Chapter 12: A Special Gift
Months passed and it was well into late autumn. Lapis and Peridot's relationship was growing stronger by the day, much to the dismay of Stevonnie, Pearl, Amethyst, and Garnet.
The young angel could feel her friends' distrust in her beloved. They had even demanded Lapis to stop seeing the green demon a couple times. Of course, the blue-haired angel didn't listen to them.
"Why can't you just give Peridot a chance?" she once asked.
"Because we know he'll be just as cruel and perverted as the others deep down inside." Pearl answered. "It's only a matter of time before you learn the truth too late."
"You guys need to get to know him for the demon I see him as." Lapis disputed. "It's only a matter of time before you see how wrong you are."
The young angel wanted to do anything to show that Peridot was not a bad guy. Of course, trying to convince her friends that Peridot was nice was not easy because they were so stubborn about their opinion.
One day, the disguised demon felt like it was time to give up.
"It doesn't matter what you and I do." he said to his girlfriend. "Your friends are never going to trust me."
"It's okay." Lapis told him. "We don't need their trust or approval. We just need each other."
She leaned in and gave her beloved a kiss on the cheek. Peridot blushed like crazy when she did. Then, the young angel gave a wave and flew off to hang out with her friends.
"Lapis is so good to me." Peridot sits aloud. "She deserves a nice gift. But what should I give her?"
"Perhaps we could be of some assistance." said a serene voice.
The disguised demon turned around and saw a pair of angels flying towards him. They were both short in stature and holding hands.
One of the angels had coffee colored skin, long light blue hair, and ice blue eyes. She wore a glittery strapless white held up by a shimmery blue sash, cerulean blue detachable bell sleeves, and light blue slippers. Her feathery wings were tinted a midnight blue.
The other angel mocha colored skin, burgundy hair held up by a maroon headband, and black eyes. Her white dress was held up by a loose maroon sash. She also wore light red fingerless gloves and red flats. Her wings were had a reddish tinge.
"And you are?" Peridot asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm Ruby and this is Sapphire." the lighter skin angel said. "And we couldn't help but overhear your little predicament."
"Ruby and I know a lot about love that defies boundaries." Sapphire added. "We know that you're a demon in disguise, but we won't turn you in to Blue Diamond."
"Why not?" the male angel inquired.
"Because we believe that your relationship with Lapis Lazuli will triumph over all the naysayers." she said.
"That's all I really want." the disguised demon justified. "To have Lapis by my side to hold with all my affection no matter many say it's wrong."
"You really love her, don't you?" Ruby smiled.
"Very much." Peridot nodded. "She's amazing. I want to do something for her."
"Well, it would have to be special." Sapphire pointed out. "Something that really peaks her interest."
After racking his brains for a moment, a lightbulb lit up his head.
"I know." he proclaimed. "I'll build her a greenhouse. She's really into flowers."
"And we'll help you build it." Ruby offered.
So together, the three angels drafted out a plan to construct the surprise greenhouse. And then, it was time to put the building together. About a week and a half went into building the frame of the greenhouse, putting up the glass, and bringing in flowers and seeds.
The whole time, Peridot had kept the construction of the greenhouse a secret from his girlfriend until the big reveal.
"We did a great job." Ruby commented.
"But, the real test is yet to come." Peridot brought up, feeling a little nervous. "I really hope Lapis likes it."
"Don't fret, Peridot." Sapphire consoled him. "Lapis will adore knowing that put this together for her. Just bring find her and you'll see."
The disguised demon found his beloved relaxing on a cloud in the sun. He flew over and waved to get her attention.
"Hey, where have you been all day?" Lapis asked as she stretched her arms.
"You need come see something with me." Peridot simply told her.
"What's going on, Peridot?" his girlfriend wondered.
"I want to show you something special." the masquerading demon explained. "But, it's a surprise so close your eyes."
The blue haired angel closed her eyes and Peridot took her hand to guide her to the designated location so that she wouldn't get lost. They kept flying until they arrived at the entrance to the greenhouse.
"Can I open my eyes now?" Lapis giggled.
"Wait for it." Peridot said as he guided her inside. "Okay, now."
The young angel opened her eyes and by flowers of every shape and color imaginable.
"This is incredible!" the young angel gasped. "I've never seen so many flowers in one little place."
"I thought you might like it." Peridot chuckled lightly.
"No, I don't like it." Lapis cajoled. "I love it. How did you do all this?"
"Oh, I had help from some friends in high places." the male angel responded, glancing to the side where Ruby and Sapphire each gave him a thumbs-up.
"This is the most romantic thing anyone's ever done for me." his beloved gushed. "I love you so much."
To express her gratitude, Lapis gave Peridot a kiss on the lips; to which he gladly returned.
Outside, Lapis' friends were watching the scene with looks of bewilderment. The young angel was the first to notice them.
"Um, would you excuse me for a minute?" she asked her boyfriend as she stepped outside.
"I can't believe Peridot built this thing for you." Stevonnie commented, feeling astonished.
"Yeah, he really had your best interests at heart." Amethyst added. "I've got to say, I'm impressed."
"As am I." agreed Pearl.
"Wait." Lapis stopped her friends. "I thought you didn't like Peridot."
"Well, he obviously cares a lot about you." Garnet expressed. "You were right about him. And we're sorry we didn't believe you."
"Guys, I can't hold a grudge towards you for being doubtful about Peridot." the young angel smiled sympathetically.
"Hey, you should consider taking him to the Snowflake Promenade." Amethyst suggested out of the blue.
"The Snowflake Promenade?" Lapis repeated.
"Yeah, it's a dance that we have on the night of the Winter Solstice every year." Stevonnie clarified.
"But, I've never been to a dance before; let alone had a date to one." the younger angel confessed. "I'm sure if Peridot will accept or reject my offer."
"It can't hurt to ask." Amethyst said, giving her friend a light push.
Nervously, Lapis re-entered the greenhouse and approached her boyfriend who was tending to some petunias.
"So, Peridot." she began bashfully. "There's a winter ball coming up. It's going to be my first big dance and I don't want to go alone. So, would you like to go with me?"
"Yes, I would." he replied with a smile.
Lapis instantly threw her arms around the male angel happily. She was grateful that her fear of being turned down didn't end up becoming a reality.
"You are the best demon in all the three realms!" she sang.
Peridot kissed his girlfriend's cheek and held her tenderly for that moment. There was more than just the scent of flowers in the air that day.