Better Angels

Chapter Fourteen: Christmas Memories

Chapter Fourteen: Christmas Memories

Well I promised a Christmas Chapter, didn't I?

CHRISTMAS 2006
        "C'mon Percy," I yelled after my half-brother, attempting to get my hat back from him as he ran to the opposite side of the street away from his mom's apartment. I let out a deep breath, producing a billowing cloud of white air.
        "Percy I want my hat back! My ears are freezing!" I crossed my arms in front of me as I gently placed one foot in front of another on the frozen sidewalk, careful not to slip on ice hidden under the fresh layer of powdery snow that came in last night.
        "Come and get it then!" He taunted, waving it back and forth.
        "Fine if that's how you want to play!" A mischievous glint lit up his sea green eyes as the whistled through the empty street. I bolted across the street trying not fall and quickly tackled him to the ground before he could get a word out.
        "What was that for?" he wheezed attempting to get some air into his lungs. I laughed and fumbled around in the snow for my red beanie. Triumphantly I pulled it out from underneath Percy, where he'd dropped it as he fell, and stood up brushing to snow of my jeans.
        "You had my hat," I teased, "and I wanted it back."
        "I'm sure there could have been easier ways than breaking my ribs," Percy grumbled.
        "Oh, don't be a baby." I rolled my eyes and offered my hand to help him out of the snow bank. He reluctantly grabbed it, but with his other hand through massive snow ball at my face, sending a shower of it down my face and into my shirt.
        "Percy!" I shrieked. He ran from me again fearful of my retaliation. He did not know how good I was at a snowball fight, and was willing to play dirty. After all, Poseidon is technically the god of water and, well, snow is just frozen water.
        "So that's how you want to play Percy Jackson. I've got this in the bag." I bent down and quickly compacted a snowball and threw it in Percy's general direction going for the 'let's throw as many as humanly possible' strategy.
        My fingers turned red from the cold as we volleyed one snowball after the other at each other from opposite sides of the street, always giving a shout of laughter when we got hit in the face. I chucked one last snowball and nailed Percy directly in the nose. As the snow slid down his face his shocked expression sent me into a fit of laughter that hurt my ribs. His nose was bright red.
        "Do you give up now Rudolph?" I focused on the snow piled on the pavilion above his head as he yelled 'No!' at me. "Fine have it your way," I laughed. I tossed my snow covered hair over my shoulder and sent the pile of snow tumbling down the weight causing Percy to collapse on the sidewalk.
        "I did not think that would work," I whispered in amazement.
        "Whoa!" I spun around and came face to face with the son of the sun god.
        "Will!" I exclaimed and threw my arms around his neck.
        "Well, Merry Christmas to you too, Vic." Will hugged me back tightly, both arms wrapped firmly around my waist. He immediately warmed up my snow covered body and didn't protest as a clung to him. He squeezed me tighter and I rested my head on his shoulder allowing his arms to envelop me. Our winter coats rustled together as we stood there in the cold; Will kept me warm and safe. His arms were somewhere I always felt like a belonged.
        "I missed you," he whispered softly the air around me instantly smelling of peppermint.
        "I missed you, too." I stepped out of his arms and missed the warmth and security that they had provided. "Did you just eat a candy cane?"
                "Yeah, why?" He asked quizzically.
        "I could smell it," I laughed.
        "Is that a bad thing?"
        "Nope. You smell like Christmassy wonderfulness," I giggled.
        "Christmassy wonderfulness?" Will raised his blonde eyebrows at me and chuckled. "Now there is something I thought would never come out of Victoria Carstairs' mouth.
        "Well," I shrugged, "people change during the holidays."
        "I can see that," he looked me up and down with his azure blue eyes. "You have snow on your face." Will's gloved hand gently caressed my face getting rid of any snow that had been there and sent the blood rushing to my cheeks. "You're blushing."
        "Am not," I protested covering my cheeks with my frozen hands.
        "Sure you aren't, Vic." Will winked at me. My blush deepened even further and Will laughed walking to the other side of the street to give Percy a helping hand out of the snow. I let out a happy sigh and spun around in the snow before hunching my shoulders against the cold and head inside to the Jackson's apartment.
        "How'd you manage to dump that much snow on me Victoria?" Percy asked in between his teeth chattering. Percy wrapped his arms around himself trying to get warm again. His black hair was now frozen to his forehead and Will kept throwing me glances filled with laughter and amusement at the state I'd put Percy in and tried to keep from bursting with laughter.
        "Snow is water, you idiot," I laughed. The snow crunched under our three pair of boots as we marched back inside.
        "Why didn't I think of that?" Percy mumbled angrily to himself.
        "Because I'm older and therefore more intelligent," I stated, stomping off the compacted snow in the lobby before hitting the carpeted area.
        "Only by nine months," Percy argued.
        "Yes but those nine months give her more experience in life, right Vic?" Will winked at me as he pulled off his hat revealing a layer of messed up blonde locks.
        "See Percy, Will knows what he's talking about," I breathed, gesturing toward the blue eyed boy.
        "What does Will know?" A voice came from behind us.
        "Annabeth!" I exclaimed. "What are you doing here?" I asked as I rushed to give her a hug. "I thought you were going to be with your dad for Christmas."
        "Not for a few more days," she sighed. I released her from my hug. "Percy invited me because he knew how lonely it can get at camp after everyone has gone."
        I nodded in agreement.
        "Yeah it turns into a ghost town," Will agreed. "It's a good thing you came here this is where all the party is going to be, with you, me, Vic, and Percy."
        "Don't forget Grover and Tyson," I interjected. Will smiled.
        "Them too. We're gonna have fun."
        "I know," Annabeth smiled. "Thanks Percy for inviting me on such short notice."
        Percy shrugged and nervously rubbed the back of his neck. "Hey, what are best friends for?"
        "Anyway," I said sparing Percy any awkward encounters, "why don't we head upstairs? I'm sure Sally and Paul are waiting to eat with us. Tyson and Grover... I'm not so sure about." I linked my arm through Annabeth's and pulled her to the elevator telling her about the unexpected party trick with the snow I'd done a few minutes before.
        As Percy and I recounted the story of our snowball fight Will and my gaze kept meeting sending a surge of warmth throughout my whole body. I leaned against the elevator listening to Percy chatter over the sound of the Christmas elevator music playing. I threw my head back in laughter as he exaggerated my tackling him.
        The elevator dinged and the four of us poured out of the hallway following Percy through the door of his apartment. We were greeted with the warm aroma of honey glazed pork and the sweet smell of homemade apple pie.
        "Is the pie done Ms. Jackson?" I unwrapped my white scarf from around my neck and hung it and my coat on the coat-rack by the door.
        "Almost Victoria! Do you want to take it out of the over for me?"
        "Sure thing!" I answered tossing my hoodie and hat at Will gesturing for him to hang them up.
        "I'm not your butler!" Will protested.
        "Nope you're my friend and therefore you love me and do as I ask occasionally." I looked over my shoulder a watched his azure blue eyes sparkle with laughter. "Right William?" I added sweetly and batted my eyelashes.
        "How are you still standing?" Paul Blofis asked as he walked out of the kitchen after witnessing my attempt at getting Will to hang up my things. Paul continued to dry his hands on a towel. "A sweet voice like that and the batting of the eyelashes would normally do me and many others in."
        "She's got me wrapped around her little finger and she knows it," Will sighed hanging my second jacket on the rack.
        "You are a sucker," Percy laughed.
        Annabeth hit him in the arm. "No he's being gentlemanly Perseus." Percy cringed at the use of his full name. Will looked down and smiled nervously twisting my hoodie in his hands. I suppressed a small smile at his nervousness. He was adorable when anyone ever brought up the way he treated me, almost as a boyfriend would treat a girlfriend-but that was his choice to make not mine. Unlike me he did not have the... privilege... of remembering all of our lives together and he had to fall back in love every single time. I wanted him to be happy and if his happiness didn't involve me then so be it.
        "I'm sure that's what it is," Paul laughed knowingly as he ushered them into the dining room as I head into the kitchen. I quickly headed to the drawer with the oven mitts and pulled out a pair just as the oven let out a resounding 'ding'. Sally was bustling around the kitchen gathering plates and silverware for the eight of us. The mouth-watering smell apples and cinnamon hit me just as I opened the oven.
        "Oh that smells so good," I moaned. "I just want to eat it now." I grabbed the edges of the pie tin and carefully set it on the counter to cool.
        "Do you need help with anything, Sally?" Will popped his head into the kitchen.
        "No, dear," Sally replied sweetly brushing her brown hair off of her forehead. "We were just heading out to join you."
        The mood was light and everything of monsters and prophecies was forgotten. Percy and Tyson had a 'who could stuff the most ham in their mouth' competition. Needless to say Tyson won. Our laughter and cheer caused the walls to shake and the room to become warm.
        "It's time for presents!" Sally announced as soon as the last of our plates were cleared and we'd all eaten our fill.
        "Oh Sally you didn't have too," Victoria said.
        "Of course I did," Sally replied sweetly gathering boxes and bags from under the small tree in the living room. The tree sparkled green and red with glowing gold ornaments the star on the top of the tree was a beautiful glass one gilded with gold.
        "Hey Vic, I left some of the gifts in my car do you want to come help me?" Will asked. His cheeks were either flushed from the warmth of the room or he was blushing.
        "Sure," I smiled quickly uncrossing my legs and straightening my red sweater heading to the front door to grab my coats.
        "Do you need anyone else to help you?" Grover asked.
        "No," Will said hastily causing everyone to jump. I looked up at Will curiously. "It's just small things Victoria and I should be able to handle them."
        "Oh, okay," Grover said sitting back down on the Jackson's sofa.
        "Oh don't look so dejected Grover. Carrying in packages isn't that fun," I joked as I wrapped my scarf around my neck and secured my hat on my head to keep my ears from freezing. Grover's face lit back up.
        Will opened to door. "After you."
        "Awww thanks, Will." He quickly closed the door behind him as we headed toward the elevator in silence.
        "So," I started, trying to get rid of any awkwardness, which in hindsight made everything more awkward. "You planning on seeing your mom during break?"
        "Maybe I not really sure if she wants me around or not. She's trying to adapt to her new husband and his kids, and you know she never liked having me around as a reminder of dad," he muttered. I put my hand on his shoulder to comfort him making him look into my eyes.
        "It's not right for her to blame you for your father's actions. If anything it's her fault for getting involved with Apollo. I mean, we all know that your dad is a major flirt."
        Will smiled as I assumed a more playful tone. "You would know."
        "Yes, I would know. Freaking Apollo has attempted to flirt with me and Thalia before. As if he could have picked two less receptive women!"
        "You know I was kind of jealous when he did that," he admitted.
        I raised my eyebrows at him and smiled knowingly. "Oh really, I had no idea," I feigned innocence as the elevator doors opened and left Will in the dust as he stood there in shock. Of course, I knew that he was jealous. I can read that boy like a book.
        The lobby doors opened greeting me with a gust of chilling winter air. The sky hard turned dark and for the first time ever I was able to see the stars above the Manhattan skyline. The snow was coming down even harder than earlier and our footprints from earlier were nothing but small indentations. I stepped out into the snow just as Will ran up behind me.
        "Wait, you mean you knew?"
        I laughed and kept walking towards Will's bright yellow beat up jalopy; it was his gift to himself on his 17th birthday this year. "Of course I knew. I've known you for years and not to mention I know you." The car's lights flashed as Will unlocked it.
        "What else do you know then?" Will ran to get in front of me. He grabbed my shoulders to look in to my eyes. "What do you know?" He whispered earnestly his voice becoming deeper and huskier.
I blinked in confusion at his change in attitude. My heart beat quicker at his close proximity and my eyes were drawn the lips that I'd kissed so many times. A kiss that he had yet to experience in this lifetime. He noticed the movement of my eyes and inhaled quickly; Will cleared his throat and took a step back. I instantly became colder and missed his presence in front of me. The ache inside of me was unbearable: I missed having him loving me.
        "I have something for you," Will said turning his back on me to open his passenger side door. I cleared my head and focused on Will now and not the man he had been in the past. I smiled at him.
        "Really? What did you get me?" I came up behind him keeping to the light that surrounded the car. Will leaned into the car and pulled out a small gold bag with white tissue paper sprouting out of the top. Will handed it to me with a small smile as our hands brushed during the hand-off sending a rush of warmth up my arm.
        "Open it."
        "Don't you want me to open it when we get inside?" I questioned and shivered at the cold.
        "I'd rather you open it out here, that's why I brought you," he admitted looking down at the ground, scuffing his shoes in the powdery snow. I was taken aback by his intensity.
        "Okay." I pulled out the tissue paper and stuck in underneath my arm, impressed by how much of it he'd managed to stuff in such a tiny bag. Once it was all gone my finger brushed to smooth velvet of a box. I took the box out of its bag and was amazed at the quality of the velvet.
        "Well, don't just stare at the box actually open it," Will laughed. I eased the lid off the top the box, revealing a miniature golden violin attached to a dainty gold chain beside the violin was a thin gold arrow acting as the violin's bow.
        "Will! You didn't!" I gasped as I marveled at the detail of the design. "It's beautiful." Will's face lit up as he flashed a brilliant smile my way. My heart leapt in joy.
        "I wanted you to have something of you, the violin, and smoething of me, the arrow," he explained. "Do you like it?"
        "I love it," I shouted, throwing my arms around his neck and holding on for dear life. Will laughed and spun me around, causing euphoria to take over my whole body. The warmth and energy that surrounded Will and I was not one that is achieved through banter and jokes at a Christmas dinner but through years of love and dedication to one other: it's achieved through being connected to one person more than any other for your entire life. As Will held me in the air my feet dangled and inch or two off the ground and the space between on was even less
        "Merry Christmas and Happy belated 16th birthday," he whispered his eyes never leaving mine as the toes of my boots touched the snow covered ground once more. His smile would not leave his face and I fell in love with him even more. Every lifetime there was something new to be discovered about ourselves through each other and to me it was always how deeply I could love a person. So deeply, that he was a part of my soul as I was his. I could possibly only have two years left with this boy that I've known for thousands of ages or I could have an eternity-but at this moment it didn't matter and all I needed was him.
        "Thank you, Will," I stood up on my tip toes and pressed a light kiss on the cheek just close enough to the lips to leave something to be imagined. My lips lingered on his cheek longer the necessary as the snow continued to come down around us. The wind began to pick up whipping my red hair around the both of us. "We should probably head in," I shivered taking a step back and stomping my feet around trying to get warm once more.
        "Wait, I can help you with your necklace if you want," Will said.
        "That would be lovely." I smiled and turned around removing the scarf from my neck. Goosebumps rose on my neck as the cold air came in contact with my unprotected skin. Will brushed my hair off of my neck leaving a trail of heat as he did. My body quivered under his touch as his fingers lightly touched my neck while he secured the clasp. The weight of the necklace was lightweight and would not hinder my movement at all and I think Will knew that. I turned around and was practically in his arms once more as he stared at me. His blue eyes flicked down to my lips and I was filled with a rush of excitement. Heat rushed to my cheeks as his right hand caressed my cheek I instantly leaned into it and let out a deep sigh. I was filled with such joy knowing that this could be the moment that Will was mine once more and not just a friend.
        Gazing up at him I allowed Will to take the first move as he leaned down and softly pressed his lips against mine. My body melted into his as I basically turned to putty the same way I did every time he had kissed me. Will was tender and sweet and his lips were soft and gentle against mine. There was nothing rushed or harsh all there was love and no ulterior motives. I pressed against him, yearning for his warmth and to be as close as him as possible. Will's hands gently cupped my face and neck while mine lay flat against his chest. His heart beat fast against my hand and kept in time with mine. There was only us, Victoria and Will, a love that would last lifetimes. The snow whipped us but we kept each other warm, never losing a beat as our lips connected and reconnected. I felt my heart soar above the clouds relieved that finally we could have all that we'd ever wanted.
        "Will," I sighed against his lips. Will kept on kissing me on the cheek, the jaw, and any other skin, that was covered up, he could find. "We should head inside." Will groaned against my neck. "As much as I would love to stay out here with you we have friends inside waiting for gifts." Another groan. He let his blonde head rest on my shoulder as his arms slid around my waist ensnaring me in his embrace. I inhaled deeply breathing in a mixture of peppermint and a sun-kissed winter night.
        "But all I need is right here in my arms."
        My cheeks flooded red and I smiled planting a small kiss on the top of his head. "I love you."
        "Oh really? I had no idea," he teased. Will's laughter vibrated against my neck. I swatted the back of his playfully.
        "Oh alright, I love you too," he laughed.
        "Now that wasn't very heartfelt," I scolded. Will stood up straight and placed his hands on my shoulders and gazed into my eyes as if trying to find the bottom of my soul.
        "Victoria Anastasia Carstairs," he began softly, "I have loved you since the first day I met you. Yes even since we were ten years old I knew that there would never be anyone else for me besides you. You bring light to the darkest parts of my life and make me a better person. All of these years being around you have driven me insane because all I've ever wanted was this moment to happen. For me to be able to hold you in my arms and for you to be mine and for me to be yours. As I hope that you will be," Will finished never taking his eyes off of mine and pressed a quick short kiss on my lips.
        "William Xavier Solace, my love for you has been constant and unwavering. It has been the only thing that I have ever been able to count on." I paused to correct myself. "You have been the one I am able to count on. All I've ever wanted was for you to choose me. I never wanted to force myself upon you and make you feel obligated to me." Will looked at me in confusion. "But that's beside the point. All that matters is now."
        I sighed deeply and suddenly had a thought. "Wow. We said all of that I love you stuff really fast," I said for his sake knowing that most "normal" teenagers would never say such things after their "first" kiss.
        Will nodded in agreement and shrugged. "I've known you my whole life."
        "What's that supposed to mean?" I laughed.
        "Well, we are comfortable around each other and we know that saying 'I love you' is not detrimental to our relationship in anyway shape and form," he said with his scholar voice.
        "That's an interesting way to put it, William."
        Will let out a deep hearty laugh. "What I meant was if we've known that we've loved each other for such a long time then there is no harm in saying it if it's true."
        "You're right," I laughed. "Who cares about normalcy? We've never had a normal life and don't plan to start on it now!" I shouted into the sky.
        "Not ever!" Will whooped. Will wrapped his arm around my shoulder and kissed the top of my head. There was nothing more perfect than this Christmas and it was one that I would never forget. Someone like me has to hold on to all the happiness she can get or else all you will perceive is the evils of the world. Will taught me that and it too was something that I would never forget, just as I would never forget him and the light he brings into my life.

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Well..... There is your designated moment of happiness for all of you. :) and to clear things up I started writing this before Uncle Rick came out with Blood of Olympus sooo... Will is nothing like the Will in Blood of Olympus. SPOILER FOR BOA (possibly) I'm gonna let you in on a secret originally when I had this idea of the story I was going to use Lee Fletcher and then he died and now Will is BOA is gay and 15... My life. But SOANGELO is adorable. However, Vic and Will are my babies. So yeah...
I'll have a regular chapter for you guys next so have a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, Happy New Year and Happy Holidays!

Oh and I have a question what other fandoms would you guys like to possibly see in the battle and war coming up? Comment below and let me know! :)
Love,
Bootzie 2.