Hey y'all. Thanks for your reviews. It's really appreciated. Some shout outs:

ColorfulandBlack: Thank you for your kind review. I happen to like Cass and Emmie a lot, too. And I'm glad you like my chapter.

coralie14: I'm glad you liked my Thalia. I think she's a great character in the books. I agree about the OC's. I'm not really a fan of OC's myself, but they can be great plot devices.

JEC00k: You have an awesome pen name. Just FYI. And I solemnly swear to do my best not to use too many OC's too often. But I won't promise to have NO OC's. See above for my opinion and reasons.

This chapter is a shout out to my Chase family fans, if there are any out there. I happen to enjoy stories with other members of the Chase clan.

Disclaimer: Not the owner. Screw me.

Besides his family, Matthew Chase liked four things.

1) Legos. Man, they were his life.

2) Hockey. There was just something about it that called to him and Bobby. Best. Sport. Ever.

3) Chrissy Everton from down the street. (Tell Bobby or Annie and you are a dead man.)

And 4), his sister's boyfriend.

The dude was just so cool. He was a demigod, and the son of Poseidon! He had cool water powers and often engaged the twins in full out water wars. He surfed and was crazy good at it, too. Sometimes, he'd take the twins out on his board and take them through the motions. He was a scary good monster fighter. Matt knew. He'd seen him in action. He was from New York. He had a cool accent, one that you didn't ever hear in the Sunshine State. Overall, Percy Jackson was a cool, cool guy. Matt was glad he was dating his sister. He loved it when Percy came over.

Another thing cool about when Percy visited-Nico di Angelo.

Nico was Percy's cousin. He lived with Percy in New York. He was a cool demigod, too. He didn't seem to mind Matt and Bobby too much, and was always curious about the video games they had lying around. Dude acted like he'd never really seen one before. Matt found this a little weird, but he never said anything. He liked the cousins. They were cool.

And this Cali boy was all about cool.

Matthew and Bobby listened to the latest NHL news as they tidied their room. It was nearly Christmas and Annabeth was coming home today. Matt hadn't seen her since Thanksgiving, when she'd come home briefly, so this was a big deal. It was an even bigger deal because Annabeth had phoned ahead. And Matt knew one thing for sure-if Annabeth called ahead, it meant Percy was coming. And if Percy was coming, Nico was sure to be there. And if you give a mouse a cookie, he'll want milk to go with it, Matt smiled to himself. Christmas was the best time of the year.

*************LINEBREAK**************

"ANNIE!" shouted Bobby and Matthew in unison when the doorbell sounded. They rushed past their mom, who was opening the door, and tackled their sister.

"Hey, guys," Annabeth said, laughing. "Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas!" Matthew said cheerfully as Bobby demanded, "Did you bring us presents, Annie, huh? Didyadidyadidya?" Then he seemed to realize what Annabeth had said and quickly replied, "Oh! Merry Christmas! Now what about presents?"

"I did bring you presents, greedy pants, but you have to wait till Christmas to open them," Annabeth said, pushing past them to get inside. She paused to give Helen a quick hug, then placed the bags she had brought on the ground by the tree. "Set those out for me, please, boys?" she asked, turning to give Dad a hug. "Merry Christmas, Dad."

"Merry Christmas, sweetheart," Dad said, squeezing her and kissing her on the cheek. "Where are the cousins?"

"Percy and Nico hate flying, so after we landed, I hopped in a cab to get here with the presents and Percy and Nico stayed behind to get the luggage," Annabeth explained. "Then they're going to get a cab to get a rental car for the three of us, and then drive down to the beach to get over the flight before coming here." Annabeth rolled her eyes affectionately. "You've never seen a nervous flyer until you've seen Percy fly. And I thought Thalia was bad." She laughed, then turned to the twins. "Want to see the pictures of Olympus I snuck out for you both?"

**************LINEBREAK*****************

"Hohoho!" called Percy Jackson as he entered the Chase residence, carrying suitcases. "Merry Christmas!" He was wearing a thin green long sleeve shirt and jeans. A stupid Santa hat sat on his dark hair.

"Merry Christmas," called out everyone as they came to the living room. Percy dropped the suitcases by the stairs and grabbed Annabeth by the hand, spinning her over to the mistletoe and sweeping her a long kiss. Someone said, "Oh my gods, guys, not again! Get a room, for Hades sake!" Nico di Angelo stood in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest, an exasperated look on his face.

Percy pulled away from Annabeth, leaving her looking somewhat dazed, and turned to his cousin, smirking. "Look up, bro." Nico saw the branch above his head and regarded it coldly. He looked at Percy with an expressionless face and said, "I ain't kissin' ya." Nico stepped out from under the branch and reached up to touch it. It quickly turned black and shriveled before falling to the floor.

Percy looked put out. "'Tis the season to jolly, Nicky!" he protested.

"Falalalalalalalala," Nico deadpanned. Annabeth seemed to recover from her daze. She looked at her boyfriend and frowned.

"Percy, what in Hades is on your head?" she asked, confused.

Percy beamed. "Like it? I found it at the boardwalk for only a buck!" He looked so proud of himself that Matthew laughed. Percy grinned at Nico slyly. "I still think those elf ears were a great deal," he coaxed.

"Say that again and you won't live to see Christmas," Nico threatened. Percy frowned. "But that's tomorrow."

"I know." Nico turned to the Chases. "Merry Christmas, Mr. and Mrs. Chase." They smiled and wished Nico a merry Christmas.

"You would have looked great in those elf ears!" Percy protested. Nico closed his eyes and counted out loud. He looked at Annabeth.

"You may not have a boyfriend tomorrow," he said, then flopped on the couch next to the twins. He gave them a smile. "Ciao ragazzi," Nico greeted them. He grabbed a gamecube controller. "You boys ready to have your culos handed to you?"

The rest of Christmas Eve was great. Matthew and Bobby teamed up against Percy and Nico in Super Smash Bros and in Call of Duty. They all swapped stories and told jokes as they ate a delicious dinner made by their mother. They stayed up late to watch a few Christmas classics. Finally, Helen called out that it was time for bed. Bobby and Matt groaned.

"Aw, cheer up, kiddos!" Percy said. "The sooner you go to sleep, the sooner Santa will come!"

Bobby snorted as Matthew said, "You don't have to keep up the act, Perce."

"Yeah," Bobby agreed. "We know Santa doesn't exist."

"You mean he's not real?" The look of utter disbelief and horror on Percy's face was priceless. "My mother lied to me?"

Annabeth and Nico did their best to console him as Bobby and Matthew went upstairs, laughing. Percy shot them a grin and quick wink as they disappeared.

****************LINEBREAK******************

Annabeth got them up the next morning. "Shh!" she whispered as they woke. "Merry Christmas! Want to help me with a practical joke?" Instantly, the twins were awake. They nodded eagerly. Annabeth smiled. "Percy and Nico are heavy sleepers. Lets wake them up!"

Together, they crept quietly down the stairs to the living room, where the cousins were sleeping on the couches. Bobby and Matthew stopped for a second to admire the stacks of presents before following their sister to the sleeping boys. Annabeth pointed to Percy and then to herself. Then she pointed the boys over to Nico. They nodded and walked quietly to Nico's couch. On three, jump, Annabeth mouthed.

One... Annabeth raised a finger. The twins smiled in anticipation.

Two... Three pairs of legs tensed.

"THREE!" Annabeth screamed, vaulting the back of the sofa and landing on her boyfriend. Percy yelped and jerked, knocking them both to the floor. The twins jumped onto Nico, laughing and yelling. Nico jerked out of his sleep and reflexively whacked with his pillow. Matt saw it coming and ducked but Bobby wasn't so lucky. The pillow hit him square in the face, and he fell backwards on to the floor. Annabeth, Matthew, and Percy laughed. Nico was still trying to wake up. Percy handed Bobby a pillow and said, "Watch out for his right hook." Bobby nodded and grabbed the pillow, swinging it at Nico's face. It found its mark and when it fell, Nico looked wide awake.

"Man, you really have a death wish, huh?" he asked as he leaped up and grabbed his pillow again. Bobby barely had time to deflect the next swing. Soon they were hacking and slashing with the pillows, laughing alongside the others, who where jumping from side to side, shouting advice. When a pillow flew at Annabeth, she wisely ducked, but Percy, whom she had been sitting on, didn't see it in time. He grabbed the pillow and threw another to Matt. "THIS IS WAR!" he shouted, "Annabeth is ref!"

The Chases came down stairs to a fully fledged pillow fight in their living room. "ALL RIGHT!" shouted Fredrick Chase, "Time to stop-" A pillow flew at his face. He grabbed it and chucked back at his son before finishing. "-so we can open presents." The pillow fighting slowly came to a halt. Three demigods and two mortals sat giggling in the middle of the living room. As Fredrick and Helen sat down, Bobby and Matthew began to pass out presents. When all the presents had been distributed, the unwrapping of the gifts began.

3 Hours Later...

"Aaaannnd..." Annabeth drawled out, "That was the last one!"

Mounds of presents were everywhere, and a huge pile of wrapping and candy wrappers was in the corner. Matthew was happily sketching in the new sketchbook Annabeth had gotten him. Bobby was fiddling with a model airplane, with Fredrick's help. Suddenly his head snapped up. "Hey!" he exclaimed. "How come everybody but me and Matt-"

"Matt and I," corrected all the Chases in unison.

"-Matt and I got presents from Percy and Nico?" Bobby concluded.

"Bobby!" Helen scolded, but Percy shook his head.

"It's okay, Mrs. Chase," Percy said. He turned to Nico, smiling. "Nico, will you go get the presents that I told you to pack for Bobby and Matthew?"

Nico looked at him strangely. "You told me to pack those?"

Percy looked confused. "Yeah. I told you when I was taking the suitcases to the car to grab them."

Nico frowned. "Um, you said that you were getting them."

"Well, I didn't get them," Percy said.

"Well, then, I guess that those presents never left New York," said Nico, shrugging. Matthew and Bobby looked crushed. Nico saw them and said, "Percy...". Percy glanced at the twins then winced at their sad faces. "So sorry, guys," Nico said, looking shamefaced.

"Yeah," Percy said. "We're really sorry, but..."

"This whole thing..." Nico offered helpfully.

"Is just a joke!" Nico and Percy chorused, pulling two identical packages from their pockets. Matthew and Bobby's faces lit up. Nico tossed his to Percy, who caught it with ease. He held them up with a serious look on his face. "These are precious presents," he said. "Guard them with your lives." Percy tossed Matt and Bobby each a package. "Open slowly," he warned, "And someone get a camera." Helen grabbed her digital camera as Bobby and Matt slowly unwrapped the small packages. Suddenly, out of the wrapping paper fell a single slip of paper. Matt picked it up and read it.

Gift Certificate

Matthew Chase

Free three day trip to New York City

Includes Room and Board, Food, and Entertainment

Accept now and receive a free ticket to the

December 28th

New York Rangers vs. San Jose Sharks

Hockey match at

Madison Square Garden

Courtesy of Jackson and di Angelo

This offer is valid until tomorrow. Ask your parents.

Matt stared at the paper in shock. Bobby yelled, "NO WAY!" They looked at Percy in shock. "Seriously?"

Percy smirked and pointed to Nico, who pulled from his pocket four tickets. "Seriously."

"Mom, can we? Pleasepleaseplease?" Bobby begged. Matt looked hopefully at their father. The two adults shared a look.

"I guess," Helen said slowly, "If you promise to be good..."

"Oh, we do! We promise," Bobby swore. Matt nodded eagerly.

"Then, yes," Helen finished. The twins whooped, and ran up stairs to pack.

"We leave tomorrow night!" called Percy up after them. They heard him say to Helen and Fredrick, "Don't worry, we'll be back by New Year's Eve."

***********LINEBREAK************

Matthew bounced with excitement as they loaded their suitcases onto the trolley. Bobby was chattering with excitement, looking out the windows at the Manhattan skyline. Nico and Percy both looked tired and sick. They lead the boys out to the parking lot of the JFK Airport, then Nico loaded up the trunk of Percy's blue Mustang. Percy started up the car and slid up the seat for the boys to get in. As Nico got in, Percy explained the game plan. "We're going to go to my apartment, I'm going to fix a quick snack, then we're all going to sleep, okay?" The twins nodded in understanding as Nico muttered "Thanks be to Hades." the Ghost King laid his dark head against the window and promptly fell asleep. Percy started talking basketball stats with Bobby and Matthew as he drove through the darkened streets of New York City. Soon, they were pulling into the parking lot of Percy's apartment building. "Welcome to Upper East Side," Percy said, smiling tiredly. Nico yawned and got out, taking the keys from Percy and going to the apartment. Matthew and Bobby helped unload the trunk of the Mustang and take the suitcases upstairs.

Percy tossed them both a bag of pretzels, and said, "You have the sofas. I'm going to bed." He stumbled down the hall. "See you in the morning."

Matthew and Bobby found pajamas and climbed into them. They ate the pretzels and talked quietly, then finally laid down on the sofas and fell asleep, kept warm by the piles of blankets they nestled themselves into.

When morning came, Matt was woken by the smell of food. He quickly sat up and looked around. Bobby was already pulling on his clothes, wide awake. He gave his brother a gleeful smile and left the room for the kitchen. Matt heard him whistle. "Wow, looks good."

Matthew quickly began pulling on a shirt and jeans from his suitcase. "See, I told you food would wake them up," he heard Nico say. Percy called out, "Matt? You coming?"

"Yeah!" Matt said, voice slightly muffled by the hoodie he was pulling on over his head. "Just a second!" His voice was stronger as his head popped out of the San Jose Sharks hoodie. Matt slid his arms into the sleeves as he walked into the kitchen. Suddenly he understood Bobby's whistle and remark. It looked like a freaking buffet. Sausage, bacon, biscuits, waffles and pancakes, syrup, and orange juice was arrayed on the table. Percy threw Matt a plate. "Dig in," he advised.

Matthew did just that.

The next few days in New York City were the best ever. Percy took them to all of his favorite places in the city that first day, ending it all with coffee and hot chocolate on Times Square. Matthew fell asleep that night warm and content. The next day was down to business. The twin decked out in San Jose hockey gear and Percy did likewise with the Rangers. Nico opted out, pulling a navy hoodie so dark it might as well have just been black. "I'd rather not look like a walking propaganda fan shop," the son of Hades remarked dryly. Percy shrugged while the twins giggled and got into Percy's car. They chattered excitedly as Percy pulled into a parking garage and payed the guard. Nico took Bobby to claim the seats and Percy and Matt loaded up on popcorn and candy. Percy also bought some sodas for everyone.

"Pepsi for Bobby, Diet Dew for you, Cherry Coke for me (too bad it's not blue), and... Dr. Pepper 10 for Nico," Percy said, winking at Matt. "All the 10 manly flavors of Dr. Pepper in a bottle. But don't tell Nick I told you that." The two of them rejoined Bobby and Nico at their seats and passed out the snacks while they waited for the game to begin. Nico was watching the walking vendors with interest.

"Hey, Perce," he asked, eyes on the vendor that was approaching the group. "What's that colorful, fluffy stuff?" Percy, Matt, and Bobby all turned to see what Nico was looking at. Percy laughed loudly, and Bobby soon joined him. Matt looked at Nico in confusion. "You've never had cotton candy before?" Nico flushed as Percy laughed harder, flagging down the vendor. "You've gotta have this, man," he said paying for four. Percy and the twins watched in amusement as Nico hesitantly took a bite of the pink fluff. His dark eyes widened in surprise. This brought a new round of laughter. They continued talk and laugh until the game started. Then they were to busy cheering to do anything.

After the game, the twins skipped in circles around Percy, rejoicing in the humiliating loss that the Rangers had suffered. Percy looked dejected as he walked to the car and got in. Matt and Bobby rehashed the game for the rest of the day, much to Percy's displeasure.

The rest of the Chase's vacation went smoothly. Before they knew it, it was time to fly home. The twins packed up sadly. Percy and Nico packed two overnights bags with dread. The apartment for once was not a cheerful place. Percy went to the kitchen and brought out pancake ingredients. The twins watched. "I might as well make us one last breakfast," Percy said. "This'll be the last time you get to eat my food for a long time."

"And trust me, nothing compares," Nico said, walking in.

Within the hour, the twins had filled up and were in Percy's car headed for the airport.

The plane touched down in San Francisco and the boys were immediately swept into bone crushing hugs by their mother. They cheerfully answered all her questions about their vacation as they drove home. Percy and Nico took a rental car. When they got to the house, everything was a whirlwind of excitement and activity for New Year's Eve. Percy helped Annabeth set up the living room for a party and Nico helped the twins unpack. Everyone took a break for a late lunch. Matthew and Bobby took one bite of their sandwiches and then looked at each other. Matt sighed. "What's wrong, boys?" Helen asked, concerned.

The boys looked at each other, then sighed again. "Nothing," Bobby said.

"It's just..."

"...When we were in New York..."

"...At Percy's place..."

"...The sandwiches he made..."

"...Tasted better than this," Matt finished for his brother. Everyone stared at them. Percy face palmed. But Nico smiled.

"Waitwaitwait, WAIT," Annabeth said slowly, turning toward Percy. He sunk down in his seat. "You can cook?"

"Um... Yes?"

"And I didn't know this?"

"Obviously that's the case."

"WHY HAVE YOU NEVER TOLD ME?" Annabeth yelled. "All those times we went hungry on a quest or got take out for a date or just stayed at your apartment, WHY did you never say anything?"

Percy sat up, eyes glinting angrily. "Why should I have told you? Would it have ever made a difference? All those times we went hungry on a quest, Annabeth, was because we had no money. No money, no supplies; no supplies, no damn food. What would I have cooked with anyway? And I never told you because I never needed too. It never came up. I hate cooking. Honest, I do. I hate cooking cause of how I learned to do it. While I was growing up, there were only three reasons I ever went in the kitchen to do anything besides eat. One, Thanksgiving, Mom and I cook together. Two, Christmas. It was my mom's one day off. And three, whenever Gabe hit my mom so hard, she couldn't do anything!" Percy sat back, arms crossed, eyes dark. He scowled at Annabeth, who closed her mouth. Her face flushed with shame and embarrassment. Everyone's eyes were wide and on her.

"I'm sorry," she muttered.

Percy glared a moment longer, then sighed heavily. "'S'ok, it's not your fault. You didn't know, and I should have told you," Percy said, running a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry for yelling." Annabeth looked at him in surprise. "If you want me to cook I can," Percy offered. As everyone began to protest, Percy waved it away. "It's alright, honest. It's time I got over my weird hatred of the kitchen." He got up and walked into the kitchen. As the Chases and Nico listen to the sounds of the kitchen, they slowly began their preparations for New Years. Nico went over to the twin's and high-fived them.

"Good work, boys," Nico whispered.

Dinner went spectacularly. As soon as Annabeth took her first bite, Percy was forgiven.

"But don't ever lie again," she warned.

Percy smiled and nodded. Then he frowned. "This means I'm cooking from now on, doesn't it?"

"Of course," said Annabeth, kissing him.

After dinner, the TV was turned on for the ball drop. At 10:30, the trio of hellhounds came looking for the source of the overwhelming stench of demigod. The Chases fret for over an hour as Annabeth, Percy, and Nico battled off what looked like an army of poodles. Finally, they came back in at 11:45, bringing in a poodle. At the questioning looks, Percy said, "This is Mrs. O'Leary, my hellhound." Said poodle/hellhound promptly came over to the twins and sniffed them before curling up around them and falling asleep. The group laughed at the sight and continued to watch the ball drop. When the LA ball dropped (the NYC ball had long since been cleaned up) the gathering cheered and hollered. Another year survived! Another to go...

The twins begged to stay up until Percy and Nico left. Percy laughed as Nico woke up Mrs. O'Leary. "Ok, but that won't be very long. We're leaving now. Well," Percy amended, looking at Nico. "If Nicks is ready, that is."

"I'm clear, if thats what you mean," Nico said, dryly. He yanked Mrs. O'Leary's collar. "Come on, dog." Mrs. O'Leary stayed put. Percy laughed and whistled sharply. Mrs. O'Leary bounced up at once, knocking Nico down, and trotted to Percy's side. "One day I'll learn how to do that," Nico muttered. He came and stood by Percy. "So long, boys," Nico said, smiling at them. "As long as Perce and your sister are attached at the hip, we will undoubtably be back."

Percy swatted his head, and kissed Annabeth good-bye. Then he waved to the boys and held onto Mrs. O'Leary's collar. Nico whispered something in Mrs. O'Leary's ear and she bounded into the shadows, taking the two with her. The Chases faced an empty room. "Alright, boys, bed. Now," ordered Mrs. Chase. Grumbling, the two went off to bed. As they fell asleep, Matthew smiled to himself. He loved his sisters boyfriend.

Any ideas for a new story? I'm open to suggestions right now.

I'll give bonus cool points to the people who can name the two references in here. One is from a book, and the other a really great movie.

Love you all!

Silva