“Oh, you don’t have to, Warden!” Xennet said, and Dorn grunted in agreement. “We wanted to do this for you and Doctor Lualhati. There is no need for payment!”
“Noted,” I said. “But I will pay you anyway. Do not argue this point any further.”
Xennet looked like he did indeed plan to argue further, but Dorn elbowed him and muttered, “Don’t you owe Rivven for nigh-on half a cycle of meals and drinks at the saloon?”
“Thank you, Warden,” Xennet said with a small smile. “Please direct my portion to my saloon tab.”
By the timeLualhati woke up and came onto the saloon’s porch, the roof on her bedroom at the hospital was complete.
Ourbedroom.
I left the others, meeting her at the porch with the boots from Xennet. She was in her bare feet, clearly unwilling, or perhaps unable, to put last night’s treacherous boots on again. The rest of her was covered, though. She’d found her pink and yellow banana scrubs, and had a blanket wrapped about her shoulders.
“Here,” I said, placing the boots down in front of her. I stayed bent, letting her use my shoulder as a support as she put one foot, then the other, into the boots.
“Wow, these actually fit! They must be way too small for a Zabrian. Where did you get them on such short notice?” she asked, turning her feet this way and that to admire the leather in the morning sun.
“I made them a long time ago. They were Xennet’s. His from when he was a boy.”
Her mouth dropped open.
“Are you serious?” she asked. “He’s giving these to me?”
“That and more,” I told her. “He and Dorn both brought gifts. I will show you.”
We walked together through the slush and the mud. I was pleased to see how well those boots performed for her. She seemed to like them, too, walking with unhindered strides and a look of happy calm upon her face.
This was yet another moment to cherish. Simply walking through the morning air with her. Because we’d spent the night together.
Because she was mine.
“You will marry me, won’t you?” I asked, suddenly halting. She stopped walking and turned to face me, surprise pulling at her features.
“What?”
I’d never actually asked her last night. I’d assumed, after all the declarations of love, that it meant she was staying.
With me.
But I had to know. Had to hear the words from her soft lips.
I dropped to one knee.
“What are you doing? The mud!”
“Don’t care about the mud,” I said. “I only care that I do this right.”
I’d seen the pictures in Tasha’s document. The human marriage proposals.
I took her hands in mine.
“I may not have a ring for you yet,” I told her solemnly. “But I’ve got good boots for your feet, hands to hold yours, and a heart that will love you forever.”
Her eyes shone. “I thought you said Zabrians didn’t love with their hearts.”
“Maybe they don’t,” I replied. “But mine loves you. Perhaps because you’ve taught it how.” I gazed into her face. “Lualhati Ortiz. Will you marry me?”
She choked out a tiny sob. “Yes! Yes, of course I will, Hallum!” She cried openly now, tears streaming, but she was smiling, too, so I supposed that was alright. She tugged on my hands, and I rose. I pulled her into a tight embrace and kissed her, trying to pour every promise I’d just made into her mouth with mine.
