The Next Chapter of Our Lives

My Heart Breaks With Yours

Apollo's P.O.V.:

When that bastard took Persi, my heart shattered. They had left the door open, so when we were finally able to break through the force field, I ran out with the phantom hope that I could catch them and stop him. I was two miles out when that ghost of a feeling left, and I collapsed on my knees. They found me moments later, and Artemis had to coax me up from the street and back home.

Nearing the house, I had heard her cries. I had broken into a sprint to get to my daughter and picked her up. Once she was in my arms, she stopped crying, and that was the moment that I vowed to keep her from harm's arms for as long as possible.

The next two months were miserable. I had the sense to keep the band, Sally, and Marisol in the house at all times, something told me that if they did go outdoors, things could go downhill. I knew they hated it, but they stayed indoors, and even helped with Marisol. Everyone else, however, began scouring the state, and when Annabeth had told us where Persi was, I was overjoyed. I could finally get my love back after weeks of worrying that she would end up like every other one that I loved too much. The only problem was the strict instructions Persi had given Annabeth.

Chaos had to restrain most of us until the time came, and she let us go. When we got in front of the house, there was a subtle light path guiding us into the backyard. Persi came out and told us that, as long as they died in the end, she didn't care what happened to anyone. When she saw me, she collapsed into my arms. I hugged her tightly before guiding her toward the portal Chaos set up inside.

Not too long later, she told me that she never promised the sick s.o.b. that took her death. When she raced out of the room after giving me our daughter, I felt my heart shatter. I knew that some of the scars that she worked so hard to heal would reopen, but this? I wanted to scream at the fates on how unfair this was. She was giving her life to the universe, but all she got back were broken pieces of herself that she had to pick up.

I remember being shocked when I heard Chaos behind me. "The fates aren't just giving her pain."

"What?"

"They gave her you and vice versa. So long as you stay by her side through this whole ordeal, she won't be alone. Help her pick up the pieces, Phoebus."

The rest of the day had been a blur. The most notable portions being the fight with Poseidon and the storytime.

For the next week, Persi wore a mask. Hardly, if any smiles, were real. She didn't eat or sleep either. I hated the fact that she was this broken, and she didn't deserve it. More so, I hated that she felt like she couldn't tell me.

More time passed, and due to the promise that I made with Persi, I had to get someone pregnant. I wanted to wait a bit longer, but time was running out. I ended up shuffling through the papers and photos or people Persi had deemed "fit for parenting." Eventually, I decided on one that was going to the bar, so I invited Hermes to go drinking with me after I set the sun. When he agreed, we went to a small bar in Queens. I had, purposefully, left my wedding ring in the sun chariot. Earlier in mine and Persi's relationship, I was complaining about the whole ordeal to Hermes, so he knew what was happening.

The next morning I wrote a sorry note for the girl and left to do my job. When I came home, I noticed that something was amiss, so after greeting Sally, then checking up on Marisol, I began my quest to locate Persi. When I found her amid a mess of books, water, and clothes, my heart broke at the soft sobs that racked her body.

"Persi, oh my gods!" I all but shouted in shock. I ran to her and pulled her in. She violently flinched as she tensed, so I moved away in guilt.

She attempted to tell me that she was okay, and I uttered the reasons that made me know that that wasn't true. When she interrupted me to ask me what it meant to me, I felt my heart break more. I told her that I loved her, but she just began to list the reasons she thought made it, so she didn't deserve it.

"Stop!" I yelled. Instantly, I regretted it, but I continued with what I was going to say. "Did you ever think that to some of us, you are the best thing to happen? Just because that monster planted those vile thoughts in your head doesn't mean they're accurate!"

She tried to tell me that she was a killer, dammit, war has casualties, but they weren't her fault! She told me that it had been her job to keep them safe, but she failed them. I told her not to carry the weight of the universe on her shoulders, but she said that it's her job, or it will be eventually.

That was when I began singing the song I See You by MISSO. In the end, I told her that she was the best thing to happen to me. In those moments, I thought that she would stop pushing me away, but that didn't happen. She continued to push me away and refuse my help, even though she tried to act otherwise.

I never blame Persi for any time she needs to distance herself, nor do I suggest any solo vacations to her. I know the repercussions, and I never want to risk it.

On one lovely afternoon, while we were alone in our house for the first time in what felt like forever (Sally took Marisol to the store), something happened.

It started when I found Persi outside, training like she usually did when she wasn't taking care of Marisol. When she saw me, she stopped for a moment.

"Hey," She greeted, "you hungry?" She capped Riptide and put the- now- pen in her pocket.

I shook my head as she made her way to me. "Actually, I wanted to talk to you."

In the blink of an eye, her face fell for a moment before she regained composure and replaced her mask. "What about?" Her voice never wavered, but, in subtle undertones that you couldn't hear unless you knew her well, trace amounts of fear could be detected.

"You're being extremely distant, not just to me, but to your mom and Marisol."

"I'm fine." She began walking toward the door. In a moment of stupidity, I grabbed her wrist to prevent her from leaving. In the blink of an eye, a look of fear painted Persi's face as she spun toward me, grabbed one of her holstered knives, and held the blade to my neck.

I dropped her wrist soon after, and a daunted look took over Persi's features as she dropped the knife.

"I'm sorry," She whispered as she took a couple steps back, averting her eyes to the ground. She tensed up and shrunk into herself. She looked as if she was preparing to take a hit.

I took a small step forward before getting on my knees. "Hey, it wasn't your fault. I should've never grabbed your wrist, especially during a time like this." Persi loosened up a little and met my eyes.

"You are not okay," I say to her, "I hate to say it, Persi, but you're broken," tears filled my eyes as I continued, "and I want to help you, hell, we all want to help you, but you can't keep pushing us away." I bowed my head to signal that she had all the power, whatever choice was made, I would follow it regardless of how much I disapproved.

Moments later, I felt her kneel down and give me a hug. A smile painted my face that only grew when an, "Okay," was softly voiced. I gripped her tight and buried my face in her neck.

I knew that even with Persi cooperating, this wasn't going to be easy.
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Sooooo, how are you guys? Sorry I haven't posted in a few weeks, I've been busy, but I hope this chapter was worth the wait.

This chapter was also inspired by a comment made by imAdemigodLEMON on the last chapter. I would also like to thank the mentioned user for the series of comments on both this book and the last, they really made my day.

Also, My brothers are still driving me crazy and the older one broke his arm on my cousins hover-board at a secret mothers' day party, so now I need to take over his chores.

Till next time my friends!