The Player's Proposal

45: The Future

Annabeth POV

Luck was on our side for once. Spring Break was marked with sunshine and warm weather. The beach was glistening thanks to the light. The breeze ruffled through our hair as we watched the boy wrestle in the water. 

"Boys will be boys," Piper cooed. 

"Yet, you all still love them," Thalai huffed. "How are guys acting dumb and fighting in the water attractive to you girls?" 

"You're missing the point, Thalia," Katie explained. "These guys are only in their swim trunks, fighting with each other. Plus, they're wet." 

"OKURT," Hazel whistled. 

Everyone laughed as Katie's face reddened. We passed around the drinks and snacks while laughing. 

"Shut up. I didn't mean it in a dirty way," Katie stammered. 

"I'm pretty sure everything you just said was dirty, Katie. Don't even deny it. Although, I'm not knocking you on what you said. You explained the situation perfectly."

I chuckled while turning my attention back to the sandcastle. I was building a four-story castle out of the sand. It was looking quite good. 

"Annie, how are you doing that? I can barely make one pile of sand stand up," Thalia complained. 

"You're just like Percy. He can't build anything if his life depended on it. See that hill over there," I pointed. "That mound is his creation." 

Thalia and I laughed while she helped me with my castle. I love all of my friends, but Thalia held a special place. She was my best friend, who also acted like a sister to my boyfriend. I was so grateful for all of her help. 

Thalia was kind and supportive to him while also uplifting. 

"All right, girls, how about we join the boys in the water?" Piper suggested. Everyone agreed, and we raced towards the waves. 

Montauk beach is truly beautiful. I'm glad that Percy has so many experiences here. It would always be a location that we return to. Percy even honored his mother here, and it was the perfect setting to do so. 

The afternoon was spent in the water and sand. 

Since the vacation included all of our friends, it was hard to find alone time with Percy. But, it's okay because we were all together.

The sun was setting when I came outside of our cabin. I had showered and cleaned up. A towel was wrapped around my hair, and I was wearing a white sundress. 

The girls had decided to get out of the water after the boys. They only took a few minutes to shower and start the barbeque. 

Percy had manned the steak barbeque station. 

Grover and Jason were helping him. Percy was surprisingly a very good cook, and his grilled foods were exceptional. His prior experiences at home and his job helped him. 

Percy playfully punched Jason while Jason turned red. I was certain that the joke had something to do with Piper's arrival. 

Piper and Jason were two others that were so helpful. Jason opened his home for Percy while Piper opened her friendship. Piper and Percy are very similar, so they get along great. They all were really good friends. 

Jason and Piper moved towards the fish station, leaving Grover and Percy alone. 

I decided to walk over. 

"Hey, Wise Girl. I feel like I haven't talked to you all day. You look amazing, and you still smell of lemons," Percy winked. 

I chuckled while kissing him on the cheek. 

The steak sizzled on the grill, and he flipped it over. The whole campfire area smelled delicious. I couldn't wait to enjoy some steak. 

Generally, I hesitate to eat fish in front of Percy. My boyfriend doesn't approve of that. One time, I ate salmon in front of him, and he didn't kiss me for the rest of the day. 

I laughed to myself. Percy could so stubborn and silly sometimes. 

"Wise Girl and G-man, I was wondering if you guys wanted to go to the rocks tomorrow. I just want to visit the location again while we're still here," Percy expressed. I smiled while Grover nodded in approval. 

The friendship between Grover and Percy was awe-striking. They have such a pure relationship. They were the best of friends, and I appreciated that. Even if I'm not around for some reason, Percy would always be someone to count on. To always be with him. 

Grover and I had already discussed it. 

We thought it would be a great idea to go to the setting where Percy released his mother's ashes. That spot is special to him. 

That particular beach holds many happy memories for Percy. 

I still couldn't believe our journey together. Several months ago, I couldn't stand being around Percy. We would argue all the time. Then, we changed. I got to know him, and he got to know me. We started to fall for each other. 

We fell into a shallow love that became deeper and deeper. Now, my feelings for Percy and his feelings for me stretched farther than the sea. 

I had so many people to thank for our relationship. My family, Sally, Chiron, and our friends all influenced me to find the love of my life. I was grateful to the universe that one impulse led to making a deal with Percy. 

The proposal marked the beginning of our exuberant story. I smiled at my thoughts while waiting for dinner to start. 

Some of the girls took much longer to freshen up. 

No one complained though. We were all hungry, but we had a great time around the campfire. The food smelled and tasted delicious. 

Our friends talked and laughed, and it was such a fun time. The conversations quietened and separated over time. The moon and stars were shining brightly in the night sky. 

It was a starry night. Beautiful. Romantic. 

I don't say this often (definitely not to him), but Percy is pretty smart. He chose a great vacation idea for the gang. 

I leaned against Percy's warm body. 

It was so comfortable to be in his arms. His arms wrapped tightly around my stomach. He pulled me into his warm embrace. 

"This vacation was a phenomenal Seaweed Brain, Percy," I whispered. 

"Did I just hear a compliment?" Percy asked slyly. 

"Shut up, Seaweed Brain. I compliment you," I answered. My gray eyes looked up to find him already gazing into my eyes. 

Flames danced in his sea-green eyes, which made me snuggle deeper into his arms. His abdomen felt strong against my back. Percy's injury healed quickly, and he was back to normal.

It was good because I feel protected and wanted when I'm leaning into him. 

"You usually don't compliment my brain, Wise Girl. Of course, you love my body and my hot physique and my skills, but"

"Okay. Okay." 

We laughed together as I further melted into his warm embrace. Life with him would be filled with laughter and love. 

I have no doubt or reservations about my future with Percy. Our future would be magical and fantastical, and I am so excited about our life together. 

I love him. I love our relationship. I love us. 

समाप्त - The End - ముగింపు