It's been almost a year without Tai. The manor is definitely quieter without her, but you get used to it. You find new routines to fill up the free time you now have. So I've worked a lot more on my painting skills. I don't think I'll ever be as good as Carl, or Markus. But I'm having fun with it.
And Ralph was of course outside, tending to the garden. Standing right outside the studio window. I turned, to watch him in his most peaceful state. Caring for his favorite flowers. I turned back to painting. Trying to add a glowing effect to the flower, and adding a few details to the hand holding it.
I noticed Ralph standing up, and jogging away, but I didn't pay too much attention to it. That is until the doors to the studio opened, and Ralph excitedly jogged to me, being very light on his feet. I put the brush down in the cup of water, and turned to face him. Noticing the guests by the doors.
"You're here!" I said, walking towards the two. "It'll take another hour for them to arrive" Markus answered, being as vague as he could, like I requested of him. "Of course. Guess you're just here earlier then" I replied. I noticed that Markus had an arm around Simon. I snapped my fingers, and pointed at it. "I knew it" I commented, causing Markus to chuckle. "About time too, Simon. I thought you'd find Narnia by now, for being in the closet that long" I added.
"So what happened between you and North?" I asked, leaning my weight to one leg. "We started drifting apart. We weren't as engaged as we could have been, nor did we have the desire to do anything. So, the breakup was mutual" he explained. "It's not easy to reel in a ship that's drifting out to sea. Sometimes things just don't work out the way you hoped to" I stated, pouring in a bit of my metaphorical side. Which I've probably gotten from Carl.
I yelped when I was unexpectedly hugged from behind, and lifted up ever so slightly. Keeping balanced with my toes. I started laughing, quickly realizing that it was my gardener. "Ralph doesn't want to drift from (Y/N)" he stated, burying his head into the top of mine. "I won't let you either" I jested, pecking his cheek. I was let down again.
There was another knock on the door, and I let Markus go and answer it.
I noticed the star struck look in Simon's eyes, as he followed the leader of Jericho with his gaze. I smirked at him, and decided to leave him alone, as I turned back to the pairing. I leaned back, inspecting it. Ralph looked at it, and then to his most damaged hand. He held it up in front of him, trying to copy the pose as well. "That's Ralph's hand" he commented. "It is. I wanted to show how important you are to me" I started, cleaning the brushes away. "If I'm a flower, then you're the garden. Helping me bloom again, and making you beautiful in return" I continued, walking back to him.
I looked to the side to see Markus back. "And what's a garden, if no ones there to see it?" I asked, walking over to him. "I've handed in the documents for you" he stated, and I ushered the girl forward. She was a bit shy, but lit up when she saw Ralph. "I remember you said you wanted a family" I told Ralph. "The mother" I pointed at me. "The father" I pointed to him. "And the little girl" I put my hands on her shoulders. Ralph kneeled in front of her. A wide smile on his face. "Her name is Liza Manfred" I stated, making him even more giddy. "You're eye. It's like mine, but black" she stated, smiling. Ralph looked back to her, and then to me. "She was rejected by six families because of her blind eye" I answered. Her left eye had lost its color, and her pupil is white. "You're going fit right in with us!" I said to her, and she smiled up at me. Bouncing on her heels.
I'll give her the family that I always wanted, and never got to have.
———
After letting Liza get comfortable, and settle in, I had put her to bed. And now, I'm standing in the garden. Taking in the cool night breeze, as I waited for Ralph to finish his work.
He walked towards me, handing me a bouquet of various flowers. I thanked him, and accepted a chaste kiss from him too. He wrapped his arms around my waist, and I leaned against him. "We should head inside. It's getting late" I stated, but the Android didn't let go. "No. Ralph doesn't want to. He want to stay here with (Y/N)" he answered. "Alright, but not too long" I chuckled, leaning my head back onto his chest.
As he was holding me. The flowers lightly swaying in the wind, and the moon light framing everything around us. I couldn't help but think of how lucky I've been. Finding him again. And now this.
We have a family together, with Liza.
He truly helped me bloom again, like a rose in the spring. If I really were to be a delicate flower, he'd be the garden, protecting and nourishing me. And I'm there to make the garden more beautiful than you could believe. Helping him figure out who he is, and control his emotions. Even if he still has his episodes. But that doesn't change my opinion, since it's a part of him. I buried my face into his chest, holding onto the soft, plush, green shirt he had on, with one hand, and the bouquet in the other, as he whispered sweet nothings into the top of my head.
Ralph loves (Y/N) so much
She's so beautiful
Ralph can't believe she chose him
It sounded more like he was ranting to himself. I could hear his thirium pump beating, faster than what would be considered normal. But my heart is also beating out of my chest, so I don't blame him. This moment is just... perfect.
"(Y/N)?" Ralph asked. Not letting go of me.
"Yes, Ralph?" that name rolls off my tongue perfectly. And I wouldn't in my entire life, expect to hear the following words, from anyone.
"Marry me"
