CHAPTER FOUR

Isaac stood in front of a brick wall reading the wayside exhibit in front of him. In Baltimore, Poe found love and affection, launched his literary career, and was later laid to rest. Isaac pulled information from his Earth databases on this Edgar Allan Poe. As his systems worked, he turned, looking at Claire across the street. She was laughing and showing off the ring he had synthesized for her to a young woman standing behind a cart. Isaac could not hear the conversation, but the other woman seemed to approve of the jewelry based on her facial expressions.

Claire pointed over to him, and the other woman's eyes widened and placed a hand over her heart. She said something, and Claire laughed again. Her cheeks tinged pink as she glanced back at him, and gave him a small wave. He returned the gesture, and the two women ducked their heads and started whispering, occasionally stealing glances in his direction.

There is a human phrase…you should be very proud. He recalled telling her that about Ty's piano recital. But he realized that's what Claire was now. She is proud to be my wife.

He was still processing that response when Claire came back over to him, holding something in a cup. "Sorry!" she apologized. "I just had to show off my ring. I don't think I'll ever get over how beautiful it is."

"It compliments you well," Isaac told her. He looked at the item in her hand. "What is this?"

"Oh, Isaac I wish you could taste it!" Claire exclaimed. "I used to love these when I was a child. This is a Baltimore snowball."

Isaac analyzed the shaved ice, the Styrofoam cup, the vanilla syrup, and melted marshmallow. "Is it what biologicals refer to as 'dessert'?" he asked her. "As Baltimore is not at the correct latitude to maintain ice consistently, it cannot be a true snowball."

Claire dug into the treat with the spoon. She closed her eyes in satisfaction with the first bite. "It's the perfect addition to a perfect day," she told him. On an impulse, she scooped some of the shaved ice out and dabbed it on Isaac's nose. Isaac reached up, wiped it off with his fingers, and studied it. "This would be detrimental to my systems," he observed. "The syrup and the marshmallow would be difficult to remove from my wiring."

Claire set the cup down on a bench and stepped close to him. "Allow me to help with that," she said, kissing his nose. It's so silly, she thought to herself, tasting vanilla and marshmallow and just a hint of whatever alloy Isaac was made of. He makes me feel like a teenager.

Isaac held perfectly still during the move Lieutenant Malloy would refer to as 'flirting.' He took her hand and kissed the top of it when she smiled up at him. "Shall we continue?" he asked her. "Has the snowball satisfied your hunger, or must you consume something more substantial?"

"Oh, I think I can last a little longer," Claire replied cheekily. "You know, we're a bit of a walk from a wonderful art museum I know about, or-"

"I have a suggestion," Isaac cut her off. He pulled her down to the bench to sit beside him, making sure to leave room so she didn't sit on the snowball. He adjusted her hat so he could see her more clearly. The look on her face was the same satisfied and content look she'd had on the evening of their wedding. "Everything is perfect," she'd told him then, and so he made the assumption that her feelings were similar at this moment in time. "You have stated previously that part of a relationship is compromise."

"I did," she replied, trying to determine where this course of conversation had come from.

"In that case, while I have enjoyed learning about Baltimore and American history, I would like to propose an alternative activity."

She frowned. "You're not having a good time?" Her voice sounded a bit hurt.

"I am incapable of enjoying myself the way you do. My systems function at a higher level when you are enjoying yourself," Isaac explained. "I observe that the highest recurrence of this occurs in the following situations: when you are with your children, and when you are in my presence."

Claire raised an eyebrow. "Still so modest. Careful you don't get so full of yourself your circuits fry," she teased him.

"It is simply stating a fact," Isaac countered. "However, I do recall the highest incidence of this occurred the evening I received the emotions implant from Dr. Villka."

Claire's face fell. "I didn't think you remembered any of that," she said.

"A misstatement. I did not recall my emotions. I do recall yours. I have not seen you that happy since that moment."

"Oh, Isaac." Claire took his hands. "I am happy. Every moment I'm with you, I'm happy. Emotions or no, I wouldn't change a thing about you in this moment."

"I am aware of this. You made that clear when you said you did not want me to undergo a second attempt. But what I am referring to is the moments we spent dancing." He looked at her. The brown eyes of his avatar looked deep into hers. "I would like to go dancing with you."