I couldn't believe myself.

How could I, the almighty Poseidon, god of the sea and a bunch of other stuff that I should probably have memorized over the millenia, be so anxious over meeting a tiny baby girl?

Oh yeah, she wasn't supposed to be born. That's why.

It's not that I wasn't excited to hear the news. I care for my children very much, I respond to their prayers as much as I can. But the last time a child of the Big Three had been born, it resulted in painful death. And now, I had doomed an innocent baby girl with the emotional weight of the world. My innocent baby girl, who I technically would be breaking laws to see tonight. Not that it mattered. I was too afraid that might be the last time I could look the child in her eyes without seeing loathing and hurt.

By the time I transported to Sally's small apartment in Manhattan, it was passed midnight. The mortal vehicles raced around on the streets like they were fish confronted with an invitation to a sushi restaurant. Back at Montauk, Sally had told me stories about how loud the people of New York were, even during the night. Of course, I had been several times before, but I let her talk. Her New York accent was cute.

I crept down the hallway as quietly as I could. All the lights were out, so all I had was the soft glow of my trident to guide me. The door at the end of the hallway had sea creatures taped on it. I mentally smiled at Sally's attempts to connect her child to her absent father. I pushed the door open slowly to be greeted with the sight of a tiny, cramped room. The crib was made of cheap wood that was sloppily painted blue. The nicest thing in the room was an aquarium themed mobile. It went around in circles repeatedly and I almost caught myself looking at it admiringly, as if I was the child. Of course, my maturity level was about that high. In fact, if it weren't for a delighted giggle, I probably would have forgotten why I had come all the way from my underwater palace.

Tiny arms covered in pink cotton stretched up to reach for the seahorse, coming up almost two feet short. The arms dropped on the cushions with a disappointed thump. I slowly approached the crib, becoming more mad at my decision with each step. If she remembered me, she'd be a bigger target for monsters. And, if she cried when she saw the stranger by her bed, how long would it take for Sally to see me? With a sudden urge of recklessness, I rushed and peaked over the crib.

A beautiful, small baby lay on the blankets, dressed in a pink onezie. She had a tuft of midnight black hair, which curled slightly at the ends. Her cheeks were round and full, flushed bright red. When she smiled up at me, I got a glimpse of her pink gums and her adorable dimples. Most importantly, I noticed her big, green eyes. The danced with innocence and happiness, like a newborn mayor. Most of her features, I realized, belonged to me. The only thing she had from Sally was her small, button nose. I grinned like a maniac, laying my hand across the child's forehead gently. My baby girl was lucky to have both of her parents most charming features.

Well, at least she had one spark of luck. Hopefully, I prayed, that wouldn't be the only time she got lucky.

It was when I was creeping back down the hallway that the yellow lights flickered on.

"Dropping by without saying hello, Poseidon?" Sally was dressed in a bathrobe, standing in the doorway to her bedroom. Her blue eyes had traded the rebellious edge for another look. Her face was softer, more mothering. I could tell that she wasn't angry. She almost looked as if she were expecting me to visit. I smiled at her.

"What did you name her, Sally?"

"Anaklusmos," Sally said the name slowly, the greek word running awkwardly off her American tongue. "I believe it means Riptide in English." I nodded approvingly.

"Maybe just call her Anna, for short," I suggested. "Anaklusmos is a bit of a mouthful, don't you think?" I didn't want Anna to get mad fun of at school for anything that was avoidable. From ast experience, I knew that demigods were often made fun of for their ADHD and dyslexic tendencies.

"Anna," Sally mumbled. She smiled brightly. "Anna for short it is."

I nodded again. "I'm sorry to have to leave you another time, love. But I must go. I wish you the best. Please, please, take care of our daughter the best you can. She may be difficult. She may hate me. But you must try."

Sally sighed and squeezed my shoulder. "You'll always have a place in my heart. With that empty place, I swear on the River Styx it will be used to protect Anna."

Thunder rumbles, sealing her promise with an ultimate seal. As I left that night, I was worried. But I then got over it. Sally would always protect Anna, that I knew. And so would I.

A.N/ Hey lovelies!

This is my first real fanfiction, so please, tell me how I did. I'm planning on updated weekly. Constructive criticism is always welcome on my stories, but please, no flames. I love each and every one of you (now you have to update, don't make me be even more forever alone.) I've been thinking about this story for a while now. I even have Anna's love interest planned out. Oh, how fun this will be! Please REVIEW AND RATE! Tell me if this is a good chapter length, or if it should be longer.

Up and Out,

Julie, your fellow Hunter of Artemis