Disclaimer: I don't have any right on PJO and HoO, so please don't sue me. This is just for fun.
Author's Note: Thank you for reading. Love your reviews, please do more often. Happy relaxing Saturday!
4. The Wedding
Two days later and a very positive pregnancy test, Hazel was standing in the altar as the maid of honor on Piper and Malcolm's wedding. The wedding was in full performance in the yard in the middle of the cabins. Piper was glowing in happiness and love. Her mother must have blessed her because everybody was crying or smiling of happiness.
Annabeth was by Hazel's side. Both were wearing the pale blue dress they tried on two days ago. They looked gorgeous. On the other side, Malcolm, Percy and Max looked absolutely dashing in matching black tuxedos. Max was Malcolm and Annabeth's sibling. He was filling up for Leo who wasn't there yet and way late.
Right in the part where the priest asks if anyone objects this marriage, Piper threw a murderous look to the audience making Annabeth and Hazel giggled softly. There was the standard moment of silence, and then there was noise.
Someone was running to the wedding from the forest's line. Leo was buttoning up his shirt and pants as he ran to the happy couple. He stopped noisily in front of everybody making all turned to see him with wonder. He was panting and fixing his clothes and hair.
"Do you object this marriage?" said loudly the priest. Piper looked furious and ready to sever Leo's head. Malcolm just rolled his eyes in fake annoyance. He was giggling at Leo's antics.
"What? No, I am just late. Sorry… Piper, you look lovely. Malcolm, you are a lucky man" said Leo watching at the priest. He moved to Max's side and muttered an apology to Piper. The whole audience couldn't help themselves and everybody burst out laughing.
"That's what I call an entrance, Valdez" yelled one Leo's siblings making everybody laughed even harder.
The rest of the ceremony went uneventful but it was still lovely. The happy couple kissed at the end in a big round of applauses and cheers from the audience. Piper and Malcolm walked down the aisle with Annabeth and Percy right behind them. Campers were throwing roses' petals at them. Hazel walked down with Max and Leo by either side. Watching so much beauty and happiness made Hazel feel envious, but she was happy for them.
"I'm glad you came" said Max at Leo.
"I say the same" said Hazel as they followed the happy couple to the reception being held by the lake just like the engagement party.
"Sorry. I just lost track of time" said Leo looking ahead.
"Leo, can we…?" said Hazel softly as she grabbed Leo's tuxedo jacket.
"Hey, Valdez. You made it. For a moment, I thought Piper was going to make drag you ass here" said Nico high-fiving Leo.
"Just in time, death king" said Leo without paying attention to Hazel's hand on his clothes.
"Damn right, repair boy. Come on, sis. We are hitting the dance floor right now" said Nico taking Hazel's arm and going ahead to the party. Nico was really in high spirits like everybody at the party. Hazel wondered if Bacchus was responsible of such festive atmosphere, but probably it was Aphrodite's fault.
"Bye, boys" said Hazel waving goodbye. She took a look back to Max and Leo and sighed. She missed her opportunity to talk to Leo.
Nico and Hazel danced for two hours until before Hazel complained about her shoes. Nico walked her to the table and they sat to talk. One harpy was moving around with a tray full of champagne flutes. Nico took two and gave one to Hazel. She thought of drinking or not.
"Sis, drink up. It's really good" said Nico.
"I don't know. I drank with Leo in the last party and woke up with a horrible headache" said Hazel staring at the flute. She wasn't worrying about getting drunk but she knew it was bad for the baby.
"Don't worry. Chiron and Mr. D are around so it's non-alcoholic" said Nico smiling.
"Okay" said Hazel and took a sip. It really tasted good for a sober drink.
Around 9 at night, the happy couple danced their first dance as a married couple. Hazel had to dance with them as part of the wedding party. Max was supposed to be her date, but he was nowhere to be found.
Hazel was standing alone in the dance floor waiting for Max. She was feeling anxious and Leo walked to the rescue. Hazel smiled when Leo took her hand and placed the other on her lower back. They started to dance at the slow tune.
"Thank you" said Hazel.
"You are welcome. I'm used to be spare wheel" said Leo grinning at the slow tune.
"You are not" said Hazel. Leo smiled sadly and stared at Hazel like 'whatever you say, I'm know I am'
"It's Ok, otherwise you will still dancing alone" said Leo and sighed.
"You never know, Nico would come to my rescue" said Hazel smiling.
"I don't think so" said Leo and threw the biggest mischievous grin even.
"Wait, what do you know?" said Hazel narrowing her eyes at Leo.
"Well, I might or not see him busy with Max" said Leo suppressing a giggle.
"Nico and Max?" said Hazel slightly surprised.
"Well, parties create weird matches" said Leo and they stopped dancing as they looked at each other nervously. They remembered the last party and what happened between them. Hazel felt this was the moment to tell him.
"Leo…" said Hazel, and she was interrupted again but by Percy this time. Hazel cursed the Gods in her head.
"Leo. Good to have you here" said Percy fist-bumping Leo.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world. Is Piper mad?" said Leo.
"Of course not. She is happy that you are here, but I wouldn't be in her way for a while" said Percy half-joking at Leo.
"Yeap" said Leo.
"Hey, Hazel. Piper and Annabeth want you by the way, you know pictures and something about a dress. They are in Aphrodite's cabin" said Percy shrugging.
"Thanks, Percy" said Hazel and kissed Percy's cheek. For a second, Leo was jealous.
Hazel found Piper and Annabeth. They posed for tons of pictures and helped Piper to change into a more modest dress. During the rest of the evening, Hazel couldn't talk to Leo again.
The following morning, Hazel woke up in her bed in Cabin 13 right before dawn. She took a shower and got dress. She had a mission now. Hazel really needed to talk to Leo.
"What's up?" said Hazel with a really big grin on her face as she walked out of the shower. Nico was just coming in with his clothes wrinkled and yawning. Hazel wanted so much to tease him endlessly but she had more urgent matters at hand.
"Nothing. I saw Leo on the beach. He is going away again" said Nico as he sat on his bed.
"What? He just got here" said Hazel perplexed.
"Well, you know him" said Nico shrugging and wrapped himself in a blanket.
"I'm going out" said Hazel softly and ran fast to the beach. She needed to catch a boat before it was too late.