003. Perfect 28 Pt: III

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: SHOOT, ITZY. HELICOPTER, CLC. NONSTOP, OH MY GIRL. DOLPHIN, OH MY GIRL. | Part One. Part Two. Part Three.

LUCINDA SPEAKS: Hello! Welcome to the last part of Perfect 28! Thank you so much for reading this mini-series! I had a lot of fun writing this, and I hope everyone enjoyed reading it! I have a lot of one-shots planned for the future so definitely get ready for that! I hope everyone will decide to stick around and read them whenever they're done! (It might be a while till another one-shot is posted, though. Sorry! <3) Anyways, I would like to make a statement before anyone points it out—I know that you can't see stars in New York City due to all the lights, but for the sake of the fluffy ending, let's pretend that you can. Also, I had to include our favorite "huntress" because I always include her in birthday one-shots for the ✨emotional scenes✨. Moving along, *spoiler alert* I had to mention Cade and Ophelia (if you know, you know) because I love them, and they're happily living their best life together! Thank you for reading, and have a good day/night! Much Love, Lucinda! ☔️

             The wind blew strands of her blonde hair around, and the sunlight glared down at her as she and Percy slowly drove down Park Avenue. Even though it was her birthday, the traffic was—if not—worse. They had been stuck in traffic for the past forty minutes or so. Percy glanced at her, and she shrugged with a chuckle while Blueberry barked out of the window while sitting on Annabeth's lap.

The July weather outside was hot and humid (thank god for AC), which was one of the many reasons why Annabeth hated her birthday being in July. She sighed and sat back in her seat and shield her eyes from the sunlight that shone through the moonroof. Percy must have seen that the sunlight was bothering her and closed it; Annabeth glanced at him.

"You know, this was not how I imagine how the rest of the afternoon would go," Said Percy sheepishly and added, "I mean, I should have guess as this is Manhattan, but, ah, I don't know."

Annabeth laughed and said, "It's fine, Seaweed Brain." She then looked out the window and said, "It was fun exploring the city earlier—Hey, we should just skip lunch and get some ice cream."

Percy tilted his head to the side and said, "That doesn't sound so bad. Let's do that instead," Annabeth opened her mouth, but Percy quickly said, "Do you wanna go to Icy's Cherry Bomb? After all, you did say that you wanted to go there."

Annabeth's cheeks slightly reddened, and she said, "I did, and I was about to suggest that, so of course, let's go to Icy's Cherry Bomb."

A smile formed on Percy's face, and he said, "Alright, that's settled then," He then looked back at the traffic and laughed, "Who knows, maybe it'll be nighttime when we get there."

That made Annabeth laugh, and she softly smiled, "I really don't care if it's nighttime when we get there, just as long as you're with me, everything is fine."

Percy's sea-green eyes softened, and he leaned forward to kiss Annabeth. He pulled away and said, "I love you."

            She clutched Percy's hand tightly as he led her and Blueberry down the sidewalk to ICY'S CHERRY BOMB, an ice cream shop that Annabeth's friend had introduced her to when she had a bad day in high school. A grin formed on Annabeth's face, seeing the shop, and Percy chuckled at her expression before wrapping an arm around her waist. The bell chimed as they walked in. Blueberry excitedly barked, and Annabeth shushed him.

Annabeth and Percy went up to the counter and examined all the ice cream flavors, wondering if they added any more. They did. Annabeth saw Permission to Dance, a root beer flavor, while Percy's sea-green eyes lit up when he saw Umpah Umpah, a blue cotton candy flavor ice cream.

Annabeth gasped when he told her that he was ordering Umpah Umpah, and she said, "Are you betraying Baby Blue Love?" Referring to Percy's favorite blue ice cream. "Hmm?"

Percy's sea-green eyes widened, and he shook his head and said, "Of course not, Wise Girl. I'm going to get a mix of both," He then asked, "What are you getting?"

"I don't know," Answered Annabeth, "There's so many amazing ice cream flavors here that I don't know what to get. I might get the usual Red Flavor and Ko Ko Bop." (Red Flavor was red velvet ice cream while Ko Ko Bop was double fudge.) She added, "But I haven't decided yet."

After much inner debating, Annabeth ordered her usual half and half of Red Flavor and Ko Ko Bop while Percy got half and half of Umpah Umpah and Baby Blue Love. They found an empty table by the corner and quietly devoured their bowls of ice cream. Blueberry sat next to Percy, and Percy had to stop him from licking their ice cream bowls occasionally.

When the sweetness hit her tongue, Annabeth smiled and looked at Percy, who had almost finished his ice cream. She laughed and grabbed a napkin to wipe the ice cream off his face; he blushed and shot her a smile. Annabeth took a bite of her ice cream, and Percy placed his bowl down.

"We should come here more often," Said Percy. "I forget how much I miss this place."

"Haha, it's been a while since we last been here, hasn't it?" Asked Annabeth, cocking an eyebrow, then said, "But yeah, we should come here more often when we have time."

She sighed, and Percy reached for her hand, and he held it tightly. He suggested, "Because of our busy schedule, we should try to come here at least once a month. Does that sound good?"

A smile formed on her face, and she nodded, "I do. I like that."

Percy smiled and didn't let go of her hand; he finished his ice cream while Annabeth took her time with hers. They chatted about work, Estelle, etc. She softly smiled, thinking about Cade and Ophelia, her friends who had introduced her to the ice cream shop she and Percy were sitting at.

"Wise Girl?" Asked Percy, noticing how quiet she was, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Nodded Annabeth, tearing herself from the memories of when she was younger, and explained, "I was just thinking about Cade and Ophelia and how nostalgic this place is."

Percy smiled at the mention of Ophelia and Cade and said, "Oh, didn't Cade show you this place?" Annabeth nodded, and Percy said, "Ah, I miss Cade and Ophelia—I wish they were still in Manhattan."

"Me too," Agreed Annabeth then exclaimed, "We should visit them in Queens one day."

"We should," Nodded Percy and asked, "Hey, Wise Girl, are you having a good birthday so far?"

"Mhm," Said Annabeth, then finished her bowl of ice cream and wiped her mouth with a napkin. She said, "It's been wonderful."

"I'm glad," Said Percy and asked, "Where should we go next, Wise Girl?"

Annabeth shrugged and answered, "I honestly don't care, Seaweed Brain—Just as long as I'm with you, I'm fine with wherever we go."

Annabeth watched as a smile formed on Percy's face, and instead of saying anything, he leaned over the table and kissed her.

            After shopping around the city at her favorite bookstore, Venus's Vogue, a clothing shop, and buying a dress that she had been eyeing since forever, the sun was beginning to set. The sunset was her favorite type: a Lover sunset. The pink and orange hues streaked across the sky and blended together—It cast a pink-orange glow on the streets.

Percy laughed as Annabeth took multiple pictures of the sky; the wind gently blew her hair around, and it felt nice against her slightly warm skin. Not wanting to make Percy wait any longer, Annabeth took one more look at the sky and got into the car. She put on her seatbelt, and Blueberry jumped onto her lap while Percy automatically placed his hand on her thigh.

His sea-green eyes glistened at her, and Percy asked, "Are you ready to go to ReVe's?"

Annabeth nodded and petted Blueberry and said, "Of course," She then smirked, "I guess you weren't lying when you said that we were going to ReVe's that night."

Percy sheepishly chuckled and said, "Of course, we have to go to ReVe's. We always go there for special occasions."

"Oh, is my birthday a special occasion?" Asked Annabeth, cocking an eyebrow. "Hmm?"

"Of course," Answered Percy softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, and added, "You're a special person, Annabeth. You're my Wise Girl."

He kissed her, and Annabeth grinned like an idiot. She cupped Percy's face and deepened the kiss. Their kiss lasted for a couple of minutes, and Annabeth pulled away, beaming and breathless.

She stroked Percy's cheek and gently said, "And you're special too. You're my Seaweed Brain."

            After enjoying a marvelous birthday dinner with Percy, they drove back home, and by the time they arrived, the sun had already set, and the stars were out. Annabeth curiously gazed at them when Percy slammed the car trunk closed, startling her. Annabeth blushed, and Percy sheepishly apologized, and they walked into their apartment complex with their shopping bags.

She chuckled as Blueberry dragged her up the stairs and stopped before their apartment door. Percy unlocked the door and stepped inside; Annabeth followed him and closed the door behind her. She unhooked Blueberry's leash and watched as he ran to the couch, causing Percy and her to laugh.

Annabeth told Percy she was taking a shower, and he nodded, telling her that he was going to wash their blankets as they had accidentally gotten maple syrup on them. Annabeth nodded and headed to their bedroom when her phone chimed; her friends had texted her.

She spent a couple of minutes texting them before forcing herself to take a shower. The cold water felt nice against her skin that has been underneath the sun's glare for the entire day. Eventually, she finished and changed into her pajamas, and walked out of the bathroom.

When Annabeth stepped out, the blankets were gone and presumably in the washing machine; even if she wanted, Annabeth couldn't go to bed. She walked out of the bedroom and told Percy she was done. He nodded and went to take a shower while Annabeth walked to the kitchen. Blueberry followed her.

She made a cup of tea and scooped up Blueberry, and walked over to the small balcony. The wind felt warm against her skin, and Annabeth sat down in the lounging chairs that she and Percy had bought when they first moved in. She petted Blueberry and looked down at the street; her balcony overlooked the rest of Union Square.

Even though it was eleven, people still roamed the street, and cars drove past. Her hands were wrapped around her cup of warm tea, and she brought it up to her mouth to drink it. She then placed it down on her lap and looked at Blueberry, who licked her hand, and Annabeth laughed.

"Blueberry," Said Annabeth and asked, "Did you have fun today?"

Blueberry barked and grinned at her, causing Annabeth to smile. She sat back in her chair and snuggled him.

"Me too. I had fun today," Agreed Annabeth. She then said, "And I'm happy right now too. It's been a while since I have felt like this, carefree and relaxed at the same time."

Blueberry nuzzled her and rested on her lap. Annabeth ran her fingers through his fur and sipped her tea. Her head snapped toward the door, hearing it slide open, and watched as Percy stepped out on the balcony.

Water dripped down his forehead and his clothes stuck to his body. Percy sat down next to her and scooted his chair closer to her.

Annabeth brushed Percy's hair to the side and whispered, "Hey, Seaweed Brain."

"Hey, Wise Girl," Smiled Percy. "What are you doing out here?"

She shrugged and said, "I don't really know—I just wanted to see the stars, and besides, it's a lovely night outside."

"Mhm," Agreed Percy. "It really is."

She and Percy looked up at the sky, and Annabeth softly smiled. She hasn't seen this many stars out; it was comforting. Nevertheless, the stars twinkled like they were putting a show on for her and Percy. Annabeth gazed at them, not able to look away.

"Wise Girl!" Exclaimed Percy, nudging her. She looked over, and Percy pointed at a constellation in the distance and said, "Look!"

Annabeth glanced at what he was pointing at and a smile formed on her face. In the night sky, a girl was running around and shooting stars. Annabeth remembered spotting the constellation with Thalia and being amazed by it. She couldn't remember the constellation's name, but it was in the back of her mind.

"The Huntress," Whispered Annabeth, causing Percy to glance at her, and she explained, "The Huntress was about a girl who sacrificed herself to go on a quest to save the goddess Artemis—Thalia told me all about it."

"Oh," Said Percy softly, looking back at the Huntress.

They watched as the Huntress ran around the sky and shot stars all around; it might have just been her mind tricking her, but Annabeth didn't care. She felt herself growing teary-eyed while looking at the Huntress. A feeling that she couldn't explain devoured her.

Annabeth forced herself to look at Percy, who exclaimed, "Look! There are so many stars out, Wise Girl!"

Annabeth chuckled, and Blueberry barked as Percy pointed random shining stars out to her. She thought it was adorable how Percy's sea-green eyes lit up whenever he saw a star that caught his eye. They soon got off the lounging chairs and sat on the floor with a blanket wrapped around them; they cuddled underneath the stars with Blueberry asleep on her lap.

The clock was nearing midnight, and it would no longer be her birthday; Annabeth didn't want her birthday to end. Her 28th birthday had been perfect. 

"Wise Girl," Whispered Percy, looking at her. "Did you have a good birthday?"

Annabeth looked at Percy and softly smiled and said, "I did—I don't want it to end ever, Seaweed Brain." Percy's sea-green eyes glistened in the moonlight, and she added, "I love you so much. I'm so grateful that I'm going to marry you soon."

Percy reached for her hand and intertwined their fingers together, and said, "Me too. I love you too. I can't wait for next month."

Next month. A smile formed on Annabeth's face, and Percy grinned. She was officially going to be Annabeth Jackson in August. She had always dreamed for the day to come, and it was arriving soon. Percy's fingers grazed her diamond engagement ring, and he then leaned forward and kissed her.

Annabeth suddenly felt like seventeen again. Like she had schoolwork due tomorrow, but instead of working on them, she was kissing Percy in his bedroom. It's been eleven years since she was seventeen, and a lot has changed. But throughout all the changes, Percy had stuck with her—He might be her husband next month, but he was still her best friend.

She pulled away and awkwardly shifted around with Blueberry asleep on her lap and hugged Percy. Though he was confused by the sudden movement, Percy wrapped his arms around Annabeth, who buried her head into his chest. Her mind went back to Percy's question about what her ideal birthday was; she had answered him, and Percy had made it happen. But Annabeth now realized that her answer was incorrect.

"Wise Girl," Said Percy softly, rubbing circles on her back, and asked, "Is everything alright?"

"Yes," Answered Annabeth and said, "You know how you made my ideal birthday happen, and I'm so grateful that you did, but I think I found what my ideal birthday actually is."

"Oh?" Said Percy. "What is it?"

"You," Annabeth said softly, "I don't care what we do for my birthday, just as long as you're there with me. I don't need anything or anyone else. You're all that I need."

Percy didn't say anything, and Annabeth could hear his heartbeat, and she closed her eyes. Her grip around him tightened, and she planted a kiss on his neck.

"And I was thinking about how much this reminds me of our teenage years," Whispered Annabeth. "That was ten years ago. We could have become strangers, yet we didn't. That made me think that we were destined for each other and how I want to spend the rest of my future with you," She could feel tears forming in her eyes, and she looked at Percy and said, "I want to grow old with you, Seaweed Brain."

Percy's sea-green eyes softened, and they twinkled at her. Annabeth wanted to see the shimmer in his eyes till she could no longer.

"Me too," Said Percy, softly smiling. "I want to grow old with you."

They sat there in each other's embrace as the clock ticked past midnight; it was no longer July 12th. Yet, Annabeth didn't care. She might hate growing old and having time fly by, but she didn't mind it when she had Percy by her side. Her best friend. Her Fiance. Her soulmate.