The Wedding

2

Nico P.O.V-

I stood at the altar along with Jason, who was officiating the wedding as Pontifex, and Percy, my best man. Behind where Will would be standing in a few moments, his maid of honor, Kayla, his half-sister, was grinning wider than ever.

I looked at the crowd and identified the front-seaters.

My dad, Hades.

Naomi Solace, Will's mom and my soon to be mother-in-law.

Sally, Percy's mother and my mother figure.

Paul, Percy's stepfather and the man who taught me how to drive.

Estelle, the most adorable kid I've ever met and Percy's little sister.

Reyna, my best friend.

Hazel, my sister.

Frank, Piper, Leo, Coach Hedge and Annabeth, a few of the people I trust.

Rachel and Chiron, my friends.

Hestia, the nicest, warmest goddess I have ever met.

And finally, Dionysus, the god of parties.

One last chair was left for Apollo, Will's dad, and the closest thing I have to a friend in the Olympians other than Dionysus and Hestia. His chair was right beside my dad.

Then, a gong sounded, and turned into cheerful bells as Will walked in, brought by Apollo. In front of them, Zoe, Percy and Annabeth's 4-year-old daughter, was the flower girl as she dropped beautiful white lilies on the floor from her basket. Lilies. The first flower Will ever gave me.

Will looked dashing in his yellow shirt, black bowtie and black coat. He had a white rose in his coat lapel, matching my shirt. I had a yellow rose in mine, matching his shirt.

Apollo dropped him off and settled in the last seat, while sending me a mental message. Take care of my son.

I replied with my eyes, 'I will.'

Jason started off, 'Dear friends, family. Thank you so much for coming to this wonderful occasion. We are here to witness the wedding of two souls who suffered hardships to get where they are, yet throughout it all, their love persevered.'

'Speak your vows, William Solace.'

'I noticed Nico the first day he arrived at camp 14 years ago. I was 11 at the time and he was 10. I don't know if he remembers but I was the one who showed him around camp. He was the most adorable kid around my age I'd ever seen, always upbeat, asking questions, and rambling about Mythomagic. When I saw him again after 2 years, I couldn't believe how much he'd changed. He ate less, he looked paler, and his eyes so much darker. Later, when we officially met a year and a half later, I got through to him and realized that the old Nico that I loved was still there.'

As he went on about our relationship, I heard sounds of sobbing. Not Percy, he was just sniffling. Not Kayla, she just had red, puffy eyes. Not me, my smile could have lit up the universe at the time. Like Will's smiles, that always lit up my universe.

My eyes raked the crowd and I didn't believe what I saw.

My dad, Hades, lord of the dead and an all-time terrifying guy with his tall height, pale skin and dark eyes, was sobbing his heart out into a black silk handkerchief.

Even more surprising, Apollo and him had their arms around each other as they sobbed.

I turned back to face Will as he finished.

'Nico, I vow to always be by your side and take care of you.'

'Thank you, Will. Nico di Angelo, your turn.' Jason said, his ton making it clear that he was holding back tears.

I took a deep breath and remembered Percy's advice. Speak from the heart. 'Will, you have been the light to my darkness since the day we first officially met. I was walking a very fine line between the realms of life and death when I saw you, Lou Ellen and Cecil trying to sabotage Octavian's attack. When you took my hand, I felt as if all my shadows were evaporating. Since then, every shred of physical contact with you tethered me to the realm of life. When you smile, my whole universe lights up. I don't have much to offer, except for my promise, that I will always stay with you.'

'Thank you, Nico.' Jason said, a tear falling from his eye. 'Now, may their chosen ones please bring out the rings.'