What's that thing they say about a rose by any other name?

Chapter 25: The Florist's Answer and The Harbingers Love The Flowers

A/N: I know I'm late. I am so sorry. I got in a funk yesterday, and I don't like getting like that. It affects my work. And I don't want to disappoint you all with crappy work.

Five days later

Yumie's P.O.V:

I was in my office, finishing up paperwork, trying to get my mind off what happened last night. But it's becoming difficult to try and keep my mind off about what Nicholas and Aziel asked me five days ago. Marriage... they want me to marry them. I never thought of myself as getting married to anyone. Then again, I never thought I would be a mother, either. I sighed and rubbed my head before I saw the door open with Alice holding a cup of tea and her dress covered in stickers. I chuckled softly, and she walked up to me before I gently took the teacup and blew the steam off the cup, speaking softly, "I see that Kaida decorated your dress. I'm guessing that Pantalone and Capitano sent letters again?"

"Yes... and they sent more Matzo Toffee. I already sent them to Lady Arlecchino."

"Thank you. I know that I should respond to their letters, but... I don't know what to say." I said, looking into my teacup and sighing before drinking the tea slowly, and Alice looked at me worriedly. I can understand why. I have been avoiding them and always giving them excuses, saying I'm busy with paperwork or training Lilith and Kadia. Okay, It's not the best excuses, but it's the only one I can come up with. They asked me to marry them, and I don't even have an answer for them! I groaned before putting my teacup down and put my head against the desk.

"If I may, Milady... Why don't you tell them your response at the Ceremony? It is in two days."

I looked up at Alice, and she was smiling at me before She put the envelopes on my desk and I slowly opened them, seeing the letters in them. I sighed, read the letters before blushing deeply, and quickly put them in my desk drawer, confusing Alice. These idiots... are going to be the death of me. Why must they make my face so red, like the dark red roses? They described what they would do to me on the honeymoon if we married. I... I don't have words. Alice coughed a bit and said, "Milady... do you want more tea to calm down?"

"Please... and check on Kaida and Lilith. Still, I know they're having their lesson on the visions."

"Of course, Milady. Right away." Alice said, bowing and leaving my office before closing the door behind her, and I sighed, trying to think what I should do about Aziel and Nicholas. I know they want an answer, and I don't know what to say to them. I want to say yes but at the same time... I want to wait until I talk to the Tsaritsa. She might give me advice on this. I got a blank piece of paper and started writing a letter for the Tsaritsa, asking to meet for a cup of tea and talk about what had happened over the year, along with what Aziel and Nicholas did five nights ago. I also mentioned in the letter that I would bring Kaida and Lilith to let her talk to the girls. I sighed and put my feather pen down before I heard my door open, and I saw my girls come in holding some books with Alice behind them, making me smile, and spoke softly, "Hello, my Precious Flowers. Are you done with your lessons on visions?"

"Yes, Mama. We wanted to check on you. Are you okay?"

"Oh, I'm okay. I had to take care of the paperwork. I hope you two are doing okay. Alice, please send this letter to The Tsaritsa right away." I said, giving Alice the letter I wrote, and she nodded before walking away, and I stood up slowly, walking towards my girls and hugging them. I looked at them, and they looked at me with bright smiles, making me smile back, and my snakes came out with their own snakes coming out. Our snakes wrapped around each other to cuddle each other. To show our love. Remember that it's okay. Nothing is going to hurt us anymore. I suddenly felt Lilith's snakes move away, and I looked at her before she looked at me with a nervous look, and she whispered, "Mama... Why did you fall in love with our Fathers?"