A/N: Sorry for the wait! I know it's been a long time, but just know, I haven't given up on this story! To all the people who are still with this story, I love y'all!

Timing. Life is all about timing, they say. All about having it right or having it wrong. It's about the rhythm of it. The essence of it. The insanity of it. The necessity of it.

At this point, my life narrowed down to timing.

It was difficult trying to find the right timing to propose. I had wanted to propose on the anniversary of the music festival. Just like her confessing her feelings which brought us together, I wanted to confess that I never wanted to be apart. I wanted to put everything on the line like she did that night. I wanted to show her that I wasn't the same coward I was then. That I was finally as courageous as she was.

But as the days closed in on that date, my plans started to unravel.

She did, in fact, take over for Kansuke when he went on vacation. She had been happy, excited, and nervous for the opportunity. But like everything she does, she excelled. Each day, she left the house in smiles, and every night, she'd come home just the same, if not exhausted. I could tell she loved her new responsibilities, and maybe it was selfish of me, but I didn't want to propose to her when she was so focused on her new position. I didn't want to take away from her accomplishment. I wanted her to get the most out of work without any distractions. She deserved it, and I didn't want to diminish it.

And so I waited until Kansuke came back.

What I didn't know was that the owner would retire and ask Kansuke to take over the bakery, which led Orihime into being promoted as the head baker. So with that news, I decided to push my plans back a bit. Seeing her so happy about her new job made me confident that my decision was the right choice.

When we became adjusted with her new position and my increased schoolwork, I realized that more time had slipped by me. Too much time, so I formulated a new plan.

But that too would fall apart.

Tatsuki had asked us to visit her in Tskuba, so we planned to leave on Friday and stay over the weekend and return on Sunday. I had wanted to visit the Peony Garden Tokyo with Orihime before we went home. I wanted to walk the gardens with her. I wanted to admire her as she admired the flowers in bloom. I wanted to tell her that the peony symbolized our relationship. That just like the meaning of the peony, our relationship was filled with romance, prosperity, good fortune, honor, compassion, and soon, if she were willing, a happy marriage. I wanted to propose in a such a beautiful place that would fill her senses so in the future, whenever she came across a sweet fragrance or if she were to see a flower in bloom, she'd recall the moment fondly. I wanted it to be unforgettable.

However, as we mentioned our plans to visit Tatsuki at dinner one night with my family, they were taken with the idea of coming along. When I saw the excited look in Orihime's eyes and the hopeful gleam in my sisters', I didn't have the heart to turn them down. So instead of going alone with Orihime, my dad drove all of us there, and we had a mini family vacation. And though it wasn't what I had imagined, the weekend with my family and with Tatsuki was truly unforgettable for Orihime. For that, I was content with pushing back the proposal. As long as she was happy, I didn't mind postponing.

I wasn't going to postpone for too long, though. Already, I had an idea. Golden week was approaching and although she wouldn't have the whole week off, she would have a few days were she was free. I had planned to take her away to a local beach, but two nights before the start of Golden Week, a Jigokuchō appeared while Orihime and I were giving each other foot massages. But instead of it being black and purple, it was pure white with flecks of pink on its wings, and each flap of its wings would release snowflakes in the air. It was beautiful but with a sense of dread, I knew what it would mean for my plans.

Renji and Rukia were getting married that weekend.

It was short notice, almost suspiciously so, but we were in Soul Society before we knew it. It was a beautiful event. I didn't expect anything less. After all, Byakuya wanted nothing but the best for Rukia, and given how happy Rukia looked as she stood in front of Renji, it was easy to see that he had nothing to fear.

After the ceremony, Orihime had pulled Rukia aside to congratulate her. I would have followed but a hand to my shoulder stopped me short.

"Isn't she beautiful?" Renji asked.

I rolled my eyes at the tone in his voice.

"I thought you said you didn't ever want to sound so sappy or sentimental again."

He laughed.

"It's my wedding day. I can't help it."

I turned toward him with a smile.

"I'll let you off this time," I joked. He snorted. "Congratulations, Renji. You both look so happy."

He nodded as he eyes strayed to Rukia.

"We are. Finally."

"Good."

"It took us too long to get here, though," he complained.

"But you are here. That's all that matters."

"Yeah," he admitted with a smile. "Actually, and don't tell anyone, we were supposed to get married further down the road, but well, let's just say that something is about to be here sooner."

I felt my eyes widen.

"I knew it!"

He chuckled.

"When we told Byakuya the news, he grew silent. I thought he had a heart attack. And when he suddenly moved toward us, I thought he was going to kill me. But you know what he did? He hugged us, and he smiled! He started planning the wedding right then and there. He wanted us to be married before it's announced that we are pregnant."

"I can't believe he wasn't mad," I told him.

Renji shook his head.

"I think for a brief second he was, but I think hearing that there was going to be a baby added to the family turned a switch on in him. He's been very emotive. He's like a completely different person."

I found Byakuya talking with Kyoraku-san, a relaxed smile gracing his face.

"That kid is going to be spoiled and doted on by him. I can already tell."

Renji grunted his agreement.

"Well, congratulations. It looks like you finally have your happily-ever-after. I couldn't be happier for you and Rukia."

"Thanks, man. It means a lot coming from you." We fell silent as we watched Orihime and Rukia laugh. "What about you? How's your happily-ever-after going?"

At this, I reached into my pocket, pried open the small box, and showed him the ring.

"It's going. I just haven't found the right time yet."

He took the box from my hands, and I turned my head toward him.

"Don't look for the right time, Ichigo. Before you know it, you will have wasted years waiting for something that may never come. I wasted so much time waiting and waiting, hoping for things to change while I just stood still. I don't want that for you. Besides, you humans have a lot less time than we do. So don't keep such a nice girl waiting too long."

"I know. Trust me, I'm trying."

"Good," he said as he handed back the ring. I quickly stashed it in my pants as I felt Orihime and Rukia approaching.

"Oi, Rukia! Congratulations. Who knew you'd—" I began before a kick landed on my leg. "What was that for?!"

"Knowing you, you were going to give me a backhanded compliment," Rukia huffed.

"At least, there was a compliment in the insult!" I complained as I rubbed my leg. We all laughed as Rukia raised her hand to hit me, which Orihime intercepted by wrapping her arms around Rukia's shoulders and placing her head on top of her friend's.

It was a heartwarming moment to witness. To be honest, the whole night warmed my heart. So with a warmed, lightened heart, we celebrated the night away, and when the morning came, when it was time to leave, I pulled Rukia aside. I hugged her and whispered that although she was a beautiful bride, she'll make an even more beautiful mother. I had pulled back, placing a kiss on her cheek.

I hugged Renji and waved goodbye to Byakuya and our other friends before I took Orihime's hand to head back home.

Maybe it was time or maybe it was her, but I had become more sensitive. No longer did I shy away from intimate situations or conversations. I welcomed them. It made me more introspective, more thoughtful. And so I thought carefully over Renji's words as I watched Orihime sleep in my arms.

I knew I shouldn't wait for the right time, but again, a selfish part of me wanted to. I wanted it to be perfect for her. I wanted the proposal to set a precedent of what our future would be like. That I'd always try to express how I feel about her, that I'd always try to make her feel cared and loved, that I would do anything to make her happy. I wanted it to be right because that is how she made me feel: she made me feel right.

So I'd wait just a bit longer for the perfect timing. Just a bit longer.