Infinite Stratos: Old IS, New Plans

Will you marry me?

"Charlotte Dunois... Will you. No, too mainstream. Come on Zeke, you can do better than that!" I said, grumbling as I fingered the engagement ring I had bought a few week prior. I stood up from my one knee position and paced around the empty apartment. Keiko was out with some friends and Char had to get some groceries and would be bringing Keiko back with her. I intended to pop the big question tonight.

"It isn't that hard to ask her a simple question, so why am I freaking out like a little kid?" I thought, running a hand through my hair as I sighed and slumping my shoulders. I dropped my hand and my hair was left sticking up in multiple places. I grumbled and tried to fix it, but the hairs were stubborn and refused to go down. I sat on the couch and let my head fall onto the back of it with a THUD. I just mumbled some more and continued to try and figure out what had me acting weird.

"Is it the fact that I'm asking the love of my life to marry me?" My internal voice asked.

"No, We've basically done that anyway." I answered myself.

"Is it a hidden fear? Maybe about her father, or what others will think?" It questioned.

"One, I can handle her father. Two, so what?" I replied.

"What about the fear that she'd say no?" It guessed, leaving me to stew in the possibility of Charlotte saying no. I didn't have an answer.

Later...

"We're home!" Char announced as she opened the door, gorcery bags and Keiko in tow. I flew awake from my unexpected nap and ended up sprawled all over the floor. I opened my eyes to see the ring right in front of my face. I quickly grabbed it and slid it into my back pocket just as Char appeared and landed on my back, pinning me to the floor again.

"So, what have you been doing all day? Not napping I hope." Char teased. I grunted and pushed up. We both ended up on the floor again, just side by side this time.

"No, I haven't been napping all day. In fact, I don't remember falling asleep in the first place to be honest." I replied. Char laughed as I rolled onto my back and I heard music start playing. (Play Video)

"What is that?" Char asked as we both sat up. I shrugged and we stood before I listened and followed the sounds down the hall and we arrived at Keiko's room. I cracked the door open and found Keiko dancing around her room as the music flew through the air. Char leaned on my back and looked in as well. We both smiled as she spun around her room, carefree smile on her face and laughter mixing with the music. It was amazing to watch, but that wasn't it. Char stopped leaning on me and opened the door without alerting Keiko. I stood in the doorway as Char got her attention and before too long the two of them were dancing and laughing hand in hand around the room. I laughed to myself before an urge hit me, a urge to do... something.

"Ah, what the hell." I thought before stepping into the room myself and slipped Keiko out of Char's arms and we were the two spinning and grinning as the music started to come to a close. I finally knew what I was feeling...

"Char." I said as the song finished and she rested her head on my chest. I could swear the ring was burning in my back pocket and I slipped a hand in and grabbed it. I sighed and said again.

"Char... Charlotte." She lifter her head from my chest and looked up at me. Her purple irises meeting my forest green ones. I smiled at her, glancing at Keiko before looking down at my clenched hand. I took a deep breath and looked at her again.

"Is everything alright Zeke?" Char asked, leaning a little closer. I sighed again, my whole body trembling.

"Yeah. And no." I said, looking at my hand again. "I have a question to ask you Char. And it's a big one." I said, rubbing the back of my head. She looked at me before nodding to encourage me. I felt my legs shaking and they felt like if I didn't get on one knee, I was going to fall to both knees soon. I smiled as I looked down and sat her down on Keiko's bed while I went to one knee.

"Charlotte Dunois. From the first time I met you I knew that I wouldn't be able to ever let you go. I was head over heels for the little French girl in my highschool class." I started. She looked at me, tears starting to form in her eyes as a small smile graced her lips. I licked mine in aprehension before starting again.

"We've been through a lot of things together and we somehow were able to make this last. From terrorist groups to crazy fathers, we've been through it. But you never gave up on me. I never gave up on you. And I'm not going to stop now." I said, tearing up myself. I fingered the ring in my hand and took a deep breath, then raised my head and locked eyes with her as I brought the ring up between my fingers and asked. She gasped when she saw what I was holding and I faintly heard Keiko squealing somewhere.

"Charlotte Dunois, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" I asked, a small smile on my face.

"Yes! Yes! A million times YES!" She yelled, grabbing me in a huge hug. Our tears fell freely as we laughed and kissed and just plain lost it in each others arms. I pulled away and took her hand in mine, sliding the ring on her finger.

"Well, Mrs. Altec. Shall we go corral our daughter before she starts blabbing it everywhere and we have a mess on our hands?" I asked, grinning at her as we heard Keiko going nuts outside her bedroom door.