Michael POV
As dad pulled me into a hug, he whispered something into my ear.
"I'm proud of you son." He whispered. "I'm so proud." He started to choke up.
"Hey, dad, it's okay. You are awesome. Thank you so much for being here." I said soothingly. He just nodded and pulled back. Lady Artemis popped up behind dad and started to comfort him. She gave me a big smiled and flashed off with my dad. After she did that, campers started crowding the stage, congratulating me and Bianca and the music team.
After about an hour, everyone had dispersed back to their cabins. It was just a few of us left here. It was me, Bianca, Percy, Zoe, Luke, Nico, Beckendorf, Silena, Lee, Will, Thalia, Malcolm, Annabeth, Travis, Connor, Katie, Killian, Lilly, Chiron, Hades, Hestia, Apollo, Artemis, Aphrodite, Poseidon, and dad. Bianca and I were inseparable. Several people tried to talk to us separately but we wouldn't let go of each other.
"Oh, I'm so happy for you two!" Aphrodite squealed.
"If you dare mess with my son's love life, I will drag you down to Tartarus," Dad growled at her, making her pale considerably. She nodded furiously and flashed off. Everyone else laughed.
"Well, I must be going now. Congratulations Michael and Bianca." Poseidon said. "I see a great future for you two." With that, he turned into mist and disappeared.
"We must be going as well," Chiron said, smiling. "I am very happy for the both of you. Have a good night." He trotted off. Beckendorf, Silena, Lee, Malcolm, Summer, Killian, Alexia, Annabeth, Will, Connor, Alex, and Katie all said goodnight and left as well. I looked around at my closest friends and family around me. The primordials were all talking with the remaining gods and Thalia, Luke, and Nico was also talking. Travis and Bianca were talking about my stupidest moments at which both of them would end up laughing.
I zoned out for a minute and when I came back, I saw Travis was looking at the ring. It was a black and gold ring with a small diamond in the middle. Engraved in it were the words 'To hell for you'. I silently thanked Beckendorf for his craftsmanship. Bianca smiled up at me as Travis inspected the ring. I smiled back.
"So I take it that you love it?" I asked her.
"Of course I love it, it's from you." She responded. I smiled again and leaned down to kiss her. She returned it happily.
"Hey, I know you two are engaged now, but please keep the PDA to a minimum," Travis said jokingly. We laughed and started talking with him.
I was suddenly grabbed by my shirt and dragged away by someone. Travis and Bianca laughed while I stumbled away.
When the person stopped dragging me I whirled around to tell them off, but came face to face with Percy. Who was smirking at me.
"Nice job, bro," he remarked. He wrapped me in a hug, which I returned.
"Thanks, Perce," I said. After we broke apart I was grabbed by someone else and dragged into a tight hug. When they let go of me I was beyond surprised to see Zoe's dark eyes staring at me.
"Good job," she whispered in my ear before pushing me away. "Don't tell anyone I hugged you unless you want to lose your favorite part."
I laughed and started walking back to Bianca, who was talking to Hades and Maria, surprisingly.
"So you let her out for this?" I asked Hades as I stood next to him. He nodded.
"I felt that it was right. Bianca has missed her mother for too long." Hades explained.
"Yeah. I think this was a perfect day for her." I commented.
"And it was made possible by you. I thank you for that."
"You don't have to," I said. Wow, he has mood swings. First, he was happy, then he was threatening me, now he is thanking me. Maria finally noticed me.
"Oh, Michael, come here." She invited. I walked over and said hi. "The ring is beautiful. Who made it?"
"Charles Beckendorf, son of Hephaestus," I said. "The only one I trust with this kind of thing."
"I'm going to have thank him," Bianca said as she looked at the ring on her finger. "His work is incredible."
"Yes, it is. What is the meaning of the engraving?" Maria asked.
"Well, my patron is basically hell. I'd go through him if it was to get to her." I explained. We talked for a little while longer until Hades had to take her back to the underworld. Soon, it was just us demigods left. We went back to the Apollo cabin and went to sleep, Bianca and I sharing a bed. No one seemed to care that we were breaking about a dozen rules with this action.
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Morning came too quick. I woke to see an empty cabin and a sprawl of black hair on my uncovered chest. I held in a chuckle. We were both covered by blankets. I had Bianca wrapped in my arms as she slept on my chest. One of her arms was intertwined with mine while the other was hanging off the bed. Our legs were also intertwined, but not in an uncomfortable position. I shifted a little and it caused her to stir.
"Sorry," I muttered to her.
"No, no, it's fine," she said groggily. She let out a yawn. "It's about time we get up anyways."
"I guess you're right." I could feel her smirk into my chest.
"I'm always right."
"Yes, ma'am." I kissed her before rolling out of bed. I made my way to the closet and got clothes on. Halfway through changing, Bianca walked into the closet as well. She quickly pulled on some underwear and ripped jeans shorts. I slipped on some jeans and a hooded shirt. She grabbed a tank top and we walked out. She slipped into the shirt before I opened the door.
Outside, I saw Lee and Lilly about to knock on the door.
"What's up?" I asked.
"Silena," Lilly said sounding exhausted.
"Ah," I said knowingly. "She wants to start to plan everything?" They nodded. "Well, we might as well go get this over with. It should be fun."
It was not fun. Silena tried to make us choose everything all at once. We soon got overwhelmed and Beckendorf had to calm Silena down. She apologized and we said that it was fine. We had at least decided the date of our wedding. It was supposed to be next year on January 21st, a week before Nico's birthday. I was fine with this because a majority of the campers wasn't in camp except for summers.
The rest of the day was uneventful. People came and congratulated Bianca and me on our engagement. Nothing else was really noteworthy.
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In November, Silena and the girls dragged Bianca off to get a dress for her and to decide on colors. Nico and Apollo dragged me and my groomsmen—which consisted of Percy, Nico, Apollo, Travis, and Beckendorf—to decide on tuxedos.
Us guys came back first. We had already decided that the colors were going to be black and white. When the girls came back they made Bianca and I leave so I couldn't see her dress. We also had begun talking about the arrangements about who would sit with who. It's a lot harder than you'd think.
Then there was also the matter of where it was going to take place. After a good long while of debating, we decided to go to somewhere from my youth—Elk Grove Park in Elk Grove, California. A long ways, yeah, but the gods who were attending offered to transport everyone coming to the wedding. It wasn't going to be a lot of people. Just 28 people: Percy, Zoe, Killian, Lilly, Summer, Silena, Beckendorf, Nico, Chris, Clarisse, Lee, Will, Katie, Travis, Connor, Leo, Reyna, Dakota, Brooklyn, Everett, Alexia, Malcom, Alex, Annabeth, Lou Ellen, Luke, Thalia, Castor, Pollux, Ethan, Bianca's mom, and Alex's mom. Well, those are the mortals that are coming. The immortals that are coming are Dad, Apollo, Nyx, Artemis, Hestia, Hades, and Hermes. A good sized group.
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After another two months of waiting, it was finally the day of our wedding. I couldn't express how happy and nervous I was. I was in a white tux with a matching vest. Percy, Dad, Beckendorf, and I showed up early to the place where it was to be held. It was in a building with a triangular glass roof. The room we were in was huge enough to fit more than our party, so I wasn't worried about space.
Tables were there, not set up, as were decorations upon decorations. We set to work on setting up the tables, putting covers on the tables, putting table toppers on the tables, setting the tables in an arranged way, which none of us knew how. When Silena walked into the building, she froze when she saw the way we had set it all up. She had sighed and told us how to put it all in order.
When people started showing up, Silena disappeared, as did all of my support. Dad and Percy left, leaving me to try and figure out how the hell to do everything.
Eventually, Artemis came to my rescue, dressed in a black dress with no sleeves and a silver sash in her 16-year-old form.
"How are you feeling?" She asked me.
"I don't know. I'm nervous and happy and don't know what to do." I said and sighed. She gave me a confused look. "What?"
"You are speaking Spanish," She said simply.
"Oh, sorry," I said sheepishly. "I said that I was nervous and happy. Today will bring unexpected surprises, I am sure."
"Do not worry," Artemis said, calming me down a little. "Silena has done a wonderful job in planning. Just look at the decorations. And Bianca looks absolutely stunning, I assure you." I smiled gratefully at her.
"Thank you," I said and smiled back.
"You are very welcome. Now come on, you need to stand over here while waiting for the procession." She said and dragged me over to the altar where Hermes was. He was going to be the priest because he had apparently been approved online to do so. I wasn't going to argue. "Now stay here and look pretty."
"I always look pretty," I smirked. She scowled at me and then chuckled.
"Boys," She said and left. I waited there with Hermes as everyone sat in their seats. There were eight people at a table. My table had nine people and I knew by heart who was going to sit there. Me, Bianca, Percy, Zoe, Dad, Maria, Artemis, Apollo, Hades, Andromeda, and Asher. The next table over was made up of Killian, Lilly, Nico, Will, Alexia, Thalia, Luke, and Reyna if she made it.
A couple minutes later, Lee was playing DJ since Apollo was missing. I stood there, looking pretty per Artemis' request, and got bored. I didn't go anywhere as I did not want to face her wrath.
Soon, people started sitting down and my heart rate spiked. I could practically feel my heart down in my legs and up in my head. I started feeling hot and cold at the same time. I tried to keep my breathing regular and succeeded at that. I smiled when I saw Leo, Reyna, and Dakota at their respective tables.
Leo and Dakota were paired with Castor, Pollux, Travis, Connor, and Katie. Reyna was sitting with Nico, Will, Thalia, and Luke. Well, she was sitting next to Thalia. Leo waved at me and Castor whacked him upside his head. Everyone suddenly quieted down and my massive pulse returned.
Lee said some words but they didn't reach my conscious. Blood roared in my ears. I didn't see anyone that was supposed to be up here with me. Lee started playing a soft, slow song that I recognized as a wedding song.
Then Beckendorf and Silena appeared from behind the entrance to the room, arm in arm. Silena was wearing a black dress with a pink sash across her waist and Beckendorf was in a white tuxedo and orange vest. Silena's black hair was in an elaborate bun on top of her head. They slowly walked up to me. When they did reach the altar, the gave each other a kiss and parted to their respective sides.
The second was Lilly and Nico. They were also arm in arm and walking up the walkway. Lilly was in a black dress, like Silena, but had a dark purple tied around her waist. Nico had a white tux and gray vest. When the reached me, they separated to the respective sides.
Third was Dad and Hemera. Once again, they came out from behind the door and were arm in arm. Dad was in a sky blue vest and a white suit, grinning happily. Hemera was in a black dress with a sky blue sash. They did the same thing as the previous people once they reached me and parted.
Fourth was Apollo and Artemis. Artemis seemed pretty happy considering she was linked to her brother. Apollo was almost glowing he was so happy. His smile was almost blinding. Artemis was in her dress and her hair was curled across her shoulder. Apollo was in a tux like the rest of us but his vest was a calm yellow. They walked down the aisle and reached the altar. They parted and did the same as the others.
Next to appear coming down the aisle were Percy and Zoe and Estelle. They walked slowly down the aisle together, savoring their time while Estelle was stumbling along in front of them. Yeah she started walking around October of last year, and it is all she wants to do now.
Zoe was wearing a dress like the others with a dark blue sash. Her hair was braided down her back. Percy was also dressed like the rest of us with a blue vest. His hair was probably as nice as it was ever going to be. Estelle was dress in the prettiest little dress I had ever seen. It was a frilly black dress and she had a white sash that she had wrapped around her hand. As they reached the alter they both smiled brightly at me. Now the line up behind me was Percy, Dad, Apollo, Nico, and Beckendorf. On the other side were Zoe, Hemera, Artemis, Lilly, and Silena. Each was smiling brightly, but I was still nervous. This is very new and I didn't know what to do.
Worries started popping up in my head and I did my best to push them away. Suddenly a calming presence entered my mind. I looked down the aisle to see an eight-year-old Hestia walking down it with the rings and a knowing smile on her face. I smiled back gratefully.
Hestia was wearing the same black dress but with a flame orange sash. She walked up and stood by me.
Next was Travis and Katie. Katie had a green sash with her black dress and Travis had a brown vest with his white tuxedo. Katie's brown hair was in a braid like Zoe's. They both smiled as they walked down the aisle. When they reached the alter they separated and stood Travis stood on my left.
The song suddenly changed and my vision tunneled. There was Hades, walking his daughter down the aisle. Hades himself was in an white tux and pitch black vest with greased back hair.
My beautiful about to be wife was dressed in an all black dress. It flowed around her legs where it turned to lace. It wrapped around her figure quite nicely and it was lacy around her shoulders. There were elegant designs on the dress but I couldn't make any of them out. A black veil covered her face. When they reached the alter Hades guided her up and left, but not without giving me a look that I didn't understand. Hermes than began speaking.
"Friends, family," He started. "We are all gathered here today to celebrate the coming together of two people of who love each other like no other I've seen. We are here to wish them a happy and everlasting marriage. Marriage is not something to be taken lightly, nor too swiftly. These two lovers have done neither. They are willing to go to the ends of the earth and underworld for each other. They already have, in fact. And they have proved that they are more than lovers, they are best friends. They are the perfect match for the other and nothing can come in between them. They have not let any little disagreements come in between their love nor will they ever." Hermes turned to me. "Michael, remove the veil." My hands went up slowly through the air until they reached the fabric. I slowly pulled it over her head, savoring the moment that I would never get again. I dropped the fabric behind her head and looked into her beautiful onyx eyes. "Are the rings at the ready?" Hermes looked down at the young Hestia and she nodded. She lifted the pillow that they were on and Bianca and I grabbed one each. "Please recite your vows." Hermes looked at me. I guess that means I start.
"Bianca Rosalie Di Angelo," I began. "You are my perfect other half. Ever since I met you I couldn't think of a day where I didn't want you near me. That is the reason I chose you to come back with Percy and I. I didn't want to wait and see what happened. I knew I had feelings for you and I chose to act upon them. Now here we are getting married almost two years later. I don't regret any decision I've made regarding you. I will never leave you alone, mi hermosa. The angel that will guide me is what you are, and I love you for it. You've helped me so much in healing from my past. Every struggle I've gone through since I've met you has been easier with you by my side. And now that we have kids, I know that you are as willing as I am to do what makes us happy. I love you." People clapped a little after my vow but quickly quieted down.
"Michael Ash Triest," She began and looked at me in the eyes. "The first day I met you, you were just a new face. But then you came up to me and talked to me. I knew we had hit it off by the time you said your second sentence. And then you chose me, out of everyone, to go with you and your brother. I knew at that moment that you were something special. Helping you get over your past has helped me get to know you better, and all I've done is fall deeper in love with you. I love you so much." I smiled so big I thought my face was going to break in half.
"Michael, place the ring on her finger," Hermes ordered. As if in a trance, I did so. "Now Bianca, place the ring on his finger." I felt her slip the ring on. This was our day. Our day to love each other. "By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you, husband and wife! You may kiss the bride!" Hermes' voice rang through the air. I cupped her cheeks and closed the distance between us. As soon as our lips touched it felt like fireworks had gone off. I closed my eyes and savored yet another moment of this day, the most important day I've ever been alive for. After a few seconds, I came back into reality and heard the cheers. We broke apart and I stared at my wife with a big smile.
We had a huge party afterward. When we had gotten to the cutting of the cake, Bianca shoved a piece in my face. In retaliation, I did the same but made sure not to let any fall on her dress. Everyone had a good time and I got to know Leo a little better than just hearing stories. He said he was honored to be invited to my wedding. I also got to catch up with Dakota, who was more than excited to see me again. That and we served Kool-Aid as a drink. Everyone loved the party and many people came up to say toasts for our wedding.
"I just want to say, I never thought I'd see the day Michael was like this again." Travis had said. He had come up to the altar with a glass in his hand and started talking and everyone quieted to hear him. Bianca and I were by the cake, still serving people. "When I met him, he was so new to this life. He knew everything about Greek mythology but nothing of the life of a demigod. Then came along Bianca. So shy but obviously attracted to my friend. Then they actually got together, after making out several times in public places." A few laughs were heard. "Now here they are, taking another leap, but this time together. I can't wait to see the next leap they attempt. Have a long and successful marriage you two. And remember, keep the PDA to a minimum." People clapped and laughed when he finished. Everyone raised their glasses to us and took a sip afterward. Percy stood up from where he was sitting and started talking as well.
"My little brother is not someone to be taken lightly or messed with." He started and I internally groaned. "But Bianca isn't afraid of him. I've seen her hit and scold him more times than I've ever seen everyone else try. I know he loves her because I know my brother. Michael, I remember when you confessed to me about being afraid to love, as we have seen the damages it's caused. You more than me, but I know what's happened. I'm so glad that this woman can make you happy again. It's been a long time coming. To your marriage and any more future nephews and nieces." Everyone raised their glasses and took a sip again.
"My turn," I heard Nico say from his place near Will and Reyna. "Bianca, I remember our time in Italy all those years ago. I remember coming to America with mom and seeing all these cool things. I remember you watching over me to make sure I didn't hurt myself. Even though it was so long ago, I remember it like it was yesterday. Michael, if you hurt her ever, there will be no corner of the known Greek world where you can hide from me. I know you won't, but I just need to make that clear. To your marriage." Once again, everyone raised their glasses and sipped whatever they had.
"My my, why should I miss out on all the fun?" Apollo said and everyone groaned. "Michael, I know how hard of a life you've had. I'm sorry that all that has happened to you. I'm so grateful to you Bianca for helping my so- helping him come to terms with it." No one seemed to notice he almost slipped up. "I am proud of the man you've become Michael. More than you could ever know." He raised his glass in a silent toast and everyone mirrored him.
After he went, Artemis, Dad, Lee, and Silena went. All their speeches were similar to how we were last year and how we've grown. When they finished their speeches we danced. Bianca and I went first and then it was the father-daughter dance. Hades danced with Bianca. I danced with Andromeda. Hermes danced with Maddie. Next was the mother-son dance and Maria offered to dance with me. I had accepted and it was nice. Bianca danced with Asher and Alex's mom danced with Alex, Annabeth, and Thalia. Artemis surprisingly offered to dance with Percy, and he nervously accepted. After that was the couples dance which several pairs came out for: Travis and Katie, Dad and Hemera, Percy and Zoe (who said it was more out of courtesy that anything), Silena and Beckendorf, and Nico and Will. Killian and Alexia had danced and after watching Lilly for a little bit I dragged her on to the dance floor to dance with me.
Finally, there were pictures and the bouquet toss. When Bianca threw it the girls behind her were Katie, Silena, Lilly, Artemis, Hestia, Reyna, Thalia, Zoe, and Maddie. A couple of girls went after it but it somehow landed perfectly in Lilly's hands.
After the party ended, most of the attendants left, leaving Dad, Hades, Artemis, Apollo, Hemera, Percy, Zoe, Killian, Lilly, Travis, Katie, Lee, Nico, Will, Silena, and Beckendorf left.
They all started to put stuff away and when we tried to help Artemis basically growled at us to not. We tried again and got the same thing from Zoe. We gave up and started to go back to the house we were renting while here in California. We were staying for the week while everyone else went back to camp. Artemis and Apollo promised to watch Asher and Andromeda while we were here, which we were grateful for. On our way, we were confronted by the goddess Athena.
"Lady Athena, what do we owe the pleasure?" Bianca asked instead of me.
"Well, I heard you two got married." She said matter-of-factly. She looked a lot like Annabeth. Blonde hair, grey eyes, fair skin. No wonder her children look like that.
"You heard right." She said and I smiled and gripped her hand tighter. She squeezed mine I return. "What does that have to do with why you are here?"
"I want to give you a wedding gift." She said.
"Thank you Lady Athena, but may we ask what it is and why?" I asked. She nodded.
"I am giving you your own house, behind the Big House. It was soundproofed by Hephaestus himself so you won't need to worry about your family and friends." She said with a wink. "It comes with all the necessities you will need except for food and clothing. Extra sheets included."
"Once again, thank you Lady Athena," I said. "But if I may repeat, why?"
"You respect my children for the most part." She said, which I took as a compliment. "I understand your brother's prejudice against her. Her flaw will blind her when the time comes as will her love. It will consume her. But that's not why we are here. I wanted to warn you, Michael. Ares is one for revenge. You humiliated him in front of the entire council. He will not forget that. Be on your guard. Have a good night." And with that lovely thought, she flashed away.
"Well, let's go to our rented house," I said and guided Bianca back. When we got there we couldn't see much of the outside seeing as how it was the night. We opened the door and turned on the light. Inside was a beige colored interior with a few decorations. We headed to where the bedroom was and Bianca dashed into the walk-in closet and shut the door, leaving me to change outside.
I took off my vest and shirt as best as I could and set it on a table in the corner of the room. The room was a dark grey color. The king-sized bed had red and black sheets and pillows. The table was a red color and the closet door was white, standing out against the room color. I sat down on the bed and took off my shoes. When I was done with that I did the same with my socks. Before I could get started on my pants the closet door opened. I looked up and did a double take. In the doorway stood Bianca in black lingerie. I already knew how this night was going to go. She seductively swayed her hips as she walked over to me.
"Well, I'm ready." She purred. I quickly undid my pants and took them off.
"So am I," I said gruffly and grabbed her. She yelped when I threw her onto the bed and laughed. I crawled up to her and kissed her.
The rest of the night was perfect.