Conquer

~35~

Photo above is by me, Lauren 

My old home stands before me. It used to look so big to me, used to loom over my cowering figure and consume my soul. Now, it is just a house. It used to be more than a house. It used to be my home, my sanctuary. Then it transformed into a vile creature. The fun thing about life is that you can always count on change. It is happening, good or bad, whether we like it or not. This house changed for me, again, into an apathetic masterpiece of haunted memories.

I creak the door open. The entrance way stares at me, wide, empty, and unassuming. Those four walls decided the future that I am in now. I can still remember the way the floor felt on my knees when I heard my father disown me, when I felt the weight of the world lay on my shoulders.

"You're back," a voice says, from the living room.

Closing the door, I come into view of Helen. She doesn't look at me, just stares out the window. The trees outside are blooming quite nicely now, the petals delicate and dewy.

"I am."

We exist in this strange moment of silence. I shouldn't have thought that she would come to understand me just because of one thing I did, but I did think it. I feel the disappointment in me growing the size of my lungs.

"I will never be enough for you, will I?" I whisper.

She doesn't say a word. Doesn't even look at me. And in that moment, I am released of the chains. I know who I am, I do not need her validation. Not anymore.

Without another word, I walk away and into the back courtyard, looking for everyone else. My father kneels there, below one of our statues that depicts Athena. He is muttering under his breath at a rapid pace.

"Father?"

His muttering halts. He looks frozen in time. I walk over and kneel beside him, glancing up at the first man who loved and cared for me, but who also disowned me. The memory is still bitter, coating my throat and making it hard to swallow. I wait.

Finally, he looks at me. I see tears in his eyes. "Annabeth," he breathes out and pulls me into his arms. "I'm sorry."

Two words. That's all it takes for me to unravel completely. I begin to cry, tears falling faster and faster down my cheeks. My mouth stays parted, sounds of anguish and relief and love and hurt all pouring out, all built up. My father holds me in the courtyard as we both cry.

"I had no place. You are my daughter, through and through. I am so sorry." He pats my hair back. "And I don't even mean just for that moment," he gulps, "but I also mean over the years, how Helen has treated you. I had no clue and I should've been a better father to you. For that, I will never forgive myself. But I hope you can forgive me a little enough to let me into your life again."

"I forgive you, dad, of course," I sob. He holds me tighter.

"I've missed you so much." Dad pulls away to look at me. "Why did you do something so rash, so stupid, so brave, so amazing...so you. I am so proud of you. As scared as I was, I never doubted your abilities for a second."

"ANNABETH!!!" I hear two little voices squeal behind me. Then two little bodies tackle me and I come up for air laughing.

"Bobby, Matthew," I say, my eyes lining with tears again. They hug me tightly. "I'm sorry for leaving you."

"It's okay, you were off being badass. Can I meet some of the soldiers?" Bobby asks.

Matt interjects, "What did sword did you use? Did you try a bow and arrow? Did they teach you how to fight?"

Bobby exclaims, "Can you teach us how to fight?!"

"How was the food there?" Matthew asks.

Dad laughs and says, "Give Annabeth some space, she only just got back." He glances at me. "So, how was the food there?"

"It was what you expect military boot camp food to taste like," I say with a smirk.

"I wanna meet the general," Bobby declared. "He can tell me if I am strong."

I smile and ruffle his hair. "No one but you can determine that."

A crash sounds from inside the house. I leap to my feet and am immediately inside, daggers drawn and raised. Helen is pressing her back against the wall, hands over her heart and throat, breathing rapidly. Percy stands in front of her, the tip of his sword mere inches from the point of her nose. His face is calm but there is a hurricane in those sea green waters. The others stand in the doorway, unfazed.

"Tell this mongrel to step away from me!" Helen cries.

I don't pay her any mind and instead look at Percy, who is now looking at me. We haven't seen one another in a month due to both of us traveling to see family. Ever so slowly, he sheaths his sword. We rush toward one another and hug. I breathe in the smell of the sea and finally, I am home. 

Hi everyone. I am very sorry for how long it took for me to give you all the final chapter of this story. I hope you all enjoy it! 

I am giving you another chapter, an epilogue, so scroll one more time and you have reached this story's end. 

Happy holidays! 

Have a great day/night wherever you are! - The Fangirl