Don't Think So Much Annabeth
Chapter XV: Dinner
Week Twenty
Annabeth took a deep breath, and fought to keep from smoothing out her dress. She looked just like she had before meeting Percy's parents, except this time she wore a simple dress with her hair pulled back into a ponytail. She didn't wear any makeup except for her mascara, and the thought of seeing her parents looking anything less than perfect was terrifying.
Dr. Terrant had given her the challenge to show up to this dinner comfortable rather than looking 'perfect'. She'd gotten back in contact with her after her voicemail, and scheduled for her to come in and talk through what she was feeling before the dinner.
The highlight of the meeting had been some breathing exercises to help manage her anxiety. She knew more than likely she would be anxious about something regarding the dinner, whether that be getting ready or the dinner itself, so she wanted something she could calm herself down with. Keeping calm and her blood pressure at a healthy limit was going to be her main focus. Since her mini bonding session with the baby, she'd been able to focus on the tiny human relying on her protecting and could override her own thoughts.
Thalia joked she could 'do the thing' for others but not herself, and Annabeth could really see what she meant now. If it meant protecting herself and therefore her baby, she would stand up for herself.
"Not that that means there will be a fight." She muttered, giving in and fixing the pleats on her skirt.
"You ready?" Percy called.
"Yes, let's do this." She called back, and grabbed her purse.
She felt underdressed the moment they walked in the door. Percy was wearing one of this business suits, so he fit in perfect, but her dress felt so plain next to the glittering gowns on the other women dining. Percy gripped her hand, giving her a kiss on the top of the head. She acknowledged him with a squeeze to the hand she was holding and took a deep breath.
Square breathing had been her favorite technique, because she could focus completely on counting and the breathing patten physically calmed her heart rate down. Percy answered the hostess for her so she could keep her pattern up, and once she felt her heart rate slow down she affectionately bumped his hip as they walked to the table.
"I've got you, promise." He winked and she laughed.
They were first at the table, allowing Annabeth to sit back against the wall and arrange her dress to pull down so it flared over her stomach. Percy helpfully took the seat to her right, blocking the view of her from the main entrance.
"Are you nervous?" She asked him.
"A little. I've never met the parents before, especially not after proposing to her and getting her pregnant."
Annabeth giggled, and they continued to chatting until the hostess approached with a couple trailing behind her.
She hadn't physically seen her father for a year, but the peppering of grey along his temples surprised her. He still looked the same but his aged appearance pulled at her heart. Susan was the same, subtle wrinkles around her eyes the only indicator she was aging as well.
Before she could stop, her plan was out the window and she was out of her seat hugging her Dad. He hugged her tightly in return and old her, "Annabeth, my girl, how I've missed you. I was so happy to hear from you! How has work been? Is this Percy?"
His rapid-fire questions made her laugh, and she led him the rest of the way to the table to Percy. Percy jumped up to shake his hand, her father nodding with approval.
"Hello Mr. Chase, I'm Percy Jackson."
"Please, call me Frederick. Percy, this is my wife Susan." He stepped to the side to introduce her, and Susan stepped forward.
Even from where she sat, she could see Susan was stiff and weary about meeting Percy. He took it in stride, complimenting her shimmering dress that fit right in with the other patrons. Agains he felt that twinge and took another deep breath.
"Hi Susan, it's nice to see you again." Annabeth stepped forward, awkwardly trying to decide whether to shake her hands or attempt a hug. Thankfully Susan decided for her and did the weird kiss-kiss on her cheeks that she saw their bridge club do.
"Annabeth, how are you dear?"
"I'm well, thank you. How have you been? How are the boys?"
"I'm well, the boys are doing good too. They're in baseball now, as much as I didn't want them to play it. They do love it though." The fond look on Susan face was foreign to her, but she ignored it. It wouldn't do to get her hopes up that Susan had gotten softer over the years.
"Oh really? I know they told me about wanting to do a sport, but couldn't decide on which one."
From there, conversation flowed easily. They talked about work, Percy was surprisingly open about his job to her amusement, and the food was delicious. She'd been tempted to ask her Dad to go somewhere she knew the smells wouldn't assault her nose and make her nauseous, but this place was big enough that the kitchen was close enough to even hear. Instead her chicken marsala was perfection and Percy was happily digging into a large steak.
"Is there anything you wanted to discuss sweetie, or did you just want to introduce this young man to us properly?"
There it was. Susan was straight to the point, as always. The question was phrased gently, but the barb was still there at the end.
"Actually, I wanted to tell you guys in person that we're engaged."
She pulled the ring from her purse, slipping it back into place on her fourth finger.
Two things happened simultaneously. Her father jumped up in excitement, rushing around to gather her into another hug. Right at that moment, a waiter was behind the table carrying a tray of wine glasses. In anticipation he jumped backwards and tripped on the chair behind her. The waiter fell, sending all the glasses right into their table. The majority soaked into Susan, drenching her gown and most likely staining the delicate fabric.
She shrieked, jumping from the table. Everyone in the vicinity stopped to stare at the spectacle.
"Ma'am I'm so sorry!" The waiter apologized, quickly grabbing fabric napkins from the other empty tables around them. Susan took them, dabbing at the fabric.
"No, please, I'm sorry. It's my step-daughters fault for not knowing when you announce news." She bit out.
The waiter blinked, unsure what to say, until Percy slowly stood up. Her father stepped away to comfort Susan, and Percy took a protective stance in front of Annabeth. She clung to his arm and tried to ignore the pain of the comment and the curious stares around them.
"Apologize to her, right now. This isn't anyone's fault, it was a simple accident." Percy said, narrowing his eyes.
Frederick looked nervously between Percy and Susan, and Annabeth could tell this wasn't going to end well. Susan scoffed, throwing a napkin to the table with a wet slap.
"Apologize? Where's my apology for ruining this dress?"
"Darling," Frederick tried to interrupt, but she kept going.
"While she's at it, she should apologize for disappearing for years at a time. You moved across the country and didn't tell us!"
"Yes I did, but no one ever listened to me! I told you the minutes I got my acceptance letter and even that my housing would be paid for. Instead, I took a taxi, alone, to the airport and flew to a city I didn't know by myself. Anytime I called you didn't answer. The only ones who tried to keep in touch were the boys and that's why they have my phone number."
"Well we would have called if—"
"If what?" She spit, stepping out from behind Percy. "You would have called me? If I had given you my address you would had visited me? You moved here, I reached out once, and nothing. Not even a false offer to meet for lunch or something. Why in the world would I waste energy just to be ignored?"
She took a second to breathe, letting Susan reflect on her words. Her father was teary-eyed but didn't say anything. He never did when it came to Susan.
"If I was anything less than perfect you made sure I knew. If my grades weren't A pluses, if my hair was too frizzy, if I put up the dishes and one glass had a fucking water spot you let me know it! I was never good enough to be your daughter! I can't imagine ever treating a child that way!"
Surprisingly, Susan didn't respond. She opened her mouth as if she was going to but then shut it and grimaced.
"I wasn't even that hard of a kid to raise." Annabeth said, tears filling her eyes.
Years upon years of hurt feelings were bubbling to the surface. She was in incredible pain reliving the emotions she'd felt and repressed all these years, but already the weight was falling from her shoulders like a silk throw. Percy pulled her into him, giving her a tight hug and whispering if she wanted to leave. She nodded into him, and wiped her eyes.
"You have no idea what it's like to be a mother."
Annabeth snapped around, glaring so harshly that Susan and her father flinched.
"Yes, I do." She announced, her hand coming to cradle her bump, revealing it to the world.
Her father gasped and Susan's jaw literally dropped.
"Dad, call me sometime, please. The twins know where to reach me. You ready, Percy?"
He nodded, and they headed out of the restaurant hand in hand. At the coat check, she left a tip for the poor waiter, and offered to pay for the broken glasses as well. The woman, who must have heard the entire encounter, waived her off and wished her luck instead. She could see pain in her eyes similar to her own and smiled sympathetically.
Once home, she lost her shit to put it bluntly.
Percy held her in bed while she cried, listening her to vent all her frustrations and hurt over her father and Susan's actions. He didn't try to reassure her with words and just listened. Once she was cried out, he handed her a tissue and gave her an affectionate kiss on top of the head.
"I'm proud of you, no matter what you do. I love you when your all dressed up, I love you when your hair is all messed up from running your hands through, I love you when you're puking into the toilet and telling me to go away."
She laughed, snuggling into him.
"I'm so proud of the work you've done for yourself and the baby, and I'll be here every step of the way."
"Thank you. I love you too."
The next day she stayed in bed. Percy had a meeting with a potential client, and while he'd offered for her to come if she wanted to stay in his office and work on her own stuff if she didn't want to be alone, she found she really just wanted to lay in bed and be sad for a bit.
She wasn't distressed, but she wanted to feel her feelings about her Dad and Susan, and even a little bit about her biological Mom leaving too. Lying in bed, appreciating the comfort of the monster bed Percy had bought for them and the cool sheets on her bare legs, did wonders for her.
She was always running around or working, never taking time to just sit and be with her thoughts. That's why, when someone knocked at the door, she contemplating pretending she wasn't home. The idea it could be Sally with some cookies got her moving.
Clad in her cotton shorts, tank top, and slippers, she shuffled her way to the door and opened it without looking. A poor decision in retrospect, since she found her step-mother standing there.
"No." Annabeth said flatly, shutting the door.
Percy was unlisted and their was security at the door. How had she gotten in without the code?
"Annabeth? I came to apologize. I had a long talk with Frederick and the boys last night, and they made me realize I've treated you horribly."
"I'm listening." She responded.
"Can I come in? You can kick me out as soon as I'm done."
The idea of tossing her out on her ass was tempting, so she opened the door again. Susan smiled and thanked her, walking into her home.
It wasn't pristine, but the counters were wiped and the dishes were done for once. Having two ADHD people living together meant sometimes the cleaning took a backseat priority. Percy had offered to get a cleaning service in, but Annabeth had rejected the idea for the time being.
"I'm not sure where to start, aside from telling you how sorry I am. When I married Frederick, I of course knew I would be getting you as well. I looked forward to having a daughter, but I guess between what I'd been taught and your attention difficulties, we never bonded the way I'd hoped. Instead, we became hostile and I drug your father into compliance with me."
Wow, she hadn't been expecting a full confession. In fact, she just assumed someone had forced her to come here and apologize. Maybe someone did have a hand, but the apology was sincere. Annabeth relaxed, and offered Susan to come into the living room for a cup of coffee.
"Can I ask a few questions?" Annabeth asked. Susan nodded.
"How did you get this address?"
"The boys gave it to me. I asked for your number, or at least for them to call you and hand me the phone, but in the end they insisted I come over and do this face to face. They're wise for their age."
Okay, so they must have been able to tell their Mom was being sincere in wanting to apologize.
"Yeah, they are." She smiled. "What happened last night? I know you can be particular about some stuff, but I've never see you so…"
"Mean?"
Annabeth nodded and looked down at her hands. Susan let out a long sigh and did the same.
"I guess I was hurt you hadn't told us you were seeing anyone, let alone engaged. I couldn't figure out why you distance yourself like that when you were so kind to everyone else, and it hurt. After some self reflection, I realize part of a that may have been my fault. I gave no indication I wanted to talk to you and when you did tell me about that kind of stuff, I went straight into warning you not to do anything stupid or mess up. When you said you were a good kid last night, I realized you were. You've grown into a wonderful woman and now a mother too."
When she looked up, Susan was crying. Against her instincts, she moved froward to embrace her. Susan hugged her back instantly, and blubbered again how sorry she was. Before she knew it, Annabeth was sobbing too.
"I'm sorry too."
"No, honey, you don't need to apologize. I just need to work on my people skills a bit more I suppose."
"We could, if you want to, go to a therapy session together? I, uh, go every week and it's really helped me. Maybe she can ask some questions to get us talking and bond?"
Susan smiled and said, "I would love that."
Once she was gone, Annabeth felt so odd that she checked her pulse, her blood pressure, and even sat as still as she could until she could feel the baby move. Once Percy got home, she described the feeling to him. He simply gave her a hug and told her that was the feeling of relief.