Each step he took out onto the hot beach sent scorching sand whipping at his heels. There was a whistling breeze, misting everything within a few feet with the salty ocean spray. Percy's hair whipped in the wind, and he pushed it back out of his eyes with his free hand, glancing around for Annabeth. She had texted him once, to send him the location and time.

It wasn't like her to be late, though (despite his best efforts) he was. Luckily, only by a few minutes. He scanned the beach. It was crowded this Saturday afternoon, dotted with figures of all types in all kinds of colors.

Fortunately, they found him.

He startled when he felt the tap on his shoulder, turning around to face Annabeth's brilliantly bright eyes blinking up at him.

"Oh!" he said, feeling himself grinning like an idiot. He couldn't help it. "There you are."

Annabeth returned the smile easily and Percy could feel himself filled with delight at the sight – until she blinked and her expression was gone, as quickly as it came. Percy watched with a heavy heart as her grin faded quickly. She cleared her throat and looked away.

He followed her gaze to the little girl clutching Annabeth's hand.

Percy could feel his breath literally being taken away.

"June," Annabeth said softly. "Say hello."

Percy crouched to put himself at eye level with her. She was tiny. So, so small, and so, so beautiful. Wisps of curly, inky black hair rustled in the wind, and green eyes stared back at him. The same green eyes that stared back at him every time he looked at the mirror – but better some how. Infinitely better on that tiny, perfect face.

Small pink lips parted, revealing a mouth of perfectly white teeth, and Percy could feel himself echoing the grin. His cheeks hurt from how wide his grin was; he wasn't surprised to feel the wetness in his eyes, brushing them away from his cheeks.

"Hi," she said shyly, extending the hand that wasn't gripping her mother's. Her voice was clear and careful, like she understood the weight of each syllable.

Percy sharply inhaled, and raised a trembling hand to shake hers. Her tiny palm was smooth in his.

There was a moment where the three of them just stood there; it struck him for a moment that only June did not understand the significance of this moment. It was her who pulled away first, looking up to Annabeth.

"Mama, can I go play with Hazel?" she asked politely.

Percy glanced up at Annabeth too, straightening up. There was something there in her eyes, but she blinked it away before Percy could see what.

"Go ahead," she said. The tall girl he remembered from the other day reached down to take June's hand and the pair ran down to the water. Percy and Annabeth watched them go.

He was aware of her eyes on him as he wiped his cheeks quickly, clearing his throat.

"Does she know?" he asked in a low voice. Annabeth shook her head.

"That you're her father? No," she looked away, out towards the water where their daughter was. "I didn't think she was ready to know yet."

He nodded in understanding. "She's beautiful," he said quietly, so quietly he wasn't sure she had heard.

"I know," Annabeth whispered, just as quietly.

They watched her, combing through the wet sand for shells, and Percy felt… proud. It was a strange feeling, like a balloon that welled up inside of him, threatening to burst at any moment and tear up his insides.

"It never goes away," she said. He stared at her in confusion for a second. Then he realized Annabeth felt it, too. "That moment when you realize that you made something so wonderful, so perfect. That's what June is. It's like, no matter how much I fucked up in my life, and no matter how much I'll fuck up later, I'll still have her. I'll still have her to be proud of. She's my proudest accomplishment. Not the buildings, not the awards… those are meaningless. She's the product of us, but she's… perfect."

"Perfect," he agreed, choking on the word. I helped make something perfect.

No matter how much I fucked up in the past, I will always have her to be proud of.

June.

June.

-x-

A/N: This is a really short chapter but lately I've been incredibly unable to carve out the time to write. There will be more later of their first encounter – they've got lots of firsts after all.

Also: I watched Divergent the other night and it was awesome. If you liked the book you should totally watch this.

Hope you're all well! Please review if you liked it, because reviews gives me lifeee.

Anna x.

PS: if you'd like the follow my tumblr, my url is frankzhangly!