Disclaimer: Katie: I don't like the sound of this chapter...
Me: Well! Hmph! I can do as I wish!
Katie: No you can't! Only Rick owns us!
Me: Oh, Uncle Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick! *goes off*
Katie: She doesn't own PJO nor HOO, thank goodness!
About: Travis has been thinking about it for a long time... Now it's time to pop the question! Can he do it?
Time: 13 years after the war. Katie's pregnant. It's Christmas time.
Travis' POV:
I was going to do it! I would!
I was going to propose to Katie! I would do it!
Oh, gods. Deja vu just hit. I felt like I was back to the point where I was going to ask Katie out.
Christmas time was usually my favourite time of the year, but today I felt like I was going to be sick.
"Travis! Sweetie! Are you up yet?" Katie's voice shook me from my thoughts. I hadn't realized how long I had stayed in bed.
Longer than usual, I was sure.
"Travis?"
Katie peeked around the doorway into our bedroom. Her hand was on her steadily protuding abdomen.
I smiled weakly at her and got up.
I quirked an eyebrow at her Santa hat. Katie shrugged, laughing.
"I thought I would humour you this year." she smirked. Her smile faded quickly though, as she took a good look at my face.
"You okay? You look a bit pale." she asked.
I rested my forehead on hers. "I'm fine. Just a little tired. I had a rough night."
That was no lie. I had been up all night wondering if my plan would work. I had a special way to propose, but I didn't know if it would work.
Katie smiled again at me, raising her chin to brush her nose against mine. "Well, it's Christmas, ya know. Cheer up. I'll get you some coffee and then we'll have breakfast."
"Then presents?" I tried to sound cheerful, and thankfully it seemed to convince Katie.
She grinned and ruffled my hair with one hand, the other resting lightly on her stomach. "I'll see you in the kitchen when you're ready."
I glanced at the clock as she left. It was already 9:45. On any other normal Christmas, I would have thought it a crime to still be sleeping in so late.
Today, I just wished I could sleep all day. I couldn't afford to chicken out, though. My man card would be taken away for sure.
And I would lose another chance for Katie.
That was the most depressing part. Nevertheless, I dragged myself from bed and got ready.
~PRESENT TIME!
Katie's POV:
If there's one thing I want for Christmas is Travis.
I want Travis to propose. I'm just scared he won't. That he'll chicken out, or he doesn't want me at all.
I slowly rubbed my stomach as the child inside of me kicked slightly. I already had a slight suspicion that the baby was a girl.
I eased myself onto the ground in front of the Christmas tree.
Travis wasn't here yet, so I had time to spare. I took a quick look over the presents as he walked in.
Slipping his arms around me, he crouched down behind me. "Trying to sneak a look huh?" Travis nuzzled his nose into my neck and I giggled.,
"Stop it Travis, that tickles!"
Travis rested his head on my shoulder for a few seconds before lifting his head and seating himself beside me.
"Is it present time now?" he grinned like a little kid and grabbed a gift.
I watch affectionately as Travis tore open the wrapping paper. We had been through so much and no matter what, I would always love him.
I just didn't know if it was the same for him.
Travis laughed, breaking me out of my thoughts. "Seriously, Leo?"
I peeked over his shoulder to see and Travis held it up to me.
He was holding a mini diagram of CHB. In front of the entrance, there were three people.
One woman and a man were holding hands with a little girl.
For some unknown reason, to me, the woman looked like me, and the man looked slightly like Travis. The little girl in between us had Travis' blue eyes and my brown hair.
I laughed. "Aww. That's sweet."
Travis laughed again and put it down. He tugged me into his lap and together we opened the rest of the presents. We ended up with a lot of gifts for our child.
I gave Travis a new pranking kit. It wasn't the best idea, but he loved it. Travis attacked me with kisses and thank you's.
"So," I grabbed the last box and held it up. It was medium-sized and slightly heavy. "Is this for me?"
"Careful." Travis steadied my hands. His voice was kind of shaky itself. "It's fragile."
I decided not to ask.
Instead I took the gift and opened it.
Inside was a small flower pot. The flower hadn't quite bloomed yet, but I could tell it was going to be big.
A little part of me deflated. He wasn't going to propose. He didn't want to.
He didn't want me.
"Katie?"
I pushed down my raging emotions and forced myself to smile. "It's beautiful, Travis." My voice came out weak and shaky. "I love it."
"Make it bloom!" Travis urged.
Out of my peripheral vision, I could see Travis' unnaturally pale face.
"No thanks, Travis." I said, getting up. "I think we should just let it bloom on it's own."
Travis lept to his feet. "No!" he shouted. "By then it will be too late!"
I shot him a funny look. "What are you talking about Travis?"
"Please Katie. Just make it bloom!" he pleaded.
I was still a little uncertain, but I decided to follow his request.
"Alright..." I turned back to the plant and waved my hand over it.
The petals flew apart to reveal a glittering diamond ring.
My mouth fell open. "Travis..."
He plucked the ring from inside the flower and knelt down on one knee.
"Katie Gardner. I love you. I always have and always will. You mean the world to me. I should tell you all the details, but I just want your answer. Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?" he asked.
My eyes widened and for a moment I couldn't speak.
"Katie?"
I tackled Travis to the carpet, my arms squeezing him tight. I was crying. I hadn't even realized it.
"Yes! Yes, yes, yes! Of course I will!" I choked out between my tears and kisses.
Travis wrapped his arms around me and held me tight. "Thank you, Katie. For everything." He placed his head against my stomach and sighed.
Tears were leaking out of his eyes too.
"I love you." he whispered.
I smiled. "I love you too."
Okay, so here I am. After such a long time, I have no excuses.
Q: What were Annabeth's first words to Percy?