Disclaimer: PJO and HoO are not by me, of course.
Author's Note: Really big smile how this is going. Thank you very much. Still working on the end. 48,000+ words. I think I will reach easily to 50K, maybe even 60K. I still have things to write down. Very pleased with your views and reviews, only 3 more reviews to outrank Prophecy of the Strong Legacies. Hurray! 3 more followers to hit 100, and more of 33,000 views. Have an amazing Sunday!
WHAT IF?: Back at Camp
Morning started really early. Piper knocked on my door before . I was barely awake when I opened the front door to her.
"Ready?" said Piper with the large smile. It was almost blinding such perkiness at such early hour. She was already wearing her camp t-shirt, camping boots and denim shorts, all covered over a thick coat. It was snowing outside since I saw snowflakes on Piper's shoulders.
"Sure" I mumbled rolling my eyes and walked to my room to get changed. I took a quick shower to wake up as Piper and my mom were drinking coffee.
"Good morning, mom" I said as I entered the kitchen finding both girls already gossiping and giggling.
"Good morning, son. Are you ready?" said my mom and I shrugged. I was fresh out of the shower already wearing my Camp t-shirt and Bermudas. "Wear something warm on your way. Piper says it's freezing outside.
"Sure, mom" I said and walked back to my room to get a winter jacket.
One hour later, Piper and I were driving to Long Island Sound. Piper rented a car for the day. We listened to music and sang badly over the radio.
"Why are we going to Camp?" I asked and Piper lowered the volume.
"I need some time" said Piper.
"Something happened with you and Daniel?" I asked really concerned. I was worried it was because of me.
"Of course not. I'm just stressed for the wedding and Annabeth, especially her. I need to relax" said Piper.
"I feel the same" I said. I looked a Piper and sighed "I talked to Annabeth last night"
"And?" said Piper really intrigued. She hoped for good news, maybe a movie like epic kiss.
"She wants me move on, you know, go on dates and such" I said.
Piper didn't talk for the longest time ever then she said "Maybe she is right, you know"
"You too?" I said confused. I never expected Piper to side with Annabeth on this. She also wanted us together.
"Percy. I know you and Annabeth are meant to be, but she is with Jake now. Until she is still with him, you should do something else. I am not saying that you should get married. That will make everything messier" explained Piper and I was really more confused.
"Then what are you saying?" I asked.
"Keep the appearances. Jake will loosen up around your relationship with Annabeth if you are in a relationship with someone else. Maybe that way we will find a way to break them apart" said Piper. Then she whispered to herself something like "It's genius. No wonder Annabeth suggested it"
"I don't know" I said really unsure. After the date with Miranda, I didn't feel like going on dates anymore.
"Just think about it" said Piper and patted my knee.
We drove in silence for a couple of minutes each one deep in thought when Piper said loudly "Percy, what about the girl you took to the wedding? She is really cute"
"Miranda? She is just a friend" I said.
"I saw her kissing you in the taxi cab" said Piper and I gasped in surprise.
"You saw that? I'm so embarrassed right now" I said feeling hot.
"Be glad it was me and not Annabeth. She would have definitely thrown her over a car if she saw you… She is really jealous when it comes to you. I saw her staring at you all night long" said Piper and I smiled. She was right about that. Then she turned the volume up.
The rest of the journey to Camp was filled with more music and awful singing. Camp was just like always. I liked the idea that some things never changed like the campers doing activities and pranks at each other. I could see couples sitting by the lake talking and being close.
I breathed in a large amount of clean air just enjoying one of my best places ever when I saw my non-demigod best friend coming to us. He was wearing an Earth Day t-shirt and a light jacket. He was finally looking older. I knew he aged differently than us, but he was finally looking close to reach adulthood. He wasn't the same weak frightening teen I knew. After all the battles we had been, he looked buff.
"G-Man!" I said walking to him.
"Percy!" said Grover as he hugged me tightly. I felt my ribs cracked. He pulled away and we high-fived like old times. "What's up? What are you doing here in the middle of winter?"
"Just a day out. Piper dragged me" I said and Piper punched my shoulder playfully.
"I did not. You came willingly" snorted Piper and Grover laughed.
"How are you?" I said and Grover smiled.
"Since you are here, you have to help me today" said Grover.
"In what?" said Piper intrigued.
"Juniper is on me since Annabeth got married and seriously worst since your wedding is getting closer" said Grover.
"But you love her, right?" I said trying to see the problem here.
"Of course, I do" said Grover
"Then what's the problem?" I asked.
"I need you to help me to surprise her" said Grover with a grin.
"Oh! Did I hear surprise? Let me see the ring" said Piper as she got it quickly. Grover looked around for eavesdroppers and took out the little black box out of his jacket. Piper gasped and stared at the ring. She looked super excited. I wondered if she reacted the same when Jake showed her Annabeth's ring.
"Oh, Gods! You are truly her daughter" I snorted.
"Shut up! I'm nothing like my mom" spatted Piper.
Grover and I looked at each other "Yes, you are" we yelled and ran away. Piper started chasing us for a couple of minutes until Grover and I jumped on the lake. Grover and I hid for over one hour using my dad's powers.
Grover and I talked about a lot of meaningless things. I missed talking to him. I haven't realized how much it had been until these moments. I missed my friend. Then he told me a lot of things about Jake from he first met him.
"So Jake's smell masks Annabeth's?" I asked.
"Yeah, I can barely smell Annabeth at all and she can be right in front of me… That's the perk of being married to a mortal, a really smelly one. She is safe now" said Grover and I wanted to nod. It was really a perk for Annabeth. If she was with me, monsters would be all over us all the time.
"Like Gabe?" I asked thinking how my mom was with him for my sake. Was Annabeth doing the same for the sake of Gwen now?
"Nothing compares to that dude. He reeked; just remembering him makes me want to take a long bath" said Grover shaking his head annoyed at the mere thought of Gabe's scent.
After our long overdue talk, Grover and I went out of the lake to find Annabeth walking and waving at us. She was smiling. She was wearing an orange maternity shirt with denim shorts. Piper was near her cabin and as soon as she saw Annabeth she ran to meet us.
"Grover, Percy" said Annabeth.
"Annabeth, you are glowing" said Grover kissing her cheek.
"Thanks" said Annabeth.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" I said.
"I needed… I think the same as you, some clarity" I said and Piper was just next to us.
"Annabeth, can we talk what we happened two days ago?" said Piper. Grover stared at me wondering. I haven't told him about the incident.
"No, we can't. It was an accident" said Annabeth shaking her head.
"He hit you" spatted Piper really upset. Grover gasped and looked at us.
"Who?" Grover stammered.
"Jake never meant to hurt me. He is my husband and he loves me" replied Annabeth defending herself and her husband.
"It was there. It wasn't an accident" spatted Piper again.
Annabeth looked to the side and sighed sadly. "If you keep on that… It's better if I go" said Annabeth. She felt betrayed by her friends.
"Don't. Piper and I won't say a thing on the matter, right Piper?" I said and Piper didn't want to nod, but she did.
"Sure. Let's just enjoy the day, no husbands, no fiancés, no babies today" said Piper. "Let's go to the strawberry field to walk. Come on guys" Annabeth smiled and they walked away, leaving me and Grover alone.
"We are going" I yelled at them.
"What happened? Why didn't you tell me?" said Grover a little upset.
"G-man, it's been difficult the last couple of days. That's why Piper and I came, for some low time, clearly Annabeth did the same" I said.
"Oh!" said Grover understanding everything, probably reading my emotions through our emphatic link "Let's go with the girls"
We made it to the strawberry fields only to find Calypso tending her herb garden. She smiled and waved at us as soon as she saw us.
"Hi" said Calypso hugging us. "Annabeth, you are really getting big" she touched Annabeth's baby bump.
"Thanks, Calypso" said Annabeth.
"I'd better start working on those baby clothes for Gwen" said Calypso looking intently to the baby bump. For a moment, I could swear Calypso was going to take out the measuring tape and start making patterns.
"I am not sure about Gwen anymore" said Annabeth suddenly and everybody gasped at her.
"What happened? You were so set on that name" said Piper before anyone else could.
"I just I don't know. I like Gwen. I really do, but I've been having these dreams of me calling her, something with A, but I can't figure it out" said Annabeth.
"Annabeth, perhaps" said Grover.
"It's not Annabeth. I think I would know my own name" said Annabeth rolling her eyes annoyed at Grover's comment.
"What does Jake say?" asked Calypso.
"He is still hung up on Gwen, but he said that I can choose whatever I want as long as the next one is his choice. I am not sure if I like this arrangement. I am afraid he would want something exotic like Drizzle, Banjo, Rocky, Apple or weirder" said Annabeth
"Are you already thinking in a second baby?" asked Calypso
"Sure, why not? She deserves a brother and sister" said Annabeth and she looked at me. I tried to smile but it hurt me the idea of Annabeth walking with a baby in her arms and her daughter taking Jake's hand.
"Right away?" asked Piper.
"Maybe in two years. I don't know" said Annabeth.
"Enough baby talk… Piper, Calypso, you are coming with me. We have a lot to do" said Grover pulling them. I expected them to say something but they just nodded and followed Grover. Then Annabeth and I were alone. It was their plan along.
"Can we talk?" I said after seconds of silence.
"No, sorry" said Annabeth exasperated. She rubbed her face with her hand. "Let's put everything aside for the day, can we?"
"Sure. I want the same" I said and she nodded. "Now, you have to help me"
"In what?" said Annabeth surprised.
"Grover is proposing to Juniper tonight and we have a lot to do" I said and Annabeth smiled.
"Really? That's amazing" said Annabeth and we followed our friends.
For the rest of the day, Annabeth's job was to keep Juniper busy. Calypso and Piper arranged a romantic table in the forest to surprise Juniper with a dinner. Instead of candles, Piper found some LED tea lights to put on the table. Grover and I spent most of our time helping the girls and trying not to look suspicious or nervous.
At dusk, Grover was wearing a formal jacket and waiting for Juniper. Annabeth convincer her somehow to wear a dress Calypso made for her months ago, just in case Juniper could go to Annabeth's wedding.
Piper and I hid behind the bushes to see everything. I really didn't want to. It was their private moment but Grover asked us to take pictures, so we were doing paparazzi duty.
"Grover, what's this?" said Juniper wearing a light yellow dress, just like Piper's bridesmaid dress.
"It's a surprise" said Grover nervously. I could see him fidgeting the box behind him.
"It really is" said Juniper kissing him softly.
"Let's sit" said Grover helping her girlfriend to sit next to him on the table.
Suddenly, Calypso appeared carrying a tray of food for the couple.
"This is just perfect" said Juniper smiling from ear to ear as Calypso placed the plates in front of them, fresh fruit salad.
"Everything for you" said Grover and they kissed again.
"I still think we shouldn't be here" I whispered to Piper.
"Shut up, this is just so romantic" said Piper and I rolled my eyes.
For 20 minutes, Piper took some snapshots as we saw them eating and chatting. They talked about us, Annabeth's baby and such.
After dinner, I could see Grover getting more anxious making Juniper either suspicious or worried, maybe both.
"Grover, is everything ok?" asked Juniper taking his hand.
"Yes… well, no" said Grover sweating profusely.
"What's wrong?" asked Juniper.
"Juniper, you are my everything. There are no words to describe how I feel about you, so I hope this will help" said Grover and he took out the box from his pocket putting it over the table "What do you think?"
"Are you saying what I think you are saying?" said Juniper really surprised. Her mouth was wide open and she was almost to the point of tears.
"Yes, marry me" said Grover.
"Of course, I do" said Juniper jumping over Grover kissing him.
"She said YES!" yelled Grover making everybody coming out of the bushes. We weren't the only ones. A lot of Juniper friends came out too as well as Calypso, Annabeth, Chiron, younger campers and so on.
Grover got in one knee and in front of everybody he put the engagement ring on Juniper's finger. Everybody applauded and started to hug them and congratulate them. Then, we all went to the dining pavilion to make toast for the happy couple.
Piper, Calypso, Annabeth and Juniper sat together already starting to make plans. Since Piper and Annabeth were already married, they kept giving advices to Juniper. Grover and I sat together just talking about a lot of things.
"How are you, man? I swear you were going to faint" I asked.
"I'm great. I can't believe I waited all this time to do. I don't know why. I love Juniper. This is probably the only thing that makes sense in my crazy Lord of the Wild life, well, also us being friends" said Grover and clashed fists.
"Don't get too sappy on me. I'm happy for you" I said.
"Yeah, be careful now" said Grover.
"Why?" I said.
"Now, you and Calypso are the only single ones around. Aphrodite's campers might take action on the matter" said Grover and I gulped. I definitely had to be careful what I drink from now on.
"Calypso is my friend" I said.
"Better Calypso, than a married woman… Percy, I love you man, you know" said Grover trying to find his words "I don't think Annabeth will ever leave Jake for you. She is too stubborn and proud to do it. She will stick with the decision she made first. You can't prove her wrong, you know"
"So? Tell me something I don't know" I said.
"Get a girl who isn't married" said Grover.
"You make it sound so easy… if it was you and Juniper, would you let her go that easy?" I said and Grover looked away
"It's not the same" mumbled Grover.
"It is" I said. Grover didn't want to admit but I was right.
"Enough chat" said Grover "Let's have a drink"
It was pretty late when campers went to bed. It was even later when most of us called it a night. I walked Annabeth to her cabin as she was yawning for the last hour.
"That was cute" said Annabeth as she was grabbing my arm.
"Yeah" I said.
"If you ever propose to me, would you do the same?" asked Annabeth making small talk.
"I always thought of taking you back to Paris and do it on the Eiffel Tower" I said.
She rolled her eyes "A little cliché, don't you think?" she said.
"Maybe…" I said shrugging.
"The truth, Jackson" said Annabeth grinning as she was raising her eyebrow.
"You saw right through me" I chuckled.
"Like usual" said Annabeth smiling.
"Well, I thought of doing it right here" I said pointing to the floor.
"Right here?" said Annabeth.
"Yes, this is exactly where we met" I said.
Annabeth looked around us and we were exactly where I passed out after Grover and I were attacked by the Minotaur. She smiled. The smile that it was only for me, the bright one that made me loved her even more.
"I like that idea better" she said.
"I knew you would. Would you say yes?" I said and I winked.
"You never know. I might" said Annabeth and she giggled.
As I was in bed trying to sleep, I remembered this simple moment of easiness. I couldn't help a smile. There was still hope that things would be fine eventually. We loved each other.
It was probably two hours before dawn when I felt Annabeth's lips on my forehead making me sighted and I woke up.
"Hi" I whispered still really sleepy.
"Hi" she whispered back.
"You can't sleep?" I asked.
"Kind of" said Annabeth and she kissed me mind-blowing steamy. I definitely woke up with that kiss. Her arms made me sat up pulling me closer to her. I whispered her name making her smile against my lips.
She pulled away as her hands started to lift my t-shirt. "What are you doing?" I whispered. Her hands didn't stop until my t-shirt was on the floor.
"I want you right now" she whispered. She kissed me again as her hand traced my chest and shoulders. Her touch was just electrifying and I felt every single cell of my body alive. Her lips went straight to my neck making me shiver but I was in shock to react. She stopped at all to meet my eyes.
"Do you want me?" she said almost nervously.
"Annabeth, I love you more than my own life. Of course, I want you, but are you sure of this?" I said and kissed her lips. She didn't reply and her eyes filled with tears. I stopped when I felt my cheeks getting wet.
"I'm sorry" she whispered and left my room fast. I stayed there trying to understand if I was dreaming or not. Once I realized that Annabeth was really here and wanted me, I stood up ready to go to talk to her. However, I couldn't make it to the door. What could I say anyway?
I sat on my bed unable to sleep again just staring at the wall and rubbing my lips trying to memorize the feeling of Annabeth's lips on me.
Early in the morning, Piper and I got up early to get ready to go back to the city. We drank coffee with Chiron making small talk over cookies. We said goodbye to Grover, Calypso and Juniper before going. I saw Annabeth coming from the forest with her siblings. I guess they had early training.
"Annabeth, are you coming with us?" I said as she was coming to us.
"No, I'm taking an extra day. I'm still on my wedding leave and Chiron needs some help with some tramps and my siblings want strategies for Capture the Flag" said Annabeth.
"Do you need help? I can stay if you want" I said hoping for an opportunity to talk about what happened in my cabin.
"It's ok" said Annabeth and left us.
Piper and I looked at each other and sighed.
"Let's go" said Piper and I nodded, so we drove back to the city. I didn't tell Piper what happened because I really didn't understand it myself.