I own nothing but my OCs. This is set at Frazel's wedding, but it is mostly Leoisa. And this is partially why I had disappeared for so long. I've been working on this to almost 27000 words. Might carry it on as one long fic or might break it up into smaller fics. Haven't decided yet.

Louisa gave a double thumbs-up. Annabeth and Piper tutted at her. "What? Ya'll know I ain't good with dresses. Sorry Hazel." Luckily, the bride found it funny. Louisa stuck her tongue out at the bridesmaids, caught off guard when Hazel touched her elbow.

"Confession time." Piper grinned. Louisa squinted at her. "We've got you one too."

"Ya got me a what too?" In response, Annabeth plucked at her skirts, smirking. "Ah hell no." The dresses Piper and Annabeth wore were a silky material of pastel blue, bunched at the waist and tumbling to their knees, a rounded neckline melting into two straps over the shoulders. It companioned well with their fairer hair, which Piper had fashioned into an eloquent twisted bun with curls tickling their necks. Louisa's hair was not as fair or as tame and dresses were not her thing. Especially figure-hugging ones. Warning bells thundered in her mind, clanking relentlessly when they pulled a matching dress from the cupboard.

"You can't wear your usual get-up at Frazel's wedding!" Piper insisted.

"And don't come out with any bull about guarding the place. We're in New Rome, there are legions everywhere." Annabeth flipped her a stern look. "You need a day off and Hazel wants you to be a bridesmaid." Louisa flexed her fingers.

"Oh, Lou, please." Hazel pulled on her arm. "As a wedding gift to me? Please?" She smiled sweetly, golden eyes wide and pleading. If anyone else tried that, Louisa would have put her foot down with them under it. Hazel… had privileges.

"I hate you." Louisa told them. Hazel beamed. "Lemme go loo first though."

"OK." Hazel agreed, crushing her cousin in a grateful hug. "If you do a runner, we'll ban you from the buffet."

"I hate you more." Louisa wiggled free and left, trying not to hurry herself. She could hear them chattering excitedly behind the door, cursing as she started down the hall. "Dammit dammit dammit." Delving into her pocket, she decided to ring Leo. Leo was smart. He would know what to do.

"'Lo?" Leo answered. She could hear his smile in his tone.

"Where are you?"

"My room? Why?"

"Anyone with ya?"

"No. Also why?"

"Two minutes. Don't move." Louisa hung up and picked up her pace. Leo had left the door open a fraction, letting her slip in. He was sat on his bed, confused. "Slight problem." She told him, pushing the door shut firmly.

"Oh?"

"Ya know that lil' tiny thing we're hidin' from everyone?"

"Lil' tiny thing you're harbouring in there?" He pointed at her stomach. "I've heard of it. Why? Does someone know?"

"No, but they might." Louisa sighed, pushing her hands through her hair. Leo rose, holding his arms out. Louisa crossed into them, grumbling Greek curses into his shoulder. "Apparently, I'm one of Hazel's bridesmaids. Yeah, I know." She added at his bewilderment. "I have ta wear a dress, but that means they're gonna see."

"Is that so bad?"

"I thought you were lookin' forward to the, quote-unquote, 'prank-of-the-century'?"

"I was. I mean, I am. But I would also like to just be us… anywhere, you know? It will at least stop Piper giving me advice on how to get you to date me." Seeing her hesitation, he touched her cheek gently. "How bad will it be?" As form of answer, she clenched a handful of her shirt against the small of her back. "Ah." Leo said. The T-shirt was just loose enough to give her the covering she required; anything tighter made things a bit… obvious.

His hands dropped to feel the bump, excitement flooding his veins. A nudge on his palm and his hair went up in flames. "Sorry, sorry." He hastily patted the fire. "But you felt that too, right?" He crouched down. "Hello in there." He beamed, passing a hand over her tummy again. At another little kick, "Padre loves you too." Louisa's hand in his hair. She let her T-shirt fall back into place, though Leo's hand remained, counting the kicks. "What do you want me to do?"

"I don't know." She sighed. Leo gripped her hand and pulled himself up, looping his arm round her waist. The baby pressed a kick to his hip. Her thumbs traced over his upper arms, brushing the material of his sleeves back and forth. He was not built like any of his more Hephaestian siblings, but the muscle he did have was warm and lean, somewhat reassuring in sync with his renewed wood-smoke musk.

"Talk to me, chica." He requested softly, laying a gentle kiss on her forehead. His lips tickled her skin as he talked, "What's on your mind?" Her voice was barely audible, trembling. Leo had to duck his head to hear.

"Percy will go for you."

"You don't kn- we might catch him in a good mood." Leo hunched his shoulders. Her fingers dug into his arms. "Have you not got a jacket or something? If you're so worried-" Loud knocking cut him off. Leo sighed. He could see the irritation flit through her eyes as she drew away. Leo kept hold of her hand, shining a smile. "It'll be alright." He breathed. "You came by for food." From his tool belt, he gave her a Mars bar.

"Leo!" Jason knocked again. Leo answered with a silly noise of protest. "Hey." Jason smiled. "Hey, Lou. Oy, where's my chocolate?"

"'Uck o'." Louisa manged around her mouthful.

"Duck off." Leo translated, ignoring her annoyed grunt. "What's up?"

"Well, Lou told the women she was going to the bathroom. They said to tell you that you know what will happen if you do a runner." Jason shot his cousin a quizzical look over Leo's head. Louisa shook her head fiercely, waving her Mars at him. "Fair enough. I have been told to wait and walk you back though." Louisa swallowed and scowled.

"Sounds great." Leo said before she swore again. "How's Frank?"

"Hiding as a gerbil under the dresser in his room. Could you try talking to him?"

"Yeah. Sure." Jason stood aside to let Leo pass. Louisa glowered, stuffing her face with the last of the treat. The baby wiggled about, as it always did when she had chocolate. Its favourite was a Kit Kat.

"Lou, come on! We've got ten minutes!"

"Have you put the dress on the right way around?" Piper called, drumming her fingers on the door. Louisa made a face at her reflection, eyeing up the window again. Annabeth would have had that covered. Short of smashing the ceiling, floor or a wall, Louisa was running out of options. "Lou, I still need to do your hair!"

Louisa turned slightly and sighed. The dress was tight anyway, but it pulled on her midriff. It probably would have fit her better a few months ago.

Cursing she slung her- well, Leo's jacket- around her shoulders, gathering the rest of her clothes. That would help a little, but she couldn't walk around all afternoon with dirty clothes hiding a baby bump no-one knew about.

"I don't like this." She told them, opening the door.

"We thought as much, so we got you this." Piper held out a white soft cotton cardigan. "I know white doesn't stay white with you, but it's a wedding." Louisa took it with her left, careful to hold her clothes in her right. She dragged her feet across the room, grumbling. To change, she kept her back to them, dropping her clothes and quickly swapping her- Leo's- jacket for the new garment.

"You need to stop going to Leo for chocolate." Hazel remarked. Louisa folded the cardigan over her front, crossing her arms to keep it in place. "It goes right to the hips." Hazel poked her, smiling bemusedly. Louisa felt the baby hit back, biting her lip. "Go and sit. Piper needs to do your hair." When Louisa didn't move, Hazel tugged on her wrist.

"I still don't like you." She muttered, plonking herself down. Piper popped up, grinning. She never got to play with Louisa's hair.

"Lou, relax. You look nice. And you'll look even nicer when I'm done." Piper pulled Louisa's hairbands out, accepting a brush from Annabeth. Louisa didn't relax. She sat with her arms still hiding herself with her outer layer, shoulders hunched, legs crossed at the ankles. They had given her black translucent tights to wear, but they were making her legs itch. Piper worked quickly, humming to herself and smiling every so often. Louisa hated this.

Piper held up a can. "Don't breathe." She said, squeezing her customer's shoulder. Louisa automatically demanded why. A second later, Piper was trying to gas her.

"It's hairspray!" Annabeth laughed, waving at Louisa in a meant-to-be comforting way. "Not everyone is out to attack you."

"Ya'd be surprised." Louisa muttered, coughing seconds later.

"Done." Piper beamed, chucking the can over her shoulder. Louisa stood and hopped away, searching frantically for fresh air. Faint music reached them. "Just in time too. Come on, Hazel, let's get you hitched."

Leo stood behind Frank. For some strange reason, he was the best man. He had Frank ask him four times before he realised it was a serious question.

"Are you sure you don't want Percy or Jason or Nico or literally anyone else up here?"

"Leo, we've been over this three million times. I asked you. Now shush."

"Why did you ask me though? You're not going to be sick, are you?" Leo fished in his tool belt. "My vomit bags are numbered. You get two, so make it worthwhile. Hey, you asked me. You don't get to dish out judgemental looks." The music changed. Leo frowned up at an overhead speaker, taking a step to the right. If that fell, it could crush some other poor bugger.

"Oh gods…" He heard Frank say.

"Dude, you can turn into a dragon. Be the dragon. In spirit. Do not murder innocent people, breathe fire or hoard shiny expensive things in a dark cave."

"Look at her." Frank sighed dreamily. Leo looked round. Hazel was walking herself down the aisle, festooned in a flawless white dress. The skirts floated about her, cascading to the floor, reminding Leo of a cloud. Holding her train was something a bit more interesting.

Louisa had the end of the train bundled to her stomach, staring straight ahead. She wore the same blue dress as Piper and Annabeth, except they had no cardigan. And Louisa wore no shoes. Judging by her fellow bridesmaids' footwear, heels had been the subject of dispute.

Her eyes came into focus and she made a face at Leo. Leo smiled.

"She's… great." Frank said.

"Mmm." Leo hummed distractedly. Frank looked at him, but Leo wasn't paying attention to him. "Yeah, pretty great."

"If you like her so much-"

"Mm? What?" Leo puzzled, coming back to earth. "What?"

"Lou."

"What about Lou?"

"Just ask her out."

"And be hung, drawn and quartered by Percy?" Leo shook his head. "It's your day, Frank. Look." He gestured. Frank turned back as Hazel climbed the steps. Leo looked to Louisa. She billowed Hazel's train and then stood to one side, hands over her stomach. Leo bit his lip, a secretive smile tipping up the corners of his mouth. A phantom pressure on his palm, his smile broadened. He couldn't wait to have his little Valdez.

Glancing around, he saw his friends from Camp Half-Blood, quite a few people from Camp Jupiter that he only knew by sight. Reyna and Nico were sat in the front row, playing with a paper chatterbox. Sally and Paul were next to them, Tobias and Max with them; Max, still tiny, asleep in his nana's arms. Jason was next, waving Piper over. Percy and Annabeth were busy getting everyone seated. Grover was going back and forth, adding final additions to the decorations. It was warmly lit in the venue, artfully decorated. Flowers perked up everywhere as music flowed from Grover's panpipes. It even seemed to brighten the guests, everyone in their best, all suited and booted, some women were crying already.

Leo's wedding had not been like this. It had been him, Louisa and the priest to marry them. There was nothing like this. Sighing, he decided it could happen. In another life.

Annabeth and Piper appeared, standing either side of Louisa. Piper wiped at her eyes. Hazel took Frank's hand, beaming. Frank went a little pink-faced, but he couldn't stop grinning either. Leo smiled over at Louisa, who grimaced in response.

Leo did his best to focus on the ceremony, listening when the happy couple spoke their vows. He mentally recited the vows he had performed. His thoughts drifted as the minister spoke. Louisa was in his line of sight, still had her hands over the bump only they knew about. Leo smiled.

"Do you, Fai Zhang, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do."

"And do you, Hazel Levesque, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do."

"And no-one shall object to this union?"

"I object to this dress." Leo heard Louisa murmur. Annabeth elbowed her. Everyone else was silent.

"Then I am happy to pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." Leo led the cheers. Piper showered the couple with confetti and whooped delightedly.

Frank and Hazel were chased out. Leo and Louisa hung back.

"That went well." Leo smiled. "Feeling OK?" She shot him a dirty look. "What? What did I do?"

"The longer I wear this, the more painful it is. Don't look so surprised, Valdez. It's ya own damn fault. Everythin' hurts, it's all…" She flailed her hands up and down, indicating 'everythin', "different." She finished, unimpressed.

"Hey. Takes two to tango."

"I hate you." She fumed at the floor. Leo laughed.

"Come on. I'm sure you'll want cake."

"If you keep eating like that, you'll balloon." Annabeth shook her head. "Lou, that's your fourth slice of cake. And I saw you eating a plate piled high with all sorts ten minutes ago."

"I'm hungry. Go away."

"It's no wonder you've gained weight."

"I thought you were smart. Go away." Louisa flicked her fingers from around her fork, a half-hearted shooing motion. When Annabeth settled a fierce portrayal of disapproval on her, Louisa turned her back. She polished off the last of her cake and helped herself to an orange. And some ham and cheese sandwiches. And sausage rolls, a banana, a handful of chips, a small bunch of grapes, Doritos, and an iced bun. Annabeth didn't look impressed so Louisa added a chocolate éclair to the equation and went to find Leo.

Her husband was at the other end of the buffet table, sharing one of his terrible jokes with Frank. He didn't bat an eyelid at her haul, but the newlywed clearly thought she had lost the plot entirely.

"Where are your shoes?"

"In a bin somewhere." Louisa shrugged, slapping Leo's hand away as he pinched a Dorito. "Congrats, bro."

"Thanks, Lou." Frank puffed out his cheeks, exhaling. "I'm so glad I didn't screw that up." He laughed nervously.

"Where's the wife then? Lost her already?" Louisa grinned devilishly.

"No, she's arguing music choices with Piper." Frank pointed. "I thought it best if I stayed out of it. Leo was just telling me 'happy wife, happy life'. I thought… sorry, Leo, sorry, but a bit weird. You don't have a wife."

"I'm prepared for when I do. Don't pick."

"I'm gonna find a table." Louisa excused herself, taking a seat by the window. She could see out to New Rome from here. Leo joined her a minute later, bearing drinks. Louisa took the orange juice with a murmur of thanks, downing half in one go. "Beth thinks I'm fat."

"I was going to say hungry." Leo nodded at her food.

"See, I said that." Louisa huffed, taking a large bite of her éclair. "But no. I'm just fat."

"I thought that sort of thing didn't bother you?"

"It don't. People buttin' in where they ain't wanted bothers me."

"Give it a while. They'll understand." Leo patted her arm. She scoffed disbelievingly, grumpily picking her way through her food.

"Nico, can I ask you something?"

"If it's a favour you're after, no."

"I just want your opinion on something." Annabeth assured. Nico accepted a drink from a passing waiter and motioned to her to continue. "OK, you know how you can sense when someone's dying?"

"Rings a bell." Nico grumbled. "Why? Who's dying? You're not going to kill Percy, are you?"

"No. I want to know if you can sense the opposite." That caught Nico short, throwing more questions in his mind than answers. Annabeth sighed irritably. "I'm trying to be careful what I say here, it's not the easiest thing to talk about with Percy floating around." Annabeth could see her husband congratulating the happy couple with hugs all round. Nico followed her gaze and then looked away.

"Let's talk outside." He said. "I'm intrigued."

It was vastly quieter outside. Nico sipped his beverage, quirking a brow at the blonde.

"It's just a feeling at the minute, I'm not a hundred percent sure just yet. I need more evidence-"

"Of what?"

"Noticed anything weird about Lou?"

"Aside from the fact that she can eat for America, has an attitude the size of Russia with a violent streak and a temper to match all of which is confined in that short as hell body? No, not really. Why?" Annabeth started to speak when the door burst open and Louisa ran past, hand over her mouth.

"Hold that thought." Annabeth said, running after her sister-in-law. Louisa disappeared into the toilets. By the time Annabeth got there, she was locked in a cubicle, bringing up pretty much everything she had consumed. "Lou?" Annabeth knocked on the stall door. "You OK?"

"Peachy." Louisa groaned.

"I told you that you had too much cake." Annabeth tapped her finger on the door. Louisa got caught under another bout of sickness, her brash response going with it.

"Not cake."

"Oh?"

"Think I'm comin' down with somethin'." The loo roll rattled in its canister. The toilet flushed a second later.

"Maybe you should go back to your room and rest." Annabeth suggested. She stood back, waiting for Louisa to come out. When she didn't, she bounced her knuckles on the door again. "Sorted?"

"No. What'd ya want?"

"I can't check up on my husband's sister now?"

"No. Go away." The door behind Annabeth opened and in came Piper.

"Hey, I saw Lou run out. Everything OK?" The bathroom door hadn't even shut and Hazel was there too, holding the skirts of her dress carefully.

"Lou?" They heard Louisa grumble obscenities.

"Could ya'll just fuck off?"

"Lou, we're trying to help." Annabeth replied heatedly.

"Well, ya ain't helpin'. Go away."

"Fine." Annabeth snapped, jerking her head at the other two. She let them leave, whipping out her Yankees cap. Piper and Hazel pretended to talk to her as they went down the hall. Annabeth stood in the corner, not daring to breathe.

Louisa stayed where she was for almost five minutes. Annabeth's ADHD sighed in relief when the lock clicked. Louisa had taken her tights off and booted them across the floor, muttering angrily to herself. She washed her hands at the sink, splashed cold water on her face and rinsed her mouth out a few times.

Annabeth scrutinised her carefully. Louisa glared at her reflection, swore some more. The plumbing started to rattle, so she took her hands off the basin.

Someone knocked.

"It's me!" Leo called. He cracked the door open a fraction, standing the wrong side for Annabeth to see him. "You OK?" One of the taps exploded, a jet-stream of water slapping into the ceiling above. "Ah."

"Stop it." Louisa fumed at the eruption. The water shut off just as quickly, but the pipes were shaking like leaves on a windy day. This only annoyed Louisa more, Annabeth could see her jaw working irritably.

"Lou." Leo's voice was reasonable, calming. "Lou, don't. It's New Rome. You know how sensitive these guys get about their stuff." He pushed the door open further, still not coming in. "What can I do?"

"I want my clothes."

"Give me two minutes. I'll get them. Just don't flood San Francisco while I'm gone, OK, chica?"

If Annabeth was a cartoon, her jaw would have hit the floor. Leo ran off. The door swung shut. Louisa had let him go- alive, unhurt, with all his skin and organs intact, not buried alive- and there was no way she could mishear 'chica'. She was even smiling at it, although the smile faded with Leo's footsteps. Her feet moved almost of their own accord, bare feet sliding over the laminated flooring as she began pacing restlessly, one hand on the small of her back. Annabeth wanted to have it out with Louisa there and then, but she wanted to know more, would know more on Leo's return. Her curiosity won out, but the wait was agonising.

Louisa's agitation grew, filling a sink to play with the water. It occupied her, albeit half-heartedly. Annabeth started chewing her lip, a hollow feeling twisting into her gut. Louisa stood straight for the first time that afternoon, wearing her cardigan as she should, rather than pulling it round herself. At first, Annabeth had thought Louisa had been trying to hide the fact she was wearing a dress. She couldn't have been more wrong.

It was something else altogether.

Leo knocked, budging the door with his hip to squeeze Louisa's normal clothing in. Louisa didn't even bother using a cubicle, shedding the top article and tossing it aside. She even asked Leo to unzip her. Annabeth felt a tad uncomfortable, face warming. The pair in front of her moved so easily together, parrying insults, completely unfazed as Louisa kicked the dress to one side. Annabeth's hunch was being confirmed right now, verified more so when Leo cursed Louisa in Spanish. This was closely followed by, "You always play dirty." Louisa stuck her tongue out, slipping her T-shirt over her head.

"Ya shouldn't be watchin' me then."

"I'm entitled." Leo blew a raspberry. Louisa copied, hopping about to pull on her regular tracksuit bottoms. "I brought socks." Leo bounced them off her head.

"Funny." Louisa remarked. "I hope ya kept my food safe."

"In my room." Leo confirmed. "You can get it later." He pushed the door wider open to let her out. Annabeth hurried after them, slipping out before the door shut.

The pair were walking down the corridor. Annabeth had seen them side by side thousands of times. Never had she seen Leo with his arm around her shoulders and Louisa's arm around his waist. She could hear Louisa laughing and they started quarrelling again about something, to which Leo cracked first, cackling.

Louisa stopped in her tracks, free hand going to her stomach. A moment passed and then she reached for Leo's hand. Leo hopped from foot to foot eagerly, flames dancing in his hair. And then he did something that dealt the final piece of evidence.

He kissed Louisa.

And she let him.