Chapter Text
Annabeth took a deep breath. She had just been dropped by the cab, and already she started to feel numb. She dug her boots into the gravel, the instinct to turn around and call for the cab was overwhelming, but her common sense one out. She was here for a reason, she couldn’t run away now. For so long, she had tried to avoid her past, dodging any mention of her father’s name like the plague. But after all this time, here she was standing like an idiot in front of the manor’s front gate. She felt like she was a silly tourist gawking up at the house trying to catch a glimpse of the elusive Bruce Wayne.
But she wasn’t a tourist; this had been her home for the first seven years of her life and it was time to finally face the music. Annabeth suddenly felt the urge to reach for her phone to call Percy. When she first mentioned to him that she was considering visiting her family again, he immediately was supportive of her. Percy’s stipulation, though, was that he had to come with her. He, in fact, had been insistent on coming. After Tartarus, Percy didn’t like spending any time away from her. And although Annabeth found it very sweet, it was getting just a little tiring. It had been a feat worthy of praise to even convince him to wait a week before joining her in Gotham. Annabeth knew logically that having him meet her family right away would be a catastrophe of the highest caliber, but she still wished she could give him a hug right now. He was her safe place, and she really needed his strength.
Steeling herself before she lost the courage, Annabeth gripped her bag straps until her knuckles turned white and with agonizing steps approached the keypad. Her fingers trembled as typed the code. She didn’t think it would work, after all it had been 10 years since she had last been in Gotham, but it wouldn’t hurt to try. To her utter surprise, the gate started to slowly roll open.
Anna squared her shoulders and started to walk down the main path toward the door. It was too late to turn back now. Annabeth was surprised how little the front of the manor had changed visually. It looked exactly the same as it did when she was seven. Her favorite tree that she had spent so many years climbing as a child was still there, magnificent as usual. She remembered her father telling her a story about the old tree. Apparently her great, great grandfather planted that tree when he first built the house. To this day, it was one of the oldest trees in Gotham. Standing well over 60 feet tall, it towered all of the surrounding trees. In a way, it reminded her of her father and his legacy.
After a few minutes of walking in absolute silence. Annabeth stood in front of the impressive oak door. She could feel the blood rush to her head as she examined the door. Its rich tone seemed warm, almost as if it was inviting her to knock, so she did. Nothing happened at first, not that she expected it to, Alfred was probably in the kitchen somewhere prepping for dinner and it was highly likely that no one else was home at this time in the afternoon. After a minute she also rang the doorbell. She heard a rustle behind the door this time and a gentle British voice call faintly inside, “coming.”
Annabeth’s heart stopped, she would recognize that voice anywhere. She felt herself freeze on the landing, warm chocolate chip cookies flashed through her mind, the smell of his cologne, and gentle hugs from a man who was like a grandfather to her. All those late nights when Bruce or Dick had secretly been busy being vigilantes and Alfred had to put her to bed. He had always loved reading to her, especially classics like Narnia and the Hobbit. She felt her eyes starting to water. She couldn’t start crying before she had even seen him.
The door opened, “I’m sorry, Mr. Wayne isn’t home right now. How…” Alfred’s eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. The man had visibly aged in the past 10 years. His once brown hair was now speckled with streaks of grey and his eyes, which as a child were always kind, were now tired. As though he had lived through some great tragedy.
“Hello Alfred.” Annabeth weakly smiled. “I hope this isn’t a bad time to stop by.”
Then something completely unexpected happened. Alfred rushed forward and tackled her in a hug. Annabeth tensed for a minute, flashes of battles raced in her mind, before allowing herself to relax. “Miss Anna, you’re alive,” His voice was quiet, almost like he couldn’t believe what he was saying. “We’ve missed you so much.”
To her complete horror, Annabeth started to sob into his shoulder. It had been too long since she had been hugged by her grandfather. “I’ve missed you too.” she said in between sobs. “I’m so sorry for being away for so long.”
“I’m just overjoyed that you’re alive. That's all that matters now.” Alfred broke the hug. “We can discuss the details later. Why don’t you come in and get in the air conditioning. It is too hot today. Do you still like lemonade?”
Annabeth chuckled, once upon a time she would only drink Lemonade and Hot Chocolate during the summer. It completely mortified Alfred, who was a firm tea drinker. “Of course, though I do appreciate a good Earl Grey every once and a while.” At this Alfred softly laughed.
“You always did come around to senses, unlike your coffee loving Father.” At this Annabeth took one last look outside before stepping across the threshold into her past.