The Stories of Our Heroes

Quite the Night

Annabeth's POV

My feet and my face were killing me, and I was overall just completely exhausted. This elevator ride was taking forever. I looked over at my soon-to-be mother-in-law and she looked the same way I felt. Nonetheless, Sally smiled at me happily.

"Thank you again, dear, for going with me. I know it was a long night," she said, pulling me into a side hug.

Sally had received a call yesterday afternoon from her editor for her most recent novel. There was an open slot at a big showcasing event that would be great publicity for her work. It was just our luck that it was very last minute and Paul was already scheduled to go to a teachers' conference for the week, but of course Sally couldn't pass it up. Percy and I felt bad that she would have to go alone... but formal events were not something that either of us were fans of, and one of us needed to stay to watch Estelle.

"Wise Girl," Percy argued, "you're way better at talking to fancy people and making a good impression than me."

"You're her son!" I retaliated. "I'm sure she'd really appreciate it if you were there."

"Yeah, but, you're practically her daughter so it doesn't matter," he whined. I blushed a little and bit my cheek to stop from smiling - that would be a real sign of weakness in this situation. "And I really wanna spend time with my sister," he finished with his baby seal eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, fine, whatever," I grumbled. "And when have I ever spoke to fancy people?"

The sky rumbled above us.

"Oh no, you guys don't count!" Percy yelled in response. Thunder shook the window panes.

"Perseus! I do not want to be struck down today!"

He just shot me his lopsided grin.

So even though I was insanely jealous of my fiance while I dress shopped, wore said dress and heels for hours, smiled big and spoke politely all night, and even fended off flirty guys, I couldn't help but melt a little when I thought about Percy and Estelle spending the evening together.

"Of course Sally," I responded while returning the hug. "I was just a little out of my element, that's all."

The elevator doors dinged open.

"I know how you feel." We walked to the apartment door and she pulled out her keys. "But nobody ever would have guessed that from seeing you tonight. I was so proud to introduce you as my daughter-in-law."

I felt a lump form in my throat. Before I could say anything, a voice from inside the apartment cut me off.

"Well, it's not official yet," is what Percy greeted us with.

"Hello to you, too," I choke out.

"I would be nicer to my daughter-in-law if I were you, young man," Sally said with a poke to her son's chest. "You owe her after your night on the couch."

"Hey now, we had a busy night! Just ask Estelle."

Sally's mouth dropped open. "Is she still awake? Percy! Do you know how late it is?" She hurried off down the hallway before he could answer.

"Wow," I said sarcastically as I leaned against my fiance to take my heels off, "what a great babysitter you are."

"It's only because we took a really long nap after I picked her up from preschool! I tried to put her in bed but she wouldn't fall asleep!"

I laughed at him as I finished removing my shoes. When my bare feet hit the ground, I winced. Who knew that standing normal after so long of not could be just as painful as the heels?