Percy and Annabeth-Their future

When You Least Expect It...

I smiled as I saw Taylor come into view. Her blonde hair was tightly curled and her smile... well, I don't think I'd ever seen it any bigger. As Percy pulled the car into a parking space, I felt my smile matching hers. 

"Taylor!" I exclaimed, throwing my arms around her. It was May, and therefore almost Taylor and Luke's birthday. Thinking back now, I remember how hard it was to realize that I wouldn't be able to see my baby boy turn nineteen... He couldn't make it out to see us, and there was no way we could go see him. 

Taylor hugged me and Percy tightly, standing on the tip-toes of her little black heels. "I'm so glad you guys could make it up for my concert!"

Ah, the concert- what Taylor had been reminding us all for the past... oh, I don't know, maybe year?

"Of course we made it up, Tay," Percy laughed, stringing his arm around her shoulder. "It's your first big show! I'm always available as a roadie, you know," 

Taylor smiled. "Oh, it's just so good to see you guys! I've missed you a ton. Why don't I just go grab my purse upstairs, and we can head over to lunch? Sophia and Rion said they'd meet us there... Lena's flight should be getting in a little later, but she said she'll definitely make it to the concert."

"Sounds great, sweetie," I smiled. I couldn't believe how much Taylor had grown up; her pale blonde hair was curled in ringlets that bounced as she enthusiastically described how great Julliard was. Her nails no longer donned the hot pink color that had dominated her old room at home; now a subtle French manicure seemed to do the trick. 

Taylor re-emerged from the building with her purse in hand, and we were off to lunch. The walk took us past Central Park, reminding me of all the days Percy and I spent lounging in the sun, praying to the gods that we wouldn't be summoned for another quest, but at the same time feeling nostalgic that our adventuring with giants and monsters was over. We finally reached the restaurant and nearly the second we sat down, Logan, Sophia, Lena, and Rion stepped in. 

"Taylor!" Lena squealed, hugging her baby sister tightly. 

"I thought you weren't getting in until later?" Taylor said, turning to hug Rion.

"I thought it would be fun to surprise you," Lena laughed. Sophia and Logan hugged Taylor before they greeted Percy and I. 

"How have you guys been?" Percy asked, pulling out a seat for Sophia. "Any news?" 

For months now, Percy had been suspecting that something was 'up' with Sophia and Logan... meaning he thought she was pregnant. But looking at her surprised and extremely confused face, I knew his theory was absurd. 

"No... why?" Sophia said, turning to me with raised eyebrows. Percy's eyebrows were now equally raised as we shared a quick gaze. 

"Oh, no reason at all, Soph," He laughed, nervously running his hand through his hair. He took his seat, gulping down a glass of water rapidly. He probably needed his mind restored after that kind of let-down.

"How about you two?" I asked, looking between Rion and Lena. "Are you still seeing Emma, Rion?"

"Oh... yeah, no that ship has long since sailed. We're just friends now."

"And?" Taylor asked nosily. She had always been one for gossip, and it was reasonably accurate to say that her sixth sense was knowing when some was around. 

"Yeah, Ri, you haven't clued us in on anything," Lena giggled, sipping a wine she'd only legally been allowed to drink for a month. 

"Are we really going to make Taylor's day about me right now?" Rion said, trying to steer himself out of the cornered situation his sisters had put him in. "Gods, I wish Luke was here to side with me from you people,"