Sally gazed at her son and his girlfriend, intertwined on the small bed. They were facing each other, and Annabeth's head was resting in the crook of Percy's neck. Paul's words echoing in her ears, 'She was asleep on a bench downtown. She looked awful.' Sally felt awful for what she'd said, it wasn't right for her to take the stress of the moment out on Annabeth. Percy shifted in his sleep and Sally jumped, realizing she'd been standing there staring at them. When they got up, she would apologize.

Percy stumbled into the kitchen, scratching his head and yawning.

"Where's Annabeth?" asked Sally.

"Oh she's in my room. Something about homework she has to do. Can you make us breakfast?"

"You're in high school, Percy! Make it yourself," Sally smiled. While Percy was attempting to put a slice of bread in the toaster, Sally made her way into Percy's room. Annabeth sat cross legged on Percy's bed, a giant textbook and a notebook open on her lap. She was leaning over the book, her hair covering her face; she looked up when Sally walked in.

"Good morning, Mrs. Jackson," she greeted her warily.

"Good morning Annabeth. I wanted to apologize for yesterday. I didn't mean what I said, I was just a little stressed out," Sally explained.

"No, I shouldn't have been getting in your way. Sorry." Annabeth didn't quite forgive her, but knew it was partially her own fault.

"Why don't we eat breakfast?" Sally suggested. Annabeth obliged, and soon they were all talking and laughing in the kitchen.

"Wow, I haven't been to Manhattan in so long," remarked Annabeth. "You know, I used to come here a lot before I had to move. There are so many historical landmarks!"

"Why don't we go to the museum? I haven't been since we first moved here," said Sally.

"Yeah! Come on Percy, it'll be fun," Annabeth said excitedly.

"I'd rather fight the Minotaur again than go to a museum," groaned Percy. "And I thought we were going to get a Christmas tree! We always go the day after thanksgiving, remember?" Annabeth's smile faded.

"Oh, well...maybe we should go to the museum another time?"

"Percy, why don't you and Paul go get the Christmas tree while Annabeth and I go to the museum?" Sally suggested.

"Are you sure?" Annabeth looked worried. "I wouldn't want to interrupt a family tradition."

"No I would love to go to the museum with you, honey," Sally smiled. Paul and Percy drive off to the Christmas tree farm while Annabeth and Sally took the subway to the museum. They walked up and down the aisles for hours, neither of them getting bored. Sally shared Paul's interest in ancient history as well as writing.

"So you named Percy after Perseus, right?" Annabeth asked as Sally looked at a statue of the ancient Perseus.

"Yes, and he hates his name," Sally laughed.

"I hate mine too," Annabeth smiled. "It's like Anna and Beth stuck together, like two names or something."

"But I love that name!" protested Sally. "I'm assuming it was your dad that named you?"

"No," Annabeth shook her head. "My mom named me. My dad was supposed to, but he tried to send me back to Olympus so my mom ended up having to name me."

"Oh sweetheart, that's terrible! You know, I consider you part of our family. I always wanted a daughter."

"I always wanted a mother," Annabeth mumbled quietly. Together, they walked out of the museum and headed back to the apartment.