"Careful. Kick your legs gently, Estelle," Percy instructed his four-year-old sister.

  The sun hung low over the lake as Percy supported his little sister around her waist, trying to teach her to swim. Sally and Annabeth watched from the beach, both smiling at Percy's patience because of his adoration of his little sister.

  "There. Now keep kicking. Bring your arms over your head and paddle," Percy reminded the little girl.

  "Like this?" Estelle strained to keep her head up as she kicked and splashed frantically.

  "Slow! I've got you; you won't sink. Nice and gentle. It doesn't take much."

  Estelle forced herself to slow her frenzied paddling. She still felt like she would sink, but she trusted her brother to help her and keep her steady.

  "That's it!" Percy encouraged her. "Keep going, just like that. I'm going to take my hands away now, but I'm right here. I'll catch you if you fall."

  Percy let go of his sister carefully, making sure he was still close enough to grab her again quickly. Estelle kept up her steady kicking and paddling, and began moving forward.

  "You've got it!" Percy said, delighted. He swam alongside her slowly.

  Estelle kicked faster, propelling herself farther. "This is fun! It's so easy!" She giggled happily, and Percy grinned at her.

  "Let's practice a float now. On your back, arms and legs spread," Percy suggested.

  Estelle immediately flipped herself over and spread her limbs, eager to please her brother. Percy poked her stomach gently, and she shrieked and swam away from him. Percy chased after her, slicing through the water easily.

  Catching her waist, Percy lifted Estelle up in the air over his head, and she screamed and laughed hysterically. Then he set her on his shoulders, and she wrapped her arms around his head.

  "Want to see a magic trick?" Percy asked. Estelle nodded vigorously.

  Percy willed a little of the water to rise, and a ball of water the size of a soccer ball rose out of the lake. He commanded, "Heart," and the ball obediently formed itself into a heart shape, hovering just above the surface of the water.

  Estelle squealed with delight and clapped her hands. "How did you do that?" she demanded. "Teach me!"

  Percy let the water drop back into the lake, and it dissolved and melded with the rest of the water. "It's a secret," he whispered to her. "Don't tell anybody else about it."

  Estelle nodded gravely, and rested her chin on Percy's head as he moved back towards the beach.

  On shore, Annabeth sighed a little. "They're adorable," she said, and Sally nodded, smiling. Annabeth smiled, too. "I just know he's going to make a wonderful father."

By pluviophile_bookworm