Disclaimer: As usual, Percabeth and most characters were creations of Rick Riordan's imagination.

Author's notes: Still writing, 53,000+ words. I had been busy. Thanks for breaking most of my records with this story. The only one missing is written words, and I think I will make it. 36,200+ words, 152 reviews, 70 likes and 107 followers. OUTSTANDING!

The Third Wedding in Less of a Year

For the next couple of weeks, I helped Piper in everything my busy schedule could let me. Her wedding was scheduled for Valentine's Day, the most romantic date of the year, Piper's dad idea, but I really think it was really Piper's mom idea.

With the status of Piper as future wife of Daniel and daughter of a huge movie start, the wedding planner created the wedding of the year. Piper insisted in a small wedding and she was annoyed by the publicity in the newspapers but I think deep down she was a little excited of so many people waiting for her wedding. Designers sent her the wedding dresses to choose from, celebrity chefs made tastings for her and things like that. I really enjoyed going with her and eating really amazing food. The wedding cake was the flavor of my choice which I had to make after eating 20 different kinds. I had a huge stomach ache afterwards.

I was again the best man. I should be honored but it was getting annoying, three times in a row. I wanted to decline but Daniel insisted since I was like Piper's brother. Daniel and I were cool now. Daniel and I went to play basketball every Saturday morning when he wasn't rehearsing.

For his bachelor party, all boys including Jake went drinking, no strip clubs. We made a whole route of pubs around New York since Daniel was half-British. It was fun drinking pints, playing darts and we made Rupert, one of Daniel's friends kissed a girl as a dare.

For Piper's bachelorette party, they dragged me with them to a spa. I was the only guy invited, making me feel like a gay friend. I should say I hated the whole experience, but I enjoyed the mud bath and the massages. Those were awesome. Also, I loved talking to Annabeth, just the two of us while the rest were getting their nails done.

Piper was on my back to get a date for her wedding. I asked Aida to come but she got back together with her ex-boyfriend and she didn't feel comfortable going with me at a wedding. Miranda started dating Benjamin after our double date, so she was out too. I thought of taking another classmate, but a wedding was a big deal to take a stranger, besides the only girl I wanted to take was going too and she was taking her husband.

Annabeth was getting bigger since she was seven months pregnant. She started to spend more time with Piper and me since we returned for Camp; however there was a silent rule not to talk about Jake hitting her or cheating on her. Still, it was nice to go out the three of us to the movies, wedding duties with Piper and doing more baby shopping as if Annabeth needed more. She had boxes of clothes assorted by months. I don't deny we had fun spending hours in the toy stores looking at the coolest new things for kids. I mentally made hundreds of lists for the next 15 Christmas for Aida and Emily Marie and Piper's future kids too.

On our spare time, which we barely had, Piper and I came out with plans to catch Jake cheating and get the proof we needed. Piper gave me a camera to always have with me, just in case. As expected, Jake was more careful around us. He let Annabeth spend as much as she wanted with us, especially me, which I didn't complain at all. Piper had tried to convince Annabeth as well that Jake was cheating but she let her talking alone every single time or she accused her of using charmspeak.

Hazel and Frank sent thousands of pictures of Emily Marie. I had one with me in my wallet. I showed to Miranda one day when I was buying a sandwich. She told I looked like a cute dad which made me blush and hopeful. After seeing Emily Marie and Annabeth pregnant, I couldn't help thinking of having kids one day. I liked the idea but I feared it at the same time. My life hasn't been easy as a demigod and I would drag my kids to the same path.

For my better luck, Piper insisted in not having a rehearsing dinner. I was getting tired of speeches since I was the best man. I still didn't know what I was going to say at this wedding. For Hazel, it was on the fly and it wasn't that bad. For Annabeth, I thought about it and it's wasn't bad either. However, Piper insisted in something amazing, funny and romantic, which put a lot of stress on me.

The two days prior the wedding, Piper became bridezilla, maybe the jitters, maybe just stress or just maybe she was Aphrodite's daughter after all. She remained me of Drew who wasn't invited to the wedding by the way, but the rest of her siblings were, even the youngest ones.

Frank, Hazel and Emily Marie arrived yesterday at the airport. They were staying with Annabeth and Jake. It made sense. They had the nursery room which Emily Marie could use. Besides, Annabeth was so excited of seeing the baby since she didn't go with us last month.

So today was the wedding. My mom, Paul and I went together to a very glamorous and prestigious New York Hotel.

I found Annabeth kissing Jake by the doorway. Since we were on the cheating watch as Piper put it and whenever they were together, they had been really on each other. Piper and I thought that Jake was trying to prove us wrong. The whole situation made jealous and unable to stay in the same room for long time.

"Hi" I said loudly interrupting them. Annabeth looked at us embarrassed and pulled Jake away.

"Hi, sorry. We were talking about our wedding and… sorry" said Annabeth blushing.

"Hi, Jake. How's going?" I said.

"Not bad, Jackson. Don't you think my wife looks smoking hot?" said Jake as he swirled his wife. I hated when he rubbed his happy life on me.

"She does. This color suits you, Annabeth" I said making Jake's eyes narrowed at me. Annabeth was wearing a blue pregnancy dress showing up her baby bump. Piper chose blue because I suggested and I knew Annabeth would look beautiful, and it wouldn't upset Jake which was a perk.

"Thanks. I like my dress. It's the first time in weeks when I don't feel like a whale" said Annabeth.

"I can see you are wearing my mom's bracelet. It looks cute on you" I said making Annabeth smile.

"Yes, I wanted to return it to your mom but she insisted that I kept it" said Annabeth making me smile.

"Where are Piper and Daniel?" I said changing the topic.

"Daniel is already there waiting by the priest and Piper… she is coming" said Annabeth and I turned to see the bride. She was glowing in her white gown. She looked like royalty.

"Piper, you look amazing" I said and she smiled.

"Thanks. Ready? Frank and Hazel are just changing Emily Marie and then we are starting. Annabeth, I like this color on you" said Piper and she winked at me.

"Thanks, Piper. I can't still believe you are getting married" said Annabeth as she started to cry in happy tears. Annabeth became a rollercoaster of emotions since she started her third trimester.

"Me neither" said Piper trying not to cry. "Shut up or you are going to make me cry. I swear I will drop Aida by 'accident' if you ruin my makeup"

"Ok, sorry. These dam hormones are making me crazy" said Annabeth trying to regain her composure.

"I don't complain" said Jake not hiding his goofy 'I have tons of sex' smile. Annabeth blushed and Piper and I rolled our eyes.

Frank and Hazel came out of the elevator and walked to us. We made small chat for two minutes when someone started to dim the lights as a cue to start the event. The soft music started right afterwards.

"Let's get in place" said Piper excited. "Dad!" she yelled looking for him.

Jake kissed Annabeth and went to his seat. Frank and Hazel did final touches at each other as Calypso came for Emily Marie.

"Ready, wise girl?" I said giving my arm to Annabeth.

"It's been a lot of time since the last time you called me that" said Annabeth.

"Yeah, I know. I don't know why stopped doing it" I said. We smiled at each other and Annabeth pecked my cheek.

She grabbed my arm and we walked first to the altar, then Frank and Hazel behind us and Piper at last with her dad. I smiled all the way to the altar because it was beautiful, Piper was happy and Annabeth was by my side. The look in Daniel's face was priceless. His eyes were fixed on Piper and there was nothing but love in them. I could only hope to look like him when I got married.

As previous weddings, the ceremony was standard and lovely. I gave the rings to the couple and Annabeth held Piper's flowers. In a roar of applauses and a kiss, the ceremony ended and people moved to the ballroom where the party was taking place.

Piper and Daniel made me pose for a million of pictures. There were a lot of photographers, even so paparazzi expecting to take a snapshot of Piper's dad and Daniel, the new upcoming Broadway star. Annabeth and I posed together for only a couple of pictures which I knew Piper was going to give me later.

After the photos, we finally walked in the ballroom which was jaw-dropping luxuriously decorated. Definitely, the wedding planner gained his paycheck.

As soon as we entered, the live band stopped to announce the happy newlywed couple. Annabeth was by my arm and behind us, the Zhangs. We danced. Well, it was tradition. Piper cried when she danced with her dad. They looked happy. I danced with Piper after Daniel, her dad and Jake.

After the first dance, it was time for the toasts. Annabeth was sitting by my side at the main table, well Jake was there too. His phone ringed suddenly.

"I'm going to take the call" said Jake standing up and walking out of the room. For the first time in the whole day, we were completely alone.

"Are you nervous, Percy?" said Annabeth.

"No" I said and she didn't believe me, of course. I was sweating and I didn't know why.

"Just say what you say in mine. It was nice" said Annabeth.

"That wasn't what I really wanted to say" I said and Annabeth looked away "I wanted to say loud and clear how much I love you"

"Percy, we have talked about this" said Annabeth sadly.

"I know but seeing Piper so happy makes me want the same with you" I said. I wiped her tears "Sorry for saying it. I know it hurts you but I am not sorry for loving you"

"Percy…" said Annabeth and ran to the bathroom in tears. Calypso saw everything and ran behind Annabeth. I wanted to follow Annabeth but Piper's dad speech was almost over and it was my turn. I stood and suddenly I wasn't nervous anymore.

"Good evening, everyone. I'm Percy Jackson, the best man, best friend of Piper. Well, Piper and I are more than just best friends" I stopped because people started to gasp and paparazzi were on me. Wrong words, definitely. The flashlights were blinding me "What I mean is that we are like brother and sister. There is nothing in the world I wouldn't do for you, Piper. I'm happy for you, well for both of 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.

Annabeth returned just in time for her to give her speech. Her eyes were puffy of crying in the bathroom. "Sorry. I needed a moment… I'm just so happy for both of you, Piper, Daniel. You are right now the example of true love. I wish for many happy years and at least one baby to play with mine" she said and people applauded.

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 right 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. "I know what you told her" 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 really don't think I should apologize for loving her" I said weakly. Calypso looked at me sadly and pulled me closer into a tight hug.

"You still made her cry" said Calypso. I heard her sigh and kissed my cheek.

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, or she was sitting or dancing with Jake.

At the end of the party, Annabeth and Jake left right after Piper tossed the bouquet. Some cousin of Daniel caught it. I went back home feeling a little defeated since I couldn't talk to Annabeth.

The following morning, my mom and I walked to Annabeth's apartment. Hazel invited my mom for breakfast at the party and my mom dragged me in. I wasn't complaining. I wanted to see Frank, Hazel and of course Emily Marie.

"It was a great party last night" said my mom as we were walking up the stairs of Annabeth's apartment.

"Yes, it was" I said.

My mom knocked on the door and there was silence inside.

"I think we are too early" said my mom "Maybe we should come later"

"Probably" I said and turned to the stairs when the door opened.

Hazel had her hair like a bird nest. She looked like she didn't sleep last night and Emily Marie was in her arms.

"Good morning" said Hazel yawing.

"Good morning" we replied. My mom immediately grabbed little Emily Marie in her arms kissing her head and cheeks.

"Is everybody up?" said my mom.

"Just me and Emily Marie. Frank is still sleeping, I still don't know how and…" said Hazel and suddenly there was banging and muffled screams inside the apartment.

By instinct, my hand went to my pocket where Riptide was and said loudly "What's that?"

"That's… Jake and Annabeth, probably destroying the headboard" said Hazel rolling her eyes.

"Oh!" said my mom blushing. My brain took some seconds to understand until she said "Pregnancy hormones!" and I got it.

"I… will be back in one hour" I said blushing red. I really didn't want to hear them.

"Sure… you know, make it two" said Hazel biting her bottom lip and blushing red too.

"What?" I said confused.

Hazel raised her eyebrow and said "Believe me on this". I nodded awkwardly and feeling hotter.

"Go, son. I will stay" said Sally giggling.

"Breakfast, Sally?" said Hazel and my mom nodded.

"Gladly, maybe ear plugs too" said my mom giggling and they entered inside.

The last thing I heard before they closed the door was Hazel saying "Frank and I were like that on the sixth month. We broke a table…"

I didn't return. I didn't want to see their afterglow or their apologies full of Annabeth blushing and Jake grinning. I went back to my apartment, grabbed my sneakers and ran for two hours, just trying to forget what I heard.

My mom came back until it was really late in the afternoon, almost night. She stayed the whole day with them. She brought me some pictures and told me that everybody was expecting me to come back.

I called Hazel the following morning before they went back home. They plane was at 2 pm. Hazel and I talked for over one hour, then I talked to Frank who made jokes about Jake and Annabeth putting them to shame. Apparently, both couples started a silly competition of who was more… loving at each other. I definitely didn't want to hear that.

"I'm going now" said Frank "Annabeth, talk to him. I have to go to the store or we will be late… See ya, man"

Then there was a lot of silence and I heard her voice again saying "Hi, Percy. We missed you yesterday"

"Sorry. I just remembered that I had a lot of work to do, you know, college. I already told Hazel about how is school and stuff" I said.

"Great. About the night of the wedding…" said Annabeth.

I interrupted her saying "I'm sorry. I didn't want to upset you"

"I say the same about yesterday. I knew you were coming but… well, you know. I'm sorry" said Annabeth. I could picture here blushing.

"So are we okey?" I said.

"Yes, I think so. Piper called. She was definitely surprised about Paris. Thanks for telling Piper about Miami" said Annabeth. It was Daniel's plan all along to fool Piper and surprise her. "However, she is a little mad at us since she must buy a lot of winter clothes"

I rolled my eyes amused by the idea of Piper shopping in Paris, every most Aphrodite's girls dream.

"Well, it was your idea to make her pack only bikinis and shorts" I said and we laughed.

"It was the only way to fool her" said Annabeth. "Did you have fun at the wedding?"

"Yes, it was fun, though I missed dancing with you" I said.

"Yeah, me too" said Annabeth "I have to go. There is someone knocking at the door. There must Jake and Frank coming back. They probably forgot something. See you"

"See ya" I hung up and I started doing in my school work. I was really behind because of the wedding and stuff.