A.N.: Okay, so Hell on Heels has been posted, so if you haven't checked it out and are wondering what happened to Connor, it's up and waiting to be read. Anyways, back to this story, I decided to do Reyna's perspective just because I love writing Leyna. They are only second to Percabeth in my mind, and I do not and will not ever in my life ship Jeyna or Liper. And just a reminder: the inspiration for this story came from the movie by the same name, but it is not identical. There are more couples, and different story lines, so I don't recommend trying to connect which couples are which and whatnot. It'll be in vain, let me tell you. So anyways… back to the update. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: PJO belongs to the fabulous Rick Riordan, who should be promoted to Olympian status for writing these books.

Five: Reyna PoV

There is nothing like waking up in the morning to the smell of chocolate chip and jalapeno pepper pancakes.

Especially when you're fiancée is making them for you.

I inhaled the intoxicating smell and sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. Sunlight streamed through the windows of our nice, new apartment overlooking the Hudson River. I stood up and stretched, pulling my black hair into a messy bun before proceeding into the kitchen.

Leo was standing there, flipping pancakes like a gourmet chef, wearing an red apron over his black pajama pants and bare chest. It was an interesting combo, that's for sure.

"Morning, Reina," he said, smiling handsomely. Over the past three years of us dating, I'd picked up some Spanish, and sometimes we spoke in it, late at night. Like it was our language, and no one else's.

I looped my arm around his shoulder. "Smells delicious, Mr. Valdez. And to what occasion do I owe this amazing feast?" I asked.

"To us," he said simply, before abandoning the spatula and kissing me. His lips were gentle, and slow, like we had all the time in the world. My hands made their way up to entwine themselves in his dark curly hair and pull him closer. His arms embraced me firmly, like we could never be close enough. We pulled back at the same time and I smiled at him.

"Te amo," he said softly.

"Te amo," I agreed, kissing him once more before breaking apart to grab two plates from the cupboard. I grabbed two forks from the drawer while I was at it and placed them on the table. The diamond ring on my finger caught my eye and I couldn't help but freak out all over again on the inside. It was still hard to believe. Not in a bad way of course. It was hard to believe in the Oh-my-gods-this-is-actually-real-and-I'm-not-just- dreaming kind of way. Which was without a doubt a good thing.

"The party's tonight," I said, wasting no time in buttering the pancakes and digging in. There were some serious perks of having Leo Valdez as your fiancée. And his fabulous cooking was only one of them. And to those of you who think chocolate and Mexican don't go together; think again. It's a match made in heaven.

"Yeah," he said, pausing a moment to stare at me.

"Stop it," I insisted, swatting his gaze away.

"Stop what? Staring at my amazingly beautiful soon-to-be-wife?" he joked, raising his eyebrows teasingly.

"Yes," I said firmly, trying not to dissolve into a puddle. Everyone had a weakness, they said. Mine just came in the form of a six-foot tall Latino boy with dark curly hair and dark eyes and a jokester smile that got me every single time.

But he felt the same way, so I guess it was okay.

I mean, no mortal can be completely invincible, right?

I finished my pancakes and got up to put them in the dishwasher, washing butter and syrup off my hands. Leo stood up after me, following suit before beginning to clear off the counter. We worked together, slowly clearing the clutter of pancake dishes and the griddle up. Leo might be an amazing cook, but he left a trail of mess in his wake whenever he took to the kitchen.

He came up behind me and pulled me in, forcing me to abandon drying the pans. His breath was hot on my neck and I was acutely aware of everything, as if my senses had suddenly become hyperactive. He smelled like chili peppers, hot and spicy, and his arms were strong around my waist; his lips soft as he kissed the soft spot beneath my ear.

I shivered, and he laughed.

"Valdez," I protested, frowning. I drew away and turned around to give him a look. Like I said, weaknesses were not to be taken advantage of.

Actually, scratch that. I was taking advantage of his weakness.

The frown disappeared from my face and I stepped towards him again, this time, facing him. I placed my hands on his shoulders and let them follow the slope of his muscled arms. I looked up at him, my gaze meeting his, and stared into his dark, chocolate eyes. And swiftly, I glanced from his eyes to his lips, and then back again, a light smirk quirking the edges of my mouth into a smile. I leaned closer, cupping the back of his neck and drawing his face down towards mine, slowly.

Yeah. Two can play that game.

Just as he was about to kiss me, I turned my cheek. He gave me a quick peck before I burst into laughter.

"Hey!" he protested, scowling.

"I couldn't resist," I admitted, still laughing.

"Well, you'll pay for that," he told me seriously.

"Oh really?" I inquired in mock fear. "And how will the great Leo Valdez punish me for my disrespect?"

"Like this," he answered, and pulled me into his embrace and kissed me.

Yeah. Some punishment.

Hours later, we arrived at the venue for the party.

We'd rented a small party room at one of our favored restaurants downtown. All of our friends from both camps were invited to come, but I knew some of them weren't able to, and would settle for attending the wedding instead, which was completely understandable.

I felt pretty good in my dark purple sequined Alice&Olivia dress. My hair was pinned back from my face, and I was reminded of my sparkling gold engagement ring every time the single, gorgeous diamond caught the light. My feet hadn't even started to hurt in their black Michael Kors pumps that Piper had sent me as a birthday gift earlier this year. I guess that when you work for a high-end designer like that, you can get ahold of products easily.

"Oh my gods! Congratulations!" Annabeth and Percy were one of the first to arrive, hand in hand. They'd been married for a year, and Annabeth and I had become close friends once I'd graduated from the college in New Rome and begun to commute from San Francisco to Manhattan regularly while Leo and I dated. She looked amazing in her dove gray peplum dress, and of course, Percy looked handsome in his relaxed black slacks and green button up.

"Thank you!" I said, grinning and I hugged her. "Although, I could say the same to you," I added.

She laughed. "Yeah. I guess everyone's heard. My first appointment is later this week. It's all very… surreal, you know? Like, I'd always imagined being a mom and everything, but now it's actually happening."

"I can kind of relate. I mean… I feel the same way with getting married. It's great, but it's a big deal," I agreed. "Which reminds me, did you get the emails about wedding planning? I don't think I could choose a Maid of Honor out of all of you, but I definitely want you to be part of my bridal party."

"Oh, yeah, I got them yesterday. I'll be there, no worries," she assured me. She glanced over at Percy, only to find him deeply engaged in conversation with Leo and Jason.

"I wonder where Piper is," I remarked, noticing that she wasn't by Jason's side, as per usual. You're probably wondering if I have hard feelings towards her, after all these years. I don't. Jason and I weren't right for each other. I was meant for Leo, and Piper was meant for Jason. We all have our happy endings. I mean, it hurt like hell when Jason came back to New Rome with Piper on his arm, but I got over it.

"Right here, Rey," a familiar voice answered. Piper glided over, a big smile plastered across her face, champagne glass in hand. She hugged both me and Annabeth tightly.

"Congratulations to both of you!" she cried enthusiastically.

"Thanks," I told her.

"A toast," she offered, as I grabbed a glass of champagne off a nearby caterer, while Annabeth grabbed a glass of water from one of the tables. "To my two fabulous friends who are both starting new chapters in their lives!"

We clinked glasses and drank.

"Gods, we need to start dancing soon. I really need an excuse to take these heels off," Annabeth commented, glancing down at her high heel silver sandals.

"Well, we have dinner first, after everyone gets here. And that's what I'm looking forward to," I said, feeling my stomach grumble. "And there is a vegetarian course," I informed Piper as an afterthought.

"Sounds good. I need to experience some good Mexican again."

"As long as it's better than Habaneros, I can deal," Katie said, appearing at my side in a sleek evergreen cocktail dress.

"Katie!" we exclaimed, she hugged each of us in turn.

"Well, I'm feeling a bit left out," someone commented dryly from behind me. Gods, it had been ages since I'd heard that voice. Not since her boyfriend died, and that was four years ago. When I'd sent her the invite over text, I had no idea whether or not she'd actually show up.

Lou Ellen Baker.

"Holy Hades!" Piper shrieked.

"I'll say," Annabeth added.

Lou Ellen was wearing a flattering, open backed black dress and patent leather stilettos that could probably take someone's eye out. But when you're a demigod, you take weapons in whatever form you can find them. Her dark hair was pulled over her shoulder, exposing the swirling tattoo of a compass rose across her back and neck. Her ears each had multiple silver hoops and diamonds studding them, and she smelled faintly of cigarettes and flowers. An odd combination, but then again, Lou Ellen wasn't even your average demigod.

"Congratulations," she told me sincerely. "And to you too," she added, nodding in Annabeth's direction.

"We haven't seen you in forever," Piper said, shaking her head in wonder. "How've you been?"

"Fine," she said, but we all knew the truth. Lou Ellen Baker would never be fine after what happened four years ago. Not after Connor Stoll had died.

"I've been around the New Jersey area mostly, but I've roamed up and down the east coast some. I'm a private investigator now," she continued.

"Impressive. Does it pay good?" I asked.

She grinned. "How much do you think a wealthy woman who wants to know if her husband is cheating on her will pay for the truth? Because I deal with information, my friends. And information doesn't come cheap." She rubbed her thumb and index finger together.

"Sounds cool," Annabeth told her.

"Yeah, well not nearly as exciting as Katie's life," Lou Ellen said, glancing over at the brunette.

"They don't know yet," Katie interrupted, looking around nervously.

"Know what?" I asked.

"Nothing really," Katie started.

"She got knocked up," Lou Ellen informed us at the same time.

Piper's jaw dropped, and Annabeth mock gasped. "No way. Katie Gardner, daughter of Demeter?"

Katie glared at Lou Ellen, who just smiled sweetly in return. "Yeah. I've already been to see the doctor and everything."

"Well, at least you're not alone," Annabeth offered, motioning to her stomach. "Who was it?"

"Well, this is the really funny part," Lou Ellen began, but Katie cut her off abruptly.

"It was Travis," she said, in a low voice.

I blinked. "Say that again? I'm not quite sure I heard you right."

She sighed exasperatedly. "I said; it was Travis. As in Travis Stoll."

Piper squealed and grabbed her arm, almost spilling champagne on her dress. "This is just too cute. And you know me, I'm not your atypical Aphrodite girl, but that's something even I have to admit. It's probably the baby theory."

"The baby theory?" Katie inquired skeptically, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah. My mother is still getting the kinks out, I think, but when two people are right for each other but they just don't see it, Mom steps in and poof! They hook-up, and the girl is now pregnant. The couple goes through the whole thing together and realizes they're perfect together, and tie the knot. So in other words, you and Travis are going to get married. Eventually," she added.

"Marrying Stoll? We're barely even together," Katie pointed out.

"Come on, Katie, admit it, that would definitely be nice," Annabeth said, giving her a pointed look.

"Besides, the two of you together have been a long time coming. Even if you are subject to Venus's 'baby theory'," I supplied.

"I don't know," Katie replied darkly.

"Cheer up," Lou Ellen said, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. "Besides, it's dinnertime."

On cue, caterers began to bring plates of sizzling Mexican fajitas, rice, black beans, guacamole and mole sauce to the tables, among freshly baked tortillas and salsa. The smell was heavenly.

Everyone slowly trickled to their tables, making their way. I sat next to Leo at the head table, along with our closest friends. Glasses were filled with expensive red wine, and I drank in the scene. It was like it was from a movie. Something demigods weren't really accustomed to, since our lives usually don't go anywhere near that smoothly.

"I propose a toast," Piper announced, standing up and hoisting her glass in the air. "To the lovely engaged couple. Anyone can see that they're meant to be together, and me being me, you should trust me when I say that. To Reyna and Leo!"

"To Reyna and Leo," the crowd echoed, and Leo's hand found mine under the table. I smiled.

Piper raised her glass to her lips and was about to take a sip when it clattered out of her hand and she slapped a hand over her mouth, dashing towards the door that read: Ladies.

Unfortunately, I can't say she made it in time.

"Well," Lou Ellen remarked. "I don't think Katie and Annabeth are the only ones expecting."

Cliffy! You all know you love it though. Anyways, it was a LONG chapter because I had plenty of time. I started freshman year, so I won't have as much time as I have lately, so I wanted to make up for it. And for those of you wondering, so far high school has been fabulous for me. Anyways, I won't be writing the epilogue for Hell on Heels for awhile, because it would give too much away where this story is concerned. I also posted a new Leyna fanfiction called The Detour, so go check that out! Thank you so much for reading! Love you all!

Xoxo-NotsoSugarQueen