven man who held the door for her. I didn't recognize him, but he wore a suit with a distinguishable purple bow tie. I looked ahead again at my family who was trudging ahead.

"Go ahead!" I called. "I'll be there in a sec!"

Cautiously, I made my way to the pub. Upon entering, I spotted Annabeth and this guy sliding into the furthest back corner booth. To avoid being seen, I stole the first booth I saw. From my angle, I could tell that Annabeth was kind of dressed up as well. A light blue blouse with a matching skirt. Carefully, I inched closer to be in hearing range.

"Oh, that is funny, Rob! I really can tell that you're his brother. Hey, by the way, do you know where he lives right now? I haven't Seen him since he went off to jail last."

So, the mystery man's name was Rob. Who was his brother, though?

"Yeah, he's our in the suburbs, in a run-down shack of a place. Can't miss it. Smells like piss."

"Ah."

Rob leaned in closer, examining every inch of Annabeth's body that he could.

"So, Annabeth Chase...Hmm, I feel like I've heard that name somewhere, but I can't place it."

Annabeth Chase? That was her maiden name. She was married to me! I gripped the edge of the table, keeping my composure.

Annabeth gave a fake smile, placing a hand on the back of Rob's head, leaning in close.

"It doesn't matter where you've heard it..." She murmured. When she got in close, she lurched back and slammed his head on the table. Rob moaned and clutched his nose. Annabeth stood.

"Just be thankful that you never hurt someone like he did."

She began walking out. On her way past me, I reached out and grasped her wrist. She whirled around, already twisting her arm from my grip.

"Wha...Percy?! What...how the Hades...did you follow me?"

Her eyes registered shock, determination, fear.

"No, I didn't. What the Hades are you doing?"

I gave her a steely-eyed stare down. I was determined to find out what was happening.

"I-I swore on the Styx, Percy, I can't stop. It never occurred to me that that was part of the problem..."

"What did you swear, Annabeth? Are you cheating on me?"

She was frantic. I rubbed her arm, urging her to sit and talk. Swearing on the Styx was pretty serious.

"I swore that I would kill Gabe. That was all those years ago, Percy. When we were still kids. I was hoping I could kill Cain as payment, but it isn't right. My time its running out! You have to let me go!" Annabeth was panicked, like she had doomed the world. Just then, a crevice opened in the floor. Far below, murky water churned, slowly rising higher. Annabeth moaned.

"It's too late! Percy, you need to go. I made a mistake, and my time is up. That is the River Styx. It will swallow me, but I won't become invincible. I'll dissolve for eternity as my punishment for not keeping my oath! Please, go!"

She pleaded with me. My eyes grew wild. I had always heard that you shouldn't break your Oath.

"No! You're not going out like this!"

I held tight to her arm.

"Percy, leave. That is the freaking River Styx! I'm out of time! I broke the one Ancient rule that I shouldn't have!"

I glanced around. None of the other customers seemed to notice anything odd. Annabeth backed towards the hole, ready to accept her fate. I grasped her arm firmer, digging my fingers into her skin. Think! I told myself.

Percy. That was my dad's voice. There is a way out of everything, Percy. What can you swear?

The water grew higher. Swear? What could I swear. As the Styx approached, Annabeth's pleas were louder. I stretched forth my hand, attempting to control it. My powers weren't working. All I could think at this point is that I wished she hadn't said she'd kill him. If only I could've stopped her. Wait.

"Percy, let me go!"

I shook my head.

"I swear on the River Styx that I won't let you kill Gabe!"

Annabeth's eyes widened.

"Percy, what have...That's a paradox!"

Below, the River sputtered, it advanced, then moved back, unsure of its mission anymore. The water shook violently as an earthquake started. The Styx faded, transporting me and Annabeth to a dark cavern. In the corner sat the Fates. I was really confused.

"Perseus Jackson. Come gaze upon our creation."

They beckoned me over. Since I was a bit creped out, I didn't argue. I cautiously approached, taking in the sight of glowing blue socks. They would have been nearly complete, probably just a few more stands of thread, except that there was a giant hole in the sole. (heh, that rhymed)

"These are yours, Perseus. You have disrupted what we have fashioned. And your wife's...we had already snipped the line. Her life is over, yet she still lives. She has gained Immortality in a most peculiar way, but we cannot allow immortality to those who are unworthy to bear it. For her failure to keep her oath, you shall face agony.

I choked. I let it soak in. My life of nightmares would never be over.

"We must unravel yours and reconstruct it. You are powerful, Perseus Jackson. That it's why we shall use the godly thread in reconstructing your Fate. We do not believe death will be able to handle your soul when it is so full of power. Therefore, we must break your spirit. Now go, attend to your child and heed our warnings!"

They sounded more like threats to me, but I just nodded politely and let them transport me back to earth. Thankfully, the Fates aren't completely mean. We were deposited in the hospital, right where we needed to be. We stood there, looking at each other.

"Well, I still love you, if it makes you feel better." I said Annabeth just smiled.

"Actually, Percy, I don't feel bad. I've never felt now free. I raised my eyebrows.

"Alright. Well then, let's, uh, go see Andrea." I replied nervously, leading the way.

"Daddy!" Andrea screeched when she saw me. "Oh gods, Daddy, it hurts!"

"Shh, it's alright, baby. Just breathe. Do everything Artemis says to." I reassured her. She nodded and clenched her eyes shut. I hated seeing her like this, in pain, but it was a natural process. Artemis arrived and informed me that I should leave for the birth. I did, and 4 hours later I had a grandson.

I'll admit, I cried. The full family circle had come around. It felt good, and I wished every moment of life could feel just like this. Yet, I thought back to my conversation with the Fates. I knew it wouldn't last.