~That evening~~~

-Christina's POV-

A bead of sweat slips down my back as I open the door for Jackie. The slight bulk of the box in my pocket seems to weigh a ton, and I feel as if it draws every eye. They're probably looking at Jackie, though, I thought dazedly. She was glowing, smiling widely and chatting animatedly as I led her to the table I'd reserved on the balcony. "..stars are so pretty tonight."

I started, having been lost in thought as I gazed in wonder at my beautiful girlfriend. She was just so captivating.. "Stars?" I asked, cringing at how dumb I sounded. Stepping out onto the balcony, she twirled slowly, taking in the bright stars emerging from the twilight. I smiled, watching her, as I fingered the small box in my jacket pocket. I hoped with all my heart she would say yes.

She had moved to the terrace, and I followed, putting my arms around her waist. She leaned back, snuggling into my chest. Enveloped in each other's warmth, we raised our eyes to the heavens. "When I die," Jackie began, voice strong, "I want to dance across the skies. Using the stars as stepping stones, and the moon as a guide, I want to live forever in the dark night sky." She turned around, wrapping her arms around my neck. "Will you dance with me, Christina?"

Tears pricked my eyes, but I didn't reply. Instead, I took her hand and twirled her, dipping her when she was again facing me. We were only a breath apart. "Always." Smiling, she pulled me down for a slow, passionate kiss that made my bones vibrate.

Someone cleared their throat, and I looked up to see a young man standing at the door to the balcony, distinctly pink in the face. "W-would you like to order drinks now? Or should I come back?" He looked down, still blushing. Chuckling at his shyness, I pulling Jackie flush to my side and pecked her on the cheek. "Better keep it PG for the kid." I murmured, still laughing. She rolled her eyes and stood up on tiptoe to breathe in my ear, "Don't be so tempting, then." Shivering a bit at her tone, I raised an eyebrow. "I'm too tempting?" "Save it for tonight, Christy." She tweaked my side, and turned to smile at the boy, who was still in the doorway.

"I'd love a strawberry and lemon sparkling water, Mr.?" He finally looked up, relaxing a little at her kind expression. "My name's Jamie, miss." She extended her hand, and after hesitating for a moment, he shook it. "No milk, Kitty?" I muttered against Jackie's ear, winking at her exasperated expression and tapping her cheek with my tail. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jamie's eyes widen. Squaring my shoulders, I extended my hand as well. "Jamie, you said? I'm​ Christina, and this is my girlfriend Jackie." He shook, and I was impressed with how firm his grip was.

Jackie elbowed me when I released his hand, "What do you want to drink? We don't want to get Jamie in trouble for neglecting his duties because of us." "Right. I'll take a Coke with ice." Glancing at her out of the corner of my eye, I grinned. "And a glass of milk." She snorted, but didn't object. Jamie nodded and scribbled it down on his notepad. "So one Coke with ice, one glass of milk, one strawberry and lemon sparkling water. Is that correct?" Smirking at me, Jackie added, "And one banana smoothie, please. Thanks ever so much, Jamie." It was my turn to roll my eyes, but I didn't comment.

Jamie nodded and left, closing the door behind him so we could have some privacy. "He seemed sweet." Jackie commented, taking a seat at the little oak table set to the side. I nodded, sitting across from her. "Yeah. But I didn't exactly like his reaction to my tail. I don't normally fight kids, but if he tries to raise the bill just cause we're faunus, he will be sore for a few weeks." I growled. Jackie took my hand, rubbing her thumb across my knuckles until I unclenched my fist. "I'm sure Jamie wouldn't do that. It's not as bad for our kind anymore, remember? Things have changed since we were children." She reminded me, smiling softly before reaching up to undo the bow in her hair.

I nodded and heaved a breath out, rubbing my hands across my face. "Sometimes I forget, that's all. The children weren't exactly welcoming towards people they deemed 'different'." Scratching her left ear, she nodded. "I know. But things aren't like they used to be. Jamie is a nice kid." Smiling softly, she played with her chocolately-brown locks. "When I have kids, I want to have a son like Jamie. Polite, sweet, cute cheeks." Lost in thought, she gazed at the rapidly darkening sky. I swallowed, throat suddenly dry. I couldn't give her kids. Was this a mistake? Was she going to reject me?

Suddenly her eyes focused on my face. "What's wrong?" I couldn't answer, thoughts still swirling sickeningly in my head. Taking my hand, she asked, "Did I scare you with the children comment? I didn't mean to imply anything--" I shook my head and pressed my lips to hers. "I'm okay, Jackie. Just thinking." She nodded, gaze fixed on my eyes. "I love you." She breathed, capturing my lips once again. Unable to say anything, I stood up and pulled her against my chest, wrapping my arms around her waist and petting her ears with my tail.

She mewled against my lips, and I grinned, pulling her even closer as I lost myself in her ocean-y smell and slightly chapped lips. When we finally pulled away, I smiled and continued to stroke her ears with my tail. "I love you." I whispered. Suddenly a grin lit her features, and she ran her fingers over my tail, distracting me from petting her ears. I hummed, eyes slitted as I melted at her touch. "Save it for tonight, Kitty." I whispered, struggling to open my eyes. "Whatever you say, Monkey."

We had barely resumed our seats, a little more rumpled than before, when a knock sounded on the door. I opened it to find Jamie struggling with a platter, our drinks resting atop it. Instinctively, I steadied it, my tail just barely brushing Jamie's wrist. "Thank you, miss. I apologise for almost spilling the drinks." "It's okay, Jamie." Still feeling warm from Jackie's kiss, I smiled at him. "The important thing is that you didn't." Throwing me an embarrassed grin, he set the platter on the table and began unloading the drinks. We ordered, and he opened the door, ready to depart.

Before leaving though, he glanced first at Jackie's ears, then my tail. It wasn't malice in his gaze, however. It looked like.. wonder. But he was gone before I could say anything. As I was thinking about it, I noticed Jackie shiver. Before my brain caught up, I was already wrapping my jacket around her shoulders. "Thanks, Christina." She grinned sheepishly. "I forgot to bring mine." Shaking my head, I put my hand on her cheek. "What would you do without me?" I asked jokingly. But it was with dead seriousness that she replied, "I'd be lost."

Swallowing, I gazed at her, thumb brushing over her cheek again and again. Was this the right time to ask? Should I wait until after dinner? Suddenly I couldn't recall the speech I'd spent hours preparing.

Taking a deep breath, I got down on one knee.