The Fire In Me (A Leo Valdez Love Story)

The Boring Epilogue At the End of the Book

I straightened my bow tie in the grubby mirror in Bunker 9, making sure I looked alright. I figured if this was going to be the only time I would ever wear a tie, I wanted it to look nice. Especially for Laura. 

I took one last brushing of my suit, then finally rushed out the door. Festus was there, shined to perfection, if I do say so myself. I leaped onto him as I had done so many times, and he took off. I kept checking all of Festus' equipment, making sure that everything was perfect. Festus looked up at me and snorted. I grinned sheepishly and tried to relax. It was just a dance. Everyone else would be there too! But I knew it was going to be a special night. 

Finally, we landed on the new launch pad I had fixed up the day before. It was fireproof and could withstand ten hellhounds! So Festus was not a problem. I slid off, patted his copper back, and ran the rest of the way to the Zeus cabin. It wasn't that hard to find, since it was the largest one, and in the middle of the camp. 

As I approached the big double doors, my heart thumped louder in my chest. I tried to stay calm, but I was so nervous that the world would end up in a catastrophe while we were trying to have a good time. I wanted everything to be absolutely perfect. Did I mention that already? 

My hand froze in front of the door, every muscle in my body tensing up. Would she like my outfit? Would she think I was a dork for asking her to a camp dance? Would she be too beautiful for me to even look at?! 

Okay, I told myself. Just chill. She will love your outfit, and she will be just perfect. 

I knocked on the door. I heard bells ringing inside, and hurried footsteps. I pressed my ear against the door, despite myself. I heard hushed whispers inside, but I couldn't make out the words or the people. 

Suddenly, the door swung open, and I almost fell over. What a gentleman I was. But when I looked up, I almost did keel over of a heart attack! 

In front of me Laura. And she was almost too good to be true! 

She wore a dark blue dress that had clouds and flashes of lightning running across it. A purple sash was tied at the waist, showing royalty. She did her hair in a fancy braided bun, with sparkle sprinkled around, and it shimmered blue like her eyes. Her makeup was flawless, and she reminded me of Piper and her beauty queen moment three years earlier. Had it been that long? Had it been an entire year since I was stranded on that island? With...Calypso? 

Laura blushed and looked down, fidgeting with her dress, which caused rain and thunder on it. I snapped back to focus. Calypso was another story. Right now, I had plans. 

I bowed low, waving my hand in front of me dramatically, and she laughed. It sounded like heaven. I looked up again, grinning stupidly, then froze in utter surprise. Standing right beside her was Zeus. 

He looked down towards me, and I bowed again, this time staying down. I heard him come down the steps, and felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up. Was he going to scold me? 

He just stared at me. I tried to break the silence. "Don't smite me, please, sir." 

Zeus laughed heartily, and it sounded like rolls of thunder. I relaxed a little. 

"Of course not, boy. I don't do that anymore. But, I think I have something that belongs to you." He gestured behind him, and Laura came down the stairs, her dress reacting with the stairs. She smiled shyly at me, and I beamed. 

"Really, sir?" 

"I think you'll take good care of my daughter. You will, won't you?" Tears welled up in his eyes. "Will you promise to take care of my little girl?"