#lore ol

Just Like The Old Days

co-creator : @QuinniexC in (wattpad)

It was an early day for the Jacksons. They were already up before the first light. Apollo has not even mounted his own sun chariot to bring light above the world.

But that was not the case, the young family decided to pay someone a small visit after not being able to see each other for five years.

Little Serena Jackson sat in the back seat. Still fast asleep with a slight pout, her mother Annabeth watching over her through the rear view mirror, a little smile playing her lips.

Percy had one hand on the steering wheel while the other one held Annabeth's. His gaze was pleasant and at peace.

They drove through the streets of Stamford, overlooking different sets of building apartments and several townhomes. Cars were parked beside the sidewalk and in front of shops.

Elderly women chatted happily in a nearby bench with their husbands who weren't much interested in their conversation.

He drove his BMW for about 47 minutes until arriving at New Haven. The young family decided to stop by and have some breakfast at Atticus Bookstore Cafe.

Percy looked around for a parking space and his eyes immediately fell on a blank spot in front of the store. "You wanna go in first? You and Serena?" He asked

She looked at him and shook her head " No it's okay, we'll all go in together"

He nodded and started to park the car. After he did, the two of them took off their seat belts and looked behind. They were met by Serena gazing at them with sleepy eyes. In unison, they chuckled.

"Where are we?" She asked quietly, rubbing her eyes awake. A yawn letting out her small lips, her hair in two low pigtails. She says it's her new favorite hairstyle.

"We're in New Haven sweetie,"Annabeth said softly, tickling her daughter's feet, earning a sweet giggle. "We are gonna eat breakfast okay? Then we'll go straight to Boston to meet your uncle Magnus!"

"Uncle Magnus?" She tilted her head, frowning. She was clearly not familiar with the name her mother mentioned.

"Yeah baby.. it's mommy's cousin" Percy answered.

"Hmm... Momma's cousin? Okay then!" She smiled, making her parents smile as well. Annabeth and Percy got out of the vehicle. She opened the back door, unbuckling her daughter and lifting her up in her arms while Percy locked up the car. Altogether they entered the cafe.

Once they had gone in, Serena perked up seeing all the stacked books the cafe had to offer. She wiggled out of her mother's hold and immediately started jumping up and down, pointing at the bookshelves, a wide grin plastered on her face. "Momma! I want to see the books!"

Annabeth smiled at her "Later we'll check them out huh?"

"Why later?" Serena pouted

She knelt down to her daughter's level "Because we have to order our breakfast first okay? And then after we find a table, we could go check out the books—"

"Uh uh." Percy intervened, getting a hold of Serena's hand " I could take her there now, it's alright"

"Are you sure?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah definitely." He kissed his wife's cheek "we'll meet you over there" he said, pointing at the farthest table near the window.

"Yeah sure." She looked at Serena, who grinned from ear to ear "Behave with daddy okay?"

She nodded cutely, before dragging Percy with her tiny fingers wrapped around his big ones toward the bookshelves. Annabeth smiled thinking how much her daughter was like her when she was younger and up until now. She lined up from a trail of customers, awaiting her turn.

As soon as she was first in line, smiling, the cashier asked for her order "Hi good morning, what would you like today?"

Annabeth returned the simple gesture "Good morning um, I would like 2 Croque Monsieur with 2 Espressos and 1 breakfast sandwich. Also 1 hot chocolate please"

The cashier nodded, typing down her order on the monitor. "Is that all?"

"Yes that's all" Annabeth confirmed

The cashier nodded once more. She looked up saying, "That would be $37. "

Annabeth took out her wallet and paid. The cashier thanked her and told her to wait. As she made her way towards the table they had agreed on, A little body collided with her leg, wrapping her little arms around her lower limb. She looked down and saw a sight that made her heart melt all the way.

"Momma!" The little girl chirped happily.

Annabeth grinned, hoisting her up in her arms "Baby!" Serena giggled, placing a wet kiss on her mom's cheek. "Where's daddy?"

Serena pointed toward the end of the cafe where they could see Percy carrying handfuls of various books.

Annabeth let out a laugh when she saw Percy's face. He looked so flustered and rapt at the same time. He was never interested in books because of his ADHD and dyslexia but he was always willing to go to a library just for his wife and his daughter. He loves seeing their reactions whenever they see a wide selection of books in a library or whenever they spot a beautiful architecture. They'd always beg to stop the car and he'd be more glad to do so just to see their faces.

"Aren't you a sweet daddy.." Annabeth cooed, putting her arms behind his neck. She brushed the hair away from his eyes and leaned in to give a quick kiss before pulling away and assisting him with the books. "Are we buying all of this?"

"Serena said she'd pick from all of these. Only two or three, okay honey?" He said to his daughter

"Okay!" She answered, flopping down onto one of the chairs, re-scanning all of the books she took whilst her parents settled down to the seats in front of her, watching her adoringly.

"She's a lot like you, you know" Percy whispered, beaming in happiness

She stared at him with affection.

"Yeah she is... though she's got so much of your sass and your blue food addiction it's crazy. She's as sweet as you too"

He chuckled, remarking "That's our girl"

"That's our girl…" she agreed, nodding with a small smile.

"Momma! Daddy!" The little girl looked up at them, "These!" She lifted up two books and kinda shoved them in their faces, her look overjoyed. It was Geronimo Stilton and the lost treasure of the emerald eye. And another, Geronimo Stilton and the curse of the cheese pyramid.

Annabeth grinned from ear to ear, "These are wonderful, honey!"

"Yeah they are! All of the books I have at home are too much for kids." She shook her disapprovingly, her pigtails bouncing along.

"But baby, you are a kid" Percy said

"Yeah I am but I'm smarter than most!" She declared proudly, placing both of her hands on her hips with a look of pride on her face.

"Yeah you are…" Annabeth smirked

"Gods she gets that from you—" Percy told her, shaking his head in disbelief

"Does she?" She asked innocently, tilting her head sideways "Oh well."

Percy snorted, gathering the books in his hands "I'll be paying for this," he said, standing up. "Don't have too much fun while I'm gone" he told them, with a playful smile.

"Don't you worry Mr. Jackson," Annabeth assured him "we won't. right Rena baby?"

"Yeah!" She replied almost immediately "Books! Books! Books!" She started chanting

Percy and Annabeth met each other's gaze, her mouthing 'You heard her'

'yes ma'am' he mouthed back and left.

***

Thereafter he had paid for the books she chose, he walked back to the table at the same moment the waitress came with their orders. Serena already returned the excess books with any help from her mother. (Annabeth was very proud)

"2 Croque Monsieurs, 2 Espressos, 1 breakfast sandwich and 1 hot chocolate!" The waitress beamed, tucking a piece of hair strand behind her ear the minute she met eyes with Percy. "Anything else I can get you?" She asked, amorously advancing, not even acknowledging his wife in front of her.

Annabeth noticed this behavior and as fast as lighting, a flash of irritation crossed her eyes. She pursed her lips, clearly not wanting this woman to be in her husband's presence. But Percy being Percy was completely oblivious to the fact that the woman in front has taken a liking to him. He smiled, "3 glasses of water please"

"On the way" the woman winked, swaying her hips as she left. Percy shrugged nonchalantly, sitting down next to Annabeth who stared at him sternly. He suddenly was aware of this. "Wise girl? Is there something wrong?"

She blinked hard. Pointing a crooked finger toward the woman, her other hand formed in fists. "Her."

He looked at the figure she pointed, his eyebrows furrowed. "Her? What do you mean by her?"

"She has eyes on you! Can you not see that?"

He was taken aback. "What? I didn't even notice"

She rolled her eyes, "of course you didn't. You're as oblivious as you can be Percy."

"Wise girl it's not my fault—"

"I know it's not! It's that dam girl!" She half yelled, completely vexed. Serena looked at them with both confusion and concern, still munching on her sandwich happily.

"Wise girl it's nothing okay? She doesn't mean anything to me. Just don't mind her." He tried

"How can I not mind her when she's coming back this way, with your tray of water. Just great" she exclaimed sarcastically. When the woman came, Serena did the most mind-boggling thing in the universe. "Stay away from my daddy!"

Percy's jaw dropped. Annabeth's irritated face turned complacent, feeling a swell of pride coarse through her veins. The woman was gobsmacked, unable to reply to the little girl, Annabeth intruded. "You heard her. Leave the drinking glasses here and walk away. Otherwise you'd find yourself lifeless in a second." She said in a dangerously calm voice, gesturing for her to go and get out.

The woman looked down in shame. Embarrassed. She turned toward the opposite direction and rushed for the door.

Annabeth gave her daughter a discreet thumbs up, clearly proud. Percy got over his shock and looked at his daughter and wife. "Okay, look. I'm really proud of you for being sassy but that was not very nice. Both of you" he stated

"Percy—"

"That was very wrong. She likes me so what? That won't give me a reason to stop loving you. Or leave you. Whatever this world throws at us, I can promise you, I'll always be by your side. You and Serena's. I love you Wise girl"

Annabeth said nothing at first. Her stormy grey eyes were shone with intense light. She looked into his eyes for a long moment as though searching for something of importance. Then, all of a sudden, she smiled and it occurred to Percy that she found what she was looking for, even if he did not know what it was.

Without further warning, she leaned into his tall frame, gently placing her lips on his. To Percy, he did not know if she really had any physical and emotional power over him or if it's only his own spirit but he swore, he felt fireworks explode the moment he felt his lips touch hers.

Truth be told, they only stopped when a voice said "I'm still here you know…" pulling apart, they were met face to face with a glare from Serena.

"Sorry baby, are you already finished?" Percy asked shyly

"Yup! Only drinking my hot chocolate. Also waiting for you two!" Her glare evaporated and was replaced by a delighted grin.

"Oh right! Wait for me and mommy and then we're going straight to Boston"

***

As soon as they had finished their breakfast, the time said it was only 9:00 am and they still had many hours to go before arriving at Boston. They hauled all of their belongings, Serena gripping her brown paper bag with books. She took both Annabeth and Percy's hand, trying her best to reach it and all together they went back to the car.

Percy buckled Serena's seat belt, earning a soft thank you from his daughter. He went back to his place in the driver's seat, starting the vehicle. With that, he placed the key inside the ignition and the car roared to life.

They drove for about 42 minutes through a vast over-lit city, a wide set of buildings towering over them as they crossed an intersection. The streets of Hartford were clean, polished and newly painted. Tall trees were planted near a sidewalk beside poles. Cars were parked on the side of the road and the wind blew a gentle breeze out. Serena looked outside of her car window, completely mesmerized by the scenery as the family passed each building one by one, driving at 55 miles per hour. Annabeth gave Percy her hand and just like earlier, he gladly laced it with hers. Giving her his classic troublemaker smile.

Once they were out of Hartford, the family drove for about 54 minutes, before arriving at Old Sturbridge Village, Massachusetts. As they traveled, they caught sight of a wild field of meadows, overlooking several tobacco barns and modern farm houses. People wore rural New England 1700s clothing, as If it was the day of Halloween. White historical buildings were spotted behind wooden fences. Trees the color of red and gold swayed by. Leaves fell down from the trees, rustling on the pavement.

They arrived at Lexington, Massachusetts at 10:21 am. Lexington is a suburban town in Middlesex county. Only 10 miles from Downtown Boston. They passed through several storefronts and monuments. Teenagers at 14 leisurely strolled by. Orange leaves covered the grass and the asphalt. Tiny American flags were affixed on the grass. Percy turned around the corner and they passed through a sign that said, 'LEFT LANE. MUST TURN LEFT.' When Serena suddenly spoke,

"Momma, Daddy… How come Uncle Magnus only wants to meet me now? Was he busy?"

Annabeth looked at her lovingly, "Yes honey, he was. But now that he's got his work done, we can finally meet him!"

Serena smiled a toothy grin then slowly asked "what does he look like?"

It was her father's turn to smile. "Anyone who would've seen them might assume they'd be siblings, baby" he said

She tilted her head "How come?"

"Well.. he's got the very same blonde hair and the identical stormy grey eyes. Though Uncle Magnus' eyes are more friendly than your mom's" he told her, earning a playful slap from Annabeth and a high giggle from Serena.

"What's he like?" She asked once more

"He's a goofy butt" Annabeth smirked then continued "even so he's amazing. He's only a butt because he made everyone think he was dead"

"So he's not dead?"

"Oh he is but still very much alive" she answered simply. Serena looked confused, locking eyes with her father who only laughed.

They made their way out of Lexington Massachusetts. Passing through numerous skyscrapers and other tall buildings, stores and houses. After 20 minutes of driving through towns they finally arrived at Boston. Percy made his way to the food court in the Transportation center in downtown Boston. When Magnus called the day before, he told them to meet at Fadlan's Falafel.

Serena was wide awake and very cheerful. Hugging her stuffed seal tight to her chest.

Annabeth and Percy always made sure she had a toy inside the car, If not she'd cry all day like the time they went to the grocery store.

Once they arrived at Fadlan's Falafel, Percy parked the car as easy as pie. Then in unison, he and Annabeth looked behind to see their daughter better.

"Are you excited baby?" Annabeth asked, a smile playing on her lips.

Serena clapped her hands giggling, kicking her legs against the car seat. "Yeah! Yeah!" She cheered

The couple shared a look of amusement, unbuckling both of their seatbelts. Both of them got out of the car on each side, Serena waiting her turn.

Annabeth opened her car door and helped her with the seatbelt. Hoisting her up in her arms, Serena reached for her books.

"Mama books!" She said

Annabeth looked back at the car, "You could read that back home baby okay? Right now we are gonna meet your uncle Magnus. Interaction is the key" her mother explained

She pouted cutely but immediately brightened up when she thought about another thing. "Can I atleast bring my seal?"

Her father laughed beside her mom. "Of course baby girl" He tickled her nose, earning a sweet giggle from his little girl.

"I'll go get it right now"

"Sure thing"

Percy walked back to his BMW, unlocking it with his car keys. He went to the back seat, grabbing the white plush seal. Locking the car again, he made his way back to his wife and daughter.

He handed Serena her toy and she gladly took it with a small giggle. "Let's go?" He gestured towards the doors.

"Yup" Annabeth agreed and all together they walked right inside the entryway of Fadlan's Falafel. As they entered, Annabeth and Percy caught a sight of three familiar faces. Magnus, Alex, and Samirah. They seemed to be talking about dying in the fields of Valhalla.

"Magnus I came around at 10:00am and that was still early?" Samirah asked, a tone of disbelief in her voice. The three of them were seated in front of Fadlan's Falafel. "First of all, I was tired and sleeping is my way of relaxation. Besides, 14 hours of sleep isn't even enough! Second of all, yesterday I got burned from head to toe then got smashed by a boulder! Dying can really knock me off." He said and Alex snickered. "Sure does Maggie—" from behind them a voice said

"You could say that again Chase." Percy's deep voice called out from across the place.

On the table, Magnus smirked."Near death ordeals don't count Jackson" he and his friends stood up to greet them, turning around and he stopped short. The sight in front of him made his heart skip a beat. There beside Percy, was Annabeth. Holding a beautiful baby girl with long dark curls and stormy grey eyes. The girl clutched a white plush seal on her left arm while the other arm was wrapped around her mother's neck.

"Hey… I—uh— is this baby—?" He fumbled for words, a feeling of wide happiness spreading inside him. Annabeth nodded, a warm smile on her face.

"Meet our daughter, Magnus."

He and his friends slowly walked towards them, not wanting to scare the little baby who started hiding her face in her mother's neck. "It's okay sweetheart" Annabeth assured her daughter. "Can you say hi to Uncle Magnus, Aunt Alex and Aunt Samirah?"

Serena did a little wave. "Hi"

"Aren't you adorable…" Magnus tickled her small knee with a merry expression, earning a sweet giggle. "What's her name?" Asked Samirah softly from Magnus' side. She looked at the little girl fondly, perhaps wanting to have her own with Amir when she's older.

"Serena Angeline," Percy answered this time. Giving his daughter a loving look.

When the baby looked at Alex, she had to be honest. She felt herself go a little too soft inside. "She's so cute" Alex whispered, trying to go unheard but Magnus was the first to overhear. He snickered, wrapping an arm around his girlfriend (she's a she today), obviously taking the risk of Alex cutting his whole arm "Didn't know you went soft Fierro…"

She slapped him, hissing "Shut up Maggie!"

"Language Alex" Samirah scolded, gesturing there's a baby.

Alex mouthed a soft sorry and then smiled at the baby who returned the action.

"So… are we just gonna stand here? Or what?" Percy pointed out, sharing an amused look with Magnus. "Yeah yeah let's go sit down" he agreed

All 6 of them walked back to where Magnus, Alex and Sam were sitting. The Jackson's sat from across them. Serena in between her parents. "Who'd order the food?" Alex asked

"Me" Percy volunteered

"Me too" Magnus said and the boys left the table. Leaving the girls. "Okay so…let me be honest Annabeth but it is hard for me to believe you're a mom. I see you as a badass greek warrior not a gentle mother. " Alex told the young mom in amusement. Annabeth replied with a breezy laugh before saying, "I'm still a badass greek warrior just not when I'm with Serena"

"Does… does she know about—your world?" Samirah asked carefully

Annabeth nodded sadly "Yes she does...she was attacked by a clutter of spiders when she was sick one time. It scared her and Percy and I decided it was for the best. She deserves the truth after that experience."

Samirah and Alex nodded, sorry for the little girl but then laughed when Serena said proudly "I'm a legacy!"

Alex smirked, holding out her fist "Yeah you are" Serena obliged, bumping her fist with Alex. In a second, Magnus and Percy came back holding trays filled with food. Amir trailing right behind them, dragging a chair.

"You guys have fun without us?" Percy smiled, settling down beside Serena who clapped her hands in excitement. (She was excited to eat the food) "Not too much fun" Serena said to her dad. Amir positioned the chair in front of the table, sitting down. He gave a little wave to the little girl and soft smile playing on his lips "Hi.." he whispered

"Hello" she waved back cutely

"What's her name? She's adorable" he exclaimed

"Thank you.." Serena beamed, her dark curls bouncing. "I'm Serena"

"Hi Serena… you keeping mommy and daddy in check?" He patted her head and she giggled in response. "I'll take that as a yes"

"How are you, Magnus? Annabeth asked in all seriousness. "Many adventures going on, I suppose?"

Magnus nodded "yeah just came back from another one actually" he casually told her

"Oh really? That's cool… nothing too dangerous?"

"Nope" he smiled at her

"Okay.. just making sure"

"Annabeth, your maternal instincts are showing" Alex observed.

She laughed "It's quite natural nowadays"

Samirah nodded thrilled, perhaps excited at the thought she was going to have her own children someday. A young family like theirs with Amir. She would never admit it but she already thought of possible names. For a girl she would name her daughter Amira Ayesha. Meaning princess and the name Ayesha because of her mother. For a boy she would name her son Abdul Hakeem. Meaning a servant of Allah who helps people and is a pious servant of God. She must've been preoccupied because Alex needed to shake her out of her thoughts.

"Yo you alright?" Her sister asked, concerned.

She nodded, saying "never better" Then little Serena spoke all of a sudden. Speaking through a full mouth, she said

"Mommy says daddy has a lot of seaweed in his brain"

Percy choked on his Sandwich. Annabeth almost spit her diet coke but held herself for that would be a bad influence to her daughter. Amir and Sam were surprised, amused smiles on their faces while Alex and Magnus roared with laughter.

"Heck damn she is right! Seaweed brain"

"Annabeth!" Percy pouted

"What?" She said nonchalantly "I ain't lying" Then they all laughed as well.

***

"Goodbye Magnus! It was great to see you!" Annabeth smiles at him, carrying Serena with her right arm while she does her best to hug her cousin with her left. Percy shook his hand, giving him and Amir a man hug. Alex and Samirah bid their farewell to Serena who did not want to leave anymore.

"Momma I don't wanna leave…" she said, playing with her mom's hair

"We'll visit again baby. Okay? No need to get all sad…" she cooed softly

"Yeah that's right honey" Percy gently patted his daughter's back, calming her more "I think we'd be able to meet them again next month if Momma and Daddy isn't busy and Of course we need to consider Uncle Magnus' schedule" he explained to her. Serena stretched her small arms for Percy, wanting him to carry her. He gladly took her from Annabeth, who did not look too happy but nevertheless she smiled and turned toward Magnus. "You. Behave. Alex, Samirah?" she looked at them "Keep him in control would ya? This dork needs some discipline"

Alex saluted "You gotcha!"

Annabeth nodded, calm "Good bye now. Take care of yourselves"

"We will," Magnus smiled, waving farewell. The last he saw the Jacksons, their black BMW Ix turning the corner on North street, Percy singing along with One direction on the radio, Annabeth laughing at his bad voice, loud giggles of Serena heard from a mile away.

"As I said before, They'd cause a nuclear explosion of cuteness." Alex stated, crossing her arms.

"So what now…" Sam asked

"Last one back at Valhalla's a rotten egg" Magnus said hurriedly sprinting off to Forever 21's dressing room.

"Oh no you don't!" Alex yelled after him, trailing behind closely.