Chapter One
I Lose a Ring but Find a Fiancée
Today was the day. I was going to do it. I took the ring box out of my jacket pocket and made sure the ring was still inside. I have a bad habit of losing things...like everything. I was determined not to lose this. I quickly hid the box. My name's Percy Jackson in case you're wondering. I'm a half-blood. Half human half god. Greek god. Son of Poseidon to be exact. You'll figure out more as you go along. Or you could just read my previous adventures. Our Camp Scribe wrote about them. Anyway, I was waiting on my girlfriend Annabeth Chase. She's a daughter of Athena. Technically since our parents never got along we shouldn't either but hey I'm not complaining! I was taking her to a fancy restaurant tonight. Very rare of me to do so I hope she didn't expect what was going on. I was going to propose. We started dating after I saved the world (long story) and we finished up college (although I barely did) so I decided now or never. Here I was in front of her apartment. Suddenly the door in front of me opened and Annabeth greeted me with a smile.
"Hey, Seaweed Brain," she affectionately said.
I said with just as much passion "Uhhhhh"
She wore a strapless dress that went to the floor and had makeup. She never wears makeup.
You, you look beautiful! I managed. "All… made up" I gestured up and down
She rolled her gray eyes. Even though I'd seen her eyes a million times before they were still striking like a miniature storm was constantly rumbling.
"You said we were going to The Club, right? I kind of have to follow dress code," she retorted.
I couldn't argue so I took her arm and escorted her to the car.
Luckily, I picked a slow night to go because we didn't have to wait long to be seated. She ordered and then I did. We sipped on wine and talked. Demigods weren't supposed to drink a lot, so we made sure to savor what we had. I slipped the ring out of my pocket and got ready.
So Annabeth I wanted to talk...
Just then I was interrupted by the waiter bringing our food.
Hold that thought I said bouncing my leg up and down.
I ate my food fast. I always do when I get nervous. Annabeth noticed I was finished and spoke up.
"So what did you want to talk about?"
"Oh! Oh yeah" I gulped.
I held the box in my hand and fiddled with the top nervously. The ring bounced out and rolled away from the table. My eyes widened I bit back a curse.
" I-uh-us...excuse me for one moment. I will be right back."
She glanced at me looking nervous herself and let me go. I scoured the ground as I walked towards the bathroom. I spent ten minutes looking for it before I finally ducked into the restroom. I splashed water on my face.
Gods Percy. Pull yourself together! I said to myself. I wasn't sure what to do so I stood there for a few more minutes then returned to my table.
Sorry I apologized.
It's fine. Annabeth said rather dryly. Look Percy. You said you wanted to talk… about us... We've been dating for years now. The relationship has sort of remained neutral so to speak and if you-if you don't want to- to continue just let me know. I mean I care about you and I think you care about me, but nothing has really happened, but I don't know. Just… Don't torture me.
She appeared to be holding back tears. Looking back on it the night did seem like a breakup. Fancy restaurant. Couldn't talk about what I wanted to. And I left the table for half an hour. It took me a minute to process everything. Annabeth pushed her chair back as if she was leaving.
Oh Annabeth gods no! I reached for her. No! No! No! I love you! We've been through so much together! Breaking up with you would the single stupidest thing I have ever done in my life. And that's saying something! I never realized I had raised my voice and the other couples and servers were watching me. I continued
I lost it okay! I held up the empty velvet box. That's why I left for so long. I was looking for the dumb thing! I didn't come to end our relationship! I came to, to, to, to…" I stuttered "I came expand it and I came to talk to you because- because dammit, I want you to marry me!
There was complete silence for a few moments until Annabeth broke into a sobbing grin.
'Yes!'
Applause erupted and I stood stunned as Annabeth wrapped her arms around me.
"You know usually a guy gets on his knee. Also, I've never seen one scream 'damn'." She whispered to me.
Finally I was able to hug her back.
"I'm sorry about all that. And losing the ring."
"It's not that important," she said
"Yeah but I spent my very first real paycheck on that!" I complained.
"Oh gods Percy! You waited that long?!"
I nodded. "I thought about sooner, but I wanted to finish school and sort of settle down..."
Annabeth just looked at me almost dumfounded. Without warning a man came over and shook my hand.
"My, my boy! That's a proposal if I ever heard one! I hope this works out with you!" That was all he said before he walked off but there was something very familiar about him. Perhaps the smell? It was…salty. The he turned around and tossed something to me.
"Oh and this might be yours."
I caught it. The ring! I turned around to my Fiancée.
"Now let's redo this. Annabeth. Minerva. Chase. Will you agree, for a second time, to marry me?"
She just laughed and kissed me. Naturally I kissed back.
"You forgot about the knee again", she teased playfully. I took that as a yes.