A/N: I am really really sorry for the late update. I was just out of it, I wouldn't feel like writing but I wanted to. You know that feeling? Wanting to do something but you don't feel like it. Sorry again

Kyla-daughter of Apollo: Well, Rachel knows what the best friends have been through and the years that Percabeth have been together. So, she's pretty much used to it. :D

envelope123: Whoops, sorry. I've been doing this for years now when I get burns. It seems fine.

Lizaluvsdoggies: Not all engaged couples live together. They kiss each others necks since I wrote this story :)

maikigee: I'm looking forward to my million cupcakes. :D

If you want to help me, if you have any complains, questions, suggestions or if you just want to talk, message me. I'll reply. :D

Enjoy! :)

Chapter 7 – Let's Eat Eat Eat!

Annabeth's POV

I woke up to an empty bed. I quickly sat up and looked around the room. Percy was nowhere to be found, the door was open, and the smell of coffee greeted me. I rubbed my eyes, stretched, and got out of bed. I fixed my side of the bed and fixed myself before walking to the kitchen.

"I believe we're supposed to have pancakes for breakfast." I said as I sat down.

Percy was already wearing his office uniform and was making coffee. He carried a platter full of pancakes and put it on top of the table. He went back to the kitchen and got the syrup, butter, and our cups of coffee. He kissed the top of my head before sitting down on his seat.

"I'm guessing you had a good night's rest." I smiled as I started eating.

"I actually did. How about you?"

"Quite nice, I have to say."

He smiled at me, raised his cup of coffee to me, and started eating. We ate in silence as the morning news broadcaster's voice filled the apartment. I was about to wash my dishes when I was done eating but Percy told me to leave it to him.

I took a quick shower and got ready for the day. I wore the usual high waist pencil skirt and button down polo. I walked back to the kitchen and saw Percy holding up his necktie.

"Is it me or you can't tie your own necktie?" I asked him as I tied it for him.

"Nah, I just want you to stand near me."

I just laughed and said, "Well, you better start tying your neckties by yourself."

He pouted at me as I finished.

"Pouting doesn't work for me." I said then tapped my finger on his pouting lips.

We watched a bit of TV and then I went back to his room so I can do my hair. I gathered my hair in one hand while the other brushed so it would look neat and clean. My side bangs were left untouched and when I was about to tie my hair, Percy interrupted me.

"I always see your hair in a bun." He said.

"No, you don't." I turned around, facing him, while holding my hair up.

"Can you tie it differently today? Just for today?"

"Why? What made you want a different hairstyle?" I asked him.

"I don't really know. Maybe because I'm tired of seeing it in a bun for years now."

I sighed and let go of my hair, "As long as you wear a different tie."

"Deal!" He smiled at me.

A couple minutes later, my hair was in a side fishtail braid while Percy was wearing a bow tie. I was trying my best not to laugh at the sight.

"What? Do I have something on my face?" He nervously asked me.

"I'm not used to seeing you wearing a bow tie." I confessed.

"That's not really funny, Annabeth." He scrunched his eyebrows.

"I'm just expecting you to do a musical number in from of me and dance with a wide smile on your face."

He instantly had a huge grin on his face and started dancing in front of me. I laughed and gently shook my head. I put on some lip balm and stuffed my used clothes in a tote bag. I looked at Percy once again and smiled. We left his apartment and he hailed the cab. He always hails the cab when we're together.

We got in and I expected him to say two addresses, the office and the hospital. But he had other plans. He told the driver my address and I immediately gave him a puzzled look.

"Oh, tell me you haven't forgotten about Onion."

My eyes widened, "Oh! I forgot about him. I hope he's doing fine!"

"I checked up on him last night before I went to your office. Don't worry, I fed him."

"Thank you." I sighed and slowly relaxed.

"And so you can drop your clothes at your loft."

Percy insisted that he paid for the fair when the taxi dropped us in front of my building. We greeted the doorman and went up to my loft. We were greeted by a happy Rottweiler and I quickly moved out of his way so he ended up running into Percy.

I looked at him and did those cliché evil laughs when he was giving me a pleading look. I swiftly did what I had to do. I ran to my bathroom and dumped all my used clothes in. I went back to the kitchen and refilled Onion's food and water bowl. I looked at Percy and saw him finally standing up, scolding my dog. Eh, he's okay.

"Let's go, Seaweed Brain." I said once I did all my chores.

He looked up at me and smiled. We headed out. Percy hailed the cab and now I paid the fare because I felt like a freeloader. I said goodbye to Percy and went up to the office.

"Good morning, Drew." I greeted my assistant.

"Good morning, Miss Chase." She smiled back.

I went in my office and spotted the usual breakfast on my desk. I sat down and put the Tupperware aside. I looked at my schedule and sighed. Another trip to the court. I went to my steel file cabinet, retrieved the files I needed for today, and put them on top of my table. I studied and went over all the files.

"Miss Chase, your first appointment is here."

"Send them in. Thank you."

A man went inside my office and gave me a toothy grin. I smiled back at him and motioned for him to sit down.

"Good morning, Attorney Chase." He greeted me.

"Good morning, Daedalus."

"So, what do you suggest we do about my case?"

I smiled at his willingness and started talking about his case. I asked him when we would be going to court and things alike. An hour later, I found myself enjoying this man's company.

"I'll see you next appointment." I shook hands with him.

"I guess so." He smiled and then left the office.

I sat back down and smiled to myself. I looked at my schedule and I had a couple more appointments before I had to go to court.

After a couple hours of talking to my clients, it was finally lunch break. I was planning to stay in and eat the breakfast that the diner delivered earlier. I don't want to waste such good food.

I opened the Tupperware and the smell of coffee greeted me. I was taken aback because it was my first time to see coffee in oatmeal. I got my spoon and decided to give it a try. My eyes widened. How could something that seems like a weird combination taste so good?

I got the container and turned my chair around so I was facing the window. I looked out the window as I ate my coffee oatmeal. When I was about to eat my second spoon, my phone rang.

"Annabeth Chase."

"Hello, my best woman."

I rolled my eyes and smiled, "Yes, Seaweed Brain?"

"Are you free?" He asked me. "Oh, duh, it's your lunch break. Let's have lunch together!"

"Maybe it might have occurred to you that I have plans?"

"Is Luke in New York City?"

I was offended, "Excuse me? Really, Percy? Can't I have plans of my own?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. Anyway, have lunch with me. My treat. Meet me at the hospital."

And with that he hung up on me. I sighed. I haven't fully enjoyed my oatmeal and now I have to leave it. I closed the Tupperware and hid it again. I got my phone and stuffed it in my bag.

"Do you need anything, Drew?" I asked her on my way out.

"Nope, I'm good." She smiled at me.

I went down, hailed a cab, and told the driver the hospital's address. I paid him once I got there. I went in and was greeted by a couple doctors and nurses. I went in the elevator and pressed the number of Percy's floor. The elevator music was rather helping me cool off my hot head. Percy always got me to do his way all the time, no matter what.

I briskly walked out the elevator and headed to his office. I saw him outside his office with a woman who had two kids with her. Both were girls; one must probably be around fifteen and the other one was maybe six. I slowed down and ended up watching them.

"Thank you, Dr. Jackson." The woman smiled at Percy.

"Just remember what I told you. Take it easy on the carbohydrates and the medicine should be taken twice a day; one before breakfast and before you sleep." Percy advised.

"Noted. So I'll come back next week for final check-ups?"

"Yes. I'll see you next week." Percy smiled.

"Okay, Jenny, thank Dr. Jackson for the lollipop." The mom instructed.

The little girl, who I assume is Jenny, let go of her mom's hand and walked to Percy. Percy knelt down so he would be the same height as the little girl. Jenny hugged him and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you, Dr. Jackson." She said and swiftly went back to her mom.

"Well, you're very welcome, Jenny." Percy smiled as he stood up and Jenny just smiled and hid behind her mother.

In a few years, Percy would be like that with his own kids. He'd have kids of his own with Rachel. Percy would be a dad and Rachel would be a mom. I smiled to myself and continued walking towards them. But I have to admit, the idea overwhelmed me.

"Oh, hey, Wise Girl." Percy greeted me as he saw me.

I smiled at them then waved. The family smiled at me.

"So, Annabeth, this is Mrs. Miller and her daughters, Jenny and Ashley." He introduced us.

I shook hands with Mrs. Miller and she said, "Well, we should get going. Thank you once again, Dr. Jackson."

When they walked away, I noticed Ashley eyeing me. As they reached the corner I heard her say something to her mom.

"They look cute together. Is she his fiancée?"

I looked at the floor, smiled, and entered Percy's office, "Just so you know, you made me leave my date to meet up with you. So what do you want, Percy?"

"Date? Is Luke in New York? I don't remember the both of you having an open relationship."

"I already told you, Luke isn't here. No open relationships. And my date is that delicious bowl of coffee oatmeal all alone in my office right now."

"Why don't you sit down, my best woman?" He motioned me to sit down as he sat down behind his desk.

"My best woman?" I asked him as I sat down.

"Well, Rachel and I have this dish taste testing so we'll know which dishes we want to serve for the reception."

"And I am being tagged along because…?" I trailed off.

"She is running late and I don't want to go to these things all alone. So, I'm dragging my best woman along with me."

"Why not wait for Rachel?"

"Because it was scheduled and if we missed this, the next appointment would probably be in a couple more months."

"Is it really that well known that you get your next appointment in months?"

"You know how Rachel wants everything to be perfect."

I sighed and got up, "Well, come on."

We left the hospital and headed to this place where the catering service was. Percy paid for the fare. No surprise there. He opened the door for me and we entered the building.

"Hello, how may I help you?" A lady asked us as we got in.

"Ah, yes, we're here for the dish testing." Percy stated.

"Last name, please."

"Jackson."

"I see. I assume that you are his fiancée." She smiled at me.

"Actually I-" I started but Percy interrupted me.

"Yes, she is." He said as he put his arm on my shoulder and kissed my cheek.

We followed the lady as she led us down the hall. Percy was now holding my hand as we followed her. She brought us to this room and told us that they will be serving up the dishes in a few minutes. Percy and I sat down and waited.

"So, now I'm your fiancée?" I asked him.

"You don't want to be?" He pouted.

"Well, if Rachel already is, then no."

His lips were in a tight line and we were quiet for a while.

"But…if, for example, I'm not engaged to Rachel. What do you say?" He asked me out of the blue.

I was taken aback by his question and it made me think for a while. Did he just indirectly ask me to marry him?

I looked at him, dead in the eye, and as I was about to answer, people entered the room, carrying platters after platters of foods. The servers stayed inside the room as a guy, who I assume is the chef who cooked all the dishes, told us what the dishes were.

Percy and I had a copy of the menu and looked at it once in a while as the chef explained how he cooked each dish. They had a lot of dishes set out in front of us and those were just the appetizers. We ate breadsticks, beef tartars, bruschetta, devilled eggs, shrimp cocktails, caviars, and more.

When we reached half of the appetizers, I remembered that I was going to court today. I swallowed on the breadstick, took a sip from my glass of water, and took a deep breath.

I tapped Percy's shoulder, "I have to get going."

"What? We just started!" He protested.

"I need to be in court in a couple hours."

Percy looked defeated but he was still protesting, "Couple of hours. You always go to court and win almost all the time. I'm sure you'll win this one. Please stay."

"Percy, I still have to review the case over and over again."

"Oh, good, you're still here." A voice said.

Percy and I looked at the door and saw a girl wearing a fitting white shirt with paint splatters, jeans that had holes and doodles on them, and plain black flats. Her red hair tied into a ponytail and her green eyes widened as she saw me.

"Hey, Annabeth, I had a feeling that Percy dragged you along to this." She smiled at me and walked towards the table.

Once she reached the table, she stood behind Percy's seat and put her arms around his neck, as if hugging him from behind. She had her ring on her left ring finger, shining brightly. Percy looked up at her and smiled. Rachel then looked down and they shared a kiss.

"Well, I should get going. I might be late at the court." I said as I stood up. "It's good to see you, Rachel."

We shared a quick hug and I headed for the door.

"Oh, Rachel, we're just half the appetizers. You didn't miss a lot. The breadsticks taste good." I said before leaving the room.

I left the building in a rush so I can get to the office faster. Or was it because I wanted to get away from the scene. I shook my head as if it would help erase what I just thought.

I went up to the office and immediately entered my office. I had an hour and a half left before the trial starts. I spent an hour studying on the case and departed when I had thirty minutes left. I arrived with a couple minutes to spare.

The clerk of court called us next and we went up. Well, I won the case once again. My client was thanking me profusely and so did his family and friends, who happen to watch us. We shook hands; I got my things, and left the court. I caught a cab and went back to the office.

I sighed and sat down on my seat as I got in my office. I turned my chair so I was facing the window. I stared out the window for a couple minutes with my mind completely blank until there was a knock on the door. I turned around and saw Drew smiling at me.

"It's already five. Do you need anything, Miss Chase?"

"Nah, I'm fine. I'll see you tomorrow, Drew." I smiled at her.

She smiled back and waved before leaving me all alone in the office. Being the last one to go home isn't really something new to me. I was always the last one to go home because, I don't know, I want to be around work. But I don't work when it's already five. Maybe I enjoy the ambience of being at the office.

I took a deep breath and let it out through my nose. I got up and fixed my things from the trial a while ago. I got the folder from the top of my table and put it in the section for my done cases in the steel file cabinet. I went back to my table and looked at my schedule for tomorrow. I wasn't going back to court tomorrow. That's good. I leaned back in my chair and realized that something was missing then that was when my phone rang.

"Annabeth Chase."

"Hello, future cousin-in-law."

"Hello, Nico. Just when I thought you forgot about calling me."

"I was busy. There was a new body and they immediately called me to check on it. Anyhoo, Percy called me earlier. He said six words and hung up on me."

I played along with him, "Hmm, let me guess, 'I love Annabeth so very much.'"

"Nope." Nico said, making a popping sound for the p. "It was the words, Annabeth, me, you, drive, Vegas, tonight."

"Oh! I should get my skimpy white dress ready then!" I exclaimed.

"Skimpy. Percy would love that."

"Oh shut up, Nico." I laughed.

"So, did anything happen today between you and the chicken?" Nico asked me.

"He asked me to go with him to this dish taste test for the wedding."

"Where was that fiancée of his?" He laughed half-heartedly.

"She was running late but she arrived a couple minutes after we started eating." I defended her.

"There's something else that happened. I know so."

"Okay okay. Percy kind of indirectly asked me to marry him."

Nico was quiet for a while.

"Nico? Are you still there?"

"How did he ask you?"

"At first he told the secretary, I think, that I was his fiancée. Once we were in the room, all alone, I jokingly brought up that I was his fiancée. Then he said something like, 'If Rachel wasn't my fiancée, what do you say?'"

Nico became silent again.

"Nico? You have to say something. I was shaken up too. It was just unexpected."

"What did you say?"

"When I was about to answer him, the chef entered and showed us the dishes."

"Oh, bummer."

"I think we should forget that that ever happened." I said, trying to shake it off.

"Don't! Chicken might be sending you a message. Maybe he's having second thoughts on marrying Rachel. I told you! I told you that he has feelings for you!"

"Feelings as a friend!"

"He's making sure that you don't have feeling for him. Because if you did, I am a hundred percent sure that he will call off the wedding to give your relationship together a shot."

It was my turn to be quiet. I never thought of it that way because I always say that he loves Rachel and he will never have feelings for me.

"He has feelings for you! He has feelings for you! He has feelings for you!" Nico said repeatedly. "I told you so. I told you so. I told you so."

"Shut up, Nico. He made up his mind that he doesn't have feelings for me the moment he asked Rachel to marry him."

"And now, he's having second thoughts! He never really thinks things over. Typical Percy."

I rolled my eyes, "Good bye, Nico." I hung up.

I turned my chair around and stared out the window once again. My phone rang but I chose to ignore it, thinking it was Nico. What he said is not right. He just can't be. I just stared out the window, battling with myself.

Suddenly my eyes were covered. My hand immediately flew to the hands covering my eyes but they were familiar hands.

"Hey, Seaweed Brain." I said as I relaxed, sat back, and put my hands on the side of the chair.

"Hey, Wise Girl." He removed his hands from my face and moved away.

I turned my chair around and looked at him, "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with Rachel at that dish taste testing thing?"

"If you have noticed, hours passed. We finished the taste testing thing a couple hours ago." He said as he sat down on the seats provided for my clients.

"Then shouldn't you be home? What are you doing here?" I asked him once again.

He smiled, "Like you said, we should have as much sleepovers as possible before I got married."

I smiled back at him but what he said made me think.

Did he give up on finding a way to have sleepovers even if he was already married?

I mean, not that I approve of having a sleepover with him while his wife was in the other side of the bed, in the other room, or waiting for him to come home.

"Plus, there are still tons of pancakes left at home." Percy added.

A/N: Thanks for reading! :)

Tell me what you think of the chapter. Write a review. It makes me smile throughout the day. So make me smile and write a review :D

Question of the Chapter: Did you ever go to those dish taste testing thingamabobs? :D