10 a.m. at Camp Half blood,
Drew is making final checks on her attire in the mirror inside cabin 10, while Lacy, one of her younger sisters who will be going with her to the city, is busy strapping a celestial bronze dagger to her leg.
Drew smiled at her sisters' antics as she noticed how excited she was. Drew isn't sure if it was meeting Piper or going to the city that got her in such high spirits.
After a few more minutes, Drew called Lacy and led her out of the cabin. Together, they walked up the hill to the pine tree at the top to wait for the others, who would be leaving camp as well.
Drew thought back to the meeting they had a few days ago, when they decided on how to proceed with meeting the lost campers. Although she volunteered to be the one to try to meet Piper, the councilors had to discuss who among them would go and meet Percy.
And aside from Malcolm, who knew where to go, she doesn't know who else was chosen to go to Percy.
When they reached the Pine tree, Drew watched Lacy approach Peleus, who was currently curled around the base of the pine tree, and pet the dragon's head. She saw the dragon's eyes narrow in contentment as her sister continued to pet its massive head.
Drew looked over the valley of the camp as they waited for the other campers to arrive. The numerous cabins and the dining pavilion, which have been expanded to accommodate a greater number of campers, have been increasing year over year.
Drew looked at it all and compared it to how it was before. She knew that how camp is now is incomparable to how it was in the past. The changes that happened have made the lives of all the demigods living in camp better than they were when she first arrived.
The improvements to the living situations alone were already enough to make most of the older campers surprised and thankful. But the biggest improvement would be the interactions of the gods with their children.
That's not to say the gods visit camp, no. But the gods do reach out to their kids more often now, through letters, gifts, visions, and dreams. And once in a while the gods would spend the day at camp, mingling with all the demigods.
The result of that is greater respect and loyalty from the demigods.
Now more than ever, the gods are more secure in their rule, making the threat of rebellion almost nonexistent.
All these changes can be attributed to one demigod, Percy Jackson.
It was his wish that made all this possible.
It was his sacrifice that paved the way for a better life for all demigods.
It was his hardships that opened the eyes of the gods to their shortcomings.
and it was his words that made the gods change their ways.
And it was he who left after he was betrayed.
Drew was brought out of her thoughts when she heard the unmistakable voice of Chiron. She turned her head to the side and saw her mentor and four other demigods walking up the hill. She saw Malcolm and Sherman, together with Clarisse and Will Solace, walking behind the centaur.
She nodded at Chiron when the group reached them under the pine tree and watched as Sherman stepped over to her side.
Chiron looked over all of them once, then spoke in a kind but serious voice.
"Good morning to you all! I would just like to thank each and every one of you for accepting these responsibilities." The centaur bowed to us as he said this.
"A few reminders before I let you all go. Clarisse, Malcolm will lead the mission. Please follow his lead and try not to antagonize young Percy when you meet him. We don't know how he will respond if you do challenge him. We don't know how the years have changed him," Chiron stated as he kept his eyes on the daughter of war.
"A little trust, Chiron; I'm not the same hot-headed kid I was back then," Clarisse replied with a sneer. "Though I can't promise that I won't challenge him to a spar," she continued as she grinned.
"Just be mindful of how he will react," Chiron pleaded while shaking his head.
Chiron then turned his head to look at Malcolm, reminding him of a few points.
"Just like what I said with Clarisse, don't push Percy too hard for information. Try to gauge how he reacts and how much he is willing to share."
Finally, he looks at Drew.
"You, my dear, will be leading; remember that the most important thing is your safety. same with Malcolm: don't push too hard; let Piper share only what she feels comfortable sharing. This is only the first meeting. We'll have more chances to learn more," Chiron told Drew with a smile.
Drew nodded at Chiron's words.
Chiron then spread his hands and prayed to the gods for their success and safety.
Together, they all walked down the hill towards Argus and the waiting van, Sherman telling an excited Lacy that this wasn't really a quest with Lacy not caring. As they got to the foot of the hill, they all got in the van, and Argus started their long drive to the city.
In the van, Malcolm and Drew discussed their respective missions and what they plan on achieving. Malcolm said that his main priority would be to get a feel for how accepting Percy would be about other campers visiting him and to get the truth about his disappearance. though Drew thinks the first point is to the benefit of his sister Annabeth.
He then told him that hers would be to ask her sister where she had been and what she had been doing for the last 3 years. The second would be the reason for her disappearance.
Along the drive, the campers all told each other stories of their own quests, with Lacy listening intently. This was her first time out of camp for a mission.
Drew and her company would be dropped off first near the Empire State Building, then Argus would be driving Malcolm and his crew to the airport.
After a few hours, they arrived, and Argus stopped near the Empire State Building. Drew, Lacy, and Sherman got off and said their goodbyes to Malcolm and his crew. Drew watched the van drive off for a few seconds, then glanced at her companions. Lacy and Sherman were looking up at the top of the Empire State Building, probably trying to see if they could spot Olympus from the ground.
Drew smiled, remembering how she used to do the same when she was younger. After a while, Drew called on them both and began to lead them to the nearest Starbucks, where they would be meeting Piper.
When they arrived at the place, they all went in and chose a table at the back of the store. Lacy and Sherman went to take a seat while Drew ordered for them. Drew sat down while waiting for their order. She noticed Lacy fidgeting with her fingers and felt her nervousness.
"Relax, Lacy. It's just Piper," Drew assured her sister as she took her hand and squeezed it.
"I know Drew, but it's been 3 years. A lot could change in that time," Lacy reasoned as she stared at Drew. Sherman just nodded at Lacy's words.
"Regardless, we won't know until we meet. Besides, whatever happens today, at least we'll know that she's still alive. That's better than what we used to think," Drew replied.
"I guess," Lacy accepted.
They waited in silence for their drinks for 5 minutes until they were called. Sherman stood and went to get their orders. He was passing their drinks when the door to the shop opened. Drew looked over and saw a woman wearing dark sunglasses, a cream-colored shirt, a black leather jacket, and tight-fitting jeans.
The woman was looking around, clearly looking for someone, when Drew finally recognized her.
Drew waved her hand to get the woman's attention. When she noticed Drew, the woman paused and leaned near another woman who Drew didn't notice was standing right next to the one she was waving at.
Drew noticed the first woman whispering something to her companion, then pointed towards where Drew was sitting. Then they walked over, the second woman following closely behind the first one.
As the two women neared them, Lacy stood up and ran toward them. "Piper!" she screamed as she wrapped her arms around the first woman. Drew saw the one that came with Piper move as if to remove Lacy from Piper, but stopped when Piper hugged Lacy back.
Piper lets Lacy go after a few seconds and leads her back to the table with Lacy clinging to her arm. Piper first greeted Sherman, who just nodded back at her when she reached the table. Next, Piper turned her eyes to look at Drew; she removed her sunglasses and smiled.
"It's been a while, Drew!" she greeted.
POV change (Drew)
"It's been a while, Drew," Piper greeted me.
I stood and hugged her tight. We may have had our differences in the past, but those don't change the fact that she is my sister. One who has been missing for 3 years.
I could feel her shock and reluctance through the embrace for a few seconds before she returned the embrace. I smiled as I felt the connection we, as Children of Love, have all strengthened.
After a while, we let go of each other with a smile on each of our faces. Piper then introduces her companion, who turns out to be her manager, named Melissa.
I sat back down as Piper was telling her manager to order for them before sitting down as well. I kept my eyes on her as Piper sat down beside Lacy in front of me. I felt a smile form on my lips as I watched her fuss over Lacy. Commenting on how much she's grown and how beautiful she has become.
I noticed her eyes turn to Sherman sitting next to me; she seemed to study us for a while before settling on me.
"I missed you all back at camp," Piper said while her eyes were locked on mine.
"Why did you leave us, Piper?" Lacy asked, ever the blunt kid.
I smiled inwardly as Lacy beat me to that question, although this is the exact reason I chose her to accompany me here. I knew her innate bluntness and curiosity would do wonders in asking Piper the difficult questions I plan to ask her myself.
I watch as Piper turns to Lacy; she smiles before answering.
"It became too much; I had to go away from it all," Piper said with a small, sad smile.
"Where have you been?" I asked quickly before Lacy could.
Piper turned toward me, her eyes looking straight at me. She paused, clearly thinking of how to answer my question. The question that the whole camp wants answered.
After a beat of silence, Piper opened her mouth, but her answer brought only more confusion and a bit of anger to me.
"Somewhere safe," Piper said. as if those two words would be enough to satisfy three years' worth of worry and stress that I and the whole camp suffered when she suddenly disappeared without a word.
I gritted my teeth and stopped myself from shouting at her. I took a deep breath before following up on my question.
"I need more than that, Piper! We need more than that. 3 years with no contact from you," I started. "And mom and the rest of the gods were no help! All they say is that you were somewhere safe whenever we asked," I continued, my voice now rising. "But what is safe, Piper? Where is it safe? "I finished, my chest rising and falling, anger and frustration running through my veins.
"We deserve some answers, Piper," I pleaded.
Piper kept quiet and waited for me to finish. She sighed, then nodded her head. "I know, Drew; I'm just not sure how to tell you," she said in a small voice, her eyes soft as she looked at me.
"Then you can start at the beginning, when you went to mom," I prompted her.
"Ok," Piper agreed.
At this time, her manager came back with their drinks; Piper took hers and told her manager to give us space. Her manager nodded and sat at a different table. I watched as Piper took a sip of her drink, then she placed it down on our table. She closed her eyes for a bit, steeling herself. When she opened them, I saw a silent determination shining through her eyes. She swept her eyes at us, then she started telling her story.
"It all really started when Jason died; at that time, I was hit with severe depression," Drew remembered. The entire camp mourned the loss of the Son of Zeus.
"I went and lived with my father after that. I thought the distance from the Greek world would help lessen the pain I was feeling. I thought that I could distract myself from the depression his death brought. But it didn't help," Piper continued.
"After a while, I met Shel, and we started dating." Drew remembered that name from Leo. That was actually the last detail they got from Piper before she disappeared. All they knew was that the two of them dated, and then they broke up.
"For a while, things were good; they were going great, actually. We were having fun; we were connecting." Drew watched Piper speak with a smile on her lips.
"I tried to move on; Shel helped with that. She was clear-sighted, so after I explained our world, she understood. And she did her best to understand our world, the things that happened, what I went through, and I tried to be happy with her," Piper stated.
"But between monster attacks and the memories of those I lost, it became too much for her to handle. So, we broke up, and once again my heart was broken. And this time I almost ended it all," Piper confessed.
I felt my mouth drop when Piper told us how she almost took her life. I stared at my sister and thought about how we had almost lost her. Lacy, young, sweet Lacy, was now clinging to Piper, tears flowing from her eyes as she cried in Pipers arms.
Sherman, who was next to me, stayed silent, though I could feel his shock as well.
Piper took a while calming Lacy down, wiping her tears with a napkin. When we all calmed down somewhat, she looked at me apologetically, and I smiled at her, conveying my support.
"Why didn't you tell us?" I asked her. She smiled before she replied.
"Because I was stupid, and I did try. When I came back to camp for a few weeks, I thought about telling anyone. But in the end, I chose to go to Mom for help," she explained.
"What did mom do to help?" I asked. This has been one of the things that has baffled us since she disappeared. We tried asking our mother a few times, and every time she would only tell us that Piper was somewhere safe.
"And before you tell us mom helped you, we know mom helped. What we want to know is how she helped!" I told Piper I was not going to accept any vague answers.
Piper just smiled and nodded. She took another sip of her drink before she continued telling her story.
"The day I went to Mom, she listened to me and let me vent to her. After I finished crying, Mom told me that there was a way for me to heal and be safe. But she also told me that there was a price for that safety."
"A price?" I asked her, and she nodded.
"Safety?" Sherman asked.
Piper turned to Sherman and answered, "Yes, safety from monsters and the gods meddling."
I was about to ask why the gods have not made that known to anyone when Piper lifted her hand to stop me from asking. "Let me finish Drew," she asks me, and even though I wanted to ask about the safety she told us, I remembered Chiron's words at camp. So, I nodded and let Piper continue.
"Like I said, there was a price to pay, and mom made sure that I knew what that was. Mom told me that the only way that safety can be granted to me is if I pay the price willingly," Piper stated. "Mom said that forcing, controlling, or coercing someone to pay that price will result in failure."
"That even the entire Olympian council will not be able to forcefully grant that safety to anyone without paying the price, and the cost must be paid by the one wishing for that safety," Piper explained to us.
I listened attentively to Piper as she explained how she remained safe. I wanted to know more about the details of the price she had to pay, but I get the feeling that she won't tell me more than she already did.
"Did you accept?" Lacy asked. I thought the answer to that was obvious, but I kept my mouth shut.
Piper smiled as she looked at Lacy, then she nodded.
"What was the price?" Sherman asked, joining the conversation. but Piper shook her head before saying, "It's not my place to tell," making Sherman frown.
"How do you know if the price is worth paying?" I asked.
"The price is made known when an offer is made, meaning that you'll only know what the price is when the same offer of safety is made to you. And I cannot make that offer; only the gods and the one you pay the price to can," Piper answered.
"It seems complicated," Sherman said after getting his answer.
"It's quite simple, really; Mom made me aware of the price, and an offer was made to me."
"And you agreed to pay willingly," I asked again. I had to be sure that Piper was not forced into whatever deal that was.
"Not immediately, Mom took me to the safe place, and then I stayed there for a few months. Only when I was sure I wanted to be there did I pay the price," Piper explained.
"Then why not just stay there without paying?" I insisted. If she was able to enjoy the safety for a few months without paying, then why not? I thought.
Piper smiled while she shook her head.
"Sure, I could have done that. But then I would have needed to stay there, meaning that I would not have been above to meet with any of you again," she continued.
"Paying the price allows me to enjoy the freedom and safety from monsters, gods, and other immortals even when I'm not at that place. Do you want to know when was the last time I was attacked by a monster? 3 years ago, before I went back to camp."
Her answer shocked me again. But it also made me incredibly curious about the price she had to pay.
"Safety and freedom are what I paid for, Drew, and I got that and more," Piper finished as she picked up her drink once again.
"And was it worth it?" I asked Piper seriously. She nodded her head, looked me in the eye, and said, "Yes." There was no doubt reflected in her eyes. She truly believed in her answer.
"And you are safe?" I added. "I am," Piper stated.
"Safe and happy," Piper followed with a smile.
Happiness was pouring out of Piper's eyes when she said that. Any doubt I had about how she felt about the price he paid was washed away by the waves of pure delight and love I felt from her.
I decided to change the subject and focus on a more lighthearted topic as a way to glean more information from my sister, mainly what she has been up to during the time she was away.
"Enough of the heavy stuff!" I declared, surprising Lacy and Sherman. "Tell us, Piper, how did you come to model for Celestial Creations?" I asked.
Piper smiled at me before telling us how that got there. "I met the owners of the store through mom. When she took me away, I was then introduced to the owners. The one that makes all of the pieces they sell is someone who was blessed by mom's husband, you know. And when I paid the price, I needed to make a living, and they convinced me to model for them," Piper said.
I suddenly remembered a piece of gossip I heard when I first came to the store. I leaned forward and stared directly into Piper's eyes as I said, "By the way, Piper, I heard something interesting when I came to the store last time. I wonder if you can confirm it."
"What?" she asked, tilting her head.
"I heard from the store that you are actually dating the owner of celestial creations. Is that true?" I asked her with a wide grin on my lips. Lacy gasped as she looked at Piper with unbelieving eyes.
I watched as Piper's face reddened as she blushed at my words. Piper smiled. Her lack of denial was an answer in itself. But I wasn't done. I followed with perhaps the biggest gossip I got last time.
"I also heard that all of the jewelry pieces you modeled were given to you as gifts," I said with a smirk.
"Really?" Lacy asked with a gasp as Piper just nodded her head. I then heard Lacy tell Piper about the necklace she had been keeping an eye on. She had wanted to buy that piece but was unable to do so due to how expensive it is.
I laughed at Lacy and then told her jokingly, "You should find a rich boyfriend like Piper, then you can have them buy you whatever you want!"
"Stop that, Drew!" Piper admonished me. She then turned to Lacy and told her in a serious manner. "Love is not a game, Lacy; you must never use it for material gain," she told Lacy.
I scoffed. "That's rich coming from you, who was gifted literally millions worth of jewelry by her rich boyfriend!" I told her. I was thinking about how hypocritical she was being. I thought she would be silent after that, but instead Piper sat straight and stated it in a clear voice. "Thats different"
"How?" I asked. clear challenge in my voice.
"I love him, and he loves me," Piper stated matter-of-factly.
"Sure," I replied a bit derisively.
I was rolling my eyes at her when Piper called me by name. "Look me in the eye, Drew, and listen carefully," she demanded in a very serious tone of voice. I did as she asked and locked eyes with her, wondering what she was about to do.
"I swear to our mother's name and to the Styx, I love him with all of my heart and that he does the same for me!" Piper stated, shocking not just me but the two other demigods with us.
I heard the distant rumble of thunder, signifying the acceptance of her oath to both my mother and the keeper of oaths and promises. I waited with bated breath for any reaction to Piper, but there was none. Indicating that what she said was the truth, plain and simple.
I stared at my sister in wonder, despite how I had acted earlier. I truly felt happy for her. After everything she went through, she finally found the love and happiness she deserved. And she was safe, even if that safety came with a price.
A price that is still a mystery to me.
We were all silent for a few minutes as we took in the significance of what Piper just did. Then, as if deciding to spare us more mental trouble, Piper tuned to Lacy and smiled as she began asking her about the necklace she wanted.
"So, you've been keeping an eye on something from us?" she asked.
Lacy was quiet for a bit before she started to tell Piper about the piece she liked. "Yes, a necklace I saw in a magazine," she told Piper. "What is it like? "Piper asked Lacy, and she proceeded to describe the necklace.
"It's an emerald pendant surrounded by amethyst in the shape of a lily flower on a thin gold chain," she said. I watched as a look of absolute longing took over Lacy's pretty face. Her eyes were glazing over as she imagined her dream necklace.
'My sister has great taste,' I thought.
"Ah, yes, I'm familiar with that one!" Piper said, recognizing the piece Lacy described from memory. "That's a beautiful piece, Lacy! You have great taste!" Lacy blushed at Piper's praise.
I saw Lacy smile at Piper when, all of a sudden, Piper stood up, taking Lacy with her. "Let's go," she stated, leaving Sherman and me gawking at her in confusion. "What's happening?" I heard Sherman ask, his head looking around. taking in everything.
"Where are we going?" I asked Piper, who was by now waving her manager over. She turned to me and said, "Just come with me." So, I stood up as I heard Piper ask Sherman if we drove to get here. He told her that Argus drove us. I saw Piper nod, then she told her manager to get the car.
We followed Piper out of Starbucks, and we waited for her manager to arrive with the car. As we waited, I listened to Lacy ask Piper where we were going.
"It's a surprise," was all Piper would say in reply.
They stood on the sidewalk for a few minutes until a black SUV stopped in front of them. Piper told them all to get in as she opened the door. The three daughters of Love got in the middle seat, while Sherman got in the front passenger seat.
When they got settled in, Piper told her manager to take them to the store.
I racked my brain as we drove, trying to figure out why Piper was taking us to the store. But the reason eluded me. So, I just quietly listened to Piper and Lacy share gossip about the comings and goings of camp.
It took us almost 10 minutes to arrive at the building where the store is located. We got out of the SUV as soon as we arrived, and we all stopped at the window, watching the same advertisement Leo and I saw.
I was watching with Sherman when I heard Lacy speak.
"Were you really given all of those?" Lacy asked Piper while pointing at the advertisement, her eyes wide in awe and a bit of envy.
"Yes, I was," Piper replied.
"He really must be in love with you," Lacy stated, still staring at the advertisement.
"I know, right!" Piper smugly said as she pulled Lacy away from the window and into the building, with me and Sherman following closely.
Once inside the building, we followed Piper straight to the Celestial Creations store. We were welcomed by the staff, who greeted us as we entered. Then I heard the store manager's name, Helena Greet Piper.
"Welcome back, Miss Piper! Is the boss not with you today?" she asked Piper.
"No, I'm with my sisters today," Piper replied, pointing to me and Lacy. "I believe you've met?" she asked at the end.
The store manager nodded, then said, "Yes, she came here a few days ago, telling us about how the two of you went to the same summer camp."
"We did," Piper agreed.
I started to look around the store while Piper talked with the store manager. I still have no idea why we are here, but I decided to make the most of the time here and have a bit of fun browsing.
I was checking out a set of teardrop-shaped diamond earrings set in platinum when I noticed Piper approach Sherman, who was standing next to me, looking at the different earrings as well.
I listened as Piper asked Sherman if he was looking for a gift for anyone special. I knew he was dating a daughter of Iris back at camp and that they had been together for a while now, and he said as much to Piper. I heard him say he was looking for an anniversary gift, and I nodded at his choice.
I then heard Piper ask Sherman, "Why not one of those?" Curious, curious, I turned to look at them and saw Piper pointing towards a collection of rings.
'Engagements rings' I recognized. I watched as Sherman stared at the rings for a beat; the serious look on his face was a reflection of the contemplation that his mind was going through. Piper and I waited for his answer when he suddenly turned to look at Piper and said in a clear and serious tone, "Not just yet." Then he smiled.
I saw the look of shock and surprise on Piper's face, as I too felt the same.
I then heard the manager call Piper, and as she walked back to the counter, I saw Piper take a box from her. Then Piper called Lacy, who was looking around the place. I decided to join the two of them, and when I got near, I saw Piper open the box and show Lacy the contents.
"Is this the one?" asked Piper. I heard Lacy gasp as she stared wide-eyed at what was inside the box. I took a look, and inside the box was a necklace that was exactly the same as Lacy described earlier.
"Try it on!" Piper suddenly said, causing Lacy to take her eyes off the necklace.
"That's okay, Piper, I don't want to." Lacy tried to decline but was cut off by Piper taking the necklace out of the box.
"Nope, I want to see how it looks on you," Piper stated as she walked behind Lacy and placed the necklace around her neck. Then she took a hold of Lacy's shoulders and turned her towards one of the mirrors in the shop.
"It suits you," Piper said as Lacy gasped at her reflection. her eyes wide as she looked at the necklace of her dreams now around her neck. I agreed with Piper; the necklace does suit Lacy very well.
"Piper's right. But I think it would be better if you wore your hair up. It would allow you to show more of the necklace, and if you added a pair of matching earrings, it would be better," I said as I gathered Lacy's hair and tried to find the best style for it.
As I watched Lacy model the necklace in front of the mirror, I noticed Piper go back to where I was browsing earlier. I saw her take the same earrings I was checking out and walk back to me. I had a feeling she was going to make me try it on, and I was proven right when she handed me the earrings when she got to me.
"Try this on!" she said with a smile.
I was quiet for a bit before I went and joined Lacy in front of the mirror. Soon I was marveling at how beautiful that pair of earrings was on my ear. I grinned widely as I made plans to have my father get me these for my birthday.
As Lacy and I were still in front of the mirrors, I saw Piper walking back to the manager. They started talking, with Piper gesturing to the three of us, including Sherman, who was just standing to the side like a bodyguard.
I saw a look of shock on the manager's face for a short second before it was replaced with a calm and professional one. She nodded to Piper, then picked up the phone to make a call.
After a while, me and Lacy stopped and took off the pieces Piper gave us to try on. Lacy places the necklace back in its box, and then we go to where Piper is talking with the store manager.
Piper smiled at us, and I noticed another box on the counter beside Piper.
"Another one to try on?" Lacy asked, pointing to the box.
"No," Piper said, shaking her head.
I then nudged Lacy, and together we handed the jewelry pieces back to Piper. She held out her hands, laid them on ours, and pushed them back to us.
"Keep them," Piper said with a smile.
I stared at Piper in shock. This has been a shocking day filled with surprises.
"Are you serious?" I asked incredulously.
"I am," Piper answered, her smile still present.
I watched as Lacy tried to give back the box to Piper again, but Piper just shook her head.
"I already told Helena that those are going to be given to you guys," Piper said as she nodded towards the store manager, who was still on the phone.
She nodded to us with a smile, confirming what Piper said.
"Why?" I asked Piper while I stared straight in her eyes.
"Because I can, and you guys deserve them," she answered with a shrug.
Her nonchalance took me aback; she was acting as if she wasn't giving away thousands' worth of jewelry on a whim. This was a very different Piper than who she was years ago. I wondered what happened to her to change her so much.
"Won't you get in trouble with your boyfriend?" I heard Lacy ask, worry evident in her voice.
"Fiancée," I heard Piper say, again shocking not just me but Sherman and Lacy.
"And no, I won't be in trouble," she reassured Lacy with a smile.
I was about to speak when Piper was called by the store manager.
"Miss Piper, the boss would like to speak with you," she said as she held the phone to her chest.
Piper smiled reassuringly at us before she went and took the phone.
I watched Piper talk on the phone for a bit before I took Lacy aside.
"Be ready to give that back to them in case Piper gets into trouble, okay?" I told Lacy, who nodded, though I could see and feel her disappointment at that possibility.
"I understand," Lacy said while hugging the box close to her chest as she kept her gaze on Piper.
After about 5 minutes, Piper calls me over with a frown on her face.
"My fiancée wants to speak with you," she said, her voice filled with confusion.
She passed me the phone, and before I even had the chance to say hello, I heard a voice from the other end.
"Hello Drew, I heard from Piper that you don't want to accept my gifts," said the voice.
Again, this day is proving to be one filled with shocking revelations and surprises.
I was left speechless as I heard the voice—a voice that I recognize, a voice I have not heard in 7 years.
"Percy?" I asked, wishing against hope that I was right.