Author's Note: Hey, guys!
So here it is, the final bit of Fire and Ice Don't Mix. The epilogue which is fluffy as anything. So I hope you like it.
I'd like to thank you all for the reviews and follows and favourites that I've gotten from this story, no matter if you just joined or you've been here since the beginning. You have no idea how much I appreciate it all. It always makes my day.
Here's the epilogue. The end. Thanks for everything guys.
Even though the story is over, reviews and constructive criticism are still always welcome!
Happy Reading!

Yours in demigodishness and all that,

Makenzi (ThaliaSiriusPrior)

Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Heroes of Olympus, or any other places and characters associated with either series. All rights go to Rick Riordan and Disney Hyperion

Epilogue

And here they were seven years later, and Leo feeling apprehensive about something in his pocket.

He was fingering this object: a small, purple velvet box.

He had made the ring inside himself. He had melded celestial bronze and imperial gold together; one side had gems that together made an image of flames, while the other side had frosted diamonds that represented ice. On the back was a small, barely readable inscription that read "9. She loves me." It had become a sort of inside joke between the two.

He knew that inside joke was true, yet he still found himself nervous about the proposal. He had been hiding himself back in the forges, causing Reina confusion and worry herself.

The proposal was tonight, and hopefully things will go back to normal afterwards.

Leo couldn't image what he would do if they didn't.

Reyna was a bit worried.

Valdez had been avoiding her, which wasn't normal. The man usually followed the former praetor around everywhere, spouting his cheesy jokes (that hadn't gotten better with time) while Reyna laughed and rolled her eyes.

Reyna missed him.

He had tucked himself away in the forges. When he saw Reyna, he gave her a small, nervous smile and made a pitiful excuse as to why he had to be somewhere else. He seemed prone to running away from her.

He had invited her to dinner tonight, though. Considering his strange behaviour, she was nervous. But she came anyway, grateful for an opportunity to spend with the demigod.

She put on her best dress: a floor-length ensemble of deep violet. The upper back of it was a lace, and a gold belt adorned her midsection. She finished off her outfit with a small, golden locket Valdez had made her, gold earrings, and purple shoes with a small heel.

She hoped this wouldn't be all in vain.

Leo picked her up, and Reyna saw he was dressed in his best as well. "Hola, mi hermosa Reina."

Reyna smiled, "Hola, Valdez."

"Shall we?" he asked, gesturing her forward.

She nodded. "We shall."

He took her to a fancy Italian restaurant in the city—Reina's favourite.

They struck an easy conversation, consisting of an easy, playful banter, which both were glad for.

Reyna smiled at Leo, trying not to laugh. His funny, sarcastic, and vibrant nature stood out. It clashed with the quiet, romantic tone of the restaurant and its other customers. Leo didn't seem to pay any attention to that detail. If he did, he didn't care.

Reyna thought it was probably the latter, but she loved him all the more for it.

They had a peaceful dinner, their playful banter continuing. Everything seemed to be going back to normal.

That is, until Valdez went pale, gulped, and said, "Reina, I have something to ask you."

Reyna tried to keep calm, but she had seen Leo's sudden change in mood and appearance. His newfound pallor terrified her. "What about?"

Leo smiled as best as he could and said, "Us."

Reyna looked at him, fearing the worst. "What about us?"

"Well, we've been together for a long time—seven years, two months, and three days—and these years have been the best in my life. With you, I had a home. I had someone who cared that I existed. I had someone who loved me. I had someone to love and cherish. I had someone that was stronger than anyone could ever imagine, someone who corrected my grammar and made fun of my handwriting. I had someone who understood." He got down on one knee, pulling out his velvet box. "I want to have that forever." He opened the box, revealing the dazzling ring. "Reina. ¿Quieres casarte conmigo?"

Reyna looked at the ring, and saw something tucked inside it. She pulled out the small piece of paper, holding that list Leo had written so many years ago.

Reasons Why I Love Reina

1. She's powerful beyond belief.

2. She's gorgeous.

3. She thinks I'm funny.

4. Even when she doesn't think I'm funny, she laughs at my jokes.

5. I know she'd do anything for me.

6. She understands about my past.

7. She knows what it's like to lose someone of importance and to go without a home.

8. She likes my quirks.

9. She loves me.

10. She is strong, mentally and physically.

11. She is a true leader: one that does not abandon her people no matter what.

12. We're opposites. I'm fire and she's ice.

Reyna looked up from the list, the biggest possible grin on her face. "Of course I'll marry you, Valdez. I love you so much."

Valdez grinned crookedly, put the ring on her left ring finger, and pulled her in for a gentle kiss. "I love you too."

They were wrong all those years ago. They were definitely wrong. Fire and ice mix. They mix well. And when they mix, they make something beautiful. They make a queen and her jester. They make a fantasy. They make a wonderful love story.

Oh, fire and ice mix all right. They mix like you'd never believe.