Ah yes, a good helping of fluff to help deal with any future angst- seriously this chapter is tooth achingly fluffy- though there's a hint of sadness at the end but nothing major. I hope you guys enjoy it because the entire time I was writing it I was like 'FLUFF! THERE MUST BE FLUFF!' anyways, please read and review- and just so you all know I've officially finished the Last Olympian plotline- there will be another minific- so to speak, before the Heroes of Olympus saga- not fully decided on how I'm doing that yet- if I'll do the first one but with Leo being the central character- though it'll probably be shorter as I don't feel so comfortable with Leo as I do with other characters or what- we shall see what comes when I'm writing. Anyway, I'm looking forward to your reactions to the Last Olympians- I love the way I ended the last chapter.
Their arrival home had gone about as well as could be expected- everyone had been gathered in the kitchen worrying when the trio had arrived- and there had been frantic questions and hugs- Percy had almost been smothered with kisses from Annabeth- and Rachel had clearly been holding herself back from doing the same- and honestly Percy was kind of tempted to threw caution to the wind and kiss her other girlfriend in front of everyone but- well, they'd all agreed to wait and make sure things were totally stable before they made any big choices like revealing themselves to everyone else.
They'd brought the lie the three kids of the big three had told them- Percy felt mildly guilty for that but she pushed it down easily enough, and the next day they headed for camp- where they stayed for a few days before returning home for Christmas itself.
It was on Christmas eve, after a round of Monopoly during which Leo had somehow bankrupted everyone that Paul pulled Percy aside while Sally went to grab the latest batch of cookies from the kitchen- Percy had gracefully agreed to let her make something different this time- shortbread Christmas trees and presents- though the icing on the presents was, of course, blue.
The air was crisp when they stepped outside, with just a hint of snow in it, and Paul looked very nervous.
"I wanted to ask for your help with something."
"What is it?" Percy asked curiously, leaning against the wall and watching her breath turn into a mist in the cold air.
"I've been trying to figure out how to do it-" Paul pulled a small box from his pocket and Percy's eyes widened.
"Is that-" he opened the box, holding it out so that Percy could see and she let out a soft gasp.
The ring nestled inside of the box was beautiful- Percy wasn't sure what the stone was- she knew very little about gemstones but the stone in the centre was a beautiful sparkling shade of blue with three little diamonds either side of it in a shining band of gold.
"Paul it's beautiful-"
"Do you think your mom will like it?"
"She'll love it!"
"I thought you might know best." Paul admitted, a relieved look on his face, "Your brothers are amazing young men but I doubt they'd be very interested in things like this, or in helping me do it-"
"Do you know what you're going to say."
"I've written a speech." Paul admitted, "It took me weeks- I want it to be perfect."
"It will be." Percy beamed, "Paul she loves you-"
"I want it to be perfect. Sally deserve that much. This is the woman who a god fell in love with- I'm just a teacher-"
"You're an awesome teacher who loves her and treats her and her kids right. And you're here, in a way my dad could never be. You help us with homework- you give Leo and
Nico advice- and me too. You even talked to Luke about his college plans even though he's an adult now and no one would expect you to step up like that." her voice was filled with affection, "Paul, you're awesome. You make her happy. I for one would be really, really happy if you two get married."
"Thank you Percy." Paul let out a breath, a look of relief on his face, "Okay. So here's the plan-"
And Percy listened carefully, and when Christmas day came Percy was very, very excited- she hadn't breathed a word of Paul's plans to anyone other than Rachel and Annabeth, arranging to meet them around seven that evening in Central Park- where she'd tell them what was going on.
Much to her joy it had snowed- that just made things more perfect- and she was buzzing the entire day- so much so that it was noticeable and had earned her several questioning looks- though she just convinced everyone that it was because it was Christmas.
And when the time came Annabeth and Percy excused themselves to go on a walk, and Percy almost dragged Annabeth along with her to Central Park where Rachel was waiting with several boxes of candles as Percy had requested.
They helped Percy set it all up, without any complaint at all despite the cold and their confusion, and at eight- after things were all set up Percy lit up the candles all along the railings on either side of Bow Bridge and dragged Annabeth and Rachel off into the trees- and sure enough at ten past eight Sally and Paul arrived- clearly on a romantic walk of their own.
Rachel and Annabeth shot Percy questioning looks, though they didn't say anything as the couple reached the bridge and Sally let out a gasp at the sight of the candles lighting it up- and it did look striking in the dark with the snow drifting down around them- beautiful really, and Paul held her hand gently, pulling her onto the bridge and walking with her to the centre of it before they stopped in the centre of it- Paul gently pressing his lips to Sally's before he pulled back, and they could hear clearly enough from their hiding spot.
"Paul-" Sally's voice was warm, happy, "This is all beautiful. Did- did you set this up?"
"Now how could I have done that?" and there was definitely a teasing note to Paul's voice, "I've been with you all day Sally."
"Hm, so they just set candles up all over the bridge that we happen to be walking along?"
"Very thoughtful of them isn't it? Who knows, maybe it's magic-" and that was Percy's cue- she focused, using her powers to make a stream of water rise out of the lake, forming a heart behind her mom, and Paul's eyes widened in mock surprise and he pointed, "Sally look!"
And Sally turned quickly, her eyes going wide at the sight of the water heart floating just a short distance away- and Percy could see the moment Annabeth and Rachel realized what was going on, the way Annabeth's mouth dropped open and Rachel clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle her squeal as Sally whirled back around to look at Paul- and by this point he was down on one knee, the ring box open in his hand as he stared up at Sally, an adoring look on his face- and Percy silently let the water slip back into the lake as Paul started to speak.
"Sally Jackson- I admit I never imagine my life turning out like this- you've turned my world upside down time and time again. When I first met you- I remember thinking how beautiful you were- I never expected you to agree when I finally got up the nerve to ask you out. I was so nervous when our first date came- and the second. And I remember the day you told me about the fact you had so many kids- I knew you had Percy and Luke- I've read your books, I've read the forewords in them, but knowing it from that and you talking about them, about all four of them was different- I was terrified- terrified that they'd hate me. I'm good enough with kids usually but it's different when you're dating their mom. But then I met them- and everything was going so well. I've never been so happy before- even if there was a lot of confusion about some of the stuff with the kids. And then you told me everything and- gods but I realized then just how special you are. And how out of my league you are Sally. You're beautiful, beautiful enough to catch the eye of a god. And you're kind, and brave- you have so much room in your heart that I think you could fit the whole world. And I look at you and
I'm in awe because how can anyone be so perfect? And how did I ever manage to catch your eyes-"
"Paul-" Sally's voice caught slightly- thick with emotion.
"No- no I'm not finished yet Sally." Paul raised a hand, "Because- you've let me into your world. Into your kids lives in a way that- I never expected, in a way I'm not sure I even deserve. Sometimes I feel out of my league- your problems, the kids problems are so much bigger than anything I've ever dealt with before. But I want to. I want to be a part of it- be a part of your kids lives so bad Sally. I love them- I love Leo's ridiculous schemes and pranks- I love Nico's enthusiasm when he finds things he's interested in- how brave they both are and how much they love their family. I love Percy- she's such a good kid- tough but brilliant despite everything that's happened- and I know- I know I don't even known half of it all. And Luke- I don't know him as well as the others but- you can see that he's a good man- he cares so much about kids. All of them are amazing Sally and you should be so proud of them- and I know you are. And gods but I want to be a part of that- of your family. I know I'll never be a parent to them but I want to be there when they need help with homework or advice- and I want to be with you. I want to get to see your face every single day- I want to wake up and see you first thing in the morning, I want to be able to kiss you and hold you every night. I want to be there through the good times and the bad times- and I'm well aware that there will be bad times- I know your life isn't easy and I'm willing to deal with that- I'm not afraid Sally- because you and the kids are so worth it-"
"Paul-" Sally's voice was breathless and Percy could imagine the look on her face- she could hear the undercurrent of joy in her moms voice.
"So Sally. Would you make me the luckiest man alive and agree to marry me?"
"Yes-" the word sounded rushed, "Yes- yes Paul of course! Gods yes!" and Sally held out her hand, letting Paul slide the ring onto her finger, "Oh it's so beautiful- Paul I can't believe this!" And Paul was rising and Sally threw her arms around him, kissing him happily, "I can't believe you arranged all this Paul it's so romantic."
"I had some help." Paul's voice was filled with pure joy. "Girls, are you still there?"
And the three girls rushed up the bridge towards Sally and Paul, Annabeth and Rachel almost gushing.
"Holy Hades that was so romantic!" Annabeth gushed, "Percy didn't tell us the plan she just told us she needed help setting something up-"
"Thank you- all three of you." Paul was holding Sally's hand tightly, as if he never wanted to let go of it.
"You're okay with this? Really?" Sally directed that at Percy, who nodded, "Of course I am mom. I helped set it up after all- and Paul asked the boys too- he checked with us all."
"Paul-"
"Well, they had a right to have some say in the situation." Paul looked almost flustered, "It's their lives too after all-"
"Oh Paul-" and Sally leaned in quickly, pressing her lips to his. "I love you so much Paul. I don't think... the fact that you actually included my kids in this- that you've accepted everything... I never thought I'd find someone like you."
"We'll leave you guys in peace." Percy spoke up, grabbing both of her girlfriends hands as she watched her mom and Paul staring at each other with such sappy expressions that they put the three girls to shame.
"Thank you." Sally glanced at her, "Really sweetie. Thank you so much for helping. It was perfect sweetheart."
"It was my pleasure."
With that they split up, Sally and Paul staying on the bridge.
As they walked Annabeth and Rachel slid their hands into Percy's, and Rachel gave the two other girls a sidelong glance, "This was the highlight of my day. I wish I could have spent it all with you-"
"Maybe next year." Annabeth's voice was hesitant, her eyes flicking to Percy.
"Well." Percy grinned, "I don't see why not- as long as the world's still standing this time next year we'll spend the whole day together for Christmas- screw your parents Rache. We all deserve to be happy."
"Yeah." Annabeth's voice was almost melancholic. "Yeah we do."