XXXVIII. PERCY

As Frank and Hazel left, Percy glanced sideways at his dad. He wasn't sure whether to feel nervous or annoyed at Poseidon. After all, his father had ignored him for months, hadn't done anything to stop Hera from kidnapping Percy, and had left Percy to struggle on his own through Tartarus. On the other hand, Poseidon (in Neptune form) had given them the advice they needed to ultimately defeat Gaea. So Percy settled for staying quiet, crossing his arms, and simply looking at his father.

Poseidon gave a sad smile, as if he knew what Percy was thinking. "I believe you've been told this before, but the hardest part of being a god, of being a parent really, is letting your children solve their own problems and make their own decisions. But I want you to know, Perseus, that I am very proud of the choices you've made."

Hearing his dad say he was proud of him made it really hard for Percy to stay angry. It also made it harder to look at his dad. Percy turned instead to face the fountain in front of them, which showed a hippocampus leaping in the air, water sprouting from the tips of its tail. "Thanks, Dad."

Poseidon nodded. He, too, looked at the fountain. "I quite like this one," he said appreciatively. "Annabeth Chase really did a nice job with the new design of Olympus."

"Yeah," Percy said. "She's pretty awesome."

"I particularly like the trident shape of my temple," Poseidon mused. He turned to look over his shoulder, as if someone had called his name. "Ah. Well, we'll talk soon, Percy. There are some—strange happenings we may need to discuss, but nothing to worry about right now. Tonight, enjoy the party." He patted Percy on the back. "By the way, I think someone's looking for you."

Poseidon winked at Percy before fading into the crowd on a gust of sea-breeze.

Percy turned and his breath caught in his chest. Annabeth had changed into jeans and a clean orange Camp Half-Blood shirt. With her blonde hair falling loose around her shoulders, she looked almost exactly like she had five years ago, when he'd passed out at her feet on the Big House porch after his fight with the Minotaur.

Except even more beautiful, he thought as she smiled and walked down the path to meet him.

"Hey, Seaweed Brain."

"Hey," Percy replied. His mouth was dry, but he couldn't figure out why he was nervous. Maybe it was just a flashback to when they'd been on Olympus after defeating Atlas. At the time, Percy had wanted to tell Annabeth how much he liked her, but he'd been too intimidated by Athena. "So, did you convince your mom not to incinerate me?"

"I think you're safe for now. Actually, she seemed almost impressed with you." Annabeth's smile turned teasing. "Does your dad want to blast me?"

"Nah, he seems to like you," Percy said. "Or, at least, he likes that the two of us dating annoys Athena."

Annabeth laughed and the sound burned away some of Percy's nerves. Music was drifting, low and sweet, around the garden. He remembered again that party on Olympus after Atlas fell. He held out a hand to Annabeth. "Want to dance?"

Her eyes sparkled as she took his hand. "I'd love to."

There were a few nymphs, satyrs, and minor gods and goddesses scattered around the garden, but no one was paying attention to anyone else. Percy and Annabeth swayed on the spot, not talking much, just enjoying each other's company. Percy caught a few words of the song playing from the magical speakers:

"Days like this lead to, nights like this lead to,

Love like ours. You light the spark in my

bonfire heart."

He didn't recognize the song, but it seemed appropriate. The song ended and another slow song came on, so they kept dancing. Annabeth moved closer and rested her head against his shoulder; her hair smelled like lemons. Percy tightened his arm around her waist. He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this happy and relaxed. Maybe never.

As a third song ended, Percy pressed a kiss to the top of Annabeth's head. "Want to get out of here?"

"Sure." She pulled back to look at him. "Where are we headed?"

Nervous butterflies filled Percy's stomach again, accompanied by a massive wave of homesickness. He tried to respond, but he couldn't get the words past the sudden lump in his throat.

Annabeth seemed to read the answer on his face, though. She took his hand. "Come on, Seaweed Brain."

They threaded their way through the crowds, heading toward the elevator doors. Along the way, they stopped to tell Jason and Piper they were leaving.

"Okay," Piper said. "But you'll be back at camp for the fire tonight, right?"

"Definitely." Annabeth gave Piper a hug.

"You wouldn't want to miss out on the s'mores," Jason said, clapping Percy on the back.

Percy managed a smile. "Yeah, it's been way too long since I've had one of those."

The street outside the Empire State Building was bustling with midafternoon traffic. Cabs honked, people talked on their cell phones as they hurried past, tourists snapped pictures. Everything was busy and hectic and perfectly New York. To Percy, it felt like home.

Annabeth frowned. "I don't have money for a taxi or the subway, do you?"

"No need," Percy replied. He closed his eyes and concentrated hard. Blackjack, buddy, where are you?

On my way, boss, the horse replied. Within a minute, a dark shape swept overhead and landed on the sidewalk in front of them. No one seemed to notice; maybe the mortals just saw an extra-large pigeon. Blackjack nuzzled Percy. Sorry about that kick to the head, boss. I wouldn't have done it if you'd been yourself.

"It's all good, Blackjack. You probably saved our lives. Listen, we need a lift to the Upper East Side. You up for it?"

Blackjack whinnied, which Percy took for a yes. He climbed on the Pegasus, then held out a hand to pull Annabeth up behind him. "Let's go!"

Blackjack smoothly navigated the tunnel of New York streets, hemmed in by skyscrapers. Percy's nerves were mounting the closer they got, his stomach twisting in knots. He hadn't been home in eight months. He was grateful Annabeth was with him as Blackjack clattered to the pavement in front of his mom's apartment building.

As he slid off the pegasus, the rush of homesickness he'd been fighting ever since he woke up in the Wolf House months ago (when he didn't even know where his home was) threatened to engulf him. He swallowed the lump in his throat, but he couldn't seem to lift his foot and take that first step. Annabeth laced her fingers through his and tugged him gently towards the front door. "Come on, Percy."

The elevator ride to the fifth floor seemed to take no time. Suddenly, they were in front of his mom's apartment. Percy wasn't sure whether to knock. "I don't have my key with me. I think it's back in my cabin at camp."

Annabeth tried the door, which was unlocked. She opened it. When Percy didn't move, she gave him a light push. "It's just your apartment, Seaweed Brain."

Percy stumbled inside. The hall light was on and he could see the living room from here. A familiar voice called, "Paul? I thought you weren't going to be back until later?"

Mom. Percy wanted to call back, but his voice wouldn't work. It didn't matter, though. Sally Jackson came around the corner, smiling and drying a frying pan, expecting her husband. When she saw her son, she froze.

"Hey, Mom," Percy managed. "I—I promised I'd make it home."

The frying pan hit the floor with a dull thud. Sally shrieked and ran forward, flinging her arms around her son. "Percy!"

Percy buried his face in his mom's shoulder. She smelled like cookies and lavender and home.

Sally was alternating between sobbing and kissing his face. "Percy, oh my baby, we were so worried. There was that phone call, but then we never heard anything else and then Rachel and Grover told us you'd fallen into Tartarus and I never thought—but you're back." She finally pulled away, holding him at arm's length, examining him like she was looking for injuries. Apparently satisfied that he was okay, she hugged him again. "Oh, I'm just so happy you're home!"

"Me too, Mom," Percy said. His voice was thick and he felt tears stinging his eyes, which was a little embarrassing, but whatever. After everything they'd been through—his amnesia, Tartarus, the final fight with Gaea—when his mom hugged him, he didn't have any energy left to hold back the tears.

His mom noticed Annabeth and released Percy to throw her arms around his girlfriend. "Annabeth, sweetheart, I'm so glad you're okay, too!"

Annabeth's voice was muffled as she hugged Sally, but Percy was pretty sure he heard her say, "I told you I'd bring him home."

"I knew you would." Sally kissed Annabeth's cheek. Both of them were wiping their eyes as they broke apart.

A timer went off in the kitchen. "Oh, that's the roast," Sally said. "You're just in time for dinner."

"Awesome," Percy said.

His mom went back into the kitchen, stopping to pick up the dropped frying pan on her way, and Percy turned to Annabeth. "You told my mom you'd bring me home?"

She blushed. "Yeah, well, we were worried. Besides, I told you a long time ago, if you're going to save the world, I'm the best person to keep you from messing up."

Percy grinned. "Yeah, you are."

He slid his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. When Annabeth put her hands around his neck, Percy was reminded strongly of their first real kiss. His pulse was racing as he leaned forward now and kissed her.

They broke apart when his mom called from the kitchen, "You two better not have left or, so help me, Percy, I will ground you for a year!"
They both laughed. Percy took Annabeth's hand and led her into the kitchen. "Don't worry, Mom. I'm not going anywhere. Definitely not before dinner."

The front door opened and closed. Paul's voice said, "Sally, I got done early and—"

His voice died as he walked into the kitchen.

Sally beamed. "Look who's home."

"Percy!" Paul engulfed him in a bear hug. He thumped Percy on the back and said, gruffly, "Glad you're home, son."

"Thanks, Paul," Percy said, returning the hug.

As Paul released Percy to give Annabeth a hug, too, Sally wiped her eyes on a kitchen towel. She was still smiling, though, as she set the roast, potatoes, and carrots on the table. "Alright, guys, let's eat."

As the four of them sat down around the table, Percy couldn't help grinning like an idiot. The war was over, his friends had survived, and they'd made it back to New York. Best of all, his mom had made dinner.

It was good to be home.

***If there's not a Percy/Sally reunion scene in the real BoO, I will be seriously upset. The song lyrics are from "Bonfire Heart" by James Blunt—the song just seems appropriate for Percy and Annabeth. Also, in case you didn't guess, when Poseidon says he and Percy need to discuss some things, he is referring to the Egyptian/Greek cross-over problems that are beginning and which show up in Son of Sobek and Staff of Serapis-if you haven't read them, you should check them out, they're fun.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed this chapter. Only two more left! Chapter 39, from Piper's POV, will be up by Tuesday, July 15. Have a great weekend everyone!***