*Chapter 45*
About seven months had passed and Ralph's group of friends had grown closer than ever before. Everyone comfortably strolled from game to game as the days passed, each gamer eager to be in their core of family. Everything in their lives were gold, not a single pixel was out of place. Ralph was pleased with how seamless his relationship with Vanellope was. They progressed slowly, but Ralph had a burning question in his code. He knew it'd be sooner than later where he'd burst with reason. Just as the game day came to an end on a cool, early October night, he quickly made his way to Sugar Rush, eager to find the feisty, white haired right hand woman to President Schweetz.
Ralph darted into Sugar Rush, hoping to avoid Vanellope at all costs.
He weaved through candy trees, hoping to make it to the castle's side entrance without being seen by the president. He slowly entered the castle at the side, a large stained glass candy door that quietly creaked open. He gazed around the castle; it was still with afternoon beams of glowing dust. He quickly made his way to the kitchen, hoping Taffyta would be there. He peered into the beautiful, white marbled kitchen. He beamed once he caught sight of Taffyta; he opened his mouth to speak, but was suddenly overcome with nervousness. He set foot into the kitchen and swallowed hard, suddenly realizing that his burning question could very easily come to an end with Taffyta. He frowned but tried to act as confident as he could.
"Taffyta," Ralph said gently; she looked up and smiled at him in a confused manner.
"Ralph," Taffyta smiled and looked back down, "You just missed Vanellope, I think she went to your game to look for you."
"I'm not looking for Vanellope," Ralph said humbly as he took a seat at the island bar stool. Taffyta shot him a confused look.
"Then, who are you looking for?" Taffyta asked as she wrinkled her nose and turned around to put something away in the fridge. She stood and slowly crossed her arms, she was still dressed in her dusty racing gear.
"You," Ralph said gently, his eyes sullen and humbled, though he smiled, "I don't have much time though."
"What do you need, Ralph?" Taffyta said with a small chuckle as she gave Ralph her full attention.
"I need your help," Ralph breathed as he opened his large palms and gazed down at the counter, his face red.
"With?" Taffyta urged as her facial expression grew more and more worried and confused.
"I-I just, figured since you're Vanellope's older sister, you'd be able to help me the most," Ralph trailed on nervously.
"Spit it out, Ralph," Taffyta barked with a small laugh. Ralph slumped his shoulders and heaved a long sigh before frowning down at the counter before him, his fists nervously clenched.
"User, I don't know if I should," Ralph suddenly said as he began to stand. Taffyta snapped her fingers, causing Ralph to freeze and gaze at her in sheepish surprise.
"Sit!" Taffyta barked with a wide smile. Ralph rolled his eyes and smiled a bashful smile as he slumped back onto the bar stool. Taffyta crossed her arms and continued firmly, but lovingly, "You dragged yourself all the way over here, you came waltzing into the lioness's den. There's no way I'm letting you free…Now. Spill."
"I want to propose to Vanellope this New Years," Ralph said softly in a rush. The air suddenly grew thick with silence; Ralph avoided looking up at Taffyta in fear of rejection.
"… Baw, Ralph!" Taffyta exclaimed as she threw her arms up. She quickly bounced over to him and gave him a big hug around his neck. Ralph laughed and pat her back gently before she pulled away, beaming.
"I-I know, I know," Ralph sighed and looked away, "Too much sap."
"You guys have been dating for over half a year now, I'm used to it by now," Taffyta smiled before giving Ralph a serious look, "You realize, by marrying Vanellope, you'd become King of Sugar Rush."
"That's why I came to you first," Ralph said gently, "I-I guess I just wanted your approval. I don't want to intrude on Sugar Rush."
"You're not intruding," Taffyta chuckled with a loving smile, "You and Vanellope will make a great, royal couple. She says she's president, but her code was written as a princess."
"She can have it whatever way she'd like," Ralph chuckled before looking down bashfully, "I just want to show her just how much I care about her."
"I had a feeling this situation would arise sooner or later," Taffyta chuckled as she pat Ralph's shoulder, "I'm going to gain a brother!"
"Yeah," Ralph chuckled as he gave Taffyta a small smile, "I'm in a bit of a bind though."
"Why?" Taffyta suddenly frowned.
"I-I don't know what to do about the ring," Ralph said with a frown, "I have two months to figure out what to do about a ring, but I-I'm terrible with my hands…"
"Hmm," Taffyta hummed as she slunk back to her spot across the island from Ralph, "You could have Felix fix you up a nice ring."
"That's the thing," Ralph sighed, "I may be terrible with my hands, but I do want to make the ring myself. Out of what, I'm not sure."
"You could try snatching a double stripe branch," Taffyta beamed, "I could help!"
"You know if we tried that, it would take me nearly a whole year before I could finally propose. Those buggers have to be near impossible to get," Ralph chuckled, Taffyta rolled her eyes.
"Oh, c'mon, you remember that one time?" Taffyta gestured her hand towards Ralph, "You almost managed to keep that one double stripe branch you tugged on."
"Stroke of luck," Ralph grumbled as he rubbed his face, "I would love to use a double stripe branch, but getting it might prove to be impossible."
"I'm sure whatever you give her, she will love," Taffyta said gently.
"I know that," Ralph sighed, "I just want it to be grand. I want her to truly know how much she means to me."
"I think a double stripe ring might earn you a thousand years of gaming good karma," Taffyta laughed, Ralph chuckled and nodded in agreement.
"So, you want to help me out?" Ralph asked with a sheepish smile, Taffyta beamed.
"Gladly."
"Hey guys!" Vanellope chimed happily as she made her way into the penthouse of the Niceland building.
"Vanellope!" Tammy chimed happily as she jumped off of the bar stool. She quickly bound over to Vanellope and hugged her waist, her beautiful blue eyes gazed up at Vanellope with adoration. Vanellope beamed and hugged her tight.
"My, Tammy, you get taller and taller every single day," Vanellope smiled as she brushed some of her blonde hair out of her face.
"I'll be nine next month!" Tammy said with excitement as she skipped back over to her seat, "I'll be ten just in time for the New Year's ball."
"I feel like just yesterday you were learning to talk," Vanellope chuckled as she stood next to seated Tammy at the bar.
"It practically was," Felix chuckled from behind the bar as him and Calhoun tidied up, "Ralph really did a number on the penthouse today."
"Uncle Ralph is really good at wrecking things," Tammy giggled, her innocent eyes peered up at Vanellope happily.
"That he is," Vanellope wrinkled her nose and smiled down at Tammy.
"I can fix it!" Tammy said cheerfully as she excitedly held up a golden hammer of her very own.
"Wow, who gave you a fixing hammer?" Vanellope asked as she eyed Felix; he had a proud smile plastered on his face.
"She earned it for doing such a good job in helping me fix the Niceland building yesterday," Felix beamed as he fixed a crack in the countertop.
"We have another fixer in our midsts," Vanellope beamed as she pat Tammy's shoulder; she gazed up at Vanellope through surprised, happy eyes.
"She's also a big helper in Hero's Duty, believe it or not," Calhoun said with a small smile as she rubbed Tammy's head.
"Now we just need another wrecker, and we'd be even!" Tammy said with a smile, gazing up at Vanellope.
"Certainly," Vanellope smiled, her face turned red. She caught eyes with Calhoun and Felix who were both giving Vanellope a knowing look. Vanellope inhaled nervously before gazing around, "Speaking of wreckers, where's Ralph?"
"He went to Sugar Rush to go find you," Calhoun chuckled, "You probably should go get him. Save him from wandering aimlessly around."
"Good idea," Vanellope chuckled as she began to step away.
"Oh auntie Vanellope, can't I come with?" Tammy begged before averting her attention to Felix, "Dad, can I go? Please?"
"If Vanellope doesn't mind," Felix smiled humbly at Vanellope.
"Of course I don't mind," Vanellope beamed as she took hold of Tammy's hand, "We'll be back soon!"
"Yay!" Tammy cheered as her and Vanellope left the penthouse, "I love Sugar Rush."
"Really? How come?" Vanellope asked with a smile.
"Candy," Tammy said in an eager, high pitched voice before softening and chuckling up at Vanellope, "Also, your castle is really pretty."
"Why thank you, Ms. Fix It," Vanellope smiled as Tammy's eyes widened with joy and surprise. She beamed and gazed down at the hammer dangling from her cargo shorts belt loop. She straightened out her blue tee before strutting out of the Niceland building with pride.
"I can fix it!" Tammy laughed as she stretched her arms up towards the towering building. Her voice echoed and climbed up the towering Niceland building.
"Yes, you can," Vanellope laughed as she rubbed the top of Tammy's head.
"I want a little sister," Tammy smiled as the two sat comfortably in the outlet's train. It tinkered along.
"You do?" Vanellope prod with a smile as she gave Tammy her full attention..
"Yes! Someone I can fix up after," Tammy exclaimed, her brilliant blue eyes resembling Felix perfectly.
"Don't you think that might get old after a while?" Vanellope chuckled as the two slowly moseyed out of Ralph's game outlet and into Game Central Station.
"I love fixing things," Tammy smiled eagerly, "Uncle Ralph lets me fix up after him sometimes. That's always so fun, because he makes a lot of messes."
"You love your uncle Ralph, don't you?" Vanellope smiled as Tammy slipped her little hand into hers.
"He may wreck a lot, but I still love him," Tammy assured with an innocent smile, "Do you love him?"
"With all my heart," Vanellope said softly with a small smile down at Tammy.
"You should marry him, then," Tammy wrinkled her nose and giggled; she smiled a wide smile, she was missing a few teeth.
"Well, that's partially up to him," Vanellope chuckled and lulled her head as they approached Sugar Rush's outlet.
"Tell him he needs to hurry up," Tammy barked playfully, Vanellope laughed aloud.
"You read my mind, kid," Vanellope chuckled.
"I think I saw Vanellope near coming up the walkway of the castle just now," Candlehead said casually as she approached Ralph and Taffyta in the kitchen.
"Sh-she's here?" Ralph said in a surprised way before softening and gazing at Taffyta nervously.
"Ralph, relax," Taffyta laughed as she gestured with her hands for him to calm down, "Just act natural."
"What's going on?" Candlehead wrinkled her nose, Ralph inhaled a nervous breath.
"I'm going to propose to Vanellope," Ralph said with a small smile. Candlehead's whole face lit up, the candle atop her head suddenly sparked and flickered like crazy.
"Really?!" Candlehead hissed in a surprised whisper.
"Please, don't tell her," Ralph asked urgently, "I'm going to propose to her on New Year's. I know it's a long time to keep it secret, but just keep it on the down low, please."
"Your secret is safe with us," Taffyta beamed as she put her hands on her hips, feeling excited.
"Uncle Ralph!" Tammy suddenly exclaimed as she burst into the kitchen. Ralph turned around and beamed down at his niece.
"Tammy," Ralph smiled happily as Tammy dove into his arms. Ralph hugged her tight and picked her up. He squeezed her for a second before setting her back on her feet. She held onto his thumbs, her small hands gripping his.
"Did you wreck anything that needs fixing?" Tammy asked eagerly as she glanced around.
"Not this time, squirt," Ralph chuckled and shook his head as he looked up, his eyes caught with Vanellope's. He felt his face get hot as he gazed at her beauty.
"There you are," Vanellope chuckled as she approached Ralph. Ralph swallowed hard and gazed at her, as if he was setting eyes on her for the very first time. Vanellope stopped walking and wrinkled her nose, "Are you okay, Ralph?"
"I-I'm fine," Ralph said with an unsure smile, he felt Tammy's little hands slip away from his as she bounced over to Taffyta. The three girls began chatting to themselves.
"You sure?" Vanellope asked as she furrowed her brow. She put a hand on Ralph's arm gently.
"Yeah," Ralph smiled as he carefully hugged his hand around Vanellope's waist. He gazed down into her eyes with purpose and truth.
"I thought we said we'd meet at your game today," Vanellope asked with a small chuckle, Ralph looked away in an unsure manner.
"Yeah, I forgot," Ralph bluffed, "Taffyta figured you'd head back here once you saw I wasn't in my game, so I stayed here and chatted."
"Oh," Vanellope beamed as she approached the island, "What were you guys talking about?"
"Um," Ralph choked an exhale and looked at Taffyta nervously.
"We were just discussing how cool it'd be if Tammy's future sibling was a cy-bug hunter," Taffyta stammered as she gazed eagerly down at Tammy.
"I want a wrecker," Tammy smiled innocently up at Taffyta. Taffyta scrunched her shoulders and glanced between Ralph and Vanellope before she heaved a short sigh.
"Well, your mom and dad aren't wreckers," Taffyta said gently, "The only way we could have another wrecker in the family is if Ralph had a baby with someone."
"Uncle Ralph!" Tammy exclaimed happily, "I need someone to clean up after while you're at work."
"U-uh," Ralph's whole face turned red as he rubbed the back of his head; he nervously glanced at Vanellope, who was gazing up at him through a smug, teasing facial expression.
"Please?" Tammy asked gently with a playful frown.
"I don't think Uncle Ralph is ready for something like that just yet, Tammy," Candlehead said as her and Taffyta choked back laughter. Ralph slumped his shoulders and glared at the two giggling girls.
"Why not?" Tammy asked innocently as she glanced at her uncle.
"Maybe one day, Tammy," Ralph said gently with a confident smile.
"I hope that day is soon," Tammy beamed.
"Trust me," Taffyta mumbled, "You and all of us alike."
"Anyways," Vanellope said loudly as she gave Taffyta and
Candlehead a playful glare, "Ralph, did you still need help with the pipe in your bathroom?"
"Yes please," Ralph chuckled as Tammy perked up and followed
Ralph and Vanellope.
"Can't Felix just fix the pipe?" Taffyta chuckled.
"We think there's an animal stuck in the pipe," Vanellope chuckled and wrinkled her nose, "I don't think Felix can fix something like that."
"Well, have fun," Taffyta chuckled as the three slowly moseyed out of the kitchen.
"I can fix it, Uncle Ralph," Tammy exclaimed as Ralph picked her up and put her on his shoulders.
"I'm sure you could," Ralph smiled, "Though, I think this might have to be a job for Ms. Von Schweetz."
"Aw man," Tammy slumped her shoulders and wrapped her arms around Ralph's head, just above his eyebrows.
"The pipe might need fixing after we figure out what's stuck in there," Vanellope said with an eager smile up at Tammy; her whole face lit up.
"Leave it to me," Tammy said with a big smile.
"What would we do without you," Ralph chuckled as he let go of her ankles near his chest.
"You would probably have to rely on my dad a whole lot," Tammy snorted as she clung onto Ralph tighter.
"Wouldn't that be something," Vanellope chuckled as she shot Ralph a knowing smile; Ralph beamed and wrinkled his nose at Vanellope.
"Watch your head," Ralph said to Tammy with a smile as the three left the castle.
"Ralph, there's a terrible rattling noise coming from your house," Felix stated nervously as Ralph, Vanellope and Tammy approached the common area near the houses behind the Niceland building.
"It's that dang pipe," Ralph said in an annoyed breath.
"Your neighbor is quite agitated over it," Felix chuckled as Ralph carefully set Tammy on her feet.
"My neighbor is agitated over everything I do," Ralph chuckled as he shot Vanellope a frown.
"C'mon, let's go see what we can do about it," Vanellope smiled as she slipped her hand into Ralph's and began heading towards his house.
"Oh, can I come?" Tammy asked excitedly, Ralph and Vanellope turned around and gave Tammy and Felix small, sheepish smiles.
"I think we should give Uncle Ralph and Vanellope their privacy for now, Tams," Felix chuckled as he put his hands on the backs of her shoulders and held her close to him.
"We'll come and find you when we need to fix the pipe back together, Tammy," Ralph called sweetly as Tammy waved longingly.
"Why can't I come along, daddy?" Tammy asked Felix with a frown once Vanellope and Ralph were out of earshot. Felix hugged his arm around her shoulder and began to lead her to the Niceland building.
"The two haven't seen each other all day," Felix smiled as he eyed the two down the long stretch of road; they strolled hand in hand towards Ralph's house, "They probably would like to be alone for a little while."
"Why?" Tammy prodded innocently as she gazed up at her father eagerly.
"You will understand one day, Tams," Felix chuckled as he nudged her softly.
