Percy's face softened as Annabeth explained, her sweetness surrounding each word and sentence with the reminder of why he loved her, of why his heart had healed so quickly. Somedays he woke up wondering if he had moved too fast, if he hadn't pressed Maggie enough, or if he ought to have asked Annabeth to court rather than dive right into an engagement. But the friendship that had formed first, the kindness and thoughtfulness she'd always had, her natural curiosity and her ability to make him laugh, it had only seemed natural to take the steps he had.

He set his glass aside and claimed Annabeth's slender hand between his own, meeting her gaze with his own. "I am sorry to have placed you in that position." He told her sincerely, he'd need to mention it to Cat the next time he saw her. Set some ground rules for her. In the years past there had never been anyone in the house he ought to have worried over hearing Cat and Lissy's outbursts, but now there was Annabeth to consider and he wouldn't have her feeling uncomfortable in the house that would become her own home. "Catherine has always been....protective." Percy admitted as he let go of Annabeth's hand and took his own wine glass back up with a shake of his head as if trying to think of a way to explain it so Annabeth might feel more at ease. Failing, he looked at her with a smile, "Shall we go in to supper?" He could hear the footsteps of the housekeeper headed their way to inform them the meal was ready.