Chapter 3! It'll be one whole chapter, not split in two. I'll have an epilogue so this won't be the last.
Some notes before you read this:
Keep in mind what Knot of Hercules mean: It's the belt around the waist of the wedding dress that the mother have to tie for her daughter on the day of her wedding. It's tradition. Also, it's the mother that dressed the daughter for her wedding.
It was two days later since the incident. Like Benjamin said, Reyna needed room to think so she took advantage of that. She packed her duffel bag into a rented car and took a short trip. She went to the beach; more exact: to the boardwalk. Benjamin took her there before. She didn't want to be biased and think about simply one person during this time. Honestly, she didn't want to think about none of them. Neither Jason nor Benjamin. She was going to think about herself and her future.
Reyna parked the car facing the sea and leaned back in her seat. She threw her head back, closed her eyes and let out a breath; she started to think of herself. She was a graduate student -entered Graduate School just recently. She was going to specialize in Foreign Affairs. She was planning on finishing school as soon as possible, in the next three years but what will she do after that? She never pictured her life further than being a student currently. It made her feel like she had no aspirations. Benjamin always told her she should get a government job, such as congresswomen, but Reyna didn't want that. She simply couldn't work with humans for so long She knew her capability and she was sure she couldn't take it. Most of her human girl friends wanted to get married and have children. Did Reyna want that life? She guessed she wouldn't mind children and probably expect them in her future since that is natural But being a full-time mom? There was no job here that appealed to Reyna that Reyna has studied for. She loved her major. She loved politics but today's modern world Government was so different from her roman roots that she would probably seem crazy to the rest of her colleagues.
Why did marrying Benjamin didn't appeal to her as much as it did two days ago? Reyna sighed, poofing out her cheeks. Reyna didn't usually like to admit this about anyone, but Benjamin was right. The answer was right in front of her but she kept ignoring it all this time.
Reyna insert the keys into the car, starting the engine. She had to apologize to Benjamin for wasting his time with her. He would obviously say that she didn't waste his time but she couldn't help to feel that way. They had dated for two whole years and were engaged. She had to apologize. However, she wouldn't take back those two years. She did learn to love him genuinely but like he said, she subconsciously couldn't give up her roman life. New Rome and Camp Jupiter was everything that made her, her. She couldn't ask Benjamin to give up his life for her. There was no way she could. If he could have given up his human life, she would have loved to marry him and live in New Rome but that was simply impossible; and she wasn't going to ask him to do that neither.
~ (Owl City background music cue xD )
Reyna tugging on her sleeves of her brown sweater, wrapping her arms around her. It was chilly night at Berkeley Hills but a beautiful night nonetheless. The moon was full, shining brightly up in the night sky, surrounded by lovely stars that blinked everything you looked at them. A soft wind traveled, the green grass swaying as it did. Reyna had the hoodie of her knitted sweater over her head, her hair combed over her shoulder. She cursed for not wearing anything warmer. She had a pair of washed blue jeans, converse, a tank top under her knitted sweater. She was wearing her ring and a pair of golden earrings hoops. Why did Jason have to be so far...?
Yes, she was looking for Jason. She had decided to spend a few days in New Rome. After she and Benjamin ended it, she didn't want anything else but to be home. She had visited Frank and Hazel and Gwen but haven't seen Jason yet, thus she was looking for him. Terminus told her that he spotted Jason walking toward the fields. He also told her that Jason had that habit lately, he would lay down on the grass around this time till midnight. Reyna smiled when she heard that, for no apparent reason.
Reyna had walked for a while now until she finally found that big dummy. There he was, laying on the grass, arm over his eyes. Reyna walked up to him and squatted near his head. "Why do you have your eyes covered? You won't be able to see the stars like that" Reyna told him.
Jason moved a bit. Reyna didn't know if he was asleep or not, or somewhere in between. He peeked over his arm for a bit and then realized it was Reyna. He was a bit embarrassed.
"Can I join you?' Reyna asked as he awkwardly sat up.
"Y-yeah..." Jason coughed, clearing his throat. "I mean, sure"
Reyna sat down next to him, hugging her knees.
"How you been, Jason?" She asked him out of courtesy.
"Fine" He said. Nothing really interesting happens to him anymore. His golden age was over once he reached twenty. "You?"
Reyna shrugged, "Nothing much..." She said. Reyna laid back, her elbows propping her up, looking up at the sky.
Jason nodded at her answer. That was...casual.
"The constellations are really nice tonight. I can see all my favorites clearly" Reyna said.
"Yeah" Jason laid back also, looking up.
"There is Orion" Reyna pointing up at the constellation.
"Aries..." Jason pointed out too.
"Yeah, I didn't see that there..." Reyna smiled.
"And there's Andromeda..." Jason pointed at another constellation.
"Where?" Reyna asked.
"Right there..."
"I can't see it..."
"You see that star?" Jason got closer to Reyna and pointed up so she could tell apart the star he was talking about.
"I think I see it..."
"Follow that line to this other star..." Jason moved his hand across and as he did, his face kept getting closer to Reyna's. He didn't notice since he was focused on constellations but Reyna was aware and blushed softly. It was cute how Jason was distracted.
"I think I see it.." Reyna lied. "You always liked Andromeda" She said with a smile. Jason looked at her -which wasn't that hard considering how close their faces were- and smiled with a light blush.
"Yeah..." He said meekly. Jason seemed to realize how close their faces were. His face got warm quickly but he didn't want to move his face away. Reyna figured it would take eons before Jason would kiss her so she took the first step. She leaned forward and Jason closed the space between: their lips meet.
Reyna smiled softly against his lips. She honestly didn't think he would take her back after the night he pleaded her to stay. She wasn't expecting it and it still wasn't official. But she was glad he didn't held it against her. And speaking of the devil, Jason pulled away. He shook his head and looked away, his arms resting on his knees. He kept shaking his head, running a hand through his hair.
"What's wrong...?" Reyna asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"No. We shouldn't- I shouldn't have-..." He didn't finish any of his sentences. "You have Ben and the wedding..."
Reyna laughed, which caused Jason to look at her confused. "It's cute that you think I'm cheating while engaged" She said with a smile, her small dimple appearing on her right cheek.
"Wait..-" He tried to find the words to say, "But..you are with Benjamin. You are dating another guy, so you cannot kiss another guy that isn't that guy..."
"I know the rules Jason..." Reyna said.
"So...the whole kiss...was actually...?" He was trying to connect the dots in his head.
"The kiss was real. I'm not marrying Benjamin.." Reyna shook her head with a small smile. She knew Jason could be dense at times. "He told me that we might not be meant for each other and it was proved true" She shrugged softly at the memory. "The Wedding is canceled..."
Jason thought for a moment, processing this through his mind. "So, you aren't getting married?"
"Nope" Reyna sighed, thinking back at it, "He said I belonged in New Rome and nowhere else. You know that humans cannot handle the entire truth" Jason knew this more than anyone, "He was exposed to it but never came into direct interaction with it, which saved him from reality" Reyna shrugged. "I decided to come to New Rome for a visit after the break-up. I saw Gwen and the others earlier, although I cannot stay for longer than I wished since I have class"
Jason nodded slowly, processing what she said. So was she going to return to New Rome...? She said she had class so Jason had no idea how that would work. And what was that kiss all about? Okay, he kind of kissed her first but she led him on. Not that he was complaining. He would just like to have things clear after so many years. He didn't want to beat around the bush anymore.
Reyna sighed and laid back, looking up at the dark sky. Jason kept seated, hands wrapped around his knees. Reyna wasn't going to push the subject about them. She didn't think she should after three long years. They might kept being friends but leaving before dawn when a guy pleaded you to not go is certainly not ending on a good note. She shouldn't have kissed him.
To her surprise, Jason grabbed her hand. "Reyna..." He said with a serious voice.
Reyna sat up, seeing that this looked serious.
"We need to talk" Jason said.
Reyna nodded, letting him know she was paying attention.
"We cannot continue going on like this. I don't want this. I don't like beating around the bush...Reyna, I don't think we can continue being friends"
Reyna swallowed and her nose flared a bit as it always did when she's angered.
"I always died in the inside a bit when I saw you with Benjamin. And seeing you here, it makes me so happy that you realized that you belong in New Rome. But it'll be much more painful seeing you so close, yet you still aren't mine"
Reyna lowered her gaze, a smile fighting to spread across her face. She should let Jason finish before saying anything.
"So if you do not accept my feelings, I'm afraid we cannot be friends anymore. I want to be with you, Reyna, until death tears us apart"
Instead of an answer, Jason got tackled. Reyna wrapped her hands around his neck and hugged him that he even fell back on the grass. They searched for each other's lips and then shared a kiss and then two, and so on until they pulled away.
"I'm taking that as that you take me back..." Jason said as Reyna rested her head on his chest.
"No, Jason" Reyna corrected, "You always had your arms wide open for me, waiting patiently. It was Ithat didn't came around. I left you three years ago. You are the one who took me back"
Jason smiled at her words. It made him happy. "Same difference" He joked. He placed a hand on her neck and made her look up at him, and kissed her again, but more furiously now. It's been three long years without her.
The wind slowly started to pick up. Reyna thought she knew who subconsciously caused it. She pulled away, "Jason, it's cold..." She said.
Jason sighed and stood up, helping her up too. "Lets go back" He said grabbed her hand, and then the two walked back, Reyna hugging Jason and his arm around her.
Knock knock
Reyna threw a mini fit. Can't she have a moment of peace? She was lounging on the couch with Jason in his apartment of New Rome when someone knocked on the door. Jason stood up to open the door but Reyna grabbed his attention.
"I bet you it's Gwen..." Reyna muttered. Gwen had been up her throat since the wedding was tomorrow. "Do not open the door. Please...I beg you. You'll save my life..."
Jason rolled his eyes. "You are being ridiculous"
Reyna pouted with a frown. "It'll be your fault if you die an old bachelor"
Jason chuckled as he opened the door, a very agitated Gwen walking inside. Reyna threw Jason an i-told-you-so look. Followed by Gwen was Dakota with a tall box of what Jason guessed was wine.
Gwen stood in front of the TV "What are you two doing together?" She asked like an over-protective mother.
"..Um, watching TV?" Jason answered, to please Gwen. Reyna had her head lying on her hands.
"The wedding is tomorrow. Two-mo-rrow. You guys cannot spend the day together"
"It's 6 PM" Dakota said. Gwen gave him a death glare, which kept him quiet for a while.
"Like I said, you guys cannot be together today. But seeing that it's already evening, we will have to improvise some damage control here. Dakota, take Jason. Reyna you're coming with me" Gwen said and reached for Reyna's hand but Reyna was quick. She stood up and walked over to Jason, hiding behind him.
"I don't want to go" She shouted from behind him.
"Reyna, you are being ridiculous. I promise you'll have fun..." Gwen tempted.
Reyna stayed silent. Gwen gave Jason a look that read: help-me-out-here. Jason wrapped one hand around Reyna's shoulders, propping her forward from behind him. "Listen to her one final time. Tomorrow, she'll be gone" Jason said with a smile.
"Hey!" Gwen complained.
Jason kissed Reyna's temple. She was still considering. "She'll leave me alone?" Jason smiled and nodded.
"She won't have any reason to bother you tomorrow once we get married..."
Reyna sighed. "i guess you are right. I'll go"
Jason smiled and pulled Reyna closer, placing a kiss on her lips.
"No more kisses! Wedding's tomorrow. You guys can wait till them" Gwen said in the background but Jason ignored her. Gwen got annoyed that she was being annoyed and literally grabbed Reyna's arm, pulling her away from Jason.
"I'll see you tomorrow" Reyna bid her goodbye and walked out with Gwen.
Dakota flung his arm around Jason's shoulder. "Well, last night of being a bachelor" With much talent, Dakota got rid of the carton box so he was only holding the wine bottle in his hand. He propped out the cap and drank out of the bottle. "Let's enjoy it"
Jason grabbed the wine bottle and drank out of the bottle as well. "Indeed"
"Why do I have to try on the dress again?" Reyna asked Gwen as they were in Gwen's apartment.
"Because, it's tradition. You have to try the dress again the day before the wedding. Geez, Reyna, everybody knows this" Gwen was the self-proclaimed wedding planner. Reyna didn't see why though. They, Reyna and Jason, both agreed in a simple wedding in New Rome. Nothing fancy or flashy.
"Done.." Reyna said as straightened out the wedding dress. It was a simple roman draped white dress. It might been simple but Reyna liked it.
"Oh Gods.." Gwen said, a hand over her mouth. She studied the dress on Reyna, "You have a beautiful skin tone, you know" Gwen started, "The golden necklace will look great on you. And the knot of Hercules too"
Reyna lowered her gaze. She wasn't going to have a knot of Hercules around her waist. It was suppose to be her mother getting her dress but she didn't think it'll be possible. Her sister was arriving tomorrow but Reyna wanted it to her mother or no one.
"I'm sorry" Gwen apologized.
"it's okay" Reyna shook her head, acting like she didn't care. She was used to it being only herself but she felt nostalgic in a day like this. "You think Jason will like the dress?"
"Even if he didn't, he would say you look beautiful. Something is telling me Jason wouldn't care about the dress anyways" Gwen chuckled.
Today was the wedding. Hylla arrived came early morning today and went straight to visit Reyna. Gwen was busy making sure everything was okay. The wedding was to be held mostly out-doors but the ceremony was planned indoors in the coliseum. The schedule was planned as followed: Ceremony in the coliseum, a stroll with the newly weds around New Rome toward the party venue, which was in City's plaza. Gwen kept speaking into a walkie talkie the entire time as she made sure everything was running smoothly.
"Why aren't you dressed yet?" Hylla asked as she found Reyna sitting on a couch inside the dressing room. Reyna was simply wearing shorts and a white plain top. "You are getting married today" Hylla threw her little sister a pillow, that bounded off Reyna's face when it hit her.
"The wedding is in three hours" Reyna said. "I have plenty of time to get dressed" Reyna grabbed the pillow from the floor and held it against her chest, hugging it.
"Your make-up and hair is pretty" Hylla said. Reyna had her hair combed up elegantly and soft make-up on. She didn't want to look entirely different the day of her wedding so she kept it natural.
"The entire city seems excited..." Hylla commented, as she sat on the other side of the couch.
"Gwen had plenty of time to spaz about wedding plans.." Reyna said.
"Who would have thought my little sister is getting married?" Hylla sighed, remembering the better days of their lives, when they were younger.
"Excuse me. You are the one who men are scared of" Reyna said.
Hylla chuckled, "Yeah, I do. But that wasn't what I meant. It seems like such yesterday you were a little girl, choosing her own fate"
Reyna lowered her gaze. She remembered the day that she had to choice. Be on her own, find this Wolf House, or join the amazons.
"But you aren't that person anymore. You're grown up" Hylla sighed. She glanced at Reyna. "I know I haven't said this much but I'm proud of you. I seem like the little sister sometimes, compared to you" She kissed Reyna's forehead. "Now get dress" Hylla walked out the room.
Reyna sighed and stood up, walking over to the bed and picked up the wedding dress. She was happy but why couldn't she have a semi-normal wedding? With her parents and Jason's parents...? She knew that was impossible. She probably spent too much time in the human world with Benjamin but she was pretty upset about that fact.
Reyna stripped down to put on her dress. Her mother was the one who was suppose to be doing this, not her. Her mother should have been the one who did her hair and make-up, not Gwen. But, Reyna didn't held it against her. She probably had better stuff to do, being a goddess and all.
~ 30 minutes earlier-
Gwen was banging on Jason's door. "Open me Grace!" She threatened.
Inside, Jason was lying down on the couch, half-asleep. He groaned and rubbed his eyes. He didn't even notice the banging on the door.
Gwen was getting impatient that she literally kicked the door open. She didn't break it or anything, simply the door knob was a bit...broken. Gwen looked around and wrinkled her nose. She noticed Jason sit up on the couch, "It smells like wine in here..." She said and walked over Jason, "Never mind, thats you" Then it hit Gwen. She narrowed her eyes, "Do you have a hangover?!" She asked him.
Jason glanced at Gwen with an are-you-crazy face. "No!" he said. "Geez, you know I have a high alcohol tolerance. Besides, what kind of person would that make me if I got drunk the day before my own wedding?"
Gwen shrugged.
"Kota brought wine over yesterday after you kidnapped Reyna" Jason continued. "it got a lil wild in here" He sat up and stretched. "What time is it ?" He asked as he walked over the kitchen.
Gwen counted down. She knew that Jason would realize what time it is soon enough. 3, 2, 1...
"SHOOT" Jason shouted from the kitchen and walked out to the living room again. "I need to take a bath. I reek of wine" He said as he grabbed his towel and a duffel bag and walked out. Gwen only figured he was going to the bathhouses. She sighed. Those two were the responsible preators but they had their moments. They were prefect for each other in that sense.
Reyna had her dress on. She studied herself in the mirror. Her make-up and hair was done elegantly. But there was a frown on her face. She didn't look like a bride in her mind. Reyna looked over to the side and picked up the golden belt that was sitting on a chair. She didn't want to wear the knot of the hercules. She simply didn't. Her mother was the one who should tie it around her waist.
But...perhaps this was the thing that was missing. Reyna placed the belt in the place that should be, on her waist and looked on the mirror. She would look like a complete bride with the belt...Reyna shook her head. No, she shouldn't wear it. She placed the belt back on the seat and continued studying herself on the mirror.
"May I come in?" Said a female voice. Reyna turned around and there appeared a tall women with a roman sleeveless dress. She had mahogany colored hair and brown chocolate eyes. She smiled softly as she saw Reyna in her wedding dress. "You look beautiful" She said like a proud parent, which she was.
"Mom" Reyna said, yet not believing that Bellona was here.
"You wouldn't think that I would miss my own daughter's wedding" She said with a smile.
Reyna couldn't help but to smile in return.
Bellona grabbed the golden belt and placed it around Reyna's waist. "This will be the cheery on top, trust me" She said as she tied the belt a few time around Reyna's waist and finally tied it. "There it is" She said once she was done, hugging Reyna softly from behind.
Reyna smiled and turned around, "Thanks" She said to her mother, who smiled at her.
"No problem dear. Thats the least I can do" She said, "Wait a minute..." Bellona reached for something on her head. Then, Reyna realized Bellona was wearing a small golden headband. Bellona reached for it and placed it on Reyna's head. "There you go. That was a spoil of war I acquired in the old days"
Reyna smiled. Now she felt like a bride. She now felt like she was truly going to get married today.
"I got to-"
"Which war?" Reyna asked curiously that she didn't realize that Bellona was about to say something.
"I think you'll prefer not to know..." Bellona said, which sparked Reyna's curiosity even more. Bellona kissed Reyna on the temple. "I'll see you soon sweetie" She said and walked away, leaving Reyna alone. But Reyna wasn't feeling lonely alone. She was going to get married today.
Jason was at the end of the aisle. There was about 50 people. Like Reyna asked for, they didn't invite a whole lot of people. They wanted it to be something personal and private even if it was being held in New Rome's coliseum. Gwen made sure to have the guests inside the coliseum and allowed a selective few of the citizens in. Everyone in New Rome wanted to see the wedding but Gwen didn't allowed them, but they would have a sight of the newly weds once they walk toward the party venue.
Jason fixed his tie for the hundredth time. "Is my tie straight?" He asked Dakota, who was seated on the front row.
Dakota gave him two thumbs up, for the hundredth time, still not enthusiastic. Jason kept fixing his tie.
"If you fix your tie once again, I'm going to cancel this wedding" Even if the threat was ridiculous, Gwen made Jason stop touching his tie. And out of habit, Jason stuck his tongue out at her. Gwen was like the older sister he never had until he met Thalia again. She was about 2 years older than him but they grew up together; she took care of him as a young kid.
Right then, the music started and the doors opened. Jason was getting more and more nervous. Small girls from New Rome walked in, letting flower petal fall slowly over the aisle. Jason looked passed them to see if Reyna was next but instead a small boy of about six or seven, holding the rings. Jason bit her lip, impatiently. Finally, he caught sight of a veiled figure in a white dress walking toward him. All his nervousness disappeared into thin air as his eyes met Reyna's. A wide grin spread across her face but she lowered her gaze. 'Not yet', she meant to say. Jason smiled and thought how beautiful she looked tonight.
Reyna finally was in front of him and they turned to face the priest. They were both all giddy and impatient to get married already.
It was a short ceremony that they cut to the chase quickly. They went to the, 'do you, Jason Grace, take...' part already. Jason knew the answer already but he looked at Reyna before he said it, who was looking nervous, not meeting his gaze. Reyna didn't know what would happen if she meets his gaze. She would probably smile like a fool. They were to get married so she could wait a few minutes before they belonged to each other.
"I do" Jason answered and Reyna smiled even more brightly, if that was possible.
"Do you, Reyna..." The priest started saying. Jason saw Reyna smiling again, her right dimple appearing. She wanted to answer already but had to wait until the priest was done. Jason saw her impatience and chuckled softly.
Reyna lingered playfully to answer. She finally met Jason's gaze and her cheeks flushed red. "I do" She answered the priest, still looking at Jason.
"I now proclaim you, husband and wife"
The Priest didn't even have to say the word and Reyna and Jason already shared the first kiss as wedded couple.
"You may kiss the bride, again" The priest joked, causing everyone to laugh.
"Do not mind if I do" Jason whispered as he kissed Reyna again.
N/A: I had to end it this way. Sorry if it's rushed. I get into panic mood if I see it's passing my set limit. It's Jeyna's shipweek for crying out loud xD An epilogue will come next so this isn't the end. You guys still have a chance to submit baby names. But please, don't give me one for both sex. =.= Don't get me wrong. I REALLY appreciate it and the comment in general. I really do. I love reading them. They simply make my day and encourages me to write. I'm literally waiting for the first comments/reviews when I post my stuff, smiling like a fool ^ ^ However, it defeats the purpose. I asked for Baby names for the ONE sex of your choice so I can decide on the sex =.= but receiving one for both sex, it really takes me back to square one. So now, i'm doing it like a poll right now. If you submitted a name for both sex, your vote will be annulled.
So a baby girl is ahead with one vote. I have a name in mind and I'll choice the middle name -or my name of choice will be the middle name and this one will be first name; depends on the ring of it- out of a comment/review.
So the name I have in mind: Victoria.
I thought it fits. Reyna's mother is the Goddess of War. Reyna is strong. She wins a lot. She likes to win over her enemies. Jason also has a good record with Victories so yeah.
ALSO: Im thinking of taking a break with my story, Roman Tournament, and simply do short stories like these. The next story I have in mind is going to be about 5 chapters. It'll be Reyna's POV. Since she has 4 bars under her tattoo, I'm going to write a chapter representing one of those bars, a year of her life; since she arrived and till she sees Jason in the Argo II. Yeah, I'll probably have an epilogue too or a bonus chapter. It'll be called 'Tough Love' since romans are tough and all. I got the cutest image in mind. Jason or Reyna, either one of them, is so happy about something even when they are bleeding badly from a wound and the other is giving them the look while treating the bleeding. Shoot me ideas guys and feel free to PM me. Shoot me scenerios! I make an outline before I type my stories so if you shoot me ideas, i'll add it to the outline and write it eventually.