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The rain began to ping off Percy's car window as he drove away from the airport. The rented car was warm, which was a nice break from the pelting rain that had almost drowned him.
Percy could picture the smile on Annabeth's face.
The two had been apart for a month due to Annabeth's home being renovated, for which she had designed the blueprints. Frederick had seen enough of Annabeth's work to know she was ready for this huge project. Percy had been beaming with pride ever since she called him to tell him.
And while he supported his girlfriend, sending her a bedazzled hard hat before construction began, he missed her. Since becoming a couple, they had never spent so much time apart. So when Annabeth called to say that he was free to come down, he immediately booked the next flight he could.
With a bag packed full of blue cookies made lovingly by Sally, Annabeth's favourite Deli sandwich from New York, and a necklace he'd made at a friendship necklace class he and Grover went to last weekend, Percy blasted 'Girl In Red' from the speakers, praying for the drive to be magically shortened.
He could see the house as he approached her estate. The new brick pattern gave the house a completely new sense of life. The once-beige colour was now a deep red, transforming the regular-looking home into the official forever home.
He could see lights coming from the backyard. He wondered who on earth was outside in this weather, then laughed at himself for his silly question.
He grinned as he pulled up, finally able to see the new house in person after only seeing it through the many pictures Annabeth had taken.
He pulled on his hoodie, secured his bag, and braced himself for the downpour. His swimmer's legs came in handy as he dashed for the front door, noticing it swing open. Frederick Chase stood on the other side, towel in hand.
"Mr Jackson! I trust you had a good flight! I wish it had been during better weather." He smiled, passing the boy a towel as he locked the front door. "Mr Chase. Yeah, my flight was okay for a last-minute booking. I'm sure Annabeth is enjoying the weather." He let out a laugh, running the towel through his curls.
"Speaking of which, where is the architect?" He looked over at Frederick, meeting the older man's eyes. Percy could see where Annabeth got her scheming looks from. "Take a guess where she is?" Frederick started walking towards the kitchen.
The new warm lights were a great change from the whiter, static ones that were here before. Percy furrowed his eyebrows, following the man. "Is she not in her room?" The man shook his head, handing the boy what seemed to be a plastic sheet. Percy took it from him, unfolding it.
Not a plastic sheet, but a raincoat.
"Ah, I see."
Frederick walked towards the boy, giving him a pat on the shoulder. "Have a good time, kid." He strolled past him, heading towards the new grand spiralled staircase. Percy headed towards the back door. The glass door gave away what was waiting for him.
Annabeth in the yellow sundress he adores, her bedazzled hard hat, stood under a canopy that was lit with warm fairy lights. A basket sat on top of a table where a record player was playing something he couldn't hear, while an electric fireplace seemed to pump warm air as Annabeth was only in her dress. He stopped in his tracks, taking in the most beautiful sight he'd ever seen. His girlfriend, Annabeth Chase, was standing around something she had created, with that smile that she knew made him crumble.
He quickly threw on his raincoat and made a break for the canopy. As soon as he was close enough, he wrapped her up in a hug that was two squeezes away from crushing the poor girl. He span them a few times, gushing over the laugh that he'd missed for the past few weeks.
"You're so beautiful, Wise Girl. So talented and beautiful." He planted her feet back on the ground, taking in her face up close. He cupped her cheeks, wiping away the raindrops that had landed on her face due to their proximity. "And you look sexy as hell in that hard hat." She giggled, pushing his shoulder.
"I missed you, Seaweed Brain." She admitted, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. The two came together in a long-awaited kiss. Her lips were warm despite the harsh chill in the air, bringing him as close as she could. His arms looped around her middle, almost lifting her off the ground again.
Before the tongue, he was trying to pass through her lips; Annabeth felt Percy's tummy rumble against her chest. She laughed, stepping back from the kiss, keeping her arms where they were. "Sounds like someone's hungry." Percy grinned, nodding his head.
"I have some snacks here for us." She smiled, walking over to the basket she had stacked with snacks. Percy's eyes widened, the warm feeling in his chest exploding. "I also brought some things with me." He announces. Annabeth raised a brow. By his face, she could already sense what it might be. "Please say you brought deli sandwiches."
He shrugged his shoulders with an innocence that she could see right through. She beamed, running at him and jumping into his arms.
The two spent the next few hours cuddled on the sofa bed, the fluffy blanket wrapped around them as they ate their sandwiches and cookies and hummed along to Fleetwood Mac. They caught each other up on what they had missed, including Grover's new girlfriend.
"Yeah, he met her at work. They made it official last week. He reached out to fiddle with the necklace that was now around her neck. "That's why we went to make these. He wanted to make her one to ask her to be his girlfriend. Annabeth pouted. "That's so sweet! What was her name again?" Percy began playing with one of her braids. "Juniper." Annabeth nodded. "Pretty name." "Yeah, I think this one will work out."
As it got late, they snuggled closer to each other, the warm fairy lights soothing their tired eyes. Luckily for Percy, Annabeth had prepared matching pyjamas for them: matching onesies.
"Do you like the house?" She asked, resting her head on his chest as he ran his hand up and down her arm. Percy scoffed. "Do I like it? I think it's the coolest house I've ever seen!" Annabeth rolled her eyes. "I think you're being a little dramatic, fish for brains."
She reached up and ruffled his curls. "I'm not joking, baby. I can't wait to see what our future house looks like." She looked up at him, her big eyes peering at him. "Our future house?" Her voice sounded so small, shocked at his confidence. He leaned down, placing a firm kiss on her forehead. The sweet, fruity smell of her shampoo instantly flooded his nose. "Duh. Imagine what it's gonna look like? 6 floors with a waterslide that can take you down three of them. There's going to be a room that is fully dedicated to the fish we're gonna raise. And you can have a room that's just for your blueprints and architect shit that I don't understand."
Annabeth could feel the tears begin to rise at his pure passion. The idea that he had planned out their future home. How long had he been thinking these things? "Oh, and a blue kitchen!" She laughed, placing her head back on his chest.
"I'll let you have a blue toaster; how about that?" She could feel his hands in her hair. She could practically hear the smile in his voice.
"Sounds good."
The two fell asleep shortly after to the sound of rain softly tapping against the canopy.