Chapter 18

Percy leaned over the desk. "I started a sketch of what you wanted in the building," Annabeth said. Today she was wearing a cardigan and jeans. She sat on the other side of Percy's desk. She made sure to get there on time today. "It's made of glass—"

"Do you know how the weather is in British Colombia?" Percy interrupted. He was dressed very casually in a t-shirt and jeans.

"It's pretty mild. I believe it's rainy though…" Annabeth dragged off. Percy had looked away. She followed his gaze to see a figure at the door. A knock followed.

A girl with curly brown hair and chocolate skin peaked into the room.

"Percy?" she asked. Annabeth recognized her as one of the girls Percy got off the elevator to see.

"Hey Hazel," Percy greeted. He smiled unsurely, like he knew why she was here, but had forgotten. "What do you need?"

Annabeth looked down at her blueprints. Hazel. That sounded familiar.

Hazel looked down, "Um, Olivia has practice in half an hour and…I thought you promised her you would go."

"Was that today?" Percy bit his lip and looked at Annabeth.

"What's the practice?" Annabeth questioned. Her back was to Hazel.

"I believe today is…skating?"

"Yes, Percy, skating." Hazel rolled her eyes and let the little girl through. Behind her scampered a small black and beige pug. It had a red collar around its neck. In black letter's the collar red Mrs. O'Leary. The silver tag read more information.

She skipped inside the room wearing red leggings and a white button up. She also wore cotton white boots. Her hair was up in two ponytails.

"Hi, Daddy!" She waved, as Hazel left the room.

"Hi, Olivia!" he mimicked. She came over to him and gave him a hug. She hadn't noticed Annabeth yet even though she passed her on the way in. Kids were just like that.

"I made, I drew a picture with Hazel," Olivia announced proudly. Percy told Annabeth that Olivia goes to daycare from 8:00 – 3:00 and then Hazel picks her up. Oliva then hangs out with Bianca and Hazel on that floor until Percy picks her up around 5:00. Olivia's been coming upstairs lately though.

Percy examined the drawing Olivia handed to him. "Is it a…horse?" Olivia shook her head. "Donkey, cow, pig, duck, moose, elephant, mule…"

"No!" Olivia yelled. "It's you!"

After hearing that, Annabeth burst into laughter.

That got the attention Olivia. She suddenly looked a mixture of scared and angry. Annabeth frowned. She's never even met this child. At least, she didn't think she had. She couldn't recall meeting her. The dog barked, taking her from her thoughts. "Daddy, I wanna go skating now."

Percy turned to Annabeth. "I guess I did promise her. You can go home…unless you would like to come."

"Don't you think we should keep this professional?" Annabeth asked. Usually when she worked with clients, it was all strictly business. Percy didn't seem like that. He seemed laid back, ready to do anything.

"It's not far," Percy explained as he grabbed a jacket. Annabeth realized the he had just slyly changed the subject. He wanted her to go. He pulled out a leash for the dog as Annabeth stood. "Just down the street, we'll walk."

Annabeth nodded slowly. Twenty minutes later, Percy was lacing up Olivia's figure skates as Annabeth stood off to the side awkwardly with a greasy paper bag of popcorn she had just gotten from concession. They were all just outside of the ice rink on a bench. The other girls were getting ready too and the teacher was telling the students to hurry up. According to Percy, she was strict, but she was the best.

"Have fun, 'Livia," he said as he finished the last one. She stood in her blue figure skating outfit and beige tights. Percy adjusted her helmet and then picked up Mrs. O'Leary.

She smiled and waved and went off with the other girls.

Percy led Annabeth up into the stands. Percy led her to the second highest row where they sat down. The teacher began to instruct the girls.

Percy turned to Annabeth. "So…" He faded off.

Annabeth wondered why he wanted her to come. Maybe he felt bad for cutting their meeting short. Or maybe he just wanted company. Whatever the reason, Annabeth didn't mind. She glanced down to see Olivia just moving in circles. Her sight then turned to her hands. She wondered if Percy was married. Of all the times Percy had talked about his daughter, he never mentioned a wife, or girlfriend…or any relationship at all. Annabeth faced him.

"What's Olivia's mother like?" Annabeth questioned. She pushed a piece of curly blonde hair behind her ear. After the words came out, it sounded invading. Before he could say anything, she explained. "I mean, you've never talked about her, so I was wondering…"

Percy sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "She died during childbirth."

And at this point, Annabeth had no idea what she was doing because she blurted out, "Me too!"

Percy glanced at her, then burst out laughing. "Wh-what?" he asked through his laughs. Annabeth flinched, she sounded like a child.

She blushed. "I mean…nothing."

Percy felt like whatever kind of wall Annabeth had built up around herself, he just cracked. Not an insanely huge crack, but a little one. That was the start. During their meetings she was closed off and reserved. He felt like he was finally getting through to her.

"No seriously, what?" he said.

"It's nothing," Annabeth repeated. Suddenly, her shoes got a lot more interesting. "So, Olivia's mother died?" She asked casually. Her face then turned red. "I'm sorry, that's insensitive." Annabeth shook her head. To her, this felt like déjà vu. "So, that's…how many years ago?"

"Four," Percy answered, grabbing a couple of pieces of popcorn. "Olivia is four."

Annabeth nodded.

"Olivia doesn't really have a mother figure in her life," Percy admitted. Suddenly, this felt awkward. He hoped he wasn't making Annabeth uncomfortable. "My cousins have been there for her…but they're aunts and uncles. And my mom and stepdad along with my real dad and his whole family—all they really do is buy her stuff."

Percy wondered if Olivia ever felt like she was missing something. Percy couldn't even remember the woman because of the car crash. How would he ever explain anything to Olivia. He had no pictures of her, or memories. Just the occasional flashback. When he went back to university, it looked like most of the pictures on his memory wall were gone. His mother suddenly decided to give him a new phone. All of his friends barely spoke of anything to do with her. He didn't even know her name, but he felt like everyone else in the world knows. He shook it off. It was four years ago, it wouldn't have matter if her remembered anyway.

"That's not necessarily bad," Annabeth said. "And you've never gone on any dates since she was born?"

"I never said that," Percy said. He ate a few pieces of popcorn. "I mean, I haven't—" Annabeth laughed. "—But I could if I wanted."

"I just sort of assumed from your wording," Annabeth shrugged. "But in four years, a guy like you, hasn't gone on a date?"

Percy shook his head. "Have you?"

"Um…not a real date," Annabeth admitted. Now that she thought about it, her company was usually her number one priority.

Percy nodded but his eyes were on Olivia. Then, "Hey, what do you mean a guy like me?"

Annabeth paled. "Um, I don't know. You seem like…the kind of guy that would, you know, flirt a lot."

"Oh." Percy then shrugged. "Yeah." Soon, he went back to watching his daughter.

Annabeth followed his gaze. Olivia was practicing speed. "Does she enjoy skating?" Annabeth questioned. Her eyes gazed to the sleeping dog in Percy's lap.

"I would take her out of it if she didn't enjoy it."

Annabeth sighed.

"You know, I thought you'd be one of those people who are like: 'Let's keep this professional' crap. I enjoy getting to know my clients. I know almost everyone in the building by name," Percy beamed.

Annabeth leaned against the metal stand behind her. She is one of those let's keep it professional crap people. She doesn't even know why she's here. "Have we met before?" she blurted.

Percy raised his eyebrows but they lowered soon after. "Now that I think about it, we might of."

Annabeth stared at him as he studied her. Sea green eyes.

He opened his mouth. "You're the girl I spent some time with during the fourth of July four years ago!"

Annabeth frowned. That wasn't it, was it? "I remember that too. You said…I had your daughter's eyes. Olivia?"

"I have only one daughter."

Annabeth looked down at the rink. "Yeah, I saw Olivia's eyes. They were…similar I guess but I don't think they're from my family. It's the green that throws me off."

Percy shrugged, "It's your call."

Annabeth looked down. Percy's hand was on hers.

She moved it away. Percy looked up at her from watching Olivia. Annabeth scooted away and stood up. "I think I'm going to head home." Before Percy could say anything she was running down the metal bleacher steps.

And just like that, she had built up her wall again.

Hmm...I think that chapter was long. Maybe. But was it good? Today is Friday! (10 minutes to Saturday though, lol) Should I post on Friday's? Another day or two as well. You guys should tell me your time zones, I usually update between 11 pm - 2 am Mountain time, but I want to update at a time better for you guys. I put Olivia in three sports for absolutely no reason tbh. I wanted a sport, as in one, but I came up with this idea while I was thinking about the Olympics and I was like, BOOM, put her in the Olympics. But there will be no Olympics in this story. Also, Olivia started all of these sports at 2-2.5 cuz I've heard that you should start really young. Anyways, hope you liked! Don't forget to vote in the poll on my profile. And have a fantastic day!