I do not own Warm Bodies. It's just awesome.
Human
Chapter 11: Good Day for Questions
It was an epic day. R and Julie sat together on a grey concrete bridge high above the living world they had helped exhume. Wild greenery surrounded them. The wall and the city contained within lay out before them. The melting, yellow sun hung low in the clear, blue sky. It would be dark in a few hours. For now, they had all the time in the world.
R was dressed in freshly laundered clothing, jeans and a blue and yellow checked button up long-sleeved shirt. His dark hair was neatly brushed and his handsome face shaven. Julie was garbed in a most unusual fashion for her. She wore a soft, cream colored dress that fell to her knees, sandals on her exposed feet, and a feminine, denim jacket. Her bare legs were demurely crossed at the ankles. Unfettered thick blond hair lay draped over her delicate shoulders.
R sat comfortably, his broad back slightly bent, long legs dangling into empty space, feet waving a little. Julie snuggled into him with her right arm nestled inside his left. He held her small hands in his larger ones, casually playing with her delicate fingers.
They looked peaceful, happy. And they were. Quietly awaiting the impending historic moment. R wasn't really very nervous about what was to come. He had actually been anticipating it for quite some time now. It had always been somewhere in his mind as a hopeful possibility. Today, it would become his human reality.
"R?"
Julie asked, suddenly breaking his reverie. He didn't mind.
"Yeah?"
He quietly responded, gazing into her lovely face.
"Do you remember your name yet?" she asked inquisitively.
R shook his head at little and looked down at their intertwined fingers.
"No."
"Well, you know, you could just give yourself one."
Julie suggested, with a smile in her bright blue eyes. R remained quiet and still.
"Just pick one," she encouraged kindly. "Whatever you want."
He contemplated this for a second, then shrugged, and answered confidently.
"I like R."
She seemed a tad bit doubtful.
"Really?"
He nodded, smiling at her.
"You don't want to know what it was?" she gently probed. "You don't want your old life back?"
He shook his head.
"No," he responded honestly.
"I want this one," he concluded, looking deeply into her clear, blue eyes.
She smiled shyly at him and ducked her head down for moment, tenderly brushing her lips to his shoulder before laying her head down warmly against him.
"Just R, huh?" She smiled the words into the world.
R sat, letting the sound and meaning of those words wash over him. He nodded slightly, gratified with that single, simple thought.
It's enough. Just to be me. Human me. Just R.
"Just R," he affirmed, a pleased smile appearing on his face.
They sat together, up on high, and watched as the explosives, her father, Colonel John Grigio had ordered planted, detonated all along the wall. The forbidding structure came crashing mightily down. The metal barriers that had held so long against the dead world were finally destroyed. The dead world had been exhumed. The possibilities now were endless.
As they sat there, quiet, R knew the time had come. It was the perfect moment. He stayed in it a heartbeat longer, holding Julie's fingers safely in his, gathering his courage. Then slowly and decisively, he let go of her hands and reached into his right pocket. His fingers found what they were seeking and drew it out carefully.
It was a small silver ring. Two hands cradling a crowned heart. A claddagh, an Irish wedding ring. He looked at it for what seemed like the hundredth time since Nora had triumphantly found it and brought it to him in preparation for this day. It was so small, yet it represented so much. Lasting friendship, sincere loyalty, and true love. He held it in his hand, finding the voice to speak his next words.
Ooooh, look at how high up we are! the idiot suddenly stepped forth. Hey, if she says no, you can always just fling yourself over the edge and end it all! Man, that is some good planning! Alright!
With barely a glance, R mentally reached out, snatched the idiot up, and unceremoniously tossed him over the edge of the precipice. Then he refocused himself. Clearing his throat quietly, he took a deep breath and spoke the words.
"Julie, will you marry me?"
She looked at him, down at the ring, and back up at him. She gasped, realization dawning on her radiant, stunned face.
"Oh, R!" she breathed, all her oxygen gone. "Yes!"
She held up her trembling left hand. He deftly slipped the ring on her hand and kissed it tenderly. Then he kissed her, full of love and passion and life. His right hand protectively cupped her precious head, cradling it closer to his. Grateful that she had accepted him. Happy to be human and alive.
Thank you for all this, he spoke silently to Whoever was listening. I am grateful for it all, every single day.
When the kiss ended, Julie caught her air and began to laugh. R watched her expectantly. He'd figure it out. Or she'd tell him. He'd wait. She caught her breath again and squeezed his arm affectionately.
"So that's why Nora made me wear this dress! And Dad hugged me so tight and gave you that weird look!"
She laughed again and her eyes danced.
"That must've killed Nora not to tell me! And Dad! You actually talked to him about it first?"
R nodded, remembering the very important pre-breakfast conversation some days before.
"Well, that took guts!" she gazed at him, wide-eyed.
R nodded seriously.
"He was holding a spoon, too."
Julie's eyebrows quirked, perplexed. R smirked, affectionately pecked her on the nose, and told her all about it.
When he was done, she hugged him so tightly they both could have fallen over the edge. But they didn't.
"Oh, R! I can't believe you did that!"
He shrugged nonchalantly.
"Well, I've come back from being dead. So, everything else, really, is pretty much cake."
She laughed again and he joined her, chuckling. They kissed. They hugged. They laughed. They made plans.
It was a good day for questions.
I've enjoyed creating this more than I can say. Thank you so much for reading. And remember, just keep throwing your idiot off that cliff! ;)
Maybe there'll be another story. R and Julie: The Simple Life. Would you read it?
Thanks to Vicky Detos, Nocturnal Elle, Alana-kittychan, and brigid1318 for all your reviews! You're so fantastic!
Thanks to woahtherePotter, amina90, FireCrystal1092, Kaze Hatake, WhitWolfWoman, DestinyXinderStar, and EchoedMelodies for adding your support to this story as well.
