Disclaimer: Percabeth is not mine.
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20. I Wore a Tuxedo Again
Four months after the incident, Annabeth and I still didn't talk to each other. Piper managed to keep us apart with different schedules and duties for the wedding. I was almost grateful to Piper, but we needed to talk. Eventually, we had to. I couldn't avoid her forever. I could try though. I was too ashamed for what happened, because I let it happened.
For my mom and Piper, I knew that Annabeth was getting better. She buried herself in work now that she had to do Jake's part too in the museum, also in getting ready for the baby, a girl. Piper had been at her side in all the doctors appointments. She told me Annabeth cried for one hour when the doctor told her it's a girl. Jake wanted a girl. From the pictures Annabeth sent to my mom, she was getting huge at almost 7 months of pregnancy.
It was almost the middle of February. Daniel and Piper's wedding was scheduled for Valentine's Day in two days now. Aphrodite's idea, I supposed.
Frank and Hazel were coming today. I was supposed to pick them up at noon. Their baby, Emily Marie, was born two months ago. She is prettiest baby girl I have ever seen, just like Hazel but her skin was lighter.
Minutes before I went out to the airport, the phone ringed and my mom picked it up. Annabeth called saying that she was going to pick the Zhangs up. They were going to stay with her. It was probably a better idea. Annabeth had the nursery room ready which Emily Marie could use, and more space for them.
So the next day came and the wedding day was finally here. My mom, Paul and I went together to the wedding in a famous New York hotel. After Daniel won the Tony, he was working non-stop in new projects, even a new musical movie. So they had money, beside Piper's dad was a famous movie star, so Piper couldn't marry in something smaller or less fancier even if she really want it. Piper didn't seem thrilled about the large wedding but I knew deep inside she was.
After four months, I finally was in front of Annabeth. I found her by the door looking at the audience sitting down minutes before the ceremony. She was radiant with her light green bridesmaid dress. Her baby bump was definitely there making here even more beautiful. I was jealous of Jake even after he was gone. Their baby was a permanent proof of their love for each other.
"Hi, you look dashing as usual" said Annabeth with a lovely smile as she stood two steps from me. I wondered if she was as sad as Piper was in Hazel's wedding. If Annabeth was, she was hiding it very well.
"You look beautiful" I said and kissed her cheek. She took my arm and we walked by the door before the aisle.
"It feels like a déjà-vu" said Annabeth staring at the room filled with people sitting in chairs. Daniel was already next to the priest. Behind us, Hazel and Frank were doing final touches at each other. Piper was talking to Mellie and Coach Hedge before the ceremony.
"Kind of, again maid of honor and best man" I said winking. I expected to make her smile, even blush, but she looked away.
"Always the bridesmaid, never the bride" said Annabeth with a sad sighed.
"I'm sorry" I said realizing that she was the next to get married but she wasn't anymore. I felt ashamed of my comment. I wanted her to cheer her up, not depressed her.
"It's Ok. I am getting there" said Annabeth and her hand unwrinkled her dress.
"Where is that?" I said really interested. Her eyes met mine. I felt the closeness and familiarity between us like nothing had happened.
"Where I don't cry every single night. Where I don't blame myself. Where I don't get anxious of raising my baby alone… I don't know how Piper didn't get crazy. Some days I feel so unbalanced, so torn apart, just ready to go to the loony house" said Annabeth with a loud sigh at the end.
She was starting to feel sad again and I couldn't stop myself and I pulled her to my chest to comfort her. I knew it was probably too intruding but I wanted her to know one thing. I kissed her forehead.
"I am here for you" I said hoping to make her feel better, even for a moment.
"I know" said Annabeth weakly.
The soft wedding music started and we walked together to the altar once again like 7 months ago when I returned. The ceremony went easy and the happy newlyweds kissed in a roar of applauses and whistles at the end.
As we walked to the party, I wanted to pull Annabeth to an empty place and talked to her. I want to know where we were standing right now. However, we just entered the ballroom together in silence. Once there, we were pulled by the bride for pictures. Piper was radiant and glowing in happiness. I wondered if her mom blessed her. I think I have never saw her that happy before, not even with Jason. She really loved Daniel. She was probably the happiest bride I have ever seen.
After the first dance and dinner, it was time for the toast. Once again, Annabeth stood up after Piper's charmspeak call of attention.
"Welcome everybody. I want everybody to raise their glasses to the happy couple: Daniel and Piper. Guys, I know for sure that nothing will harm your relationship as long as you stay together. I wish to be as happy as you when it's my time" said Annabeth and sat down fast. She was holding her tears. I squeezed her hand before standing up to give the toast myself.
"Daniel, Piper. I'm happy for you. When Piper told me she was getting married, I couldn't be happier for her. She deserves it all. Daniel, take care of her or else" I said throwing a little warning making some in the audience giggled. "Please, raise your glass and let's enjoy this beautiful romantic night. For Daniel and Piper". The audience yelled with their glasses for the happy couple and another roar of applauses made Piper leaned and kissed her husband.
As the party advanced, I danced with Piper a couple of songs. Hazel and Frank left early because of Emily Marie who was fussing and couldn't sleep with all the noise. Mom and Paul left after midnight.
"So?" said Calypso as we were dancing a slow song.
"What?" I said confused.
"Annabeth?, you know, dummy" said Calypso raising her eyebrows. We had talked about Annabeth the last couple of months. She knew everything since we have no filter between us, just like Annabeth and I used to have.
"I don't know" I muttered weakly. Calypso looked at me sadly and pulled me closer into a tight hug. I heard her sigh and without words I knew she was right for the last couple of months. I had to talk to Annabeth, a real conversation.
After dancing with Calypso, I tried to talk to Annabeth but she managed to keep the distance between us as she walked from table to table taking to acquaintances and friends, well to everybody: Calypso, Chiron, Malcolm, Grover, Rachel, Mellie, Lou, etc. I saw her hugging Calypso as they both cried, probably because of Jake.
As the party was finally ending, Annabeth walked to me with a timid smile. She had her shoes on her hand and she looked tired. I tried to hide the large grin on my face as we were facing each other.
"Could you take me home? I don't want to go alone at this hour" said Annabeth with an unsure smile in her face.
"Sure. Let's just say goodbye to Piper and Daniel" I said and soon we were travelling in a taxi cab to her apartment.
The ride was uneventful. We didn't talk. It was a comforting silence, somehow. Her hand held mine all the way as she watched outside to the New York's lights. I was content of touching her hand.
As we stepped out of the taxi, snow started to fall softly even romantically. We stared at each other and wanted so much to kiss her but I remembered what happened the last time we were alone. I felt guilty. I should have said no. I felt like I needed to apologize.
"I'm sorry… we should have never done it… it wasn't right… it's not that it wasn't good… you were so… for me… I wanted to call you… and see you… I've been a bad friend… you needed me and I just… I felt so... afterwards… I just…"
Annabeth pulled me into a kiss stopping my rambling. She kissed me chastely on the lips just enough to catch my attention.
"We messed up everything" I said as we pulled away. Her hand parked on my cheek as her mouth formed a small smile. I looked at her and sighed. I was nervous for her response.
"It seems so" said Annabeth with a weak smile. I wanted to apologize again but her hands pulled me into a hug distracting me. I felt strange trying to hug her with her baby bump between us. I wanted to say so many things, but I had only one idea in my mind.
"I'm so sorry for leaving you in Athens. It wasn't right. I wasn't thinking" I said as I had my lips on her forehead.
"I know. I should have chased you and dragged you back here. I knew you were on the sea at Camp that day, but…" said Annabeth
"I know I hurt you. I'm sorry. I never meant to do in purpose" I said and Annabeth nodded. The snow was staring to fall harder making the wind colder. I could feel her body getting cold. She was to the point to start shaking.
"Let me take you upstairs. You must be tired and it's snowing" I said as I took her hand to go upstairs.
"Not yet" said Annabeth shyly and kissed me again. This time the kiss was more urgent, full of love and hope. As we pulled away, her hand cupped my cheek once again kissing me chastely once again.
"Why it happened? Why did you choose?" I said. Maybe it wasn't the right time to talk about this but I really needed to know. She sighed loudly as she thought her answer.
"Percy, I know what happened and who we lost, but I wouldn't change at thing. As much as I loved Jason and Leo, I would choose you every time if I can. I wouldn't live with myself if you had died. Your lost would be more devastating that Jake's. I survived these years without you because I knew you were alive. I knew that I would see you again. I had hope in you" said Annabeth.
I looked at her with surprise and awe. I wasn't expecting such honest words. "Annabeth?" I said.
"I always choose you. You have always been the one" said Annabeth and I saw her eyes filling with tears of happiness.
"I'm so sorry for every mistake I made" I said and we kissed again.
"I love you, seaweed brain" said Annabeth.
"I love you too, wise girl" I said making Annabeth gasped.
"You finally said it" said Annabeth pointing at me with the largest grin in her face. I twas true. I meant to say it years back but I was afraid of what it meant. I had always loved her but I was afraid than monsters would use her against me, of losing her, of her dying because of me. This last four months made me realize that monsters will attack her no matter what so I wasn't afraid anymore.
"It took me years to do it. I had to make it dramatically. I wanted to really mean it when I did" I said with a wink making Annabeth giggled softly. I took her hand "It's getting late and it's snowing harder. Let's go". She smiled and leaned her head on my shoulder as we walked upstairs holding hands. Nobody said a word and I was happy with that.
Once inside her apartment, she kissed me in the doorframe softly but wanting more. However, Hazel and Frank were sleeping in her bed. I kissed her forehead one last time. She turned on the lights.
"I want you to know that you are not replacing Jake" said Annabeth as she looked around. I looked around too. I was in their apartment, even if most of Jake's things weren't here anymore. There were framed pictures of them on walls. I knew she meant it but it didn't feel like it. Jake just died four months ago and this baby was his.
I put all my insecurities aside and kissed her lips chastely. "Ok. I will never try to do it. Jake will always have a special place in your heart. He is the father of your baby… I can hope to make you happy until we die" I said making Annabeth smile.
"I hope the same" said Annabeth nodding.
"We will take it slow but not that slow. It took us almost 4 years to get together the first time" I said lightening the mood. She giggled making my heart skip a beat.
"Good night. I love you" said Annabeth and kissed me again.
"Good night, wise girl. I love you more" I said.
"Will we be happy one day?" said Annabeth full of hope.
"Absolutely" I said with a wink and left to my house.
As I walked to my apartment, I felt nothing but hope that tomorrow will bring new good things. We will absolutely be happy for now on. It was long overdue.