First Comes Love....

“It's official.”
Lilly continues to make the tea, tipping her head only slightly to acknowledge my words. “What's official, Hisao?”
I look up from the letters and envelopes, bills and checks on the table I've been swimming through for the past hour or so. “It's official. You aren't really out of University until you pay off your student loans. I just did and I am officially out of debt.“ I shrug with a smile. ”Well, out of debt regarding my education. Credit cards are another matter entirely.“

Lilly smiles, bringing the tea from the stove over to the table and pouring it into a pair of tiny cups. “That's wonderful news, Hisao! Congratulations.”

I lean back and sigh, feeling a bit more free than I have in recent months. After getting our jobs at Yamaku, and the pay that came along with it, it wasn't that long before those once insurmountable bills started to slowly disappear. I have a love-hate relationship with money, but it is wonderful how much magic it can work. Between my scholarships from Yamaku, my parents investing in my education since I was young and my own efforts working while going to school for my teaching degree, I can finally say I don't owe anyone anything. From this point on, all I have to do is take care of my own expenses and watch my budgets. It's a good feeling, like I've taken a step up in the the world. I take my cup of tea from Lilly and drink a victory sip for myself, scalding my lips a little.

I don't care.

“That's a load off my mind, for sure. I've been looking forward to this day for a long time.“
Lilly sits down across from me at the small table set in the middle of our one bedroom apartment, situated above the tea shop we used to work at. When we got our positions as Yamaku staff we didn't have to work at the Nanjing Tea House owned by our landlord, Mr. Arata. Still, with it being downstairs, we were, and still are, his best customers and, as he's said multiple times, the best tenants he's ever rented the second floor to. It helps that Lilly tutored their three kids in English and I was willing to do any extra work around the building to help out. Really, I became the handyman since Mr. Arata may be the nicest guy I've met, but he doesn't know how to hold a hammer the right way up, let alone fix a leaky sink or keep the wind from blowing in through the windows or how to replace ceiling tile soaked with a rain leak. I had to learn fast how to be good with my hands after he was caught with a water heater that went out and the two of us spent the whole night in the sub-basement trying to get it working again. He and his wife were sorry to see me and Lilly leave our jobs with them, but with Yamaku calling we wouldn't have the time, though they were very pleased to have us stay living above their shop for as long as we liked.

Speaking of which, I think as I look around the tiny home Lilly and I have made over the past few years, maybe it's time to move on from here too.

“Well, I'm very glad, Hisao. You have more than enough reason to be proud of your accomplishment.“
“It wouldn't have been possible if we didn't get jobs at Yamaku.“
She bobs her head a little. “Well, they do pay well.”
“I never would have thought. Considering how some of the teachers looked back when we attended, I imagined they were more in the 'cup of noodles for dinner' category.“

Lilly smiles, but tries to hide it with a sip of tea.

For the past few years since moving out of my parents house we've been the ones who have been eating noodle cups for dinner. I can't even remember the last time I took Lilly out to someplace nice before I started my teaching job. Working at a tea shop while paying for university does not lend itself well to dates with your girlfriend. It's nice being able to treat her to a night on the town and not feel guilty with every bill that slips from my hand.

Money; it always comes down to that.

I have no reason to complain; if anything, it's my own fault things have been as tight as they have been. I was the one who paid for my own education with some help from my parents and scholarships, but Lilly had no such issues. Her tuition was paid almost completely up front by Hiroyuki.

I feel a tenseness in my shoulders I have to forcibly banish after thinking of Mr. Satou. Just his name alone gets me going. It would have been so easy to just accept the money he offered me and Lilly when we moved out on our own, but I couldn't do it. Lilly has a right to it, I've never begrudged her that, but I wouldn't accept anything from him, especially after the treatment he gave me after Lilly stayed in Japan instead of moving to Scotland. Anything he touches turns to poison, and I wouldn't accept anything from him so he could just turn around years from now to use it against me, shove my dependence on him in my face.

I proved him wrong; not only am I still alive, but I'm thriving.

“Hisao?”
Lilly  said something, but I missed it. She breaks me out of my smug little victory party. “Huh? Sorry, just drifted off there thinking about what I'm going to spend my new windfall on.”
She smiles only slightly and nods. “I was saying how nice it's been at Yamaku. To be perfectly honest, it's everything I had hoped for in a teaching position.“
“I know, I feel the same way. It's so nice to be back at the school, even if it is as staff.“
Lilly shakes her head. “Sometimes I think it's too good to be true.”
“I don't think we have to be worried about it vanishing into thin air. Considering how we got the work, I think we have some excellent job security.“

Lilly nods again but looks a little uncomfortable with what I've said. “I would like to think we were hired for our expertise and skill, not just because of internal connections.“
“Look at it this way; they may not have chosen us based on our expertise, but they did on our character and what they expect from us. Who better to teach these kids then former students? No one else can understand what they're going through like we can.“

It wasn't long after Lilly and I graduated that we got letters in the mail bearing the Yamaku Acadamy seal, letters offering us interviews with the new Administrator for the positions we hold now. Lo and behold, who was waiting for us at the front gates when we arrived but two familiar looking former Student Council members.

“I understand,” Lilly says. “I still do not like the implication we were hired because we are close friends with the new Administrator.“

What I don't say is my suspicion that I was hired because of our history with Shizune, along with a rather lengthy and surprisingly persuasive letter of recommendation from Mutou, rather than Lilly. If anything, her getting the job was a forgone conclusion; Mr. Satou didn't spend all those years donating heavily to the Yamaku Foundation without expecting some sort of return on his investments.

“Shizune is good for the school. Clean out the old, in with the new. With the new school focus, she wants a new team, her team, not one she inherited from someone else. It's why she called Emi and Hanako.“

Lilly smiles brightly. “It really has been good seeing Hanako again, hasn't it?”
I grin in agreement. “Yeah, it has.”

With university, there just wasn't time to keep up with all our old friends. Now, with them all congregating thanks to Shizune's deft manipulation, Emi for rehabilitation and track, Hanako for counseling, it seems life is starting to look very similar to what it did back in high school. Hell, the only person not at Yamaku is Rin, but there's no way Shizune could have controlled that, much to her ire.

Considering what Rin's painting have been going for, the school couldn't afford her.

Lilly sighs. “Still, it's not all perfect. I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to tolerate driving from work and getting home as late as we have been.“

That's the thorn on the rose. With the commute from the city to Yamaku what it is, Lilly and I have to have almost an hour worth of travel time to contend with, both ways. We wanted to move closer to Yamaku, possibly into the tiny town at the foot of the hill, but there's nothing there within our price range and all of the nearby apartments are either smaller than what we have now or beyond our means.

“We'll figure something out. A long drive may not be the best of circumstances, but it's not that bad considering any of the alternatives we could be dealing with.“
Lilly nods, a hand on her cheek, still looking a little wistful. “Yes, you're right. There's no room to complain.”

It's not fair, I think, looking around the tiny apartment. I want more for Lilly, but this is all we can have together. A tiny apartment with a leaky roof and shaky windows above a tea shop; it's not where I imagined myself being at at this age, let alone where Lilly deserves to be.

I want so much for her, but it's beyond my reach and means.

Still, I want to change that, but I just got out of one debt, I don't want to take on another whole set of new burdens so quickly. There isn't much I can do about that, but there are some things I've been thinking about the last few months, anticipation of this milestone causing me to look towards the future.

I look up at Lilly across the table from me, sipping gently at her tea, unaware of my thoughts.
I can let myself smile wolfishly at her without causing her concern. “I have an idea.”

She visibly perks up. “Oh? Of what sort?”
“I think we deserve a reward. Well, I deserve a reward, but you can share it.“
She smiles playfully. “What sort of reward?”
I reach across the table and take her hand. “Let's go to Hokkaido. We have a long break coming up from school, we can use that to visit the summer house. I want to commemorate this occasion. I am officially graduated, we deserve to have a break.“

She squeezes my hand, placing her other on top. “That sounds like a lovely idea! We haven't been to the house in such a long time, I'm sure it could use the attention.“
“We were lucky enough Akira managed to keep it back then and let us have it whenever we want. What's the point of having a summer home if you don't use it, right?“

A little smile on her face shows her elation to the idea as I take her hands and I kiss her fingers. I eye one particular finger, empty for far too long a period of time.

Lilly Satou, I am going to marry the hell out of you, and there isn't a damn thing anyone can do to stop me.

----------------------------------------

Lunch is my favorite time of day, not just because of the break that goes along with it. It's also the time of day that I can slip back into the past and revisit those lazy days of school with my friends. Sometimes I head down to the track and me and Emi have lunch. If we're lucky, there won't any students on the roof and we get to share meals in private and I keep her up to date on my running schedule and she tells me what Rin has been up to. If not, we either have lunch at the track itself or in the teacher's lounge. If I can tolerate their nagging, I head into town and enjoy the middle of the day at the Shanghai, still open after all these years (Sans Yuuko), and spend the lunch period with Shizune and Misha. It's been useful, as I've started studying sign and Misha has been helping me when she isn't teaching it to her own students. I've already ran into some situations where I have to help a deaf student in class and it quickly shamed me into learning. Most days though, I find myself in the old tea room enjoying my packed lunch with Lilly and Hanako, just like old times.

The room is eerily similar to what it was back when we were young, right down to the tea in the cupboard and the errant art supplies left to dry. I'm not sure if it's nostalgia or bureaucratic sluggishness, but the school is almost exactly how I remember it being on graduation day, right down to the situation of classrooms and their contents.

I arrive early and set things up, putting some tea on the warmer to heat. I just begin to set up the chess set when there's a sound at the door, two precise knocks to request entry. “Come in.”

The door cracks open and a stunning woman with vibrant eyes sticks her face in, long, dark hair down the left side of her face. “Sorry I'm late,” Hanako says. “I had a session run long.”
“Any problems?”
“Oh, no, just a homesick kid who wanted to call their Mom, just what you would expect this time of year. Did I miss anything?“
“No, nothing. I was just setting things up.”
“Good.”

She walks in, shutting the door behind her, a covered bowl in her hand.
I smile at her and how she looks; Hanako would be classified as a 'knockout' were I the type of man who objectified women, which I am not.

I am, on the other hand, a red blooded male, so I must acknowledge that she is gorgeous.

The first time Lilly and I got together with her in a few years, I had been stunned to see how much she had changed since school; gone was the shy wallflower I knew, replaced with a vivacious woman who left men staring as she walked past. Yes, the scars are still there, but they've faded a substantial amount, and their presence hardly seems to compare to the changed, confident presence Hanako has now, almost as if they vanish as soon as she smiles. There's hardly any evidence of that shy girl I used to be friends with; the stuttering is gone and only reappears when she's excited or flustered and I've seen Hanako stare down a couple people on staff when they tried to question her judgement regarding how her kids should be treated. Her protectiveness of the traumatized students she helps is only compared to the compassion she has for them, her own experiences fueling her desire to help them heal.

She's become a beautiful woman, one who I'm proud to count as my closest friend.

“Will Lilly be joining us?” she asks, slipping out of her long jacket and laying it over her seat.
“Not till later. A few of her new students thought that having a blind teacher would give them an advantage in the cheating department. They have to retake the test and stay in class for their lunch break.“

Hanako smirks, taking the chair across from me and popping the top off of her salad. “They never learn.”

We sit and begin eating, tea at hand and the board between us. Without words we begin to play, Hanako white to my black pieces. We've played enough that our games have begin to meld into one another, different moves for the same outcome. I expect her to demolish me, but I still get in a little victory now and then. “How are things?”

She nods, intensely staring down my Rook. “Pretty good. I'm a little stuck on one of my kids.”
“Serious?”
“I hope not. She has a severe case of CIP and I've been trying to get her to open up, but she pretty much refuses to talk about anything.“
“Help me out; CIP?”
“Chronic Insensitivity to Pain, her body doesn't register the pain reflex. She's had it all her life, but she's just started to attend Yamaku. According to her records she's done well in the past managing her condition, but I think she's angry over the idea of being sent to a school for 'Cripples'“
“I can understand that.”

Hanako takes my Rook and I groan.

“Pay more attention,” she chides with a smile, taking a bite of lettuce.
“You just watch your own pieces.”

I make a move, a Pawn stepping forward, not a spectacular choice, but in three moves it should maneuver her Knight right where I want him.

“So, anything with you?” Hanako asks.
I give an uncommitted shrug.
She looks up from the board. “What does that mean?”
“I've just been...thinking.”
“About?”
“About stuff.”
She rolls her eyes. “You know, I hear that from almost every kid who visits my office. 'Stuff' may be vague, but it can be pretty important.“

I'm not sure what to say, but I'm a little grateful Lilly isn't here. It gives me the freedom to talk. “Well, Lilly and I were going to take a vacation from school, head up to Hokkaido and air out the summer house.“

“That sounds like a great idea! You two should get away.“
“What are your plans?”
“Oh, I don't know. I went out of the country last vacation, I think I might just hang out in my apartment and catch up on my reading.“
Hanako has become a bit of an travel hound in recent years. She's been to places I've never even heard of and even her short vacations are spent visiting places all over Japan that attract tourists and sightseers. If I didn't already have plans for Hokkaido, I'd invite her along, I know Lilly would love the time for us together. “That sounds pretty mundane for such a jet setter like you. No airplanes, no trips to other countries?“
“I think a quiet break at home is enough for me this time.“
“Going to spend it with anyone in particular?”
She looks up at me with a playful grin. “That's none of your business.”
“Well, I know you don't have a boyfriend.”
“How would you know?”
“I've been keeping tabs, someone has to look out for you. How is it you haven't been scooped up by some guy yet?“
She looks at me for a while. “J-just the way things work out, I guess. How about you and Lilly? Any special plans?“

I grin. “Do you want details?”
Her face turns red. “No n-need for that.”
I shrug. “Nothing special; late nights, sleep in till noon, I might propose, do some shopping, just normal junk.“
She nods reflexively to my statements as she zones in on my Bishop, but stops at the end.
Hanako looks up at me with wide eyes and open mouth. “W-what? Wh-what did you s-say?”

There's the stutter, I knew it would show up eventually.

I'm about to repeat myself, but there's no point. The information has already sunk in and Hanako is out of her chair, tossing the chessboard aside in her excitement. Pieces clatter to the floor and she lunges over the table at me and throws both arms around my neck. “Hisao! Y-you're going to ask? Lilly? To m-marry her!?“

She hugs me and I hug her back, her giggling excitement infectious.

“Th-that's wonderful! That's f-fantastic! When? Where? At Hokkaido? Th-that's perfect! Where she confessed! Oh, that's so r-romantic! How are you going to do it? What are y-you going to say? Don't c-call her an idiot this time!"

“Keep it down, all right, I don't want the whole school to know.“
She drops from her crushing hug and wraps herself in her arms, a big, broad smile on her face. “S-sorry! I just...that's so great! I was w-wondering when you would!“
“Has Lilly talked to you about it?”
She shakes her head. “No, but I think she's been th-thinking about it. Only th-thing she ever mentioned was that the t-two of you weren't in a position to do anything about it.“

I shrug. “That's sort of true. I feel bad about it, but there isn't much I can change about that.“
“What do you mean?”
I feel a little ashamed talking about it, but it's Hanako and I can tell her. “I guess...I guess I wanted to be in a better place before I asked Lilly to marry me. I mean, I have a good job now, so there is that. That's the biggest reason I'm going through with it. Still....“

“What?”

Again, I shrug. “I just don't think it's right to ask her when we still live in an apartment.“
“That's a silly reason to have waited this long!”
“I just want things for Lilly and I can't give them to her. I guess I want to have everything a certain way before I do anything official. It may be silly, but it's been nagging me for a while.“

We eventually find our way back to our seats, our lunch and game forgotten. “What do you mean, 'a certain way'.”

I idly pick up my discarded King and play with it in my hands. “I don't know. Yamaku is a great job, but I just wish I had a little more...I don't know, I'm not sure what I'm trying to say.“

She looks concerned. “You can't possibly think she wouldn't accept, do you?“

I shake my head. “No, that's not what's bothering me.”
“Then what is it?”
I shrug again.

Hanako blinks. “Are you worried about Hiroyuki?”

My fist tightens around the King, nearly committing regicide. “No. I know exactly how I'll deal with him.”

“Then what is it?”

“I guess...I guess I wish I had more to offer her.”
Hanako looks perplexed. “What does that even mean?”
“I just...I have a great job now and I'm out of debt, but I want Lilly to have everything I can possibly offer her and we still live in a crappy apartment miles away from our jobs. That's just not where I want to be when I ask her. I feel like I need more before I...have the right, I guess?“
“That sort of stuff doesn't matter to Lilly, you know that.“
“I know, but it matters to me. I imagined we'd be in a nice house by now, but we're just getting by. With our jobs, it'll come in eventually, but it'll be hard and I don't want to overextend ourselves so soon.“

Hanako nibbles on her thumb, eyes intensely focused in thought. “There are plenty of places around Yamaku for sale.”
“Not in our price range. Believe me, I've checked. I even called Iwanako, she knows a lot of agents in the area and everything decent is just out of reach for us.“ I laugh. ”I even briefly considered one of the school dorms, but that idea got shot down quickly and I was only joking about it to Shizune and Misha. What a scandal that would cause.“

Hanako nods slowly. “I know. I've been looking to move closer to the school too, but the apartments are pretty extravagant. For being such a small town, it isn't cheap to live here. Sad, since there are so many cute little houses near Yamaku. One of those would be perfect for the two of you.“

I lean back in my chair sadly. “I know. Driving to and from school and passing all of them with the 'For Sale' signs in the yard is like a miniature gauntlet for me. I don't know how much longer me or my crappy car can take it. I feel like a puppy in the pet shop window as people walk past. I'm just happy Lilly doesn't have to go through it like I do every time we drive to Yamaku.“

Hanako props her chin in her hand, a tiny, grumpy frown on her face.

We both stare at each other for a long time.

Hanako's eyes flicker for just a moment.

I cock on eyebrow. “What?”

Hanako blinks.

“I know that look, Hanako, care to share with the rest of the class?“

She sits back and looks down into her salad bowl, idly playing at a miniature tomato. “W-well...what if you h-had someone else?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean...like someone else to help pay?”
“Like a room mate? I don't think I like that idea much. I mean, newly married couple and we have some guy who works at the convenience store living with us? That doesn't sound appealing. I mean, not just the obvious issues, but with Lilly's blindness, I don't think anyone would want to live under the strict habits we have. Besides, Lilly and I like our schedule, a room mate would make things too hectic and unpredictable.“

Her fingers move on to play with a Queen between her hands. “No, I m-mean...well, I'm sick of driving from the city too. What if...what if you, I mean, we...“

Hanako stops and closes her eyes. I don't say anything, I just let her focus. She still gets tiny panics that set in, but she's become adept at controlling them.
By the time she opens her eyes again, there's a frighteningly steely resolve in them and a focus that speaks of intense resolve. “If you split it three ways, could you afford a house?“

“It might be tough, but probably a small one.”

Hanako smiles. “Hisao, if it's all right with you, what about the three of us?“
“Come again?”
“Us. You, Lilly and me. I'm tired of having to drive in from the city and so are you and Lilly. If all three of us lived in town, it would make things more affordable; less gas, less time, we'd be living right next to our jobs. I'm usually at Yamaku all day and when I have vacation time, I'm always traveling, all I need really is a bed and room to call my own. If we split the house three ways, I think we could manage.“

I'm a little stunned by her proposition. “Are you serious? Do you really mean that?”
Hanako nods firmly. “Of course. After everything we've been through, I can't imagine something I'd love more.“ She looks down at the table. ”Actually, I m-miss you and Lilly a lot. I'd r-really...love to see you two more often.“

It's my turn to grab her in a hug, which makes her squeak in alarm when I wrap my arms around her. At first she feels tensed and tight, but she soon seems to melt in my arms, wrapping her own around me.

I nearly lift her off her feet in my gratitude. “Thank you, Hanako!”
She doesn't respond, just rests her head on my shoulder and sighs.

When I set her down, it takes a couple moments for us to pull apart. I rest my hands on her shoulders and smile down at her. She blinks a couple times and returns it shyly.

She really has become a beautiful woman.

She's not just a simple friend anymore; other than Lilly, there isn't anyone in the world I love as much as I do Hanako.

Hanako glances up at me and looks about to say something when there is a light tapping at the door. She nearly jumps out from my hands. “C-come in,” she hastily says.

Lilly steps in, looking rather strained. It's silly, but I take a few moments to make sure my smile is gone and I cast an eye at Hanako and shake my head. She catches my meaning and grins at our little conspiracy. “Hey, Lilly. Any trouble with those kids?”

She smiles in a tired fashion. “Oh, you heard about that? No, I think they learned their lesson.”
“What were their names?”
“Why do you wish to know?”
“Well, you know, just in case they're in my class.”
Lilly gets a disapproving look on her face. “I don't want you harassing those boys like you did the last group of students who gave me trouble.“

I shrugs. “Harass? No, no, just...you know, just in case. I can have a talk with them, you know about their grades, or lack thereof.“

Lilly sighs and Hanako giggles.
“Ah,” Lilly says, “hello, Hanako. I hope I didn't keep the two of you waiting.“
“N-no, we're f-fine,” she quickly replies.

Wow, way to give it away, Hanako.

Lilly looks a bit perplexed with Hanako's response, but gets distracted when she steps forward, a Pawn beneath her shoe. “Oh! What was that?”

I look around and find chess pieces scattered everywhere. “Uh, well....”
“Hisao lost. He flipped the board and chess pieces went everywhere.“

Thanks, Hanako. I glare at her and she sticks her tongue out at me.

Lilly furrows her brow. “Hisao....”
“Sorry, Lilly. You know me; I really get into the game sometimes.“

We three sit down to finish our lunch like old times. Still, food isn't on my mind. I have other issues to handle.
This will work perfectly and when I share it with Lilly I know she'll think it's a brilliant plan. With this current predicament out of the way, I find myself facing a brand new hurdle, one I had been dreading for some time.

Still holding the Black King, I kind of want to snap it in half, if for no other reason than dramatics.
I think tomorrow I'll put in a call to Scotland.
I'd like to talk to an ogre about marrying his daughter.

----------------------------------------

I wait until it's late and Lilly is in bed before I put my plan into action. With the time difference, I need to wait for the right moment to make the call. I head downstairs from the apartment and unlock the door to the tea shop. Even though we've stopped working there, Mr. Arata still lets me keep the key since I've opened the shop for him on a few occasions when he or his wife are running late. I've even manned the counter for them when they need to run out or an employee doesn't show up. After all they did for us and the breaks they cut me and Lily, it's the least I can do to repay the old couple.

The tea shop feels cold and lonely this late at night. I make myself some tea, both to settle my nerves and also to postpone the inevitable confrontation. I'm down here because I don't know where this conversation will take me and I don't want Lilly to hear, both for my plans and for what could be said. I don't like her to hear me argue with her Father and sometimes...sometimes I say things when I'm angry I don't want her to overhear.

I sit with my tea at one of the tables, the lights of the shop off, just a few street lamps filtering in through the big picture windows that were always a pain to clean and keep from streaking. I stare at my phone and the number on speed dial. It takes me a good hour to actually press the button and I'm sweating by the time I do, my heartbeat elevated.

The phone rings and for a moment I irrationally want to turn it off.

A few rings continue before I hear the click of it being answered. I hear, 'Akira Satou's office' followed by a string of words I don't understand.
Damn, English. I should have expected this.
Okay, you can do this, you're going to be married to an English teacher for God's sake. “C-can I speak to Akira Satou?”
“Excuse me, sir?”
I try again, repeating my request slowly.
“One moment, please,” the helpful lady on the line says.

A few minutes of bad hold music later and a familiar voice comes on the line. “Akira Satou?”
I grin. “Yo.”
A moment of hesitation. “Hisao?”
“Yep, it's me.”
“Hey! Long time no hear!” She instantly switched to Japanese, which I'm grateful for. “Dang, what time is it there?”
“Late. You got a minute?”
“Oh, heck yeah! Work can wait. How have you been, Hisao? Did you get my last care package?“
"Yes, I did. The Scotch was great, though Lilly isn't a fan of the kilt."
"Bah, she'll get used to it. What's shaking? You good?"
“I've been pretty good.”
“Lilly?”
“Lilly's been great. She's actually the reason I'm calling.“
“What's my little sis been up to?”
“Well, I hope you can forgive me for being so blunt, but I don't want to rack up a big phone bill, so I'll just come out and say it; I'm going to ask Lilly to marry me.“

I hear sounds coming from the other side that I'm not sure of. Some are hoots and other sounds of celebration, while others might possibly be thrown objects and hurled papers in the air. “About damn time!” the phone squeals. “I was wondering when you were going to pop the question! What do you need? You need me to plan a party? Smooth out some legal stuff, I'll do it! I'll be on the next plane over! I'll bring booze!"
I laugh. “No, no, Akira, nothing like that. I just kind of wanted to let you know. I guess I felt like I needed your blessing.“

“Oh, hell, Hisao! My 'blessing'? The Padre would have a coronary hearing that one! Of course you have my blessing, as if it matters!“ She chuckles on the line. ”Man! You and Lilly, who would have thought? This is big, kid, big!“ A wistful sigh. ”I'm happy for you, I really am.“
“Thank you, Akira. How about you? Has your boyfriend popped the question?“
A rude sound comes over the phone which I take for a 'no'.
“Sorry to hear that.”
“No biggie. Listen, I won't keep you long, I know those phone bills can be murder, I'll call you back late tonight, early morning for you, so we can girl talk about this and I'll foot the bill.“
“I'd like that and thank you. Before you go, though, could you do me a favor?“
“Anything!”
“I'd like you to transfer me to your Father.”

A long, dead silence on the line. “Akira?”
“I'm sorry, Hisao, these phones are really bad. I must have gotten some interference, I thought I heard something stupid and entirely unnecessary.“
“Akira, come on.”
“No, seriously, you don't have to. We'll tell him, I don't know, when you and Lilly have your eighth kid on your thirtieth anniversary. If we're lucky, he'll be dead by then.“
I laugh. “Akira, come on. I'm going to talk to him.”
She sighs. “Yeah, yeah, fine. I'll just warn you; I don't know much about these fancy phones they have in the office, so if the line goes dead while I'm transferring you, don't feel the need to call back or anything.“

“Akira,” I say with some steel in my voice, “I want to talk to Hiroyuki.”
A defeated sigh. “Yeah. Yeah, fine. Okay, kid, you got it. Give me a second here.“
A pause. “Ready?”
I take a deep breath of air. “Yeah. Do me a favor? Tell him it's Lilly and it's an emergency. last time I called he kept me on hold for a half hour.”
“Sure. Good luck. And Hisao?”
“Yeah?”
I can hear her smile in her voice. “I'm proud of you.”
“Thanks, Akira.”

The phone plays some music while I'm being transferred. I can feel my heart beginning to race, and I breathe slowly to bring it under control. I try to drink my tea, but my hands are shaking too much and I have to put it down.

Just breathe. You're not afraid of him anymore, you already beat him.

The phone clicks. “Lillian? What is it? What's happened?”
The concern in his deep voice makes me feel sick and hollow, but I don't say anything.
“Lillian? Are you there?”

I breathe once. “Hello, Hiroyuki.”
A long pause on the phone, followed by a hissing sound. “Nakai,” he says, drawing my name out unpleasantly. “I was told by my secretary that this was a call from my daughter.“
“Honest mistake, don't blame her. Nothing to lynch the girl over.“
He chuckles. “Good secretaries are too hard to come by to lynch them over a single mistake. What do you want?“

“Okay, straight to the point, I can appreciate that.”
“I find unpleasant and distasteful acts are best done quickly so that they can be forgotten as soon as possible.“
“Agreed. I called you to let you know I'm asking Lily to marry me.“

A huge, pregnant pause. “You what?”
“You heard me.”
Another hiss on the line. “And you're calling for what? My blessing? Permission? You'll have neither from me.“
I laugh at him. “As if you have the right to either of them, you gave that up years ago. I'm not asking for your opinion on it, I'm just letting you know. Consider this an acknowledgement of my intentions. I'm telling you what is happening, nothing more.“
“So? Just like that? You run off and marry my daughter? I'm sure it will be a lovely ceremony down at the local magistrate's office, just the two of you living in your cardboard box.“
“Last time I checked it was the Father of the bride who paid for the wedding. That's tradition. You just love your tradition, don't you, Hiroyuki?“
“Why must you continuously drag my daughter down the social ladder with you? Can't you for once just let her have something nice in her life? Must you always force her to suffer at your level? If you had accepted the money I generously offered you, you would be more comfortable and Lillian wouldn't have to live in the squalor you've forced on her.“
“'Better to rule in Hell than serve in Heaven.'”
“Only you would quote Milton to me.”
“You would know, you have that big speech in the first part.“
He growls in annoyance and I enjoy the sound. “I'm not calling you for permission or your blessing,“ I say. ”I don't need either one of those from you. You long ago gave up any rights over Lilly and I can do whatever I want with regards to her.“ I feel a twisted sense of glee. ”I often do.“

He sounds like he just swallowed the phone. “You are a disgusting brute!”
“I am, when I don't feel like being a gentlemen. This call is nothing more than common courtesy, no more, no less, which is more than you've ever given me.“

He chuckles and it's a deep, thrumming sound. “Well, at least there's that. We might as well take this opportunity to work out some details, then.“
“Like what?”
“Like the wedding, dates, guests. If she accepts, that is.”
“I don't have time for that.”
“Can't afford a little phone call?”
“No, I just don't like talking to you.”
He sighs in annoyance. “Fine. I want it here in Scotland with her family.”
“It'll be in Japan, unless you want to fly every one of my friends and family out there.“
“Very well, but the honeymoon will be here. I want my wife to have at least some time with her daughter before you destroy her life.“
“You'll be paying, of course.”
“Of course. Consider it my gift to her.”
“Anything else?”
“Actually there is; are you planning on ever giving me and Lillian's Mother a grandchild? I've lost all hope in Akira by now.“
I blink. “I would hope so, why?”
He chuckles in a deep bass. “Then adopt. Your condition could be inherited. I want my grandchild to have a long and healthy life even after his father is long dead.“
“Fuck! You!”

I throw the phone across the shop and it smashes against the wall into tiny pieces.

----------------------------------------

It's been tough, but I think I've avoided all suspicion the last few days. This was the hardest task I had in front of me, but in a way, the most important. I head into the city by myself, after recruiting Hanako's aid to keep Lilly occupied after work. Still, I need to be fast about it before things get out of control; for how much I trust Hanako, she's not a good liar and I'm a little relieved Lilly can't see the look on Hanako's face whenever she tries.

I wander the streets of the city and the shopping arcade. The elevated walkways and tall buildings, each adorned with billboards taller than any three people, try to distract me, but I remain focused.

There's the railing and the fountain.

I turn away from them, trying to search my memory. I wander a bit away from the noises of the center of the shopping district to a few side streets.

Man, I hope it's still there.

A tiny newsstand tells me I'm on the right track and eventually I find myself standing in front of a tiny shop next to a convenience store, the window filled with stuffed bears and wood-crafted oddities.

'Othello's Antiques'

I can't believe this place is still open!

I open the door and a tiny bell announces my presence. I'm instantly hit by the pleasant smell of old book and slow age, a nice aroma which brings to mind libraries and attics filled with mementos. It's been years, but I'm a little amused to see some familiar looking objects still for sale, and appropriately for being antiques, more costly than the last time I saw them.

I wander the halls a little, passing by the rows of dolls watching me walk past, old iron bound chests and stacks of delicate looking books, their covers and spines long faded, tiny tags on string hanging out from between pages. I get distracted by an impressive looking suit of imitation armor, probably Victorian if I guess right, and a copy of Dante with an excellent binding before I start to look for my intended acquisition.

I've thought a long time about what sort of ring I should get for Lilly. It's one of those things that guys are supposed to think about but never really figure out for themselves. Every time I read up on the subject, I get bombarded by sales pitches and I long ago dismissed the idea of getting Lilly an extravagant ring, not just for lack of means. Lilly isn't the kind of girl who would get all hot and bothered over a shiny diamond after all. What matters to her is thought and care, and what better place to find that than where I found her music box, which has become something of a totem for the two of us. A new ring, flashy with a big rock, just wouldn't suit her, and me and my pocketbook are grateful for that fact.

There are some cases with jewelry, but nothing that would really fit and most of it looks to be either stage dress or too gaudy, covered in flashing stones, imitation or otherwise. I don't really have an eye for this sort of thing and I need something very specific for what I have planned, so I have specific parameters I need from a ring.

Finding nothing that catches my eye, I head to the front counter where an old man sits on a high stool, looking to be dozing off on his chair. I blink, not sure if I should wake him. “Uhm, excuse me?”

He keeps breathing deeply, bobbing back and forth on his perch.

“Excuse me?”

He coughs and grumbles, almost tilting back out of his stool before her rights himself. Blinking with bleary, dull eyes, he composes himself for a few minutes, getting his bearings. “Oh, I'm sorry young man. I'm not as young as I used to be. What can I help you with?“

I stare at him for a little while. He looks familiar. “Well, see, I was looking around for something, but I couldn't find it.“
“What are you in the market for today?”
“I was hoping to buy a ring, matched rings if possible.“
His old, lined face lights up with a brilliant smile and a twinkle in his eyes. “Ah! Would one of them happen to be for a young lady?“
“That's exactly right.”

He claps his hands, withered and dainty, excitedly. “Excellent! Just give me a minute and I'll see what I can show you!“

The little man hovers off from behind the counter into the back of the store. Soon he returns with a box, which he opens to show me dozens of rings set into a velvet interior. “I'm certain we can find something for you in here.”

I begin to check each ring, appraising it and discarding it when I find it lacking to my tastes. The old man assists me, making helpful suggestion and sharing bits of trivia for each one.

“That ring belonged to a very old family that lived nearby. I got it in an estate sale.“
“Ah, that one is sad. I won't tell you the story unless you want to know.“
“That ring has always been one of my favorites and I can't understand why no one has bought it yet.“
“I'll warn you, that stone isn't as high quality as it looks.“
“This is the ugliest ring I ever bought and I'll never know why I took it. I might as well scrap it for the gold. Don't buy it, your lady is better off.“

Going through the boxes contents, I find a few matched rings, but they are either not what I'm looking for or are too far out of my price range. With the contents exhausted, I feel a little defeated.

“Nothing?” the old man asks. “Not a one?”
“I'm afraid not. I've thought of this for a while and I'm in a bit of a tough spot right now.“
The man winces. “If it's money, I'm certain you and I can work on an agreement of some sorts.“
“Well, thank you, but it isn't just that. You see I came here because I've bought something from this place before, a music box, and it meant a lot to my girlfriend. It was years ago. I'm in a bit of a bind. You see, my girlfriend is blind, and I can't really justify buying a diamond she'll never enjoy.“

The old man gives me a strange look, his mouth puckering up and his forehead getting several new lines as he concentrates. I'm a little concerned about the intense look he gives me until he points his finger in my face and grins. “You got a wooden doll, Victorian, and a music box. It played the Sarabanda.“

My mouth must hang open because he chuckles with some pride. “I'm right, aren't I?”
I clamp my hanging jaw shut, feeling bewildered and shocked. “You...remember that? That was you? That was so long ago!”
“Young man, I run an antique store. My business is selling memories, which are a more precious currency than diamonds and jewels. I wouldn't be very good at my job if I let my memory go.“
“I just can't believe that you're...you're....”
“Alive,” he finishes helpfully.

I feel a little ashamed. “I was going to say 'still in business'. I would have thought you would have closed up or retired by now.“
He shakes his head slowly. “Retire? What do you think this is? This is my retirement! Besides, young folk like you are always shocked to learn that you can live this long.“
“Still, to remember me and what I bought Lilly after all these years? That's impressive!“
“Lilly? Is that her? What a lovely name. The two of you are going to be wed? That's just wonderful. I'm happy to hear that.“ He grips his chin in thought. ”So she's...blind then, yes?“

I nod. “Yeah. I've given it a lot of thought. I was helped out a little; we had some friends who got married and she let Lilly hold her ring. She didn't say anything to her so as not to hurt her feelings, but Lilly later told me she didn't like how it felt. She said the diamond was hard and cold, sharp, like it was going to cut her when she held it. I'm a little relived, but a little guilty; I don't expect to pay as much if there isn't a diamond on it.“

“Don't feel guilty at all. Every woman if different with their own likes and dislikes. I'm certain you know exactly what she'll love.“ He strokes his beard in thought. ”You say you wanted matching rings?“

I nod. “Yeah, something that I could get an engraving on.”
He grins and snaps his fingers. “I have just the thing.”

He vanishes again into the back room and comes swiftly back with a small box for rings. He leans on the counter and opens it for me. Inside are a pair of thick gold rings with rather large bands, intricate workings along the outside of the gold surface.

I reach out and take them, holding them in the palm of my hand. They're very heavy and weighty, substantial, and when I close my fist around them they warm gently to my skin.

The old shopkeeper smiles. “Nice, huh? Plenty of room on them for engravings.” He waggles his eyebrow. “Do you like the lily work cut into them?”

My teeth show in a grin. They're perfect.
My heart sinks; they're too good to be true. “How much?“

The old man gives me a careful look, taking the rings back. He turns his back to me, working on a small scale, checking their weight on a very precise looking scale.

They're too heavy, I think. If they're too much gold, I'll never be able to afford them.
He turns back, writing something on a small piece of paper, sliding it across the counter to me. “That's my price, and I won't budge from it.“

I take the paper and breathe a shaky sigh, flipping it over and reading what he put down.
I look back up at him. “You can't be serious.“
“I am a very serious person, young man.“
I look at the note to make sure what I'm seeing is true. “This is...this can't be right. If they weigh that much, they couldn't possibly be....“
“I'm including a repeat customer discount. That's my price, young man, take it or leave it.“
I put the note back on the counter and sigh in gratitude. “Thank you.“
“Not at all. We can work out the particulars if you need time.“
I bow in thanks. “Do you do engravings?”
“Son, I can cut anything you can write, but it has a lovely working on it already. What else would you want?“
I take the two sheets of paper out of my pocket and slide them to him in a similar manner that he did to me. “One on each ring.”
He takes them, and sees what I wrote down. His eyes twinkle with realiztaion. “Oh, now that is lovely.”

----------------------------------------

The sun beams down on Hokkaido, illuminating the fields of wheat in a golden aura. The wind blows, dragging the shoots to and fro, whispering against one another and singing to my ears. Lilly leans back against me, my arm around her waist as we silently stand in the field, letting the sounds overtake us and the feeling of one another pressing our bodies together sink into our skin.

“This was a wonderful idea,” she tells me, sighing happily.
“I'm glad you approve. It's been too long since we were here last.“
“I do love Yamaku, but it's very different being a teacher than being a student. It's nice to get away every so often. Even with our old friends, it's nice to just disappear and unwind alone.“
“You mean together, right?”
She giggles. “Of course. It wouldn't be a vacation if I didn't bring you along with me.“
“I'm so very grateful you brought me along for the occasion.”
“Yes, well, I need someone to carry my bags and help me clean the house out. If you're lucky, and you do a job well done, I may just reward you.”
“That's okay,” I tell her, kissing her neck, “I'll have plenty of time.”
“What will we do in the mean while?”
I nip gently at her skin. “We'll think of something.”
She sighs and sinks into me, surrendering her posture, leaning on me fully.

I'm still not sure when to do it. I'm waiting for some unknown signal, some sign that will tell me that this is the perfect moment. I want everything to be just right for Lilly. She deserves perfection after everything she's done for me.

“Are you all right?”

Anything could have given me away; an errant sigh, a change in my stance against her or my heart beating oddly. I can never tell, but she always knows when something is bothering me. Even without her eyes, I can never hide anything from her. “I'm fine. I just wish we could do things like this more often together.“

Lilly turns around, wrapping me in her arms. “It's all right. What matters now is that we're here. Thank you for this. I know things haven't been as you have wanted them to be, but I want you to know how happy I am.“
I stroke her hair gently, feeling it run through my fingertips like silk. “I just wish I could give you more than I'm capable of.“
“Hisao, you have done so much for me. You've made me happy, you've stood beside me when I needed you, you've let me know that you'll always be there when I need to count on you, you've given your life to me and fought for me. I couldn't ask any more of you than you've already given, no woman could.“ She takes my face into her hands, rubbing her thumbs against my cheeks. “I know there are things you want for us, but so long as I have you, I'm happy. Please know that it's true. I don't care where we live, so long as it's with one another or where we work as long as we can come home and be with each other. I don't care how or where or what sort of life we have; if it's a life with you, I am content.“

She pulls me into a kiss and I can taste the tea we drank a little while ago on her lips when we arrived at the summer house. She leans into me again, wrapping her arms tightly around me, resting her head on my shoulder. The wind blows around us, transporting me back in time to this place years ago.

I can't give her diamonds and jewels, a big house or a fancy car, even though she deserves all those things. Right now in life all I can manage is to give myself and I'm reminded almost every day that that may not be as permanent as I wish it could be. I only have the time allotted to me to share, every second of my life precious, every beat of my heart one less beat I have left to give her. I would give every last ounce of my being, every bit of strength I have if it meant making her happy, of fulfilling her wishes, to make her smile.

She deserves everything and more and all I can offer her is myself.
A paltry sum, but if it pleases her, I'll give my whole life to her if she'll have it. “Lilly, can I ask you something?”
“Of course, Hisao.”

I take a steadying breath, my heart beating quickly. She pulls away and touches my chest gently. “Are you all right?”
I had been concerned only slightly about my health while doing this, but I've paid enough attention over the years to handle a little emotional stress like this. “I'm fine. I just have something to give you.”

She looks at me curiously as I reach into my pocket and take out the rings wrapped in a handkerchief. I carefully unwrap it, trying not to make any sound or let the rings clink against one another. Taking her ring in my fingers, I hold it up in front of her, blank questioning eyes, savoring the moment before I give it to her, locking the memory in my mind. Othello said that memories are a more precious currency than diamonds and jewels and he was right. I want this engraved on my mind as much as the message I have for Lilly is engraved on these rings. “Lilly, hold out your hand.”

She does as I ask and I hold the ring above her palm, locking eyes with her unknowingly.
I drop it.
I missed.

“Damn it!“
Lilly flinches. “What? What's wrong?”
“N-nothing! Just...nothing! Don't move, I dropped it!“
I fall to my hands and knees, searching through the shoots of wheat to find the ring.
“H-Hisao?”
“It's okay, Lilly! Just...don't move, just stand there!“

I search and sift for the substantial amount of my savings.
Damn it!
Damn it!
I crawl around Lilly's feet trying to find the ring.
You had this! You had a perfect moment and you fucked it up!
You screwed this one, Hisao! Perfect romantic moment and you screwed it up! You had one job, just one job, put the ring in her hand!
Why didn't you put it on her finger, you idiot! Moron! You had to be dramatic! You just had to be Casanova, a master of romance, didn't you? Couldn't take the simple way out, huh? Had to make things complicated? Well, you're paying for that now, aren't you, buddy? This is what you deserve! You deserve this! Does it burn? Good! That's what you get!

Lilly looks concerned with me shuffling around her feet, digging through the wheat to find whatever it is I dropped, but she doesn't say anything; my grumbling must be enough to make her pause asking for more information.

My finger bumps against something hard and I find the ring, perfectly landing on a single stalk of wheat, mockingly like the finger I should have slipped it onto by now. I rip the plant out and take the ring, blowing on it, making sure no dirt got into the engravings.

I stand back up, halfway between mortified and pissed. “Okay, I'm back, everythings okay.”
“What...happened?”
“Just, never mind. Let's pretend that didn't happen, okay?“
“Oh...well, all right, then.”
I take a breath to steady myself. “Okay, now hold out your hand.”
She does so once more, this time with a playful smirk.

Taking more caution, I place the ring directly on her palm.
Lilly gasps when she feels it touch her skin. It's obvious what is it, I know, but the look on her face is wonderful. Her eyes go wide and her mouth parts slightly, her breath taking a sharp intake before stopping all together. She just holds her hand out with the ring resting in the center, not doing anything, her hand beginning to shake slightly.

“Touch it.”
She tentatively reaches out with her other hand to wrap the ring in her fingers. She explores it, discovers it and it isn't long before the engraving attracts her attention.

She looks confused for a second, but she twists the ring around in her fingers until she finds the right orientations. From a jumble of mismatched bumps, a message appears around the length of the ring;

http://i.imgur.com/2Dy3rzo.png

It's a simple request, one that's been repeated time and time again, asked between people who love each other very much, spoken in various ways. This is my way and it takes her breath from her and leaves her speechless. She runs her fingers over it again and again, playing it over in her mind, looping it end on end, a message in a ring, eternal and never ending.

“Lilly, I don't know what I have; how much life, where it will take me, what I'll do with it. I know I'm not happy where we are, I know I get frustrated when things take too long to happen or things don't end up the way I had hoped. You've always been patient with me, knowing that all I want is our happiness. For so long I wasn't sure if I deserved to ask you this question, to ask you to do this for me. Like you said, though, I don't care where we are so long as we're together. For what life I have, I want to give it to you, all of it. I want every last beat of my heart to belong to you from this day forward.“
I take a knee and repeat the question on the ring.
“Lilly, will you marry me?”

She holds the ring in her hand, tight enough to make her knuckles white. Her eyes fill with tears, mouth closed, holding back sobs barely restrained. She just stands there, ridged still, shaking only slightly, not saying anything.

I'm on the ground long enough that my knee starts to twinge and I get worried. I'm just concerned enough to be moments from repeating the question when she opens her arms, beckoning me forward. I stand and embrace her and Lilly cries into me, her tears running down my back. She shakes and cries in my arms and I go still when I hear her response.

“Idiot!”

She grips me even tighter, not letting me go. “Of course! Of course! How could you think otherwise? Yes! Yes! I will, I will! I love you, Hisao! I love you!“

We embrace, holding each other in fields of wheat. I can't help but hold her up, pick her off her feet and swing Lilly around once as she laughs and sobs and cries all at once. The planet could sink away, burn and crash into the sun, but my world, this place, at this very moment, is good and true and lovely.

She finally pulls back, still running her fingers over the ring, now firmly encircling her pale finger. She touches it again and again, smiling widely like a little girl with a new toy. “It's perfect! It's so perfect!”

“I want you to know, Lilly; every day you wear that ring, every time you slip it on or take it off, every time your hand touches it and reads those words, I'm asking you all over again. Every day you read it, I'm asking you to spend the rest of your life with me all over again. I'm bound to you, permanently. I will never go anywhere without you at my side. So long as I have strength in me, you will never lose me, I promise.“

She sobs and covers her mouth. “I love you. I love you so much, Hisao!”
She hugs me again and we laugh and she cries and I cry.

When everything is done, when the feelings and overwhelming happiness start to pass, she giggles, touching the ring with her fingertips. “I was waiting. I knew you wanted to ask, but I didn't want to pressure you. I knew you would eventually in your own time, but I was starting to get impatient.“
“I'm sorry. I wanted everything to be perfect.”
“It is, Hisao! Everything is perfect! I couldn't imagine a more perfect way!“

We embrace again. I laugh. “Perfect, yeah. Did you have to call me an idiot?”
She squeezes me tightly, pinching me with her delicate fingers. “You'll have to forgive me just as I did for you. I've been waiting years to get you back for that.“
I chuckle. “All right, I deserve it.” I reach back into my pocket. “I have something else.”
“For me?” she asks.
“Oh, no, this one is mine, but I want you to see it.“

I place the second ring in her hand and she instantly finds the engraving, the tiny bumps spelling out more words for her to read, a reminder to me to always remember;

http://i.imgur.com/gESRHhe.png

Lilly sounds touched, her words to me permanently engraved on the ring as much as they are on my mind. “I know I get disappointed, but I only have to remember what you said to me all those years ago. 'You are a beautiful person, Hisao. Please, never apologize for that.' You can't possibly know how much that has helped me, Lilly. Through all my troubles, through all my problems you have been there for me and your words have reminded me that no matter where I am, no matter how I was born or what my life is like, I should never feel regret or ashamed of the person I am or have become. With you Lilly, I am proud of the person I am and I would be honored if you would spend the rest of my life together with me. I can't promise much, but what I can promise you if that every day I will make myself a man worthy of your love.“

She takes my face into her hands and kisses me deeply, the two of us sharing our breath and holding each other tight.

She takes my hand into hers and slips the ring onto my finger, enjoying the feeling of it on my hand, holding my fingers entwined with her own.
“Hisao, this was wonderful. Thank you! I love you so much and I will be honored to be the wife of such a selfless and thoughtful man like you. I love you.“

I take her into my arms. “I love you, Lilly.”
We hold each other, not saying anything for the longest of times. When I finally do pull away, it's with a smile. “I have good news.”
She grins. “More?”
“Yes. I think it's time you and I move out of the apartment.“
She looks shocked. “Can we afford that?”
“It'll be tough the first few months, but we can manage as long as you can tolerate a third person in the house.“

Lilly blushes, touching her stomach.
“Oh, no! Not that!” I laugh. “What I meant to say is that there are some houses near Yamaku I've been looking at and I think, with a little help from another person, we could move into one.“
“That would be wonderful, but who?”
“I talked to her, and we'll have to iron out the details but Hanako would be interested in chipping in.“

Lilly's face lights up. “She would? Live with us? Hisao, that sounds wonderful! A house! We could have a house!“
She hugs me again and I nearly break for how happy she seems.

I was right; this was the perfect moment.

Lilly and I, arm in arm, walk through the field towards the summer house. She's still touching the rings over and over again, reading them continuously. “That sounds like a lovely plan. I have one of my own.“
“Do you?”
“Oh, yes,” she says with a smile. “I've thought of it for a long time and I'm sure it's what I want to do.“
Lilly stops and takes both of my hands into her own. “We're going to get married?”
“Of course.”
“Then I want to do something special.”
“Anything for you, Lilly. Just name it.”
She smiles broadly. “Thank you. This means a lot to me.” She looks down bashfully. “I think that until we get married, officially, we should...well, abstain.“
I blink. “Excuse me?”
“Yes. I think you and I should...refrain from each other for some time.“

I can feel my heart begin to sink and other parts of my anatomy begin to cry out in anguish. “I...but....why would....”
“I think it would be good for both of us. It would make that special night all the more important, I think. You do agree, don't you?“

I rub the back of my head. “Well, okay, I guess.”
She pouts, her lips pursing delicately. “You don't sound very excited.”
“Well, I mean, it sound nice, but, I thought...well, we're going to be here a few days and I thought we would spend the time...together. You know; quality time. Together.“

She takes her hands out of mine and puts them behind her back, leaning slightly towards me. “You should have thought of that before you proposed. If that's what you wanted, you should have given me the ring at the end of our vacation.“

I flex my hands a little. “Hey, Lilly, can I see your ring for a second?”

She turns slightly away from my direction. “No! You should have thought of that before!”
“Lilly, just for a second, maybe an hour or two.”
“No!
She takes a steps away, a bright smile on her face.

I step towards her. “Lilly, come on, just give me the ring.”
“No, it's mine! You can't have it now!”
“Give me the ring, Lilly!”
"No! I'm a married woman now!"

She squeals in excitement, turning this way and that way. “Oh! Where is the house?”
She spins around a couple times, chooses a direction totally at random and flees from me into the wheat field.

“Lilly! Come back!”
“No! You'll have to catch me first!”

She stumbles off with a flowing wake of wheat rustling behind her.
I grin as I run after my wife.

I'll chase her forever if I have to.