As everyone sits at tables eating, Grover stands and clinks his glass with what remains of his fork. "Everyone, as best satyr," he begins and receives several giggles especially from Juniper, "Today, two of my very best friends have married. Those of us who know Percy and Annabeth well have known this day would eventually come. The love that binds them together has been there since our very first quest even if they would have denied it. Annabeth with her vast wisdom and Percy with his reverence for people's feelings have made an awesome team…"
"They've saved your goat butt many times," Clarisse says with a chuckle.
"Yeah, well they've saved your butt a few times as well," Grover says with a smile, "Unless you're saying you wanted to become Mrs. Polyphemus." Clarisse glares at him.
"I am proud to call them my friends and look forward to the future with them sharing their knowledge with future generations of Olympians, including, hopefully someday, their own," he concludes. Everyone raises their glass and toasts the couple.
Rachel now stands and raises her class. "I would like to make a toast," she says, but no sooner does she get the words from her mouth, a prophecy comes over her. As the mist escapes her, she says,
"Two brought together by prophecy remain
Though some have tried their love to restrain
How they've saved the world can't be forgotten
Now all must face what fate's begotten
For two who've faced danger, life now will shift
Marriage and family a fitting gift"
Thalia grabs Rachel as she collapse backward, and Percy helps get her settled back into her seat.
"What happened?" Rachel asks a little dazed.
"A prophecy," Thalia says handing her a glass of water.
"Oh no, not today," Rachel says looking at Percy and Annabeth.
"It's OK, it was a great prophecy," Percy says taking her hand and smiling.
"What was it?" she asks since she never remembers what she said when a prophecy hits. Annabeth repeats the prophecy word for word.
"That's better than my toast," Rachel says smiling, "I love you guys."
Once Rachel is settled, Percy's stepfather stands. "Well Rachel, we really should have saved you for last. I'm not sure how anyone is going to top that," he tells her.
"Sorry Mr. Blofis," Rachel says to her old English teacher.
"Percy, when I met your mother, one of the first things I found out about her was how proud of you she is. Once I met you, I quickly understood why she felt that way, and that was before I knew about your, other family," Paul continues as Sally nods her head in agreement.
"Your mother and I love you and Annabeth and we wish you nothing but an abundance of happiness," he tells them.
"And free babysitting," Sally adds with a smile.
"Well thanks Mom, Dad," Percy says totally embarrassed.
"Well take you up on the babysitting, just not immediately," Annabeth says with a laugh.
"That's a shame," Aphrodite says with a sigh.
Percy glances over at Lady Hestia and sees that she is nodding at him with a smile.
"Annabeth and Percy," Jason says now rising, "I'll keep my toast short. On behalf of everyone at Camp Jupiter, we wish both of you valetudo, gaudium, and diligo."
"I'm gonna trust that that is all good," Percy says with a laugh.
"It is," comes a chorus from the Romans in the group.
"Thank you Jason," Percy says.
"You and Piper are next," Annabeth says with a smile.
"Here, here," Aphrodite says raising her glass again.
"No need to rush them," Zeus says sternly.
"Well that alone tells you it's time little brother, if Dad wants you to wait," Thalia says with a laugh.
Zeus shoots his oldest a look and the electricity in the air makes Thalia's hair stand on end.
"Gods Dad, can't you take a joke?" she says trying to get her hair to lie back down.
"No, I can't," He says then releases her hair.
"They might as well get married since they're having a baby," someone yells from a table towards the back.
"You are what!" Zeus says and stands to look at his son.
"We're not having a baby," Jason says so everyone can hear, "It was a joke."
"It had better be," his father says then sits back down.
"I would like to make a toast to my son and his bride," Poseidon says, as he now stands. It suddenly gets very quiet. "I know that I broke a sacred vow when his mother and I created Percy, but it was something I felt I had to do. Only my dearest Sally will ever understand that. Still, I am so proud of my son, Percy, that I can never be sorry for what we, I, did. Percy, no son could ever make a father more proud than you have me. I love all of my sons, even those who do not deserve my respect. Unfortunately, you have had to meet some of those sons in your service to Olympus, but none have ever been more caring of others or mindful of how their actions will affect other lives than you have. I understand that your mother is more responsible for this quality in you than I. I thank her for that," he says giving Sally a quick glance then continues, "You have taught that quality to your brother Tyson here, and the two of you honor me with the ability to call you my sons. As you start your life with Annabeth, a young woman I have come to respect very much and will cherish as a daughter, I wish you much love and happiness." Everyone but Athena and Zeus raise their glass.
"He is showing you up daughter," Zeus whispers.
"Do you not think I know this," Athena says through clinched teeth.
"You need to do something," he continues.
"What can I do? I cannot stand in front of everyone and lie. I cannot say that I will cherish Percy. The very thought of doing so makes my blood boil," she tells him.
"Did you want to say something, Athena?" Poseidon asks, having noticed his brother and niece in an intense conversation.
"Stand up," her father orders.
Athena rises slowly but has no idea what she will say.
Percy takes a sip of his drink trying to calm his nerves. He has no idea what his mother-in-law might say, but he's pretty sure it won't be good.
"My beautiful Annabeth, you know how I feel about you," Athena starts, as her daughter nods. "I know how much you love Percy, and despite any other feelings I have for him, I know he loves you very much as well. That is the only reason I have given you my blessing for today. Nothing means more to me than the happiness of my children, and as his happiness is now tied to yours, from this day on that includes you as well Perseus. May you both receive all of the blessings we gods have to give." This time everyone raises their glass.