Last Minute

The early morning sun dusting scattering through the plants resting on the window sill was a peaceful vision. At least mildly for Shego. She hadn't gotten a decent night sleep since they'd gotten back to Greece. Normally she didn't really care about her birthday arriving, but she was glad it was finally here. If only for the fact it meant Drakken's mother would finally leave.

It wasn't that she didn't like Estelle, it was simply she had never noticed how she was... everywhere. At least it felt like it, every time she thought there was a moment alone with Drakken either she or the henchmen would interrupt. The henchmen at least knew better and would scatter for the most part... some lingered a little too much for her liking and if it wasn't for Estelle following close behind them... she might have sent a warning shot the henchmen's way.

At first, Shego had been confused by her lack of sleep and her need to be alone with Drakken... until it dawned on her... It had become a rarity that she wasn't around him for longer than a few hours at best. The longest time they had spent apart what Junior's birthday and ah was certain the only reason she'd not notice how it annoyed her was because of the frequent talking in the evening. She'd argued with herself that perhaps some separation was good... but that had been squashed by her visiting his lab late the other night.

While the idea of time apart logically made sense... Shego didn't much care for its logic. Drakken could be annoying often with his ramblings, that though less now without villainy... were still abundant... and half his chatter was like wordless noise... she was content with it. She also suspected her restless sleep was due to the habit she'd gotten into just going with Drakken to sleep at night. The pretense of movies not even attempted. Her bed was comfortable and soft, there was no less luxury in her room than Drakken's. It was simply lacking Drakken's presence...

That sounds pathetic.

She attempted to fixate on it but her sleep-deprived brain chose a different path.

Oh, who cares.

With a mixture between a groan and a sigh, she rolled over to check the clock. She knew she could attempt a few more moments of sleep but it was fruitless. She struggled to motivate herself at first until she could see the Flower suddenly become active. She barely had time to grab her rob before she leapt out of her window to rescue the delivery Currier that had incited sudden violence. Shockingly Mama Lipsky was already yelling at the plants as the delivery person stood armed in layers of padding and what looked like a lacrosse stick. Their words a scatter of heavy curses in broken Greek.

"Why are they so naughty?" asked Estelle as Shego approached.

"Because your son doesn't seem to grasp they have jealousy issues," snorted Shego as she took a large bouquet of flowers out of the Currier's hands.

"Now I see why florist delivery man gave me money," said the Currier in a thick accent, "Why not have a street box."

"Noted," sighed Shego as she moved the flowers away from the vines, "Knock it off."

The vines reluctantly moved away and Shego looked at the large scattering of parcels on the small descending platform the deliverer had climbed down.

"I'll get these dear," smiled Estelle. She hesitated, "Are the flowers going to attack again?"

"No. I got the target," sighed Shego as she indicated to the bouquet obscuring a majority of Estelle from her sight.

Shego paused in her exit and smirked at the still miffed-looking person, they weren't their usual delivery person.

"Did you want to take the lift?" asked Shego.

"Oh that would be wonderful," they sighed in relief.

"You heard 'em," shrugged Shego.

She couldn't help the devious smile across her face as the vines yanked the Currier up and out of sight with a scream.

"Will they be okay?" asked Estelle quickly, "You should have warned them."

"It's fine," said Shego as she headed back inside, "Unlike Flower, they'll actually put them down."

"They're all flower dear," said Estelle as she held the mail and packages.

"No, I mean..." Shego trailed off, "You should ask Drakken about Flower."

"Drew said you are the one to ask about the flowers," Shego heard the emphasis on Drakken's name, "I do have to ask... why is he still insisting on using his stage name?"

Shego shrugged.

"I asked Ronald that question and he had-" Shego cut her off.

"Ronald?" She froze as they entered the sliding kitchen door.

"Yes," said Estelle, "He came to visit my mother before he started school in Japan this fall. Can you believe he's going to live over there all on his own?"

Shego slowly entered the house, torn between being disturbed and wanting to tease Drakken about the fact that Ron Stoppable was visiting his family members. She put the flowers down to grab a vase and as Estelle placed copious packages and letters on the table, Shego saw the expedited shipping labels on a few and fought a snort. She began to wonder what concoctions he was working on that he had to overnight things. Her focus fell to arranging the lavish flowers in their vase and weeding out the broken ones that had not fared well against the attack flowers.

"Half my jewelry came from last-minute birthday gifts when Theo lost track of days," giggled Estelle, "Apparently it's an inheritable trait."

Shego looked up as Estelle straightened the boxes.

"A lot of them came from Greece actually. He had lovely friends from here..." Estelle trailed off as she looked at something on the boxes and Shego grabbed one.

Are these for me?

Shego took a moment to process this. Usually, Drakken got her one thing or paid for a trip for her... but as she looked at some of the labels... he'd clearly opted this year to splurge. She wasn't shocked but... something bothered her about it. She loved extravagant items and gifts... spontaneous or planned... but as she thought of her bracelet and the old hoverboard... she had expected something more... Drakken if he was giving her a gift.

Who am I kidding half my closet is things he has no idea he bought me.

She gave a small snort to herself and picked up one of the boxes.

"You should wait till he's here," said Estelle quickly, "Why don't you get dressed and I'll get him up here!"

"I can go get him-" Shego was cut off.

"Oh no dear... I'll do that. It's your birthday after all... why don't you go put on one of those pretty dresses I saw the other day and we can go out to that little diner place we saw the other day for a big breakfast."

"It's really no-" She was being ushered out of her kitchen.

"Nonsense, Shego... go on," Estelle pushed her towards the stairs.

Shego raised a brow as she slowly walked up the spiral stairs. Estelle grinning and watching her leave, occasionally waiving her off even more. Shego rolled her eyes as she finished climbing the stairs. She was far too tired to attempt reason with Drakken's mother. Her thoughts about the length of Mama Lipsky's visit, the gifts downstairs, and much-needed sleep were pushed aside as she opened her door only to hear a thump downstairs.

"Oh for..."

Shego moved to her window and yelled out of it.

"Those flowers better be where I left them or I'm buying a Weed Wacker!"

She watched as the flowers frantically moved away from the home and back to their ledges. With an eye-roll, she closed the window and headed to her closet.

Drakken hummed excitedly as he closed his browser indicating the arrival of several packages and pushed off the desk to return to being in front of his bubbling beakers. He was certain it had been the least amount of sleep he had claimed in months, but it had been useful in one aspect. His thought about creating an instant plant serum that was more portable and quicker in case of emergencies like the Villain's Inn party... was going swimmingly. He knew that if Shego kept his mother occupied this afternoon he could test it before the dinner he'd planned where the computer had indicated the arrival of the main and most expensive purchase for Shego would have arrived by then.

"If all goes according to plan... it should be perfect," grinned Drakken as he grabbed a testing strip. Flower nudged him, "Everything designed specifically as I instructed."

Flower leaned on the top of his head as he made the chemical drop on the paper.

"I do hope she likes the color though," Drakken mused, "I suppose I should have been more traditional..."

Drakken trailed off as Flower bopped him.

"What?" he asked and then looked at the paper, "Oh yes... the formula ..."

He stared as the paper slowly turned pink.

"Perfect!" laughed Drakken, "Let's keep this streak going, shall we?"

He pushed off on his chair as the elevator door opened and he quickly stood, letting the chair roll away on its own.

"I was not wheeling about!" he quickly yelled as he hit the exit button on the monitor. Flower already vanished from sight at the sound of the door.

"What does 'wheeling about' mean?" came his mother's voice, "Is that some sort of trashy slang?"

Drakken looked to see her moving swiftly down the stairs.

"Ah, Mother. It's just you," sighed Drakken and then hastily added, "It simply means using my chair to navigate rather than walking- Did you need something?"

His mother looked as his chair bounced gently off the wall it had reached.

"I feel like that 'wheeling about' was exactly what you were doing," she sighed, "You know you can get hurt doing that? You aren't a young man anymore-"

"Did you need something Mother?" asked Drakken again. He was feeling his good spirits slowly dwindling.

"I came down here to get you for a nice breakfast," she grinned. She seemed more excited than usual but Drakken ignored it.

"Ah yes... well. Actually perhaps you and Shego could go it alone," Drakken glanced at his beakers and the now-off computer screen, "I have a lot of work to do before dinner tonight."

"I'm sure you do," Estelle was beaming as she held up a small package, "I think you will be needing this."

Drakken raised a brow and then looked at the box in question. His eyes shot open and he snatched the box.

"This isn't supposed to be here- How did you get it?- Did Shego see this?" he looked at the box, "Why would they put the description on the package! There will be a threatening- Er I mean... a very angry email sent about this!"

"I snatched it before she saw it, she grabbed the box right next to it and- Oh Drewbie I am so happy!" she squealed and pulled him into a tight hug.

Drakken was slightly winded as he managed to pry his mother off of him.

"Yes, well Mother, I am so very glad your happy," he said, "I just hope Shego is."

He looked at the box before taking off the tape.

"This is highly unprofessional. It was supposed to be delivered with a signature-"

"Maybe that's why they paid that poor delivery person... your flowers are a handful," grinned Estelle, as she hovered over the box, "Oh I can't wait to tell everyone-"

"Mother! I haven't even seen the ring, let alone asked her yet," Drakken glared, "She has to actually say 'Yes' before you start gossiping."

"Oh she will," grinned Estelle. She paused, "Unless..."

Drakken pulled out the leather box and paused at his mother's words.

"Unless what?" he asked. His stomach, moments ago fluttering with good favor did a summer salt the opposite direction, "Has Shego said something?"

"Oh no!" she waved her hands quickly, "I was just thinking... Isn't it a bit soon? I'm not one to judge, I mean your father and I got engaged after four months... but Shego is well... Shego."

Drakken ran his thumb over the leather box and looked at his mother in confusion.

"I thought you liked Shego?" asked Drakken in mild shock.

The two talk to each other enough and-

His mother cut off his mental tirade.

"I adore Shego!" Estelle gasped.

Drakken was even more confused as he fiddled with the box.

"Then I don't understand the problem?" asked Drakken. His mother reached for the ring and he yanked it away, "Excuse you! I think you've done enough snooping."

"Don't you take that tone with me, Drew Lipsky," Estelle pointed at him.

"Sorry," grumbled Drakken. His mood dampening, "Do you think Shego will say no?"

He saw his mother's eyes go wide but he was slowly weaving what he'd been avoiding thinking about. He'd spent the whole week forcing only positive thoughts and scenarios... a great feet for him outside the grandeur of world conquesting daydreams. Every time he'd danced around the idea of Shego not saying yes, he'd pulled it back... but now his heart was in his stomach with the image of Shego saying No... or worse... not answering and leaving altogether.

"Oh no! I'm sorry Drew! I'm sorry I damped the mood," his mother rambled, "I just assumed given her age she might be more modern-"

"She's thirty-three," Drakken cut in.

His mother looked shocked.

"Oh well then she might be more traditional- really?" asked Estelle, "Wonder what her secret is?"

"Possibly a radioactive comet," grumbled Drakken. He dismissed his mother's confused expression, "Is that really the only reason? Shego hasn't said anything?"

"Nothing more than usual," smiled Estelle. Drakken nodded and then glared, "Oh stop fussing. I'm so excited you're finally found someone who's gotten you to think about settling down. Especially, someone who will keep you on your toes as well as return my phone calls, unlike some people."

Drakken rolled his eyes.

"Really, Mother?" sighed Drakken as he opened the box finally.

He could hear his mother still talking as she hovered over his shoulder, but his mind was swirling with thoughts. He looked down at a delicate silver ring with its marquise diamond center. Surrounded by round perfectly placed ones that carried down the band of the ring. All the best clarity they could be and hopefully elegant and sizable enough to please Shego. He looked at the raising of the ring and smiled at the smaller diamonds along the back raising and a single emerald and single sapphire nestled together in what look like small petals.

He didn't even bother checking on the engraving. It was already perfectly how he'd pictured it... but his mind was swimming with negatives now. Had he gotten the wrong cut? Would she even say yes? What if he scared her away?

What if this isn't even what she wants?

His darkening thoughts were interrupted by his mother shaking his arm.

"Oh, it's gorgeous! She's going to love it," she beamed, "I can't wait to tell your grandmother- When are you asking her?"

"Ohm... well... today was the plan," he gave a feeble smile, "But I don't know."

"You should do it before dinner!" she beamed. Then her expression faltered, "Oh no... I'd cry and ruin it... do it after you drop me off at the airport... That way you have privacy and I won't be a blubbering mess-"

"Mother what if she says no?" Drakken asked hastily, "Maybe it is too soon? I mean we have known each other for years... we have been dating for months... it feels longer to me... but what if that's just me? Perhaps you're right..."

Estelle looked frustrated.

"I've ruined your mood!" she chastised herself, "I'm sure she'll say yes. Why would she say no? I mean who cares about time when you're in love!"

Drakken's mental ramblings froze at his mother's words. The rest of the encouragement she was giving him became white noise.

Love.

Something he hadn't even thought about... and the very reason Shego may in fact say no. It was true he knew exactly how he felt about Shego, even after years of trying to suppress his feelings. He knew he loved Shego well before the term even became an option to use. His mind darted back to the conversation that neither had yet to have due to interruptions and poor timing... His mind began spinning of all the conversations that suddenly seemed very important as he closed the lid on the ring. There was a sudden correlation dawning as he connected the main conversation un-had with his fear of disappointing Shego... and the reality Shego might not in fact... love him the same way he loved her... if at all. He sat at the edge of his desk and looked at the closed box. His throat felt thick and like thousands of ants were under his skin.

"Drewbie?" asked his mother softly. Her hand on his forearm, "Are you okay?"

"I do love her," he stated, "But I don't know if she feels the same."

"Oh Drew... don't you think you should find that out before proposing?" asked Estelle, "You haven't told her yet?"

He shook his head.

"Why not?" she nudged him, "Didn't I raise you with the value of that word? I understand plenty weren't raised too, but what have I always told you. That expressing that term is perfectly healthy and-"

"Meaningful and to be used in proper context and not a word to use when not intended," grumbled Drew. Estelle gave him a stern look, "Yes, Mother. I know."

"Well then why haven't you said it?" she asked. Estelle's expression became suspicious, "Was she raised by one of those families that don't use the word love. I know there are some places you should only say that if you are planning to marry or have married- but look there... you are planning so no worries!"

"I wasn't fixating on it until now, Mother," stated Drakken, "I just assumed... perhaps it should wait."

"Did you include it in your proposal speech?" asked his mother. Drakken shrugged, "It's like I raised a barbarian... But who am I kidding, I'm just happy you're even planning on settling down before I'm in the grave."

Drakken opened his mouth to continue whining when he scoffed at his mother.

"That's a bit dramatic, don't you think?" he moved around his desk to put the ring in it.

"Drew you are forty-two... and I've only known of three actual interests of yours," stated Estelle with a sigh, "I assumed my funeral would be planned before any wedding."

"Nighn! Okay, Mother, I get it," grumbled Drakken. He paused, "Three?"

"Well three of which I know about," she shrugged as she handed him the box to destroy, "Those I can establish. Obviously, there's Shego."

Drakken rolled his eyes as his mother continued.

"That tiny blonde buzzkill you took to meet your grandmother," sighed Estelle. She made a displeased face, "I mean I love baking too, but the woman talked nothing about anything but recipes and baking. Rather hazardous to one's health."

"In more ways than one," muttered Drakken as he grabbed one of his water jugs.

"I mean she seemed... nice enough," countered Estelle, "And then your little boyfriend in college."

Drakken choked on his water.

"My what?" coughed Drakken, "Who told you that?"

"Oh calm down. Eddie told Michelle and me ages ago," said Estelle with a dismissive wave, "He ranted about your little friend and complained about you locking him in a boiler room when he went to visit you at school."

"Eddie," growled Drakken.

"Don't get all huffy," snorted Estelle, "It wasn't said to be judgey... in our family, no one has room to judge anything. You may have missed a lot of family events when you were going through your... blue period."

She smirked at her own joke and Drakken shook his head as she continued.

"That is not the point Mother... if you had bothered to ask me instead of taking Eddie's word- and you know what he was unbearable that entire time, that's why I locked him in the boiler room," Drakken ranted, "And what does Eddie know? What did he even say?- What else did Eddie gossip about over the years that I didn't even see him."

They had missed the sound of the elevator opening in his ranting.

"Why's he all flustered?" asked Shego as she cleared the stairs with ease, "What about Motor Ed and gossip?"

"Apparently he's upset about Eddie telling me about his little college boyfriend twenty years ago," sighed Estelle. She rolled her eyes, "I mean honestly, I think its a completely unwarranted overreaction."

"Ah, so we're talking about Hermes," smirked Shego. Drakken glared at them both.

Estelle scoffed at Drakken.

"See, why are you making such a big deal about this... Shego even knows," said Estelle. "You thought it important enough to tell her."

"I did not tell her," Drakken snapped, "And it wasn't like that... he was never my boyfriend."

"Oh Drew," sighed Estelle, "It's just a title. No need to get worked up over."

He looked at Shego for support, but saw the smirk on her lips... he gave up on any support and began going over his numbers to distract from what would only become more aggravating.

"I don't know Drew... an awful lot of people labeling it that," teased Shego, "You know he's married to my college ex now?"

"Oh gosh!" Estelle gasped, "The coincidence! Did they meet through you?"

"Nope, complete chance... shocking right," snorted Shego, "But given the number of connected twists in our lives... probably not that shocking at all, right Drew?"

"I'm not participating in this pointless conversation," grumbled Drakken.

"Why is he so agitated about something so simple?" whispered Estelle poorly. Drakken ran a hand over his face.

" I think he has label issues," whispered Shego. Drakken glared at her again, "I literally had to corner him and berate him for hours after weeks of dating to get him to label us as boyfriend and girlfriend. You'd think he had commitment issues? But he doesn't and that's weird."

"Oh no! He never had commitment issues with anything... focus yes," said Estelle, "He's a very commit-able person."

"See!" grinned Shego, "I told you needed to be committed."

"Thank you," barked Drakken as the two began giggling, "Are we done now? Will you two stop talking like I'm barely here?"

Estelle calmed her giggling but the conversation didn't end as she continued.

"You know I think he gets it from his father," Estelle said. Drakken tossed his pen, clearly not getting work done at all, "He had such paranoia about titles and contracts and clarifications. But then once it's labeled, then you had to go over every detail."

Drakken saw Shego's head tilt in clear thought. He simply grumbled under his breath as his mother went on.

"You know, Theo never even clarified we were a couple before he proposed," she giggled. Drakken raised a brow.

"Really?" snorted Shego.

"Oh yes. He orchestrated this really big elaborate proposal!" his mother laughed, "A whole weekend of dining and travel... rented an entire restaurant with a band and everything. The whole nine yards just to get down on one knee."

Drakken scoffed as Shego awed at Estelle's words. Mentally waving away the idea of doing the same now that his plans had changed.

"It was so over the top and dramatic that I couldn't help but tease him when he asked me." Estelle chuckled, "I asked him when did we even become a couple? The look on his face was priceless."

The laugh Shego gave made Drakken's focus shift to her.

"Oh that's hilarious!" said Shego, "I mean bravo for seizing the moment."

"Of course I told him yes right away," she added quickly, "I was so worried that he was about to faint or panic. It would have been funnier had I not been suddenly worried that I may have hurt his feelings."

Drakken didn't like the idea that he was sure was being placed in Shego's mind. He was already worried about proposing to her and having much-needed talks. He didn't need his mother influencing her into finding a way to tease him about it.

She doesn't need help with that fuel

Drakken rolled his eyes at his own thoughts and realized he was now the source of the topic once again... still as if he wasn't right there."

"He was the same way," smirked Shego, "He kept beating around the bush and got really pale and antsy when I was just asking if we were a couple."

Drakken jumped in.

"I was not!" he ignored the mental flashback of the late-night conversation and tried to avoid answering the very question Shego had asked, "The only hesitation I had with clarifying it was because I was worried you would be upset. I didn't know what you were viewing us as!"

He looked at his mother.

"And also who rents out an entire restaurant plans an entire elaborate trip to propose," he raged on, "Then terrorizes a person's feelings."

Drakken glared at both of them and stormed past them. Choosing instead to take a walk and clear his mind instead of further conversation confusing what was already racing through his mind... and focusing back on the things he needed to get done yet before this evening regardless.

"Unfortunately, he gets the dramatic exits from me," he heard his mother sigh.

Drakken growled under his breath as he slammed his finger on the button to close the elevator door.

I do not!

Was his thought response, but his mind had already gone elsewhere before the elevator fully initiated. He had a lot to think about and a whirling of emotional play-outs to unpack.

Lot Of Baggage and Thoughts Ahead...