Epilogue: New beginnings

''Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning.''-Unknown

''…Come back and tell me why
I'm feeling like I've missed you all this time, oh, oh, oh.
And meet me there tonight
and let me know that it's not all in my mind…''

(December)

''And…done! Oh, you look gorgeous Annabeth!'' Silena, Piper's older half-sister, cooed when she finished with the blonde's make-up and hair.

Annabeth and Thalia were currently in Piper's house. The three girls were getting ready for the Winter formal that was starting in about an hour and a half. Silena had come for the holidays yesterday with her husband Charles Beckendorf.

She was five years older than Piper and had married in Chicago a year ago. The connection between the two was Aphrodite, their mother. She had gotten pregnant in high school by mistake but decided to keep the baby. She met Piper's father at college before he became famous and it turned out that he didn't matter that Silena wasn't his child.

Annabeth stood up to look properly at herself. She was wearing a one-shouldered dark purple dress that barely reached her knees with a pair of black boots and a matching bag. (A\N: the link to her dress is on my profile) Her curly hair was up in a casual bun with some locks falling at her neck making her look effortlessly beautiful. They had managed to convince Silena to not put much make-up on- just some eye-shadow, mascara and lip-gloss.

''Okay, I have to admit that this is nice.'' She announced after a close inspection, turning to the side to see if everything was okay. Her fingers fidled with the ring from Percy.

''Looking good Annie.'' Thalia confirmed from her spot on Piper's bed. She was already dressed in a knee-length black dress. (A\N: link also on my profile) She had absolutely refused for Silena to go anywhere near her with her beauty-products and put only eyeliner, making her startling blue eyes stand out.

''You're like a princess.'' Piper smiled but her eyes went wide when her sister turned to her.

''Your turn sis!''

An hour later the doorbell rang and Melie went to open the door.

''Piper, the boys are here.'' Her voice sounded then and Annabeth and Thalia jumped up.

''Hey, don't leave me here!'' Piper whined while Silena was fussing over her hair, curling it slightly in natural curls.

''stay put or it's going to hurt!'' her sister warned and Annabeth sent an apologetic look to her friend.

''Sorry. I'll pray for you.'' And with that Piper's friends skipped through the door.

''Traitors!'' Piper yelled after them, hearing faint laughter in the distance.

''Don't worry sis, your hair is done. Now for the make-up.'' Silena tried but as soon as she turned her back to her, Piper jumped out of the chair she was seated in.

''Oh no, they are already waiting for me and you know that I hate the great entrance. Please Sil…''

''Fine.'' Silena finally gave up with a sigh. ''Damn your cute puppy eyes, I should be immune to that already don't you think.''

''I hope not.'' Piper smiled at her sister before hugging her lightly.

Three minutes later Piper was out of her room and rushing to the living room where everyone else was when her phone vibrated in her purse and she made a turn towards the empty hall to talk in private.

''Hello?''

''Beauty queen, is Sparky there yet?'' Leo's breathless voice sounded in her ear.

''Came a few minutes ago, why?''

''His phone is in me for some reason so tell him not to worry.''

''Will do.'' Piper chuckled. ''Are you there yet?''

''Yeah, I'm waiting in front of her apartment building for her to come.'' Leo answered and it was evident how excited he was.

''I still don't get why didn't you tell us who she is. She can't be worse than you right?''

''Ha-ha. For a hundredth time Beauty queen, I don't want to jinx it.'' Leo sighed exasperatedly. ''Patience my child and the secret shall be revealed at the dance.''

''Fine, but Repair boy…'' Piper warned but was cut short by him almost shrieking in her ear.

''She's coming, gotta run!'' and the line went dead.

''I just hope it's not away from her.'' Piper muttered to herself while putting her phone away.

Leo had gotten himself a date a few days before the dance but he absolutely refused to tell who the girl was. Piper chuckled again turning around and bumping straight into something hard.

''Easy there.'' Jason said grabbing her by the upper arms to steady her and Piper raised her head to smile at him. His eyes roamed over her figure, taking in her appearance before hugging her tightly. ''You look stunning!'' he said, making her blush, before kissing her cheek.

Piper was wearing a simple light pink dress that Annabeth and Thalia had chosen for her. (A\N:link to it-on my profile) If she had to be sincere, she liked it but dresses in general weren't her favourite clothes. Anyway, the occasion was special. She had put on black bolero because it was December after all and snow was already falling lightly.

''Thanks.'' Piper answered and looked up at him with hands on his collar because two could play that game. ''You don't look that bad yourself, you know. Quite handsome…and sexy.'' She said and enjoyed the darkening of his eyes. He leaned in to kiss her but Thalia cleared her throat from the living room's entrance, making them both jump a little.

''Seriously guys? And I thought Annabeth and Percy were bad.'' She shook her head disapprovingly while Nico emerged from behind her and put a hand around her waist. You would have never guessed that she was older than him, considering that he was at least five inches taller than her. It didn't help that they were both in senior year (Thalia was held back because she had to watch after their mother before she died of cirrhosis).

''Let's go before she goes into ninja mode Thalia-style. Even I can't save you then.'' Her boyfriend chuckled and kissed the side of her head, pulling her after him while she sent one last I'm-watching-you look at her brother and his girlfriend before disappearing through the front door.

''At least we aren't alone anymore.'' Percy whispered not-so-quietly to Annabeth while walking in front of Piper and Jason to Percy's car.

''Hey!'' the mentioned couple exclaimed while blushing.

Annabeth laughed out loud and they all took off towards the dance.

''Well, that's a surprise!'' Percy commented amazement and shock evident on his face.

''You can say that again.'' Annabeth and Thalia said at the same time while Nico, Piper and Jason were just staring soundlessly.

Leo had entered five minutes after them with non other that Reyna at his side. He was smiling nervously while she looked happy in her own way, with her mysterious smile.

Piper's eyes traveled to Jason who was looking at the couple with unreadable expression. She tried to decipher his face but to no avail. He had probably sensed her watching because after a while his head averted towards her. She immediately looked away, pretending that she wasn't staring at him for the past five minutes her face starting to redden.

''Hey Beauty queen, Sparky and everyone else!'' Leo greeted them cheerfully.

''Do you two have something to tell us?'' Jason cut straight to the case, looking from Leo to Reyna and back again with emotionless face.

His best friend shifted on his feet but Reyna grabbed his wrist and he looked at her, their eyes locking in a silent conversation. She was the one to break it, looking at the rest of the gang with her usual confidence.
''Yes, um…we're dating, I and Valdez.'' She stated, slipping his hand in his.

''We are?'' Leo asked her dumbly, his eyes sparkling with hope.

''I did say so, right?'' she smiled at him, bringing up a triumphant smirk on his face.

''Yes, we are.'' He announced proudly and Piper had the feeling that he was happy-dancing in his head.

Everyone went to congratulate them Percy and Annabeth being the first, followed closely by Piper, Thalia, Jason and Nico.

''I'm so happy about you Leo!'' Piper said happily while hugging her best friend tightly. ''But why didn't you tell anyone?''

''For a hundredth time, I wanted to be sure okay. And…'' at this the Latino boy hesitated and Piper caught his eyes shifting to Jason talking with Reyna. ''…I wasn't sure how he will react with her being his ex and everything. I know he's with you and he loves you but you have to admit that it's kind of weird.'' He finally admitted in lowly.

Piper's smile wavered a little, thinking of Jason's first reaction when he saw the two.

''I really don't know…'' she said, mostly to herself but Leo was quick to notice her and tried to distract her.

''But hey, I can't believe that she agreed to go out with me!'' he exclaimed and Piper laughed.

''I thought your charm was so irresistible…'' she joked and they both laughed.

''Yeah, it seemed to affect her alright.'' He confirmed, making them both laugh even harder.

Reyna sure made Leo a lot happier than before which was a big thing!

''Well, there's finally someone on Team Leo then!'' Jason chuckled while going to hug both Leo and Reyna lightly, eyeing her carefully. ''How did he managed to convince you?''

''Honestly, I don't know either. But I'm actually not sorry. At all.'' She smiled and her eyes traveled to something behind him. ''How are things going with you?''

Jason turned to look at Piper who was joking around with Leo, both laughing crazily. The rest two couples had gone somewhere probably dancing.

''It's…different. In a very new and good way. I'm happy. I think we're happy.'' He concluded, trying to sum up everything he felt towards Piper and their relationship in a few words which wasn't such an easy task.

''I'm happy for you, you know. Both of you.'' She gave him a nudge and he chuckled.

''Ditto. I know Leo can be a pain in the ass sometimes but he's a nice guy and he seems to really like you.'' Jason smiled at her.

''I can handle that goof.'' She laughed before blushing. ''I like him too. Can you believe it? I would have never guessed that I would end up with Leo Valdez and you-with your best friend.'' She exclaimed, looking up at him.

''Me neither but I can't be more happy that I'm surprised.'' Jason admitted with a lazy smile on his lips.

''Me too.'' She sighed.

''Hey, sorry to interrupt but I want to invite the pretty lady here to a dance.'' Leo broke their conversation and Jason obeyed. He was happy for his friends.

''Hey Leo, where's Piper?'' he asked when he didn't find her around.

''She went to get herself a drink.''

And with that Jason went to find his girlfriend.

Piper made her way towards the punch bowl alone. Annabeth and Percy had gone dancing along with Nico and Thalia, leaving her to wait for Jason and Reyna to finish their rather private conversation. She didn't want to interrupt them so she decided to get a drink instead, meeting some friends from school on the way there. Her nerves hadn't relaxed from her conversation with Leo.

No matter how much she tried, Piper couldn't help but wonder why Jason reacted so…coldly towards Leo and Reyna being together. Did he have second thoughts about her? Did he miss being with Reyna? Maybe he still had feelings for her; after all they had been together for such a long time…And now she was dating his best friend.

Piper scolded herself while pouring punch in a plastic cup and drinking it swiftly. She shouldn't doubt Jason, he wasn't one who will betray the people he cared about. If there was something wrong, he would tell her. She should really stop acting so stupid.

She was wondering if she should go back and find her friends or stay aside for now when strong arms encircled her waist from behind.

''Care to dance with me?'' Jason's voice sounded in her ear, sending shivers down her spine.

''Yes actually.'' She answered and cursed herself for sounding so breathless.

He let her waist go only to grab her hand and lace his fingers through hers while leading her to dance. After a while he stopped and spun her which ended with her pressed against his chest, his arms at her waist. She heard the song 'Everything has changed' by Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift starting and smiled slightly, putting her hands around his neck and relaxing in his embrace.

As they danced in silence she caught sight of Leo and Reyna and smiled involuntarily.

''I think this will be one interesting relationship.'' She remarked and Jason turned briefly to look at the same direction before looking back at Piper.

''Yeah, they are like the complete opposites of each other, right.'' He chuckled and Piper looked up in his eyes but before she could ask he continued. ''And you know what they say about opposites.''

''What?'' she asked dumbly, not concentrated on his question but on his expression with was mischievous.

He leaned in, his head resting on her shoulder so he could whisper directly in her ear without shouting through the music.

''They attract.'' He said, smirking. ''Just like you and me.''

This simple statement made Piper's heart flutter a little faster than before.

''Did I tell you how gorgeous you are tonight?'' he asked matter-of-factly drawing back to look at her, making her chuckle.

''Just a few dozen times.''

''Oh, well it's still true so…'' at this his hands slid up and down her back slowly while his head leaned to her ear again. ''You're sinfully beautiful tonight Pipes.'' After that he kissed her cheek, lingering for a while before drawing back to admire her red face and blown-wide pupils.

His smile showed to her that he was aware of the effect he had on her. But if he wanted to play that game, she was very glad to comply with it.

So she leaned into him, one of her hands sliding down his chest while the other stayed on his shoulder so she could reach on her tiptoes.

''Glad you like it baby.'' She whispered in what she hoped was a seductive voice before kissing his neck slowly while retreating.

Jason's hands tightened at her lower back and she was surprised to hear him actually growl.

''Don't drive me insane woman because you won't be able to handle me after than.'' He hissed seriously and Piper couldn't stop herself from chuckling. Her boyfriend grumbled something but she didn't hear him.

''What was that Jase?'' she asked innocently and he sighed, his hands still gripping her tightly.

''I said that it was good thing that I love you because…''

''You love me?'' she asked then, pulling back a little to look at his eyes properly. They hadn't said that to each other, at least not so straight-forward.

''Yeah, I do.'' He said, suddenly sober. ''I do love you Pipes.''

Instead of saying anything she grabbed his shirt before pressing her lips to his in a desperate motion to which Jason answered immediately. The kiss was urgent at first, full of longing and lust but with the time it changed to a slower one full of love and promises. They didn't care that they were in a crowded place anymore. They were alone in their own bubble and nothing else mattered.

''Je t'aime Jason.'' She finally managed to say between deep breaths of much needed air and when she looked at his face she couldn't stop the laugh from escaping.

''You know that I study Spanish with Leo right?'' he asked and she noticed the breathiness of his voice. ''Can you translate this for me please?''

She chuckled once again before looking him straight in those sky blue eyes.

''I love you silly.''

He beamed at her and they continued slow-dancing to the ending song.

Neither Piper nor Jason ever thought that they would end up together. But they couldn't be happier that life surprised them like that. After all, Leo and Reyna found each other too. And for them, nothing else mattered but right then and there. They loved that place, the place where they stood now.

The End

A\N: Well, this was it. The finale. I hope that you all enjoyed this story because I know I will miss it. And I want to send thanks to each and every one of you who reviewed, followed and/or favourited. Every review inspired me and made me continue writing, helping me to finish this story so thanks so much guys!

I'm currently working on another story and I hope that I'll publish it soon, I really can't wait to find out if you would like it or not.

Oh, almost forgot, links for Annabeth, Thalia and Piper's dresses are on my profile!

Love you so much guys! Thanks!