A New Form of Family

----3rd Person POV----

Percy and Jaya stood frozen in the doorway, their eyes wide with excitement and hope. Sally and Marcus looked at each other, momentarily taken aback by the sudden intrusion.

A mix of surprise, amusement, and a little bit of fear twinkled in their eyes as they wondered what exactly their children had overheard.

Jaya shouted out, "Right? Percy peeked through the door and saw Dad on a knee making a promise when Auntie was crying. That's how someone gets married right?" When both parents looked at her blankly, she grew more shy as she said, "That's what Percy said."

A look of relief appeared on both parents' faces before Sally straightened up, a warm smile on her face, and beckoned Percy and Jaya closer.

"Come here, you two," she said, her voice filled with affection.

"We were just making a promise to always be there for each other, just like family, but not getting married."

Percy and Jaya eagerly approached their parents, their eyes now a bit confused. Percy looked at Marcus with a mixture of hope and longing, while Jaya focused her gaze on Sally, her face lit up with excitement.

Percy spoke up first, his voice filled with childlike innocence and vulnerability. "So... does that mean Marcus can be my dad?"

Marcus crouched down to Percy's level, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Percy, you know that I care about you deeply, and I'll always be here for you, no matter what. Your mom has a husband, and you have a dad." Percy frowned at this, "But I can always be your cool Uncle. Sometimes those are even cool. Dads are all discipline, Uncles get to give cool advice and get you cool gifts. Your mom and I may not be married, but we can still be a family little man." At this, Marcus ruffled Percy's hair.

Percy grinned before giving Marcus a huge hug.

Meanwhile, Jaya turned to Sally, her eyes shining with anticipation. "Does that mean you can be my mom?"

Sally knelt and enveloped Jaya in a warm hug. "Jaya, you know how much I love you, don't you? We may not be connected by blood, but that doesn't mean we can't be a family. I'll always be here to support and guide you, just like a mother should."

Jaya beamed, feeling a surge of happiness and contentment.

As the children absorbed their parents' words, Percy looked at Jaya and grinned. "Hey, Jaya, that means we can be brother and sister!"

Jaya's eyes sparkled with delight as she nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, Percy! We can be siblings, just like a real family!"

Sally and Marcus exchanged glances, their hearts filled with affection for the children's innocent enthusiasm. They knew that their promise to support each other had taken on an even greater significance now, for the sake of Percy and Jaya.

Marcus stood up and extended his hand to Sally, who took it with a warm smile. Together, they walked over to Percy and Jaya, forming a small circle as a symbol of their newfound bond.

"We may not be a traditional family," Marcus said, his voice filled with sincerity, "but we are a family nonetheless. We'll be there for each other, through thick and thin, just like family should."

Sally and Marcus both reached out their pinkies, and Percy and Jaya eagerly interlocked theirs with their parents. It was a simple gesture, but one that held immense meaning for all of them.

-Same Night-

The moonlight cast a soft glow over the room as Percy and Jaya slept soundly, their dreams filled with joy and the newfound security of their growing family. Sally and Marcus sat on the couch, their conversation hushed so as not to disturb the children. They had a lot to discuss, and their words carried a mix of anticipation and vulnerability.

Marcus leaned forward, his voice quiet yet determined. "Sally, I've been thinking about what the kids said earlier, about wanting us to be a family. One reason that Percy thought we were getting married is that he is always over here. And I couldn't help but wonder, why not start living together?" Sally gave him a surprised look.

Marcus just continued, "I mean we already live right next door to each other, and we're practically inseparable. Each breakfast at each other's houses and taking turns watching over the kids. The boys and I could do the same thing we did for the dojo but for a house instead. We would have separate bedrooms still but we could combine two small apartments into a house. It wouldn't change much, just the quality of life, not having to leave our house to go over there. Plus, I think the kids would die of excitement."

Sally's eyes widened slightly, surprise mingling with a trace of anxiety. She had entertained the idea herself but hesitated to bring it up, not wanting to impose on Marcus. She already left Percy with him daily to go to work to pay rent. Sally felt like a burden on his life and didn't want to impose on their friendship.

"I've thought about it too, Marcus," she replied softly. "But I didn't want to impose or disrupt your life. It's one thing for us to support each other as friends, but living together would be a whole different level."

Marcus shook his head, a warm smile playing on his lips. "Sally, you're my best friend. You helped me when I was struggling with Jaya as a kid and for that, I cannot be more grateful. In fact, having you and the kids in my life has only brought me joy and purpose. Living together would make things easier, not just for us but for the children too."

He paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts and his tone taking a more serious note. "I also don't want another joker like Gabe in yours or Percy's lives. Now that I know about the monsters, I can protect our kids from them, but living apart adds an unnecessary vulnerability. By living together, we can use the dojo's scent to mask the demigod scent that might attract unwanted attention." Marcus smiled a little before jokingly flexing his bicep a bit, "Plus if I can beat a goddess, I'm sure I can win against some trash monster."

Sally smiled with a hint of worry in her eyes, the weight of Marcus's words sinking in. She understood the importance of safeguarding their children, especially in a world filled with mythical dangers and hidden threats. The idea of living together seemed to provide an added layer of security that she hadn't fully considered before.

"You're right, Marcus," she responded with a soft smile on her face, her voice laced with newfound determination. "Our children's safety comes first, I think your idea is a great one."

Silence enveloped the room for a moment as Sally and Marcus let their thoughts settle. A sense of trust and understanding hung in the air, their unspoken connection speaking volumes.

Sally reached out and placed her hand on Marcus's, a gesture of support and unity. "Let's talk to the kids first, make sure they're comfortable with the idea. After all, this is their home too. And then, if they're onboard, we can start planning how to make this work for all of us."

Marcus's eyes sparkled with gratitude as he squeezed Sally's hand gently. "Thank you, Sally. I appreciate this." Marcus looked a little bit away as he said in a joking tone, "But, I need a promise to get a steady supply of those world-famous cookies."

Sally smiled brightly as she said in a jesting tone, "I'm sure that can be arranged."

As the night grew deeper and their conversation continued, Sally and Marcus knew that they were embarking on a new chapter together, one that defied conventional norms but held the promise of a beautiful, unbreakable family bond.

In the darkness of the room, illuminated only by the moonlight, their decision took shape—an unconventional proposal that would bring them closer, not just as friends, but as partners in parenting and guardians against the dangers of their extraordinary world.

-The Next Morning -

Excitement filled the air as Percy and Jaya eagerly awaited their parents' announcement. The children sat on the living room floor, surrounded by their toys, unaware of the life-changing conversation that was about to take place. Sally and Marcus exchanged glances, their hearts beating in unison, as they prepared to share their plans.

"Hey, kids," Marcus began with a warm smile, kneeling down to their level. "Mom and I have something important to talk to you about. You know how you both wished for us to live together as a family?"

Percy's eyes widened, his face lighting up with anticipation. "Yeah! Can we?"

Jaya nodded eagerly, her dark eyes filled with hope. "We want to be a real family!"

Sally and Marcus exchanged a glance, silently conveying their shared determination. "While we aren't getting married we decided on something big. We've been listening to you, and we've decided to move in together," Sally responded, her voice filled with warmth and reassurance. "We want to live together too, just like you both wished."

The children's faces erupted into wide smiles, their joy evident in their shining eyes. They could hardly contain their excitement as they hugged each other tightly.

"But there's more," Marcus added, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "We've been thinking about how we can make this even more special for all of us. So, we've come up with a plan."

Percy and Jaya exchanged curious glances, their anticipation growing with every passing moment.

"Remember Uncle Anthony, the friend who's good at woodworking?" Marcus continued. "And remember Uncle Allen, the construction worker who helped build the dojo? We've asked for their help, and together, we're going to combine our side-by-side apartments into one big apartment just for us."

The children's eyes widened in wonder as they tried to imagine the possibilities of a larger, shared space. Their imaginations soared with thoughts of secret passages, hidden rooms, and a home where their dreams could come true.

Sally gently embraced the children, her voice soft and filled with love. "This means that we'll all have more space to play, to create, and to be together. It'll be our own special place, where we can grow as a family and support each other."

Percy and Jaya squealed with delight, their laughter echoing through the room. The prospect of a bigger, combined home filled with love and adventure was beyond their wildest dreams.

Over the next few weeks, Marcus made the necessary arrangements. He called up his friend Anthony, who eagerly agreed to help with the woodworking aspects of the renovation.

Together, they sketched out plans for the new apartment, incorporating the needs and desires of each family member. Marcus also reached out to his friend Allen, who enthusiastically lent his expertise as a construction worker to bring the plans to life.

The two apartments gradually transformed into a single, cohesive living space. Walls were knocked down, creating open areas that would allow the family to gather and spend quality time together.

Anthony's craftsmanship brought life to custom-built furniture, while Allen's construction skills ensured the structural integrity and safety of the renovated space.

Throughout the process, the children were filled with anticipation, their excitement growing with each passing day.

They watched as their future home took shape before their eyes, envisioning all the adventures and memories that awaited them within its walls.

Finally, the day arrived when the construction was complete. The children stood in awe, gazing at their new home. The once-separate apartments had been transformed into a unified haven, a sanctuary where their dreams could flourish and their bond could grow stronger.

As Percy, Jaya, Sally, and Marcus stepped into their new home together, a sense of belonging enveloped them. They knew that this was more than just a physical space—it was a symbol of their unbreakable connection, their chosen family, and their unwavering commitment to love and protect one another.