Day 2 – December 26th
Percy
I stretched and looked over at the clock. I hated that my internal alarm still went off, even though I was on break for another two weeks. I rolled back the other way and wrapped an arm around Annabeth and my eyes popped all the way open.
"Aren't you supposed to be getting ready for work?" I almost yelled the question at her but managed to keep myself a little calmer than I was feeling.
"Ugh, Percy . . . sleep," she croaked, rolling over and burying her face in my chest.
"Work?"
"Nu-uh."
"Bills don't pay themselves babe," I deadpanned and then shirked away from her as a fist met my gut.
"I took the day off. Thalia has a post-natal appointment and doesn't want Jasper in the doctor's office catching god knows what. And later this afternoon I am going dress shopping with Silena to help her find the perfect wedding dress, so if you are keeping up with this whole twelve days nonsense, you will have to catch me this morning or later tonight."
"Hey, Santa said no complaining!"
"Mmm hmm, whatever you say Perce," she yawned into my chest, "and I wasn't complaining, just making an observation."
I dropped my lips to the top of her head and kissed her crown as she snuggled back in and quickly fell back asleep. My brain was spinning, trying to figure out what she wasn't telling me and just what exactly happened with Helen that had her so exhausted. She never crashed like this unless she was getting sick and it was rare that she ever got sick. Jasper being here meant she would be pretty much be lost to me for a couple of hours, not that it would matter. I really couldn't give her the gift with him here anyway. I wanted her to appreciate what I was doing for her so during dinner tonight would have to do.
At some point I fell asleep with her in my arms and was rudely woken up by my cousin standing over me, glaring down at us, her electric blue eyes almost giving off sparks.
"What the hell, Thalia?" I blurted out, practically throwing Annabeth off me.
"What? What's wrong?" she asked, blindly searching for me.
"You were supposed to take my kid at nine-thirty! It's nine-forty-five! I don't even want to know what the hell was going on in here to knock you back out but come on, I am going to be late," Thalia screamed at us, waking her son and thus setting her off into a sickening stream of coos in baby talk.
"You are going to ruin his fragile little brain talking to him like that," Annabeth replied, standing quickly, and then sitting back down on the edge of the bed.
Thalia and I both glanced over at her, worry plastered on our faces.
"Don't look at me like that! I am fine; no fever or anything, just exhausted. That trip back home just really drained me."
Thalia gave her a bit of side eye but replied, "If you say so."
"I say so; now, leave Percy with everything and go or you are going to be really late. We can handle this for a couple of hours," Annabeth whined, moving slowly toward the bathroom and as Thalia and I looked up at her, she in turn glared back at us, biting back with a, "now go!"
Thalia threw her arms up quick then leaned over to give Jasper a kiss before marching out of the bedroom.
"Who was the genius that gave her a key?" I groaned, pulling Jasper from his seat as Annabeth closed her eyes and leaned against the door frame. I watched her out of the corner of my eye and a small smile spread across her face before she disappeared across the threshold.
"Me, be thankful all she did was bust in, she could have set the place on fire," she called to me from the bathroom.
"Don't remind me of that! Jasper, your mother is insane, please come to me whenever you need to little man." The baby cooed up at me, not understanding a word and suddenly I understood the appeal. I knew instantly why Annabeth was so enamored with him and the urge to start a family with her was overwhelming.
At some point while talking to Jasper, Annabeth snuck back into the room and eventually made her way to my side.
"He's perfect, isn't he?"
"For now," I whispered, "he is part Thalia and part Luke, so that there is a massive downfall."
She punched me in the arm and leaned over to kiss the baby in my arms. "You're still perfect, aren't you Little One."
"One day, ours will be perfect. Little Cousin here won't even stand a chance against our babies." I sighed, content, as she rested her head on my shoulder. With a free hand, I pushed her hair off her face and gave her a gentle kiss only to have her break out into sobs.
"Are you ever going to tell me what the hell Helen said to you on your trip?"
She shook her head and quickly pulled away from me, quickly leaving the room.
"It's going to be a long day Little Cousin," I released in a sad breath, slowly making my way in the direction Annabeth disappeared.
Annabeth
After my quick meltdown with Percy – I had to remove myself from the situation – only to have him follow me into the living room. I was able to get myself back into check emotionally and managed to avoid the topic of my step-mother thanks to Jasper's sudden need to be fed.
I wasn't ready to discuss every dirty detail with him and right now, I wasn't so sure that she was wrong about everything. I know Percy loves me more than anything, but the man is moving at a snail's pace and I'm not sure how much longer I can wait on him. I would have to make decisions soon but the least I could do was give him his twelve days before making any rash decisions.
The mood stayed light as we took turns feeding and changing the baby while watching one of my favorite Christmas movies and I could feel myself beginning to drift once again.
"When do you head out with Silena?" Percy's voice was soft in my ear as he pushed a strand of hair out of my face.
"Umm . . . I think she said she would be here at one-thirty. I need to check my texts again to make sure that's what she said."
"You going to catch lunch with her or do you want me to heat up something?"
I closed my eyes and caved to his touch, his fingers leaving small circles on the back of my neck as he watched Jasper.
"Mmmm," I moaned, closing my eyes, trying to remember what Silena and I discussed. Along with being exhausted, my memory seemed to be fading quickly as well. "Get my phone for me and I will let you know," I whined involuntarily.
"On it," he replied, leaving a kiss on my temple. He returned moments later with the device, dropping it in my lap and taking the baby from me as he began to fuss.
I opened the home screen to find a text from Thalia:
'Don't each lunch. Coming to get you and the babe and we will meet Silena at Olive Garden at 1.30. Don't let Percy feed you! Love ya and see ya in a bit!'
"I guess I am eating with Thals and Silena at one-thirty. I was warned to have you not feed me."
"And they think this is wise?" he questioned back with a laugh.
"I just want a piece of toast or two. I am not going to make it that long without at least a little something."
"On it," he called from somewhere behind me. "At least I can enjoy another two hours of cuddle time with the two of you before I am left to a day of boredom."
"Oh please, like you aren't dying to hook up the Xbox One," I deadpanned, and he laughed loudly, setting off the fussy baby. "Bring him here, I got this one," I replied, throwing my arms in the air and waiting for the crying bundle.
"Annabeth, you are really worrying me. Normally, we come to Olive Garden and you pig out. You have barely touched your food," Silena worried, causing me to shirk back in my chair.
"I am exhausted and just not hungry," I whined in return, "Helen stressed me out. Yelled at me, swore up and down they weren't coming for New Year's –"
"– so basically, you're depressed," Thalia piped up, shoving in a string of pasta.
"If that is what you want to call it," I replied, playing with the noodles on my plate.
"Please, just eat for me Annabeth," Silena pleaded with me, "God, I sound like a worried mother pleading with a toddler!"
I cracked a small smile and took a bite out of my alfredo. "There, happy?"
"I would be happier if you ate it all, but a bite is better than nothing," she retorted, a smile on her face.
"What has you so destroyed anyway? I have never seen you come back this messed up from Cali."
"I don't want to talk about it Thals."
"Fine, whatever. Just don't be a mopey crybaby while we are helping Silena find a dress, okay?"
I glared at my friend as I felt my heart break. Our next stop wasn't going to be easy on me and while Thalia was right, I knew I was going to have to keep my emotions in check because today was about Silena. This was her time to shine.
"What do you think of this one?" Silena asked, twirling in the poufy, princess style dress.
"I don't know, that looks more like something Annabeth would wear, not you."
I was lost in my own little world, not really paying attention to the pair as I dug through a rack full of dusty blush colored dresses. At the sound of my name, I spun around and my jaw hit the ground. The dress was beyond stunning and absolutely me. Silena's tiny frame however could not fill out the dress properly and I suddenly found myself envious.
The strapless, heart shaped bodice clung to her torso beautifully, every last jewel and rhinestone, shining with every movement, but she was too short which in turn caused the mountain of tulle to fall below her hips instead of at her waist. It was also far too long for her stature and formed a puddle silvery fabric at her feet.
"Annabeth, go look at that rack over there," Silena said with a smile on her face, "there is another one that I am almost positive is in your size."
"Silena, why would I do that? We are here for you, not me –"
"– oh, who cares? There are thousands of beautiful dresses here and you should get a chance to try some on while we are here. Who says you can't dream?" Silena dropped her hands to her hips and gave me her best impression of my mother.
"Fine," I shot back, shoving the dresses down the rack and making my way to the rack Silena pointed at. It wasn't fair and I shouldn't be upset that Silena was getting everything she wanted in life but I couldn't help but let that little pang of jealousy take over.
Immediately I found the dress and, as usual, Silena was right and there was one sitting there in my size. Yanking the dress off the rack, I strode off toward the changing rooms, ignoring the two sets of eyes that were boring into my backside.
I quickly slipped on the dress and for a moment my mood shifted. The jewel encrusted top sparkled in the mirror and I smiled at my reflection. I could absolutely see myself in this dress on my wedding day.
Forcing myself out of the stall, I made my way back to my friends. "Thalia! Where are you? I need your help," I called, working my way back into the main part of the store to which I found the pair cooing over Jasper and Silena already in a new dress.
"Oh my God, Annabeth, you are absolutely stunning," Silena gasped at me as she quickly made her way in my direction.
"Help me! I can't get this damn zipper up all of the way," I complained, trying to move the zipper on my own still.
"Stop it! Here, I've got it," Thalia cried, moving toward me and twirling a finger forcing me to turn around. "There, now get up there," she retorted, shoving me in the back toward the stage Silena was previously on.
"Okay, look at me," Silena called to me, snapping a photo the moment I turned around.
"Thals, you were absolutely right! That dress is absolutely perfect on her," she gushed, snapping several more pictures in the process. "Look how that skirt sparkles, and the bodice . . . you really need to reserve this one Annabeth."
That one comment was enough to kill my mood.
"Spin for me. I want to see the back."
I did as she asked of me and tried to keep the panic and tears at bay. What was the point in reserving the dress when Percy still hadn't popped the question? He had to know that I was going to say yes. That I would never turn him down. I was just waiting for him to make the first move. My heart hurt as I tried to hide my emotions.
Percy
I picked up the phone as it buzzed next to me to see a message from Silena.
'Oh my God, Perce . . . I wish you were here to see this on her in person! Only ten more days and then you can but I have it on hold and put your name on it. It needs absolutely no alterations and is ready for pick up, whenever you want to stop by and get it.'
Below the text was several images of Annabeth in the most amazing silvery-white dress I had ever seen. Jewels sparkled all over the top and down into the skirt that hit the floor.
The images took my breath away, but the woman had that effect on me daily.
'Thank you Silena. I wholeheartedly appreciate your help. Now bring her home to me so I can get some food in her and give her today's gift!'
'On it! I will have her back to you in about an hour.'
I sent back a thumbs up and tried to go back to my game but I found myself constantly going back to the images of her in the dress.
Little did she know, that in ten days she would be marrying me (so long as she didn't run away when she realized what was going on) and our lives would change for the better.
I heard a car pull up in the parking lot below my balcony and I jumped up to see if it was the girls. I ran to the door and held it open, waiting for her to come up the stairs. She didn't waste any time, the moment she hit the landing she was in my arms.
"Babe, what on earth is wrong with you?" I asked cautiously, closing the door behind her, only to have her pull me in tighter.
"I just . . . I just want what Silena and Beckendorf have!"
"What on earth are you talking about?" I questioned, leading her into the apartment all of the way.
"I want the whole experience Percy," she cried in my ear.
"I am so lost. What experience?"
"How can you be so dense? How can you not see everything in front of your Percy?"
She pulled away from me and paced the living room for several moments, only to stop and glare at me and then turn toward the kitchen. She suddenly burst into tears again and ran from the room toward the room we shared. A door slammed and I cringed in reflex.
"Crap!"
How in the hell was I supposed to give her the next gift when she was locked away in the bedroom crying? This gift was also the most essential gift of them all. It set up everything for day twelve and I needed her out of this funk.
'There goes dinner and any plans for the rest of this week,' I thought sadly as I heard the bathroom door slam.
Slowly, I made my way toward her and my heart broke as I heard her sobbing in the bathroom. I knocked lightly and she hiccupped loudly on the other side. "Annabeth? Babe, can I please come in?"
More sobs answered me, followed by what sounded like her retching and I tried to push my way in, only to find the door was locked. Knocking harder, I yelled, "Annabeth, answer me, dammit!"
Several minutes passed and finally the lock popped and I was greeted by a mess of blonde curls, bloodshot eyes and a puffy face. I pulled her to me and she stiffened in my arms.
"I need you to talk to me. I need you to tell me what on earth is wrong with you!"
At that moment, she collapsed in my arms and I scooped her up and moved her to the bed. I tried to prop her up against the pillows but she remained limp in my arms, head on my shoulder as she tried to catch her breath between sobs.
"Baby, please, please talk to me. I can't help you if you won't talk to me."
"I can't do this Percy?"
"Can't do what?" I immediately questioned.
"Percy, it is my first . . . first Christmas . . ." she faded out and started crying harder on my shoulder.
Suddenly it dawned on me what was wrong and I hugged her tightly. "God baby, I am so, so sorry. I didn't even think! It's your first Christmas without your mother. How could I be such an idiot?"
Harder sobs racked her body and I tried to soothe her with gently hushing sounds and by rubbing her back but the grief she had completely overtook her.
"Percy," she hiccupped in my ear, "Percy, she is missing everything."
"I know baby," I whispered, leaving soft kisses near her ear and stroking her hair.
"She is going to miss out on us getting married one day and our children . . ." she wailed, trailing off as she suddenly pulled away from and ran back toward the bathroom.
I followed after her, holding back her curls as she tried desperately to calm herself to keep from throwing up once again.
"Bed," I whispered to her, as she finally fell back on her butt and into me. "I am going to go get you some dinner."
She nodded, slowly standing with my help and moved to the bed. I felt some of the tension leave her body as I placed a hand on her lower back and she almost caved to my touch.
"Are you hungry?" I asked timidly, praying I could use the moment to my advantage.
"Yeah, but nothing really heavy. I still feel like crap."
"Got it," I replied, leaving a kiss on her forehead and then heading back to the kitchen. I returned several minutes later with a bowl of chicken noodle soup, toast and a forest green envelope on the bed tray we very rarely used.
"Hey babe, sit up, I brought you some soup and toast and your next gift," I said with a small smile, hoping I could keep her calm.
"Another envelope," she whimpered, her eyes swirling with more tears.
"And one you will, love," I replied, moving around the bed so that I could snuggle in next to her.
She blinked quickly before picking up the spoon and taking a sip of the soup before a hand carefully moved to the envelope.
I kissed her temple and suddenly she exploded with movement, ripping the green paper across the crease and then splitting it wide open. "What on earth?" she asked as she flipped the envelope upside down and two tickets fell into on to the small table.
She scooped them up and read over the top one slowly, her eyes widening as she got to the bottom of the ticket. "The Cinderella Ball . . . really Percy?"
"Yup," I replied, popping the P and putting an arm around her, pulling her closer to me.
"I have never been to the Cinderella Ball and I have always wanted to go. How the hell did you score these?"
"I stalked the website and bought them the instant they went on sale. I didn't want you to miss out again."
She turned to face me, tears falling down her cheeks, "Thank you Percy," she whispered as she left a light kiss on my lips. I just hoped she remained that happy when she realized, what exactly was going on.
Hello again faithful readers!
I own absolutely nothing you recognize in this story. I do hope you are enjoying the story so far. Don't be afraid to leave a comment or two and thank you for all the faves!
Once again a massive shout out to 3 for betaing because lord knows I need the extra help! Love ya babe!
Now, as some of you may have noticed, there are some issues with the site and if I miss a day, I will double up but as of now I have found a way around it, thank you 3 for that little tip as well!
Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday break and I will be back with your next installment tomorrow!