Aftermath-Percabeth

Chapter Fifty

"Good evening," greeted Percy as Annabeth walked into the kitchen, a mug of something in his hands. "You look beautiful."

Annabeth laughed and rolled her eyes as she readjusted her messy golden curls. "I just put Charlie down. Don't sugar coat it, seaweed brain."

Percy shrugged as he fetched another mug from the cabinet and placed it on the table. "Hot coco? It's the good New Rome kind."

"Thanks," Annabeth said graciously as she picked up the mug. She took a sip of it and smiled. "Reminds me of college."

Percy sat down next to her. Annabeth couldn't help but smile as the two enjoyed their coco.

"Is Marina asleep?" Percy asked as he drained his cup and placed it down.

Annabeth nodded. "Yeah, she went down a little before Charlie. It's weird having their naps align. Almost unheard of."

Percy laughed. Then Annabeth's phone started buzzing.

"Just a second...." Annabeth said as she picked up the phone. "Hello?"

"Hey Annabeth," Hazel's voice said. "Are you two free today?"

Annabeth frowned. "Today? It's, like, four o'clock."

Hazel laughed nervously. "I know but, uh, I was just hoping Frank and I could stop over and maybe see Charlie and Marina?"

"Okay, I guess that's fine," she replied. "They're both asleep."

"Well maybe we could babysit them for you?" she asked.

Annabeth laughed. "Hazel, if you want some practice just say so. I'm certain Percy'll agree to a night out."

She could tell Hazel was grinning. "Okay! We'll be right over, Annabeth. We owe you one!"

"We owe you one, Hazel," she replied. "I couldn't tell you how long it's been since a date night...."

~

"Alright, so you know where everything is?" Percy asked as he showed Hazel and Frank inside. "Phone numbers are on the fridge, all that. Bye!"

Frank frowned. "Wait, that's it—?"

But before they could hear him, Percy and Annabeth were out the door.

"Gods, it's been forever," Annabeth said as she took Percy's hand. "Where do you wanna go?"

Percy shrugged. "No place with snails on the menu. Or seafood."

Annabeth rolled her eyes before hailing a taxi. "Okay, that limits it a bit. Please no McDonalds or fast food."

"You think so little of me," he replied with a smirk. "I can be civilized."

"Oh, really?" Annabeth asked as she raised an eyebrow.

Percy nodded and made a serious face which made her burst out laughing. "Of course I can. Now excuse me, I should get back to doing my taxes."

Annabeth giggled. "You know you haven't changed a bit?"

Before he could answer the cabbie asked them their location, which they both were unsure of.

"Ooh, how about that little Italian place we used to go to all the time?" Annabeth asked, causing Percy to wrinkle his nose.

"Italian? Boring!" he exclaimed. "And it's all the way in Long Island."

Annabeth crossed her arms. "Well, you like pizza, right?"

Percy's frown wavered. "You've got me there."

They reluctantly waited while the cabbie drove them the farthest he could. "I'm letting you out here. You're lucky I even drove you this far out of the city."