'You know...' Percy looked at Annabeth, but left the words lingering in the air.
'What, Percy?'
'I do not understand why they call it the Holidays, implying vacation and free time, when it is literally the busiest time of the year. Deadlines are getting dangerously close, you have to prepare Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas feast and who knows what other parties, monsters that only come out around this time of the year are more vicious than any other monster type and that is only what I can think of at the top of my head!'
Annabeth thought about his words for a moment. 'You know what? You might be right.'
It was partly their own fault they were so busy, though. Percy and Annabeth had volunteered to do the holiday shopping. Now that they had promised it, they were stuck with it.
Yet, not all was busy and sad. Percy looked into the shop window of a toy store, that had a whole christmas display up. It was quite literally impossible to not get into the jingle mood. And that from only one shop window - multiply that by at least a thousand and you got New York during the holiday season.
Annabeth looked at her list (Which she had more made in order to not forget what they needed and less because they needed to stick to it, because let's be real, when you are bombarded with ugly ornaments from everywhere, how can you not buy them?). 'Alright, we will need ingredients for the Christmas feast and presents for... well, everyone.' She took a deep breath. 'Let's just see how far we get with that. We can always order some last minute things via Amazon.'
'I do not think Hylla is willing to ship to me anymore,' Percy commented. Annabeth looked at him. 'We will cross that bridge when we get there. We can always use Pipers' Amazon account. Oh, look!' She pointed at the window of a used book shop, which had a book about planes in the first world war laying on the right side. 'That would be perfect for my dad! Let's get in!'
Percy breathed in through his nose, so he could really take in the delicious smell of books and gingerbread. 'Well, this gives the right vibes.' Annabeth got the book out of the shop window. 'Yep.' She turned around. Her eyes immediately lit up. 'Hey...' She pointed at a book standing in the shelf behind Percy. Percy pulled it from the shelf for her. He laughed.
'Perfect for Magnus?'
'Excellent for Magnus,' Annabeth agreed, while she took the book called 'Dishes, Folding Socks And Other Dangerous Adult Activities' and turned towards the counter.
'I wonder if that person knows that he is writing the truth and nothing but the truth,' Percy remarked. Annabeth shrugged.
'Maybe it was written by a resident from hotel Valhalla, or a thane, or the hotel manager, or Odin himself. You never know,' Annabeth answered. Percy grinned.
'I think that the authors' name wouldn't sound so real. I mean, Oliver Martins? I think someone from Asgard would have made up a name like Jack-Jack Jackson, or Katniss Everdeen, or Coco Cola or something.'
Annabeth shrugged. 'Fair enough.' She handed the cashier fifteen dollars. She slid the books into her bag. While walking out of the store, she grabbed Percy's hand. Percy smiled at her. Together, they walked out of the store. The old lady behind the counter rolled her eyes at these naïve, romantic young people - man, did she miss being like them.
Also, how could they help it? The Christmas atmosphere not only has something magical, it has something irresistibly romantic. It is like a little bit of Christmas movie leaks out of the television and into the real world. Percy let go of Annabeth's hand to link his arm through hers. Softly, he put his head on her shoulder. Annabeth sighed deeply.
'It is one of those days again, isn't it?' She asked Percy.
He nodded. 'Yeah. One of those calm, weirdly romantic days... Oh, look, a chocolate store! I need to buy chocolate for my mother, and for Hazel.' He put his head up. Annabeth gave a nod, before kissing Percy on his nose. The twinkle in her eyes suggested that the Christmas spirit was starting to get a hold of her.
They stepped into the Chocolate shop. Annabeth closed her eyes for a moment, so that she could really take in the wonderful smell of chocolate, caramel and other ingredients. 'What kind of bonbons were you looking for?' She asked Percy.
'Hazel really loves hazelnut filling - Yes, really - and nougat and my mom likes all chocolates,' he answered, while taking his place in the line. Annabeth noticed he was scanning everything in the store, like he was seeking something besides just chocolate for Sally and Hazel. Yet, the next moment her attention was attracted by a castle made of the chocolate in the middle of the store. 'Oh! Percy! Look!'
Percy looked over. 'Wow... that is magnificent!'
'Sir, can I help you?' The cashier asked. Percy swiftly turned his attention towards him.
'Yeah, eh, I want two boxes of bonbons...' while Percy was ordering, Annabeth wandered off to the masterpiece made of chocolate in the middle of the store. It hung about two metres in the air, on a platform. There were also fans turned towards the castle, all so that it wouldn't melt because of the heat in the store.
She looked at it for a while, until she heard Percy call her name. 'Annabeth?' Annabeth shuffled past the other people in the store, towards Percy. She grabbed his hand on the way out.
When they stepped outside, Annabeth ducked back into her sweater. 'Gods, it's cold!' Percy put his arm around her shoulders. 'We'll have to walk close to each other,' he said, matter-of-factly. Annabeth smiled at him. 'Yeah, you're right,' She answered, while cuddling closer to him.
'I think we should go to the toy store next - I need something for Estelle,' Percy softly said. Annabeth slowly nodded. 'We're close to Times Square,' She answered, as if that wasn't clear from the large amounts of people everywhere. 'We can go to the large toy shop there. I need something for my brothers,' she mused. Percy snuggled even closer to her.
'We'll do that,' he said.
No matter how old he got, Percy would always feel excitement rise in his chest whenever he entered the huge toy store on Times Square. Yet, how could he not? It was five floors of a child's dream!
Yet, Annabeth was even more excited, if possible. She tugged Percy along, to the escalator. 'Come! I need Legos!' Percy grinned. Of course Annabeth immediately wanted to run towards the legos.
'Yeah, but we'll need to go to the baby toys, too,' he quickly remarked. Annabeth nodded impatiencently. 'Yeah, yeah, we'll get there!' She said, while she basically ran up the escalator.
Percy had to admit: the Lego section of the toy store was amazing. 'Hey! Look at that!' he yelled, while pointing at a giant Star Wars space ship that was on display near the side of the Lego section. Annabeth looked at it. 'Yeah, that is pretty well-built,' she commented. 'Yet, I accidently got a huge Lego star wars set a little while ago.' She took a deep breath while thinking of a past adventure with Magnus. Percy patted her on the hand. 'Yeah. Guess we will have to buy Ninja Lego,' he answered.
With a nice Ninja lego set they walked towards the baby toys. 'I want an octopus plush,' Percy announced. Annabeth looked around for one second before she saw a blue octopus, with glittering highlights on the tentacles. 'How about that?'
'Perfect.' Percy picked up the plush. 'Alright, that was quick. Guess we have time to look at the Playmobil.'
Annabeth nodded. 'What else could we do?'
Way too much time later, they walked out of the toy shop. 'The sky is getting gray,' Annabeth noticed. 'Maybe we should go to the supermarket and go back to your moms' place after that. I'd rather not get stuck in a snow storm in the middle of New York.' Percy gave a single nod.
'Yes, good idea. But I insist on finding the Supermarkt with the most tacky Christmas decorations,' Percy answered. Annabeth grabbed his hand with hers, although she was already carrying a bag in that hand.
They found it. A large supermarket with a million wreaths, Candy canes hanging from the ceiling, and a giant Christmas tree in the middle of the shop (How did they fit that in? Don't know, but it was awesome). Percy joyfully pulled out a cart. 'Let's go. We need about ten different vegetables, rabbit, olive oil, potatoes and a whole lot more things that I forgot about.' Annabeth pulled the crumpled list out of her pocket.
'Here, I have the list,' she said. 'You are completely right - we need about a hundred more ingredients on top of everything you just mentioned. Let's start with the milk, shall we?'
Fifty-something minutes later, they walked out of the store, with bags full of food and other supplies for the Christmas dinner. 'How many people is your mom cooking for!?' Annabeth huffed. Percy thought for a second.
'It depends, really. Like, for at least ten people who are guests, and then she cooks for a whole bunch of people who are short on money or are homeless.'
'...Does she do that every year?'
'Since we got enough money ourselves. Last year, she offered it to the nearby homeless shelter. I do not know if she goes to the same place this year.'
'Wow. You never told me that. What a... great thing to do.' Percy leaned closer to kiss Annabeth on her cheek. He could not hold her hand because of all the bags they were carrying. 'Yeah, it really is.' A smile grew on Annabeth's' face. It was the best thing she had heard all day. Not just 'great.'
They arrived back at Percy's home, helped Sally with unpacking all of the ingredients, put their presents away and retired to the living room with a hot cup of cocoa. Percy sighed deeply when he dropped onto the couch. Without Annabeth noticing, he shoved something under the pillows. 'Well, that was a nice shopping round, right?'
'Yeah, except that I will have to order a lot of things online again,' Annabeth answered, before taking a sip of her hot cocoa. She took a deep breath. 'Yet, the aesthetic makes it all a lot better.' Percy leaned against the pillow. 'Hm-hm.'
He took a long, five second sip, before slamming his cup down. 'You know what? I am not going to be able to keep this a secret until Christmas.' He pulled the thing he pushed under the pillows out from under them. 'Here. I bought this for you today.' Annabeth blushed and smiled a little. She got a small present from under her sweater. 'I got you a little thing, too.' They exchanged presents.
Annabeth peeled of the wrapping paper. 'Oh, wow...' There was a box in the package, in the form of the Parthenon. It was filled with some of her favourite chocolates. 'Thank you so much, Percy.' Percy grinned while looking at his small whale plush.
'No, thanks to you, Annabeth,' He told her. Annabeth put down the box with chocolates and moved nearer to Percy. She wrapped her arms around him. He did the same thing, so that they fell backwards onto the couch. Annabeth felt at peace. It had truly been a peaceful day. No monster attacks, no-one needing their help. Just this once, as if the universe was in the Christmas spirit as well.