A/N: Um, yeah, so my profuse apologies for being absent from the fanfiction world for so long will be after the story, since I don't want you guys to wait any longer than necessary to read what's coming next.

Also, I promise I'll update more often because school is out (meaning I have waaaay more free time on my hands). (:


Chapter Eight: Ring

Summary: Percy searches for the perfect engagement ring for Annabeth.

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

Percy stumbled through the streets of New York City, towards yet another jewelry store. It had been the same routine for the past few weeks: he would tell Annabeth he was going to get groceries, she would give him a list of things to buy, and he would venture out of the apartment and make his way to Zales' or some other fine jewelers' where there might possibly be a perfect engagement ring, waiting to be bought. However, these little adventures to jewelry stores always ended with Percy not making a purchase. And quite frankly, Percy was getting tired of it.

He entered the store, looking around sheepishly at the glittery baubles inside the display cases. A salesperson approached him, grinning widely. "Hello, sir," she said. "Who are you shopping for today?"

"I'm looking for an engagement ring," he replied. "For my girlfriend."

"Ah," said the saleslady. "An engagement ring. Right this way, sir."

As the saleslady babbled about the wide selection of rings the store had to offer, Percy surveyed the rings with a practiced eye. His numerous visits to jewelry stores had taught him, somewhat, what to look for. He knew Annabeth wouldn't like something overly glitzy or glamorous; she wasn't that type of girl. So he averted his eyes away from the more spectacular rings and looked towards the simpler ones. He had to make sure he didn't get one that was too simple, though. Although Annabeth claimed she didn't care, he knew she did deep down inside.

Plus, he wanted to spoil her a little bit.

His eyes landed on an unfussy square cut diamond towards the back of the display. He pointed at it. "Can I see that one?"

The saleslady handed the ring to him, and he examined it carefully. The band was a polished sterling silver, and there were small, intricate carvings around the base of the diamond. Straightforward and uncomplicated, but with an elegant touch.

It was perfect.

Percy deliberated for a few minutes. Finally he looked at the saleslady and smiled slightly. "I'll be buying this one," he finally said.


Percy walked home, with the small velvet box containing what was probably the most important purchase of his life nestled in his pocket. Although the price of it had definitely put a dent in his bank account (he still wasn't sure how he was going to explain that to Annabeth), it was definitely worth it.

She was definitely worth it.

With a somewhat giddy smile on his face, Percy made his way to his building, took the elevator, and went inside his apartment. Annabeth, who was seated on the couch with Daedulus' laptop on and a flurry of notes scattered about her, looked up and greeted Percy with a grin. "Well, hello there, Seaweed Brain." She gave him a once-over and frowned slightly. "Where are the groceries?"

Crap! The groceries! Percy felt around in his pocket and found, underneath the engagement ring box, the grocery list Annabeth had given him prior to his departure to the jewelry store. Trying to hide his panic, Percy started to head back towards the door. "I'll, uh, be right back..."

Annabeth grabbed onto his sleeve, effectively stopping him in his tracks. "Percy," she repeated. "Where are the groceries?"

Gods, she was terrifying. Percy looked around wildly. "Oh, I, uh, I kind of forgot them-"

"Forgot them?" Annabeth said incredulously. "What were you doing out, then?"

"Oh, nothing! I was just taking a walk-"

"Percy! I'm serious. Where were you?"

Percy tried to speak, but no words left his lips.

Annabeth stared at him. "Percy...were you with somebody?"

His eyes widened. "No! No! I swear! I wasn't with anybody!"

"Then why won't you tell me where you were?" Her gray eyes took on a mixture of pain and anger. "Why are you lying to me?"

"Annabeth..." Percy started.

She scowled. "Forget it." She slammed the laptop closed, and then grabbed a jacket and keys. "I'm going to go 'take a walk' now."

Percy was alarmed. "But Annabeth, it's already dark out. You probably shouldn't-"

Annabeth glared at him, her nostrils flaring. "Don't tell me what I should or shouldn't do."

With that, she pushed him out of the way, opened the door, and slammed it shut.

Percy leaned against the wall, closed his eyes, and looked up. "Here goes nothing..." he whispered.

He opened the door and ran after Annabeth.

"Annabeth, wait," he yelled.

She stopped.

He crept closer. "Fine, then. Do you really want to know why I was out?"

She made no reply.

"I was buying an engagement ring," he said quietly.

Silence.

The moment seemed to stretch on forever. Percy's nerves were on fire, waiting to see what Annabeth's reaction would be. What if she said no? What if she smacked him in the face? What if she ignored him and just walked away?

She turned around slowly, surprise apparent on her face. Gray eyes met green. "An engagement ring?" she repeated slowly.

"An engagement ring," he confirmed.

More silence.

Percy took a deep breath and walked until he was right in front of her. "I guess there's only one thing left to do now," he murmured.

He bent down on one knee and took the box out of his pocket. The grocery list that Annabeth had given him earlier fluttered out of his pocket, crumpled and forgotten.

Percy opened the box. "Annabeth Chase," he said. "Will you marry me?"

She continued to stare at him, her gray eyes wide.

Oh gods, Percy thought. She's probably going to smack me.

He nervously flashed his trademark grin at her, hoping it would provoke her to slap him already so it could just be over with.

She tackled him.

Here it comes, he thought.

Instead, Annabeth kissed him full on the lips. "Yes!" she exclaimed.

Percy stared at her. "Yes?"

"Of course!" She laughed. Then she raised an eyebrow. "Why? Were you expecting something different?"

"...uh, well, funny story-"

She threw her head back and laughed some more. "Just put the ring on my finger, Seaweed Brain."

He was happy to oblige.


A/N: Woohoo! There you go! Sorry if it sucks, but I haven't done a whole lot of writing since April, when I had to do a DBQ for geography. :P

Anyhoo, I am SO sorry for being gone for so long! School has just been REALLY REALLY busy for the past few months! Ever since we started nearing the end of the semester, teachers have been going crazy trying to squeeze everything in. I've been bombarded with tests, final exams, projects...so much STUFF. Eww. There's also been some good stuff too: I made yearbook staff, made A honor roll (not A/B honor roll, A honor roll), got a guitar, went on vacation to Houston, survived my freshman year of high school... :D

And also, I made a Tumblr! If you want to follow, my Tumblr is heytherelexa . tumblr . com. (: I'll post the link on my profile in a bit, too.

So, I hoped you liked it! Please review (:

By the way: Who saw the MTV Movie Awards last night? Did you see Logan Lerman in the audience? Wasn't he cute? He's going to be my husband one day, just saying.

Also! Who's excited for the Glee finale tomorrow? I am!


*****IMPORTANT******

I plan to write a chapter about Percy and Annabeth having a kid. So, I have a question: should it be after they're married and stuff? Or should it be one of those scandalous teen pregnancies? Please leave your answer in your review. Thanks!