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The light from the afternoon summer sun shined down on Patch Island, creeping through the slats of the small condo’s window shades. They landed on the face of a sleeping Penny Polendina, causing her to stir from her nap. With a big stretch she sat up and looked around her, seeing all the decorations in the room:
The new collage photo frame with pictures of her and her dad, her and Ruby, and her and all of her friends. Her custom built ant farm, full of ants having their own busy day. The joint paintings that she and Ruby made last year, two halves that when joined together formed a single painting of a snowy, moonlit forest. The large closet that now held her “Cherished Memories” collage, filled with so many wonderful moments over the past ten years or so. It took her and Ruby a long time to find a place with a closet large enough to fit her entire collage, but they did.
Penny truly loved every inch of her and Ruby’s new condo, their first home together. She liked that it was close to her dad’s place too. She wanted to make sure she stayed close just in case he needed something.
She took another moment to just take it all in, feeling her heart fill with warmth. Even though she and Ruby had already been living together for seven months now, it all still felt new and exciting and like the best thing ever.
She threw the thin blanket off of her and made her way to the bathroom to quickly wash herself. She had about an hour until the time that Ruby had asked her to go to Y&R Auto so they could do the surprise that Ruby planned for their three year anniversary.
Penny got dressed and left her and Ruby’s condo, hopping in her dark green beetle as the sun crept closer to the horizon. The drive to Y&R Auto was short and the sky was still dimly lit by the setting sun. While the lights of Y&R Auto were on, the parking lot was empty, save for her own car and Yang’s brand new four-seater corvette, the new Bumblebee, still featuring the same gold paint job and black racing stripe as the previous one.
Crescent Rose was nowhere in sight.
Still she went inside, finding Yang and Blake in the store front, both sitting in some of the chairs inside the store’s waiting area. Penny caught the remnants of their bashful smiles as they turned when they heard her open the door. Those two have had silly smiles painted on their faces for a while now, ever since their wedding day three months ago.
“Good evening Yang! Good evening Blake!” greeted Penny. “Is Ruby here? She told me to come here for our anniversary, but I didn't see her car outside.”
“No, she’s not here Penny.” Yang answered.
“Oh. Did she mention when she would be?” Penny asked.
“Well, that’s the thing.” responded Blake. “You’re not here to meet her. You’re actually here because we’re supposed to take you to her.”
“But first,” added Yang, rising from her chair. “We have a stop to make. So, if you would please follow my beautiful wife outside so I can arm the security system, we’ll take Bumblebee across the complex to Weiss’ place.”
Penny followed Blake outside the shop, and once Y&R Auto was locked up, Penny was led to the backseat of Bumblebee by Blake, and the three made the short drive across the complex to Atlas Imports.
As Blake led her out of the car, Penny watched Yang gently tap on Atlas Imports’ door, alerting Weiss as she was standing at the register. A warm smile spread on Weiss’ face when she looked up, certainly the warmest smile that Penny had ever seen on Weiss. The short Schnee girl approached and unlocked the door, greeting the three. “Afternoon ladies. Come in.”
Penny followed Yang and Blake into Atlas Imports. She noticed that in the center of the store stood what looked like two mannequins, each one covered by a large white sheet.
“Did you tell her why she’s here?” Weiss said to Yang and Blake.
“We thought you’d want to.” Yang answered.
Penny heard Weiss give a chuckle as a reply.
“So Penny,” started Weiss as she walked in between the mannequins. “You’re here because this is part one of what Ruby has planned for your anniversary tonight. Underneath these sheets are two dresses, along with some matching accessories for each. Ruby has paid for one of the two outfits, and she wants you to pick whichever one you like most to wear tonight.”
Weiss first removed the sheet on the mannequin to Penny’s left. Underneath was a very pretty mint green, knee length dress. The gown had frilly straps that covered and slightly wrapped around the shoulders, and a large bow that sat on the lower back of the mannequin. The dress was accompanied by a plain black belt which sat above the bow, and a pair of simple but very cute matching mint green 1-inch heel shoes.
Weiss then removed the sheet on the mannequin to Penny’s right, revealing a much more extravagant, dark green, ankle length dress. There was an outer layer of floral patterned lace that covered the top of the dress, starting at the straps and going down to the dress’ waistline. Within the lace were small, sparkling gold gemstones. It reminded Penny of something you’d wear to a ball or a cocktail party. The dress was also accompanied by a matching dark green pair of 1-inch heel shoes.
Penny looked between the two dresses. “Can I ask about what Ruby has planned?” She asked the room. “I just feel like these two are for very different occasions and settings, and I want to pick the one that’s most appropriate.”
She watched as Weiss, Blake, and Yang all gained warm smiles on their faces as they looked at each other.
“Ruby,” started Weiss, “I don’t think would want us to spoil anything. But if it helps, she did say that you should pick the one that you would want to wear ‘on a night you’ll remember for the rest of your life’.”
Penny began to slightly blush, excited. “The one on the left.” Penny replied, a little fluster present in her voice. “The lighter green one.”
“Excellent choice, Ms. Polendina.” Weiss replied with a nod. “Please feel free to use my dressing rooms. The rightmost one has a bag and a box for your clothes and shoes, and whatever else you would want us to carry for you.”
Penny took the dress and accessories as Weiss handed them to her, and giddily walked into the dressing room. As she changed, she listened to Weiss, Blake, and Yang whisper.
“Told you she’d pick that one.” whispered Blake.
“Alright, you win.” quietly answered Yang. “You get to pick the restaurants for date nights this month.”
“You did a really good job on these by the way, Weiss.” said Blake. “These are both definitely your best work.”
“Thanks.” chuckled Weiss. “I pulled out all the stops. Penny deserves nothing less after all. Did anyone tell Ruby where we are?”
“Not yet, but I got it.” replied Yang. “I’m gonna text her right before we drive Penny over to her.”
Penny walked out of the dressing room after a minute of admiring herself in the room’s mirror. She felt so beautiful in her new dress, and after she walked out of the room, she could tell by the looks on their faces that Weiss, Blake, and Yang all agreed. She felt her cheeks get rosy as they all smiled at her.
“You look so beautiful Penny,” said Weiss.
“Ready to head out?” Yang asked, jerking her head toward the door.
Penny felt her cheeks get a little warmer. “Yes, let’s go.”
“Here,” said Weiss, handing Penny a long, very plain dark gray coat. “Put this on. We don’t want the dress to get dirty.”
Blake walked Penny out to Bumblebee as Weiss armed the security system and Yang sent a text on her phone. The four girls hopped in Yang's car, Blake in the passenger seat next to Yang, Penny and Weiss sitting in the back.
Penny watched out the window as Yang drove Bumblebee. It didn’t take her long to realize they were on their way to Patch Island Park, the place where so long ago Penny and Ruby shared their first kiss. Penny always liked thinking about that night, about how this whole wonderful thing began.
Yang parked as close as she could to the beginning of the main trail, and Weiss helped Penny out of Bumblebee. The park was very quiet tonight. It usually was the week after the Patch Island Summer Festival.
The four walked along the trails of park, Yang in front with Blake, and Weiss next to Penny just behind them, Weiss making sure Penny was comfortable walking in her new shoes and wouldn’t trip or fall in them.
Penny soon also recognized the route they were taking as the one that Ruby led her through those three years ago to that gorgeous field filled with fireflies.
Blake led the way when they got to the break in the tree line that led directly to the field, moving branches and foliage out of the way for the four. As Blake led, Yang moved back to be next to Penny as Penny walked, using her height to protect Penny as best as she could from anything that may mess up Penny’s hair or her clothes. When Blake arrived at the opening at the end, she waved to someone inside, then moved to the side of the opening. She turned back and waved Penny in, inviting her into the field.
It was filled with just as many fireflies and blooming flowers as that night years ago. Penny briefly watched as the fireflies danced and flickered in the night sky.
The fireflies were joined by what must have been about a hundred fake candles, each one sitting on a small stone a few inches tall and sticking above the top of the grass. Together, the fireflies and the candles, along with the moon above in the now dark night sky, lit the field just enough to be able to see clearly. While some of the candles were sprinkled around the field, most of them were in two lines, defining a path leading to the field’s center.
Leading to who was waiting for Penny: Ruby Rose, dressed in a white button down, a black formal button down vest, a dark red bow tie, black suit pants, and her red rose crochet hair pin. She was holding a bouquet of white and pink flowers. Penny’s heart filled to the brim with love when she finally saw Ruby.
Penny took a few steps into the field, just passing the tree line. She took off her coat, turned and handed it to Yang behind her, then turned back toward the center of the field, to the girl she loved within it.
Penny heard the grass crinkle beneath her feet as she slowly walked to Ruby. The sound was joined by only the odd chirp of a cricket, and a gentle buzz of a firefly whenever one got close to her ear.
Penny was finally able to make out the look on Ruby’s face when she got about halfway to the field’s center. Ruby had a very shy and bashful smile on her face, and her cheeks were just about as flushed as Penny had ever seen them. There was also a hint of nervousness on every feature of Ruby’s face, and it looked like her breathing was just a little heavier than it normally was. Her hands were shaking too. God her anxious heart must’ve been pounding in her chest.
As Penny continued to get closer, she noticed that Ruby was standing on the blanket made of all of the things they crocheted together a long time ago, a gift Penny had made for Ruby. On the blanket was also a picnic basket, Ruby’s backpack, a translucent bag filled with what looked like plates and cutlery, and a thin vase with two roses inside it, one red, one green.
Penny stopped when she got a foot away from the edge of the blanket. “Hi Ruby.”
Ruby nervously gulped “H-hey Penny.” she said, her voice shaking from nerves. “Uhm, I… I got you flowers. I hope you like them.” Ruby reached out as far as she could with her arms, and Penny took the bouquet, just barely being able to reach it after she and Ruby leaned in toward each other. “Thank you Ruby.” Penny replied as she brought the flowers close to her chest. “I love them.”
Penny waited for a moment for Ruby to speak again, but Ruby’s nerves seemed to be getting the better of her. Penny noticed Ruby’s breathing got a little heavier with each passing second, so she spoke again to try to help ease Ruby’s feelings. She looked down to the blanket. “A moonlit picnic is a really nice surprise.” she said with a smile. “Thank you for setting this up for us.”
It took Ruby a second to respond. “Oh yeah, I uh, I thought this would be nice, so… ya know.”
Penny saw Ruby anxiously look to the side. She hated seeing Ruby looking so nervous and scared.
“It’s okay, Ruby. Don’t be afraid.” She thought to herself. She had an idea of what Ruby was trying to do. She was about to speak again before Ruby did just a moment before she could.
“It’s uhm… It’s not the only surprise I had planned for tonight.” Ruby said, looking back at Penny, and reaching into her pocket with her left hand for something.
And there it was: a ring box, clutched in Ruby’s hand.
“I uh.” Ruby squeaked out. She took another deep breath, and looked down and just to the side. “I know it’s been less than a year since we moved in together, and while we never talked about how much time we wanted to wait before this… I mean I could understand if you were imagining waiting a little longer but…” Ruby swallowed spit again and looked back up at Penny. She opened the ring box, revealing a sterling silver engagement ring with a small but beautiful diamond in it.
“I’m ready Penny… And I was really hoping you were too.” Ruby sounded like she was about to cry.
Penny felt warmth spread through her chest and her cheeks flush when she saw the ring. She looked back toward Ruby and took a deep breath, her bashful smile getting wider every second as she looked at Ruby.
She must've taken too long to respond, because Ruby started to nervously ramble as she looked away again. “It's… i-it's okay if you’re not though. I don’t want to rush you or anything.” She started to pull the ring box back closer to her pocket. “ Really, if you need more time, we can just-”
“Ruby,” Penny interrupted, drawing Ruby’s shimmering silver eyes back to her. “Go ahead. I’m ready.”
A shaky, flustered breath escaped Ruby’s lips as they curled into a smile. She took a few steps toward Penny, got down on one knee, and presented the ring. Emerald green locked with shining silver.
“Penny… I… I…” Ruby nervously swallowed spit again. She let out a flustered chuckle. “Sorry, I spent the past few weeks coming up with everything I wanted to say, but… now I can’t remember how any of it went.”
“It’s okay Ruby.” Penny answered, letting out a flustered chuckle to match Ruby’s. “Just speak from your heart. I know whatever comes from there will be beautiful.” Penny started to feel her eyes water, and saw Ruby’s do the same.
Ruby took another deep, shaky breath. “Penny… I….
I can’t believe how lucky I am to be here right now, and how lucky I am to have you.
There’s so much I can’t believe really. I can’t believe how much my life changed just because I walked into a pet store one morning with Weiss, Blake, and Yang. I can’t believe how amazing you’ve always been. I can’t believe the way you make my heart flutter. I can’t believe how hard I fell in love with you. I can’t believe just… how much better everything becomes when you’re there too.”
Penny placed a hand over her mouth and the other, clutching the bouquet, over her heart as Ruby kept going. What was happening finally really hit her.
“Having you in my life has felt like… the most wonderful dream ever. And I never want this dream to end.
I want my life to be this dream every day for as long as I live, and for every beat of my heart to be right alongside every beat of yours.”
Ruby’s voice began to crack. As the tears welled in her eyes, they glistened against their silver and the reflection of the moonlight within them.
“Penny Polendina… will you marry me?”
Penny sniffed in and rapidly nodded her head up and down. She wanted to speak, desperately wanting to verbalize her answer, but she didn’t think she could form a coherent word, thinking anything she tried to say would instead come out incomprehensible through a choked, happy sob. She moved the hand that covered her mouth to join the one over her heart so Ruby could see the big, elated smile that Ruby’s proposal made spread across her face.
Ruby let out another shaky breath. She rose to her feet, taking the ring out of the ring box, and clutching it in her right hand. With her left, she put the box away then reached out toward Penny, wordlessly asking for her hand.
Penny happily presented it. She felt Ruby gently take the hand she presented, and felt and watched Ruby slowly slide the engagement ring on her left hand’s ring finger. Penny stared enamored at the ring, and at everything that it meant.
She looked back up at Ruby, catching Ruby looking back up at her at the exact same moment. Their faces flushed at the exact same moment too. They both briefly looked down to each other’s lips at the exact same time, both leaned in toward the other at the exact same time. Ruby leaned to her right as Penny leaned to her left, causing them to accidentally bump noses.
The two giggled, then tried again. This time, Ruby leaned to her left as Penny leaned to her right. Their noses touched again, and again they giggled, staring into each other's eyes, emerald green and shining silver gazing into one another. Bashful smiles took over their flushed faces. Penny felt her heart warmly pounding, and she knew Ruby was feeling her heart do the same.
Penny gently dropped the bouquet, then reached out and gently placed her hands on Ruby’s face, leaning it to Ruby’s left as she leaned to her own left. She felt Ruby’s hands as they came to rest on her cheeks. Finally, they both leaned in, their lips joining together in a gentle, loving, relieving, soul igniting kiss. They briefly pulled away and shared another. They rested their foreheads against one anothers as their kiss ended.
Ruby was the first to speak. “I love you so much Penny.”
“I love you too Ruby, so so much.” Penny answered, managing to speak through the tears that were streaming down her face.
They pulled their faces away from one another’s again, just enough to make eye contact, breaking out into a flustered, loving giggling fit. Penny couldn’t resist pulling Ruby in again, wrapping her arms around her into the most gentle, love-filled embrace she could give. She felt Ruby wrap her arms around her waist. Ruby’s hugs always made her feel so warm inside, and tonight’s made her feel the warmest she had ever felt. She wished she could just stay here forever.
“Hey Penny.” she heard Ruby say after a while.
“Yes Ruby?” Penny replied, pulling Ruby in tighter.
“We’ve been hugging for like ten minutes, and not that I want to stop, but I’m a little worried the food might get cold.” Ruby answered with a chuckle.
Penny pulled Ruby in closer again. “Just another minute or two, okay?”
She felt Ruby pull her in tighter and begin gently rubbing her back. “Okay.”