Mortals Meet Percabeth

Sophia Jackson Part One

Rick Riordan owns the PJO and HOO characters, places, and events.  I also do not own Snapchat.

Ten stockings (eleven counting our dog, Demi's) are hanging over our gas fireplace, stuffed to the brim with candies and small toys, sometimes even a phone for us older kids. A pile of presents sits below each stocking. I take a few pictures and post them to Snapchat. The pictures look like they came straight from a movie, with Mom's red and gold Christmas tree and beautiful mantle decorations to match. As much as she hates to admit Mom has great tastes in decor. 

I sigh with happiness, Christmas is my favorite time of year and the looks on the kids' faces were enough to warm anyone's hearts. I look at the pictures from Christmas past and especially Mom and Dad's yearly Christmas photo.

They always look so in love and I know I want that someday. Mom is staring into Dad's eyes and Dad has his hand placed gently on her cheek. Unlike most kids, I don't mind my parents' affection. I find it sweet.

"Sophie, Sophie," Zoe sings skipping down the stairs, "Guess what day it is!"

"What day is it?" I say acting oblivious.

"It's Christmas!" she squeals, "I'm going to go get Kinzie! She'll be so excited! I can't wait! I better get that American Girl Doll!" she rambles and runs back up the stairs before I can stop her. 

I giggle and go to pull down the stockings off the hooks. Zoe returns with not only Kinzie but, Michael and Charlie. Silena comes tumbling down after them her hair in knots and a smile plastered on her face, "Zoe...jumped...on my... face," she laughs.

I turn on the T.V. and we all watch the Polar Express until Dad makes his way down the stairs. He has Mom slung over his shoulder, her blond curls bouncing and Castor in his other arm. Luke follows groggily behind, "Santa came!" Dad screams from the stairs.

"Ow, ow, ow, ow" Mom says as her head bounces with every step Dad takes, "Can you set, ow, me down, ow, yet?" she asks laughing.

Dad sets her down and hands her Castor, "Well are we ready to start opening?" she asks. We all nod enthusiastically.

"Me first! I call going first," Dad yells raising his hand. Mom mumbles something about her husband being her ninth child.

"No, Kinzie goes first, since she is the youngest child who is capable of opening," Mom informs him in her most reprimanding voice. Dad crosses his arms and sticks out his lips as they both take a seat on the love seat, "Quit acting like a two-year-old, Percy." Mom says once again reprimanding.

"Hey!" Kinzie yells, but she soon forgets when she sees the baby doll outfit that is stuffed in her stocking.

Soon we are all standing knee deep in wrapping paper. I'm holding my new phone, the iPhone 7. I catch Silena admiring the pair of Ugg boots she'd received while she helps Mom pick up all the wrapping paper on the floor. Luke is passed out on the couch holding his new pair of swim team racing trunks. I swear that kid sleeps more than the rest of us put together. Charlie is hitting Zoe's new American Girl Doll  in the face with his Star Wars Light saber. Zoe is lightly tapping Charlie's head with Uncle Jason's brick that he forgot here. Michael is reading the first Harry Potter book aloud to our dog, Demi. He's only three, but he reads better than most sixth graders. Kinzie is rocking her new Bitty Baby and singing it a lullaby in Greek. Castor is laying on the couch looking absolutely adorable in his new, blue trident sleeper. 

"Mama? When will Jadie and Perce get here?" Charlie questions the where abouts of his two closest friends, Jade Zhang and Perseus DiAngelo-Solace.

"A couple hours, baby," Mom answers flipping a blue pancake, "Our Christmas Party doesn't start until one." Charlie sighs.

"Shield your eyes, children," A man's voice says from nowhere. Oh great the gods are coming. I shake my head while jogging over to where Castor lays. I pick him up and cover his eyes. I feel and see the blinding gold flash through my closed eyelids. 

"Come give grandpa a hug!" I hear Poseidon's booming voice before I see him. My eyes are still recovering from the flash, "Merry Christmas!" he says.

"Sea-scum over here, said we had to come and see you before your 'Party'," I internally shudder at Athena's cold voice. She accepted Mom and Dad's marriage, but she still isn't a particular fan of Dad, or Poseidon for that matter. I think she's warming up to it because she absolutely adores is grand kids. She turns to me, "I'll trade you this," Athena says holding out a wrapped present, "For Castor," I nod holding out Castor and taking the present.

"Hey, Dad!" My dad says emerging from his room upstairs, "Merry Christmas!" he says giving Poseidon a warm hug.

"Mom," Annabeth says nodding her head respectfully.

"Annabeth," Athena gives Mom an awkward hug, determined not to be out done by Poseidon.

"Come sit down and eat breakfast with us," Dad offers. 

Athena shakes her head and Poseidon looks disappointed, "We just came to stop by, we have many mortals to watch over. Annabeth, Perseus the kids may open their presents when they go to bed. Our present to you is we-- Poseidon and I--are putting a monster barrier around your house for the remainder of the day," Athena says. She gives Castor to Zoe who is standing in awe by her feet, "Goodbye." We all cover our eyes as she flashes out of the room. Poseidon follows a few minutes later.

I follow all my siblings into the kitchen after tucking my present upstairs under my pillow.

This day is just beginning.

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Merry Christmas 2016! (A few days late) I hope everything is well in your lives and I want to thank the few people who do read my book! 

I know you might say Percy and Annabeth aren't Christian, but a lot of people in America celebrate Christmas because it's been so commercialized. Since I celebrate it I thought it would be a lot of fun, so had them celebrate it. I hope you are all having an amazing Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Break, etc! Part two should be up soon, sorry for spelling and punctuation mistakes, I am in the car so I don't want to waste my cellular data running it through a grammar checker. 

Emma