*Chapter 74*

"I'm sure one of those awards has your name on it, Taff," Vanellope whispered sweetly to her sister. Taffyta gave Vanellope an annoyed facial expression before softening at the sincerity of her words. Taffyta let a small smile spread across her face before she wrapped an arm around her sister's waist.

"Thanks, Vin," Taffyta said gently to her sister with a wide, loving smile, "I doubt it…but, I guess we'll see. I'm sure there's one up there for you too."

"Bah," Vanellope scoffed, "I don't need an award."

Taffyta wrinkled her nose and chuckled before they averted their attention back to Surge. Before too long, Surge began to award special gamers with their trophies. Each gamer would say something kind about their game mates, or thank their friends. Most of the awards handed out were to good guys, which made Vanellope a little peeved. She found herself clapping louder and harder for any bad guy that would win an award. The station was lively with applause and appreciation for everyone in Litwak's. Vanellope beamed and looked all around. She found it hard to believe that she was so fortunate to be surrounded by an awesome team. She knew Litwak's was the only arcade she wanted to be in.

Vanellope's eyes gazed upon the stage in pure bliss and happiness as each gamer looked stunned to get an award. The awards were slowly dwindling, and she felt her heart suddenly pang with grief and remembrance. She gently glanced back at Ralph's game and felt her heart drop. She was eager for the party to end so she could care for her wrecker. She knew he was missing out on a great night, but she didn't want to be anywhere but by his side, taking care of him. She fidgeted just barely and bit her lip; she hoped these last few awards would go by quickly. After about ten minutes, Surge finally held up the last award and smiled amongst the crowd.

"This last award goes to the gamer with the most wins in all of Litwak's Arcade this year. This gamer's score was tied with three other gamers, but over the course of the past two weeks, her gamer score flew off of the charts, for reasons beyond any of the judges. The award for the gamer with the most wins this year goes to sweet Ms. Taffyta Muttonfudge from Sugar Rush!"

Vanellope's eyes practically bulged out of her head as her, Felix, Calhoun and Rancis quickly averted their full attention to Taffyta. Everyone began to cheer and clap as the gamers around their group beamed and applauded excitedly. Taffyta gaped and quickly whirled around to Vanellope, her eyes pierced Vanellope's in a mixture of excitement, question and confusion. Vanellope laughed and grabbed Taffyta's shoulders gently.

"Taff that's you!" Vanellope said loudly over the crowd, she gently began to nudge Taffyta towards the stage, "Go, you're on!"

Taffyta nervously began to head for the stage as Vanellope, Rancis, Felix and Calhoun quickly began to chatter excitedly amongst themselves. They each gazed eagerly at Taffyta, on stage, as the crowd finally began to stop clapping. Surge gladly handed Taffyta her award and they exchanged a small hug. Taffyta said a small, nervous yet grateful speech for her award. She peered down at her group of friends eagerly, Vanellope could easily see her hands shaking. Before long, she said her final 'thank you's and gently made her way off of the large, round stage. She carefully stepped down the steps before making her way back to her friends. Everyone beamed and laughed as they pushed into each other for a small group hug. Vanellope squealed quietly and squeezed her sister to her.

"I knew you'd get some sort of award, Taff!" Vanellope hissed with a wide smile, "You deserve it."

"User, I wasn't expecting that," Taffyta beamed as Rancis gave her a loving, knowing smile. Taffyta beamed and sheepishly looked away, her face red.

The crowd around the stage very slowly began to un-tense and look around eagerly as the ceremony ended, though the house lights remained off. The lights on the round stage stayed on, powered on high and lit like the sun. Surge remained on the stage, but Vanellope figured everyone was bound to unwind back into the rest of Game Central Station. She beamed at Taffyta and inhaled a breath to continue, but was quickly cut off.

"Hold on, ladies and gentleman. It appears we have forgotten an award," Surge said as he tucked his small clipboard behind his back with both of his hands. He scanned the crowd with a wide smile, "Can we please have a Ms. President Vanellope Von Schweetz to the stage?"

Vanellope froze and gazed hard up at Surge. She felt all the code in her system practically time out and rage quit. She held her breath and froze, she felt as if the arcade was spinning chaotically. The lights on the stage immediately looked daunting and looming; she felt her heart begin to pound as Surge caught eyes with her. He beamed and waved his hand a little, motioning her to come up on stage. The crowd around began to mumble and mutter to themselves in a confused manner as everyone re-glued their attention to the stage. Vanellope darted her eyes around the stage and noticed that there were no more awards left. She felt her heart practically throb out of her chest in confusion. She finally inhaled a shaky breath and immediately glued her eyes to her sister. Taffyta beamed a wide smile and quickly began to nudge her towards the stage this time.

"Taff?" Vanellope worried as her eyes remained glued to Taffyta's. She was stunned to see her sister beam an almost knowing, excited smile.

"Go, go!" Taffyta urged, her smile grew more and more wide.

Vanellope quickly caught eyes with her three other friends; she felt the confusion in her brain sky rocket as they each had the same twinkle in their eyes. She stumbled back towards the stage and gazed up at Surge. She nervously began to step up onto the daunting platform, which was a few feet off of the ground. She nervously moseyed onto the stage, her gorgeous brown dress just barely trailed behind her. She could feel the stage lights practically begin to tan her skin as she apprehensively moved across the stage, over to Surge. The whole crowd began to clap and cheer, though everyone had the same confused air hanging over them as well. Vanellope swallowed hard and nervously gazed around the crowd, she suddenly felt very, very small. She quickly averted her attention to Surge and gave him a questionable look.

"I-I, get an award?" Vanellope asked sheepishly as she kept her hands courteously over her lap.

"Of course," Surge smiled as he tilted his head, "But, not just any award."

"What do you mean?" Vanellope began to feel worried, as if she was being pranked. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could think of any words to say, she suddenly could feel the ground beneath her rumble just barely. She furrowed her eyebrows and gazed at Surge, her mind began to race. The soft thudding of large, familiar footsteps, far behind her, made the gears in her head quickly begin to turn and speed faster than any racing day.

"Turn around," Surge smiled with a small chuckle as he gently took a few steps away.

Vanellope quickly whirled around, her eyes caught with the silhouette of the one who lovingly wrecked her heart. She inhaled a small gasp and covered her mouth as the large figure very slowly stepped into the stage lights. Rays of light cast upon Ralph's figure, his smile was wide, he was perfect. Any sign of sickness, that he showed earlier, was completely vanished. He was dressed in a dashing black tux with a black undershirt and black tie. He looked absolutely sleek, though his hair kept the usual messy look. He beamed a knowing smile in Vanellope's direction as he very slowly began to make his way across the large stage, the two dozen gap of feet between the two seemed like miles. All at once, the crowd began to coo, awe, cheer and clap in a knowing way. Vanellope felt the code in her body turn to stone as she kept her hands over her mouth in stunned silence. Tears immediately stung her eyes as she gaped into her hands.

She gazed deep into Ralph's eyes as he very slowly, yet purposefully, made his way across the stage, towards her. His usual, bare foot attire and torn at the ankles pants was apparent, the boutonniere on his pocket was a gorgeous swirl of red and cream, mixed with a delicate chaotic swirl of mint green. He slowly approached her in confidence, his whole being exuded power and purpose. Vanellope finally exhaled a small scoff of disbelief as Ralph very gently made his presence in front of her. He stood a foot or two away from her, his smile was wide and confident. Vanellope exhaled a few nervous chuckles as she gently put her hands on the sides of her head in confusion. Her eyes continued to billow with tears.

"Ralph," Vanellope breathed in disbelief as she cupped her hands and held them close to her upper chest in a wistful way. She could feel her heart practically want to burst out of her chest.

"Surprise," Ralph smiled as he gestured his large arms out. Vanellope giggled nervously as the crowd continued to clap and chatter knowingly.

"But, you were so sick…h-how…why?" Vanellope asked nervously, though the smile on her face was permanent.

"Taffyta fiddled with my code," Ralph beamed, "I had to put through being sick for a whole week to make this moment as memorable as possible."

"Y-you mean, you weren't really sick? You guys just messed with your coding?" Vanellope prod, she felt a million questions rise, and she was glad their conversation was muted by the sound of the mumbling crowd around; all eyes were on them, "Wh-what moment?"

"Vanellope," Ralph started as he very gently took her left hand in his right one. He inhaled a deep breath and gazed deep into her eyes, "My life has been full of rejection, full of being treated like a criminal, and full of being hated. The second you came along was the second I knew I'd have a best friend, no matter what happened." Ralph gently tilted his head, his smile was sincere and his demeanor was full of intense love and power.

"You've shown me more acceptance, love and appreciation than anyone has ever shown me in my entire life, and I can't thank you enough for giving me a chance…for giving US a chance," Ralph stated seriously as he squeezed Vanellope's trembling hand. Vanellope kept her right hand gently tucked to her chest, her face read millions of different shocked, overjoyed and loved expressions. Ralph breathed a nervous chuckle and looked down at their glued hands, he began to shake a little as well.

"I-I know that there is really only one way to truly repay you, and that's by fully returning the favor," Ralph said gently down to her, his voice was deep and coated with purpose. He caught eyes with her; they were glued in an intense string of wonder and enchantment. The magic in the air was more than palpable. He inhaled a shaky breath and squeezed her hand a little tighter, "So, I ask you, Vanellope Von Schweetz…"

The crowd immediately fell silent. Vanellope inhaled a shaky breath as Ralph very carefully lowered himself to one knee before her. He beamed up at her with a wide, knowing smile as she coughed a small noise of surprise. She covered her mouth with her free hand as multiple tears slid down her cheeks. She exhaled a few silent giggles of surprise, her wide smile peeked from behind her trembling hand. Her whole face grew pink as she eagerly gazed down at Ralph in shock. Ralph very carefully reached into his pocket, with his free hand, and pulled out the trinket he had been waiting for ages to give to her. He humbly presented the gorgeous, crossed stripe ring before her, his large index finger and thumb held it up to her in a gentlemanly way. He beamed an uncontrollable smile and inhaled a shaky breath. He quickly began to feel more vulnerable than he had ever felt in his entire life. The fate of every ounce of his strength tenderly resided in her, and the inevitable exchange of words that were slowly unfolding. He gazed earnestly into her gorgeous eyes as he squeezed her hand with an intense amount of longing and love.

"Will you make me the happiest man alive?" Ralph asked sincerely, his face gazed up at Vanellope with wonder and curiosity, yet all the confidence and adoration in the world, he inhaled nervously and squeezed her hand for a final time, "Will you marry me?"

Vanellope breathed a nervous, surprised breath and gazed past the ring, into Ralph's warm eyes. She felt as if the whole world had suddenly stopped; their lines on the grid suddenly sparked brighter than anything they've ever known. She felt her heart pound and swell over and over as her hand squeezed Ralph's with force and longing. She felt her whole body go numb at the words that flowed like silk through her head. Every single speck of golden dust practically shone under Game Central Station, the whole hall shone under Ralph's shining, exuding power. She knew that this was usually the moment every girl dreamed of, but she didn't realize how real and intense it all would feel. She blinked a few tears down her cheeks as Ralph very gently tilted his head out of curiosity, as if to await her answer; he began to look nervous, but he kept a positive smile plastered to his face. Vanellope suddenly jolted back to reality as the crowd around them began to clap and whistle. Some gamers in the crowd began to yell and encourage for her to say yes. Vanellope blinked a few times before nodding quickly. She beamed a wide smile and giggled the happiest giggle she could muster through her chaotically beating heart as she gazed deep into Ralph's eyes.

"Yes," Vanellope said softly as she continued to nod a few times. She sniffled and tried her hardest to compose herself as her grip on Ralph's hand got tighter, "Yes, I will."

Ralph beamed a wide smile as he gently lifted Vanellope's left hand and readied the ring he had made for her. Vanellope laughed a small, joyous laugh as she spread her fingers out for him; she felt her heart practically swell and jolt clear out of her chest as Ralph slowly slid the ring onto her ring finger. Vanellope exhaled a surprised breath as her hand glitched gracefully; it caused the ring to swirl with delicate jolts and designs of their hot purple code. It swirled and shone for a second before settling, as if it knew it was nesting into its proper place in the world. Vanellope gasped a small inhale and gazed down at the rare ring. She could feel Ralph gently stand up before her as she locked eyes on his. They both beamed into each other's faces before she quickly dove into his arms and slapped her arms around his neck. Ralph laughed happily and gladly squeezed her to him.

Vanellope sniffled and nuzzled her whole face into the nook of Ralph's neck and shoulder. She embraced him tighter than she ever thought was possible. She shut her eyes tight as the two clung on to each other for dear life. She smiled a wide smile into his neck as the crowd around them cheered and went nuts for the new, engaged couple. Vanellope very gently leaned her head away and glued her eyes to Ralph's. She gazed up at him with an incredible, intense force of adoration and love. She slid her hands to the tops of his shoulders as his hands quickly hugged her wide hips. The two quickly met each other in the middle, their lips met as if for the very first time. She gently squeezed her arms around Ralph's neck and kissed him with every single last ounce of passion in her code. Tears of joy streamed her cheeks as the two kissed in front of everyone, as if they were the center of the universe. The crowd continued to clap and cheer for the exciting moment.

Vanellope inhaled a small breath of Ralph's sweet, familiar scent. Their codes bursted with passion as they very carefully, and hesitantly, pulled away from each other. Ralph gently pushed his forehead to hers as the two caught eyes. Vanellope beamed a wide smile of disbelief as the two remained locked in a bubble of divinity. She gazed deep into Ralph's eyes as her heart continued to pound at everything that was happening. Ralph blinked gently a few times before he placed a small kiss on her nose. He chuckled silently and beamed a wide smile as his arms and hands remained locked around his future bride.

"I love you," Ralph said deeply and confidently, as his heart was about to burst with all the love in the world.

Vanellope shook her head in disbelief and gently placed her hands on Ralph's jaws, she pulled him down a little as their faces met ye again. Ralph tilted his head and pulled Vanellope into him a little more. She whimpered a small noise of satisfaction as she furrowed her eyebrows; tears continued to stream her cheeks as the two just barely pulled away. Hot purple pixels shot up Vanellope's spine as the two remained locked in the whirl of enchantment they were lost in. She held the back of Ralph's head as he breathed his hot breath onto her barely parted lips. She whispered her love for him just barely, in return, causing him to smile his heart melting, adorable smile.

"Congratulations, you two," Surge said aloud as the crowd continued to cheer and clap.

Vanellope and Ralph gently unglued themselves from each other and eagerly looked around to the crowd. Everyone looked thrilled and stunned, Ralph figured it was because he was a bad guy. He heaved a nervous chuckle and very gently hugged his arm around Vanellope's waist. The two slowly began to make their way off of the stage. The crowd below them gently parted and gazed at the two stunned awe; Vanellope inhaled for the first time in what felt like centuries. She could hear people muttering things about how he was the first bad guy to get married in the arcade, and how stunned everyone was at the fact that a princess would say yes to a bad guy. She could feel her heart suddenly tug into an almost grief stricken emotion, though she felt proud that she could finally set a good example for all bad guys alike. She gladly leaned into Ralph's side and chest as he carefully led her through the parting crowd.

Just as they reached the end of the chattering crowd, everyone began to mosey around and Game Central Station came alive with the house lights and music again. Things slowly went back to normal, though a few gamers stopped by to congratulate Ralph and Vanellope. Vanellope eagerly kept herself glued to Ralph's side, she wasn't surprised to feel his hand and arm stay latched onto her side and hip as well. He kept his future bride close in his arm, where she belonged. Vanellope inhaled a long, satisfied breath and gazed up at Ralph with a teasing, knowing, and almost annoyed smirk. Ralph beamed down at her sheepishly, though his smile was adorable and confident.

"I'm assuming I'm in trouble for lying to you," Ralph beamed with a happy chuckle as he squeezed her closer to him. She leaned into him farther and rested her hand firmly on his chest, over his heart. She leaned more into the middle of his chest and lovingly tucked her face into the nook of his neck and shoulder. She placed a few small, teasing kisses along his exposed jawline.

"Yep," Vanellope sneered, "You're definitely in trouble, later."

"I don't doubt that for a second," Ralph laughed as he rubbed her side gently. His face gradually turned red as he leaned his head down to gently kiss the side of her face a few times.

"It was your idea to have me in your bed, tonight," Vanellope said softly in a matter-of-factly tone as she shrugged sheepishly.

"Touché," Ralph rolled his eyes with a wide smile. Vanellope opened her mouth to speak but she quickly caught Taffyta in her peripheral. She slowly moseyed up, her hands were behind her back and her facial expression was beaming with teasing joy.

"He's not the only one that's in trouble for lying to me," Vanellope shouted playfully as she pointed a finger at Taffyta as Rancis, Calhoun and Felix all moseyed up with the same, sheepish yet overjoyed demeanor.

"Ohhh but it was ALL worth it!" Taffyta shrieked happily as she motioned her hands towards the two, "I was practically bursting at the seams! Keeping this whole thing a secret was almost impossible!"

"You're telling me," Ralph laughed as he rubbed the back of his head nervously.

"You're the one who had to stay sick for a whole week solid," Calhoun laughed as she placed her hands on her hips, "Poor Vanellope thought you were going to game over for good."

"Aww," Ralph cooed as he beamed down at his fiancee in a teasing way. Vanellope rolled her eyes as a pink blush coated her face. She looked away with a bashful smile as her gentle hand remained over Ralph's heart.

"That was such a brilliant plan," Taffyta laughed as she put her hands on her hips, "If it weren't for that, I'm sure we could've never surprised you the way we did."

"This was way out of left field," Vanellope chuckled as she smiled wide up at Ralph, "I'm still in shock."

"I hope you got a good look at your ring," Taffyta said gently with a humble smile as Vanellope quickly looked down at her left hand. She brought her hand closer to her face and furrowed her eyebrows before her whole face grew tense and riddled with sheer surprise.

"Y-you, got a crossed stripe branch," Vanellope breathed as she kept her eyes glued to her gorgeous engagement ring.

"THE, crossed stripe branch," Ralph corrected, though he tried to sound as humble as possible. He gently laid his hand over hers, which was still on his chest, as he gazed down at her through adoring eyes, "You deserve the best."

"I-I can't believe it," Vanellope hissed as she further inspected the gorgeous ring. She peeled her eyes away, after a few moments, and gazed up at Ralph in a grateful, surprised way.

"I told myself I'd bare through the sap, but I'm not sure how much more I can handle," Taffyta teasingly said before Vanellope caught eyes with Rancis. He rolled his eyes playfully, at Taffyta's remark, and lulled his head to the side.

"Congratulations, brother," Felix beamed up at Ralph as he nudged his large hand, "Welcome to the club!"

"Only one more to go," Vanellope sneered at Taffyta quietly; her whole face immediately turned beet red as she shot Vanellope a daring, annoyed look.