Percy
The clouds over the ocean are a stormy gray, just like her eyes. I hear thunder rumbling, the wind is blowing a bit, it's warm and a bit humid, but no rain, and the sun is peeking through. I'm standing at the end of the aisle with my hands in my pockets, one on Riptide, the other playing with Annabeth's wedding band. On one side of me is Chiron, on the other is Grover, Jason, and Frank. The whole camp showed up, spreading beach blankets on either side of the aisle to sit. I don't understand why I'm so anxious, this is just the ceremony, doesn't actually change anything. But I guess I do know why. It's more than just a ceremony, it's symbolic. It's important. It's something that will be a memory for the rest of our lives. And between the two of us, we have made quite a lot of enemies over the years. Her Bovine Majesty, the goddess of marriage herself being one of them who I know would love nothing more than to not let us have this day. I grab Riptide and uncap it, twirling the sword nervously in my hand.
"Nervous, Percy?" Chiron notes.
"A bit. Does it show that much?"
"The sword does make it hard to hide." Jason laughs.
"Chill, man. It's not like she is going to change her mind. She meant what she told you." Grover adds.
"I'm not worried about Annabeth getting cold feet. I'm worried about a god or monster messing this up."
"You really think anyone would try?" Frank asks.
"I know several who have done worse."
"Hope I'm not on that list. Hello, Percy." I hear a voice behind me and turn to see my father walking out of the ocean, unbuttoned Tommy Bahama shirt blowing in the wind.
"Dad!" we clasp hands and he pulls me into a hug.
"You sound surprised." He notes.
"Well, I mean, yeah." I admit.
"I've missed a lot, Percy. I wouldn't miss this." He grips my hand tighter, and I realize we never let go of the shake. "I'll go find a spot next to your mother. We'll talk more after." He says and I watch as he casually walks over to my mother and Paul, greeting him with a handshake and Mom with a kiss on the cheek before taking an unashamed seat next to a blushing Sally Blofis.
"Alright Man, I just saw her coming over the hill. Better turn around until she gets to the aisle." I nod and cap riptide and turn to watch the Ocean until I hear the music telling me she's walking down. I wait for Hazel, Piper, and Thalia to get to the front then take a deep breath and turn around. Taking my breath away doesn't cover it. It's more like I'm drowning in air. My Wise Girl, my beautiful, gorgeous Wise Girl. Even without Aphrodite's blessing, she'd be more beautiful than I've ever seen her. And that is saying something. Her gown flatters her perfectly, the white seeming to glow against her tan skin. Through the veil, I can see her curly hair pulled up but still framing her face. She looks…angelic. Smiling as wide as I think I ever have, I watch her glide down the aisle on her father's arm. Do I really deserve this? Can I really be worthy of her, give her the life she wants and deserves? The music fades as she gets in front of me.
"Annabeth, you look beautiful." Chiron says to her quietly. "Today we're all here to do something so rare for us here. We're going to celebrate two half-bloods who have gone through so many fights, battles and wars and not only both survived, but did so together. And today they are joining their lives together. Percy and Annabeth, I've known you both for a long part of each of your lives. And since you met here at this camp 5 years ago, I knew I saw something so special it was beyond the design of the gods. The connection you have is outside of anyone's plan, anyone's control, it is all your own. So rarely do I see demigods live long enough to get married. I am pleased that the two of you defied the odds and that we're all here today. Now, who here gives this woman away?" He finishes, and Frederick steps forward.
"Her mother and I." He states. My eyes widen just a bit in surprise, but when I steal a glance at the crowd sure enough, Athena is sitting on a beach blanket at the front. I don't know when she got here, but for Annabeth's sake I'm glad she came. She catches my eye and purses her lips, but she nods at me. There's something new in her expression when she looks at me, it seems like…respect. I don't dwell on it, I just return her nod and rest my gaze back on Annabeth.
"Very Well." Chiron says and Annabeth steps in front of me. I lift her veil, and any doubt I had about any of this disappears. It's not about being worthy of her. She chose me, and it's a choice I know she'd always make again. And Chiron's right. I don't think we were a part of the plan of any god, Olympian, or even the fates. We came together all on our own.
"Do you Perseus Jackson, take Thee Anna Elizabeth Chase to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, to love and to cherish, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health as long as you both shall live?"
"I Do."
"And do you, Annabeth Chase, take Thee Perseus Achilles Jackson to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, to love and to cherish, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"Percy, Anything you would like to add?"
"You're never getting away from me. Wise Girl. Never Again."
"Annabeth?" She smiles.
"As long as we're together, Percy."
"Let's see the rings." I pull her's out of my pocket and Thalia hands her mine.
"The ring is a symbol of eternity. A circle has no beginning and no ending. It just is. As is the love between them. Percy, repeat after me. 'Annabeth, I give you this as a symbol and daily reminder of my love for you'"
"Annabeth" I say and slip it on her finger, then her engagement ring back on after it. "I give you this as a symbol and daily reminder of my love for you."
"With this ring, I thee wedd, and with all my earthly deeds I thee endow."
"With this ring, I thee wedd, and with all my earthly deeds I thee endow."
"Annabeth?" He prompts. She takes my left hand and slides the band on my finger
"Percy, I give you this as a symbol and daily reminder of my love for you. With this ring I thee wedd, and with all my earthly deeds I thee endow."
"Do you both swear on the River Styx to always keep the vows you just made?"
"Yes." We say together, and thunder claps overhead.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I have dreamed about joining these two together one day. It is with the greatest pleasure I introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Percy Jackson! "You May now kiss the bride, Percy." It takes me less than a second to close the short gap between us, cupping one hand behind her head and the other arm around her waist. And giving her the deepest kiss I can while we're in front of everyone. After a second I dip her into an even deeper kiss. When we finally stand up and pull apart, my Wise Girl is blushing.
"Should we skip the reception and go straight to the cabin?" I whisper while everyone cheers. She blushes even pinker.
"Percy!"
"Just a suggestion. Let's go!" We follow as our friends file back down the aisle to the reception, but I was only half kidding about my cabin. That idea is getting more and more tempting the more I think about it, and it's a night I can't wait for.