A/N: I'm updating! Who would've thought that I'd be updating earlier than I intended to? Anyway, I'm enjoying my training. It's a bit stressful as I'm the only one without any experience, but I'm sure I can keep up. And since writing is my stress-reliever, I'm still finding some time to write.

A little bit of warning, this chapter has a PERCY-REYNA moment in the end, so if you're just here for the PERCABETH stuff, then this isn't a chapter for you. You'll understand more in here why Percy loves Reyna so much, just a glimpse of it, but you'll still know. I hope others could get over their Percabeth zone and see what the story really is all about.

Here's one thing I want you to understand: Nico did what he did because he cares for Noah. Take it from someone who grew up with only one parent: It's hard. most of the time, no matter how hard my mother tried to fill in the hole that my father left in my life, it still wasn't enough. There is always emptiness - and that's what Nico recognized. He's actually one of the most sensitive characters in this story, so please don't judge him. He knows how Noah will need Annabeth by his side. More about this will be discussed in latter chapters. :)

alyaJackson:This is a story about about Percy and Noah, actually.

Blackwing - Darkraven: Thank you.

NotSoSugarQueen:Thank you for understanding and sticking up with me. :)

Brunette Dream:(I will never get tired of saying this) Thank you! :)

Login:For you to know, you'll have to wait. And thank you, too. :)

captaindauntless:Well, I'm so glad I was able to channel and make you feel the correct emotions. And just a question, waht's teh otehr story? :)

Percabeth4Eva:A simple, yet a very sincere, thank you. :)

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NEVER LET ME GO

Chapter 4: SEVERED FAMILY TIES

PERCY

9:05 pm.

Relax, Percy. They're only three hours late, I told myself. I was pacing my kitchen, trying nonstop into contacting Nico who had Noah for the afternoon. It was Friday and Nico took Noah to his weekly visit to the mall since I was not available. I trusted Nico with my son. He had babysat him a couple of times before when I was too busy with work and Noah was actually close to Nico.

They were supposed to be home at around six, an hour before me and yet when I arrived, I found the house bare. I didn't panic immediately. I knew there was a good chance that Nico took Noah to his home and stayed there for a while. Or maybe Nico lost track of time playing with Noah at the Arcade. Sometimes he could act like a kid.

But as the seconds ticked by, I found myself growing restless. What could've happened? I had called Nico at least twenty-six times but all of them went straight to voice mail. The snacks double cheeseburgers and fries I had brought for out snack had gone cold, and Noah's favorite movie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was finished without my watching even a second of it.

I tried calling, but once again Nico's pre-recorded voice answered me. "Hello, this is Nico di Angelo. Obviously, I'm off busy doing something awesome so don't try to disturb me, unless you're looking for serious body pains and – wait, you know what to do!"

"Nicholas di Angelo, where the hell are you?" I demanded. "Where is Noah? And can you please pick up the damned phone up? I'm going out of my mind here!"

I tossed my phone at the couch and started pacing my kitchen, looking out the window as though my son would come barging in any minute then. My heart was racing like crazy, my mind coming up with possibilities on what could've happened. What if my son got kidnapped? What if he's lost?

Okay, I told myself. Calm down. Don't be ridiculous. Nico will keep him safe.

I know I was thinking like a mad man, but when you're a parent, and your five year-old son is three hours late, then I guess it's reasonable to act that way.

I heard footsteps outside my apartment door. I quickly ran to it, throwing the door open, and starting my tirade on Nico. "Why are you late, man? And why – "

I stopped short. Nico wasn't the one standing there with my son. It was Annabeth. She was holding a large stuffed dolphin and a small paper bag filled with clothes. Noah was holding to her arm and was smiling up at me.

"Daddy, look!" he said, grabbing the dolphin from Annabeth and showing it to me. "Annabeth won me this toy! It's cute, isn't it?"

"Do you know what time it is now, Noah?" I asked. I knew my son sensed that I was mad. The smile disappeared from his face. "Do you know how worried I'd been waiting for you here?"
Noah looked down. I knew he was surprised with my outburst. This was the first time that I had acted that way to him. I knew he was scared but I was too angry to care. Angry at Nico, who was absolutely behind this; angry at Annabeth for trying to steal my son away.

"Percy . . ." Annabeth began.

"Don't talk," I told her.

"Daddy . . ." Noah tried to say.

"Get inside," I said to him. He was about to protest but I cut him off. "Noah. Get. Inside. Now."

My son sighed in defeat as he turned to Annabeth. "Thank you, Annabeth. I'll see you again."

Annabeth nodded and handed him the bag. Noah gave me a look before going inside. I heard him sitting down on the sofa. "Percy, please don't be mad at Noah, or Nico," Annabeth said. "He just wanted to give me a chance to get to know my son – "

"Don't use that word," I hissed at her, afraid that Noah heard her. "You don't get to use that word, Chase." I saw her swallowing thickly, her eyes drifting behind me. I know my son well, and I knew there was a good chance that he was eavesdropping so I decided to finish the conversation already. "This is the last time, you hear me? The last time," I said, slamming the door to her face.

When I turned around, Noah was there, standing in front of me, wringing his hand, his head bowed down. "Daddy, are you mad at me?"

I didn't answer, my chest filled with anger and fear. I knew I shouldn't be taking this out of my son, but I wasn't known with handling my emotions really well, especially when it comes to Noah. Instead of responding, I went straight to my room and settled for the night, thinking.

Annabeth hadn't been back for a week and she was already making her way into my son's life. All these years that I only had Noah, I wouldn't be denying the fact that he was my inspiration. He was the reason behind everything I do. He was like the oxygen in the air I breathe and now that Annabeth was back and was gradually winning my son's trust, I felt like she was stealing away my oxygen, and I was finding it incredibly hard to breathe. There was heaviness in my chest that refused to go away. It was like a warning to me, taunting me.

I replayed my conversation with Nico two days ago. "I think that after all these years, you still haven't moved on from Annabeth," he had said. Hadn't I? Of course I had. I had enough reasons to. Not because she left me, but because she left my son. I didn't care about us anymore, what I cared about was that Noah was growing up without a mother. And Nico said that I should let Annabeth do her responsibilities to Noah, but she already decided five years ago that she didn't want to be a mother to my son. Should I give her a chance? Did she even deserve it? Then I realized being a parent isn't something you can mess up one time and get a second shot at. You can only do things one time and you should get it right that one time. And she already ruined the chance she had been given.

I heard the door of my room being opened. I didn't have to turn around to see who it was. I closed my eyes and pretended to sleep. I felt pressure on the mattress and soon enough, Noah's arms wrapped themselves around my waist.

"Daddy?" he called. "Are you awake?" I chose to go on and just continue pretending to sleep. I didn't think I wanted to talk that moment. "You're mad at me, Daddy," he said sighing. "I'm sorry for making you wait, but please don't be mad."

There were some shuffling and I felt my son's lips touching my cheek. "I'm sorry, Daddy." I sighed, my anger long forgotten, but I still chose not to reply. I was scared that if I did, I would be blurting out all the secrets I'd been keeping.

Noah went back to the other side of my bed and snuggled against my back, his face pressed at the back of my neck. His breath tickled my skin. I exhaled and let my son's regular breathing rock me to sleep.

When I woke up the next morning, the first thing I did was check for my son who was sleeping beside me. But I found he wasn't there. I frowned as I checked my bedside clock. It was six-thirty. It was a Saturday and Noah usually stayed in bed until eight or nine. Then I noticed a pieces of paper taped on my wall with the words I'm sorry, Daddy; Please don't be mad at me; I miss you, Daddy written on them in my son's untidy writing. I took one and read it again, feeling touched and mad at myself. Why was I so hard on him last night? He was five!

I left my room and went to check his. Empty. His bed hadn't been slept in. I wondered where he could be. I was closing the door of his room when I heard some noises in the kitchen. I could feel my frown deepening as I went down the stairs.

I followed the sound and found myself in the kitchen. There, busy preparing breakfast was my five year-old son. I watched in horror as he tossed the bacons in the pan. He gave a yelp of surprise when it started sizzling.

"Noah, what are you doing?" I demanded as I ran forward, pushing him out of the way. "You could get burned!" I took a plate and transferred the bacons on it when it was done.

I turned around and saw my son holding a cup of coffee and was handing it to me. "For you, Daddy," he said. "I don't know how you like your coffee but I know you prefer it with cream. I made this for you," he said, extending his hand with a hopeful expression.

I raised my eyebrows as I took it from him. "You made this for me? Why?"

Noah looked down again. "Because you're mad at me and, Daddy, I don't like it, so please don't be mad. I'm really sorry for worrying you last night."

I sighed and sat on my heels and drew my son into a hug. "I'm not mad at you, buddy," I said, rubbing his back. "Daddy can never be mad at you and I'm really, really sorry for the way I acted last night. I was just upset and tired from work."

My son broke away from our hug. "You're not mad?" he asked. "Promise?"

"Promise," I said.

Noah jumped on me again, hugging me. "Thank you, Daddy, and I'm really sorry."

"Shh. Enough," I said, patting the back of his head. "You don't have to feel bad about it. It's me who has to apologize. I'm sorry if you felt like I was mad at you last night, and I'm saying this again, but I will never get mad at you, son, no matter what happens we'll stick together. No matter what you do, I won't be angry at you." I kissed the side of his head. "I love you, Noah. Please don't ever think again that I will feel that way towards you, okay?"

He nodded. "I love you, too, Daddy," he said, his arms wrapped around my neck. I was thankful that my son wasn't one of those kids who were embarrassed to show affection with their parents, thankful that Noah was comfortable enough to tell me those words that never failed to complete me.

My son broke away from me. "And to make it up to you, we'll be having two full days together. I call it Daddy and Noah's days," he said, clapping his hands.

I grinned as I ruffled his hair. "That's cool," I said. "But do you mind if Reyna comes over after lunch? I kind of promised her we'll be spending the afternoon together. But if you're not okay with it, I'll just cancel."

Noah shook his head. "No. That's okay, Daddy."

"Thank you," I told him, stepping into the living room and starting up the television and DVD player.

I was putting in last night's movie when Noah stepped in, the cup of coffee on his left hand and the plate of bacons on the other one. "Daddy, aren't you going to drink and eat this? I prepared them for you," he said, complete with a pout.

I couldn't help but smile as I pressed play and sat down on the couch, pulling my son beside me. "Of course I will," I answered. Noah beamed as I took a piece of bacon and placed it in my mouth. It was oaky, as I saved it from certain incineration. I took the cup of coffee from his other hand and took a sip. I instantly choked, my throat burning and my eyes watering. It tasted like nasty, like Noah accidentally used powdered coal instead of coffee.

"Daddy, are you okay?" Noah asked in concern, rubbing my back. He then seemed to understand what happened. "I did your coffee wrong, didn't I? I'm sorry, Daddy."

"No, of course not," I quickly said, taking a huge gulp and trying very hard not to end up coughing my stomach out. "It was really, really good, actually. I just didn't think it would be that hot," I lied. I didn't want to, because lying was something I constantly remind my son not to do, but I didn't think I could stand that sad look on his face.

Noah brightened up and jumped into my lap. I chuckled as I draped an arm across his shoulder. He snuggled against my chest and started watching the movie. Halfway through it, he fell asleep. I shook my head as I slowly placed him on the couch. No doubt waking up really early took its toll on him.

I was beyond touched with his efforts to make it up to me. First those notes on the wall of my room and then preparing me breakfast. Although I probably had enough caffeine in my body to keep me awake for a week, I would gladly drink another cup of Noah's coffee. Simple things like this one are the ones that make being a parent extremely worth it.

My phone chimed. I reached across to the center table and checked it. A message from Reyna. I accessed it and in there were the words, Hey, I'm here.

I checked the clock. It was barely nine. Reyna said she would be around one. I stood up and went to the door, throwing it open. Standing behind it was my gorgeous – not being biased here – girlfriend. She had her dark hair in a ponytail and was draped on her right shoulder; her eyes bright and sharp. She was in a simple jeans and green shirt.

She gave me a dazzling smile as soon as she saw me, only to be replaced by a frown. "Come now, Perce, don't you own a shirt?" she asked, gesturing to my naked torso.

I looked down and saw that I was wearing only my sweatpants which I slept in last night. I grinned maliciously at her, striking a provocative pose. "Why, Ms. Rivera, do you find this distracting?"

"Are you asking to get killed, Jackson?" she asked, her eyes narrowed.

I grabbed her waist and pulled her against my chest. Reyna tried to glare at me but she quickly relented when I kissed her lips. Reyna was always like this. She was a very authoritative woman and didn't like to need anyone but I was glad that she cared about me enough to let me in completely.

She kissed me back, our lips dancing in perfect synchronization. Her hands reached out and twisted themselves into my tangled hair as we kissed, a soft moan escaping her lips. Her eyes were closed as she tilted her head to maximize our kiss, one of her hands dropped down to my chest. I pulled her closer until our bodies were pressed tight together.

While I was struggling with raising Noah on my own, meeting Reyna was one of the highlights. Before she came in, I'd always wanted to create a new life for someone new. A life without the pain, a life for someone new – someone who wasn't being hunted by the ghost of his past. But it wasn't that simple; the bad things stay with you – they follow you like a constant reminder how easy it was to get hurt. You can't escape them, as much as you want to. All you can do is be ready for the good so when it comes in, you can invite it in, because you need it.

When Annabeth left me, I stopped feeling that way towards anyone, but Reyna was the one who reawakened all those feelings inside of me. She was the one who gave me my life back. She was the one who taught me to trust other people again beside Noah, and she was the one who accepted me, even with my son in the picture.

That's why I instantly fell for her, and fortunately she loved me back.

A high-pitched throat clearing broke us apart. I jumped away from Reyna, startled. Standing a few feet away from us with a disgusted look on his face, was my son. "Yuck," he said, frowning. He looked at Reyna. "You were kissing my Daddy," he muttered like he was just realizing it. He then turned to me. "Daddy, you have lipstick on your face."

I cleared my throat and wiped my lips. Surely Reyna's lipstick was transferred to me. Reyna grinned sheepishly as I gave her another kiss.

"Ew!" Noah yelled, running back to the living room.

Reyna chuckled as I pulled her to our couch. Noah gave me a glare as I sat down with Reyna on my left side. When Reyna placed her head on my shoulder and draped an arm across my stomach, my son jumped on my other side and clung to my arm. I grinned as I gave each of their heads a kiss.

This is life, I thought to myself.

We spent the entire day just hanging out and watching television. Reyna cooked us dinner which my son looked ecstatic about. I knew he didn't like my cooking that much. "RR, this spaghetti is awesome!" he exclaimed, a huge splash of spaghetti sauce on his cheek.

We watched some more TV shows after that until Noah fell asleep. I carried him back to his room and pulled Reyna to mine. I kissed her again as soon as I kicked my door close. Reyna pushed me off of her to my bed and jumped on top of me, kissing me again. I wrapped my arm around her waist and held her face with the other as we continued on kissing. I was glad that Reyna let her guards completely down whenever she was with me. I was glad that she could set aside the stubborn part of her while we were together.

She broke away from me and stared into my eyes. "I love you, Perce," she said out of nowhere.

Though surprised, I still replied, "I love you, too." I combed my fingers through her hair. I knew that Reyna sometimes have this kinds of sentiment. One second she could be this proud and stubborn woman and the next she was showing off her vulnerable side. "What brought this on?" I asked.

She sighed. I was also aware of the fact that I could be pretty persuasive and there was no way that I would leave her alone until she told me what she was thinking. "Annabeth," she said without any hesitation. She then looked into my eyes, those dark gems burning right through me, exposing me to her, like I was the one who had something to say instead of her. "I'm scared, Perce. She's back and you didn't actually have any closure. I'm scared that . . . that – "

"That I'll leave you for her?" I finished. She didn't answer but instead laid her head on my chest. I sighed. "I will never do that, Rey. It's you, me and Noah now. Don't even think of that possibility. Annabeth abandoned us, she had cut off any ties she had with Noah and I and there's no way that those will be restored." Reyna lifted her head up and looked at me. "Don't worry about that, Rey. You created a bridge of your own and made your way into our lives in a way stronger than hers. And that bridge was the one that saved me from falling apart. You were the one who kept me in one piece." I placed a kiss at the corner of her lips. "I love you, Rey. Only you. I will never leave you for her."

She looked at me. "Promise?"

"I promise," I said, then I sealed that promise with a kiss.

[Next - Chapter 5: UNDER THE MOONLIGHT]