Percy
"Malcolm, How could you not warn me?" I yell at the misty figure in the rainbow.
"Would you have picked Luke up or would Sally have if I did?"
"That's not the point!"
"That's exactly the point, Percy. My sister has been heartbroken for the last 3 years. It's time she faced all of this and learned the truth."
"And having her babysit my kid was the best way to help her learn the truth?"
"That and moving her in next door." He shrugs.
"What?"
"Annabeth's apartment is the one next to yours on the right. And since this is a brand new complex built partly by our company, and we're in the press's limelight, She can't move out without raising questions. And she knows it. Besides, Lukas already loves her." He says. I drag a hand over my face.
"You still overstepped, Malcolm."
"Sue me, then. Tell me Percy, do you want to get back with her?"
"Honestly, I don't even know. I still love her more than anyone, but She decided to leave. I just don't think it's ever going to be possible."
"Just don't self-sabotage. My nephew has been born and we've moved my sister in law back home, now that she's situated we'll be returning home today."
"Need a lift?"
"We'll just fly commercial. Pegasus riding was never my specialty, so I try to save it for emergencies."
"Okay."
"Percy, I know you still love her, and I also know you're pretty angry at her for leaving. But whether things work out for Y'all in the end or not, you need to learn to get along again. Now that she's living in New York, We want her around the kids more. That means you'll be overlapping a lot whenever there's a play date, T ball game, birthday party, etc."
"Got it." I sigh. " We'll talk later."
"Bye, Percy. See you at Max's birthday." He tells me and waves through the mist. I let out a frustrated yell.
"God, I don't know what to do here. I don't even know what to pray for. Just…Help?" I pray. I don't feel any response though. It's one of those times I just have to trust. Not my favorite.
"Daddy?" I hear from the doorway. I look over and see Luke hiding behind the frame. I sigh and kneel down, him coming over to hug me.
"Why do you hate Annabeth?"
"What? Luke, I don't hate Annabeth."
"Well it sure didn't look like you liked her today."
"Luke, Annabeth and I go way back. A long time before you were born. She was my best friend. But something happened a few years ago and it made her leave. And…I'm still angry with her. But I don't hate her. I love her."
"It was me, wasn't it?" He mutters.
"What?"
"When I was with Mommy this weekend she saw some books with Annabeth's pictures on them. And then she said some things I'm s'possed to keep secret."
"Lukas, what did your mother say?"
"She told me not to, Daddy. I thought I'm supposed to listen to her." He answers. I sigh.
"You are. But secrets are never good. Surprises are fine, but no secrets."
"She-she said she thought I would have gotten rid of Annabeth for good and that she didn't know she was coming back." He answers. I take a deep breath and try to keep calm.
"Luke, did your mom…smell funny this weekend?" I ask. He nods.
"Her whole apartment was smoky, and she always smells funny when she drinks her spicy water." He tells me, and I have to force myself to not tighten my grip on him. It's not him I'm mad at.
"Okay. First off, Annabeth leaving was not your fault. It…was a mix of a few people's. Mine, your mom, and Annabeth herself. But it was not because of you. Do you understand?" I ask. He takes a second but he nods.
"Daddy? I thought you said We're supposed to forgive people."
"You're right, Kiddo. We are. And I've tried. But it's not always so easy."
"Well, I like Annabeth. You should try harder." He tells me. I lean back against the wall with him.
"Kids. So brutally honest." I mutter. "Okay, Luke. I'll try harder."