Annabeth:

"Luke, what are you doing?" I turned down the radio dial to hear Luke's answer and looked in the rearview mirror to make sure he would tell me the absolute slipped off a pair of earphones to answer me.

"Mommy, be quiet. I'm trying to watch Bubble Guppies," Luke told me tiredly as he looked back down at my laptop he uses as a personal DVD player on trips. Right now, we were driving up to the beach Percy and I used to go to when we were teenagers. He used to go with his mom up there when he was little, and I love it down here, probably even more than Percy does. No one can go in the water which is perfect so that Luke won't go swimming off again like he loves to. Percy was driving down tomorrow. Honestly, I should have already come down here, but Sophie wasn't in the best mood today. So I had a bit of trouble balancing packing all of the bags, making sure work would be under control so I wouldn't be bothered at the beach, listening to Rachel call me for like forty minutes to tell me how much fun she was having in Brazil with Apollo, trying to convince Percy to let me out of his embrace so I could go already, and listening to Luke telling me a million times 'Pack the Bubble Guppies DVD, Mommy!.

I started to hear Luke sing the Bubble Guppies theme song, and, while of course rolling my eyes, I looked over at the sleeping Sophie in her car seat, looking all cute and everything. It took all of my willpower and having to remind myself of nine months of pregnancy and countless nights where she woke me up in the middle of the night not to 'Aw'. I turned back the rearview mirror to look back at the dark road behind me. I turned up the radio a little more, not enough to wake up Sophie but enough so I could hear it while looking over at the time.

10:05

I sighed and forced my eyes back on the road, starting to get really hungry.

"Hey, Luke, do you want some McDonalds?" Yeah, I personally don't like it, but I need a coffee and something to eat. Plus, 'McDonalds' is one of the only words that'll snap him out of 'Bubble Guppies Land', well other than 'Book Store'.

"Happy Meal, Mommy!" Luke smiled, almost giggling. I have to admit, it brought a big smile to my face to see his beautiful green eyes light brighter than the sun. I looked at the road to see the bright McDonalds sign and pulled off the highway to said place.

Two Hours Later:

I pulled my blonde hair into a sloppy bun and looked at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. We got here about thirty minutes or so ago. Luckily, I didn't have to do much to get the kids to bed. Sophie was already asleep meaning all I had to was switch her from a car seat to the crib in the house we rented for the week. Luke was so tired from singing Bubble Guppies for like four hours that I just had to give him Wabbie and watch him fall asleep in the twin bed in the same room as Sophie. Then I was left to go to sleep myself.

So far, I was proving to be the most difficult.

A girl who was pale from being tired stared back at me in the mirror. I don't think I've seen my grey eyes so tired in a very long time. I had lost most of the baby weight right after Sophie was born from being too stressed to eat much, but I still had a few more pounds until I was right back at where I was before my wedding. Personally, I don't mind losing a little bit more, but that isn't really my point here.

"This is my last call to you

Before I give up everything that we-"

I grabbed my Droid X from the bathroom countertop and immediately answered it.

"Perce?"

"Hey, Annie," his voice answered. I couldn't help but smile into the phone, trying not to think about how much I missed him. What? Do you have any idea how hard it is to pull away from your super-hot husband when you honestly could just stay another day and drive up with him? I can assure you it isn't exactly a piece of cake.

"What are you still doing up?" Percy smirked, and I couldn't help but let myself imagine his smile while he did so. I flipped off the bathroom light and went straight to the bedroom of the place. I started to pull the comforter back as I thought of an answer.

"It took me awhile to get over here, and I just now got them to sleep. Wait, what are you doing up then?" I smirked right back at him. While I slid into the sheets, I realized just how tired I actually was.

"As it turns out, I've gotten used to hearing Sophie scream, Luke leaving TV after TV on, and you never going to sleep."

"You suck at telling people you miss them," I smirked as I reclined my head onto the pillow.

"Actually, I can tell everyone I miss them, but you. I mean, it took almost three years the first time, and I waited until I woke up in your hotel room and found out we had a freakin' son."

"Actually, you just kind of said it then. You didn't really tell me you had missed me until you told me you still loved me," I retorted with a smile.

"You do know you just proved my point, right?"

"Shut up," I tried not to snarl, but it wasn't as easy as it sounds.

"I hate being away from you, especially on today of all days," Percy actually sounded sad as he told me, and I took a deep breathe so I wouldn't point out that he finally said he missed me.

"What's so bad about today?" I asked, completely clueless, and if there is anything I hate, it's being clueless.

"You don't remember?"

"Remember what?" I asked while thinking my hardest to understand what the Hades he was talking about. There was nothing really big about this day with our kids or really us. I don't remember anything from our childhood. So, what is he talking about or has he finally just got completely insane on me?

"It was four years ago today that I got the acceptance letter for Hawaii," Percy couldn't hold in how awkward the moment had just become. The realization that he was right made me want to cry, and I got a sudden urge to grab the kids and drive home to be with him.

"I was trying to forget that, Percy. We better get to sleep. I'm expecting you here at a reasonable time tomorrow," I tried to force a smile.

"Ugh, you figured out my secret plan to talk to you all night so I wouldn't have to get up early," Percy sarcastically told me, "I love you, Annabeth."

"I love you, too, Seaweed Brain."

"Are you seriously trying to fall into my arms or are you really that clumsy? Honestly, I'm a little flattered, but you're making it a little hard to dance," Percy smirked, his eyes shining like the beautiful chandelier hanging from the hotel the big benefit was being held at. Thalia came up to help me pick out an outfit for this thing because this could make or break my career. I was working at a boutique firm, and I love my job. I really do, but I'm currently a banquet hall with some of the most powerful people in the business. So far, I've done pretty well with smoozing some grade A business men butt.

"It's these shoes," I told him sheepishly. Percy had been catching me from falling all night. It took almost three hours, but Rachel, Thalia, and I picked out a professional but, in Rachel's words, 'Super-hot dress that'll make every girl in the room clutch on to their dates like their life depended on it'. Then there was the pair of shoes Rachel forced me to wear because they matched my dress perfectly. I have to admit though, she was actually right. These huge shoes made the dress perfect. You know those old fashioned nude shoes with the black tip at the end? Yeah, it's a pair of those. The dress that matches it perfectly is a dress that was a little hotter than I probably should have gone, but I still loved it. A plunging V-neck was brought out by a diamond necklace Percy gave me on graduation day over a decade ago. The dress made my waist seem smaller and my cleavage bigger. Even Thalia said she liked this dress. Black ruffles somehow made me look smaller when usually I looked bigger in them. A pair of diamond earrings shone from my curls that cascaded down my back. And I could tell Percy liked me looking like this, even if I was almost as tall as him in these shoes.

"And why did you buy those shoes then?" Percy smiled.

"Will you just shut up?" I pulled him closer to where I was resting my head on his tux-clad shoulder. I have to admit, I really like how he looks in a tux. I don't know what it is. Maybe it's the contradiction of seeing my surfer boy boyfriend in formal wear, but I really do love it. I took a deep breathe of his Ralph Lauren cologne. My knees went a little weak, and it wasn't because of loss of balance from my shoes.

"I think I've kissed enough butt for one night. Ready to go home?" I whispered in his ear, close enough to feel his warmth.

"What kind of question is that? Of course, I am," Percy didn't bother to whisper but simply smiled at me. He released me from his warm embrace, and I couldn't hold back a sigh.

"Alright, we have to go say goodbye to my boss, Mrs. Freedman, and we're headed straight home," I tried to smile, but my feet got a little wobbly. Percy had to wrap his arms around my waist to keep me from falling.

"You okay, Wise Girl?" Percy smirked.

"I'm fine, Seaweed Brain," I lied and put my hand over the hand that was wrapped around me. Percy's smile widened a little bit and he kissed the side of my head.

XXXXXXX

I followed Percy through the front door. As soon as we got in, Percy went straight to undoing his tie. If there's anything he hates, it's wearing a tie. Following his example, I slid off the heels that had caused me way too much trouble for just a pair of shoes. I don't know what it was, but it really made me want to jump for joy after being out of them. I love heels, but they can really be a pain in the butt sometimes. I pulled up my hair and walked over to Percy.

"Unzip me?"

I could feel his warmth against my ice cold skin, and it sent chills down my spine. Percy didn't say a word. He didn't really need to. We were both thinking the same thing, and since I'm not about to go all R-rated on you, I'm just going to leave it at that.

I turned around as soon as he finished as I asked and looked straight into his sea green eyes. I wanted to swoon at how warm and happy his eyes seemed. It was like looking at the placid lake water at camp, and I could have stared into them forever.

Before I could say anything, I found that his lips were on top of mine making a conversation kind of impossible. I could have pushed him off, but why the Hades would I do that? Instinctively, I ran my hands through his black hair, and I could have stayed like that forever when I noticed how I had already dropped my dress on the floor.

"Wait," I pulled up from his kiss and couldn't help but see that he was completely surprised, "Are you sure this is a good idea? I mean, it took me almost an hour to find my pill this morning, and we saw my dad for like forty minutes today. Isn't that bad luck?"

"You're kidding me, right?" Percy looked like he wanted to laugh, but the humorless look on my face stopped him.

"Annabeth, what about when you used to work for you mom with Olympus or when your dad was sick and you went to go see him every day? Was it bad luck then?" Percy cocked an eyebrow at me, and I wanted to hit him for trying to make me feel stupid considering it actually worked.

"Oh just shut up," I pulled him down in a long kiss.

XXXXXXXXX

I flit through the mail, stifling a yawn. It was just the typical stuff. You know, a lot of junk mail. Some bills. Some letters from Thalia or even my mother. Maybe even an Amazon package here and there.

That was when I saw it. The name Perseus Jackson was typed up in Georgia Font, and I felt my stomach flip as I saw who it was from. I couldn't help myself. I nervously ripped open the envelope and read the words quickly.

I felt my heart stop and my vision blur. It became impossible to breathe, and I felt like passing out right then and there. I'm actually starting to wish I had, truthfully. It would have made a whole lot of things easier.

"Percy!" I yelled at the top of my lungs.

"What?" Percy came into the room, completely oblivious to how upset I was.

"You got it," I looked up at him, my eyes full of tears. Percy walked closer, also worried and took the letter from me. He sat across from me as he started to read it. I felt like I had just been stabbed repeatedly in the heart as I watched him. I couldn't really think and had to avert my eyes to stare ahead of me.

"I don't have to go," he told me as he tried to take my hand, but I couldn't look at him.

"No. No, Percy, you do. You have to. You've wanted that job since we were in college," I told him, letting tears fall across my cheeks.

"Annabeth," Percy tried, but I looked straight into his sea green eyes.

"No, Percy, don't you dare make me the reason you didn't do this," I warned him, and I knew right then that we were over. He was gone, and I really did love him. I loved him so much that it killed me. This just isn't fair.

Maybe last night really was bad luck.

Percy:

"No, Annabeth, I did not get lost. I just overslept, thank you very much," I defended, and Annabeth shook her head, sending her blonde curls into a tizzy. I have to admit, it was kinda funny, but I wouldn't dare laugh after what happened last time…

I felt an ache come from the scar I had from that time, and it forced the humor out of the situation. Annabeth's grey eyes looked straight into mine, and I could tell she was still thinking of what happened four years ago. I don't know what it was, but it was like she was trying to protect herself again.

"You're insane, Percy," Annabeth faked a smile, probably thinking I didn't notice. If I knew my wife at all, I knew the best idea would be to go along with not noticing it. But when did I start doing the best idea?

"I'm sorry."

"For oversleeping? Because this isn't the first time, Percy," Annabeth tried to pretend that she had no idea what I was talking about, but we both knew that I wasn't talking about oversleeping.

"You know what I'm talking about, Annie," I looked into her grey eyes, and while she wanted to look away, she didn't.

"It was a long time ago," Annabeth tried to shake off the seriousness of the situation, "Come on, Sophie should be waking up from her nap by now."

I nodded and followed her to the room where the kids were staying. Luke, who I had already said hello to about an hour ago was sitting on the twin bed, reading. He didn't even seem to notice we had come in. Yup, definitely Annabeth's son. The crib in the corner held a little girl, swaddled in a light green blanket. She looked exactly like the pictures Fredrick had of Annabeth when she was a baby, and I couldn't help but wonder why both of my kids look exactly like one parent and not much like the other. I mean, what's up with that?

I stood on a sandy beach that was more beautiful than all of the islands in Hawaii combined. The cold night air blanketed my skin as I watched the waves crash on the shore. It was about then I noticed how I was holding hands with someone. I looked beside me, expecting to see Annabeth smiling at the waves, but it wasn't her. Instead, a small brunette was looking out at the waves. I also noticed how I was a whole lot shorter, and I realized exactly where I was.

Calypso's island.

Looking at her now, she didn't seem as beautiful as I remembered. Sure, she was still drop dead gorgeous, but there was something missing. It was like my picture of beauty had been molded into Annabeth, not Calypso. Her warm brown eyes turned over to look into mine.

"You're happy with Annabeth, aren't you?" her voice was saddened like she really didn't want to know the answer.

"I am," I nodded, and, her eyes full of pain, she looked back at the ocean.

"That's good," she may have meant it, but it sounded like she was having to force it off of her tongue.

"Are you happy?"

"I… I miss you, Perseus," she couldn't look at me, and I could tell that it pained her that she couldn't. A single tear fell from her right eye.

"Take care of yourself…and Annabeth," she looked at me once more, and it didn't take a Rocket Scientist to know she was about to make me leave.

"Wait-"

"Percy," a voice broke me out of the dream along with being shaken repeatedly. I groaned and tried to pull the blanket over my head, but it was pulled right back down.

"Perseus Jackson, get your lazy but up this minute."

"Good morning to you as well, Annabeth," I sarcastically smiled as I blinked my eyes open.

"What the Hades were you dreaming about?" Annabeth asked, not caring how she woke me up at four in the morning to ask me such a question.

"You seriously woke me up to ask me what I was dreaming about?" I complained.

"Well, that and I can't get Sophie back to sleep after she started crying earlier. If I don't hold her, she starts screaming," Annabeth shrugged, and I opened my eyes a little more to see the infant she was holding in her arms. I wanted to bang my head against something, but I just took the infant from her arms, and relief spread across her face.

"Sophie, you're always going to be the baby because Daddy is not getting up at two in the morning to take care of another one," I tried to pretend that it was something that didn't sound bad. Sophie seemed to fall for it, but Annabeth definitely didn't. The next thing I knew, Annabeth hit the shoulder farthest from Sophie's head.

"Your fault," Annabeth mumbled.

"Oww! Was violence completely necessary?"

"Says the guy who's freakin' invincible," Annabeth crossed her arms, only looking at Sophie not at me.

"Hey, and it wasn't just me you know. You are Sophie's mom," I flashed a smile, and she hit me once again. I pretended to not even notice which made her steam.

"This is actually a sweet moment, and I wish you would shut up so it could stay that way," Annabeth begged but the sparkle in her eye gave away the humor. I clutched the baby in my arms and pulled Annabeth by her arm to kiss me. Annabeth ran her hand through my hair, and I smiled at the fact that Sophie was asleep by then. I mean, this is a really good moment. My infant daughter is asleep. My four year old son is probably asleep, and I'm kissing my wife on a beach vacation. What more do I freakin' need?

"Sweet moment now?" I smirked. Annabeth nodded yes, probably scared she'd smirk and ruin the moment just like she was I scared I would only a few moments before. Seriously, Annabeth is so crazy.

"I'm going to put Sophie to bed, and you try to get some sleep, okay?" I asked, and she smiled like I had just told her I loved her for the first time. I wanted to be insulted, but, if she had done this for me, I would have smiled exactly the same.