Day 1 – December 25th

Percy
I woke to what could only be described as a feeling of utter terror; terror that someone was in your home, just watching you. It was so unsettling that I jolted awake, falling off the sofa and practically landed in my girlfriend's lap.

"What the hell, Annabeth? Are you going for the creepiest girlfriend award or what?"

"I was just running a little experiment . . . you drool in your sleep by the way."

"I know," I replied, a sheepish grin spreading across my face as I sat up and pulled her to me, "you informed me of that when we were twelve years old."

"Your first year at camp," she smiled back, leaving a small kiss on my cheek. "Merry Christmas, Seaweed Brain."

"Merry Christmas, Wise Girl."

Before I could even pull her to me completely, she was up and making her way toward the tree. I couldn't help but watch as she moved with ease, her blonde ringlets bouncing as she pulled down our stockings and brought them back to us.

"Remember, there is more at your mom's, so don't judge the little bit in the stocking," she exclaimed, dropping the heavy sock in my lap before dropping down at my side.

"You act like I am a greedy ten-year-old waiting for my presents from Santa or something."

She glared at me, the lines between her eyes showing up as she tried to keep herself from either smacking me or saying something she didn't really mean.

"Yeah, well remember last year, I believe there was a Dudley sized fit over the fact that there weren't enough gifts," she deadpanned, emptying the contents of her stocking in her lap.

I nudged her with an elbow as she picked up a small package. "Your mother would probably disagree with you on that one, but I digress." She fell silent for a moment as she rolled the package over in her hands several times before looking up at me with sad eyes.

"I was having a Harry Potter moment, I figured all of you would appreciate the joke," I retorted, trying to keep the atmosphere light. I could tell that last night was still weighing on her and the last thing I wanted was her to be in tears again.

"If you remember, I did laugh. Everyone else seemed to lose their minds and go off on you," she replied, a small smile playing at her lips while she started playing with the terribly taped ends of her package.

"That you did," I replied quietly.

Finally, she broke the present free of its wrappings, a brand new bottle of her favorite perfume landing in her lap and she leaned over to hug me.

"Thank you for paying attention."

"You're welcome." I left a kiss on her cheek and she quickly went back to digging through her goodies and setting her bags of Reese's trees and Kit Kats aside, and after a beat, I did the same.

There was nothing but the sound of paper ripping and candy being opened when I got a little overly excited. "YES," I screamed out, causing her to jump back, falling over to the carpet in a fit of giggles.

"I knew those two games would make you happy," she exclaimed through the laughter.

"Damn straight," I replied as I threw myself on top of her, pinning her down and leaning in for a kiss which she gladly accepted.

We were lost in each other, something that I honestly felt hadn't happened in a while and I was a bit taken aback when she pulled away from me.

"What's wrong?"

"Look at the time!"

I glanced down at my watch and then back at her. "Oh shit! We have to go! Up and at 'em Wise Girl!" Jumping to my feet, I quickly pulled her to standing and then took off down the hall toward the bathroom, not noticing that I had left her behind in a frazzled tizzy.

I was in the bathroom when I realized that she wasn't behind me and I immediately back tracked to find her leaned against the wall as she rubbed her right temple.

"You okay, babe?"

She nodded slowly, "Yeah. Sudden headache and nausea. I need more sleep and food."

I took this as my cue and scooped her up, taking her straight to the shower and for once she didn't complain as this gesture usually resulted in her screaming at me to put her down. "Quick hot shower will do you some good. I will find the Tylenol and have it ready for you when you get out. The sooner we get to Mom's, the sooner we get to eat!"

We arrived at my mother's only forty minutes later than planned and as soon as my mom got a look at Annabeth, she didn't even complain. She glared at me (like I had something to do with Annabeth's terrible mood) and simply pulled her into a hug and rushed her to the kitchen for a quick pick me up of blue sugar cookies and hot apple cider and I was never more thankful.

The headache reached a peak while she was in the shower, causing her to throw up all over me as she attempted to make a beeline for the toilet and instead slammed into me. This sent her into another crying fit, but thankfully she calmed much easier than last night. The hot water and massage brought her back to reality as the Tylenol did its job.

To save us some time, I also called in reinforcements and got Luke and Thalia to pick up her car from the airport. I figured the last thing she needed was another reminder of her terrible trip to San Francisco and was grateful that Thalia owed me so many favors.

While Mom tended to Annabeth, I unloaded the car, wondering how on earth we ended up with enough presents to easily fill the entire floor not only under the tree but several feet out.

"Good god man! Who the hell is all of that for?"

"I haven't a damn clue, but help me with some of this stuff, don't just stand there looking pretty!"

Luke laughed and happily obliged, pulling several bags and some small boxes from my hands. "Your girl-friend is insane! All of these are for Jasper," he yelled, inspecting the name tags as he followed me toward the house. "He's only eight days old, what the hell does he need with all of this?"

I laughed at my friend and responded, "You're just jealous that he's the cute one and is getting all the presents now!"

Luke glared at me, but I ignored him as we placed everything down in the living room. I admired the room my mother decorated for us and my heart swelled as I took in the room full of gifts. How I would have killed for this growing up, as usually Christmas consisted of just the two of us as Dad was out god knows where doing god knows what. I didn't grow up with half of what I had now but that made me who I am and gave me everything I have today.

I forced back tears as I thought about the start of my twelve gifts for Annabeth and giggling in the kitchen caught my attention and Luke and I quickly gravitated toward the noise.

As I walked into the kitchen, I instantly noticed that Annabeth looked one-hundred times better than she did when we arrived almost twenty minutes ago. The color was back in her cheeks and her eyes sparkled as she nibbled on one of my mom's blue sugar cookies.

I tried to make my way through the throng of people that had quickly congregated around the island, only to find myself stopped by my mother.

"She is beyond stressed Perce. Keep a close eye on her please," she whispered, grabbing my upper arm and painfully dragging me away from the group.

"Owe! Merry Christmas to you too!"

My mother turned her amber orbs on me and immediately I shirked back. That look could still frighten me, and I knew she meant business.

"Percy, your plan can easily be thrown off today, and lord knows, we don't want to see that happen!"

"Please don't tell me that," I whined.

"Helen really did a number on her this last week, I just pray your plan works." The concern in her eyes was worrisome as I watched her watch Annabeth behind me.

"Gee, thanks Mom. You are really instilling a lot of confidence in me here. You almost make it sound like she is going to break up with me!"

"Just go over there and give her an amazing Christmas Percy. Make her forget about everything Helen told her, because lord have mercy that woman really messed with her mind."

"How the heck do you know what is going?" I questioned quietly, glancing back at Annabeth as she laughed lightly with Nico, Will, and Luke. I could tell she was still upset but in lieu of the holiday, she was plastering on her best fake smile. "She told me when she was ready to talk she would tell me everything and yet here you are with apparently more information than I know!"

My mother glared at me, the creases in her forehead appearing and I knew the look well. It was one I would get every time I did something stupid and caused her worry.

"Just give her time and make her happy, now shoo! I have a lunch to finish."

Turning back around, I came across the most beautiful sight; Annabeth, now cradling Thalia's newborn son, Jasper. 'In time Percy, in time!'

"Want me to take him?"

Gray eyes looked up at me sleepily and a smile graced her face. "No, but you can stay right here and rock us both to sleep."

"But you still have a few more presents to open," I whined, sitting down behind her, leaning against the sofa and then pulling her into my lap, completing her request.

"I can open them in a bit. We still have several hours of Christmas left and Thalia will be taking this cutie home in a little while and I am enjoying my time with him."

I put my cheek against hers and we smiled at the same time. The onyx haired bundle sighed and snuggled into her chest even more and I felt her sigh in content.

"Thinking ahead?" I whispered in her ear, leaving a small kiss behind.

She turned her head to look up at me with sad, stormy eyes and yet a small smile. 'What aren't you telling me? Let me make this better!'

"Maybe," she whispered back, kissing the tiny forehead that bobbled back and forth.

"We'll get there, babe. I promise," I replied quietly.

"Annabeth, if he gets too fussy, you can give him back."

"I take it you miss your kid?" she giggled, adjusting Jasper in her arms, instantly calming him.

"A little," Thalia admitted as she snuggled into the giant robe Annabeth insisted she needed.

"Fine, take him," Annabeth whined.

"You're fine. I just need you to open this real fast," my cousin shot back, tossing a Christmas card sized envelope in our direction.

It landed next to me and I scooped it up, my heart racing as I handed it over to Annabeth.

"What's this?" She asked quietly, resituating the baby one more time so that she could open the envelope. Slowly, she pulled out the snow-white envelope, craft herpes falling into her lap, and a groan escaping her as she moved even more carefully than before.

Annabeth,
You are about to embark on a journey. A journey that will last twelve wonderful days and starts today! Each day you will be given a gift. Each gift is different in its own right, and each gift has a special meaning.

"Percy, no! You can't –"

"– yes, I can. Now finish reading," I protested, snapping my fingers and making her focus back on the letter in her hands.

She groaned at me but continued.

Your only job is to enjoy each gift and the meaning behind them. You may not complain about the next twelve days at any time either! Be a good girl and play along for the sake of your boyfriend's sanity. Please enjoy your first gift.

Love,
Santa

She looked up at me, tears swirling in her steel orbs and I pulled out a small box from my pocket, slowly holding it out for her to take.

"Percy, it's too much. I can already tell it's too much. I know I didn't spend that much on you!"

I placed a finger on her lips and shushed her. "That is not the point of this Beth. The point is for you to know just how loved you are. Besides, Santa said no complaining, so open the box!"

"Santa's not real you know," she argued with me.

"For the next twelve days he is, now open!"

She took the box and slowly started the unwrapping process. The whole room was watching with bated breath, but I didn't notice anyone but Annabeth. I moved so that I could watch her face as she opened the box and was not prepared for her to almost drop the baby as one hand came to her mouth and the other pulled the necklace from the box.

I caught Jasper before he flipped over Annabeth's arms and tried to calm him as she began to cry uncontrollably. I saw Thalia move at almost lightning speed, but I glared at her as I assured her that her son was fine.

"Annabeth, what's wrong? Jasper . . . shhhhhh," I cooed to the baby, praying I could calm him down the way Annabeth could and I wasn't having much luck.

"You . . . you . . ." she sobbed, a hand still over her mouth as she stared at the gift.

"Shhhh, little cousin, I've got you. You're fine," I continued to coo as I watched Annabeth out of the corner of my eye.

Suddenly there was a sharp pain in my right shoulder as Annabeth slugged me with what felt like all her might.

"You asshole! You let me . . ." she hiccupped, "you let me think it was lost," she wailed.

"In my defense, it was lost, babe! I just happened to find it two weeks after you said you lost it. The chain was broken, and the pearl was all scuffed up, so I took it to the jeweler and figured I would surprise you."

"It's beautiful," she sniffled, holding her hand out and leaning toward me so that I could put the necklace back on her.

I quickly took the necklace in one hand (glancing at the gray pearl I found during our first beach trip and my heart swelled at the memory that reminded me just why I loved this woman) and handed her Jasper once again.

I quickly placed the necklace around her neck, locking the mechanism in place and turned to look at her once more. The gray pearl sat perfectly on her chest, just below the collarbone. The delicate sphere which was once on its own was now wrapped around the top with a diamond encrusted circle that came to a point at the top, forming an almost teardrop like shape. I made sure the silver box chain remained dainty and yet strong, just like Annabeth.

Smiling up at her, I replied, "It's beautiful on you."

She wasted no time, pulling me to her by the collar of my shirt. "Thank you, Jackass," she whispered, "and I love you," she finished before pulling me in the rest of the way for a kiss I graciously accepted.

Author's Note

Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

I'm back..for a solid 13 days anyway!

I want to thank 3 for the idea and for being my beta. So bare with me as I post randomly throughout the next 11 days. I was going to attempt to post at the same time every day but that just isn't going to happen. Thanks for the follows, faves and comments left already! Hope you enjoyed Day 1!