Annabeth's POV

"Thalia! Hi!" I squealed. I started frantically moving my hand that was resting on Percy's chest. "I was just helping you Dad get a stain out of his sweater!"

Thalia walked towards us as Percy let go of my waist.

"I don't see a stain," she responded innocently.

"Then I guess I did a good job!"

I backed further away from Percy, who chuckled at my poor excuse for being caught in a moment of intimacy. He held out his arms, and Thalia ran in for a sweet embrace. Why did everything Percy Jackson do make me want him more? Even hugging his daughter.

"Annabeth!" Thalia called out to me as they embraced. "Do you want to see my room?"

So, I had graduated from "Pretty blonde-haired lady" to "Annabeth."

"Yes!" I said, as Thalia started prancing towards the door.

Percy gave me an encouraging tap on the ass as I followed after his little girl. As Thalia gave me a grand tour, I took note of how much time and effort Percy must have put into making this feel like home for her. All the furniture was custom built for a small stature. A few princess cartoons hung on the walls, along with many photos of Leila and her dad through the years. Every one of her stuffed animals had a special place. Three of them were even enjoying a tea party at a small table in the corner. "I really like your room, Thalia," I told her, watching her smile at my compliment.

"This room is mine," she said, swaying from side to side. "But if you want, we can share it."

I bent down on my knees to get on her level. "That's very sweet, Thalia, but I think I'm a little too big to fit," I said, crawling to the far side of the room to sit awkwardly at her vanity table. "See!"

Thalia giggled with glee at my silliness, running over. I laughed along. "This room is all for you," I said, tapping her nose gently. I watched as her little train of thought shifted, her mouth sinking into a pout.

"I like staying with Daddy, but Mommy doesn't like it cos his eyes don't work anymore," she said glumly. "But just because his eyes don't work doesn't mean he's not my Daddy."

"Of course not, hun," I said, stroking her hair.

Thalia was silent for a few moments.

The next words she spoke broke my heart. "Why can't both Mommy and Daddy stay with me?"

Gulp.

I had to choose my words carefully. I wished Percy hadn't decided to stay in another room.

"Well, Thalia…Sometimes, it's better for a mommy and a daddy to live in different places. Sometimes, everyone ends up happier that way."

Thalia was quiet for a moment. "How is your mommy?"

I looked at her, shocked.

"What do you mean, Thalia?"

"Daddy says your mommy is sick. But he's going to make her better."

I took in the little girl's words, her eyes innocent and genuine. Suddenly, I felt ashamed for being angry with Percy. He really was just trying to make things better for my family. He'd even told his sweet little daughter about it. Maybe he wasn't just trying to control me. Maybe he was trying to show me he cared.

"My Mommy is okay," I responded warmly. "Thanks for asking."

Thalia hugged me like I had seen her hug Percy minutes before. It warmed my heart as I squeezed her to my chest.

Percy's POV

I was relieved Thalia had taken a liking to Annie. Although my hearing hadn't become acute enough to make out their whole conversation, I could tell they were becoming fast friends. It had been so hard to explain things to Thalia. How do you tell your six-year-old you no longer have the ability to see? Or that her mother wanted you to move out of your own house? Now, I was battling day in and day out with Red just to see Thalia. She couldn't possibly understand that. I sighed as the buzzer of the apartment went off again. After a second of clenching and unclenching my fists, I pressed down on the button, giving access. I knew exactly who was headed up. I turned on my heel, heading to warn Annabeth.

Annabeth's POV

Percy poked his head into the room as I was applying glitter shadow on Thalia.

"Honey." We both looked up, but he was talking to his daughter. "Your mom is here. Start getting ready to leave."

Her Mom is where?

"No!" Thalia cried out.

"It's okay, you'll come back soon." He turned to me. "Annabeth, can I talk to you in the hall for a second?"

I rose up from the ground, my legs shakier than I would have liked to admit.

As I emerged from Thalia's room, Percy started to whisper to me, "I didn't know she was coming back so soon. If you want to wait in my room, I understand."

"Percy, we're all adults here. I don't need to play hide-and-seek with your ex."

"You don't know Red. She can be really—"

"I'll be fine."

Will I, really?

I sounded steadfast, but in truth, I was completely unprepared for this moment. I had been curious to meet Red after hearing so much about her. I just thought I would have time to mentally prepare for our first encounter.

The front door opened. She didn't even bother to knock.

Percy and I moved toward the living room while I took deep breaths to try and steady my heart rate.

"Thalia! I'm here!"

I heard her piercing voice before I saw her. And then, she was standing in front of me.

Sharp features. Tight form.

She was strikingly beautiful. It was almost as if she had been cut out of a magazine and pasted into this moment. Her steel blue eyes were sizing me up, too. I nervously adjusted my shirt and then immediately regretted it.

Confidence was key.

"Who are you?" Red asked me, breaking the agonizing silence.

"Annabeth. You must be Red?"

She nodded. "You've heard wonderful things about me, I'm sure."

"Just the truth," I retorted.

She smiled at me. "I like you."

Um, WHAT?

"I hope you know what you're getting yourself into," she finished, shooting daggers at Percy.

"That's enough, Red," Percy said, before turning back toward the hallway. "Thalia! It's time to go."

Thalia emerged from her bedroom with her backpack and a few tears on her cheeks. She squeezed Percy's leg, and he bent down to hug her.

"I'll see you soon, my love," He said, wiping away her sadness. "Be good for Mommy,"

"Like you care," Red snapped, turning on her heel and walking towards the door. Thalia followed after her, and in another moment they were gone.

I turned to Percy. The mixture of anger and defeat that clouded his face broke my heart. I wasted no time, moving closer and softly kissing his lips.

"I'm sorry about that," he grumbled.

"Don't be, …I've met plenty of women like her before."

But, truthfully, I hadn't. The way Red sized me up a few moments ago was intimidating to say the least, but I tried to suppress my feeling of insecurity.

"Thalia really likes you." Percy said, placing his hand on my shoulders and running them down to my ass.

"Apparently, Red does, too," I laughed.

"Did she scare you when she said, 'I hope you know what you're getting yourself into?'" he asked, looking genuinely concerned.

"Scare me? NO. If anything, it made me…excited."

Everyday Percy was showing me I could trust him. There was no way his liar of an ex-wife was going to change that.

"I want to see your room," I said abruptly.

"My room?"

"The one where you play."

WHAT ARE YOU DOING, ANNABETH?

My mind screamed at me, but I smiled as Percy's green eyes set ablaze. Red was right. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. But I was ready to find out.

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