Percy

"Are you sure? This is a huge step!" Jason exclaims.

"Jason, I have never been so sure about anything in my entire life," I say looking at my two best friends.

"I think it's romantic," Piper says. I knew I could count on her, she has always been the hopeless romantic. "I mean, come on Jason, they have been together over a year, and if anything, they have gotten more in love and closer with each passing day."

"I guess, whatever you decide man, we are behind you. Is there anything we can do to help?"

I get a big smile and say, "Actually, yes, you can help a lot"

Annabeth

Today is going to be a girl’s day. Just Piper, Thalia and myself, we are going to go get our nails done, ew, shopping, double ew, and then to the park.

The park is the only part of the day that I am looking forward to. Manicures and shopping, those are Piper's interests. Thalia is only coming because she said she has a special event coming up and needs to look good.

I'm more of a, no make-up, no hair product, let’s get to work and get dirty kind of girl. But Piper and Thalia are my friends and I want to make them happy.

Later on that day, after I’ve had my nails done, my hair done, and make-up on my face, okay, not a whole lot of make-up, but since I barely ever wear it so any small amount feels like too much. Along with the addition of a new dress, Piper, Thalia and I are walking along in central park.

All of a sudden, we come to a table with a cloth cover, candles and plates full of spaghetti and garlic bread. "I wonder who this is for," I ask Piper.

"It's for us, Wise Girl," said a voice that still releases butterflies in my stomach. I turn around looking at the man who owns my heart, a smile instantly coming to my face. Behind him, I see Thalia and Piper sneaking off away, leaving us alone. I've been set up.

"And what is the occasion Seaweed Brain?"

"What? I need an occasion to be spontaneously romantic?" His trouble maker smile popping up right away, telling me, that isn’t the whole truth.

"Yes," I can tell that something is up. He is dressed in a brand new suit. His hair was combed for the first time in over a year. I have never seen his hair combed.

He walks me over to the table and pulls out my chair for me. "What are you up to Jackson?" I am pretty sure he is either trying to butter me up, or he is trying to make up for a mistake. "It isn't anyone's birthday or anniversary."

"Just hush and enjoy the date. Also for once, turn that over working brain of yours off." He chuckles, thinking he is so clever for that.

"Fat chance Seaweed Brain, you know that is impossible."

"Give it a shot, for me." He gives me a wink, now I know that something is up.

After we eat our food, we sit there, under the night sky. I tell him about my day with the girls and how horrible it was getting my hair done. He never once stops smiling.

"What is with you?" I can’t help but get the feeling he already knew what I have gone through.

"I told Piper to take you out for the day," he finally says. "I had some stuff to take care of, and you couldn't know about it."

"Oh so you want to get rid of me already huh?" I tease him, smiling slightly.

"Actually, the complete opposite Wise Girl. You see, I had to talk to your dad about something. Something, very important."

The stress he puts on the "very" made my stomach drop slightly. Right now my mind is racing faster than a bullet. I am considering every possibility, but one in particular is in the forefront of my mind. Is this it? "And what might that topic be?"

"I know we haven't known each other all that long, but honestly, I feel like we have known each other forever. I already know that I can tell you anything. You are the only person that I have shared everything with. I want to continue sharing everything with you."

He pauses and wipes his palms on his pants. They are shaking like I have never seen from him before. His usually calm, steady, sturdy demeanor now replaced by this guy who looks terrified.

"There is only one problem I have, it's your name..."

"W-wait, what?" I have never been this confused before, "what is wrong with my name?"

"I don't like it," he states simply, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "More specifically, your last name."

"And what, pray tell, is wrong with it? What should it be?” I say, almost mad at this point.

"Jackson"

How the hell can this boy stop my brain from working so often?

"J- Jackson? Wait wait wait, did you just... did you just ask me to..."

He stands up, walks over to me and pulls out a small box. I clap my hands to my mouth, in complete disbelief, tears pooling in my eyes as he goes down to one knee. He is now at eye level and his beautiful, emotional sea green eyes staring straight into mine, almost peering into my soul with so much love.

“Annabeth, I said that I want to share everything with you, including my last name. It isn't a lot, but it is all that I have right now. That and a promise to love, care and provide for you in every way possible. So what I am trying to say, ask really, is Annabeth Chase, will you marry me?"

He opens the little box, and inside is the most gorgeous ring I have ever seen. A gold band, with a small, but perfect diamond, surrounded by pearls.

"I liked the pearls, they reminded me of the ocean." His own personal touch to a classic look. "Are you going to answer me? Because I'm getting kind of freaked out here."

"Yes! Yes, a thousand times yes!" I grab his face and pull it into mine, hard. My tears now flowing like a river and each drop is bursting with joy.

He pulls away, laughing and crying along with me. Taking the ring out of the box, he places it on the appropriate finger. Of course it fits perfectly.

"This is the ring my father game my mother, before he-, you know." His smile lessens a little bit. "My mom gave it to me to give to, and I quote 'A girl that makes my heart beat faster and slower at the same time.' She told me that is how you know that you have found the one."

"I am honored to wear this, I will wear it with pride."

We kiss again, gentler this time, and the next thing I know, two squealing girls have wrapped Percy and I into their arms, jumping up and down with excitement, and Jason walking up to us and giving Percy and I a hug once we are freed.

I look at the girls and yell "You knew about this? You knew the whole day and you didn't tell me anything?"

"To be fair, I only knew about it since yesterday, and I did tell you that I had an important event coming up," Thalia says grinning widely. "Also, do you really think we'd spoil a surprise this large? No chance."

Piper is smiling so big I think her face might crack, "Of course I knew, I've known for a few weeks when Percy told Jason and me how we could help with this plan."

"Thalia, Piper, you both are in deep trouble."

They can tell that I’m mad though. At this moment, I'm pretty sure it would be impossible to be mad. My whole world is perfect. My best friends are here with us, sharing a moment that I know that I will never forget.

That, and I am soon to be Mrs. Annabeth Jackson.

Notes