I don't own PJatO or HoO or Jared's.

Percy POV

"Life is good." I thought as he drove towards his house from the minor quest he had just finished.

Today, I was going to make the biggest promise of all to the girl I loved with all my heart.

I, Perseus Jackson, was going to pop the question on Annabeth Chase, my girlfriend of six years.

So, for the occasion, I decided to stop by the grocery store to buy some wine and food. I decided to go with Cabernet Sauvignon fine wine for the strong flavor and with a roast beef fillet for the elegant taste.

I also bought a large stack of microwaveable television dinners for those "I can't cook" days.

I paid for all of the food and drink then speeded out of the store. I ran to my car and fiddled with my car keys in my haste to get to the house. Just then a shadow walked up to me and hollered, "Percy? Is that you over there?" I turned, shocked, to see none other than Nico di' Angelo, one of my best friends.

"Howya doin' Death Breath?" I breathed.

Nico shouted "Percy, Percy it's too good to see you, it's been two years mind you."

"Yeah well, I have had about a gazillion quests to work on and I've been on it day and night," I replied with a monotonous voice.

"Perce, you haven't forgot about your other friends have you?" Nico inquired worriedly.

I noticed the emphasis on 'friends' and shook my head. "Nico I haven't, I'm going to propose to my friend so of course not."

"Wow Percy, really, after SIX years of waiting you will finally propose, I thought it would never happen!" Nico stated dryly.

"Ugh Nico you can be really irritating at times, you know that."

"Yup, thanks for finally noticing my abilities" he said sarcastically.

"Thanks for stopping by Nico, but if you don't mind, I have to go pick up my ring at Jared's" I whispered

"Um Percy, WHY DON'T YOU HAVE THE RING YET?"

"About that-"

Just then, a bright flash of light appeared behind us, and a beautiful woman appeared in front of us, though she looked extremely pale.

"NICO DI'ANGELO, YOU HAVE BEEN SUMMONED BY HADES, COME WITH ME." The lady boomed with a surprisingly strong voice.

Nico muttered something under his breath which I couldn't understand.

"What Nico?" I breathed to him.

"That's Persephone, and she absolutely despises me Percy."

"Nico, I know you always say that you hate Persephone, and I understand why, but you should try to at least, you know, be friends…?"

Nico then voiced louder, "Persephone. I will not travel with you under the circumstances. If you do not give any information as to what this visit regards then I sweat on the River Styx that I will not come with you."

Thunder roared in the background.

"You DARE defy me demigod?" Why make this more complicated for yourself when Lord Hades is already uneasy waiting for your arrival?"

Nico gritted his teeth. "I said, I will NOT come without information."

"Fine, if this is the way you want it demigod, I will give you your information," Persephone stated dryly.

Nico leapt into the nearest shadow to talk with Persephone as I turned away from the bright flash of light that was Persephone.

I mentally wished Nico good luck as Persephone disappeared.

Ugh, Nico can get into so much trouble sometimes it bothers me WAY too much. I guess that's what you deserve when you care for someone related to the god of death too much.

I took my Lamborghini Aventador, a gift from the war, towards Jared's for my engagement ring.

As I walked into the store, my eyes were blinded by the way different rings and necklaces reflected light towards my eyes.

I made to pick up my ring at the counter. I had ordered a 12 carat gray diamond ring for the both of us in honor of Annabeth's breathtaking stormy gray eyes.

I hurried from the store in my haste to get back home.

As I pulled up to Annabeth and I's flat, I grew nervous of what I was about to do.

Annabeth wasn't home yet, so I would have time to set up the house before she came home.

I looked at my Rolex and saw the hands signifying 6:30. Annabeth would only be home by 8, so I was set.

Moving around the house, my hands were a blur as I perfected every small thing out of place.

I cooked the food (A/N: In my world, you can cook anything in an hour or less!) and prepared the table. Candles were lit throughout the house, and most of all, in the bedroom on the second story.

By the end of everything, it was 7:45, and I waited by the door. By 8:00 sharp, and Annabeth was always punctual, the door opened and Annabeth walked in.

I decided to wait and hide to see where she would go. For some reason, she gave a cursory glare around the room and then called my name loudly. I decided to stay quiet and surprise her by walking in on her from behind in the kitchen.

Then, she turned around and started walking back towards the door. For some reason she opened it and stepped outside and called, "Malcolm, it's safe!"

Malcolm? Wasn't he Annabeth's half-brother? Why would Annabeth have Malcolm over? Was he here to go over some decision Athena made about some minor skirmish? Most of all, why did she call my name?

There was the sound of heavy footsteps coming up the stairs into the door. Then I saw a figure walk in. His face was revealed from the light to be Annabeth's half-brother.

Then the unthinkable happened.