Annabeth:

I looked of the picture of my new nephew, Steven. He was thirteen days old and just the cutest little thing. He and his mom went home yesterday, and Sarah's been saying she can't wait to meet her cousin.

It's been almost two weeks since school started, and I'm supposed to pick up Sarah from Swim Class. That's all she's talked about for days. I guess that's good, as long as she doesn't get tired of it by the end of next week like Percy does some times. I talked to Sarah just about every day this last week, but I've barely spoken to Percy.

I don't know what it was, but, suddenly, he became distant. I took a deep breath, hoping my assistant wouldn't come in to tell me that I needed to do something else. Malcolm had two weeks off for Steven and his wife, and I was stuck keeping everything up. I was late enough to pick up Sarah already. I didn't need more work.

I pressed the intercom button for my assistant.

"I need to go pick up Sarah. Can we hold everything off for Monday?" I bit my lip hopefully.

"Of course, Ms. Chase."

XXXXXX

I scanned the swim room for Sarah and saw her right away. A bunch of parents were chatting amongst themselves as their kids continued to swim.

Maybe I'm not late after all…

I've got to admit that Sarah was good.

Like really good. She had her dad's stroke. He tried to teach me, but I could never get it. Sarah got it naturally, and she seemed to understand the water better than Percy ever could. It was kind of amazing to tell you the truth.

"Are you Sarah's mom?"

I snapped out of it and looked for the origin of the question.

Damn it.

I had seen him on the first day I walked into this school, and I felt like passing out. My heart was thudding like a drum, and I bit my tongue to stop myself from blushing. His blue eyes seemed purer than the chlorine-enriched water Sarah was swimming in. His smile was genuine, and I felt like an idiot just standing there. Right now would be the worst time to fall for a guy, but I couldn't seem to control it.

"Yes, I'm her mother. Why?" I didn't even know I said it, but I was happy I did. That was so much better than just standing there like a total idiot.

"I'm Ryan Bazil, her swim coach. She has amazing talent," he smiled warmly, and I smiled once more. She did do pretty well in the water, but, whenever someone starts with a compliment, you know you're not going to like the rest.

"She's currently in the First-to-Second Grade group, but I think she would benefit for being in the next age group."

I was a little speechless. I knew she was good enough for that, but I hadn't thought about it.

"You want to put her in a class with kids who are about three years older than her?" I didn't know much about swimming other than what I learned when Percy was on the swim team for five years. Other than that, I have clue, but I do know that she's only six. She's fast yeah, but could she seriously handle being with all of them?

"Well, she doesn't have room to mature her skill in this class, and I think she could really progress in the next class," he smiled again, a little flustered.

"Have you brought this up to Sarah yet?" I crossed my arms, forgetting how cute he was for a moment.

"No, I wanted to her you opinion on this first," Ryan smiled, and I didn't know what to say.

"Well, um," the cuteness factor came back in.

"I know it's a lot to throw at you. If someone came up to me telling them that they wanted my son to skip an age group, I wouldn't know what to say, but I have faith in Sarah. If you want to discuss this option, here's my number," he handed me a business card.

Why's a NYU professor working as a swim coach when his kid is four?

"Coach Bazil?" another mom called.

"Excuse me, Ms. Chase," Ryan smiled before walking away towards her.

I stood there, completely stunned.

Let me get this straight. He:

Walks up to me, knowing exactly who I am.

Tells me my daughter would benefit from skipping an age group.

Gives me his number.

And walks away like it was all nothing.

What the hell?

I was planning to have a talk with him when he wasn't surrounded by a bunch of other moms with questions, but I didn't have enough time. A chlorine-drenched Sarah climbed out of the pull, a big grin on her face. She held up her hand to show it'd be one more minute before she went into the changing room with some of the other girls. And she was right. It did only take her a minute.

She came out in a black polo with the name of her school on the right shoulder. Her knee socks looked insanely uncomfortable, but her converses looked adorable with them for some odd reason. She was wearing a 'NYU' hoodie on over the polo that I am completely sure Percy bought her. Her plaid skirt was supposed to go about to her knees, but it went just above it on her for some odd reason. And her black hair was in a high ponytail.

Percy thought she looked adorable in the uniform, but it reminded me of all those schools I jumped to and from over my childhood.

"Ready?" Sarah smiled brightly. I looked back over to Ryan. He was still talking to the mom who had called him over earlier. For some odd reason, I thought about calling him tonight or tomorrow. I don't know why though. Usually, I'd just try to track them down on Friday, not call them, but Ryan seemed different for some odd reason.

"Yeah, Sarah," I snapped myself out of it and smiled towards her.

Sarah:

(a week after the last POV)

I tossed and turned in bed. Dad was watching me for the night even though it was Annabeth's time. I didn't really like this whole 'One-Week-With-One-Parent. One-Week-With-the-Other' thing we had going on, but it was better than nothing. It was getting late- late enough that Percy put me to bed- and I was starting to wonder when Annabeth was ever getting home.

She had been talking to Coach Bazil almost every day until he asked her out for tonight. She agreed and left hours ago. Percy and I had fun for the most part, watching movies and eating junk food, but I could tell he didn't like it. He was thinking about Annabeth, and he was probably the last thing on her mind. I wanted my parents to be happy with someone, but I kinda wanted that someone to be each other. I love Coach Bazil and all, but he's Coach Bazil, my mentor not my future step-father.

Realizing I wouldn't be able to sleep, I clicked on the lamp and crept to the door, hearing Percy talk to himself downstairs. He was rambling on and on about Annabeth, but it more of a mumble so I couldn't understand exactly what he was saying. I cracked the door open to listen better. Seeing that it didn't help, I stepped out the door and stood where he couldn't see me but I could see him as he stood in the kitchen.

Percy was writing something in a notebook angrily as he muttered things about Annabeth under his breath. I could only understand this though:

"First my wife leaves me for some idiot in Westchester and, when Annabeth comes back into my life, she's dating Sarah's swim coach. Aphrodite really does hate me."

Aphrodite?

The front door started to open, and Percy quickly closed the notebook and shut up. A few moments later, I could hear Annabeth walk through the door. Her high heels clacked against the hardwood floors, and I could see her blonde hair tumble around her just out of the corner of my eye. I knew she would be smiling around now even though this was an awkward moment.

"Have fun?" Percy smiled as though he hadn't been freaking out a few minutes ago. Annabeth took another few steps to set her purse down on the kitchen counter, making her visible to me. She wasn't smiling as if the words 'Let me explain' were about to come out of her lips.

"Sarah-" Percy began, cutting off whatever she was going to say, "Is in bed. She seemed really tired, but I'm not sure if she's asleep."

"Thank you so much, Percy," Annabeth looked like she might want to cry. I didn't know why though. Percy pretended not to notice because he looked like he wanted to put his hand through a wall from frustration.

"I better get going, Annabeth," Percy told her, and Annabeth nodded. He was about to leave when he hesitated in the doorway.

"Are you okay, Annabeth?" Percy turned around to look at her, his eyes begging her to say what he wanted to hear. She didn't notice though.

"I'm fine. I just…"

I knew how Annabeth wanted to finish that. She missed him.

"I…" I knew at that moment she wasn't going to tell him the truth, "Dreading the drive to the wedding tomorrow."

Percy looked a little disappointed as he nodded towards Annabeth. He left, the only sound being the loud 'thud' of the door. Annabeth just stood there, shaking for some odd reason. She went to the cabinet and brought out a glass. After pouring herself a glass of wine, she pulled herself up on the countertop. She kicked off her heels as she sipped the liquid. I started to wonder if she done that every time she thought of Percy before I moved in.

Annabeth stopped shaking, but I'm pretty sure she still wanted to cry. She set down the half-empty glass of wine and started to walk towards my room. I panicked and slid back in. I raced to get in bed and flip off the lamp. When my head hit the pillow, my body remembered just how tired it was. I wouldn't dare go to sleep though.

The bedroom door opened cautiously. Annabeth's grey eyes peered in, and I looked at her. She was so beautiful, but I don't think I've seen someone so sad. I guess she thought I was asleep because she walked in my room carefully as if not to wake me. She pulled off a weak smile as she looked at me, and Annabeth knelt beside my bed.

"I am so sorry for leaving you, Sarah," her voice cracked as she ran a hand through my hair, "I just got so scared. I didn't know my mom so I didn't think I could ever be a good mom, but I love you so much. You are best thing I ever did."

I didn't say anything-or move an inch- but I wanted to cry when I heard that.

"I screwed everything up. I ran Percy away…" Annabeth seemed to feel the weight those words added to the room, "I still love him, Sarah, but he can't forgive me. How could he ever love me?"

I could tell Annabeth wanted to say more, probably about her date with Coach Bazil, but she hesitated. I peeked my eye open a little to see her, but she didn't notice. Her eyes were probably too watery to even notice the color of the walls.

"I love you, Baby," Annabeth kissed my cheek, probably leaving a lipstick print, but I didn't much care. I smiled and pretended to still be asleep. I nuzzled into my pillow, wishing I could say something. Annabeth got up to leave and was about to close the door behind her when I decided to say something.

"I love you, Mommy," I closed my eyes, hoping to fall asleep before she could ask me why I had been pretending to be asleep. She didn't though. Instead, she smiled at me and closed the door behind her.

Here goes nothing. I had a super long chapter made for this one, but it went too long. So, I just separated what I had, and I'll be posting that when I finally finish it.