The Future of Percabeth

Always there

When Percy and Annabeth had kids, they were always there for them in a way that was more than the typical child-parent relationship. The two demigods took the concept of supporting their kids to a new extreme. Both of them knew what it felt like for their parents not to be able to be there for them. They understood that the gods were physically unable to have a normal relationship with them but they also both agreed that they never wanted their children to feel that way. Neither wanted to miss anything special in their kids lives so from the days that their sons and daughters were born, they were always there.
From birthdays, to academic decathlons, to sporting events, to talent shows, to any other known event that a kid took place in, Percy and Annabeth were always there. When the kids were little they thought it was awesome to always have their parents there. As the grew up, they started to be confused as to how both parents made every event but they were happy to have their support so they never questioned it. After time they grew even older, and while they still maintained great relationships with their parents, they started to find the situation a little weird. For example, how was it their parents managed to make the dress rehearsal for the talent show when it was in the middle of the work day. It wouldn't have been that big of an issue if other parents were there but none were; the audience was comprised of students, teachers, and their parents. Finally the breaking point for their eldest daughter Ava came her freshman year of high school. She had been nominated for homecoming court and was super excited to attend the dance; or at least she had been until she found out that not one, but both of her parents planned to join the homecoming chaperon committee. Deciding enough was enough, Ava sat her parents down for a conversation.
   "Mom, dad, I want you guys to know that despite what I'm about to say, I love the two of you and how supportive you guys are." At their daughters words, Percy and Annabeth shared both a smile and a look of concern.
   "What's wrong sweetie," Annabeth asked her daughter.
   "I don't know how to put this kindly so I'm just going to come out and say it," Ava had always been one to get straight to the point when it came to any uncomfortable topics. "I don't want either of you to be on the homecoming committee." The smiles fell from her parents faces.
   "Did we do something wrong?" Percy asked. His sad expression caused a pain to rush through his daughter.
   "No, well not really," Ava said. "I really appreciate you guys always being at everything and supporting me, it's just I kind of want to have a normal homecoming experience." She bit her lip as her parents took in what she said.
   "What do you mean by that?" Annabeth asked.
   "I want to enjoy the night and not feel like you guys are watching my every move," Ava admitted. "I love that you guys are supportive and want to be there for me, but I need some room to breathe. I mean didn't your guys parents ever miss an event or two in your life." At this comment, realization passed through Annabeth and Percy. The two of them had been so caught up in trying not to be like their godly parents that they hadn't realized that they'd taken the whole supportive parent stance a step to far. They shared a knowing look with each other and then they looked at their daughter.
   "We actually each have a parent who missed quite a few events during our lives," Percy told Ava. This left her confused, her grandparents and step-grandparents had always seemed so supportive to her.
   "I guess we have some explaining to do." Annabeth said. "You have to promise to keep what we're about to tell you a secret from everyone; no one, not even your little siblings, are allowed to hear about this yet." With that, Percy and Annabeth worked together to tell their daughter the full truth of their past. It took over three hours for them to explain who their parents were, their quests, and all else they could think of to share about the demigod world. At the end of it all, beyond just her shock and amazement about what she had just been told, Ava realized why her parents had felt the need to come to everything. Together, Percy and Annabeth were able to set some boundaries with their daughter about a way to let her experience some freedom while also letting them maintain their supportive streak. And in situations like when Ava stood on the stage and was announced Homecoming Queen, even though they weren't physically there to see receive her crown, she knew that her parents would always be there for her.