Love Don't Come Easy.
Disclaimer: I deny any ownership of any adult or adolescent transformed shadow warrior chelonians.
Chapter Sixteen: The Proposal
Jessie sat in the lab with Jennifer and Don, " I was able to get Mike's blessing the other night. So now, the tricky part is trying to figure out how to propose to Rama, I want it to be different, special. Somethin' she'll remember."
"She will remember it no matter what" Jen assured Jessie as she smiled over at Don, " I haven't forgotten how Don proposed to me."
Don ducked his head, as he muttered a bit self consciously "I hadn't intended on proposing on that night. It sort of happened. I was just explaining about the roses and their meaning when it...well popped out." Don rolled his eyes and chuckled a little "You might say when I popped the question, I literally did so."
Jessie laughed a bit, at Don's embarrassed smile and gentle confession. "Rama loves roses, and saying it with flowers could be an easy way of doing things, but I don't know I want something more. You know but something that hasn't been done to pieces like the romantic dinner, or proposing on a carriage ride. Not that there is any thing wrong with those things it just doesn't seem ..." Jessie heaved a sigh and slumped in his chair, "Enough."
Don grinned, " I happen to know Raph proposed on a date with Sara."
Jennifer nodded "Sara said he quoted Shakespeare to her, and it was totally unexpected she didn't think that Raph even knew of any love poetry never mind quoting something along the classic line."
Jessie sat up straighter, "See that is what I mean. I want something unexpected. Something Rama wouldn't think of. I'd give it to her in an April Fool's joke if it didn't mean waiting for about a year." Jessie sighed, "Except for the fact that I don't think Rama or Mike would care to wait until then. I don't know who'd come after me first."
Jennifer sat back "Come on we are three very intelligent people I am sure we can come up with something to satisfy the demand." She swiveled in her chair to face Jessie, "You have got a ring I take it?"
"Well I don't quite have it yet. I have it on lay away at the jewelers and well I made a couple of payments on it. I couldn't afford to pay all of it right away." Jessie admitted, " It is a white gold ring, I thought it'd look good on her."
Jen smiled towards Don, arching her eyebrows slightly "Don we can help this boy out a bit, can't we?"
"We've helped everyone else with dresses and or rings. It has always been our wedding gift to family members, not only that but with Jessie being our junior member and apprentice, well I think we might be doing a little more, after all he is going be asking the future Jonin of the clan for her hand." Don spoke reflectively as if considering all of these points. "Of course we will be expecting a great deal from the boy if we do this, you know Jen."
Jessie sat back watching them, he was used to how they worked sometimes tossing a difficult problem between each other, trying to see if their partner could come up with the one thing that they hadn't tried. The two of them could talk circles around most people, and while they may act as if he wasn't part of the equation, inevitably one or the other would turn to him and see what ideas he had, it was almost as if they were giving him time to consider the situation and see if he could come up with an alternative solution.
"Ah Don, it's called the incentive plan, give him something worth while to build loyalty and hard work. What Jessie doesn't realize is we'll have him working like a slave in no time." Jen responded cheerfully.
Causing Jessie to guffaw.
"Laugh now but you will see it come true soon enough" Don told him with a wink. Don closed his eyes for a moment when he opened them again he smiled, "Jessie you mentioned giving the ring to her in sort of an April Fools joke."
"Yeah but April is like nine months away." Jessie pointed out, "I don't want to wait that long."
"Yes, but that might not stop playing a bit of a joke on her, one she'll quickly forgive when you ask her to marry you. Not only that, I owe her a few, especially for all those years I was trying to get her to learn her lessons, she was a difficult student in just about every subject I could think of." Don said as he stretched out his legs, and then stood up stretching all over, "Not only that but I have a feeling we can remind her of all kinds of things while we do it too."
Jennifer smiled, "Don is very romantic, and sweet, he really is. He may not be one to show it outwardly at least around family, but when we are alone." Jen arched her eyebrows.
Don gave her a stern look "I'm sure Jessie doesn't need to hear about that love."
XXXX
Rama lay snuggled up close to Jessie, the two of them had snuck into one of the emergency stash areas in the sewers, so they could have a little privacy, away from people topside and not in the busy lair where young children or other demands would interrupt any private talk or intimate times. Of course Mike didn't like the idea of Rama being in Jessie's room for too long, or Jessie in Rama's room was also suspicious. He insisted, that Rama was not going to lose her virginity while she was single, in spite of what Rama felt about that.
"It's my virginity dad, I'll lose it when I want to" She'd snap at him.
So the two had taken to sneaking away to these spots where they weren't being interrupted or watched on a continual basis. " What do you want out of your life Rama?"
"My life I get to be jonin you know that Jess." Rama sighed as she kissed him on the cheek and tousled his unruly hair.
"That is your job what do you want out of your life? I mean I have my job with Jennifer and Don but I don't intend to be living in the lair for the rest of my life." Jessie declared.
Rama sat up shooting him a dirty look.
"What?" Jessie asked shrugging and giving her a baffled look.
" What about marriage Jess, or..." Rama began her eyes growing hard and her hands going to where her hips would be if she had such a thing, "and a family or..."
"See that's what you want" Jess laughed, "A family marriage. I don't know if I'm ready for that quite yet." He noted the dark look on Rama's face, and tried not to laugh as he knew she was biting his tongue, "Don't even start with the you don't really love me bit." He ordered her, "Because I do love you..."
"But you won't pro..." Rama gave a frustrated shake of her head "Oh forget it Jessie." She got up.
Jessie reached out grabbing her arm, "Hey Rama llama ding dong, don't get your bandanna too knotted up."
Rama glared at him "Jessie, I...I need to know that we're going somewhere that there is more between us."
Jessie stood up and tried to fold her into his arms but Rama broke his hold, he went after her again and this time when she tried to break loose Jessie countered her moves, he saw a flash in Rama's eyes as her face grew hard soon they seemed to be sparring with Rama trying to break free of his hands and arms while he persisted in holding her, they ended up tumbling into a wrestling holds on the floor. Rama finally in her urge to break free began to tickle Jessie. He retaliated by doing the same, reaching into sensitive areas between the shell for a quick tickle before trying another spot.
They ended up both laughing and Rama was no longer struggling as Jessie pulled her closer to him nuzzling her neck, "Rama love, don't be in such a hurry, enjoy what we have now. Each other, because I do love you, I'm not going leave you" He vowed seriously., "I want to enjoy courting you."
Rama turned and began raining kisses along his face and neck " I want you Jess."
Jessie groaned at her whispered words, " I know I want you in that way too, but not now. Patience, it will be awarded in good time" he replied breathlessly, knowing his own body was responding to her words and touch. He moaned, "There is a time and a place for it and I want both to be right Rama."
A strange glint came into Rama's eyes " I could make you wanna." she cooed.
"Yeah, but would I respect ya in the morning?" Jess teased.
Rama smacked him "You're cruel, you torture me you know that" She sat back giving a mock scowl.
"I'm also torturing myself but think Rama ding dong how much more exciting it will be on our wedding night" Jessie murmured. Jessie saw no harm in letting Rama know that, she suspected it yes, and besides he still hadn't proposed to her.
Rama beamed "You mean it Jess, our wedding?" She trembled at his words.
"I have your father's blessing but I want you to be patient for all good things do come to those who wait, including love." Jessie vowed.
"Wait you said you got dad's blessing, is that why he hasn't been so much opposed to you lately?" Rama shook her head, "You were either brave or stupid asking for that."
"A bit of both probably" Jessie admitted, "And the only reason I told you this is so you will stop your fretting and fussing about me not being committed to you." Jessie rolled his eyes as he sat up taking her hand in his "Rama I am crazy about you, you mean everything to me, and that's why I want things to be right." He gave her an imploring look, "Making love before hand just won't be the same."
"You've done it before Jess" Rama pointed out, "And don't try to convince me you are a virgin. I know better you told me!"
"That is how I know. If I could have sex with girls, and walk away from them, then how do you know I won't do it for you? I love you though and I want to show you that you can trust me, to be with you and love you first last and always." Jessie replied.
Rama ducked her head, blushing a bit she felt a warm glow feel her body. she smiled at him "I think I may ravish you on our wedding night."
Jessie laughed, "I'll probably enjoy that" he assured her, as he kissed her.
"But you said you wanted to leave the lair." Rama realized as she scrunched up her brow.
"Don't tell me you want to stay there. I mean we can set up some place else in the sewers, or possibly a basement apartment somewhere. I know you are the future Jonin but the chunin can run things and can reach you in an emergency so that is all that matters." Jessie explained, "I just figured a little place something of our own. That way it might feel that work and home life is separate."
Rama snuggled up to Jessie "I like that idea. I never really thought of moving away. I just wanted to be married and have a family of my own." She confessed.
XXX
Jessie had still not popped the question to her a month and a half later, as he said he wanted to wait and Rama had finally given up pestering him about it for his answer remained the same, "Patience."
"Come off it Jess, you aren't Master Leo trying to teach me a lesson" she grumped at one point.
"No but it looks like a lesson you need to learn," Jessie declared. He knew that Rama had probably given up and was starting to allow doubts to badger her once more, that perhaps he wasn't serious. The thing is Jessie didn't want to do it when Rama was expecting him to do it, he wanted to catch her a bit by surprise but he realized that it might be time to go on with the plan especially after Mike had questioned him about why he bothered to get his blessing, when it seemed all he was doing was digging in his heels and doing nothing about, actually, proposing.
"Tonight" he told Don and Jen.
They smiled and nodded. "Operation proposal will be set in motion we'll get Jacob to deliver your note" Don promised, "When the time is right of course."
XXX
Rama was finishing her own work out in the dojo late that afternoon when Jacob came in.
"Hey, Jacob."
"Sensei Ramiela, mom and dad said I was to give this to you from Jessie." Jacob informed her as he handed her a sealed envelope.
Rama took it "Thank you Jacob," she opened up the envelope and unfolded the tiny bit of paper that was enclosed. Jacob smirked and skipped off toward the playground.
Rama,
If you want to know what I have planned for you tonight, you must follow the hints enclosed to the next, destination. First clue is on the back of this paper. Call it a scavenger hunt. Rama flipped the note over and saw some neat writing.
Our love has grown from friendship true
My friendship I always promised you
As children we played here during the day
Tomadachi eikyu ni is what we'd say.
Rama smiled, that was easy to figure out, the playground where they had spent so much time chasing each other around and about, while climbing and jumping or swinging from ropes. Rama tucked the note into her belt and headed for the playground where all the young children were busy practicing ninja skills they had learned in the dojo. Rama scowled, the note could be hidden anywhere in the vast playground, it could be buried in the sandbox for all she knew but she doubted Jessie would put it there.
"This might not be as easy as one would think' Rama mused, ' Oh well, let the search begin.'
It took her a few minutes of climbing up over and around while having Tyler, Tiffany and many of the other young ones pestered her to come play with them, she gently rebuffed them and carried on her search finally spotting a bit of yellow in the fort area, she headed toward it and saw it was a rose, a yellow rose, which Rama knew meant friendship among other things, around the rose stem was a slip of paper, held on by an elastic band. Rama quickly removed the band and unfolded the next note.
Katas, lesson learn by heart
Respect the weapons. It's a ninja art.
Strong and sharp. Seen but gone.
Don't look for me too long.
Rama sighed, this note had to be telling her the dojo was the place to look, and while she was rather enjoying the fact of looking for these clues, it was also in some ways time consuming trying to hunt down the next clue. Knowing the room didn't necessarily meant you knew where to go to find the next clue. She bit her lip and gazed at the flower, ' what if I have to look for a flower, maybe not necessarily a rose but some flower on each clue.' She considered, well the only way to find out for sure was to head to the dojo.
The dojo was in it's usual condition, mats on the floor some weapons hanging on the wall, displayed and others in a cabinet to one side of the room, in a far corner, off the mats was the punching dummies, and a bit of exercise equipment. Rama closed her eyes and inhaled trying to catch the scent of a flower, but the rose in her hand made it difficult to determine if there was another flower in the room. Rama glanced at the lines respect the weapons, strong and sharp. It could mean one thing, like a ninja's skills or it could mean something else, like a clue hidden around the weapons. Rama decided that the weapons posed the best place to look and began checking out those areas.
She was growing frustrated, as she realized how many weapons they had when she had looked over and through so many and still had found nothing. Then she looked at the katanas on the wall, more importantly the one she had brought home from the parallel world. She went over and removed one sword and as she did so a white rose fell to the floor. A white rose for secrecy or silence but also it meant I'm worthy of you. Rama giggled a bit the roses so far seemed connected to the clues, and sure enough another clue was secured to this rose's stem.
School is taught
Learn the rules
That we know one and one are two
Lessons learned are fully taught
Whether you know it or not.
Rama furrowed her brow, that sounded almost, like Uncle Don and all his lessons he had tried to get into her head in her youth. She was quite willing to learn, she just had never been able to figure out why he made it so difficult by making it so boring! Still it seemed the school room was the next stop.
The room had a few more desks set in it, then it had when she was younger and as Rama searched around book cases and cupboards of supplies she began to grow a bit irritated at all the hunting. She started on the desks and after searching two of them her eyes fell on her old desk, she went over and reached inside her hand grasping an object she pulled it out. A blue rose, searching for the impossible. 'Now I know Uncle Don is behind this, he always said teaching me was impossible.' Rama told herself as she unwrapped her next clue, while silently hoping this scavenger hunt would soon be over.
Time to pause reflect and think.
Your heart's desire is your wish
Yin and Yang. In and Yo
You are part of my whole.
The meditation room. Rama realized, those roses seemed to be the easiest to find as they were placed under a large yin and yang symbol on the wall. Yes, there were two roses this time one peach coloured meaning let's get together. The other yellow with red tips meaning friendship turning to love. The two roses had the clue wrapped around both stems.
Not a ninja or one of the clan
Love me for who I am
Find the rose of true love
To find what your heart is dreaming of.
' I have to find a red rose, or do I have to look for some thing else first' Rama wondered, ' The first line makes me wonder if I ought to look for ronin, after all a ninja with no clan is Ronin. Then again maybe ronin is near the red rose.' Rama tried to figure it out and opted to hunt for Ronin. Not an easy search, considering the kitten could be just about anywhere. Still Rama was sort of used to Ronin's habits and she knew that he liked to find a comfortable place to nap, where he wouldn't be pestered by the young children.
Rama actually found Ronin curled up on her pillow and on her bed was, instead of the red rose, which she had been expecting, was two more roses one orange, the other lavender. Orange meant desire, enthusiasm, while the lavender meant love at first sight or enchantment. There was another note on these roses and Rama pouted 'When is this going end?' She asked herself as she slowly removed the note from off these two flowers.
Give this note when you find the rose of love,
Its good for a night of romance above.
Love is giving, sweet
Spice it up for an extra treat.
Rama sighed, about the only place she could figure this note meant was the kitchen. So Rama headed there to find Jessie standing near the kitchen table, he was dressed in a suit and holding a single red rose.
"Guess you found me" He said.
"Yeah but you didn't make it easy." Rama protested.
"Love isn't always easy, but it is often worth your while and your time." Jessie pointed out as he got down on one knee, holding the rose up towards her.
Rama ducked her head as she reached out and accepted the flower, she looked at the stem and saw that attached to it was, a red ribbon, tied to one end of the ribbon was a ring. Rama trembled " Jessie" she gasped as she felt tears fill her eyes.
" Rama will you marry me?"
Rama could sense the rest of the family drawing near, they were keeping back wisely giving the young adults their space, but still waiting. Keeping things secret wasn't easy in a ninja clan, and Rama had a feeling the whole family had been in on this whole scavenger hunt. She took a couple of deep breaths nodding her head numbly, finally she realized she hadn't really answered and spoke up "Yes." She replied her single word coming out almost as a squeak.
Jessie chuckled, as he untied the ring from the rose and slipped it onto her finger.
"What about this Jess?" Rama handed him the note, as Jessie stood up and took her in his arms.
"As it says a night of romance above, dinner, a carriage ride, and a bit of dancing, or whatever else my lady wishes." He crooned as he kissed her, "How soon can you be ready?"
"In very little time. Oh and can you put my roses in water Jess." Rama asked as she hurried off to prepare.
Jess snorted, " Not even married and she's all ready bossing me around."
Mike chuckled "Get used to it boy, it's called the married life." He retorted.
TBC