"Well, here we are. Home sweet home." I said as we walked through the front door of the condo.

Bobby and Matthew immediately tossed their bags on the floor and bounded up the stairs to their room.

Picking up the bags, I turned to Percy.

"Thanks for driving us home," I told him.

He grinned as he shut and locked the door. "No problem."

Percy immediately made himself at home. He plopped onto the couch, set his feet on the coffee table, and closed his eyes.

Eyes still closed, he spoke. "Why did you let me come?" he asked.

Pulling out ingredients for sandwiches in the kitchen, I answered, "Well, I thought it would be easier to handle the boys if you were here. They listen to guys more than girls."

He laughed, "Well, I'm just that charismatic."

I snorted. "Yeah, sure. Keep thinking that."

The twins ran downstairs and grabbed Percy. "Come on! Annie's making sandwiches!" they yelped excitedly, dragging him to the counter.

While they scarfed down their sandwiches, the phone rang. I grabbed it.

"Hello?"

"Annabeth!"

"Hey Susan."

"So, the plane is running a slight bit late. I just got a phone call from Nicole, she said that the boys can go over to hers for a sleepover with Lucas and Louis," she said.

"So you want me to go to Lucas's house?" I asked.

Percy tensed.

Meanwhile, Susan had rushed out, "Nicole's coming to pick them up. Pack their bags Annabeth! Stay safe! Thalia will spend the night with you!" and shut off the phone.

Immediately, the 3 boys looked at me. Percy spoke first.

"Who's Lucas?" he asked, almost angry.

What's with him?

I ignored Percy's question and said, "Bobby, Matthew go pack your things for a sleepover at Lucas's."

Their faces split into wide grins and they hurried upstairs.

I moved to follow them, but Percy grabbed my wrist.

"You going too?" he asked.

"Why would I go to a sleepover at my brothers' friend's house?" I asked incredulously, ignoring the spark I felt when his hand touched mine.

Percy visibly relaxed and smiled. "Well, you never told me who Lucas was."

"Why does that affect you?" I asked.

"Because...because-," he stuttered, flushing a slight shade of pink.

"We're ready Annabeth!" Bobby said, running into the room.

He skidded to a stop after he saw me and Percy's position. Matthew came in and bumped into Bobby.

Percy and I simultaneously looked down, and saw that Percy was still grasping my wrist. He immediately let go.

The boys wiggled their eyebrows.

The doorbell rang.

I pushed Percy behind a curtain, murmuring "You're not supposed to be here."

I straightened my shirt, shot a warning glance to the twins, and opened the door.

"Hey Nicole!"

"Hey Annabeth. Are the twins ready?"

"Yep. Okay guys be good," I said giving each of them a hug.

I shut the door behind them.

"Percy, the boys are gone now so you can-"

"No," he said.

"Excuse me?" I asked.

"No. I am not leaving you home alone. Nuh –uh. Not gonna happen. I'll leave after Thalia gets here," he said.

"I'll have you know, I am perfectly capable of handling myself," I argued.

"I know. But I was raised a gentleman," he smirked.

I huffed.

"So, you know," Percy said, leading the way back to the family room, "we've known each other for a long time, but at the same time, we don't really know each other."

"Uh huh," I replied, distracted by the fact that his hand was encircling my wrist.

"So, what do you say we get to know each other?" he asked.

That snapped me out of it. I looked at him curiously. "Why?" I asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Why do you want to know me better?" I asked.

He looked at a loss for words. "Um…well…uhh…I…," he stuttered.

I decided to put him out of his misery. "I like architecture, I guess you could say I want to be an architect. And my favorite color is grey," I began.

He nodded, visibly relieved that he didn't have to answer the question.

"I have ADHD and dyslexia. I sucked at reading. But then my real mom, Athena, insisted I get a tutor. So dad got me a tutor, and I learned how to read way better. A bit too good. There was a time when I wasn't able to put down a book after I started- no matter how crappy it was. Helen would have to lock them in attic and hide the key," I remembered, laughing.

"So you're a Wise Girl," he grinned, evidently pleased with himself.

I made a face at the nickname, expressing my distaste.

He laughed. It sounded like the jingling of bells, the crashing of the ocean against rocks, noises that shouldn't have gone beautifully together but united in a glorious, harmonious symphony.

"I'm dyslexic too," he said.

"I know. You've been cursing pretty loud in English class for as long as I can remember," I teased.

"Hey! It's not my fault I didn't get a tutor."

"Yes it is."

"Well…fine. It is. Gods. Please continue," Percy mumbled.

Laughing, I complied. "Well…my friends are pretty much your friends. We have the same group of friends, I mean."

"Yeah. It's kinda funny how we never got to know each other," he said.

"Mhmm."

A moment of silence.

"I suppose it's my turn," Percy said. "So, I like anything to do with the ocean. I want to be a marine biologist. And my favorite color is blue. I also have ADHD and dyslexia," he said simply. "But I never really got a tutor for it. I tried on my own, but…" he spread his hands helplessly.

I smiled. "So you're a Seaweed Brain," I said

It was his turn to express distaste at the nickname. "Wise Girl is definitely a better insulting nickname."

"That's not insulting- it's a compliment."

"It was supposed to be insulting."

"It wasn't."

"So, Annie, have you ever had a boyfriend?" Percy asked, changing the subject.

"Yeah. Luke Castellan? But we broke up last year. Decided we had more of a brother-sister relationship," I explained, probably blushing.

Percy nodded in understanding. "I dated a girl named Calypso for a while. But then…I don't know. We both started liking other people," he said.

His gorgeous green eyes met stormy gray.

"Other people?" I stuttered.

He nodded, smiling nervously. "Do you need me to spell it out?" he asked with a soft smile.

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.

You," he said simply, eyes twinkling.

My mind whirled- Percy likes me. The guy I've indirectly been crushing on for the past year said he likes me.

And then the ADHD kicked in- Does my hair look okay? I look awful. I didn't even brush it! Why do I never pay attention to how I look?

"Annabeth?" Percy asked, a worried expression on his face.

He's cute when he's worried. Heck. He's cute all the time.

"I…might…like you…too," I said quietly, staring determinedly at the floor.

His serious expression morphed into a goofy grin.

"Really?" he asked gleefully.

All the awkwardness suddenly disappeared. I laughed. "Yeah."

"Annabeth Chase, will you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?" Percy asked.

"We haven't even gone out yet!" I exclaimed.

"I've waited a year to ask you that question. I'm not waiting any longer," Percy objected.

I blushed. "Fine."

He smiled, leaned in and…kissed me.

I felt a new found energy within. The cliché spark. A sense of belonging.

Percy's hand cradled my face, deepening the kiss, while I knotted my hands in his raven hair.

We finally pulled apart, breathing heavily.

"Damn," Percy murmured, gazing into my eyes, a dopey grin on his face.

"Language, Jackson," Thalia smirked from her position at the entrance of the living room. Piper and Jason were behind her.

Piper nudged Jason. "Told you they'd get together!"

They teased us. They "Awwed." They insisted that the children be named after them.

It was an hour before we were finally left alone.

The second Thalia went out the door "for a walk," Percy trapped me in his strong arms.

"Let's watch a movie,' he murmured in my ear.

I fell asleep that night in the arms of Percy Jackson.

I fell asleep in the arms of the man I would marry in 3 years.

If you guys want- there will be one more chapter. A closing chapter. With kids and such.

Please review and let me know.