A/N: This is a one-shot of the couple's first year of holidays. I wrote it, like, forever ago.

Thanks to believeinthegods for her beta work. =)

Please enjoy!

Song: One More for Love by Five for Fighting

Hallmark Moment

New Years

The crowd of New Yorkers screams as January first rolls around again, and lights explode everywhere. They are still in that awkward stage of a relationship—where they both want to be closer, but are both too shy to say anything. It's kind of awkward, but now that the two look back on those times, they also have a kind of sweetness to them.

"Hey, um, Annabeth?" he says, scratching the back of his head. Everyone on the screen is kissing, enjoying the first moments of the New Year.

"Yeah, Percy?" she answers, looking up at him. Well, as much as she can when he is only an inch taller than she.

"I was just wondering…could I maybe…hold your hand?"

She smiles.

"Yeah."

Valentine's Day

She opens her door. It's Sunday, and the lights of the city are still dim. She's finally living in New York, but her habits are the same. She still wakes up early to read the paper.

Today, she opens her door and nearly steps on the dozen roses on her step.

Wise Girl,

Happy Valentines Day. I know we have plans for later, but I wanted to make sure you woke up to a nice surprise.

He doesn't have to sign the card. She knows who it's from.

Because she knows him.

And he forgot the apostrophe in Valentine's.

Plus she can see him turning the corner at a fast sprint. He never was much of a morning person.

St. Patrick's Day

"Is it just me, or is this holiday a little pointless?" Annabeth asks as the couple walks through the mall. He finishes off his blue candy before answering her.

"Yeah. It kind of is."

"Okay, good. I'm not going insane?"

"I thought we established that we're both already insane."

"…Good point."

"I do like all the green, though."

She glances at him, seeing him smiling at the color covering the walls, reflecting in his eyes. She decides then that maybe, just maybe, St. Patrick's Day isn't so pointless, after all.

Easter

He isn't particularly religious, but Annabeth's mortal family is, so the couple is headed to church.

"Gods, I hate suits," he says, squirming in the dressy ensemble.

"You're telling me. You don't have to wear a dress, Seaweed Brain," she snorts.

"But at least you look nice."

"What?" She sees a blush rise in his cheeks.

"Yeah, I look like an idiot. But you look…"

"Non-idiotic?"

"Yeah."

She realizes that this is as close as he's going to get to saying she's pretty. It's sweet.

"Thanks, Seaweed Brain. You're not too shabby yourself."

Mother's Day

"Happy Mother's Day, Ms. Jackson!" Annabeth says, walking into her boyfriend's apartment.

"Honey, call me Sally! And thank you."

Annabeth smiles. "I don't know. I'll never get used to that."

Percy chooses that moment to come stumbling into the room. "Hey, guys!"

His girlfriend comes over and smoothes down his hair. "Let me guess. You just rolled out of bed and threw something on when you heard me come in?"

"You know me too well."

He hands his mother a small gift and asks if there's anything she wants to do today. She says no. So he sits on the couch with his girlfriend.

Over the last few months, the couple had been getting closer, and they are starting to get past their awkward stage. It's hard for Sally to watch her baby boy put his arm around one of his best friends. She's always known Percy had something special with Annabeth. She is proud of her son, and she is so happy with his choice—she loves Annabeth. It still hurts to see her little boy not so little anymore.

But she realizes that she does want something. And she's getting it right now.

He's happy.

So she is, too.

Father's Day

"Happy Father's Day, Dad." Percy is talking to Poseidon, and it feels weird to call him Dad.

The two don't talk for very long, but it is a relatively pleasant meeting.

"Well, that went well," Percy says as he walks away with Annabeth.

"Yeah, it seemed like it did."

The silence isn't awkward or forced. Just natural. Pleasant, even.

"Happy Father's Day, Percy."

"Thanks."

Insert awkward pause here.

"Wait…what?"

She smiles.

"But…what?"

Annabeth can't help it. She stops walking and laughs.

"But…you don't mean…that's not possible…I mean…"

As much as she is enjoying this, she has some mercy. "Gods, Percy. I know. I'm only kidding."

He looks like he's going to wet his pants. "Gods, Annabeth! So not funny!"

"Not for you, anyway."

They hold hands. She says, quietly, but just loud enough for him to hear, "Seaweed Brain."

Fourth of July

The two sit on the beach. This is their sixth time going to the fireworks together, but the first as an actual couple.

"Is it just me, or are they better this year?" Annabeth says.

"I think so." Percy's eyes reflect the wild colors in the sky.

Annabeth leans back and lies on the sand. "They're beautiful, don't you think?"

"Mm." Percy turns towards her. "You too." Even though he is almost seventeen, he still blushes when he tells a girl she's pretty. Not that he says it a whole lot.

Annabeth knows her boyfriend is still a little shy when it comes to dating. For that matter, she is too. But she gathers her courage and kisses him on the cheek. "You know, I don't know that it's the fireworks that are better this year."

17th Birthday

"Happy birthday, Seaweed Brain."

"Thanks, Annabeth."

Her blue cupcake skills have improved considerably in the last year, but they split it just like they did twelve months ago.

"Wow. It's been a year since we 'saved the world,'" he says, the fact just now hitting him.

She nods. Secretly, she hopes he's thinking the same thing as she.

"Happy anniversary, Annabeth."

She turns her head towards him.

"Back at you," she says through a smile she's trying to hide.

She gives up and kisses him on the cheek. It tastes like blue icing.

Halloween

The masquerade dance at Percy's high school is well-decorated and well-attended. He, of course, takes Annabeth as his date.

"You know, that mask will never hide your Seaweed Brain."

They twirl on the dance floor. Well, it's actually more like stumbling. Neither of them is a great dancer.

"Ouch, Percy. There are toes in that shoe, you know."

"Sorry, sorry."

"It's okay."

Her gray eyes glitter behind her mask, and he knows that even if they're imbeciles on the dance floor, they're meant for each other.

Thanksgiving

They spend the holiday at Percy's mom's apartment. The invitation has been extended to Annabeth's family as well. For once, they accept.

The small dining room is crowded with Percy, Annabeth, Sally, Paul, Frederick, and Annabeth's stepfamily.

When they say grace before eating, each person at the table takes a moment to say what they are thankful for.

Later on in the evening, Annabeth's family leaves, but she decides to stay after to "help clean up."

The two stand out on the fire escape—as close as it gets to a balcony around there.

They don't say it, but they know. What they're the most thankful for is each other.

Christmas

Lights shine all around the house, illuminating each square inch of space.

"Percy, I thought you said Annabeth was coming over."

"I did, Mom!"

"Then where is she?"

"I dunno!"

Just then, the doorbell rings. Percy yanks open the door. Annabeth is standing there. She isn't dressed up or anything. Neither is Percy. They are just themselves, ready to celebrate the holiday together.

It's not that Annabeth doesn't have her own family to celebrate with. It's that she feels like this is her home. She loves this family of three. If you include her, though, it's four. But hey, she's just happy to be there.

"She's here, Mom!" Percy yells back as he closes the door behind Annabeth.

"Oh, good. I'll just be a few more minutes!" the shout comes from somewhere down the hall.

"She'll be half an hour," Percy says, already getting Annabeth a mug of hot chocolate.

The two situate themselves on the couch. It has been over a year, and they are now completely over being awkward. They're just…well, they're in love. Not that they say it a whole lot.

"Percy?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, I just wanted to make sure you know. I love you."

"Yeah, I know, Annabeth. But thanks. I love you, too."

They share a quick kiss. Nothing too impressive, but it's sweet anyway. They are just content to sit on his worn-out couch, watching the lights twinkle on the tree. His arm is around her, and her head leans against his shoulder.

In six days, it'll be a new year again.

They can only hope it will be as good as this one.