70. Miscommunication

"So that's it," Leo said, breaking moments of strained silence. "You don't want to marry me… or have kids."

"No, that's not it, that's not what I'm saying," Reyna said, rubbing her forehead tiredly. "Leo, I just graduated law school. I feel like I'm just starting my career and I need- I need time to get things in order-"

"I'm not asking you to move halfway around the world, Reyna, I'm asking if you want to marry me. I don't see why that should change anything. You can still get married and have a job."

"I didn't tell you no!" Reyna said. "I would never tell you no, because eventually I do want those things with you, Leo. I want the big white wedding and the honeymoon and the kids. Just… right now I need to work on me and focus on my job."

"Reyna," Leo walked forward and took her hands, holding eye contact between them. "I know how important your job is, and I support you, you know I do. I am… so proud of you for getting through law school and doing as well as you've done. But I want to get married and have kids. You know how much I want that."

Reyna looked down at their hands before pulling hers away. "That's something I can't think about right now."

She glanced up at Leo to see his reaction and all she saw was shock and hurt.

"I love you Leo." Reyna said. "But I'm not ready to be a mom."

And in her mind how it works was you got married and soon after that you have kids on the way, and she just isn't ready. Why couldn't he understand that?

"I think…" He shook his head. "I think I'm going to stay at Jason and Piper's tonight."

"Leo-"

"I need time to think," he said. "Time away from you."

They both pretend she doesn't flinch at his words.

When he's gone the place is quiet and Reyna doesn't like it. Where is the sound of Leo banging around in the kitchen, or him taking a shower? Where his off tune humming or the sound of tools fixing yet another thing in their old apartment.

She feels guilt and doesn't know how to handle it so she calls Annabeth. If anybody can give relationship advice it's Annabeth.

So Reyna explains how Leo made an impromptu proposal and how Reyna saying 'Not Yet' escalated into a discussion of whether or not they want to spend the rest of their lives together and want the same things.

"And now he's staying at Jason and Piper's for the night and I'm- I'm…"

"Confused?" Annabeth supplied.

Reyna closed her eyes. "Did I say the wrong thing?"

There's a short pause on the other end of the line. "I think you said what was right for you," Annabeth spoke eventually. "But Leo… Reyna that guy is so in love with you and I think he took it as you saying you don't want to marry him ever."

"I didn't say that."

"I know," Annabeth blew out a breath. "But guys can jump to conclusions too when they're worried or emotional about something. And this is a big deal for Leo."

"It is for me too." Reyna sighed. "I'm just… not ready."

"Then say yes but hold off on the wedding." Annabeth said. "That way you have as much time as you need but Leo knows your answer."

When Leo walks in the next morning Reyna's sitting waiting for him. She gets up quickly and kisses him.

Then she says yes.