Whoop, hope you guys enjoy this chapter, in which Percy is an amazing big sister and also ships her baby brother with his friend. Honestly she's as good a matchmaker as any daughter of Aprodite.

It was a nice day in the middle of February that Sally knocked on Percy's bedroom door perhaps an hour after school had finished.

This was somewhat annoying for the three girls in the bedroom, because they'd been 'studying' which actually meant that they'd been relaxing and taking a break from the chaos downstairs- which included Leo nearly setting the kitchen on fire while Nico and Luke watched with a sort of morbid curiosity and Paul followed the son of Hephaestus around with a fire extinguisher.

Honestly Percy was just grateful that Sally did knock because it meant that she and Annabeth had the chance to pull apart and Rachel managed to toss them each their school books before Percy called, "Come in!"

And the door creaked open and Sally stepped inside, a small smile on her lips, "Hey girls- the boys aren't being too loud downstairs are they?"

"No Miss Jackson." Rachel gave her most winning innocent smile, "We were just studying for our history test ."

"I'm so proud of you three." Sally smiled at them, "It's nice to see you hard at work-" and out of the corner of her eye Percy spotted that Annabeth was trying to subtly straighten up her vest top- the left strap had slid down over her shoulder while they'd been kissing.

"Well someone has to keep your daughter from getting too distracted." and honestly Percy didn't know how Annabeth said that and kept her face so straight, but she did, though Rachel's lips twitched with the effort of not bursting out laughing.

"I'm sure it's difficult. Now I hate to interrupt but can I talk to Percy alone for a second girls? It's nothing bad I promise."

"Sure." Annabeth climbed off the bed quickly, "We can go to my room if you want-"

"I'd appreciate it."

"C'mon Rachel."

"Let me grab my books." and together Percy's girlfriends left the bedroom, shutting the door behind them, leaving Percy and Sally alone, and Sally smiled slightly as she focused on Percy and sat down on the bed next to her.

"What's up mom?" Percy tilted her head, "What do you want to talk about." she brushed her hair out of her face- it had reached that awkward stage, it was too short to tie up but long enough that it fell in her face more often than not. She was considering cutting it again- the thought of letting it grow long again- it made her stomach twist uncomfortably.

She'd probably ask Drew to cut it for her next time the daughter of Aphrodite dropped by.

"I wanted to talk about Paul and I's wedding?"

"On?" Percy perked up, "What about it?"

"Well." Sally gave Percy a small almost nervous smile, "We've talked about it a lot. We did consider having a long engagement- waiting until after- well, after the war is over. But... We've decided we don't want to wait that long."

"You don't?"

"No. So we're going to have a short engagement." Sally told Percy seriously, "We're getting married in April- we've already started booking the venue and things- it won't be a big wedding. I don't exactly have many people to invite-" she hadn't had that much of a social life for a long time, after all raising two demigods wasn't easy and she'd been focused on them and her career. And she didn't have any family other than her kids. "And Paul doesn't exactly have that much in the way of family either. So." she clasped her hands together in her lap, "I wanted to ask you a very important question. Now I've already asked Luke if he'll give me away- it feels right, and Paul's already said he'll ask the boys about Nico being his best man- as much as he loves Leo he doesn't want Leo causing chaos-"

"He really would," Percy snickered. "Nico's definitely the better choice there."

"Oh I know." Sally smiled, "And Leo will understand I know that much. But back to the point, I've been considering my bridal party-" she reached out to straighten up Percy's hair. "And I wanted to ask you to be my Maid of Honor. You're the most important girl in my entire life so it seems fitting-"

"I- you want me to-"

"You won't have to do any planning or anything." Sally said quickly, "I don't plan on having any of the parties really. But I want you by my side on one of the best days of my life."

"Mom-"

"It's important to me." Sally's smile had a hint of pain in it and Percy hesitated, ducking her head.

"Are you rushing it because of- because of the war. Because-" because they all knew there was a chance Percy would get killed. The prophecy was important and dangerous she knew that much.

"I have to believe you're going to be fine." Sally stated firmly, "It's not because I'm afraid you'll die.. I just- you've been through so much lately and you're going to go through so much more honey. I thought it would be nice for you to have some stuff to look forward to instead of just obsessing over the war."

"I-" Percy surged forward, hugging her mom tightly "I'd be honored. I dunno what I have to do but- I'd love to be your maid of honor mom."

"Good." Sally let out a breath, pressing a kiss to the top of Percy's head. "Now I plan on asking Thalia, Annabeth and Rachel to be my bridesmaids, does that sound good to you?"

"Of course mom." Percy grinned, "Annabeth and Rache will be honored and so will Thalia even if she'll complain about it if you ask her to wear a dress."

"She'll be able to wear whatever she feels comfortable in." Sally gave a wry smile, "It won't be a formal event really. Now." she stood up, "I'll go and talk to your girlfriends-"

Percy's eyes widened and she went bright red when her mom gave her a very knowing look, "And from now on you three will be keeping the door open when you're in here alone together-"

"Mom!" Percy's face felt like it was on fire, "I- you- I don't-"

"Honey you're my precious baby girl do you really think I haven't noticed that things between you three shifted after the Labyrinth?"

"I- you're okay with it?"

"With the fact that you have two girlfriends. I admit I was concerned at first, you and Annabeth had such a strong relationship and I knew Rachel had feelings for you but you've always been rather oblivious. I hoped Rachel would get over her crush, but you three seem to have worked things out somehow. And you all seem to be happy with each other. The important thing is that you three are happy together and that no one's going to get hurt and at this point I don't think it will end in heartbreak."

"We really are happy." Percy said quickly, her face flushed, "I love them both mom- I dunno what I'd do without them. We work."

"I'm sure you do." Sally hummed to herself as she headed towards the door, "But like I said, from now on the door stays open- I remember being your age and I don't want any funny business young lady-"

"Mom!" Percy grabbed her pillow, tossing it at her mom who ducked out of the doorway easily, her laughter filling the room as she headed down the hall to go and talk to Annabeth and Rachel.

Almost as if he'd been waiting outside of the door for Sally to come out Nico was suddenly there ducking into the room, his eyes wide. "Did mom just tell you?"

"The wedding?"

"Paul asked me to be his best man!" Nico looked torn between nerves and excitement, "I'll have to give a speech and everything."

"You'll do great. Did he tell you that Luke's giving mom away?"

"Yeah." Nico nodded, "And Leo's going to be one of Paul's groomsmen- he doesn't get to make a speech."

"That's probably for the best." Percy forced back a laugh at the mental image of their brother trying to give a speech, "You excited."

"Yeah, and nervous." Nico paused, "Paul said I can bring a couple of people if I want."

"Will and Kayla?"

"Yeah." Nico nodded, an almost hesitant look on his face as he played with the ring on his thumb- and Percy's eyes shifted to watch as he spun it nervously. "I can't think of anyone else I'd want there."

"Do-" Percy's voice was almost hesitant, "Do you want Will to come as more than a friend-"

"I-" Nico's face went red, "I like him. A lot. Like him like him I think. I... I've never felt like this before about anyone. I mean, Kayla's my best friend, she's smart and funny and awesome and badass but Will. Will is... he's smart and funny too- and bossy- so bossy when he's in the infirmary, and he's kind and good and he's like the sun Percy and
I'm just-"

"Just his best friend." Percy cut in, "Just the person he spends the most time with other than his siblings which totally doesn't count- the guy he gave a ring to-"

"That was a friend thing-"

"Sure, and my bracelet from Annabeth is just a friend thing." Percy shot back, "Nico, he feels the same way I'm sure of it."

"He's like the sun and I'm death Percy. It'll never work I'll never be right for him. He's light and healing warmth and I make the room go like ice when I'm annoyed-"

"Well maybe you need someone warm to melt that icy heart-"

"Really." the unimpressed look Nico gave her was honestly hilarious and Percy couldn't help the laugh that burst past her lips despite her best efforts. "That was just bad Percy."

"Sorry, sorry but I had to." Percy turned more serious, "Stop selling yourself short Nico. Will would be the first to tell you off for that."

"I dunno." Nico's brows furrowed and his shoulders slumped, "He doesn't talk to me as much anymore. He- things were great after he woke up- they were going really well and then something changed and he's been slowly pulling away ever since and I don't know why."

"That's weird." Percy frowned slightly, "It doesn't sound like normal Will behaviour."

"Kayla's noticed it too." Nico admitted, "It's not just me but- I thought he trusted me with everything and anything and now... it's getting worse and worse."

"Maybe I'll do some digging." Percy offered gently, "I might be able to find out something that you can't."

"I don't want him to feel like I set you on him-"

"I won't make him feel like that." Percy gave him a wry smile, wrapping an arm around his shoulder, "Whatever happens it's gonna be fine Neeks. And hey even if he doesn't like you in that way he's still your best friend and I know you'll find someone who deserves you. You won't stay single forever, you'll get a first kiss soon I'm sure and it'll be special." she paused, noticing just how pink her baby brothers face was turning. "No- no way-"

"Don't-"

"Nico Di Angelo. Why are you blushing?"

"I- Will didn't seem interested at all and... Cecil's been flirting with me whenever I come to camp so we may have kissed-"

"Oh my gods!" Percy almost squealed, "My baby brother's all grown up!"

"You're not gonna get upset that I'm not actually dating him?"

"Neeks, just because I fell in love with the girl who gave me my first kiss doesn't mean that's what happens to everyone. I know Luke's kissed more than just Thalia." Percy rolled her eyes "It's okay to kiss someone who you're not in love with you know. So. You and Cecil?"

"We're just friends. Besides I think he's crushing on Lou Ellen now, but yeah. We kissed a couple of times." Nico seemed slightly relaxed, "It was... nice. It- it'll probably sound stupid but... it was kinda a relief. I spent so long terrified of people finding out that I'm- y'know... and hating myself for it, trying to convince myself I wasn't... when I actually kissed Cecil and the world didn't implode... it was really, really nice. And it helped me accept that yeah, yeah I definitely like boys."

"Good." Percy squeezed him gently, "You deserve to be happy Neeks, just as much as the rest of us do."

"I just- I wish I knew why Will was pulling away I wish he'd talk to me I wish-"

"You wish you could kiss him?"

"Yeah." Nico groaned, shifting out from under her arm and flopping back onto the bed, "Why do relationships have to be so weird?"

"Because Neeks, that's life." Percy smiled, "But I'll tell you this. In the end, they're worth it."