Day 10 – January 3rd

Percy
"Hey Mark, it's Percy. I just wanted to make sure that we are still good for all plans and that Annabeth will be home by two."

"Hello, Percy. Yes, she has no clue but I will have Piper tell her to get the heck out of here whether she wants to go or not. I assume everything is still on for Friday night, despite the possible snow storm?"

"Come hell or high water. I am not letting a little bit of snow stop me!"

"Good man!"

"Plus, we found some amazing outdoor heaters, I just hope I have enough for the group we have gathered." I frowned thinking about our guest list and the thought of not having enough heaters to keep everyone warm.

"Well, if you don't let me know by tomorrow afternoon. I have several I can have shipped out to the location."

"I just might take you up on that. You know what, go ahead and send them. Just make sure they are marked so I don't accidentally send them back to the rental company!"

"Not a problem. Eight outdoor heaters coming your way!"

"Thank you, Mark. I truly appreciate it."

"Not a problem. I will see you Friday evening Percy."

I hung up with Mark and let out a sigh of relief that I didn't realize I was holding in. I was going to be sitting here bored for the next two hours as I had already packed our clothes, and everything we needed for Friday night was already at the beach house or the hotel.

I could clean up the mess from the night before but I was still relishing in the memories. Annabeth had managed to make it through four full episodes of Santa Clarita before I noticed she had calmed completely. I remembered looking down to see her curls covering her face and Mrs. O'Leary had her head on Annabeth's belly, snoring slightly as Annabeth rubbed an ear between her fingers involuntarily.

I was looking forward to more nights like that with her, Lord knows we have already had hundreds of them but this was different somehow. Things were going to change. Not in a bad way, but the dynamic would be different and that was okay by me.

"Percy? Percy where are you? You left Mrs. O'Leary out in the snow!"

I rubbed my eyes and sat up, trying to sneak a peek at my watch only to find that it was two-twenty and Annabeth was home and sounded pissed.

"In here, babe," I mumbled, being forced fully awake and to standing by Mrs. O'Leary, who was shaking her snow off on me and the sofa. "I am so sorry girl. Daddy fell asleep and I never heard you cry." I scooped up the poor shivering pup, scratching behind her ears and turn to see Annabeth, giving me an odd look.

"You are a terrible pet parent!"

"I know. You aren't going to let me live this one down. Now do me a favor while I get a towel and dry her off completely. Go change. Super comfy, we have a little bit of a drive."

"Oh, the sexy, non-sexy PJ's count?"

"Oh how I would kill to see you in the fuzzy pink foxes and grey and pink plaid, I don't know that you would want to be seen in the stores in that, so just warm and comfy Babe."

"I am going to assume that this is part of my present and that I shouldn't complain and just do as I am told?"

"That is exactly it. I will meet you in the Explorer in just a few."

She rolled her eyes at me and then quickly disappeared up the stairs, leaving me to tend to Mrs. O'Leary. I put the dog down and grabbed a towel out of the laundry room, drying her the rest of the way. I picked up my jacket, keys and wallet from the small table by the back door and called the pup to me. We made our way out to the garage and I prayed that nothing would go wrong these next two days.

Annabeth
I pulled my head from the window and looked over at Percy. "We're going to the cabin, aren't we?"

He had that gleam in his eye. The one that said 'I am trying to be sneaky and do something nice for you, so just play along.' "You know I have to work tomorrow, right?"

"Well, you are off for the next two weeks," he replied happily, smiling like a loon at me!

"Do you care to explain how?" I tried to keep my voice calm as I appreciated the gesture but I knew that I was going to need the time off that I had built up later.

"So, I talked to Mark about the house and a few other things," he threw a wink at me like this would impress me, "and he agreed, that instead of the cash bonus you would have got, to give you two weeks paid vacation. The plus side is, it's eighty hours at your new pay grade and twenty in overtime at the new paygrade as well!"

"How the hell did you managed that?"

"I have my ways. I have the next two weeks off as well. Figured we could use it to get the house in order and hopefully get you back to one hundred percent. I'm actually hoping our trip to the cabin will help relax you a little more."

My heart fluttered in my chest.

'Dear god, how did I get so lucky?'

His hand found my and he slowly brought it to his lips. I closed my eyes and allowed to the sound of the road and Percy's music to lull me to sleep.

I walked into the cabin expecting gag. Usually the place was musty and smelled of seaweed and mold, but today I was hit with the smell of apple and cinnamon and my stomach growled.

"You've been here already?" I asked, giving him the side eye as Mrs. O'Leary bounded into the cabin and went straight to the wood burning stove.

"Of course. I needed it nice and ready for our weekend here! Plus, you and some smells haven't been getting along too well and the last thing I wanted was for you to be throwing up while we were here. Are you finally getting over whatever that bug was?"

My mind had wandered, and I came to when Percy snapped his fingers in my face. "Annabeth, focus!"

"Huh? Sorry! Yeah, I think I am getting better. Haven't felt sick in a few days."

"Good. Now go relax. Pick a movie and you and Mrs. O'Leary chill out while I tend to dinner."

I made my way to the sofa and plopped down, grabbing the TV remote and then hollered out, "Anything but the eggplant parm again! Last thing we need is for the cabin to be on fire!"

"Hey, I didn't burn down the apartment!"

"No, just the oven and you made the stove top explode. I am not even going to attempt to figure that one out," I laughed as I flipped through channels.

"Just watch a movie and let me cook!"

"Okay, okay," I whined in return and put my attention back to the television.

Slowly, my eyes wandered and as I took in the cabin. It wasn't large by any means but the open floor plan made it feel that way. The instant you walked in the door you found yourself in a small makeshift foyer that Sally had created with a large bookcase. Behind the bookcase was her 'office'. She often used the space to write her book while Percy and I were still in high school. Honestly, I always thought of it as her secret getaway with Paul but Percy always turned a blind eye to that comment.

Behind the secret office, it opened up into the living room that was home to a full size sofa and two love seats. Sally lovingly tossed several larger pillows around the floor for friends to use when we ran out of seating. The kitchen and dining area were to our right and the only rooms closed off to us were the bedroom and bathroom.

Long before Percy had ever brought me here, he told me that the place was just completely open and slightly smaller. His mother had it renovated after she came into some money when her book hit number one on the best seller list. I wish I could have seen it then. When it was just an old, dilapidated building that was a safe haven for my husband to be.

I turned my head to see him standing over a pot of boiling water, a confused look on his face and resisted the urge to help him.

'Let him have this Annabeth. You don't have to control everything.'

I allowed my eyes to drift; this getting tired so easy nonsense was driving me insane. All I wanted to do was sleep when usually we were both go, go, go.

"Hey, Sleepy Head, dinner is ready." Soft lips pressed against my forehead and I sighed happily.

"In here or at the table?" I asked, stretching and reaching out for him, only to have him move away quickly.

"I'll be right back," he called toward my empty, reaching hands. Moments later he was back with a large pasta bowl that he placed into my waiting hands.

"Spaghetti," I whispered, taking in the aroma of the sauce and garlic bread. For once my stomach didn't lurch at the smell and I resisted the urge to dig in immediately. Percy sat down next me, pressing a few buttons on the remote and then gave me his famous crooked smile.

That smile could get that man out of any kind of trouble, and not just with me. It was a little frightening.

"So, I went for all out sappy tonight."

I looked up at him, confused as to what he was talking about and noticed he was nodding toward the television. Lady and the Tramp was playing and I felt a tear push out of my eye. "Oh, Percy, this is the sweetest thing you have ever done!"

"I know, I am just awesome like that. Vacation at the cabin, your favorite Disney movie, and the spaghetti and meatball dinner to go with it." He leaned over to kiss me and I couldn't help but smile.

"Aren't we supposed to do that with a noodle?"

"Yeah, well we'll get to that once we actually start eating. Did you even notice, one big massive plate and two forks?"

"I did. I also noticed there are a lot more meatballs on this side you are on. You better share."

"I will, don't worry. As long as you play a game of strip Battleship with me, but for now, bon appetite."

He smiled at me, trying to be coy as he picked up the fork and started twirling noodles around on his fork. "You really know how to ruin a moment, Perseus. That would be a no to your version of the game and a possible yes to just a regular game and you're still sharing the meatballs."

"Another reason why you love me. And damn, I was hoping you wouldn't hear that and just agree."

"Whatever Seaweed Brain, but I still love you anyway."

AN - Sorry! Don't shoot me or you won't get a finished story! Things have just been a bit hellacious on my end.

So, once again a massive thank you to MrsPercyJackson3 for helping me out and being my beta and dealing with my insanity. SO much appreciation!

MPJ3 : Dude, I had to shorten it! LOL Yes, that pesky period ruined it all! Still in NY somewhere! LOL I have never been, we will just say some suburb of the city because that seems safe. I am just basing my info off old Friends episodes. But yes, we looked at a house similar to what I described and man I wish we could have got that one. Life (insert a massive eye rolling emoji right here).

godgirl13 : Thank you so much and you are too kind! Life has just been a bit of a mess since winter break started. I think I am back in the grove of things now.

So, only two days left and an epilogue. I will be a bit sad when this one ends! Hope you all have enjoyed it so far!