Aftermath-Percabeth

Chapter Forty-Eight

"Hey, wise girl," Percy said as the door opened. He sat at their table, a cup of coffee in his hands.

Annabeth closed the door behind her, a frown plastered on her face. She set her bag down on the counter. "Where are the kids?"

"Asleep," Percy answered as he sipped his coffee.

"Good," she replied. "Because I am so angry at you!"

Percy frowned and set his cup down. "Why? What happened at work?"

"You did!" she screeched, her face turning dark red. "You threatened them with a lawsuit?! Now they all hate me!"

"I—"

He didn't know how to respond. All he could do was stare sadly at Annabeth.

"I'm sorry," he started, but she just shook her head. "I just saw how upset you were. I...I hate it when you're upset, Annabeth."

Annabeth's expression softened. Then she quickly realized why she was mad again. "No, Percy. You can't just say you're sorry and make that face of yours. I'll be at Hazel and Frank's until you learn how to act."

She rushed out, leaving Percy dumbfounded. Then he heard the faint cry of Charlie and he groaned.

After dealing with Charlie, Marina started to cry about needing yet another bedtime story. Then Charlie started to cry again, but this time he couldn't figure out what was wrong.

Then he called the only person he knew who could help—Piper.

After several minutes Piper and Jason arrived, little sleepy Romeo along with them.

"Where's Annabeth?" Jason asked as he started rocking Charlie, quieting him down.

Percy sighed as Marina, yet again, pulled on his hand. "We got into this fight about work. I threatened her old company with a lawsuit, and she didn't know. And now she's pissed."

"Well, we're glad to help," Piper said as she picked out a book for Marina. "You go eat, I'll read to Marina."

"Thanks, you two, really," Percy said as he headed to the kitchen. "What am I going to do?"

"I dunno," Jason said, following Percy to the kitchen. "You're pretty helpless without Annabeth."

After a few minutes, Piper joined them in the kitchen. "Do you know when Annabeth's coming back?"

Percy shook his head miserably. "No, she just said she was going to stay at Hazel and Frank's. Why did she get so mad?"

Piper laughed. "Are you joking?! You meddled in her life. You threatened a lawsuit! If I were her, I wouldn't want to go back, either."

"But her job—"

"Won't be the same now," Jason interrupted. "I agree with Piper on this one. Sorry, man."

Percy felt his face grow red. "I was just trying to help....And I didn't want to move to California...."

Piper raised an eyebrow. "What? Who said anything about moving to California?"

"She got a job offer there," Percy replied sadly. "An amazing one, really. She should've taken it. She deserves better, but I really hate to leave New York."

"We didn't know," Jason admitted. "Is it too late now?"

Percy nodded. "I think so. Gods, I'm such a bad husband, aren't I? A bad human. I'm so selfish."

Piper shook her head. "Don't say that, Percy. You just love what you have and don't want to lose it. New things can be scary, I know. Believe me."

"I should call her."

"No," Jason said. Piper nodded in agreement. "Give her at least a day. This is a lot to process. Then call her."

"That's gonna be hard," he replied wistfully. "She's my best friend, and I love her. I wish I could see her now. Tell her how sorry I am...."

"Are you willing to move?" Piper asked.

Percy stared at the floor. "I don't know."

"Don't call her until you know."

Percy knew Piper was right but, gods, would that be hard.