Chapter 16

7 months later

"Happy Birthday, 'Livia!"

It was Olivia's 1st birthday and they were having a small party in Percy's apartment. Percy set the cake on the kitchen table. Sally held Olivia on her hip as everyone gathered around the kitchen island. After singing happy birthday and cutting the cake Percy went into the living room. He sat down on the red leather couch in front of the television. Sally gave Olivia to Percy then went back into the kitchen with some of the others. Soon, Bianca sat beside him with two slices of cake on two different plates. He raised an eyebrow and she rolled her eyes.

"For Olivia," she explained. She wore a nice shirt and skinny jeans.

Percy nodded and passed Olivia to her.

"Dada," Olivia was about to cry.

"Hey 'Livia, look," Bianca said. Bianca made the face—the face Olivia had miraculously made in the ocean years ago.

Olivia happily copied it. Bianca smiled happily and began to feed her the cake.

Thalia dropped into the seat next to Percy on his right.

"Hey, Thalia."

Thalia nodded in reply. "Hey, you know that girl over there?"

Thalia nodded towards a girl with red curly hair and green eyes. She was laughing and talking with Jason and Piper.

"Yeah, that's Rachel, why?" Percy answered. He turned towards Thalia questiongly.

"Who the hell invited RED to a 1 year old's birthday party?"

"Um…I did?" Percy answered, but it almost came out as a question. "Why?"

"Geez Percy, you don't remember, do you?"

Percy huffed, "Thalia. If it has anything to do with Olivia's mom, I don't remember."

Thalia watched her carefully as she helped herself to some chips from the table. "Where did you meet her?" she suddenly asked.

"She's from California and came here 5 months ago. We worked together at a business internship."

"And she didn't remember you?" Thalia asked, more to herself than him.

"Um…"

"Do you want to know the story?" Thalia asked him.

Percy nodded unsurely.

"Okay, so, when you and An—Olivia's mother were dating in university, maybe two years ago, Rachel was basically in love with you. And she kissed you."

Percy narrowed his brows as he leaned back into the couch. "Then what?"

"She told the whole university that she kissed you. Word got to your girlfriend and you broke up for a week. She slapped you pretty hard too."

"What?" Percy sat up straight. "Thalia, your story makes no sense."

Thalia sighed deeply. "Whatever Percy. It's true."

Percy rolled his eyes. "Hey Nico!"

Nico turned around from his spot near Hazel. He walked over to him.

"Hey, Nico, lemme ask you a question," Percy requested.

Nico nodded slowly.

"Did I ever cheat on Olivia's mom?"

Nico shook his head slowly.

"Thank you, you can leave now."

Nico gave them both one last look before walking away.

Percy got up and started to walk away.

"I never said you cheated on her," Thalia snapped as she followed him towards the kitchen. They disappeared through the swinging door. Bianca and Olivia watched them go. "You're twisting my words."

Thankfully, no one was in the kitchen. Percy started putting dishes into the sink. "Basically Thalia, that's what you said. What do you have against Rachel anyways?"

"I have nothing against her!" Thalia exclaimed. "But you should!"

"That's such freaking bull, Thalia." Percy turned to face her and leaned against the counter.

Thalia crossed her arms. "What I told you was true, Percy."

"Thalia, seriously, why do you hate Rachel? What did she ever do to you?"

"Nothing!" Thalia protested, throwing her hand out. "She made An—your girlfriend hate you! Why don't you believe me?"

Percy shook his head, "Maybe because I've known you for years."

"And how long have you known Rachel?"

"Long enough."

Thalia glanced down and muttered something.

"What?" Percy asked.

Thalia looked up at him, "You're an asshole." Thalia turned around and left the room. The kitchen door swung back and forth.

Percy swore under his breath and after a few seconds of deliberation, left to find her. He knew she would've left so he ran through the living room and out the door. He spotted Thalia getting into the elevator at the end of the hallway. He began to sprint hoping he'd be able to catch her before the doors closed. As soon as she spotted him, she attempted to click the close doors button. Percy slid in between the doors at the last second. The elevator began to move. He bent down as he tried to catch his breath. The elevator began the nearly 5 minute journey from the penthouse to the lobby.

Thalia watched him amusedly. "Geez Thals," he took a breath. "I just…wanted…to say…sorry."

"And you should." Thalia slapped his shoulder. "I have nothing against Rachel, and—"

"No, Thalia." Percy shook his head. "I'm not saying sorry for what I said." He stood up straight and grabbed the railing to his right. "I'm saying sorry for the way I said it."

Thalia crossed her arms. "I guess that's fair," she admitted. She then crossed her arms. "But what you said was still quite mean."

Percy sighed. "I just don't like hearing things about Olivia's mother. Olivia's mom at this point is just a missing puzzle piece among thousands. Some people would find that a problem. I don't. I've moved on."

"I get that, Percy. But one day Olivia's going to ask questions about her mom, and you're going to have to give her answers."

They reached the lobby and Percy leaned forward and clicked the button back to the penthouse. "I know," he sighed.

"Nico is that a dog!"

"I named her Mrs. O'Leary."

"Geez Nico," Thalia added. "I just got her a build-a-bear." She shook the purple bear.

"Yeah, well, I hope this proves Olivia likes me more."

Thalia scoffed and rolled her eyes.

Annabeth sat on the couch in her parents' house wearing silk burgundy pajamas. She sat cross-legged in a pair of sweats and a tank top. A bowl of cornflakes sat on the table in front of her. It didn't seem like something a 21-year old adult would do, but she was doing it. She had no classes so she decided to come spend some time with her family in their home. Apparently, she had been 'neglecting' them lately and they wanted to spend more time with her. Well right now, they were neglecting her. Annabeth sat alone while the rest of her family was still sleeping. For a few months, Annabeth has been trying to start her own architecture business. It was called Chase. Annabeth believed it was simple, yet elegant. And, it had the family name in it. Business was slow, but that was expected. After half an hour, Annabeth heard the quiet patter of feet coming down the carpeted steps.

Because the house was designed so the stairs were behind the couch, she turned around. She saw her mother coming down the stairs. She was in a blue bathrobe but was wearing pajamas underneath. She was in the process of tying the strap.

"Good morning," Annabeth greeted as she turned back around.

"You're up early," her mother noted.

Annabeth shrugged. In her dorm room, Annabeth wasn't the early bird—Reyna was. Every morning, Annabeth woke to the sound of Reyna getting ready in the morning. At the moment, it was 8 a.m.

Athena went into the kitchen. "Do you want tea?" she called after a few moments.

"No," Annabeth replied. "I've got a perfectly good bowl of cereal right here."

Her mother came back into the living room with a steaming cup in her hands. Her black hair was tied into a bun. "That doesn't sound like a hearty breakfast."

"And tea is?"

Athena ignored the comment. "I would like to speak with you."

"About what?" Annabeth asked without taking her eyes of the screen. Her show just came back from commercial.

Athena grabbed the remote and zapped the TV off. Annabeth sighed and turned to her mother, still holding her bowl. "Yes mother?"

"So…today is your one year anniversary."

"Of what?" Annabeth asked curiously as she set down the bowl.

"Since the accident!" Athena said cheerfully.

Annabeth closed her eyes and sighed. "Mom," she said as she opened them. "You didn't need to remind me. That was a full year ago. Let's try and forget about it."

"You don't feel like you're…missing anything at all?" Athena asked carefully. She sipped her tea.

Annabeth ran a hand through her golden princess curls. "No, I do. I'm upset and disappointed."

"Why?"

"Because," Annabeth stressed. "For a full year, you, and dad and even Bobby and Matthew have been hiding a secret from me. A big one." Annabeth stared at her mom with tears in her eyes. "Just tell me what happened."

Athena's grey eyes widened from the sudden outburst. Annabeth just started to cry—like a sudden burst in the pipe. "You died, Annabeth," she admitted. "Then they revived you and here you are today."

"No, mom," Annabeth shook her head. "What caused me to die?"

Athena hesitated. "You…" she sighed. Was she really about to do this? She licked her lips and looked at her daughter. "You died during childbirth." Annabeth stared with wide eyes. "Lost too much blood, and…the child is gone."

Annabeth stared at her mother, not letting the tears fall. "I, I don't…What about the father?" Annabeth choked out.

"I don't know where he is, Annabeth."

What Athena did was smart. She didn't lie at all. She took what Annabeth perceived to be true and made sure her brain didn't receive the information properly. Saying that the baby was 'gone', Annabeth automatically assumed that the baby was dead. That it passed away. The fact that Athena said she doesn't know where the father is, is true. She doesn't know where Percy is. Annabeth assumes he ran away.

Annabeth wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. "Thank you," she said.

Athena didn't say anything as Annabeth leaned forward and hugged her. She stiffened. The guilt was weighing her down. But Athena knew what she was doing was right. She was saving a life. Of course she regrets the deal she made, it was like making a deal with the devil. But at the same time, Athena didn't know how much longer she could last before she would break.

oh hey guys. here I am...a day later...updating because you reached the review goal. yay.

Lol. It's like you guys band together to reach the review goal as fast as possible...I feel like putting it out of reach, but you guys always seem to find a way so I'll make it 35.

Review goal: 205

So, that thing with Athena 'saving a life' is true. She's not crazy. Well, I can't say she's saving a life, but she is protecting a life. You guys can guess. Well...okay, she's over exaggerating. But still. Anyways, I hope I don't end up updating tomorrow, lol. Thanks for reading!