Chapter Fifty-five
Hot Air…
The hot desert air drove people inside for air-conditioned relief. Sprayer jets did little to cool anyone down and seem like more of an annoyance than a help to Tatsuki. The complete opposite, Renji stood beside her with a huge grin enjoying the annoying mist and grinning happily at the sun.
It was no secret that Tatsuki would rather be home than strolling down the Las Vegas strip. She would love to be sitting anywhere cold than walking in this heat. Las Vegas lived up to any expectation she had and now that she seen it she was done and ready to go home.
Renji entered a contest months ago at a booth in the mall. The contest advertised outside a jewelry store advertised the perfect getaway. Apparently when he purchased her ring there he was automatically guaranteed better odds at winning.
As fate allowed Renji entered a contest using Mrs. Arisawa's information. Mrs. Arisawa claimed the prize package and dropped off the kit right before they caught their flight and the rest was history. Everything going so smoothly Renji was beyond happy.
Tatsuki looked completely miserable but he was sure that things would change when she saw her parent's who caught an earlier flight would be there to greet her.
Since the prize package included ten people in total her friends were included as well. Maybe he watched too many movies but getting married in this city seemed like the coolest thing to do in the World of the Living. Seeing the contest he really thought he had no chance and only entered because of the sales person's suggestion. The contest turned out to be the perfect situation for someone who didn't want the drama of planning a wedding.
000
Orihime and Uryû took the time away from the group to visit a restaurant. Orihime was the one who initiated the idea but Uryû was fine with the setting and more than happy to follow her suggestion.
Their waitress Josee introduced herself to both of them and mentioned chef specials more than ten minutes ago yet Orihime seemed to struggle with her choice. Josee pronounced the words on the menu as if she were a native speaker and they learned quickly that she was indeed a native speaker just not from France as she winked and excused herself to let them decide.
"Orihime," Uryû asked getting the attention of his girlfriend who stared at the menu intently trying to decide what she wanted to try.
She held a freshly French manicured finger up to silence him and continued to read her lips moving as she pronounced the French words. The whole thing nearly made him double over with laughter French manicure, Paris and French cuisine. But then again given what he was trying to carry out perhaps he was finding thing funny that weren't all that funny.
As he admired the stitching on the waitress uniforms he mentally high-fived himself for choosing a place that cared so much down to the appearance of their servers.
"So many choices Ishida-kun I'm so starving but I can't make up my mind," she finally spoke.
He waited for her to lift up her eyes and look at him.
"What I have to say is important. I'm just not sure-
"You can't decide either," her head went back down to the menu, "now we're both stuck."
She exhaled and flipped the pages of the menu.
He could decide for the both of them and be done with it. He knew enough French from taking an interest in Orihime's cooking obsession. Giving up on what he had to say he decided they would eat first as the waitress returned just in time.
After a brief conversation their waitress suggested something Orihime agreed with and left them alone once more.
"This place is so nice. I love the lights and it really feels like you are in some fancy restaurant in Paris or something but we are in the American desert and I wish I could bottle it or something like this wine…but this isn't wine it is a candle. Who would think of such a thing," she asked.
"I really don't know," he replied to the definite question at the end of her long list of observations.
"You are too quiet," she said.
"I'm really bad at this…I don't know how to start," he said.
"Uryû don't be silly we've eaten out before I think it works pretty much the same even in American restaurants," she said.
He smiled as she leaned closer and added, "But they don't use chopsticks here for sure in an American-French restaurant."
Struggling not to laugh and blushing at the sudden up close and personal view of his girlfriend he quickly looked away trying to compose him self.
As she reclaimed her seat he said, "I was talking about us…I mean I'm in love with you Orihime."
"I love you too Uryû," she said.
Something about the way she looked at him gave him courage to take the next step.
"We've had quite the rollercoaster of a relationship but I like where we are now," he said.
"I feel like I let you down when you were always there for me. I'm sorry I couldn't always be there the same way," she said.
"Are you kidding you were perfect…you are amazing. Our relationship developed from friendship and I'm proud to know I can always count on you," he said.
"We're so much more you and I. Remember when we were in America last and found Kon at that gas station," she asked.
"I do and we should have stayed like that all those years," he said smiling at the memory.
"That was some adventure," she said feeling the conversation shift to more serious.
"I know and I can't put it in words just how much more you are to me," he said.
"You've shown me…that is love," she said.
He got up from the chair and took her hand. Lowering to one knee he looked in her eyes. He never wanted to see tears grace her cheeks but this was one exception he'd accept.
"Will you Inoue Orihime do me the honor of being my bride," he asked.
"Uryû yes," she said and fell off the chair into his arms before he could place the ring on her finger.
"I was a little worried you might have second thougths," he said squinting to see her as his glasses were knocked somewhere on the floor.
"I'm so happy," she said.
He found the glasses and put them back on his eyes asking, "You do want the ring don't you?"
"Oh," she said staring at the three stone princess cut diamonds set in a white gold band. She smiled as the ring flashed daintily on her finger. He kissed her and retreated to his seat. She sat back in her chair dabbing at her eyes and staring at her finger.
"They have shapes if you look closely at the cut," she said noticing the obvious Quincy pattern.
"More importantly I wanted each stone to represent our journey; our friendship in the past, our love in the present and our future. It all comes together as: I loved you then, now and always Orihime," he said.
"I forgot I was hungry," Orihime said looking away for a moment.
Uryû hoped her sudden intrest in food wasn't because of what he just said. For a moment he worried Orihime was reconsidering until she turned back towards him her face a complete watery mess. He was the fool she needed tissue not a break from their conversation. She turned away searching for some alternative to the table linen. Quickly he remedied the situation producing a handkerchief for her.
He did wonder what was taking the waitress so long and was about to mention that when Josee suddenly returned.
"Congratulations you two," Josee said as she masterfully placed their food on the table before them.
"Thank you," Orihime said smiling.
"Sorry I took so long but when I came by I noticed you were busy and decided to give you some time. We redid your food order so it is fresh but don't tell the boss or I'm definitely headed back to Toronto for sure," Josee explained.
Orihime frowned saying, "Oh no I hope it was no trouble."
"No trouble at all I was joking I can handle a special order or two. Besides Toronto's not all that bad this time of year," Josee smiled and added, "let me know if you need anything at all. Ross will handle any drink refills and requests so enjoy the wine it really compliments your choices."
Uryû thanked her and took a sip of the wine as Josee left their table. Now it was official he was a bachelor no more. The pressure was off to ask her and he could relax and eat his meal and really enjoy the good wine. Orihime appeared a lot more relaxed also enjoying their time together.
000
After a long hot day and multiple surprises Tatsuki settled into a chair and stared out the window at all the city lights. Renji sat next to her and looked out the window with her.
"In my eyes I thought you were giving up far more than I," she said.
"You never thought that I might see it as giving more," he asked.
"I think I'm coming to terms with it. I still think my sacrifices are small in comparison and sometimes I can't help but to feel like a burden," she said.
He loved that she was honest with him but didn't understand why she felt that way.
"So why insist on changing your mind about being with me that night I told you-
"I can't explain it. Something just snapped. I started to ask myself why wait because you were the one I waited on and I had you there night after night. My logic made no sense and all my arguments against my feelings failed," she said.
"Then you changed your mind again this time after I asked to marry you and the time in the Soul Society," he said reminding her.
"Well I could see that you changed your mind and I saw no reason if I waited so long I couldn't wait a little longer," she reasoned.
"Ridiculous," he scoffed.
"I know," she relented.
"Doesn't matter because we both kept our promises in the end," he said.
They looked at each other and smiled they had been through so much together and were about to do the craziest thing together getting married. Nothing made sense but as they looked at each other everything felt right and perfect.
"Not easy at all and you're so lucky I'm tired now," she said.
"Nothing is every easy and I'm not so sure about your use of the word lucky in this situation. Even now tired means nothing to me you know," he said.
She had to look away because if she looked at him…
"So are you going to leave and do your last night of freedom run through Vegas," she asked.
"What," he asked.
"Bachelor party," she said rolling her eyes.
"They were serious about that," he asked.
"They are but talking with me about it breaks the guy code so you better go and don't tell me the details I really don't want to know and I'm not worried knowing you they'll proably give you all kind of misdirection anyhow," she said trying not to laugh.
"Should I worry about you and-
"Please! Girl code and my lips are sealed," she said laughing.
"Ok," he said.
"Seriously I don't know what they are planning anyway. Besides they are friends this is no movie so really don't worry they wouldn't dare make a fool out of me," she said with a wave at the end of her sentence.
"See you at the end," he said.
"You can do better than that," she said figuring out he was talking about the end of the aisle or at least she hoped he was.
"I love you," he said standing up.
"I love you and I'll see you tomorrow," she said standing up and hugging him she added, "Have fun."
"Don't have fun," he said and kissed her scowling as he left.
She followed him to the door and kissed him once more…and again until the scowl was replaced with a grin.
"Goodnight Renji," she said shutting the door.