Percy and Annabeth-Their future

Forever

*The Final Chapter of Percy and Annabeth-Their Future*

~Christmas Eve 2044~

"Wise Girl," Percy's familiar voice cooed in my ear. I opened my eyes briefly, the morning sun practically blinding me. But I couldn't keep them closed for too long, because kneeling by my bedside was Percy, decked out in some tacky Christmas sweater with a wild-eyed grin on his face. "Merry Christmas Eve!" 

To Percy, Christmas was as exciting as it was to a five-year-old. With him, the magic was always there. Always. 

"Merry Christmas, Seaweed Brain," I mumbled, curling up in the covers. As much as I loved his face, I also loved my sleep. Very much. 

"No! Annabeth, it's Christmas Eve! You have to get up!" He threw the covers back, leaving me shivering, but once I was wrapped in his arms, the cold went away. Outside, snow was falling the way in did in movies- slowly, steadily, elegantly. Percy had forced me to go to sleep last night so he could decorate the whole house and have it be a surprise, and although I knew he was capable of achieving the impossible, even I was stunned. 

Little glistening lights and garland adorned the stair railings, shimmering in red, gold, and green.  Under every doorway, a sprig of mistletoe taunted me.

"It's a tradition, Wise Girl... you have to kiss me,"Percy grinned, pulling me towards him. 

"You make it sound like such  a chore," I laughed pressing my lips against his. His fingers ran gently through my "lemon-scented" hair, and a faint ocean smell came off of his hair. Yup, the fireworks were still there, all these years later. 

We spent the morning eating Percy's perfected blue waffles, wrapped up in a blanket on the couch as my favorite old Christmas movie played in the background. 

"Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?" The movie flickered in the background, my head gently resting on Percy's shoulder. I could feel his eyes moving toward me, as though he was taking in the lines of the movie. But he couldn't possibly be listening to a movie from 1946...

"Annabeth?" He asked quietly, knowing I didn't like my movies interrupted. 

"Uh huh?" I replied, looking up at his deep green eyes. 

"I love you so much," He smiled, kissing my forehead. I couldn't help reaching up to wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him. 

"Gods, Percy, everyone knows I love you more,"

~

"Hello? Anybody home?" A familiar voice echoed through the house. One that it hadn't heard in a while. I almost tripped down the stairs I was running so fast. 

"Luke!" I smiled, running to hug my baby boy, his fatigues reminding me of everything I got to be proud of. Percy wasn't too far behind me, and even though he didn't really hug the boys the way I did, he REALLY hugged Luke. 

"Gods, I've missed you guys so much," Luke smiled, an air of nostalgia and sadness washing over him. It was like he was suddenly realizing how long he'd been away. "Those care packages have been amazing, all the other guys in my unit have been jealous."

"Well, buddy, you definitely earned it. What's it been like over there?" Percy asked, leading Luke over to the counter and almost shoving a cookie into his mouth. As they continued talking, Taylor burst in, arms and eyes wide.