Nico

Things finally start calming down around here. Almost a new normal.

After my book success blew up, I almost had no time to myself. But, things finally calmed down. Kind of.

With Bia coming back and the busy life with her appointments and Conner back and forth from the military base and their place. I've been Bias transport from appointments.

Oh yeah, they got a little 2 bedroom house for them, and the future baby.

With Bias appointments and Will back to school and work. We didn't end up having...our first time on his birthday. We did go out, but when we got home, we both kind of passed out instead. Long day. He didn't take off school, so it didn't happen.

I wasn't upset, but I was...bummed, I worked myself up that day. I didn't mention it to Will, I know he's been busy

The next few months flew by with all this going on. My birthday was a blur. Bia, Hazel, Will, my friends and Conner threw me a surprise party. It was fun but after everyone left...

I thought Will and I were...going to do it...

But we ended up just fooling around instead. I almost brought it up, but I chickened out. I sorta thought at this point Will didn't want to... and I was going to accept it.

Our 1 year anniversary was coming up, in the next few days since my birthday just passed. We should probably plan something. At least a dinner.

"Mr. di Angelo?" I hear, and I look up from my desk and see my assistant. Katie.

"Everything okay?" I ask, and she clears her throat.

"You have someone here to see you." She explains, and I motion for her to bring them in.

Since my book was a success, I have a small office for myself. I have an assistant to run errands for me when I get on business meetings or calls. She's very, very sweet, and I make sure to pay her damn well. I'm not going to be like those stuck-up snobs who treat their assistants like garbage. I chewed out one of my clients for something like that. Assholes.

I hear a knock, and I look up and see Percy.

"Hey man!" He says, grinning, and I stand up and go in front of the desk.

"Hey Percy, what's up?" I ask, giving him a fist bump, and he gives me a confused look.

"I'm surprised you're here today." He says, and I frown.

"I'm usually here. I've been busy, and I have a meeting at 5. It was sudden and weird, but yeah. Why?" I ask, and I hesitate.

"Nico, do you know what today is?" He asks, and I frown, and I look at the calendar.

"February 4th....February....4th....Febu- OH MERDA!" I shout and go to my desk, shutting everything down.

"Katie!" I call, and she runs in, and I give her a small smile.

"Hey, cancel everything today. I forgot my anniversary and need to run home. I'll still pay you for the day." I say she nods and runs off.

"You need a ride? I didn't see your car." Percy says, and I frown.

"My car was here. I drove to work." I say, and Katie walks in.

"If I may, sir. Today was the day your car was sent to the shop. If you remember, I was supposed to take you home." She explains, and I curse.

"That's today - ugh, okay, thank you, Katie. I did forget. Um, yes, Percy, take me home." I say finishing closing things up. Grabbing my jacket and booking it out the door.

Percy follows me quickly, and I rush out the door, sliding on the ice

"Careful!" Percy shouts, and I grab his door handle

"I'm good!" I exclaim and climb into his truck.

"Did you even get him anything?" Percy asks, and I curse.

"Yes, but it's not here yet, fuck." I groan and he pats my shoulder.

"What was it?" He asks and I sigh.

"A ring." I mumble and his eyes widen.

"Woah really?" He asks and I nod sighing.

"Yeah uh, I was going to propose. I was going to do it today. But you know I mixed up the dates, I didn't plan what we are doing. Anything! I'm the world's worse boyfriend." I sigh and he starts the truck.

"You aren't the worse boyfriend Nico, you literally have been super busy with your recent success. Wills been at work and school. I don't think he'll be upset, he's probably busy too." Percy says and I think for a second.

"Still I want to do something..." I mumble and he glances at me.

"You know that place you and Will told me about, that private lake place you two watched the sunrise. I went out there today to check it out, I thought it would be a nice place to bring Annabeth. There's no snow. Also, it's warmer than it is here. Like 50°F. He says, and my eyes widen.

"That would be perfect... but the ring?" I say, and he taps the steering wheel.

"No offense, but you're kinda loaded now. You could probably buy one today. I assume you know his ring size." He says, and I nodded.

"Alright, to the mall, I need to go to the jewelers." I state, and he nods.

"If you want, I'll go set up everything, meet back in an hour?" He asks, and I hesitate.

"Are you sure?" I ask, and he grins

"Sure, dude! Not every day one of your best friends proposes. I'll help in any way I can." He assures, and I nod gratefully.

"Thank you, Percy, make it like picnic theme um...there's this Italian restaurant Will and I like I'll text you the food we like. Pick it up when you come get me so it stays fresh longer." I say, and he nods, pulling into the mall.

"Alright, I'll meet you out front in an hour." He says, and I nod, getting out of the car.

"Thank you, Perce." I say gratefully, and he grins and gives me a thumbs up.

"You got this!" He says then drives off, and I take a deep breath.

I can do this...oh my gods I'm doing this!

I walk in and go straight to Kay's. I'm treated by the sales lady.

"Can I help you today?" She asks, and I nod nervously.

"I'm looking to propose to my boyfriend." I say nervously, and her face lights up.

"Aw, that's exciting, so I assume you're obviously here for the ring. Can you describe your boyfriend maybe I can help find something or do you have a ring in mind?" She asks, and I shake my head.

"I ordered a ring, but things have changed, and it's running behind. I need a ring today." I say worried, and she frowns.

"I'm sorry, describe your boyfriend sometimes the best rings pop out at you when you're thinking of them." She says, and I take a deep breath.

"He's the sweetest, most loving and caring guy I know. He lights a whole room with his smile. My Sunshine." I say blushing, and she smiles before gasping.

"Wait, I have the perfect ring in mind." She says, and I raise an eyebrow before she rushes over to a section.

She runs back with a box and sits it on the counter, gesturing me to open it.

I do, and my jaw drops slightly

It's a sun shaped ring on a silver band and an amber stone, silver, and gold rays surrounding the amber stone.

"It's beautiful." I say, and she smiles and nods.

"It's one of a kind. We got it in last week. It's size 13 in men." She says, and my eyes shoot up.

"That's the size I need. I'll take it." I state, and she smiles widely.

"Alright, do you need a payment plan?" She asks, heading towards the register.

"Nope, I'll pay for it right now. How much?" I ask, and she hesitates.

"3,000 dollars." She whispers, and I hand her my card.

"Perfect." I say, and her eyes widens and she slowly swipes my card, and it goes through.

"What do you do for a living?" She asked, curiously handing me the card back.

"I'm an author for a popular book. I am also becoming a well-known artist." I state and grab the bag when she hands it to me.

"That's amazing. We'll good luck! He's a lucky man." She says, and I look down at the bag and smile.

"Trust me. I'm the lucky one."

45 minutes later

"So can I see the ring?" Percy asks, and I shake my head with a smirk.

"I want Will to see it first." I whisper, and he chuckles.

"You are so smitten. So I have everything sat up and that place was going to close early. Renovations or something, so I picked it up early and put it in this warmer I have, so it should still be good." He says, and I nod and sigh, leaning back.

"Fuck I'm scared, wait how are we going to get him to come to the spot?" I ask Percy and he glances at me.

"I texted Annabeth about that. Sorry, I told her I hope that was okay. She called Austin and had him get Will. Told him he had an idea for your anniversary, so he's with Will. But they'll get their later so we have time." He says, and I sigh in relief.

"Remind me to do something for you and Annabeth. Saved my ass." I say, and he snorts.

"We have 30 minutes before we get there. You should rest up." He says, and I take a nervous breath.

"Yeah, a nap would probably help my nerves." I say, leaning against the window.

"Rest up, bud." He says, and I nod

It took me a bit, but I finally was able to doze off.

30 minutes later

"Hey Neeks, we're here." Percy says, and I sat up and rub my eyes.

"Hey, keep your eyes closed. I want to show you what I did with the place.

I snorted but did so, and he came to the other side and gently helped me out of the truck.

"I hope you don't run me into a tree. " I joke, and he snorts and leads me by my shoulders.

"Keep them closed." He says, letting go once we reach a stop and hear rustling.

"You can open your eyes." I hear the voice of my boyfriend and my eyes shoot open, and my hand immediately covers my mouth.

"Nico di Angelo, this last year with you has been the most amazingly crazy year I've ever had. I got reunited with my best friend. You've helped me when things got hard and I did for you. I know we met again for a reason, and I wanted to show you how much I want to be with you.

I love you more than anything in this world. You are my whole heart.

"Nico di Angelo, will you marry me?"

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Surprise!!!!!

Yeah, I know it's a little cliche to add a proposal when I just got engaged myself, I'm still on cloud 9 right now.

You know what's funny? How hard it is after 5 years to say fiancé instead of boyfriend now? I was so bad, I'm doing much better now my co-workers laugh at me about it though.

Anyways I can't wait for the next chapter guy! I love you all!

Piece!