AN: Sorry about the short chapter but I didn't want to keep you waiting any longer.

Annabeth

I have to force myself not to sprint to the door when I hear the bell ring not fifteen minutes after I called. I sneak a quick glance in the mirror near the door and sigh when I see that I look a mess. My hair is in a loose ponytail, some curls falling into my red-rimmed eyes and I'm wearing silky pyjamas with a fluffy robe over the top.

I don't even bother fixing my appearance and turn to the door. I take a shaky breath and pull the door open. Percy greets me with a worried smile and I can't muster the energy to force a fake one back at him.

We stare into each other's eyes for what seems like forever before he pulls me into his arms and holds me against him. I release a relieved breath and wrap my arms around his neck.

"I still think what we did was stupid," I whisper, tears forming in my eyes. "I was an idiot but I really don't want that to stop us from being friends."

"Ssh," Percy says and pulls away from me. He wipes my tears off my cheeks and leads me into the house with his hand on the small of my back.

"Where are the kids?"

"Jess has took the twins to the movies," I reply. "The boys were complaining that they had nothing to do so she agreed to take them. I've been a horrible mom this last week. I've been so busy fighting for them that I haven't spent any time with them at all."

"You're stressed, that's all. You just need to relax. You'll get grey hairs if you carry on like this," Percy says, trying to lighten the mood.

My lips curl up a little and I let out a tired yawn before leading Percy into the living room.

He takes a seat beside me on the couch and I turn so my back is against the armrest and I'm facing him. Percy slides his sneakers off his feet before taking up the same position as me so we are face to face.

"I missed you," Peeta admits after a short while.

"I missed you, too. I don't think I've ever felt so alone, Percy. I don't know how I'll survive if Luke gets custody of the kids. I'll be more of a mess than I am now," I reply.

"He won't win, Annabeth. You're not alone; you will never be alone. I'll always be here for you. And you look beautiful."

"Are you kidding me?" I ask. "I look like I haven't slept in a year. I feel exhausted."

"Why am I over, then? You should sleep while the kids are out," he says.

"I can't sleep. I worry too much. That's all I do these days," I reply, putting my head in my hands.

"Talk me through your problems and maybe that'll help," Percy suggests.

I take a deep breath and look up at him again before starting: "I need to find a way to prove that Luke is unfit to look after the kids. Piper, my lawyer, asked if I had any pictures to show any sign of abuse or neglect on Luke's part but he hasn't done anything like that to hurt the kids. I would never have let Luke hit them. Ever. I can't think of anything that will help me win this."

"You have time. Don't over think. Remember the little things that Luke did wrong. There has to be something," Percy tells me.

"That's only one of the problems. What do I do if I get custody of the kids? Where will I get the money to take care of them? I don't work. I've wanted to go back for a while but who would look after them when they were on school break?" I ask.

"I would," Percy says.

"You work."

"I'm a teacher. I basically have the same days off as the kids do. The boys could play with Lilly or I could take them to play football," Percy replies.

"What about Jess?" I ask, knowing I can't leave her out.

"She could take Lilly shopping or give Lilly makeovers. There are so many things to do. Lilly has always wanted a sister-"

"Percy," I cut him off quickly. "This won't make them sisters."

"You know what I mean," Percy sighs, looking away from my face, as his cheeks turn red.

I don't know what to say. It's a good idea for him to look after the kids but I'd be doing what Luke has been doing for years- working and doing nothing else. Besides, I don't want the kids to get too attached to Percy in case we'd have to move some place where houses are cheaper.

The thought of being far away from Percy makes my stomach turn and fresh tears form in my eyes. I shouldn't like him the way I do. It wouldn't be fair on the kids for me to start seeing a new guy already but I just want to be with Percy all the time.

I wish he were the father of my children.

I wish he were my husband.

I wish I could go back to that day when we slept together, and I stayed instead of leaving him.

"What are you thinking?" Percy whispers.

"That it's wrong to feel the way I do about you," I whisper back.

"It's not wrong to love someone," Percy replies, shuffling forward so our feet touch and his face is close to mine.

I gulp. "I don't want to hurt the kids anymore. I know the divorce is hurting them even if they didn't see Luke often. It's just too soon for us to start anything."

"I know but it's like… like a magnet is pulling me towards you. The days I didn't get to see you or talk to you were hell. I want to spend every minute of the rest of my life with you. I want to hold you in my arms. I want to make love to you. I want to kiss you."

"I feel the same way, Percy. But we can't. Not now. Maybe not for a long time," I say, hating the words I speak. He leans forward so his forehead rests against mine. I close my eyes and let out a content sigh.

"I understand," Percy says. "Just know that I love you and that I'll be right here waiting for you. Always."