Chapter Nineteen

"Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same." -Unknown

Annabeth has no idea what Piper was thinking.

Maybe it was Jason's idea, who knows. Sometimes that kid can be as mischievous as Piper, so for all she knows, Jason could be the mastermind behind this- weird scheme.

Okay, for starters, she's not mad. Just confused. Where did they practice this? When did they get the time to- choreograph it? And how the hell did they convince Nico to dance?

Annabeth was standing so beautiful at the end of the aisle, her dress fanned out around her, the bouquet of flowers delicately resting in her arms; she looked like a painted angle in a portrait you'd see on the ceilings of really old churches or libraries in Rome. She was beautiful, and glowing. How every girl should be on her wedding day.

Annabeth's parents weren't there. They weren't even invited. It's not a thing of spite, or resilience. It's just Annabeth not wanting confrontation or bitterness of any kind on her wedding day.

They did email her. How they found out she's getting married is beyond her. (Probably some backstabbing cousin.) It was veg, but described their wishes of love and hope for Annabeth. They didn't say anything about not getting invited, but they did express their disliking with how their sweet daughter is marrying a man they haven't met. Annabeth sent a short, but thankful message back, saying that once they mature enough, she'll be glad to introduce them, but for now she'd kindly like to enjoy her wedding.

So Annabeth asked if Piper would walk her down the aisle.

Piper immediately got both of them drunk with cooking wine and rum cake (which doesn't actually have alcohol in it) and cried like she won a bajillion dollars.

("Oh, my gosh, Annabeth. I get to be your maid of honor and your dad? I've never been so excited for a wedding in my life!"

"Not even your own wedding?"

"Please, Annie, Jason and I signed the documents then went for brunch with you, Percy, and Nico at IHOP. I had a white t-shirt on and Jason cleaned his sneakers, trust me. This will be epic.")

At the time, Annabeth dismissed the "epic" as Piper playing Annabeth's dad while she walks her down the aisle. Not a full dance number.

She's about to take her first step on the white carpet of the church aisle when the thumping of a loud, probably really old, pop song blasts through the speakers. Annabeth almost trips. The piano player looks absolutely scandalized. The crowd is completely unfazed and Piper is skipping down the aisle.

Then everyone is dancing. All Annabeth's bridesmaids take the groomsmen and dance up and down the aisle, the guests in the stands join in and Annabeth finds Percy's eyes from across the aisle. He grins at her and shrugs his shoulders, Annabeth laughs. Piper grabs Annabeth's hands as the song starts to end and the patrons return to their seats, cheeks flushed and broad grins adorning their faces. They were just waiting for that moment.

Annabeth remembers from Love, Actually, one of her favorite Christmas movies, which Percy refuses to believe is a Christmas movie, how in the beginning, the wedding between the two characters (who can remember names, honestly), there was a huge surprise from the best friend (who was secretly in love with the bride, but that's not important) where a band came up from the crowd and there were singers and a whole beautiful show, just for the two newlyweds. The moment was so sweet and heartwarming because the surprise made the moment even better for the couple.

And Annabeth can't help but shamelessly think that this is so much better than that.

Finally, she's at the end of the aisle and she hand the bouquet to Piper, who kisses her cheek and walks to the bridesmaids. Percy takes Annabeth's hands and butterflies swarm her stomach. Good ones, though. Excited butterflies.

Even though, legally, they're already married, Annabeth feels like it's a breath of fresh air when the priest announces it. They already act like an old married couple and she definitely doesn't need to be married to Percy to know they'll be together forever.

But now she can call him her husband, and he her wife, and they having matching rings and matching smiles. What can beat that, truly.

Piper doesn't pull anything like before during the reception, but the energy is still the same. After the ceremony, a bunch of old relatives called it a night, because it was already so late, and some couples had kids that had bedtimes, so the reception was visibly smaller than the wedding (but they did that on purpose, because who needs a bunch of tired, screaming kids and old aunts and uncles you barely know, when you can just- not).

Besides, wedding receptions are expensive. The least amount of guests, the better.

(All Percy and Annabeth really need are each other, so no reception would've been fine too.)

They dance together, feeling the beat of the other's heart. Annabeth can't help but notice how handsome he looks in his suit, and she feels so lucky knowing that this sweet man is her husband. Her soulmate.

This morning he left a little note on her wrist. It just said I can't wait but Annabeth knew what it meant and her heart swelled when she saw the letters draw on her arm.

Percy traces the note on her wrist as they sway. "I love you," he tells her. "Even if we weren't soulmates, I'd still love you."

She looks up into his eyes. "I'd love you no matter what world we live in."

He touches his forehead to hers and smiles. Percy whispers, "We're really cheesy."

She breathes out a laugh. "I know, but it's true."

Percy kisses her once, then her forehead, and wraps her in his arms and starts humming along to the song. He's never heard it before, Annabeth's sure, but it has that slow rhythm that's easy to catch on to. She just hugs him tighter and presses her face against his chest, where his heart his and she smiles.

There's nothing she could possibly love more than this man.

"Piper, you have to understand my- scaredness right now. You dragged me into the women's bathroom, checked if it was empty, and locked the doors."

Piper stops pacing. "Is 'scaredness' even a word?"

Annabeth brushes it off. "I don't think so." Piper keeps pacing. She bites on her nails and Annabeth sees how her hands are shaking. "Piper," Annabeth says softly. "What's going on? I can't have my best friend so anxious on my wedding day." She leans against one of the sinks as Piper paces the length of the bathroom, her heels clinking on the tile every step she takes.

Piper smiles at her shakily. "Yeah. I know, I'm sorry. I shouldn't be worrying you, let's go back to the party, I'm sure Percy is wondering where you are-" Piper moves to unlock the door, but Annabeth moves across the room and places a hand on her arm.

"Piper," Annabeth says, raising an eyebrow. "Percy's fine. It's you I'm worried about. What's wrong?"

Piper opens her arms. Annabeth smiles and wraps Piper in her best hug. Annabeth rests her head on Piper's shoulder and Piper holds her like a lifeline. Piper sighs and buries her head in Annabeth's shoulder. "I'm gonna tell him," she whispers.

Annabeth pauses and backs up to look at Piper's face, still holding her close. "That's amazing!"

Piper smiles wearily, she turns around and starts walking around the bathroom again, she leans against one of the sinks, ringing her hands. "I know, I shouldn't be so anxious because we already have Tommy, but what if Jason doesn't want another kid? Or- or what if Tommy doesn't want a sister? Annabeth-"

"Sister?"

"Oh," Piper says. "I forgot to tell you." She puts her hand on her stomach and smiles, her eyes glassy. "It's a girl."

"Oh my god!" Annabeth runs forward and wraps Piper in a tight hug. "Piper, Jason is going to be so happy." Annabeth leans back and tucks a strand of Piper's hair behind her ear. "I promise." Annabeth smiles. "You're the craziest, most brave person I know." She whispers, "You got this."

Piper smiles. "I got this."

There's a moment where Piper just smiles and Annabeth's so blown away by how far they've both come. Just a few years ago, they were both single chumps living together and now Piper's graduated college and Annabeth wrote a book and they're both married and Piper's pregnant with her second child and it's a girl and-

"I'm naming her Beth." Piper smiles so happily, her face nearly splits. A happy tear falls from her eye. "After my sister."

"Piper-" Annabeth starts.

"No, Annabeth, I knew she'd be named after you the moment I found out she was a girl, don't even start." Piper takes Annabeth's hand and puts it on her stomach. They both grin at each other. "I know you got all married today, but I love you, Annabeth. Maybe it's just my mommy hormones-" Annabeth laughs and a tear traces down her face (how many times has she happy cried today?) "-, but I love you so much and I'm so, so happy for you."

Annabeth wipes Piper's tear away and then her own. "Best friends," she says, taking Piper's hand in her own.

"None of that 'till death do we part' bullshit, you can't get rid of me in the afterlife, Bethy. I'll be with you after eternity, you can count on that."

Annabeth can't even respond because she's smiling so wide. Maybe someone can have two soulmates.

It came as quite a shock to Percy when Nico volunteered to give a toast. He's never been one to public speak, but after Percy couldn't decide between Nico and Jason for best man, he left them to figure it out. Jason would do the organizing (boring) part of the best man shebang, they'd both stand next to him in the aisle, and Nico would give the best man speech.

Percy wasn't sure if he'd even go through with it, but before they all ate Nico stood with the classic clinking-knife-to-side-of-champagne-glass attention grabber. Percy had his arm around the back of Annabeth's chair, and even though he's known her for the past five years, he hasn't seen her for the past few days, what with the whole 'no seeing your betrothed before the wedding!" deal and of course 'no sleeping in the same bed the night before!' rule. Plus last minute preparations and whatnot means Percy hasn't really been able to hold a conversation with her in awhile. He's stoked to be with her now, though.

Plus, she looks breathtaking. Percy's always known how beautiful she is, but tonight, with the twinkly lights strung above them and the blankets of moonlight shining through the window, Percy wonders how he got so lucky. She's beautiful, she's funny, she's smarter than he'll ever be, and she loves him. He intertwines their fingers under the table.

At their same table, Piper is practically sitting on top of Jason. Annabeth told him how she's pregnant again, so Percy understands the excitement. Looking at Annabeth, he can't wait until it's their turn. He kisses her temple. He'll never love anyone more than this woman.

(Although, Percy's not too sure about Piper being pregnant again. During the first one, Percy had moved into the two girls apartment, and Piper was- well, she had an interesting pregnancy. One that resulted Percy in doing almost everything for her, which should be a sin, really. That's Jason's job, and come on, dude, sure you've got class, but your fiance is pregnant and she needs peach yogurt right now so screw Criminal Law.

Not that Percy wasn't stoked to have a nephew. [If that's what you could call it, Percy doesn't honestly know, Jason's his cousin, but they're like brothers.] But he guesses that the situation was just awkward in general: Piper was going to move out around the same time Percy moved in, but then she got pregnant and had to worry more about the baby than a new apartment. It was a little messy, but Percy got a new best friend out of it, plus Tommy likes Percy more than anyone and who could possibly complain about that?

He digresses.)

Nico stands with his glass in hand, his new engagement ring shining on his finger, his other hand resting on Will's shoulder. (Two months ago both he and Will planned to propose to each other. It was one of those 'Will you marry me?' 'Yes, but will you marry me?' kinda things. Will cried hard, and Nico denies that he did, but he definitely did.)

Everyone raises their glasses. Nico starts. "Five years ago, Percy told me the girl talking to him on his arm was named Annabeth. He said she had blonde hair and grey eyes." He smiles at Percy. "I could've easily told him that the girl down the hall who's rooming with the love of Jason's life is the same girl who played Mythomagic with me on the top of the washing machines and who's also named Annabeth, has blonde hair and grey eyes, but where's the fun in that." Everyone laughs. "Eventually they found each other, like all soulmates do. And I can't say I'm particularly a genius in romance, but these guys are indefinitely, madly, grossly, in love. It's cute now, but it wasn't when it was on my living room floor at three in the afternoon." There's a few surprised laughs and Piper bursts out laughing, throwing her head back.

"That never happened!" Percy exclaims.

"Yes, it did," Nico says, matter-of-factly. "And it was disgusting and I'll never forgive you for it, but what's a best man's speech without an embarrassing story or two?" Percy just smiles and shakes his head. Annabeth laughs next to him, putting her head on his shoulder. "Okay, now for the sad part," Nico says, taking a drink of his champagne. "This wedding is so beautiful and Annabeth, you did a wonderful job-" someone clears their throat "-you too, Piper. The lights are magnificent."

Everyone chuckles and Piper scoffs. "I did more than the lights, you prick."

Nico smiles and starts talking again, his voice more serious. He looks down at the table while he talks. "Aunt Sally would've been so happy to see this." Percy's chest tightens, and Annabeth squeezes his arm. "Wherever she is, she's cheering you guys on, and she's so proud of you both." Nico smiles and looks back up to Percy and Annabeth. "From Sally and from me, to Annabeth and Percy, cheers!"

"Cheers!" Everyone chorused. Percy raises his glass and drinks the rest of it. He looks over Annabeth's head out of the window for a moment, thinking that wherever his mom is, she's definitely happy for him. His heart swells. He kisses Annabeth's forehead and rests his head on top of hers. Around the room, some couples have gotten up to dance again. Piper and Jason are whispering softly and Jason's hand is resting on Piper's stomach, she laughs at something he's said. Nico and Will are standing to dance and Nico twirls Will, who laughs and leans to kiss his fiance's cheek.

Percy looks down at Annabeth. She's half asleep on his shoulder, he chuckles and kisses her head again. He rubs his fingers over the note he left. I can't wait, it says. This morning it meant he couldn't wait to get married. But now it means that he can't wait for the rest of his life with his soulmate by his side. He can't wait for their own house, their own yard, their own kids, their own life. Just the two of them. Forever.

Annabeth blinks sleepily and looks up at him. She smiles. "Husband," she says.

"Wife," he says.

What a perfect day.

What a perfect end.

hello hello there

oh my god its over holy guacamole. im sure that's not how you spell it but whatever

i absolutely loved how i ended this

let me tell you guys, im not at school today so i sat down and wrote this for two hours with only the sound of my dogs snores to keep me going.

wow. my Author Brain is surely at it again. before i really get into my sappy goodbyes, let me dedicate this to a few lovely people

firstly, Orange Pens and Messy Hands (he's another writer on this site, please go check out his stories, they're magnificent). thank you for listening (reading?) to my ramblings about the oddest things. we bonded over writing but that turned into illegal daycare and your broken hand (rip in peace), having another friend on this site inspired me to get my self in gear and write this freaking chapter, so thank you for talking to me and being super cool my friend

Helen of Troy, we used to pm all the time, girl! we need to catch up! you definitely helped inspire me to write out a few chapters along the way, and you always have the sweetest reviews, so thank you for being fantastic

(for whatever reason, isn't allowing me to write your username, probably because it thinks it's a url, but whatever) suicidal stolen art, i know we haven't talked too much, but you've always been super sweet when we do and your reviews always bring a huge smile to my face, so absolutely thank you for being epic

and OF COURSE, my main queen GirlishlyGreek. gosh you've been writing me essays for reviews since Sixth Period Study Hall, goooodness. you have no idea how excited i get when i see you've reviewed. i smile so much and you always make me laugh, we've got to talk more girl! pm me anytime, im always up to chat with anyone lol. im your number one fan and i'll always be. thank you for leaving me the sweetest reviews to read, they always brighten my day.

Also: to everyone who has pmed me being concerned about my (very long) hiatus, thank you. those little words of motivation have gotten me to write down little notes about what to add into this chapter. thank you for letting me know how much you love the story and helping me figure this thing out, you're wonderful

and finally: the readers!1 you people are fantabulous and i could not have done this without you. there were a few moments where i had doubts and thought of ending this story without finishing it, but you guys have motivated me to write the last few thousand words of this long story that is officially one year in the making! i started this story last january! and now its technically february! (holy crap i just realized im uploading on a friday, look at me go) and a huge thank you to those who kept reviewing even though i hadn't uploaded in a while, you people helped me want to finish this story.

*drum roll please*

!

this story, as of when im writing this authors note, has 295 reviews and 51,000-ish views! holy crap! the stats! wow! you guys are so wonderful and im running out of adjectives to use, but you get the point, thank you for loving this story just as much as i do.

ugh, this is making me emotional bleh.

(fun fact: i had an idea to add into this chapter, but i couldn't really find a good place to put it, but i was gonna write a scene where they cut the wedding cake and obviously they smush it all over each others faces and then they do the "im covered in cake and so are you" kiss where they just get even more covered in cake. so just imagine that one my sweet readers)

(also the wedding dance scene was from the office [my favorite tv show] if you want to see what that scene is supposed to look like, go on youtube and search "jim and pams wedding" and it should come up. piper is micheal scott there is no changing my mind)

ugh im playing this out because i don't want this to end. i just dont want to say goodbye to these characters.

all good things must come to an end though.

so this is goodbye then. thank you for everything, you beautiful readers.

for the last time (until my next story, that is), have an amazing friday and a wonderful rest of your weekend

-Leigh