Somehow it all starts with a caramel macchiato.

Because she's older now and finally allowed to drink coffee. Plus, she thinks adult conversations should happen with an adult beverage, which is why she's calmly sipping on her drink as her dad stares at her in a mixture of confusion and surprise.

"What?"

She takes another sip before responding. If she's being honest, it's more bitter than she was expecting (caramel is in the name after all) so that must be the macchiato part. But the bitterness somehow eases the twinge of anxiety she feels before she speaks again.

"I'd like to become an actress," she repeats as if it's the most casual situation in world. As if this isn't her first time voicing this out loud (or drinking coffee for that matter).

Her dad looks at her over his glasses. "I thought you'd ask for a car," he says finally. "Isn't that what 16-year-olds usually ask for?"

Annabeth rolls her eyes. This is more serious than a car, which is why she saved this request specifically for today.

Shrugging, she takes another sip of her coffee and waits for her dad to continue. She needs to be calm, otherwise he won't take her seriously.

"Are you serious?" he asks.

She nods. It's a question she's prepared for.

"I'm in all the plays at school with lead parts and have—"

"Theater and Hollywood are different," her dad cuts in.

"I know," she replies with a frown, taking another sip of the coffee. (It's starting to grow on her, actually). She decides to cut to the chase.

"There's an audition coming up for a TV show," she starts. "I want to try out for it and if I get it then you have to agree."

Her father lets out a heavy sigh.

"This is what I want for my birthday by the way," she specifies, using the last card she has. She's not asking for much, really.

Just a chance.

"Caramel macchiato for the birthday girl," Percy announces loudly, breaking her out of her thoughts. "Though I could make you something way more—"

She shakes her head. "No, I want this."

"Ask and you shall receive," he jokes as she reaches forward to take a sip of the drink he placed in front of her.

It tastes sweeter than it did since the first time she drank a caramel macchiato, and she wonders if it's because she's used to the bitterness, or if Percy just makes it sweeter.

To be fair, he makes most things sweeter. Like chores around the house, and rough days after shoots and chilling on the couch and life.

Mostly just life in general, really.

"I'd like to get married," she says casually, taking another sip. There's not too much anxiety since they've talked about it before, but the sweetness still helps to soften the small spike in her chest.

"What?" Percy's surprise is evident but he's pretty fast on the uptake and quickly adds, "I mean, yeah, me too."

She nods as she takes another sip. "Okay, good."

This is way easier than the last time she decided to declare a major life decision.

It's clear that Percy is still processing by the way he almost knocks over his own caramel macchiato (he drank some first for quality testing).

"Um," he starts, voice laced with confusion, "now?"

"No," she replies, taking another sip. "Whenever you want. I said I'd leave that up to you, remember?"

He nods slowly. "I do…" It's clear he's still thinking. "So to clarify, this isn't you like asking me—"

She shakes her head. That had definitely not been her intention, though she realizes why he's confused. Honestly, she's been surprised at her own intense want to marry him. It's never felt like that big of a deal to her before, but with Percy…

Percy makes everything different.

Even something as normal as drinking coffee at home on a day off that also happens to be her birthday. She hadn't thrown a party or even requested one, just this with Percy is all she's been craving.

"Okay," he says finally. "Noted, I'll get on it."

She smiles at him. "No pressure," she assures. "I just wanted to tell you my birthday wish."

Percy shoots her a smile back. "Not pressured, I'd like to get married too."

And before she can clarify or add anything else, he continues.

"Actually," he starts slowly. "What was that I said earlier? Ask and you shall receive."

His hand goes to his pocket and she swears her heart stops for a second. Is this actually happ—

"I was going to save this for later, but since you asked…" Percy trails off as he places a small black box on the countertop.

Her heartrate picks up at the mere sight of it. She moves her gaze to Percy to confirm it's real.

"Since you asked," he continues, staring into her eyes. "I want to always give you what you want. And I may not always be able to, but I promise you that I will always try because you deserve the very best."

Oh, there are tears at the corners of her eyes now. Percy walks around the counter to hold both of her hands. His hands are shaking and she squeezes them instinctively, wanting nothing more than to pull him closer.

"I…I love you," he says after a second. "And…I had a better speech but I'm blanking a bit right now."

She giggles as a few tears finally drop and roll down her face. "It's okay, I think I messed up your plans anyway."

Percy shakes his head. "The plan is to marry you, so as long as your still down for that…"

He lets go of her hands to grab the box. She stands up, sensing the moment is about to come but her tears are starting to blur her vision and her heart is pounding in her chest and it's all in the best possible way.

She swipes at her eyes just as he kneels down and opens the box to reveal the prettiest ring she's ever seen.

A simple diamond flanked by two smaller ones on each side on a gold band giving the whole ring an elegant look.

But the ring only gets a glance before her eyes are locked onto the sea-green that she might have started drowning in the moment he had asked for her order.

He really has always been giving her everything she wants. Even if the thing she wants is just him.

"Will you marry me?" Percy asks. And finally, she can nod yes and finally, he's pulling her into a hug.

In between Percy's arms is her favorite place to be, and tears are freely flowing down her face now as she holds onto him tightly.

"A thousand times, yes," she whispers in his ear as they pull away. His eyes are shining with unshed tears and she just wants to kiss him.

"Great," he starts, grabbing the box again. She holds out her left hand, absolutely giddy at the idea of seeing it on her finger.

"The plans are still on, then," he tries to joke, as slips it on.

She laughs and pulls him in for a kiss. His arms wrap around her once again and she tastes the caramel macchiato he made her on his lips and it's really all she needs in life.

Another chance.

And it somehow always starts with a caramel macchiato.

A/N: I know it's been a while, I've been struggling a lot with writing and just kinda life in general which is why I ended up taking a break. But I thought if I'm gonna post might as well make it big so here's the proposal that it seems people were curious about lol (Shoutout to three different prompt requests from tumblr that I combined to make this happen!)

I hope you guys liked how it turned out! I felt like it was very fitting that she asked for something and he made it happen much like how it's been since the beginning with them.

Thank you all for your support of the series and your patience, I appreciate it! I will be trying to post more regularly from now on, how to handle fame is usually updated once a month just so you guys know!

I'd love to hear your thoughts so please leave a comment! And as always, thanks for reading!