I'm so sorry about the lateness of this. I promise I'll get another chapter up really soon. If you've read any of my other stories, you might know I have PTSD, and am in the process of recovering. I just had a bit of a difficult time this week, and couldn't get to updating. Every little comment you guys give me helps me more than you could know. Thank you so much, my readers. I am truly in your debt.
On a slightly brighter note, you now have a new, rather long chapter to sink your teeth into! Yay! R&R please! It's greatly appreciated.
I am not Rick Riordan, because I am not too evil. (If you want to discuss The Blood of Olympus with me, feel free to PM me! Fangirling/boy-ing totally allowed! Yay!) Enjoy this update!
DING DONG, DING DONG- Annabeth sat up, drenched in a cold sweat. She glared at her phone accusingly, which was continuing with it's all-too-happy, obnoxious alarm. Turning the volume off, she checked the time. 4:15. She leaped out of bed, grabbed her backpack, and sprinted for the bathroom. "I'm late!" she frantically whispered to herself, as she pulled on her jeans. Rifling through her backpack, Annabeth suppressed the urge to scream at Piper. Her blueprints for the wedding weren't in their nice, perfectly organized file. So last night hadn't been a terrible, terrible dream: it was just a terrible, terrible trick called reality. Pulling on her combat boots, she managed to check the time again. 4:21. Annabeth buttoned up her black blazer, and smirked at herself in the mirror. "This will have to do. This girl is going to make Peercy Jackson pay." She twisted her hair into a professional-looking bun, and returned to her sketch room. (Even though it was technically Piper's little living room, they both agreed that it was Annabeth's. And since there were no complaints from Mr. McLean, the room was unoficially christened "Annabeth's sketch room".) Annabeth grabbed a sketch pen and pad, and set off towards the kitchen. 4:25, she thought smugly to herself, looking at a clock on the wall. I slept in late, and still got ready on time.
Piper tried to roll over, and found that she couldn't. "Jason," she mumbled to her fiancé. "I can't move." Jason was sleeping deeply, and hugged her tighter to him. "Jace... I've got to get up." She looked at his arm wrapped around her waist, trapping her close to him."You know what?" she said to herself. "Maybe Annabeth can wait..." She curled into Jason's side contentedly, and re-wrapped the covers around them again. Jason smiled in his sleep.
Annabeth was sitting on a barstool, staring at the container of blue food coloring perched on the counter. It seemed to be laughing at her, mocking her. Such a simple reminder of Percy shouldn't hurt so much, it seemed to say. You said you didn't care about him... She turned to the window, and watched the sun rising over the majestic McLean gardens. Dawn glittered on the tiny dewdrops dusting everything, creating the guise of sparkling, priceless crystals. The world was awash with colors, each more beautiful then the next. There were beautiful pinks, soft yellows, light lavenders, and roses of sweet ivories and whites. There was a glittering, sea-green lake, surrounded by dark bushes, matching the shades of Percy's eyes and hair exactly. He would have been completely hidden, if not for him laying on the sandy shore of the lake. Annabeth's eyes widened. Laying on the shore of the lake? She cursed, and headed for the door, throwing her hands up in the air exasperatedly. "Why? WHY IS IT ALWAYS ME WHO HAS TO BE A NICE PERSON?!"
The first thing Percy saw when he woke up was a pair of very angry gray eyes above him. He jumped up. "Annabeth?" he asked. She ignored him, and began to list things on her fingers.
"You're not dead, you don't show any signs of increased stupidity, so probably no concussion, and you can apparently move, so no frostbite. My good deed for the day is done! Have a nice morning, and don't be late for work," she said frostily, turning on her heel. She started walking up the shore back towards the mansion. "By the way, you owe me twenty dollars and thirty-one cents. It's not easy making sure that people are alive, especially when they're as seaweed-brained as you!" she sang over her shoulder. Percy rubbed his head. His only thought was: Wow... she's gorgeous. He stared at the surface of the lake, watching tiny fish swim to and fro. I wish I could start every day like this, he thought to himself. The first thing I'd see in the morning would be the most beautiful thing in the world: Annabeth. Percy sighed, and splashed water on his face. Twenty dollars was so worth it for a wakeup call like that.
"Jason..." Piper mumbled sleepily. "We should probably get up now."
"Five more minutes?" he whined, pulling her closer. Piper flipped over, and poked her finger at his face.
"You little liar!" she laughed, and swatted his face. "You weren't really asleep, were you?"
"Nope," Jason replied, smiling cheekily. "But I'd do anything- even lie- for a little extra cuddling time with my lovely wife-to-be." Piper shook her head.
"Come here," she smiled, pulling him in for a kiss. A few minutes later, she pulled away. "Ok, now we've got to get up," she waved her finger in his face.
"One more?" Jason pouted. Piper hesitated, then smiled.
"Fine. But then we're getting up." She pecked him on the lips, then jumped out of bed giggling.
"That doesn't count!" Jason protested, chasing after her around the bed and into the bathroom. Piper was at the end of the room, looking for an escape. Jason walked up to her, panting and out of breath. He put his arms around her, smiling. "Now, this, is a kiss." He leaned in and kissed her. A while later, Jason smiled against Piper's lips. "Now I'm ready to get up," Jason grinned at her.
Annabeth looked up from her seat on the barstool as Jason walked in with Piper on his back, both of them laughing hysterically. Annabeth raised an eyebrow. "A piggy-back ride? Really?"
"It's fun!" Piper said from her perch, giggling. Annabeth shook her head, smiling at the couple's antics. They were the most adorable couple ever, she decided. And I know that they will always be there for each other. I'm so happy my best friend found such a wonderful guy. I wish someone like that would just show up for me... At this point, Percy staggered in the door from the garden, his face dripping with water. "Uh... sorry if I'm getting your floor wet," he said sheepishly, turning red. Annabeth rolled her eyes in disgust. Piper watched this with interest. Percy saw Annabeth looking at him accusingly, and self-consciously tried to smooth out his crumpled shirt.
Jason tilted his head, and asked,"Uh... did you sleep outside, Perce?" Percy rubbed the back of his neck.
"Yeah, I couldn't fall back to sleep after... my midnight snack-breakfast-thing," he finished lamely.
"Oh." Jason stared at his feet with newfound interest. Piper clapped her hands, and giggled nervously.
"So, does anyone want breakfast?"
A little while later, everyone was seated at the round table on the large veranda overlooking the garden. Annabeth placed her blueprints on the table, and took out her notebook and a pen. "So, Piper," she started. "What is your theme for this wedding? As you can see, I have sketched out a few vague ideas for your convenience." The group gasped as she spread her work across the table. There were sketches of weddings at beaches, by a fountain in the McLean gardens, in a church with soaring ceilings overhead, at the top of the Statue of Liberty, and even one by the little pond in the woods. Annabeth had also drawn over thirty different dress designs for Piper, each one more gorgeous then the next. "I LOVE THIS ONE!" Piper squealed, and grabbed one of the dress designs.
It was secretly one of Annabeth's favorites- not anything that she would wear personally, but one that she thought would look amazing on Piper. The design was fairly simple: it was a floor length white dress, with tiny elegant straps. The bodice form fitting and ruched from the bosom to the waist, and continuing down one hip and thigh to the back of the dress, where it flowed into the two-and-a-half foot train like a waterfall. The lower part of the front of the dress consisted of smooth white satin, with a tulle lining underneath the skirt. There was also a little diamond rose that rested just below the bottom of the v-neck (which did not dip too deeply, as Piper hated low necklines. She also hated dressing up too much, so the dress was perfect in that respect- simple yet elegant.). Annabeth smiled at her friend's awestruck expression. "I'll show you the corresponding bridesmaid dresses later, Pipes. But first thing's first- you need to choose a venue and a theme!" She clapped her hands together. "Any ideas?"
"I'm leaning towards this one," Jason pointed to the one of the McLean gardens shyly. "I've always loved the grounds here. And Piper and I met because of some flowers." Annabeth smiled at the memory.
Annabeth had just finished work for the day, and was taking a walk with Piper around Central Park. There was one incident with a mugger in Harlem who tried to steal Piper's purse, but Annabeth had grabbed his arm and snapped the bone in half. Needless to say, the man went running off, screaming, and no other muggers came near them. Later on, Piper and Annabeth had sat on a bench by one of the fountains, gazing at the sun starting to set. "Is that Piper McLean?" they heard a shrill voice shriek. "OMG! It is! PIPER McLEAN IS OVER BY THE FOUNTAIN!" Suddenly, a swarm of screaming girls burst from the surrounding trees. It was all Annabeth could do to keep them from stampeding Piper, who was trying to slap as many of her fans as she could. But in the end, it wasn't Annabeth who chased all the girls off. (It was Annabeth who chased all but one of the screaming make-up-wearing-Piper-loving-psychopaths away, but that's besides the point.) A flash of bright red worked it's way through the crowd towards Piper and Annabeth. It was a handsome man who sort of looked like a blonde version of Superman. He was carrying a large bouquet of slightly wilted red roses. "Uh, do you need some help?" he asked, blushing. Piper glared at him scarily, standing on top of the bench. Surprisingly enough, Piper could be rather scary when you annoyed her.
"Did you just ask me if I need some help?! HUH? BLONDIE? DID YOU JUST ASK ME IF I NEED SOME HELP?! DID YOU?!" she screamed at him, her face turning red. A fangirl noticed Piper's distraction, and tried to sneak behind her. Blondie, as Piper had nicknamed him, reached out with his roses and whacked the crazed fan in the face without blinking an eye.
"Sorry," he said to his feet. "I couldn't let the most beautiful girl I ever met get killed by a creepy person."
Piper huffed, and her hands clenched into tight fists. Annabeth smiled. Piper would be fine. Annabeth started to fight off the maniacs, and Piper took a step closer to Blondie.
"Do you know who I am?" she whispered to him dangerously.
Blondie looked confused."Uh, no?"
Now it was Piper's turn to look confused. "Wait? You mean that you aren't here because of the paparazzi and nutty fans?"
"Paparazzi? Are you famous? Should I know you? Are you going to sue me because I said you were gorgeous? My name is Jason Grace, if you need it for legal issues. Is your bodyguard going to kill me?"
Piper smiled, and Jason looked concerned. "First of all, she's my best friend. Second of all... your name is Jason. I like that. And you like me for me?" she asked, her smile growing wider.
He rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah," he mumbled. Piper jumped off of the bench into his arms. Jason looked startled, but caught her in his arms. He made a move to put her down, but she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Jason," she whispered. And that was when Piper and Jason shared their picture-perfect first kiss.
At that point, Annabeth had taken the hint, and walked behind the lovebirds all the way back to the subway, just to make sure they didn't get themselves killed. "Mr. Grace," Annabeth said sharply, glancing at her phone screen.
"Yes?" he replied, his arm still wrapped around Piper.
"I have just completed a thorough background check on you, and I would appreciate it if you would answer a few questions to verify your identity."
Jason turned to Piper. "And you're sure she's not your bodyguard or something."
"I grew up on an army base, and was groomed for the FBI. I decided to change my mind about my career at the last minute, but the FBI still counts me as a top consultant, and an unofficial employee. I know how to kill a man with one touch. And Piper is my best friend. So if you dare hurt her, I will not hesitate to snap your neck. Do you understand?" Annabeth smiled sweetly. Jason was as white as a sheet. Annabeth cleared her throat. "Anyways, now for my questions. Are you or are you not the brother of Thalia Grace."
Jason's brow furrowed. "Yes, I am. But she died when I was little."
"So that's what they told you. Okay, moving on. What is your biological father's real name?"
Piper rolled her eyes. "Do you really need to do this, Annie?" she whined. Annabeth ignored her, and fixed a pointed glare at Jason, who gulped.
"Jupiter Romanus Zeus. He never married my mother."
"That's fine for now. You can take my friend home. But remember, especially if she gets hurt tonight- I know everything about you, and I have many friends in high places. I can see everything you do." ANnabeth turned to Piper. "Toodles," she smiled, and walked off.
"Your friend is scary," Jason said, watching Annabeth walk up the stairs from the subway stop.
Piper followed his gaze, and set her head on his shoulder. "I know. But I won't let her kill you. I like you too much."
Jason looked at her, and held up the broken remainders of the rose bouquet.
"Do you want some roses?" Piper laughed, and pulled him in for a sweet kiss.
Percy coughed. "Um, Annabeth?"
"What?" she snapped.
He blushed. "Just making sure you were awake." She huffed, and turned to Jason and Piper, who were staring into each others eyes lovingly.
"Ok, you two. We'll take a break for now, but if you do anything bad, I'm telling Thalia. And she won't hesitate to pull her gun on you." Jason paled at the mention of Thalia, his sister, and Annabeth's other best friend. They had grown up on the army base together, but Jason had moved away, and Thalia actually ended up in the FBI. Annabeth had revealed that Thalia was still alive after she got to know Jason better. It was customary for the agency to wipe a person from existence before giving them high profile jobs. Thalia worked as a spy and sniper, so she was rarely around, and her work was very secretive. But Annabeth was making sure that she would come to her little brother's wedding.
"Okay, guys!" Annabeth clapped her hands together. "Time for an early lunch." Percy's stomach growled, and she glared at him in response.
"Sorry," he said sheepishly. Annabeth rolled her eyes and stalked off towards the kitchen with the sound of tiny little wedding bells ringing in her ears.
"Shut up," she muttered to herself. "Stupid wedding bells. They're almost as bad as Percy Jackson himself."