Chapter 18: Growing Up

Okay, I'm having a bit of writer's block for this story. I'm probably gonna do this chapter and maybe another before I get onto the start of the story, as in if this was a book series then that would be the start of the book. This chapter and the stuff I've posted already has just been backstory. I've been getting writer's block for this story recently, so I started a new story that I'll write on the side. I had a few good ideas for it so we'll see where it goes. Anyways, here's the next chapter.

Chapter 18: Growing Up

Sally P.O.V.

I smiled as my adoptive daughter Arianna played with her toys in the lounge. Paul sat on his chair reading the newspaper, and our biological daughter Estelle sat on the couch watching cartoons. The two of them were the same age, seven, so we had been raising them as twins ever since Arianna had arrived.

Poseidon had explained everything when he arrived that night seven years ago, and Paul and I were happy to take in the young orphan. Her childhood had gone normally enough, with some minor troubles of being a demigod.

Ari had dyslexia, which resulted in her schoolwork seeming very complicated to her. Either Paul or I would have to help with her homework to try and get her grades improving, and why she wasn't flunking, her grades weren't pretty. They usually averaged around D's and C's, with only a few F's.

We didn't blame her, since we knew of her parentage, but that didn't stop the girl getting upset every time her reports and results came back. Still, we comforted her, and made sure she understood it wasn't her fault, though she was too young to understand why yet.

Poseidon had also told us what happened to Percy, and even seven years later, I still hadn't quite moved on. Every time I looked at Estelle or Ari, I was reminded of the happy young boy I raised into a hero, and could only pray for his soul. He'd also explained that since Percy was a god, he didn't go to the Underworld, rather the realm of Chaos, meaning that I'd never see him again.

That part hit me the hardest, knowing that I'd never see my baby boy again. They couldn't even get his body. Oh, my baby.

Thankfully, no monsters had caused us trouble, which means that either Ari's scent was covered up or there simply were no more monsters. I hoped to gods it was the latter. I couldn't stand the thought of my poor Ari fighting for her life the way Percy had for almost ten years.

Paul looked up at me, and his face fell. I bit my lip, not saying anything. Our children sat absentmindedly unaware that recently we'd received grave news. They'd have to find out eventually, but I'll let them keep their innocence for now.

Jason's P.O.V.

Michael swung his shortsword at me, the blade clearly weighing him down, as he swung it like an axe. I parried his strike with ease. "Don't put so much power into it, just try and hit me." I said, and he nodded, swiping at my stomach. I jumped back, dodging the attack, and brought my sword back around to hit his. He had relaxed his grip on his sword, and my hitting it knocked the sword out of his hands.

I smiled at my son. "Good try, but you need to make sure you have a good grip on your sword." I told him, and he nodded, going to pick up his sword. "Can we take a break?" He asked, and I nodded.

We were at camp, and I had been training with Michael all afternoon. My son had been training since he was five years old, since we decided to start him when Percy and Artemis' daughter Selena started two summers ago. Usually the two of them would train with Chiron, but occasionally I'd teach my son some one-on-one combat.

Today was one of those days, since it was Spring and Selena wouldn't be arriving until June. Michael went to get a drink, and I saw Piper walking over to me. She smiled. "How's it going?" She asked, I shrugged. "He's doing really good for a seven year old. Could use a bit more work, and definitely wouldn't be sending him into the field anytime soon, but other than that it's great." I said.

Piper smirked. "Remember, Jason, he's just a child. Don't push him too hard, stress can really get to people. Remember reyna in the days after the war? He might attempt to go Kurt Cobain with a stapler like you did." She teased, brushing up against the scar on my lip with her finger. I squirmed, embarrassing memories coming back to me in waves, bad memories mixed in of Reyna beating up anyone that annoyed her in the slightest.

She giggled, and Michael returned now refreshed and ready to go again. I waved at him. "Take the rest of the day off, bud." I said, and he smiled. "Can we go get ice cream, then?" He asked eagerly, and I laughed, looking at Piper for confirmation. She smiled at him and nodded, and he bounced around excitedly.

We passed the Big House and told Chiron where we were going, and walked to my car. I know we were gods and could've just flashed up to Olympus, but it was always nice to get some family time on the road.

We drove in silence for a while, taking in the beautiful Long Island scenery. At a random point, Michael turned his head towards me with a puzzled look on his face. "Dad, where do babies come from?" He asked out of the blue.

Piper choked on air, leaning forward and coughing out of laughter. I gaped, looking at him through the rearview mirror. "What brought this up?" I asked, trying to dodge the question as much as I could.

My son shrugged, turning back to look out the window. "Uncle Leo said that people just magically create them with their mind." He said. "I don't believe him though, there must be more to that, that sounds too easy. It must be very hard, because you haven't been able to make one since me, Dad. Unless you're just incapable of properly producing kids." He said, and Piper would have fallen on the ground laughing if it wasn't for her seatbelt.

My jaw dropped. I didn't know my son even knew words like 'producing', let alone could try and understand why Piper and I hadn't given him a sibling. Of course, there was also the fact that he unintentionally called me 'unsatisfactory' in bed. Piper wiped a tear away as she regained her composure.

I gawked at him through the mirror. "Um, no, that's not how babies are made. Some do it that way, but not for a long time, I'm talking like the primordial gods. As far as I know, only they can do it." I told him, and he nodded, turning his head back to me in confusion. "Well then, how are they made?" He asked, and I cringed forgetting about that question.

"Michael, there are some things that are best left alone until you're older. Remind me on your 18th birthday to tell you." I said, and Piper scoffed. "Pfft, 18? Technically, we were 17 when we had him." She said, and I rolled my eyes. "We're gods, Piper. By that time we were like 20." I reminded her.

Then another thought came to my head. "Remind me to kill Leo next time we see him." I said, and my wife giggled.

We got to the Empire State Building in just over an hour, and entered the building. As always, I had to threaten the guy at the front to get through. I don't know why they do that. They should just sorta learn who is and isn't a god. It was really annoying.

After an excruciatingly long elevator ride, we reached Olympus, and Michael ran out ahead of us. He always loved coming here, and I could see why. It was a paradise, with all the happy gods and nature spirits walking around enjoying the nice sunny day.

It has been this way for a few years now, since the war with Erebus. Ever since Percy sacrificed himself to defeat the enemy. If only he could see what a paradise he created. A place where families can play, laugh and live. A place where nature spirits can come to seek shelter and be safe. A place that is only the foundation of what can only be many more cities to come like this all around America.

New Rome had been like this as well. They were all completely protected by Camp Jupiter and its legionnaires constantly standing sentinel over the west. You couldn't enter New Rome without being spotted and stopped by the Romans, unless of course you flashed in. This had prevented any attacks on the city, and thankfully any casualties for a long time.

We caught up with Michael, who was eagerly talking to a young girl standing in line beside a young woman and a bearded man wearing a green bermuda shirt. As we got closer, Artemis and Poseidon looked at us and waved, while Selena ran and squeezed Piper and I into a hug.

Artemis P.O.V.

We spoke with the Grace family as we waited in the long line for the only ice cream shop on Olympus. They had come out for some family time and Michael wanted ice cream. Apparently he'd been doing well in his training, which was good. I'd gotten reports from Chiron that Selena had been quite good at sparring against him, despite the fact that Michael trained almost all-year around whereas Selena was only there for the Summer.

At least she inherited something useful from Percy. Everything else was just his looks and complete ADHD.

After the three of us got our ice creams, we went for a walk along the more natural part of Olympus. It was late in the afternoon, and the sun was quite low in the sky. Selena skipped along the path as she held my hand, licking her ice cream hungrily.

We reached a nice viewing pointing basically on the edge of Olympus facing west where you could see the beautiful world below and beyond. It was one of my favourite places to go, simply for the heart stopping view.

Selena had almost finished her ice cream, and I stood looking out fondly at the setting sun. Poseidon, who had already finished his, stood with his hands in his pockets staring at all the cities that were in view. No doubt that they would light up like stars soon, once my brother's chariot finally set over the horizon and mine would appear.

We all sat in silence as I breathed in the fresh air of Aether on the bench that had been placed here. All of a sudden, Selena looked up at me with a curious look in her eyes, ice cream on her face. "Mom, can I meet Sally Jackson?" She asked, and my head shot to face her.

"What? Why?" Olympus had left Sally Jackson alone after her son's death, at first to let her grieve, and then later we decided that perhaps it was best for her if she was left out of our world. It would be safer for her. I hadn't spoken to her in eight years, not since Percy had taken me to introduce his fiance to his mother. She truly was a lovely lady, filled with everything I respected in women. Her husband was alright, too.

Poseidon looked back at her slowly, a look of sadness and regret on his face. Selena shrugged, swinging her legs underneath the bench. "I don't know. I wrote about her on Dad's tomb earlier, how I never got to meet her yet all I ever heard about her was really good things. It just got me wondering why I never got to meet my grandma." She said, and my heart simply shattered as she looked sadly at her legs, which were now swinging noticeably less.

I put my hand on her shoulder and was about to explain to her why Olympus left Sally Jackson alone, but Poseidon spoke before I could. "Ah, to Hades with it. I'll take you two. I think it's about time someone else finds out where Ari was, anyway." He said, and I tilted my head. "Who's Ari?"

He couldn't answer me though as Selena jumped off the bench and into his arms, jumping up and down. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" She shouted, acting like a teenager who'd just gotten tickets to their favourite boy band's concert. I couldn't help but laugh, and he pushed her off him gently, chuckling. "Alright, you ready?" He asked, and Selena threw her head up and down trying to nod.

He held her hand and I grabbed onto the other, and together we all flashed to the front door of the Blofis apartment. Selena was practically shaking with excitement as I knocked on the front door. The door was quickly opened, and the person standing there gasped.

Sally saw her ex leaning on the doorframe, her son's widow and a small girl standing there smiling, and her shocked face soon turned to one of pure joy as tears gathered in her eyes. She grabbed Poseidon and I by the shoulders and pulled us into a hug, sobbing into our shoulders. "You're actually here."

We smiled, and Poseidon hugged her as well while I patted her back. Selena tugged at Sally's arm, and the woman turned to her, smiling and wiping her face as she bent down. "Hello, who are you?" She asked, and just as Selena was about to introduce herself, Sally's husband called out.

"Sally, who is it?" He called from the living room. Sally turned and called to him. "It's Poseidon and Artemis, Paul!" She said, and immediately we heard footsteps running over to the door. He smiled, greeting. "Hey guys, how's it going?" He said and he shook hands with Poseidon. He nodded at me, knowing I don't like contact with males other than Percy.

"That doesn't matter right now. We've come to introduce you to someone." I said, nudging Selena as the two mortals turned their attention to her. She grinned. "Hi, I'm Selena. My parents are Percy and Artemis, which makes you my-" She was cut off as Sally snatched her into a hug, pulling away to look at her.

Sally cupped her face, tears streaming down her cheeks again. "Oh my gods, you look just like him." She said, and Selena grinned again. "I know, everyone says that. Mom says it's our eyes." She said, and Sally laughed. "Yes, yes you have very much the same eyes."

Selena turned to Paul and hugged his legs, and he awkwardly patted her back, smiling down at her. We heard more footsteps, and two girls peeked their heads around the corner looking at us. Selena saw them first and waved, and they came out. Sally ushered them over, presenting them to us. "These are our daughters, Estelle and Arianna."

They smiled, and we greeted them. Poseidon smiled at Arianna in particular, ruffling her hair. She giggled and the two girls ran off. I nudged Selena. "Why don't you go join them, honey. Make some new friends with your- uh, aunts." I said, realising how weird that sounded. Selena wasn't phased, and ran off to find which room they were in.

Sally invited us in, and we followed her to the lounge, sitting on the couch. She went into the kitchen, returning thirty seconds later with a tray of freshly baked cookies. They were blue, which kinda weirded me out at first, and then I remembered that Percy's food kink was to have it dyed blue.

Poseidon and Paul immediately dug in, and tried one, having heard of the legendary blue cookies of Sally Jackson. I have to say, it was like ambrosia, but better, which wasn't physically possible but I guess Sally Jackson just doesn't care about the laws of the universe.

Sally sat smiling at us, but soon her face fell. "Why did you not tell me earlier? About my granddaughter I mean. She must be, what, six?" She asked, and I couldn't meet her eyes. "She's seven, and well, we didn't tell you because the gods pretty much unanimously decided to leave you out of our world after, well, you know. Now that you had no reason to stay with us, there was no reason to endanger you with the connection." I said.

Sally simply scoffed. "Is this another law you agreed to and then broke, Poseidon?" She asked, rolling her eyes, and I narrowed my eyes at Poseidon. "What is she talking about?" My uncle rubbed the back of his next sheepishly, looking towards the door. "Well, you know the girl, Arianna?" He asked, and I nodded. "She's my demigod daughter."

My nostrils flared. "You slept with a woman even though you knew damn well she was married?!" I yelled at him, and he seemed confused for a moment. Then his eyes darted to Sally and he laughed. "What? No, of course I didn't! Arianna isn't Sally's daughter, well not biologically." He said, and Sally shushed him. "Keep your voice down when talking about that." She said.

I was confused. "What? So then why is she here?" I asked, and he sighed. "She is my first child since Percy, the daughter of a woman from Los Angeles named Kylie Washington. I was there during the labor, and Kylie.... Kylie didn't make it. So, unaware of any relatives, I dropped Arianna off here, knowing Sally would most definitely take care of her." He said, and my face fell.

"Oh... I'm sorry for your loss." I consoled, and he smiled, nodding. "It's okay. I'm just glad I didn't get too attached." He said, and I agreed. Sometimes immortality was a curse. If you made friends with a mortal, then one day you'd watch them die. That's why it was especially bad for people like Percy and Dionysus, who were demigods that became gods. If Percy had survived, one day his last demigod friend would die, and he'd have nothing from that world. It happened to Dionysus a long time ago, but he dealt with it.

Sally broke the silence. "So how is Selena? In general I mean? What is she like?" SHe asked, and I smiled. "I think you got a good idea from before. She's always bouncing around, and she's hardly ever upset. She got that from her father." I told her, and the woman laughed. "Yes, Percy was very much like that when he was young. It was hard to keep an eye on him, he'd always find a way to distract himself." She said.

I smiled, remembering fondly on my husband, trying to hold back tears as all the good memories came flooding back. Our dates, his time spent with the hunt, when he came home from a long day at Camp overseeing all the training and all he wanted to do was cuddle. It hurt that we'd never get to do that again, yet there was so little time for us to begin with.

Selena ran out from a bedroom, coming over to me. She bounced up in front of me, holding my knees. "Mom! Mom! Mom! Can I stay? Can I stay, please?" She asked excitedly, and I raised an eyebrow, my mouth agape. "For how long?" I asked, and my daughter just shrugged, still grinning. "Just a few days. Please? Can I stay? Ari and Elle are so nice! Please?" She begged, and I looked over at Sally and Paul for confirmation.

Sally nodded, smiling. "Of course you can stay, dear." She said, and Selena whooped. I laughed at my daughter's apparent excitement. I stood up, kissing her on the forehead. "Okay, grandpa and I will get going. I'll drop off your stuff later and come get you in a few days, okay?" I said, and she nodded. "Bye, mom!" She said, running back off to her new friends.

Sally smiled, escorting Poseidon and I to the door. "She'll be fine." She said, and I nodded. Poseidon and opened the door and left, nodding at the two of them. I smiled, hugging Sally. "Thank you for letting me meet my granddaughter." She said, and I smiled. "Of course, Sally. It was selfish of me not to for so long." I said, and then I left through the door before she could argue.

I was glad my daughter had made some friends, even though one was mortal. It would be good for her. If only Percy could be here to see his only child growing up.

Okay, so I wrote that, and expect later chapters from now on. School started up again for me and I'm going through the classic 'Depression because fictional character died'. I recently got into the show Young Justice, and I'm a diehard Wally x Artemis shipper. I know, ironic that I ship two different Artemis'. Anyways, I just finished Season 2 and I feel extremely upset. I just hope to god season 4 fixes it, because I know Season 3 doesn't help much with my depression.

Also, let me know if I should include an adopted child for Percy. It would be a girl of Greek mythological heritage, and she'd be raised with Percy, Nyx and his four children. What do you think?

Also, please PM me with good Wally x Artemis fics if you know any. I need something to take my mind off of it.

Word Count: 3664