~17 Years Later~

"Dad! Have you seen my surf-board?"

Percy looked up from the stove. "Check the garage!"

He caught a flash of dark hair as his daughter ran past the doorway, dragging her duffel bag after her.

He had contacted his father briefly, and Poseidon had helped him get a small ocean-front property fifteen miles South of San Fransisco.

Percy became aware of a presence behind him. "Good morning, Wildflower."

"You're doing it again." Wisteria said softly, slipping under Percy's arm and wrapping her arms around his waist.

"It's a habit. Has been since I was sixteen... It's hard to stop sometimes."

Wisteria sighed softly. "I know. You promised you'd try to stop though."

"I did and I am."

"Good." She smiled and stood on tiptoes to press a kiss to his cheek.

Percy turned his head and kissed her softly on the lips, smiling.

"Ew, gross! Sable! Mom and Dad are being gross!"

Percy chuckled and glanced over Wisteria's head as he half-turned towards the door.

"Good morning, Colton. Are you hungry?"

Percy and Wisteria's fourteen-year-old son plopped onto one of the bar-stools at the kitchen island, nodding. Wisteria slipped away from Percy and grabbed a couple plates for her family. The back door slammed, letting Percy know that Sable had come back into the house.

"Hungry, Monkey?" He called.

"Yes!" Colton's twin sister raced into the kitchen, slipping on a wet patch near the dog's water bowl and nearly nailing her head on the counter.

"Easy, slow down!" Percy admonished, catching her and hauling her back onto her feet properly.

"Sorry, Pop-sicle." She giggled, scampering around the island to sit next to Colton.

"What's for breakfast, Dad?" 

Percy dished portions of the breakfast scramble onto each plate, and Wisteria handed the kids each a plate. Once everyone was served, Percy scraped a small scoop into Gatsby's bowl.

The Great Dane, who'd been laying on his pillow in the far corner, lifted his head.

"Come on, get it." Percy chuckled.

The dog dragged himself to his feet and walked over.

"Come on, hon, you need to eat too." Wisteria reminded him softly.

Percy was so grateful that she was in his life. She knew everything he had gone through, and she was the best at keeping track of his moods, of anxiety and PTSD triggers that he had developed over the years, everything.

In every way, Wisteria Jackson was his accountability partner, and he loved her for it.

After breakfast, Sable and Colton went racing off towards the beach. Gatsby was on their heels, barking excitedly. Percy began to methodically clean the kitchen.

"You should go down and show them how it's done." Wisteria suggested with a soft smile, looking out the huge windows on the front of the house. She could see the two kids running through the waves, their faithful companion splashing along behind them.

"Maybe later."

She got up and walked over, snatching the rag out of his hand as he flicked it across the counter over and over. "Percy. You are a child of the sea. The child of the sea, the son of Poseidon. Obviously your children reflect this, especially Sable... promise you'll try?"

Percy had to smile a little. "I suppose I could show her how it's done."

"Or show her how to do what you can." Wisteria chuckled and kissed him softly. "What else do you have planned today, sweetheart?"

"Well, I have an afternoon class, so I need to check my lesson plan. Gatsby has an appointment at the vet's too, at five."

Wisteria took his hand. "Before you concern yourself with that, lets go for a walk."

Knowing where this was going, Percy allowed his wife to drag him out of the house and down towards the beach.

They walked through the sand, watching their daughter dunk their son under a particularly high wave. Gatsby barked wildly, then ran in a circle, doing a partial bow as he watched the twins.

Wisteria began to whistle, and Percy smiled, recognizing the song. He added a harmony tune after a minute.

The world was not all right. Percy knew that. He had been dealing with it for a very long time, by himself and with help.

But he had the little things in his life, and the not so little things. His children, those of his friends who knew where he lived, his students in his Marine Biology classes, his dog, and his wife.

He spun Wisteria, beginning to sing the song. She laughed and pulled him close.

"Don't worry, 

About a thing. 

Cause every little thing, 

Is gonna be alright."