002. Perfect 28 Pt: II

SUMMARY: For her 28th birthday, Annabeth Chase was beyond curious about what her fiancé, Percy Jackson, is planning for her. After being asked a question about her birthday, Annabeth has an idea of what he's planning, and she is excited. Too bad Percy has something else entirely planned for her that Annabeth would've never guess till she woke up on her birthday.

WARNING: Fluff with slightly suggestive content & a few curse words! | (A FEW) SONGS THAT I LISTENED TO WHILE WRITING THIS: DALLA DALLA, ITZY. LA VIE EN ROSE, IZ*ONE. UNTOUCHABLE, EVERGLOW. | Part One. Part Two. Part Three.

LUCINDA SPEAKS: Here is Part Two of Perfect 28! Surprisingly, I got this part edited within a few days, so no more waiting, which I'm glad about! We got some idol!Estelle action—I don't know why, but I love the idea of Estelle being famous, so I incorporated it into this one-shot! Anyways, I hope everyone enjoyed reading, and part three will be posted very soon for everyone to read! Thank you for reading, and have a good day/night! Much Love, Lucinda! ☔️

The week passed, and Annabeth went back to dreading July 12th. To distract herself, Annabeth buried herself in work and kept the discussions away from her birthday. The late-night conversation with Percy lingered in her thoughts, and Annabeth tried to push it to the back of her mind. It seemed like Percy knew that she was disappointed about her birthday and tried to make up for it by having Estelle surprise her when she got out of work.

She and Estelle used to hang out a lot when they were younger, but as they got older and busier, hangouts became less frequent. Now hanging out with Estelle was nostalgic and strange because they no longer played with dolls or dress-up. Instead, Estelle showed Annabeth around her music studio, and Annabeth was begging her to spoil the upcoming episode for the tv show she was in.

(Though Annabeth was used to Estelle being an idol, it was still bizarre to know that the little girl she used to babysit was now worldwide famous with multiple songs and has starred in some big hit tv shows.)

Annabeth beamed as Estelle allowed her to listen to a sneak peek of her upcoming song. She squealed, hearing the angelic voice of her soon-to-be sister-in-law, and grinned at Estelle, who sheepishly blushed. After the snippet ended, Annabeth took off the headphones and placed them on the desk.

    "So, did it sound good?" Asked Estelle nervously, raising an eyebrow, and quickly added, "The song is still in progress and—"

    "It sounds amazing, Estelle," Smiled Annabeth. "It's going to outshine the rest of your songs—Oh god, I don't think I'll ever have a favorite song of yours—They're all too good."

    "Oh, stop it," Chuckled Estelle. Her cheeks reddened, and she then asked, "Be honest, Annabeth, was it good?"

    Annabeth nodded and softly said, "It's good, Estelle," She then said after seeing Estelle's expression, "Estelle, I'm not lying. It is good. Don't doubt yourself, alright? Because if you do, you're never going to release the song, and your fans are going to be disappointed."

"Alright," Estelle sheepishly said, "It's just...Ah, never mind, okay, thank you, Annabeth."

"Of course," Said Annabeth, then looked at Estelle and whispered, "Oh, Estelle, I'm so proud of you."

Annabeth pressed her lips together and looked away. Estelle quickly said, "Oh, Annabeth, please don't cry—I feel like every time I see you, Percy, mom or dad, you guys start crying."

"Well, it's because you're so busy that we usually don't see you," Explained Annabeth and said, "We just miss you and are proud of you."

Estelle chewed her lips and sighed, "Okay."

Annabeth softly smiled and stood up and pulled Estelle into a tight hug; she then pulled away when she saw the time and gasped. It was 10:13 PM. Estelle raised an eyebrow at her and asked if everything was okay.

"Yeah," Answered Annabeth, shoving her phone into her pocket, and said, "I should probably head back home—It's late, and I have work tomorrow."

"Oh, okay," Nodded Estelle. "Well, I'll walk you to your car, alright?"

Annabeth nodded, and they walked out of Estelle's studio and walked down the stairs. She said goodbye to the people who worked at Estelle's company, and they stepped outside and walked to Annabeth's car.

"So, Annabeth," Said Estelle, glancing at her. "Did you have fun with your favorite soon-to-be sister-in-law?"

Annabeth laughed and said, "I did," She pulled Estelle into a hug and said, "Goodbye, Este, I hope to see you soon."

"You will," Smiled Estelle as Annabeth unlocked her car. She said, "Oh, by the way, happy early birthday!"

Annabeth blinked and looked at Estelle with a confused expression before realizing that her birthday was tomorrow. She was twenty-eight tomorrow. Annabeth cringed when she realized that, and Estelle tilted her head to the side.

"Did you forget that it was your birthday tomorrow?" Asked Estelle, and Annabeth sheepishly nodded. Estelle then laughed and said, "Oh, Annabeth...Do you still hate your birthday?"

"Kinda," Answered Annabeth, "Eh, tomorrow is probably going to be like any other day—Percy and I both have work." She then pressed her lips together and shrugged.

"Oh, oh alright," Said Estelle, "Nevertheless, have a good birthday, Annabeth!"

"Thank you," Smiled Annabeth. "See you, Estelle!"

"See you, Annabeth!"

After enduring forty minutes of late-night traffic, Annabeth made it back to her apartment complex. She quietly walked up the stairs and unlocked the door; Annabeth stepped inside the apartment and settled her stuff onto the entry table. She assumed that Blueberry and Percy had gone to bed and walked over to their bedroom. Annabeth quietly closed the bedroom door behind her and softly smiled, seeing a sleeping Percy and Blueberry.

Annabeth was too tired to take a shower and just changed into her pajamas and charged her phone. She got into bed and slightly chuckled when she felt Percy's arms wrapped around her waist. Annabeth grabbed her phone and made sure that her alarm clock was set at 6:45 AM before laying her head down on her pillow.

    She closed her eyes when she heard Percy quietly said, "Wise Girl, did you have fun visiting Este?"

    Annabeth's eyes fluttered open, and she softly said, "You're still awake, Seaweed Brain?" She then answered, "Yes, I did have fun with Estelle—She allowed me to listen to a snippet of her upcoming song."

    "Oh, that's cool," Said Percy. "And yes, I'm still awake. I can't sleep without you."

She softly smiled and said, "Well, I'm here now, Seaweed Brain. You can sleep."

    "Mhm," Said Percy and softly said, "I love you, Wise Girl."

    "I love you too," Annabeth said, "Good night, Seaweed Brain."

    "Good night, Wise Girl," Said Percy, placing a kiss on her neck. "See you tomorrow morning."

            The sunlight flowed through the bedroom window, bathing her in the light, and Annabeth's grey eyes flickered open. She snuggled her blankets, and a small smile formed on her face, smelling the scent of the ocean, and she closed her eyes, trying to reminisce her dream.

It took a couple of minutes for her to realize that Percy wasn't beside her and her eyes snapped open. Then her panic settled, realizing that he had probably left for work, and she sat upright in her bed and grabbed her phone. Her eyes widened, seeing the time. It was 9:22 in the morning—Annabeth had missed her alarm clock, and she was late for work. Fuck.

Annabeth checked her alarm and frowned, seeing that it had been turned off. Who could have turned it off? The last time Annabeth had checked it, it was still turned on—Unless she had somehow turned it off in the middle of the night, but that wasn't likely. Maybe, Percy had turned it off? Annabeth furrowed her eyebrows at that thought before shaking her head. She didn't care who turned off her alarm clock—She had to go to work and somehow explain herself to her boss.

Annabeth got out of bed when the bedroom door opened, and Percy and Blueberry walked in. Dumbfounded, Annabeth sat back down on the bed and watched as Blueberry jumped onto the bed. Percy smiled at her, and Annabeth noticed that he was carrying a tray. He carefully walked over to her and placed it down next to her.

    "S-Seaweed Brain, what are you doing?!" Asked Annabeth, quickly grabbing Blueberry so he wouldn't get a taste of the breakfast that Percy made. "Don't you have work?!"

    "No," Answered Percy and sheepishly explained, "I took the day off."

    "W-Why would you take the day off?" Frowned Annabeth and looked down at the tray of food. She said, "What's so special about today that you woke up early and made breakfast—Shit," She looked at Percy and said, "It's July 12th today, isn't it?"

     Percy nodded and laughed, "Wise Girl, did you forget your birthday?" Annabeth sheepishly blushed and looked away. He then said, "Do you remember the night when you told me your ideal birthday?" Annabeth nodded, and Percy sheepishly said, "Well, uh, Happy Birthday, Wise Girl!"

Annabeth's grey eyes flickered, and she softly smiled then chuckled, feeling Blueberry lick her hand. She ruffled Blueberry's fur and glanced at her phone when it started to ding like crazy—Annabeth assumed her friends were wishing her a happy birthday—She saw the time, and her eyes widened.

    Annabeth turned to look back at Percy and said, "Thank you, Seaweed Brain, and as much as I want to eat this breakfast, I have to go to work as I didn't take the day off—"

    "You did," Said Percy, then quickly explained after seeing the surprised look on her face, "I took the day off for you, so you don't have to work today—That's why I turned off your alarm clock last night."

    "Oh?" Exclaimed Annabeth, raising an eyebrow, then said, "You should have told me beforehand because do you know how scared I was when I woke up and saw the time!?" Percy sheepishly blushed and sat down next to her.

She thought about the late-night conversation where Percy had told her what they were doing for her birthday—Annabeth turned to look at Percy and playfully smacked him in the shoulder. He looked taken back and raised an eyebrow, an amused smile forming on his face.

    "I can't believe you lied to me about what we were doing for my birthday!" Said Annabeth, causing Percy to chuckle. "You told me that you were taking me out for dinner at night!"

    "Well, I already knew that you knew, and I didn't want your birthday to be ruined, so I decided to distract you, so you wouldn't think I was planning your ideal birthday," Explained Percy and asked, "Were you surprised?"

    "Yes, I was," Answered Annabeth, then said, "Thank you so much, Seaweed Brain." She kissed him and said, "You're the best."

    "I know," Chuckled Percy. "Wise Girl, as much as I love talking with you, your pancakes are growing cold, and no one likes cold pancakes."

That made Annabeth laugh, and she smiled, settling Blueberry onto the bed. Percy had made her a stack of blueberry pancakes that were drizzled in maple syrup along with sausages and hash browns. She carefully placed the tray on her lap and looked at Percy.

    "Let's eat then," Exclaimed Annabeth. "And stay in bed till noon. Is that alright?"

    Percy nodded and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said, "Of course. After all, today is your birthday, isn't it?"

Annabeth only chuckled and grinned to herself.

It was past noon when Annabeth and Percy decided to get out of bed after spending the entire morning enjoying the breakfast Percy had cooked for her and cuddling. Annabeth couldn't remember the last time she had taken the day off, so today, her birthday, was a lot more enjoyable than usual. Instead of worrying about deadlines and work, Annabeth was only worrying about what to wear.

So while Percy was in the living room with Blueberry, Annabeth was in her bathrobe, wondering what to wear. She never really cared about her appearance, but Annabeth felt the need to wear something eye-catching today. After all, she was the birthday girl. Annabeth searched her closet and eventually found the perfect outfit and changed.

She wore a light blue allover wrap dress and chose a pearl necklace and pearl studs to match it. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a low ponytail, and Annabeth quickly put on her silver bracelet, then grabbed her purse and left her bedroom.

Annabeth sheepishly smiled when she walked into the living room, where Percy and Blueberry were waiting for her. He instantly stood up, and his sea-green eyes shimmered at her. Annabeth slightly blushed and examined Percy's outfit.

He wore a pink button-up shirt and light blue jeans; his black hair was messier than ever, and Annabeth softly smiled—She loves Percy's messy hair even though he was self-conscious of it.

    "Seaweed Brain, I'm sorry for taking a long time," Annabeth said, "I couldn't find the right outfit—"

     Percy kissed her, not allowing her to finish her sentence, and he then pulled away and said, "It's fine, Wise Girl. You look gorgeous."

     Her cheeks reddened, and she said, "Thank you, and you look handsome, Seaweed Brain."

     Percy chuckled and shrugged, "It's nothing really fancy, and besides, you should see Blueberry—He looks more handsome than me."

Annabeth watched as Percy picked up Blueberry, and she laughed, seeing the lavender bow Blueberry wore. Blueberry grinned at her, and Annabeth beamed, grabbing Blueberry from Percy's hands.

    "Oh my god, he is adorable," Gushed Annabeth. "He's our little baby boy!"

    "Haha," Chuckled Percy and asked, "Are you ready to go because I have a lot for us to do today."

    "Mhm!" Smiled Annabeth. "Let's go!"

Percy smiled at her reaction, and they walked over to the front door, laughing. After putting on their shoes and closing the door behind them, Annabeth watched as Percy locked the door, and she couldn't help but think how wonderful her birthday was even though it just started.

Percy's sea-green eyes softened when he caught Annabeth staring at him. He walked closer to Annabeth and kissed her. Their lips touched, and Annabeth swore she felt butterflies fluttering in her stomach like it was the first time. Percy's lips were like pure bliss, and Annabeth wanted to taste it forever.

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