HI GUYS! Sorry its been a millennium =(

Anyway, I'm here now! I was asked by someone to do an Ask the Author, so just put your question in a review, and I'll answer it best I can! :) (Nothing too person like phone number, name, address, etc)

ENJOY!

Ever:

Christmas. One of the most fantastic holidays of the year. The one day everyone gets together to stuff themselves with junk, give each other expensive junk, and celebrate when a fat man eats the junk they leave him and gives you more junk in return. At least, that's Ever's view on the whole thing. Everything always felt superficial for her. What was the point? Shouldn't everyone always get together? Shouldn't everyone always give each other gifts? Christmas is just an opportunity for people to loose their merriment the rest of the year, with the excuse that Christmas was months away. Of course, that doesn't mean Ever doesn't love Christmas. In fact, it's her favorite holiday. She just so happens to love cookies, presents, and the smell of pine. Ever was especially excited to know she was spending Christmas with the people she had come to love like family. Just her, Nico, and the Jacksons (Blofis'?). Over the years, it had become her dream to have a small Christmas with just those close to her. Something cozy and warm. Sipping hot cocoa while watching a Christmas Story, and wearing PJ's all day.

That dream went on pause when a certain Percy Jackson came tumbling into her room the first day of Christmas break.

~~~{[()]}~~~~~{[()]}~~~~~{[()]}~~~~~{[()]}~~~~~{[()]}~~~~~{[()]}~~~

"EVER?! EVEEEEEER?!" Percy screeched in the hallway. He lumbered down the hall until he reached Ever's room, and threw it open without a care in the world. Of course, knocking would have been good. Preferred, actually. Considering Ever just happened to be in the middle of changing.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Ever screamed.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Percy screamed.

He slammed the door, and Ever hastily pulled down her shirt.

"Are you—are you decent?" Percy mumbled with a gulp. Ever mentally prepared herself to face him. Her face was red as a beet.

"Uh, yeah."

He opened the door and awkwardly stood there, both their faces the same shade of red. "So, um, you ready?"

Ever paused. "Ready for what?"

"Our trip…"

"What trip?" She demanded.

"Our Christmas trip? We're driving to Rhode Island to meet up with Annabeth, Piper, Frank, and the rest."

Ever felt her family Christmas run down the drain. "No one told me about this!"

Percy rubbed the back of his neck and looked at her apologetically. "Yeah, sorry. Nico didn't know either, so I mean…"

Ever sighed. "How long?"

"All of break."

So two weeks, then. Sigh. I don't even have a suitcase! They didn't even ask me about this, either. How do they know if I'm banned from Rhode Island or something? I could have a criminal record they don't know about! Not that I do…but still!

"Oh! Here…is your suitcase!" He wheeled a giant suitcase that could fit a month's worth of clothes told me, and I cursed Mrs. Jackson's preparedness. "We leave in three hours."

"WHAT?"

Percy shrugged, and walked out of the room. Ever opened her mouth to protest, but stopped when she noticed the smirk on Percy's face.

That sneaky son of a french fry! He didn't tell me on purpose!

So, for two hours, Ever packed her bag. Double checking and triple checking to make sure she didn't forget anything (she always does). All five of them packed into the Jacksons' car. Their drive was three and a half hours. New York City, New York, to North Kingstown, Rhode Island. They stopped at Towneplace Suites, where the rest of the crew already had rooms. It was surprising they had all managed to make it. Frank and Hazel managed to convince Reyna to let them fly over for a week (they wouldn't be there for another week since the first week of break didn't include Christmas), Leo, Jason, and Annabeth got permission from Chiron to come, Piper was free anyway, and Calypso could, really, do whatever she wanted. Their room number just happened to be 413, the same as their apartment.

"Hey. Percy!" Annabeth called when she, Percy, and Nico went to meet the others in the giant living room of the hotel. Mr and Mrs. Blofis were chilling in the room. "Over here!"

Ever was a bit nervous. This was, after all, her first time meeting Percy and Nico's friends (other than Piper). First impressions were important, after all.

Her first impression on Jason was good.

It was obvious Jason and Piper were a couple. Piper sat on Jason (yes, she sat on him) and every once in a while would glance at each other and smile. Jason had nice blond hair and blue blue eyes (aka really really blue). He had giant muscles, and a purple shirt with the letters SPQR, and a tattoo with the same symbol. Piper had long, brown hair braided in random places, and an Indian-looking headband. She wore a pretty dress and sandals. Her skin was intensely tan, and her face was more beautiful than most (of course, being a daughter of Aphrodite does that to people). Overall, they looked like a model couple (Ever forgot to mention that Jason was gorgeous).

"Hi, I'm Jason." He smiled. Ever was blinded by his extremely white teeth.

"I'm Everett Jeremy Elwood. Ever for short." She grinned and shook his hand. Jason whistled.

"Nice name. Doesn't that seem like a mouthful?"

"Yeah, but it just sounds really, really cool." Jason laughed, and Ever smiled in accomplishment. One down, four more to go.

Next was Leo.

At first glance he was scrawny, messy, and always smirking. Those things mixed together sounded like awesomeness.

"Heeeeeeey, who's this? The roommate you told me about?" Leo asked Annabeth. Ever grinned and thrust out her hand.

"Everett Jeremy Elwood. Ever for short."

"Eh, too long. How 'bout EJ?"

"Sure, as long as I can call you something cooler than Leo."

Leo snickered. "McShizzle Supreme, works."

Ever snorted. "McFizzle the First, it is."

"McFizzle? No no no, this Mc Shizzle will never fizzle!"

"Alright, how 'bout McSputter the Second?"

Leo put a hand to his heart in shock. "Excuse me? Not only do I not fizzle, but sputtering isn't a word to describe this McShizzle."

"McTaint the Third, then."

"What? No no no—"

Nico:

Nico watched Ever getting to know the others, and snickered every time she came up with a new 'nickname' for Leo. McEbb the Eighth and McShrink the Seventeenth were his favorites. Even though Leo complained, he laughed and smiled like the rest of them. Leo and Ever were like two peas in a pod. Bad puns and riddles were in their blood. In all honesties, Nico couldn't help but be a little jealous. While she smiled and laughed with everyone else, he hung back and watched her make friends. It wasn't that bad, though. Seeing Ever's smile made his day, no matter who or what had caused it.

"Hey, Nico, let's go!" Ever called to him. Nico smiled as he jogged to catch up to them. They were going surfing, even though the water would be a million degrees below zero. Nico had no clue how to surf. Neither did Ever. Or Leo. Or anyone other than Percy. Poor guy would have to worry about teaching everyone the art of surfing.

"Hey, Ever," Nico said as they walked out of the hotel. "What do you want for Christmas?"

"Hm," She muttered with a puzzled expression. "You know, I'm not sure. Nothing specific. Books, money, necklaces, general stuff. What about you?"

"Hm…"

What do I want for Christmas?

"Nothing, really. Same as you, I guess. Although, maybe not the necklace."

Ever laughed. The sound was music to his ears.

"C'mon, they're getting ahead of us." She said with a grin. Nico nodded, and they trotted off, hand in hand.

~~~{[()]}~~~~~{[()]}~~~~~{[()]}~~~~~{[()]}~~~~~{[()]}~~~~~{[()]}~~~

A week passed by. They did what any group of teenagers would do on vacation; slept in late, ate lots of food, surfed, played board games, and watched movies galore. Every day was basically the same, until Frank and Hazel finally arrived. Ever got to meet them, and was ecstatic the whole day. She and Hazel got along swimmingly, which wasn't surprising considering Ever made friends with everyone. Another day passed. Three days until Christmas Eve. It was then everyone realized they didn't have any presents.

"It never crossed my mind!" Piper exclaimed. "I guess I was just so busy getting ready, that I forgot to buy your presents!"

"Me too." Hazel admitted sheepishly. "I had something all planned out, too…"

"I was planning on getting them the day of, so." Leo said with a shrug. Calypso smacked him. "OW! It's the truth!"

Jason rubbed the back of his neck and frowned, probably thinking up a plan.

"Why don't we just shop for them here?" Someone said. Everyone's heads whipped around to stare at Ever, a casual look on her face. She was lounging on one of the love seats, legs hanging off one of the arm rests. "Isn't everything here just as good as the stuff home? Both are expensive, aimed at tourists, and break easily."

Percy shrugged. "I don't mind."

"Yeah, that works." Came the others' affirmation.

"Wait; we need to split into groups, so we don't see what we buy for each other." Hazel suggested. "We can pick numbers out of a hat."

"Four groups sound good?" Piper asked as she wrote numbers on the hotel notepad.

"Who has a hat?"

"I do!"

"Who should go first?"

"Hm…"

"OOOOO, me, me, me!" (that was Ever)

Everyone went one by one, until everyone had chosen a number. Nico was in a group with Hazel and Percy, Ever was with Leo and Jason, and Piper was with Frank, Annabeth, and Calypso.

Darn, I didn't get in the same group as Ever. I wonder who she'll buy presents for—wait, what should I get her? Will she get me anything? No, probably not—but, knowing her, she might actually get me something…but seriously, what should I get her?! Her list was extremely lacking in detail…

All of the groups split apart, leaving Nico wondering what the heck he was going to get everyone. Percy was easy; as long as it was blue, Nico was sure he'd love it. He'd probably get Hazel a scarf, since it got cold in the Bay Area a lot. Leo? One of those cheap, retro-looking watches would work. Nico could probably get Jason a snow globe, and Piper…a keychain might be good. Frank, a muscle shirt with WELCOME TO RHODE ISLAND written on it, Annabeth a book about the state's history, and Calypso, a headband with palm trees all over it.

Maybe it was easier than I thought…

Everyone he had figured out. Everyone but one person. Everett Jeremy Elwood.

What he would get her, Nico had no clue. All the stuff he saw seemed too…boring. Especially for her. He wanted to give her something personal, something that showed he had spent a good chunk of his time making sure he got the best thing. Which, he was currently doing. The three of them were wandering the streets of Rhode Island, passing by stores and restaurants. The smell of dinner wafted from the restaurants, and the sound of chattering came from the loiterers of stores. The air was fresh; a nice break from the smoggy smell of New York City.

Nico carried two bags filled with all the goodies he had snatched for everyone. They weren't heavy, but enough to make his arms slightly strain.

Man, if only Ever were here. Maybe she could have told me what she wants…

"Trying to figure out what to get Ever?" Percy commented from ahead.

"W-what?" Nico sputtered, completely flustered. Percy snorted.

"It's obvious, bro! You've bought something for everyone but Ever, unless that snow globe is for her."

"No, its not." Nico muttered, sheepishly glancing down.

"I'm sure you'll find something." Hazel said. She smiled. "I'm getting her a keychain for her collection, if that helps."

"Ah, I'm getting her a snow globe. She collects those, so that one you got better not be for her!" Percy added. "Ever likes the weirdest things."

A lightbulb clicked.

I'll get her something she collects! Hazel already covered the keychain, and Percy the snow globes, so what else? She collects books, but thats more of a hobby than a collection.

"I know what you can get her!" Percy exclaimed out of nowhere.

"What?!" Nico said, just as loud.

"A necklace! She loves those, doesn't she?"

"She does?" Hazel muttered. "Ever doesn't seem like that kind of person."

"Ever has a bunch in her jewelry box that she doesn't wear." Nico explained. "She has these moments of obsessing over a certain necklace. She wears that one for months until she gets another that she likes better. The cycle repeats."

"You should get her one! I bet she'd really like that. Nothing too flashy, though." Percy mused. "It should be something strange, something original and cool. Remember that sea turtle necklace she had? And the random square with squiggles of color splattered everywhere? Something like those, maybe."

"Yeah, probably."

Nico and the others walked down the street, visiting jewelry stores and tourist stands, looking for the perfect necklace for Ever. There were many promising candidates, but none screamed 'EVER' like Nico had hoped. There was a music note that had jewels crested on the sides, but it seemed too flashy. He also saw a beautiful butterfly necklace that shone different colors when the sunlight hit it, but Nico knew Ever didn't like girly-looking things. He had some close to getting a crescent moon necklace, but then decided it was too plain. Whatever he thought always ended up not meeting the expectations he had. They went store after store, never finding the right one.

Sooner than later, the sun started going down.

"C'moooooon Nicoooooo," Percy whined. "Just choooose somethiiiing!"

"Chill." Nico muttered. "I just haven't found the right one."

"I think Percy's right." Hazel admitted. "It's getting late, and everyone's about to go to dinner without us. Maybe we can come back tomorrow."

"We can't come back tomorrow! Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and everything'll probably be closed."

"I'm sorry, Nico, but we really should be getting back."

Nico eyed a jewelry store just across the street. Maybe that place would have the perfect necklace for Ever. "Just one more store." He pointed at the jewelry store, and Hazel sighed.

"Sure, one more."

They walked across the street and entered the store. Everything looked nice, ranging from silver to gold plated onyx. They browsed the store, looking at the necklaces. Nico looked and looked, but couldn't see the perfect one. He was on the last glass container when he found it.

The perfect necklace.

At first sight it was strange and plain. It was a small silver dragon with folded wings, and a reared back head. Its jaw was opened, and sparkling red flames cascaded out. A small black em sparkled for an eye. It was perfect.

Ever loves dragons! She'll love this! It isn't too shiny, and isn't too plain! Its perfect!

Nico managed to haggle the grumpy shop owner for a reasonable (and cheap) price, before smiling to himself. He imagined the look on Ever's face as she opened his gift; the joy it would give her and the grin that would grace her face. That was all he really wanted. For Ever to smile.

They walked back to the hotel and enjoyed a nice dinner with everyone. The whole time Nico smiled, thinking of Christmas and how happy he hoped it would be. He fell asleep thinking of Ever, and of Christmas.

~~~{[()]}~~~~~{[()]}~~~~~{[()]}~~~~~{[()]}~~~~~{[()]}~~~~~{[()]}~~~

Ever:

The next day went by fast. They all went to eat breakfast at a fancy restaurant, and went to the many tourist attractions in Rhode Island. They made it back in time for the Christmas Eve parade. All the elves and reindeer made Ever smile, and the fat Santa caused her to burst out laughing. Their dancing was fabulous, and the music made everyone grin. As night fell, they got to watch a fireworks display, and eat cookies. When they got back to the hotel, there was a giant Christmas tree with presents galore underneath, including the ones they bought yesterday. They all fell asleep, excited and waiting for Christmas morning.

~~~{[()]}~~~~~{[()]}~~~~~{[()]}~~~~~{[()]}~~~~~{[()]}~~~~~{[()]}~~~

"NICOOOOO!" Ever yelled. "WAKE UP! IT'S CHRISTMAS!"

Nico came shuffling out of his room, rubbing his eyes and yawning. "Got it."

"HURRY HURRY!" Ever yelled again, running to him and grabbing onto his arm. Excitement ran through her body. It was Christmas! Presents and food! Ever tugged on Nico's arm and pulled him through the hall toward's the Christmas tree in the hotel main room. "C'mon c'mon c'mon! We're opening the presents!"

"I'm coming!" Nico murmured with a snort. Ever laughed and tugged harder, wanting him to run faster.

It's Christmas! I can't wait to see how everyone likes their gifts! It took me FOREVER. I hope Nico likes his…

They ran into the room and saw everyone around the Christmas tree, even some other hotel guests.

"Who'll be Santa?" Piper asked, grinning from ear to ear in her elf PJ's.

"McSanta Supreme will!" Leo hollered. He proudly sported Santa's hat.

"I'm not sure you'd cut as Santa." Ever joked. "Although, you just might qualify as an elf. You've got the ears, after all."

Leo huffed and felt his ears, which just so happened to be pointy at the end. "Makin' fun 'o mah ears—" He murmured to himself. "I 'ought'a teach ya'll a lesson 'n mahners!"

"How about Jason!" Percy said as he dropped a Santa hat on Jason's head. Jason looked taken aback.

"Whaaaaat? I think I'll pass—"

"Too bad!"

Jason frowned and crossed his arms. "Fine! Jerks—" He walked over to the tree and picked up a present from a corner labeled 'DEMIGODS'.

How subtle.

"Uuuuuh…first present goes too…Piper!" Jason grinned and handed his girlfriend a small present wrapped in gold paper. She smiled and took it from him before reading the label.

"To Piper, from Jason." She gave him a look. Everyone laughed as he shrugged sheepishly.

"I wanted you to open mine first…"

The presents kept coming. Ever got a snow globe from Percy (add that to the collection!), a keychain from Hazel (add that to the other collection!), a notebook from Jason (she can write stories in that!), a shirt that said I WENT TO RHODE ISLAND AND ONLY GOT THIS STUPID SHIRT from Leo (HAHA!), a chain bracelet from Calypso (another for my collection!), palm tree pencils from Frank (she needed more pencils!), a book from Annabeth (love books!), a dress from Piper (a dress…yay…) and a pair of flip flops from Jason (she loves flip flops!). Soon there were only three presents left under the tree. One was the one Ever had gotten for Nico.

"Okay, the next is for…Nico!"

Nico blinked and went to go get his present. Anyone could see that he was surprised to get so many presents. Almost everyone had gotten him something. The only one who hadn't yet was Percy, and that's the one Nico was getting. The one from Ever was still under the tree.

"To Nico, from Percy." Nico said. He carefully peeled off the wrapping, even though he looked eager enough to maul it off. His eyes widened. "When did you get this?"

"When you were on the toilet." Percy said proudly. Nico happily showed everyone the pair of fuzzy cookie socks Percy had gotten for him. They reached up to his knees, and looked comfier than any other sock in sock history.

Nico smiled. "Thanks, Percy."

Jason fished for the next gift.

YES! That's mine!

"And…also for Nico!"

Nico's eyes widened. "Really? Are you sure?"

"Yup, and its from Ever!"

Nico glanced at Ever, and she gave him two thumbs up. "Open it! I wasn't sure what to get you, so I hope you like it."

Nico ripped open the paper, not giving it the courtesy he had given Percy's. Ever sat on the edge of her seat and stared at Nico's face, waiting for his expression. When it was fully unwrapped, his face was a mask of shock. He stared at it like it was alien. Ever become worried.

Does he not like it? I saw it at a store and thought it looked cool… maybe Mythomagic cards wasn't a good thing to get…I mean, its not like I know what it is.

"M-mythomagic—" Nico got out with a gulp.

"No way!" Percy yelled, grabbing it from Nico's hands. "That's awesome! When's the last time you played this?"

"W-when I was twelve…"

"So you've played it before?" Ever asked, slightly disappointed that he didn't seem to like it. "Sorry, I wasn't sure."

"No, no," Nico shook off her answer. "This…this is amazing!"

Ever grinned, extremely happy that he liked it. "Really?!"

"Yes, yes!" Nico's smile was ecstatic; it lit up his whole face. He shuffled over and gave Ever a bear hug big enough to make her loose her breath. She laughed and hugged him back, happiness running through her body. His hug was so big, in fact, that she was almost lifted off her feet. Both Ever and Nico had never been so happy. Everyone else looked at them and smiled.

Nico and Ever both blushed crimson when they peeled off each other. Nico cleared his throat. "Thanks, a lot. This is amazing."

Ever blushed.

Jason cleared his throat. "Okay, the last present!"

"That's for Ever." Nico muttered sheepishly. Ever's face illuminated.

"Gimme!" She called in excitement. Jason chuckled and rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, yeah. Just ignore Santa over here."

When she grabbed it out of Jason's hands, she ripped the wrapping paper, ripped it. Didn't even blink. It was a ring box. Her eyes widened.

MARRIAGE—?!

She opened it and gasped.

"Do—do you like it?" Nico asked quietly. He blushed and looked at his toes, a hopeful look on his face. Ever looked at him hard.

"This is…AMAZING!" She jumped on Nico, giving him the biggest hug she had ever given. A huff of surprise came out of Nico, and he struggled to keep them both from falling over. Everyone (including Nico) laughed and snickered when they say Nico having trouble keeping them both from tipping.

"I take it that you like it?" He managed to huff out. Ever laughed and let go of Nico. She leaned up and gave him a peck on the cheek before blushing and skipping over to Piper to brag about her necklace. When she turned to glance at Nico, she giggled when she saw his awestruck expression.

Ah, this was a good Christmas. I wish it could be like this every year.

HOPE YOU LIKED! FOLLOW, FAVORITE, AND REVIEW!

Hayden: FINALLY. AGAIN. WHAT'S TAKING YOU SO LONG.

Me: LIFE.

Sonic: That's alright; I'm sure everyone can appreciate your hard work :)

Me: Thank you, Sonic.

Hayden: *huff* thanks to you I wasn't able to talk to these lovely people!

Me: -_- like you care. You just like bragging and making me look bad.

Hayden: Same difference.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING! GIVE ME YOUR QUESTIONS IN A REVIEW, AND THANKS!