Annabeth POV:

When I woke up I followed my everyday routine. I got up, got dressed, made Cedric's lunch and then woke him up. My little boy looked so distressed. I took him in my arms and cradled him. After a while he got dressed and went to the kitchen. I sat across from him, drinking coffee.

'Honey, I don't think you should talk to your coach today or not even go to swimming,' I said.

'I won't talk to him, but I'll go to practice,' he replied.

'I'll also find someone else for you to get extra training from.'

'No, mom, it's okay. I know we're having money issues.'

I loved my boy so much. I smiled.

In a few minutes I was dropping Cedric off at his school. I saw a man walking up to him, but he just stepped away from him. The man looked up, it was Percy, and he was looking directly at me. I drove away.

Percy's POV:

I walked back to the school's swimming pool. Instead of P.E they did swimming. I was free now so I walked to Principal Isaacson's office. The bald man was sitting in his chair, reading a book on how to like wine. I was sure Dionysus could help with that.

'Jamie,' I looked at the principal. 'Are there any parents who are struggling to pay the fees?'

He nodded. 'Actually, yes. The Chases are struggling; Ms Chase hasn't been doing too well. Why?'

'Just wanted to know.'

I walked back, my head tingling. Why hadn't she told me? I could've helped her! The bell rang as I stopped in the swimming area. A group of kids walked in, one of them was a boy with black-blonde hair. Cedric. He was last so I stopped him while he was walking.

He tried to bypass me but I held him in place.

'Listen to me, Cedric. I didn't know about you or where your mother was. I'm sorry,' I apologized.

He replied calmly. 'Don't lie to me; I know that you knew where she was. She only had one other place to go, her father's. But it doesn't matter now. And you've been a great mentor, dad.'

He walked away. I stood there, shocked. I walked to my office and closed the door. I went to a corner and curled up. I put my head to my knees and started to cry.

Annabeth's POV:

I sat in my house and worked on some blueprints. I worked for an architectural firm and was hoping for a promotion, but not at this rate. I made a few phone calls to organise a team of workers for the building and then went back to work on the blueprints. I was making a building for McLean industries.

I looked at the time and went to go pick up Cedric. When he was inside I went to check the post. There was only one envelope. Inside were a note and a...cheque. The cheque was made to me from none other than Percy Jackson. It was for $20 000. The note read:

Annabeth, I know you're probably pissed with me but stop thinking about your pride and more about your son. There is a NO return policy on this cheque. I know you've hit hard times so please use it.

P.S. I need some of Cedric's blood to do a DNA test so the school will put me as his father.

Percy

I sighed. This would cover all our bills and pay for Cedric's school fees. I had to take it. So I took it. Then I realised something; after so long being apart, I still loved him. I didn't know what triggered it, but I heart was pounding and my eyes were tearing up.

Then – out of the blue – I thought of someone who went through something similar; a burst of love out on nowhere. I thought of Silena Beauregard, the long-dead cabin head of Aphrodite.

I couldn't help it, I burst out crying. Cedric came rushing outside. He saw me weeping and hugged me as I had the day before. He held me until I stopped.