A/N: hello!

I have several bits of news for you all, and not a lot of time to type them. So, here we go:

1. This story is almost done. This chapter fast-forwards one week. The next will do something very similar. I'm not only trying to speed up the story, but in having a bit of writer's block. There's so much that will happen in the last chapters, though, that the time jumps won't matter... Much.

2. About the last chapters: they will be posted more quickly. And, if not that, than I will post 2 at a time. They're already written! (Most of them.)

And, finally, 3:

What I'm doing after this.

I have so many ideas for fics, but I have two I can really get somewhere with. One is an adaptation of Cinderella (the Disney one) and Romeo and Juliet, but with my demigod babies. (No, I don't think I'll kill all the characters. I like them too much.) The other, well, I have a potential summary of it here:

Percy Jackson has set himself up for the most mundane summer of his life. One day in July, everything changes when he meets a mysterious delinquent named Annabeth. He gets to know Annabeth, and assists her in her work. At the end of the week, she needs his help in one final crime, and this will be the greatest one yet. Rebel Annabeth, based loosely in the song Cop Car by Keith Urban.

Take your pick of which sounds most interesting. I've got the first chapter of Cinderella written, working on the first to the other one. Also, I suck at titles, so if you all could recommend titles, that'd be great. (I'd credit you, of course, when I post the thing.)

Okay, ignore my rambling. I'm done. So, here ya go:

Annabeth

Sunday brings a lazy day of lounging around the house. Monday brings more wedding plans, and the same for Tuesday. Wednesday, Percy gets to stay home and we do whatever. Thursday, Thalia and I clean our rooms, and then have meetings about the escape.

It's funny, really. I'm dependent upon someone I've never had the pleasure of talking to. I hope Thalia knows how much I trust her with this. Without her, I'm sure, the plan would go ker-flop.

Percy's been growing more clingy. Not that I mind, much, but it's different. He's more fragile, somehow, but more solid. His eyes seem aged with worry over something. But he hasn't said anything, so I've assumed he's dealing with whatever it is. He and the rest of the Demigods have been working in their album. Apparently, it's very stressful. "I miss just doing the covers," Percy said one day. "It was easier. Not as many expectations, y'know?" I hadn't made a response; I did know.

On Friday afternoon, I get a phone call.

Thalia, Hazel, and I were in the kitchen. They were trying to consolidate brownie recipes and debating on the necessity of sifting flour before use. (Hazel was arguing for, Thalia against.)

My phone started to buzz, so I wipe my flour-covered hands off on a towel and checked it. The caller ID held a name I hadn't seen in months, and that I missed dry much.

Daddy.

A sense of unease grows in my stomach. Why is he calling me now? Had something happened?

Tentatively, I answer the call.

"Hello?" My voice was soft and shaky. I sounded like a four year-old. "Daddy?"

The voice that replied was like your baby blanket fresh from the dryer. "Annabeth, baby girl. Hi."

Unexpected tears spilled from my eyes. "Dad? Has- has something happened?"

"Annabeth, not now. I was calling to check on you." Bullshit. It took him 2 months to check on me?

"I'm fine," I say, conflicted. I'm mad at him, but the anger seeps away and is taken over with how much I miss him.

"You like it there? You like Percy? Are you happy?"

"It's nice," I lie, but only partially. "Percy's nice. Are you flying in for the wedding? It's the first day of September." I don't answer the happiness question. I'm not sure if I can. Dad's end is silent for a moment. "Dad? Is something wrong?"

"Everything's fine, Night Owl," he says, using my pet nickname. He hasn't called me that in years, so something's up. "I just... might be arriving a bit later than expected."

Later than expected? What's that supposed to mean? He isn't flying in for two weeks, how does he know he's going to be late?

"The museum wants me to stay and give a speech for the new exhibit on airplanes. They've acquired a Sopwith Camel, it's in great condition, and I'll only be arriving a day later than Carol and your brothers." Whoah. This was news. Dad has a thing for any aircraft, but the Camels... He'd never managed to see one in pristine condition, and the museum was boasting one... This was big. Any other time, I'd roll my eyes and just go with it. But dealing with Carol, Bobby, and Matthew a day earlier? Could I handle that?

"That's great!" I finally exclaim. "Get pictures of the thing! I'll be okay, for a day, but only if to promise to bring me some bread from the market." Try as she might, Thalia wasn't able to perfectly recreate the recipe. Which was a shame, because I was craving some Rosemary Garlic and Herb flatbread. Ooh, and fresh pasta and olives... Great, now I'm hungry.

Dad chuckles in his hearty baritone. "Okay. Promise."

"Daddy? I miss you." I sniff. Chills run over my skin. Thalia peeks her head out of the kitchen and mouths You okay? I nod, blinking back my tears.

I'm fine.

"I miss you, too, Night Owl. Tell Thalia I said hi. Love you."

"I will," I assure him. "I love you, too."

"Mhmm. See you soon, Night Owl."

"Bye." Once he hangs up, I let the tears fall.

I'm back in my room, lying in my bed and studying the ceiling. I'd excused myself from the company of Hazel and Thalia, knowing that they wouldn't really miss me. They were too engrossed in their different types of flour and other baker talk to notice my absence.

Once in the safety of my room, I'd allowed the tears that were barely brushing the surface to overflow like Niagara Falls. I'd cried until I had no tears left, and now proceed to lie on my back and stare into the sky.

Why? Why was he reopening wounds that had scarred over?

There's a knock at my door. I don't answer; I'm not in the mood for talking right now. I roll over and bury myself in pillows, trying to hide from everything.

But the knocker is persistent. They knock again, and after a few seconds the door opens. Whoever they are sits at the foot of my bed in silence.

It's probably Thalia, maybe Percy.

The voice that speaks is not what I was expecting. "Annabeth, dear? Are you all right?"

I lift my head from the pillows and meet the sea green eyes of Percy's father.

"Poseidon? Why-" I sniff. "I'm fine." I'm not sure why he's here. I'm not sure what to say. It's not like I've seen him every day and gotten to know him.

He's so much like Percy. The unruly black hair, the eyes, the slanted shape of their noses.

"Last time I checked, 'fine' was not an answer accompanied by tears. Is something the matter?"

"I'm okay. My dad... I miss him," I sniff, and start laughing. "It all seems silly." I wipe my eyes and take deep breaths.

"It is the fate of children to kiss their parents. It's completely normal, Annabeth." I don't have a response to that. Wow, talk about awkward conversations with the father-in-law.

He's about to leave when I think of something I want to ask, though I curse myself immediately after.

"Have you ever wanted to do what's morally right, but part of you wants to do something else?"

Poseidon, hand in the doorframe, pauses. "Yes, I suppose I have. Why, is something bothering you?"

I shake my head, and he leaves.