Percy was ready. He was ready to start a life with his favourite girl. Before he came here, he came with a ring and butterflies in his stomach. But he really knew he had to propose today, after all, she did say that she wanted to live with him.
"Hey, uh, Wise Girl, can we go to the beach?" Percy asked.
"But Percy, you promised that we were able to snuggle up and watch movies!" Annabeth argued.
Did he? He must have been caught up in all the excitement.
"Please, it will be quick, babe!"
"Did you just call me... Babe?"
Yup. He was definitely caught up in the excitement. He cursed silently. Percy was thinking too far ahead. What if Annabeth rejected him? No... they had been together for 9 years. She had to accept him, right?
Annabeth's voice jolted him back to reality.
"'Babe' is an...interesting name for me. But it'll do." She pecked him on the cheek.
"So we're going to the beach?" Percy blurted, feeling quite embarrassed.
"Well, if you make sure it's quick," Annabeth said.
~~~~~
They walked along the beach for a few minutes, holding hands and in comfortable silence. Percy kept thinking, When will it come?
Oh, it came all right.
The next wave came with a surprise.
It was so big that it splashed both of them. Annabeth was so distracted that she didn't realise that Percy was down on one knee, with an open ring box in his hand. She looked down and gasped. Washed up on the shore were seashells, and they were arranged in such a way that you could make out the words: Will you marry me? (Courtesy of Poseidon, being Percy's father he, well, let's just say he reluctantly agreed. We can all imagine what he would say about Percy and Annabeth being married.
My son! With a daughter of Athena? No, I cannot allow it! We are supposed to be rivals, Percy! How-why would you do this to me? Do you want to make me the laughing stock of Olympus? Do not try me by going near her!
But my guy Percy managed to persuade him)
It took Annabeth a few seconds to decipher the words with her dyslexia and all, but she managed to read it.
She looked around for Percy. Of course, she saw him, on one knee. She gasped so loud, the whole world could have heard her. Annabeth cupped her hands to her mouth.
"Annabeth Chase, you are the love of my life. You make me smile so hard that my jaw aches. You are the sun that has brightened up my life. When we first met, you looked so beautiful even though you were 12, and of course, I didn't say anything. Then at 13, when I looked at you with makeup on, I was speechless. You still are as gorgeous as ever. The only woman I have ever wanted is you. Annabeth Chase, will you marry me?"
Annabeth was speechless. How in the world had Percy Jackson arranged something that was so, good? Lovely? Annabeth couldn't find words for it.
Finally, Annabeth got over her shock. "Oh, my gods! Yes, yes, yes! Of course, I'll marry you!" She shrieked. Percy slid the ring on her finger. It was beautiful. It was a diamond ring with a speck of sea green in the middle, her now favourite colour. But before she could wrap her arms around her fiancé, Percy pushed them both into the water. He created an air bubble around them, just like the time they kissed underwater at Camp Half-Blood. This time it was different though. This time Percy also created a floor made out of the water, so they would not sink to the bottom. And that was where they kissed for what felt like eternity.
