Holyyyytyyyy shitttt you guys. Hey. It's been a LONG minute. I apologize. Life is cray. Anyways here's 5,000 words to make up for it. Very cringey very cliche very sappy. Hope you enjoy this somehow. We are nearing the end. :)

Thursday, April 11th
3:15 pm - Annabeth's backyard
36 weeks and 1 day pregnant

Annabeth sighed, lowering herself into the chair.

"Gettin' there, huh?" Connor said, looking at her with a kind smile.

She chuckled, a hand placed on her belly. "Almost. I keep telling myself I have a month, but, really, before I know it, there'll be a little baby in my arms," she agreed.

Silena sighed contently, a smile making the rosy apples of her cheeks prominent. "That's so exciting! I can hardly wait to meet the little guy."

"That makes all of us," said Will. Everyone nodded and agreed.

Annabeth smiled. It was a Thursday, and her friends probably had a myriad of things to do and homework to finish, but they had come to see her and spend some time over. Annabeth was barely ever getting out these days—not only did she need to lay low but she was pretty pregnant and feeling all the symptoms of it, which made it hard to get around. She wasn't completely immobile and was still active around the house, of course, but it tired her out a bit occasionally. And for as much as she insisted that she could take care of herself, because she could, Thalia, her father, and Percy simply wouldn't listen.

"Especially me," Percy added, walking outside. In his hands were chips and waters which he placed on the table. It was a beautiful day out—one of the first warm spring days. Annabeth had always loved days like this, ever since she was a kid, when the little flowers sprung up as the ground began to thaw. The sun felt so nice on her skin.

Percy pulled up a chair next to Annabeth and sat down after placing a kiss on her head. She smiled.

"So, tell me what I've missed this week," Annabeth said, opening a bottle of water and taking a sip.

"Things have been pretty good," Grover started, digging into the chips.

"Yeah, student council is finally starting to come up with concept themes for prom," Silena said, that special glint in her eye that shined whenever she talked of something she was excited about. 

"Well, no one's got an eye for decor like you do, Sil," Annabeth replied.

"Yeah, but no one knows how to plan an event like you, Anna," she insisted and Annabeth gave her a smile. It was hard not to be a part of all the things that she loved and had looked forward to for the past three years, especially prom.

"Speaking of prom," Katie started. "Do you think you'll be able to go?" She looked at Annabeth with big eyes. Her best friends knew more than anyone that she had been excited for prom since she was all of eight years old. To think that she probably wouldn't be able to go was something she tried not to do often--it was too hard.

"I'm not sure," she admitted. "It really all depends on how the birth goes. If everything goes well, there's a small chance I could go, but..." she trailed off and pursed her lips. "I don't think it's likely."

Everyone seemed to get a little glum at that, giving her sympathetic looks. But she didn't want them to be upset over her--they needed to go and have a good time for her.

"I don't know what you're talking about, blondie," Travis cut in. "You can dance in a wheel chair," he joked, making everyone laugh. Annabeth smiled and shook her head at him--she was grateful for the lightness of his humor.

"I mean, he's kind of right," Grover added. "We gotta think good thoughts to make 'em happen." Grover looked at Annabeth with his crooked smile, and she grinned back--he was a good kid. His earnestness was refreshing. Everyone nodded and muttered in agreement.

"If I can't go, you guys are not gonna be upset about it," she ordered. "You are going to put all of Silena's hard work to good use and have an amazing time for me."

"Yeah, and we can have a little dance party of our own, right Thals?" Percy added.

"Oh yeah," Thalia laughed in agreement.

"What do you mean? You're not staying home with me," Annabeth looked at them both with furrowed eyebrows and a smile. "You're going to prom, my dad will be with me," she insisted. She would not be the reason two of the most important people in her life missed a huge milestone.

"Uh, nice try, Annie," Thalia scoffed. "We're not leaving you home alone on prom night."

"Yeah, are you crazy?" Percy cocked an eyebrow at her with that smirk that either dazzled or irked her. Right now, she was irked--her friends were too stubborn for their own good.

"You know what, I'm not gonna argue about this right now. But you two are going," she said finally.

"Okay, Annie," Thalia said, rolling her eyes with a smile. Percy just took her hand and kissed it. They were going to that prom.

"Would you look at that," Connor spoke up, making a show of looking at his watch-less wrist. "It's time for me to embarrass my brother!"

Travis sighed and put his face in his hands. "I hate this part."

Connor grinned wickedly. "So, my dearest bro," he began, "You grow a pair and ask Katie to prom yet?"

Everyone laughed and Beckendorf clapped Travis on the back. Katie flushed but wore a cute smile.

"Well, without revealing too much, I'm planning on it," he admitted, his face beet red back to his ears.

Annabeth noticed the subtle excited smiles Silena and Katie exchanged. She couldn't help but feel a pang of exclusion--they must have been talking and fantasizing about all the dorky, yet adorable, ways Travis was going to prom-pose, or how Beckendorf would do something simple and sweet, but perfect for Silena. Annabeth brushed off the melancholy creeping up her neck, quickly shoving aside the thought that Percy's prom-posal would be beautiful and sentimental, but she'd never get to see it. She couldn't get in her head right now; her friends would notice and she didn't want to worry them.

"Come on now, Connor," Percy intervened, "don't spoil it for Katie, give the guy a break."

Connor laughed and nudged his brother's knee with a fist. "I kid, I kid," he relented, hands up in surrender. The relief that washed over Travis' face made Annabeth chuckle.

"You guys, can we talk about the weather really quick?" Will piped up cheerily.

Everyone groaned.

"What?" Annabeth asked, laughing in confusion.

"This boy has been going on and on about the weather and the sun and—"

"Because it's beautiful and it's been a long, cold, DEAD winter!" the blonde interjected. "Is it such a crime that I take time to appreciate this beautiful gift of warmth from the universe?" Will tilted his head back towards the sun, the slowly strengthening rays washing over him, turning his hair to locks of gold silk.

He was right—it certainly had been a frigid winter, especially when the snow ceased to be magical and everything was just grey when Annabeth looked out the window. Not to be misconstrued—Annabeth loved the winter, and this winter had been a great one. But she was certainly grateful for the sun's return—it made her more excited for Finn to arrive and to be able to go out more.

"He has a point," Annabeth defended. "The sun feels quite nice," she almost hummed, smiling towards the sky.

Percy was doing the same. "This is marvelous for my complexion," he joked.

"But you don't understand, Annabeth," Silena chimed in, "every waking moment, there can be no silence because Will won't shut up about the sun." Everyone nodded and 'yeah'ed in agreement.

"Please, make him stop," Travis begged.

Annabeth laughed and looked over at an indignant Will. "The weather is very nice," she started.

"HA! What she says goes, pregnant woman supremacy," he exclaimed, pointing a victorious finger at the group.

"But!" Annabeth continued, holding a hand out to Will, who deflated slightly. "You have to stop talking about it, Will, you're driving them crazy," she reasoned.

"Yeah," Connor jeered. "That's pregnant woman supremacy."

He groaned. "Ugh! Fine then. You can kiss my daily forecasts goodbye!"

"Oh, I'm devastated," Thalia said sarcastically.

Of course, that lead to the uproar of a debate between Will and masses once more. All Annabeth could do was laugh.

"The weather is quite nice," Percy said to her, looking over into her eyes. "You should get out—it's been awhile."

"You know I can't exactly do that, despite how much I want to," she reasoned.

Percy's gaze shifted to the ground, absentmindedly grazing the back of her hand with his fingers. The subconscious gesture made the corners of her lips quirk up.

"I'm taking you out," he said after a few quiet moments passed—quiet for them, at least, as the rest of the group was now onto a new topic.

"You are not," Annabeth insisted.

"Yes I am," Percy pushed back. "Nowhere fancy, don't worry. I just think you deserve something nice," he explained.

Annabeth felt her defensiveness soften, and her heart warmed her chest. "You are something nice, and time with you is all I need," she answered sincerely with a small smile.

He looked back over at her now, their eyes locking. His sea green eyes were illuminated in the sunlight. Annabeth caught herself wondering, like many other times, how it was even possible that someone so perfect could even exist.

"I hope so," he said, giving her a lingering look. She couldn't quite tell what it was, but as her curiosity peaked, Silena spoke up.

"Percy, did Charlie say how long his practice was today?"

Annabeth's mind drifted somewhere else as he answered her. Somewhere, almost far away, something told her that he was planning something. But she brushed it off—she didn't want to start expecting things from him when there was no reason to. He had already given her everything she could possibly ask for.

She gently squeezed his hand and ran her thumb along his finger.

~*~

Thursday, April 18th
1:10 pm - Annabeth's bedroom
37 weeks and 1 day pregnant

"Annabeth, you almost ready?" Percy called up the stairs.

"Yup! Just a second," she answered.

Percy had come to pick Annabeth up for his insisted outing, as she liked to call it. She was almost ready to leave, but looking at herself in the mirror, there was something that just wasn't working. She didn't know what it was, maybe her dress was too big or not big enough, or maybe the color was off? She had run herself through every thought and still none of them seemed to click. She had done some light makeup, nothing that she would be too lazy to take off later. Her small purse was packed with the essentials and her hair was in a cute ponytail. So what was it?

Just then Percy knocked on her door. "Annabeth?" He appeared in the doorway, his reflection in her mirror looking quite dapper and giving Annabeth's heart a jolt. He was in khakis, a button down and a navy blue blazer. The outfit was a little fancy, and he looked handsome. It made her smile.

She turned from the mirror and faced him. "Hey," she answered.

"You look beautiful."

She blushed. "Thank you. You look very nice. I feel underdressed now," she said, looking down at her dress.

"No, it's really pretty," he protested. "What's wrong?"

"I don't really know, but something just isn't right. I think it's this dress... I don't like it," she decided.

"Well, do you have something else?"

Annabeth thought for a moment. Suddenly, she remembered something very important—possibly the perfect solution for her problem. "I might."

She went into her closet and reached back onto a higher shelf. Then she carefully pulled out a box, a box she had been saving, and brought it out, placing it on her bed. She opened the box and revealed a beautiful bright yellow sundress—her mother's. She had found it in the attic a long time ago and kept it, despite it being a maternity dress. Something just told her not to get rid of it. That same something was telling her that now was the time to wear it.

Percy, now at her side, watched as she gently lifted the fabric. "Wow."

That box had kept it in perfect condition. "It smells like her," Annabeth whispered. She couldn't believe that after all that time, her perfume was still on it. She was so grateful. Chills ran over her body and her eyes became glassy. She blinked and it was gone. She knew she had to wear this dress.

"I'll let you get changed," Percy said, shooting her a smile before he walked out of her room, closing the door behind her.

She quickly changed. The dress fit perfectly. Annabeth opened her door and showed Percy. It was long and flowy, embroidered with pale yellow floral designs and puffy sleeves. She spun and the skirt billowed around her, making her feel like a princess.

She looked at herself in the mirror, Percy behind her.

"It's been a long time since I've felt pretty like this," she said with a happy sigh.

Percy just stared at her for a few long moments. "It's perfect. She would've loved you in this dress."

That nearly made her ruin her minimal makeup. She gave a teary-eyed chuckle and turned around, kissing him. "I'm ready," she said, smiling.

"Let's go."

She grabbed her jacket and purse and they made their way down the stairs. Annabeth stopped by her father's office before they went out the door.

"Hey, dad, we're about to head out," she said, standing half behind his office door. She knew he was busy and didn't want to disturb him.

He turned to say goodbye but it looked like the words caught in his throat. "Wow..." he exhaled. He quickly abandoned his work at his desk and stood, walking to Annabeth.

Her face split into a grin and she opened the door, stepping into the room with Percy behind her. She could see tears in her father's eyes as he pressed a hand to his mouth.

"You look just like her," he said, finally, barely getting the words out. "You look beautiful, pumpkin."

She laughed. "Thanks, dad."

Frederick took another long glance at the dress. That was when he seemed to notice Percy standing behind her. "Oh," he said suddenly. "Hi, Percy, sorry."

"No, no," Percy laughed. "I certainly understand being speechless because of this one, so," he joked.

Frederick chuckled. "Yeah. It's been a long time since I last saw that dress." There was a small pause. "So where you guys going?" he asked.

"This monster won't tell me anything," Annabeth complained, nodding her head towards Percy.

"A surprise is a surprise, Chase," he insisted.

Frederick nodded and smiled. "Well, wherever it is, be safe and have fun."

"We will," Annabeth answered and Percy followed with a 'thank you'. Then she hugged her father goodbye and Percy led her out to the car.

~*~

Thursday, April 18th
1:55 pm - The Park

"I still can't believe you did all this," Annabeth said, brushing crumbs from her hands.

"It really didn't take very much," Percy insisted once again. She gazed at him for a moment, and he smiled at her. She just wanted to stare at this beautiful soul all day long.

He had taken her to a park that wasn't too far but far enough that she didn't need to worry about being seen. It was lush after the first few rains of spring and the trees and flowers were coming back to life in full bloom. The weather, which was supposed to be rainy and cloudy, had had a change of heart; Annabeth took the shining sun and blue skies as a favor from the universe—one she was grateful for. They had walked along a path and talked until they reached a grassy spot where Percy set down a blanket and they enjoyed a delicious picnic he packed. She was touched by the sparkling cider and fancy glasses and, funnily enough, the jar of pickles he brought—one of her biggest cravings. She laughed when he pulled them out of the basket.

Now that they were finished eating, they were just sitting and talking. It was a perfect day. The only thing Annabeth could say was that Percy seemed slightly... off? Not to be misconstrued, for he was his same happy, jokey, charming self, but there was a slight nervousness to him. It didn't worry her too much, but it was definitely of notice. She pushed it aside—there was no reason to worry.

"I wanted this to be special," he started. "I know it's been rough having to be home. If anyone deserves a beautiful day out, it's you."

Annabeth smiled and her heart leapt. "Thank you. It's all very nice."

"I'm glad you think so," he said breathily with a small chuckle. They fell into silence as she sipped her cider and she noticed it once more; that apprehensive silence.

"Percy?" she asked lightly. She made it a point to speak easily and casually. She didn't want to make him more nervous or create a mood that wasn't really there.

He looked up at her from the blanket. "Yeah?"

"You okay? You seem a little distracted." She reached out and ran her fingers through the hair behind his ear, then brushed her thumb along his jaw slowly, a gesture that came instinctually. It felt caring to her.

"Yeah, yeah," he answered. "I just..." he trailed off, and Annabeth knew something was happening in that head of his, something she couldn't quite see.

"What?" she asked gently.

He locked eyes with her, and an ease settled over his face. It made some of the tension in them both melt away. "Come walk with me," he said.

"Okay," she answered. She placed down her drink and took Percy's hand to help her up. She straightened out her dress and Percy began walking, his hand still around hers. She followed him up the small hill they had sat at the bottom of, where a large willow tree was flowing with the warm April breeze. They looked out over the park and it was beautiful.

They saw the fullness of some trees and the budding of others, people enjoying the warm sun with their dogs and children, and the splashes of pink and red and yellow in the flowers blooming all around. Annabeth breathed in deeply and felt the fresh air fill her lungs. It was good to be out. It was good to be here. It was good to be with Percy. Looking at those families, laughing and running and playing together, made her feel hopeful for her future. Being at the park lifted a weight from her shoulders, like the relief of rain after a long drought.

She looked back to Percy and he looked at her thoughtfully, with a small smile. He took both her hands and they faced each other now. Her head swiveled as she took in the scene around her, a great willow tree billowing above them in the light breeze, the sun shining, and earth humming with life. She felt so open, so connected. She thanked the universe for this moment, and thanked Percy for it as well in her heart; she wasn't sure if she had the words to do it justice.

It was wonderful, but she still wondered what they were doing up here; Percy seemed guided by a purpose.

"Is there any specific reason you made your very pregnant girlfriend walk up a hill?" she joked. Percy laughed and that easiness was brought back to him. They smiled at one another and Annabeth chuckled.

Then, dropping her hands, Percy reached into his pockets. After a moment of struggling to grab whatever he was reaching for, he pulled out several seemingly miscellaneous objects: two ticket stubs, a small folded piece of newspaper, a folded up napkin, a baseball, and a sea shell. He held up his hands, presenting them.

Annabeth stared at all the objects spread across his palms in confusion for a moment, and then she realized. She picked up the ticket stubs, and Percy began to explain.

"Those are the ticket stubs from the first movie we saw together, The Grinch, which was a perfectly appropriate choice for two young adults, obviously," he joked, nodding his head. Annabeth laughed as a giddy grin spread across her face.

She placed down the stubs and picked up the newspaper clipping, unfolding it to reveal a solved jumble. She of course had already put all of the pieces of these objects' purpose together in her head, but she loved hearing Percy describe it. She knew she was sentimental, but seeing this side of Percy meant everything to her in that moment.

"That's from the Riptide," he began, "where I kicked your ass at those jumbles and solved them like a thousand seconds before you did," he joked again, almost like a child this time, making Annabeth scoff and glare at him, although it was hard to hold through her laughs.

Next, she picked up the napkin and unfolded it. However, the second she saw the drawing of bananas on it she burst out laughing, halting Percy's explanation and ultimately making them both hysterical messes.

"I'm gonna pee myself!" Annabeth exclaimed, holding her belly and trying to catch her breath. Hysterical laughing and pregnancy bladder didn't mix.

Percy only laughed harder. After a few good minutes of trying to catch his breath, he simply said, "And that... well, yeah, you know what that is." Annabeth wiped the tears from her eyes as she finally calmed down. She admired the drawing one last time before she refolded the napkin and placed it back in his palm.

As she picked up the baseball, he started, "That is from the ring toss where you, somehow—miraculously, really—"

"Hey, don't demean my ball-throwing skills," she protested.

Percy grinned at her, "—effortlessly," he corrected, "won me a teddy bear."

"That's right."

"Those things are totally rigged," he insisted in a mumble.

"Oh absolutely," Annabeth exaggerated, patronizing him.

He narrowed his eyes at her. "Next item, right now," he suddenly demanded.

Annabeth laughed and obliged him; she figured it was the least she could do for his bruised ego. Finally, she picked up the seashell, examining its beautiful colors and running her finger over the delicate grooves.

"And that is the from the night that we almost got arrested, our Bonnie and Clyde origin story, if you will," he joked.

Annabeth smiled at him brightly, stars in her eyes. "I can't believe you kept all of this stuff, that's so..." she sighed and shook her head, at a loss for words.

"I love you," Percy said. His voice held a weight to it, like he spoke with true intention; he couldn't have lied in that moment even if he wanted to.

"I love you too," she said softly. She was so touched, and yet her head was slightly turned in confusion. This didn't feel like your run-of-the-mill profession of love; it was definitely something more.

"I'm glad." He was wearing a slightly cheeky smile as he shoved the objects, like sacred totems, back into his pockets. "That's kinda needed for this next part."

Then he got down on one knee.

Annabeth's hands shot straight to her mouth. Chills immediately ran across every inch of her skin. Her heart was booming in her chest, ready to burst. No wonder he was nervous. Tears welled in her eyes and became so full they slipped down her cheeks. Her hands were shaking against her face. "Percy," she exhaled his name, ever so slightly shaking her head at him.

She noticed the tears in his eyes as he reached into his back pocket. He pulled out a little black velvet box, and opened it to her, revealing the most beautiful ring she had ever seen; an emerald, like his eyes. She gasped at its beauty.

"Annabeth," he began, his voice nearly wavering as his eyes reddened with tears. He looked down for a moment to compose himself, sniffling and brushing at his face. "I told myself I would keep it together," he admitted, making them both laugh. He wiped away the forming tears and looked back to her, their eyes locked on one another's.

"I'm not too great with words when it comes to emotional moments like this," he started, "and it's especially hard when you're in love with the most perfect and nearly indescribable human being in the universe," Annabeth laughed, "but I'm willing to try. For you, for us. And I want you to know that I will always be willing, for as long as I live, for you. I will never walk away, I will never give up, I will never turn my back. I will always want you, and I will always try to make you happy. You can try to push me away, but—as we've seen—" they both cracked a smile, "that doesn't work. I will always come back to you.

"With that said, I want you forever. You can look at this ring however you want, whether it be an engagement ring or a promise ring or some stupid rock," he chuckled, making Annabeth laugh, "However you look at it, see it as my promise of willingness to you. My promise that I am here, for all of it, every moment—every break down, every late night ice cream run, every rainbow, every storm, everything." He paused. "And I will love this baby boy with everything in me, because he's more of you." Tears had already been streaking her cheeks, but with that, a tension in her heart eased and they flowed like rivers. She did her best to wipe them but it was futile; she had never felt so loved.

"So, Annabeth, will you spend your life with me?" he asked finally. The question, like the ring itself, was ambiguous, but that reflected Percy's consideration, an aspect that made her fall in love with him. A choice that, for some, was shackling, instead made to be whatever she wanted it to be; a deliberate freedom.

She stared at the ring and then into his eyes. She realized that no one could possibly make her feel loved like he did, because there was no one who had been what Percy is for her, nor could they ever be. He was her rock, her light, her support. And he chose to do it all. What 17 year old is capable of that? Annabeth knew they were young, and she hadn't known all of life's wonders or troubles, but she certainly knew what love did not look like, and that image couldn't be farther from Percy. She looked at him and saw pure love.

Taking a deep breath, she smiled at him. "Yes," she sobbed. Percy shot up from the floor, engulfing her in a hug and kissing her face with a gentle yet excited passion. She kissed him back, feeling herself fully accept him. This feeling was similar to that of the one she felt on Valentine's Day, but it was reformed. Of course, she had accepted Percy as a fixture in her life after their reunion, but now, it was a complete release. She knew she would have doubts and fears about her life, the future, and Percy, but as sure as she was about that, she was sure they would love each other through all of it. They would figure it out; they could figure anything out. That acceptance, contrary to her steadfast belief that it was nothing more than stupidity and instability and chaos, brought her the greatest peace.

"I love you so much," she said, her voice thick with tears and a smile.

"I love you more," Percy answered, staring into her eyes as she wiped the tears from his cheeks. He then took the ring from the box and slipped it on her finger, like a proper engagement ring. Her heart fluttered at the sight of it, the weight of it. It was stunning. She couldn't have imagined what this cost, but she knew that didn't matter to Percy. She was glad it wasn't a diamond—she would feel too guilty to wear it.

"Holy shit I was so nervous," he exhaled with a tight chuckle.

Annabeth let out a wholesome laugh, one from her belly. "Really?! You couldn't have been that unsure! It's not like we love each other or anything," she teased him.

He laughed at her bashfully. "Hey! I mean, I was pretty sure, but you never stop surprising me, Chase."

She grinned at him. "I probably look like a mess," she said, wiping her face and trying to clean herself up. She had been doing some serious ugly crying.

"You look beautiful," a voice said from approaching the hill.

"Thalia?!" Annabeth exclaimed.

Thalia ran to Annabeth and embraced her best friend warmly.

"What are you doing here?!"

"Someone had to take the pictures," she replied, holding the camera hung around her neck. "You're engaged!" she nearly yelled with a huge grin. "Or, whatever you guys are gonna label this—I forgot Percy went with the whole 'whatever you want it to be' thing," she corrected.

Annabeth laughed. She thought for a moment and then decided. "We're engaged," she said definitively. She decided that being engaged didn't mean they had to get married right away (or any time soon, considering neither of them had the money for it and were both a few months short of the legal age), but that they were committed to one another, and they promised to share their lives with each other. Plus, she felt so special calling it an engagement ring.

"AHHHH!" Thalia let out an excited scream and Annabeth laughed, shushing her.

When she let go of Thalia and turned back to Percy, Frederick was standing with him.

"Pumpkin," was all her dad said before she hugged him tight. After a good long hug, she pulled away from him and looked into his teary eyes. "Congratulations, Annabeth," he said quietly, his voice tight with emotion.

"Thanks, Dad," she nearly sobbed.

"We did such a good job at keeping this a secret," Thalia said suddenly and everyone laughed.

"I can't believe I really didn't suspect anything sooner! I mean, I kind of knew, but only like a week ago!" Annabeth said with surprise.

"I was so calm before you two left and that really took up my energy," Frederick admitted, and everyone laughed, his excitement making Annabeth's heart smile.

She was so grateful her family was there with her. She grinned at Percy. "This is the most beautiful day of my life," she said, getting emotional once more. "Thank you for this." She kissed Percy softly and hugged his shoulders.

"I love you, Annabeth," he said sincerely with a smile.

And it really was the most beautiful day of her life. Her whole family, her world, right there with her in that moment. Her dad, Thalia, Percy, Finn. It was perfect. Holding Percy and looking to those happy families in the park once more, she had never been so hopeful for her future.

•••