I stared at the floor, hoping against hope, wishing against reason that the rose petals meant what I thought they did. I mean, it had been nine years. Nine years of memories, nine years of stories and love and joy. And now… maybe… maybe… he was going to propose. I tucked a strand of blond hair behind my ear and bit my lip, trying to contain a grin. I walked slowly into the restaurant, which I knew was usually closed on Sundays for Sally, Percy and Paul to have dinner together. But tonight, the whole restaurant was literature by candles, dusted in roses, and filled with soft music. It had to be a proposal. I pushed open the beads that separated the waiting area from the dining area. A single table had benefit set with delicate china; two long, thin towers of hovering water filled the room with an aqua tint. Percy sat at the table, wearing his suit that he knew was my favorite, and I could see a small box in his pocket. My heart skipped a beat. A small box. His best suit. Water candles. OHMYGOD OHMYGOD OHMYGOD. This was it. This was really it. I smiled, no longer able to hold it back. Percy stood, and I saw his eyes widen. I twirled, slowly. I was wearing a navy blue satin dress that clung to my body just right. I knew my black stilettos and short dress had been the right choice for the occasion.

"Annabeth. You look… wow." He stumbled, blushing. I blushed too. Usually I didn't make a big deal out of this kind of thing, but like I said… I had a feeling he would propose.

"You look… amazing… too." I said, smiling bigger and bigger. He laughed nervously and asked me to sit down, pulling out the chair for me. I sat down quickly, and Sally brought out a basket of her best blue breadsticks.

"Annabeth, I met you almost fifteen years ago. And I'll admit… it wasn't love at first sight. But the more I got to know you, the more I knew… I couldn't live without you. You were the one who helped me through everything, the one who knew me better than anybody else. And even though we've had our differences, I've always known… I want to spend my whole life with you. So Annabeth Chase, will you do me the honor… of becoming my wife?" I broke out into the biggest smile I had ever smiled; the feeling in my heart was that of nothing but pure joy, the purest in the world.

"Yes! Yes… yes… a thousand times yes!" I said, leaning across the table to kiss him… and it was the best kiss ever, because we were both so impossibly happy. He pulled out the box and opened it, showing me the ring. It was a Tiffany Setting 18k yellow gold simple band, the exact one I had told him I wanted six years ago...

"Percy…" I gasped. "Did you buy this six years ago?" I asked, shocked. He nodded slowly and gazed at me lovingly. It was perfect. He was perfect.