Authors' Note: I'm definitely going to sound like a fangirl when I say this. I guess that I'll look back on this saying in shame later, but I just have to say it: OMG Percabeth wedding! I'm so so so so so so so EXCITED! WHOOO! FINALLY!

Ahem. Now that I have the fangirliness out of my system, I'd just like to thank all of the reviewers, and also anyone who favorited or subscribed to this story. Seeing all of your feedback really motivates me to keep writing. Oh, and please, please tell me if it's too fluffy and/or OOC. See, I've only been to a wedding once, literally ten years ago. And I behaved so badly that I haven't been to one since. Also, I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Also, I'd appreciate it if you looked at my sister's blog. It's

www (dot) calscommentary (dot) wordpress (dot) com

Chapter 9: A Wild Wedding

"Okay, I'll just get dressed and then we can leave for the wedding," said Annabeth, frantically unzipping her outfit from the plastic covering it arrived in. They were all standing in Annabeth's apartment, getting ready for the wedding.

"You're getting ready now?" shrieked a voice. Aphrodite had appeared out of nowhere.

"Mom!" said Piper. "What are you doing here?"

"I have to make sure Annabeth looks good for her wedding," said the goddess happily. "Did you know, my dear, that you and Percy are my favorite couple since Helen and Paris? I even did my best to make your story tragic. That's how much I love you two together."

"Umm… Ooo-kay," said Annabeth awkwardly.

"Great! I'll help you get ready!" Aphrodite bounced over and pulled out a tiny makeup case. As they watched, she pulled out foundation, blush, mascara, several eyeshadow compacts, eyeliner, several shades of lipstick, lip gloss, and lipstain, cheek stain, hairspray, an eyelash curler, eyebrow pencil, bobby pins, a curling iron, nail scissors, nail file, nail polish, and numerous hair clips.

Clarisse picked up the eyelash curler and examined it. "What's this, some kind of torture device?"

Thalia took a stick of black eyeliner and carefully reapplied it to her eyelids. "You look like a raccoon," Rachel informed her.

"Oh, shut up," muttered Thalia, who looked quite pleased with her reflection.

Meanwhile, Piper veered away from the beauty products like they were highly toxic and deadly chemicals.

"This is very generous of you," said Annabeth, trying to be polite, "But really, Lady Aphrodite, it's not necessary. It's not a formal wedding, and I don't really care much for makeup anyway."

"I know you don't. You didn't think I was going to use this stuff on you, did you? This is all for Piper. She really needs it."

"What?" shrieked Piper.

Aphrodite laughed. "Just kidding, dear. Now, Annabeth, just close your eyes."

Annabeth obeyed, and Aphrodite took out a handful of a silvery powder. She sprinkled it over Annabeth, who opened her eyes.

"See? You're gorgeous!" exclaimed the goddess proudly.

..~0~..

Meanwhile, the guys were having a slightly more difficult time getting ready.

"Drive faster!" called Connor.

"I'm trying! The car can't go over a hundred and thirty!" yelled Leo.

"Watch out for the fruit truck!" exclaimed Nico. Leo swerved the car to the left, causing everyone to fall over.

Percy was trying to shave, which was a bit difficult to do in a car. He accidentally dropped the can of shaving cream, and it started spraying itself all over the car.

"AAAHHH! SHAVING CREAM IN MY EYES!" yelled Leo. The car hit the guardrail, skidded over a few lanes, and launched into a spin. Everyone screamed like a little girl, which was quite funny, considering the fact that they were all grown men.

Finally, the car skidded to a halt outside of Percy's apartment building. "We're alive!" said Grover thankfully.

"Come on! We have to go get dressed and be ready for the wedding in an hour," urged Percy.

..~0~..

The wedding was on Half-Blood Hill. Since it was an outdoor wedding, it wouldn't be fancy, nor would it be obscenely elegant, which was perfectly fine for Percy and Annabeth. Besides, all their friends could be there.

Percy, Nico, Grover, Connor, and Leo showed up literally two seconds before the wedding was supposed to start.

Everyone was already seated and whispering about whatever it is people whisper about at weddings. Nearly everyone they knew was there: Percy's mom, Paul, and their daughter Mina; Annabeth's father, stepmother, and half-siblings; Travis, Katie, Miranda, Butch, Lou Ellen, Mitchell, Lacy, Nyssa, Will Solace, Clovis, Chris, and some more demigods, Chiron, Jason, Reyna, Hazel, Frank, and a few other Roman campers; and a few nymphs.

Even the gods were there. Aphrodite, because she loved weddings; Hera, because 1: she was the goddess of marriage and 2: she wanted to annoy Annabeth; Poseidon, because apparently, you're supposed to attend your son's wedding; Hermes because he felt like it; and Athena because 1: Her daughter was getting married and 2: There's a line in the ceremony that says, 'If there is anyone who objects to the union of these two souls, speak now or forever hold your peace'.

Percy ran to the top of the hill and took his place. Grover, who was best man, stood next to him.

"Nervous?" asked Grover.

Percy nodded, looking completely terrified.

"So am I," whispered Grover.

"What?" whispered Percy. "I'm the one getting married! Why would you be nervous? Anyway, isn't the best man supposed to say a few choice words that somehow make everything okay?"

"Sorry," Grover whispered back. "I mean, what if I randomly screw up the entire ceremony? What am I supposed to do if I sneeze during the ceremony and jinx the whole marriage? It's not like I know what I'm doing."

"We never know what we're doing. But we usually turn out okay in the end… right?" asked Percy.

Grover sighed. "Percy, I can read emotions, and if I'm sure of anything… it's that you and Annabeth are meant for each other. It's the actual wedding that you need to worry about. But we got over the hangover from the bachelor party, didn't we?"

Percy smiled. "We sure did, G-man," he said, punching Grover affectionately. Suddenly, they heard the screech of tires.

"Looks like Annabeth's here," called Nico.

..~0~..

Annabeth twisted her hands around her necklace nervously. "You okay?" asked Thalia.

"Yeah. Fine. Just a wedding. Nothing to worry about," said Annabeth, sounding plenty worried.

"Relax. I foresee a happy future for you and Percy," said Rachel in a very misty, mysterious voice.

"I know. I'm not worried, I'm not worried," chanted Annabeth.

"There's really nothing to be scared of," reasoned Piper. "It's nothing, compared to some of the things you've done."

"And hey, we survived the hangover from the bridal shower," Clarisse added. "The worst is over."

"I know," said Annabeth, who still looked nervous.

"We're all happy for you, Annabeth," said Thalia softly.

Annabeth nodded absently. "Yes, I know." She smiled suddenly. "He's the one. He must be."

The other girls exchanged slightly confused glances at this. Thalia shrugged and mouthed, 'Just play along'.

..~0~..

The wedding march began. The flower girl, Annabeth's youngest half-sister, skipped down the aisle throwing flower petals around. Piper and Rachel, the bridesmaids, were next, and Thalia, the maid of honor, followed. They all wore silver dresses.

Annabeth, accompanied by her father, was next. She looked… there was no other word for it, stunningly pretty. She didn't appear to be wearing any makeup, but her skin was clear, her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes shimmered. Her hair was swept into a pile at the top of her head. Although the dress was a simple, fitted white sheath with a bit of lace at the neckline, it was gorgeous. It was so distracting that no one suspected that she was wearing sandals instead of heels.

Percy didn't look too bad himself in his black suit jacket and light blue shirt. He stood in front of the pine tree that used to be Thalia, with his eyes practically popping out of his head. Annabeth walked up the aisle, smiling. Her father went to take his seat between Athena and Annabeth's stepmother, and the ceremony began.

" Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses, to join Perseus Jackson and Annabeth Chase in matrimony, which is commended to be honorable among all men; and therefore – is not by any – to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly – but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. Into this important estate thesetwo persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together – let them speak now or forever hold their peace—"

Athena and Poseidon jumped up, fully ready to object, until the officiant continued, "Unless they are either the groom's father or the bride's mother-"

They both sat down, looking embarrassed.

The officiant went on and on about the importance of the promise they were going to make to each other, and they exchanged rings. Finally, they said the vows. Percy said, "I, Percy Jackson, do solemnly swear to take Annabeth Chase as my lawfully wedded wife, to love and cherish whether or not we are being attacked by dragon women, angry Titans, insane relatives, or locked in a suspicious casino with very little hope of getting out. Also, I promise to try not to be an idiot, admit it when you are right, and to stay by your side even if I have to go to hell and back. Again. I love you."

Annabeth then said her vows: "I, Annabeth Chase, do solemnly swear to take Percy Jackson as my lawfully wedded husband. I swear to always love and cherish you and not to rub it in your face when I'm right, and to stay with you under any circumstances, even if you blow up Mt. Saint Helens again, and even if I have to fight a hundred headed-dragon to see you. I love you."

"By the power vested in me by Mount Olympus, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride," said the officiant.

"Awwww," the crowd gushed as Percy and Annabeth kissed. And kissed. And kissed.

"Should we do something?" whispered Piper to Leo. "They won't stop making out!"

"Well, since they're not stopping, we might as well start," offered Leo suggestively.

"Your pick-up lines need work, Repair Boy," laughed Piper.

Finally, Percy and Annabeth broke apart. For a short moment, they gazed into each others' eyes. The congregation cheered, and Percy and Annabeth went back down the aisle.

..~0~..

The wedding party was fairly low-key, which was a relief after the night before. It was just a small party in the dining pavilion. Percy and Annabeth were obviously the center of attention, having to greet, dance with, and chat with nearly everyone. Percy was dragged off by Athena for a short time. He came back looking surprisingly calm, which just made everyone more concerned.

"What did she want with you?" whispered Annabeth, as she and Percy were slow dancing.

Percy shrugged. "She just told me that I'd better keep my vows unless I wanted to be pecked apart by angry owls. But she didn't actually sound too angry. Besides, I wouldn't have said them if I didn't mean them."

"Really?" asked Annabeth, looking surprised. "Hm. I guess everything worked out after all… didn't it? Maybe a little too well," she mused. After so many years of constant monster-fighting and worrying about the gods, she found it a little strange—and suspicious- that something could be so normal.

Percy looked alarmed. "Why? What's wrong?"

"Nothing, that's why it's so weird. Usually, when nothing's wrong, it's a sign that something really bad is about to happen," Annabeth pointed out.

"Yeah… but a lot happened yesterday and the night before, so—"

"Wait, what happened to you the night before?" asked Annabeth suspiciously.

"Oh, I… Well, I don't really know. A lot, I guess. But honestly, I can't remember one minute of that night," admitted Percy, expecting Annabeth to start yelling at him for being an idiot.

"Really? Neither can I!" exclaimed Annabeth. She said it a bit too loudly, and a few people stared.

"Maybe we should talk about this somewhere else," suggested Percy.

Suddenly, a package fell out of the sky and landed on Percy's head. "OW!" said Percy.

Annabeth picked the box up. "There's a note. 'Percy and Annabeth Jackson: As a wedding present, I have decided to send you a tape from the night before your wedding. It will only work once, but it will explain quite a lot. Sincerely, the Most Supreme and Mighty King of the Gods, God of Lightning, Zeus.'" She looked up. "So the gods were involved."

"Wait. So they did all that just for entertainment?" complained Percy. "What kind of sick, twisted people do that?" Thunder rumbled loudly. "Okay, okay. Relax. We'll watch it." The thunder subsided.

..~0~..

Ten minutes later, Percy, Annabeth, Leo, Thalia, Rachel, Connor, Nico, Clarisse, Grover, and Piper were in the Hephaestus cabin, ready to turn the video on.

"I can't wait to see what happened," said Connor excitedly.

"Do we really want to know, though?" asked Grover.

"Maybe not," agreed Thalia.

"But it's only going to work once. We'll just watch it and then get on with our lives," said Piper firmly.

"I think we should promise that whatever happens on this tape, we should never speak of again," said Annabeth.

"That's a good idea. I swear by the River Styx," vowed Nico. They all took turns making the vow.

"Okay, guys, let's turn it on and see what happened," said Leo solemnly. He pressed 'Play'.

The tape started out dark, but then it cleared to reveal Annabeth, Thalia, Clarisse, Piper, and Rachel at an outdoor concert. They all had bottles of beer and were going crazy. Piper was drunkenly making out with some random guy. Clarisse had picked a fight with a bunch of people. Thalia and Annabeth were jumping on top of cars in the parking lot and Rachel was defacing public property with a bunch of spray paints. Annabeth picked up a can of purple paint and wrote 'I hate Hera' on a tree. After that, a hydra appeared and chased them away.

"So that's how I made her angry," Annabeth realized.

The scene changed, and the boys were in a bar in a casino. They were all drunk. Connor kept picking random people's pockets. Percy, Leo, and Grover were doing karaoke, crooning, 'Someone Like You'. Nico was in the corner, flirting with Nancy. He ran over to his friends and yelled, "Come on! Let's go to the chapel so we can get married!"

They all wandered over to the chapel, where they bought a Friday the 13ththemed wedding for $19.99. Nancy and Nico signed the contract and went to get matching tattoos.

"Wait. You got a tattoo?" asked Percy, putting the video on 'pause'. "I don't see one."

"It's not in a place I would normally display to the public," admitted Nico.

Clarisse burst out laughing. "So what, did you tattoo 'I heart Nancy Bobofit' on your ass or something?"

Nico looked embarrassed. "Possibly," he muttered.

The scene changed again, and the boys were in the Spartan bar. Percy was sword fighting with a man they recognized as Ares. For some strange reason, a hippalektryon was tied in the back of the bar. Meanwhile, Leo hotwired the engine of Ares's car. Grover untied the hippalektryon, yelling, "Go free, noble creature!"

Ares was temporarily distracted by this, which gave Percy enough time to jump in the car. They ended up at Triple G ranch. The girls had already arrived there, and Thalia had convinced Eurytion to give her a tattoo. They decided to have a barbecue, but when Leo tried to create a bonfire, he accidentally set one of the barns on fire instead. The hippalektryons stampeded out, and Eurytion ran after them, cursing them out at the top of his lungs.

In the confusion that resulted, they all ran away and the girls somehow ended up in Ares's car. They drove back to camp Half-Blood, but Thalia, who was driving, was drunk and crashed into the canoe lake. They staggered out of the lake and hiked several miles until they were able to hail a taxi. The taxi took them to an airport. It was then that they realized that the Hydra still wasn't dead. So they got on the first plane they saw and ended up in San Francisco.

"Well, that would explain how we got there," said Clarisse.

Meanwhile, the boys decided to hide from Ares in a strange nightclub. They started acting like idiots: Connor started dancing on tables, Nico stole some girl's feather boa, Percy tried to avoid the half-naked girl who kept flirting with him, and Grover and Leo accidentally caused a fight in the bar.

The scene changed. It was a few hours later, and the girls were in San Francisco. Piper encountered Meriana Sennet and her friends. They got into a giant catfight, while a woman led Annabeth into a car.

"That must be Hera," realized Piper.

Meanwhile, they boys were leaving the club, when they encountered a horde of dracaenae. They attacked in front of a casino.

"Isn't that the Lotus Casino?" asked Rachel.

"Yeah," said Nico.

"How—"

"I don't know. Apparently it's a chain," said Nico.

"Oh."

Meanwhile, a criminal attempted to sneak into the casino.

"Hey, that's Bruce!" exclaimed Connor.

Percy stopped Bruce from sneaking in, and his friends held the criminal down until the police came. Percy finished off the dracaenae, but for some reason, he walked straight into the casino.

Nico, Grover, Leo, and Connor staggered through the streets until they reached the beach. There, they passed out.

The scene changed. Thalia, Clarisse, Piper, and Rachel ran through the lobby of the Plaza hotel. They knocked over vases and generally caused chaos. Finally, they broke through the door of an empty room and crawled in.

The tape ended. Everyone sat there in silence.

"Good thing we're never going to mention this again," said Annabeth gratefully.

"Yeah, that turned out to be one hell of a hangover," agreed Percy.

The End

Authors' Note: Wow, I can't believe I'm finished. It's been really fun writing this, and I'd like to once again thank everyone who reviewed, subscribed, or favorited this story. You guys are the best. Thanks so much for reading.

~Cerulean