Well, I enjoyed this story enough that I decided to keep going anyways. Hope you enjoy!
The basement was full of teenagers watching Petticoat Junction on the TV. Jason and Percy were practically in each other's laps as they made room for Leo on the small couch. Annabeth was leaning against Percy's feet and Will was standing behind them playing with Leo's hair. Hazel sat to Percy's left in a lawn chair with Frank sitting in the floor next to her and Nico sat in the chair to Leo's right.
Nico and Hazel never sat next to each other; no one knew why, it was just a fact of life. Percy just assumed it was because they were polar opposites in everything from personality to looks. With her dark skin and awkwardness, Hazel was one of the sweetest people in their group even if she was technologically challenged. Whereas Nico was the snarkiest and palest member of their gang who only smiled at other people's misfortune. They even dressed differently. Nico wore a black T-shirt with ripped up blue jeans while Hazel wore a sparkly, gold blouse with bell-bottoms.
"Does it bother anyone that these women live in Hooterville?" Jason asked. His broad shoulders were barely contained by the sky blue T-shirt he wore and Percy was certain that the shirt was going to rip under the strain at any moment.
Annabeth tilted her head to the side causing her blonde curls to fall across Percy's knees as she corrected Jason, "Technically, Petticoat Junction is just down the track from Hooterville."
"Okay," Jason nudged her in the side with his foot, "does it bother anyone that they live just down the track from Hooterville?"
Will spoke up as he straightened his designer shirt, "It bothers me that they bathe in the town water tank. It's extremely unsanitary."
The way Frank scrunched up his nose told everyone that he agreed. "Especially since they bathe with the dog."
Nico shrugged. "It's not the drinking water, just the water for the train."
Hazel shook her head. "Will's right, though. It's three naked women with a dog."
Leo threw a toothy grin towards Hazel. "I wouldn't mind being the Hooterville dog."
Instead of answering, Hazel leaned over to whisper in Percy's ear who, in turn, whispered in Jason's ear. Jason nodded in understanding before punching Leo's shoulder causing the boy to wince. Will tugged a little harder on Leo's hair until he whimpered.
"Yoo hoo," Sally called out as she descended the stairs with a basket of laundry. "Don't mind me, I'm just putting some clothes in. Oh, Percy, sweetie, I thought you'd look nice if you wore this for your birthday." She held up a blue plaid shirt. "The color really makes your eyes pop."
Percy stared warily at his mother, fearful that she might pull out a confetti cannon and pinata at a moment's notice. "Mom. Mom, do not throw a party for me."
"Listen to Mr. Popularity, like I have time to plan you a party," Mrs. Jackson chuckled but refused to look her son in the eyes. She turned around for a second to blurt out, "Also, your sister's coming home from college. No reason, she just is."
With that she bounded up the stairs with a nervous laugh.
Annabeth leaned her head back into Percy's lap so he could see her smirking at him. "Well, Seaweed Brain, you're getting a party, and best of all it's a surprise!"
"I just realized Annabeth's older than you," Jason remarked absently.
"Only by a month," she said as she sat up straight again.
Frank nodded seriously. "Good for you, Percy. In my country, it is good luck to fall in love with an older woman."
Percy blushed so hard that he almost blended in with his red plaid shirt. "Frank… Frank!?"
"No, seriously, they come with livestock," Frank explained calmly.
Hazel barked out a laugh before attempting to hide behind her mass of coarse golden hair.
(***)
The next morning, Percy headed into the kitchen for breakfast. Paul was seated at the breakfast table reading the newspaper as Sally danced towards the table with a plate of blue pancakes in hand.
"Morning," Percy greeted sleepily.
Paul returned the greeting without looking up from his paper. Percy started to open the fridge to grab some milk when his mother slammed the door closed again. After forcefully wedging herself between him and the fridge, she smiled eagerly.
"No, no, I'll get it." She proceeded to open the fridge just enough to get the milk out before shutting it again.
Before she closed it, though, Percy caught a glimpse of a blue cake. He resisted the urge to groan as he reached up to open the cabinet for some cereal. His mom proceeded to shove him out of the way to grab the cereal herself in an attempt to block his view of the contents in the cabinet.
"Did I just see about seven bags of potato chips?" Percy asked with a pointed look to his mother.
Sally laughed nervously as she fiddled with her hair. "They were on sale, honey."
Percy poured the milk into his bowl of cereal with a slight pout. "Please don't throw me a party."
"I'm not," Sally said earnestly.
Paul glanced at them for a moment. "Don't give him one, Sally."
"I'm not," she said too quickly.
Percy sat down in his usual seat trying to give his mother the benefit of the doubt. "Look, I know money's tight, so I don't want a big birthday."
Paul folded his newspaper up before looking Percy in the eyes with that look that was supposed to be reassuring. "We'll decide when money's tight, son. Now, what kind of gift do you want? Don't worry about the cost, as long as it's reasonable."
"A cassette player for the car. Not an eight-track. Cassette player, no eight-track, okay?" Percy answered. He'd been wanting one ever since Paul had given him the keys to the Vista Cruiser. "Not an eight-track player."
His parents shared an amused look as Paul assured him, "Then you won't get one. You'll get a Delco. A genuine GM part for your genuine GM car."
Percy waved his spoon as he spoke. "No, dad, it doesn't have to be a Delco, it's just for music."
Paul returned to his newspaper with a huff. "See? Now, that's your first mistake. Parts have to be compatible." He paused to fix Percy with a narrow-eyed glare. "You're not burning cheap gas in that car, are you?"
"No, sir. Well, on that note, I'm heading out."
Percy put away his dishes before heading for the door. He was halfway out the sliding door when his mom stopped him with an unexpected gasp. He leaned back into the kitchen with an eyebrow raised.
"I want you to run to the store for me. Get a large can of blue frosting and fifteen small bags of M&M's - plain, not peanut," Sally informed him. When he stared at her in response, Sally quickly explained, "They're for your sister."
Percy looked to Paul who gave him an unhelpful shrug before he slid the door shut.
"Whoo," Sally sighed. "That was close."
Paul chuckled as he turned the page. "Yes, dear, you are truly a master in espionage."
(***)
Leaning against the Vista Cruiser, Will and Annabeth watched Leo and Jason shoot hoops while Nico picked on Frank. Percy stepped onto the driveway with a defeated sigh before telling Leo to pass the ball.
Annabeth watched as Percy and Jason quickly formed an impressive team against Leo. The latino retaliated by dragging Frank and Nico into their makeshift game of basketball.
Will leaned towards her, his blue eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So?"
"What?" Annabeth asked in confusion. What had led the peppy sophomore into talking to her?
"What are you getting Percy for his birthday?" Will whispered as he watched the guys.
A ball went flying past her towards to sliding door followed quickly by a frantic Percy. "I don't know. Nothing feels right. I have to give him something special, you know?"
The way Will stared at her after she spoke left her wishing she hadn't said anything. Finally, that look of intense concentration morphed into disbelief. Those blue eyes widened to an almost comical size as he gasped excitedly.
"He kissed you!" Will whispered loudly. "That's so cute!"
She punched his arm but it didn't stop the stupid smile from spreading across his face. Instead of beating the smile off him, Annabeth nudged the cheerful idiot into the Cruiser so they could speak more privately.
"So?" Will asked again. When only silence answered him, he sighed dramatically, "Come on, Annabeth, who else are you going to talk about this with?"
They glanced around at the guys who were currently laughed hysterically at Leo who was making fart sounds with his armpit. Annabeth still couldn't understand why they found fart noises so funny.
"Fair point. Okay, we got home from the Rundgren concert, and I'm sitting on the hood of the car, and I kissed him." She's fairly sure she's blushing. Will giggled like a child after a few seconds of silence. "Oh, why am I talking to you about this?"
A squeal from the end of the driveway forced them to look up. Nico and Leo were somehow managing to give the tall Frank a wedgie despite his attempts to bat them away.
Annabeth cursed the guys with every word she could think of for being so immature. Was it really that hard for them to just not give people wedgies? How was it that Will Solace was the only person she could really talk to about this? Sure, there was Hazel but that girl couldn't say the word kiss without giggling and blushing.
With a groan, Annabeth continued, "Look, I've lived next door to Percy my whole life. We tell each other everything, we love the same music, we love the Yankees, and then I kissed him. Now everything's different. I don't know if he's my boyfriend or my best friend. And what if we are dating and we break up? Or what if…"
Will placed a reassuring hand on her arm. "Annabeth, buy him a scented candle. It's practical and romantic."
Annabeth smiled as she mouthed, "Oh, yeah…"
(***)
When Nico, Frank, and Leo walked into the Jackson's basement they found Percy's older sister doing laundry. Her auburn hair was pulled back in a complicated looking braid and all she wore was an oversized shirt that barely hid anything.
"But, I had the ball last, I win," Frank was saying as they stepped inside.
Leo shook his head emphatically. "No, you didn't win."
Frank argued, "Yes, I had the ball last, I…" His words trailed off as Calypso bent over to grab something off the floor. Leo froze beside him, as well. "Holy mother…"
Leo stepped in front of his blushing, foreign friend. With what he considered a sexy smolder, he greeted Percy's sister, "Hello, Calypso."
"Oh, hey, Leo," Calypso said absently before looking disgusted at Nico. "Di Angelo."
Nico stared at her with blatant dislike.
"Who is the goddess?" Frank asked in awe.
Leo managed to somehow sound more love struck than Frank as he answered, "The goddess is Percy's sister."
Nico scoffed. "She's not a goddess. She's more of the earth mother whore type."
Percy's feet pounded on the stairs. Calypso rolled her eyes as her brother stopped short on the last step.
"Calypso," Percy said as if handling a venomous snake.
"Perseus," she said angrily.
Percy stepped onto the basement floor. "Shouldn't you put some clothes on?"
"Why?"
"Aren't you cold?"
Calypso winked at Leo. "No, in fact, I'm hot."
Percy resisted the urge to strangle his sister. "Oh, well," he struggled for a retort, eventually settling for, "Why don't you go upstairs?"
Out of the corner of his eye, Percy saw Nico roll his eyes.
"I'm waiting on my jeans to come out of the dryer and I want you to stay off my case. It'll only take a minute." Calypso whined annoyingly.
Leo was still staring openly at Calypso as if in a trance. Knowing Calypso, he was. Percy had always believed his sister was actually a witch here to tempt mortal men and curse his every moment in life.
"I don't think Leo will last that long," Nico deadpanned as he sat back in his usual chair to watch TV.
The rest of them watched Leo with amusement. Calypso eventually shrugged nonchalantly. "Too bad. Besides, it's not like I'm naked under this. I'm wearing underwear." She pulled her shirt up briefly to show them. Leo leaned against the couch for support as Frank let out an enraptured gasp. "If we were at the beach, you wouldn't even notice me."
Nico snorted. "If we were at the beach, Leo would be in the water right now."
Leo was too awestruck to notice Nico's jab at him.
"Alright, look, Kelp Head. I need the wagon tomorrow night," Calypso said, butchering Annabeth's adorable nickname for him.
Percy bit back the snarky remark he had planned. Instead he decided to put his sister to use. "On one condition. I need a favor."
Calypso raised an eyebrow. "For you? I don't think so."
"Come on, just tell mom I'm too old for surprise parties," Percy complained.
"But you're the baby," Calypso patronized. "And momma loves her baby."
Percy groaned.
Finally, Calypso agreed with a snicker. The dryer shut off and she grabbed her jeans. As she walked by, she pinched Percy's cheek. "Baby."
As soon as the basement door clicked shut behind her, Leo let out a loud whoop. "Yeah!" He pelvic thrusted the air. "Your sister wants me! I mean you saw her coming onto me right?"
Frank opened his mouth to argue but Nico waved him off. "Let him go."
Leo looked off to the side thinking of what he remembered Calypso saying a few seconds ago.
**"Hello, Leo. I'm waiting - and I want you - baby - take me. Now. I need it - bad. I need it - all night. Momma loves her baby. I'm completely naked under this. I'm hot for you, Leo."**
The guys stared at Leo with a mixture of confusion and pity. Leo's goofy smile transformed as he came out of his trance. He noticed his friends' stares. "What? You didn't see it? She's totally Team Leo."
(***)
The Jacksons were sitting down to dinner with Calypso sitting between her parents. Percy was hoping his sister would reveal she was running off with some married man to Canada and they'd never see her again. But, of course, she'd cursed him with bad luck so he had to sit through the entire dinner with her.
"So," his mother started nervously. "How's Ogygia University?"
"Eh," Calypso answered.
Percy felt even more uncomfortable watching his mother interact with her stepdaughter. He tapped a finger on the table as he recalled how Paul had been married to some woman before Sally. No one spoke about Paul's first wife, but from what Percy had gathered, she died in a tragic accident.
A nervous laugh caused Percy to look over to his mother and he found himself idly wondering about his biological father. From the little he could get out of his mom, he knew his dad was a sailor and lost at sea - "not dead, just lost". He'd never understood how she could still hold so much love for a man that had abandoned them.
"How's your friend Circe?" Paul was asking when Percy finally tuned back in.
"Pregnant," Calypso answered between bites.
Sally looked at her in shock. "She was such a nice girl, how could that happen?"
Percy decided this was where he should pipe up, "Well, first the egg travels down the Fallopian tube to the uterus, where it attaches to the wall - "
Paul stabbed his chicken viciously with his fork. "Percy, for goodness sake, that's no language for a woman to hear."
Calypso waved him off with fork. "Oh, Daddy, I know what a Fallopian tube is. I think Mom does, too."
Percy hoped she choked for the way she said 'mom' as if it were an insult.
"Oh, yeah," Calypso said as she stabbed her fork into a piece of broccoli. "Percy wanted me to tell you that he thinks he's too old for a party." She held her hand out to Percy. "Keys?"
Sally sat up even straighter as she smiled nervously. "There's no party!"
"Calypso, I just remembered. I can't loan you the Vista Cruiser on account of I hate you," Percy said with a strained smile.
Paul looked worriedly at his daughter. "Callie, you're not driving the Vista Cruiser. It's old and undependable. It could break down! My baby would be at the mercy of any maniac who came along. Percy can handle that but you're taking the Camaro." He handed her the keys and pulled out thirty dollars for her.
"Wow," Calypso smiled excitedly. "Thanks, Daddy!"
"You know, I could probably use some gas money," Percy hinted.
Paul went back to eating. "Maybe next payday, Perce."
Percy and his mother shared an exasperated glance before returning to their food.
(***)
The doorbell was ringing, even though Percy was sure his alarm clock had said three a.m. and no one in their right mind would be up at this hour. Still, he went to answer the door. As he opened it, he saw Annabeth standing there in a lacy blue nightgown.
It took him a few seconds to focus on her face but he managed. "Annabeth? It's three in the morning, are you crazy?"
"Crazy in love with you," Annabeth said seductively. "What is it about you that drives me wild with passion and desire?"
Percy stuttered out what might have been an answer.
"Sit," Annabeth ordered. Percy stumbled back to the couch where he sat down. Annabeth came in and closed the door behind her. "I have your birthday present. It can't wait any longer. Close your eyes."
Something soft and lacy dropped into his lap. He felt the fabric and was fairly certain it was the same fabric as Annabeth's nightgown. "This is my birthday present?" Percy asked with his eyes still closed.
"No, that's my nightgown. I'm your present!" Annabeth said with a voice full of lust. "Open your eyes, birthday boy!"
Percy's eyes shot open to find a plate with two blue fried eggs on it. A chorus of 'Surprise!' welcomed him back to reality. He bunched his covers up around him in an attempt to hide his boner from the three people in his room.
Calypso was giving him a knowing grin from where she leaned against his bedroom door.
"Birthday breakfast!" Sally laughed giddily. "This is it, young man, a few gifts tonight, the end. And it's too late to change your mind about a party now, so don't go thinking you're getting one, or you'll be sorely disappointed."
She smiled over her shoulder at Paul thinking she'd fooled Percy before rushing out. Paul lingered in the doorway.
"Happy birthday," he said. Then, without knowing what else to say, he added, "Don't forget to mow the lawn."
Percy sighed in annoyance. "Thanks, Mom, Dad."
Calypso snickered. "Nice tent, little brother."
He threw a pillow which she dodged as she skipped out the door.
(***)
The Jackson's' basement was crowded with teenagers who sat silently concentrating on something that only they were able to see. Percy stared at them, knowing fully well what was going on. They were all dressed nicely, even Nico had his non-ripped jeans on.
"I know what you're all doing here," Percy sighed.
Leo sat completely still for the first time in his life as he answered nervously, "What are you talking about, man? We're just hanging out, except we're dressed nice. But that doesn't mean anything."
They just continued to stare off at space in silence until Sally poked her head downstairs.
"Hey, kids," Sally tried to sound casual but Percy knew better. "I, um, need your help with something. Will, Annabeth, Leo, Nico, Hazel, Jason, and…" she paused for a moment, "young man with the accent, could you give me a hand? Not you, Percy."
The seven of them tripped over each other trying to get up the stairs. Once they got through the door, heavy footsteps fell on the wooden floor causing it to sound suspiciously like a herd of buffalo running through the living room.
Percy ran a hand down his face. "I can't take it."
He rushed to the basement door leading outside but Reyna was standing guard. Percy jumped back in surprise as she smiled expectantly at him. She was clearly excited about her job assignment in his mother's crazy, surprise birthday scheme.
"No, Dumbass," Reyna said.
"But, I…" Percy started to whine.
Reyna held up a hand to stop him. "Noooo, no, sir."
Before he could start pleading with his guard, Sally came down the stairs again looking incredibly excited. "Percy? Percy, honey? Honey, could you come up here for a second?" She went back upstairs and Percy could hear her loudly whisper, "Shush, he's coming!"
With a sigh of defeat and one last pleading look at Reyna, Percy followed his mother.
As soon as he stepped into the living room he was met with a chorus of 'Surprise!'. He plastered a smile to his face for his mom's sake but his eyes were pleading with everyone to kill him. His humiliation only got worse as his mother placed a colorful party hat on him.
After eating cake with blue frosting, Sally and Paul sat down with Percy between them while he began opening gifts. Every gift was wrapped in some kind of blue wrapping except one which Percy assumed to be Frank's given how nervous he suddenly seemed.
His mom handed him his first gift to unwrap and Percy wished against all the curses Calypso had placed on him that he would get a cassette player. As his hand tore at the wrapping paper, though, he knew fully well that his sister's hexes were still firmly in place.
"Wow," Percy tried to sound upbeat. "I mean, yeah…"
Sally giggled. "It's an eight-track player!"
Percy nodded with that fake smile that he was fairly sure would be stuck permanently to his face after tonight.
Paul patted his shoulder good-naturedly. "Just what you asked for."
"You made such a big deal about it, I wrote it down," Sally told him. "Here, open these from Nico next."
Nico and Percy shared a look. They'd already talked about getting cassettes to go with the cassette player that he'd thought he was getting. The eight-track made Di Angelo's gift practically useless now. Still, as he unwrapped the cassette tapes he was touched that the anarchist would even buy him anything for his birthday.
"Thanks, Neeks," Percy muttered, hoping no one noticed the disappointment in his voice.
Nico held up the eight-track player with a smirk. "You're welcome."
Marybai and Frederick Chase handed him a small present with a bow on top. Percy lifted the lid and was pleasantly surprised to find a shave dispenser that he showed to everyone only to have his mother confiscate it from him.
"Oh, he won't need that for a long time. A long, long time," Sally said earnestly. Percy wasn't sure who she was trying to convince, their guests or herself.
Marybai laughed. "Of course he will, he's almost a man."
Percy quickly wrapped his arms around his mother as she started to cry softly.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw Annabeth dragging Will into their kitchen and wondered idly what his Wise Girl needed the sophomore for.
A few minutes later, Paul was pulling Sally away from the teenagers. He insisted that the grown-ups go over to Fred's to give the kids some time alone.
"But," Sally whimpered, "I wanted to give Percy a party."
"And you did," Paul said quickly, afraid she might start crying again. "Come on, he wants to be alone for a little while. We'll be back over here before you know it."
Finally, the adults started heading out.
Sally lingered. "What if they run out of ketchup or something?"
"Let's go," Paul answered as he gently tugged on her arm.
"We have more buns and sweet pickles if you don't like the dills," Sally was saying as Paul managed to pull her out the door.
As soon as the adults left, Calypso stood and dusted off her jeans. "Well, I'd love to stay, but I'm leaving."
"Hey, buy us some beers, we'll pay double," Percy tried.
Calypso scoffed. "No. Now I'm off to join my legal friends at a party, with a keg. Bye."
Leo ran around the couch, almost knocking over the lamp before coming to a stop a few feet from Calypso who was already standing in the open doorway.
"So, Calypso. Where's the party? You know, maybe, I'll cruise by later."
"In your dreams, idiot," Calypso replied with a toss of her hair.
She slammed the door on her way out and Percy was amused to see Will leaning over to smack his boyfriend.
(***)
In the Chase's kitchen, the adults were playing Yahtzee. Sally chewed on her nails as Fred rolled the dice.
"Three fours, I need them," Fred said more to himself.
Marybai patted her husband's arm. "Fred's very good at Yahtzee."
Sally looked to Paul. "The liquor cabinet!"
"Locked."
"What if there's an emergency?"
"They'll call."
"What if they run out of chips?"
"They'll starve."
Fred stood up and headed towards his own liquor cabinet. "I'm getting myself some scotch. Paul?"
Paul shook his head as he stroked Sally's hand reassuringly. "No, Sally needs some."
His wife batted his hand away as she stood to take a peek out the window. Their Camaro was pulling out of the drive and heading down the street.
"Oh my, Calypso's leaving!" Sally cried.
"She's in college, honey, she doesn't want to hang around them," Paul explained simply.
Sally made her way towards the phone with every intent of calling before Paul grabbed her arm and guided her back to her seat. He tried to reassure her.
"Sally, what could happen?" Paul asked.
"What could happen?" Sally exclaimed. "Plenty could happen. I mean, like…"
Sally imagined Percy's party in their living room where Jason and Reyna were dressed like gangsters; Will, Annabeth, and Hazel were dressed like prostitutes; and the rest of the guys were dressed as pimps. Percy was still wearing his blue plaid shirt but he'd been tied to a chair.
**Annabeth opened her mouth and Sally's voice came out. "Now that the adults are gone, we can be as bad as we want."
"Who wants to give Percy a venereal disease?" Hazel said with Sally's voice.
Leo leapt over their couch. Sally spoke in a Jersey accent for him. "Hey, look, coasters!" He picked a handful of them off the table before Nico slapped them out of his hand.
"Forget coasters, man," Nico said as he placed a glass directly on the table. "Without a coaster, our drinks will leave rings on the table!"
Sally attempted an evil laugh for Nico.
Her little Percy cried out in an innocent voice, "No! Why, oh, why didn't I beg my mother to stay!?"
Frank, who had his feet propped up on the table, was now on the phone. In her best accented voice, Sally spoke for him, "Quiet, silly American! I am making a long distance call on your parents' phone!"
"But that's immoral!" Percy sobbed.
Jason barked out a laugh as he pulled Hazel into his lap. "In his country of…" There was a long pause as everyone looked confused. "Wherever it is he's from, I can never tell. Morals get in the way of a good, dirty time. But first, we need to eat some chips."
Will grabbed a bag of chips only to find them empty. He looked overly shocked as he handed the empty bag to Frank.
"What? Out of chips? Now, I am mad." Reyna pulled out a gun. "I must shoot something. Like this dumbass."
She pointed the gun toward Percy.**
As she came out of her fantasy world, she found Paul staring down at her as if she'd lost her mind. "You're overreacting," was all he said.
Marybai was handing her a book before she could press the issue. "Oh, Sally, when Fred went on sabbatical last year, I felt the same way. But this book of poems helped me. It's called, 'Verses from an Empty Nest'."
"Read her that one you showed me about the little bird that lost it's way," Fred suggested.
His wife opened the book and started to read. "The little bird that once did sing/is now alone with broken wing."
Fred started getting choked up on just the first couple lines. Sally and Paul shared a look.
"Yeah, that's nice," Sally hedged. "I need a refill."
"Hun, you usually only drink one," Paul said.
She handed her glass to Fred who took it to get a refill. "Well, tonight I'm having two."
(***)
Hazel, Reyna, and the guys were lounging about in the Jackson's' living room after the parents and Calypso had left. Hazel was sitting on the chair while Frank sat on the arm of her chair with Leo sprawled out at her feet. Jason laid across the couch with his feet in Percy's lap. Reyna leaned against the back of the couch by Jason's head. Nico was sitting in Paul's recliner glaring at Hazel who tried to ignore him. Will and Annabeth had disappeared into the kitchen a long while ago.
"So," Hazel started, "what did Annabeth get you?"
Percy attempted a nonchalant shrug. "Nothing, yet."
Leo shot up into a sitting position. "Oh! Maybe it's the big gift. You know, the really big gift?" When everyone just stared blankly at him, he pushed. "You guys get what I'm saying when I say the big gift, right?"
"Yeah, we get it. And we got it, idiot," Nico griped.
Hazel tried to fight the blush that was burning her cheeks and she resisted the urge to look at the foreigner sitting next to her.
Jason chuckled quietly. "Frank's not even from here and he got it."
Frank shot up from his seat to hide his blazing red face from Hazel.
Before the group could start laughing at their friend's discomfort, the kitchen door swung open. Will entered with an eager grin.
"Percy, Annabeth's on the porch," Will said purposely.
Everyone turned to stare Percy who took only a second before scrambling towards the kitchen door.
Leo let out a loud whoop. "He's getting the big gift!"
(***)
The patio was dark as Percy unwrapped his gift. Annabeth was standing awkwardly against the wall. As the paper fell away, Percy found himself holding a sea breeze scented candle.
"Oh, cool," Percy grinned. "This is very cool."
"It's stupid," Annabeth insisted.
Percy's head shot up to look at her, trying to find a way for her to know he meant it. He really did love her gift to him. It was sweet and personal. Only she would remember his avid love of the sea.
"No," he said urgently. "This is a very awesome gift. I'd light it if I had matches.
Annabeth pulled out the matches Will had given her earlier. "Here."
She lit the candle for him and he placed it on the patio table with a soft smile. The light created a romantic lighting just as Will had told her it would.
"You thought of everything," Percy said with that lopsided grin she loved so much.
They stood in awkward silence as Percy slowly slid his hand over Annabeth's on the banister. Annabeth's eyes were hooded as they leaned in. Their breath ghosted over the other's lips just as a loud crash echoed across the road.
Paul was hauling a very drunk Sally across the road to their house as Sally sung some old sailor shanty she'd learned years before Percy was born. She kept on singing until she got up close enough to hug her son.
"Oh, look at this!" she warbled. "We never thought to put a candle out here. It's just so romantic."
Paul guided her through the door with a quick goodnight to the two kids on the patio.
From inside, Percy heard his mom. "We have candles in the bedroom, don't we?"
Percy groaned as Annabeth chuckled.
"Happy birthday," she laughed.
(***)
Behind the kitchen counter the rest of the gang was camped out watching Percy and Annabeth with rapt attention.
"This is it," Will insisted. "He's going for it."
Leo shook his head. "Uh-uh. It's his birthday, she should make the first move."
"She did last time," Will argued.
A cacophony of 'what' sounded off in the room as everyone turned to stare incredulously at Will for a second before returning their attention to the main event.
Will's eyes widened as he realized what he'd said. "Nothing. Shut up. Watch."
"Come on, Jackson, go for it!" Jason said in exasperation.
Percy turned to look at them. He could see seven heads popped up around the kitchen counter watching him. The only thing about the whole scene that surprised him was the fact that Reyna was right there with them.
"The door is open, we can hear you," Percy explained. "We can see you!"
They all ducked behind the counter as if that would make a difference.
Frank leaned over to Nico to ask if Percy had kissed Annabeth.
"None of us can see them, Frank," Nico grumbled.
"Percy, are you kissing her?" Frank called out.
All they got as an answer was the sound of the door closing. When they peeked over the counter they found Percy had blown out the candle so that they couldn't see them.
Okay so, Piper will be in the next chapter! I couldn't find a good place to add her in so she'll just have to wait. Sorry!