Make sure to scroll all the way to the end. I added a "post-credits" scene like they do in the movies ha ha. Also, it's super cheesy and maybe really dorky but OHHH WELLLL! Also I've been working on this scene pretty much since I first started this story which was like four months ago (way before I put it on this site) I've literally written/rewritten this scene over twenty times. Some were very similar, some were drastically different. So I finally found something that I hope ties up everything pretty well. Ok, thank you all! Have fun reading!


6 months later…

Charlie's POV

"Charlie."

I glanced up from my notebook. Honestly, good ideas came at the busiest times. "I'll be right there." I called back. I hopped off the bed and out the door. I had come to appreciate the guest bedroom. There was a queen bed, a window with a view to the surrounding fields, and the walls and furniture were shaded in greys, sea blues, and sea greens.

I walked down the hall, my feet sinking into the plush carpet. Down the stairs and to the front entryway.

"Took you long enough."

"Sorry," I said hugging Eric. "I was drawing a diagram."

"You're always sketching, building, or testing something." Sam already had her arms stretched out for a hug. She practically squeezed the life out of me, like she did whenever we hadn't seen each other in a long time.

I finally moved to Corey. "How's college?"

He pulled me into a bear hug. "Not as fun as camp, but the engineering labs are way cool." Corey let me down and turned to Simon. "Thanks for having us all over for Christmas Eve dinner." They shook hands.

Simon just smiled, "Not a problem. My mom can't wait to meet all of you." He glanced behind him, "Just remember my dad and sister don't know about all the-"

Eric clapped him on the back, "We understand man."

"Simon, is everyone here?"

I took a few steps towards the kitchen, "Yes Mrs. Neitzel."

There was a clatter of pans and the padding of feet. "I told you Charlotte," Scarlet (Sandy) Neitzel was wiping her hands off on a towel. "You either call me Sandy or momma Neitzel."

I giggled, "Yes, momma Neitzel." I turned to my friends. "This is Samantha, Eric, and my brother Corey."

"Alright, let's see you are," Simon's mom pointed at Corey, "Obviously Hephaestus since Charlie's your sister. And Sam and Eric are Ares, right?"

Everyone who had just arrived had wide eyes.

"Guys chill, Simon's mom is cool. She knows about the stuff." I was laughing. I had been taken off guard the first time she asked me about my dad.

"My husband and daughter are out picking up last-minute things for breakfast tomorrow. They will be back any minute. All of you please make yourselves comfortable."

Eric stopped her, "Is there anything we can help you with?"

Momma Neitzel made a shooing motion. "No, go sit. Catch up. We will eat soon."

Simon led us to the living room. I had already spent many evenings playing board games and watching movies with his family.

"Nice clothes," Sam commented after we all sat down.

My face burned red.

"My mom decided that cargo pants and combat boots weren't going to work here. So she took Charlie shopping."Simon was laughing, "you should have heard my mom when Charlie walked downstairs on her second day wearing another pair of cargo pants." Simon started to imitate his mom's voice, but he was doing a horrible job. "Is that all you have? I mean it's super cute if you are going to work in a forge, but we can so do better."

"It's literally the only thing I own thanks to Aphrodite," I cut in.

"Catherine went with and they made it a girl's day out." Everyone else joined in on the laughter.

I looked down, "I told her not too."

Simon put his arm around me, "It's ok. My mom loves you and is already trying to adopt you. And you know my sister is just crazy about you." Simon went on smiling and speaking to the rest of the group, "My mom has already asked Charlie to come spend spring break with us too."

"Wow, Charlie. You've only been here for a week and a half and you've already tricked everyone into liking you." Eric teased me from across the room.

I pretended to be offended. "Hey now. You like me."

"No, I was lured in with the promise of weapons." Eric was grinning at me.

I shook my head, and then changed the subject. "I still can't believe you guys came all the way here." I looked at Sam. "It's what a six-hour drive for you?"

Sam rolled her eyes, "Anything to get away from my Aunt Sierra's meddling. She thinks she needs to know every detail of my life. Then she forces me to eat her really gross fruit cake." I giggled at her. Sam continued, "I drove to Eric's place a couple days ago and he's only two hours away from you. And Corey is only an hour away from Eric's house. It doesn't matter though because we really wanted to see how you were both doing."

"Aw, you guys-" I started. There was a clatter coming from the back door, interrupting anything else I was going to say.

David and Catherine walked into the living room with smiles on their faces. David introduced himself as Simon's step dad and then he introduced Catherine; Simon's seven-year-old sister, who was shyly hiding behind David.

"Dad, this is Sam, Eric, and Corey. They are mine and Charlie's friends from camp. Corey is Charlie's half-brother."

David smiled and shook everyone's hands. Momma Neitzel called us into the dining room. She had a wonderful spread. Turkey, cranberry sauce, green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy. It all smelled wonderful. I had attempted to help earlier, but had been told to go relax until our current company arrived.

"Ok everyone, save room for desert. The girls and I made chocolate cake for desert." Momma Neitzel clapped her hands together. She was so much more loving than you would expect from a famous singer. I thought it was sweet that she also took time off for the holidays and to spend time with her family. No wonder Apollo had fallen for her.

As dinner proceeded Simon's mom went through each person, asking them about specific questions. Like if Sam enjoyed her martial arts class, what branch Eric would join after military school, and how was Corey enjoying his major so far?

At the beginning of the week Sandy had asked me about my close friends (Simon had already told her about me and our mutual friends) and she insisted we invite them over for dinner. And that's how we ended up in our current and wonderful situation.

I couldn't stop smiling. Finally, it was time to say our goodbyes.

"Wait!" Sam stopped me. "Ok, well I know this is super dorky." Sam was looking embarrassed as she dug into her coat pocket. "I got you this thing, but you have to promise to wear it when you aren't in the forges. OK?"

I opened a small cardboard box and inside was a bracelet with half a heart. It said 'Best' in fancy pink writing.

I tackled her in a hug, "Oh, Sam. You're the best."

"Mine says friend. So, you have to wear it, that way I can say my best friend has the other half," Sam muttered pulling away.

"I didn't realize I was going to see you all so I didn't get you anything." I grumbled.

Eric rolled his eyes, "We don't expect you to get us anything."

I was giggling when the car pulled away. "I have never seen Sam be so sentimental like that."

Simon shook his head. "She really cares about you."

I nodded in agreement. Walking into the kitchen. "Momma Neitzel, I'll take care of the dishes. You've done too much work today.

"What, no-"

I pointed towards the door. "Go. I can totally handle a couple of dishes."

Simon guided his mom to the door. "I can help Charlie. I bet Catherine would love to talk to you for a little bit."

Finally, she smiled, "thank you both."

I took to scrubbing and rinsing, while Simon dried. We talked about dinner and how nice it was to see everyone. The subject quickly turned to the very shy Catherine who kept glancing at Eric during dinner.

"I think someone has a crush," I whispered to Simon.

"Wh-what?" He stuttered.

I unplugged the sink, the water draining. "You're sister? She completely spazzed when Eric talked to her. It was so cute." I glanced at Simon, his face a little red. "What did you think I was talking about?"

"Nothing." He said all too quickly.

"Simon-"

"Thank you both for doing the dishes again." Simon's mom walked in. "I got the living room set up, but it looks like David and I still need to finish wrapping a few things for tomorrow. So, tonight it will just be you three kids. Sorry."

I glanced at Simon to see if he was upset.

"Mom, it's fine. It wouldn't be the first time you procrastinated till Christmas Eve." Simon had walked to his mom and hugged her. "Go mom, we've got this."

"Goodnight you two. I'll go tell Catherine I'm headed to bed. Don't forget to have her-"

"Take her medicine." Simon pulled away and stretched. "Don't worry mom. I won't forget."

Ten minutes later we were settled in for our movie. I lounged on the couch with Simon, while the still hyper Catherine was rolling around on the floor laughing her little head off. Even at the parts that weren't that funny.

"Syrup is my favorite food group." Catherine stated in the middle of the movie. I laughed. We were watching 'Buddy the Elf'. I hadn't ever watched this movie, but Catherine told me she had watched it at least twelve times since October.

Simon looked me very seriously. "She is not kidding."

It was already nine o'clock. We put Catherine to bed who was practically jumping off the walls. "She always gets like this on holidays and her birthday." Simon explained. "So, we give her sleeping medicine. Either that, or she won't be asleep till one and then she will be waking you up at four to open presents."

I laughed, cutting myself off with a yawn. Simon told me to go to bed, but I told him he wasn't going to sit alone and watch the last movie.

Simon's POV

'Chhh.'

I sniffed the air. Bacon. I rolled my neck, my entire body was stiff. Now I remember, I had fallen asleep on the couch last night.

Charlie. Where was she? I slowly opened my eyes. The couch was empty other than me. I breathed out a sigh. Maybe in relief? I wasn't sure. I yawned and stretched.

"So, you finally decided to wake up?"

I sat up, almost flinging myself off the couch. Charlie stood behind me in pajama pants and old worn Camp Half-Blood t-shirt.

"We are almost done getting breakfast together. Everyone's awake, but you," Charlie snickered.

"Hurry up Simon! Once we finish breakfast, we can go open presents." Catherine ran into the living room and jumped onto the couch. She grabbed my wrist and hauled me up. "Let's go lazy!"

Charlie looked at me with a surprised smile. "She's feisty this morning."

I laughed and nodded in agreement.

Christmas breakfast had been a tradition as long as I could remember. Every year we had waffles, pancakes, bacon, and sausage and a whole gallon of chocolate milk. We usually had leftovers to eat for the next week.

I glanced at Charlie. Ever since I had picked her up from camp she had been smiling. Sometimes nervous or excited, but it was mostly just pure happiness. Maybe not all the time, but almost.

"Simon," my mom had that look on her face that made me realize she had said my name multiple times. She smiled, "I guess you aren't quite awake. You've been staring at your food for almost five minutes."

Charlie elbowed me. "You better eat or your sister might make you go hungry," she whispered.

I laughed. She was right; I had barely gotten halfway through when Catherine was tugging me away from the table.

"Hey now, I need to finish my-"

"Finish it later. I want to open presents. Charlie even got us a present."

I let Catherine tug me along in defeat. I wanted to see my mom's response to Charlie's gift as well. Charlie hadn't thought I had been serious about bringing her here to visit me until I told her it was all worked out with Chiron. I told her when I would drive up to pick her up and when I would bring her home (if she wanted to stay that long).

It must have been early November when I Iris messaged her. She freaked, telling me she had to get something for my family. I told her not to worry, but two weeks later she IMed me, showing off what she got for my family. I couldn't believe it.

Now as my family was settled, I watched as my mom started handing out gifts. Each time she gave one to Charlie, she became even redder. She had told my mom multiple times already, that she didn't need to worry about her, she was just happy she could be here.

There wasn't much left when Charlie pulled out her two clumsily wrapped presents. I knew about the first one, but she hadn't said anything about the second one.

"Charlotte!" My mom exclaimed. Inside the first one was metal picture frame about a foot and a half tall. There were musical notes carved into the sides.

Charlie pointed sheepishly to the side, "If you crank this little lever, it will play music. I figured you could put a family portrait in there or something."

My mom pulled Charlie into a hug, my dad patting Charlie on the shoulder.

"This is great Charlie. I hope you didn't go to too much trouble." My dad was now running his hand along the frame.

Charlie just gave an embarrassed shrug. "No big deal." She slipped away from my mom's grasp and took the second one and handed it to me.

"This is for you," is all she said.

"Charlie, you didn't have to," I started but she just rolled her eyes at me. I guess she didn't have to be as gracious about it with me. I grinned. Curiosity getting the better of me. I tore into the paper.

I didn't say anything for a solid minute.

"Do you like it?" Charlie sounded worried.

I gave her a straight face, "Charlie." I smiled. "This is amazing! This is why you asked me if I brought my bow home."

Charlie had created a new quiver and carved a sun, musical notes, a chariot, wolf, and armor into different places. The quiver was filled with an entire set of new arrows.

She pointed at the drawings. "These are from our- field trip," she added, remembering my dad and sister were around.

I hugged her tightly. "Now I don't feel so weird about your gift."

"What?"

"It's no big deal," I said pulling out a bag tucked behind the tree. "Plus, I only picked it out. It's not like I actually made you something. Sorry, I'm not talented like that." I gave a smiling shrug.

Charlie slowly dug into the bag, pulling out colored tissue paper. She looked at me with the her mouth agape and her eyes wide. "You got me a new tool belt?"

"It should actually fit you. The other one you have back at camp is way too big. Also your name was stitched inside, so no one can ever take it."

"Come on Charlie," I said, standing up. "Let's get cleaned up and go out shooting a bit. You still remember our lessons from camp, right?" I wanted to spend just a little bit more time with just the two of us before she had to leave the next day.

"Just go get dressed," my mom waved us away. "We'll take care of this."

I would normally ask my mom if she was sure, but today I would seize this opportunity.

Fifteen minutes later and I was criticizing Charlie for her terrible stance. She just punched me lightly in the arm, "I haven't done this in a while."

Charlie's POV

"You didn't have to get me anything," I said changing the subject. I wasn't sure why I was feeling nervous.

Simon stopped his hand in his coat pocket, "Says the one who just made me this quiver and a whole new set of arrows."

I held up his bow. "Looking at this, I should have made you a new one. I didn't realize how dinged up this one had gotten from our quest."

He grabbed it away from me. "It has character."

"That's a nice way to put it."

I don't know who jumped higher, Simon or myself. Simon's instincts must have taken over because he had an arrow notched.

"No need for that," Aphrodite cooed. "How are you doing?"

I looked at Simon and back to Aphrodite, "Um, good ma'am."

She was smiling, "What a wonderful time. Christmas is such a happy holiday. Loved ones spending time together. Lots of proposals and weddings too."

I just stared at her and then glanced at Simon and then back at her.

Aphrodite giggled. "Finally putting two and two together. You're denser than a rock."

I was being insulted by a goddess. My mouth had been hanging open for a moment too long. I shut it.

"You didn't use any…" I trailed off, afraid of the answer.

She laughed again. "No, child. I didn't use any magic. I just put the right situation together." She was smiling mischievously.

"So, you decided who went on the quest?" I asked. She was nodding.

I turned to Simon. It was as if he was watching a tennis match, his head swinging back and forth between the two of us. He met my eyes, and quickly looked at the ground. I focused on the goddess again.

"Don't be shy Simon. It worked out, right? She feels the same way about you." Aphrodite looked back at me. "Well, I'll be off. I just needed to clear this matter up. Also, that means I won." She winked at me. I could only stare as she started to glow.

"Charlie!"

I turned to Simon who tackled me to the ground. He shielded my eyes from the bright flash. I had been too dazed to realize Aphrodite had just shown her true form. With Simon so close, I realized she had done it on purpose.

"Simon?"

"Yeah?" He still had me pinned to the ground.

Praying for courage, I closed my eyes and kissed Simon. I missed, catching only the corner of his mouth and knocking my forehead against his.

"Ow."

"I am so sorry," I cringed, regretting everything I had ever done to lead me to this point. Simon sat up laughing.

I propped up on my elbows, completely perplexed at the situation.

He grinned at me and shook his head. "I don't know what to say."

"Say something, because I'm about to freak out."

He stood quickly, pulling me up. I was standing way too close, but he already had his hands around my waist. "I'm not so nervous, now that I know how you feel." A cocky grin crossed his face. Finally, it melted into the warm smile I come to know and love. "But seriously, I didn't know how you felt about me."

I shrugged looking away, my face warming up. "I was still figuring it out myself, but I figured it out after everyone left for the school year."

Simon's head was dipping dangerously close to me. "Well, my family will be excited about this. Mom's been asking if we were together since I told her about you."

I closed the space between us. Not missing his lips this time.

"I so knew it!"

I didn't quite understand what was happening, but then I looked over and found myself staring at Catherine. The seven-year-old's face lit up. "Mom and I were so right!" Catherine took off running to the house.

Simon picked up his bow, wrapped his arm around my waist, and started walking me back to the house. "I guess instead of a customized tool belt, I should have gotten you a necklace or something."

"No, you know I wouldn't be able to wear it in the shop. I would rather have something from my boyfriend that I could wear all the time," I mumbled.

Simon pulled me closer. "Boyfriend… I like the sound of that. Well, girlfriend, are you ready to face the family?"

My face was already heating up. "It's almost worse than facing two cyclopes." I stared up into his eyes, "let's just get it over with."

He smiled, gripping my hand tightly, and opening the door.

Aphrodite might have given us the opportunity to get to know each other, but I think the rest was left up to us. We had let ourselves fall in love and I couldn't wait to see how it all turned out.


Thank you everyone for reading and your support. Please leave your comments on how you liked the story. It had a rough start, and given the chance, I would probably scrap it and use the information in another way. But hey, that's how we learn, right? I also thought my ending was a bit cheesy and awkward, but isn't that how real life sometimes goes? If you aren't somewhat cheesy or awkward in real life, please teach me your ways. I'm like a social butterfly with a broken wing. ;) Thanks again. I appreciate all of you!


Bonus:

"I wonder if he kissed her yet?" Sam asked aloud.

I glanced to my left where Sam was leaning over the front seat. Corey, who was driving fixed his review mirror to look at Sam.

"Who?" Corey finally asked. He looked at me. "Eric, what is your sister talking about?" His voice was getting edgy.

It was my turn to look at Sam. "You aren't talking about-"

She started to laugh and that was all the answer I needed.

"It's so obvious when Simon looks at her. I've asked Charlie about it before, but you know her. She gets shy about that stuff."

Corey slammed on the breaks (thankfully no one was behind us.) "Charlie likes someone?!"

This was going to be a long car ride.

That's all folks.