A/N: Yay, Christmas chapter! In just enough time because it just turned midnight as I am writing this! Enjoy!
Christmas was a weird holiday for demigods to celebrate. After all, they were the living, breathing proof of the Greek Gods being real, yet Christmas was still celebrated. Probably because Christmas' date on the calendar was awfully close to a Pagan holiday that was celebrated when people were beginning to convert to Christianity. The holiday still had slightly less meaning for the demigods when compared to their mortal families.
Annabeth loved the idea of Christmas. Well, the idea that modern society turned it into. Giving gifts to the people you love, spending time with friends and family, and the visual aspect of it all.
Lights. Lights were her favorite part. Entire buildings could be completely redesigned for the holidays by adding festive lights. Christmas trees lit whole living rooms in a dim glow that made people feel warm and cozy.
Lights. Which were currently out because of a severe snowstorm. On Christmas Eve.
Annabeth was spending time with Percy and his family when the lights went out. Luckily, Sally had a lot of candles placed around the living room to keep it lit.
"What a way to spend Christmas Eve," Sally commented.
Annabeth nodded in agreement and snuggled further into her blanket. Paul and Percy had gone who knows where to find more.
"Sally, I found some! Could you come here for a second?" Paul shouted from another room.
Sally sighed and lifted herself off of the couch, leaving Annabeth alone.
"Hey."
She looked up to see Percy walking in, not with a blanket like she expected, but a nicely wrapped box.
"It's not quite Christmas, yet, Seaweed Brain," Annabeth teased.
"I know," he replied. "I've just been waiting for so long to give this to you. I planned this months ago."
"You planned something?"
"Yes, I did, and you are going to love it."
Annabeth began to carefully unwrap the box while Percy was bouncing around in his seat. As she lifted the lid off of the box, she gasped.
"My dagger! How-" Annabeth exclaimed before Percy cut her off.
"It's not the same one. I talked to Leo, and together we came up with an idea of what your dagger looked like. He also carved your initials into it," Percy explained.
"Percy, this is the most amazing-" she was cut off yet again.
"That's not even the best part. Leo talked to his dad, and with a lot of convincing, he was able to charm the dagger so that it will always return to its owner. You won't be able to lose it."
Annabeth was so happy, she could've cried. After gently setting her new dagger down, she flung herself into her boyfriend's arms.
"Thank you so, so much. You have no idea how much this means to me," Annabeth said.
"I think I do," Percy replied, smiling.
"I have your gift!" Annabeth exclaimed while pushing herself off of the couch in the direction of her bag.
She pulled a small box out of her bag and handed it to her boyfriend. He smiled at her and opened it.
Inside, there was a small charm of an owl carrying a trident with sea green gems where the owl's eyes would be.
"You aren't the only one with connections to children of Hephaestus," Annabeth laughed lightly. "I figured you could put it on your camp necklace."
"That's a great idea, but this really deserves to be on its own chain," Percy said.
"Wouldn't your friends see that as a little bit girly?" Annabeth asked, giggling.
"I don't care. It would be like when people wear cross necklaces. This is what I believe in: us."
"You are being incredibly cheesy tonight, Seaweed Brain."
"It's fun, though."
Annabeth laughed and quickly kissed her boyfriend.
"I love you," she said quietly.
"I love you, too," Percy replied then kissed her again.
"Okay, you two. Time to break it up. We have blankets," Sally announced as she walked into the room.
Annabeth pulled away, blushing, and she took a blanket from Sally. Percy then took the blanket from her and wrapped it around the both of them.
After hours of talking and telling stories, Annabeth felt herself drifting off. Sally and Paul excused themselves to their room, and Annabeth allowed her eyes to shut for the night.
The next morning, Sally made them a special Christmas breakfast. Any cooked breakfast was special for Annabeth, but she appreciated it nonetheless.
"Did you sleep well, Annabeth?" Sally asked.
Annabeth blushed, knowing fully well that Sally knew how she had fallen asleep with Percy.
"Yes, I slept well," she responded sheepishly.
"Okay, everyone finish up! Time to exchange gifts," Sally instructed. "Though Percy and Annabeth already exchanged theirs last night, breaking the rules of Christmas!" she joked.
"Forgive us for not wanting an audience," Percy laughed.
"How well did that work for you? We still walked in on you kissing."
Annabeth's face burned fiercely, but she still laughed.
"You guys go ahead. I'm going to call my dad," Annabeth stated.
They all nodded and left the room, Percy kissing her cheek before exiting.
The phone didn't ring for very long when Frederick Chase answered.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Dad," Annabeth greeted. "Merry Christmas."
"Annabeth! It's so good to hear from you. You never call."
"Yeah, I know. I'm sorry. I'll try harder, I swear."
"Good. Merry Christmas! What are you up to today?"
"I spent the night and I'm spending the morning with Percy's family."
"Sounds like a good time! Anything else?"
"Later, I'm going back to my place to spend some time with Malcolm. We may or may not go to camp. I haven't decided yet. Did you all get your gifts? I tried to send them enough in advance so they would get there on time."
"Yeah, they came a few days ago. We wouldn't let the boys open them until this morning, though. It was really killing them."
Annabeth laughed. "Oh, I'm sure. Did they like their gifts?"
"Yes, we all love our gifts. You were ranked right after Santa. Congratulations!"
Annabeth laughed again. "I feel so honored."
"Speaking of gifts, Annabeth. Ours to you is with Percy, if you could get him to bring it to you."
Confused, she called for Percy, and he brought her a box that she didn't see with the other gifts. He smiled at her and went back into the other room.
"So much mystery," she commented as she opened the box. Inside lay a plane ticket to San Francisco. "Oh my gods, really?"
"We would really like it if you come out to spend the week with us. You can leave before or after New Year's. You'll be back before your school break is over, either way," her father explained.
"This is great! When does my flight leave?"
"Tomorrow night. We are so excited that you're coming!"
"I am too! I'll call you before I get on the plane tomorrow."
"Okay. Merry Christmas! I love you!"
"I love you, too. Bye, Dad."
Annabeth hung up and walked to the living room where the Jackson-Blofis family was seated.
"So Wise Girl, do you like the gift your dad got you?" Percy asked with a smile.
"I can't believe you kept that a secret from me, too!" Annabeth exclaimed instead of answering.
"What did your dad get you, Annabeth?" Paul asked.
"A plane ticket to San Francisco. I'm spending the week with my family," Annabeth explained, smiling widely.
"That's so exciting! You probably need to pack, so let's do gifts quickly, Sally said.
Sally and Paul got Annabeth a sweater. Annabeth got Sally a necklace, and she got Paul a t-shirt that read "I'm sorry if I correct your grammar. Actually, I'm not." They both really enjoyed their gifts.
"Okay, I really have to go," Annabeth said, gathering her things. "I promised Malcolm the day."
Percy pouted. "Fine. I'll be over tomorrow to take you to the airport."
Annabeth thanked Sally and Paul and made her way to the door.
"Wait!" Percy called and ran over to her. "I love you," he said and kissed her softly. "Merry Christmas."
"I love you, too. And merry Christmas to you too. See you tomorrow," she replied.
Luckily, Annabeth was able to catch a cab. Otherwise, the walk home would have been horrible for her.
Malcolm was watching a Christmas movie when Annabeth walked in.
"Hey," Annabeth greeted. "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas to you, too, sis," Malcolm replied, smiling. "How was your night?"
"Really good, despite the power going out. What are we going to do today?"
"Are you still up for going to camp?"
"Always. I won't be able to go at all next week because I'll be in San Francisco."
"Well, then we better get going."
Annabeth smiled and followed her brother out the door.
Hello friends! Merry Christmas! QOTD: Favorite part about Christmas? Mine is getting to see my family and playing with my little cousins.
Until next time!