Chapter Twenty:
When asked, most would say that they were looking forward to Nico and Thalia's wedding. Out of the group of family/friends, those two were the hippest.
Nico asks his best friend and cousin Percy to be his best man. The Sea Prince agrees right away. Annie also agrees to be Thalia's matron of honor. Leo and Luna were the only that didn't have their partners with them in the wedding party. The younger Potters, Malfoys, Zhangs and Graces made up the rest of the party.
The girls are given light lilac dresses with shirred, strapless bodices; purple satin ribbons; and chiffon skirts. The men's "tuxes" are made up of antique wash jeans; white, untucked dress shirts; black, button up vests; black newsboy caps; and Doc Martin shoes. Thalia shows the girls her gown; an antique looking, lace, tea-lenght, A line dress. It has a sheer overlay on the bodice.
The bride and groom are tight- lipped about their theme. All Thalia would do is smile like DaVinci's model. Nico would laugh and change the subject away from the wedding. He was actively helping her, along with a sworn to secrecy Grover and Demeter.
Finally, their wedding day comes. Seeing as it is an evening wedding, Thalia is able to sleep in. The girls were going to gather at the salon around one, so she putters around the house waiting.
Last night, Nico, Grover and Demeter were able to help her finish the decorating. Grover said that he and Demeter would hide the site until the wedding.
She and Nico were able to find a huge Tree of Life type tree, in a large field behind the back yard of Pemberly. It is hidden by a cospe of trees. It was perfect for their wedding. They decorated it with spanish moss, wisteria, hung lanterns and white string lights from the branches.
Large, long tables are arranged around the tree. Green and lilac tablecloths are draped over dark brown cloths and decorated with moss runners, tea lights and branches. The places were set with bronze chargers and white mismatched china. Branch-like white candleabras were wrapped with ivy and held beeswax candles. At each setting is another candle for a favor.
A small arbor is set by the tree, so everyone can just sit at the tables to watch the wedding. There is only enough room for Nico, Thalia, the Best Man and Matron of Honor to stand with the officiant. The whole thing was going to be laid back.
The grandfather clock chimes out noon, Thalia heads down for lunch and makes a sandwich with some chips, washed down with her favorite soda. Even after these past few years, she still enjoys the simple pleasure derived from being able to eat again.
At one, she walks into the salon to meet the girls. She gets plopped into a chair and has her hair put up in an intricate updo.
"Um. Why are you doing that? I was to have my hair curled and the sides brought up." She tells the stylist. The woman tells her that her mother detailed that she was to have her hair this way.
Thalia gets out of the chair and rounds on the woman. "First off, my mother has been dead for over a decade. Second, my "step-mother" has no say in my life and that is entirely her choice. Third, I am the one paying you for this day, not her. It is my opinion that counts." She seeths. How dare Hera interfere today?
Enyo walks into the salon. "Thalia, calm down. Her number is not up yet. I'll tell your father and he'll deal with Hera. Let's have a good time and she'll get her attention tomorrow." She sooths her sister in law.
Enyo then turns to the stylist. "I would suggest that you follow the "Bride's" requests." The woman nods as she shrinks away from Enyo. There was just something about the woman that made her skin crawl; like someone was walking over her grave or something. The stylist unpins Thalia's hair and does it the right way.
"Thal, think about it another way. Hera must have watched and/or listened to you enough to know that was the complete opposite of what you would want your hair to be like." The young former huntress nods to her mother in law's logic.
"Mamma Belle, what the hell was that?" Annabeth asks, using Percy's nickname for Enyo. The war goddess texts her grandfather and turns to Annie. "Your favorite goddess decided that she would try to disrupt Thalia's day. She is being petty and trying to take the affairs out on Thalia." The other girls get their hair done. Their makeup was to be done at home.
Zeus, having gotten a text from his granddaughter, knows that Hera once again tried to mess with another of his children. He shakes his head as he clamps the manacles onto Hera's wrists.
"You'll stay here until tomorrow, when we convene for your trial."
Hera nods, not intending on staying for more than the time it takes to have her daughter undo the chains once, he leaves for the wedding. When Zeus does leave, she calls out to Hebe.
"Darling, let Mummy out." She coos to the girl.
It might have worked on Hebe even a year ago, but now the girl knows that when Hera's that nice, it leads to horrible things happening and her getting in trouble with her father.
"No. I heard Father. You are to hang from your chains until the trial. Goodnight Mother." Hebe goes to her sister's wedding. She and Thalia were always kind to each other. Even so, she was surprised when she was invited to the wedding.
Once everyone is in place, the girls walk down the brown runner. They sit and Annabeth walks down to stand on the alter step. Percy and Nico smile at her. The music changes and Thalia walks down the asile on her father's arm. Zeus kisses his littlest girl, wipes away a tear and sits down with their family. His sister pats him on the shoulder.
"She'll be fine. Our great-grandson is a good man." Zeus nods to Demeter and pats her hand. Posideon reaches around and claps his little brother's shoulder.
"Dad, she will be fine. Nico is head over heels for her." 'Seph says quietly, as the couple kisses. He nods, but Thalia is his last little girl, so he'll always worry.
"Zeus, just enjoy the night. We have the tough job tomorrow. I was in the same place last month with Hazel. I wonder how Sirius got out of it. Remus even got caught. He put forth that he has a living magical child and that his mate is "reachable" for comfirmation." Hades tells him as Nico and Thalia sit down.
Enyo looks over. "Dad, the Ministry still considers Siri an escaped convict. As such, they don't have a place to send the letter to, so they have ignored him. Of course, it is a matter of one hand and the other. He has been tried and aquited of all charges, since James went in and explained the issue to the courts. Now it is just a matter of time before they catch up with him."
Hades now understands the situation with his youngest.
Nico reaches behind Percy and switches on his Ipod. He compiled a playlist for the reception, during the meal.
He and Thalia decided to serve Greek. They asked Elf2 to cater. This meant that Dobby and Winky got to expand their options. The buffet consisted of; Greek Salad, Spanakopita, Souviaki, lamb, Moussaka, a Gyro bar, Hummus, Dolmades and Triopita.
When the time came for the Best Man's toast, the guests were given ouzo, instead of champange. Hermione poured some water into the tiny cup and raised that. She knew that the licorice alchol was very strong and potent.
"First off, I must say "Wow guys!" This is amazing and now I know what Grover was so busy doing lately. Now, to my friends, comardes and cousins. I was thinking back and realized that without you two covering my back, I would have lost the battle.
Nico, you are the one that suggested my taking that now famous bath in the Styx and pulled me out. You are the one that convinced your grandfather that it was the right thing to do. Lords above and below know that I am not his favorite nephew." Hades laughs and agrees.
"Thalia, even though you have hung the bow and arrows up, you are still a warrior at heart. Because of you, I have watched Nico struggle with walking the fine line of his happy go luckly self and the fierce protector that makes him so serious and stern.
I am rambling, but mainly, I want to tell you that you both are two of my best friends. We have saved each other's hides many times and have a bond that will last. So, to Nico and Thalia. May the years bless you two. I'll shut up now." Percy sits down, blushing as the guests laugh at what they think was a joke and not him trying to clamp his mouth closed. Annie giggles into his shoulder.
Nico leads Thalia over to the cake. It was a surprise for her. He had the same cake people that did the St. Rosa cake and Frank's groom's cake to make a pine tree cake. Inside is chocolate cake with mocha whipped cream filling. When it is served to the guests, he laughs at his big brother's "Yumm." Remus looks up embarrassed at being heard.
Ares walks up to a microphone as Jasper and Peter pick up their instruments. He taps the mic. "Good evening everyone, thanks for coming. Aside from the other gift that his mother and I are giving the bride and groom, I want to do this for them. So, please bear with me."
He takes a guitar from Jasper and sits down with him and Peter. Jasper has a cello in front of him and Peter has a wooden box, that he is sitting astride. The three of them perform Hozier's "Take Me to Church" with Ares singing. The bridal couple dance while he sings.
Everyone claps when they are done. "Thank you, Father and you too, Uncles." Nico bows to Ares, Jasper and Peter. They smile back and Jasper jumps off the stage to take over control of the Ipod.
When "I Loved Her First" comes on, Thalia walks over to her father. "May I have this dance, Daddy?" She asks Zeus, bringing tears to his eyes as he rises to take her to the floor. They waltz to the song. "Thank you sweetie. Enjoy your night. I will always love you, Thalia." He chokes out before kissing her brow.
Jasper grins at the next song. He always loved Bruce Springsteen. He was so sure that it would be "Renegade" by Styxx, but Nico chose "The Rising". He lets the song play and watches Enyo and Nico dance.
The young ones were right to think that this couple were the cooler of them. None of the wizards and witches had heard some of this music. Other than Harry and Hermione, they were taking their cues from Nico, Thalia, Percy and Annabeth.
The young Potters were slow dancing on the fringes to "When September Ends". Harry leans down, pulls her closer and asks. "So my dear wife, when do we announce our news?"
"Soon Love, soon. I just want to wait until I am out of the danger zone. Then we can announce it." She kisses his jaw.
