Percy and Annabeth-Their future

Motherly Approval, Fatherly Refusal

"Hey Mom," Sophia said, sauntering up to me. She only walked that way when she wanted something from me, and we all knew it.

"What do you need, darling daughter?" I smiled and sat down next to me on the couch. Her eyes were bright, and I could tell that she was on the verge of ectasy. 

"Do you remember Logan? Logan Abbott?" She didn't even have to ask; of course I remembered him. I couldn't forget how obsessed Sophia had been when she'd returned from that quest when it wasn't finished. She'd practically tortured herself staying away from him. 

Logan had come to our Halloween and introduced himself to me. He'd told me his story, and I couldn't do anything but pity him. He'd been born into a family where his mother just wanted to get rid of him. She'd left him in the snow to die for Zeus's sake. What mother could do that?

What he didn't tell me was that Sophia didn't know all that. As far as she knew, he was perfectly happy, and his family situation was as alright as it could be.

"Of course. What about him?" Sophia's cheeks went pink. She bit her lip, and I could just see her smiling inside at the thought of him. 

"He asked me to spend Christmas Eve with him. The whole day. It will be our first real date. But I said that I had to ask you first."  I smiled at her, knowing how much that would mean to her. A first date was something huge, especially for a girl who had nothing else normal in her life. 

"Ask Mom about what?" Percy walked in, his keys still in hand. He unwrapped his scarf and I rose to kiss him. 

"How was your day?" I asked, trying to steer Percy out of the conversation. After what had happened with the Winter Formal a few years ago, I knew better than to let him in on our little secret.

"It was great. What were you asking Mom about?" Sophia smiled at him.

"Homework. I have a report due in a few days." Sophia was an expert liar. I was smart enough to catch her, but Percy... not so much. 

"Oh... That's great, honey. What's it about?" 

"Holiday Traditions in Italy." Percy nodded, clearly impressed with her fake-project.

"Do you want me to order dinner?" I asked, taking the phone. 

"Already done," Percy said, kissing my nose. "I'll go pick it up now. Rion just wanted to come." At the call of his name, Rion came barrelling down the stairs. 

"Can I please get one of those bouncy balls from the pizza place, Dad?" I watched as Rion and Percy departed through the front door. 

"Thanks for that save, Mom." 

"You're welcome." We were silent for a minute, the only noise being snow falling from the sky like frozen smiles.

"So... can I go?" I didn't see why not. It was Logan Abbott. He couldn't hurt Sophia if he tried. He loved her too much.

"Sure." Christmas was only three days away. Christmas Eve was two. 

I knew Percy would flip out if he found out Sophia wasn't going to be home for Christmas Eve. It was our family time. But she deserved the opportunity to make her own decisions after everything we put her through. I mean, we literally made her a demigod, and that wasn't an easy thing for an any kid. Hopefully I could give Percy the pity party talk. 

The day dragged on slowly. Taylor, Lena, and Sophia helped me make our traditions blue chocolate crinkles. It was so strange to see Taylor and Lena and Sophia as old as they were. They were 9, 11, and 14. I just wanted them to slow down.