Hello and welcome to the story about how Orion proposed to Claire, a lovely little story. Some father-in-law and son-in-law bonding, just a lovely little diddy. Anyway, hope you enjoy it. Please me a review or a request, I'd love to write more stories with these characters!

Orion's heart almost beat out of his chest, and he was pretty sure he wasn't going into cardiac arrest. Like 80 percent sure. It was the beginning of a new work day and Ratchet and Orion were building Orion a ship of his own. Orion was in the cockpit of his almost complete ship, but unable to truly focus on his work.

He was thinking about if it was time to propose to Claire, his girlfriend of about five years. And he was super nervous.

"Orion," Ratchet came from underneath the ship, "What's wrong? I can hear you panting from under here."

Orion raised his hand to his chest, trying to slow his heart and breathing. "N-No, I'm fine. Honest." He leaned over the side to smile at Ratchet. "Nothing is wrong."

"Is there something wrong with the displays?" Ratchet raised an eyebrow. "Or is it something else?"

Orion sat back. "Something else." He admitted, frowning a little bit. Ratchet just sighed and got Orion to follow him the garage roof where the older Lombax sat Orion down.

"Alright," Ratchet groaned a little. He was no longer young as he once was. "Spill it."

Orion glanced at his elder for a moment before rubbing the back of his neck. "So...I've been thinking…"

"Is that why there is steam coming out your ears?" Ratchet teased, smiling and elbowing Orion.

Orion sighed and turned away from Ratchet. "I'm being serious." Orion took a deep breath. "I was thinking about….asking Claire to marry me."

"Ah," Ratchet nodded. Was he this anxious when he asked Kori? They'd been together long then Claire and Orion, and also they were older. "You guys are still young, why rush? Is Claire pregnant?"

Orion blushed and turned to Ratchet in surprise. "No!" He cried, rubbing the back of his neck. "I mean, we haven't done anything like that."

"Okay, so why now?" Ratchet tried not to laugh.

Orion tried to look for a way to describe it. "It just….feels right, you know?" He sighed. "Without taking our relationship a certain direction," Orion shot a glare at Ratchet, "It feels like it's the next step. Plus I really want to marry her." He sharply exhaled and rubbed his face with his hands. "I don't know why I'm talking to you about this."

"Because," A laugh finally escaped Ratchet. "I'm your future father-in-law. If Claire is anything like her mother, which she really is, she'll say yes." He lightly hit Orion's shoulder. "Her mom married a stubborn pain like me, and I don't doubt that she would marry a pain in the butt like you."

Orion smiled a little. "I thought you liked me."

"I do," Ratchet sighed, smiling. "But I just have to give you a hard time if you're going to marry my daughter." He looked out onto the Fastoon terrain, a different view from the roof of his home. "I was about your age when I met Kori and we spent a long time as friends. Then I started to fall in love with her, and then I married her."

Orion nodded. "Must of at least taken a century or more."

"Why you little." Ratchet laughed and pushed Orion's shoulder. "I'm going to tell Kori you said that." He smiled. "Your future mother-in-law."

Orion laughed a little before his laughter faded. "How do you know?" He looked at Ratchet, a little worried. "How do you know she'll say yes?"

"She's my daughter." Ratchet smiled. "Your relationship may move quickly but Claire got my need for speed. Patience is not one of her strong suits."

Orion nodded. "Yeah, I noticed." He sat back and sighed a little. "I don't know how I'm going to ask her."

"You'll think of something." Ratchet patted Orion on the back, gently taking Orion's shoulders and gently shaking him. "But right now we have to finish your ship, now that you're not hyperventilating anymore."

Orion laughed. "I was not…." He sighed. "Alright, whatever, old man."

Sometime later Orion approached the one person he never thought he would have about his problem. "You're asking me," Franklin said over the communicator, no one else around. "How to propose to my sister." He groaned and looked at Orion with annoyance. "As your boyfriend, wouldn't you know how to do that?"

"I thought as smart as you are you'd have some idea." Orion sighed. "Some better idea than I do, anyway."

Franklin sighed and shook his head. "I'm an inventor, not a relationship guru."

"You're also her brother." Orion pointed at Franklin. "If anyone should know Claire, it's you."

Franklin raised an eyebrow. "Also you, her hopefully future fiance."

"You sound like your dad." Orion groaned, leaning back a little.

Franklin actually laughed and shook his head. "I hope, that's where half my genetics came from." He sighed and settled. "I'm sure you'll think of something." Franklin's eye caught some movement and he straightened up. "If you wanted to know about water purification you could have asked Claire."

"What?" Orion looked at Franklin like he was crazy. He followed Franklin's eyes and saw Claire leaning on the doorway with an eyebrow raised. "Oh, right." Orion laughed weakly. "I just thought I'd learn a new skill to help you out."

Claire entered the room and nodded slowly. "So, you called Franklin. My baby brother in another dimension to ask about my job." She sat down next to Orion. "What is going on?"

"Bye Orion." Franklin smiled and cut off the connection. Orion sighed and gave himself the mental note to kill Franklin later.

Claire smiled and laughed. "Yes."

"What?" Orion straightened up.

Claire gently kissed Orion's lips. "Yes, I will marry you."

"I…." Orion blinked. "What?"

Claire laughed. "Did you really think Franklin could help you?"

"Wait." Orion waved his hand a little. "What?" He looked at Claire sheepishly. "You….knew I was planning to propose?"

Claire nodded. "Sorry I got a little impatient, and I heard my parents talking."

"Hold on," Orion smiled and got down on one knee. "Let me just…." he pulled out the ring Ratchet and he made. "Claire Angela Olympic," Orion took a deep breath. "Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

Claire smiled and leaned down to kiss Orion. "Nothing could stop me from marrying you."

Suddenly colored paper rained down on the couple, and they turned to see their family with confetti tubes pointed toward the couple.

"Congratulations!" They said.

Ratchet raised a hand. "Orion, don't forget to clean this mess up."

"Wait a minute," Orion got up, smiling still. "You all made this mess. Why do I get to clean it up?" He laughed a little bit.

Ratchet nodded, smiling a little. "You want to marry Claire? You clean up this mess."

"Ratchet," Kori hit her husband on the arm and everyone turned to fire the last blast of confetti onto Ratchet. Laughter filled the house that night.

Thanks so much for reading! I do hope you liked it, I had a fun time writing it. Remember, reviews save lives lol. And if you have any story you want to read just drop me a request and I'll do my best. I've already started to think of some more. See you next time!