The blazing storm

Epilogue

Nine years later...
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There was a knock at the door and Darcy answered it in a second. 

"Sorry we're late!" Leigh exclaimed as soon as Darcy had opened the door.  The Valdez family stood on the front steps, covered in fluffy snowflakes. 

"Oh it's no problem!" Darcy ushered them inside.  "Your brother just got here anyway." She shut the door behind them, locking the cold air out.

"Whoa." Nine year old Amelia Valdez looked up at the glittering chandelier in the grand foyer. 

"Amelia stop gawking and help Lilah take her coat of please." Leo said putting a round faced four year old on the marble floor. 

Amelia did as she was told and unbuttoned her sister's purple coat. 

Leo helped Leigh out of her coat.  "Thank you dearest." Leigh smiled and pecked Leo on the cheek once she was out of the confines of her coat.  Her stomach bulged out, announcing another baby.

Darcy gasped.  "You're pregnant!" She placed her hand on Leigh's stomach and smiled.

Leigh blushed.  "Yea, it was our Christmas surprise."

Darcy smiled and waved them inside.  "Come on then, everyone is waiting!"

The family was led into a luxurious living room.  A tall Christmas tree glittered in front of the grand window, presents pilled beneath it. 

When Amelia saw this, she gasped in excitement, took Lilah's hand and ran towards the presents. 

"Oh my gods!" Percy was the first one up.  "You've swallowed a planet!" He gestured to his sister's stomach. 

Leigh laughed and hugged Percy.  There was a flurry of congratulations from everyone.  There was James, Percy, Annabeth and Nico. 

"Girls!" Darcy called.  Two identical strawberry blonde girls, Nina and Madison, ran into the room trailed by two other children, Rico and Liberty Jackson.  "Your cousins are here."

The four children went to join the Valdez kids by the Christmas tree. 

The adults all sat down on the couches and began to talk about various things such as how their lives were going and other boring adult topics.  But, as usual, the conversation eneded up on Camp Half-Blood.

"How does Amelia like it?" James asked.

Leo smiled and put his arm around Leigh's shoulders.  "She said she enjoyed it.  Are you sending the twins?"

Darcy nodded.  "I think so." 

Everyone looked towards Percy and Annabeth expectantly.  It took them a moment to answer.  "I believe we will send them." Annabeth answered.  "What cabin did Amelia stay in?"

"Mine." Leigh says, shrugging.  "But they are building a cabin for the mixed blood kids."

Darcy  smiled at James.  "I think the girls will like it."

James nodded.  "I think they will too." He looked towards the Jacksons and the Valdezs.  "Have your kids started to develop abilities?"

Annabeth shrugs.  "Rico is extremely intelligent but other than that, not really."

Everyone's eyes are on Leo and Leigh.  "Amelia is fireproof." Leo volunteered.  "Haven't figured out if she can actually manipulate fire yet."

"And Lilah can breathe underwater." She nodded towards Percy.  "Like us."

Percy frowned.  "And how did you figure that out?"

Leigh turned to Leo.  "Care to explain, dearest." She asks in a mocking tone. 

Leo's face flushes.  "I was giving her a bath and turned my back." He looked guiltily at his feet.  "And when I turned back, she had made herself comfortable underwater."

There was a long silence then Percy burst out laughing.  Soon everyone joined in.  James turned to Nico.  "And yourself?"

Nico's eyes darted around the room.  "I don't have kids." He said.

"Yes, but, didn't you say you were going to adopt?" Darcy interjected.

Nico shrugged.  "Yeah.  Not yet though."

"Mom!" Nina called, interrupting the conversation. "Can we open our presents yet?"

The adults chuckled and turned towards the tree where all six children were eagerly waiting for the green light. 

"Yes darling, you may." Darcy smiled. 

The children cried in joy and began opening their presents.  The adults sat back and watched happily.

They were one big family and everything was alright.  Nothing could change that.  And for once in their lives, they were all safe.