A/N: Here is a new story for you guys. Just for the record, all of it is in Annabeth's PoV.

Disclaimer: I don't own PJatO.

Chapter 1-

"Daddy's home!" I hear Carter cry from the living room. He rushes to the front door.

"Be careful!" I yell after him as he trips over his shoes that he left lying out. He flashes me a lop-sided grin and runs to meet Luke as he walks in the door.

That's my son, Carter. He was born five years ago on June 15th. He has curly blonde hair and sea green eyes. He knows how to read, even though he hasn't started school yet. Carter also loves swimming. I don't know where he got his green eyes or his passion for swimming but he's my son and I love him no matter what he does with his life.

I return to the kitchen where I was cooking dinner. I'm not much of a cook, but ever since I've had to raise a child, my culinary skills have improved. I stir the macaroni and heat up some frozen peas.

"Hey, honey," Luke says as he walks into the kitchen, Carter close in tow. When you place little Carter next to Luke, you can barely see any resemblance. They both have blonde hair, but Carter's hair is more like mine than Luke's. Luke is built muscular while Carter is tall and skinny for his age.

"Hi, how was your day at work?" I ask Luke, not turning around from the stove. I'm afraid that if I do, something will catch on fire again.

"Good, good," Luke comes up to me and wraps his arms around me from behind. I give him a brief kiss and then put my attention back on the pasta.

"Eew!" Carter cries and runs out of the room. We both laugh.

"That kid is just like you Annabeth," Luke says and leans against the counter.

"So I sit around in pajamas and watch cartoons all day?" I say.

"You know what I mean."

I pour the pasta into the strainer. "Go get Carter, dinner's almost ready," I order Luke and he leaves, but not without giving me another kiss. He's such a cute boyfriend.

Luke is just my boyfriend. We are both in high-paying, important jobs and don't have time for a wedding. Besides, who needs a ring to symbolize ever-lasting love anyway? Luke and I love each other deeply.

I set the table and serve everybody fresh macaroni and cheese. Dinner goes along quietly without much talk from Carter.

"Honey, is there something wrong?" I ask Carter.

He avoids my gaze but after a little while he says, "Jack's mom has a ring too." Carter is constantly bothered by the fact that all of his friends' parents are married but Luke and I aren't.

Luke sighs and puts down his fork. "Carter, you're right," he says. What? Luke is supposed to be saying that we don't need to have a ring to symbolize our love.

"Luke…" I start but he interrupts me. "I promise you, Carter, that mommy and I will have a ring by your birthday next year."

Carter cheers and Luke sends me a grin, but somehow I don't feel any joy.

"Excuse me," I say, grab my shoes, and rush out the door. I don't know where I'm going. All I know is that I need to get away.

How could Luke propose to me like that? I don't think I can even call that a proposal. If I love him, then it should be okay if we get married. I mean, we already have a child. Why am I freaking out?

Once I get out of the apartment and onto the streets of San Francisco, I feel better. I don't feel as trapped in my life as I did in that kitchen. I walk a block or two at full speed before I slow down and start thinking straight.

I love Luke. I'll get married to him. There is nothing wrong with that situation.

Once I calm myself down, I look up and see that I'm at my friend, Thalia's, house. I knock on the door and she opens it wearing black, black, and more black. Her icy blue eyes are the only color in her outfit, since her hair is black too.

"Hey, Thalia," I say.

"Beth, what's wrong?" she says and steps outside, closing the door.

"Don't call me Beth," I tell her for the umpteenth time. Thalia just grins and we start walking along the road.

"Seriously, what's happening?" Thalia asks.

"Luke…" I start but I can't find the right words to use.

"That's awesome!" Thalia cries and wraps me in a tight hug. "I'm glad he finally proposed!"

I smile, masking my true emotions of dread, and let Thalia hug me.

"The bridesmaids' dresses have to be black, okay?"

I gulp. "Wow, aren't we thinking ahead," I say.

"Oh, yeah, sorry," she apologizes. "You know I'm not one to be interested in girly things like jewelry, but can I steal a glance at the ring?"

"The ring!" I cry. That's what is making me freak out. He proposed but he didn't get down on one knee and hold out a ring. That's what I've always wished to happen and when it didn't, I got a little nervous.

Before I can explain to Thalia what exactly just happened, my cell phone chimes in my pocket.

"Excuse me," I say to Thalia and she nods understandingly. I bet it's Luke calling me, wondering why the heck I went storming off like that. But when I hold the phone against my ear, I hear a deep voice say, "Annabeth?" it isn't Luke. The voice sounds vaguely familiar.

"Hello?" I say into the phone.

"Hey, it's Percy." I almost drop the phone when I hear this. Percy? Why is he calling me? "I'm in town for the next month doing a special training course for the Olympics and I was wondering if you wanted to go out and get coffee sometime."

"Sure," my voice sounds like it hasn't been used for a couple years.

"I know that we had a bad breakup, but I want to just put that all behind us. Is that cool with you?" I forgot how forgiving Percy can be. In that way, he's opposite of Luke, who is very stubborn.

"Yeah, that sounds great," I say after a pause.

"Awesome. How about Tuesday at nine? I'll meet you at Cara's Coffee on Tiren Road," Percy says.

"Perfect. Bye!" my finger wastes no time in pressing the 'END CALL' button.

And just when I thought my life couldn't get any better, my ex has to call and invite me out. And Luke proposed today.

My life is crazy.

A/N: That's the end of Chapter 1. What do you think of this story so far? Please tell me in a review! All reviews are welcome.