One Shots feat. PJO, Irondad, and More!

Scary Movies (PJO)

"Mommy?"

"Yes, Estelle?" Sally replied patiently as she continued her work cutting stalks of celery. It was early, but if she wanted the chicken and dumplings ready for dinner later that evening, she need it to be in the slow-cooker as soon as possible. It was tedious work, chopping all of the vegetables, but her daughter's incessant questioning spiced things up a little. They had covered most everything from why is the sky blue? to what's the biggest word you can say?, and the gentle brunette had to admit, she was curious what would come next.

The five-year old stood on her tiptoes to reach the top of the counter, her brown ringlets spurting around her face like a halo. "When does Percy and Annabeth come today?" 

The woman grinned, deciding in her excitement at the reminder that two of her favorites were flying in from California that afternoon she didn't need to correct her daughter's poor grammar. "Your daddy's going to pick them up around three," she smiled, glancing at the clock. "So, five more hours." 

Estelle nodded thoughtfully. "Can we go to the beach when they get here?"

Sally gave her an incredulous look. "Stella, do you know how cold it is outside?"

The little girl stamped her foot. "I don't care. I want to go."

"There is snow on the ground!"

"I don't want to swim, I just want to go to the beach! I don't care if it's cold!"

Not wanting to deal with the temper tantrum, Sally did her best to curb the request. "Maybe Percy will take you later this weekend." 

"But I wanna go today," she frowned.

"Hon, we don't have time today. They'll have to unpack, and then we're going to eat dinner and watch a movie or something." And it was forty-two degrees outside.

"After dinner, then."

Sally shook her head, laughing to herself slightly at her stubbornness. "You know what? Why don't you ask him when he gets here? Don't get your hopes up, though, because he's probably going to be really tired when he gets here."

"Why?"

She paused for a moment. "He had to wake up early."

Her daughter seemed satisfied with that answer, though Sally was well aware his exhaustion would come from more than just a 3am wakeup call. It'd taken her and Annabeth nearly a month to convince him the flight wouldn't kill him- and an IM from Zeus himself begrudgingly agreeing not to cause any trouble for him with any air travel for life. The couple had called this morning before boarding, and he had sounded less than thrilled to be taken so far out of his comfort zone. She just knew he'd be anything but relaxed on the six hour flight and only hoped Annabeth could keep him from worrying himself into a panic. Either way, he was sure to be exhausted when they finally got to the house.

"Mommy."

"Stella."

"How long is Percy staying for?"

"Three whole weeks. Isn't that exciting?"

The girl couldn't hide her grin. "Why, though?"

"It's Christmastime, so he doesn't have school."

The toddler bounced on her heels for a moment. "Mommy."

The woman fought back impatience. She had questions, too, that weren't getting asked. Like how far away was nap time?  Where was Paul? Was she ever going to finish this dinner?

"Hmm?"

"Is Percy still sick?"

Sally froze in confusion, a small blossom of concern igniting in the pit of her stomach. The question held implications she wasn't sure she wanted to share. "What do you mean, girlie?"