Like it or not
A few days had passed since Rafael's birthday and he was still feeling so happy. Even as he was doing his chores, he was humming to himself.
Valon decided to get the blonde out of his trance. "Hey, Raf, do you want pizza for lunch?" But the blonde wasn't listening. He continued humming to himself as he was cleaning the kitchen floor. Valon tried again. "Hey, Rafael, I'm talking to you."
He finally snapped out of it. "What did you say?"
"I was asking if you want to go out to eat once we get done with our chores," the Australian said. "Maybe go out for pizza or burgers."
Alister chuckled as he emptied out the dryer and laid the clothes on the couch. "Forget it, Valon. Rafael's not thinking about food. He's thinking about Emily."
The Australian figured as much. "As usual."
Rafael opened the front door and emptied out the bucket of dirty water. "There's never a moment when I don't think about Emily. I love her. You guys know that." He smiled to himself and said, "And one day, I really am going to marry her."
Alister emptied out the washing machine and reloaded the dryer. "Ah, give it a rest, Raf."
"Mate, you can't just walk up to her, get down on one knee, and say, 'I love you. Will you marry me?'" Valon chuckled and said, "No, it isn't done that way."
"I know that," the blonde replied. "The setting has to be just right; beautiful and romantic." He paused, then added, "Something she'll never forget."
Alister shook his head disdainfully. "It's no use, Raf. I've thought it over and it just wouldn't work out." He looked at the blonde and asked, "Besides, what have you got to offer her?"
Rafael took offense to the redhead's question. "Gee, Alister, that's very supportive of you," he said sarcastically.
"Raf, I'm serious," Alister snapped.
"So am I," the blonde retaliated. He really was serious about asking Emily to marry him. And like he said, he wanted it to be at the right place and the right moment.
Valon chimed in. "You know, mate, Emily actually has it a lot easier than we do and it's not because she's a princess."
"That's actually true," Alister said, surprised with Valon's statement. He couldn't believe the Australian actually knew what he was talking about.
"Think about it, mate," Valon was saying to Rafael, "Emily lives in a nice house while the three of us are living in this here apartment. She makes good money with the job she's got."
"But there are some things in her life that are hard for her too," Rafael interrupted. "She has to balance time between work and school and she lives alone." That wasn't the only thing. Emily also had her tasks and responsibilities in the other worlds. Of course, the three bikers had very minimal knowledge about all of that.
"From what I've seen, Emily can take care of herself," Valon interrupted.
Alister wanted to say something, but he stopped himself. He agreed that Emily could take care of herself, but he also agreed that she worked too hard trying to provide for herself as well as trying to get an education. At least she's not completely alone and has all of her friends to support her. Still, there are times when Alister worries about Emily, despite knowing how independent and resourceful she can be.
But Rafael had already made up his mind. He loved Emily and wanted to marry her. But for now, he decided to take it slow. He decided while Emily would continue pursuing her education, he would take time working and saving to afford an engagement ring and even a house. Of course, that doesn't mean he won't hold off on pursuing Emily and trying to win her heart.
Alister and Valon were both still unsure. They wanted Rafael to be happy, but they wanted Emily to be happy too. They couldn't help but worry that someone would get hurt from all of this. All the redhead and Australian could do was hope that things would work out for everyone.
