Annabeth

Piper and Sally came over to the apartment, like they do every Friday. They love coming over to see Mary. She is getting so big so fast.

A car passing by outside catches my attention. It is one of the Army cars, the ones that everyone has grown to hate. These cars are the ones that bring letters to people of their loved one's death.

"I hate those cars, every time I see one I think are coming for me. Coming to tell me Jason isn't coming home." Piper looks out the window, distractedly.

I nod in agreement, "they are horrible, I have nightmares about them."

"Oh girls, don't think like that," Sally says. "The boys will be back. You'll see, then you'll laugh at how worried you were."

Then I hear another car drive by, another Army car. It passes by the window and comes to a stop in front of my building.

My heart drops to my gut. Please no, not this.

I wait, holding my breath the whole time. Counting the seconds, terrified, dreading to hear the knock. Hoping that it was like the other times when it went to another apartment and not this one.

Praying to any and all the Gods that it won’t be-

*Knock, knock, knock*

No... Please God no.

Piper and Sally look at me. Their faces pale, and full of fear.

"Piper can you and Sally ple-" I stop, my tears threatening to break me down. I compose myself, "Can you please take Mary to her room?"

"Sure Annabeth, let us know if you need us." They stand up, taking Mary, and Sally gives me a kiss on the head as they leave the room.

*Knock, knock, knock*

With each time I hear that person's fist hit the door, my heart drops a little lower.

"Coming!" My voice cracks, and I feel tears start falling.

I stand up and make my way toward the door. I walk slowly, hugging myself.

I get to the door and I reach for the door knob. I just can't bring myself to grab ahold of the knob.

*Knock, knock, knock*

The sound jerks me back into reality. Slowly I grab the knob, turn it and open the door. I am looking at the floor, trying to gather my composure when I hear it.

"Wise Girl"

Percy

"Wise Girl"

She looks up at me, and I see her storm gray eyes. I missed those eyes more than anything in the world.

"Percy?" her eyes start filling up with tears. "Please tell me if this is a dream. I've seen this dream too many times and i don't think I can take another time of waking up disappointed." She starts shaking now.

"It isn't a dream Annabeth, I'm back, and I'm not going anywhere now." i start walking toward her, tears now coming to my eyes.

She walks toward me, her eyes fixed on my arm. "Why are you in a sling? What happened to you Percy?"

"I tried keeping my promise, not getting hurt, I'm sorry."

"Shut up Seaweed Brain and come here." She pulls me in for a kiss. It is nice at first, then she squeezes me.

"Owowow, easy, easy Wise Girl. Couple broken ribs."

"How'd you break your ribs?"

"I'll tell you about it later, I promise."

Annabeth

I didn't want to push Percy too hard. When he said that he would tell me later, his eyes, which are usually so full of emotion became slightly glazed over.

"Okay, take your time. Besides, we have something more important to do right now."

He gets his confused look, the one that I can't help but love. "What do you mean we have something to do?"

"Come on Seaweed Brain, you don't know?" He shrugs, "Not really, no."

"You have to come meet our daughter."

His eyes light up, back to their usual glow. "My daughter?" A smile starts, then grows to take up his whole face.

I extend my hand to him. He takes it gingerly, and I lead him into our apartment.

"Piper! Sally! Look who showed up!"

They come out of Mary's room and they look right to Percy. Sally starts crying and goes to give him a hug.

Piper gives Mary to me, and turns to Percy, a look of fear on her face. "Where is Jason? Is he alright? He isn't..."

"He is fine Piper," he cuts her off before she gets too upset. "His injuries were a little more severe and more to his legs so they are keeping him at the hospital for a few more days. You can go see him."

He gave her directions to the hospital where Jason was. As soon as he finished, she ran out the door as fast as she could.

He turns to me and looks down at the little beauty in my arms. "Percy, I'd like for you to meet our daughter. Her name is Mary Elizabeth Jackson."

He walks closer to us, never taking his eyes off Mary. His eyes are filling up with tears again. He touches her face and she smiles at him. She gives him the biggest smile I've ever seen on her face. Then she starts to laugh.

"That looks just like Percy when he was that age," Sally says through a large smile.

"Percy, would you like to hold her?" I ask. A look of fear comes into his eyes.

"What if I hurt her? Or drop her?"

"Sit on the sofa, and I'll set her in your lap, that way it's easy for you to hold her and she is still comfortable."
"Alright..." he says, still unsure of himself. He sits on the sofa and looks at me apprehensively. "I'm ready."

I bring Mary over to him and place her in his lap. Mary instantly cuddles into Percy and starts falling asleep.

"She is so little, and beautiful." He still looks scared, but slowly a look of peace washes over him. "She is drooling already," he chuckles.

"She is so much like her father."

"Let's hope she isn't a Seaweed Brain like him."

He gives me his trouble maker grin, melting my heart. "I doubt she will be. She is already crawling. At four and a half months, that's a sign that she is going to be super smart. My father said I started at five months."

His face is so full of awe. "I just can't believe we made this. This tiny person, from our love for each other."

I go and sit next to him, and lay my head on his shoulder. I close my eyes, finally feeling whole again, after so long.

"I missed you Wise Girl."

"I missed you too Seaweed Brain."

Notes