chapter 30

"happy birthday," we shouted as Percy walked through the door.

everyone was here, Shinobu, Kanae, kanao, Paul, and mom. we invited Nico and Bianca, but Thalia couldn't join since she's the lieutenant of the hunt.

"When did you guys-" Percy said looking around.

"while you were hanging out with your friends I snuck in with moms permission and set everything up.

do you like the cake? I made it myself," I asked presenting the cake.

I got a collective gasp from the audience as I placed it on the table.

"how long did it take you to make this," asked Percy.

"Well, it took two tries. the first one I messed up because of my eye, then I scraped that idea and came up with this idea," I said.

"may I ask what inspired you to design this kind of cake," Paul asked.

"Well, Percy and I both like swords so I added them as a neat touch, and the trident because it looked cool," I said winking at my mom.

she sent me a look saying to knock it off, and I just laughed silently.

I and the family were enjoying the celebration when there was a knock at the door.

"I got it," I said heading towards the door.

I was sensing warm feelings and I knew just who it was.

"Hestia," I said opening the door with a smile on my face.

I was face to face with a 5'7 Hestia. she had longer hair and looked mature.

"you've grown," I said wiping an imaginary tear from my eye.

"I can't appear in my regular form otherwise the mortal will have questions," Hestia said as a couple of gifts appeared in her hands.

"come inside," I said moving from the doorway and allowing her entry.

"Look who joined us for the party," I said as we entered the living room.

"is that Hestia," mom asked.

"It's a pleasure to meet you miss Jackson," Hestia said.

"and happy birthday Alice and Percy," Hestia said handing us both presents.

"thank you la... I mean thank you, Hestia," Percy said with a small bow.

"thank you, my lady," I said with a bow.

"Now come on I did lots of cooking and it'll go to waste," I said pointing to the kitchen.

there were heaps of food. tamales, mashed potatoes, ribs, Asada, hamburgers, and other stuff.

"you cooked all of this," Bianca asked.

"yup, now go ahead and get a plate. there is soda in the fridge, and Percy the blue ones are in the freezer," I said.

"you make a wonderful cook," Hestia said while eating.

"I'm still not better than you though. it'll be my lifelong goal to beat you in cooking," I promised.

Hestia gave a small laugh and started braiding my hair.

"never change Alice," she said.

"it's the present time," I heard my mom announce.

I got up and headed towards the kitchen and we watched Percy open his gifts.

I got him "how to tell a girl is in love with you". yes, that will help him in the long run.

and the second one was a book. it wasn't any book, but a sword aura book.

it goes into detail about it but I can't discuss it Infront of Paul.

"thank you guys," Percy said while laughing.

"I hope you don't start flirting with everyone, otherwise I will have to beat you up," I said looking at him.

Percy laughed and stopped before he saw me joking and laughed again.

"open up mine," Hestia said.

I smiled and picked up Hestia's gift and opened it. inside was a necklace of a crescent moon with a flame in the middle.

"it took a bit of work but this gift came from Arty and me," Hestia said as if she was ashamed of giving a small gift.

"I love it," I said as I put It in her hands and let her put it on me.

"I shall treasure this with my life," I said.

"I know you will," she said.

"there's candy in a drawer next to the fridge," I whispered to Nico.

"but my sister-" Nico began saying.

"I'll deal with your sister okay? this stays between us," I said as he ran off.

ah but now I'm remembering that the war with Kronos is about to end next year and then it's onto gaea.

man this will be entertaining and possibly the most fun I will have for a while.

"what are you thinking about," Hestia asked.

"I was thinking of our wedding," I said offhandedly.

"you are talking like you already have rings made," Hestia said with a small laugh.

"Who said I didn't," I said pulling out two rings.

one was a butterfly ring with diamonds on it, another had a flame engraved on it with the words Astia engraved on it.

the word "Astia" came from combining our names, it took a while to make but it sure was beautiful.

"When you make these," Hestia asked as she grabbed the one with the flames.

"I made them a while back. when Percy was exploring the labyrinth and I had nothing to do," I said.

"you are good with your hands," Hestia said admiring the ring.

"of course I am," I said with a smirk.

"not like that weirdo," she corrected.

"damn, my math was wrong," I said quoting a certain Robert McNamara.

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hey guys I have a question.

should I put Alice in the cod storyline? campaign or zombies, or both.

(yes)

(no)