Inspired by Hermes' Least Favorite Daughter's Future's Thread, beta-d by Unknown010. (You know the drill.)

"Are you sure?" He placed a heavy hand on her shoulder.

"It has to be the right one," she whispered, pulling her cloak tighter against the howling west wind.

"No, I mean are you sure you wanna-?"

He halted and stared at the old orphanage, its sign too rusted to be read. She drew a crumpled note from her pocket and glanced at it. "This is the place."

She pushed open the gate, and made her way through the rustling leaves. He sighed, running a hand through his hair, and followed.

The inside of the orphanage was as grim as the outside. Children lay in their beds, playing quietly, or reading. They walked past the numerous cots, reading the names and glancing at the children .

Jennifer.

Kelly.

Jamie.

Sam.

Sean.

Rachel.

Dave.

"Hey!"

Too old.

Too young.

Too young.

Right. Brunette. No.

Too old.

Right. Redhead. No.

"Hey! Hey! Look at me!"

Blonde. No.

Redhead.

Brunette.

Black.

Auburn.

Blonde. No.

Black.

Platinum.

"Hey, my hair is on fire!"

Blue. No.

Green.

Amber.

Black.

Bro-

"Look at me!" He grabbed her shoulders and stared straight at her. "Are you sure you wanna do this?"

"Yes, I'm sure!" She yelped, twisting in his grip. "Now let go so I can find-" Her mouth fell open at that part. "The-the-there!" She stuttered.

He turned. And there was a little boy, maybe twelve years old, staring at them. He was blonde, with round blue eyes, and a gap between his teeth. " Hello! What's wrong with her?"

"Nothing," he said hastily.

She scrambled out of his grip and kneeled in front of the kid. "What's your name?"

"Lucas."

"Lucas." The man repeated.

"Luke for short."

The couple exchanged a glance. The man swallowed. "Lucas? How old are you?"

"Eleven, turning twelve."

"How would you like a new family?"

His eyes grew wide. "A new family? A real one? With mothers and fathers and sisters?"

The man laughed and scooped him up in one smooth motion."Mothers and fathers, yes. We''ll have to see about the brothers and sisters, though."

Luke frowned. "But what do I call you? What are your names?"

"You can call us Mum and Dad."

"But what about your names?"

"Our names," she leaned over, grey eyes sparkling. "Are Percy and Annabeth."

Lucas thought for a moment. "Annabeth is a pretty name."