81 When in Vegas (1/2)
”Will you marry me?” Rin asked pushing the box open with his thumb and index finger to reveal the handcrafted ring inside.
One of Shelly's hands flew up to her chest and the other flew up to cover her mouth as it dropped open into a giant O. ”Oh my gods, Rin... Ar...are you serious?” She asked glancing back and forth between the ring and his mesmerizing seafoam eyes.
”Yes, more so than ever before.” He answered as he straightened up beside her and pulled her into his arms. He held her tight in one arm as he held the box out in front of her. ”Shelly, I love you. Say you'll marry me and make me the happiest man in the world.” He removed the ring from its box and slid it over the tip of her ring finger.
Shelly's eyes darted between the shimmering diamond and Rin's serious eyes before she shook her head frantically up and down.
He smiled, ”Is that a yes then?”
She continued to nod frantically as she answered, ”Yes! Yes! I do!”
Rin slid the ring all the way onto her finger before pulling her tightly against him into a hug then lifted her into the air spinning her in a wide circle. ”Thank you so much, baby!” He sat her down and arched his brows. ”Next Vegas?”
She furrowed her brows, ”Las Vegas? Why there?”
He smiled, ”To get married of course.”
Her eyes shot open wide, ”NOW? Now, now?” She swallowed hard. ”I mean... what about our friends and family... We just... you just... we... Oh... OHHHH...” She became light headed and stumbled.
Rin quickly grabbed hold of her arms to stable her and guided her back toward a chair. ”We could get married now in Vegas and then have a huge wedding when we get back and everything settles down. What do you say?”
Her eyes were trained onto something in the distance. ”But what about Jos and Raven? I always thought they'd be the first to know... the first to be by my side...”
He dropped to his knees in front of her and clasped her hands that were fumbling with the fabric of her clothes with one hand and cupped her face with the other. ”They can still be the first to know and they can be right there beside you for the actual wedding...” a dark cloud filled his usually bright eyes, ”I don't want to miss the chance to make you mine completely... to be yours... to give you my last name...” His attention dropped to her belly as he stroked it with his finger. ”To ensure our baby has my last name.”
Shelly's breath caught, ”Rin you talk like you know I'm already pregnant or something... How is that even possible we've only been together a short time-” She stopped talking when his face lit with joy and a wide smile encompassed his face.
”What can I say, maybe I have magic sperm.” When she didn't laugh but instead looked concerned, he lied. ”I don't know for sure that you are, but we have had unprotected sex more times than I can count. It's very likely that you could be now, or become so soon... and you've already agreed to marry me...” He gave her a crooked smile. ”And Russ has already agreed to the idea.”
Her eyes widened even more, ”You asked Russ about this? AND he agreed?”
Rin laughed, ”Well yes, of course, I did. He fully supported it especially the ceremony once everything calms down.”
She thought it over for a few seconds before slowly nodding her head. ”Vegas then... Next... after breakfast.”
Rin's face lit with joy and true happiness as he pushed himself up and kissed her letting his lips linger on hers. ”Thank you, Shell. You don't understand what this means to me.” He nestled his head against her chest and held her tightly until the waitress approached clearing her throat to get his attention.
***
They arrived on Las Vegas Boulevard in a snap the hoards of people moving about not even blinking twice at their sudden arrival. Though it was still early in the day bodies filled the streets, moving in and out of the numerous buildings lining the main drag. The neon lights still shown, though not as impressive as it would be at night. Shelly held his hand tightly as they pushed their way through the crowded sidewalks. They were met with an overwhelming blend of expensive and cheap perfumes, various smells of foods, the bitter aroma of spilled alcoholic beverages, and sickening underlining odor of vomit and trash.
Shelly wrinkled her nose. ”Are you sure about this place?”
Rin looked around them and shrugged. ”The internet made it look a bit more appealing, that's for sure.” He glanced down at her noting her discomfort and overall over stimulation at being in such a massive crowd. ”What do you say to somewhere a little... calmer?”
Shelly looked up at him relief heavy in her eyes. ”That would be nice.” She quickly added, ”We can come back though maybe during the night?”
He smiled and bent to kiss her forehead, ”If that's what you want.” He tilted his head, ”So, my beautiful bride, what did you have in mind?”
Shelly blushed, ”I wouldn't mind getting married somewhere near your home.” Her big blue eyes sparkled up at him as she spoke, ”Your mom showed me tons of pictures... I love the dresses and the body paint...” She smiled brightly, ”It's all so beautiful and exotic!”
He laughed, ”I offered, to take you anywhere in the world and you pick the one place...” His words trailed off as her eyes dulled and her smile began to fade. {It had been more of a prison than a home to me, but with her here...} ”You know what on second thought that would be perfect. Mother would love to dress you and I know of this amazing temple not too far away. He pulled her tight against him and snapped his fingers. Seconds later they were face to face with his parents. His mother was wringing her hands in worry and his father was quietly reading a book.