Relena was more than a little bit drunk. It's what she got, she mused, for having a second Long Island Iced Tea. She'd promised to have only one, of course, but how could she refuse a drink from such a handsome man? Very handsome, and very charming. And interested in her!
Duo had taken the seat next to Quatre, much to her disappointment. Well. Perhaps she couldn't surreptitiously brush hands or sit just a little too close, like she was longing to, but she could admire the view. And what a view! Piercing blue eyes that seemed almost purple in the dim light of the bar, long bangs framing a heart-shaped face, and a beautiful chestnut braid she couldn't help but be a little jealous of. And that smile – she couldn't get enough of that smile.
"So," Duo said, turning back to her, "what exactly has you so eager to get away from your parents?"
"Err…" she replied, not entirely sure she wanted to explain this. "Well, you see…" she trailed off.
"Oh, tell him, Relena," Dorothy interjected, then turned to Duo. "It's quite a funny story."
"Fine. My mom has been… pressuring me to settle down. She was happily married by 20, and she can't fathom that I'm 26 and still single, not even engaged. Somehow she got it into her head that Quatre and I have been dating in secret all along, and wouldn't believe us when we told her we're not."
"That's not even the best part!" Dorothy exclaimed. "She's so convinced that she even asked Quatre when he's going to propose."
"That would be never," Quatre insisted. "Relena's like a sister to me!"
Duo chuckled. "I can see why you'd want some space," he said. "There's an easy solution to this, you know."
"What's that?" Relena asked.
"Just find someone who'd pretend to be your boyfriend, or hell, even your fiance. Surely your mother would back off then."
"Not hardly," Relena scoffed. "She won't be backing off until I say 'I do.'"
Duo shrugged. "Ok, so get married. As long as the guy understands it's a marriage in name only, it'll be fine. You can just get divorced a year later or something."
"Are you volunteering?" Relena asked, incredulous.
He just grinned.
"Why yes, I suppose I am."
"Relena, are you sure this is a good idea?" Quatre asked as they stood outside the onboard jeweler's shop, his brow furrowed in concern.
"Of course I'm sure," she replied, not sure at all. "I'm sick of dealing with my mom's constant nagging, and Duo was right, this is the best way to stop it."
"But you don't even know him!"
"Sure I do. Nobody is more honest than when they're really drunk, and he had enough drinks last night to make sure of that. He was charming and funny and not the least bit lecherous. What more do I need to know?"
Quatre was prevented from answering by the arrival of Duo and a tall man who she presumed was his friend Trowa, the performer. Brown hair cascaded down half of his face, completely obscuring one eye, and the t-shirt he was wearing revealed impressively muscular arms.
"Good morning!" Duo chirped. "This is Trowa, the friend I was telling you about. Trowa, meet my soon-to-be fiancé Relena, and her friend Quatre."
Trowa nodded at each of them, smiling softly, evidently more taciturn than his braided friend.
"Shall we?" Duo asked, winging his arm out for Relena like he had the night before. Much to her consternation, she felt herself blush like she had then. Why was he having this effect on her?
She felt him lean in close as they entered the jewelry store. "You're cute when you blush," he whispered, grinning at her, and she blushed even harder.
"Welcome to Tiffany's!" greeted one of several clerks. "How can I help you today?"
"We're looking for an engagement ring," Duo replied.
"And two wedding rings," Relena added.
"Congratulations!" enthused the clerk, a pretty blonde. "My name is Sylvia, and I'll be happy to help you find the perfect rings. Let's start by getting your sizes."
They followed her to a counter, where she pulled out a drawer filled with plain silver rings, arranged from smallest to largest. She eyed Relena's hand.
"I'm guessing a five for you, Miss…?"
"Relena," she replied as she held out her left hand. Sylvia slid a ring on her finger and smiled in satisfaction.
"Just as I thought! And for you I think a nine, Mr…?"
"Duo, ma'am," he replied, dutifully holding out his hand.
"Just a tad too small," Sylvia observed. "Let's try a nine and a half." It was a perfect fit. "Excellent! Shall we start with the engagement ring?"
"Lead the way," Duo enthused.
The four followed Sylvia to another section of the store, where rows and rows of diamond rings sat glittering in their display cases.
"Do we know what style and which metal you want for the setting?"
"It's all up to the lady," Duo replied.
"White gold, I think," Relena said. "I've no idea what style, but I definitely want a conflict-free diamond."
"Of course. We have those over here. Which one would you like to try first?"
They proceeded to try on every ring in the case. They were all a little big, but Sylvia explained that it would only take a couple hours to resize whichever one she chose.
"What do you think?" Relena asked, turning to Duo with a marquise-shaped diamond ring on her finger.
"It looks great."
"You've said that about the last five rings!"
"Sorry, Relena," he said sheepishly. "I'm not exactly big on jewelry. Honestly, they all look good on you.
She turned to Quatre instead. "Well?"
"Duo's right, they all look good on you. But don't you have a pair of diamond earrings in that shape? This ring would go perfectly with them."
"You're right, and I brought them with me! I'm surprised you remember."
"When you have twenty-nine sisters, you learn to appreciate jewelry."
"You have twenty-nine sisters?" Duo exclaimed, mouth agape.
"Well, most of them are step sisters, but yes."
"And here I thought having one sister was a lot to handle," Trowa said. Relena had almost forgotten he was there, he'd been so quiet.
"How many brothers do you have, then?" Duo queried.
"None. I'm the only boy."
"That must be… I can't even imagine what that's like."
"It's certainly something. Relena, I think you should choose that one," Quatre encouraged, turning back to her.
"I agree. Sylvia? I'd like this one please."
"Of course, Miss Relena. Will you also want white gold for the wedding bands?"
Relena looked to Duo questioningly.
"Works for me," he said.
It didn't take long for them to settle on two matching, plain rings. Relena's was about half the width of Duo's, so she could wear it together with her engagement ring. Soon they were standing at the register.
"Your total is $6,353. Will that be cash or credit?"
Duo just about choked in the process of pulling out his wallet. "How much?"
"Put that away," Relena admonished. "You're doing this as a favor to me, the least I can do is pay for the rings."
"If you're sure."
"Of course I'm sure," Relena replied, meaning it this time, then turned to Sylvia. "Credit," she said as she handed over her card.
Sylvia rang her up and handed her the receipt to sign. "Your rings should be ready in a few hours. You can pick them up anytime after three."
"Thank you Sylvia, you've been most helpful," Relena said, tucking the receipt the clerk handed her into her wallet. "How about we go plan the proposal over lunch?"
~tbc
Author's Note: Here's a link to the wedding ring she picked out: rings/cyorings/purchase_review/?did=5977751&sid=3015402
Than you for reading! Comments and constructive criticism much appreciated!
