She got home and saw Percy sitting on the couch, watching ESPN.
"Hey Percy." She smiled. "How was your night?"
"Alright." He replied. "How was yours?"
"Good. How was James?" She asked as she took off her shoes. "Did he behave well for you?"
"Yeah, he's a perfect kid." He told her. "But we need to talk. Luke doesn't like the fact that he's not seeing James a lot. He's going to get a lawyer involved if you don't bring him more often."
She tensed up and took off her jacket. She hung it up and felt like she was going to explode.
Percy walked over and wrapped his arms around her waist, making her jump. He looked at her with concern. He hated seeing her like this. It made him feel like a horrible boyfriend even though he didn't really do much.
"Annabeth, bring him to Luke more before things become more complicated." Percy told her. "James and Luke deserve that."
She nodded, going to the bed room. Percy followed her to see her getting ready for her shower.
"You're upset." Percy noted.
"No I'm not." She replied, taking off her jewelry.
"Annabeth, he's James' dad." Percy told her. "That guy is already broken. The only thing keeping him together right now is James. Let him see James more. Let him take care of him for our date nights and every Saturday and Sunday. Take a break from being super mom."
She took a shaky breath and looked at him. "Percy, you don't understand what it is like to be a single mom for three years. Everything I do is to make sure James will be safe and fed and everything he needs from two parents. It's extremely hard when I have to raise him on just my salary, living in the most expensive city in the world."
"You don't have to worry about that anymore. You have me and Luke-"
"I can't give that up. It's not like I can just give up drinking soda or eating chocolate. He's my baby. He's all I had for three years." Tears were filling her eyes.
Percy walked over and hugged her. "Annabeth, it's going to be okay. I promise it's going to be okay if you give up some parental custody."
James kicked his legs as him and Percy rode the subway. He was promised a cookie and chocolate milk if he behaved.
"Daddy, where are we going?" James asked.
"We're going to see other daddy." Percy told him. "He's going to be very happy to see you."
James grinned. "I love seeing daddy! And Nurse Thalia. She's also very fun to play with."
"That's good to hear." Percy smiled as he listened for the next stop.
He felt slightly guilty, taking James out of day care early so he could see Luke, but it was the right thing to do. Luke and James deserved to bond more. He wanted them to have a father-son connection, something he didn't have with his own dad.
Percy helped James down from the seat and walked with him to the surface where he walked with him to Luke's place.
James jumped as they walked, trying to avoid the cracks. He just seemed to optimistic about seeing Luke.
"Do you like playing with your daddy?" Percy asked.
James nodded. "Daddy likes to tell me stories about how he met mommy. And stories about superheroes!"
"That sounds like fun." Percy smiled. "What superhero stories does he tell you?"
"Captain America! He has picture books!" James smiled. "He has a lot of them and reads them to me."
Percy nodded and walked into the building with James holding onto his hand. He signed them in before going to Luke's room.
He knocked on the open door before walking in.
Luke looked up and saw Percy there with James. He smiled at James and then at Percy.
"Daddy!" James ran over and hugged Luke.
"Hey James." Luke smiled and hugged him back. "How are you?"
"Good! Daddy took me out of day care so I can see you!" James smiled. "It's the best day ever!"
Luke chuckled and kissed his head. "Let me get Nurse Thalia."
He stood up and looked at Percy. "Thank you Percy."
"It's not problem. Just…don't tell Annabeth. I didn't tell her about this. And I have to go back to work before my free period is over."
He nodded and picked up his phone and called Thalia. Percy stayed with them until she showed up. He said goodbye to James before heading back to work.