Annabeth's P.O.V.

"I'm sorry, they won't let me leave. I can't come home for Christmas." My husband's voice said through the phone.

"Why not daddy?" Asked our 7 year old daughter, Zoë.

"Because honey, Sargent Dean says I need to be here, at the Marine Corps until further notice." he responded, I could hear the sadness in his voice.

I hugged Zoë tightly. "We'll see daddy soon." I said. She started crying. I looked to the door. Our 12 year old son, Charlie, was standing at the door. He had a distant look in his eyes. I knew he knew that Percy couldn't come home. I held out my arm for him to come and hug me too and he looked at me. I was reminded of young Percy.

Charlie has Percy's black hair and green eyes, he looks so much like him. He came over to me and hugged me. I ran my hand through Zoë's blond hair.

"Percy?" I asked.

"Yes Annabeth?" He responded.

"We love you."

"I love you guys too." he responded. I could hear the sad smile on his lips as he spoke

"I have to go, I'll call you guys tomorrow. Goodbye. I love you." He said.

"I love you too." I responded. Then he hung up.

"Come on guys, lets go set cookies out for Santa." I said to my children. We all walked in our pajama's downstairs and we put the blue cookies we had made earlier that day onto a plate. We set 8 carrots next to the cookie plate, for the reindeer. We then sat by the fire until about 9:00.

"Lets go upstairs." I said as the fire burned out. They nodded their tired heads and I picked Zoë up. Charlie led the way up the stairs and we all laid in my bed. Soon enough the kids were asleep. I was happy they could sleep but without Percy I found it very difficult to fall asleep on Christmas eve. I heard a noise downstairs. I was as silent as could be and then I heard another sound. I shook Charlie. He looked at me groggily. I told him to be quiet and then we heard another noise.

"Stay here, I'm going to see what it is, I'll be right back." I whispered. He shook his head, his black hair, a mop on top of his head. I carefully and quietly got out of bed. I walked downstairs as quiet as could be. It was pitch black downstairs except for the candles in the windows. My heart was racing. There was another noise, I jumped. I saw the shadow of a dark figure and it was walking towards me. I quickly turned on the lights and screamed at what I saw. I ran to Percy and kissed him. Charlie and Zoë ran downstairs.

"Daddy!" Zoë screamed and hugged Percy's legs. He smiled and laughed. My heart melted at the sound of his laugh. I had started crying. Percy hugged me closer and wrapped his arm around our children.

"I thought you said you couldn't come home!" I said.

"I lied. I was at the airport waiting to board the plane. When I said I had to go, I was boarding the plane."

I kissed him again. He picked up Zoë and we all walked over to the kitchen. We all ate a cookie and then went back to me and Percy's room. We laid in bed and after the kids had gone to sleep again I heard Percy whisper something to me.

"Merry Christmas Wise girl." he said, a smirk on his lips.

"Merry Christmas seaweed brain." I whispered back, a smile.