A Few Hours Later
I sit, curled up on the couch next to Percy; tears of joy sliding down my cheeks.
"I knew you could do it," Percy whispers and kisses my forehead. I turn my head so our lips meet and only just notice that Percy is also crying. I pull away and smile.
"I accepted my death a long time ago- I can't believe I'm in remission," I say.
"Well believe it," Percy grins and rests his forehead against mine.
"I still want to complete the things on my list," I reply.
"And I still want to help you. Every single one of those things will be ticked off by the end of the year," Percy promises.
"You're amazing," I whisper before firmly pressing my lips against him.
"You… are…" Percy mutters between kisses.
I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him on top of me, never letting out lips part. Percy uses hit tongue to part my lips and then we let our tongues dance together. I let my fingers tangle in Percy's raven locks while his hands rest on my hips.
After a few minutes of kissing he pulls away and stares at me. "You're beautiful," he whispers, lifting his hand to trace my lips with his pointer finger.
"And you're cheesy," I whisper back, smiling brightly. "But I still love you."
"And I love you," he says and presses his lips to mine one more time before rolling off of me and resting beside me on the couch. "Can I ask you something?" he asks as he plays with my wig.
"Sure," I reply.
"Why do you wear a wig?"
I sit up and lean on my elbow so I can see his face. "My mom loved to play with my hair when I was little. When I was upset we'd sit down and she would start running her fingers through my hair while she sang to me. I was upset a lot when she died and it always made me think of when she played with my hair. When it started falling out a few months after I found out I had cancer I was devastated so I bought a wig that was exactly like my old hair," I explain.
"Do you ever take it off?" Percy asks curiously.
"Only when I'm alone," I reply.
"Will you let me see you without it on?" he asks.
I bite my lip and then shake my head. "No." I'm surprised at how disappointed Percy looks and I add, "Not today, anyway. Maybe I will one day when I'm more confident. I feel naked without hair."
"I understand," Percy replies and pulls my to him so our bodies are presses together.
We sit in silence for what seems like forever but what must've only been a few minutes when the front door opens and in walks my dad, Sue and the twins.
"Annie! Are you home?" my dad calls from the hallway.
"In here," I call, sitting up because I know my dad will think things if he sees Percy and I laying that close.
My dad walks into the room seconds later and worry fills his eyes when he looks at me. "What's the matter? Have you been crying?" he asks franticly.
I go over to him and wrap my arms around his stomach. "My doctor called while you were out," I tell him. My dads grip on me tightens and I know he's
expecting the worse. "They wanted me to give them a time to get the results but I asked for them now."
"Please tell me they're good," my dad begs.
I look into his teary eyes with a small smile on my face. "I'm in remission," I say. His eyes widen and it seems to take a few seconds for the news to sink in.
"Oh my god! That's amazing!" he nearly yells as he lifts me off the ground and spins me around.
I laugh and hit his shoulders. "Dad!"
He sets me on my feet and grins at me with tears on his cheeks. "You did it. My little Angel did it," he cries. "Sue! Bobby! Matthew! Come in here!"
My family walk into the room, all looking confused. "What is it?" Sue asks curiously.
"Annabeth's in remission!" my dad announces.
"That's wonderful!" Sue exclaims and runs over to throw her arms around me.
"What does that mean?" Bobby asks, elbowing Matthew in the side.
"It means Annabeth is all-better," Sue explains.
The boys smile and run over also. Dad and Sue lift them up so we can all have a group hug. I grab Percy's hand and pull him to me so he can join in the big hug.
"Hey, this isn't for me. This is for family," Percy says.
"You are my family," I promise and he smiles before wrapping his arms around me.
"We have to celebrate!" my dad says, pulling away.
"We can go out for a meal," Sue suggests.
"I think we should grab a few bowls of popcorn and watch a movie together," I speak up.
"Can we watch Harry Potter?" Matthew begs.
"We can watch anything you want," I say. He cheers and runs off to grab a few blankets.
I look over at the other couch and find both Sue and my dad asleep, Sue's head resting on my dad's shoulder. My eyes flicker to the floor and I realise that Bobby and Matthew are also asleep. I yawn and stretch my arms above my head before turning to Percy.
I grin when I see that his eyes are closed, drool on the side of his mouth. I roll my eyes, lean over and wipe the liquid away. I gently grab a blanket from the back of the couch and put it over my Seaweed Brain. I tiptoe into the kitchen and go to the phone so I can call Sally.
"Hello?" Sally answers after a few seconds.
"Hey, Sally. It's Annabeth. I'm just calling to say that Percy has fallen asleep on the couch," I reply.
"Oh, that's fine. Thanks for letting me know, Sweetie. He must've been really tired."
"It's been a big day. My results came back," I announce.
"Really?" Sally asks.
"Yeah. I'm in remission."
"That's great. Oh, everyone must be so pleased. Percy knew you could do it," Sally replies.
"Thanks and I know. He tells me all the time that I'm strong. Your son is amazing," I say.
"I know. He seems to think you're an angel from heaven. He really likes you, Annabeth," Sally admits.
"I like him, too."
"I hope you two are being careful. I don't like to bring these things up with Percy because I know he gets embarrassed but-"
"We- Percy and I aren't… we're not doing anything like that," I stutter, my face burning even-though I'm the only one in the room.
"Okay," Sally says, obviously amused. "Just be careful. Anyway, It's late. You better get to sleep, Missy," Sally says.
"Goodnight," I reply, wanting to hurry and hang up.
"G'night, Annabeth."