Hey guys, I hope you all enjoy this adorable chapter- Julius and Sally are cute.
Replies:
Weirdhead: Honestly, I don't know, that'd be a question for Rick lol.
Undeath9087: Yeah, Sadie's gonna have issues- which is understandable and they will get worse before they get better- and can I just say that I hate the Fausts with a passion? Her grandparents are assholes.
The Official Clarisse: There will be more to come- Carter is a great big brother who loves his sisters. And here, have some more Julius and Sally! And yeah- I included that because like, it's how it is- and it's mentioned in canon whenever they have Sadie with them people notice too.
Drizzle: Sorry if I made a mistake- obviously I do all this myself so some do slip through- and you will meet Sadie- the reasons she was kept away from Carter and Julius will be explained.
PJ Fan 285: I can't fully say how close to canon it will be yet- but obviously there will be differences- Percy will be a lot more involved in the first books plotline than the others for reasons that will become clear but she'll be heavily involved in all of it obviously. I hope you enjoy the changes I do make though, and I am so glad you love my writing.

Sally knew she'd made the right decision fairly quickly- with the amulets Julius had gifted Percy she felt a lot safer.

And Percy had blossomed- she'd formed an instant bond with Carter- who was a very sweet boy- he was smart and serious, Sally found herself growing fond of him. And now Percy was getting one on one attention she was learning a lot faster than she had been- Julius had more patience than any of her teachers- he understood that she couldn't help her ADHD or her dyslexia.

But it wasn't until one day four months in that Sally realized just how things had shifted for her.

Four months travelling, living with someone, you got to know them, and Sally had formed a fast friendship with Julius- he was a stern man at times- very
serious but he did care about his children- he was doing his best in a difficult position.

It was on the evening- they were in Egypt and Sally had popped out to get some food for the morning, and when she returned to their hotel she paused- the living area of their rooms was empty, that was fine, Sally could hear Julius' voice- and she set the bags down on the counter before she moved to the children's rooms- and she felt her expression go soft as she peered through the crack of the door. Percy and Carter were sharing a bed, Percy curled up into Carter's side, blankets wrapped around them tightly, with Julius sat on the edge of the bed.

"-some say that Persephone's story was a sad one- but I think she chose to eat the pomegranate seeds that that her mother wouldn't be able to keep her from her love. And for six months of the year she rules the underworld by her husbands side."

"I liked that story." that was Carter's voice, thick and tired- and he yawned as he said the words. "It's new."

"It's a Greek tale." Julius' voice was so gentle, still deep and rich but so incredibly soft, "I thought Percy might like it, since it's the story of her namesake."

"I did." Percy's voice was muffled from where she was snuggled in close with Carter.

"Good." Julius leaned forward then, pressing his lips gently to the top of Percy's head as he smoothed her hair back, "Now you two should get some sleep." he smoothed his hand over Carter's cheek.

"Night dad." Carter murmured the words, and a moment later Sally heard Percy's voice too.

"Night daddy-" and she felt her heart twist as she took a small step back, pressing a hand to her mouth before she forced herself to breath, and then she was moving quickly away from the door, over to the couches, which she lowered herself onto.

A few minutes later Julius emerged from the children's room, giving Sally a slightly amused smile.

"I noticed you eavesdropping Sally."

"Sorry- I was just checking in and-"

"I know." Julius' expression was distant. "She called me daddy."

"It makes sense." Sally admitted softly, shaking her head. "Percy's never met Poseidon, and Gabe- he was no father. You're the closest thing she's ever had- but if you mind I can talk to her-"

"No." Julius shook his head- and was it just Sally or were his cheeks almost flushed "I don't mind. She's a sweet girl. In some ways she reminds me of Sadie-"

"Your daughter." he'd told Sally about Sadie three weeks in, and about his wife's fate three months in.

"Yes."

"You miss her."

"I do." Julius' expression was pained, "I- I would do anything to have her with us but- even if I could get custody- it's dangerous, the House-"

"I know." Sally reached out, grabbing his hand, "Julius- you're doing your best- she'll understand that when she's older-"

Julius closed his eyes, a pained look on his face. "I won't blame her if she doesn't- I know she resents me. She thinks I chose Carter over her- that was never the case but-"

"The world isn't fair." Sally shifted, so that she was closer to Julius, "Our children deserve better than they've had. One day maybe we'll make the world better for them."

"Yes." Julius nodded, "I hope you-" he paused, focusing on Sally properly, "I'm glad I met you. You've been good for Carter- and so has Percy. Having people
he can rely on- sometimes I fear that this life- it's not good for him-"

"Julius you do the best you can. It's all anyone can do-"

"Thank you." Julius' voice was soft as he met Sally's eyes- and Sally felt her breath catching slightly- she swallowed hard as she stared at him for a long moment.

Sally knew he was an attractive man- it was hard to miss- he was the epitome of tall dark and handsome, but she'd never found herself that attracted to him before- but- something about seeing him with the kids- seeing how gentle he was with her baby- it struck something deep inside of her- and when he raised his hand, palm pressing against her cheek gently- and when he leaned in she closed the gap with barely any hesitation at all, and Sally felt a rush of warmth as they kissed, as Julius slid his arm around her and pulled her so that she was flush against him.

It was different than anything she'd felt before- Poseidon had been her first love, her first kiss, all passion and youthful excitement.

Then there had been Gabe.

Gabe had been a necessity, there had never been any love there, she'd forced herself to go through the motions but if she was truthful she'd wanted to die every time she'd felt his lips on her.

This- this was different from either of those.

It was gentle, and warm too, Sally had never felt so safe before, not ever.

She found herself deepening the kiss, her arms moving, one arm sliding up over his shoulder so that her hand was resting lightly on the nape of his neck and she draped her other arm over his other shoulder.

When they parted after what felt like a lifeline Sally was panting slightly, her eyes wide and her face flushed as she focused on Julius- he was her best friend- her only friend these days really, it was probably quite a sad fact but it was true. "Julius... We- what happens now?"

"Sally-" Julius' thumb smoothed over her cheek, "I don't want- what you went through with your husband-"

"I know you won't hurt me-" and okay, maybe that was a stupid thing to say, Gabe had waited until they were married to start hitting her. But- the idea of Julius hurting her was just impossible to comprehend. With Gabe she'd at least half expected it- Julius- no, even though he was big enough and strong enough that he could easily take down anyone who tried to pick a fight with him.

"Not on purpose." Julius shifted, pressing his forehead against hers as his fingers moved from her cheek to comb through her hair, "It's not- I still love Ruby."

"I know." Sally's expression softened, "She'll always have a place in your heart I won't be jealous- a part of me will always love Poseidon. Just because they're not with us anymore doesn't mean we ever stop loving them." she paused, "And- it doesn't have to mean that we can't ever love again- is that what Ruby would want?"

There was a long moment of silence before Julius shifted again and pressed his lips to hers gently again.

"I think she'd tell me I'd be stupid not to take a chance." he admitted softly, "She'd have liked you- and she'd adore Percy."

"Then-" Sally took a deep breath, "Then let's take a chance. I know I haven't known you for that long but- well four months in close quarters isn't the same as four months in a more usual relationship. I know I care about you and Carter."

"It'll be a big change-"

"Will it." Sally's lips twitched, "People already assume you and I are married most of the time- we'll have to talk to the children of course but-"

"We can make it work." Julius agreed softly.

"You'll have to talk to Sadie when you and Carter visit her next week." Sally's voice was firm, "As much as I want to meet her you need to explain things to her first- and it might take her some time to adjust."

"Of course." Julius' smile was strained, "If I could just see her more often-"

"I know-" Sally sighed, "But you can't Julius- you should make the most of the time you do have with her. I don't want to distract from that."

"You- gods above you're too good for me." there was a softness in his eyes that Sally knew was saved only for his family- and she felt honored to be blessed with it.

"No, I'm just a parent myself." she kissed his cheek, "And I understand that the children have to come first- I'll support you and the children no matter what- even if Sadie doesn't want to meet me." she knew that Sadie would probably be more hostile towards the change- Carter already knew her, there was already a bond. Sadie had never met her and would probably see her as an intruder trying to replace her mother- which Sally was determined not to do. She would be happy if she could be a motherly figure to both Carter and Sadie but she was well aware that she'd never be their mother.

"Thank you." Julius smiled faintly, "It might take time- I want her to meet Percy-"

"Not this time." Sally's voice was firm, "We don't want her getting jealous- I know I would be if I was in her position-"

"But Percy and Carter are so close I-"

"Julius that won't help. If anything it'll make things worse- that poor girl only gets to see you and Carter twice a year, she won't want her only time with you both to be shared with Percy. Maybe next time you visit her you can take Percy- I do want them to meet I just-"

"You're right. Of course." Julius smiled faintly, brushing his thumb across Sally's lips. "You always are."

"I was right to choose to come with you I know that much." Sally laughed softly, leaning into the gentle touch, "Seeing you with the children then- the story-"

"I thought it would be important for me to learn about Percy's heritage too." Julius stated simply, "After all it is a part of her- and where better to start than the tale of the goddess you named her for."

Sally nodded, shifting so that she could rest her shoulder on Julius' shoulder- and it was stunning just how easily all of this was, and she found herself thinking that it would be oh so very easy to fall in love with the man holding her. She might not be quite in love yet but it would come she was sure. And for the first time since her parents had died all those years ago she found herself thinking that this must be what it was like to have a family, a true whole family.