They hadn't figured it out.

The weddings were later that day, and Percy and Annabeth hadn't figured it out.

After Malcolm's death, Annabeth was the only child of Athena. There was nobody else who could take her throne. It broke her heart to think that she might never see Percy again, except for official business. Even those meetings would be extremely rare since there wasn't much between the two Kingdoms.

Percy had come to mean so much to her. He was there with her when nobody else was, or even could be. They'd both almost died, but they made it out together. Annabeth couldn't lose him now, after everything they'd been through.

The only way they could be together was that Percy give up his Kingdom. Annabeth knew that, but she would never ask so much of him. She couldn't ask him to let go of something he was raised for just to be with her. That would be selfish of her. She wouldn't do that to him.

Or of course, if they got married and lived separately in different kingdoms, like Jason and Piper, it could work. But neither wanted to go long without seeing the other. Their presence had been so ingrained in each other's lives that pulling them apart would practically break them. Besides, she needed Percy. He had been sneaking into her room at night and lying next to her since their brush with death at Tartarus. As much as Annabeth hated to admit it, she needed a constant reminder that Percy's heart was beating. And falling asleep in his arms each night did that for her. And of course, prevented some ugly nightmares.

"Annie!" Thalia called. "How do I look?"

Annabeth snapped out of her thoughts and looked up at her friend.

Thalia was in a simple, white, mermaid, strapless dress which made her look like a terrifying Goddess. Annabeth looked her over and smiled when she saw what Thalia was wearing sneakers.

"The shoes get to me," she laughed. "You look beautiful Thals."

"Yeah well. You really didn't think I'd wear heels did you," Thalia laughed along. She sighed when she noticed Annabeth's sad smile, and said, "Hey you you ok?"

"I-" Annabeth was interrupted by a knock on the door, which she wasn't sure she was greatful for or not.

She opened the door to see a guard. He handed her a note and scrambled away after paying his respects. It was a pretty busy day for them, will all the weddings that day.

Annabeth read the note and it said :

Annabeth glanced at Thalia, who was giving her a concerned look. The bride nodded in understanding and Annabeth sprinted out of the room. Of course, she knew her way around.

In no time, she was pushing past the bushes and down the narrow path. The wet and muddy grass gradually gave way to the multi-coloured sand she vaguely recollected from the time she and Percy had come here first when Malcolm had died. She hadn't noticed the beauty of the place then when she had been grieving her brother. Now, as Annabeth trudged along, she realized just how magnificent the landscape was. The grass was now completely replaced by the kaleidoscopic sand. The trees lining the path were lush green, dotted with numerous, vibrant flowers. She could see the clearing up ahead and moved towards it.

She saw Percy there. He was standing at the mast of the glass-bottomed boat, waiting for her. There was a slight breeze, making the water ripple in gentle waves. 

Percy's eyes lit up with excitement upon seeing her.  "Wise Girl !!" he exclaimed, placing a solemn kiss on her forehead as she came closer, one which felt dangerously close to a goodbye.

"So we're finally doing that boat ride I see," Annabeth laughed.

"You didn't think I'd let you leave this place without doing  this, did you?"

"It looks so much better than I remember it," she sighed.

"That's because I'm here this time," Percy said proudly. He paused in realization. "Nevermind."

Annabeth laughed and climbed into the boat. She almost stumbled over her gown, but Percy was there right behind her. He climbed in after her and rowed into the middle of the lake while Annabeth hugged her knees and watched him. This might as well be the last time they could be alone, as lovers.

"Percy?" she called. He put the oars down and looked at her, smiling.

"I love you," he grinned. He pulled her closer, despite the boat shaking dangerously.

"I love you too," she whispered, holding him close. This was it. The weddings were starting in an hour. This was the last day she and Percy could be together. The last time they could hold each other this close. "I'm never going to stop loving you. Until the day I die, my heart is going to belong to you, Seaweed Brain."

"Do you really mean that?" he asked, grinning ear to ear.  Annabeth didn't really understand why he was grinning so much.

Percy pulled her even closer, completely ignoring the rapid swaying of the boat. Their clothes were getting wrinkled. But Annabeth didn't care, if this was her last day with Percy, they were going to make the best of it.

She kissed him. She hoped the kiss could convey everything she felt for him. Percy leaned in, deepening the kiss. Her hand's fisted his jacket and she kissed him greedily, she was going to hold him as long as she could.

"I had to tell you something," he said, pulling back. He ran a hand along her cheek and kissed her again, slow and tender. When he pulled away, she could see tears in his eyes. This was it. This was goodbye.

"Mom's having a girl. I'm going to have a sister!" he grinned excitedly.

"That's wonderful Percy! Congratulations!" Annabeth exclaimed, trying to sound excited, for his sake.

"You know, the Poseidon Kingdom has never had a proper Queen. I'm so excited!!"

Before she could reply, the sound of trumpets filled the air. The wedding ceremony had begun. She was definitely confused about what Percy had just said, but all she could think about was that her time with him was up.

Annabeth felt her voice catch up in her throat, trying its hardest to crawl out. She opened her mouth to try to tell Percy how much he meant to her. How much their time together had meant to her. How she could never love anyone as she did him. But all that came out was a sob.

She couldn't get the words out. They dried in her throat. They ran on her face, wet and burning, in a rapid flow.

The rules of the Choosing were clear. Find a partner in the pool of royals associated with you or rule alone. Children could be easily adopted.

"I'd choose you, Percy, if I could. I would always choose you. I love you," she whispered, her voice cracking. Annabeth turned away from him, unable to bear the sight of him.

She grabbed the oars, to row them back. They couldn't miss their friend's wedding's after all.

As she began the motion, Percy caught her wrist. The look on his face was of utter desperation and hope. The same one he wore when he pushed her into the dumbwaiter and sacrificed himself.

"Annabeth I can't live without you. I've talked to my parents. My sister is going to rule the kingdom and dad and Tyson are going to help out until she's of age. I choose you Annabeth Chase, my Wise Girl. I can't imagine waking up next to anyone else. I love you and I want to spend my life with you, if you'll have me,'' Percy said. He took out a simple silver ring and slid it onto her finger, "I would marry you right now if you'll let me."

Annabeth's heart leapt with joy as she wrapped herself around Percy's neck and practically jumped onto his lap. The small boat capsized, and they both fell onto the lake bed. They didn't break their kiss or their hold on each other. Percy's hand was firmly around her waist as she ran her hands lovingly through his hair.

It was pretty much the best underwater kiss of all time.

When they resurfaced, all wet, "You know", Annabeth whispered, placing her forehead against his. "We were soaking wet during our first kiss too."

It wasn't until they came to their senses that Annabeth screamed, "We're going to be late! They're going to kill us! Let's go!"

And that's what they did. They ran to the weddings, hands entwined, soaking wet and laughing like lunatics.

GAHH!!!!!!!!

Its happeningggg. Guys we're literally almost done there's just one more chapter(cries). This was a really fun chapter to write, we hope ya'll like it too!!

Stay tuned !!!!

-----S&D