AN: I'm a little shocked right now. I got a message a few days ago to inform me that my story 'The Little Mockingjay' was nominated for the REBEL awards. I NEVER thought any of my stories would go up for awards and I want to thank everyone who voted for my story, which is actually a Hunger Games fic so it would make more sense if I posted this on my Hunger Games story but… you know.

Anyway, sorry about the wait and any spelling mistakes you may find because I am only human. I've been feeling so exhausted lately, being a sleep-craving teenager and waking up early for school is not the best match.

R&R…

Two Months Later

Percy

Today is a Saturday. I'm meant to pick up Lilly from her mom's house and have her over for the weekend. That will only happen if I get out of bed. I just don't think I have the strength to live today. Can't I just lie on this mattress until the day is over?

No. I can't. I can't be selfish. I have to remember that Rachel and Lilly both need me. Today marks the third anniversary of Jack's death. It seems like only yesterday he was taken from us but it's been three painful years.

I turn over onto my side so I can see the photo frame on my nightstand. I squint my eyes to see the picture: Rachel, Lilly, Jack and I looking into the camera with big, cheesy grins. I kiss my pointer and middle fingers and press them against the picture.

I allow one tear to slide down my cheek before I swing my legs over the side of the bed and stand. I take a deep breath and rub my eyes before I change out of my nightclothes. Once I'm dressed and finished getting myself ready in the bathroom, I pour myself a cup of coffee and take a seat on the couch in the living room.

I sit and stare into the distance, my mind swirling with memories of Jack. I remember going into the hospital room after I found out he had died. I remember the feel of his cold hand in mine. I remember how Lilly had to sleep in with Rachel and I for weeks. I remember that Rachel looked after our daughter while I stayed out late at night and drank until I passed out.

Those are memories I want to forget but will haunt me forever. I shake my head and quickly finish my coffee before grabbing my keys and heading out to my car. I try hard to focus while I drive over to Rachel's but my mind keeps wandering.

I'm there in what seems like only seconds and I've barely knocked the door before it flies open and Lilly leaps into my arms. I wonder if she knows what today is. "Daddy!" she squeals, wrapping her arms around my neck and her legs around my waist.

"Hey, Buttercup," I reply and kiss her forehead before carrying her inside and closing the door behind us.

I set her on her feet and ask, "Where's mom?"

"She's in the bathroom. She's been in there for forever. I woke her up this morning and asked her to make pancakes for me but she gave me toast. Her eyes were all red. I think she'd been crying. Why would she be crying, daddy?" Lilly questions.

"Today is the anniversary of your brother leaving us to go live with the angels in heaven. Mommy and daddy are a little upset. How about you go pack a bag full of your toys while I go talk to mommy and then we'll go get some ice cream?" I suggest.

"Okay!" she says and skips away, with not a care in the world.

I run my hands through my hair and walk towards the bathroom.

The door is closed.

I knock once and walk in after Rachel doesn't answer. She's standing in front of the cabinet, looking in the mirror, her hands clenching the marble sink. Her bloodshot eyes meet mine in the mirror and fresh tears flood her cheeks.

I walk up behind her and wrap my arms around her waist and rest my chin on her shoulder. "Cry," I tell her. "Let it all out."

A muffled sob attacks her throat but she covers her mouth with her hand so Lilly won't hear. Rachel turns in my arms and buries her head in my neck while she cries.

We are both silent.

The familiar but unfamiliar sound of her crying makes a lump form in my throat and I blink my eyes frantically to stop the tears from leaking out. I have to be strong. Lilly obviously thinks her brother being with the angels is a good thing, and I guess in a way it is, but for Rachel and I… it's like realising he's ill for the first time all over again. The pain rips at our hearts and makes us want to go to sleep and never wake up.

I pull away from Rachel when we hear Lilly calling for us a small while later. My ex-wife wipes her eyes quickly and flashes me a small smile of thanks before she steps out of the bathroom to start what we both know will be a long day.

"Mommy! Daddy's taking me to get ice cream. Come with us!" Lilly begs, grabbing her mom's hand and tugging on it eagerly.

"I'm sorry, baby girl, but I have to go to a meeting. A very rich person wants to buy one of my new paintings. If he accepts my offer then we may be able to book a nice holiday somewhere in the sun," Rachel replies, bending down to kiss our daughters head.

Lilly sighs but doesn't complain. "Okay."

"I need to go to the grocery store. Do you need anything?" I ask.

"No, thanks. I did my shopping yesterday," she answers me. She crouches so she's at the same level as Lilly. "Now, miss, I want you to go spend the weekend with your daddy and have lot's and lot's of fun. Will you do that?"

"Yes," Lilly grins.

"Good girl. Now give mommy a big kiss goodbye," Rachel says and pulls Lilly against her chest. Lilly kisses her mom, making a 'mwaah' sound before pulling away and giggling.

"I love you, momma," Lilly says in that cute, squeaky voice little kids use to get their own way.

Rachel's eyes fill with tears all over again as she manages to choke out, "I love you, too."

Lilly smiles and walks over to me to take my hand. I smile slightly at Rachel before leading the way towards the door. "Bye, mommy," Lilly calls as she opens the front door.

"Bye," Rachel says and closes the door behind us when we step outside.

Around an hour later Lilly and I are seated in the 'Ice Cream Heaven' store after going grocery shopping. She's sitting opposite me and babbling away while she messily eats her ice cream.

"-so I went around the tree to hide and Connor counted to ten and then came to find me but he didn't get me so I won and-" Lilly stops speaking abruptly and gasps.

"What is it?" I ask, frowning curiously at her as I licked my own ice cream.

"This is the place where we met Annabeth and the twins," she says, wide-eyed like she discovered gold.

"You're correct," I say, smiling at her. "You like them, huh?"

"Yes! Connor and Travis are my best friends! We play all the time in school," Lilly announces, cheerfully.

"That's great! What about Annabeth?" I question.

"She's really pretty…" Lilly trails off and bites her lip. "Daddy?" she starts a few seconds later.

"Yes, Buttercup?" I reply.

"Are you and Annabeth going to get married?" she continues.

I splutter for an answer and move around on my seat, not knowing what to say and wondering what brought this on. "Umm…" I stutter. "N-no, I don't think so."

"Oh. Well, that's good," she says, obviously relieved.

"It is?" I ask.

"Yes. Now I know I will always be your favourite girl," she says.

"Lilly," I sigh. "I will never love a woman as much as I love you. You are my number one girl and if I do ever get a girlfriend I want you to always know that I am always there for you and you are always my number one priority."

"Really?" Lilly asks.

"Yes, really. I love you."

"I love you, Daddy," she replies. "And if you promise that I will always be your number one girl then you can marry Annabeth because she is so smart and pretty."

"Do you think Annabeth would want to marry me?" I ask.

"Yes," Lilly says, bringing her ice cream to her lips. "And then the twins will be my sisters-"

"They would be your brothers, sweetie," I correct.

"That's what I said," she says. "Anyway, the twins will be my brothers and Jessica my sister and she can give me makeovers."

"And you like that idea?" I ask.

"Yes! Then you and Annabeth can have more children!"

I chuckle. "I don't know about having more children. We'd have to have a big house."

"We'll be rich and live in big castles like princesses," Lilly explains, practically jumping in her seat. "Please, marry Annabeth!"

"We'll have to wait and see. Next time we see Annabeth repeat all the things you've said to me and we'll see what she says," I suggest.

"I know what she'll say already," Lilly beams.

"What?" I ask.

"She'll say, 'yes', of course. She loves you!"