Thalia's POV

It was somewhat lonely without Reyna but I managed fairly well. That was until two days passed and I hadn't heard anything from her at all. I tried not to worry for Thia's sake. She seemed happier than normal and I'd heard two names pop up frequently in our conversations together.

"So you finally have friends?" I had asked in a teasing manner.

"Yes. Speaking of which is it okay if I sit with them during dinner?" I hadn't been expecting the question and to be perfectly honest it kind of stung a bit. Then again, she was older now and I figured she'd try and branch out eventually.

"Yeah sure," I shrugged, seeing her eyes light up happily. It was odd being the only one of my family sitting at our usual table. I could see Thia across the way being her usual bubbly self.

She was talking animatedly to a boy whose style I admired and a girl with auburn hair and freckles across her nose. They seemed to get along nicely. In a way, I was glad Thia had found people to hang out with but with that I knew her interests would surround them instead of chilling at home with me. It was a double edged sword.

It was hard to believe that she was already sixteen. I mean, just yesterday it seemed like she was learning to walk. In fact, I clearly remembered her first steps because I hadn't been expecting them at all.

I'd been away for a while aiding Artemis as I did occasionally, which I enjoyed, but I couldn't ignore the fact that I missed home. Walking through the front door tiny little Thia had been laying on her stomach staring intently at a toy car like she could get it to move with just her eyes.

Her attention immediately shifted and focused on me. Man if I could only explain the look that shifted her features into such a wonderful expression. Her cheeks which were still rather chubby due to her youth held two small dimples and her eyes nearly squinted shut with happiness and the few teeth she had shone brightly.

It was one of those moments that you wish you could hold onto forever. Happiness that www pure and raw which was only ever expressed by the innocence of youth. Where they had yet to learn what cruel things the world could hide.

With careful precision she stood up which she'd been able to do for a little while. Teetering awkwardly on her legs  she held out her small arms excitedly and stumbled her way over.

At first, I was worried she would fall but she didn't. Twelve steps later and she'd latched onto my leg giggling adorably, the sound similar to tiny bells ringing.

I didn't really know what to say. I just kind of stood there for a moment dumb founded before scooping her up into my arms and showering her chubby little cheeks with kisses.

The memory made me smile slightly and I recalled yet another. Thia's eighth birthday. She had sprouted like a bean pole and was all skinny limbs, elbows, and knees. She was quite the tom boy and every pair of pants she owned had ripped knees from diving in soccer games and rolling around in the grass.

She didn't mind getting dirty at all. In fact, she seemed to try and purposely get dirty much to Reyna's disliking. Thia also had a knack of getting hurt. She had scraped knees or scraped elbows nearly all the time so we kept a surplus of bandaids around.

Sadly, on this particular birthday she was sick. The poor kid had stayed up all night with a horrible cough and a high fever so whatever party had been planned was cancelled.

"Morning kid. Do you feel any better?" I asked having knocked lightly on her door. There was the sound of shuffling on the other side before it was opened and Thia's sleepy form appeared.

She looked pale considering her normal caramel colored complexion and her eyes had dark circles beneath them. It was a pitiful sight.

"Hi Mama," she mumbled, her voice sounding raspy in its sickness. She blinked slowly like she was trying to stay awake.

"Come here." I picked her up with ease as she was very light and Thia didn't hesitate to slump over and rest her head on my shoulder wrapping her arms lazily around my neck. "I know you didn't get much sleep."

"Worst birthday ever," she grumbled and sniffled slightly.

"Yeah, I know the feeling," I sighed, sitting down on her bed. "If you're feeling better later today maybe we can do something together? Try and make today a bit more fun but you need to rest first."

"I can't sleep," she whined and shivered lightly, her fever still in effect.

"Okay. Well what if I stayed with you?" I asked. "Would that help."

She nodded tiredly in response. Smiling slightly I tucked her in and rested next to her where she immediately curled up into a small ball and nestled against me.

It didn't take her long to fall asleep as I had expected. Thia was very much like me in the fact that she enjoyed people running their fingers through her hair. I did exactly that while she slept and I nearly laughed because I was certain at one point she was almost purring like a cat.

She was quite pretty even at that age with her features blending perfectly together. I knew even then that as she grew older people would soon take interest in her. Thankfully, Thia was oblivious to all things relating to romance.

When she woke up later that evening she was in much better spirits and looking healthier already. Once she dressed herself I took her out when the sun had dropped below the horizon revealing the stars.

She sat upon my shoulders chatting away and craning her neck to look at the stars. Making my way to a secluded hill I set her down and the two of us settled on our backs in the grass.

"Woah," Thia breathed, eyes wide as she gazed at the dark sky with thousands of gems glittering in its folds.

"Beautiful isn't it?" I asked. She nodded and scooted over resting her head on my arm.

"Do you know any of the pictures up there?" She asked, her voice sounding small. I knew exactly the feeling she was experiencing. The first time you ever really looked at the sky at night, the first time you really focused on it you could imagine the entire universe sprawled out into unknown darkness and you felt so insignificant and small.

"The constellations? Yeah I know a few." I pointed to one and traced its outline with my finger. "That's the Ursa Major."

"Cool," Thia smiled. I glanced over to see her pretty brown eyes reflect glittering stars like she held the entire universe in her gaze. She looked so much like her Mom. "And that one?"

"Oh. Well that one is Orion and you can see his belt. Those three stars lined up right there." I pointed to the correct spot in the sky.

"Wasn't he a jerk?" Thia frowned, her nose scrunching up. "That's what I was told."

"Who told you that?" I asked even though the answer was yes.

"Mom, and Nico, and Zoë." Thia said with a shrug. "I heard Arty poked his eyeballs out."

"Yeah, let's not mention that," I laughed, ruffling her hair. "Let's see...I think I remembered something."

"What?" She asked curiously, sitting up to look at me.

"It's your birthday which means you need a present," I smiled. Thia nodded excitedly clasping her hands together.

"What is it?" She asked getting up and bouncing on the balls of her feet as she always did when she was excited.

"Well, I've had it for a long time and your Mom gave it to me to replace my old one a long time ago. It's been through a lot and only the toughest, strongest, and prettiest person in the whole wide world can have it. Only the coolest person can call it their own." I could see the excitement threatening to spill over so that she couldn't contain it anymore. Laughing softly I pulled off my leather jacket and eased her small skinny arms into the sleeves.

The sleeves were too long and it swallowed up her frame but her expression nearly mirrored the one she'd worn the day she took her first steps.

"This is mine now?" She asked, her voice hardly above a whisper.

"Yep," I nodded. She giggled happily and tackled me in a hug.

"You're the best Mama ever," she whispered, nestling her face in the crook of my neck.

"You okay?" Snapping out of my thoughts I glanced up to see Thia standing in front of me giving me a curious look.

"Yeah I'm alright just zoned out is all," I shrugged. She nodded and plopped down next to me and rested her head on my shoulder.

"I miss Mom," she sighed.

"Yeah me too but she should be back by tomorrow." Hopefully.

"It's been two days. I thought it was supposed to be a quick trip," Thia frowned.

"Who knows? Maybe there was a delay," I guessed.

"Maybe," Thia nodded in agreement. There was a long pause in our conversation for a moment before she asked hesitantly, "Can we...do something together? I mean we haven't in a while."

"Sure, what would you like to do?" I asked.

"Do you think we could watch the stars again? I really like that." If hearts could melt mine most certainly did.

"Of course, I think I know the perfect spot. Come on." I stood dragging her to her feet and headed outside. The sun was already setting in the distance. Thia smiled and matched my pace. She was nearly the same height as me now maybe and inch or two shorter.

I could see the hill in the distance and sighed contently. Thia smiled and ran ahead too excited not to. I on the other hand decided to take my time for once. A slight breeze wafted through the air ruffling my hair as I walked. I noticed that the sky was cloudless tonight; perfect for our last minute plans.

Making it to the base of the hill I trekked up its steep surface, my feet scuffing through the grass while it whispered in the breeze. Thia stood waiting with her hands tucked in her pockets bouncing on the balls of her feet once again.

In the distance the last dying rays of light faded and the moon glowed to life full and bright. The stars glittered like diamonds and pebbles at the bottom of a crystal clear lake. They were secrets in the ink and dark velvet grasp of the night.

Thia's gaze settled on the sky and her breath was stolen by the mesmerizing sight. Stopping next to her I followed her gaze and stared up at the net of gems overhead. The constellations were bright and alive this particular night radiating a fierce energy and painting a story on the dark canvas dangling above earth.

"Sometimes I forget that night time is my favorite part of the day. Everything is just...prettier," Thia sighed. "It's like the earth no one sees. People fall asleep and they miss all of it."

"Some people have different priorities."

"That's dumb! Who in the world would want to miss this?" She asked eyes sparkling. She gestured at the sky and the glittering city below.

"I don't know," I admitted.

"If people saw this no one would be afraid of the dark," Thia smiled, and then her gaze settled on me and her smile softened. I wasn't expecting it but she hugged me tightly. "You're the best. Thanks for taking me out here."

"No problem. Anything for you." I meant it. I would do anything for her. She may be growing up but she was still my little girl. Maybe her height had changed but her heart certainly hadn't. "Now, do you remember the constellations?"

"It's been a while," This admitted, sitting down in the grass.

"Well that right there is the Ursa Major."

"Right."

"And that's Orion."

"His belt is those three stars right?"

"Yeah."