Airports
Thousands of people milling about like ants, going from one point to another. But unlike ants, people keep on bumping against one another, something I absolutely hate. Add to that the men who keep on glancing towards us, or rather looking towards Hazel and Piper. Both women are walking on either side of me. Now I know both women are beyond beautiful, their divine genes manifesting in a physical way that just garners attention from everyone, especially the opposite sex. And I know those people can't help but be attracted to them both. But I also can't help how I hate that kind of attention from them. I know that it's just jealousy on my part and that I don't have any reason to be jealous or feel threatened by any of the people showing interest in either Hazel or Piper.
I know that I have no competition for their affections. But like I said, I couldn't help it. I've learned that since I became the master of this harem, I have become a greedy person. I have a sense that I do not want to share the women in my life with anyone. Just the thought of either Hazel, Piper, or any of the 3 nymphs, even though they are not members of the harem, getting close to another man fills me with so much rage I am reminded of my time down at the pit. I was surprised and fought against such emotions during the first time I had gotten close to the girls in my life now. I tried to hold on to the me from the past. The understanding and generous person I was.
But now, I am no longer that person.
Hazel, Piper, and the 3 nymphs—they are MINE! And anyone who tries to take them from me will have to do so over my dead body. Which is now an impossibility since I am immortal.
Noticing my rapidly worsening mood, Hazel and Piper both grabbed my arms and pulled me out of the airport faster. Both women had smug grins on their faces as they dragged me along with them. I just knew they were enjoying the possessiveness I was showing; I was just glad that they were not the type to intentionally make their significant other jealous just for the heck of it. They still enjoy it when I get jealous, though.
They've told me that they like it when I get all possessive on them.
I was pulled along as fast as both girls could, rushing to get out of the airport now that they've had their fun. "I hope both of you are ready to make it up to me later," I warned both girls, who shared a look between them. They tightened their hold on my arms as we finally exited the terminal.
Bright, early sunlight greeted us outside the airport along with the familiar New York air. Taking a deep breath, I scanned the crowd of waiting people, looking for the driver the New York branch sent to pick us up. A quick look around resulted in me finding a man in a suit standing to our right holding a board with the name "Jackson and Co." written on it. The girls apparently saw him too, as they began to head on over, dragging me along with them, my arms still clutched with their grasps. Getting closer made me recognize the man as "Mike" the New York branch company driver. He greeted us with a wide smile as we got close enough to converse. "Welcome back to New York, boss," Mike said with a grin. "Glad to be back, Mike!" I replied with a smile of my own. "I hope you all had a great flight," he said to the girls as he took our luggage and led us to the waiting van. "It was ok," Hazel said at the same time as Piper mentioned, "There were not many people in the business class, so it was a quiet flight."
"Nice! You guys got lucky!" Mike exclaimed, loading the luggage at the back of the van. We all got in and took a seat. I closed the door, and immediately I was pulled and sat between Hazel on my right and Piper on my left. They both were looking up at me, one hand holding one of mine as their other hand was placed on my chest. "Not yet," Hazel said in an obviously heated tone, replying to Mike's statement about getting lucky. With Piper quickly following with words of her own. "Maybe later!" Piper said in a sultry way, leaving no room for doubt about what waited for me at the hotel. Mike got in, and we started the drive to the hotel where we are staying for a few days. I closed my eyes and leaned my head back as the car drove into the city. All throughout the drive, soft feminine hands roamed all over my body. Rubbing along my arms, chest, and stomach as both Hazel and Piper did as they wanted. I have accepted the fact that both girls and the 3 nymphs back at home got turned on at the weirdest of times and places for a variety of reasons as well. And while I could tell them to stop, I wasn't so cruel as to do that. And I also vowed to always take their needs and wants as well as their opinion into consideration.
And I also promised to always make them happy, so like the good fiancée I am, I let them continue and vowed to make sure both are happy and satisfied before we go and meet with Annabeth and Mom.
It took close to an hour, but we finally reached the hotel. I thanked the gods silently for the relatively fast drive; otherwise, I would have been stripped naked in the van by two very ravenous women. I was quite literally dragged through the hotel to the room that was booked for us. Mike's presence on the elevator was the only thing that stopped both Hazel and Piper from going down on me right then and there. Based on the smirk on his face, he knew it too. In that enclosed space, I was subjected to pleading looks from Hazel as she hugged my left arm while Piper let go of almost all inhibition as she attacked my neck and jaw, peppering both with kisses and love bites. All the while practically using her charmspeak to make the elevator move faster.
Again, as the elevator door opened, I was dragged along the hall by two impatient women who, after getting to the door of our hotel room, almost kicked it open in their haste to get me inside, alone. I barely had the time to tell Mike thanks and to remind him to stick around. Hazel almost pushed him out the room, telling him we'll call him later when we're ready to go to my mom's place sometime after lunch. The moment the door closed, I was pushed to the bed by an overly eager Piper who immediately followed me on the bed. Mounting me, she quickly and deftly started to unbutton my shirt as she went up my body, her lips raining kisses along my body as she exposed more of my skin.
She was joined soon after by another pair of soft, luscious lips. Both are making a path from my navel up towards my face, slowly but surely targeting my lips. Hazel, despite starting after Piper, reached my lips first. She started by softly kissing me, chaste kisses along my bottom lip, before she grew bolder and bit that lip and pulled, whining about not being welcomed in my mouth. I smiled at her as she released my lip, and she dove back in, this time pushing her tongue past my lips, and she proceeded to caress my tongue while she held my head with both of her hands, making sure I stayed in place. Piper, on the other hand, seeing my lips already taken by Hazel, changed her approach. Going south of my body as she reached my jaw, her lips traveled lower. To my neck, she nibbled at my Adam's apple for a bit before continuing, beating a path to my nipples with her mouth. Once she reached one of my sensitive nipples, she bit down softly on one while her fingers played with the other.
Her actions made me moan inside Hazel's mouth, and I felt her smile as she devoured my lips in a kiss so deep it's like she was using her powers over the earth to unearth treasures buried under.
Soft hands made their way to my waist, and I felt my pants being unbuttoned; soon enough, I was naked save for my boxers. Though my arousal and excitement were clear for all the world to see. The obvious tent on my boxers was the only evidence both girls needed to prove that they were doing a great job at getting me in the mood. It wasn't like that; it wasn't hard to do, for I am always up for some fun time with all of my girls. Whether together or one-on-one.
"What's gotten into you two?" I managed to ask when Hazel came up for air.
Piper released my nipple from her mouth and looked up at me; her eyes reflected the urgency and desire she was feeling. She answered me while her hands were busy beating a path down to my boxers.
"You are going to be meeting Annabeth, the woman who was once the main reason for everything you do." She started, her hands now inside my boxers, fingers gripping my length lightly as she started to run her fingers along it slowly.
"The same woman that hurt you so much," Hazel added as she nipped along my jaw.
"Are you girls worried that I would take her back? Are you girls jealous right now?" I asked as I wrapped both of them in my arms.
"We are not," Hazel replied. She sat up and stared at me; her eyes were serious, and I saw no jealousy in her, just a hard determination pushing her to do what she is doing right now.
"But we also know you're a man, as perfect as you are," "I'm not perfect," I refuted. Piper smiled at my rebuttal before continuing. "As perfect as you are, we know that your decisions may be influenced by other factors. So we wanted to empty you up so you have a clear head when you meet up with her." I raised a brow at her, their plan now making sense to me. "But more than that, we also wanted a reminder for ourselves that you belong to us, not her, us," Hazel added; she was gradually making her way down my body as Piper spoke, and now she was down right by my hip. She had her fingers hooked at the waistband of my boxers.
With a tug, she pulled it down and tossed it off the bed, revealing my hard length as Piper worked her hands up and down on it. Two sets of eyes locked on my hard-on the moment it came out; I watched as a hunger flitted on their faces as they bit their lips at the sight. Hazel was the one to approach it first; with her hands on my thigh, she nuzzled my cock with her nose, inhaling deeply and shivering from the smell. "It's been a while since I've seen this fella! I missed it!" She murmured, her eyes closed as she ran her face all across it. Piper, seeing Hazel tend to my member, took her hands off it and turned to look at me with a lovely smile on her face, though her eyes showed just how turned on she is. Her smile turned predatory as she crawled up to my face; she grabbed my face with both hands, and she dove down and devoured my lips.
Her tongue invaded the insides of my mouth, her tongue teasing and caressing mine as she took from me what she needed to satisfy the hunger she was feeling. While Piper had her fill, Hazel wasn't idle either. All of a sudden, I felt a warm, wet tongue run along the length of my cock, from the base to the tip and back down again. I moaned as Hazel began lavishing my cock lovingly, as she always does. "I love you! I love you so much!" Hazel declared between licks and kisses. I wanted to reply, but with my mouth occupied by Piper, all I could do was hold her face with one hand and run my thumb on her cheek. I felt Hazel kiss my thumb a few times before she went back to my rod, this time taking the head in her mouth and twirling her tongue all around it.
Soon enough, Hazel had me moaning in pleasure, my body shivering from how good she made me feel from her tongue alone.
After a while, Piper pulled off my lips, a thin line of saliva connecting us until it snapped. Her face was flushed red, but her smile reflected her happiness. I smiled back as my hands rubbed her back, enjoying the soft smoothness of her skin under her shirt. I tugged at her shirt a bit, and she got my meaning right away. Within seconds, Piper had chucked her shirt and pants off her body, and soon she was back on me with only her underwear. A black lacy pair that did nothing to hide anything from my view. She was back kissing my face as my hand, as if on autopilot, went straight to her shapely ass. My hand had fun groping and squeezing the smooth globes of flesh she had. Piper pulled off again and, with a smile, started to scoot down on my body, kissing my skin as she went. "I want to make you feel good too," she said as she joined Hazel by my waist.
Placing my hand on her hair, I lovingly caressed her as I replied. "You already do, Piper; you being with me makes me feel beyond good."
Her smile after hearing me was the most beautiful I've seen; our eyes kept contact as she lowered her head, and she joined Hazel in servicing my cock. While Hazel focused on the tip, Piper attached her lips along the side, moving her head up and down while her tongue lapped along the entire length.
With my hands on both of their heads, I let my head drop on the bed and enjoy the sensation of two sets of mouths doing their best to give me the pleasure they both believe I deserved.
It was something I planned to repay later, in full.
---------line break---------
The sounds of clinking and muted conversation filled the air around us. It was lunchtime, and the three of us made our way to the hotel restaurant for our meal.
I watched as Hazel and Piper each enjoyed their food with a smile on my face. Of all the things that would bring me joy, I found that seeing the people I love enjoy the simple things that I could provide for them makes me the happiest. Seeing the two enjoy the meal that I paid for makes me feel complete. That feeling filled my chest with pride, though I wouldn't let that feeling keep me from teasing them a bit.
"I didn't think you two would still be this hungry, not after all you swallowed from me earlier," I said with a smirk as I watched both of their faces turn red. Hazel's eyes widen in shock while Piper just stares at me mid-bite.
"Percy!" Hazel hissed as she dabbed her lips with a napkin, looking quite mortified at what I just said, though there was amusement in her eyes as well. Piper, on the other hand, just shrugged. "I still haven't had enough of you, to be honest," she said, winking at me, a teasing lilt on her lips as she continued to eat. I narrowed my eyes at her, letting her see just how much her words affected me. Letting her see what was in store for her later in the evening. I saw her shiver slightly, and I knew I got my message across. Piper leaned towards Hazel and whispered something in her ear, and they both started to giggle while looking at me, faces flushed and eyes filled with hunger of the different kind.
I shook my head. 'It's going to be a wild night!' I thought, I said as I went back to my meal. My mind drifted back to a week ago, to a night when a phone call happened, a call that presented a chance for a change.
A night when the past reached out to the present for a chance for tomorrow.
---------Flashback---------
"Ugh! Ah~!"
Strange sounds came out of my mouth as I stretched my back. I had just glanced at the clock on my desk and saw that it was almost 7pm. I wondered why no one had called me for dinner, only to remember that I requested not to be disturbed today. Shaking my head, I looked down at the piece I was currently making. A set of 6 arm bangles made of gold inlaid with rubies. An order from a member of the royal family of Spain. The importance of this order made me decide to devote a few days of uninterrupted work to it.
Deciding that I had spent enough time in the workshop today, I stood, stretched again, and left. I closed the door and began to walk back to the mansion. The path was dark, the only light coming from the glass wall and windows of the mansion. I was nearing the pool area when my phone rang. I reached for it and frowned; an unknown number. The number of people that know my personal number can be counted on the fingers of both my hands. And I don't believe those that know it would willingly give it away to just about anybody. And if it's business-related, then they would have been given the number of either the store or the office landline number.
The phone continued to ring as I thought about answering it or not. I was about to decline it when a nagging feeling ran through me, urging me to answer. Now, I have always been a person who trusted my instincts. It has brought me far in life. Trusting my gut feeling, I pressed the answer button and brought the phone to my ear, listening to whoever it was calling me.
Silence,
That was all I heard from the other end for a few seconds; I was beginning to think that this was a prank call or I was butt-dialed by someone. I was about to end the call when I heard a loud intake of breath from the speaker.
A female voice.
A familiar voice.
I waited for the caller to be the one to start talking, and when she did, I was rooted in place from shock. It was a voice that I hadn't heard in years. A voice that used to make my heart beat out of my chest. A voice I looked forward to hearing every day in the past. A voice that I took as a guide.
A voice I loved.
My heart thundered in my chest, but for a different reason now. Apprehension and worry. That was the leading feeling I was having as I heard her voice over the phone.
"Hello, Percy, thank you for not hanging up."
Annabeth said in a low, subdued voice.
Hearing her voice brought back memories I have worked so hard to bury in my mind.
A night at the Argo II, overhearing Piper, a betrayal and heartbreak. The anger, the hurt. All of it came flooding back to the forefront of my mind. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Within a few seconds, my mind cleared and my heart calmed down. The years have dulled the edges of the anger I had for her, and the addition of Hazel and Piper in my life has made me accept and forgive her, mostly anyway. I knew, from thinking back on it and from the numerous therapy sessions, that for me to be able to truly and fully forgive Annabeth, I would need to have a conversation with her. Not for closure, but for us to be able to say what was going on in our minds. For us to be able to understand, for us to be able to move forward.
'This might be it,' I thought before answering.
"I didn't think you would call." My voice surprised me with how level and calm it sounded. There was no love nor warmth in it, but there was also no anger or curtness in it. Just a normal voice one would use in greeting a person they know. "Malcolm gave me your number; he said that you didn't mind me having it." She didn't sound sure, but I could hear a little bit of hope in her voice. What that hope was for, I could only guess. "He's right; I didn't mind," I replied. And I was being truthful; I didn't mind her having my number, for I believed it wouldn't matter to me in any way. She no longer has a hold on me and my actions and decisions, I told myself. She is no longer someone whose words and feelings have an effect on what I do. She no longer affects my decisions. Only the women in my life can affect the way I live my life, and she is no longer one of them.
Still, there was no need for me to be rude to her, so polite indifference it is.
She was quiet for a few seconds, and I waited for her. By now, I was standing before the glass sliding door leading to the mansion. Not wanting to stay here, I turned and headed to the pool. Annabeth didn't speak until I was seated on one of the lounges facing the lake, which was shimmering under the light of Lady Artemis's moon chariot, high up in the cloudless night sky. "Can we talk, Percy?" She asked, her voice hurried yet hopeful still. There was also nervousness and worry in it. I imagined her biting her lip as she fiddled with the hem of her shirt with her free hand. I can just picture her making this call, leaning against the outside wall of her cabin, not wanting to let her siblings see her. The images made me smile a bit, not out of fondness but of the remembrance and the realization that despite the years and the things that happened between us,. I still knew her intimately, perhaps better than I wished to.
"We're talking now," I answered, my voice neutral but my lips turning a bit into a smile. I figured she would push for a more personal conversation. It was something I would want to. It was better for one and would actually help me, us, reach a more conclusive end. No matter what that end might come to be. I also wanted to see how I would react to seeing her face-to-face. It would let me know if I had moved on or if I was just pretending.
"Not like this, in person. I want to talk to you face-to-face." She answered the way I thought she would, the way I wanted her to. The way I knew she wanted it as well, for the same things I wanted it to.
"I don't know, Annabeth. I don't think it would be good for you to come here. The girls might not be very welcoming to you." I warned her, and that was the truth. Just like how I explained it to Malcolm and his company, the curse placed on the harem members would make them hostile to anybody that hurt me. And Annabeth had hurt me, severely at that. The girls would not look kindly upon her. And as much as I would like to tell them, to order them to behave. I wouldn't do that to them.
"Then, can we meet somewhere else? I can go wherever." She insisted, suggesting an alternative as I knew she would. Being a daughter of Athena, I knew she would have made backup plans for everything.
"That would work, but where?" I asked her. I thought about inviting her to a restaurant in the city, and I could just pay for her flight. Or she can take a pegasus and fly here, in Washington state. I was about to suggest that when she spoke and suggested a plan that I admit was better for all parties involved.
"We can meet here, in New York, in your mom's apartment," she said, slow and tentative. Her suggestion took me by surprise; it wasn't unknown to me how Mom had behaved towards her back then. I was also aware of how she had avoided meeting Mom the past 7 years. Her suggestion for us to meet under her roof was not something I expected. "Why there?" I asked. I would agree to it unless she can convince me.
"Well, if it's there, then even if you bring Hazel and Piper with you, they wouldn't be too mean to me with your mother there. Right?"
Leave it to a daughter of Athena to give you a truly logical reason. I shook my head and sighed. Her reasoning was sound, and even if I wanted to, I knew I wouldn't be able to refute her claims. I knew the girls would be on their best behavior in front of Mom. They would want to put their best foot forward, as it were, to try to impress her. I've told them countless times that they didn't need to do that, but they continue to insist. And I didn't have the heart to force them to do something that they didn't want to. "You're right, they wouldn't." I agreed with her. I chuckled for a bit while Annabeth stayed silent on the other end, waiting for my response.
"Okay, let's do it!" I said, and I heard her sigh in relief. "It's actually great timing! I was scheduled to visit the New York branch of my store next week. We can meet then, if that's okay with you?" I cleared with her. Her answer came quickly.
"That's fine with me. So we'll meet in a week at your mother's place." She repeated, as if she was committing it to memory. Something I knew she didn't need to do. She rarely ever forgot anything.
"That's right," I confirmed.
We were silent after, and it took a few minutes for her to speak again.
"Thank you, Percy, for agreeing to meet with me. I know I have no right to ask you for anything, so thank you!" I felt her sincerity in her words, her tone heavy with emotions she has kept within her for years. "You're welcome, Annabeth. For what it's worth, I believe we needed to do this," I said, trying to convey my willingness to work with her on this meeting. No matter what the outcome might be.
"I think so too. Well, I won't keep you any longer. I know it's night over there. So, goodnight, Percy." She bid me goodnight, and I heard her voice hitch. Not wanting to hear her cry, I said a quick farewell and ended the call.
I sat there for a few minutes, just staring at the night sky. Looking at the phone in my hand, I decided to save her number under her name. Regardless of the outcome of the meeting between us. I wanted to save it, just in case.
---------Flashback end---------
We finished our meal, and now we are on our way to Mom's place. We are driving along inside the company car with me being sandwiched in between Hazel and Piper in the back seat, my hands both held in theirs.
New York traffic was as it always has been, and I took the chance to reminisce about my younger days living in this city.
"What are you smiling about?" Piper asked, looking up at me. I didn't even notice I was smiling until she pointed it out.
"I was just remembering the days I spent here," I replied with a smile.
I turned to my other side to see Hazel wrapping her arms around me, laying her head on my chest. "Tell us," she said, her eyes closed as she nuzzled deeper into me.
Chuckling at her antics, I looked outside as the car slowly moved through traffic. I saw an old theater and decided to start with that. "There! See that theater? That's where Mom used to take me when I was younger!" I shared, pointing at the faded facade of the building. Memories came flooding through my mind of the times I went there with Mom. And the few times I took Annabeth there to hang out. Just like Hazel, Piper also leaned her head on my shoulder as she gazed out at the old establishment. The car continued to move through the city as more and more places came into view. "I remember getting into a fight in that alley with some bullies from school!" I said, pointing to an alley between two apartment complexes. "Always getting in trouble!" Piper giggled, her hold on my arm tightening. "So, you've always been like that even when you were younger." Hazel joined in, a beautiful smile on her face. "I don't like bullies, never have, never will!" I declared with a grin, followed by kissing both girls on top of their heads.
"Like a true New Yorker!" Mike, our driver, chimed in. I barked a laugh at his statement. Like me, he was also a true, born-and-raised New Yorker.
We continued in silence for a bit until we came across an intersection about 5 blocks away from our old place. I sat up, jolting both girls. "If you go down that way for 4 blocks, you'll see the candy shop Mom used to work at!" I said, a longing in my voice that I was sure both girls heard. "I loved that place! Mom used to always bring me some blue sour strings when she got home!" My mouth watered a bit at the memories of just snacking on them with Mom at night after dinner. Back when things were much simpler. Back before Gabe came into the picture. His memory no longer bothers me so much; it used to but not anymore. Not after Nico told me how he got his father to "upgrade" his punishment in the underworld. It really does pay to have friends in high places, or rather, in this case, friends in the lowest of places.
A few more blocks flew by. We turned right at a junction, and I pointed to one of the streets to our right. "If you go down that street 2 blocks, you'll end up at our old apartment," I said with a wistful smile on my face. So much has happened there. The place where we moved after Mom dealt with Gabe. The place where Estelle was born. I decided to buy the place for Mom a year ago; she tried to get me to not do it, but in the end, I got her to accept it. A gift, I said as I handed her the deed for the apartment.
"I wish I saw it," Hazel said suddenly. I smiled at her sweetly, and she leaned up and gave me a peck on my lips.
The drive continued for a few more minutes in silence until we finally arrived at my mom's place. Mike parked the car in front, and we all got out. "We'll call you later, Mike," Hazel told him as she got out of the car. We all stood in front of the building as the car drove away, looking up at the 5th-floor window to where the unit is. With a sigh, I lead us all up the stairs to the front door. Opening it gave way to the receiving area manned by the doorman. "Percy! Long time!" Tom, the doorman, greeted. He's been working here before we even moved in, so he's watched me grow up from childhood until I left. I see him as a friend. "Hey, Tom! Still looking good for an old man!" I greeted back, teasing him. He grinned at me, then at Piper and Hazel standing behind me. "Not as good as you apparently," he retorted, wiggling his brows at both women. Hazel smiled at him while Piper took my hand before replying.
"Few men are better looking than Percy," her words made Tom bark a laugh while Hazel nodded in agreement.
I walked past the old doorman, who still sported a smile, heading to the elevators. We got in and waited to reach the 5th floor. After all the years that have passed. Elevators still give me the creeps. The door soon opened, and we walked out and turned to the left. After a few steps we stopped at a familiar door. A door I had faced and looked at countless times. A door that for a long time symbolized home for me. In some cases, it still does. I stood there, in front of the door, rooted in place. My mind is reeling from what I'm about to do. The idea of coming face to face with Annabeth now staring at me in the face hit me like a giant punch to the gut. 2 sets of hands grabbing mine woke me up; I didn't even notice how I started to breathe heavily as I stared at the door. I turned my head and looked at Piper and Hazel, both of them looking up at me with concern.
"You don't have to do this, Percy," Hazel said, clutching my hand, her eyes filled with concern for me.
"We can go back now," Piper added, her eyes filled with the same concern as Hazel's.
Once again, I am reminded of how lucky I am for having two caring and loving women by my side who would always have my best interest at their heart. I smiled at both and took a deep breath to steady my nerves.
Before I could change my mind, I lifted my right hand and knocked on the door.
'Knock Knock Knock'
"Coming!" the muted reply came almost immediately. My heart beat harder in my chest as I heard the footsteps of someone approaching the door from within the apartment. A moment later the door opened and we were graced by the lovely face of my mother.
Sally Jackson.
Sally Jackson-Blofis now, really.
I watched as a smile blossomed on her face as her eyes lit up with happiness.
"Percy!" Mom yelled excitedly, and soon I was wrapped in one of her patented bone-crushing hugs. Her warmth enveloped me, and I was taken back to the days where I was just a boy with the weight of the world on my shoulder, being comforted by his mother. I too wrapped my arms around her and lifted her up; I was taller than her now. "I missed you," she whispered as I stepped past the threshold of the unit. Piper and Hazel were following me. "Sorry we haven't visited in a while," I said as I placed her down, a smile on my face. My mom's eyes were watery, but her smile was one of elation. She shook her head at my words. "You're here; that's what matters!" she said before letting me go and turning to both girls standing behind me.
"Hazel! Piper! Welcome! You two look great!" Mom greeted both girls, wrapping each one in her embrace. I watched the three of them exchange pleasantries for a bit, just standing in the hallway.
After a few minutes of standing there, my mom clapped her hands and took charge of the situation. "So, let's get this show going?" she said, nervousness and hope mixing in her eyes as she turned and led us through the short hallway from the front door to the living room. My height gave me a clear view of the familiar room I spent time in as a boy above my mother's head. I saw the side of the old couch and the faded rug it was placed on. Behind it is the dinner table with 4 chairs around it. Multiple pictures hang on the wall and the TV in front of the seat, still unseen from my view. A few short steps, and I was clear of the hallway, standing in the room I called home for a long time, staring at the woman sitting on the couch in front of me. My eyes raked her figure as she stared back at me. She stood slowly as her eyes flickered from me to my mother, who stood to the side, to the two women behind me who I felt moving to stand on either side of me.
She was still the same woman I knew. Same blonde hair that curled around her head. Same gray eyes, nose, and lips. She seemed a bit taller, and she was wearing a casual shirt and jeans. She seems the same yet so very much different from what I remember. Her hair seemed unattended, not like she cared all that much about it, but she used to run a brush through it occasionally in the past. Her eyes lacked the intensity and focus they used to have. And there was uncertainty and fear in them that I was unfamiliar with. The way she stood, it wasn't the confident way she used to. She was guarded, almost timid, with the way she hunched her shoulders, her hands clasped in front.
Her frame was also thinner; her clothes hung loose on her body.
She was broken; that sudden realization tore through my mind, and I immediately knew meeting her was the correct decision. 7 years is a long time to suffer, and it was time to end this. For her sake more than my own.
The scenes of the fateful night kept repeating in my mind, but I forced my way through it. Not letting the hurt I felt cloud my judgement and affect how I was going to go about this meeting.
I must have stood there for longer than I assumed. Suddenly, I felt both my hands being held by a pair of warm, soft hands. I turned to look at both Piper and Hazel, both of them looking up at me with worry on their faces.
I knew they got worried about my mood and what my reactions to meeting Annabeth for the first time in years would be. Seeing me just staring at her, they must have thought I was reeling from the betrayal and the hurt of the past. I wasn't, not really any way.
I smiled down at both of them, turned to look at my mother, who moved to the kitchen, watching us with concern. I took a deep breath and looked at Annabeth once again.
With what I hoped was a comforting smile, I spoke to the girl who I thought would be my forever, face-to-face for the first time. My hands are held.
by two girls who are going to be my forever, for as long as I live.
"Hello, Annabeth, how are you?"