A Very Special Christmas (surprise! I'm back! Here it is, as promised)

Annabeth Pov

Last Christmas

Album: Annabeth Chase Holiday Collection

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart

But the very next day, you gave it away

This year, to save me from tears

I'll give it to someone special

"This year, Christmas will be different," I said, as I helped Percy set up the lights at his house. I stepped on the ladder as he held up the lights for me to put on the rim of the roof.

"Because of me?" he smiled, raising his eyebrow in a bad-boy way.

"You're tangled in the lights," I pointed out.

He looked down. "Aw, man."

I laughed, as I stepped down from the ladder and helped untangle him from the strings.

"Yes, because of you, but also something else."

"What is it?"

I took his hands, the snow sticking on his mittens. "Well, this is the first year here, so the record company is settling down …"

"And?" he pressed, swinging my hands.

"They're busy, which means that I get Christmas off! I'll finally be able to have my first real Christmas without anything in the way!"

Before, I'd explained to him that every single Christmas since I was a singer (which is, like, when I was around 12) I always had to perform somewhere, leaving no time for a real Christmas. A typical Christmas for me was basically sitting on the tour bus, listening to old Christmas carol tapes that were practically ancient (so prehistoric that about every ten seconds it would stop for about thirteen minutes before they began again), staring at some mistletoe hanging on the kitchenette counter that was broken in half, and trying to ignore the fan-sent presents (some of them were lovely, I can assure you, except after I opened one with a guy's used cond- um, yeah, there's no need for more details. I stopped opening them after that).

He asked, "Really?"

I nodded.

He reached up and pushed a curl behind my ear. He gave me that smile I always loved –his lips pulling up at the corners, the beautiful dimple on his cheek, and a special today from the cold weather –the tip of his nose was slightly pink from the winter temperature, which I found absolutely adorable. "I'm so happy for you," he said, taking my mittened hand with his. "I promise I'll give you the best Christmas you've had since a long time."

"I don't think that'll be hard," I laughed, "looking back on the ones before."

"I forgot to ask you something," he said. "What do you want for Christmas?"

"Um…you?" I tried out, a bit confused.

He smiled, holding back his laugh like he found that comment cute. "I know, I'm irresistible. But I meant, for a real present."

"A gift?"

He pulled me close. "Yes, that. What do you want?"

"A candy cane, maybe. Those mini ones that are fifty cents that are given out to everyone."

Percy laughed now. "I meant, like a real gift. Not a little thing. You know, a gift that you open on Christmas Day. Wrapped in pretty gold wrapping paper with a bow on top."

I blushed, breaking our gaze. "I thought gifts were…like a myth. Like Santa Claus. I thought only fans sent Christmas gifts to get your attention. For the past few years, we buy a pack of mini candy canes and hand them out to the crew and my band."

"So, what would you like for a real present?"

I looked up at him. "I…I don't know, actually."

He kissed me softly. His lips were warm, despite the biting weather, and he tasted like mint with a bit of the ocean swirled inside. He tasted so good that it was really hard to hide my 100 gallons of disappointment after he broke away.

He placed a little kiss on the corner of my mouth, my upper lip, and then my bottom lip. "I'll think of something," he said, kissing me one more time, but I wanted it to be longer.

"More," I said, and pulled him back and kissed him fuller. He responded, as I tucked my lips between his. He smiled into the kiss, and then deepened it as he ran his hands down my sides and rested them on my hips.

"Better?" he asked.

I nodded.

"I think we should probably finish the lights," I picked up a line of bulbs.

I couldn't help feeling excited for Christmas as we proceeded with the lights. Maybe I would get to have a real family Christmas dinner like the ones they have in all the movies, with all the pretty decorations! It would be my first time not being on the road! Not having to perform! Not having to stare at the stringy Christmas decorations on the tour bus that give off a dingy aura! Maybe it really was going to be my best Christmas since my career started!

My heart leapt higher than the height of the Empire State Building. I couldn't wait!

After that, we checked the lights to make sure they worked. Purples, pinks, blues, and greens blossomed and writhed in each bulb, coming to life.

a~a~a~a

"Cute sweatshirt," Sarah said, laying Lucas on his back and patting it. He emitted one of those cute baby burps, then clucked a few times with his tongue.

"Thanks! It's Percy's. He gave it to me on our third date, since it was raining," I said, sitting on the sofa facing her. I brought the sleeve to my nose, smelling it. It smelled just like him –an indescribable flavor. I loved it so much.

"It looks good on you," she complimented.

Lucas gave me a blub-blub.

I kissed his head, which had a few soft baby hairs fluffing up. "Hey there, cutie pie! Getting burped, right?"

He raised his hand sleepily and gave me a sheepish look.

"Good mood today?" she asked as she wiped some drool off Lorette's mouth.

I nodded. "I'm just so excited for Christmas!" My first real Christmas, I thought happily.

"You should be! Because guess what?"

"What?" I sat forward on the edge of the couch eagerly. My day was just getting better and better!

"You're going to be playing in Times Square on New Years Eve!"

My heart dropped into my stomach. "W-what?"

Her smile was like a cantaloupe slice. "I know- it's amazing right? Since it's a long drive to New York, we'll leave the day before Christmas Eve so we can have time to get there!"

My mind was still trying to take in the news. "B-but why?"

"The company is busy at this time, so they told me to book this show to fill in the time! You'll get to see the ball drop live! And guess what? You know that piece of soggy mistletoe that you always bugged me about? Well, I replaced it! The tour bus definitely looks better with it!"

My mouth went dry. "That's great…but I…"

She crinkled her eyebrows. "What's wrong? You don't seem excited. This is huge –Times Square on New Years Eve –we should be celebrating!"

"I know, it's just…" I paused. "I thought I was going to have a real Christmas…with the whole tree and gathering and pretty lights…" Nothing could describe my disappointment.

"You don't mind, do you?" she asked. "I'll cancel it if you want."

"I –no, I don't. It's fine. I'll prepare whenever you need me to," I looked down at my lap. My expectations shouldn't have been high anyway. This was every year. Nothing was going to change. I got excited for nothing –for actually believing I was going to have a special Christmas, which now seemed like a fantasy.

a~a~a~a

"So I have to leave on the twenty third," I explained to Percy, kicking some snow on a nearby Blue Atlas Cedar tree. The flakes landed and disappeared, wrinkling away.

"I'm so sorry, Wise Girl." He let me step into his arms. I lightly exhaled as I laid my head on his chest, a whole bundle of stress and worry sliding away. "Don't worry. There will be other times, right? Next year we can always have another Christmas."

I wanted to state that I probably would be busy next year too, but it was so sweet of him that I couldn't help nodding. "Yeah. You're right."

He kissed my forehead. "You should get some sleep. I'll walk you home."

Percy Pov

"Hey sweetie!" My mom picked up a magazine on top of the mail that just came in and shook it excitedly. "You're on another one!"

"Really?" I ran over and took it. "Wow!" I flipped the pages, skimming through it.

Hey –it's only until you have your face on a magazine cover when you get excited.

"And another," she added. "You're with Annabeth on that one."

I looked over at the other one.

"Aww, this picture's so adorable," she cooed. "My little boy's on a cover of a magazine with his wonderful girlfriend!"

I blushed. "Um, yeah."

"Look at that, you've got your arms wrapped around her waist…"

"Mom…"

"…and she's got her hands on your neck…"

"Mom!"

"You remind me of how your father was with me in our 'teen years'." She smiled at me when she saw my face. "Okay, I'll stop embarrassing you."

p~p~p~p

"What flavor should we get?" I asked Annabeth, holding the cup out to her.

"Mm, I don't know. So many frozen yogurt flavors out here," she took the cup. "How about blueberry lemonade and mango?"

After we swirled it into the cup, we went to the cashier.

"5 dollars and four cents," the girl said, checking the scale. "And –oh my GOSH. Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase?"

"Oh, no –we just look at lot like them," Annabeth quickly interrupted, meeting my eyes.

"Yeah! Everyone really gets fooled by that, but we're just regular people who live in California," I followed her lead, then handed the money to the cashier.

"Oh…sorry about that," the girl said, taking the money. "Well, have a good day!"

We chose a seat farthest from the checkout area near a window. Thankfully, more people started coming in so the cashier was busy, though she did glance a few times toward us.

We ate out of plastic pink spoons in our cup that we shared, and I held her hand across the table.

"You have to leave tomorrow, right?" I asked her.

She nodded, though her eyes were wistful. "December 23. I'll miss Christmas, and I was super excited about getting to spend more time with you. But…a celebrity has to do what a celebrity has to do."

I gave her hand a little squeeze. "Hey. I promised I'd give you the perfect Christmas."

She looked at me thankfully. "Thanks, Percy. But… I think my Christmas will be the same ones like the past. But don't worry," she said, responding to my face. "It's good that I'll only be gone for a week and a few days."

I rubbed soothing circles with my thumb over her knuckles. I wanted to give her the best Christmas ever –do something a real boyfriend would do. But how would I be able to do that when she'd be in Times Square? Christmas would be over by then.

"Yeah –it's only a week and a few days," I managed out, though in my head I was still trying to figure out how to give Annabeth the best Christmas she'd be able to have.

"Do you want the last scoop?" I swiped my spoon at the last mouthful of blue and yellow. I smiled at my girlfriend. "Open your mouth."

She did, and I slid the spoon past her lips.

"If only they had frozen yogurt this good in London before," she sighed.

We threw away the cup and went out the door.

"I'll miss you a lot, Percy," she said. "Merry early Christmas- I'll make sure to email or text you from New York."

"Send me pictures," I said, though my mind was on something else: How to give Annabeth an unforgettable Christmas.

p~p~p~p

"Hey mom –do you know where the leftover Christmas decorations are? From last year?" I yelled from the basement, shuffling through boxes.

"What, sweetie? Did you say the leftover Christmas dinner from last year?"

"No –Christmas –ow –decorations!" A waterfall of screws from my dad's toolbox rained down onto my face.

"Decorations from last year? We threw those out!"

"You did?" Disappointment crashed down on me.

"Wait –there might be some in the downstairs closet. Check in there. Em, honey why do you need them, though?"

"For Annabeth," I called. "Thanks, mom!"

Then, I started to plan what I would do.

Annabeth Pov

My Grown Up Christmas List

Album: Annabeth Chase Holiday Collection

No more lives torn apart, that wars would never start

And time would heal all hearts

And everyone would have a friend, and right would always win

And love would never end, oh

This is my grown up Christmas list

It was now December 23 –the day for heading to New York City.

I reviewed the song I was going to perform over and over–Can't Believe It, a new song I didn't reveal yet. It would be divulged on New Years Eve. The tour bus was no different from the past, and I didn't even bother turning on the Christmas tapes.

Of course, our tour bus had nothing festive about it because we didn't have time to decorate it. The little fireplace in the living room had no flavor in it. The kitchenette didn't sing any notes. They were all the same.

After we were halfway there, Sarah suggested we take a break at the mall for a couple hours, since she had to do some last minute Christmas shopping. I guess giving presents actually aren't a 'myth'. I probably never thought about it, especially since the years before I didn't have real friends, and my staff and assistants were always too busy.

"I suppose that would be okay," I agreed.

"I'll be at the same stores you always know I'm at," she told me. "You know where to find me."

I quickly put on my disguise: sunglasses with my hat.

Going along the stores, I thought about what to get for my friends. What do you get them for Christmas? Christmas gifts? Or do you get them gifts like how you'd get them for their birthday?

I went over to Sephora and bought Piper a holiday makeup special kit. She was really pretty, and her makeup always seemed to be perfect. Though she tries not to show it, she knows a lot about aesthetics.

Afterwards, I bought Hazel a silver charms bracelet ringed with a yellow that matched her gold eyes.

I tried to hit every single one of my friends with the right gift, and soon after, there was just one person. Percy.

I needed to get him something perfect. More than perfect. But everywhere I went, nothing seemed to be the right one. A gift card didn't seem the most sentimental. Cologne didn't either, and truthfully, I liked Percy's own smell.

I paused at a little store that had a sign: Donate $1 for the less fortunate! Your kind sacrifice will go to the Cancer Association for the Children's Hospital. I stepped inside.

It was an ordinary Christmas shop, and inside was a lovely tree in the middle. Racks with golden and sparkling ornaments were on the side, and plush Santas hung on little handles. Ginger bread houses were in display near the windows.

"Hello," an old man with a gravely beard chirped merrily. He was very affable and seemed to give off a pleasant atmosphere. "How are you?"

"I'm good, thank you," I said politely. "I was just looking at the sign outside –can I make a donation?"

"Of course! We'd appreciate it a lot," he smiled.

"It's so nice that you guys are doing this," I started to say, taking out my wallet.

"Well, every year, we try to collect as much money as we can, to give it to those unfortunate little angels out there. Actually, all the money the people pay for the products out here," he gestured to the racks, "go to the children. We're trying to raise at least $1000 this year. Of course, we never get much people here," he dipped his head sadly.

I started counting the money I had -20, 40, 60…

"Oh –you only have to donate a dollar or two," he started, but I placed a stack of money in his palm.

"It's okay. I have more than enough money to spare," I said truthfully. "There should be $1000 in there."

He looked thankfully at me. "Thank you, my dear. May god bless you."

I nodded, smiling. "You too." I started to turn around, but he cleared his throat.

"Before you go, you can have a gift. I don't want you to leave here empty handed," he said, taking out a red box.

"You don't have to," I said, but I came back to him anyway.

He opened it. Inside were twelve velvet little cases lined with a stripe of gold. "Choose one," he invited.

They all looked the same, so I decided on the second box to the left on the top. I lifted the top. Inside were…

"Two turtle doves," he said. "That's a good choice. Did you know that those birds represent friendship, or love?"

"No," I admitted, as I admired the two little white marble sculptures of them, no bigger than my pinkie. "Though it does make sense now. Doves epitomize love, and they're the Greek goddess Aphrodite's symbol."

He nodded. "Yes."

"Like in the song," I noticed. "I never knew that…I sang that song so many times in my shows –I mean, um, in my school concerts…"

"Yes. These birds are usually shown cuddling together, whispering secrets and sharing their love together. They're white to show that their love must remain chaste until marriage." He lightly picked up one of the doves in the case. "You keep one, and you give the other away to someone you love, or really care about. As long as you both keep it, you two will always be connected forever." He placed it back in the box and closed it for me, then handed it back.

"Wow…thank you," I emphasized my gratitude and rectitude.

"Thank you," he said. "Have a Merry Christmas. I hope this one will be special for you."

"You too," I said earnestly. "Have a good day!" I stepped out of the store.

a~a~a~a

It was now New Years Eve, and I was getting ready to perform in Times Square. I was excited –I really was. I was happy to perform for everyone in this special event, but in the same time…I wished I still had the opportunity to be loosened from the ropes tightening in on me.

My Christmas of 2013 kind of went like this.

From 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.: sound check.

From 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.: a whole run through of the program.

3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.: a double check for the lights to make sure they worked during my song.

7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.: another run through the whole show.

It was a regular type of Christmas for me.

I felt bad for Lucas and Lorette, because they had to spend their first Christmas on the road with me. I made sure to buy them each a build-a-bear during my free time.

The whole time, I was thinking of how books and movies always have that part where the main character has an idea, and the [insert item/person/place here] would be saved. Well, my Christmas couldn't really be saved, and that was probably realistic.

So, my Christmas passed, and now it was December 31.

"You nervous?" Sarah asked, bobbing Lorette up and down. Tiffany, my makeup artist, was blotting blush on my cheeks.

"Just a little bit."

"You're going to be on in two hours. You got everything ready?"

"Yeah. Where's Tony and Mike?"

"They're getting their equipment ready on stage. Your schedule is 11:32 to 11:37."

Everything is timed on New Years Eve to make sure everything is right on the second, because of course, the ball has to start falling at 11:59.

An hour and a half later, I met up with Mike and Tony downstairs.

"Hey Annabeth," Mike said when I went over to them. "You ready?"

"Yeah," I said. "Is my makeup okay? My eyelashes feel really stiff."

"They look okay," Tony reassured me. His cell phone beeped. "Oh! That's my girlfriend." He pulled it out and checked it. "Says she's waiting to see us on T.V.!"

I went through my song in my head all the way until it was time for us to go onstage.

"And now, the one and only –Annabeth Chase!" The host this year was Tristan Mclean, and he gave me a quick smile and mouthed break a leg.

The music started right away since I only had 5 minutes, and the crowd squealed under me.

"I can't believe we came this far," I started singing.

"There's so much we've done,

So much we've learned

So much we've gained

I can't believe this is where we are right now…"

Smoke spewed from the machines and lights flashed.

"I can't believe we've made it

Every single step led to another

And now it's time for a new path

A new chance that'll blossom and grow

I can't believe it," I ended the chorus.

I sang the second verse and chorus once again, and the crowd sang along.

"This is a moment we'll all remember to ourselves

And every time we look back we'll think…

I can't believe we've made it

Every single step led to another, oh yeah

And now it's time for a new path

A new chance that'll blossom and grow

I can't believe it."

The audience screamed when I ended my song.

"Happy New Year!" I said into my microphone. "Thank you!"

a~a~a~a

"Good job Annabeth!" Sarah said, giving me a hug at our hotel lobby. "You were amazing!"

I forced a smile, hoping she wouldn't notice it was spurious. "Thanks. What time is it?"

"11:43."

"Hey –do you think I could go to the tour bus for a second? I left my phone there, and I kind of want to call Percy."

"No problem! Come back soon, though," she gave me approbation, squeezed my shoulder, and went towards the elevators.

I went out the doors, which had the paparazzi waiting outside.

"Yeah, um, hi! Okay, bye now. See you guys later," I scrambled away as quickly as I could, hoping they'd get distracted. Luckily, Taylor Swift came and their focus was swirled away from me.

I used my key to unlock the tour bus door and…

"Oh…my gosh…" My hand went up to my mouth.

"Merry late Christmas, and Happy New Years Eve, Annabeth," Percy smiled.

He had decorated the tour bus so beautifully –paper snowflakes hung from the ceiling, and holly covered the fireplace. Tinsel encased the tree (how did he get that in here?) and little ornaments rested on the branches. There were red and green strips of shiny ribbon that hung on the kitchenette. Poinsettias were on the coffee table, and there was mistletoe everywhere you looked. Candles of Christmas scents were lighted, and the flames licked the air.

"I'm sorry it's kind of late," he apologized, coming over to me. "I couldn't get here on time."

"No –it's perfect," I got over my shock. "Did you –did you do this all by yourself?"

He blushed. "Yeah. I know it's probably not that great –"

"It's amazing," I branched on to his sentence. Then, I blushed too. "You did this all for me?"

He nodded, taking my hand and lacing it with his. "I promised I'd give you the perfect Christmas…so I thought, if we wouldn't be able to celebrate it in California, we could celebrate it in New York."

My heart melted like butter. "Oh…that's so sweet of you…"

He went over to the tree and took a little present from it. "Here's a late Christmas present for you," he said.

I gently tore open the wrapping paper and opened the box inside it. There was a little necklace with a candy cane hanging down that said Forever on it. My mouth opened to the sight of it automatically.

"Is that the kind of fifty cent candy cane you wanted?" he asked, smiling to the sight of my face.

I gave him a hug, pressing myself against his strong, sturdy, chest. "Thank you. Can you help me put it on?"

He took the necklace chain out of the box and clipped it. Then he kissed the back of my neck softly.

"Actually, um, I have a present for you too," I blushed. "It's really not much, but…" I first took a little frame out of my pocket. There was a picture of us together on our first date in it.

Then, I took out the velvet box that I had received from the Christmas shop. I opened it carefully and took out a bird.

"It's a turtle dove," I explained, pressing it into his palm lightly. "They symbolize love. You keep one, and you give the other away. As long as you both have it, you'll always be linked together. The giver is supposed to give it to someone he or she really cares about. So…this is for you. I have the other one, and this way we'll never be apart, as least in our hearts."

He smiled. "I'll keep it forever."

"Oh, by the way, I brought us a midnight romantic dinner," he said, spreading out a blue blanket and bringing out a picnic basket.

"Wow –actually, I didn't eat in 8 hours," I admitted, helping to straighten out the wrinkles in the blanket.

We sat down, and though it was only a tour bus, it felt like I was spending Christmas at home.

Suddenly, there was screaming outside, and I could just barely make out what they were saying.

"11:59," Percy said.

"They're counting down," I said at the same time.

We waited until they got to 1.

"Thank you for giving me the perfect Christmas and New Years," I told Percy.

"I'll do anything for you."

I reached up and kissed him. His hand went up to my hair and my hand went up to his cheek.

We broke apart, and I kissed him one more time on the cheek. Then, we went out on a walk in the city, admiring the Christmas decorations that hadn't been taken down yet.

It really was the best Christmas (and New Years Eve/Day) I ever had.

Welcome back! And Merry Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa! (Even though Hanukkah passed, happy late Hanukkah!) I hope you liked this special chapter –made it long for you guys! If you think I should continue making special edition chapters, just put it in the reviews :) Hope you all liked this chapter, and enjoy your holiday season! –Sophia