"So what are your plans for Thanksgiving break? Are you gonna visit your dad?" Percy asked Annabeth, his voice choppy and crackled over the phone.

"I think I'm just going to stay at my dorm," sighed Annabeth. "It's going to be boring but at least I'll get caught up on homework."

"Hey, you could stay with me and my family!" Percy suggested excitedly. "I know my mom would love to have you."

"Well...I guess if it's ok with your parents," agreed Annabeth. A few days later, Annabeth was on her way to Manhattan. She hopped out of the cab, handed the driver a wad of cash, and hurried up to Percy's apartment. Paul answered the door.

"Hey Annabeth, it's great to see you."

"Hi Paul! Thanks so much for letting me stay with you guys."

"Oh, it's no problem at all," smiled Sally as she hugged Annabeth. "Why don't you set your stuff in Percy's room?" Annabeth kicked off her shoes and walked into Percy's room, dropping her duffel bag on the ground.

"Annabeth!" Percy jumped up. She laughed and wrapped her arms around him, leaning into his warm chest. He hugged her back and whispered, "I haven't seen you in forever. This is gonna be great."

They had lasagna and green beans for dinner that night, and Sally made sure to pour Annabeth a tall glass of milk. Annabeth watched as Sally and Paul talked among themselves and wondered what it would be like to be married. They seemed so happy together, the kind of couple she hoped she and her future spouse would be. 'Why am I even thinking about this?' she though to herself, inwardly laughing.

"Annabeth? Did you hear me?" Paul sounded worried.

"Sorry, what?"

"I asked how the designs for Olympus are going," Paul smiled. Annabeth launched into a full description of the vegetable bar and Percy zoned out.

Life at the Jackson's was quiet, but comfortable. The Jackson's were much more free-spirited than Annabeth was, and it was a welcome change. It was nice feeling like she was actually part of a family. But time flies when you're having fun, and soon it was thanksgiving day. Sally ran around trying to do a million things at once, and Paul's relatives would be there in a couple hours. Somehow the turkey was burnt, which set off the smoke alarm and caused the whole building to panic!

"Sally, can I help you with anything?" asked Annabeth.

"No! I have it under control!" Sally shouted from the kitchen.

"Are you sure?"

"Annabeth, you're not helping by bothering me while I'm trying to get things done! It was Percy's idea for you to be here, not mine. Please just get out!" Sally lost it.

"But..." Annabeth spluttered.

"I said get out, all of you!"

Annabeth didn't know who Sally was talking to because everyone except them was in a different room, but she grabbed her coat and hightailed it out of there. She wasn't sure where to go, but Sally seemed to be pretty mad at her and she didn't want to disobey Sally's wishes. Normally Sally was calm and never get mad at anyone, but holiday stress could make even the calmest people go crazy. Annabeth sighed as she rode the elevator down from Percy's apartment. She'd finally thought she was accepted as part of Percy's family, but now she could see how wrong she was. She blinked back tears as she stumbled along the empty Manhattan streets. Normally they would be packed, but everyone was inside eating thanksgiving dinner. Where to go? She couldn't go back now, but there was no way she'd be able to get to her dorm, much less fly to San Francisco. Annabeth ended up sitting in a mostly empty coffee shop for the rest of the evening. She was kicked out when the owner closed the shop, and only then did she realize how late it was. Meanwhile, Percy was worried. Annabeth was missing, and nobody knew where she was.

"Mom, have you seen Annabeth?" Percy asked.

"Oh good heavens, she left? Oh, how could I tell her to leave?" Sally looked horrified.

"You told her to leave?" Percy said incredulously.

"We'd better go look for her," suggested Paul. "She couldn't have made it out of Manhattan."

Annabeth was asleep on a bench on the sidewalk when Paul found her. He carried her up to the apartment, setting her gently on Percy's bed. She woke up slightly when Percy crawled into the bed next to her and mumbled something like,

"...what? How'd I...?

"We found you on the bench," whispered Percy. "I'm so sorry."

"'s ok," mumbled Annabeth as she slid closer to Percy in the dark. They drifted off to sleep, cuddling together under the warm comforter.