A/N: Surprise, surprise. Yes, this is Drake Hayward with a new story. Before anything else, I'd like to clear some things up first. My other story - WISE GIRL'S SEAWEED BRAIN 2.0: DARKNESS ARISING - MIGHT (take note the MIGHT) be in hiatus for a while. I MIGHT focus on this one for some time, but no worries, I intend to finish Lester's story.

The plot of this story came to me and wouldn't leave me until I sat down and started writing it. I don't know if you've read something similar, but give this a shot. This is, by far, the most dramatic story I've ever written. In this story, the gods don't exist. Everyone is normal. I promise to do my best to keep everyone in character. It won't focus solely on Percy and Annabeth. This is a story of love, family, forgiveness, second chance, sacrifices, and such. Just stick around and I promise to make you cry. :D

DON'T JUST READ, LEAVE A REVIEW!

NEVER LET ME GO

PROLOGUE

Perseus Jackson, more commonly known as Percy, sat nervously on one of the numerous hospital, fiddling with the edge of his shirt. His Mom, Sally, and stepdad, Paul, went off to find something to eat.

Percy sat back up and took a deep breath, forcing himself to acknowledge the fact that the wait was over. He was here now. The long wait – those hours and days spent worrying if he was going to be okay – was over.

Who he was exactly, Percy would answer the question with fear in his eyes and a huge smile on his face.

Percy Jackson was seventeen years old and was a father.

Yes, Percy and his girlfriend, Annabeth Chase, had a child. A son, to be exact. It was a mistake on their part. They had Percy's apartment to themselves that night. They, like most teenage couples, hugged, touched and kissed. One thing lead to another and the next thing they knew, they were lying naked on Percy's bed, having given themselves to each other.

What they didn't pay attention to was being responsible. Three weeks later, Annabeth relayed the news to Percy. They were both scared, unsure on how they were going to face the responsibilities of being parents at a very young age, but both agreed to one thing: Annabeth would proceed with the pregnancy. They never, even once, considered the option of aborting the baby. It would be wrong to make the life inside Annabeth pay for their mistakes.

Telling their parents was very hard. Percy could still remember his teeth chattering when he talked to his parents and told them that they were going to have a grandchild soon. His Mom and Paul were shocked, but expressed their support for the two of them. After all, what kind of parents would they be if they left their son when he needed them the most?

Annabeth's parents, however, were a different story. Her father was furious and punched Percy, yelling insults at him. Percy accepted all of these without saying a word, knowing he was at fault. What they didn't expect was when they kicked her out. Percy knew that Annabeth and her Dad didn't really get along well, but he never anticipated that he would actually do such thing. He tired to reason with him, pleaded even, but what he got was a cut lip and a very bad black eye.

They didn't have a choice; Annabeth moved in with them. It had been a very hard period for both of them. They had no idea how they managed to get through the nine months that followed. Thanks to Percy's parents' unending support, the two teenagers found enough courage to pull through.

The moment they had been waiting for – and dreading – had arrived. Percy was at school while Annabeth was staying at their apartment. She had been having contractions since morning and they both knew that she was about to give birth. Percy wanted to stay beside her but she convinced him that she was okay.

He was in the middle of his English class when his Mom came barging in and announced, not only to Percy but to the entire class, that Annabeth was about to give birth. Percy, without bothering to gather up his things, sprinted to his Mom and to their car, where he was met by Annabeth, whose beautiful features were contorted in pain. Her face was sweaty and she gripped his hand tightly when he got in.

The drive to the hospital was short, but it felt like an eternity to Percy.

They made it eventually, and Percy's Mom and Paul had to stay behind as only one person was allowed in. It was Percy, obviously, as he wanted to be present when his little boy was born. Every single time Annabeth had to push, she would squeeze his hand so tight that Percy was sure that she had broken a couple of his fingers.

Percy heard the cry and he felt like he was floating. He turned his head to look at his newborn son but was stopped when Annabeth pulled his hand. He looked at her and brushed the hair out of her face to look at the stunning gray eyes of the girl he loved. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

Percy felt himself frowning. "What for?"

But Annabeth wasn't able to answer; she had passed out from exhaustion. Percy leaned down and kissed her forehead. He turned around and saw that his son was nowhere to be seen. "Where's my son?" he asked the lone nurse. As soon as the words left his lips, he smiled. Nine months ago, the idea of being a father at seventeen freaked him to no end, but when he heard his son's cry, he knew that this was going to be his life's mission – be his son's father.

The nurse smiled. "They took him out to be cleaned. It's better as so he won't catch any infections. You can see him in a few minutes."

"Thank you," Percy said. He turned back and kissed Annabeth one more time before going put, anxious to see his little boy.

Sally and Paul met him and started asking questions. He simply held his hand and smiled. "They're both fine. I'll see him in a few minutes." His parents exhaled and told him they'd get him something to eat.

That's how he ended up waiting alone in front of the nursery.

He was tapping his foot nervously on the floor as he watched the curtain being pulled. The nurse who talked to him earlier peeked and waved at him. With shaking legs, he stood up and peered on the glass to see his son, for the very first time.

One word came into Percy's mind the moment he saw him: Perfect.

His son was perfect in his eyes. He has a thick, messy mop of blonde hair, just like his mother; he had Percy's lips and Annabeth's nose; his eyelashes were as long as his mother. Percy watched in awe as his son yawned, his mouth forming a small 'o'.

The door opened and the nurse ushered her in. He went in nervously. The nurse scooped up his son and handed him to him with a kind smile. Percy gave her a grateful nod. She smiled again and went to her station.

Percy looked down and was shocked when he saw his son opening his eyes. As soon as the little body on his arms eyelids' parted, Percy felt like the world had stopped moving. He felt like every moment in his life had lead into that second when he held his baby boy in his arms. His son's eyes were sea green – the exact color of his eyes. It gave Percy a feeling of looking into a mirror. Staring at his son, it was like a huge balloon was swelling in his chest. When he looked down at the baby in his arms with a plastic bracelet which labeled him as Baby Boy Jackson, Percy knew that he was complete. He may be young but he knew that being his son's father would be something he would do with all his heart. He was happy; Percy was in bliss. Holding the baby was like having his own piece of perfection, his little angel.

He leaned down and placed a kiss on his son's forehead and watched as tears fell from his eyes into his son's face. Percy laughed quietly as his son licked the droplet of tear when it passed his lips.

He felt ridiculously happy as he looked up and asked the nurse, "Can I take him to see his mother?"

"Of course," the nurse replied. "Just be sure to bring him back here."

"Will do," Percy said, opening the door and going out of the nursery.

He was smiling wildly as he made his way to where Annabeth's room was. Quietly, he opened the door and slipped inside, excited to see Annabeth's reaction. What he saw, however, wasn't what he was expecting.

Annabeth wasn't in the room.

Percy looked around frantically, worried. He had checked up on her a while ago and saw her sleeping soundly on the bed. Percy checked the bathroom to see if she was there but she wasn't. His heart was hammering in his chest as he went to her bed. That's when he saw a folded piece of paper.

He sat down, placed his son on his left arm, and opened the letter. Written in Annabeth's neat scrawl were the words that hurt Percy more than anything.

Percy,

I'm so sorry for leaving you and our son this way, but Dad gave me a second chance – go back with them and leave you or stay and fail in my task of being a mother. I picked the first – and the harder one. I knew I will never be the mother Aedan Noah will need. (Remember that name? That's what we agreed on and I'm hoping you'll still use it) and I'd rather be alone than hurt our son by staying with him and failing him. I don't want that, Seaweed Brain.

I know this is hard to understand, but please try to. I'm not you, Percy. I'm not as selfless as you. I can't fully set aside everything about me for another person, even when that person is my son. I'm not being selfish but I can't do what I have to, and if I try to, I'm afraid I'll just mess things up for him. I won't be able to live with myself if I do.

I love him, Percy. I love him from the moment I felt him kick for the first time. I love him when I felt like my body was being ripped in half while delivering him. I love him, which is why I'm leaving.

And I love you, too.

Take care of him and give him a kiss for me, will you?

I'm so sorry.

Annabeth

Percy stared at the couch after reading the letter, mixed emotions welling in his chest. Annabeth left? Why would she do that? Didn't she understand that their son would need her while he was growing up? Was she really that selfish to actually abandon her son?

He felt resentment, but most of all, he was scared. What if he couldn't do it alone? What if he ultimately failed in his task, and hurt his son?

He gave a jump when he heard his son crying, like he was aware of what was happening. Percy shook all the doubts in his head and stood up, rocking the baby in his arms. If Annabeth bailed then he would never do that. It was all on him now. His son needed him and Percy swore that he would be there with him every step of the way.

Percy held up his hand and his son grabbed one of his fingers with his little ones and refused to let go. That moment, father and son made a silent vow to each other. He leaned down and gave his son another kiss. With tears rolling down his face, he whispered to his son, "I will never leave you, son. I promise. I will be with you through everything." He bit his lower lip as he stared down at his baby boy, who, surprisingly, was looking back at him. "It's you and me now, buddy." He kissed his forehead again. "Daddy's here; don't worry. I love you, Aedan Noah. Always and forever."

NEVER LET ME GO

Chapter 1: LOST LOVE

PERCY

Five years later,

"Come on, come on, Noah. Wakey wakey."

Noah rolled on his bed and covered his head with his pillow, mumbling under his breath. I shook my head. My son was very much like me – we both weren't morning people. I pulled the blanket off of him and grabbed the pillow covering his face. "Come on, Noah," I said firmly. "We're both going to be late."

"Go away," he said. Trying to get the pillow from me but I held it above my head.

I chuckled. "Not unless you stand up and start getting ready."

"I have a fever, Daddy!" he exclaimed. That didn't bother me in the least. That had been his excuse to stay longer in bed ever since he could talk. "Feel!" he said, taking my hand and placing my hand on his forehead.

I laughed. "You're actually cold, buddy." I stood up and grabbed his ankles, pulling them. Noah instinctively grabbed the headboard of his bed. It was like playing tug of war, except the rope was my son. After some pulling and coaxing, I dropped him and pretended to get angry. "That's it. You're leaving me no choice, Aedan Noah. I'm going to have to resort to the horror of . . . PANCAKES AND HOTDOGS!"

Noah bolted up right. "Pancakes and hotdogs?!" he asked. Those two were his favorite breakfast, and nothing could make him wake up faster than a pile of hotdogs and pancakes. "Why didn't you tell me, Daddy?"

I shrugged. "I forgot. And, oh, have I mentioned to you that we're meeting Reyna at your favorite coffee shop?" I asked. Noah didn't like the coffee shop itself, but he adored the blueberry smoothie served in there.

His eyes widened as he jumped to his feet and pushed me aside, running to the bathroom, yelling, "Yay! Five for Daddy!"

I chuckled as I made up my son's bed. The past five years hadn't been easy on both of us. I wasn't able to study for college. Right after high school, I started working to provide for my son. Mom wanted me to attend college but I told her no. I wanted to take up the responsibilities that I should be doing. There was never me anymore; it was always about Noah. I stopped thinking about myself and start putting whatever my son needed first.

I worked as a bagger in a supermarket, a cashier in a convenience store and a waiter in a restaurant. It was exhausting, and very tiring, but whenever I went home and saw my son, one smile from him and it was all wiped away.

Mom and Paul offered to help, but, as much as possible, I didn't let them. I didn't want to be dependent on anyone.

Presently, at the age of twenty-two, I was working as a research assistant for a marine biologist. Paul referred me to him, knowing that I have a particular fondness with the sea and everything within it. My boss, Mr. Lynn, was a very passionate man and we were an instant click. He paid handsomely, which let me rent our own apartment. Noah and I were living together on our own. We stayed with my parents for a while, but like I said, I wanted to be independent.

I closed the room of my son and went to the bathroom. "Noah, don't forget to brush your teeth," I told him.

"Yes, Daddy," he called from the inside.

I went down and started fixing breakfast for the two of us. I prepared coffee for myself and a glass of milk for Noah. After piling a heap of blue pancakes on a plate, I called, "Noah, hurry up!"

"Coming!" he called as he ran down the stairs, wearing his school uniform. Noah might be only five and a kindergarten but I trained to be independent as well. For example, he could take a bath on his own, and put on his uniform without my help. It wasn't something I always do – I wanted to be a part of my son's life in every way possible – but during times that I woke up later than usual, Noah knew that he needed to do things himself.

I shook my head as I noticed his tie. "Your tie's crook," I said as I bent down and fixed it for him. He gave me a grin as he lifted his arms above his head. I rolled my eyes as I lifted and seated him on his seat, which he claimed was too high for him.

After handing him the syrup, I sat down in front of Noah, wary with what I was about to say him.

My son poured half of the syrup on his pancakes and began eating alternately between the pancakes and hotdogs. I watched him for a minute with a smile on my face. Aedan Noah had really grown up. His blonde curly blonde hair was as messy as mine; his green eyes were bright as he stuffed his mouth with food; his features were a mix of mine and her. My son was good-looking – and I'm not saying this because he's my son but because it's the truth. He's already smart for his age – which I was pretty certain he didn't inherit from me. He didn't talk like most five year-olds do. Whenever he speaks, it was like talking to an adult.

I cleared my throat and Noah looked up from his plate, a smudge of syrup on his nose. I smiled as I wiped it away. "What is it, Daddy?" he asked.

"Noah, do you remember Reyna?" I asked nervously.

My son frowned. "Of course, isn't she your girlfriend?"

My eyes widened. "How did you know?" Back when he was four, I told Noah that I would spend my life taking care of him and not date anyone. That was before I met Reyna Rivera, or as my son likes to call her, RR.

Reyna was this beautiful woman around my age. She had dark hair, dark eyes and caramel-colored skin. The first time I saw her, she made me get a hit on my self-esteem. She carried herself with so much confidence that it was hard to be comfortable around her. But once I got to know her, I realized she was a big softie. Especially when it came to children, which made her and Noah a perfect match. Right after our first date, I brought her home to meet Noah. I wanted her to meet my son. They were an instant hit. Noah didn't let her go and told her all about his toys, the TV shows that he liked and his playmates.

After she left, Noah asked who she was, and I told him she was a friend, which she really was back then, but our relationship had grown until our sixth date, when we kissed and became boyfriend and girlfriend. Reyna was perfect. She accepted Noah and was willing to put up with my son being hyperactive.

I loved her.

I looked up at my son, afraid that he was going to be upset. I did promise him, after all. "Aren't you mad at me, buddy?"

Noah jumped off his chair and walked over to me. He tapped my lap and I lifted him and seated him on me. My son looked at me. "Of course not, Daddy. If Reyna makes you happy, I am happy." He looked down, his cheeks reddening a bit. I frowned and wondered what that could mean. He looked back up at me and said, "Besides, Daddy, I have a girlfriend, too."

I almost fall off my seat as I stared in shock at him. Did my son just really tell me that he had a girlfriend? "What?" I asked him. "Noah, you're five. You're too young."

Noah wrung his hands. "But Daddy, I really like her."

"Buddy – " I began but the clock chimed, signaling that we had to go now. Noah grinned triumphantly as he jumped off of me and grabbed his backpack. "Don't think we're done talking, young man."

Noah stuck his tongue out at me as he ran outside to my car.

Reyna was waiting for us in the coffee shop, a blueberry smoothie in hand ready for Noah. My son ran up and gave her a big kiss on the cheek when she handed him his smoothie. "You rock, Reyna!" he exclaimed, taking a sip.

She smiled at me and gave me a kiss, which my son didn't look too happy about. He covered his eyes and said, "Ew." I laughed and ruffled his hair. He gave me a glare. He then seemed to remember something and set his cup down and looked at Reyna. "So, Daddy told me you're his girlfriend," he said. I rolled my eyes at his tone. It was like he was the parent. "It's okay. You make Daddy smile, so I'm okay," he said, smiling.

Reyna smiled at him, holding my hand under the table. "Thank you."

"You're not going to be happy to hear this," I said, giving my son a teasing look. He understood what I was about to say and jumped off his seat and ran up to me. "He said he has a girl—"

Noah covered my mouth with his little hands. "Daddy, that's a secret!"

Reyna laughed and was about to take Noah from me when a shadow passed us. I was too busy tickling my son to actually notice. She grabbed my arm and gave it a squeeze. I looked at her and saw she was gazing behind me. I turned around and had the shock of my life.

There she was, looking as beautiful as ever, her blonde hair falling perfectly over her shoulder; her gray eyes still held that distracted look like she was thinking a million things at the same time.

"Hi, Percy," she said softly.

"Annabeth," I whispered.

[Next - Chapter 2: YOU'RE GONE TO ME]