Hey there everybody! I'm sorry this took a lot longer than expected – I've been going through some stuff and just working my tail off to get back to college. And I had serious writers block, which didn't help at all! But here it is! The first chapter to Alliance, the sequel to Sisterhood!

Disclaimer: Own the plot, nothing more.

Calypso – Whole

"Hold still," Piper said as she grabbed the majority of Calypso's hair. "This might take a while."

Calypso nodded, closing her eyes. She could feel her head slumping forward as sleep plagued her. As excited – and, albeit, dreadfully nervous – as she was, at this moment Calypso wanted to do nothing more than go back to bed. She couldn't sleep a wink last night; the excitement was too much for her body to handle.

Calypso twisted the ring that was resting on her left hand, something she had come to do when she was nervous. Today was the big day; the day that she would become Mrs. Leo Valdez. Granted, it was supposed to happen much sooner than this, but the stress of Leo's recent deployment and her younger sister living with her had caused the date to be pushed back. They wanted to be married last April; now it was happening just barely a month after Leo came home from deployment.

But still, getting married to Leo at a much later point was better than not getting married at all.

"There," Piper said triumphantly. "All done! Leo is going to love it!" Calypso opened her eyes and looked in the mirror of the vanity she was sitting at. Piper had curled her chestnut hair in a simple up-do, leaving a few curled strands framing her face.

"It looks great!" she said happily. "I love it!"

Piper smiled, grabbing a few bobby pins and shoving them into her hair. "I did it for my own wedding."

"You did your own hair?" Calypso asked, surprised.

Piper nodded, her chocolate brown locks bouncing. "Mmhmm. I never had a mom growing up, so I improvised. It actually turned out okay. It looks much better on you, though."

Calypso snorted. "Oh, whatever!" Piper was so naturally beautiful, with smooth skin and kaleidoscope eyes – she could make sweat pants and a baggy shirt look great. Calypso had to suppress a chuckle as she imagined Piper strutting across a catwalk in the said outfit.

Annabeth crossed the room, her turquoise gown shuffling as she sat on a nearby chair. She looked a bit uncomfortable in such a fancy getup (Calypso had only ever seen her in jeans and t-shirts), but she insisted it was no big deal. Her naturally curly blonde hair was down and loose, resting on her shoulders. But there was a somewhat vague look in her normally bright grey eyes.

"Annabeth, are you alright?" Calypso asked in concern.

"Hmm?" Annabeth looked up at Calypso and smiled; Calypso noticed large bags under her eyes. "Yes, I'm fine. I just haven't been sleeping well lately."

"I don't think any of us have," Thalia said as she waltzed in, her short dark hair bouncing slightly. She took a seat next to Annabeth, straightening the skirt on her bridesmaid dress. "I don't know about you guys, but since Nico came home I've been having more trouble sleeping than I did when he was gone."

There was a small murmur as everyone agreed, nodding their heads. Calypso nodded along with them, although she didn't exactly feel the same. Since Leo came home she had never slept better in her entire life. It was such a reassurance to feel him beside her, knowing that he was safe and back home.

Hazel, who was sitting nearby holding her two month old daughter, spoke up. "I'm sleeping alright, but Frank…" she bit her lip, hesitating for a moment before continuing. "He's been having a lot of trouble. He says it's nothing, but I can't help but worry. In fact, most of the time he's been taking care of Emily in the middle of the night because he's already awake."

Calypso looked at her cell phone. The butterflies that were already in her stomach intensified. "Well," she said shakily. "It's almost time…"

Thalia smiled as she stood up and walked over to her. "You excited?" Calypso nodded, forcing a smile onto her lips. Thalia took Calypso by the hand and led her over to the dressing room. "Come on – I'll help you put your dress on."

A few moments later…

"Oh my goodness," Annabeth breathed softly.

"Calypso, you…you look…" Piper could no longer continue as unshed tears sparkled in her eyes.

"Stunning," Hazel finished. "You look absolutely stunning!"

Thalia smirked. "Leo Valdez, eat your heart out."

Calypso didn't recognize the girl in the mirror, and that thrilled her. Her makeup was done simply but elegantly; enough to bring out the pink of her lips and make her lashes longer. The dress had a bit of a vintage touch to it: it hugged her waist, flowing out to the floor. The sleeves came to her elbows and were sewed of beautiful lace. A few strands of her chestnut hair framed her face. She held a bouquet of Baby's Breath and Moonlace in her hands – the perfect touch.

"We better get going," Hazel said, smiling. "We don't want to keep your future husband waiting." Calypso nodded, smiling widely as they made their way to the ceremony. Calypso's younger sister, Zoe, stood by the double doors leading to the chapel of the church. Her eyes widened when she saw her sister. "Cali! You look amazing!" she exclaimed as the two embraced. Calypso hugged her gently, thanking her.

The ceremony began shortly afterward. Calypso clutched her bouquet with white knuckles, biting her lip nervously. The bridesmaids all gave Calypso a smile as they walked alongside the groomsmen. Percy, Nico, Frank and Jason were all wearing black suits with turquoise ties. Leo couldn't decide who would be the Best Man, so he picked all of them. Percy had an arm at Annabeth's waist, occasionally tugging her closer. Nico looked rather uncomfortable in a full suit and tie, but he smirked when he caught Thalia blushing. Frank simply walked alongside Hazel, holding her hand. Jason had a hand at the small of Piper's back, guiding her along gently.

They reached the altar all too soon, the ladies standing behind Leo and the man standing behind where Calypso would be. "You ready?" Zoe whispered intently. Calypso nodded, excitement eating at her insides. The large, double wooden doors opened at everyone stood up and turned their attention to her. Calypso could feel herself blushing. Every single member of the crowd broke into a wide smile, with the occasional gasp of awe. Calypso wanted to do nothing more than duck her blushing face and hide, but she forced herself to keep her chin up. Only one person mattered, and he was standing at the end of the room.

His normally wild and unruly curly hair was away from his face, so Calypso could see his eyes. Unlike the rest of the groomsmen, his suit was white with a turquoise bowtie. It was somewhat strange to see Leo all cleaned up without machine grease on his hands, but it suited him. Leo's eyes met hers, and he gasped silently. His face contorted with emotion as he brought a hand to his mouth in shock and awe. Tears sparkled in his eyes.

Calypso gave him a shy smile as she reached the altar, handing her bouquet to Zoe as she took both of Leo's hands in hers. The priest began to drone the usual words, but Calypso found herself not listening as she stared into Leo's eyes. He smiled softly, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. She took in every detail of Leo's face: his normally mischievous and teasing smile was replaced with a gentle smile of sincerity. His dark brown eyes were still shining with tears, and his black hair curled around his elf-like ears.

"I do," he said softly. Calypso wanted to squeal while jumping up and down, but she settled for squeezing Leo's hands gently.

"I do," Calypso said when her time came. Leo's smile widened and a single tear fell down his cheek. Leo slipped the ring onto her left ring finger. A warm, almost fuzzy feeling filled Calypso from the inside out and her vision blurred as she put a ring onto Leo's finger.

And then the priest uttered those words: "You may kiss the bride." Leo took Calypso's face into his warm hands and kissed her with a passion and force that made her knees buckle. She kissed back just as well, and could have continued kissing him for hours if Leo hadn't pulled away. Everyone was clapping and cheering; some were even crying.

"I love you, Calypso Valdez." He whispered before kissing her temple. Calypso threw her arms around his neck, pulling him close. Never in her life had she felt so whole and complete.