"Morning Seaweed Brain" I muttered as I placed all my weight on his chest.

He smiled and kissed me softly on the lips. "Morning Wise Girl" he replied.

You see, a week passed ever since the whole Beach house experience and I never let him out of my sight. I swear, the past few days, Rachel Dare has been stalking us, now that she knows that we live in the same house. If I ever did, we don't know when she's just going to swoop in and take him away from me, kiss him like they did before. The kind of kisses only reserved for us that she could easily take. "You alright?" he asked when he realized that my emotion darkened.

I sighed and nodded, giving him a fake grin. As always, he sees right through me and asked what was wrong. I didn't answer at first, thinking that it was the best that he didn't know about my problem. "It's not such a big deal"

Percy shook his head, placing me on top of him just so that he could look me in the eye. "It's Rachel, isn't it?"

It still was pretty cool how he could read my mind but I prefer it when I had my thoughts all to myself, thank you very much. But I couldn't keep anything from him, couldn't even dare to do so. I love him so that means I should trust him. "She's been watching us, Perce. I see her"

"Don't worry about her" was the only thing he said.

"Why shouldn't I? You don't understand" I bit my lip just so that I won't cry. This was an ultimate low, even for her. "She's going to do everything just to get you. I can't have that." The last was a whisper. I don't think I could grab the strength to put much force into it.

He kissed me again, insistent and passionate. "Whatever happens," he breathed on my hair. "I will be with you. I will never leave you."

I settled myself on his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. Maybe he was right. Rachel, she was nothing more than a snobby rich chick with most of the guys in school wrapped around her little slutty finger. But I believe him. He won't ever go back to him. The reason why they broke up in the first place was because she was jealous of our group and how close we are to Percy.

"I guess you're right" I told him, kissing under his jaw, my lips tracing to his neck. "Plus, it's Christmas. I shouldn't worry about these things."

"No you shouldn't" he agreed but he really couldn't hold back the moan that escaped his mouth when I licked the sensitive spot under his ear. "God, Annabeth" he gasped.

But I smiled and sat up, pulling him with me. "We should really get out of bed" I said, pressing my lips to his cheek. "I don't want Sally to think that we're doing what we're not supposed to"

"But we did" Percy whispered to my ear, nibbling lightly on my bottom lip. "Remember?"

"Yes but can we not talk about that right now? Before I literally jump you" he shrugged and moved his feet to the floor, getting up.

We got ready rather quickly, hoping that they would just think that we slept in. It was really hard to focus when my heart was somewhere else with another person. He, right now, was in the other room bathing like I am. I bit my bottom lip, tasting blood as soaped my entire body. I wish that he was here, showing me how much he loves me. That was my only constant wish, knowing that he wanted that as much as I did. But we both know that we can't. With Rachel practically breathing on your neck.

"I love you, Seaweed Brain" I muttered to no one in particular, hoping that he would be able to hear me.

The moment I got down to the living room, seeing the giant tree sitting in the middle, I immediately felt that Christmas spirit running through my veins. Uncountable presents lay under the decorated plant, probably for Percy and Bella. I have always adored this time of year, always loved the fact that I'm with the people I truly care about. Maybe it was for the best that I left my old home. Maybe I was meant to be here more than I was meant to be there.

"Okay, guys, time to open your presents!" Poseidon exclaimed happily, stepping a few steps away from his children. At first, I was confused, but when I realized that my boyfriend and his sister were looking at each other funny, I knew that it would be best if I follow their lead.

"Do they always do this?"

"Ever since Bella turned one, they've always been like this" Sally answered with a lingering smile on her face.

In a second, they were already tearing their presents like crazy. I could have understood how the little girl was acting but I would never understand how Percy would just spontaneously do something like compete against his sister.

Eventually, he made his way back to me, gasping for breath. Even through the cold weather, you could see the thin layer of sweat covering his entire body. "This is much less brutal than last year's" was his only comment.

I don't know how you're going to make something like opening your Christmas gifts brutal, much less opening your Christmas gifts brutal with a three year old. But I could tell that he was happy, that seeing Bella giggling in the corner with a new doll in her hands. I've always found her cute but not this cute. I didn't even realize that he was giving me something in a box in red wrapping paper as long as my index finger.

"What is it?" I asked, scared of what might be inside. Not that it was probably one of Percy's pranks (though that might be a possibility), I was afraid because I knew that I didn't deserve it. But he was always so insistent, telling me that I should keep it. It has always been like that ever since we turned fifteen, with him giving me gifts I knew would never be in my budget.

"Open and see" he said with that mischievous glint in his eyes.

I carefully opened the wrapper, watching his face intently. He was patient with me, though, smiling encouragingly and I never thought that he would ever be that kind of guy. But the moment my fingers touched the smooth white box that probably held whatever was inside, I knew I was shaking. I sat gingerly on the floor, just in case I would collapse when I see it. It did happen before and I sure as hell won't let it happen again.

And what I saw shocked me to the bone.

This was the best gift I have ever received in my entire life, rendering me speechless as I held it up just in eyelevel. The metal was cool against the skin on my fingertips, pulling me to the void of imagination. I was dreaming. Of course I was. This wasn't real. Percy Jackson just gave me another pocketbook, probably with a few loving words that I know he meant sincerely.

But this. This was too much. I've wanted this ever since I was a child, ever since I first saw it. It wasn't much but it was very expensive, almost six thousand dollars. The designs was plain but I've always adored those simple stuff, wanted it even more that going over the top with all those jewelry.

Annabeth

"I had a little help with Silena" he whispered to my ear, kissing the side of my face lightly. "She insisted that I get it for you even if I knew that you didn't want something so classy."

It was absolutely to die for, almost as perfect as the giver himself. All of his gifts were almost as perfect as him. I knew I had to be afraid of something. I didn't even get him anything. That was my mistake. I should have given him something that he wanted, something he would die to have, knowing well that he would do the same for me. I turned to face the man of my dreams, his eyes twinkling in the morning light, his perfect lips curved up to a smile that could melt me to a puddle of goo at his feet, and his messy black hair falling slightly on his face, the way I liked it. "Thank you" I said, placing my head on his shoulder. "I didn't get you anything, though"

"You don't have to" he whispered lightly. "I have enough presents to last a lifetime"

That was partly true. But still, he deserved something from me. I don't like not giving anything for someone I love. "Maybe I could give you one" I told him softly, looking at him in the eye.

"Wise Girl" Percy muttered, caressing my cheek with the back of his hand. "I told you, you don't have to."

"But I need to" I said gently.

In a second, our tongues were twined in a dance that we've been doing so many times before. But this time, I was leading. Our lips were locked, together again. We fit in each other's arms perfectly, like corresponding puzzle pieces that finally got connected. This kiss was different from the others. This was a little more… loving. There was nothing that could possibly lead to something else other than fainting from lack of air. Though I didn't mind, I don't think I could stand being embarrassed again.

It had to end, much to our displeasure. I never thought that something like oxygen could be so cruel.

My boyfriend placed his forehead gently to mine, pecking me lightly on the nose. He licked his bruised lips but looked as if he was glad that I made the choice of giving that to him. "Merry Christmas, Percy"

"Merry Christmas, Annabeth"

We then turned to our audience who looked happy for us. Bella was already trying to get her brother's attention and she was succeeding quite easily. Her eyes were filled with glee as my boyfriend picked her up and kissed the tip of her nose. I moved so that I was beside him, my head placed on his shoulder with my arm looped with his. He looked so good, looked so happy with his family. He always was so happy with his family.

Nothing much happened the next few hours. All of us were laughing and talking and sharing stories and just being ourselves around each other. I know I should be uncomfortable, you know, having to spend the holidays with the people who practically treated me as their own. But I was glad that they did accept me when they met me.

I was watching Percy with his new laptop, smiling as he typed a few words that probably had to do with homework in English. Instead of leaving us with nothing to worry about, he just had to give us something to remember him by during winter break. Of course, I did mine the moment I got home from that specific day but I guess Percy's just doing what he does best.

"What's that about?" I asked, placing my head on his lap. He smiled and started stroking my hair, leaning back against the couch.

"My awesome best friend" he answered.

Well, Mr. Blofis did say that we can write about anything at all. And as usual, he was reading my mind, "You're the first person that popped in my mind. Plus, I wrote about dad, mom, and Bella last year with the essay about family."

"You're saying that you're doing this because you had no choice?"

"It's not always like that. I do have a lot to say about you" he kissed my forehead for effect before typing another sentence.

She is the most beautiful person I have ever seen in my entire life.

I smiled as I read it, feeling total sincerity from him. He could have said other things, like focusing on my childhood until the moment I had enough and moved with him or how we met or when we started dating but he chose to write that as his conclusion, summarizing the entire essay. He was perfect that way and I was totally grateful that he wanted to keep me. He was mine and I was his and it will always be like that. "You really mean this, don't you?"

He nodded, pulling me to his lap and wrapping his arms around me, like the usual. "Of course I do. I always mean what I say"

There were many instances in our lives that he applies that very much. And this, this wasn't even topping the others. He was a kind person, sincere and loving in every single way possible. He finds beauty in people, more than they could possible wish for. And whatever he says is always true. "I love you" he whispered to my ear,

"I love you, too" I replied as I kissed him just as genuine as his tone to me a while ago.

I never really expected the others to come but they did. It was already about four in the afternoon and everyone was sitting down in front of the tree in whatever position they preferred. All of us were showing off what they received, Percy having to keep his laptop because he didn't want what happened before to repeat itself today. It was a really funny but incredibly long story that I would say in another time.

"You don't know who I bumped into" Piper said, shifting in Jason's arms just to look at me. Before she could even say the name, I already felt like I know who it is.

"Who?" Percy asked, looking quite unaffected.

Piper smiled widely before looking at the door. "Well, it's not Rachel." That one surprised me. I always thought that maybe Rachel would have been right outside this house, hearing our conversation but if it wasn't her, then who would it be?

"You're kidding?" my boyfriend said, suddenly sitting up. I could see that he was excited and I don't know what it might be that got him in this mood. "They're here?"

"Yes, we're here"

The voice was familiar and I could feel that every single worry had just gone. They were here. It's been so long since I've seen them and they're here! This, this was a miracle, more than I could have wished for this Christmas. Everything was so perfect, everything finally falling in place. It did start when Percy and I started going out but it felt as if everything was just right in this world.

I turned to them and ran to hug them. First was the familiar fourteen year old dark-skinned girl with golden eyes from Alaska. "God, Hazel, it's been so long" She nodded, her curly dark hair falling to her face like the usual. But I couldn't help but cry. They were long lost friends who I met and I loved being with them.

The man beside her, though, was standing tall and proud beside her. He wasn't as bad when you get to know him, heck, he was one of the only people who could make me laugh. Seaweed Brain and I could easily relate with them, having to suffer during a young age but we could still easily bond and smile and talk. I trusted them with my life and I don't know how I couldn't have thought of them until now. "You, too, Frank" I told him.

"What's up, man?" my boyfriend asked, pulling him to one of those manly bear hugs. "It's been far too long"

Frank agreed, returning the embrace. "So, what happened while we're gone?"

"Well, Percy and Annabeth are finally together" How many times did they say that while stressing on the exact same word? Have they really wanted us to get together the moment we met? I mean yeah, the moment I did see him, I felt my heart did millions of back flips as if it were an Olympic gymnast and it never stopped doing that at all. Still, they don't have to make a big deal out of it.

But being the people they are, Hazel started squealing in excitement, looking at me and the man beside me. "How come you didn't tell me?" she screamed.

"What's there to tell?" I asked, looking at her

She gave me one of her looks and I bit my bottom lip. "You and I are going to have a little talk, Ms. Chase"

Before I could even blink, my friend was pushing me inside the closest room (which happens to be Percy's) and locked the door behind her, caging me and the rest of the girls inside. I was hoping so bad that she wasn't going to look at the state of it but my luck apparently ran out. "Who sleeps here?" Hazel asks with a raised eyebrow.

"Um… Percy" but she still didn't look convinced. "And me?" It came out as a question and not a statement

The people with me looked as if they were surprised and I clasped my hand over my mouth, recognizing my mistake. They didn't need to know that so why did I say it? But I guess they will find out because I honestly have some clothes in this room just when I find the need to change abruptly. "What do you mean him and you?"

"Well…" I gulped audibly. Maybe it would be for the best that I don't tell them right now but then again, everything will go really bad if I don't. Especially when Thalia's a little too… expectant of my answer. So I told them what they needed to know, explained every single detail thoroughly and stressing on the fact that we never went farther than making-out. But that didn't slip through Silena's ears, forcing me to admit that we did get a carried away once.

I did, knowing that there was no reason to keep anything anymore. They had to know this relationship and where it is probably leading to. Plus, I made a promise that I would just say what is needed to be said and be done with it. Gladly, they listened quite intently as I told them all my reasons as to why we had to sleep in the same bed every single night. Maybe because it comforts me that he was right there and that everything would feel more real.

"Are you sure you did it only once?" This was my best friend's overprotective sister's side that I was now learning to hate.

"Yes, only once" But she shook his head, "Don't worry about it, Thals. I'm a virgin"

Thalia sighed in relief before heading towards Percy's walk-in closet. He didn't own much but you could tell that all of his clothes were either really expensive or enough for me not to afford any of them. And they were arranged rather neatly, if I do say so myself. You wouldn't really think that it was possible for someone like him to be the kind of person who spends at least thirty minutes of their day to fix their closets.

"He did this?" Piper asked in confusion. See, it was pretty hard to believe.

But I disagreed. "Percy gave Consuela the permission to get things a little more organized in his room"

They all nodded in understanding before sitting wherever they wanted. Since the said house keeper was in vacation at the moment, my boyfriend was in charge of making his bed. But being the lazy person that he is, he didn't do it. I couldn't blame him, we did wake up to the usual make-out session and maybe it just sorta slipped out of his head.

Luckily, they didn't push me any further. Instead, they started asking Hazel about how her life in California was. She said it was great, that she met people that she and Frank bonded easily with. I couldn't quite remember the names but I think it was Reyna, Bobby, Gwen, and Dakota.

You may be wondering how we all met. You see, when the Jacksons went to San Francisco because they wanted to visit me when I still lived there, they bumped into Hazel and Frank. They talked endlessly until they found it right to introduce me to them. We all became friends instantly. We kept in touch after they left and they got closer to the others. It was really easy to trust them and so far, the pose no threat to me or any one of my friends so I did. And look where that led me now.

But I still think I made the right choice.