(After all this time, I'm not sure about their ages anymore. Please bear with me.)

Wave, after wave

Slowly drifting

Feels like I'm drowning

My feet can't touch the ground

Slowly drifting

Wave, after wave

-Waves, song

Percy POV

"Please, baby don't do this to me."

Percy glanced at the clock. 2:57. A.M. He just had three hours left. He was getting desperate.

Shuffling a bit, rocking his hands, he finally settled down on the corner of his bed. The crib was beside the bed, stuffed with toys from his friends... and of course Annabeth, he thought bitterly.

"Shh," Percy croaked, his throat catching, "Daddy's got a big day tomorrow. Don't you want to sleep now? Sleep is good. You know, I love you right? I may not..." he gulped. Tears pooled at the corners of his eyes. Percy continued, wiping his nose, "Please, Noah, please just go to sleep now. I, I have an interview tomorrow, and honestly , I promise you, we'll have a much better life after that."

For just a moment, Percy swears, he felt a connection with Noah. For the very first time, since Annabeth had so graciously dumped him on him, he had felt a connection with Noah, on the third day of September at five minutes past three, he felt something.

Noah's bright green eyes looked at him, straight at him, big, doe-like, and he shut up. Percy held the gaze, green to green, and whispered, "For daddy, please Noah... daddy loves you." And Noah, closed his beautiful eyes and went to sleep. Something ignited in his heart that night, something which refuelled his passion to live. He almost laughed, but didn't and carefully placed his baby back onto his crib. Then he promptly jumped onto his bed and drifted off.

;;

Percy switched off the alarm before Noh could wake up. Parenthood had changed Percy a lot. Four months in had from waking up at 11, h had waking up at six sharp. Everything in his life was revolving around his baby.

He quickly got up, did his bathroom work, made himself some cereal. Dressed up, warmed up some milk, put it in the blue baby bottle. Packed some baby food in the tiffin.

He was done by seven, wherein he gathered his papers and just went through a few important things, which he thought would help him in the interview.

His apartment consisted of one room, where his bed and the crib were, a tiny kitchen, a small bathroom and living room. He didn't really require much, but wanted to provide the best for his kid. He already what it was like to live in a poor condition and never in his world had wanted to grow up in such an environment. Percy already had plans for what he wanted his son to be like, but, he smiled... maybe that' what father's do.

Seven twenty he picked up his baby from the crib, his dolphin, and the bottled milk and the tiffin and made his way down the stairs.

He rang the doorbell twice. He could hear the shuffling of feet and then door was being opened by Piper McLean, a very pretty girl, two years his junior. She was probably going to shout at him, in her sleepy stage, but then saw Noah.

"Good morning!" said Percy.

"My favourite nephew, you are so cute, so cute," she said taking the baby in her arms.

Percy felt grateful for such nice friends in his life. Piper had taken care of Noah so many times; he didn't really have to explain anything to her. He loved her for this way too much. She was an amazing person, and had helped him during these four months... he was filled with gratitude. He owed her way, way too much. Technically she wasn't his sister, but some relations transcend blood.

"All the best for your interview," she said, closing the door and waving.

"I love you, Piper, honestly." Percy kissed the top of her forehead and then Noah's.

Piper laughed, "Now go. Love ya too bruh..."

;;

Annabeth POV

Of course her wallpaper was the image of Noah. And Percy. The last time she had seen them both. Together, safe.

He looked cute, as babies tend to, and there was an ache in her stomach. She still had those motherly feelings...

"Will you ever tell me who that hottie is?" said Hazel.

"He's ...no one. Just some friend."

Hazel Grace had kind eyes. She always knew that she was hiding something, but never probed further.

"Anyways you are coming on Friday right?"

"Friday, oh that Frank... guy..." Annabeth smiled. Teasing, she wiggled her eyebrows. "Lover boi."

Hazel blushed a deep red. Annabeth was just a little bit jealous off her. She had a nice life, she assumed. And an even better boyfriend. She had just seen his pics a couple of times.

"No Hazel, I mean, I have some work to do... you know, and I don't really do this sort of thing," she was about to add anymore; but she didn't.

"You promised!" Hazel exclaimed. "I haven't seen him in months, and I really want you to meet him.

It's after the semester exams too. He's just bringing one friend of his, he's great really, I think. Even I haven't seen him, he could be ho—handsome. Please. It's my treat."

Anabeth couldn't say no her, even if she tried. She was a really nice person, helped her when she was in one of her moods, a great friend. She was just a year younger.

She smiled, "Yes, of course," giving in.

;;

Percy POV

When he returned home, at around six, he first went into his apartment and got into his pajamas. Then he rushed down to Piper's and knocked. Someone inside shouted "Piper", probably Jason, Piper's boyfriend(finally).

"Did you get it?" asked Piper as soon as she opened the door.

"I'll know this Thursday. It went well but I don't know."

"Oh you'll get in, Mr. Engineer. Hardwork pays off. Come in."

Percy took off his shoes and was met with sight of Jason Grace, his future brother-in-law (hopefully, fingers crossed) teaching his son, Noah, the ways of going about a case. Jason was a lawyer, interning with one of the largest firms in the U.S. while completing his final year at university.

"I doubt anything's going inside his head," said Percy, laughing and taking Noah in his arms. He kissed his cheek and the baby gurgled in response. "I love ya, my little Squirtle."

"Man, his eyes are just like you," said Jason, adjusting his papers. "And, maybe he wants to be a lawyer, like his uncle. You know, just a head start." He held up his hands.

Percy smiled. "Honestly guys, you are the best. Thanks for taking care of him."

"Don't sweat it, Perce," said Piper, "we had an off. What are friends for?"

"You don't really need to thank us. Sparky's my favourite bud in the world," Jason lifted Noah's hand and gave a fist bump. "Best uncle the world, right buddy."

Noah just excitedly mumbled some gibberish, or tried to at least.

"No but , really guys-""

"Percy, you are embarrassing us. Anyways, Leo said he would be bringing some tacos later. So you'll come at dinner."

"Yeah sure." He got up. "Thanks guys, say bye, squirt."

"Ta-da!" gurgled Noah, as Percy waved his chubby little hands.

;;

Friday

"Yes mom, you are looking at the engineer, Perseus Jackson, who works at Google."

"Oh my God, Percy that's great," Sally Jackson hugged his son and then took Noah out his arms.

"How's my favourite grandson doing?"

"He can stand up now. All on his own, and makes a mess in the bathroom. Loooves taking a baths, I swear!" exclaimed Percy, settling down on the sofa. "Hey, Paul!"

"Hey Buddy! Congratulations! You earned it."

"Starting salaries good too, now if I just work well then... I'm set."

"Percy... you could always ask us for money. I'm your mother!-"

"I just want to do this on my own. It was my mistake, you shouldn't paying for that.."

"Percy, son..."

"And you are already doing so much for me. No really, thanks for taking him in tonight. I'll pick him up tomorrow morning. Give Hope my love. I'm off now. Thanks again."

;;

Annabeth POV

"They are already in there," said Hazel, "c'mon Annabeth." Hazel pulled on her hand and dragged her inside the tiny little restaurant. She looked really pretty, in her black dress and wedges. She had on some eyeliner and gloss. She didn't really require anything else. Annabeth herself was dressed in a jeans and a hoodie.

"Gosh, Hazel, you are desperate to meet your lover boi, aren't you?"

"It's been two months," protested Hazel, blushing. "There."

Their backs were turned the other way so she couldn't look at their faces but both had black hair.

"Frank," greeted Hazel, when they neared him.

Frank turned around and a big smile came onto his face. Lovestruck couple, they were, thought Annabeth, as Frank got him and hugged Hazel ( covering the other guys face, who by the looks of it was getting up too)

Then as Frank shifted, she looked straight into the familiar face of... well...

Her baby's eyes were just like those that stared back at her.

Her smile faltered. His did too.

A/N: OK?

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