Rising Shards

In the time it took for Stella to get a glass of wine for herself, the drinks hit me in a different way, and I found myself kneeling in front of the toilet while Stella was beside me, checking in every few minutes.

”Anything yet?” she asked.

”No, just real barfy,” I said.

”Oop,” Stella said. Zeta was peeking through the doorway, half hiding behind it. ”Zeta, leave us alone for a minute,”

”Is Dr. Diast dying?” Zeta asked.

”She just drank too much,” Stella said.

”Is Dr. Diast Dr. Dying?” Zeta asked. She found that really funny. I would have laughed too, but I was sweaty and out of it and gross. One of the worst parts was nothing was coming up, so I was just feeling awful having to wait this out with no immediate sign I’d have any reprieve.

”If you don’t want to see me throw up, you better go, pal,” I said.

Zeta shrugged. ”I’ve seen Aira throw up like, six or seven times.”

”Oh, right,” I said. Aira was a friend of hers, formerly one of the students I was directly watching over. She had the unfortunate skill of being able to throw up on command.

”If she’s ever visits, tell her not to do that on our carpet,” Stella said.

”I’m never drinking again,” I said. ”Or like. Not whatever the hell that punch was, oh my god.”

”Do you want to get another glass of ice water if you’re not gonna leave?” Stella asked.

”Er...what kind?” Zeta asked.

”What do you mean? It’s water, just get water and put ice in it.”

As the siblings found a way to bicker about water, the worst of it passed me. I wasn’t exactly relieved by the time I got out to the living room and crashed back on the couch.

”Here is one ice water, as ordered,” Zeta said, presenting me with a glass of water that she’d placed on a plate for whatever reason.

”Thanks,” I said. ”Sorry Stel, I interrupted our talk.”

”What kind of talk?” Zeta asked, panic in her voice. Stella bonked her on the head with a rolled up magazine. ”Hey!”

”Nothing to worry about, it should be something happy,” Stella said.

”Oh, I bet this is about how Dr. Diast said you’re her wife,” Zeta grinned.

”Sure is,” Stella said. ”So you better beat it if you don’t wanna hear a mushy conversation.”

”Fine, fine,” Zeta said, returning back to her basement den.

I wasn’t sure if I could make it to bed, but Stella helped me get there. I felt a bit better getting under the covers.

”If you wanna save the talk for tomorrow, I totally get it,” Stella said. ”But...”

”But?”

”Kinda would like a preliminary talk, at least,” Stella said. ”Had a glass of wine and everything to be more open while talking, ya know?”

She wrapped her arms around my waist.

”Mmh,” Sleepiness was starting to replace the barfiness. ”Well, I think it’d be great.”

”Yeah? Wait, which part?” Stella asked.

”If you’d be interested, I’d definitely marry you,” I said. There wasn’t any reason to deny it. ”I don’t think I’ve ever been a big soulmate type person either, but I feel it when I think about you.”

Stella nuzzled against me. ”I feel that too. And...yeah, that would be amazing.”

We both went quiet, both of us daydreaming about what our marriage would look like.

”I’m gonna bet you’d like a really big proposal,” I said.

”Not really big,” Stella said. ”But I’d like something that’s a bit of an event, you know? Not like shut down the whole street and have a parade for us level.”

”I get that,” I said.

”But don’t tell me if you’re thinking of ideas, I also want it to be a surprise,” Stella said.

”Gotcha,” I said. ”Any other wishes for a hypothetical proposal?”

”Hmmm,” Stella said. ”Something that’s very us. Unique. But something a bit...like you could pop the question now and I’d say yes, but give me long enough to forget it and not see it coming. Does that make sense?”

”I’m following for sure,” I said.

”If you’re feeling overwhelmed with love and have to propose right now, I won’t be mad,” Stella said.

”I mean, I’m definitely overwhelmed with love any time I’m with you, but I don’t think tonight’s the night,” I said. ”I’m mainly glad I didn’t puke.”

”Phew,” Stella said. ”I mean, I’m ready, but yeah.” She hugged me close again. ”Something not too big, surprising, and very us.”

”I think when the time comes, I will be able to fulfill those wishes,” I said.