Epilogue (5 years later)
It's raining- weather set for the occasion. Annabeth straightens her black dress. She looks around the house. It's more of a mess than she would prefer, but she knows she can't be too picky. A small smile settles on her face as she sees their wedding photo.
"Percy?" she calls.
He comes out in a suit. Annabeth thinks he looks dashing, but she won't tell him. It'll just boost his ego. Percy's face is somber and she can tell he's on the verge of tears. Straightening his jacket, she looks up at him.
"Shall we?"
Percy hooks her arm with his. She grabs an umbrella, and opens it when they step outside. It's a warm sort of rain so they decide to walk. The cemetery isn't far. The sound of rain is the only noise as they make their way toward the group of people huddled in black. Annabeth unlinks their arms and grabs his hand. His ring is cold against her hand. They make their way through the throng of people and umbrellas until they can see the casket.
It is a cream color and stands out against the rich soil. As they lower it in the ground, several people start crying. Percy's grip tightens on her hand. Grandpa Jack is standing at one end of the hole, tears streaming down his face. The rain starts to fall a little harder. He seems to be saying something, but it is hard to hear over the rain. People dissipate as they begin filling the hole, ready to get out of the weather. They walk over to the headstone, not put into place yet. It reads.
Grandma Jane Smith
July 3, 1950- September 12, 2014
"The kind spread their love even in death."
Annabeth rubs Percy's back as he starts crying. They finish watching the workers bury the casket and the rain dies down a bit.
"Ready?" she asks him. He nods and they turn to go.
"Percy. Annabeth." Someone calls. They turn around. Grandpa Jack is walking towards them. He gives them each a hug.
"Percy, Jane is very proud of you. She thought of you as her own son, and I do too. She wants you to take over the store."
He stood there, in shock. "I-I can't accept that. It's your store too."
"She wanted you to have it. Really. I'm getting old myself. We need you to run it." Jack shook Percy's hand, like it was final.
"Thank you." He croaks. The walk home seems quieter than the walk there. Annabeth puts the umbrella away, the rain now at a slow drizzle.
"How was it?" Sally asks as they step in the door.
"Very nice. It was really sweet." Annabeth responds, knowing Percy doesn't really want to talk about it. She leans towards Sally, whispering, "She gave him the store, Uncle Rick's."
Sally put her hand to her mouth. A piercing squeal cuts through the air as a mess of black hair runs into Annabeth.
"Hi sweetie." She says, picking the little boy up. "Were you good for Grandma Sally?"
He nods. "I was very good. Where's daddy?" She spins him around before setting him down. He runs, giggling, to Percy.
"Hey there kiddo." He says, poking him in the sides.
"So how is number two doing?" Sally asks, while the other two wrestle.
Annabeth looks at her stomach, self conscious. "We got the gender the other day. It's a girl!"
"Oh! Congratulations!" Sally clasps Annabeth's hands.
"We will have to go shopping sometime."
"More shopping?" Percy says as he comes over with the boy hanging over his shoulder.
"Think of it as my treat." Sally says.
"Mom-" he says at the same time Annabeth says. "You really don't need to."
"These are my only grandchildren. I am going to spoil them silly."
They glance at each other. Not much you can do when Sally puts her mind to something. Percy sets their child down and he bounces around the kitchen.
"Anyway. Any ideas for baby names?" she asks.
Annabeth replies, "Well we didn't know if it would be a boy or a girl but, considering the circumstances." Annabeth glances at Percy before saying. "I think I want to name her Jane."
He looks at her and gives her that stupid smile she had fallen for.
"I love you." He gives her a kiss, full of meaning, and an unsaid conversation passes between them.
"Yuck." Calls the little boy, and the three adults laugh.
Fin.