The Blood of Olympus

Epilogue

Hey guys! This is the end of the story :'( 

I hope you all enjoyed this story and that you will read my other works as soon as I update them (which should be in a month or so, because they still need to be planned out and stuff). You guys are the best!

Epilogue

Percy knocked on the door of the apartment.

The sound echoed through the building, no doubt waking the pensioners that lived next door, wondering who the hell was knocking on someone's door this early in the morning.

Annabeth squeezed his hand. "She'll be happy to see you, Percy. It'll be fine."

"It's not that I'm worried about." Percy said, ringing the doorbell this time instead. It played the same annoying tune as it usually did.

The truth was that Percy was scared of telling his mom and Paul the adventures he'd had in Tartarus. He didn't want them to know what he'd been through because he knew that they would feel guilty, even though it wasn't their fault.

Percy heard the lock open from the other side of the door and then the door swung open.

She was wearing Paul's bath robe and her brown hair, now streaked with bits of grey, was a mess. She was so familiar that it made Percy's eyes begin to tear up.

Her eyes widened when she saw them standing there. Whatever grogginess that was there before dispersed. "Per—"

Before she could even say his name, he wrapped her in a big hug and rested his head on her shoulder. He realized that he was a few inches taller than her.

She rubbed his back like she used to when he was a little kid, and he'd been kicked out of another school. "Don't worry." She had always said to him. "We'll find another one." And then she'd bake him a whole tray of blue cookies and he knew everything would be okay.

He didn't realize he was crying until he felt the damp spot on her shoulder. He pulled away, wiping his face with his sleeve. "Sorry."

Annabeth and his mom hugged. "Oh my babies." His mom said, openly crying, before calling. "Paul! Get here right now!"

"Who is it?" A voice murmured blearily. A man with longish salt-and-pepper hair and wearing a brown bathrobe stumbled out of the bedroom, managing to look bewildered, curious and sleepy all at the same time. His eyes widened and his mouth dropped open at the sight of Percy. "Percy!"

He enveloped Percy in a hug, patting him on the back before releasing him. He looked between him and Annabeth before settling his gaze on Percy. "Where have you—"

"Perseus Jackson." His mom said. "WherehaveyoubeendoyouevenrealizehowworriedI'vebeen—"

"Sally." Paul interrupted firmly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Let the poor guy inside first."

Paul led them into the apartment and disappeared into the kitchen. Percy heard the familiar sound of the kettle boiling.

Annabeth gave his hand a reassuring squeeze and an encouraging smile before excusing herself, heading towards to the kitchen to help Paul with the drinks.

When she disappeared from sight, his mum wrapped his arms around him again, then pulled back and ruffled his hair lovingly. A crease-that Percy was sure wasn't there before he got kidnapped by the extremely irritating cow goddess- appeared between her brows. "I got your voicemail from last month." She said, her eyes searching his, looking slightly panicked. "You said you were on a quest and—"