Chapter 5

Annabeth's Point of View

I stared at the trees that surrounded the dirt road that exited Camp. Percy had his hands on the steering wheel, his knuckles white with nervousness. I could barely breathe in this situation, although my every breath went to another life, soon to enter the cruel world. I couldn't talk to him. It was the one thing in the universe I couldn't do. I'd defeat Medusa again instead of talk.

But he spoke first.

"Annabeth," he began, taking a deep breath. I was afraid he was about to dump me, drop me off somewhere, and disappear into the sunset. His green eyes were full of worry, his every breath shallow. I noticed his face was pale with disbelief; my boyfriend was a nervous wreck. "You know I love you, right?" At this point, he had pulled over on the side of the road and turned off the car. He reached for my hand, trembling and I took it. I nodded. Percy had told me he loved me a million times. His kisses and hugs proved it. I could see his eyes tearing up as he looked at my flat stomach. It would soon be round with Kronos' victory child.

He pulled something out of his pocket: small, black, and square. "Well, then…" he said, stumbling over his words. "Will you become Mrs. Percy Jackson?" he smiled out of duty, I could tell, because his voice croaked with tears imminent. I stared at him. I did love Percy. I wanted forever.

"Yes, Percy Jackson, I will be your wife." And with that answer we kissed for the first time since finding out I was pregnant. It was perfect, there on the side of the road, with a diamond ring on my finger. I couldn't have asked for anything better, except not being pregnant, of course. I was almost twenty; we could make it even if it meant raising our child in the Underworld.

And then, destroying our perfect moment, jumped from the backseat Rachel, eyes big with surprise. "Step on it! We're in danger!" And with that last command, we drove away.