On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…

Annabeth laughed as she watched Bobby and Matthew attempt to sneak a peek at their Christmas presents. They did the usual of secretly shaking the boxes and trying to peel back some of the wrapping before Helen would look back from their lunch and shout at them to knock it off. Being only ten, they still firmly believed in Santa Claus and even a whisper of his name could have them on their best behavior for the rest of the day.

She flipped a page in her book as her father watched the football game. Nico had texted her a few pictures of him and Will heading off for a romantic weekend together for Christmas but eventually he had stopped responding. Everyone was busy and though they weren't directly talking with her, Annabeth felt her heart warm just being with her family for Christmas. Her mother had sent her an email earlier and Annabeth mentally reminded herself to send a few pictures to Athena before the day was through.

Annabeth flipped another page in her book, her eyes barely skimming the page. Her father glanced over at her during a commercial and cleared his throat to gained her attention. She peeked up at him through the pages.

"So um…" He awkwardly waved his hand around in a circle. "This twelve days of Christmas thing…It's Percy's way of wooing you? A plan to earn your love?"

"Basically in a nut shell." Annabeth agreed with a small smile. She glanced back at her book; though she had read it several times before, it was one of her favorites. "He earned my love a long time ago though so while fun and romantic the main point of it is kind of moot."

Her father made some kind of choking noise that had Annabeth glancing up again. She simply lifted an eyebrow in question as he desperately took a few sips of his water.

"You're in love with him?" He rasped. Helen stepped into the room to hand him a plate filled completely with different foods. She scoffed and winked over at Annabeth.

"Oh please Fredrick. She's been in love with him since they were seventeen. He was pretty infatuated with her back then too don't you remember?"

"But they never—he never seemed—she never seemed—"

"He'll figure it out eventually." Helen laughed as she handed Annabeth her own plate. She patted Annabeth's shoulder. "I find it wonderful Annabeth and I'm so glad you're happy."

"Thanks Helen." Annabeth grinned up at her and placed her hand over Helen's briefly. "I'm just happy he got a clue."

Helen laughed and gave her a quick hug before disappearing back into the kitchen. Annabeth took a bite of her mashed potatoes before she heard a crash and Helen's feet pounding across her living room floor.

"Boys if I find one gift out of place-"

"Don't call Santa Mom!"

Annabeth shook her head and laughed quietly before taking another bite of food. Her father watched her silently until Annabeth met his eye. She sighed and bit her lip almost worriedly.

"I've loved him since I was seventeen Dad." She mumbled quietly. "I've never been as happy as I am with him. I'm in love with him and I can only hope you approve."

Fredrick watched her for another tense moment before sighed loudly and rubbing his head.

"He called a few weeks ago to get permission." He laughed quietly. "Poor boy sounded scared to death when I picked up. After explaining the whole thing in a single breath he asked for my permission."

"What'd you tell him?"

Fredrick grinned.

"That he could save that for when he planned to ask for your hand. Until then what happens is between you two; you're grown up now. You can make your own decisions."

"But I still want your opinion." Annabeth told him honestly. She smiled and shrugged. "If things end up working out for the long haul, he could become a part of our family. You should tell me now if that's not something you want."

"Annabeth, happiness is all I could ever ask for you." Fredrick soothed. "Anyone who goes through this much effort and makes you this happy, I would welcome with open arms into the family. It's just…strange watching you in love but it fills me with joy none the less."

Annabeth felt a weight on her shoulders lift at her father's words. Though it wouldn't have to matter even if he didn't approve, knowing he did made her feel better. The doorbell rang throughout the house and Annabeth didn't even need to check to know it was Percy on the other side. Odie and Griffin barked and howled happily as they tore through the house.

Annabeth tried to make herself wait a minute or two before answering the door so she wouldn't seem desperate but she found herself too excited to see him. She slid across the hall and lightly crashed into the door in her quick attempt to answer it and found Percy smiling at her from the other side.

She quickly smiled and pulled him in for a hug before pulling him inside. He handed her four small gift bags as he took off his coat.

"For your family." He explained quickly. Annabeth smiled and leaned up to kiss his cheek as Helen wiped her hands on her apron and greeted him. Annabeth placed the gifts under her tree and turned back to Percy. Bobby and Matthew were standing in front of him now.

"Are you Annabeth's boyfriend?" Bobby asked curiously. Matthew nodded and looked up at Percy expectantly. Annabeth froze in place and blushed when Percy briefly glanced over at her. He crouched down to be eye level with her little brothers and grinned charmingly.

"A guy like me could only be so lucky." He joked. "I'm trying my best here guys. Whaddya think? You think she digs me?"

Both boys turned to her with wide eyes. They stared at her for a few seconds before facing Percy again and nodding in unison. Annabeth huffed.

"Hey!"

"Yep!" Both boys chorused. Bobby pointed at her.

"She's all red."

"And Annabeth told Mom last night that you're cute!"

"And that you have nice eyes."

"And that she likes when you hug her because her heart-"

"Okay!" Annabeth growled, grabbing both boy by their shirts and thrusting them towards Helen. She glared when she noticed Helen barely containing her laughter and shooed them towards the next room. Percy was grinning smugly at her when she dared to face him.

"I now know what it's like to have a Jason and Thalia. Mine are just younger."

Percy laughed and pulled her in for another hug, leaving his arms around her waist.

"So what is it that your heart does when I touch you?" He teased. "Is it doing it right now?"

Annabeth laughed and shoved him away from her. She placed her hands on her hips dramatically.

"Instead of your teasing, why don't you give me your gift. It's day two you know, almost the big one."

"I'm aware." Percy grinned. "I actually need to see your dogs. The boys around?"

"They practically tore through the living room when you rang the bell." Annabeth nodded. She let out a quick whistle and both dogs came running to their side. Percy bent down and rubbed both of their heads before demanding she leave the room.

"They're my dogs!" Annabeth argued as Percy gently pushed her towards the kitchen. He shook his head.

"The three of us have to have a little talk so you can wait a minute. It's a man thing."

Annabeth shook her head and willingly began to walk towards the kitchen. She sighed as she walked over to Helen. The woman regarded her quietly.

"I've been banished so he can talk to the dogs."

Helen laughed quietly. Annabeth got herself another drink and realized that despite being a grown woman, it was still okay to peek in and eavesdrop on her maybe-sorta-kinda-boyfriend's conversation with her dogs. When she poked her head around the corner, she found Percy tying something to Griffin's neck.

"-for a while now you know? She's quite important to me." Percy informed her dogs as he continued to tie something to their collars. "I didn't think I was good enough for her for the longest time and it was that insecurity that prevented me from kissing her at our senior prom. I was given this second chance and I'm not gonna blow it. She's it for me fellas. That okay with you?"

Annabeth smiled warmly as she watched Odie lick Percy's face in approval. Griffin –always the one to enjoy shaking paws—lifted his paw for Percy to take. The smile that broke across Percy's face made her heart skip a beat. Asking both of her parents and her dogs permission to be with her was ridiculous and so utterly Percy-like that Annabeth couldn't help but reveal herself. Percy didn't seem surprised. He let go of Griffin's paw and stood up to present both dogs to her.

Annabeth called both of them and crouched down to see bows tied to the dogs' necks. A small silver bracelet tied to Odie's bow and an owl necklace tied to Griffin's. Annabeth carefully took both gifts, leaving the bows on the dogs. She looked at the items carefully and smiled up at Percy when he shyly offered to place the necklace on for her. She nodded and placed the bracelet around her wrist as he clasped the necklace.

"You have my parents and dogs permission now." Annabeth joked quietly. Percy smiled as he came back around to face her. He gently took her hands.

"Just need yours now."

"You've had it since senior prom." Annabeth confessed quietly. Percy blushed lightly and cupped the back of her head. He leaned down and for a breathless second, Annabeth dared to hope he would finally kiss her but he paused and leaned back up to place a long, warm kiss on her forehead. He smiled apologetically.

"That's good news for tomorrow then."

...two dogs wrapped with bows.

I haven't updated and I know and the reasons are personal but I got caught up with this story because you guys have been amazing and deserve for me to finish it on time. I literally sat down and typed out the past couple of chapters just because you guys deserve it and more.

So excuse any mistakes as they were written quickly.

Tomorrow's the big day (or it might already be depending where you are) its about 20 minutes to 11 in Washington right now.

Merry Christmas Eve everyone!