Chapter 5

Back home, Sally went all mother like on Annabeth—which didn't make matters any easier.

"You are my daughter Annabeth. We may not be by blood, but I have raised you and I have the right to keep you. Because you're my daughter, Annabeth.. You are." Sally was breaking down into tears.

Annabeth went over to hug her, "I will always be your daughter, mom. But you know Crystal needs you even more than I do. She needs your love, mom. And I'm sort of looking forward to meeting my real mom."

Sally gave her a sad smile, "You're right. I'm acting like a weird super uncool mom."

Annabeth laughed, "That's what I love about you, mom."

~o00o~

Annabeth went up the stairs to find, Percy standing on the steps, leaning on the rail.

"Are you really looking forward to it?" Percy asked.

Annabeth sighed, "I don't know. Percy. It's just a lot to handle right now." she said as she walked past him up to her room.

Percy followed her into her room, "You know you can tell me everything and anything, right?"

Annabeth looked up to him as she sat on her bed, "Of course. I can always count on you, bro."

He smiled and sat on the edge of the bed, "I need you to know. No matter what— "

"Yes?"

He lifted his hand and brushed a strand of golden hair away from her face, "You're always going to be my little adorable sis. You know that, right?"

Annabeth smiled and nodded. Then her face turned into a worried frown, "Honestly, Percy. I'm scared. I'm really scared."

Percy wrapped his arms around her in a protective bear hug, never letting go until all her fears have passed away.

"I know. And you have every right to be."

"Love you, Perce. What would I do without you?"

Percy simply smiled, "Nothing. You would have not been able to do anything without me."

She laughed as she fell asleep in his warm protective arms.

Annabeth woke up in her bed, wondering why Percy was sleeping right next to her. They had slept in the same bed many times before, but this time it felt different. She just didn't know if it was a good different or not.

She got out of bed and changed into a new set of clothes. Athena was coming to pick her up today. All her things were packed and she brought her main suit case down the stairs. There were a lot more boxes to bring down, but she did have many servants to help her.

Sally had made pancakes for her— the last meal she would cook for her.

"Come on, mom. Don't be so dreary. It's not like I'm moving all the way across the country or something."

"Still."

"I'll visit as much as possible."

Sally nodded.

When Athena had arrived to pick Annabeth up and drop Crystal off and when everything was all ready in the car, Percy came downstairs all ready.

"I'll take this." He said as he took the suitcase from Annabeth's hands.

"Bye mom." Annabeth said as she hugged Sally as hard as she could.

"Bye sweetheart. Drive safely and don't worry about settling in, because if you don't like the arrangement in any way, I will personally bring you back here—alright?"

Annabeth smiled, "Alright."

They hugged again before Annabeth left out the door to where Percy and Poseidon were standing.

Annabeth went to hug Poseidon.

"Bye, Sweetie. You will always be my daughter. You know that, right?"

"Yes Dad, " She smiled, "I'll see you soon."

She let go and Percy went over to give her a hug.

"See you at school, sis." He said.

Annabeth smiled, "Bye Percy. And try to be nice to Crystal. She is your real sister after all."

Percy nodded his head, "Fine, I'll keep that in mind. But I'm not keeping any promises."

Annabeth let go and pecked a kiss on Percy's cheek like she always did when they were younger.

She then got into the car where Athena was at the wheel. Crystal got out of the car not without giving Annabeth the evil eye and a smirk.

Annabeth looked out the window to the people she loved the most and smiled her bravest, sweetest smile. And when she did, something in Percy's stomach made him feel weird—very weird. He passed off the feeling as he smiled back.

Her eyes met his—and almost instantly he realized how beautiful and radiant her eyes were.

How could he not have noticed the fourteen years he had known her?

Why was he thinking these things right now of all times?

Annabeth felt something as well in that moment right before Athena drove off. It was weird, but nice—

And she couldn't place it as anything else, but relief.

Relief that Percy was—

She pushed those thoughts into the back of her mind as the car drove away from the home she always knew to be hers.