Months turned into weeks. Weeks turned into days. Days turned into hours, and hours turned into minutes. Piper McLean was more than ready to become Mrs. Jason Grace. Ever since she'd met him, she longed for the day that they'd get to walk down the aisle, say their vows, and become husband and wife. It was a bright, sunny, crisp late afternoon in New Rome. A gentle breeze chased away the heavy, warm air. Piper was draped in a beautiful white and gold wedding dress. Annabeth had just finished braiding her hair into an elaborate style. Everything was perfect.

Her father walked into the room. "Annabeth, would you mind giving us a moment?"

"Sure." Annabeth gave Piper a small wave before exiting.

"Are you nervous?" Tristan asked, taking his daughter's hands.

"Yeah," admitted Piper. "But excited too. I'm more excited than I am nervous."

"That's good," Tristan said. "Because I think I'm nervous enough for the both of us."

Piper laughed. "Come on, dad. You know you don't have any reason to be nervous."

"I couldn't imagine a man more worthy of my daughter than Jason Grace, but forgive me for being a little nervous on my little girl's wedding day."

Piper threw her arms around her dad. "I'm so happy you're here. I don't think I could have done this without you."

"I'm so proud of the woman you've become. Jason is a very lucky man. Now, let's get out there before he thinks you've left him at the altar."

Piper and Tristan emerged from the dressing room. Everyone was lined up outside the doors.

"Is everyone ready?" The wedding coordinator, Julia asked. Everyone nodded.

"Let's go!"

The procession went off without a hitch. Aphrodite and Zeus went out first, followed by Annabeth and Percy, Leo and Calypso, Hazel and Frank, Will and Nico. Finally, it was time for Tristan and Piper.

Jason looked composed on the outside, but Piper could read her future husband like a book. It was clear that the prospect of Piper leaving him at the altar had, in fact, crossed his mind more than once during the agonizing waiting process. When he caught his first glimpse of her though, his eyes lit up like sparking sapphires. His smile was more radiant than the sun. Piper couldn't help but blush.

The wedding was short, as weddings should be. They said their vows and they exchanged rings.

"Now," said Chiron, "I pronounce you husband and wife. Jason, you may kiss your bride!"

Jason pulled back Piper's white veil gently. "I love you," he whispered. "I love you and I always will."

"I love you too," Piper whispered back.

Their lips met and Piper felt her mind explode and slow to the crawl all at the same time. Time wasn't real. The people cheering weren't real. The ceremony wasn't even real. She wasn't real. The only thing was Jason, in all his magnificent beauty and wonder.

Piper woke up in a cold sweat. The wedding wasn't real, true. None of it was. It was all a dream, and sadly it would never come true. Jason had been killed five years earlier. She would never get her fairytale wedding day in New Rome. She'd never see Jason at the end of the aisle. She'd never get to see Jason again.

"I love you and I always will," Piper whispered into the dark. For the millionth time, she allowed the tears to run down her cheeks.