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“Adrian Andrews, will you excuse me for a moment?” Franziska says towards the end of dinner, setting her cutlery down on her empty plate with a clatter. “I need to take care of something.”
Slightly puzzled, Adrian frowns as she nods her head. Just what is Fran doing?
“Oh, of course,” she says, smiling despite the worry starting to churn away in her stomach.
Why is Fran leaving the room? Is she mad? Is… is she leaving?
Before she even realises it, her heart rate shoots up and her stomach cramps with fear. Why must she always react like this? she knows she and Fran can’t stay glued together for their entire lives, but… when Fran leaves, part of Adrian tells her Franziska isn’t coming back.
Fran stops in the doorway, turning her head. “And stop your worrying, you foolish fool. I’m just going upstairs.”
Adrian blinks, amazed that Fran can basically read her mind, and manages a smile. “Sorry. Okay.”
Mumbling about fools under her breath, Franziska leaves the dining room and heads up the stairs. No longer hungry (anxiety always makes her feel a bit sick), Adrian finishes eating, folding her hands in her lap.
After less than a minute, Franziska returns. She smiles and stands in the doorway, and says, “We can tidy up later. Why not join me in the living room, Adrian?”
Again, Adrian blinks, genuinely having no idea what is going on. Fran… is up to something. But what?
Still, she nods and gets up, following Franziska into the living room. and before Adrian has a chance to ask what is going on, Franziska turns to face her, reaching into her pocket. And then…
And then Franziska von Karma drops to one knee and holds a small, red box out towards Adrian. Adrian takes a step backwards, a gasp escaping her mouth. Is she dreaming? What is Fran doing?
Fran looks up at her and smiles, the sort of caring smile she only saves for Adrian. “Adrian Andrews, will you marry me?”
Adrian stares, those words ringing in her ears. Her heart keeps pounding, but now not because of anxiety. She stares down at Fran, watching her girlfriend flick open the box to reveal a beautiful ring, and Adrian wonders if she might faint.
“Fran…” she whispers, and her eyes start to burn. “I…” Her breathing hitches and her eyes fill with tears, blurring her vision. “Is this… real?”
“Of course it is,” Franziska says. “Are you dissociating, or do you doubt I would want to marry you?”
How does Fran know her so well? “Uh… the latter.”
She blinks, and a couple of tears trickle down her cheeks.
Fran stands up, and reaches for Adrian’s hand. “Adrian Andrews, you utter fool. In all the years we have been together, when have I ever lead you on? I assure you, this is very real. I want to marry you. What is your answer?”
Of course, Fran is as blunt as ever. But she wouldn’t be Franziska von Karma if she wasn’t.
Adrian blinks, her eyes burning as more tears fill them. And as her bottom lip trembles and a lump lodges in her throat, she nods and whispers, “Yes. Yes, I want to marry you, Fran.”
And then the leaking dam bursts, and the sobs explode out of her. She sobs openly, her nose running and tears streaming down her face, tears splattering her glasses and the force of the sobs making her head hurt.
“Why are you crying?” Franziska says, squeezing her hand.
“I… I’m just… happy,” Adrian says, her voice wobbling. “So happy.”
“Ah, I understand,” says Fran, who is used to Adrian’s unstable emotions.
And as Fran slips the ring onto her finger, Adrian smiles through the tears.
“Fran, I love you.”
Franziska smiles, kissing her tear-stained cheek. “I love you too, you fool.”