Percy's P.O.V
I woke early today, showered and dressed before glancing at the clock - 5am. Today is the day, the day I ask my Wise girl to marry me and nervous was an understatement to how I felt. I unlocked my bedside table and placed the ring I my pocket. I went downstairs before taking the box out and opening it. I was still amazed I'd managed to pull this off. I was also grateful I had so many people in my life that I could count on. I closed the coral box and placed it back in my pocket. Today was all about Annabeth and I was so proud of her.
I headed into our kitchen and started to prepare bacon, eggs, sausages, toast and croissant. I put a glass in the fridge to cool; I got a tray out and started piling foods onto it. I took the glass out the fridge and filled it with orange juice and also added a mug of coffee. I checked the clock it was almost 7am so I picked up the tray and headed back up the stairs to our bedroom.
Annabeth was already awake when I entered.
"Morning Seaweed Brain" she said to me, I placed the tray down next to her and kissed her.
"Good morning Wise Girl" I replied "how did you sleep?" I asked.
"Surprisingly well" she said and she looked at me and we had one of our silent conversations, I knew she was nervous about today.
"It'll be great, Annabeth I'm so proud of you" I said, she smiled at me as she started eating her breakfast.
"What's the plan for today?" She asked, she had a very rare day off and I wanted her to spend it as chilled out as possible.
"I have classes to teach today, but I want you to have a chilled day and somehow I think we both know if you stay at home that will not happen." I chuckled.
"I can relax" she said and I raised my eyebrows at her and she sighed "fine yes I'd probably end up doing work" I kissed her and looked into her eyes when I pulled back, my forehead resting upon hers.
"I know, Wise Girl, I thought maybe you'd come with me to camp. You could see Malcolm and Chiron" at the mention of her brother's and Chiron's names she smiled.
"That would be nice, I've not had a chance to speak to them in so long" I could see cogs turning as she was planning out today. "Okay" she said "I will come with you, let me get ready while you go and eat something, I'll meet you downstairs" she said and I kissed her once more before agreeing and going back to the kitchen to eat some breakfast.
I knew we would have to be back home by 3pm today, in order to have enough time to get ready and get to Olympus for her big opening.
Annabeth walked into the kitchen with her hair pulled into a high ponytail, she was wearing one of her orange camp t-shirts and a pair of worn jeans with her favourite trainers. She looked so beautiful; I couldn't help but stare at her and wonder how I had ever gotten so lucky.
"Seaweed Brain, stop staring at me" she said stepping in front of me and kissing me.
"I'm sorry" I said bringing myself back to the present "you're just so beautiful" I said truthfully.
"Thank you" she said a small blush creeping over her cheeks, I loved it even more when that happened and that I was the reason. "Come on we're going to be late" she told me.
We walked to camp together making small talk about the evening ahead. The box in my pocket felt like it was going to burn a hole in it. I just couldn't wait to ask her to marry me and I didn't want the ring out of my sight today. When we got to camp Malcolm greeted us at the sword arena and he and Annabeth disappeared to catch up as I set off to teach me first class.
~6 hours later~
Annabeth and I were getting ready for her big night. I showered after a long day in the sun it was very much needed. I pulled out my suit trousers and jacket I had decided on my grey one, one of my white shirts and a sea green tie. I don't think I had ever been so well dressed in any previous visit to Olympus. I put the ring in my jacket pocket and started to tie my tie as Annabeth came in wrapped in a towel. Her hair was beautiful she had two braids that went around her head as if she were wearing a crown of laurels and the rest was pinned back so it flowed behind her shoulders.
"Like what you see, Seaweed Brain" she teased me.
"Always" I said giving her a kiss and leaving her to finishing getting ready while I made sure everything else was ready to go. I checked with Chiron and the car was waiting for us, it would take about an hour and a half to get to the Empire State Building at this time of day. I felt my pocket for the ring box and it was still there - Gods that would be embarrassing I thought making a proposal and forgetting the ring.
Annabeth gracefully descended the stairs and she looked out of this world she was wearing a halter sliver and teal taffeta dress that was floor length, her owl earrings from her father and her half blood camp necklace it had nine beads on it, her father's college ring and the coral charm I had given her when we started dating.
"Wow" I said as she reached the bottom of the stairs. "You look-"I paused I didn't think I could find the right word and I think Annabeth knew that.
"Thank you Seaweed Brain" she said kissing me "it's nice to know I can still get such a reaction from you" she smirked at me and I knew for as long as I lived she would always have the ability to make my heart race so fast it felt like it was humming, make my breath catch in my lungs and make my mind go blank with no other thought than wow.
"I don't think I'll ever stop reacting to how beautiful you are" I said and I kissed her again before opening the door. "After you" I said, as she stepped out the door I discreetly checked my pocket again for the ring and I followed her out to the car.
As we went up in the elevator to the 600th floor my nerves started to get worse and I could tell Annabeth was picking up on it. She asked me if everything was okay and I gave her my best reassuring smile and told her how excited I was to see her Olympus. And it was true I really was excited for her, I knew how hard she had worked to redesign the city and rebuild it.
Finally we got to the throne room and I hoped we weren't late as I had spent so much time staring in awe at the city she had built. When we got there Annabeth's mother Athena greeted us and told her how proud of her she was. I was too, I smiled and squeezed Annabeth's hand as the Gods and Goddess' arrived to see the complete city.
I let go of her hand and wandered over to Athena.
"Lady Athena" I said, I got the impression during our greeting that she wanted to speak to me.
"Ah Percy" she said and I realised that she did not often, if ever, call me Percy.
"You wanted to speak with me?" I asked and I was already nervous so I had hoped she hadn't changed her mind, I hoped I still had her blessing.
"Yes, follow me" she said and I took a look back at Annabeth who was talking to my dad and smiled before obliging and following the Goddess of wisdom. I followed her out of the throne room into the gardens of Olympus and they were just as beautiful as the rest of the city. This was where I was going to ask Annabeth for her hand in marriage.
Lady Athena stopped at the foot of the fountain and turned to me.
"May I see it?" She asked and I knew she meant the ring. I hastily took the box out of my pocket and handed it to her. She opened it and studied it and I understood she had a curiosity about it, in an intellectual way. She studied it and waved her hand over it - I bit back a protest I didn't want her to change anything about it.
The owl diamond glowed for a few seconds and then returned to the form it had been in before Athena had waved her hand over it.
"You're blessing it" I said before I could help myself and I couldn't hide my surprise.
"Indeed, I am" she said "I will always bless my sacred animal. You have done well with the diamond." She paused "and, although it almost killed you, I am glad it did not."
"You are?" I asked and I couldn't hide my surprise, Annabeth's mother had not always been my biggest fan and I think that was even understating it. "I'm sorry" I said "I'm just not used to-"I stopped, Athena was smiling at me and I think she understood what I was trying to say.
"Her happiness is what is important" she said and handed the ring back to me. "She will be along shortly" she advised and then she was gone. I sat on the fountain and wondered what on Earth had just happened.
I couldn't think about it for too long though as Annabeth started walking towards me. My breath caught in my throat again, Gods she looked beautiful. I couldn't imagine my life without her; just the thought was heart crushing. Get a grip Percy; I told myself, you've got to get this right.
"Hey how come you're out here?" She asked when she got to me. I didn't answer but instead offered her a smile and got down on one knee.
"Wise Girl, you designed this place to be permanent to last the ages." I said and I could see a blush rising on her face. I continued. "When I look at you and everything we've been through I feel like together we're building something else that's permanent" I stopped talking long enough to take the ring out of my pocket. "Will you marry me Wise Girl?" I asked and opened the box showing her the ring. Gods I was nervous, I hoped I'd gotten this right I thought as I looked up at the love of my life waiting for her to respond.
"Of course I'll marry you Seaweed Brain" she said smiling at me, I stood and kissed her and then placed the ring on her finger. My heart was racing I was so incredibly happy.
We sat and talked for a little while - she wasn't too happy when I told her about the creation of the diamond and how much it had taken from me. But, she seemed to agree that my father wouldn't have let me die under the sea and I knew that was the end of the matter and I was thankful it was.
"We should get back to your evening" I said standing and offering a hand to her.
"Yes, I suppose we should" she said, I laced my fingers with hers and we walked back to the throne room.
Thalia had joined Lady Artemis in the throne room; I squeezed Annabeth's hand and nodded towards her best friend. She smiled at me, gave me a quick kiss and headed over to speak to her.
I walked up to my father who was by his throne. "Hey dad" I said.
"Hi Percy, did everything go to plan" he asked, and I knew he could tell by the smile on my face that it had but I answered anyway.
"Yes, it did" I responded "how are things?" I asked.
"They're good" he said "Annabeth tells me the sound of the sea in my throne was your idea"
"I said it would be cool, actually putting it into effect was all Annabeth" I said "I look at what she's created and it's extraordinary dad. I don't know how I got so lucky" I said and my father chuckled at me and it was a rare thing to see a God laugh. It was refreshing.
"Yes my son, you certainly have been lucky in love" my father said. We carried on conversing for a little longer before I excused myself to go and find Annabeth.
I found her talking with Thalia by Artemis' throne. I slipped my hand into hers and pecked her cheek.
"Hey Pinecone Face' I greeted Thalia, she gave me a mock glare but she knew I was teasing.
"Hey Kelp head" she said.
Annabeth smiled at me and rested her head on my shoulder. I loved being the reason she smiled.
"Any interesting hunts lately?" I asked.
Annabeth's P.O.V
I woke up and immediately checked my left hand; the ring really was on my finger. I hadn't dreamt it. I smiled and looked over at Percy who was still sleeping. Gods I loved him so much, I couldn't wait to be his wife. I was so lucky that he was mine; I have known for a long time that I couldn't live without Percy; the heartbreak alone would be enough to kill me. Fortunately that wasn't something I needed to think about anymore.
I didn't realise how long I'd been staring at him until he interrupted my thoughts.
"Wise Girl, stop staring at me" he said giving me his famous lopsided grin and looking into my eyes.
"I'm sorry" I said and I could feel heat rising in my cheeks "I couldn't help myself" I said truthfully.
"I see" he replied propping himself on his side and smiling at me he leaned in for a kiss. My heart started doing little flips as our lips met and I don't think that will ever change.
"What's the plan for today?" I asked as we pulled apart.
"Well I thought we could go to your dads and my moms and then to camp to see your siblings, not necessarily in that order, I just thought you might want to tell people." He said and he was right I wanted everyone we cared about to know.
"That" I said leaning over to kiss him "sounds perfect". We got up and dressed and I sat at the kitchen table fiddling with the ring on my finger. I wasn't used to wearing a ring and as much as I loved it, it was a foreign feeling to me.
"I'm really glad you like it" Percy said placing a plate of pancakes in front of me before sitting down with a plate of his own.
"I love it Seaweed Brain, thank you" I said and I thought about how much effort he put into make the diamond. "But, promise me you won't almost kill yourself for any other gift for me"
"I promise" he said "when your mom asked me if I knew how much of my power it would take, I thought I knew" he paused shaking his head "I was an idiot-I'm sorry, but I do not regret it" he added.
I smiled at him he had been an idiot but he was my idiot and I knew why he'd done what he'd done too and I really appreciated the sentiment behind it, but it wasn't worth his life and he knew that. He hadn't expected it to take so much energy from him and I suspect had he tried to form a normal shaped diamond it wouldn't have. He certainly hadn't taken the easy route and it just made me smiled even more, if that's even possible.
"Thank you" I said and he looked up at me, pancake in his mouth, eyes twinkling at me and we had one of our silent conversations while we finished our breakfast. He knew I was thanking him for his promise and for his effort, I knew he loved me and I knew how romantic it was for him to have done what he did.
We set off for my dad's house first as it was the furthest away. Blackjack got us there in a couple of hours with a couple of apple breaks along the way. My dad answered the door and smiled at us, I realised it had been a while since I had visited and I felt sorry about that.
"Hey Dad" I said giving him a hug and stepping into the house.
"Hi Mr. Chase" Percy said following me into the house.
"Percy, Annabeth come in, come in" my dad said stepping aside to let us in.
We chatted with my dad and step mother for an hour or so after telling them we were getting married. They were both really happy for us; we bid them fair well and set off for Percy's mom's.
Blackjack landed on top of the apartment building and we heading down the stairs from the roof to Sally and Paul's home. Before Percy could knock on the door it opened and we were immediately pulled into a bear hug by Percy's mom.
"Mom - I can't breathe" Percy gasped as his mother let us go.
"Sorry" Sally said stepping to one side and letting us into the apartment. Paul greeted us with a hug and we sat around the kitchen table. There was a plate of blue cookies on the counter as if they'd been expecting us.
"Can I see it?" Sally asked me and I placed my hand on the table in front of her.
"Oh Percy" she said admiring his work and I could see him blushing - it wasn't everyday Percy got compliments about his work, sure his battle prowess and fighting skill, he had after all saved the world many times, but this was different. "It's beautiful" Sally said nodding approvingly.
Percy set to telling her about the proposal and Paul and Sally sat and listened to every word. I loved listening to him recount his version of how everything went down and found that I was smiling down at my engagement ring, as I started twiddling it. I started thinking of our future, of our future family and my heart started fluttering.
"Annabeth?" Percy's voice pulled me from my thoughts.
"Sorry" I blushed "I was miles away" I admitted and Percy chuckled at me. "What was the question?" I asked it was so unlike me not to listen and to zone out. I knew I was, and always would be, head over heels in love with Percy. I forced myself to focus on being in the apartment and being part of the conversation. Sally smiled at me knowingly, Paul also seemed to know, even Percy seemed to understand that I'd been thinking further forward than our wedding, but then again since our trip to the pit he always knew what I was thinking.
"I asked if you wanted some more lemonade." Percy said to me.
"Oh, yes thank you" I said, Percy chuckled and poured me another glass of lemonade.
"How did your mother take it?" Sally asked me tentatively, I knew she was worried about her son.
"Actually, really well" I said and looked at Percy.
"Yeah, I hadn't gotten to that yet" he said and I nodded and let him explain how he had gained my mother's blessing.
Our last stop was camp half blood. We stopped on the hill by Thalia's tree; I pressed a hand on it and took in the view. This, I thought to myself, was where it all began and one day our children will be training here. Percy took my hand and laced his fingers through mine and together we headed down the hill towards the big house.
Chiron met us at the big house and I had a feeling he had also been expecting us. I greeted him with a hug, I had missed him. Chiron was like a second father to me and I mentally scolded myself for not making more of an effort to visit.
"Annabeth, my dear" Chiron said "you look radiant" I blushed, it wasn't often Chiron gave such compliments.
"Thank you" I said, we stood talking for quite some time before I noticed that Percy had taken the opportunity I sneak off somewhere.
