June 6th, 2042 Low Earth orbit

The launch vehicle had just completed the hook up with the interplanetary vessel Starship. There was going to be a second launch ship rendezvousing tomorrow with the second half of the mission team. Everybody was getting settled in for a long journey. Even though Starship was vastly more spacious than the launch vehicle, it still will be very cramped when all 25 members are aboard. Julius had something to take care of while it was just the close knit group of friends. He checked his video messages.

First one was from Mae:

 She appeared on the prompter, her face was full of untempered excitement, {I love you and I will miss you terribly already Julie, don't worry everything will be fine.} Her eyes filled with tears, and it made Julius began to cry as well.

Second message was from Gord and Jed:

 {Just wanna say we are both proud of you turd, if mom and dad were still around I'm sure they would love her deeply. Don't fuck this up!}

Third and last message was from Alice:

 She had very serious look to her, {So are you going to do this or what? Don't be a chicken and remember I get the exclusive. I would say yes in a heartbeat if I were her. She giggled and crunched up her face and made kissy noises}

Little brat, Julius checked his watch, almost time, here goes nothing. Julius guided Sunni to stand in front of the port side window. "Okay, stand right here" he instructed.

"What are you up to?", she questioned suspiciously. In response he curled up unto a ball before her. Four other members surrounded his crouched form. They began to hum and make magic fingers.

"What....is going on here?" An apprehensive Sunni watched.

One of the crew members replied, "Canada's attempt at interpretive dance"

"Oh my god!" She tried not to chuckle.

The sun shone through the port window from behind Sunni. Julius began, "I am a seed, lost and fragile, oh Sunni I feel you're warm on my shell."

"Grow, grow, grow" the others chanted

Sunni laughed awkwardly, Julius placed his hands on top of his head closed in prayer. "I sprout, tiny delicate leaves burst forth from my cold hard shell, reaching for you."

"Grow, grow, grow"

Julius extends his arms undulating them, "your love gives me strength, I grow taller, stronger because of you." Julius stands fully upright someone places a sunflower costume on his head.

"You are so adorable" Sunni has tears in her eyes overwhelmed by this display.

"Flower, flower, flower"

"I open myself up to you, bursting with colour, trying my best to impress you. All my energy it dedicated to your happiness. Will you accept this simple flower for your garden of love?"

Sunni looked down to a small box the silly flower was holding. It got down on one knee before her.

"Love love love"

The ring in the box was a fire opal surrounded by diamonds. "Miss Patel this ring is a token, a remembrance of the light you shined on this tiny seed when I first saw your smile. It is a promise, that no matter what happens. I will always reach for you. Miss Patel will you accept this foolish flower into your garden, to be my botanist. So we can experience every new sunrise as one."

Sunni was speechless overcome with emotions, tears streaming down her face.

The flower broke into song, In a deep, comical cadence it began, "Desperadoooo"

"Oh no please stop!", Miss Patel urged halfheartedly

"You better come to your senses", he continued

"This has been so romantic, and dare I say it, you look very sexy mister flower. But I'm begging you."

"You've been out riding fences for so long now"

"Alright, now I am starting to feel a little sad for you"

"Oh, your a hard one, I know know you got your reasons"

"Yes! Yes! Yes! Just stop fucking singing before I change my mind!"